Thursday, April 30, 2020

EOB: Earth

I've been a Radiohead fan for nearly 30 years and a Brit Rocker for much longer. So, it's really no surprise that I highly recommend Ed O'Brien's solo debut, Earth. Even if you aren't a huge fan of Brit Rock or Radiohead, you will find much to like from this Oxfordshire lad's LP.

Example.



Very much a 1970's breeze. Check out this record!

Monday, April 27, 2020

Laura Marling: Song For Our Daughter (Album of the Week)

Berkshire treasure Laura Marling has completely outdone herself with her latest release, Song For Our Daugther. Heavily channeling her inner Joni Mitchell (Court and Spark era), the ten tracks on this album are nothing short of magnificent. Ethan Johns's production is stellar and honestly captures the deepest beauty in each song.

Marling is performing songs for a daughter that does not yet exist. Amazing idea...

Thursday, April 23, 2020

Dreaming of the Dream Syndicate

I've been a fan of LA's The Dream Syndicate since they burst on to the scene in 1981 with The Days of Wine and Roses. I even had the pleasure of seeing them live in the summer of 1984 when they warmed up for REM at Summerfest in Milwaukee. They took a lot of time off over the years but the last few have seen three new releases.

Their latest is called The Universe Inside. It's five long tracks of pure psychedelic bliss. A perfect soundtrack for journeys through your mind palace...

Sunday, April 19, 2020

Mystery Jets: A Billion Heartbeats (Album of the Week)

London's own Mystery Jets have returned with a stunner of a record. A Billion Heartbeats is everything you want out of a dudes-with-guitars era band.  It has soaring guitars, perfectly pitched power pop vocals, and themes of love and heartache in the time of a great big planet Earth.

Here is the title track.



(side note: dudes with guitars era is how I define the musical era from 2000-2010, specifically indie pop)


Friday, April 17, 2020

The Strokes: The New Abnormal

The Strokes haven't made a new record since 2013 but they are back with their sixth release, The New Abnormal. It's a solid effort and perfectly titled for our times. It's filled with all sorts of Strokes-y stuff that longtime fans will enjoy. It also has a few grooves that new fans will dig.

The NYC band that changed the world and made a Music Year Zero in 2001 is back!

Monday, April 13, 2020

U.S. Girls: Heavy Light (Album of the Week)

My history with experimental pop has been limited. But Toronto based U.S. Girls has made me think I need to expand that musical knowledge. Their latest record, Heavy Light, is a blend of soul, pop, and Brill Building pastiche. It's my pick this week for Album of the Week. Check out the first track.


I hear a lot of Saint Etienne in there so fans of that group are really going to dig U.S. Girls.

Saturday, April 11, 2020

Yaeji: What We Drew

I am constantly curious when it comes to music. If I am not aurally stretching myself on a consistent basis, I become agitated and "in search of..." What I am looking for I don't exactly know but it often comes from mysterious pathways in genres that I would not have considered.

Such is the case with Brooklyn's own Yaeji. Her latest release, What We Drew, is a stunning achievement in the world of electronica. It's amazing for any genre, really. I feel like every track paints a new masterpiece.

Here is a taste.

Thursday, April 9, 2020

Peel Dream Magazine: Agitprop Alterna

The fuzz-pop outfit from Brooklyn known as Peel Dream Magazine has released its second full-length record. Agitprop Alterna builds upon the glory of their first release (Modern Meta Physic) in all its shoegaze, late 90's indie bliss. Good love drone vibes!

Monday, April 6, 2020

Thundercat: It Is What It Is (Album of the Week)

LA's own Thundercat is back with a new record called It Is What It Is. It's a deep dive into soulful, space-age bachelor pad music that truly trips out the mind. I continue to be amazed by this generation-defining artist.



I wonder how big of a Todd Rundgren fan he is. Some of his stuff is so reminiscent of 70's TR.

Saturday, April 4, 2020

Waxahatchee: Saint Cloud

Birmingham, Alabama's own Waxahatchee has their fifth full-length record out and it's been very comforting to me these last few days. I took Saint Cloud with me on a long run on the trail near my house and, with the sun beaming down on my head, my mood was lifted massively. Katie Crutchfield, the leader of the project, spins eleven heartfelt tales of hell, witches, war and, of course, love.

Here's the second track, a very appropriate song for our times.

Thursday, April 2, 2020

Monophonics Make Me Happy

San Francisco's own Monophonics are filling up my soul with soul music these days. Their new record, It's Only Us, is a heartfelt rendering of late '60s/early 70's soul that is so fucking good it makes me weep with joy.



It's great to see so many soul bands out there now reviving the genre. Add Monoponics to this list...

Durand Jones and the Indications
Curtis Harding
Michael Kiwanuka
Leon Bridges

...and you have the five great soul bands of 2020 that you should be listening to.

Wednesday, April 1, 2020

Brian Fallon: Local Honey

Ex-Gaslight Anthem frontman Brian Fallon has a new record out called Local Honey. It's his third solo effort and we're honestly seeing some real growth as an artist. His themes are more mature as he deals with changes in his own life that speak to all of us. I can remember being a dad for the first time and he really nails it with the opening track.



It's a hauntingly beautiful record. Check it out!