Vancouver's own Pink Mountaintops make me happy. They make music like people use to make it. I realize that's a cliche but I know I am among many who are quite tired of computers playing instruments. So, when I hear those loud and rolling Fenders on this track...
Mr. Lamar is back with a truly extraordinary record called Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers. The Compton native seems to have found is deepest socially conscious voice yet with the nine tracks contained on this gem.
Here is my fave...
Oxford lads Foals are back with a new record called Life Is Yours. Within a few seconds of my first listen, I wondered if I had picked up a Level 42 album instead. Being a total nerd for that 80s outfit, I was ecstatic! The themes and the style of this record will make fans of either band happy.
Get ready to dance!
Perth's own Psychedelic Porn Crumpets are back with their fifth long-player of scrumptious, mind-warping fun. Night Gnomes is yet another example of the musical renaissance going on in Australia, most of it in the psych pop genre. Bril!
Monophonics are back with more sweet soul bliss guaranteed to soothe your spirit in these trouble times. Sage Motel is a big beautiful kiss from the early 1970's, my favorite time period for R&B.
Here is the title track...
Tears For Fears has always meant SUMMER for me. My heart grows immediately warm when I hear their music because it reminds me of so many summers in my 80s youth. Watching their videos on MTV or hearing their latest hit (and there were SO many) on the radio, the band just sounds better in the summer!
So, it's only natural that their latest record, The Tipping Point, is my choice for the soundtrack to your summer. The title track alone, which I highlighted when I made the record my Album of the Week last March, oozes summer wind and chlorine-smelling pools.
The last track, though, is just perfect for that late-night drive home from a summer date. The wind blowing...maybe by the beach somewhere...or even in a city with all the lights...mmm...
Wilco is back with a two album set called Cruel Country and it honestly couldn't have come at a better time. Our country is really fucked up right now and it's somehow comforting to hear Tweedy sing about its current state of malaise. All 21 tracks deeply explore Americana and how its heart can sometimes be dark.
"I love my country like a little child. I love my country, stupid and cruel, red white and blue."
Wow.
I've gone from a few toes to now a full half leg dipped into K Pop. I can't help it! Some of it is just really infectious.
Take Yerin, for example. Formerly of the outfit GFriend and now solo has an amazing first volley out called Aria. I think it's the 80s kid in me that just needs some bubble gum pop once in a while.
Kevin Morby gets to a place in me that only he can access. It's weird and hard to explain. You just have to buy all of his albums and listen to them a lot.
His latest is called This Is A Photograph and it's a complete gem. Here is one my faves from the record...
I took a trip to England when I was 16. I celebrated my 17th birthday in London. It was magical in just about every way. We stayed in a little village called Templecombe and would regularly go into Yeovil to hang out, mostly at the pub.
Imagine my surprise when I found out that prog rock titans, The Pineapple Thief, are from Yeovil! It made my hear warm:)
Their latest is called Give It Back and it is a sheer delight. Here is one of faves from the record.
The pure pop bliss of Sunflower Bean continues to cradle me like a newborn infant. Their latest is Headful of Sugar and it soothes the soul straight away from track #1.
I want to radiate like Warpaint. They are the epitome of cool. Their latest record is called Radiate Like This and it's all about the vibe. Late nights, early mornings, chill out, the city, romance and mystery-all are present on this magnificent album.
Sultry...
The Black Keys are just awesome. It's impossible for them to make a bad album. Each one is better than the last one and that's likely due to their infinite search for the unfindable musical horizon.
Their latest is called Dropout Boogie and it's a stunner from start to finish. Check out the opening track...
Our kid is back with his third solo record. Wow! Where did the time go?
C'mon You Know showcases much more diversity of style than I would have expected. I mean, we all know what Liam does and he does it well. But check out this track.
The pride of Glasgow, Belle and Sebastien, are back with a lovely record called A Bit of Previous. The 12 tracks contained therein are more upbeat than some of their previous and more recent records. And, dare I say, poppier for an "indie folk" band. This was also their first record since 1999 that was recorded in their hometown of Glasgow.
Here is the opening track...
Melbourne's own Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever is back with Endless Rooms, yet another dreamy and jangly guitar pop record. Imagine a house with an infinite number of rooms, each with a story to tell of life, love and mind palaces.