@@@ June McDoom: The City (Temporary Residence, 2022) I saw this record on the Monkeys vs. Teddy Bears best of 2022 list and my first impression is that it’s a female Nick Drake record. Lonesome with indie swirls up in there. Plenty of cassette noise, not sure if that’s real cassette noise or a plugin. I like her voice and the janky feel of the arrangements. I’m listening to this record as a tweet around the Musk-o-sphere and I’m not moved by these tunes. They are much more wrapping paper rather than gifts. Of course, your mileage may vary, so have at it.
@@@ Tenci: Two Cups (Keeled Scales, 2022) Off this week’s 10 most reviewed albums at PItchfork. This record is slotted as folk and you get the guitar arpeggios and a bit of breathy saxophone to open this record. There’s plenty of indie jank in this opener so it’s a combo platter, not straight traditional folk. I like that. It’s got a bit of an orchestral feeling with multiple melodies happening at once. It’s a quick one at the open and then we’re on to the second track, Vanishing Coin. I’m not a huge fan of indie music but I find this interesting, it’s unpredictable and not standard mope. Much more on the dreamy side than on the mope-y side. I don’t have the time to check out a ton of this record as I’m at the beginning of my last podcast push for the year but I’m on the third tune and it’s been all good thus far. Also these ladies can sing, or lady, I don’t know if it’s one or two, nor do I care.
@@@ FelixThe1st: Own Brand Freestyle (UMG, 2021) UK hip hop/drill, it sports both an imperial feel and a dark trappy feel. It’s mostly a booty anthem, lots of X rated business here. I like the farty bass and the sparse tinkling piano, but there’s a pile of spaghetti vocals here that sound not half assed but not far off from half assed. Beats are slick and up to date, the farty bass rules.
@@@ Nina Nastasia: Just Stay in Bed (Temporary Residence, 2022) Another listen off this week’s Line of Best Fit. This is the second track on the record and it’s pretty mainstream folk-y soft rock kinda thing. Arpeggiated acoustic guitar and what may be sorta ironical vocalizing. I’m not sure if I’m supposed to feel like it’s a tongue in cheek hipster thing but I’m not sure it matters. I’m peeping the third tune after peeping the second one and I’m struck by how unremarkable the components are here. I guess this is for fans of Lucinda Wiliams without the backing band. I would need to feel much more pulled in by the lyrics to embrace this record but the lyricas don’t really stand out.
@@@ Hinako Omori: A Journey (Houndstooth, 2022) I’m a bit surprised and entertained to see that this record has been labelled as easy listening in Apple Music. I’m starting at the beginning of the record and it appears to be a mostly electronic record. The first track here, Spaceship Lament, is a meteor show of big synth notes diving and rising across the stereo field. And now a low arpeggiator. The second tune, A Journey, does indeed kick up the New Age spiritual vibes with a friendly and active arpeggiator, some whoo hoo whisper-y female vocals and then a pitch shifted down Lord of the Rings intoning voice. My problem with what I’ve heard thus far is the lack of contrast. I don’t mind soft, comforting sounds but I find them more compelling when they are presented with other harder sounds — that deepens the listening experience for me and creates tension. This is too far towards baby food for my liking.
@@@ Jensen McRae: Machines (Human Re Sources, 2022) The video below is the 10th song on a contemporary folk record. It opens with a cassette opening and closing before the bedroom mid lo fi sound comes in. The lyrics (at least the first verse) are a bit on the surreal side but the most notable component is McRae’s badass voice. The melodies here are not Joni Mitchell complex but she handles what she has here pretty effortlessly. As for the strummed acoustic guitar, it’s a strummed acoustic guitar hence the focus on the voice. It pushes the needle for drama, but hey if people dig it and it’s presented as tastefully as possible. There are some string arrangements that do their thing in the background and I don’t need them but as we’ve already said, drama. We get a big round of whoa hos starting around 45 seconds from the end and that’s the show. I’m giving the second tune, Happy Girl (tune 2) and I dig the bedroom sad ballad more as this has a drummer which gives it a more coffee shop folk feeling. Not a big coffee shop folk kinda guy here.
@@@ Jade Bird: Jade Bird (Glass Note, 2019) I got to this mainstream indie folk record via last week’s All Music notable release email. Ms. Jade Bird has a voice that goes from quiet Dylan-y to big female roar. This is no Leonard Cohen music, it’s upbeat coffee bar/gas station ready stuff. The second tune gets even perkier, yikes. She’s rocking the classic Nirvana twitch-release move. Quiet and intimate in the verse and roaring in the chorus. It’s a fine and classic move but I find the lyrics and the sounds to be a tad light for my taste. The third tune, the last of my listen, trespasses on classic FM rock radio with the power chords in the chorus. Oh, there’s the tambourine, I’m out before the cowbell hits! Behold the firing of the cheese cannon here, people.
@@@ The National: Hairpin Turns (4AD, 2019) Nobody milks the titty of artistic pretension and pure ambition better than the National. A great band pumping out sweet sonic sprays best used in the bathroom whilst you ease your bowels to their woeful anthems. It is minimal in its arrangement but the hook asking the question ‘what are we going through? you and me.’ Days of brutalsim and hairpin turns, yadda yadda yadda. I find it difficult that fans would cheer for such a low energy outfit as I don’t see the genius here. I simply don’t see why anyone would rally around this flag. The sounds here are okay — some pretty simple drumming (I’ve never cottoned to this drummer) some mellow keyboard and some basic guitar. Sort of a peanutbutter and jelly wonderbread sandwich of sounds. Sweet and okay.
@@@ Tall Black Guy and Alyssha Joy: Sip of You (Low Key Source, 2019) I think I’ve peeped Tall Black Guy before and thought it was a couple notches above meh. This track opens up with a strong r&b drum machine, some electronic swirl action and nice breathy vocals about ‘reaching for a sip of you’. If you’re gonna go for the beats and vocals with stripped down sounds I think the vocals should be more action packed. They are a bit hypnotic but they seem cut down and overwhelmed by the beat.
YTD recordings listened to: 223
Good music, not list worthy: 133
Not good music: 81
Best: 0
Honorable Mentions: 0
Possibles: Retox, Defeater, Jonwayne, Okkyung Lee, Slidhr, The Chewers, Susie Iberra/Roberto Rodriguez, The Coral, T.O.M.B., Lozen, Erase Errata, Mastery, Hartley C. White, Weed, Cold Water, Luther Dickinson, Graeme Barrett, Fast Asleep, Goldlink, Cavanaugh, 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, A Tribe Called Quest, Noname, Klara Lewis, Krullur, The Lowest Form, Hard Proof, Yotoco, Jungle Fire, Sandoz, Oddisee, RAM, Fiver, Succumb Succumb, Gloom, Priests, Propaganda, This is the Kit, Roberto Gonzalez, Integrity, Tuba Skinny, The Expanders, Criolo, Billy Strings, Flowers of Sulphur, Portal, Lawaii, Etran De L’Air, Ruby Karinto, Elysia Crampton, Parquet Courts, Moskus, Kendl Winter, Tkay Maidza, Barro, Daniel Khan, Tallawit Timbouctou, Sumac, Tropical Fuck Storm, Harriet Tubman, Ammar 808, Anais Maviel, Chaka Khan, Pom Poko, Fried Egg, Horndal, Wyxz, Tarek Atoui, Hawktail
@@@ Chaka Khan: Hello Happiness (Island, 2019) Chaka Khan brings the old school funk flavors on her new record. Blending aspects of disco into her funk she goes for the popping bass sounds, the string arrangements. I was thinking she had a solid comeback on her hands until she gets into super dirty funk on the third tune (clipped below). It’s guitar driven with synth sparkle and I had to swap out the title track for this funk nugget. Check this track out, it’s bumping at many levels. She continues to burn on the blues down on love track, Too Hot. Surprisingly great music from Khan.
@@@ Tierra Whack: Only Child (Tierra Whack, 2019) I liked Tierra Whack’s 2018 efforts. Maybe not as much as others who gushed but I’m interested in continuing the listening. I like that there are mad school old school doo wop vocal stylings that open the tune before the rhymes come in. A break from the trap! Also a simple but memorable guitar part ringing through the tune. I find lines like ‘you made my heart so cold I should work at Friendly’s’ and ‘money over dick, money over dick’ to be smart and creative. Tierra Whack has it going on with this track.
@@@ William Russell Wallace: San Jacinto (N/A, 2019) I got to this lonesome folk ballad (complete with harmonica solo) via a music publicisit. Wallace’s voice has desperation built into it and while an old Dylan ditty would be a touchstone the difference in vocals takes it to a different place. A little tambourine, some harmonica, a lot of acoustic guitar and his voice. Solid.
YTD recordings listened to: 99
Good music, not list worthy: 56
Not good music: 38
Best: 0
Honorable Mentions: 0
Possibles: Retox, Defeater, Jonwayne, Okkyung Lee, Slidhr, The Chewers, Susie Iberra/Roberto Rodriguez, The Coral, T.O.M.B., Lozen, Erase Errata, Mastery, Hartley C. White, Weed, Cold Water, Luther Dickinson, Graeme Barrett, Fast Asleep, Goldlink, Cavanaugh, 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, A Tribe Called Quest, Noname, Klara Lewis, Krullur, The Lowest Form, Hard Proof, Yotoco, Jungle Fire, Sandoz, Oddisee, RAM, Fiver, Succumb Succumb, Gloom, Priests, Propaganda, This is the Kit, Roberto Gonzalez, Integrity, Tuba Skinny, The Expanders, Converge, Criolo, Billy Strings, Flowers of Sulphur, Portal, Lawaii, Etran De L’Air, Ruby Karinto, Elysia Crampton, Parquet Courts, Moskus, Kendl Winter, Tkay Maidza, Barro, Daniel Khan, Tallawit Timbouctou, Sumac, Tropical Fuck Storm, Harriet Tubman, Ammar 808, Anais Maviel, Chaka Khan
@@@ Semaphore: Unreliable (N/A, 2019) I got to this pre-release single via a music publicist email. A friendly rock tune with feelings based lyrics. The vocal hook is ‘I told you we were unreliable’ which you will receive at a steady dosage through the tune. It builds with some side stick snare at the beginning and moves into full rock band mode and bashes it way on the way out. It is a rare case of upbeat rock that doesn’t collapse into Death Cab for Cutie cheese and actually rocks. Successfully mines the Foo Fighters sonic legacy.
@@@ Jessica Pratt: Quiet Signs (Mexican Summer, 2019) Singer songwriter music off this week’s All Music notable release email. Blurbed as timeless acoustic folk I can get with that. The record opens with a piano solo followed by a dreamlike female voice. It’s a 1+ minute appetizer for what’s to follow. The second tune comes out with sparse acoustic guitar and Pratt singing and mixed as a retro vibe with a lot of reverb on her voice. Some folks, like myself, might say it’s too much reverb. I like the prettiness of this but I’m not sure there’s enough for me to remain interested. And I’m not sure I love her voice. I skipped to the next track so it was not enough for me to remain interested. The third tune, Fare Thee Well, retains the retro folk thing but adds a high frequency synth/keyboard part as well as a percussive keyboard part. All very tasteful and minimal. I appreciate that she’s going for the less is more but I don’t love her voice and I feel like taking a nap. I love a good nap!
YTD recordings listened to: 81
Good music, not list worthy: 45
Not good music: 32
Best: 0
Honorable Mentions: 0
Possibles: Retox, Defeater, Jonwayne, Okkyung Lee, Slidhr, The Chewers, Susie Iberra/Roberto Rodriguez, The Coral, T.O.M.B., Lozen, Erase Errata, Mastery, Hartley C. White, Weed, Cold Water, Luther Dickinson, Graeme Barrett, Fast Asleep, Goldlink, Cavanaugh, 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, A Tribe Called Quest, Noname, Klara Lewis, Krullur, The Lowest Form, Hard Proof, Yotoco, Jungle Fire, Sandoz, Oddisee, RAM, Fiver, Succumb Succumb, Gloom, Priests, Propaganda, This is the Kit, Roberto Gonzalez, Integrity, Tuba Skinny, The Expanders, Converge, Criolo, Billy Strings, Flowers of Sulphur, Portal, Lawaii, Etran De L’Air, Ruby Karinto, Elysia Crampton, Parquet Courts, Moskus, Kendl Winter, Tkay Maidza, Barro, Daniel Khan, Tallawit Timbouctou, Sumac, Tropical Fuck Storm, Harriet Tubman, Ammar 808, Anais Maviel
@@@ Kendl Winter: Stumbler’s Business (Team Love, 2018) I got to this singer songwriter recording via last week’s All Music notable release email. Plus I have heard Winter’s solo music before and liked it. The first tune is notable for its sparse sonics and Winters slightly off the beat delivery. The second tune brings in a full band and a catchier hook. The third tune returns to a place where Winter and another instrument are at the center and this is where the record is best. This third tune (clipped below) shows how a well focused, no bullshit arrangement and performance can really lift a tune. I’m going to swing back on this record but at the very least check out this tune below.
@@@ Hatchet: Dying to Exist (Combat Records, 2018) Some classic metal off this week’s CFUV playlist email. Super pumped up energy with epic guitar riffs/melodies and a singer. Not a caveman nor an opera singer. Big solos, octopus drumming and a celebration of classic metal.
@@@ The Weight Band – World Gone Mad (Curve) Roots/folk off this week’s CFUV playlist email. Switching gears from the classic metal rave up to a hippie/jam rock/string band vibe. Mandolin on this first midtempo rocker, the title track — (clipped below). This second tune is pretty much a tune by the Band. You can’t bite a band that’s not a band anymore, even one called The Band, but it’s a carbon copy. I have old Band records so I’m not sure why I would pile into this. I would like to hear something more unique going on here.
YTD recordings listened to: 452
Good music, not recommended for purchase: 230
Not good music: 190
Best: 8
Honorable Mentions: 5
Possibles: Retox, Defeater, Jonwayne, Okkyung Lee, Slidhr, The Chewers, Susie Iberra/Roberto Rodriguez, The Coral, T.O.M.B., Lozen, Erase Errata, Mastery, Hartley C. White, Weed, Cold Water, Janelle Monae, Luther Dickinson, Graeme Barrett, Fast Asleep, Goldlink, Cavanaugh, 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, A Tribe Called Quest, Noname, Gouge Away, Klara Lewis, Krullur, The Lowest Form, Hard Proof, Yotoco, Jungle Fire, Sandoz, Oddisee, Forro in the Dark, RAM, Fiver, Succumb Succumb, Gloom, Priests, Propaganda, This is the Kit, Roberto Gonzalez, Integrity, Tuba Skinny, The Expanders, Converge, Open Mike Eagle, Criolo, Billy Strings, Flowers of Sulphur, Tal National, Portal, Hernan Sama & Marcelo von Schultz, Jean Grae and Quelle Chris, Lawaii, Etran De L’Air, Ruby Karinto, Elysia Crampton, Parquet Courts, Orlando Lopez, Moskus, Kendl Winter
@@@ Luluc: Sculptor (Sub Pop, 2018) Indie folk off this week’s All Music notable release email. This first tune is part ’70s hippie, a schmear of soft rock, a little James Taylor and big Beach Boys multi-tracked vocal production. It’s a male/female vocal team and they have the schtick down. There is both piano and organ as well as the acoustic guitars you would expect so it’s a full space child ensemble. I don’t like the second tune as much. It’s clipped below but I would recommend the first tune more and I’m enjoying this less the more I hear. Okay I’m not lazy fuck I went and got the first tune from the GooglePimp — it’s all for your listening pleasure.
@@@ Body/Head: The Switch (Matador, 2018). Noise rock off this week’s All Music notable release email. I’m hoping for a little punk rock head crushing but it’s hard to come by these days, the kids are too busy on the (f)instagram. It opens up buzzy and feedback-ish and ominous. Imma skeered. It’s an 8 minute track but I would like them to exit this feedback flim flammery and take a swing at the baseball! Ah female singer, dramatical has mad her entrance. A few Sonic Youth pubes here but I’m still waiting for some outbreak/explosion, some action goddammit. Fuck it, I skipped ahead and I’m trapped in this same buzzy feedback traffic jam. Red Bull, this shit needs some Red Bull. Man, my interwebz player glitched out and it was the second track so I’m back to the first one but there is a similar wait all day attitude to the tune. I wouldn’t go so far to say it’s boring but I wanted more. Am I being selfish? Only time will tell.
@@@ Bjorn Toske: Byen (Small Town Supersound, 2018) Left field house off this week’s All Music notable release email. Left field house, not normal house, weirdo left field. I don’t know what’s so odd about left field, it just seems like one of the ordinary baseball positions. The first tune features a sample of a flock of seagulls — I shit you not. The seagulls tip out and it assumes a quasi ethnic space groove. It’s all right. If Phish had a motherload of synthesizers it would sound like this tune. Long and jammy, not particularly adventurous. The sounds are very nice and arranged well. After a synth-y intro the second tune explodes into a tight disco groove with some delayed piano. I don’t love it. The third tune is a similar formula with a slow synth and rhythm build. As I said I don’t love this, it’s all right. Not enough funk and action for me.
YTD recordings listened to: 413
Good music, not recommended for purchase: 215
Not good music: 184
Best: 7
Honorable Mentions: 4
Possibles: Retox, Defeater, Jonwayne, Okkyung Lee, Slidhr, The Chewers, Toxic Holocaust, Susie Iberra/Roberto Rodriguez, The Coral, T.O.M.B., Lozen, Erase Errata, Mastery, Hartley C. White, Weed, Cold Water, Janelle Monae, Luther Dickinson, Graeme Barrett, Fast Asleep, Goldlink, Cavanaugh, 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, A Tribe Called Quest, Noname, Gouge Away, Klara Lewis, Krullur, The Lowest Form, Hard Proof, Yotoco, Jungle Fire, Sandoz, Oddisee, Forro in the Dark, RAM, Fiver, Succumb Succumb, Gloom, Priests, Propaganda, This is the Kit, Roberto Gonzalez, Integrity, Tuba Skinny, The Expanders, Converge, Open Mike Eagle, Criolo, Billy Strings, Flowers of Sulphur, Tal National, Portal, Hernan Sama & Marcelo von Schultz, Jean Grae and Quelle Chris, Lawaii, Etran De L’Air, Ruby Karinto, Elysia Crampton, Parquet Courts
@@@ The Tallest Man on Earth: Somewhere in the Mountains, Somewhere in New York (AWAL, 2018) I’ve checked out Mr. Tallest Man on Earth before and I really enjoy the tone of his voice. I’m not sure why this GooglePimpTube video is 10:24 while the tune on Apple music is just over 4:30. It’s standard Mr. Earth with strummed acoustic guitar, a little organ and vocals. Sometimes it’s very soothing to be presented with so little (if you like the singer’s voice). The obvious reference here is Mr. Zimmerman but Mr. Earth’s voice is better. It’s a melancholy love song — just trying to keep you informed.
@@@ Hernan Sama & Marcelo von Schultz: Sonidos desde el campo para los animales y la vida salvaje (Self-released, 2018) I got to this self-released sax and drums jazz record via an email from the artists themselves. I’m usually disappointed when listening to requests like this, but I really like the first couple of pieces here. There is no place to hide when it’s just a duo record but both these players have personality — the sax player is not interested in technical playing but more on sonic interestingness. I have trouble writing good jazz reviews as it’s not hard to get lost in abstraction and bullshit. If you haven’t heard a lot of free jazz playing this is a good record to check out. It has good energy, the playing is interesting and you can just kick back and let it wash over you. I’m going to swing back on this record and it may end up on my end of year list.
@@@ Lazyeyes: Echoes (Egghunt, 2018) A shoegaze ’80s single I got to via a music publicist email. What the world now needs is more ’80s influenced rock! Not me but the world at large as there is so much of it coming out. Half dance/half rock drumbeats, Edge style guitars and a jagged rock/pop sound. A little Sonic Youth, a little Flock of Seagulls, a strange mash of indeed. Not a huge fan of the youth of sonic but this is much cleaner. There is a shoegaze singer here, a little reverbed out and almost overwhelmed by the guitar noise.
@@@ Slug: No Heavy Petting (Memphis Industries, 2018) I saw this record on last week’s All Music notable release email. It has a nerdy guitar rock flow in this tune clipped below, but the white boy falsetto is supposed to funk-ify the proceedings. By the time you get to the chorus it’s pretty mathy and nerdy and funky. I’m not a huge fan of this formula but if you are, well then here you go.
YTD recordings listened to: 221
Good music, not recommended for purchase: 118
Not good music: 96
Best: 4
Honorable Mentions: 3
Possibles: 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, A Tribe Called Quest, Noname, Gouge Away, Klara Lewis, Krullur, The Lowest Form, Hard Proof, Yotoco, Jungle Fire, Sandoz, Oddisee, Forro in the Dark, RAM, Fiver, Dona Onete, Succumb Succumb, Gloom, Priests, Propaganda, This is the Kit, Roberto Gonzalez, Integrity, Tuba Skinny, The Expanders, Irreversible Entanglements, Converge, Open Mike Eagle, Criolo, Billy Strings, Flowers of Sulphur, Tal National, Portal, Hernan Sama & Marcelo von Schultz
Deep In the Music 