Kele: Let England Burn (Track of the Week)

Since this week is Thanksgiving, I have to say that I am very thankful for Liverpool's own Kele. The front man for Bloc Party has dazzled in his solo career. His latest effort is called 2042 and the track, "Let England Burn" is my pick for this week. It's a slow, slinky perfect for late night club number. Check it out!

Blaenavon: Everything That Makes You Happy (Album of the Week)

The lads from Hampshire are back with their second full length, Everything That Makes You Happy. The future of Brit Rock is in good hands with Blaenavon and their melodic, expansive pop gems. Check it out!

Obsessing Over The Cars

For whatever reason, I've been obsessing over The Cars lately. Their second album, Candy-O, has been in regular rotation on my iPhone and in my car. It's such a great record. From the opening track "Let's Go" all the way through "Dangerous Type," there is honestly not a bad song on the record.

It brings me back to those early days of listening to my crappy, old AM clock radio and WLS out of Chicago. The world of music was opening to me and The Cars were a big part of that.

Turnover: Much After Feeling (Track of the Week)

Virginia Beach, Virginia has cool bands? Yes. Yes, they do. And Turnover is a fine example. Their fourth full length, Alltogether, recently dropped and it's the perfect antidote for stress. Its mellow vibe puts the listener into a decidedly chill place of dreams and memories.

Check out this groovy video...

Simply Red: Blue Eyed Soul (Album of the Week)

Manchester's own Simply Red are on their fourth decade of making amazing music. I'll never forget coming home from college for the holidays in 1985 to hear my sister and all of her friends playing the crap out of Picture Book. I promptly purchased it at Main Street Records in Racine, Wisconsin and brought it back up to Minneapolis. "Holding Back The Years" quickly became the slow dance staple for every dorm and frat party.

Their latest effort is Blue-Eyed Soul and it's just that. What a stunning effort that soothes the soul part of my soul. Ten tracks of sheer magnificence. Here's one of my favorites...

Stereophonics: Fly Like An Eagle (Track of the Week)

Cwmaman's own Stereophonics are one of my favorite bands of all time. Easily in the Top Ten. Their latest effort, Kind, is the first installment of their fourth trilogy and their eleventh full length. The second track is my pick for the week and no, it's not a Steve Miller cover. Instead, we have an uplifting, spiritual number that ranks among the lads' finest.

Check it out!

Pete Yorn: Caretakers (Album of the Week)

Pete Yorn has always been kind of a side piece for me. I buy his albums, love them in the moment, but quickly return to my regulars and the never-ending torrent of new artists.

Yet, his latest effort entitled Caretakers is an absolute gem. It's 12 tracks (as all good albums should be) of pure fucking genius. Every single track is brilliant. Yorn digs deep into the exploration of relationship intricacies and turns out utter magnificence.

Go buy this record now!

Peter Broderick: Sickness, Bury (Autumn Music Series)

It's a cold and rainy day in the North Woods and I can't think of a better late autumn track than "Sickness, Bury" by Peter Broderick. The shimmer and the echo-y guitars...wow...

Triumph: Fight The Good Fight (Throwback Thursday)

Canada has produced many great bands over the decades. Triumph has always been a guilty pleasure of mine. Allied Forces was a regular staple of my freshman year in high school. A few of the lads at my school even made a video of the song for communication class. It was an air band classic!

Sure, they sound like Zep but who cares? This song is AWESOME!

 

Ringo Starr: Grow Old With Me (Track of the Week)

Liverpool's own Ringo Starr has a new record out and it contains a gem written by none other than his old bandmate, John Lennon. "Grow Old With Me" is honestly a perfect song for Ring as he has always been the one Beatle that can really sing the old fashion songs. Macca produced and played on the track so it's basically a Beatles song.

Cigarettes After Sex: Cry (Album of the Week)

El Paso's own Cigarettes After Sex just released their sophomore effort, Cry, and it may be the most romantic record I've heard in years. Every track makes me want to kiss a woman very deeply, look into her eyes, and tell her that I love her...in Paris in the rain. It also makes me want the autumn season to be year-round with its echo-y guitars and vocals that shoot bleak landscapes into my mind palace.

Please get this album and find a loved one...