Burn Your Hits: Marisa Plaice

For a while now my lists for Aaron have consisted of an intro in which I wax philosophical (whine) about how having children changed my relationship with music - particularly live music. I was going to skip that this year (you’re welcome) and keep this real concise, mostly because I’m getting this to Aaron pretty late.

Then I read what he wrote about Ginger, and that all changed. I have some things to say. (That sounds ominous. It’s not!)

I met Ilana and Aaron over a decade ago (15 years ago? What is time?) via a dog rescue Aaron and I were on the board for, and that I later worked for. During that time they acquired Ginger, and I acquired Ada, a smaller, meaner version of Ginger.

As it happens, Ilana spent her remaining time in the US trying to befriend Ada. It did not work.

In fact, we initially fostered Ada because the first time I volunteered for this rescue she bit a guy that wanted to meet her. I felt bad for being the one that handed her to him, so we took her home for her bite quarantine, and she never left.

That being said - she definitely made me cry when we first adopted her. But she taught me so much about dogs, and dog training, and we got to know each other. We knew what to do to avoid her wrath. It sounds hard, but over the 14 years we had her, it was easy. Second nature. Like any relationship, we knew what made her tick.

She was our sidekick, our travel buddy. She flew with us, she went on road trips, she loved the beach.

On January 9th of this year, Ada died peacefully in my arms at almost 17 years old. The hole it has left is like nothing I’ve experienced, though I’ve lost other beloved pets. I think it was the fact that she was so often with us, in the car, on a vacation - she was a constant. She was my home.

And then in May, Ginger died. And both of our girls were gone.

I got to see Ginger in the summer of 2023 when we were in Amsterdam. I hoped I would see her again, but I am thankful for that visit, and thankful for my friendship with Aaron and Ilana that still persists. And all because we loved dogs - particularly orange, fluffy, and occasionally grumpy ones.

In memory of our beloved girls ❤️

Ok! Now that I’m holding back tears, let’s get this show on the road!

I started 2025 by dropping the ball on two of my most beloved artists: Hamilton Leithauser and Perfume Genius. I have not really redeemed myself as far as Hamilton is concerned (though I listened enough to know that I liked “Ocean Roar”), but I did make up for not paying enough attention to Perfume Genius initially. And thank god, because this album is great! It feels like a marriage between his older, more sparse and emotionally-driven songs, and his later albums. “Clean Heart” was a stand out for me; when I want to cry, and I’m not writing too-long intros about the deaths of beloved dogs, I can always rely on Perfume Genius.

Additionally, in that same month, two other fave artists released albums that I DID spend a more respectable amount of time with: Lucy Dacus and Japanese Breakfast. “For Keeps”, off of Lucy Dacus’s Forever is a Feeling, does not get the love it deserves. “Picture Window” off of Japanese Breakfast’s For Melancholy Brunettes (and Sad Women) was a favorite, and incidentally, I saw both ladies live this year!

In April, one of my favorite albums of the year came out: Julien Baker and Torres’ Send a Prayer My Way. I was so excited to see them live. I declared that it would be “Cuntry Summer” (I can’t take credit for that). But sadly their tour was cancelled due to health reasons on JB’s side, and it seems the project has fizzled, which is so disappointing. I hope they revive it one of these days - I’d love to hear “Sugar in the Tank” live someday (but “Sylvia” needs a shout out too, because it’s about - wait for it - Torres’ dog!)

Beach Bunny is a delight and released yet another delightful album - I loved “Chasm”. Pulp released a new album in June - honestly I am always weirdly resistant to new albums by beloved bands that haven’t put something out in a while. I mean - it doesn’t always go well, you know? And Pulp has been a staple since high school. I have danced exuberantly to “Common People” more times than I can count - and I am not a person that dances exuberantly. But this album was pretty great! “Spike Island” is an excellent opener and grabbed me right away. Jarvis does not deserve to be underrated!

And then. Then it happened. The world was forever changed by the release of K-pop Demon Hunters. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have children. You couldn’t escape “Golden”. And why would you want to? The movie is great. The soundtrack is amazing. I allowed it to take over my Spotify (usually I switch over to Apple Music for the kids’ stuff, but not this. And yes I know I need to cancel both of those memberships). It’s Rumi, Mira and Zoe’s world, and we just live in it.

Wet Leg released a respectable sophomore album. I was partial to the opening track, “CPR”. Alex G released a fantastic album - “Real Thing” was a favorite. And on that same day, my very unexpected candidate for album of the year was released: I Want My Loved Ones to Come With Me, by Noah Cyrus. Yes - that Cyrus family. Miley’s little sister. Billy Ray’s daughter. But before you roll your eyes and assume this is another K-pop-esque fluke, hear me out. Noah’s country/americana/indie vibe is quite unlike her sister’s pop music (which I do love). It is not cheesy like her dad’s country top 100 (which I do not love). And it is probably unlike other family members’ music (there seems to be a lot of them). Check out “July”. Check out her work with PJ Harding (yes that is his name), particularly “The Worst of You”. And consider some of the other artists on her album: Fleet Foxes! Bill Callahan! Even the song with Blake Shelton is good (kinda)! My favorite song, however, is “What’s It All For”. I can’t get enough of a melancholy, low-fi country tune. Oh and I saw her live as well this year, and she was fucking amazing. Noah Cyrus is underrated and I will die on this hill, even if no one is particularly interested or even arguing with me!

Hayley Williams released an album in August that I liked, particularly “Mirtazipine”, because it sounds like it could have been released by Veruca Salt circa 1997. Sabrina Carpenter is a perfect queen, her new album is great, and I loved “Tears”. Blood Orange released an album on the same day as those two ladies. I liked “Mind Loaded” but none of his albums can top Cupid Deluxe, in my opinion. I hope that changes someday.

Neko Case - also a beloved artist and human in general - released an album in September. I had high hopes after hearing “Wreck”, but I have to say this was not one of my favorite Neko releases. I love the first three songs on The Life of a Showgirl, especially “Elizabeth Taylor”, but like many people was somewhat underwhelmed by this release. Regardless, I still love T Swift and will never apologize for that. Later in October Jay Som released one of my other favorite albums of this year, Belong. I’ve loved Jay Som for a long time and I must say, this is my favorite release since their first album. It’s hard to choose just one track - “Casino Stars” and the closer, “Want It All”, are favorites. Incidentally their song with Hayley Williams (“Past Lives”) further cements my theory that Williams should start a Veruca Salt-esque band and Melina, of Jay Som, should be the Nina Gordon to Hayley’s Louise Post. PUTTING THIS OUT INTO THE UNIVERSE BECAUSE I DESPERATELY WANT IT TO HAPPEN.

Lily Allen absolutely killed it with her release, West End Girl. My favorite track is “Tennis”. Can we watch the new season of Stranger Things without “Pussy Palace” echoing through our brains? Probably not, but I’ll try!

And then - just in time for the holidays - we got Snocaps, consisting of Katie and Allison Crutchfield, MJ Lenderman, and Brad Cook. Their surprise release on Halloween was really needed during this mostly terrible year. They are 2025’s super group and I love “Angel Wings”. A big, big thank you to them.

And there you have it. If you actually read all of that - wow, thank you. Remember when I said this would be concise? It’s never concise! Cheers to 2026 - may it bring better things to the world, and perhaps your soul dog to you.

Thursday, December 26, 2024

GL.24.13: Marisa Plaice

100 Songs: Aaron Bergstrom

GL.24.01: Ilana Bergstrom

GL.24.02: Isabel Vermaak

GL.24.03: Megan Swidler

GL.24.04: Curt Trnka

GL.24.05: Erik Kristjanson

GL.24.06: Caseysimone Ballestas

GL.24.07: Nora Tang

GL.24.08: Tony Schoenberg

GL.24.09: Ben Evangelista

GL.24.10: Kevin Wyckoff

GL.24.11: Jem Stirling

GL.24.12: Dillon North

GL.24.13: MARISA PLAICE

GL.24.14: Desa Warner

GL.24.15: Mario Sanders

GL.24.16: Carl Anderson

***

Remember back to when you were a child, and the holidays were such a fun, magical time? It was all twinkly lights and too much sugar and presents presents presents.

Well I’m here to let you in on something.

Behind all that, your parents were losing their shit.

There’s the shopping and the wrapping and the end of year school activities and oh the school’s director would like to fit in a quick meeting before the end of the year as would the head of every other activity your child is involved in and hey can you pull together five different proofs of residence so you can REGISTER YOUR CHILD FOR KINDERGARTEN REAL QUICK???

But I digress.

Am I throwing my children under the bus to excuse my late submission? Possibly. Are they truly to blame? No question. (Just kidding, sorta). Anyway if you don’t like that theme you should probably stop reading now cuz they’re a big reason my music consumption has shifted so drastically in recent years, and I am absolutely gonna call them out. Well ok, it’s them and true crime podcasts. But who among us hasn’t experienced this?? (No one, Marisa. Absolutely no one). Ok then, let’s do this!

My first album of note that came out in 2024 was Willi Carlisle’s Critterland. I have absolutely no recollection of how I stumbled upon him, but he is a gem. His songs are sorrowful with a tinge of humor - “The Arrangements” and “When the Pills Wear Off” in particular stand out. But my favorite track is “Two-Headed Lamb”, a mournful song about a - wait for it - two headed lamb. I think this song stood out due to the fact that it’s reminiscent of, and possibly inspired by, the Laura Gilpin poem “The Two-Headed Calf”. I love that poem so much I have a tattoo based on it, and Carlisle, whether he intended to or not, manages to capture its themes of tragedy and acceptance. The end result is beautiful.

Next up was The Last Dinner Party’s Prelude to Ecstasy. This album was great, and like the rest of the world, “Nothing Matters” was the big standout for me. Then I fell off and I don’t remember why, probably because I was forced to listen to the Gabby’s Dollhouse playlist on repeat (I switched over to Apple Music for that one so I wouldn’t ruin my Spotify algorithm). No I am not including Gabby’s Dollhouse on my end of year playlist - but I’m tempted to include “Shiny” from Moana. Anyway what was I talking about?

Oh right. Bleachers released an album and my favorite track was “Isimo”. I used to LOVE Bleachers but haven’t been feeling the last few releases. That being said, Jack Antanoff is still killing it as a producer (that’s a hint for favorite albums to come).

And then! Waxahatchee released Tigers Blood, which in my opinion is her best album to date, and one of my absolute favorite albums of the year. It was somehow reminiscent of her older stuff while completely fitting in with her more recent stuff. It is perfect. “Crimes of the Heart” is perfect. Her duet with MJ Lenderman is beyond perfect (more previews of coming attractions).

Beyoncé released a country album, which I thought I’d love, but unfortunately I didn’t. It felt chaotic and too long. Moving on.

Phosphorescent released an album and I still haven’t listened to it! Sigh. Moving on again.

AND THEN. A single called “Good Luck, Babe!” was released by a little known singer named Chappell Roan. I listened to it. I loved it. I listened to her album and loved her even more. I watched her Tiny Desk Concert, her Fallon performance. I believe it was around this time that the whole world did the exact same thing. I listened to her album all summer, with the rest of the world. And here we are. It was Chappell Roan’s year, and we are that much better for it.

Next, the release that once again cemented my identity as a Swiftie (I guess). But I thought The Tortured Poets Department was fantastic. Let me be clear though: I am referring to the initial TTPD release; NOT the Anthology. I felt that the songs on the anthology paled in comparison to the original album, and as a result sort of muddied the initial release. I just wanted to make that clear. And let me also make it clear that “loml” is one of the best songs she’s ever written. I think her collaborations with Aaron Dessner are my favorite - in fact, the first time I listened to the lyrics of that song I found myself covered in goosebumps. It’s just so beautiful and so sad and I don’t know if it’s about the weird looking 1975 dude but whatever, it doesn’t matter (but I’m pretty sure it is). Oh and no, I did not make it to The Eras Tour (but not for lack of trying). I DON’T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT.

Next was Dehd’s release, Poetry. I enjoy the fact that Dehd’s songs are incredibly catchy, but if you tell someone “hey check out this band Dehd”, their music most likely sounds nothing like they’re expecting.

After Dehd came Charli xcx’s release, Brat (in case you’re living under a rock and haven’t heard of it). I like this album but not as much as my five year old does (but hey it’s better than Gabby’s Dollhouse). I feel like my summer was just Spotify playlists based off of Chappell Roan/Taylor Swift/Charli xcx.

And maybe that’s true, because my next album of note is September’s MJ Lenderman release, Manning Fireworks. I love Lenderman’s obscure yet tender yet emotional lyrics. I’m not a professional music critic so that’s the best I can do to describe his songs; if you haven’t listened to him, I hope that’s enough to encourage you to give him a try.

Bright Eyes released an album around this time; I still haven’t listened to it.

And then Trace Mountains released Into the Burning Blue, their fourth (fifth?) release of great, solid albums. I first discovered Trace Mountains when they opened for someone I was seeing at Rickshaw Stop, and they reminded me of the Weakerthans, so I was sold. All these years later and I can confidently say they deserve to live outside of the Weakerthans shadow - even if that comparison exists only in my mind.

Lastly I’d like to give a shout out to my favorite album from last year, Time Ain’t Accidental. I got to see Jess Williamson at the Swedish American Hall this past fall and it really reignited my love of her and that release. Highly recommend.

Oh! And I also want to acknowledge Cindy Lee, because if I don’t, I really will be lost to mom-life for good. I haven’t spent enough time with this album at all, but what I know is great and I know the rest of the world is obsessed. I’ll get there, just give me a few years.

And there you have it. I feel as if I just limped into last place, getting this to Aaron on *checks watch* December 20th. But better late than never, right? *Aaron rolls eyes* (JK, thanks for having faith in me Aaron!!) Happy 2025 everyone. I hope that this year is better in a million different ways *remembers the inauguration is next month* oh crap.

Friday, December 15, 2023

GL.23.03: Marisa Plaice

100 SONGS: Aaron Bergstrom
GL.23.01: Ilana Bergstrom
GL.23.02: Curt Trnka
GL.23.03: MARISA PLAICE
GL.23.04: Isabel Vermaak

GL.23.05: Raffa Pantaleo
GL.23.06: Erik Kristjanson

GL.23.07: Lukas Brooks

GL.23.08: Jem Stirling

GL.23.09: Max Einstein

***

2023 was the year I accepted that, at least for now, becoming a mom has changed my relationship to music.

I know that if you don’t have kids, you think that won’t happen. Well I’m that annoying parent who is here to tell you: you’re wrong.

For example, my son, Charlie, is obsessed with Nevermind. (Yes, I know it could be worse. He had a “Who Let the Dogs Out?” phase.) As a result, I have listened to Nevermind more this past year than I did in the entirety of the nineties. Plus a little Bleach, but he refuses to give In Utero a try. So here we are. Oh, and his favorite song? “Territorial Pissings.” He keeps asking us to remind him of the title. Sigh.

But as I said - it could be worse. My husband started playing a Jock Jams-esque playlist during bath time, and Charlie has really taken to Gary Glitter. If you know anything about Gary Glitter, you’ll know that this is … awkward. (Why do they keep playing his music!?).

That’s not to say he isn’t interested in some current stuff. He’s a big Taylor Swift fan (and so am I) but admittedly he’s probably the reason she was the number one artist on my Spotify Wrapped. The catch here is that he only wants to listen to two albums: Midnights and 1989. His favorite songs are “You’re On Your Own, Kid” and “This Love,” respectively (though those are my favorites, too, so perhaps I’m projecting a bit.) However, I blew his mind the other night when I told him there are T-Swift albums he’s never even heard, so perhaps we’ll make some progress in the new year.

This is not to say that I didn’t listen to new releases that I’m interested in this year. I think Jess Williamson (the other half of Plains) had one of the best albums of 2023. “Stampede” will just break your heart. Caroline Polachek also had quite the year and I imagine she’ll end up on many year end lists. My personal favorite was “Sunset.” I still don’t know how I feel about the National album that came out this year, but I love love love “New Order T-Shirt.” Shoutout as well to “Once Upon a Poolside,” which features Sufjan Stevens. Speaking of Sufjan, he put out an album, too, and had a way worse year than he deserved. I really liked “A Running Start,” and I really hope he’s doing ok. And of course, there was 2023’s MVP, boygenius. An album that actually lived up to the hype, followed by a great 4 song EP. Obviously “Not Strong Enough” was the jam on the full-length, but I also really loved “Anti-Curse.” And “Voyager” was the jam on the EP. Look, it’s boygenius’ world, and we just live in it. Additional shout outs to Bully (loved “Changed Your Mind”), Indigo De Souza (“Losing”), and Mitski, of course (I really liked the first track, “Bug Like an Angel”). I also rediscovered some old favorites this year. Mazzy Star’s first album, for example - the opening track, “Halah,” is so fantastic. I also had a random urge to listen to The Avett Brothers one day. I loved them in the mid-aughts, but don’t listen to them much these days. “My Last Song to Jenny” is still real sad.

Really though, I feel like the thing that’s changed the most from having kids (yes I’m still complaining about them) is my concert attendance. Hooooo boy, it’s really suffered. I did make it out to shows this year - boygenius, for example. Seeing them live reminded me that “Me and My Dog” is a perfect song. And ok, I’m not a total slacker - I literally flew to England to see Pulp (and saw Aaron and Ilana in Amsterdam!). They attract a slightly larger crowd in their homeland compared to America, and it was amazing. And they played “Like a Friend,” which, in my humble opinion, is their greatest song. I also saw The Walkmen, who were AMAZING, and I was delighted when they played “Four Provinces.” And lastly I saw the Death Cab/Postal Service anniversary tour, which I thought would make me feel old, but actually made me feel happy and nostalgic. I still have a huge soft spot for “The District Sleeps Alone Tonight, and “Title and Registration” will forever be one of Death Cab’s best songs.

In the end, what do all of these shows have in common? I felt like they reminded me of who I am. You can really lose yourself when you have kids. I promise I’m not complaining about them again - I love them more than anything in this world, and they are worth every sacrifice. But life changes so much when you have a kid, and it revolves around them, and all of a sudden you’re not sure what you still like, or what you have the energy to do, or how to even find the time. It is, in short, a huge adjustment. And I hate that I don’t make it out to as many concerts as I used to, or that I’m listening to a 30 year old album for the 10th time today. I almost didn’t do an end of the year list - it would be the first time in a very long time that I didn’t - because I felt like I hadn’t listened to enough new music, and I couldn’t structure the list like I had in the past. But then I figured I’d just do it differently. And different isn’t bad, it’s just … different. Whether you’re referring to becoming a parent, or your lack of concert attendance. I’m working on accepting all of that. Maybe in 2024.