@@@ The Aces: Stuck (N/A, 2017) I got to this all female indie band single from a publicist email. So far this falls much more — oh wow it segues out of the intro to a super sweet ’80s synth pop explosion. Extensive but not excessive vocal harmonies in the verse and then it slips right into that synth groove which is catchy but a bit low IQ. The plinky guitars and the pong synthesizers are the bubbles in this ginger ale. And they use the word ‘babe’ a ton, like my mother in law. Not a bad association for others, but not great for me.
@@@ Deep State: Time Unrivaled (N/A, 2017) Another music publicist single. I’m peeping it because they have the Minutemen as one of their sonic references in their spieling email. I don’t want to be a dick (sometimes) but I hear more of the Go Gos than the Minutemen. It’s more sweet guitar bounce than the fried punk weirdness of the Minutemen. And crunchier too, in the guitars. That’s supposed to be a little poetic there. And crunchier too (pause, nod your head meaningfully, stroke your soul patch), in the guitars. Yeah right on.
@@@ Kashaka : Tropa Da Jogador (Subterranean, 2017) I saw some Afrique music festival in the BK this weekend and these guys are listed. But if my ears are correct this is a Brazilian outfit. Let me consult with the interwebz, ah the webs. Ah, it’s a collaboration between artists in Brazil, Brooklyn and Africa. It’s a true mash with elements of hip hop, Brazilian music, and weird ass keyboards that sound cool. There’s a lot going on but it holds together rhythmically and it works for me.
@@@ Primus: The Desaturating Seven (ATO, 2017) Primus is back with their original lineup. The first tune sports a spoken word opening section that is part Lord of the Rings and part Wizard of Oz. When the music starts it’s more theater show than Primus punky weird ass funk. Maybe that will commence. Ah the weirdness is slowly trickling in. Ah, the second tune gets into the ol’ school Primus — weird Al freakshow vocals and chopped up funk. I like it pretty good yo. This is a concept record based on a children’s book which I think works because the singer works that childlike, anti-social vocal tip well. The tunes have a slow unfolding quality which you have to be in the mood for. I respect the ambition of what they’re trying to do here. This third tune is the best of what I heard.
YTD recordings listened to: 636
Good music, not recommended for purchase: 341
Not good music: 269
Buys: 8
Honorable Mentions: 6
Possibles: Chris McGregor, Retox, Defeater, Jonwayne, Okkyung Lee, The Ballantynes, Slidhr, The Chewers, Toxic Holocaust, Susie Iberra/Roberto Rodriguez, Lenguas Largas, The Coral, T.O.M.B., 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, Moken, Juan Atkins, 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, Krullur, The Lowest Form, Hard Proof, James Brandon Lewis, Yotoco, Jungle Fire, Sandoz, J.I.D., Oddisee, Forro in the Dark, RAM, Fiver, Dona Onete, Succumb Succumb, Gloom, Priests, Propaganda, This is the Kit, Roberto Gonzalez, Integrity, American Lips, Sudan Archives, Tuba Skinny, The Expanders, Benjamin Booker