Sheer Mag guitarist Matt Palmer’s 10 favorite albums of 2024
Sheer Mag returned this year with the power-poppy hard rock of their Third Man debut Playing Favorites, and they’re already set to have a busy 2025 on tour supporting Amyl and the Sniffers (who happen to be the cover stars of the latest issue of the free BrooklynVegan digital magazine). With the year winding down, Sheer Mag guitarist Matt Palmer told us about his 10 favorite albums of the year, which range from deathrockers Poison Ruïn to pop-experimentalists Spirit of the Beehive to jangle pop legends The Cleaners from Venus and beyond, plus an 11th pick to plug his own new band, Blue Hundred. See his full list with commentary on each pick below.
Sheer Mag also recently did a Tiny Desk Concert, and you can watch that here:
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Matt Palmer’s (Sheer Mag) 11 Favorite Albums of 2024
The Lemon Twigs – A Dream Is All We Know
This record is a modern classic in my opinion. When they do power pop, there’s really no one who does it better right now. They’re also spectacular singers and the harmonies on this album really remind me of ’70s era Beach Boys. Just absolutely stacked top to bottom
The Color Green – Fool’s Parade
Great people making really groovy cosmic folk and psychedelic rock. The musicianship is of utmost quality and they absolutely smoke live. I definitely recommend seeing them play live. It’s really sick to watch them blast off.
Kora Puckett – 3 Songs
Really quality simple and wistful alt-country made by a great friend and former guitar player for Sheer Mag. FFO early Wilco, Sheryl Crow or Whiskeytown
Spirit of the Beehive – You’ll Have to Lose Something
Maybe this is schizophrenic pop music? There’s something extremely sinister about this record, even at its most lush and gorgeous. I have absolutely no idea how you write music like this. Every song has 14 parts and it seems extremely complicated. There is a cumulative hypnotizing effect when you listen from front to back, it lulls you into a sort of anxious trance. In a good way.
Rixe – Tir Groupé
Fun, super catchy French oi. There’s a drum machine on this record for some reason and it kinda sounds like Suicide on one song.
Alvilda – C’est Déjà L’heure
Fun, super catchy French powerpop. I don’t really know what they’re saying but it’s a very sentimental record for me. Great songwriting and a satisfyingly tight 30 minute pop record.
Poison Ruïn – Confrere
At times more extreme or moody or Wipers-y than anything they’ve put out so far, Confrere (which seems like a french word) is cool because it shows all the directions Poison Ruïn could go in. It makes me excited to see which one they decide on.
Camera Obscura – Look to the East, Look to the West
I’m a huge sucker for twee indie rock like this, and Camera Obscura has always nailed the sardonic but adorable Rushmore (the movie) vibe that the best stuff in this genre reaches for. They’re somehow not as precious as Belle & Sebastian (who are also good) and have more of a bouncy “Motown on xanax” vibe at times that I really like. It’s been over a decade since the last record and I’m glad they made another one, since I kinda thought they were broken up.
The Cleaners from Venus – Winter EP
I will listen to any and every Martin Newell record he puts out at this point since they’re basically all still good. Most Cleaners songs he’s writing at this point have a pretty familiar vibe lyrically and musically, but I don’t mind. They’re all portraits of a dusty study, or a sleepy downtown, or some other moment in time. The production is a little clunkier than in his younger days, but the voice and perspective are still intact and as distinctive as ever.
Mopar Stars – Burning Question
Heavy and catchy ’90s style powerpop from Philly. Nao has a really distinctive voice that I enjoy a lot. Moody and grungy at times with really interesting lyrics and really memorable guitar parts and vocal melodies.
Blue Hundred – Demo
Another indie rock band referencing ’90s guitar music and Britpop. Attempting to be like Guided By Voices or the Pixies. Jangly at times, noisy at others. This is my new band.
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Amyl and the Sniffers / Sheer Mag — 2025 Tour Dates
Mar 25, 2025 – McMenamins Crystal Ballroom – Portland, OR
Mar 26, 2025 – Commodore Ballroom – Vancouver, BC
Mar 27, 2025 – Paramount Theatre – Seattle, WA
Mar 30, 2025 – Rockwell at The Complex – Salt Lake City, UT
Mar 31, 2025 – The Mission Ballroom – Denver, CO
Apr 2, 2025 – Uptown Theater – Kansas City, MO
Apr 4, 2025 – House of Blues Dallas – Dallas, TX
Apr 5, 2025 – Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater – Austin, TX
Apr 6, 2025 – White Oak Music Hall – Houston, TX
Apr 7, 2025 – Paper Tiger – San Antonio, TX
May 7, 2025 – Palace Theatre – Saint Paul, MN
May 8, 2025 – The Salt Shed – Chicago, IL
May 9, 2025 – The Sylvee – Madison, WI
May 10, 2025 – Royal Oak Music Theatre – Royal Oak, MI
May 12, 2025 – HISTORY – Toronto, ON
May 13, 2025 – Agora Theatre – Cleveland, OH
May 15, 2025 – The Rooftop at Pier 17 – New York, NY
May 16, 2025 – Franklin Music Hall – Philadelphia, PA
May 17, 2025 – Roadrunner – Boston, MA
May 19, 2025 – The Fillmore Silver Spring – Silver Spring, MD
May 21, 2025 – The Ritz – Raleigh, NC
May 22, 2025 – The Eastern – Atlanta, GA
May 23, 2025 – Marathon Music Works – Nashville, TN
