The 2023 TQ Music Awards

Welcome to my 13th annual Music Awards / year in review post.

[Previous Year End Reviews: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011]

Last year I said I was officially over the hill because both my annual playlist and that my minutes on Spotify were less from the prior year. Sadly, that trend has continued in 2023. However, there is another metric that has increased for two years now, which gives me hope... the increased influence that the Eurovision Song Contest has in my annual post!

Song of the Year: “Tattoo” by Loreen

[runner up: “Cha Cha Cha” by Käärijä]

Yes - my top two tracks of the year are the top two vote getters in this year's Eurovision Song Contest. I had a blast watching Eurovision live (on Peacock!) this year and have had both songs in my Best Of playlist ever since. If I ever find myself in a karaoke bar in Sweden - I'm going with "Tattoo!"

Album of the Year: That! Feels Good! by Jessie Ware

[runner up: My Soft Machine by Arlo Parks

Jessie Ware has had a handful of albums, but her latest effort is arguably the best.  At first she was positioned as the next Amy Winehouse - but I think she's more a hybrid between Winehouse and Janelle Monae. That! Feels Good! is a timeless pop album that feels at home in a speakeasy or junior high dance. 

Concert of the Year: Explosions in the Sky at Ryman Auditorium

[runner up: Adam Pally at The Den Theatre]

More than a decade after I wrote down "See a show at the Ryman Auditorium" on my Bucket List - I crossed it off in September! My wife and I had a great long weekend in Nashville that was punctuated by seeing one of my favorite bands: Explosions in the Sky. It was perfect. Even my wife was "having a great time" at it.

Song of the Summer: "Cha Cha Cha" by Käärijä

[runner up: "Slut Me Out" by NLE Choppa]

Song Discovered Thanks to a TV Show / Movie of the Year: “Like An Eagle” by Dennis Parker (used in The Curse on SHO)

Regret of the Year: Missed shows

2023 is a year I'd like to forget, full stop. My concert going this past year is in line with that sentiment. I had tickets to as many acts (LCD Soundsystem, Jamie xx, Phoenix, Beck) as I saw (Explosions in the Sky, The National, Soccer Mommy).

Best Decision I made in 2022: The Nashville Weekend

Thank you very much for reading (or listening).

TQ's Year of TV (2023)

Because I tried something new this year by splitting (1st thrirdly checkin) & 2nd thirdly checkin) my review into three posts, here are the shows I've watched the final four months of the year:

Billions (SHO) - Did a great job landing the plane with its final season

Telemarketers (HBO) - A very entertaining documentary in less than 180 minutes

Welcome to Wrexham (FX) - The best sports documentary you can watch

How To With John Wilson (HBO) - An awesome documentary that can't be replicated

The Curse (SHO) - Nathan Fielder until I die

What We Do In The Shadows (FX) - One of the most consistently funny shows 

Squid Game: The Challenge (Netflix) - A very dark concept exceptionally executed

For All Mankind, Monarch, and Slow Horses (Apple)  - I'm in the middle of each of these's current seasons

Best Shelter In Place Show:

Succession (HBO) 
Runner-up: Jury Duty (Prime)

It's old news by now, but the final season of Succession was perfect in terms of plot pacing and mystery. Most of these high-end shows are about who will not get killed at the end... This show was about who's career would end. I loved it. Please watch Jury Duty. I think James Marsden should win the Emmy for his performance.

Best TV Show That Has Recently Completed / All Seasons Watch Recommend:

How To With John Wilson (HBO) 

Runner-up: Billions (SHO) 

I can't wait to see what John Wilson does next. It also helped to have NYC's How To compared with Jersey's Telemarketers at the same time. Somebody make a Succession + Billions crossover movie! 

Best TV Show That Is Seriously Great:

The Bear (Hulu)

Runner-up: Beef (Netflix)

I said it before and I'll say it again: season two is worth the hype. The Richie-centric episode is the best, but the "Seven Fishes" hour needs an entirely new category on its own for the Emmys. Beef isn't a spin-off of The Bear, but is almost just as good.

Best TV Show That Is Bonkers:

Paul T. Goldman (Peacock)

Runner-up: Squid Game: The Challenge (Netflix)

Paul T. Goldman would tell you truth is stranger than fiction, but he doesn't know the difference between the two. If you watched and liked Squid Game, give the game show based on it an attempt.

Best TV Show That Needs To Get Resurrected ASAP:

Mythic Quest (Peacock)

Runner-up: Cunk On Earth (Netflix)

As with the case with both the winner and runner-up, I don't know if they've been cancelled or renewed. All know is that I hope they both get more episodes for their stories.

Best Limited-Run Anthology Series:

Class of '09 (Hulu)

Runner-up: Telemarketers (HBO)

If you were a fan of Damages (the Glenn Close & Rose Byrne are lawyers show), you'll enjoy Class of '09. If you've ever received an unwanted call from a telemarketer, you'll enjoy Telemarketers.

Best TV Show That Had a Disappointing Recent Season:

Ted Lasso (Apple)
Runner-up: Barry (HBO)
This sounds too harsh for these two shows because even at their worst, they are better than many, many other shows.

Best TV Shows That I Quit:

Foundation (Apple)
Lucky Hank (AMC)

The Crown (Netflix)

Corrections, Omissions, and shows from older years got might have been award snubs

Killing Eve (Hulu)

I likes season one, thought season two was taking it too far beyond realistic, and watched season three for completist reasons... Whole show left Hulu before I got to see its final season (I'm okay not ever seeing it).

STILL IN THE QUEUE:

Fargo (FX)

Reacher (Prime)

Reservation Dogs (Hulu)

Only Murders In The Building (Hulu)

The Diplomat (Netflix)

Poker Face (Peacock)

Mrs. Davis (Peacock)

Under the Banner of Heaven (Hulu)

The Old Man (Hulu)

See it soon,
TQ