Angela's 2022 Year in Review

Hi Sorry State fam! Hope you guys are doing well. This is an extra fun newsletter because we get to talk about our Top Ten releases from 2022 and other random favorites. And I get to read everyone else’s contributions!

So without further ado, because this is gonna be a long one, let’s get going. We’ll start with my top 10 releases of 2022, because that’s the point. And who knows where we’ll go after that.

Anyway, my criteria for determining my top 10 was simple: whatever I played the most. Although my list isn’t in order, the first five are my favorites. Oh, I had to add a picture of one of my picks separately because I forgot it at home.

My Top 10 2022 Releases

Yambag - Strength in Nightmares EP

Cleveland represent. Easily one of my top two favorite hardcore releases. It's chaotic and raw, with well-timed spit noises (blech!) We sold out before I could grab one, so I had to get one from the label, and they sent me a brown one! Standout tracks: Lowlife, Capture the Flag.

ISS Spikes+ (compilation)

The creativity of ISS impresses the hell outta me. So talented and so much fun to listen to. Having so many styles on one record is killer. Standout tracks: Spikes, c.h.u.d.f.r.e.a.k. swap meet, Too Punk for Heavy Metal.

Scarecrow - Crisis EP

This is easily my other favorite hardcore release. I think I was their first online customer when it dropped while they were on tour last summer. Two words: total ripper. This is the way EPs should be done. A super solid set of songs. Great chemistry, technically savvy, and they know how to write a fucking song. Standout tracks: Leeches, Abolition.

Cherry Cheeks LP

This is my “pick me up” album. If caffeine were an album, it would be this one. I love it. It’s weird and fun and totally addicting. I could have sworn it was released in 2022, but recently learned it was technically 2021. Just let me have this one. Standout tracks: Trickin’, Boxes.

No Knuckle S/T LP

The most underrated record on my list. I feel like a lot of you would like this record. Post-punk but with elements of 60s rock on a couple tracks. Normally the psychedelic sounds wouldn’t be my thing, but it works. It’s layered and it’s just very satisfying. Standout tracks: Advertisement, Halo.

Straw Man Army SOS LP

“Humankind can be hard to find.” A brilliant sign of the times record, and perfect way to summarize the giant pot of fucked up soup we were/are still swimming in. A post-punk record that’s hooky but not overly polished. It’s very focused and thoughtful. Is it probably the most important album released in 2022? Yeah.

Judy & the Jerks - Music to go Nuts LP

Referred to as basement punk but also garage punk. Does it sound different when a band moves from the garage to the basement? Seriously though, this record is an energetic mix of songs that are sometimes snotty and sometimes more aggressive and anthemic. The dichotomy is apparent in the two Standout tracks: California, Nothing to Prove.

Headkicker S/T EP

Raleigh’s own Headkicker gives you a mix of styles. It’s punk but certain parts remind me of Lou Reed/Velvet Underground. Their musical arrangements are really good, and I want them to make more stuff. Standout tracks: Crafty, Televise.

Indre Krig Destroyer EP

A female-fronted band hailing from Denmark playing speedy hardcore. Love at first listen. Never a dull moment. I also want to highlight the last 20 seconds or so of Pinball Eyes. It is just so sick. Standout tracks: Pinball Eyes, Loudhead.

Wet Leg S/T LP

Dude. I know. But the shit’s catchy as hell. I wasn’t impressed by many/almost any indie releases in 2022. There were plenty of indie girl releases, but they just didn’t hit. Then Wet Leg came strolling in with their funny, seemingly autobiographical lyrics, and catchy bass lines. A breath of fresh air. I saw this album posted on IG by people from all walks of music life. You know why? Because it’s a banger.

Here are some others I really liked

Girlsperm Muse Ascends LP

Liquids Life is Pain Idiot LP

Sniffany & the Nits The Unscratchable Itch LP

Personal Damage Ambush EP

Sluggo S/T

Let’s talk record collecting in 2022

I set a goal for myself to be very intentional and purchase only new releases and records on my Discogs want list. I thought I did pretty good cutting back, but all I did was spend more and buy less.

Anyway, I got a lot of cool stuff in 2022, but this was the year for buckling down and filling a few important gaps in my collection.

Favorite Record Scores in 2022

Wire - Pink Flag, UK first pressing

So I’ve always wanted a UK press of this record, and I was lucky enough to just trade a dude on IG for it. My US first press for his UK. Done deal.

The Cure - Wish, European first pressing.

Ive never seen this in the wild, nor have I heard of an OG Wish sighting in the last 10 years at least. I’ve been on the hunt for the right copy (UK or Europe, all original materials, a strong VG+/VG+ at minimum) for so long. Almost sealed the deal twice. I got my heart broken once in a sale that fell through, and then just shattered in a second attempt that came with the promo bag that they gave with purchase in 92’ at certain shops. I didn’t get one with a promo bag but finally, she’s mine!

The Wipers - Is this Real? US second pressing

Pressed in the same year as the OG (1980) but technically a second pressing. I don’t care. I wasn’t gonna wait around any longer.

Veruca Salt - American Thighs, UK first pressing.

Another very hard to find in the wild album. They finally did some reissues, so the price dropped some on the first pressings, but not by a lot. The nostalgic effects are strong on this one. It’s crazy how music can trigger memories you had long forgotten about.

As for the future, I have a want list a mile long. So I’m just including the records that I must have or I will forever feel incomplete.

Nirvana - original Love Buzz single

2022 Wrap up

Ya know, 2022 was a pretty good year. Infinitely better than the two years prior, which were incredibly rough for so many reasons. Even outside of the pandemic and modern day civil war. So in 2022, I was determined to find some sense of normalcy.

For one, I got an opportunity to work here at my favorite record store with rad people I really like, surrounded by my favorite thing (records!). I also started volunteering at a community center downtown, helping socially disadvantaged kids who struggle academically. I work as a consultant there too, and just finished up a research study to examine social and behavioral stuff with the kids. I won’t bore you with those details but it goes with the narrative.

In addition, I crammed in as many shows as I possibly could. That really helped make life feel more normal again. Seeing Pavement in DC at Warner Theatre was my highlight. They played all the deep cuts you could ask for. And Stephen Malkmus is still dreamy.

In closing, I’d like to thank 2022 for calming the fuck down for two seconds so we could do some stuff.

I’m not used to talking this much about myself this much, so I’m gonna stop that now and say thank you to our customers/friends for being the coolest.

Until we meet again.

-Angela