@@@ Japandroids: Nearer to the Wild Heart of Life (Anti-, 2016). Off this week’s All Music notable release email and it jumps right out of the gate with big guitar sound. Oh boy, it’s one of these big, anthemic singers, that could be a problem. Especially with emotional indie style lyrics I have no interest in hearing about. Let’s peep more. Oh shit, a big Bon Jovi whoa ho in the chorus, that’s heavy and not something I’m looking to hear. If I want big Bon Jovi whoa ho background vocals I can go stream a Bon Jovi biscuit. I really like the guitar sounds and if you’re an American youth head straight to some old Bob Mould/Sugar records cuz you shouldn’t have to listen to the faux sophisticated lyrics. Or those whack ass Jovi vocal stacks.
@@@ Allison Crutchfield: Tourist in this town (Merge, 2017) Looks like it’s gonna be an overwrought indie Friday listening session. This first tune opens up mostly a cappella with country twang. I don’t know if this first tune had a band in it because I fast forwarded and this second tune is some faded California indie. I’m going to need more than sweet/bittersweet feelings here, it’s just a tad….splooshy. This fourth tune is a way uptempo synth rocker and I just think I’m not a big synth rock guy, but check it for yourself.
@@@ Tift Merritt: Stitch of the world (Yep Roc, 2017) Also off this week’s All Music notable release email. With some smoky dual guitar playing on this first tune and Merritt’s weary voice she’s off to a good start in my book. The second tune is a piano ballad and I like it but it makes me realize I was just in the first song for the exquisite guitar playing. The third tune is very close to a Emmylou Harris tune and it’s good but this might be a bit mopey for me. I like this record, it’s really heartfelt, the guitar playing is great, the record sounds great, her voice is really good. I don’t love the lyrics but that’s just me, a lot of folks don’t care about the lyrics.
YTD recordings listened to: 62
Good music, not recommended for purchase: 37
Not good music: 17
Buys: 0
Honorable Mentions: 0
Possibles: Chris McGregor, Dave Arner Trio, Zomby, Retox, Defeater, Jonwayne, Okkyung Lee, The Ballantynes, Slidhr, The Chewers, Toxic Holocaust, Susie Iberra/Roberto Rodriguez, Lenguas Largas, The Coral, T.O.M.B., Fofoulah, Lozen, Erase Errata, Mastery, Leviathan, Hartley C. White, Weed, Cold Water, Janelle Monae, Luther Dickinson, Graeme Barrett, Fast Asleep, Goldlink, Cavanaugh, Gentleman Surfer, Satoko Fuji, Divanhana, Moken, Juan Atkins, Drone, Lantern, Twin Peaks, Djelimady Tounkara, The Oh Sees, Denny Zeitlin, MILF, Unfun, De La Soul, Carl Sagan’s Skate Shoes, Magrudergrind, Acid Arab, A Tribe Called Quest, Noname, Gouge Away, Anna Hogberg, Klara Lewis, Aethenor, Krullur, The Lowest Form, Hard Proof
Deep In the Music 