High demands for a "best of" list

Writing a list that gets listeners dancing or turning stomachs in knots [READER]( Year-in-review list season began in earnest at the start of this month. (December might as well not exist with most album-of-the-year lists.) If you're looking to get a grasp of the scope of all these lists, Chicago critic Rob Mitchum can help you out; he's compiling album rankings from major outlets into [a comprehensive Google sheet](. I'm less interested in learning what's ranked number one overall than in seeing the range of albums in the mix, and learning about what I've missed that caught other critics' ears. My interest in lists wavers based on the time of the day. My primary job is to inform, and lists can be an amazing format for providing readers with insight into the past year in music. I spend all of my work day consumed by music, so I also have high demands for what I want from a list; I want to be engaged in the writing and moved by the selections. Neither is necessarily easy, but the latter can be especially tricky. My eyes tend to glaze over after reading a few "best of" lists, seeing the same handful of albums rearranged in slightly different orders. I realize these lists aren't made for me, but I also wonder how many music fanatics who read several different news sites daily experience the same thing. I tend to seek out those lists which avoid conventional "bests," which tend to be individual articles and lists that show one person's interests and perspectives. I'm quite fond of Justin Snow's ["Top 25 Drone Records"]( for his Anti-Gravity Bunny blog, because I usually find at least a handful of albums that move me, music I'm not sure I would have otherwise come across on my own. I try to do this with my own lists and year-in-review essays too. If I can introduce just one person to an album that turns their stomach in knots or gets them dancing, then the uncomfortable labor of assembling such a list is more than worth it. The Reader's Year in Review issue doesn't come out for another two weeks, so I've still got a little time to finalize my list. In the meantime, keep your eyes peeled on the new issue that drops this week. If you miss a certain late-night hot spot near Fullerton and Clark, make sure to set aside plenty of time to read the story; it's one of my longest pieces for the Reader. Sincerely, [Seven]( left! Nominate your favorites, November 17 - December 15]( ["A Fun-House Portrait of Black Life on 'South Side,'"]( by Doreen St. Felix (New Yorker) ["Did a former 'New York Times' reporter exploit musicians for his personal gain?"]( by Chris Stokel-Walker (Input) ["Sheila Rashid pours her heart into her latest collection 'Love Heals All,'"]( by Matt Harvey (The Triibe) Clearing, [Grow]( R.A.P. Ferreira, [the Light Emitting Diamond Cutter Scriptures]( Felt Pilotes, [Reunion e.p.]( Megiapa, [diddies vol. 1]( We've wrapped up season one of CQN! Listen back on all ten episodes [here]( or wherever you get your podcasts. [Give the gift of the Reader this holiday season!]( Shop timeless gifts for the alternative media enthusiast on your list. From quality totes and t-shirts to groovy button packs and masks, we’ve got you covered. Store purchases are another way to support our community nonprofit newsroom this holiday season and beyond! [Overgrown Orchard makes the best wine in Gary, Indiana]( Their wild-fermented dry apple cider is fruity, funky, and very food-friendly. by [Mike Sula]( [The flood that birthed Love Cork Screw wines]( Négociant Chrishon Lampley turned a business loss into a trailblazing brand. by [Janaya Greene]( [Joffrey’s Nutcracker gets a new home]( But some of the creaky stereotypes remain. by [Irene Hsiao]( [‘Something that makes me feel good in my skin’]( Hanahana Beauty creates a circle of care. by [Janaya Greene]( [Issue of Nov 25 - Dec 8, 2021 Vol. 51, No.]( [Download Issue]( (PDF) 1971 Chicagoans have relied on the Reader for trusted alternative coverage of our city. The Chicago Reader is now a 501c3 nonprofit organization which means our survival is in your hands. In order to continue to be your trusted alternative voice of Chicago, we need your help. If you can donate just $5 today, we can show the world that community funded, independent journalism is the future. [DONATE TODAY!]( [View this e-mail as a web page]( [@chicago_reader]( [/chicagoreader]( [@chicago_reader]( [Chicago Reader on LinkedIn]( [/chicagoreader]( [chicagoreader.com]( [Forward this e-mail to a friend](. Want to change how you receive these e-mails? You can [update your preferences]( or [unsubscribe from this list](. Copyright © 2021 Chicago Reader, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Chicago Reader, 2930 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 102, Chicago, IL 60616