Bdrmm: Bedroom

The spaced-out sounds of Hull's own Bdrmm are just the shoegaze salve we need for what ails us all right now. Cosmic mind journeys and self-actualization are plentiful on their debut album, Bedroom. I am so thankful that this style of music is still being made!

And, of course, it is from the Holy Land...

The Jayhawks: XOXO (Album of the Week)

My hometown of Minneapolis has one of the best bands in the world. They have been making incredible music for over 35 years. Every Christmas season they do a show in the Main Room when they come home to visit with family and it sells out, invariably forcing a second show.

The Jayhawks are a Minnesota treasure.

And, honestly, they are second only to Prince in terms of local music legends.

Their latest release, XOXO, continues the high standard set by their recent output. Louris, Grothberg, Perlman, and the lads have refused to give up on exploring new musical horizons and territories. I continue to be as amazed as I was when I bought their first record back in 1986 at the record store in the basement of Coffman Union.

Here is my favorite track from the album. So perfect for hometown heroes...

 

Bob Dylan: Rough and Rowdy Ways

Bob is back with his 39th studio album and this time it's with all-new, original material, his first since 2012's Tempest. I've enjoyed his recent forays into the Great American Songbook but it's always much better to hear new stuff from this musical icon. 

Rough and Rowdy Ways plays like something you would hear on an old jukebox in a dive bar in the middle of flyover USA. Can't you just see the old couples dancing to this track?

His characters and their stories, as always, are vibrant and multi-dimensional. 

Ray Lamontagne: Monovision

The sweet, soft and soulful sounds of Ray Lamontagne's latest record, Monovision, have been in heavy rotation these last couple of weeks in my house. He is certainly a man out of time and seems more of a good fit for the mid-1970s. Yeah, it's kinda yacht rockish but who cares? It's amazing!

Here is an extra mellow track for those summer days with clouds...

Spacey Jane: Sunlight

Australia officially has a new and amazing music scene with the likes of The Lazy Eyes, Bananagun, and now Spacey Jane. This Fremantle quartet magnificently adds to the garage and psychedelic sounds of this new genre from Oz. Their debut release, Sunlight, is a must-have for summer listening.

Here is one of my favorite tracks.

Bananagun: The True Story of Bananagun (Album of the Week)

Melbourne's own Bananagun have released their first record and it is an absolute stunner of a debut. The True Story of Bananagun taps into early 60's dream pop, early 70's soul, long afrobeat jams, and garage band psych-pop. Essentially, it's all the things I love about music. 

Here is one of the many amazing tracks from this album. 

Khruangbin: Mordechai

If you are looking for a good album to shag to, look no further than Mordechai by Khruangbin. This Houston trio has produced an album blissful with amour, demanding an immediate search for a loved one. There are loads of 70's vibes on this record and it really shows on this track.



My heart was very much loved up after hearing this record. Feeling nostalgic!

Paul Weller: On Sunset (Album of the Week)

The Modfather is back with an absolute corker of a new record called On Sunset. Weller continues to be fiercely curious about musical styles, tapping into sounds that range from cinematic to soul to simple pastorals. He shows no signs in letting up in his lifelong obsession with exploring new ways to be MOD. 

Here is the opening track.

Woodstock: An American Experience

Check out this amazing film about Woodstock. I've been a fan of the American Experience for years and this documentary is a stunning look behind the scenes of the greatest music festival of all time

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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

 

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.

   

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.

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! 

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! 

 

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!

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!

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!!

 

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.

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!

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