@@@ The Great Malarkey: Doghouse (Batov Records, 2017) I was contacted by the label that released this record so I thought I would give a peep to the indie folks as I’m more inclined to boost an indie record than a major label jam. It was described to me as Balkan mayhem and while I hear the crazy energy this first tune has blues and other genre influences in there. I like the female singer and the band is excited to put it mildly. The second tune is a straight ahead rocker with the drums high up in the mix as well as a banjo. This third tune brings on some fluid ska horns and a little dub wise snare delay. I’ve made it to the sixth tune and I would say the best tracks are the first 3-4 and then it starts to fade a tad. Check them out especially the first chunk of the record.
@@@ Charlotte OC: Careless People (Harvest, 2017) Some downtempo off an All Music notable release email. This first tune is not downtempo as I define it — I think of downtempo as slow down hip hop/funk beats with a real down/blunted feel. This is mainstream ballad rock/pop so once again I’m getting a pretzel when I thought I was getting a cookie. Or vice versa. Ms. OC has a dramatical voice and she does her torch carrying over big corporate power production. This is false advertising, where’s my fucking cookie?
@@@ Spiral Stairs: Doris and the Daggers (Nine Mile Recordings, 2017) Also off an all Music notable release email. This first tune features a dual guitar attack and a lower register male singer. Pretty mainstream sounding but not cheesed out pop rock. Maybe a tad like Bowie but not as artsy. This second tune is poppier than the opener and it remains that way. It sounds great, it’s pretty straight ahead guitar rock, I’m not looking for that but if you are well then these guys will hook you up.
YTD recordings listened to: 242
Good music, not recommended for purchase: 131
Not good music: 90
Buys: 1
Honorable Mentions: 1
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, A Tribe Called Quest, Noname, Gouge Away, Anna Hogberg, Klara Lewis, Aethenor, Krullur, The Lowest Form, Hard Proof, James Brandon Lewis, Yotoco, Tinariwen, Jungle Fire, Sandoz, Power Trip, Reverend Payton, J.I.D., Oddisee, Feral Ohms, Orquestra Baobab
Deep In the Music 