The Lightning Seeds: See You In The Stars

Liverpool's own The Lightning Seeds are back with yet another psychedelic pop treat. See You In The Stars is an absolute treasure from start to finish.

Here's an example, with a nod to early Floyd!

Betty Who: Big!

If had a time machine radio that magically tuned into the year 1985, it wouldn't be a surprise to hear music that sounds like Betty Who. The Sydney, South Wales, Australia native has just released her fourth record and it's called Big! And wow is it ever!! 

Here is one of my faves...

The 1975: Being Funny In A Foreign Language

The 1975 is back and the lads from Manchester are in fine form. Being Funny In A Foreign Language is another great record that perfectly synthesizes 80s pop with synth funk. 

Here is one of my favorite tracks on the album...

Arctic Monkeys: The Car (Album of the Week)

Sheffield's own Arctic Monkeys are back with a positively stunning record called The Car. It's a leveled up verson of their last record (Tranquility Base and Hotel Casino) with even more heartache, regret, and deep yearning. Though the themes of the tracks suggest a continued failure to achieve one's goals, musically the lads are at the top of their game. Their style has evolved in unexpected ways, pushing the boundaries of pop music. 

The orchestral lounge is open again and serving even better cocktails than on the moon! 

Easy Life: Maybe in Another Life

Another year and another great record from Leicester's own Easy Life. Their latest offering is called Maybe in Another Life and it sees the lads diving deeper into diversity. Some of the tracks have a Beach Boys-like sound. Others sound like the house band at a Chi-Chi's lounge. All are amazing! 

Check it out! 

ABC: Many Happy Returns (Autumn Music Series)

The fall of 1982 was a wondrous time in my life. My sophomore year had begun and much of that adolescent awkwardness was falling away. I felt confident and it was glorious to be alive. 

I was a cross-country runner and that autumn I met one of the people that would musically change my life in the most profound ways. I distinctly recall the first time seeing him walking up to our squad on that first day of practice wearing a Tommy Tutone shirt. He had ridiculously mod hair and it was quickly apparent that he knew his shit when it came to music. 

Over the course of the next few weeks, Steve introduced me to a plethora of amazing records. This was the guy who turned me on to Paul Weller, the artist who is now second only to John Lennon for me. I'll never forget listening to Sound Affects by The Jam and having a whole new world of music opened up to me. 

One of the big records during this time period was The Lexicon of Love by ABC. It had come out the previous June but for me, it will always be a fall record because we obsessively played it on the bus ride to our cross-country meets. Sony Walkmens=Represent!

The key track for me has always been "Many Happy Returns." The lyrics are brilliant and it has all of my autumnal tropes. The keyboards echo off into windswept, multi-colored leaves and swirl forever, keeping that time always around my shoulders like a warm blanket...

Steve remains one of my best friends to this day, 40 years and counting! He's an extremely talented musician in his own right and still turns me on to colossally awesome music:)

Bush: The Art of Survival

It's nice to hear that bands like Bush are still out there making thumpin' rock and roll. The latest from these London lads is called The Art of Survival and it's theme is perfect for our world right now.

And the style is BOSS!!

Chloe Moriondo: Suckerpunch

Chloe Moriondo is quite a unique force in 2022. Her social commentary in her music is honestly in its own category. The Chloe category. Her latest record is called Suckerpunch and it feels every bit like one.

Witness.

Todd Rundgren: Space Force (Album of the Week)

Ah, Todd. You are such a genius and you've been a part of my life for nearly all of my 55 years. My dad played your records in the 1970s and you are still making great music today. I've loved every minute of all of them and have seen you 22 times in concert. 

Your latest record is amazing and fun. The collabs are boss and every one of the 12 tracks is pure platinum. It's the last one that really gets me. Reminds me of all your styles wrapped up in a bow!

Yeah Yeah Yeahs: Cool It Down

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs are back with indie bliss in the form of Cool It Down. This ethereal, wispy and mega Twin Peaks ish record is just a trip. I felt like I'm floating when I listen to it! Karen O and the lads really outdid themselves on this one. 

Here is one of my favorite tracks...

Tim Burgess: Typical Music

Charlatans front man Tim Burgess is back with another stellar offering called Typical Music. There is nothing typical about the Salford native's latest record. It's twenty two tracks that are all over the map in terms of musical diversity. Straight up pop all the way to choral type music? Wow! 

Here is one of my faves...

Suede: Autofiction (Album of the Week)

Ah, the London Suede. So cool. So debonair. Eternally sounding current. Massively hip. Their latest record is called Autofiction and it's completely mega. It's everything music should be in eleven luscious tracks. 

Here is the opening track, performed live recently on Later, with Jools Holland.

Palace: Bitter

London's own Palace has got me extra autumnal today with their track from 2014 called "Bitter." As usual, it has the obligatory haunting, echo-y guitar combined with heavy echoes on the vocal that makes for a truly bleak (but very fall-like) track.

Add it to the list! 

Unloved: The Pink Album

LA's own Unloved are back with their third offering of that groovy mid-60s in London spaced-out cinematic psychedelic sound. The Pink Album is their best yet and makes me want to grab my Austin Powers Halloween costume from a couple of decades ago.

So groovy! 

The Mars Volta: The Mars Volta (Album of the Week)

The seventh studio release by El Paso's own The Mars Volta is all levels of awesome, especially including dragon level. What a complete explosion of pure sonic joy! I wish there were more bands that made music like this, delving deeply into moods and styles that champion diversity for the pure sake of the art. 

Having the album name be just their band name is perfect! 

Editors: Ebm

Birmingham's own Editors are back with a wonderful new record called Ebm. It's got more of late night club dance feel than their previous records. There is a pretty solid industrial sound as well. The guitars are just amazing. True sonic love!

Dark Dark Dark: Winter Memory

Hometown boys Dark Dark Dark have a perfect autumn song. Taken from the soundtrack to the film Flood Tide, "Winter Memory" is a perfect song for today here in the North Woods. I woke up this morning to a light dusting of snow on the ground! 

The feel of the air and the calendar says it's still fall so enjoy this amazing track. 

Daniel Lanois: Player, Piano

Venerated music shaper and icon Daniel Lanois is back with a perfect album for the autumnal season. Player, Piano is a quite, introspective affair that is truly the perfect soundtrack for colder days, dazzling colors and even dark, rainy fall days.

Here is a taste...

Ryan Adams: Devolver (Album of the Week)

The eternally prolific Ryan Adams has graced us with yet another release in 2022. This one is free and it's called Devolver. It's a big thank you to the fans who have supported him through his challenges in the last couple of years. 

The record has that same late 70s, early 80s AM radio pop sound that he has been cultivating on his last few records albeit with a little more edge and rock and roll to it. 

There is nothing up on YouTube in terms of samples but the album is available to download here. 

Whitney: Spark

The pride of Chicago, Whitney, is back with another fabulous record that's called Spark. It's got all those 70s feels with even more pop added for luscious goodness. I love the way it bursts my mind open with nostalgia!

Here is the opening track...