Monday, May 31, 2021

The Chills: Scatterbrain (Album of the Week)

New Zealand's own The Chills have just released their ninth long-player so now their musical output officially spans five decades. Scatterbrain is a complete delight from start to finish with its jangly guitars tinged with psych-pop. Seriously, folks, this record is a stunner! 

Here is my favorite track...

Sunday, May 30, 2021

St. Vincent: Daddy's Home

The pride of Dallas, Texas, St. Vincent, is back with her seventh long-player. Daddy's Home, in addition to being a fabulous title, is her best work yet. All her usual pop tropes are present along with the most welcome addition of sultry soul numbers. 

Here is a taste...

Wednesday, May 26, 2021

Paul McCartney: McCartney III Imagined

When I heard that Macca's latest effort was going to be "re-imagined," I admit to being skeptical. I liked McCartney III just the way it was. But McCartney III: Imagined expands its awesomeness in ways I didn't imagine. A wide range of collaborators (Beck, St. Vincent, Phoebe Bridgers, Anderson .Paak just to name a few) engage the Cinemascope on the music and truly make it an aural delight.

Example

Monday, May 24, 2021

Paul Weller: Fat Pop (Volume 1) (Album of the Week)

The Modfather is back with yet another extraordinary set of music. Fat Pop (Volume 1) continues to illustrate the Weller is feverishly exploring new horizons and discovering innovative ways to express himself. 

It's pretty much impossible for me to put into words how amazing this artist has been in my life. He's second only to John Lennon in my view. His body of work now spans six decades and every single bit of it is amazing and perpetually relevant. 

Here is the title track...

Sunday, May 23, 2021

Alife Templeman: Forever Isn't Long Enough

Carlton, Bedfordshire should be proud of their son Alfie Templeman. He's barely 18 and the dude is wielding the history of pop music like a hammer. His latest effort, Forever Isn't Long Enough, sounds like AM radio in the 70s and 80s. So so good...

Here is the title track...

Saturday, May 22, 2021

Manchester Orchestra: The Million Masks of God

Atlanta's own Manchester Orchestra is back with their sixth long-player called The Million Masks of God. Cinematic and breathtaking, this record honestly reaches new highs for the band. I listened to it recently on a long hike up here in the North Woods and it was the perfect soundtrack for the sights I was taking in. 

Thursday, May 20, 2021

Teenage Fanclub: Endless Arcade

Eleven albums by Bellshill Scotland's favorite sons Teenage Fanclub doesn't seem like enough given the high quality of their output. Endless Arcade ranks right up there with Bandwagonesque and Grand Prix in terms of dragon level of awesomeness. It's 12 bangers from start to finish.

Here is the title track...

Monday, May 17, 2021

The Coral: Coral Island (Album of the Week)

Merseyside has gifted a secret treasure to the world and they are called The Coral. I say "secret" because not many folks in the US know about them which is sadly tragic. They are a remarkable band that has been making amazing music for two decades. 

Their latest effort, Coral Island, adds to their zeitgeist of stunning achievements. It tells a magical story of a magical place with magical people who do magical things. Or is it just an ordinary place with lovers, friends, amusement, and the realities of life? Yet another treasure from this incredibly gifted band. 

Here is one of my favorite tracks. 

Sunday, May 16, 2021

Field Music: Flat White Moon

The latest from Sunderland lads Field Music was my "zone out and look at the Iowa countryside" soundtrack on a recent drive back from picking up my son from college. Their late Pepper era psych combined with synth intrigue drives Flat White Moon to dizzying new heights for the band. 

Check it out! 

Saturday, May 15, 2021

London Grammar: Californian Soil

Nottingham's own London Grammar just dropped Californian Soil, their third long-player, and it's a corker.  I needed to be blissfully swept away by some indie-pop goodness and this did the trick!

Monday, May 10, 2021

Brockhampton: Roadrunner: New Light, New Machine (Album of the Week)

The pride of San Marcos, Texas, Brockhampton, is back with a completely amazing record called Roadrunner: New Light, New Machine. Honestly, picking an album of the week from this outfit seemed nearly impossible back when I first started this blog. But good music is good music. This record is a start to finish, put it on, and fly away type of experience.

Here is a taste...

Sunday, May 9, 2021

Dinosaur Jr.: Sweep It Into Space

Amherst, Massachusetts' own Dinosaur Jr. is back with Sweep It Into Space, their first record in five years. It's great to see these guys still kicking around after all these years and playing their own special version of grunge. 

Here is one of my favorite tracks from the new record...

Monday, May 3, 2021

Greta Van Fleet: The Battle At Garden's Gate (Album of the Week)

Proud sons of Michigan, Greta Van Fleet, are back with more tasty 70s/80s retro rock and what could easily be a soundtrack to a film that has yet to be made. The Battle At Garden's Gate is indeed a triumph of awesomeness guaranteed to make anyone of any age airband their asses off.

Here is the opening track...

Sunday, May 2, 2021

Flyte: This Is Really Going To Hurt

London's own Flyte have just release their sophomore effort and it's fab. This Is Really Going To Hurt is actually quite painless and completely wonderful. Easy, acoustic grooves to sooth the soul in an Esher Demos sort of way. 

Saturday, May 1, 2021

The Snuts: W.L.

West Lothian, Scotland's sons The Snuts have dropped their first long-player and I am marveling at its mellowish Brit rocks strands of goodness. W.L. is a mighty fine debut. It's refreshing to hear young artists with such introspection and amazing melodies.