Matthew Tavares's latest offering is quite a gem. It reminds me of a soundtrack to a long lost late 60s or early 70s sitcom about a family band. Pops is just pure psychedelic pop fun. Example...
L.A.'s Foster The People are likely known by most as a one hit wonder. Yet they have many amazing songs that are guaranteed to make you get up and shake it! Their latest is called Paradise State Of Mind and is dance pop at its finest.
Opening track...
Irish post punk superstars Fontaines D.C. are back with yet another stunner. Romance has all the angst, strom and durge that one needs to get through life. It's dark and it's beautiful.
One of my faves...
Gillian Welch is an American treasure. Her latest is called Woodland and it's the perfect fall album. It just slides over you like a cool breeze that demands snuggling with a loved one. With her partner David Rawlings, they have created a folk rock masterpiece.
Opening track...
John Grant is back with a towering effort called The Art Of Life. Listening to the record gives you the same experience as watching a Stanley Kubrick film. The songs make you drift forever in an otherworldly realm.
Here is one of my faves....
Snow Patrol is back with a deep and loving lament of an album called The Forest Is The Path. The lads have really hit an emotional depth on this one that has heretofore never been reached by the Dundee outfit.
The album opens with this slinky plead...
It's that time of the year again, folks. Autumn is here and that means the Autumn Music Series is back! It's time for romantic, crunchy leaf walks with a loved one followed by a fire and something warm to drink. The songs I highlight in this series are the perfect soundtrack to these endeavors, containing that special mix of theme and style that only says the fall.
First up this year is this Father John Misty track from 2015's I Love You, Honeybear.
Orange's county's own Local Natives are back with a positively gorgeous record called But I'll Wait For You. It's a deeply felt lament for loves lost and gained. The vocal arrangements are nothing short of stunning.
Opening track...
Mercury Rev are back with another generational stunner. Born Horses is cinematic in its scope and personal in its nature. The opening track sucks you into the film of life...
Melbourne's own Good Morning have a wonderful new record called Good Morning Seven, which, not surprisingly, is their seventh release. The style and the arrangements are stellar but it's really the themes that need to be noticed. Humans and how they view the world differently...
One of my faves...
Ryan Adams can do punk. 1985, one of the five albums he released earlier this year, is quite a pure and poignant example of this. The album starts at 100mph and 29 tracks later is still at the same speed. Wow!
Opening track...
Heatwave is a straight up rock album. It's nice to hear Ryan jam out and sing with that rock and roll voice. The record truly is a powerhouse.
Here is the title track...
Of the four records of original material Ryan Adams released earlier this year, Sword & Stone is easily the most introspective. Chock full of AM gold tidbits, the album showcases his uncanny ability to create modern nostalgia.
Here is one of my faves...
Earlier this year, Ryan Adams released four albums of new and original material and one live album, playing his record Prisoner from start to finish. It's taken me far too long to review these records so I'm going to do so over the next few days. Artists simply don't make music that sounds like AM radio in the late 70s, early 80s and I truly feel these records deserve a special focus.
I'm going to start with Star Sign which is easily the best of the four, representing the themes and style that Adams is famous for. So, it's the Album of the Week!
This track made me cry the first time I heard it...
Chris Cohen's latest record will great please soft rock fans of the world. Paint A Room is the L.A. native's best effort yet. Yacht rock devotees will go crazy...in their own yacht rock way...
Here is one of my faves...
Manchester's own Porij are a fun little alternative, lo fi outfit. Their latest record is called Teething and it's filled with interesting numbers about life. I simply adore all the catchiness to it!
Opening track...
El Paso natives Cigarettes After Sex are back with yet another ethereal and slinky record. X's continues their exploration into the inviting darkness of love and passion. I willingly want to go along for the ride.
Here is one of my faves...
There is truly something deeply amazing about space age bachelor pad music. The pysch-loungey-ness of all of it just puts me in the exact right vibe. The latest release from LA's own Brijean completely fucking nails this vibe. Macro is their best work yet.
First up we likely have my track of the year. Not kidding. It's that fucking good.
Beabadoobee is back with an excellent record called This Is How Tomorrow Moves. The Filipino born international superstar has crafted an indie darling of an album. The introspection in the lyrics really hits me right in the heartstrings.
Opening track...