What were your top musical discoveries of 2024?

@devinplombier 

Devin, I looked back in my conversation history and I can't find the thread I was looking for, but there was a thread about "Jazz Music", and I suggested the OP listen to Bohren & der Club of Gore and another member contacted me raving about how much they enjoyed Bohren.  Was that you?  If so, I'm elated that they made such an impact on you that you listed them in this thread about favorite music discoveries of 2024.  I feel like I did a good deed if it is you I spoke with earlier.

If you, what was your favorite album?  Did you look up any of their live performances on YouTube?  As far as full albums go, my favorites are 1997's "Midnight Radio" and 2000's "Sunset Mission".  I was blown away when I first heard their cover of "Catch My Heart" with vocals by Mike Patton (lead singer of Faith No More) on the 2011 EP "Beileid" (it's also on 2016's "Bohren For Beginners".  The first time I heard it, I did a quick head snap, because I couldn't believe I was hearing a remake of the 1985 song by the German Heavy Metal band, Warlock.  Warlock was fronted by one of the earliest female smoke show vocalist, Doro Pesch, and were quite popular in Europe during the 1980's and early 1990's, touring with bands such as Dio, W.A.S.P., Megadeth, Judas Priest, and Scorpions.  

On this song, Mike Patton shows why he is one of the most talented and versatile voices in rock and roll today.  He does just an amazing job.  While this Bohren project was being recorded, Patton learned Italian and released "Mondo Cane", an album of Italian Pop Songs backed by a forty-member orchestra and fifteen-piece backing band.  People that only know him through Faith No More are missing A LOT.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxbwSCbSAsc

@devinplombier --

I usually listen to Bohren on these two systems in my house:

1) New KLH Model 5 speakers connected to an Audio Research SP17 preamp and a McIntosh 225 amp

2) Klipsch Forte II speakers connected to a Dennis Had LP3.1 tube preamp and a Dennis Had Inspire 45 "Fire Bottle" tube amp

I listen both streaming and by a turntable, and I find both systems sound great.  Bohren is not music that I play very loud to begin with, so the McIntosh provides plenty of power for me.  Heck, even the Dennis Had amp at a mere 2 watts makes my Forte II's sing.  What is your current setup?

@devinplombier -- Nice.  I love old school Infinity speakers.  I'm not certain, but I believe those Infinity utilized the Watkins Dual-Drive Woofer.  I grew up in Kingsport, Tennessee, and was frequently found at Watkins Stereo Center, an Audio store founded by Bill Watkins, Sr.  Watkins developed and patented the unique Dual-Drive Woofer that he later sold to Infinity.  I believe they were in the RS-II.

https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/william-h-bill-watkins-a-true-american-audio-innovator/

@devinplombier -- You are welcome, again.  Yes, Watkins Stereo is still churning along.  Bill Watkins, Sr., passed away as you saw in the Absolute Sound obituary, but his son Bill Watkins, Jr., is carrying the torch.  They are located in the same corner location on the outskirts of Downtown Kingsport since I first went there in 1977.  And yes, they will still do work on speakers, especially when people find their Holy Grail models, the WE-1 and WSC-1A.  Bill, Sr., was a great guy, and Bill, Jr., is also very nice to work with.

They are a small niche shop, selling Watkins speakers, Certain Klipsch speakers, VPI Scout 21 turntables, Oracle Origin turntables, U-Turn Orbit Turntables, and certain Yamaha amps.  For certain not a store crammed with too many choices.

If you are ever in the market for a set of Bookshelf Speakers, I highly recommend checking out their newest addition, the award winning Generation 4 speakers.  Amazing speakers.

https://www.watkinsaudio.com/watkinsgenerationfour