@@@ Destroyer: Eat the Wine, Drink the Bread (Merge, 2022) Fourth track on the record and it’s most definitely in ’80s happy rock. The singer is deeper in range with retro-ish guitar sounds, multiple layers of vocal tracks tucked behind him and a classic vibe. Whether you dig the vibe or not, well that’s up to you. This is most definitely in a neighborhood I don’t enjoy passing through while I recognize that a lot of folk like dance rock drumming and happy rock. I was turning a page after hearing some recent releases from Merge and then pow, they hit with this and it hasn’t gone down well or easy. Today I listened from bottom to top and I will go out here saying that the second track is much more to my liking and more energetic.
@@@ oso oso: nothing to do (Triple Crown, 2022) Some old school guitar rock with indie and mainstream rock flourishes. Very rich guitar, a tambourine which is always a signifier, active drummer and a friendly singer. I would term this whipping a well mannered shitty, especially the singer. There’s a bring it down section that leads back to the buildup. The star here is the guitar player, followed by the drummer. I’m sure the singer is a great dude but he’s not really my cup of tea. Oh man, I get why I don’t cotton to the singer as he sounds a whole bunch like the lead cat from Wilco who I can’t stomach. He’s better than Wilco duder, but they’re related. There’s more mainstream rock going on here once you start listening more closely. Just informing.
@@@ Hoops: Fall Back (Fat Possum, 2020) I seen it on the Twatter! Comin’ out with the mad ’80s feels — a retro beat, chorused guitar and the friendliest gent on the microphone since Ronald Reagan! Oh Ronny, you Commy fightin’ crazy biatch. Now here we go with the baking show metaphors — some desserts can be too sweet, different people enjoy different levels of sugar. This is pixie stick sweet, it’s too sweet for me! Da doo doo background vocals, I guess the singer is the biggest sweetener. You get a big guitar shred for this type of track but it unfolds within the initial impression. Also some bouncy bass, everything here is pitched around comfort and awesomeness. I’m not saying folks shouldn’t like this but it doesn’t work for me.
@@@ Psychedelic Furs: Come All Ye Faithful (Cooking Vinyl, 2020) I’m checking this track out (I got to it via a music publicist email) because I know the sax player from work I’ve done as an audio engineer. I remember the singer sounding kinda bombastic and he still is and they’re unapologetically offering up some updated post-classic classic rock for ya earholes. It’s a midtempo rocker with chopped up guitar sounds and acidic lyrics. I like the horn playing, I’m agnostic on the guitars and the drums and the lyrics are a small positive for me. I’m not getting any lasting impression from the track, it goes in both earholes and didn’t land for me. I like some elements of it.
@@@ Kareem Ali: Night Echoes (890243 Records DK, 2020) Some house dancefloor business that has a bunch of relationship related vocal samples to open it up. That fades away and and it gets into classic house rhythms with a looped vocal sample which I like but which also drives me a bit nuts at the same time. I could use a bit more sonic development here, take this out for a bit put something else in for a bit, that sort of thing. Oy, this vocal sample is making me feel like I’m in a mental hospital. I stopped listening with 1:45 to go, check it out and if that constant loop at that volume doesn’t make you reach for a rope you’re a more stable person than I!
@@@ Country Westerns: I’m Not Ready (Fat Possum, 2020) I seen this one on the Twatter too! Described as a garage rock trio, which I get, I do notice the Neil Young style distorted electric guitar sound more than the garage rock. The singer is an earnest gent with some gravel in his voice. They rock a classic formula in an uptempo energetic manner. With the familiar song structure it comes down to the singer and the execution of the playing. I dig the drummer’s steadiness and the guitar tones while feeling the Replacements style singer.
YTD recordings listened to: 508
Good music, not list worthy: 254
Not good music: 225
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, 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, Tarek Atoui, Saicobab, General Purv, Shipping News, Big Thief, Mariachi El Bronx, Pour Me a Grog, Sudan Archives, Lakou Mizik, Moodymann, Pharmakon, Alefa Madagascar, Janjao, Luge, Wiki, Mick Jenkins, Jeremiah Jae, Fera, Gambian Griot Kora Duets, Drama, Beatrice Dillon, Mass Worship, mmmonika, Les Deuxluxes, Tony Allen, Fra Fra, Nihiloxica, Hailu Mergia, Pokey LaFarge, Nico Gomez, Nohe and Sus Santos, schroothoop, Tiny Bit of Giant’s Blood, Pole, Naeem, Mekons, Santrofi
@@@ Cass McCombs: Tip of the Sphere (Anti-, 2019) Mostly mainstream rock but with a slack, indie vibe to it. The singer sounds awfully like Jackson Browne, it’s almost spooky. The second tune gets into a more rocking and country flow but it’s certainly not gonna muss anyone’s hair up. The sounds are good, the playing is clean and well done, but the arrangements are extremely familiar to my ears and I don’t love the singer. Is it old fashioned to want your rock to have a little rock in it? This is just a bit too comforting for me, it feels like baby food. His formula works best on the third tune, Estrella.
@@@ Seun Kuti: Black Times (Strut, 2018) I was going through some old All Music notable release emails and saw this one from early 2018. Gotta balance the white and black musics folks. It’s a pretty classic Afrobeat formula with a big ass horn section, a couple of guitar players and background singers. It’s interesting he had Carlos Santana come and shred on the title track and it really freshens the Afrobeat stew, I dig it. I don’t know if I’m up for almost ten minutes of Carlos but it’s good. I like the title of the third tune, Corporate Public Control Department. The band puts out a lot of energy and I like the record without loving it. Very trick horn lines, the singer is on the low energy side and it’s not Tony Allen on the kit. My favorite Afrobeat has Tony Allen on the kit.
YTD recordings listened to: 85
Good music, not list worthy: 48
Not good music: 33
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
@@@ 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
@@@ Peach Pyramid: Repeating Myself (Oscar St, 2017) Indie rock off this week’s CFUV playlist email. Mad dreamy, super arpeggiated guitars. I guess they’re either arpeggiated or not, there’s no super arpeggiated. Not super, but they’re super twee. Female singer, slack and straight than straighter rock beats. There’s not a lot to go on about here so I don’t want to waste anybody’s time. It’s shiny guitar indie done in the classic style. It’s like trying to describe Domino’s pizza — the shit is mad salty and you either get with it or you don’t eat it.
@@@ Kelea: Take Me Apart (Warp, 2017) I’ve seen posters for this record up in Brooklyn and given the state of the music industry it’s a bit shocking to see an indie label laying out for street posters. The production here is ultra slick but more than just a repetition of retro electronic soul. It’s being marketed as a super confessional record which I’m down with but her delivery is pretty smooth and doesn’t evoke any confessional vibe to my ears. She rocks a pretty straightforward sultry and lush vibe. The arrangements overshadow the vocals here by just a bit — I find my focus to be on the beats and the bass and I’m not noticing her lyrics or hearing her voice as more than a soft overlay.
@@@ Chelsea Wolfe: Hiss Spun (Sargent House, 2017) I was going to say more femme indie but these ladies came on dark, grungy, and unhappy. Like Harvey Weinstein’s Ass Ball Connector! Not to demean this fine band. Very tasty fuzzy bass sound, wailing and dyspeptic guitar squall and arena rock drumming. Let’s peep a bit more. There’s more than a bit of art school to this heavy rock. It’s slow like Jane’s Addiction but without Perry, you know Perry. If PJ Harvey was grafted onto Jane’s Addiction’s torso without so much arena flavor. It’s pretty good — it’s a bit restrained for my taste. When I want a hot mess or a sonic dumpster fire I want a real fucking mess. This is pretty manicured (like Harvey Weinstein’s Ass Ball Connector)? #inappropes
@@@ New Kingston: A Kingston Story: Come From Far (Easy Star, 2017) I saw a music publicist email about this up and coming reggae band. This first tune sports both a thick bass and a shiny modern pop production. Concious lyrics with some dub elements. It’s a full reggae ensemble from hand percussion to background vocalists to bubbling organ. I respect the spirit of the record but I’m not a fan of tunes like the fifth one ‘Agape’. It’s a Hollywood/reggae vibe they’re working. I prefer the old school sound and vibe.
YTD recordings listened to: 660
Good music, not recommended for purchase: 354
Not good music: 280
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
@@@ Control Freaks: Mindless Entertainment (Slovenly, 2017) Some old school, big mouth punk off this week’s CFUV playlist email. Think the Sex Pistols without the opioids. There’s a more than a dash of humor to this high energy punk rawk with lots of call and response vocals and singers taking their turns on the mic.
@@@ Zack Keim: First Step (Get Hip Recordings, 2017) A young man takes his Bob Dylan obsession out into the world. It’s quicker to say what’s not Dylan influenced than it is to say what is not Dylan influenced. His strumming, the tone of his voice, his delivery, he’s got it going on. Well the second tune thankfully drops the Dylan love with a different tone, slower arpeggiated guitar playing and a different tone of voice. This third tune is a folk Radiohead kinda tune — mournful, slow, he shoulda put this tune first. I think Keim is off to a decent start but he has to find a more distinctive voice for himself. Just my opinion.
@@@ Ego Kill Talent: My Own Deceiver (Elemess, 2017) A mainstream glam rock single I got to via the Indiepulse music blog. Think Marilyn Manson without that tremendous prickface Marilyn Manson. The guitar riffs are pretty standard and the singer is all right but maybe a tad soft.
YTD recordings listened to: 494
Good music, not recommended for purchase: 270
Not good music: 202
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
Deep In the Music 