Parquet Courts Albums Ranked

Parquet Courts, also known as Parkay Quarts, is an American rock band from New York City. The band consists of Andrew Savage (vocals, guitar), Austin Brown (vocals, guitar, keyboard), Sean Yeaton (bass), and Max Savage (drums). The band released their debut album, American Specialties, as a limited cassette release in 2011. The band’s second studio album, Light Up Gold (2012), was initially released on Savage’s Dull Tools label and later reissued on What’s Your Rupture? in 2013. Light Up Gold received widespread critical acclaim in both the DIY underground and mainstream rock press. Here are all of Parquet Courts albums ranked.

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8. Monastic Living (2015)

“Coming off of the acclaim of Content Nausea, Sunbathing Animal, and Light Up Gold, Monastic Living was released to heavily mixed reviews. The progressive content and statement of the album have found itself soaring over many heads while winning a strong resonance with others. Early issues of the EP were released with the note: “As much as anything the band has done in the past, this release is a statement as well.”

7. Tally All The Things That You Broke (2013)

“Tally All The Things That You Broke feels less like a stopgap EP and more like a mini-album. It features some of the band’s best work so far (the opening “You’ve Got Me Wonderin’ Now” and the manic “The More it Works”), and displays a wide-enough variety between songs to grant multiple listens. There’s not a bad track on this release, but not all of them are created equal. “Descend (The Way)” and “Fall On Yr Face” work mainly because they are wedged between better songs. There’s a purposefully ramshackle nature to Parquet Courts’ music, but it’s just a front: these guys are pretty serious songwriters that have an interesting point of view.”

6. American Specialties (2011)

“There’s a place for the more urban, urbane, and, well, wide-awoke version of Parquet Courts that’s being sold these days, but I feel they really lost something in the transition when they dusted off the last fragments of their Texas past.  And in no place is that more blatant than probably their most underrated and overlooked release, American Specialties, containing twenty-seven minutes of fried Texan psychedelia, half-formed early shitgaze punk, 3 AM Taco Bell parking lots off frontage roads, and eerily quiet cul-de-sacs when sneaking back home once the parents are asleep.”

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5. Content Nausea (2014)

“Sound-wise, it’s a clear change for the band, exchanging their usual post-y punk for echoes of ’90s indie (case in point: the Pavement-esque Uncast Shadows of a Southern Myth). However, the group seems to intend it as an experiment, more than a canon, main discography release (hence the different name they use on it). Which is a shame, because some really great songs, as good as anything this band has ever done (my favorite: Pretty Machines), mix with some side project-worth material.”

4. Sunbathing Animal (2014)

“Really solid follow up to Light Up Gold, though it shouldn’t be compared to its predecessor. Both are completely different albums with individual strengths. Sunbathing Animal’s strength lies within its jamming-instrumentation and witty songwriting. Sunbathing Animal and Instant Disassembly are instant standouts, with both harboring sounds of the past whilst still sounding fresh and original.”

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3. Human Performance (2016)

“Human Performance” has is the one true hit for me here.  Works better when he tries to have a melody basically. The boring guy singing style gets a bit monotonous, especially paired with some of the more laid back music tracks.  He has a breathless style on many songs. The words just keep coming, it’s endless at times.”

2. Light Up Gold (2012)

“Incredibly catchy, fun hooks, furious guitar playing- it’s everything a punk/indie rock album should be and Parquet Courts hits the nail right on the head with this one. The dirty and scratchy guitars and the raw instrumentation give slight nods to 80’s/90’s indie rock, but all in all its the sheer catchiness and playfulness of the music that the boys from Brooklyn should be given credit for. An incredibly impressive and under-the-radar debut.”

1. Wide Awake! (2018)

“There’s something so warm about how this band gel together, as their playing conveys so much personality. Every single track is based on a ridiculously catchy bass riff, as Yeaton proves how well he can hold down a beat in conjunction with Max’s energetic playing. Both Savage and Brown provide vocals, with Savage delivering loud and powerful chants on the heavier tracks, and Brown offering relief on the softer moments. “