It is that time of year where we dig into the best albums of the year. Now that we know that your "wrapped" list means we wrapped up not paying artists and supporting military drones and ice recruitment (it's okay that you used it, but sadly most companies turn evil at some point) you can wrap up with songs and albums and top whatever lists! SO with that in mind, I am putting together my top 50. Here is 41-50, I hope it inspires you: 41. Soft Loft - Modern Rose 42. Ribbon Skirt - Bite Down 43.Alex G - Headlights 44.Maribou State - Hallucinating Love 45.Dead Pioneers - PO$T AMERICAN 46. Neko Case - Neon Grey Midnight Green 47.Miki Berenyi Trio - Tripla 48.Night Tapes - portals//polarities 49. Horsegirl - Phonetics On and On 50.Destroyer - Dan’s Boogie A couple highlights here: Dead Pioneers (and Jesse Welles) are one of the only artists out there protesting directly with their music. I'm sure we'll see more but it they do NOT hold back. Night Tapes and Maribou State are a VIBE, early morning morning show and honestly if Alex G or Destroyer release something it is going to be on my list. What was YOUR 41-50? Didn't get there yet, well now you can put in the work!

I've considered doing a Morning Show about this but I only have 3 hours. It would take me 3 months. So mine was 16 years old, Jane's Addiction with Mary's Danish opening at Eastern Washington University. I remember walking in to "Coming Down the Mountain" and seeing bodies flying in the air, everyone wearing black, just absolute MAYHEM and all I wanted to do was more of this! I stayed out the pit that day and just stood there in awe to be seeing and hearing the music from a band I loved. I was HOOKED. I think they played 30 minutes because Perry was a mess but I didn't know any better and in fact was shocked when I saw a band play longer! Also first show in Seattle? Pixies. Moore Theater.

I want to invite you to hang at Life On Mars and with Tomo Nakayama! I'm having a record club event there and wanted to invite you all down who aren't in it (yet) to have a drink at the bar, some food, see what the club is about and most importantly hear his new record which we will be playing start to finish. Will he be playing live music as well? If I'm asking the question, I think you know the answer. So come down to Life on Mars on Wednesday Nov 12th at 7pm for a hang and some music. I'd love to see you. You can also find out more about the club right here. We have JUST confirmed our 2nd release that will be paid for by the club so the artist doesn't have to spend a dime of their own money, so we're a record label kind of, without the asking for money back part. Please leave us a comment below if you are planning to attend!!

I hope you will be attending this year. It is going to be very very special. We are getting closer to sold out every day. We will also have a few surprises this year. You are not alone. Hosts John Richards and Dr. Amy Lindsey…a night of celebration, grief, music, joy, community, and sharing stories and experiences at Town Hall. - Rocky and April Votolato - Andrew Joslyn and Passenger String Quartet - Tinsley - Fotoform - Shelby Earle  - DJ Kevin Sur  Sunday, November 16th, 2025 Doors: 6 PM Show: 7 PM Town Hall Seattle Tickets: $35 General Admission All Ages KEXP.ORG for tickets

Cheryl asked me today about Tori Amos and if she came by the show when we were in New York....and I responded both "Yes" and "No, we did NOT scratch her piano. Our first remote outside of Seattle took place in New York. I had a listener who worked at the Museum of Television and Radio. It was exactly that, a museum of both these things. We got to talking about doing a show there and somehow I convinced somebody at KEXP we should do this. SO we packed up and started broadcasting from what was...well, kind of boring office space of a room that we turned into magic. I remember Death Cab playing and us breaking fire code that day or Arcade Fire playing and passing around the framed photos on the wall (that was bad, turns out those were valuable) and so many artists we'd never had on before showing up....Cloud Cult showed up without shoes on, they were walking around New York like that, I loved them so much. I announced my first child on the air there when Ben Lee was playing. Once Steve Earle came and just hung out...and didn't leave for a while...I kept talking to him on the air every break so he never thought to go. John Doe did the same thing. Great dudes. But Tori Amos showing up was a THING. This was a legend coming by to play piano and sing in our room. They brought in a baby grand WHICH was hard to get up to whatever floor we were on. They also had a lot of security, and for good reason, she has dealt with a lot and a lot of super fans. The room was cleared of everyone but Kevin (our engineer/hero) and me..and Tori. She was LOVELY. As she warmed up to this empty room, my best friend walks in. I should mention, my best friend John since I was 10 years old tagged along and helped out. I love that man. He walks in with a bag of bagels and 4 coffees. She stops, we look up, and I ask "How on earth did you get in here?". He said "through the door" and offered Kevin, myself and Tori Amos a coffee and everything bagel. The room filled, she played like an angel, she couldn't have been nicer in the interview and somebody scratched that baby grand when they loaded it out, THAT one wasn't us I swear. But I'll never forget the day I broke bread with a legend and my buddy, only in New York man....and no, we have no video of this but I swear it happened.