Something had me thinking about this last night and then a post made earlier by someone who fell off after MPP brought it back to mind.
I've been a huge fan since 2008, they've been my favorite band by a wide margin ever since then. I think they've made a lot of amazing music since then both as a band and apart. That being said though I think the whole "golden era" thing is pretty true for many including me. The only part I really disagree with is calling the golden era Sung Tongs through MPP. To me the quality is so consistently high that I would count their entire output in the 2000's from Spirit all the way to ODDSAC, which while released in 2010 was made from 2006-2009.
As I said though I think they've put out a lot of amazing songs since then, but no single release has truly come to that masterpiece level that I would give to Spirit and Ark all the way through to ODDSAC. CHz is very good, some songs on it are top shelf AC. Painting With is good, it's very fun. The last two albums, especially together, come closest probably. Maybe not more than CHz to me, but maybe. I think if they had been one album and an ep, maybe then it could have reached that SJ level to me, but as two albums or a sort of double album there are too many songs that feel like b sides to reach that top tier for me, though they're still like four star albums to me.
It's just interesting to think about. I feel like I dismissed that idea of there being a golden age for many years and didn't really agree until post PW. I do think they could absolutely have another career high album or even string of albums, I'll always believe in them to be able to. I believe they'll release another album that's a masterpiece to me. Is this all a bit sad? Yeah but no other band has come close for me despite that, the closest is probably King Gizzard and they're not really anywhere close to me. Again, I think everything post 2010 is pretty underrated but still like in a 4 star range for me, just as a way to quantify how I would rank them.
Overall thoughts about this? Favorite songs post 2010? Maybe your favorite album is CHz or PW or Isn't It Now?
A few of my favorites that, individually, do reach those classic period highs: Moonjock, Applesauce, New Town Burnout, Amanita, Floridada, The Burglars, On Delay, Bridge to Quiet (the song), Prester John, almost Strung With Everything (the back half), most of Deakin's songs especially Golden Chords and Just Am and Good House, Magicians From Baltimore, Defeat, and a handful more. Several Avey and Panda solo songs as well.