Monday, June 29, 2020

The Lazy Eyes: EP1 (Album of the Week)

Psychedelic pop fans should rejoice with the first release from Sydney's own, The Lazy Eyes. I make no secret about being a massive fan of this 50-year-old + genre of music but the first-ever album from this band is extraordinary. 

A perfect soundtrack for the summer sun. Here is the opening track

 

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Liam Gallagher: MTV Unplugged

Our kid from Manchester is back with a really nice collection of live and unplugged tracks, taped last year at Hull House. The Oasis songs always sound great but it's his solo material that really shines on this record. The live versions have much more power and honesty.

   

Monday, June 22, 2020

Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever: Sideways to New Italy (Album of the Week)

Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever is truly a fantastic name for a band. The good news is their music is every bit as awesome as their name. Their second release, Sideways to New Italy, just dropped and it's spectacular. This Melbourne band deeply fulfills the indie pop, jangly guitar dream of any listener.

Here is one of my favorite tracks from the record.

Sunday, June 21, 2020

Doves: Carousels (Track of the Week)

Cheshire's own Doves are back with their first new music in 11 years. Their timing could not have been better. I really have missed this amazing band quite a bit. Their music is deeply personal to me and has been my soundtrack for two decades even if they only released stuff 12 of those years. Their entire catalog is timeless and should be purchased in its entirety. 

Hopefully, this new track is the first of many! 

Saturday, June 20, 2020

Katie Von Schleicher: Consummation


Katie Von Schleicher is a complete and total gem. This Brooklyn treasure's latest release, Consummation, has dazzled me in a myriad of ways over the last few weeks since its release in May. It's one of those deep, soaking records that slowly marinates like a carefully prepared meal. You adore it more and more as time marches on. 

A stunning achievement! 

 

Wednesday, June 17, 2020

Run the Jewels: Walking In The Snow

Continuing on with my Run the Jewels lovefest this week, I thought I would highlight this track which has the line "I Can't Breathe" in it.

Sick chorus!

Monday, June 15, 2020

Run The Jewels: RT4 (Album of the Week)

RTJ has dropped a most timely record and it is magnificent. I've completely adored this supergroup comprised of Killer Mike and El-P since their first release back in 2013. Their music has never been more relevant. Go buy it.

Fight the power!

Saturday, June 13, 2020

The Robert Cray Band: That's What I Heard

Robert Cray is back with a stellar new record called That's What I Heard. I've been a fan since the early 80's and it's comforting in these unsettled times to know that some things never change. Cray shreds out 12 tracks of blues joy. Yes, that's possible! You can get happier after listening to the blues!!

 

Wednesday, June 10, 2020

The Dears: Lover's Rock

Montreal's own The Dears are back with a wonderful new record called Lover's Rock. Their orchestral pop noir sound has never sounded finer on their latest release.

I've enjoyed this album a great deal as I have been walking around town more due to the outbreak. It's a good soundtrack for exploring new neighborhoods and contemplating your place in the universe.

Monday, June 8, 2020

Nicole Atkins: Italian Ice (Album of the Week and Album of the Summer)

At various times in my daily life, my thoughts turn melancholy and overwhelmingly nostalgic for those halcyon days of listening to my crappy old AM Realistic Radio. It was 1978 when I got my first clock radio that was primarily used to wake me up for school. My mom was tired of me oversleeping so it made sense in practical terms.

But what I didn't expect was that little piece of junk was going to open me up to a world of music and set my mind, heart, and soul forever on the path of artistic righteousness. WLS was my church when I woke up, hung out with my friends in my room, and before I went to bed. My favorite artists today give me those same feelings that I had back in those amazing days of discovery of all the great bands from that time period.

New Jersey's own Nicole Atkins' latest release, Italian Ice, brings me right back to that 1978 bedroom in such an overwhelming fashion that I can barely cope with the waves of sentimentalism. Seriously, this record is shovel to the head stunning. The musical styles range from late '70s,/early 80's pop to soul music to an amalgam of Brill Building chic and psych-pop. It all mixes together in the most wonderful of ways.

Folks, this is your album of the Summer of 2020. Go outside, let the warm rays of sunshine wash over you, and listen to AM Gold warrior, Nicole Atkins!

Friday, June 5, 2020

The 1975: Notes on Conditional Form

The 1975 are a good band. In fact, they are an above-average band. And I like them a lot. But they are decidedly not as amazing as NME and other critics think they are. It's as if being critical of them these days is verboten to the point of absurdity.

The Winslow, Chesire outfit's latest release, Notes on Conditional Form, has several memorable tracks and combines a wide variety of musical styles. In many ways, it's a jukebox explosion of techno, bubble gum pop, and dream pop acoustic ballads. My view is that it's not as strong as their earlier efforts but it's solid.

Here is my favorite track

Monday, June 1, 2020

The Reflectors: First Impression (Album of the Week)

LA's own The Reflectors are staking a powerful claim on 1980's power pop with their debut record, First Impression. There is even quite a bit of early 60's beat music to their sound as well. Bottom line, they are just a lot of fun in a world that hasn't really been in the last couple of weeks.