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...
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.
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!
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!
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...
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...
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.
Rockford, Illinois's own Cheap Trick are back with a record guaranteed to fling you to the 1970s and fill you with nostalgia. In Another World had me grinning from ear to ear on the first listen with each successive play resulting in an out and out love for the album. It's so nice that people are still making music like this.
Here is the opening track.
Liverpool's own Pixey must think it's the year 1965. Her music sounds like it could have easily come out that year. The Yardbirds? The Stones? Brill Building chique? All present on her fantastic EP, Free To Live in Colour.
Here is the opening track...
Glasgow's own Glasvegas are back with their own unique form of Brit Rock (a heavy dash of under the boardwalk lover's angst crooning). Godspeed is a fine record that even has 80's synth-pop influences. I feel like it's going to be a good summer listen, maybe during a walk around the lake!
The musical world is a much better place with Daniel Lanois in it. He is well known for his producer work but I've always been more partial to his own music. His first album, Acadie, is easily in the Top 500 albums of all time.
His latest offering is Heavy Sun which features a wide variety of musical styles, collaborators, and explorations. Here is one of my favorite tracks.
The glory and power that is Tune-Yards are back with a new record. Sketchy. has all the requisite avant-garde tracks as well as some quite interesting pop tracks. I've always enjoyed this group's ability to fiercely explore new horizons.
Straight-up rock fans will rejoice at the latest offering from Bloomington, Indiana's Major Murphy. There are elements of dream pop and 90's indie present but mostly it just kicks ass. I'm looking forward to watching this band blossom and write their fire in the sky.
If Glasgow's Fratellis went back in time to 1959 and found an "Enchantment Under The Sea" dance to play, it would sound like their latest album, Half Drunk Under A Full Moon. The lads have showcased this sound a few times on their previous album with a track here or there but this is an album made entirely of a sound over a half century old.
It is marvelous...
I've always loved garage bands. So pure...so honest...so loud. That's why Byron Bay, New South Wales natives Skegss have been in heavy rotation at my house these last few weeks. Their sophomore effort is called Rehearsal and it sounds nothing like one.
Here is one of my favorite tracks.
Bantham, Devon native Ben Howard is back with yet another treasure of an album. Collections From The Whiteout is his fourth record and continues his explorations of the small but amazing stories of the tucked-away places of the world. He also engages in some fairly serious introspection.
Here is one of my favorite tracks...
Lana Del Rey continues to dazzle the world with her brilliance. The NYC native's latest offering, Chemtrails Over The Country Club, is a journey into a David Lynch-like world of warped nostalgia and Americana. Each track peels back a layer of heartache.
She's a genius, folks!
Canberra, Australia's own Genesis Owusu has dropped his first full length and it is a giant breath of fresh air. Smiling With No Teeth is bloody mags with its driving beats, marvelous stories, and penetrating lyrics. It's just so cool I can hardly stand it!