December Hotel's favorite albums bring together familiar classics, independent releases and overlooked records that deserve a wider audience.
The selections span a broad musical landscape, connected by memorable songs, distinctive performances and the lasting impression they leave. Explore the reviews, revisit an old favorite or discover an artist whose music has yet to find its way into your collection.
It was a surprise to discover that Atticus Fault had released another album after roughly eight years away. On Bombs Cannot Wake, they pick up where they left off, offering a welcome return for listeners who had long since written off the possibility of new music.
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“Back to the Garden” brings a Caribbean flavor and a little freestyle rap from Todd Park Mohr. The melancholy ballad “After Gold” offers a different pull, with the kind of feeling that invites repeated listens. These contrasting moods help give Rocksteady its appeal.
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Absinthe Blind share a love of sweeping guitars and distorted melodies with fellow Champaign, Illinois band Hum. But Rings has its own identity, using those textures to create an expansive atmosphere without simply retracing the sound of You'd Prefer an Astronaut or Downward Is Heavenward.
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Led Zeppelin's sixth album remains a high-water mark for a band that set itself an ambitious standard. Whether “Kashmir” is the song that best defines the group is open to debate, but the breadth and power of Physical Graffiti make it an essential part of their catalog.
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Grace continues to find new listeners through the extraordinary range and feeling in Jeff Buckley's voice. His performances move between tenderness and dramatic intensity, giving the album an emotional force that reaches well beyond the tragedy associated with his life.
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Greg Dulli brings a theatrical presence to The Afghan Whigs, combining the force of alternative rock with a deep affection for soul music. On 1965, that combination gives the songs their swagger, emotional tension and late-night atmosphere.
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Monarch's atmospheric, melodic debut deserves the attention of listeners who enjoy thoughtful independent rock. Released through Northern Records, The Grandeur That Was Rome demonstrates that expressive performances and carefully shaped songs can matter far more than a band's age.
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Josh Dooley is joined by Paul Akers on keyboards and Trevor Monks on drums for a diverse and cohesive Map album. Strong songs and an awareness of the band's past come together naturally, allowing the music to move forward without trying to repeat earlier accomplishments.
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U2 has often used a new album to mark another stage in the evolution of its sound. How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb follows a catalog filled with defining records, bringing the band's familiar strengths into another chapter of its long-running musical conversation.
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