#5 - Phox, Phox

Release Year: 2014

Genre: Indie Pop

How much do I like my favorite track on the album? 15.2 points

Satyr and The Faun

Monica's voice will never get old for me. Seeing this song live a half dozen times at this point is part of the reason it's up this high. She sounds like you're listening on vinyl, and im here for it. I stan Phox.

How did/does this album influence my own taste in music overall? 14.4 points

I would say it has had moderate influence. And, probably spurred my interest in Bon Iver (kind of backwards, as Bon Iver is one of their inspirations).

Does this album hold up since its release? 13.6 points

It does, but this just may be a one hit wonder (with the exception of Monica Martin- more on that later).

What percentage of the album do I listen to? 10 points

I love the vibe on the entire album.

What did/do the critics think of this album? 7.5 points

This is sort of an unfair score given that there isn’t/was the a lot of critical interest in this album.

What is the sentimental value to me of the album? 15.2 points

I will admit it. I was a bit of a Phox groupie for a time, seeing them a handful of times from 2012-2015. As good as they are on a record, they are even better live. From Cranky Pat’s Pizza in Neenah to the Pabst Theatre in Milwaukee, they fill and entertain a room like nobody’s business.

What was the artists involvement of the production of the album - songwriting, instrumentals, vocals, uniqueness? 14.4 points

They have the most unique sound on this list. A bit of a trashcan band, they write all their own tunes and it’s deeply personal. The voices and harmonies are subliminal.

Overall Rating out of 100 points = 90.3 points

If you have never heard of Phox until this list, well, you can send me a thank you. No, seriously though. When I initially did the points for each of these albums, I wasn’t sure where this one would actually end up landing. And here we are. The humble band from Baraboo, Wisconsin was able to crack my top 5. And, hopefully, make their way into the collection of anyone looking for something new and awesome. The real reason this makes it to the top 5 is simple: Monica Martin’s voice. Seriously. She is absolutely my favorite singer I have ever heard on a recording and in person. Of course, the rest of the band is pretty fun too. Playing a whole host of instruments that gives the campy vibe, yet everything is pieced together so perfectly you forget it’s just a group of kids playing together. Anyways. This album is as energetic as it is cathartic, with very personal songwriting from Monica and the boys. It’s their only studio album, they haven’t really officially broken up, but Monica is out there performing and recording albums with other musicians like the Violents and James Blake. Just because I have a bit of an obsession with Monica, I’ve attached some of her live performances below. Just absolutely stunning.