It’s that time of the year again. Yes, the end of december. Not November or even October, where the first year lists seem to arrive these days. I take these lists very seriously. I keep notes already from the year before when the first pre-album singles begin to arrive. I journalize all the new releases and make a long list, then a short list and finally the Top 20 album list comprised of the 20 best – and most important – albums released in the year according to me.

One album really stood out this year. A masterpiece that only appears every four or five years. Incredibly, this wonderful song collection did not appear on any of the numerous year lists published by newspapers, music magazines, radio stations and bloggers. However, it is a clear number one with me and even a candidate for album of the decade. Dear friends, meet Loren Kramar and his brilliant songbook Glovemaker ! Imagine Elton John at his seventies peak meeting Rufus Wainwright circa Poses era with the lyrics of Patti Smith (oh, and Jefferson Airplane!) and you get an idea about the music. But this is more. Loren is his own and in so many ways.

Not only is Glovemaker album of the year. The track Gay Angels is single of the year. And Loren gets full house with Music Video of the Year as well for the self directed MV featuring his family in the most beautiful and moving mini-movie for a song.

I will post more tomorrow about my Top 20 Albums of 2024. Below is the number one song from the number one album as well as a playlist of my year list. (There are 23 tracks because three artists released twin albums). I also have Top 20 Singles and Remixes lists coming up.

If the Chateau Marmont could sing, as the press release goes.