Pitchfork Media from about 2006 to 2012 had incredible clout in how they could make or break bands’ careers, either by giving them an abysmally low score (Travis Morrison, Black Kids, Jet) or the coveted Best New Music designation, which undoubtedly meant an otherwise-unknown band (Animal Collective, Grizzly Bear, Dirty Projectors) would rise to fame, start appearing on late-night television, and be given the opportunity to perform at Pitchfork’s annual festival. David and Matt lived through this era and thus know far too many of these BNM albums as the soundtrack to the entire time they were in college, but how well do they hold up?

Artwork by Nicky Flowers
Theme Music: “Open Air” by Animal Style