John Dominy's Top 5 Albums of the Decade
Dominy is an indie-Americana band based in Philadelphia, fronted by singer and guitarist John Dominy. Their signature sound oozes both sardonic humor and cathartic country riffs, all while maintaining a high, infectious energy during their live shows.
Father John Misty - Fear Fun (2012)
I was a Junior college when Father John Misty’s debut album “Fear Fun” came out. Lyrically evocative, lavishly produced, and melodically unforgettable, “Fear Fun” quickly settled into the spongy substratum of my yet-to-harden brain matter in that special way that only music you discover in your late teens and early twenties can. While Father John Misty has gotten carried away with his sardonic persona in the years since, the cynicism that soaks his debut album was a breath of fresh air following the saccharine indie of the 2000’s. In particular, his haunting hit “Hollywood Cemetery Forever,” an indie rock slacker anthem laid on top of a bed of overdriven guitars and a repetitive drum loop, became the soundtrack to countless listless (and blurry) nights. Even nearly eight years later, this album continues to have an enormous impact on how my band and I approach writing and recording, and to this day stands as a prime example of beautiful, if not occasionally overwrought, production. Say what you want about Father John Misty, and you can certainly say a lot, but “Fear Fun” still stands up as a masterpiece.
Twin Peaks - Down in Heaven (2016)
While I was a fan of the Chicago quintet Twin Peaks prior to this release, 2016’s “Down in Heaven” cemented their place as one of my favorite bands of the last decade. Something about Twin Peaks is improbable yet infectious. They can’t sing, they can’t be bothered about playing their guitar with precision or finesse, but they play with an attitude and sloppiness that evokes the aggression of the Stooges and the swagger of The Rolling Stones. “Down in Heaven” saw the band turn from their punk roots and move in a 70s guitar rock direction. That transitional period birthed an album that blended a punk ethos with a more traditional and mature approach to songwriting and production. The result was a collection of superb and accessible songs performed with absolutely reckless abandon. The cocksure confidence that Twin Peaks captures on Down in Heaven taught me that just because you can’t sing doesn’t mean you can’t put out an incredible record. “Down in Heaven” is raw, ugly, rough. And I love it for that.
Death Grips - The Money Store (2013)
Death Grips, comprised of vocalist MC Ride, drummer/producer Zach Hill, and producer Andy Morin, defies easy categorization. The Money Store is a post-modern hellscape of frantic drumming, furious vocals, all over a bed of eerie electronic production. Death Grips succeeded in cutting up the components of hip hop, electronica, industrial, and punk, and glued those pieces back together in something that’s unsettling while still being familiar and catchy. “The Money Store” is a musical Frankenstein’s Monster. The anger and disillusionment that MC Ride channels is cathartic in today’s chaotic and alienating world. Rather than shy away from the chaos, Death Grips becomes the chaos. When Dominy hits the road, people may be surprised that “The Money Store” gets heavy rotation in the tour van.
Angel Olsen - All Mirrors (2019)
Angel Olsen is one of my top favorite writers of this decade. 2016’s “My Woman put her on the map and was a solid, straightforward record. But her latest release, All Mirrors, goes a step further into the darkness of introspection. Haunting and vulnerable, Angel effortlessly mulls over themes of love and love lost in a way that feels profoundly mature. She also takes bigger risks with the arrangement and production on “All Mirrors,” which vacillates between the sonically delicate and grandiose, with shimmering strings throughout. But what I truly love and admire about this record is how Olsen never hides behind her lush and cinematic arrangements. At its core, this record is simply great songwriting. With hook after hook and thoughtful and heartfelt lyrics, these songs would have sounded just as compelling recorded on an acoustic guitar. That is a mark of a brilliant songwriter, and I’ve never failed to be in awe of Angel Olsen’s mastery of her craft. If you’ve got a broken heart, go get yourself a whole quart of ice cream, pull the blinds shut, listen to this album, and really cry it out.
Orville Peck - Pony (2019)
Orville Peck seemed to come out of nowhere in late 2018. Extravagantly dressed in Western clothes and never appearing in public without his icon Lone Ranger mask, this self-describes queer cowboy has injected glam into the traditionally stiff genre of country with his 2019 debut “Pony.” Peck sings with a deep rich baritone, reminiscent of Johnny Cash and Morrissey, and expertly blends elements of new wave and country. We had the good fortune of playing with Peck back in March of this year (no, we won’t tell you his real name), and it’s been a joy to watch his climb ever since. “Pony” is an excellent, ambitious album, and as a huge fan of classic country, I love seeing the genre revitalized and updated. Country music has such a rich tradition, and I admire Peck’s quest to pay homage to this tradition while taking a turn in a more inclusive direction. We’ll be keeping an eye on Orville Peck in these coming years, and you should too.