@JohnPhilpin I like when Cocteau Twins is a common frame of reference. I wasn’t aware of them as a band until 1986 or so when I saw their albums priced out of accessibility in the import section of a small record store I frequented. The first song I heard was “Carolyn’s Fingers” and I was instantly in love. I think today I own the majority of their output. I do listen to Portishead, Dead Can Dance and This Mortal Coil as well. Would probably buy anything from Dead Can Dance unheard.

Rush is Rush. Now that I can’t buy new albums I’m buying documentaries. I can understand what you say about Geddy’s voice but you cannot argue with his bass.

Deftones are my drug of choice when I need something louder than my emotions and thoughts. They are a counter-flood, if you will. Or maybe a controlled burn when trying to contain a forest fire. They scream so I don’t have to. I believe Tool is probably among their influences—very evident in the first album.

Airiel and A Shoreline Dream are expanding territory first explored by My Bloody Valentine, Lush, and Slow Dive (and others) in the 90s.

As an Air listener, I see the connection you made to M83. For me M83 connects me musically to 80s sounds like Howard Jones, Tears for Fears, or Thompson Twins. Seems like if you dropped their music into 1983/84/85 it would have fit right in to what I was hearing on the radio in the Midwest US.

What would your Top 3 look like?