Interesting New Releases in 2023 (Updated Weekly)

Let’s be Resolute

One of the Resolutions I’ve thought about pursuing in years’ past (this one being no exception) was using this space/blog as a vehicle for cataloging new music releases that catch my ear. For almost thirty years, I have been a member of an online music community that began as a place for like-mindeds to chat about Uncle Tupelo, Son Volt, Wilco, and their offshoots. It’s since grown into a full-blown online family. Maybe I’ll pontificate on this community more elsewhere some other time.

One thing the Postcard From Hell has been damn good at is informing community members about new music. I continually contend that there is no better place to discover new music from a wide berth of styles than the Postcard from Hell. Each week, users add to a “running thread” (since 99.9% of ‘Postcarders’ use gmail, continuing conversations as threads over time is pretty easy) of New Releases. In recent years, one user not only made a post with new releases - but also placed all those new releases into a Spotify Playlist for each month (as doing a running playlist would be a nightmare. For example, all told, across the 12 months in 2022, these compiled monthly Spotify Playlists that housed 953 records totaling 10,406 songs! So breaking them up month by month is probably best).

During the great Spotify purge of 2022 (not really) where people left the platform in droves (not really), I took up the task of scanning various new release aggregator sites and pulling together these lists for the folks within the Postcard community. And I’ve just sorta kept on doing it. One thing I have done differently is add links to each specific record - AND - after sampling several songs from it, pecking out a few words to hopefully wet the whistle of a potential listener. In a world of streaming, every digital spin counts!

This year, however, rather than keeping it secluded to the Postcard servers and my gmail archive, it made more sense to share these releases more broadly through this site.

Now, then…the records I put on these weekly lists are BY NO MEANS a comprehensive list of new releases; rather they are just those that were pleasing to my own ears - AND - records I thought that friends of mine who might actually read this blog will also enjoy.

Naturally, I will miss some good new releases, and when I do, I invite you to comment at the bottom of this post, or, more naturally, share the suggested record in the comments section of whichever social media site you found this link.

This will be a “running post” updated weekly (hopefully). I may miss a week or two but for the most part, my hope is to roll into the week of December 31st, 2023 with 52 sets of new releases.

Structure and Source(s)

The list at the top of this post each week will contain new releases from the most recent week we’ve posted. You can scroll down to see the weekly releases going back to the week of January 1st, 2023.

New releases come out every Friday. However, some artists will schedule their records to be released on other days. We will do our best to capture all the releases from a given week up to and through “New Release Friday” of that week.

We split the releases into two categories each week:

The Knowns: Releases by artists you have likely heard of. Sometimes if it’s a solo record by an artist from a well-known band (i.e., if Jonathan Pearce from the Beths were to release his first solo record, it may go here…or it may be in the next section. The rules are fluid).
The News: Releases by bands I’ve never heard of and presume many folks reading this have also not heard of. This does not mean that it is a debut record by the artist/band. Just that they’re not quite a household name yet.

Our list of releases will not usually include reissues, live albums, and/or pop albums that you’re likely hearing about elsewhere that have a billion streams on Spotify (unless it is something that rules like Taylor Swift or The Chicks). Unfortunately, these lists will be light on hip hop and R&B because I am just not skilled enough to separate the wheat from chaff in the glut of hip hop, R&B and trap music being released. We welcome your suggestions on good, positive hip hop. The same can be said for metal. There are only so many bands whose names are written with gnarled sticks that stand out from the rest of the pack.

Our primary source is the weekly new release list shared by Consequence of Sound as it has been most consistent in sharing releases that have seemed to fit the likes and styles of Postcarders who have been benefitting from these lists. We’re wholly open to exploring other sources and have had past success with allmusic, albumoftheyear, metacritic, and newreleasenow…but Consequence has been most consistent and accurate with release from the date in question.

We link each record to its space on Spotify. And all linked playlists are housed on Spotify. You’re not going to convince me to use another streaming site. You do not need a premium account to interact with these links.

#LFG

Jump to a week by clicking on the hyperlinked date below:

January: ::6th:: ::13th:: ::20th:: ::27th:: February: ::3rd:: ::10th:: ::17th:: ::24th::
March: ::3rd:: ::10th:: ::17th:: ::24th:: ::31st:: April: ::7th:: ::14th:: ::21st:: ::28th::
May: ::5th:: ::12th:: ::19th: ::26th:: June: ::2nd:: ::9th:: ::16th:: ::23rd:: ::30th::
July: ::7th:: ::14th:: ::21st:: ::28th:: August: ::4th:: ::11th:: ::18th:: ::25th::
September: ::1st:: ::8th:: ::15th:: ::22nd:: ::29th:: October: ::6th:: ::13th:: ::20th:: ::27th::
November: ::3rd:: ::10th:: ::17th:: ::24th:: December: ::1st:: ::8th:: ::15th:: ::22nd::

To return to this menu, simply click your browser’s “back” button when you want to select another week.

Friday, December 8th, 2023

Have you made your list and checked it twice? Of course I am talking about the list of your favorite records of the year. If you've been keeping up with these posts, "I didn't really find much good music this year" is hardly an excuse. I hope to go through and count how many records were posted in these lists from the first week of Jan 2023 through the last week of the year. It's probably gonna take a while. In the meantime, here is what came out on Friday December 8th, 2023.

Reminder, I have created monthly Spotify playlists of all the new releases highlighted in this running thread. The links below get you access to all TWELVE months of 2023 new releases of interest since the first week of January:

January 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-01
February 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-02
March 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-03
April 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 04
May 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 05
June 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 06
July 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 07
August 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 08
September 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 09
October 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 10
November 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 11
December 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 12

Don't forget to smash the heart/like/save icon on ths playlist so it shows up in your playlist list. Pro-Tip: I organize all the monthly playlists into a playlist folder which I can then minimize when I don't want these to take up too much real estate in my playlist list. You're welcome.

Let me know if I am missing anything this week!

THE KNOWNS:

The Band of Heathens ::SIMPLER THINGS:: Acoustic versions of the excellent SIMPLE THINGS released earlier this year.
Barbara Manning ::CHARM OF YESTERDAY...CONVENIENCE OF TOMORROW:: Honestly, Barbara's spotify bio kinda nails it: "the idiosyncratic but rewarding Barbara Manning is a little too spiky and odd to fit comfortably in the Lilith Fair crowd, but her best work outshines those of her bigger-selling peers." Manning sounds youthful and angsty on these tracks, which hits all the right notes of nostalgia for those seeking that 90s alt sound in the 2020s.
Car Seat Headrest ::FACES FROM THE MASQUERADE:: Their studio albums made them indie darlings, but I remember people bristling at the band's live shows. I presume they've improved live...if not, this release may be bold.
Dimmu Borgir ::INSPIRATIO PROFANUS:: OG Black fucking Metal from a band whose first record was sung entirely in Norwegian. Many lineup changes later, they still thrash (and apparently moved on to Latin - at least for the record title).
Kenny G ::INNOCENCE:: Do you have a new baby in your life? This is a god damn album of lullabies played by Kenny motherfucking G. This might be more metal than the Dimmu Borgir record above.
The Killers ::REBEL DIAMONDS:: Not usually one to post best-of on these lists, but this 20-song retrospective might offer a nice introduction to folks who are less-acquainted with the Killers (i.e., me). "When You Were Young" is still an undefeated playlist staple for me.
Neil Young ::BEFORE AND AFTER:: Take that, Spotify!
Nicki Minaj ::PINK FRIDAY 2:: Released on her 41st Birthday! Folks here in Raleigh are beaming at the news that Minaj will be a headlining performer at J Cole's Dream Fest this year.

THE NEWS:

Bory ::WHO'S A GOOD BOY:: Last week, Bandcamp's favorite freelance writer, Ben Salmon, was talking about Bory. The Portland, Oregon power pop outfit is the vehicle of Brenden Ramirez, who in working closely with Portland Renaissance Power Pop stalwart Mo Troper, has crafted an album lush with melody, rich vocal harmonies, and some fun "spot the era of Teenage Fanclub this sounds like" moments.
Kind Beast ::DIRTY REALISM:: Think Spoon + Queens of the Stone Age, but from Detroit. Hell of a lot of swagger and grit in this rock n roll. The outfit features Sean Bondareff on bass from Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels.
James Elkington ::ME NEITHER:: Instrumental, acoustic guitar-driven record by Chicago-based collaborator to Wilco's Jeff Tweedy, Eleventh Dream Day, and Richard Thompson. Very pleasant background music...and probably the subject of an in-depth post of the super-extra Wilco facebook group.
Mars Red Sky ::DAWN OF THE DUSK:: French sludge metal with lyrics inspired by sci-fi literature. Roll for initiative before you spin this one.
Michael Nau ::ACCOMPANY:: Maryland-based singer-songwriter who has a long history of operating under the radar. His latest was recorded in Richmond VA with Adrian Olsen (Head and the Heart, Lucy Dacus, Fruit Bats) and features playing by Mat Davidson (Langhorne Slim, Big Thief), and Ken Woodward (Biuck Meek). This record has a lot of pedal steel guitar and nicely straddles the line between indie and country.
Uncle Lucius ::LIKE IT'S THE LAST ONE LEFT::Texas country for Yellowstone fans.

Friday, December 1st, 2023

We're getting into the short rows of 2023. Likely gonna be slim pickins from here til the end of the year (if anything worth posting at all), and this week seems to fit that prediction. Anyway, brother, here's what dropped on Friday December 1st, 2023.

Reminder, I have created monthly Spotify playlists of all the new releases highlighted in this running thread. Since today marks a new month - the FINAL month - of 2023, we now have a new link to the December 2023 Spotify Playlist. The links below get you access to all the 2023 new releases of interest since the first week of January:

Let me know if I am missing anything this week!

THE KNOWNS:

CZARFACE ::CZARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE:: Hip Hop supergroup featuring Inspectah Deck from Wu Tang Clan. This is great east coast, melodic, socially conscious hip hop, as you would expect.
Gene Loves Jezebel ::X - LOVE DEATH SORROW:: It may be 2023, but this sounds every bit like 1987.
Minor Threat ::OUT OF STEP OUTTAKES:: There's only three cuts, but for the completists out there...
Peter Gabriel ::I/O:: On the bus ride from south-central PA to Orlando Florida during my high school class trip, a buddy of mine espoused - for what seemed like the entire trip - why Peter Gabriel was the superior talent in Genesis. And he definitely convinced me then. So there will always be room in what I do to champion Peter Gabriel.
Wiz Khalifa ::DECISIONS:: Pittsburgh vs All Yinz. I love this line from his spotify bio: "a perfect balance of pop hooks, effortless charm, and stoner rap swagger..."

THE NEWS:

Dweller ::DWELLER [EP]:: Toronto supergroup featuring Georgia Harmer and members of Field Guide. Quiet, sorta dreamy indie pop. Good cold weather music.
Frida Kill ::KILL! KILL!:: A sound that is "equal parts post-punk revival, filthy garage rock, and experimental noise..." RIYL The Screaming Females, Bikini Kill, The Breeders, L7, The Slits etc.
Gonzalez Smith ::ROLL UP A SONG:: The "Gonzalez" in this equation is Athens musician Jay Gonzalez, who plays keys with the Drive By Truckers, and the "Smith" is Pete Smith, a comedy writer for Adult Swim. The songs are great, classic, piano-driven, 60s and 70s-inspired pop songs a-la McCartney or Bacharach with hints of Big Star-esque power pop. A pleasant surprise indeed!
Harp ::ALBION:: Featuring Midlake's Tim Smith, this is full of dark, dreamy, chamber indie pop

Friday, November 24th, 2023

Today was RSD: Black Friday Edition, so lots and lots of reissues out - and lots of things not available on streaming platforms. I'm gonna leave those on the shelf and instead listen for new shit. Turns out there really wasn't much new shit other than the GBV (which is good, and you should listen to it). The Spector record is OK. I mostly was trying to list at least ONE thing in the "News" section that was decent. Anyway, here are the two records out on Friday November 24th to wrap up November's interesting new releases.

Reminder, I have created monthly Spotify playlists of all the new releases highlighted in this running thread. The links below get you access to all the 2023 new releases of interest since the first week of January:

Let me know if I am missing anything this week!

THE KNOWNS:

Guided by Voices ::NOWHERE TO GO BUT UP:: This is the THIRD (!!!) LP out this year by the Native Sons of Ohio. Your move, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard!

THE NEWS:

Spector ::HERE COME THE EARLY NIGHTS:: Beit indie rock band that sound, at times, like an amped-up Belle & Sebastian (that is, some of their songs are crafted over a 70s lite rock base).

Friday, November 17th, 2023

When I started this exercise back in January 2023, I wasn't sure if I would be able to maintain the upkeep every week. Fuck, it's a lot of work. But I think I have discovered more new music as a result of compiling these lists every week than I have at any other time in my life (including my days as a record story clerk). This week's list is short because SO MUCH shit sounds the same to my ears, it's getting increasingly difficult to find things that stick out. Maybe that's a good thing? There's only six more Fridays until we close out 2023. Time to start thinking about your "Faves" and "Best Of" if you're into that sort of thing. Also, here's the list of releases for Friday, November 17th to take you into Turkey Day...

Let me know if I am missing anything this week!

THE KNOWNS:

Acetone ::STILL WAITING:: 90s alt rock band passed over for being way-too Beach Boys and not enough Bad Brains. But these slow, atmospheric jams have never been out of style.
Dolly Parton ::ROCKSTAR:: Fitting for the newest member of the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame.
Dori Freeman ::DO YOU RECALL:: I am so used to hearing Freeman guest as a backing vocalist, it's nice to hear her out front for oncet.
H.R. ::LET LUV LEAD THE WAY:: Looks like H.R. still got that Reggae attitude these days...
Iron and Wine ::WHO CAN SEE FOREVER:: With releases from S. Carey and the Great Lake Swimmers earlier this year, it feels like 2004.
Josh Radnor ::EULOGY I:: After telling us how he met our mother, now he's singing songs about his most recent breakup. Sounds like all those post Rusted Root-sounding bands that screamed "HEY!" throughout their songs.
Juliana Hatfield ::JULIANA HATFIELD SINGS ELO:: Come for the "Don't Bring Me Down", stay for the "Showdown."
MJ Lenderman ::AND THE WIND (LIVE AND LOOSE):: If you were fortunate enough to catch Jake and the Wind on this past tour, then you probably know you witnessed something special... There are a couple songs here that will likely be on Lenderman's next LP ("Rudolph" and "Live Jack"). It's stupid how good the recording quality is on this - it being a live record and all.
The Polyphonic Spree ::SALVAGE ENTERPRISE:: Can you imagine what the payroll is like in this band? There's 23 members! But damn is this music lush as hell!

THE NEWS:

Bastards of Soul ::GIVE IT RIGHT BACK:: For those upset that Leon Bridges moved his sound away from the Sam Cooke vibes, this Dallas/Fort Worth group provides what you're looking for. Just dripping with plate reverbs and mic preamp overdrive. Something that pulls so heavily from the 60s shouldn't sound this fresh!
Jeremy Squires ::RIDDLE OF STARS:: New Bern, NC native singer/songwriter with tunes that will embrace your inner sad boi™. RIYL Matt Woods, William Matheny, John Moreland.
Mia June ::DON'T FORGET YOUR BAGS [EP]:: Drawing inspiration from Fiona Apple, Big Thief, and Lucy Dacus, my only complaint is that this is only six songs in length

Friday, November 10th, 2023

Happy Veteran's Day to all who celebrate. My maternal grandfather was a Korean War Veteran who, after his return, was making a routine flight from DC back to Roswell NM when his Superfortress Bomber plane vaporized over the Texas panhandle back in 1955. There's a conspiracy theory that his unit was testing the transport of nuclear weapons, and something went wrong. Anyway, Here's what dropped on Friday November 10th, 2023.

Let me know if I am missing anything this week!

THE KNOWNS:

Beirut ::HADSEL:: Lots of strings, brass, and drone.
Cat Power ::CAT POWER SINGS DYLAN:: THE 1966 ROYAL ALBERT HALL CONCERT:: Not only has Chan Marshall did the weird task of re-creating a live concert by another artist, but she is apparently touring on it as well.
Chris Stapleton ::HIGHER:: This is bound to be good, but I don't think Stapleton has yet re-captured the magic of TRAVELLER. Hopefully this one gets close.
John Moreland ::LIVE AT THIRD MAN RECORDS:: I've been more underwhelmed with John's latest output, but I just can't see a future scenario where I quit him. The songs where it's just John, his guitar, and a voice that sounds crushed with heartache is what I want *my* Angels to sound like when they sing for me.

THE NEWS:

Calling Hours ::SAY LESS:: Billed as a "melodic hardcore band" this Harrisburg, PA-based outfit reminds me of why I initially fell in love with The Gaslight Anthem.
Daniel Donato ::REFLECTOR:: Donato should probably be among the "Knowns." His latest kicks off like a War On Drugs record that went Cosmic Country™.
L.S. Dunes ::LOST SONGS: LINES AND SHAPES:: Supergroup of post-hardcore and emo bands (My Chemical Romance, Coheed and Cambria, Circa Survive, and Thursday) that sounds exactly like a mashup of is members' other outfits.
Layperson ::MASSIVE LEANING:: Hard to pin this one down. It's soft, melodic indie folk from Portland (which sorta says something on it's own), so instead I'll use this from Willamette Week: "Morris's earnest folk-pop lyricism has been compared to that of Cat Stevens. Early glimpses of Morris' vocally driven, "folkish" record have also sparked comparisons to the powerful vocal androgyny of Tracy Chapman and the rainy-day musings of Elliott Smith." Really digging the production - and songwriter Julian Morris' voice.
Locket ::SUPERLUMINAL:: Your weekly dose of new, garden-variety emo-punk.
The Sleeping Souls ::JUST BEFORE THE WORLD STARTS BURNING:: Known by most of us as the backing band for Frank Turner, this act is still explosive, but the music is more emo than your standard FxTxHxC record.
Vincent Neil Emerson ::THE GOLDEN CRYSTAL KINGDOM:: East Texas singer songwriter crafting Americana and country songs that belong on your playlists featuring John R. Miller, Zephaniah OHora, Joshua Ray Walker, and Charley Crockett.

Friday, November 3rd, 2023

It's Movember. How's your mustache? While you convalesce from your Halloween Candy Coma, here's some new releases for you to check out from Friday November 3rd.

Reminder, I have created monthly Spotify playlists of all the new releases highlighted in this running thread. This is the first of the new moth, so note the link to the November playlist below. The links below get you access to all the 2023 new releases of interest since the first week of January:

January 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-01
February 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-02
March 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-03
April 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 04
May 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 05
June 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 06July 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 07
August 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 08
September 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 09
October 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 10
November 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 11

Let me know if I am missing anything this week!

THE KNOWNS:

Andrew Bryant ::PRODIGAL:: One time member of the Water Liars, this Water Valley, Mississippi songwriter continues to hone and strengthen his songwriting on each release. This is Bryant's 5th post-WxL album and is full of all the familiar notes and sentiments from prior releases: woodsy, tunes soaked with the sounds of the region (think Memphis to Muscle Shoals [killer horn section on "Tongues", btw), and lyrics from a narrator who has been trying to find that righteous path, no matter how many wrong turns he takes along the way. A prime example of Southern Gothic writing. Artists like Bryant are why I do these lists. I hope some reading who've never heard Andrew's music in the past will queue this up and come to love it. So many great artists don't hit our radar (and miss mine as well). Here's to hoping Andrew Bryant lands on more.
The Blasters ::MANDATORY:: THE BEST OF THE BLASTERS:: The second Dave Alvin-involved release in two weeks. Dig in to 21 classic BLASTERS songs where, if you listen closely enough, you might see Dave and Phil Alvin trying to punch one another.
Cold War Kids ::COLD WAR KIDS:: I honestly can't tell you how the band's newer material stacks up against that which put them on the map back in the aughts. Spin it and let me know, will ya?
Drop Nineteens ::HARD LIGHT:: After 30 years of lying dormant and barely picking up a guitar with the intent to write a song, Greg Ackell found the urge again. The band's 3rd record is a nice continuation of their 90s shoegaze sound.
Kevin Drew ::AGING:: Broken Social Scene? More like Broken SOLO Scene. This is a solo effort by the BSS founder.
Laura Veirs ::PHONE ORPHANS:: This is the 12th (!) studio record from the Portland, OR indie folk songwriter.
Semisonic ::LITTLE BIT OF SUN:: It's closing...nay...resurrection time. This is the band's first record since 2001s ALL ABOUT CHEMISTRY and it sounds fresh.
Shooter Jennings ::SHOOTER JENNINGS & THE WEREWOLVES OF LOS ANGELES DO ZEVON:: Not usually one to post tribute albums or live albums, but Shooter Jennings doing Warren Zevon seems like a noteworthy exception to that rule.
Snail Mail ::VALENTINE DEMOW [EP]:: If you're looking for a more intimate version of the VALENTINE songs, these are great examples of Lindsay Jordan in the raw.
The Struts ::PRETTY VICIOUS:: This band continues to fit the vibe of their name.
Suzy Bogguss ::PRAYIN FOR SUNSHINE:: I like this from her bio: "You can call her a country singer, but that's just the beginning." This one is classic, bluesy, and smoky.

THE NEWS:

Animal Hospital ::SHELF LIFE:: Sounds like a more beep-boop driven Explosions in the Sky - or a chip off the old RATATAT block. Instrumentals painted with a palette of organic and electronic instrumentation. Anthemic tunes that ride the quiet-to-crescendo rollercoaster quite well.
Ava Mirzadegan ::DARK DARK BLUE:: Songs sparsely finger-picked on a nylon string guitar with hauntingly soft vocals. The title of this record is apt. I'm reminded of Meredith Godreau's Gregory and the Hawk output from the early aughts. This record will be excellent listening for these fall days where our allocation of daylight is shorter.
bar italia ::THE TWITS:: We've covered this outfit before when they released TRACEY DENIM back in May of 2023. THE TWITS is more of the same scuzzy UK post-punk sound.
Dirty Honey ::CAN'T FIND THE BRAKES:: Australian sleaze rock. Think Jet meets the Black Crowes.
Empty Country ::EMPTY COUNTRY II:: Former Cymbals Eat Guitars frontman Joseph D'Agostino returns with his second record under the Empty Country moniker; the first (eponymously titled) featured co-production by Kyle Gilbride of Swearin' and a guest backing vocal by his mentor and guitar teacher Charles Bissell of the Wrens. Ths follow up was produced by my Raleigh neighbor John Agnello (who has a great ear). Not sure how to accurately explain how these songs sound, other than to say they sound "big." I dig it.
Green Lung ::THEHEATHEN LAND:: Slick-produced London-based riff-laden Stoner Rock.
Hotline TNT ::CARTWHEEL:: Saw this band open for Snail Mail a year or so ago and something about them reminded me of 90s alt-rockers Eugenius (feat: Eugene Kelly, formerly of the Vaselines). On record, though, that sound there, but less pronounced...though Hotline TNT are still incredibly shoe-gazey with floating low, register vocals (where the Eugenius comparison may hold water) by NY indie stalwart Will Anderson. CARTWHEEL was produced by Alex Farrar at Drop of Sun Studios in Asheville, NC (MJ Lenderman, Wednesday, Fust, Indigo DeSouza). Hell, I find it tough to dislike anything Alex Farrar has had a hand in creating. This record will be on heavy rotation.
Jaime Wyatt ::FEEL GOOD:: From her website bio, which sums this record up nicely: "Feel Good is bold and ecstatic, built on tight, intoxicating grooves. Wyatt’s writing...reckons with grief and growth, and her delivery[cuts] to the bone with equal parts sensitivity and swagger. Taken as a whole, the collection...tips its cap to everything from Al Green and Otis Redding to Waylon Jennings and Bobbie Gentry." I think fans of Yola's first record will enjoy this. Similar vibe.
Jeffrey Martin ::THANK GOD WE LEFT THE GARDEN:: If I didn't know any better, I would think Martin is the perfect blend of Gregory Alan Isakov and Jeffrey Focault.
Jockstrap ::I<3UQTINVU:: This band's 2022 release I LOVE YOU JENNIFER B landed on some year-end bests of people whose opinions I respect. It's NOT my speed at all, but your mileage may vary. It's just wild, off-kilter electronic music.
Kevin Abstract ::BLANKET:: File Under: DO NOT judge a book by its cover. This Texas rapper and singer/songwriter, best known as a founding member of Brockhampton, crafts bedroom-indie songs through a pop lens. One melodic alt-rock, guitar-driven songs cedes into a synth-heavy pop tune into rapping over a jungle beat. It's a smorgasbord of styles all done well.
SUDS ::THE GREAT OVERGROWTH:: Anthemic and earnest Power Pop meets Midwest Emo from Norwich, UK of all places. Some of these songs make me think The Beths...others Juliana Hatfield, some others Avvays, and also some Tigers Jaw peppered in. Totally my speed.
Swampmeat Family Band ::POLISH YOUR OLD HALO:: Sleazy, twangy rock n roll from Birmingham UK peppered with pedal steel guitar and infectious grooves. One member took a hiatus from the band to tour with Low Cut Connie, who make a strong RIYL.
TIFFY ::SO SERIOUS:: Boston-based fuzz pop/soft punk band fronted by multi-instrumentalist Tiffany Sammy that pays homage to bands like Speedy Ortiz, Jay Som, and Weezer.
Time Spent Driving ::ESTRANGERS:: These songs might be the emo soundtrack for sadbois who run 90 miles per hour into a brick wall to add physical insult to emotional injury. Don't get me wrong, these songs are good...but I might not be the intended audience (anymore). But that doesn't mean you aren't! Lots of hyper melodic, guitar-heavy sad/emo songs here.

Friday, October 27th, 2023

Have you finalized your costume for Trick-or-Treat yet? I'm only a set of overalls away from my Squirrelly Dan costume, but I may need to wait til next year to unleash it... Anyway, brother, here's what dropped on October 27th, 2023:

Let me know if I am missing anything this week!

THE KNOWNS:

American Analog Set ::FOR FOREVER:: This long-running drone-pop quartet out of Austin, Texas hasn't missed a beat. They've weathered some lineup changes and added keys, but it's still Andrew Kenny and Lisa Roschmann's outfit. There's a comforting early 2000s vibe with this band.
The Black Pumas ::CHRONICLES OF A DIAMOND:: Not really sure why, but this Austin, TX duo seems incredibly manufactured. It's like boilerplate soul music for people who don't want to endure some of the imperfections in recording and performance by soul acts with fewer resources. But hey...people like this stuff, so here you are.
DJ Shadow ::ACTION ADVENTURE:: Look, ENDTRODUCING... was an all-timer. DJ Shadow still deserved some spins.
Dokken ::HEAVEN COMES DOWN:: Rokken! Why bother with bands who try to ape the power ballad sound when you can get an original. This is not bad!
Duran Duran ::DANSE MACABRE:: New Wave; Old Band.
The Gaslight Anthem ::HISTORY BOOKS:: Sill great songwriting from the working-class Ney Jerseyans steeped in Springsteen (who guests on the title track) & the 'Mats, but the production leaves this one a little lacking. Gone are the raw, cutting guitars and drums from the band's debut.
Jessi Colter ::EDGE OF FOREVER:: Outlaw Country music from one of the OGs. Margo Price and Jenni Eddy Jennings guest.
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard ::THE SILVER CORD:: Weird. This is only the Gizzard's second record in 2023. They usually have 5 or 6 under their belt by this time in the year.
The Mountain Goats ::JENNY FROM THEBES:: Given that one of my favorite songwriters - Adeem the Artist - characterizes their early songwriting as "John Darnielle cosplay", I should probably pay more attention to the Mountain Goats.
Nirvana ::IN UTERO (30TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION):: I know, I know...it's a reissue. But it's a reissue of a seminal album and includes two discs of live performances at the band's height.
PAWS ::PAWS:: For those of us missing the high-energy, earnest, anthemis rock songs emblematic of bands like the Japandroids, or the Hold Steady, this might be worth your time.
Shabazz Palaces ::ROBED IN RARENESS:: Socially conscious hip-hop rooted in classic beats, jazz, and great rhymes.
Superchunk ::MISFITS & MISTAKES: SINGLES, B-SIDES & STRAYS 2007-2023:: Maybe the most consistent band from the Chapel Hill scene. Check out some alt-takes and rarities on this comp.
Taylor Swift ::1989 [TAYLOR'S VERSION:: I wonder if Ryan Adams will re-record his and call it 'RYAN'S VERSION'?

THE NEWS:

Angie McMahon ::LIGHT, DARK, LIGHT AGAIN:: Lots of earnestness on this Australian songwriter's sophomore effort. She's been known to cover bands like ABBA and Fleetwood Mac, and her influence shows up in these songs. For example "Letting Go" sounds like a sonic cousin to a number of War on Drugs songs.
Circus Devils ::SQUEEZE THE NEEDLE:: Side project by Guided By Voice frontman Robert Pollard...because he literally writes a new song with every breath he takes. Stylistically, this is all over the place - but done well wherever the song lands; from indie pop, to electronica, to psych. Pollard is the genius of a generation.
Dollar Signs ::LEGEND TRIPPING:: Lo-fi punk from Charlotte, NC. So lo-fi that it almost sounds live. The high-energy punk opener also includes a horn section.
Egyptian Blue ::A LIVING COMMODITY:: Angular and jagged riff-heavy post-punk band from Brighton UK.
Flatland Cavalry ::WANDERING STAR:: Garden-variety Red Dirt country out of West Texas with a silk-smooth vocalist.
Full Time Men ::PART TIME JOB:: New York supergroup led by the Fleshtones' Keith Streng. Good garage-y rock-n-roll for olds. Their latest is a two-disc effort out on North Carolina's YEP ROC Records.
Golden Apples ::BANANASUGARFIRE:: Philly strikes again with another fuzzy indie-pop band who have have seamlessly combined the off-kilter catchiness of ‘90s college rock with dashes of dreamy shoegaze, scrappy bedroom pop, homespun psychedelia, and more. Start with "Little Bronco".
Grave Secrets ::TIL YOUR LUNGS FALL OUT..." Screaming - but melodic hardcore out of Los Angeles. Some nods to 90s hardcore in their sound.
Nora Jane Struthers ::BACK TO CAST IRON:: Honest songwriting with Americana/AAA/Country flair.
Rifle ::UNDER TWO FLAGS [EP]:: Old school punk/hardcore that's rough around the edges but still sounds fresh.
The Third Mind ::THE THIRD MIND 2:: Psych-y/trippy/jammy project by Dave Alvin, and Victor Krummenacher (Camper Van Beethoven/Cracker/Eyelids).
Viji ::SO VANILLA:: Australian "indie sleaze" characterized as "the slower end of Sonic Youth paired with pop hooks, and soulful soliloquies."

Friday, October 20th, 2023

Happy new Rolling Stones record to all who celebrate. I mean, it is Spooky Season™ and, well, Keith Richards, amirite? I joke, but don't sleep on the new Stones record...it's really damn good. Also, Dylan Leblanc is out with a new one that brings lots of spookiness, Highly recommend these and awakebutstillinbed if you're looking for a dose of early aughts-esque emo.

Let me know if I am missing anything this week!

THE KNOWNS:

blink-182 ::ONE MORE TIME:: "Ware are eyouuu?" Also, when blink involves the three original members (re: Tom DeLonge has left and come back a couple times) these dudes still hit.
Blues Traveler ::TRAVELER'S SOUL:: In 2021, Blues Traveler released TRAVELER'S BLUES, an album of blues covers. TRAVELER'S SOUL follows suit with soul- and soul-inspired tunes. For example, TLC's "Waterfalls" and the B522 "Groove is in the Heart" are pretty fun.
Boys Like Girls ::SUNDAY AT FOXWOODS:: If the blink-182 is the shot, this is the chaser.
Chris Shiflett ::LOST AT SEA:: Shiflett has really harnessed the swagger from being in one of the world's biggest rock bands and applied it here to a country/twang context. This record is gonna land on some year-end bests.
Dhani Harrison ::INNERSTANDING:: "And who is this Susan when she's at home?" And if you're wondering, this apple fell far, far away from the tree.
Dog Eat Dog ::FREE RADICALS:: Bridging the gap between punk and metal, this is the band's first full-length since the 1996 LP PLAY GAMES.
Duff McKagan ::LIGHTHOUSE:: Proto-Seattle-Grunge-Godfather-turned-Rock-icon. This record includes contributions from Slash, Jerry Cantrell, and a duet with Iggy Pop.
Dylan LeBlanc ::COYOTE:: LeBlanc has been a household name in mi casa since PAUPERS FIELD was released back in 2010. That record is an all-timer, but COYOTE is a close second. Listening today, I was really noticing the similarities between LeBlanc's singing and some of the Cardinals-era Ryan Adams vocal performances. Maybe think of LeBlanc as Adams without the bullshit.
Glen Hansard ::ALL THAT WAS EAST IS WEST OF ME NOW:: Just masterful, anthemic songwriting still coming out of this guy.
Pip Blom ::BOBBIE:: I never got the allure, but I know lots of folks like this outfit.
The Rolling Stones ::HACKNEY DIAMONDS:: This is really good. Like, stupid-good.

THE NEWS:

awakebutstillinbed ::CHAOS TAKES THE WHEEL AND I AM A PASSENGER:: This is really scratching that early aughts indie-emo itch. Lo-fi gnarly guitars and vocals by a singer who it definitely letting the listener know that there is some shit going on...but iss ok have big feelings. This San Jose CA project of songwriter Shannon Taylor has received positive Pitchfork reviews in the past, and for good reason.
Course ::TIGHT FEATHERS:: Chicago dream pop band with synth-heavy soundscapes over pop beats. Not a 1:1 comparison, but I get some Vita and the Woolf vibes which definitely doesn't make me mad.
Dusk ::GLASS PASTURES:: Appleton, Wisconsin country rockers with a raucous side. The sextet has driving backbeats, gnarly guitars interlaced with crying pedal steel, and soaring male/female vocals & harmonies. Released on Don Giovanni, which is home to faves like Lee Bains & Meltown Rodeo.
Emily Wolfe ::THE BLOWBACK:: I know of Emily because she is a guitar gearhead. And this record is reflective of that. Great rock-forward pop songs from the young Austin, TX-based songwriter and producer.
Gold Lake ::WEIGHTLESS:: Check out this bio: "A Brookly-based dream pop outfit with a knack for pairing breezy, vintage Laurel Canyon-inspired West Coast retro-pop with moody, modern shoegaze..." That alone should be worth a spin.
Graveyard ::6:: Big 1970s 'heavy metal' vibes (like when folks called Zeppelin 'heavy metal." Fuck tons of guitars and even more swagger. A little doom peppered in here and there. This one rips.
Hippie Death Cult ::HELICHRYSUM:: Riff-heavy, psychedelic rock with howling female vocals. Hell of a mess of noise for a power trio.
Knuckle Puck ::LOSING WHAT WE LOVE:: These dudes have nearly half a million monthly spotify listeners, and I've never heard of them. But this is solid, garden variety emo pop punk, which I have an evergreen soft spot for.
Me Rex ::GIANT ELK:: One part 90s grunge, one part 90s Brit Pop, kinda fun.
Mike Adams at his Honest Weight ::GUESS FOR THRILLS:: Another solid power pop record from this criminally unknown songwriter out of Bloomington, Indiana. Just super pleasant singing and sounds. Not sure who to compare him to since he sorta does his own thing all over the rock/power pop spectrum.
Radar Peak ::RADAR PEAK:: Super solid rock n roll from members of PUP. Some of this sounds like a mashup of the Replacements, Sloan, Teenage Fanclub, and the Beach Boys. One of my faves so far this week!
Steph Green ::LORE:: Based in British Columbia, Green self-recorded these dark, folk-country tunes on an old reel-to-reel tape recorder, giving the already eerie sounding record an extra layer of patina.
Teenage Halloween ::TIL YOU RETURN:: I discovered this New Jersey emo/pop-punk band by accident and have regularly revisited their records, always chock-full of cutting guitars, and loud, boastful, but melodic vocals.

Friday, October 13th, 2023

It's Friday October 13th. My bad luck happened earlier this week. SOOOO much garbage to sift through this week. Here's to hoping folks find something worth listening to! Definitely check out the Uni Boys and Abby Hamilton. Two of my faves from this bunch.

Reminder, I have created monthly Spotify playlists of all the new releases highlighted in this running thread. Take note that there is a new October Spotify Playlist for your enjoyment.The links below get you access to all the 2023 new releases of interest since the first week of January:

Let me know if I am missing anything this week!

THE KNOWNS:

Allah-Las ::ZUMA 85:: Still scuzzin' it up...
Boygenius ::THE REST [EP]:: The whole is way more inaccessible than the sum of its parts...at least for me.
The Exbats ::SONG MACHINE:: More 60s girl pop from the garage by this father-daughter duo.
The Feelies ::SOME KIND OF LOVE:: The Feelies cover the Velvet Underground.
Jamilla Woods ::WATER MADE US:: The Chicago-based RnB Singer's 2019 release LEGACY! LEGACY! got considerable chatter from folks who read these lists. This one is probably worth a spin.
Margo Price ::STRAYS II:: Apparently, STRAYS is a three-act work, and this is part 2. All 10 tracks from STRAYS are here alongside nine new tracks comprising the second act.
The Menzingers ::SOME OF IT WAS TRUE:: This is that band whose t-shirt most of the folks at the Lucero show are wearing.
Ringo Starr ::REWIND FORWARD [EP]:: I wonder what a writing and recording session with Ringo looks like. Anyway brother, here's 4 songs from that process.
Squirrel Flower ::TOMORROW'S FIRE:: Great bio for her on Spotify: "squirrel flower is witch rock."
Uni Boys ::BUY THIS NOW!:: Just straight-ahead melodic garage-y pop rock.

THE NEWS:

Abby Hamilton ::#1 ZOOKEEPER (OF THE SAN DIEGO ZOO):: Kentucky singer-songwriter who has opened for Kelsey Waldon, Valley Queen and Arlo McKinney and blends folk, country and rock-n-roll into a "unique sound that feels just as comfortable in the Appalachian mountains as it does in a whiskey-soaked bar room in the city." Her voice reminds me of someone that I just can't place, but I am currently letting it wrap me like a warm blanket on a cold Appalachian mountain morning.
Anna Hillburg ::TIRED GIRLS:: I highly recommend reading Hillburg's bio on her website. This record is great pop rock from the singer-songwriter bent. Like, she doesn't sound like or remind me of Josh Ritter, but when you think of solid songwriters who try to push their songcraft with each song, I bet Hillburg and Ritter take similar approaches.
Dear Dear ::DEATH OF A FAIRYTALE:: This project by songwriter/fashion designer Chase Cohl is a trip back to the 60s, with heavy girl-group vibes.
Lightheaded ::GOOD GOOD GREAT! [EP]:: "New Jersey pop that draws as much from 60s Brill Building, garage pop, and folk pop as it does from the DIY indie explosion of the late 80s/early 90s."
Lilts ::WAITING AROUND [EP]:: Collaborative project by John Ross (Wild Pink) and Laura Wolf.
Milliseconds ::SO THIS IS HOW IT HAPPENS:: 2/3 of this band were in the Dismemberment plan and it smacks of that early 20-aughts to 2010s, sparkly indie rock.
Twin Temple ::GOD IS DEAD:: Since it's spooky season - Twin Temple are pioneers of the "Satanic Doo Wop" genre. Gimmicky as shit, but still fun.
Upchuck ::BITE THE HAND THAT FEEDS:: Atlanta old school scruffy, loud punk rock with plenty of blemishes, cuts, and scars.

Friday, October 6th, 2023

So after nearly a week in Virginia with my family spending every day fishing for largemouth, smallmouth, and striped bass, the trip culminated with my second severe car accident since 2017. Needless to say, it's been a week of doctors, insurance adjusters, and recovery (I'm mostly fine). So the following list is from Friday October 6th. I'll get to today's releases a little later.

Let me know if I am missing anything this week!

THE KNOWNS:

Darius Rucker ::CAROLYN'S BOY:: If there were ever a vocalist who did NOT need AutoTune™, it is Darius Rucker. But this is the *sound* of modern pop country.
The Darkness ::PERMISSION TO LAND...AGAIN:: I tend to skip over reissues on these lists, but as a point of personal privilege, I am including the 55 new tracks (demos, b-sides, and live cuts) of one of the best records to come out in the early aughts.
Dogstar ::SOMEWHERE BETWEEN THE POWER LINES AND PALM TREES:: All's we are is dust in the wind... Come with it, Keanu!
Earl Sweatshirt and the Alchemist ::VOIR DIRE:: I love this description of Earl Sweatshirt: 'Known for a creatively languid style that swings lyrically from highly personal alt-rap to morbid horrorcore."
Futurebirds ::GHOULIN AROUND:: Among the cover songs presented on this Spooky Season release is Diarrhea Planet's "Ghost with a Boner".
Heatmiser ::THE MUSIC OF HEATMISER:: Explore Elliott Smith's early, more rock-n-roll side.
John R. Miller ::HEAT COMES DOWN:: I've been listening to John since his old stringband The Fox Hunt were playing dive-ass bars like The Blue Moon in Shepherdstown, WV. Here's more rollicking, twang and country from one of the Eastern Panhandle's best exports.
Jolie Holland ::HAUNTED MOUNTAIN:: I'm sure most folk here know HOlland, but her RIYLs include Gillian Welch, Hurray for the Riff Raff, and the Be Good Tanyas. I know lots of folks who have been anticipating this one.
Meat Puppets ::CAMP SONGS:: Eleven new cover songs for a campfire near you. The Puppets also re-released IN A CAR and UP ON THE SUN this week.
PRONG ::STATE OF EMERGENCY:: If you ever liked Prong, you'll like this.
Reba McEntire ::NOT THAT FANCY:: Better than Reba McHalf.
Roger Waters ::DARK SIDE OF THE MOON REDUX:: This was WHOLLY unnecessary. I spun it top to bottom, and all of the songs are pitched down to compensate for Roger's inability to sing high notes. Sure, the content is more modern and relevant...but this could have been better presented as a stage play than a re-recording of the record (which sort of sounds like Roger did the whole thing from his home studio).
The Rural Alberta Advantage ::THE RISE & THE FALL:: Still cranking out anthemic indie.
Sufjan Stevens ::JAVELIN:: Remember when he was hailed as a genius? NOw he's sorta just fine. I like this so far, for what it's worth. Sufjan has a way of getting me to emote fully with his music, and that's gotta stand for something.
Tre Burt ::TRAFFIC FICTION:: Burt's third album on Oh Boy records suggests he's not letting up.

THE NEWS:

Butcher Brown ::SOLAR MUSIC:: Jazz/Soul/Funk/Rock soundscapes by a group of kids attending Richmond VA's Virginia Commonwealth University. This is like a Daptone Records release that leans heavier in the Jazz and Rock world. But there are also elements of hip hop and pop. It's all over the spectrum but all good.
Citizen ::CALLING THE DOGS:: I like this, but it sounds sort of like the wish.com version of Tigers Jaw minus a female vocalist. Some production with more punch would help this record a lot, but your mileage may vary.
Corey Gulkin ::HALF MOON:: Saccharine indie pop from Montreal. Gulkin's high register singing is met with even higher harmony vocals over beds of chimey guitar and synth.
Del Paxton ::AUTO LOCATOR:: No, this isn't the jazz drummer from That Thing You Do. It is, however, an emo/pop punk trio from Buffalo, NY that has me all in my feels. Think Thursday, but less screaming and more math-y guitars. Digging this one!
Dopelord ::SONGS FOR SATAN:: Everything about this is what you expect: Sludge-riffing, heavy rock, and proto metal with a high, nasal-y Ozzy-esque vocal. It's 420 somewhere.
Elijah Johnston ::HOMETOWN VAMPIRE:: Two things have me spinning this record: 1) the artist is from Athens, GA, and 2) They're doing a show with Drew Beskin. If any of that resonates with you, this is worthy of your time.
Espanola ::ESPANOLA, AGAIN:: Canadian Aaron Goldstein has served as a side player with City & Colour, Daniel Romano, Kathleen Edwards, Matt Mays, The Sadies, Arkells, the Weather Station, and the Cowboy Junkies. Y'all - this record spans power-pop to alt-country, and it's stellar.
Hello June ::ARTIFACTS:: West Virginia-based Sarah Rudy, the primary songwriter behind Hello June, has a voice that feels familiar and comfortable. For fans of raw songwriting over rootsy musical compositions, this is for you. I'd also LOVE to see this band tour with Kym Register and Meltdown Rodeo, as I hear some sonic similarities.
Ilsey ::FROM THE VALLEY:: Crisp, slickly-produced Laurel Canyon Rock.
Jason Hawk Harris ::THIN PLACES:: Harris' songwriting has been compared to Lyle Lovett and John Moreland. We should all probably pay attention to this kid. If you spin this one, be sure to go further than the opening track.
The Lowlies ::THE LOWLIES:: I kept trying to skip past this one but couldn't. These songs are just pretty. The Western NY duo enlists Sara Watkins (I'm With Her, Nickel Creek) on several cuts. AND the male (they're a husband/wife duo) shares my name! If you want soft, pleasant, folk-y music with great male-female harmonies, this should hit your queue at once.
Open City ::HANDS IN THE HONEY JAR:: Another shot of emo punk. This record's 11 songs clocks-in at only 24 minutes.
The Steel Woods ::ON YOUR TIME:: Neo-Southern Rock likely catered to dudes who are obsessed with Yellowstone.
Tele Novella ::POET'S TOOTH:: This is a great bio: "Coin-operated medieval country songs through a 1950s western lens."
Truth Club ::RUNNING FROM THE CHASE:: Raleigh, NC brooding post-punk recorded at Alex Farrar's Drop of Sun Studios (Wednesday, MJ Lenderman, Fust, Indigo De Souza, Sluice).

Friday, September 29th, 2023

If you hear banjos while you're reading this, it's because the International Bluegrass Music Association's World of Bluegrass Conference and Street Festival has descended on Raleigh for what we've learned is its penultimate year. It's always fun to be walking around downtown Raleigh waiting on a streetlight with Jim Lauderdale standing next to you (this happened to me Wednesday night). I'm hoping to catch Del McCoury and Molly Tuttle at some point, but top priority this weekend is to install the two new Garmin fish finders on my boat in advance of my fishing trip to Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia next week. But first, as always, let's look at a rundown of interesting new releases for Friday September 29th.

January 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-01
February 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-02
March 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-03
April 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 04
May 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 05
June 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 06
July 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 07
August 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 08
September 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 09

Let me know if I am missing anything this week!

THE KNOWNS:

Animal Collective ::ISN'T IT NOW?:: My wife tells me that some people (including her) actually like this band. As such, here is their latest for your consideration. Truth be told, 5 tracks in and I'm not hating it. The band is definitely still painting with their broad musical brush, but something about these songs feels much more 'put together' than earlier releases that did little to please my earballs.
Armand Hammer ::WE BUY DIABETIC TEST STRIPS:: High brow hip hop.
Blonde Redhead ::SIT DOWN FOR DINNER:: The band's first LP since 2016s MASCULIN FEMININ.
Charley Crockett ::LIVE AT THE RYMAN:: Everything about this live record feels right.
Cherry Glazerr ::I DON'T WANT YOU ANYMORE:: Clementine Creevy claims that this record is about her "coming to terms with [her] bullshit." I dig the sentiment.
David Eugene Edwards ::HYACINTH:: I love that this dude has never strayed from his weird gothic songwriting. This is a fir piece from Sixteen Horsepower, and I was never a fan of Wovenhand, but if you've been a fan of any of his prior works, you know it's worth a listen.
Ed Sheeran ::AUTUMN VARIATIONS:: Team Lewis Capaldi.
Green Day ::DOOKIE [30TH ANNIVERSARY DELUXE EDITION]:: Not included on the playlist, but this record was seminal for us late Gen X kids.
John P. Strohm ::SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO:: From member of the Blake Babies, to solo artist, to lawyer, to Rounder Records' President, and back to lawyerin and making music. Talk about a hell of a circle. CALEDONIA and VESTAVIA are still some of my favorite albums. I bet this one will rank up there too.
Lil Wayne ::THA FIX BEFORE THA VI:: Lit.
Molly Burch ::DAYDREAMER:: Her latest was produced by Wild Nothing's Jack Tatum.
Wilco ::COUSIN:: [Insert something nice to say here]

THE NEWS:

alexalone ::ALEXALONE TECHNICAL RESEARCH:: Once a one-person outfit, Alex Peterson has expanded to a quintet, but still creates music that fits the band's "90s journey" approach, drawing on influences such as Yo La Tengo, Him, and Low. However, the latest was created during the pandemic, and took a naturally darker, heavier turn, drawing comparisons to heavier influences like Slint, Sonic Youth, and Boris. As such, this 5-song record has some tracks that span 11 or 12 minutes. One last point in their favor, is that they're on Polyvinyl records, who have a roster that includes some of your - and my - favorite bands.
The Atom Age ::THE ATOM AGE:: Silicon Valley garage/punk veterans. Take all the neo-garage and punk sounds from the early aughts (i.e., the Strokes, the Hives, Jet), and add a layer of production to it to make it sound less like it was recorded on a Realistic™ tape recorder.
Bad History Month ::GOD IS LUCK:: Sometimes the band bio pulls you in. Bad History Month is the solo project of Sean Sprecher, who was part of the avant folk duo Fat History Month. Sprecher, under the BHM moniker, has released albums with titles such as FUCKING DESPAIR and DEAD AND LOVING IT. The music is very atmospheric, peppered with sounds you'd hear on records described as 'chamber indie'...but also has some early 70s Pink Floyd vibes on some songs. Vocally, Sprecher largely keeps to his low-register, near-whisper, which gives these songs a quiet, comforting sound. This is NOT typically my jam, but I am really enjoying this record on a cool, cloudy autumn morning.
Career Woman ::GRAPEVINE [EP]:: The brainchild of 19 year-old Melody Caudill from LA. Coming from a musical family, and learning how to play piano at the ripe age of four, she’s been immersed in the creative world of songwriting since before she was in kindergarten. She learned the ukulele at 13, and then moved on to the guitar. Like those who inspire her (Priscilla Ahn, Phoebe Bridgers, and Elliott Smith), Caudill writes with a certain sense of vulnerability and confidence. This record is unbelievable!
Diamond Dogs ::ABOUT THE HARDEST NUT TO CRACK:: Swedish rock band with songs that lean on 70s garage and psych, some twang ("Blight the LIfe"), and fuck tons of swagger a'la the Stones or the Faces. Shaping up to be a really fun record!
Equipment ::ALT. ACCOUNT:: Math-y emo punk from Bowling Green Ohio. I'm such a sucker for this shit!
Fefe Dobson ::EMOTION SICKNESS: Another pop record that leans toward the edgier side of rock n roll (think Olivia Rodrigo). Lots of angst and clever songwriting (Dobson has penned songs for Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, and Jordin Sparks). Her sophomore record JOY was apparently a breakout success with two platinum-charting singles...so that goes to show you how much I pay attention to pop music... I'm really digging this tho!
Filth is Eternal ::FIND OUT:: You'd think with a name like "Filth is Eternal" that you'd be dealing with a metal band...and you'd be right. But this is a metal band made up of three kids out of Seattle who's song structures pay more homage to the heavier side of Nirvana than Napalm Death. Some of these songs sound like they could have been on INCESTICIDE (musically). I'd put this closer to NYHC than anything, with a couple cuts sounding like old Quicksand and Helmet songs. This record is a prime example of why we should listen before judging a band by their name or look.
Girl Scout ::GRANNY MUSIC [EP]:: A Swedish, grunge-inspired rock band drawing apt comparisons to Snail Mail and the Breeders.
Grove Street ::THE PATH TO RIGHTEOUSNESS:: If you were ever into 90s and 90s hardcore like Shelter and H20 et. al, then give this one a listen. Crunchy, palm-muted guitar riffs, big drums, and angsty, sing-along vocals. Based in Southampton UK, they're apparently a "must-see" live act. Halfway through this record and I'm putting them on my radar if they ever come stateside. I haven't stopped clucking to this yet!
The Howdies ::HOWDIES ALL AROUND:: This is exactly what you would expect from a band named the Howdies. The Athens GA six-piece worked with David Barbe (Drive By Truckers) and T. Hardy Morris on these 11 tracks that sound like a modern day Highwaymen record of outlaw country.
Lindsay Lou ::QUEEN OF TIME:: Folk-bluegrass-roots artist based in Nashville with a "molasses-sweet" vocal delivery. This record features bluegrass and traditional music luminaries such as Jerry Douglas and Billy Strings.

Friday, September 22nd, 2023

Happy TIM remix release day to all who celebrate. Between that and a new Lydia Loveless, I imagine some stereo speakers will be getting more of a workout than usual. Here's what else dropped on Friday September 22nd.

January 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-01
February 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-02
March 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-03
April 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 04
May 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 05
June 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 06
July 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 07
August 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 08
September 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 09

Let me know if I am missing anything this week!

THE KNOWNS:

Brent Cobb ::SOUTHERN STAR:: Recorded in Macon Georgia at Capricorn Sound Studios (where the Marshall Tucker Band and Charlie Daniels recorded), this one is full of that good Peach State stomp. Would be excellent accompaniment to recent releases by Pony Bradshaw and Duane Betts.
Buddy & Julie Miller ::IN THE THROES:: Conway & Loretta? Nay! George & Tammy? Nay! Tim and Faith?! NAY! Buddy & Julie Miller might be the most crucial and influential power couples ever to grace Music City. Their fingerprints are all over the city, and their records, this new one included, seem timeless.
Cannibal Corpse ::CHAOS HORRIFIC:: No frills. Just fuckin metal.
Jenny Owen Youngs ::AVALANCHE:: Youngs' first record in a decade, and her debut for Yep Roc. Lots of hands in this one we all know including S. Carey, Madi Diaz, Christian Lee Hutson. And it was produced by Josh Kauffman (Bonny Light Horseman, The Hold Steady, Josh Ritter).
Lydia Loveless ::NOTHING'S GONNA STAND IN MY WAY AGAIN:: Lydia's songwriting and vocals are as infectious as ever on her latest.
Pkew Pkew Pkew ::SIIICK DAYS:: Still the best band name, and still bringing a fiery brand of amped-up rock n roll that should tickle any Japandroids or Frank Turner fan itch for big, sing-along songs.
The Replacements ::TIM: LET IT BLEED EDITION:: A perfect album made more perfect with a new mix and master.
Soccer Mommy ::KARAOKE NIGHT [EP]:: Excellent set of covers including "Here" by Pavement to kick it off, and "Soak Up the Sun" by Sheryl Crow.
Teenage Fanclub ::NOTHING LASTS FOREVER:: This band will never be the same without Gerry Love, but this is a solid effort!

THE NEWS:

Al Menne ::FREAK ACCIDENT:: Menne is the voice behind Seattle soft grunge outfit Great Grandpa. The band took a break in 2019, and Menne relocated from Seattle to LA where they began exploring the songs that would become FREAK ACCIDENT. Menne's vocals soar in a quiet, upper register, and these songs tend to veer on the quiet, contemplative side. Great bedroom pop for when you're looking to slow things down.
Another Michael ::WISHES TO FULFILL:: Another Philly band. I might call them 'Pinegrove-adjacent" but that is probably more of a scene effect than anything. Nothing earth-shattering here, but if you like bands like Sadurn, Jodi, and Trace Mountains, this is in the same wheelhouse.
Arny Margaret ::DINNER ALONE [EP]:: From a small village in Iceland to your speakers, Margaret cites influences from the likes of Andy Shauf, Phoebe Bridgers, Bon Iver, and Gregory Alan Isakov. This is pleasant, quiet, cold-weather music.
Bleach Lab ::LOST IN A RUSH OF EMPTINESS:: This sounds like the sort of alt-rock I cut my teeth on back in the early to mid nineties. But given it was produced by Catherine Marks (who has collaborated with PJ Harvey and Boygenius), there's some modernity to the recording. This is pretty tight for a debut. Hits that sweet spot between Alvvays and Honeyblood for me.
Cinema Hearts ::I WANT YOU:: DC-based indie with a 50s/60s girl group vibe. This might have Jersey Joe written all over it.
Dead Feathers ::FULL CIRCLE:: Imagine Ann Wilson of Heart fronting a 70s psych rock band. This is niche as hell, but it's pretty badass too.
Emily Kinney ::SWIMTEAM:: You guys! Beth from The Walking Dead put out an album! And...it's good! Pop undertones with some country twang in places. Kinney's voice is bell-clear, and on some songs makes me wonder how much Kasey Chambers she's been listening to...
Femke ::SAFE IN THE SUBURBS:: Was not expecting this to be as good as it is. Lushly-arranged pop songs with great vocal melodies and a BIG sound. Smart lyrics. This is her debut EP after working as a songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and label owner. In so many words, her bio notes that her songs bring the maturity of Paul Simon and Tracy Chapman with the angst of Billie Eilish and Boygenius.
The Holy Ghost ::IGNORE ALIEN ORDERS:: The Stockholm, Sweden band's bio says "...to define them more closely, one might mention bands like Husker Du, Dinosaur Jr., The Replacements, and Rites of Spring as major influences." Yeah. That tracks. This is good!
Jeffrey Alexander and the Heavy Lidders ::NEW EARTH SEED:: Per the band's bio: "Based in Philadelphia, [Alexander] is a refreshing take on familiar sounds. There are clear references to the hazy, glazey Crazy Horse days of Neil Young as well as nod to the stylings of bands like the Meat Puppets and Dinosaur Jr."
Mad Honey ::SATELLITE APHRODITE:: Oklahoma City-based band with influences from early ’90s dream-pop/shoegaze bands like Lush and My Bloody Valentine, mixed among contemporaries like DIIV and Beach House. Great whirling guitar leads and dual-vocal harmonies.
Patio ::COLLECTION:: What started as a joke dreamed up during some day drinking brought to life. RIYLs include Truth Club and Sweeping Promises.
Samantha Urbani ::SHOWING UP:: Gritty pop music from the leader of the Brooklyn-based band Friends.
Slaughter Beach, Dog ::CRYING, LAUGHING, WAVING, SMILING:: Nice Laurel Canyon vibes from a young outfit based in the Poconos, near Philly. Fans of Dawes and Cut Worms might dig this.

Friday, September 15th, 2023

Last week I complained about the heat. This week, I couldn't ask for prettier weather. I hope to spend most of Saturday on my boat, fishing rod in hand, and breeze in my hair. Lots of great releases this week. So far my fave is the new Will Johnson, which has some really, really gorgeous pedal steel guitar on some songs. Durham dynamic duo Viv and Riley also drop some new tunes. Have a listen to these and everything else that came out on Friday September 15th...

Reminder, I have created monthly Spotify playlists of all the new releases highlighted in this running thread. In addition, the links below get you access to all the 2023 new releases of interest since the first week of January:

January 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-01
February 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-02
March 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-03
April 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 04
May 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 05
June 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 06
July 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 07
August 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 08
September 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 09

Let me know if I am missing anything this week!

THE KNOWNS:

Barenaked Ladies ::IN FLIGHT:: TIL the Barenaked Ladies were still around.
Baroness ::STONE:: Back in the days of the "Heavy Vibes" threads (RIP Jim Kotsonas), this Savannah, Georgia band got a lot of love. Just simple, melodic metal.
Brian Setzer ::THE DEVIL ALWAYS COLLECTS:: Setzer continues providing effective advertising for Gretsch guitars. There's always a time and place for Setzer's music.
Demi Lovato ::REVAMPED:: I find I dig Pop music when it skews more toward heavier rock.
Explosions in the Sky ::END:: The band confirmed that the title is not an indication that this is their last record. That's good, because they clearly have a lot left to give. This one is a cathartic, crescendo-heavy, post-rock banger! Now, then, I'm off to watch Friday Night Lights...
Hank Williams ::HANK 100:: Greatest Radio Hits 1923-2023:: Not adding this to the September Spotify playlist, but in honor of the man's 100th birthday, I'm linking it here. These songs got me through some shit over the years...
Herb Alpert ::WISH UPON A STAR:: TIL: Herb Alpert is still alive. Again, also not adding to the September Spotify playlist, but the lead-off track here is "East Bound and Down." So, there's that. Oh, and there's a fine cover of the Beatles' "And I Love Her."
Mitski ::THE LAND IS INHOSPITABLE AND SO ARE WE:: Critic Will Arberry describes this as "Mitski's most epic and wise album."
S. Carey ::SHADOWLANDS:: Longtime drummer of Bon Iver, the Eau Claire native Sean Carey has had a storied solo career in his own right. If you like the atmospheric sounds of Bon Iver and Novo Amor (who Carey has also collaborated with), then this is worthy of a spin. Makes EXCELLENT background music.
Shakey Graves ::MOVIE OF THE WEEK:: Singular artist who branded self with band moniker releases new music.
Stephen Marley ::OLD SOUL:: Yes. The son of *that* Marley, and an apple that has not fallen far from the tree.
Will Johnson ::NO ORDINARY CROWN:: One of the most prolific songwriters in indie rock, with a howl of a voice that can be haunting, aching, and comforting. Recently seen touring the country as a member of Jason Isbell's band the 400 Unit, Johnson's old outfit centro-matic was actually who inspired Isbell to write the song "To A Band I Loved" (which was penned in the wake of centro calling it quits after a long, under-the-radar career). This might be my favorite Will J. record. By the time I wrote this, I've spun it 4 or 5 times. It's a great mix of what one might hear on a latter-day centro-matic record as well as centro side-project South San Gabriel's output. There's some absolutely gorgeous pedal steel guitar on this record (i.e., "The Conductor Calls"). This one is easily in the running to sit amongst the year-end bests.
Willie Nelson ::BLUEGRASS:: I mean, this has to be great, right?

THE NEWS:

Aaron Skiles ::WHISTLE PAST THE GRAVE:: If you paid any attention to bands like Lucero, The Drive By Truckers, and the Dexateens throughout the early to mid aughts, this one is cut from the same cloth. Willing to guess that folks who ever spent considerable time in the 'ninebullets' community will find purchase here. Some folks may find it a bit too derivative, but you'll never know if you don't listen to it.
Advertisement ::ESCORTS:: This 2020 NME headline reviewing the Seattle-based band's last record says it way better than me: "Chaotic rock anthems with Stones-sized swagger..."
The Beaches ::BLAME MY EX:: A mainline IV of Canadian indie pop with a chaser of girlpower. If your tastes trend toward the poppier side of the musical spectrum, but still have rock n roll in your heart, this might be for you.
Briscoe ::WEST OF IT ALL:: Somewhere between Hiss Golden Messenger's rootsy rock, Gregora Alan Isakov's mountain americana, and Brett Dennen's throat-choked/gobstopper-in-the-mouth singing style lies a tranche of bands that sound like Austin, Texas' Briscoe...but I would argue that Briscoe is doing it better than most. There's something manufactured about the band and their sound, but I haven't skipped a track yet.
Charlie Kaplan ::COUNTRY LIFE IN AMERICA:: Don't let the title fool you. I almost wrote this off but with each song I was finding something appealing. Kaplan has definitely done his Power Pop homework, but there are times when it seems like he had Stephen Malkmus as a tutor. Just an all-around solid record from the young NY-based songwriter.
C.O.F.F.I.N. ::AUSTRALIA STOPS:: Children Of Finland Fighting In Norway. Can't make this shit up (though maybe the band did). Anyway, from their spotify bio: "A hard-biting four-piece rock & roll band hailing from the ocean shores of Sydney Australia, featuring a lead vocalist on drums." Pretty sure that singer listened to a lot of Motorhead growing up, because there is a Lemmy quality to his delivery. Seems pretty righteous, and reminds me of some of the stuff my old band, Dumb Valley, was aiming for in our early iteration.
Danko Jones ::ELECTRIC SOUNDS:: This one lies somewhere between Diarrhea Planet, The Darkness, and Steel Panther...and that's saying something! For context, this is tongue-in-cheek rock-n-roll driven as much by an overabundance of testosterone as overdriven guitars.
Margo Cilker ::VALLEY OF HEART'S DELIGHT:: A little bit Lucinda Williams (song structure) and a little bit Iris Dement (in her vocal delivery), and all good. Some twang, some western country, some rock n roll. Back in my day, we would have called this an 'alternative country' record. I think to call it "Americana" would do the vibe a disservice.
Maura Weaver ::I WAS DUE FOR A HEARTBREAK:: Veteran Cincinnati musician (formerly of Homeless Gospel Choir, Mixtapes, and other bands) is repackaging her melodic, "homespun experimentation, roots aesthetics, and pop reliability" in solo form. Her latest was released by DIY punk label Don Giovanni, home to some heroes of mine named Lee Bains II & The Glory Fires and Kym Register + Meltown Rodeo.
Rasheed Chappell ::SUGAR BILLS:: I wish all new hip hop sounded this old school.
Sarah Jane Scouten ::TURNED TO GOLD:: From the bio on her website: "Scouten’s music delivers a signature mix of vintage folk and country music, with modern sounds and subjects. An ever expanding palette brings a freshness to her brand of ambient indie Americana — or “space-country” as she likes to call it." I imagine lots of folks reading these lists will find something to love here.
Small Crush ::PENELOPE:: Bay area indie (or is it Bae-area indie?!?). Five to one ways these guys are big fans of the Beths.
Viv & Riley ::IMAGINARY PEOPLE:: Durham. NC-based duo steeped in folk + oldtime music but deliver it through the lens of modern pop. I discovered that this record was made at Bedtown Studios on Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia (a lake where my family has been vacationing since I was in the womb). That area of Southwest VA has a musical magic to it that seems to be seeping through on this record. Really loving this!
Wheeler Walker Jr. ::RAM:: If Steel Panther were country...
Worriers ::TRUST YOUR GUT:: "Punk-adjacent indie rock...[telling] stories of heartbreak, gender expression, identity, and love." Features keys/piano by the Hold Steady's Franz Nicolay.

Friday, September 8th, 2023

It's NOT supposed to be this god damn hot in September. Fuck sakes. Anyway, I'm amped for days two and three of Raleigh's Hopscotch Festival where I caught sets yesterday by Florry, Fust, Alvvays, and Pavement. Gonna see Fust and Florry again this afternoon, and then catch Cut Worms, Digable Planets, and Margo Price later tonight. Tomorrow is stacked with American Football, Sunny Day Real Estate, Quasi, Japanese Breakfast, Soccer Mommy, and Dinosaur Jr. I'm already tired. Anyway, before I do all that, let's see what new music dropped on Friday September 8th...

January 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-01
February 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-02
March 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-03
April 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 04
May 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 05
June 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 06
July 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 07
August 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 08
September 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 09

Let me know if I am missing anything this week!

THE KNOWNS:

Allison Russell ::THE RETURNER:: After finishing in the top 25 for OUTSIDE CHILD in the 2021 Postcard From Hell year-end bests, I have a feeling this one will get some spins.
Ashley McBryde ::THE DEVIL I KNOW:: Pop country with a punk rock attitude. And if y'all never saw McBryde singing "Amazing Grace" in the Ryman during Covid, I suggest you watch it.
Courtney Barnett ::END OF THE DAY:: Music from the film Anonymous Club, so it's not quite a Courtney Barnett record, but you might be into it.
The Handsome Family ::HOLLOW:: The chamber folk band's first new LP since 2016.
Joan Osborne ::NOBODY OWNS YOU:: In her TENTH record, Osborne gets political on songs with a heavy 70s AM radio vibe.
Jonathan Wilson ::EAT THE WORM:: Known for his work with Father John Misty, this one sounds like Mr. Tillman rubbed off on Wilson a little.
Kristin Hersh ::CLEAR POND ROAD:: BRB, 13-year old me is about to go look for my Throwing Muses t-shirt and jam this record!
Lillie Mae & Family ::FESTIVAL EYES:: Mae's 2019 release OTHER GIRLS found heavy rotation on my turntable because of her bell-clear voice and country undertones. Doesn't seem like much has changed and I am not complaining. Fans of any Third Man Records release should dig this.
Low Cut Connie ::ART DEALERS:: Not my jam (love the name tho), but I know lots of folks who'll wanna know this came out today.
Nanci Griffith ::WORKING IN CORNERS:: Legend.
Olivia Rodrigo ::GUTS:: The opening song sounds more Avril than Taylor...and from what I am hearing, this record leans more heavily on the latter end of the Pop Rock moniker.
Sparklehorse ::BIRD MACHINE:: The music for Bird Machine was recorded by Sparklehorse prior to Mark Linkous' 2010 suicide. Linkous' brother Matt oversaw unreleased music and found the track "It Will Never Stop" in 2022. In June 2023, the full album was announced, made up of older recordings, with additions made by Matt and Melissa Linkous. The initial tracks were recorded with Steve Albini and were intended to be the band's fifth studio album prior to collaborating with Danger Mouse for Dark Night of the Soul.
Tim Kinsella and Jenny Pulse ::GIDDY SKELTER:: Kinsella is a member of Chicago noise/indie/emo outfit Cap'n Jazz. He and his brother Mike (Owen) released a record together earlier this year under the moniker LIES. Like that, this one is also weird.
Tyler Childers ::RUSTIN IN THE RAIN:: All the Americana whitehairs are diamond hard right now. That doesn't mean you shouldn't spin this record. Childers is a real one.

THE NEWS:

38 Spesh & Conway the Machine ::SPESHAL MACHINERY:: Rust-belt hip hop from Western New York.
Coach Party ::KILLJOY:: Poppy, energetic rock quartet from the Isle of Wight. A little bit Beths, a little bit Bully, a little bit Veruca Salt, a little bit No Doubt.
Daiistar ::GOOD TIME:: Noise rock band from Austin TX formed in 2000 who have worked with members of The Black Angels and White Denim. I'd argue that the moniker of "noise rock" is misleading as this one is really melodic. Fuzzy shoegaze guitars and Alex Capistran's tenor vocal take me back to early nineties jams watching 120 Minutes late into Sunday evenings. Even the video for 'Tracemaker" follows suit.
Deeper ::CAREFUL!:: Chicago-based post punk that leans more towards early 90s 'college rock' than it does shit like Joy Division. The song "Sub" sounds like Ian Makaye singing over a Superchunk B-side.
Durry ::SUBURBAN LEGEND:: Say what you will about bands getting instant fame from TikTok or other social media, but this brother/sister team, who both wound up moving back to their parents' house during the COVID-19 pandemic struck musical gold, releasing "Who's Laughing Now" about the perils of being a Gen Z trying to navigate a world run by Boomers and wrecked by decades of Boomer policies. Oh, and these songs may be slick and produced for the Pop world, but they're catchy as all hell.
Holm ::ALIEN HEALTH:: Project by Mikkel Silkjaer Holm of the Danish indie band Yung. This is solid indie rock, melodic and crunchy. And if you've ever listened to the band Beezewax, there are similarities here.
Jalen Ngonda ::COME AROUND AND LOVE ME:: Newly signed to Daptone records, it shouldn't be a surprise that Ngonda is crushing the neo soul vibe. Gorgeous upper-register voice with a nice hint of smoke in it.
Jess Nolan ::93:: Young singer/songwriter with an old soul who has been compared to Lucy Dacus and Joni Mitchell and also served as a touring member of Jenny Lewis' band.
Jobi Riccio ::WHIPLASH:: Newly signed to YepRoc records, the born-and-raised Coloradan is now an active member of the burgeoning queer country music scene in Nashville.
Logan Leger ::GOLDEN STATE:: The first artist on Leger's RIYL list from Spotify is my pal Zephaniah OHora. So I was already sold by that...but his bio is also intriguing: "Nashville-based singer/songwriter with a smooth voice and classic tone...calling to mind names like George Jones and Webb Pierce."
Mirror Tree ::MIRROR TREE:: An interesting one. Definitely some 70s pop vibes through a modern-day indie lens. But there are some great grooves on this record and at times I feel like I am shopping in a grocery store in the 80s (a vibe I dig).
Talking Kind ::IT DID BRING ME DOWN:: Lo-fi power pop from Philadelphia. So it's good.
Walter Etc. ::WHEN THE BAND BREAKS UP AGAIN:: Walter Etc. originally formed in 2009 as the trio of Dustin Hayes, Kris Schobert and Jake Lee under the name Walter Mitty And His Makeshift Orchestra, but after a brief hiatus in 2015, Dustin reformed the band under the name Walter Etc, with the idea that members could come and go as they please. And the result is a solid power pop/punk effort out on Side One Dummy records.

Friday, September 1st, 2023

Holy shit!!! How is it September already?!?! Quite a bit of reissues and first-time physical releases on this week's lists (i.e., some Tom Waits for all who celebrate) - which I am not including below, but that still leaves a few things to check out for this Friday September Oneth...

Reminder, I have created monthly Spotify playlists of all the new releases highlighted in this running thread. Here is the link to the September Playlist. In addition. the links below get you access to all the 2023 new releases of interest since the first week of January:

January 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-01
February 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-02
March 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-03
April 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 04
May 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 05
June 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 06
July 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 07
August 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 08

Let me know if I am missing anything this week!

THE KNOWNS:

Frog Holler ::FOR THE AGES [EP]:: Despite living the majority of my life in Southern states (NC, TN, WV, AR, VA, MD, and back to NC), Pennsylvania will always be my home. And there isn't a band more synonymous with my rural PA-raising than Frog Holler. Holding true to their "Born Here, Die Here" ethos, the band rarely tours outside of the Keystone state, but the members keep making music. Their latest EP is on Bandcamp only for now, but Darren Schlappich sent me a note this morning saying that it would be on other streaming sites "in a few weeks". But what better way to celebrate Bandcamp Friday than going to the link at the beginning of this paragraph and buying a digital copy of this record?
GWAR ::BATTLE MAXIMUS:: This is the 10th Anniversary edition of the record. I tend to not include releases like this, but it's fucking GWAR! Besides, if I didn't mention it, they might come to destroy me.
Jeff Rosenstock ::HELLMODE:: It's 90 seconds til midnight on the Doomsday Clock™ and Jeff Rosenstock has the throttle wide open.
The Paper Kites ::AT THE ROADHOUSE:: Between this and Gregory Alan Isakov's record last week, the ethereal folk fans have a nice soundtrack primed for cooler weather, blankets, and bonfires in the coming season.
Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons ::KINGS OF THE ASYLUM:: Former Motorhead guitarist blends that Motorhead grind with southern rock.
Slowdive ::EVERYTHING IS ALIVE:: I wrote this whole thing gazing at my shoes.
Speedy Ortiz ::RABBIT RABBIT:: Hooks for days.

THE NEWS:

Elliott Fullman ::END OF WAYS:: literal 'bedroom indie folk' as Fullman records all of his music in his bedroom. I am two songs into this one and the New Jersey artist and actor (who co-stars as Jonathan in the film Terrifier 2) sounds EERILY like another Elliott many of us love. Everything from his vocal phrasings to some of his chord progressions on these tunes might cause any Elliott Smith fan to do a slight double-take.
Essential Forever ::ESSENTIAL FOREVER:: Musical project of Al Heaney, who moved from rural Ohio to the San Fernando Valley and began crafting his sound of neo 60s and 70s AM gold music. This one sounds like summer. Great vocal harmonies and melodies and lush arrangements. My guess is that fans of bands like Big Star, Cotton Mather, and Matthew Sweet who trace those bands' influences backward will land on music that sounds like Essential Forever.
Frankie and the Witch Fingers ::DATA DOOM:: LA quartet now featuring Nick Aguilar - former touring drummer for Mike Watt - that draws influence from proto punk but also leans on West African drumming (think Fela Kuti) that really seems to work with the band's punk roots. If you are a fan of punk but like a little strangeness, this might be worth a spin.
Ghost of Vroom ::GHOST OF VROOM3:: Project featuring Mike Doughty of Soul Coughing that "gets an unusual number of comparisons to Soul Coughing." I can't confirm because I don't know Soul Coughing - but you might!
Larry Fleet ::EARNED IT:: New country music for people who don't want to listen to bro shit or what the Country Music Industry wants to pass as hip hop for rural white folk. Fleet doesn't hide his Tennessee twang nor his influences, which range from Merle Haggard to Marvin Gaye.
Lathe of Heaven ::BOUND BY NAKED SKIES:: Brooklyn based post-punk/new wave band formed in 2021...so does that make them **new** New Wave?
Lauren Calve ::SHIFT:: Debut LP recorded in Nashville that sounds like that land between pop country and alt rock. If this record came out in the late 90s, I presume Calve would be listed alongside artists such as Kasey Chambers and Kathleen Edwards who also operated between these two genres. This clearly has more Nashville slick-ness to it, production wise, but the songs themselves retain a rawness - which tracks given they were written in the heart of the COVID 19 pandemic.
The Natvral ::SUMMER OF NO LIGHT:: Solo project of Kip Berman, former singer/songwriter of the Pains of Being Pure at Heart. This is Berman's second record and the RIYLs are right in my Wheelhouse, and include Hurry, The Reds, Pinks, and Purples, Dropkick, and the Boys with the Perpetual Nervousness. Without listening to the whole thing, these RIYLs suggest a Teenage Fanclub influence might be here too.
P.G. Six ::MURMURS & WHISPERS:: Think acoustic chamber indie folk a'la Will Oldham, but less depressing. And homeboy plays a harp on some songs.
Taking Meds ::DIAL M FOR MEDS:: If you know me and you know my tastes, then when I say the opening chords and verse of this record was a brick to the face (as opposed to the Nerf balls that might describe 90% of the other stuff out there), then you know what it sounds like. Unfortunately, the rest of the record did not seem to match the opening song's energy. That's not to say that the rest of the record is not hook-laden rock-n-roll with vocal melodies and harmonies that will have you playing "spot the influence" (I've heard Teenage Fanclub and The Posies so far). Then you get songs like "Long Tooth" which opens like an Uncle Tupelo outtake from the ANODYNE Sessions. Also, that record title is excellent. Lots to like here, even if it slides a bit as the track number increases.

Friday, August 25th, 2023

We're *burning* through August, and for me, all eyes are focused on the Hopscotch Festival here in Raleigh which is bringing acts such as Pavement, Sunny Day Real Estate, Dinosaur Jr., American Football, Soccer Mommy, Margo Price, and Denzel Curry. But I am still making time for the new stuff hitting the physical and digital shelves for Friday August 25th...

Reminder, I have created monthly Spotify playlists of all the new releases highlighted in this running thread. Also, here's where you can get all the 2023 new releases of interest since the first week of January:

Let me know if I am missing anything this week!

THE KNOWNS:

A Giant Dog ::BITE:: Still the undisputed champs of running themes on Album Covers.
Alice Cooper ::ROAD:: Dude comes out of the woodwork with a new album, makes some shitty comments toward the transgender community (calling gender-affirming surgery a 'trans kid fad", and was in turn dropped by Vampyre Cosmetics for it. So fuck him for saying that, but here's his new record.
Buck Meek ::HAUNTED MOUNTAIN:: The Big Thief guitarist is an artist in his own right, out with his 4th solo LP.
Candlebox ::THE LONG GOODBYE:: Don't get left 'far behind'...Candlebox has been making records since their breakthrough S/T record in 1993. I mean, there's only one founding member left, but it is singer Kevin Martin, so there's some consistency there. Fun fact: Original Pearl Jam drummer Dave Krusen is also in the current lineup (people often forget that Candlebox are from Seattle but were more akin to Mother Love Bone than Nirvana).
Danger Mouse and Jemini ::BORN AGAIN:: IYKYK.

Drew Beskin & The Sunshine ::GARRETT [EP]:: More Athens, GA-based power pop mastery from one of my favorite artists in the game. Damn I wish this was more than five songs.
Grandaddy ::SUMDAY: EXCESS BAGGAGE:: B-sides and remixes from SUMDAY, apparently.
Hiss Golden Messenger ::JUMP FOR JOY:: Still waiting to connect with MC Taylor's music...but that hasn't happened yet.
Morgan Wade ::PSYCHOPATH:: Country Music for people who don't want to admit they like Country Music...because it's actually pop music.
MXPX ::FIND A WAY HOME:: Soundtrack to "Hey guys, Drew's parents are out of town this weekend and he's throwing a rager." #LFG!!
Nellie McKay ::HEY GUYS, WATCH THIS:: My odd, and unhinged attraction to this woman's talent is still something I can't explain.
Old Crow Medicine Show ::JUBILEE:: I feel like this band has become a caricature of itself.
Ratboys ::THE WINDOW:: The band travelled to Seattle to make this record with Death Cab for Cutie guitarist and producer Chris Walla. For the uninitiated, this band has been producing poppy, guitar driven rock for about a decade now. There's a clear grunge influence here.
Turnpike Troubadours ::A CAT IN THE RAIN:: Long-awaited new record by the Oklahoma-based Red Dirt Country band.

THE NEWS:

Be Your Own Pet ::MOMMY:: Austin, TX Riot Grrrl band with chops for days.
Becca Mancari ::LEFT HAND:: Nashville-based Mancari pulls in collaborators such as Brittany Howard (The Alabama Shakes) and Julien Baker on these songs. The RIYLs for Mancari should find some purchase with folks here (Buck Meek, Jess Williamson, Margaret Glaspy.
Fat Tony and Taydex ::I WILL MAKE A BABY IN THIS ECONOMY:: Houston, TX indie hip hop. This dude has a gorgeous flow.
flypaper ::BIG NADA [EP]:: Project of London-based artist Rory Sear. If you like quiet indie bedroom pop, this record is right in your wheelhouse. And the song "365" has tons of groove. Sounds like something that should be on Drew Beskin's new EP listed above.
Grain ::WE'LL HIDE AWAY: COMPLETE RECORDINGS 1993-1995:: This 14-song comp pulls together songs released on two 7", a split 7" and a 3-song EP that the band released over it's short life in the Cleveland Hardcore scene. I get heavy "I'm one of 20 dudes at the hardcore show being thrown at the local Grange Hall vibes."
Handsome Ghost ::HANDSOME GHOST:: Massachusetts duo that conjures emotional songs out of quiet solitude steeped in longing and nostalgia. The chorus of "Call Me When You're Pulling Up" sounds like an homage to "Come Pick Me Up" by Ryan Adams.
Kibi James ::DELUSIONS:: Atlanta, GA all female trio with lush three-part vocal harmonies over dreamy melodies.
Nora Kelly Band ::RODEO CLOWN:: A punk-turned-alt-country singer from Montreal? We have data to suggest this is usually a winning formula, and it appears to be here as well!
Open Mike Eagle ::ANOTHER TRIUMPH OF GHETTO ENGINEERING:: LA-based emcee at the forefront of the "art rap" genre.
Sonny and the Sunsets ::SELF-AWARENESS THROUGH MACRAME:: LA-based filmmaker and musician Sonny Smith crafts songs that sound like the natural progression from the Moldy Peaches and early Shins.
The Waymores ::GREENER PASTURES:: ATL-based husband-and-wife Honky Tonk duo.
Who is She? ::GODDESS ENERGY:: A supergroup of Seattle songwriters featuring Bree Mckenna and Emily Nokes (Tacocat) alongside Julia Shapiro (Chastity Belt).

Friday, August 18th, 2023

Looks like August is ending pretty strong. Don’t sleep on the Margaret Glaspy record, or the Diners record…and definitely spend some time with my regional pals in Meltdown Rodeo!

Let me know if I am missing anything this week!

THE KNOWNS:

Birdy ::PORTRAITS:: Birdy landed in your ears most likely with her piano-based covers of Bon Iver's "Skinny Love" or Phoenix's "1901". Her latest is a synth-driven nod to the 80s.
David Dondero ::IMMERSION THERAPY:: more folk-punk from this veteran of the genre.
DeYarmond Edison ::EPOCH:: A five-disc release of all the albums by this Wisconsin-turned-North Carolina band featuring Justin Vernon (Bon Iver), Brad and Phil Cook (Megafaun) and Joe Westerlund (Megafaun, Meltdown Rodeo, and a million other bands). The songs on this record are all over the place, but have a sort of late-90s early aughts "jam band" base (Think Dave Matthews Band), augmented with horns, harmonicas, and the kitchen sink. You can hear the beginnings of Bon Iver and Megafaun in these songs. It's pretty rad.
Gregory Alan Isakov ::APPALOOSA BONES:: I discovered Isakov on accident playing poker one night. Our host had a Ryan Adams Pandora station on and Isakov's song "Idaho" shuffled up. I was hooked. At the time I was a Napster subscriber - so I downloaded every record Isakov had released as of fall 2012 (there were only three: SONGS FOR OCTOBER, THAT SEA, THE GAMBLER, and THE EMPTY NORTHERN HEMISPHERE). In the spring of 2013, I took two weeks of work to finish writing my dissertation. I played these three records on shuffle for damn near two straight weeks (splitting time with the Como Mamas). I say all this to say Gregory Alan Isakov's music is a whole-ass mood™ and I'll always feel connected to it. I actually took a break from writing to go see him play in Fayetteville AR at George's while he was touring to promote 2013s THE WEATHERMAN. When I met him, I told him how his music got me through writing my dissertation and when I saw him in Little Rock a few months later, his first question was "are you a doctor now?" He's a hell of a writer and a great dude. If you like quiet, atmospheric folky/rootsy/Americana-y music, please give this a spin.
Margaret Glaspy ::ECHO THE DIAMOND:: New, blistering rock-n-roll from the artist who showed up on a number of 2016 best-of lists for EMOTIONS AND MATH. These songs sound WAY more 1993 than 2023.
Mipso ::BOOK OF FOOLS:: Libby Rodenbaugh has had a busy year. Also, this record was recorded in Asheville's Drop of Sun Studios (MJ Lenderman, Wednesday, Fust, Indigo DeSouza), and basically anything made there is worth my time, and probably worth yours too.
OSEES ::INTERCEPTED MESSAGE:: fka Thee Oh Sees or just Oh Sees, the band's moniker evolves with their sound. The dirty, garage guitar is still here but songs are now more augmented with punchy synth. It may or may not be enough to give OG fans reason to jump ship.
Rhiannon Giddens ::YOU'RE THE ONE:: Giddens says of this album "I hope that people just hear American music...Blues, jazz, Cajun, country, gospel, and rock - It's all there."
Sonic Youth ::LIVE IN BROOKLYN, NY:: Real fucked-up noise from August 12, 2011.

THE NEWS:

Anna Tivel ::OUTSIDERS (LIVE IN A LIVING ROOM):: Nice, all-acoustic record by the Oregonian. Some of her vocal phrasings remind me of Kathleen Edwards and Tift Merritt.
Diners ::DOMINO:: I'm hooked based on reading this from the artist's bio: "...On DOMINO...she's taken a turn toward overdriven, uptempo power pop, applying her affirming lyricism to an unabashed rock record. With production help from Portland songwriter Mo Troper, DOMINO places her breezy melodies alongside stomping Big Star guitars and hazy fuzz bass..." I'll have that, please!!
Dizzy ::DIZZY:: Female-led indie pop. RIYL the giants in the genre (i.e., Phoebe, Julien, Lucy, Angel).
Fiddlehead ::DEATH IS NOTHING TO US:: Not a reinvention of the post-hardcore genre, but this record got my blood flowing early in the morning with its buzzsaw guitars and screaming vocals. But under all of that were really great, anthemic melodies.
Genesis Owusu ::STRUGGLER:: Not sure how to describe Genesis Owusu's music. It's like post-punk goth-pop, I think? Imagine Billy Eilish was a black dude from Australia. Which makes sense because my wife loves this dude and she's a recovering goth herself who loves a good beat. Owusu's award-winning debut, SMILING WITH NO TEETH is also a banger. Check out this NPR write up for more info.
Jill Andrews ::MODERN AGE:: This is the fifth solo album from the former member of the Everybodyfields. The songs range from wistful to big, and is a nice showcase of Andrews' influences of Joni Mitchell, Wilco, and Brandi Carlisle among others.
Kym Register +Meltdown Rodeo ::MELTDOWN RODEO:: Meltdown Rodeo was fka Loamlands, but changed their name after learning some unsettling history surrounding that name. They also backed Lee Bains on his recent tours (after Blake and Adam stepped away).Based in Durham, NC, Meltdown Rodeo is one of my favorite regional acts. Guitarist Matt Phillips can shred, but is more impactful when he adds just the right texture to a song, as he does all over this record. I think lots of folks here will dig this one. Songs about navigating the world as someone who is labeled an “outsider” (in Register’s case, as a non-binary member of the LGBTQ+ community -and white person living in the South). And it doesn’t hurt that Kym Register sounds like a twangier Natalie Merchant when they sing.
Mapache ::SWINGING STARS:: LA-based Americana with a 70's soft rock undercurrent. This record sounds like a good one for a road trip.
Nathan Mongol Wells ::FROM A DARK CORNER:: Twangy country with a rock n roll backbone, and heavy Texas vibes, this is the first release by the Ottoman Turks frontman. The record was co-produced by Ottoman Turks bandmate Joshua Ray Walker. The opening cut sounds like a Tom Waits fever dream, but the rest of the record is full of twang and sweeping pedal steel.
The One EIghties ::MINEFIELDS:: Pedal steel guitar and 80s synths interplay on this "space country" record. Nothing earth shattering, but YMMV.
PYNKIE ::SONGIES:: I gave this a spin because of the record title and I am glad I did. This NJ nurse by day, songwriter by night has some catchy indie-pop tunes, er, SONGIES to share.

Friday, August 11th, 2023

Another light week for the Dog Days of Summer.; but a few gems in here for sure.

Reminder, I have created monthly Spotify playlists of all the new releases highlighted in this running thread. We have a new list for August 2023. Also, here's where you can get all the 2023 new releases of interest since the first week of January:

Let me know if I am missing anything this week!

THE KNOWNS:

Anders Parker ::THE BLACK FIGHT:: Anders Parker still puting the Alt-Country in Americana.
Bonnie "Prince" Billy ::KEEPING SECRETS WILL DESTROY YOU:: Will Oldham's latest is all electronica disco songs with fiddle and steel guitar cascading over every tune. Just kidding. It's a typical dour-ass Will Oldham record, and I get why people love it. If you're a fan, you'll be a fan of this.
Darrell Scott String Band ::OLD CAN BACK ROCKER:: Scott is responsible for writing one of my favorite songs ever, "You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive" so you best believe I am giving this some attention.
The Hives ::THE DEATH OF RANDY FITZSIMMONS:: Still a cutthroat garage rock band making music like tomorrow might be the end of the world.
Public Image Ltd. ::END OF WORLD:: Yeah. Nah. YMMV.
Ryan Bingham ::WATCH FOR THE WOLF [EP]:: Hard-scrabble, rusty, gravelly, West Texas Americana. Bingham is nothing if not an authentic songwriter.

THE NEWS:

The Cordovas ::THE ROSE OF ACES:: Garden-variety Americana. For example, the first song name-checks both "Memphis" and "Muscle Shoals", So, it's gotta be, you know, that. Great vocal harmonies, but definitely not reinventing a wheel.
Curling ::NO GUITAR:: Don't let the album title fool you. This record has lots of guitar. And it's poppy and jangly and excellent! RIYL The Posies, Sloan.
Hurry ::DON'T LOOK BACK:: My favorite Philadelphia-based power-pop band. If you like lush melody, and three-part pop harmony vocals, jangly guitar, and bubblegum beats, this one is for you.
Spencer Zahn ::STATUES I:: If you ever listened to George Winston's solo piano recordings, this is a cut from the same, peaceful cloth!
Sundressed ::SUNDRESSED:: Who wants their monthly dose of emo-pop-punk?

Friday, August 4th, 2023

Not much to report this week. I guess the Dog Days of summer also have an impact on good music?

Let me know if I am missing anything this week!

THE KNOWNS:

The Front Bottoms ::YOU ARE WHO YOU HANG OUT WITH:: NJ rock duo that would probably be a gimmick if they weren't so damn talented.
Joshua Ray Walker ::WHAT IS IT EVEN":: The Dallas, TX country crooner is out with a record of covers which includes songs made famous by female singers. This was released the Friday that news about the Lizzo lawsuit was breaking, so here's to hoping that the inclusion of "Because I Love You" doesn't come back to be a bummer...because he crushes it!

THE NEWS::
Chris Farren ::DOOM SINGER:: An artist who claims to "love drum machines, the Magnetic Fields...and is best friends with Jeff Rosenstock." This is like a Weezer record through a mid 2010s lens. I'm digging it.
Girl Ray ::PRESTIGE:: Neo-disco as imagined by three millennial women. This record is a masterclass in pop groove.
Holy Wave ::FIVE OF CUPS:: all-instrumental soul and psych jams. Probably good accompaniment for 'herbal therapy.'
Rachel Bobbitt ::THE HALF WE STILL HAVE [EP]:: It is the age of super talented female indie songwriters, and Toronto-based Rachel Bobbitt should be among the top.
Robert Jon & the Wreck ::RIDE INTO THE LIGHT:: Imagine the Black Crowes were from California and Chris Stapleton was their singer. This ain't my favorite thing, but I bet a lot of folks will eat it up if they listen to it.
Teenage Wrist ::STILL LOVE:: This is modern day 90s grunge. It's like Silverchair but if Ken Stringfellow and Jon Auer from the Posies were helping craft the vocal melodies.

Friday, July 28th, 2023

January 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-01
February 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-02
March 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-03
April 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 04
May 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 05
June 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 06
July 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 07

Let me know if I am missing anything this week!

THE KNOWNS:

Aphex Twin ::BLACKBOX LIFE RECORDER 21F/IN A ROOM7 F760:: I feel like 90% of the garbage I discover doing this every week are bands failing to imitate Aphex Twin. Stick with the OG.
Bethany Cosentino ::NATURAL DISASTER:: New solo effort by the Best Coast frontwoman.
Brad ::IN THE MOMENT THAT YOU'RE BORN:: This Stone Gossard (Pearl Jam) side project releases their first album in over a decade - and it may be their last given vocalist Shawn Smith passed on back in 2019. Mostly a cult-acclaimed band, Brad never found the stardom Pearl Jam did, but if you dig that 90s rock with an observable "Seattle vibe", you're going to want to spin this one.
The Budos Band ::FRONTIER'S EDGE [EP]:: Formerly with Daptone Records, members of the band formed a new label (Diamond West Records) and FRONTIER'S EDGE is their first release. Imagine all the soul and rightness of the old Sharon Jones and Charles Bradley records, but with a more desert/western rock n roll and psych feel.
Bush Tetras ::THEY LIVE IN MY HEAD:: Old school NY Underground veterans are still plugging away. Dark, dissonant, trippy guitars, rubbery basslines, and haunting female vocal melodies abound here, if you're into that sorta thing.
The Clientele ::I AM NOT THERE ANYMORE:: Merge Records veterans are out with a quintessential Merge record...low-key, lush string-arrangements over floating bass lines and hushed vocals. RIYL Galaxie 500, yo La Tengo, Luna, Felt.
Diesel Boy ::GETS OLD:: Santa Rosa CA pop-punk add another release under their belt over a 30-year career.
Heroin ::DISCOGRAPHY:: Influential 90s hardcore band's retrospective of recorded output all in one place.
Post Malone ::AUSTIN:: I prefer Pre-Malone.
Roger Bryan and the Orphans ::THAT'S LIFE!:: Buffalo NY's own brand of Replacements-esque bar rock. One of my favorite writers. Please help Roger out by giving him some streams!
Susto ::MY ENTIRE LIFE:: This band has been on a roll of good records since forever. This is likely no exception.

THE NEWS

Bre Kennedy ::SCREAM OVER EVERYTHING (SIDE A):: If you're looking for more music that straddles that line between top-40 Pop and the female indie empire currently being ruled by members of Boygenius, then this is a good salve.
Darlingside ::EVERYTHING IS ALIVE:: NPR describes them as "exquisitely-arranged, literary-minded, baroque folk-pop." Yeah. We'll go with that.
Elizabeth Moen ::FOR ARTHUR [EP]:: You may not know Moen by name, but she has toured in support of lots of acts you do; Hozier, Lake Street Drive, Ani DiFranco, St. Paul, Lucy Dacus, and served as the guitarist for Squirrel Flower on their 2021 tours, and as a vocalist with Kevin Morby on his 2022 tours. This record has lots of quiet moments with beautiful steel guitar and commanding vocals. Nice balance of that Millennial indie and twang. Bummer it's only 5 tracks.
Fly Anakin ::SKINEMAXXX (SIDE B):: Richmond VA hip hop by an artist who, per his spotify bio was "raised on a steady diet of "READY TO DIE" and SUPREME CLIENTELE."
Hailey Whitters ::I'M IN LOVE [EP]:: Imagine a version of Miranda Lambert who wanted to sound more like the early country version of Taylor Swift. There's a market for this sound and Hailey is filling it.
Kid Fears ::UNDYING LOVE:: Atlanta shoegaze band that "draws influence from Low and My Bloody Valentine as well as contemporary songwriters like Grouper, Midwife, and Dia Margaret."
Kyle Nix & the 38s ::AFTER THE FLOOD, VOL1:: The Turnpike Troubadours' fiddler, Kyle NIx is out with his first record, chock-full of Texas, Red-Dirt country and featuring former American Aquarium bassist Bill Corbin holding down the low end. This one has Waylon-esque phaser lead guitar and country stomp beats. Get some!
Jordan Moser ::PERIL:: Dude looks like a short-haired Yanni, but this record is surprising. It's folky and a songwriter's record...but also slickly-produced. Nice moments of steel guitar across a journey of the narrator's stages of grief. Turns out, he recorded his previous record LONG NIGHT in Fayetteville AR with my pal Eric Whittans at Homestead Recording. Wild!
Phoebe Hunt ::NOTHING ELSE MATTERS:: Man, this record is solo fiddle playing and singing...and it has that HIgh Lonesome Sound Mr. Monroe liked to talk about. Hunt has an Appalachian moan that complements the old wood sound of her fiddle nicely. This one is niche, for sure, but I am here for it!
Ten Tonnes ::DANCING, ALONE:: If you dig that glassy/chimey guitar pop with an 80s light rock megastar bent (think Young Guv), this is one you're going to want to cue up.

Friday, July 21st, 2023

On the heels of an incredible set by Duane Betts and Palmetto Motel last night. Their record was featured in last weeks release notes, and it's been in heavy rotation all week. Let's see if anything below competes!

Let me know if I am missing anything this week!

THE KNOWNS:

Andrew Bird ::OUTSIDE PROBLEMS:: Whistle while you work.
Bloc Party ::THE HIGH LIFE [EP]:: Party like it's the mid-aughts.
Blur ::THE BALLAD OF DARREN:: No 'WOO-HOOs!' on this more intimate offering by Blur.
Bruno Major ::COLUMBO:: This guy is apparently huge (over 5 mil monthly spotify listeners). I feel like I shouldn't be enjoying this record but I really am. Like, this would be the trajectory of Josh Ritter and Ben Kweller in a world with more balance.
Cut Worms ::CUT WORMS:: Brooklyn's Max Clarke is back with a masterclass in pop groove.
Greta Van Fleet ::STARCATCHER:: New music by the children of each member of Led Zeppelin, probably.
Guided by Voices ::WELSHPOOL FRILLIES:: The already-prolific Ohioans are out with their second LP of 2023.
Lori McKenna ::1988:: Released in 2023. McKenna is a songwriter's songwriter.
Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway ::CITY OF GOLD:: All you stoner prog bluegrass fans can have Billy Strings. I think Molly Tuttle plays circles around that Wook.
Nas ::MAGIC 2:: "This is Nas, y'all, you know how we run...I'm wavin' automatic guns at nuns..."
Voivod ::MORGOTH TALES:: Fuck yeah.

THE NEWS:

Allegra Kreiger ::I KEEP MY FEET ON THE FRAGILE PLANE:: There's a long line of indie/folkie females that sound like they were poured from the Phoebe Bridgers mold, and Kreiger fits well into that mold, but also strays from it. Some of the vocal phrasings remind me of Karly Hartzman from Wednesday, but the songs are quiet. Indeed, some of the tunes and finger-picking guitar make me think of Gregory and the Hawk. Lastly, listening to this repeatedly may also help with your allergies.
Charm School ::FINITE JEST [EP]:: Think 70s post-punk mixed with 90s Post rock and you'll be close. RIYL: The Jesus Lizard, Swans, Public Image Ltd., The Fall, Wire.
The Cucumbers ::OLD SHOES:: An indie-folk duo established in the 80s with intermittent releases between then and now. This is a pleasant, acoustic-driven record with great male+female harmonies and crisp production.
Erin Viancourt ::WON'T DIE THIS WAY:: Country music for people who hate modern country music. This one one is twangy, with lots of steel guitar and soul. She's already toured with Cody Jinks...I bet she's soon among the ranks of Margo Price and Brandy Carlisle.
Inhuman Condition ::PANIC PRAYER [EP]:: For folks who liked early 90s Metal a'la Pantera and Slayer.
John Donne ::HARD TIMES:: I can't find much on this artist, because, you know, Google 'John Donne', but this record is saccharine indie/bedroom pop. If there's any complaint, it's that there's not enough. These nine songs clock in at 28 minutes. But it is a lilting 28 minutes of slack that is not far off from some of the music Bonny Doon is producing.
Johnny's Uncalled Four ::THE LOST ALBUM:: Out on Daptone records, this 60s teen pop group would have been a great addition to any Buddy Holly show.
Kitba ::KITBA:: A contemporary of Allegra Kreiger above, hailing from the same NY music community. These two records are cut from the same cloth, but if you like music that leans more on the artsy side, spin this one first.
Miss Tiny ::DEN7 [EP]:: New project by Wet Leg producer Dan Carey. Very crisp sounding indie-slack rock out of NY.
Mort Garson ::JOURNEY TO THE MOON AND BEYOND:: Weird name: Check. Weird synth music: Check. For whatever reason though, this record slaps. It sounds like the score to an Austin Powers film, but unironically.
Mother Tongues ::LOVE IN A VICIOUS WAY:: Pop music from Toronto with psych and jangle undertones.
Nathanael Larochette ::OLD GROWTH:: If you can remember when Wyndam Hill released "new age" music such as the solo piano records of the late George Winston, this is like that, but Larochette plays acoustic guitar. Very pleasant.
The Penske File ::HALF GLOW:: RIYL Against Me!, The Dirty Nil, The Gaslight Anthem, The Flatliners, Menzingers.
Sunshine Convention ::SUNSHINE CONVENTION:: The jangliest and poppiest jangle pop I've heard all year. Sounds like primary songwriter Jake Whitener rifled through my record collection and landed on a sound that might best be described as a fuzzier, more lo-fi Cotton Mather meets the Bigger Lovers.
Upper Wilds ::JUPITER:: Brooklyn power trio RIYL The Men, Purling Hiss.

Friday, July 14th, 2023

Still reeling after seeing the record release show for Durham NC-based indie-country band Fust last night. Their latest, GENEVIEVE is currently my favorite record of 2023. I wonder if anything released today will challenge its spot up top?

Secondly - I am cataloging ALL of these posts on my blog. So if you want to look at the Grand list of 2023 Friday new releases, you can do so there.

Let me know if I am missing anything this week!

THE KNOWNS:

The Adolescents ::CAESAR SALAD DAYS:: So-Cal punk/hardcore band drops 15 tracks, clocking in at 35 minutes. Reminds me of the time a hardcore dude was making fun of my penchant for Allman Brothers & Pink Floyd extended jams and told me "If you can't say what you came to say in under 3 minutes, then you probably can't say it." Punk AF.
Blake Mills ::JELLY ROAD:: Grammy-winning producer (Alabama Shakes, Fiona Apple, Phoebe Bridgers) occasionally shows his chops on the other side of the board. JELLY ROAD, his 5th LP, has a lot of 'atmosphere' and sounds amazing.
Colter Wall ::LITTLE SONGS:: Country Music for fans who want Waylon, Willie, Cash, and Kris all at once.
Duane Betts ::WILD & PRECIOUS LIFE:: Debut LP by the sire of Southern Rock royalty, Dickey Betts, whose work with the Allman Brothers laid a bedrock for my own guitar playing. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree here, and given Duane's stint as a touring member of Dawes, this record sounds like a great blend of his father's and Dawe's influence. The opening track, "Evergreen" is already a banger!
Kool & the Gang ::PEOPLE JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN:: It's true. This record is a party.
Lukas Nelson & The Promise of the Real ::STICKS AND STONES:: You may have heard of his father, Willie. Believe me when I say you can hear Willie in Lukas' croak, but the music stands on its own. A nice blend of swagger-filled country and southern rock.
Palehound ::EYE ON THE BAT:: I wish when critics labeled something as "indie rock" that it sounded more like Palehound. The newest by songwriter El Kempner, is not out of place alongside some of the bands Palehound has toured with including Big Thief, Lucy Dacus, and Sylvan Esso. Kempner also collaborated with Jay Som's Melina Duterte in Bachelor.
Royston Langdon ::PRESIDENT ALIEN:: The former Spacehog frontman apparently knows how to milk a good thing for more (i.e., compare the album cover and album title for this solo release, and Spacehog's 1995 record RESIDENT ALIEN). The new solo record also includes an acoustic version of "In The Meantime" which, tbh, is missing that epic bass line.

THE NEWS:

Being Dead ::WHEN HORSES WOULD RUN:: The Texas-based surf-twang group's bandcamp bio is a trip. I encourage you to peruse it while checking out some tracks on this one.
Far Caspian ::THE LAST REMAINING LIGHT:: Energetic, garden-variety indie rock with great melodies. Usually a great equation for my ears, maybe yours too. Based in Leeds, Far Caspian's Joel Johnson self-produces and records all his work and seems to have a talent on both sides of the board.
Lead Pony ::LEAD PONY:: Rock n Roll from California. This one is a grower. The song "Sincerely" reminds me of The Sheepdogs a bit, and "Strangers" makes me think 'what if the DNA of Pete Yorn and U2 was mapped to make a new band?"
Marc Ribot's Ceramic Dog ::CONNECTION:: An album for guitar players, Ribot has worked with notables Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, Tift Merritt and T-Bone Burnett. Lots of weird, guitar-driven art rock here. Fans of Nels Cline will likely dig.
Night Beats ::RAJAN:: Have you ever been *out* for a night on the town, and it's getting to that 12:45 to 1:30 AM hour, you're feeling the haze of drink and bar-hopping across the city, ducking into bar after bar to shake off the cold of the night. Yeah. This record is the soundtrack to those nights, and should be what plays over a montage of the above scene. Really digging this sleepy-stoner-psych rock.
Temple of Angels ::ENDLESS PURSUIT:: Texas-based gothic indie-dream pop. Like Evanescence meets the Cure with some Interpol mixed in.
Vendetta ::Black As Coal:: Metallica's GARAGE DAYS REVISITED had covers of some stalwart German metal bands who heavily influenced Metallica on their rise. Flipping the script, Vendetta is a German metal band (contemporaries of Sodom and Kreator) who have been heavily influenced by the Bay Area metal sound made famous by Metallica and Megadeth. BLACK AS COAL sounds like LIGHTNING and PUPPETS-era Metallica and PEACE SELLS-era Megadeth.

Friday, July 7th, 2023

Hazy, Hot, and Humid. Welcome to July. I turned 45 earlier this week, and have spent most of it relaxing, drinking booze, punishing my body with indulgent food, and prepping for the first Dragmatic show next week. So yeah. Life.

We have a new playlist to capture all the noteworthy releases for the month of July 2023.

Let me know if I am missing anything this week!

THE KNOWNS:

ANOHNI and the Johnsons ::MY BACK WAS A BRIDGE FOR YOU TO CROSS:: After disbanding in 2015 as Antony and the Johnsons, ANOHNI has reformed the group but eschewing her dead name. Louder Than War has characterized the album as having "elements of American soul, British folk and experimental music."
Chris Stamey ::THE GREAT ESCAPE:: Stamey, who is well-known to power pop oldheads due to his work the dBs, is also a damn fine producer. I'm much more familiar with (and prefer) his work behind the board. Luckily for me, he also produced this record which features playing by dBs bandmate Peter Holsapple, Raleigh stalwart Caitlin Cary (harmonia), Mipso member Libby Rodenbaugh (violin, viola) and former Son Volter Eric Heywood on pedal steel guitar) on some tracks. If you know Stamey, then you know what you're getting here - a well-produced record of jangly power pop with cotton candy melodies and sugary vocal harmonies.
Conway the Machine ::CONWAY THE MACHINE PRESENTS: DRUMWORK THE ALBUM:: Buffalo NY's hip-hop royalty Conway the Machine is on fire with his THIRD release in 2023.
Local Natives ::TIME WILL WAIT FOR NO ONE:: Finding their footing in 2009, Local Natives crafted an indie rock sound slightly more under the radar than contemporaries Grizzly Bear, Fruit Bats, Broken Bells, and Delta Spirit.
PJ Harvey ::I INSIDE THE OLD YEAR:: The Queen of art rock reminds us all why she's royalty.
Taylor Swift ::SPEAK NOW (TAYLOR'S VERSION):: Another in a growing row of middle fingers to predatory record labels. Fuck yeah, Tay.

THE NEWS:

12Rods :: IF WE STAYED ALIVE:: Formed in 1992, and weathered breakups and reunions, 12Rods seems to bridge the space between early 90s "college rock" and early aughts indie. Lots of jangly guitars drenched in chorus pedals, tenor vocals, and just lush, dreamy melodies.
Alice Phoebe Lou ::SHELTER:: Singer/songwriter from Cape Town Africa now based in Berlin who has self-released four albums. RIYL Faye Webster, Big Thief, Julia Jacklin, Stella Donnelly.
Bad History Month ::DELUSION [EP]:: Based in Philly, Bad History Month is the project of Sean Sprecher that combines lo-fi, bedroom songs that range from what seem like demo snippets, to fully realized grunge songs. Definitely a collection of diamonds under the coal facade. Imagine Hayden made an album like Pavement's WESTING BY MUSKET AND SEXTANT...but it was only 7 songs.
The Far Outs ::THE FAR OUTS:: From their bandcamp page: "The FAR OUTS began as a side project to Brisbane’s Grand Atlantic as an outlet for songs that didn’t quite fit the format but still desperately needed a place to party. With influences ranging from the likes of The Kinks, The Sonics and The Easybeats, the group quickly established a reputation for their 60’s influenced Garage Rock - featuring blistering riffs, catchy choruses and drums akimbo." In short - sounds like Jet meets the Hives.
Longings ::DREAMS IN RED:: From Rough Trade: "Longings explore the dark passages of post-punk with an intricate and melodic edge. Both bleak and levitative, Dreams In Red aggressively conquers themes of frustration & isolation." This band sounds like all the aspects of Interpol, Franz Ferdinand, and British Sea Power that I love most. The electric guitar spanks all over these tunes with buzzsaw quality.
Miles Miller ::SOLID GOLD:: Kentucky-bred singer/songwriter drawn into the orbit of Sturgil Simpson, Tyler Childers, and Dave Cobb, the latter of which produced this record. Miller's sound leans more toward traditional pop country and less in the Americana realm. But he has a bell-clear tenor voice that I would love to hear front a bluegrass outfit.
Pigeon Wigs ::ROCK BY NUMBERS:: Fuzzy alt-rock from the bustling music scene in Cardiff.

Friday, June 30th, 2023

Six months from now, many of us will be frantically putting on the final touches on the list of our favorite albums of the year. Which of those that have been released to date are locks for your year-end faves? While you think on that, here's what dropped on Friday June 30th, 2023.

January 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-01
February 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-02
March 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-03
April 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 04
May 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 05
June 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 06

Don't forget to smash the heart/like/save icon on ths playlist so it shows up in your playlist list. Pro-Tip: I organize all the monthly playlists into a playlist folder which I can then minimize when I don't want these to take up too much real estate in my playlist list. You're welcome.

Let me know if I am missing anything this week!

THE KNOWNS:

The Baseball Project ::GRAND SALAMI TIME:: The supergroup featuring REMs MIike MIlls and Peter Buck, as well as Steve Wynn, Scott McCaughey, and Linda Pittmon still seems to be batting 1000 on their records. (see what I did there?)
JD Pinkus & Tall Tall Trees ::PONDER MACHINE:: Gothic banjo-driven rock by the longtime Buthole Surfer.
James & the Giants ::JAMES & THE GIANTS:: New release by the somehow still-prolific James Jackson Toth. RIYL lilting twangy rock with swagger.
Lucinda Williams ::STORIES FROM A ROCK N ROLL HEART:: Queen of Alt-County.
Natural Child ::BE M'GUEST:: Greazy rock n roll out of Nashville, TN.
The Pink Stones ::YOU KNOW WHO:: The Pink Stones INTRODUCING... from 2021 was one of my favorite releases of the year. The band is back with more cosmic American country. RIYL the BYRDS, Gram Parsons, and the state of Georgia.
Sweeping Promises ::GOOD LIVING IS COMING FOR YOU:: This one has apparently been highly anticipated.

THE NEWS:

FRND CRCL ::SUBURBAN DICTIONARY:: Shitty name but catchy pop punk. Their Spotify bio encourages you to text them at 856-666-2866. I'm such a sucker for music like this!
Grian Chatten ::CHAOS FOR THE FLY:: Solo effort by the vocalist of Fontaines DC. It's like that but more...chill and artsy?
Hataalii ::SINGING INTO DARKNESS:: The name, which is Navajo for "to sing" is described in their bio as - get this "tapping into the nihilism of The Replacements' Paul Westerberg as well as the gorgeously romantic sleaze of Chris Isaak..." I'm intrigued alone by that!
Hayden Pedigo ::THE HAPPIEST TIMES I'VE IGNORED:: If you asked someone to paint a landscape of the Texas panhandle, but musically with an acoustic guitar, this is what you would get. Gorgeous, western rustic atmospheric music.
The Jins ::IT'S A LIFE:: Vancouver BC-based grunge trio that looks and pays homage to a Seattle-based grunge trio from the 90s. This is a fun one!
Joanna Sternberg ::I'VE GOT ME:: Bedroom folk from a songwriter who attended a music and arts high school and the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music. It's nothing earth shattering, but it is intentional! Digging it so far!
Loma Prieta ::LAST:: RIYL At The Drive In.
Shady Bug ::WHAT'S THE USE?:: Self-described as "artful noise". Leans more on the "artful" than "noise" imho.
Spine ::RAICES:: KC hardcore...and I mean hardcore!
Suzie True ::SENTIMENTAL SCUM:: What if the Powerpuff Girls started a Blink 182 cover band?

Friday, June 23rd, 2023

I'm way late posting these June 23 releases since I was too busy eating All-Dressed Chips in Canada that week, and then returned to the states just in time to ramp-up for my 45th birthday. But thanks to the Wayback Machine, I was able to pull the list of last week's releases. Here are the ones that sounded good to me.

January 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-01
February 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-02
March 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-03
April 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 04
May 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 05
June 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 06

Don't forget to smash the heart/like/save icon on ths playlist so it shows up in your playlist list. Pro-Tip: I organize all the monthly playlists into a playlist folder which I can then minimize when I don't want these to take up too much real estate in my playlist list. You're welcome.

Let me know if I am missing anything this week!

THE KNOWNS:

Albert Hammond Jr. ::MELODIES ON HIATUS:: One quarter of the Strokes delivers more Strokes-adjacent music.
Amanda Shires & Bobbie Nelson ::LOVING YOU:: A sweet album of classic country covers from two women who are more than just "Jason Isbell's wife" and "Willie Nelson's sister."
Candlebox ::LIVE AT THE NEPTUNE:: TIL - Candlebox is still a band. Can you guess what the closer on this record is? Also, it's all acoustic.
Dan Tyminski ::GOD FEARING HEATHEN:: Known for his work with Alison Krauss, and as the frontman of the 'Soggy Bottom Boys', you're no doubt familiar with Tyminski's high-tenor voice and driving bluegrass. Looking forward to this one!
Kelly Clarkson ::CHEMISTRY:: All the song titles are lower-case just like Tay. And it's a divorce record. So it's probably gonna be amazing.
Lloyd Cole ::ON PAIN:: DYK that Matthew Sweet played bass in Cole's 1st post-Commotions band, alongside Sweet stalwarts Fred Maher and Robert Quine?!?!?
M. Ward ::SUPERNATURAL THING:: Sad white guy indie folk.
Portugal the Man ::CHRIS BLACK CHANGED MY LIFE:: Endearing album paying tribute to a band friend.
Power Trip ::LIVE IN SEATTLE:: A slick-sounding live record from one of Metal's best.
Straight No Chaser ::YACHT ON THE ROCKS:: Acapella yacht rock faves. My dad is gonna shit when he hears this!
The Watson Twins ::HOLLER:: Louisville, KY identical twins who, believe it or not, make twangy, Americana music without Jenny Lewis.
Wye Oak ::EVERY DAY LIKE THE LAST:: The Durham-based duo getting back to basics.

THE NEWS:

Anna Shoemaker ::HEY ANNA [EP]:: Alternative/Indie Rock has a deep bench of clever and angsty female artists making good music. Count Anna Shoemaker among them. The Philly turned Brooklyn NY songwriter would fit nicely on any playlist that includes boygenius, Lucy Dacus, Phoebe Bridgers and other writers of that ilk. Shoemaker isn't reinventing the wheel here, but I'd argue that she's at least helping to grease the bearings.
BusCrates ::CONTROL CENTER:: Pittsburgh's Orlando "BusCrates" Marshall pulls from his father's record collection to create tunes inspired by classic boom-bap hip-hop and the endlessly colorful world of synth-crazy post-disco boogie-funk. It's like if DJ Shadow leaned heavy on 70s smooth disco.
Cable Ties ::ALL HER PLANS:: Scrappy, lo-fi, hi-energy Australian punk rock.
Corvair ::BOUND TO BE:: Husband and wife band out of Portland OR. The bio says "Corvair sounds like nothing you've ever heard and everything you've always loved." Sure, Jan... Though you should listen and judge for yourself.
Cory Hanson ::WESTERN CUM:: Know for his work with the psych-rock band Wand and Ty Segal, I feel like this record title may wind up being a sticky wicket for a lot of folks. But I *implore* you to listen to the opening track. It's gorgeous guitar-heavy power pop!
Dee Calhoun ::OLD SCRATCH COMES TO APPALACHIA:: This dude is from near where I used to live and his music sounds like Days of the New as interpreted by an unhinged Ted Nugent fan. Not including this one on the larger playlist...
Devon Allman & Donavon Frankenreiter ::ROLLERS [EP]:: The son of Greg Allman doesn't fall far from the Hammond B3, apparently.
High Priest ::INVOCATION:: Four-piece stoner-rock band from Chicago. *High* Priest; *Stoner*-rock. Get it? The music fucks, tho. Sounds like Alice in Chains , but stoner doom.
Johnna Samuels ::BYSTANDER:: A lil bit indie, a lil bit twang/Americana. Ripe stuff for a lot of folk like me.
Martin Frawley ::THE WANNABE:: Really nice jangle power pop from Melbourne Australia. Frawley was a member of Melbourne band the Twerps who disbanded in 2018.
Militarie Gun ::LIFE UNDER THE GUN:: Hook-laden LA rock n roll with a gruff-voiced singer. Think a poppier version of Gaslight Anthem.
Nat Myers ::YELLOW PERIL:: Korean-American from Kenton County Kentucky who writes and plays rootsy blues. Recorded at the 100 year-old home of Dan Auerbach.
Pardoner ::PEACE LOVING PEOPLE:: San Fran post-punk, but poppy and melodic.
Tommy Prine ::THIS FAR SOUTH:: Yes. It's his son. And this record was produced by pal Ruston Kelly. You can tell when you listen to it, too.

Friday, June 16th, 2023

Halfway through the sixth month, which means we're damn near the halfway through 2023. What's been filling your ear holes the most? Well, here are some more records to contend with them...

January 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-01
February 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-02
March 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-03
April 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 04
May 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 05
June 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 06

Don't forget to smash the heart/like/save icon on ths playlist so it shows up in your playlist list. Pro-Tip: I organize all the monthly playlists into a playlist folder which I can then minimize when I don't want these to take up too much real estate in my playlist list. You're welcome.

Let me know if I am missing anything this week!

The Knowns:

Bettye Lavette ::LAVETTE!:: When asked what keeps her going she replied "I ain't got no fucking other plan." Cheers to this absolute badass.
Bonny Doon ::LET THERE BE MUSIC:: Detroit's most loveable slack-rockers.
Bright Eyes ::CASSADAGA: A COMPANION EP:: This fuckin guy, amirite?
Deer Tick ::EMOTIONAL CONTRACTS:: I've never really listened to these dudes, but I like em. Nice heartland rock y Americana y alt-country.
Drive By Truckers ::THE COMPLETE DIRTY SOUTH:: Remastered, and with some tracks the vocals were re-cut. This is the record as originally imagined.
Gov't Mule ::PEACE...LIKE A RIVER:: Guitar gods still exist.
Killer Mike ::MICHAEL:: Hip-hop legend, social justice warrior, and overall American sweetheart. ATL as fuck.
King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard ::PETRODRAGONIC APOCALYPSE: OR, DAWN OF ETERNAL NIGHT: AN ANNIHILATION OF PLANET EARTH AND THE BEGINNING OF MERCILESS DAMNATION:: There are more words in the album title than there are songs on the record.
Kool Keith ::BLACK ELVIS 2:: This is Kool Keith's **SECOND** record in 2023!
Meshell Ndegeocello ::THE OMNICHORD REAL BOOK:: Known for her bass-playing on John Mellencamp’s cover of “Wild Night,: Ndegeocello is a hell of a songwriter in her own right, combining a progressive mix of Jazz, R&B, Soul, and Hip Hop.
Queens of the Stone Age ::IN TIMES NEW ROMAN:: Ok.
Sigur Ros ::ATTA:: Heilagur skítur!
Son Volt ::DAY OF THE DOUG:: Son Volt's tribute album to Doug Sahm. Hell, I credit Jay Farrar with introducing me to Sahm when Uncle Tupelo covered "Give Back The Key To My Heart" on 1994's ANODYNE. So this is probably gonna be good.

The News:

Boris and Uniform ::BRIGHT NEW DISEASE:: Japanese sludge/doom rock (Boris) meets NY hardcore (Uniform).
Far From Saints ::FAR FROM SAINTS:: Kelly Jones (Stereophonics), with Austin's Patty Lynn and Swight Baker (The Wind and the Wave) created a cross-genre sound that spans country, rock, folk, & Americana.
Fust ::GENEVIEVE:: Durham, NC-based Fust was another band brought to my attention from my longtime musical pal Ryan Kennemur. The latest by the indie country-rock band led by Durham’s Aaron Dowdy features Michael Cormier-O’Leary of Friendship, Indigo de Souza and Wednesday members Jake Lenderman and Xandy Chelmis, both of whom contribute pedal steel action to the record. Ryan says he hears notes of Ruston Kelly and Pinegrove. I added that the track "Violent Jubilee" sounds like the love child of Jay Farrar and Justin Vernon singing over a Pinegrove B-side. Just slow-core, twangy indie rock with soaring vocal melodies and sad, sad, steel guitar c/o Xandy Chelmis.
Home is Where ::THE WHALER:: Garden variety, but good, indie rock. Like, the kind that gave the genre it’s name.
Horsehead ::SUNDOGS DANCING IN THE EARLY MORNING LIGHT:: Horsehead first hit my radar back in 2012 when their twangy, heartland rock record SYMPATHETIC VIBRATIONS was passed along to me from "Showtime" Ryan Kennemur. The "alt-country" (whatever that is) torch lit by bands I'd cut my teeth on some 20 years prior hadn't really been picked up by anyone in the 2010s...and SYMPATHETIC VIBRATIONS definitely scratched that itch! Every three years, Horsehead kicked out another no-frills rock record with the hints of twang in all the right places. When I moved to Richmond in late 2015, I went to every Horsehead show and eventually made friends with the OG members, Jon C. Brown and Kevin Inge. I learned through our pre- and post-show chats that their musical relationship was very similar to mine and hetero-life-mate, the aforementioned Ryan Kennemur, who, like Jon and Kevin, I'd been writing and playing music with for decades. In fact, I learned that they used to drive to Greenville NC (which is name-checked in "Darkened Streets" on SYMPATHETIC VIBRATIONS) to play shows while Ryan and I were both in college there...tho we somehow never caught them live. Anyway, the "an album every three-ish years" streak broke in 2018 after Jon recovered from a health scare, and then the world shut down two years later. The way I see it, we now have TWICE the album in SUNDOGS given that it's been nearly six years since PAGENT WAVE, the band's 2018 release, came out. And lookit, SUNDOGS is a banger. It opens *HOT* with Brown's and Inge's guitars bringing more crunch than a gravel road. This record has guitar hooks galore. Great vocal harmonies, and goddamn horns. I don't feel bashful saying this might be Horsehead's fullest record to date. Definitely worth your time.
Rodeo Boys ::HOME MOVIES:: Queer rock n roll band from Lansing Michigan that combines southern twang, punk, and 90s grunge.
Sad Palomino ::ASLEEP IN THE SADDLE:: Don't let the band name or album title fool you; Sad Palomino isn't a western band. Indeed, they're a unique alt-rock outfit that has been haunting small venues in Fayetteville Arkansas for the past 10 ish years. This record was a LONG time in the making, as drummer Dick Darden has been touring extensively with fellow Arkansawyer Dylan Earl nationally and overseas. Also, producer Will Eubanks (my former bandmate in Damn Arkansan) had a lot of life happen during the making of this record. Indeed, since Sad Pal's self-titled 2017 release and the release of ASLEEP, Eubanks got married, moved into my old house as my tenant with his new wife, had a daughter with said wife, got divorced from said wife, moved out of my house (which I've since sold), got remarried, and has baby Eubanks #2 due in the next month or so. Suffice to say he also shoulders some of the delay in releasing this record (which has been 'in the can' for a couple years now minus a few tweaks). It was well worth the wait. This record *sounds* amazing. It has a crunchy/grungy guitar tone - at least to the naked ear. Though really the guitars are clean and the bass is distorted...but together, it provides this lush baseline of guitar and bass melody that pops as hard as Darden's drums. Despite being Millennials, Sad Pal's songs sound like something off MTV's 120 Minutes from back in the 90s.

Friday, June 9th, 2023

Bunch of fuck all out this week. Guess it was a good week for Jason Isbell and Jenny Lewis, as there wasn’t much else competing with their releases this week.

January 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-01
February 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-02
March 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-03
April 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 04
May 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 05
June 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 06

Don't forget to smash the heart/like/save icon on ths playlist so it shows up in your playlist list. Pro-Tip: I organize all the monthly playlists into a playlist folder which I can then minimize when I don't want these to take up too much real estate in my playlist list. You're welcome.

Let me know if I am missing anything this week!

The Knowns:

Janelle Monae ::THE AGE OF PLEASURE:: Damn right.
Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit ::WEATHERVANES:: **Surprisingly** good release from Isbell. This one is self-produced, and the *sound* on Weathervanes is way more organic than the last couple Dave Cobb-produced records. If, like me, you've recently quit Isbell, listen to this record before you fully walk away. "When We Were Close" is a great tune about the late Justin Townes Earle. Maybe start there.
Jenny Lewis ::JOY'ALL:: Unlike WEATHERVANES above, this one *was* produced by Dave Cobb. Though it doesn't sound sterile like Isbell's last few.
Jess Williamson ::TIME AIN'T ACCIDENTAL:: Imagine Linda Ronstadt makes a minimalist breakup record.
Laura Cantrell ::JUST LIKE A ROSE: THE ANNIVERSARY SESSIONS:: A real singer/songwriter's singer/songwriter. Some good twang on this one.
My Morning Jacket ::MMJ LIVE VOL. 3: BONNAROO 2004 [RETURN TO THUNDERDOME]:: Usually don't include live releases, but this is a band captured at the height of their game.
Spoon ::MEMORY DUST [EP]:: [JUNE 13TH] Three songs that began during the same sessions that produced Spoon’s 2022 album LUCIFER ON THE SOFA.
Youth Lagoon ::HEAVEN IS A JUNKYARD:: Meh. But I know some folks who really love this outfit.

The News:

Anna St. Louis ::IN THE AIR:: Hailing from Kansas City (but with a name like St. Louis?!?!), now residing in LA, this sounds like it is a female companion to Detroit slack rockers Bonny Doon. This is twangier and folkier. Lots of sweet, sweet pedal steel guitar here.
Black Rainbows ::SUPERSKULL:: Stoner/Space rock from Europe influenced by 90s stoner space rock. Think Kyuss meets Corrosion of Conformity.
Cooper Wolken ::CHAPTERS:: This is some weird-ass, noisy, lo-fi indie, but it has a flavor to it. Definitely a DIY ethos at work. Check out "Dumb Luck" if you don't listen to anything else.
feeble little horse ::GIRL WITH FISH:: Pittsburgh PeeYay quartet producing straight grunge. This one hits. Their bio describes them as "pittsburgh guitar music available for funerals, wakes, and any equestrian events."
Lightning Dust ::NOSTALGIA KILLER:: Dark and synth-friendly indie rock duo that started out as a side project by members of Vancouver's Black Mountain. RIYL David Berman and his ilk.
Squid ::O MONOLITH:: Brighton England quintet RIYL Shame, Protomartyr.
Sumbuck ::LUCKY:: Solo project from Taylor Meier of Caamp. R&B and 70s-pop influenced indie. Track 2, "How Long" has a dang flute solo.

Friday, June 2nd, 2023

I've been out of pocket the past few weeks with travel to Cleveland and back to PA to see the fam that I've missed doing my Friday release lists. So I compiled the next two at once…forgive me if I missed some bangers.

January 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-01
February 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-02
March 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-03
April 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 04
May 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 05

Now we add a June 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 06

Don't forget to smash the heart/like/save icon on ths playlist so it shows up in your playlist list. Pro-Tip: I organize all the monthly playlists into a playlist folder which I can then minimize when I don't want these to take up too much real estate in my playlist list. You're welcome.

Let me know if I am missing anything this week!

The Knowns:

Ben Folds ::WHAT MATTERS MOST:: If you only listen to the track "Kristine from the 7th Grade" it'll be worth your time.
Ben Harper ::WIDE OPEN LIGHT:: New music from an artist who has definitely carved out a unique niche among his generation.
Bob Dylan ::SHADOW KINGDOM:: I wish I liked Bob Dylan. This is a collection of his early songs, but sung with a much older voice. It's 'meh' to me, but the "It's *BOB DYLAN*, tho!!" crowd will love it.
Buckcherry ::VOL. 10:: Hard Rock sleazeballs get older, sleazier.
Bully ::LUCKY FOR YOU:: This record fucking slaps. Songs from it keep shuffling up on my spotify recommendations, and I've yet to hear a bad track on it. Seeing Bully on June 16th in Raleigh opening for the Pixies. Pretty pumped. This one may easily land on my year-end favorites list!
Cowboy Junkies ::SUCH FEROCIOUS BEAUTY:: They still got it.
Cowboys In The Campfire ::WRONGER:: New band name, same ol loveable rascal Tommy Stinson (The Replacements, Bash & Pop). This is a more stripped-down vehicle for Stinson's writing. And the songs with the most energy have lack the melody of the slower cuts. A solid B- from me, dawg, but I'll take Bash and Pop any day!
Drew Holcolmb and the Neighbors ::STRANGERS NO MORE:: [JUNE 7TH] Wistful and moody Americana not out of place on a Gregory Alan Isaacov and/or Ray Lamontagne RIYL comp.
Foo Fighters ::BUT HERE WE ARE:: Dismiss this band at your own peril. This record is excellent.
Gringo Star ::ON AND ON AND GONE:: Atlanta garage rock y doo wop y BritPop stalwarts are still kickin.
The Hollywood Vampires ::LIVE IN RIO:: Alice Cooper, Joe Perry, and Johnny Depp walk into a bar...
Kenny Rogers ::LIFE IS LIKE A SONG:: RIP to this legend. Give his first posthumous release a spin.
Louise Post ::SLEEPWALKER:: One of the main voices of Veruca Salt is out here showing these kids coming up how it's done!
Nickelback ::GET ROLLIN (DELUXE):: Let's get this circus on down the road... (not included on the playlist).
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds ::COUNCIL SKIES:: Rock music for wankers, tossers, and cunts.
Protomartyr ::FORMAL GROWTH IN THE DESERT:: Detroit post-punk quartet delivers more gritty, burly tunes.
Rancid ::TOMORROW NEVER COMES:: I am typing all of this with a snarl and a spiked mohawk.
Roger Waters ::THE LOCKDOWN SESSIONS:: I saw the YouTube versions of these tunes which were recorded remotely by the musicians during COVID lockdown. This is one of the best, and only "live" versions of "Two Suns in the Sunset" and "The Gunner's Dream" from my absolute favorite record by the Floyd: THE FINAL CUT. So much of Waters' public commentary as of late (RE: Ukraine) has been icky AF, but fuck this dude can still jam.
Rufus Wainwright ::FOLKOCRACY:: ok.
Tanya Tucker ::SWEET WESTERN SOUND:: Tanya has been singing good country music for 51 years. Her latest continues the streak. Produced by Brandi Carlisle and Shooter Jennings.
Terry Ohms ::ROCK SONGS:: This is the 13th (!!!) solo release from the Vulture Whale frontman.

The News:

The Aces ::I'VE LOVED YOU FOR SO LONG:: I mean, this is just pleasant pop music from an all-female outfit based out of Provo, UT.
American Nightmare ::DEDICATED TO THE NEXT WORLD [EP]:: Hardcore stalwarts formed in 2000, disbanded and then regrouped in 2011 are back with a too-short EP of emotional, riff-laden hardcore.
Beach Fossils ::BUNNY:: Chimey, reverb-laden indie pop, RIYL Real Estate, DIIV, Cloud Nothings, and other mid-aughts bands of that ilk.
Body Type ::EXPIRED CANDY:: Australian, all-female indie-pop band with lots of catchy melodies and hooks.
Comet Gain ::THE MISFIT JUKEBOX:: Comet Gain frontman David Christian leveraged his free time during the COVID lockdown to dig through the considerable Comet Gain archive of jangly, clangy, BritPop and shared new compilations of outtakes, demos, live recordings and simply forgotten and never released hits every Bandcamp Friday. "The Misfit Jukebox" is now a compilation of these compilations on LP for the 1st time.
Dead Billionaires ::DISASTER PREPAREDNESS COLORING BOOK:: Another band scuffing up stages in and around Richmond, Virginia, the Dead Billionaires have leveraged their anger at the American social landscape over the past several years and harnessed it into anthemic indie pop protest songs. With sing-along choruses like "I don't wanna be a pawn no more" from "Pink Slip/White Truck" and "Fuck white supremacy wherever it stands, I don't want to use pointy words again" from "15 Words" - a thee-minute song where the first two minutes are wordless, building to the chorus, which repeats over and over for the next 45 seconds of the song before it crashes to an end. Then there's "Checks" with the chorus "let's use our welfare checks to play the lottery, use the winnings for our new frontal lobotomies. Try to forget the troubles of the working people's blues, get too drunk and watch the evening news." The only downside about this record is that it is only 7 songs.
Gal Pal ::THIS AND OTHER GESTURES:: Wistful, female-led indie-rock out of LA.
Gorgeous ::SAPSUCKER:: Noise punk songs about technological dread, literal and figurative monsters, liars, dreamers, and true believers.
Hellwitch ::ANNIHILATIONAL INTERCENTION:: Speed metal as fuck. Formed in 1984. So, it's like that. And this is probably what Metallica *wished* they did with 72 SEASONS (which is still a great record in its own right).
JD Darling ::LOOKING FORWARD THINKING BACK:: Pop country that sounds closer to Sawyer Brown than Kane Brown.
Reckless Son ::RECKLESS SON:: A songwriter's songwriter with smart lyrics over melodies that don't rock the boat. The RIYL of Carter Sampson is what sold me.
The Royston Club ::SHAKING HIPS AND CRASHING CARS:: What if the Strokes were Gen-Z Brits? It would be this.
RVG ::BRAIN WORMS:: Indie darlings whose debut record landed on many year-end best lists, and who have toured supporting the Pixies, Kurt Vile, Camp Cope and others. Pretty sure the name stands for Ruth Vader Ginsburg. The lead singer was quoted as saying "if we could only make one more album, it would be this one."
Ruen Brothers ::TEN PACES:: If you're on the YepRoc mailing list, you'd think they're betting the house on the Ruen Brothers (and Jobi Riccio). The band's spotify bio refers to this album as "neo-noir gold."
Sam Blasucci ::OFF MY STARS:: 70s inspired pop rock by a member of Mapache. The opening track is a hell of a grocery store jam.
The Stools ::R U SAVED?:: Detroit garage rock inspired by the Stooges and MC5.

Friday, May 26th, 2023

Here's the Memorial Day Weekend new releases that SLAP and/or FUCK from Friday May 26, 2023.

January 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-01
February 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-02
March 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-03
April 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 04
May 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 05

Don't forget to smash the heart/like/save icon on ths playlist so it shows up in your playlist list. Pro-Tip: I organize all the monthly playlists into a playlist folder which I can then minimize when I don't want these to take up too much real estate in my playlist list. You're welcome.

Let me know if I am missing anything this week!

THE KNOWNS:

Charley Crockett ::THE MAN FROM WACO REDUX:: Marty Robbins-inspired takes from Crockett's classic 2022 record.
The Dirty Nil ::FREE REIN TO PASSIONS:: Blistering arena rock from a tight Toronto power trio. The band's 2018 release MASTER VOLUME is an all-timer for me.
The Exploding Hearts ::GUITAR ROMANTIC:: Expanded and remastered LP from Portland punk/power-pop band whose run came to a tragic end in 2003 when a van accident killed several members of the band, just as their career was taking off.
Fishbone ::FISHBONE [EP]:: Somewhere in Ohio my pal Ryan Gear is skankin to this EP.
Isaac Alexander ::COUNTRY MCGHEE:: I used to describe Isaac Alexander to my uninitiated friends as “imagine if Jeff Tweedy never started writing bad songs, and was from Little Rock.” I think that holds. Isaac has been a busy man t his year. In January he released FUTURE SANCTUARY, a stellar, 24-song double LP, and today he is back with COUNTRY MCGHEE, 11 new songs recorded at Cinderella Sound — a space with shag carpet on the walls that just happens to be Nashville’s oldest running independent studio — with the accompaniment of legendary session players like Wayne Moss, Lloyd Green, Charlie McCoy and Hargus “Pig” Robbins.
Kevin Morby ::MORE PHOTOGRAPHS (A CONTINUUM):: People who like Morby will like this, probably.
Metal Church ::CONGREGATION OF ANNIHILATION:: The band Metal Church is two years younger than me and still rip hard AF. Sometimes you don't need to tune your guitars to C# and make unintelligible guttural growling noises into the mic to make good heavy metal.
Miya Folick ::ROACH:: Folick crafts saccharine and infections pop songs, and shows up as a RIYL for a lot of artists that have been on these lists of late.

THE NEWS:

Radiator Hospital ::CAN'T MAKE ANY PROMISES:: Released Thursday May 25th, this full-band vehicle for Sam Cook-Parrott's songwriting gets assists (both touring and recording) from members of Waxahatchee and Swearin (who's Kyle Gilbride produced the record). If you've paid any attention to the Philly indie scene over the past year, this record fits in well.
Alex Pester ::BETTER DAYS:: Indie, acoustic chamber pop from Bath, England. Lots of pretty acoustic guitar melodies with accompanying piano and string arrangements. Very pleasant listen.
The Barnestormers ::THE BARNESTORMERS:: Classic rockabilly from a supergroup of Jimmy Barnes, Jools Holland, Chris Cheney, Slim Jim Phantom, and Kevin Shirley.
Geraldine ::PAW PAW:: Oldtime stringband by a buncha dang kids out of Balitmore.
Oceanlord ::KINGDOM COLD:: Australian stoner rock. KINGDOM COLD is 6 songs and 41 minutes. Do that math.
Struck ::FREAK FREQUENCY:: Post punk that kinda sounds like Shame and 9frmrly 'British') Sea Power did a collab.
Twin Princess ::BLOOD MOON:: Philadelphia-based "synth pop/doom country". Yes. You read that right. Get through the opening minute of "Flood", the lead-off track, and the sweetest steel guitar comes in after a vocal intro. This record is just a wild soundscape!

Friday, May 19th, 2023

Here's the spate of interesting new releases that dropped on Friday May 19, 2023.

Reminder, I have created monthly Spotify playlists of all the new releases highlighted in this running thread. Here's where you can get all the 2023 new releases of interest since the first week of January:

January 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-01
February 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-02
March 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-03
April 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 04
May 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 05

Don't forget to smash the heart/like/save icon on this playlist so it shows up in your playlist list. Pro-Tip: I organize all the monthly playlists into a playlist folder which I can then minimize when I don't want these to take up too much real estate in my playlist list. You're welcome.

Let me know if I am missing anything this week!

THE KNOWN:

Kesha ::GAG ORDER:: I'm not the biggest fan of her music, but she is a straight badass, and I'd drop damn near everything for an opportunity to see her in concert.
Sufjan Stevens ::REFLECTIONS:: SufYAWN out with yet another record that is NOT another notch in the "50 States Project" bestpost. This release is just solo piano. No vocals. And it's beautiful, but also fuck Sufjan Stevens.
Yes ::MIRROR TO THE SKY:: Purveyors of prog rock put forth a new one.
Califone ::VILLAGERS:: For those of us wanting to revisit our early-aughts indie fix.
The Milk Carton Kids ::I ONLY SEE THE MOON:: A modern-day Simon and Garfunkel with a filter of Gillian Welch and David Rawlings.
Graham Nash ::NOW:: I mean, okay. The track "Golden Idols" is a nice shitpost on MAGA, for what that's worth. Still trying to teach the children well, I see.
Robert Ellis ::YESTERDAY'S NEWS:: in 2019, Ellis released TEXAS PIANO MAN to pretty decent acclaim. I know several folk reading this post will be excited about this one. And for the uninitiated, Ellis is a songwriter in the vein of Justin Townes Earle, John Fulbright, Slaid Cleaves and other sad white guys of that ilk.
Brandy Clark ::BRANDY CLARK:: Slate once proclaimed that Clark is "one of the greatest living short-story song writers in country."
Horse Jumper of Love ::HEARTBREAK RULES:: Boston-based indie twang.
The Wedding Present ::24 SONGS:: Statistically speaking, this band should have been divorced and remarried by now...
Marty Stuart ::ALTITUDE:: Talk about an artist who has recaptured his career and taken it where he wants to go... Armed with Clarence White's famous Parsons/White stringbender guitar (which allows him to make pedal-steel guitar-like sounds on an electric guitar), Stuart shines on ALTITUDE along his band, The Fabulous Superlatives (who fucking earn that name every day). This record is chock-full of shit-hot chick'n pickin that sounds like SWEETHEART OF THE RODEO-era Byrds.
Raul Malo ::SAY LESS:: Frontman of the Mavericks is out with another.

THE NEWS:

Alex Lahey ::THE ANSWER IS ALWAYS, YES:: Pop music has not been my thing for a long while, but this Alex Lahey record has a certain je ne sais quoi that reminds me of some of the better grunge and post-grunge from the mid-to-late 90s that I grew up listening to. This is pretty slick, but it still hits. And playing "spot the influence" is kinda fun. The second track "Congratulations" sorta sounds like Avril Levigne impersonating Nirvana, and the following track "You'll Never Get Your Money Back" sounds a bit homage-y to the Strokes.
Lewis Capaldi ::BROKEN BY DESIRE TO BE HEAVENLY SENT:: I'm not adding this one to the playlist, but it's worth mentioning. Capaldi's ascension in the world of pop music is unprecedented. And he's funny AF (follow him on TikTok). Lastly, I *DARE* you to watch his video for "Wish You The Best" and not bawl your eyes out.
bar italia ::TRACEY DENIM:: Moody Post-Punk from the UK. I hear strands of Interpol here ("punkt") and believe it or not, GISH-era Smashing Pumpkins ("my kiss era"). And they're apparently a big-ish deal, so says NME.
The Murlocs ::CALM YA FARM:: Shiiiiiiit. This is a swampy one. Neo 70s Southern Rock from Melbourne Australia. They sound like a mishmash of Natural Child and The Sheepdogs.
Hanna Jadagu ::APERTURE:: Sub Pop artist who takes inspiration from Snail Mail and Phoenix. Other TIYLs include Blondshell, Miya Folick, and PACKS.
Sarabeth Tucek ::JOAN OF ALL:: Tucek came on the scene in 2003 singing a set of duets with Bill Callahan on Smog's SUPPER. That influence is here, but a bit more animated. So maybe "chamber indie pop" best describes this.
Leith Ross ::TO LEARN:: This has a Bon Iver meets Phoebridgers quality to it that I don't hate. And the song "Orlando" is giving off HEAVY Gregory and the Hawk vibes.
Hotwax ::A THOUSAND TIMES:: UK punk trio forging post-punk, grunge, and alt-rock...and these three ladies are barely out of high school!
Motorama ::SLEEP, AND I WILL SING:: New-wave/post-punk band from Rostov-on-Don Russia.
PONY ::VELVETEEN:: Nice list of RITLs including: Bully, Charly Bliss, Weakened Friends, Dazy, Gladie, and Young Guv.
Foyer Red ::YARN THE HOURS AWAY:: Per the band's bio: "playfully chaotic arrangements which bridge art, punk, math rock, and sweetly-sung indie with a dash of the zoomies." They also refer to their sound as "crayon rock" which I adore.
Divining Rod ::SANTA MONICA & OTHER GOLDEN CLASSICS [EP]:: Straight-ahead alt-country/americana.
GracieHorse ::LA SHIT:: Americana-tinged indie from a more cynical perspective.
Lauren Early ::DON'T TAKE MY DREAM AWAY:: Millennial slack rock from LA. I kept trying to find reasons to leave this off the list but then found something catchy in the songs that kept my attention.
Paper Bee ::THAW, FREEZE, THAW:: RIYLs include Swearin, Gladie, P.S. Eliot, Worriers, and Greg Mendez. Pretty great alt/indie rock.
Saloon Dion ::MUCKERS [EP]:: High-energy UK post-punk from a band with as catchy a name as I've seen in a while.

Friday, May 12th, 2023

April showers are still bringing May Records. Here's what grew out of the New Release soil for Friday May 12th.

January 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-01
February 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-02
March 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-03
April 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 04
May 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 05

Don't forget to smash the heart/like/save icon on ths playlist so it shows up in your playlist list. Pro-Tip: I organize all the monthly playlists into a playlist folder which I can then minimize when I don't want these to take up too much real estate in my playlist list. You're welcome.

Let me know if I am missing anything this week!

THE KNOWNS:

Belinda Carlisle ::KISMET [EP]:: You should totally GO GO listen to this.
Dropkick Murphys ::OKEMAH RISING:: Like Willco, Billy Bragg, and New Multitudes before them, longtime Beantowners picked up some acoustic guitars and set them to previously unreleased Woody Guthrie lyrics.
Johnny Polonsky ::RISE OF THE REBEL ANGELS:: well-known producer and session player for all things alt-rock and power pop is out with another solo record.
Libby Rodenbough (Mipso) ::BETWEEN THE BLADES:: Representing my native NC, the former member of Mipso is out with her sophomore release. It's really really nice.
Mike Gordon ::FLYING GAMES:: Gordon is the bassist of Phish. Probably all I need to say here.
Moby ::RESOUND NYC:: TIL Moby was still alive and making music.
Parker Millsap ::NEVER ENOUGH:: Hailing from Oklahoma, a singer-songwriter's singer-songwriter.
Pinegrove ::MONTCLAIR (LIVE AT THE WELLMONT THEATRE):: Possibly the band's swan song, which is fine considering this is Pinegrove at the absolute top of their game.
The Salt Collective ::LIFE:: The band name is new, but the members aren't. The Salt Collective is a collab between Matthew Caws (Nada Surf) and Juliana Hatfield (Juliana Hatfield Three, The Blake Babies), and it is as amazing as you would expect it to be! Other collaborators include Matthew Sweet, Mitch Easter, Peter Holsapple, Richard Lloyd, and Pat Sansone (Wilco). All produced by Chris Stamey.

THE NEWS:

Alfie Firmin ::ABSENTEE:: This has the potential to be the kind of record where songs are plucked for the next Starbucks sampler CD/playlist, but it's not bad. Wistful indie-folk that likely has a market on these pages.
Charlie Hall ::INVISIBLE INK:: Moody, instrumental, War on Drugs-adjacent tunes from, not surprisingly, the War on Drugs' drummer/organist.
Charlotte Cornfield ::COULD HAVE DONE ANYTHING:: Toronto-based songwriters whose first RIYL was Jim Bryson. So this was an insta-listen for me. Nice Canadian folk rock...produced by Bonny Light Horseman's Josh Kauffman.
Chloe Gallardo ::DEFAMATOR:: Look, this is good, but I don't know how you don't start singing the lyrics to "Dreams" on the opening chords of this record. Justice for Ed Sheeran. Anyway - this record has some potential. Dark, indie, shoegaze with what appears to be a soft-spoken singer who can go from quiet to cathartic in a few bars of music. I could easily see Gallardo fitting nicely on a bill with Phoebe Bridgers, Jay Som, and Laura Stevenson.
The Courettes ::BOOM! DYNAMITE (AN INTRODUCTION TO THE FABULOUS COURETTES:: Drum + guitar 60s garage and girl-band influenced rock n roll.
Deva Yoder ::BE WELL:: Scrappy indie-folk and Americana influenced by PJ Harvey and Fleetwood Mac.
Duskwood ::THE LAST VOYAGE:: Desert/Stoner rock that doubles as a great advertisement for various and sundry fuzz pedals. Some songs sound like Days of the New and Kyuss merged together.
Fatoumata Diawara ::LONDON KO:: African pop with an incredibly infectious groove.
Hot Mulligan ::WHY WOULD I WATCH:: Your weekly dose of infectious, mathy, sad boi emo music.
Hotline TNT ::AUDIOTREE LIVE:: Mpls shoegaze/noise-rockers put together a hell of an Audiotree set. Too bad it's only 4 songs.
Iguana Death Cult ::ECHO PALACE:: There's a lot here folks will like. Quirky, garage-y, poppy indie rock with elements of 80s college rock (think Talking Heads), and modern day indie (think Modest Mouse) all morphed into one band. It's a LOT, but it's pretty great!
Island of Love ::ISLAND OF LOVE:: Holy shit! Imagine grunge stalwarts Eugenius and Dinosaur Jr. combined forces. Though forming in 2020, these UK natives sound like shit we were listening to in 1992!
Jeffrey Silverstein ::WESTERN SKY MUSIC:: Based in Portland, OR, Silverstein crafts western, atmospheric twang with a low baritone voice (almost speaking). The album features Barry Walker Jr. (Rose City Band & North Americans) on pedal steel guitar, Dana Buoy (Akron/Family) on drums and guest appearances from William Tyler and Katrina Walker.
R. Stevie Moore ::ON EARTH:: Lo-fi as fuck. RIYL early Guided by Voices, The Apples in Stereo.
The Rough & Tumble ::ONLY THIS FAR:: Self-described "dumpster-folk and thrift-store Americana. Maybe this is your thing.
Sorry Mom ::BABYFACE:: Femme-queer punk reminiscent of Team Dresch with more snarl in the vocals.
Willa Frank ::BLACK CLOUD:: It is the era of smart female singer-songwriters thanks to a trail being blazed by the boygenius trio and more. Willa Frank falls into that category.

Friday, May 5th, 2023

We're on the 5th day of the 5th month (already?!?!?) Here are some interesting new releases to celebrate alongside Mexico on this Cinco De Mayo!

Also - here is the link to the May 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 05

Here's where you can get all the 2023 new releases of interest since the first week of January:

January 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-01
February 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-02
March 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-03
April 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 04

Don't forget to smash the heart/like/save icon on ths playlist so it shows up in your playlist list. Pro-Tip: I organize all the monthly playlists into a playlist folder which I can then minimize when I don't want these to take up too much real estate in my playlist list. You're welcome.

Also, let me know if I am missing anything this week!

THE KNOWNS:

The Album Leaf ::FUTURE FALLING:: If I had a nickel for every time I've listened to the song "Streamside" from 2004's IN A SAFE PLACE, I wouldn't have student debt. The Album Leaf have been a welcome salve of instrumental, moody, emo that allowed us empaths to escape into our feels, particularly back in the early aughts. Unfortunately, FUTURE FALLING is missing some of the emotional gut punch of the earlier records. For one thing, it is pretty much all synth. The acoustic drum kit, electric guitar, and bass have all been "midi-generated" which, in my opinion (which shouldn't influence yours), leaves this record lacking. Bummer. I was looking forward to this one but I don't think it will get many spins...unless I am trying to sleep or write...as it would be excellent background mood music!
Atmosphere ::SO MANY OTHER REALITIES EXIST SIMULTANEOUSLY:: I'm not all that knowledgeable about hip hop (I mean, Atmosphere is averaging over a million plays a month on Spotify and I don't really know much about them), but my wife summed this record up nicely: "it reminds me of early Arrested Development." I concur. This is good, positive hip-hop.
The Bohannons ::NIGHT CONSTRUCTION:: I'll let singer/songwriter Marty Bohannon sum it up for you: "It was written in different dimensions. Kind of a cross hatch of colliding times. Fused together with dystopian beliefs, history (proven and unproven) and time. A not quite lucid experience. Like when you dream you are awake but are not. I was working late nights into the sunrise. That is a strange place." Oh, and if you like fierce rock n roll from the south with a punk attitude, this will be your jam.
The Bollweevils ::ESSENTIAL:: Typically, when you see a 90s band release a record called "ESSENTIAL" you think "ah, for the greatest hits fans out there." But naw, this is a new record by the sneering, snotty Chicago punks. This record is 10 songs and 22 minutes long. I pretty much spun the whole record during the time it took me to type this blurb.
The Connells ::SET THE STAGE [LIVE]:: I am usually not one to share live albums on this list, but the Connells are my neighbors, so I will show them love where I can. Formed in 1984 in Raleigh, NC, the Connells have been crafting infectious southern power pop for damn near 40 years. If you're a casual Connells fan, this one will have the songs you know.
Conway The Machine ::WON'T HE DO IT:: Native son of Buffalo New York, Conway the Machine is one of my favorite hip hop artists out there right now.
David Wax Museum ::YOU MUST CHANGE YOUR LIFE:: Husband and wife duo that make their life a party, write songs about it, and tour the world sharing their story. This record is simply fun! If you like Josh Ritter’s more joyous, upbeat writing style, I think you'll like this.
Durand Jones ::WAIT TIL I GET OVER:: This is Jones' first foray as a solo artist. Much of his work to date was as frontman of The Indications, a band that helped recognize drummer Aaron Frazer's star (Frazer, known for his high falsetto, 50s pop-inspired songs, would record and release his own debut with Dan Auerbach in 2021). I always preferred Jones' soulful voice over Frazer, but the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. On Jones' debut, he explores lots of sounds, but it's still rooted in southern black soul and sounds like it was recorded in a smoky studio in Muscle Shoals back in 1962.
Jenny Owen Youngs ::OFFAIR:: FROM THE FOREST FLOOR:: Quiet, rainy day music from this indie darling.
Rodney Crowell ::THE CHICAGO SESSIONS:: I've always liked Crowell's writing, but felt like the production and arrangements of his songs were weak. On the CHICAGO SESSIONS, he's teamed up with Wilco's Jeff Tweedy, and as much as modern-day Wilco isn't my cup of tea, this pairing of Tweedy and Crowell works. Hot Take: Jeff Tweedy is at his best when he is working with country songs.
The Smashing Pumpkins ::ATUM: ACT 3:: If you follow the Pumpkins, you're likely aware that they wrote a rock opera called ATUM. What you may not know is that, in a *very* William Patrick Corgan move, the three-acts were released over time. Today marks the release of Act 3. Have you also been chomping at the bit to see how the story ends?!?!?!
Winger ::SEVEN:: Damn right.

THE NEWS:

7ebra ::BIRD HOUR:: Swedish twins crafting lo-fi, earnest indie-pop. For fans of Momma, Why Bonnie, and others in that ilk. Pretty sure the record is just the two of them, as I'm only hearing a max of two instruments at once (usually guitar and keys/synth). I feel like it could use more bottom-end (bass) in places, but for "bedroom pop." it checks all the boxes.
Blood Ceremony ::THE OLD WAYS REMAIN:: From the band's Spotify bio: Toronto Canada's Blood Ceremony traffic in authentic 70s doom and heavy prog laden with occult themes and occasional folk and psych rock flourishes. I mean, the lead singer Alia O'Brien plays the damn flute. So imagine a band that sounds like Blue Oyster Cult, Jethro Tull, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, and fuck it, let's throw some early Pink Floyd in there too, with a howling female lead vocal. Fuck. Yes.
The Bomboras ::SONGS FROM BEYOND!:: 90s Revival surf rock still riding waves...
Chalk ::CONDITIONS [EP]:: Irish post-punk apples that did not fall far from the Joy Division/Shame/Fontaines DC tree.
Cloth ::NEVER KNOW:: Twin brother and sister quiet indie pop out of Scotland. Let "Pigeon" be your gateway into this record. It's not fully exemplative of the whole record, but it's a damn good song.
Greg Mendez ::GREG MENDEZ:: Low-key bedroom indie from Philadelphia. That location alone is worth giving this a click. Philly has been on fire with good music lately.
Justin Moore ::STRAY DOG:: Not for everyone, but I am a sucker for good, top 40 country music that is rooted in the 90s Prime Country sound, and Moore, a native of Poyen Arkansas, serves it up nicely.
The Lemon Twigs ::EVERYTHING HARMONY:: 70s-inspired power pop crafted by the sons of a 70s power pop stalwart (Ronnie D'Addario). RIYL: Big Star, Todd Rundgren.
Q ::SOUL,PRESENT:: I was about to skip over this because of the dumb name and how hard it was going to be to search for info on this artist, but I found him and I am glad I did. These songs sound like lost 80s-era Prince music with Q singing over it. Like, there are bands that do the whole neo-80s thing...this is next level.
Sad Boys Club ::LULLABIES FROM THE LIGHTING TREE:: Says so right in the name. Sad boi music. Nice marriage of rock + emo out of London, England. This makes me feel very 2009.

Friday, April 28th, 2023

It's the Final Friday in April! Here are the releases that sounded good to me and/or that seem like something y'all would find interesting.

Also, let me know if I am missing anything this week!

The Knowns:

Country Westerns ::FORGIVE THE CITY:: Basically the Strokes with dashes of southern swagger and twang. Understand that the previous sentence is a compliment. Or maybe it's more apropos to say "what if the Replacements were based in New York City?" I mean, fuck...it's just good, okay? [please reread that in Mark Wahlberg's voice. Thanks]
The Damned ::DARKADELIC:: OG British Punk Rockers still going at 112 years old.
Dropkick ::THE WIRELESS REVOLUTION:: Lemme ask you a question: You like Teenage Fanclub? Hell, you like Teenage Fanclub! Do you miss the old Teenage Fanclub since Gerard Love has been gone? Well, give Dropkick a try! They also hail from Scotland's east coast and do that Teenage Fanclub thing (I might argue better than TF)...and with some extra doses of twang. Lots to like here. This one has top-ten contender energy.
Glen Matlock ::CONSEQUENCES COMING:: Former Sex Pistols bassist doesn't fall far from the tree.
Great Lake Swimmers ::UNCERTAIN COUNTRY:: Never really been a fan of these guys, but the first two songs on this record have me re-evaluating my life choices. Nice, driving alt-country tinged rock n roll. Sounds like simpler times to these ears!
Josh Ritter ::SPECTRAL LINES:: There are moments on this record where I kind of hear a Bon Iver influence, which somehow works. Also, Ritter's growing songbook is starting to resemble a hymnal more and more - and I don't hate it.
The National ::FIRST TWO PAGES OF FRANKENSTEIN:: Like, I get it, but *meh*.
Smokey Robinson ::GASMS:: Y'all. THE NAME OF THIS RECORD IS **GASMS**!!!!! Hayyyyyy!
Taj Mahal ::SAVOY:: The man is a living legend.
Teenage Bottlerocket ::SO DUMB/SO STOKED [EP]:: You're weekly dose of classic American pop punk.
Various Artists ::I AM A PILGRIM: DOC WATSON AT 100:: In honor of Merle Fest this weekend, this will be a fun one to spin. This is a tribute featuring Jerry Douglas, Dolly Parton, Steve Earle, Rosanne Cash, Valerie June and more. Flux's solo rendition of "Shady Grove” is a hauntingly beautiful opener.

The News:

Annie Blackman ::BUG [EP]:: I mean, this isn't covering any new ground, but it is saccharine indie pop by a Brooklyn-based artist originally from Montclair, New Jersey. The latter, which is the hometown of all-timers Pinegrove, who recently-announced that they were going on an indefinite hiatus. Whatever is in the water in Montclair, I want some, because Blackman has taken the existing, perhapst tired landscape and tools of indie rock and somehow packaged it in a fresh and interesting way.
Dave Hause ::DRIVE LIKE IT'S STOLEN:: Singer/songwriter in the same camp as these punks-turned-sad, soft bois a'la Chuck Ragan, Brian Fallon, and Tim Barry.
Del Barber ::ALMANAC:: Singer/songwriter of the Americana persuasion. If that's your thing, this will probably be your thing.
Indigo De Souza ::ALL OF THIS WILL END:: Another stellar artist hailing from Asheville, NC, and fits squarely in with MJ Lenderman (who has been known to play drums in De Souza's touring band), and Wednesday. De Souza leans more pop/electronic, but there's still a lot of grit on these songs.
John Andrews and the Yawns ::LOVE FOR THE UNDERDOG:: 70s soft-rock inspired slack. Some RIYLs include Bonny Doon, Color Green, and Cut Worms.
Matt Maltese ::DRIVING JUST TO DRIVE:: Piano-driven pop that is part Ben Folds Five, part Father John Misty, part Kevin Morby, all pretty decent.
Matt Sucich ::HOLY SMOKES:: Canadian singer/songwriter who I recently discovered when he opened for Kathleen Edwards on a recent tour. Kathleen is a guest vocalist on a couple tracks. Nothing earth-shattering, but a clever lyricist, and pretty delightful human.
Moreish Idols::LOCK EYES & COLLIDE [EP]:: One critic describes Moreish Idols as "sounding like WATERY, DOMESTIC-era Pavement one second and some bucolic Canterbury Scene prog the next..." But, with sax...and just weird. Probably worth checking out if you like weird. The EP Cover art is aces, too.
Mya Byrne ::RHINESTONE TOMBOY:: From her bio: "Mya's own music has been favorably compared to Lucinda Williams by way of Nick Drake and Chris Stapleton." Since 2017, she's also toured with the queer country outfit Lavender Country.
OK Cool ::FAWN:: Chicago-based indie rock duo that has some math-y/midwest emo guitar bits. Solid vocal harmonies (the duo are both females with strong voices). Don't let the opening acoustic track fool you. This album has some punch to it.
Paul B. Cutler ::LE FLEURS:: Founding member/songwriter/lead guitarist of the Consumers and 45 Grave as well as later being lead guitarist of Dream Syndicate and a producer.
Photo Ops ::BURNS BRIGHT:: Los Angeles by way of Nashville singer/songwriter Terry Price creates dream pop with a tinge of folk under the moniker 'Photo Ops'. Price's songs capture the feeling of leaving the old behind and embracing the unknown that’s ahead in the space and mystery of traveling through the American West.
Single Mothers ::ROY:: Canadian anthemic punk rock with a not so subtle Hold Steady/Craig Finn influence in the speak-style story lyrics [See "(Moonlight) On Sunset" for a review).
Washer ::IMPROVED MEANS TO DETERIORATED WINS:: There is a lot more in the bandcamp bio, but as a teaser, this record sounds like if Mudhoney/Mark Arm tried their hands at Math Rock. The duo of drums + guitar might get old (like, it's a studio recording...just play the fucking bass on the tracks, too). Still kinda digging it tho.

Friday, April 21st, 2023

Welp, it's the week of Big Record Store™, where we have a slate of Friday releases for April 21st (listed below, obvi), and then of course Record Store Day tomorrow.

Here's where you can listen to all the 2023 new releases of interest since the first week of January:

January 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 01
February 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 02
March 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 03
April 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023 - 04

Don't forget to smash the heart/like/save icon on the playlist so it shows up in your playlist list. Pro-Tip: I organize all the monthly playlists into a playlist folder which I can then minimize when I don't want these to take up too much real estate in my playlist list. You're welcome. Also, let me know if I am missing anything this week!

The Knowns:

Bella White ::AMONG OTHER THINGS:: The sophomore effort by Calgary, Alberta singer/songwriter whose classic-country tunes are married to sharp-tongued lyrics. Listening to some of these lyrics, I sure as shit am glad I am not one of her exes.
DOZER ::DRIFTING IN THE ENDLESS VOID:: Long-standing, OG Swedish Stoner/Sludge metal band makes a return.
Everything But the Girl ::FUSE:: Not my cup, but I am sure there are folks who will be excited about this one and have missed this band...er...like...um...like...sigh...LIKE THE DESERTS MISS THE RAIN!!!!!
Ian Hunter ::DEFIANCE PART 1:: Former Mott the Hoople singer is still making melodic, clever rock n roll music.
The Infamous Stringdusters ::A TRIBUTE TO LESTER FLATT:: Yep. It's exactly what you would expect. A band of shit-hot pickers doing songs by one of the all-time greats in bluegrass. More g-runs than you can shake a stick at!
The Mars Volta ::QUE DIOS TE MALDIGA MI CORAZON:: Still weird AF but stupid-talented.
Nathan Connoly (Snow Patrol)::THE STRANGE ORDER OF THINGS:: Connoly describes the album as "trying to understand, make sense, and work through events that have led to who I am now: heartache, regret, emotional cost, fatherhood."
Rose City Band ::GARDEN PARTY:: It's a garden party where Ripley Johnson is growing bushels of twang!
St. Paul & The Broken Bones ::ANGELS IN SCIENCE:: Manufactured soul for Disney Adults.
Trapper Schoepp ::SIREN SONGS:: Garden-variety Americana story songs.
Triple Fast Action ::TRIPLE FAST ACTION:: A 32-song collection of demos and live takes from their career, which spanned 1992 through 1998. From a RiotFest blurb on the band: "They were a “Chicago band” through and through, playing their first gig at The Cubby Bear in 1991 and calling it a day after a 1998 show at Metro. Combining loud guitars with clever pop sensibilities, it was a no-brainer when they got caught up in the major label-feeding frenzy that descended on the city. Tourmate Art Alexakis of Everclear called them “the best un-kept secret of the 1990s.”
Valley Queen ::CHORD OF SYMPATHY:: Singer Songwriter Natalie Carrol has ties to my former city of Little Rock, AR; so Valley Queen has always been on my radar. Now based in LA, the band's latest record is lush, and Rolling Stone called their music "bracingly afflicted, mountain-vaulting dream-country yodel." This one slaps, y'all,

The News:

Alice Howe ::CIRCUMSTANCE:: Had this been released in the late 90s, it would be considered "Adult Album Alternative" and would probably not be out of place on a playlist with Sheryl Crow, early Dixie Chicks, and maybe even Bonnie Raitt (indeed, veteran member of Raitt's band, Freebo, produced the record). This record has a nice mix of rock, soul, and country. And Howe's vocals soar.
ALL HANDS_MAKE LIGHT ::DARLING THE DAWN:: Featuring members of Broken Social Scene (Ariel Engle), and Godspeed You! Black Emperor (Efrim Manuel Menuck), this record is an interesting blend of orchestral-punk meets electro-shoegaze.
Buddie ::AGITATOR:: Buddie is the songwriting project of Dan Forrest, who writes fuzzy, poppy, rock songs about social anxiety, environmentalism, and trying to be a good person. Originally a solo project, Forrest solidified a 4-piece lineup and based in Philadelphia from 2015 t o 2021, but moved to Vancouver, British Colombia Canada, for grad school in 2021. Once there, he reassembled the band with like-minded Vancouverites. Only a handful of folks will get this, but the songs on this record sound like they could be a supergroup that features Davey Haynes from Jim Shorts and Kenny Tompkins from Mr. Husband/The Trend.
Christof van der Ven ::HAUL (EP): RIYL Bon Iver, S. Carey, and that whole thing. No reinventing of the wheel here, but pleasant songs nonetheless.
Esther Rose ::SAFE TO RUN:: Over Rose's first three records, written and released after the singer/songwriter moved from Michigan to New Orleans, the infatuation with traditional country gradually evolved into a more distinctive style, and creation of more personal songs. She would eventually leave New Orleans for New Mexico, and if you're like me, and you think *place* has a lot to do with a songwriter's base for writing, then you'll probably notice the desert country vibe on SAFE TO RUN. A new city and state meant new discovery, and the songs reflect it.
Hannah Grae ::HELL IS A TEENAGE GIRL:: Imagine Avril Levigne was raised on Taylor Swift and other teen pop. And there you have it. Very slick, and fun pop with some elements of punk and rock.
Holiday Ghosts ::ABSOLUTE REALITY:: Falmouth garage pop band that has drawn comparisons to The Modern Lovers and The Clean.
Lael Neale ::STAR EATERS DELIGHT:: I ain't never et no star, but this one is out on Sub Pop records, so that alone is worth a second look. Droney, post-punk that might be best characterized as if the Cure meshed with Cat Power and Angel Olsen, but with roots in rural VA.
Margarita Witch Cult ::MARGARITA WITCH CULT:: Man, listen to this description: "serving a merciless concoction of stoned sludge, demented thrash, and proto-metal weirdness..." I'm not gonna top that. And on a quick perusal of this record, that description is apt!
The National Honor Society ::TO ALL THE DISTANCE BETWEEN US:: Though based in Seattle, this band sounds like Belle & Sebastian's more upbeat cousin. Really nice late 80s-inspired indie dream pop.
WOLFNAUT ::RETURN OF THE ASTEROID:: Hailing from the deep forests of Elverum Norway (no shit), WOLFNAUT (formerly Wolfgang) make melodic, twin-guitar stoner/desert rock. In one of the promo photos of the band, the drummer is wearing a Kyuss shirt. That's as good a sign as any for me.

Friday, April 14th, 2023

Not only did it pour down the rain here in eastern North Carolina, but it also poured down new releases. Here's what fell from the clouds Friday April 14, 2023. There was a LOT of garbage to sift through this week. But also, a nice set of new releases from some known artists. Please, for the love of your childhood, do not balk on the new Metallica. It's actually pretty damn great!

Don't forget, we have a new monthly playlist for April: 2023 - 04.

Here's where you can get all the 2023 new releases of interest since the first week of January:

January 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-01
February 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-02
March 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-03

The Knowns:

Angel Olsen ::FOREVER MEANS (EP):: Olsen adds 4 more tracks on the heels of 2023's BIG TIME. These latest tunes are down-tempo ballads that let her soaring vocals shine.
Black Thought and El Michaels Affair ::GLORIOUS GAME:: Fresh hip hop from the figurehead of the Roots.
Fruit Bats ::A RIVER RUNNING TO YOUR HEART:: Eric D, Johnson has come a long way from his 4-track indie folk recordings..
Hippo Campus ::WASTELAND (EP): These dudes are still bringing a chimey, melodic rock. The guitars on the second track, "Yippie Ki Yay" sounds like what Death Cab For Cutie used to sound like.
John Vanderslice ::CRYSTALS 3.0:: This is nearly unlistenable, and was not added to the playlists, but y'all should click the link to this record so that I don't have to be pissed off by myself.
Metallica ::72 SEASONS:: I, for one, am grateful Metallica re-entered their speed metal phase. The opening track (also the title track) of 72 SEASONS is damn-near 8 minutes long, and it fucking smokes.
Natalie Merchant ::KEEP YOUR COURAGE:: Natalie Merchant's voice is like a security blanket for Generation X.
The Tallest Man on Earth ::HENRY ST.:: 2010 called and asked us all to visit.

The News:

Brian Dunne ::LOSER ON THE ROPES:: If you liked Fantastic Cat, you'll dig Dunne's solo debut released on Kill Rock Stars and recorded in Athens GA with Drew Vandernberg. Definitely for fans of slickly-produced NY singer-songwriting white dudes.
Fenne Lily ::BIG PICTURE:: Tracked live in a North Carolina studio, Fenne Lily is joined by Melina Duterte (Jay Som) - whose musical prints are all over the mixing of this record, Christian Lee Hutson on guitar, and Katy Kirby on vocals. These musicians also serve as Lily's touring band.
Nicole Yun ::MATTER:: As a member of Eternal Summers, Yun was part of a trio crafting dreamy shoegaze...on her own her tastes run more toward 90s alternative. The guitar on the opening track sounds like IN THE VALLEY OF DYING STARS-era Superdrag. I was NOT expecting this record to punch so hard out of the gate!
NOT ::STOP THE WORLD:: Hook-laden pop punk from So-Cal punk veterans.

Friday, April 7th, 2023

Here are the eggs Zombie Jesus Bunny is dropping for the Friday before Easter, 2023. New month, so that means we have a new monthly playlist for April: 2023 - 04.

Here's where you can get all the 2023 new releases of interest since the first week of January:

January 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-01
February 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-02
March 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-03

Don't forget to smash the heart/like/save icon on ths playlist so it shows up in your playlist list. Pro-Tip: I organize all the monthly playlists into a playlist folder which I can then minimize when I don't want these to take up too much real estate in my playlist list. You're welcome. Also, let me know if I am missing anything this week!

The Knowns:

Crocodiles ::UPSIDE DOWN IN HEAVEN:: More indie-pop goodness from the former Dum Dum Girl. Elements of this remind me of early aughts rockers The Redwalls, but this is more slick.
Hayden ::ARE WE GOOD:: Toronto's Hayden Dresser is back with more moody, indie-folk, and sounds just as relevant to these ears as he did nearly 30 years ago when I haphazardly bought EVERYTHING I LONG FOR at CD Alley in Greenville, NC.
Matthew Logan Vasquez (of Delta Spirit) ::AS ALL GET OUT:: The first time I saw Delta Spirit, I thought Matthew Logan Vasquez was Wilmer Valderrama (Fez from That 70s Show). It was dark and I was drunk, so...
Mudhoney ::PLASTIC ETERNITY:: The album closer is called "Little Dogs" and is basically a song Mark Arm wrote about loving little dogs. Does it get any better than aging grunge pioneers and Seattle/Sub Pop stalwarts singing about dogs?
Robbie Fulks ::BLUEGRASS VACATION:: Fulks returns to his bluegrass roots.
Ruston Kelly ::THE WEAKNESS:: Unfortunately for Kelly, he's writing his best songs when he's dealing with some shit...and this album leads me to believe he's dealing with some shit.
Susanna Hoffs ::THE DEEP END:: A collection of more deep-cut covers as imagined by the former Bangle.

The News:

Billie Martin ::DROP CHERRIES:: Brit folk with some interesting discordant musical landscapes. Makes me think of what Laura Marling may write had she listened to a steady diet of Pavement.
Blondshell ::BLONDSHELL:: Gen-Z grunge rock. That's not a typo. One of my faves this week. Blondshell is the project of Sabrina Teitelbaum, who grew up in Manhattan, but relocated to LA to attend school for music. While there she learned how to mesh her love of pop music (which she heard growing up) with the indie rock she came to love as she got older.
Brandee Younger ::BRAND NEW LIFE:: Harp (!!!)-driven R&B/soul by an artist with ties to both John Legend and Common.
Calvin Johnson ::GALLOWS WINE:: Solo project by former Beat Happening & Halo Benders artist. On his latest, you'll hear some sorta smooth jazz, arty noise, classic lo-fi indie/garage-y tunes ("Good and Crazy" evokes Lou Reed a bit). It's a little all over the place, but still coherent, if that makes any sense.
Carter Sampson ::GOLD:: In my younger days, I used to moonlight as a guitarist in Carter Sampson’s Fayetteville Arkansas-based band, The County Seat, who backed her on 2011s MOCKINGBIRD SING. Carter is an Oklahoma-based songwriter whose smoky rasp suggests that she’s wise beyond her years…and her songs back this up. Recently sober, and writing some of her best songs, GOLD was a pleasant surprise for me this week. Please show my old boss (and to date, my best ‘music boss’) some love and spin her record!
Covet ::CATHARSIS:: Three-piece math rock outfit led by Yvette Young and her melodic finger-tapping guitar style. Young grew up playing piano and violin, eventually incorporating her stylistic touches from those instruments to guitar, and formed Covet in 2014. I'm a sucker for melodic math rock and this one checks all the boxes.
Devon Church ::STRANGE STRANGERS:: Nick Cave-adjacent, droney chamber pop w/ baritone vocals. Not my jam, but I know others love it.
Donnie Doollittle ::DONNIE DOOLITTLE:: Charlotte, NC-based "gothic Americana" or "Southern New Wave" synth-driven retro-pop for fans of Nick Cave, Orville Peck, Lee Hazelwood, Paul Cauthen and Leonard Cohen.
Golden Grass ::LIFE IS MUCH STRANGER:: A throwback to 70s, trippy, guitar-heavy rock. This is the 4th album by the Brookly-based power trio, and their first since 2018.
Mazey Haze ::BACK TO THE START (EP):: Solo project of Nadine Appledoorn who writes and produces dreampop songs inspired by 60s psych rock, ABBA, and pain. The EP opener, also the title track, has a great Byrds-esque, jangly 12-string (likely) Rickenbacker guitar on it.
Mediocre ::TO KNOW YOU'RE SCREWED (EP):: Raw, power pop and fuzzy garage rock that takes inspiration from 90s BritPop, post-punk, and early aughts garage revival. Piper Torrison and Keely Martin's vocal phrasings sometimes remind me of Liz Stokes from The Beths.
NEWSKI ::FRIEND ROCK:: Wisconsin geek-rock reviving 90s alt by including some giants from the genre on every track, like Ryan Miller (Guster) and Matthew Caws (Nada Surf).
North Americans ::LONG COOL WORLD:: Instrumental high desert drone with up-front acoustic guitar layered with sweeping, reverb-drenched pedal steel guitar.
Scowl ::PSYCHIC DANCE ROUTINE:: Female-fronted hardcore punk from San Jose California.
Wednesday ::RAT SAW GOD:: Asheville, NC noise/alt/fuzz/garage/rock band featuring the songwriting of Karly Hartzman and blistering guitar of MJ Lenderman. Record of the Year material. Mark it.
Worriers ::WARM BLANKET:: Primary songwriter Lauren Denitzio takes the helm playing ALL the instruments (sans Atom Willard's drums) and producing Worriers 4th record. This feels more like a solo effort, which isn't a bad thing given that Denitzio has been the primary force behind the band. Hopefully Mikey Erg rejoins the fold when they tour for WARM BLANKET.

Friday, March 31st, 2023

Hey all. Here are the New Release knits added to the crocheted scarf of 2023 music for Friday March 31. Remember, you can catch-up with all the 2023 new releases of interest since the first week of January through these handy-dandy playlists:

January 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-01
February 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-02
March 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-03

SOOO much shit to sift through this week. I don't know who told all these kids that they can buy a $40 MIDI controller and a free download of Logic and make boring, instrumental, records of synth sounds...but there's a fuck-ton of it out there. However, those records have been lovingly left OFF the list below.

Don't forget to smash the heart/like/save icon on these playlists so they show up in your playlist library. Pro-Tip: I organize all the monthly playlists into a playlist folder which I can then minimize when I don't want these to take up too much real estate in my playlist library. You're welcome. Also, let me know if I am missing anything this week!

The Knowns:

boygenius ::THE RECORD:: First LP release by the indie sadgorl supergroup of Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus. No notes. This one is gonna top a LOT of year-end best-of lists. Mark it.
City and Colour ::LOVE STILL HELD ME NEAR:: There was a time when this sad, bearded, indie, white dude™ music got me through my days. That time is gone. But the music still hits, even though I no longer *need* it.
Deerhoof ::MIRACLE-LEVEL:: There's a fine line between psychotic disorders and art. This record is the musical presentation of that line.
The Hold Steady ::THE PRICE OF PROGRESS:: More riff-backed stories from an Elder Scene Kid trying to teach the next gen how to fuck up smarter than us.
The New Pornographers ::CONTINUE AS A GUEST:: Vancouver's favorite supergroup has still got it.
Samiam ::STOWAWAY:: longtime punk outfit is back with their 9th album after three decades together as a band.
Steve Gunn & David Moore ::LET THE MOON BE A PLANET:: Moore, of Bing and Ruth, teams up with Gunn to create a record worthy of the Windam Hill record label (that's not a dig).

The News:

A Certain Ratio ::1982:: I'm no Jazz-Funk aficionado, but this one slaps. Further, A Certain Ratio have been mixing indie, funk, disco, jazz, and punk together since their formation in 1977. Hell, maybe this record should be in the "Knowns" but despite being a year younger than this band, I've never heard of em! I feel like this record would make a nice chaser to last week's Depeche Mode drop.
Alasdair Roberts ::GRIEF IN THE KITCHEN AND MIRTH IN THE HALL:: Trad. Scottish folk (just guitar and vocal) from an artist with ties to Drag City Records, Jason Molina, and Secretly Canadian. Nice somber songs.
Alberta Cross ::SINKING SHIPS:: I recall some chatter about this outfit back in the twenty-teens, but not enough to consider them a known quantity. The RIYLs for Alberta Cross are encouraging: AA Bondy, Delta Spirit, Deer Tick, Phosphorescent, Great Lake Swimmers and Strand of Oaks. Just really nice, moody indie rock with sweeping tenor and falsetto vocal melodies.
IST IST ::PROTAGONISTS:: Imagine a fuzzy shoegazey band fronted by Ian Curtis of Joy Division. There's a market for this sound, though I ain't it. RIYL Shame, Fontaines DC.
Jake Pinto ::SAD SONGS FOR HAPPY PEOPLE:: Everything about this, from the artist name to the album title screams "skip!" but that would be a disservice to the songs. Some piano-driven rock steeped in 70s psych soul and groove. I'm fairly certain ol' Jake here has listened to a few Wings, Elton John, and Ben Folds records in his life. But also, some of these songs wouldn't be out of place on an Elephant 6 compilation (i.e., 'What Ever Happened?').
Kris Ulrich ::BIG IN THE USA:: I like this review posted by the artist about the record: "It harkens back to the 2000s sounds of Kings of Leon, The Stills, and Wilco, while also drawing inspiration from the likes of Ethan Gruska, Sam Evian, and the War on Drugs." This is one of those under-the-radar releases that could really surprise you. This is my favorite of the "news" this week.
Larry June & The Alchemist ::THE GREAT ESCAPE:: Hip hop that draws influence from the artists' childhood life, split between ATL and LA. Equally smooth and dritty, with a laid-back flow that I can get into.
LIES ::LIES:: One of the 2,847 indie outfits featuring Mike Kinsella (Owen, Joan of Arc). But his collaborator in this project is his brother Nate. I presume that is Nate singing the 'brother-tight" harmonies on these songs. This feels like an Owen record with more MIDI controller and less acoustic guitar. Definitely not hating it. Indeed, the comfortable croak of Mike Kinsella's vocals is like a warm blanket for me at this point.
Mighty Popular ::MIGHTY POPULAR:: Project by Andrew Marlin (Watchouse) and Punch Brother Noam Pikelny, and Chris Eldridge with 10 traditional bluegrass songs for folks who would rather tap their foot in 4-4 time than some progressive bluegrass bullshit beat that jerks you around like a car with a shit transmission.
MONO ::HEAVEN VOL. 1:: Tokyo, Japan-based instrumental post-rock a'la Explosions in the Sky and This Will Destroy You. Formed in 1999, but new to these ears, and anthemic AF.
The No Ones ::MY BEST EVIL FRIEND:: New collab by Peter Buck (REM) and Scott McCaughey (Minus 5, Young Fresh Fellows) offers up all the jangle and pop you expect! The band is rounded out by two players from Norwegian power pop band I Was King (Arne Kjelsrud Mathisen and Frode Stromstad).
Nova One ::CREATE MYSELF:: Lush, crisp indie pop exploring queerness, femininity, and gender. RIYL Crisman (who I like v. much) and Babehoven.
PACKS ::CRISPY CRUNCHY NOTHING:: Wild, the RIYL for PACKS is Nova One, Crisman, and Babehoven. This has more of a 90s alt rock lilt to it, but would make a nice back to back spin w/ Nova One.
Rachel Baiman ::COMMON NATION OF SORROW:: Folky Americana by a contemporary of Kacey Musgraves, Kevin Morby, and Molly Tuttle. Definitely scratching my Kate Rhudy itch.
Scott McMicken and the Ever Expanding ::SHABANG:: Dr. Dog founder is out with a new set of sloppy twangy rock songs. One reviewer called SHABANG "part Basement Tapes, part Paul Simon."
Warm Human ::HOMETOWN HERO:: Her bandcamp bio just says "sludge pop trash princess." This was an insta-play for me.

Friday, March 24th, 2023

Here are the new release knobs we're cranking to eleven for Friday March 24th. Also, you can catch-up with all the 2023 new releases of interest since the first week of January through these handy-dandy playlists:

January 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-01
February 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-02
March 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-03

Don't forget to smash the heart/like/save icon on these playlists so they show up in your playlist library. Pro-Tip: I organize all the monthly playlists into a playlist folder which I can then minimize when I don't want these to take up too much real estate in my playlist library. You're welcome. Also, let me know if I am missing anything this week

The Knowns:

The Bouncing Souls ::TEN STORIES HIGH:: The purveyors of anthemic punk shout-along songs are back with their first LP of new material since 2016. This one checks all the boxes, y'all [pick scraaaaaaaaatcchhhh].
Caroline Rose ::THE ART OF FORGETTING:: A lush and beautiful breakup album by my cousin. Caroline.
Depeche Mode ::MEMENTO MORI:: Giants of the synth-rock genre and Rock N Roll hall-of-famers dropped their 15th record doing what they do. I can't imagine the list of bands we listen to that credit Depeche Mode as an influence.
Jeff Goldblum & the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra ::PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS [EP]:: I shit you not.
Jenny Conlee ::TIDES: PIECES FOR ACCORDION AND PIANO:: The album title, from this artist best known for her 23 year career with the Decemberists, pulls no punches. It's a record of accordion and piano tunes.
Kool Keith and Read Bad Man ::SERPENT:: In the words of Kool Keith: It's 1988 all over again.
Lana Del Rey ::DID YOU KNOW THAT THERE'S A TUNNEL UNDER OCEAN BLVD:: I'm told Lana Del Rey is good and that lots of people like her music.
Luke Combs ::GETTIN' OLD:: Say what you will about the proliferation about bro-ey, rap-county, Luke Combs is one hell of a breath of fresh air in Nashville compared to all that mess. Much closer to "Old Country Church" than "Old Town Road".
Nickel Creek ::CELEBRANTS:: I honestly don't know how such a raw tonnage of talent can exist as this band. Elements of folk, stomp, traditional stringband, indie rock, celtic, progressive bluegrass, and jazz are featured in every arrangement. And we haven't even begin talking about the pitch-perfect vocal harmonies of Chris Thile and the Watkins siblings. If we ever launch another satellite into space with American Music on board, a Nickel Creek song should be among those we send into the great beyond.
Purling Hiss ::DRAG ON GIRARD:: This record sounds like it was recorded in my basement. But that is NOT a complaint. Raw, fuzzy, lo-fi, and catchy as hell!
The Reds, Pinks & Purples ::THE TOWN THAT CURSED YOUR NAME:: This is, what, Glenn Donaldson's SEVENTH album under this moniker since 2019? Jesus Christ! And they're ALL GOOD! Thank god for ProTools...allowing all the prolific indoor kids an outlet for making a living while staying shuttered from the noises of the world.

The News:

Andrew Gabbard ::CEDAR CITY SWEETHEART:: Twangy Americana from Southwestern Ohio peppered with elements of garage and psych rock.
Connections ::COOL CHANGE:: Ohio-based indie, RIYL Eyelids, Purling Hiss, Guided by Voices (their accessible stuff).
Darren Jessee ::CENTRAL BRIDGE:: Ben Folds Five drummer (who is credited as the co-writer of the band's hit "Brick"), and frontman of Hotel Lights is back with his third solo record of earnest, hushed indie-pop.
Dick Stusso ::S.P.:: I'm gonna leave this write-up to the artist's bandcamp bio: "Dick Stusso is a mess. [His] third album...is a document of slow, full mental unraveling in a money-chasing saga set with a world in perpetual decay as its backdrop. The wild-eyed sounds on S.P.—span... countrified rock duets, Guided by Voices-recalling anthems, and outro noise-burst sound experiments."
Grand Royale ::WELCOME TO GRIME TOWN:: Detroit Rock Fuckin City by way of Scandinavia. Think Death by Unga Bunga, but with heavier leanings on KISS as an influence. The band's bio describes them as "straight forward rock'n'roll packed with electric guitars, melodic vocals, and thundering bass lines." Yes please! This one is definitely gonna get multiple plays around this house!
Jae Skeese ::ABOLISHED UNCERTAINTIES:: Buffalo hip-hop artist signed to Conway The Machine's record label.
Kate Davis ::FISH BOWL:: Former conservatory-trained jazz musician embraces art rock and writes a coming of age story on her sophomore record released on ANTI. This one is grabbing me the same way Laura Stevenson's latest did.
The Natural Lines ::THE NATURAL LINES:: Formerly Matt Pond PA. The group's bio calls the project "a...collection of intimate reflections and personal accountability from a relocated, renamed, revivified talent." I'll take it.
Softcult ::SEE YOU IN THE DARK [EP]:: Billed as "music for mall goths." That tracks. It's big, guitar-y and synth-y, and grungy music fronted by Canadian sisters. This one has me lacing up my eight-eye oxblood Doc Martens....
Wilder Woods ::FEVER/SKY:: More white-boy neo-soul a'la Nate Rateliff and Drew Holcolmb...but instead by the frontman of NEEDTOBREATHE. I feel like this is some folks' thing.
Yours Are The Only Ears ::WE KNOW THE SKY:: Project of NY-based songwriter and producer Susannah Cutler. This one has that thing that will please the Phoebe Bridgers fans in the chat.
Zack Rosen ::SYZYGY:: Zack Rosen died by suicide May 18, 2019, at the age of 30, after suffering with schizophrenia and the effects of medications for the illness during the last years of his life. In 2018, Rosen approached his friend Connor Grant about producing the SYZYGY project. They were deep into this process at the time of Rosen's death, leaving Grant to comb through Rosen's home recordings, unearthing many that nobody but Rosen had heard until now. Y'all. This record is beautiful and twisted and lush and definitely worthy of a listen.

Friday, March 17th, 2023

Here are the shiniest gold coins stolen from the Leprechaun for this Friday March 17, 2023. Not much this week. I wonder if that is because a lot of artists realized that this is SXSW week (as I keep being reminded by all my friends’ social media posts making me wish I were there), and it’s just a busy time for the ‘music industry’ in general. Who knows. Anyway…

Here's where you can get all the 2023 new releases of interest since the first week of January:

January 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-01
February 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-02
March 2023 Spotify Playlist: 2023-03

The Knowns:

The Band of Heathens ::SIMPLE THINGS:: Spring and summer jams just in time for spring and summer by this consistent Austin outfit.
The Black Crowes ::SHAKE YOUR MONEY MAKER LIVE:: Compiled from the best performances of the band's reunion tour in 2021-22. This one is incendiary. We're all better for the brothers' Robinson figuring out how to exist together in a band again.
Doug Paisley ::SAY WHAT YOU LIKE:: If you're new to Paisley, think more "Underground" than "Brad" here. Doug Paisley is a singer-songwriter from Toronto who fits the "lonesome troubadour" mold set by folks like Townes Van Zandt, John Prine, and Lyle Lovett. Definitely worth your time.
FIDLAR ::THAT'S LIFE [EP]:: Fuck It Dog, Life's A Risk.
M83 ::FANTASY:: Here for all your synth-pop and shoegaze desires.
T-Pain ::ON TOP OF THE COVERS:: Once an early aughts hip-hop afterthought, T-Pain did a Tiny Desk Concert and the world learned that dude could really sing. On this collection of covers, his voice is front and center...and despite the bold move of opening with Sam Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come" T-Pain kinda nails it.
U2 ::SONGS OF SURRENDER:: Apropos for March 17th, Rock n Roll's favorite Irish band is out with a collections of more stripped-down, intimate arrangements of their arena-ready songs.

The News:

Alibhe Reddy ::ENDLESS AFFAIR:: I cannot pronounce her name, but if you like Julia Jacklin, Phoebe Bridgers, and other songwriters in that oeuvre, this might be your jam.
deathcrash ::LESS:: Moody alt.rock from London. Songs go from low-key quiet to onslaught of distorted guitar and dual vocals. Some Sunny Day Real Estate vibes on some of these tunes.
Gideon ::MORE POWER. MORE PAIN:: No frills metal from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. In sampling new releases week after week, given the sheer amount of metal that doesn't make these lists. It is refreshing to hear a metal album without a drone-y synth throughout each song. This shit reminds me of the first time I heard Pantera's VULGAR DISPLAY OF POWER (I know, they're problematic, but that record jams). Just raw AF.
The Lost Days ::IN THE STORE:: Indie-jangle pop side project by Tony Molina and Sarah Rose Janko. Bright and jangly with great vocal harmonies.

Friday, March 10th, 2023

Here's the latest dispatch from the Federal Register of Weekly New Music Releases for Friday March 10, 2023

Keep up with all weekly releases through the comprehensive Spotify Monthly New Release Playlists; here’s January’s Playlist, February’s Playlist, and March’s Playlist.

The Knowns:

Ali Farka Toure ::VOYAGEUR:: West African Blues from the artists who has been called "the West African John Lee Hooker" to a fault. Though it's not an insult, it's also not a 1 to 1 comparison. Toure's blues can be drone-y, and excellent background music for zoning out and flowing with the rhythm. Such stylism is helping me on this rainy Friday morning.
Death Cab for Cutie ::ASPHALT MEADOWS (ACOUSTIC):: Probably should have spent more time with 2022s ASPHALT MEADOWS to better explain how this presentation of those songs differs, and/or how significant the difference is, but I didn't, and I can't...but I am definitely not going to gate-keep any release by one of the best crafters of melody in music right now.
King Khan ::THE NATURE OF THINGS:: The weird underground of rock n roll resurfaces.
Lonnie Holley ::OH ME OH MY:: A record that vacillates from "stirring" one moment to a balm in the next. A deeply personal record with songs about Holley's harrowing youth and young manhood in the Jim Crow south. Collaborators include Michael Stipe (REM), Sharon Van Etten, and Justin Vernon (Bon Iver).
Miley Cyrus ::ENDLESS SUMMER VACATION:: If Miley Cyrus has not exceeded your expectations yet as an artists, I don't know if you've been listening closely enough. Her latest is just a great, solid pop record.
The Nude Party ::RIDES ON:: Native songs of Boone, NC are back with more rock n roll swagger.
Sleaford Mods ::UK FRIM:: Lots of folks I know had 2021s SPARE RIBS among their favorites of that year. This is so not my vibe, but may be yours. RIYL Shame, Fontaines D.C., Viagra Boys, and other UK post-punk acts.
Story of the Year ::TEAR ME TO PIECES:: Your weekly dose of emo/pop-punk.
The War and Treaty ::LOVER'S GAME:: A nother batch of bluesy, joyful, Southern soul, gospel, country and rock-n-roll from one of the cutest husband-and-wife teams in the business!

The News:

Balks ::BAD MANNERS:: No reinvention of the pop-punk wheel here, but clever song titles that reference movies from the late 80s and mid-90s make for a neat game. For example, the album opener, "Kevin, You Are What The French Call" is later followed by "Shop Smart, Shop S-Mart" and "We Named The Dog Indiana." This is a fun record for sure.
Conway the Machine ::PAIN PROVIDED PROFIT:: Grimy, New York hip hop from Buffalo's east side.
H. Hawkline ::MILK FOR FLOWERS:: Longtime Welsh musician, who has played bass w/ Kevin Morby. Not sure how to explain this one...maybe, imagine someone who listened to a lot of Josh Ritter but from 'across the pond'? Not equating these two men's songwriting chops, but the production, instrumentation, and presentation of both artists songs would not be out of place on the same bill.
Shalom ::SUBLIMATION:: Punchy, gritty, driving rock from 1st gen American (who immigrated from Africa to NJ to attend Rutgers), black, queer woman whose songs caught the attention of Saddle Creek records. This record is a bit all over the place stylistically, but it hits hard. Probably the best thing I've heard so far this week.
Starcrazy ::ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER SQUALOR:: File this one between your Darkness and Bat Fangs records...buncha dang kids playing neo-80s glam rock, and it slays.
The Covids ::BUST TO BITS:: Still too soon on the name, but this is super-catchy punk rock from Amsterdam.
The Unknowns ::EAST COAST LOW:: Garden-variety (and good) punk from Brisbane Australia. It's scruffy and has great sing-along moments. Worthy of a listen.

Friday, March 3rd, 2023

Here are the records delivered by your local Schwann's driver for March 3rd, 2023.

It's a new month, so that means we've started a new monthly playlist for March. You can access it by clicking here: 2023 - 03

Keep up with all weekly releases through the comprehensive Spotify Monthly New Release Playlists; here’s January’s Playlist, and here’s February’s Playlist

The Knowns:

Dry Cleaning ::SWAMPY [EP]:: Released Wednesday March 1st, South London's buzzy post-punk quartet is back on the heels of STUMPWORK, which was released last year to acclaim.
Michael Cleveland ::LOVIN' OF THE GAME:: One of the shit-hottest fiddle players in all of bluegrass. This latest features guest spots by the Travelin' McCourys, Billy Strings, Jeff White, Vince Gill, Dan Tyminski, Bela Fleck and many more big names and pickers in the genre. Hard to go wrong with this one if you like Bluegrass!
Ron Gallo ::FOREGROUND MUSIC:: I don't even have a garage, but this record takes me straight to it. This is the Philly-based Gallo's seventh LP since emerging as a solo artist in ~2014.
Run Westy Run ::BEYOND REASON:: Minneapolis stalwarts who caught their stride in the wake of Husker Du, The Replacements, and Soul Asylum.
Slaid Cleaves ::TOGETHER THOUGH THE DARK:: Esteemed Americana singer/songwriter with a career spanning 25 years. Cleaves’ latest includes another batch of songs about struggle and resilience among the hopeful, hard working, batter, confused, and sad.
Steve Mason ::BROTHERS & SISTERS:: Latest solo recording by singer and founding member of the Beta Band
Willie Nelson ::I DON'T KNOW A THING ABOUT LOVE: THE SONGS OF HARLAN HOWARD:: Do I need to say anything here? Two of the heaviest weights in country music have come together.

The News:

Adi Oasis ::LOTUS GLOW:: Critically acclaimed Parisian immigrant with songs about her move to America and all the issues that come with. Nice 70's soul + R&B vibe on the songs. Some horns and flute. Adi is the bassist and she reminds me of my favorite bassist playing right now: Nick Movshon, who has played with Charles Bradley and Lee Fields among others. This record is good.
ALO ::SILVER SATURDAYS:: This one seems all over the place but has some nice throwback elements to my days as a jam band fan. I feel like fans of Phish, God Street Wine, Keller Williams, and Widespread Panic will be right at home listening to this record.
Blair Gun ::BLASPHEME QUEEN:: San Diego punks all of 21 screaming anthems of Gen Z ennui.
Can't Swim ::THANKS BUT NO THANKS:: Your weekly dose of emo punk. This is the 4th album out by the Keansburg, New Jersey quintet. I am a sucker for sad boi shit, so it gets real estate here.
Drayton Farley ::TWENTY ON HIGH:: It is downright stupid how much of a dead-ringer this Alabama singer-songwriter is for Jason Isbell. Can't yet speak to the caliber of songwriter, but Fraley seems to have taken the sound and vibe from SOUTHEASTERN Isbell and continued along its line. I don't hate this at all. It's Jason Isbell sounds at introductory prices.
Faim ::YOUR LIFE AND NOTHING ELSE:: Political hardcore out of Denver, CO.
Fake Names ::EXPENDABLES:: Old School punk Supergroup composed of members from Bad Religion (Brian Baker), S.O.A. (Michael Hampton), Refused (Daniel Lyxzen), Girls Against Boys (Johnny Temple), and Fugazi (Brendan Canty).
Gee Tee ::GOODNIGHT NEANDERTHAL:: Lo-fi, straight-ahead punk from Sydney Australia on Goner Records.
Gramercy Arms ::DELETED SCENES:: Gramercy Arms are kind of like an American version of Broken Social Scene, an ever-growing collective centered around the songwriting of Dave Derby (The Dambuilders, Lloyd Cole). They dropped their third album today, This time out they went for a late 60s - 70s pop sound, featuring several duets. Appearing this time around are: Lloyd Cole, Kevin March (Guided by Voices, The Dambuilders, Shudder to Think), Doug Gillard (Guided by Voices, Nada Surf), Sean Eden (Luna), Rainy Orteca (Joan As Police Woman), Mark Lizotte (Diesel), Rafa Maciejak (Lloyd Cole and the Negatives), Phoebe Summersquash (Small Factory), Lysa Opfer (Aeon Station), Kendall Meade (Mascott), Verena Wiesendanger (Semi Gloss), John Leon (Royal Arctic Institute), Hilken Mancini (Fuzzy), Richard Alwyn-Fisher (King Canutes), Mike Errico, Steve Hurley (Gigolo Aunts) and Carl Baggaley (Elk City, Royal Arctic Institute).
Hello Mary ::HELLO MARY:: All-female alt-rock trio. RILY Momma and Wednesday. Bright future here as two of the members can't even drink legally yet.
Karen Jonas ::THE RESTLESS:: Americana/Alt-country singer-songwriter out of Fredericksburg, VA.
Object of Affection ::FIELD OF APPEARANCES:: Mishmash of punk, gloomy pop, and synth-driven new wave out of LA.
Stoned Jesus ::FATHER LIGHT:: Ukrainian three-piece melodic metal band pulling from influences such as Mastodon, Soundgarden, King Crimson, The Cure and Deftones.
The Whiffs :: SCRATCH ‘N;’ SNIFF:: What do you get when a bunch of kids from Kansas City steeped in Alex Chilton, Paul Westerberg, and Tom Petty get together to make a record? This. Bubbly power pop with a retro bent…this one is a keeper from the first few songs!
Truth Cult ::WALK THE WHEEL:: Baltimore punk band with DC harDCore influence bleeding through their sound.
Weird Numbers ::WEIRD NUMBERS:: This LA + Seattle-based band sounds like something you might discover on all those old Sub Pop records compilations from the 90s. Feat. members of The Girls.

Friday, February 24th, 2023

Here's the list of the latest records of interest congress passed into law for Friday February 24th.

Keep up with all weekly releases through the comprehensive Spotify Monthly New Release Playlists; here’s January’s Playlist, and here’s February’s Playlist

Let me know what I missed. Otherwise, let's get it...

The Knowns:

The Church ::THE HYPNOGOGUE:: Just gonna use my friend Ward's assessment to describe this one: "Based on the singles and what I’ve been listening to since midnight this will be easily among the best of The Church. Some of these songs are so Church-y it’s giving me an ache."
Dierks Bentley ::GRAVEL & GOLD:: One of the few in Nashville who is still attempting to draw lines to old country sounds and not succumb to the more bro-country styles coming out of the city. Also, Dierks' guitarist Charlie Worsham has been one of the best TikTok follows for me over the past year. If you can stomach Top 40 Country, this is a record by good dudes making good music and worthy of your ears.
Gina Birch ::I PLAY MY BASS LOUD:: Punk icon and 1/2 of the Raincoats is out with a new solo record.
Iris Dement ::WORKIN ON A WORLD:: Perhaps one of the most iconic voices in country/americana/folk is back with her first LP in nearly a decade.
Lucero ::SHOULD'VE LEARNED BY NOW:: Billed as a "return to roots." From Ben Nichols "The album is basically about how we know we are fuckups and I guess we are OK with that." Opening track is a ripper!
Motorhead :: BAD MAGIC: SERIOUSLY BAD MAGIC:: Usually not the space for reissues, but Lemmy fucking lives...and this has two exclusive new tracks on it.
Rick Wakeman ::A GALLERY OF THE IMAGINATION:: YES! (get it? Because he was in the band Yes. That's why it's funny).
Shame ::FOOD FOR WORMS:: For folks missing that 90s post-punk sound that bands like The National and Fontaines D.C. are doing. Though I would argue that Shame is a little less dour.
Steel Panther ::ON THE PROWL:: Do you love the over-the-top glam metal of The Darkness? If you do but you haven't listened to Steel Panther yet, make haste! This is the best neo-hair/glam metal has to offer and is COMPLETELY UNFILTERED!
Ty Segal & Emmett Kelly ::LIVE AT WORSHIP:: Acoustic duo versions of Segal songs.

The News:

Bria ::CUNTRY COVERS VOL.2:: Six more cover tracks by Bria Salmena, whose day job is a member of Orville Peck's touring band. If you know Peck, then you won't be surprised that these covers are moody, low-register vocal takes on these classics. I am particularly enjoying the version of Gillian Welch's "I Dream A Highway."
Death Pill ::DEATH PILL:: All-female Riot Grrrl political punk out of Kyiv Ukraine. Something tells me this record has some shit on it!
Death Valley Girls ::ISLAND IN THE SKY:: Reverb-drenched L.A. proto-punk scrappy rock-n-roll with some infectious pop melodies that could easily become day-long earworms.
Dougie Poole ::THE RAINBOW WHEEL OF DEATH:: Poole is apparently a Mac user given this album title. Formerly more experimental, Poole's latter releases have been more country-tinged indie rock. It's nice. Two of the RIYL Spotify tapped were Bonny Doon and MJ Lenderman - which I can hear given the smooth, rollicking but lo-fi sound to these songs.
El Attendant Ana ::PRINCIPIA:: Pleasant Parisian Indie Pop. There's something about this record that makes me think of all the "college rock" bands from the early 90s that my older friends were listening to. Really digging the first few tracks of this.
Jenny O. ::SPECTRA:: Spotify's RIYL include Jessica Lea Mayfield, Caitlin Rose, Courtney Marie Andrews, and Laura Veirs. Not a bad list.
Real Friends ::THERE'S NOTHING WORSE THAN TOO LATE EP:: Your weekly dose of emo.
Swim Camp ::STEEL COUNTRY:: Swim Camp is the musical project of Philadelphia-based musician, Tom Morris. The project grew out of his desire to learn the guitar. Having grown up playing the drums in a primarily jazz-oriented context, Tom sought to have more melodic control in his music making. He started playing guitar while living in the Czech Republic in 2015 and realized that the only way for him to get better was to start writing music. This latest record is lush and noisy (at times) lo-fi indie rock/pop. Really digging this.
U.S. Girls ::BLESS THIS MESS:: There's little reason why I should like this neo 80s synthy-pop that sounds Mannequin movie soundtrack-ready, but it's hitting this morning!
Various Artists ::14:: [Bandcamp] A jangly mix of previously unavailable (on vinyl) singles from UK DIY label Prefect Records. It includes a pair of Slumberland songs, one from Reds Pinks & Purples and the other from Chimes.

Friday, February 17th, 2023

Hey all - Here's what the milk man...but for new records...brought us this week.

Keep up with all weekly releases through the comprehensive Spotify Monthly New Release Playlists; here’s January’s Playlist, and here’s February’s Playlist

The Knowns:

Jesse Malin ::THE FINE ART OF SELF-DESTRUCTION (20th Anniversary Reissue):: I usually don't include reissues on these lists, but this album absolutely fucks. I am still not mad for pulling a melody from 'Downliner' that was used in an old Hot Shot Karate song.
P!NK ::TRUSTFALL:: Looks like Pink is spelling her name with an exclamation point. Not that she needed to do that to prove she is a pop badass. Eat your heart out, Taylor Swift.
Screaming Females ::DESIRE PATHWAY:: No reinvention of their wheel here, but that will likely please fans. Then again, I am finding this record more palatable than their earlier output, so that might turn some fans off.

The News:

@ ::MIND PALACE MUSIC:: Gonna be difficult searching for the band's name, but MIND PALACE MUSIC reminds me a lot of the lo-fi, DIY indie I was listening to in the late aughts and early twenty-tens.
Anna B Savage ::IN|FLUX:: Garden-variety, run-of-the mill synth-driven indie pop. What might set this apart from the rest is Savage's deep, smoky, soulful voice.
Avey Tare ::7S:: Speaking of late aughts/early twenty-tens diy indie, Avey Tare is a project by Animal Collective's David Portner that explores the weirder, more psychedelic side of his writing.
Free Range ::PRACTICE:: Indie-folk from Chicago and the brainchild of Sofie Hensen. Many of these songs were composed during COVID isolation, and you get that vibe from listening. RIYL Jodi, Sadurn, Why Bonnie.
Grade 2 ::GRADE 2:: Not to be confused with 2nd Grade, these Isle of Wight punks write songs that howl about contemporary injustice, personal identity, and frustrations of Gen Z youth. This is the band's second release on Tim Armstromg's Hellcat Records. Pretty great straight-ahead punk.
MF Tomlinson ::WE ARE STILL WILD HORSES:: Fans of Bill Callahan and King Crimson should give this a spin.
Oh No ::GOOD VIBES:: Jazz-influenced, melodic, instrumental hip hop by the son of soul singer Otis Jackson Sr. and nephew of jazz trumpeter Jon Faddis. This is excellent mood/background music.
Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs ::LAND OF SLEEPER:: Stoner rock from a band whose name is the word "Pigs" written seven times in a row. Don't let the name fool you, when I started spinning this, my room instantly smelled like weed and incense.
Pile ::ALL FICTION:: Neo-grunge out of Boston with RIYLs including Ovlov, Pissed Jeans, Swearin', and Diarrhea Planet.
Runner ::LIKE DYING STARS, WE'RE REACHING OUT:: RIYL melancholy indie-folk a'la S. Carey, HOVVDY, and TOLEDO.
Tianna Esperanza ::TERROR:: Lots of interesting sounds on this record, but with RIYLs including Valerie June, H.C. McEntire, and Sunny War, it's definitely worth checking out.

Friday, February 10th, 2023

Here's what the record stork brought us for Friday February 10, 2023.

Keep up with all weekly releases through the comprehensive Spotify Monthly New Release Playlists; here’s January’s Playlist, and here’s February’s Playlist.

The Knowns:

Andy Schauf ::NORM:: Saskatchewan singer/songwriter starts marching at a slower pace as compared to 2020's THE NEON SKYLINE and 2021s WILDS. Shauf has now put out a record each of the past three years, all show solid craftwork for pop-laden rock-n-roll which seems to be a skill you get in Canada just by drinking the water there.
The Brian Jonestown Massacre ::THE FUTURE IS YOUR PAST:: Not sure how this one eluded my usual new release lists. Anton Newcome has been on a roll lately.
El Ten Eleven ::VALLEY OF FIRE:: More instrumental, melodic post-rock situated somewhere between Explosions in the Sky and Ratatat, but with way fewer delay pedals and wildcat growls, respectively.
Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley ::LIVING IN A SONG:: People like to gush over the Dobro™ playing of Jerry Douglass, but Rob Ickes is every bit the player. This is good, solid, Dobro™-heavy Bluegrass
Paramore ::THIS IS WHY:: If you're gonna spin Top 40 rock/emo, there are worse options. This record actually doesn't sound over-produced and super squashed with compression (see The Loudness Wars for a review). As I sample these tracks, I am surprised by how much I am liking this record.
Quasi ::BREAKING THE BALLS OF HISTORY:: Sam Coomes and Janet Weiss return and expand on their 'proto-indie' sound that they started crafting in the late 20th century (1990s).
The Rolling Stones ::GRRR LIVE!:: Another 24 live tracks of Rolling Stones hits that have been released as live tracks before this release.
Yo La Tengo ::THIS STUPID WORLD:: The NJ stalwarts not reinventing the wheels of their musical machine is likely going to be received positively by fans. This record sounds like high school to me.

The News:

Bailey Miller ::LOVE IS A DYING:: Ethereal and soaring vocals (sometimes harmonized) over sparse string instrument musical landscapes. Very low-key and meditative.
Beat Awful ::PAWS:: From Boston, MA to Lexington, KY, to Richmond, VA, and seemingly picking up influences from each region, PAWS has everything from indie-pop jangle, to synth-driven, to lo-fi garage-y tracks all wrapped up on this nine-song LP. Here's a good quote from Boston Hassle: "Somewhere at the aural crossroads of shoegaze and garage rock, you’ll find BEAT AWFULS perched comfortably atop their throne of lo-fi, shuffle inducing jams." - Boston Hassle.
Big Laugh ::CONSUME ME:: Thrash/hardcore out of - get this - Milwaukee fucking Wisconsin. It rips.
Black Belt Eagle Scout ::THE LAND, THE WATER, THE SKY:: NPR and FADER darling who hit the scene in 2018 and released two acclaimed records since, THE LAND... being their third. Elements of 90s grunge and mid-teens female-fronted indie get an apt Spotify RIYL Jay Som and Vagabon.
CIVIC ::TAKEN BY FORCE:: Melbourne, Australia melodic proto-punk.
Lance Skiiiwalker ::AUDIODIDACTIC:: Up-and-coming artist praised by Kendrick Lemar with a hard-to-define sound that encompases psychedelic, alternative rock, jazz, hip-hop, and soul.
Narrow Head ::MOMENTS OF CLARITY:: When I played track one on this record I thought I was listening to "Stars" by 1990s alt-rock sleepers Hum. Holy shit! Just straight melodic grunge/shoegaze. A boon on these ears!
Pearla ::OH GLISTENING ONION, THE NIGHTTIME IS COMING:: Lush, therapeutic and discordant folk from Brooklyn singer/songwriter (and angelic voice) Nicole Rodriguez. NPR's Bob Boilen is a fan.
Tennis ::POLLEN:: Saw this band open for Modest Mouse a few years ago. I prayed each song they played was their last (who know, maybe studio majgic will help here), but some folks here might enjoy what they call their own brand of "50s pop melancholy with smooth-and-easy '70s soft rock, in a beguiling, calming fashion that matches the sailing trips that provide them with inspiration." Koko is rolling over in his grave, which isn't easy do do considering he has a harpoon through his heart (IYK,YK)
Ashby Frank ::LEAVING IS BELIEVING:: Native son of Winston-Salem, NC-turned Nashville multi-instrumentalist, Ashby Frank's latest blends more country elements (i.e., drums, electric bass) into these mountain-stringband arrangements.
Farmer Jason ::FISH WISH:: Americana-tinged children's song (this is just a single, but it is cute) by the brainchild behind Jason and the Scorchers. Y'all with young kids, and grandkids oughtta check this out!
Al Holliday ::ALL I WANT:: St. Louis-based octet trying to find that space between Joe Cocker and the Band.

What did I miss, y'all!??

Friday, February 3rd, 2023

Hey y'all. Still reeling after last night's MJ Lenderman show. Unreal. Here's what drops today.

Keep up with all weekly releases through the comprehensive Spotify Monthly New Release Playlists; here’s January’s Playlist, and here’s the new February Playlist.

The Knowns

Fantastic Negrito ::GRANDFATHER COURAGE:: Acoustic versions of songs from 2022s WHITE JESUS BLACK PROBLEMS. The opening song appears to be a new one.
Korn ::REQUIEM MASS:: Not adding this to the playlist, but this is a reminder that the 3:01 to 3:30 mark in "Freak on a Leash" is one of the best breakdowns in a song from that era/genre ever...and I think Korn is terrible. Props where props are due.
Robert Forster (the Go Betweens) ::THE CANDLE AND THE FLAME:: Nice output from a single lane of the Go Betweens.
Shania Twain ::QUEEN OF ME:: Let's go, girls.
The Men ::NEW YORK CITY:: Gone are the more soulful country twinges of the Men. This one is a full-fledged garage rock record covered in NY subway grime and rat piss.
Tropical Fuck Storm ::SUBMERSIVE BEHAVIOR:: If you're not yet caught in the fuck storm, you really are missing out on some amazing, weird rock n roll out of Melbourne Australia.

The News

Babyfang ::IN THE FACE OF:: 'Dance-able doomsday post-punk' from a Brooklyn trio. This one gets loud and noisy, but also has some soul to it (check out track 3, 'SCARSGO'). This is a wild one that I did not expect to like.
Blackwülf ::THIEVES AND LIARS:: Oakland California stoner rock. No reinvention of the wheel but likely scratches an itch if this is your jam.
Ibex Clone ::ALL CHANNELS CLEAR:: Memphis TN post-punk/power pop band on Goner Records. Stereogum did a nice write up on them here that digs into the members progeny. This one sounds like something that fans of Fontaines D.C. would love.
Jarrod Dickenson ::BIG TALK:: Garden variety and pleasant Texas singer/songwriter Americana.
LOTEC (Land of the El Caminos) ::SQUARES!:: Power pop three-piece of veteran Chicago musicians led by Dan Fanelli on guitar/vocals Kenny Wallin on Drums and Sean Hulet on bass. This is that scruffy rock that Postcard shows up for. Some of these melodic structures remind me of early Soul Asylum.
Sanguisugabogg ::HOMICIDAL ECSTASY:: Adding this simply because their Spoitfy bio describes the band as "DOWN TUNED DRUG DEATH." Metal AF. This rips!
Sunny War ::ANARCHIST GOSPEL:: Soulful gospel with a punk attitude. SPotify RIYLs include Hurray for the Riff Raff, Adia Victoria, and Tre Burt.
The Velvet Hands ::SUCKER PUNCH:: From GodsInTheTVZine: "Bolshy, brash garage punk rabble-rousers somewhere between the attitude of early Cribs or Libertines colliding with the death or glory of the Clash."
The Waeve ::S/T:: Graham Coxon and Rose Elinor Dougall project with song "themes of oblivion and surrender...juxtaposed with hopefulness and light..."

What did we miss??!?!

Friday, January 27th, 2023

Hey y'all, here's what dropped on this final Friday in January. Lots of familiar names out there. Let me know if I missed anything...but more so, let me know whether you spin any of these and like em! I see myself spending a lot of time with the Bass Drum of Death, H.C. McEntyre, and the Mother Hips records!

Keep up with all weekly releases through the comprehensive Spotify Monthly New Release Playlists; here’s January’s Playlist.

The Knowns

The Arcs ::ELECTROPHONIC CHRONIC:: Dan Auerbach side hustle with Leon Michaels, Homer Steinweiss, multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Richard Swift, and America's BEST bassist, Nick Movshon. It's the Black Keys meets DapTone records. Lots to love here. Seriously, I want Nick Movshon to lay EVERY soul song foundation from here forward. That dude is teeming with groove.
Bass Drum of Death ::SAY I WON'T:: Lo-fi garage rock out of Oxford Mississippi. Less lo-fi than prior recordings, but the scruff is definitely still there. I can see this record being a hell of a soundtrack to early spring road trips.
Bob Dylan ::FRAGMENTS - TIME OUT OF MIND SESSIONS (1996-1997): THE BOOTLEG SERIES VOL.17:: I still don't like Dylan. And what I remember most about this record was that he toured on it with Ani DiFranco and she blew him off the stage every night according to show reviews.
Carly Simon ::LIVE AT GRAND CENTRAL:: Concert recording from April 2, 1995.
Fucked Up ::ONE DAY:: Canadian punk stomp that's just as incindiary as ever. You can't have a name like this and not be good.
Joe Henry ::ALL THE EYE CAN SEE:: Classic chamber Americana from a stalwart in the genre.
King Tuff ::SMALLTOWN STARDUST:: More trippy garage rock from Kyle Thomas' alter ego.
The Mother Hips ::WHEN WE DISAPPEAR:: I mean, the opener, and title track of the Hips' new album sounds like a lost Band song. I guess I had these guys confused with the Tragically Hip, also great, but the Mother Hips are definitely scratching that 70s, California jam-rock itch that I get from time to time.
White Reaper ::ASKING FOR A RIDE:: Explosive pop-punk/emo/thrash with, as the band themselves describe: "chrome-plated riffs mixed with thrash, stadium-made choruses, and blissful acoustic comedowns"

The News

Elle King ::COME GET YOUR WIFE:: Top 40 country with a fiery singer. Not out of place on a playlist with Miranda Lambert and/or the Pistol Annies.
H.C. McEntyre ::EVERY ACRE:: Durham, NC-based singer best known as a member of Mount Moriah and Bellafea. This is low-key, soulful, southern Americana mlody with McEntyre's angelic voice hovering over it all. Spotify RIYLs include Lilly Hiatt, Margo Price, and Jake Xerxes Fussell. I hear Tift Merritt in her vocal delivery too (especially in the track "Rows of Clover").
Heavy Blanket ::MOON IS:: New name, familiar artist. Heavy Blanket is a side project by J. Mascis that began in his salad days as a teen when Deep Wound was winding down. So Masic and two high school buddies (drummer Pete Cougar and bassist Johnny Pancake) would get together to play trippy psych rock songs influenced by Hendrix and Blue Cheer. Y'all should read the story about these guys. It's wild. It culminates with the trio reuniting and record the record they attempted to lay down back in 1984. PS - the shortest song on this 6-track record is 4 minutes...and it appears to be all instrumental rock with Mascis being Mascis.
Ladybird ::LADYBIRD EP:: Milwaukee alt-country band whose singer, Peter Freeman, aka Peter Dangit, was once a resident of my former hometown, Frederick Maryland. Freeman moved to Wisconsin to immerse himself in the Packers nation before I got to Frederick, but folks in town still champion his music. The band's 2021 EP INTRODUCING... was a favorite of mine that year. The new S/T EP is only 4 songs...and I bet if you made a playlist of all 8 songs across both EPs, you'd have a banger.
Oozing Wound ::WE CATER TO COWARDS:: Real fucked up noise out of Chicago. Not really metal...more thrash and noise and hardcore. Be careful around valuables if you spin this one.
R. Ring ::WAR POEMS, WE RESTED:: Side project by Kelley Deal that sounds just as you would expect a side project from a member of the Pixies and the Breeders to sound.
Samia ::HONEY:: There is a growing crop of artists taking influence from Phoebe Bridgers et. al., and we can probably count Samia among them. Nothing to be mad about tho.
The Drin ::TODAY MY FRIEND YOU DRUNK THE VENOM:: Weird-ass Cincinnati punk band out with like, their third record in 18 months ! I think their music represents what the inside of a Schizophrenic's brain sounds like on any given day. It's wild!
The Tubs ::DEAD MEAT::New project by Owen Williams and George Nicholls from Joanna Gruesome fame. Lots of Fender guitar jangle under 80s-inspired pop melodies.
Widows Gold ::LOVE DROPS:: One publication describes this act as "an amalgam of artists like The Smashing Pumpkins, The Strokes, Courtney Barnett, and the Chameleons." But you be the judge of that.

Friday, January 20th, 2023

Here's what's on tap for Jan 20, 2023 - which also happens to be my old man's 67th birthday. Send him well wishes wherever you are. The man is a saint. The new releases were plentiful today and sapped most of the morning. I know I am still missing some, so if you have recs, please share.

Keep up with all weekly releases through the comprehensive Spotify Monthly New Release Playlists; here’s January’s Playlist.

The Knowns:

Guided by Voices ::LA LA LAND:: GBV is back with their 749th record in the past 3 years. Only 11 tracks on this one and they're all accessible, driving, poppy rock-n-roll. In other words, it's GBV at their best.
John Cale ::MERCY:: I've never been a fan, but I acknowledge the influence. This one sounds a bit like an 80's B-movie soundtrack to my ears. Your mileage may vary.
Mac DeMarco ::FIVE EASY HOT DOGS:: This record title makes me hungry for hot dogs here in Raleigh's The Roast Grill. DeMarco's latest is instrumental smooth rock with jazz and indie undertones. Interesting to say the least...but not terrible!
New Found Glory ::MAKE THE MOST OF IT:: One of my guilty pleasure pop punk bands (tho as my wife constantly reminds me, there are no *guilty* pleasures, there are only **pleasures**). This all-acoustic record comes on the heels of guitarist Chad Gilbert's cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. The songs are described as 'emotional and cathartic."

The News:

The Bad Ends ::THE POWER AND THE GLORY:: This should probably be in the "knowns" above because it is the new outfit by known quantity Bill Berry, former REM drummer. And it is everything you might expect from a group of veteran musicians from Athens, Georgia with Bill Berry on the kit. It's incredibly "postcard friendly." with elements of power pop, southern rock (not Southern Rock - iykyk), and a little twang here and there. Really digging this one, and I think folks here will as well.
Beauty Pill ::BLUE PERIOD:: I am gonna rely on wikipedia to help with this one: "Beauty Pill's music is generally characterized by cinematic arrangements, angular melodies, and electronic textures. This detailed, atmospheric aesthetic contrasts the more raw punk of its label-mates on Dischord Records.This sensibility reflects Clark's parallel profession as a producer and engineer. His discography includes work with The Dismemberment Plan,[1] Sparklehorse, Fugazi, Blakroc, Bernie Worrell, Marc Ribot, Mary Timony, The Evens, Lungfish, Bob Mould, The Wilderness, The Caribbean, Craig Wedren, among others."
The C.I.A. ::SURGERY CHANNEL:: New outfit by garage punk stalwart Ty Segal and his spouse Denee Segal. As expected, this is full of dirty, lo-fi guitar-oriented rock n roll, but with Denee on vocals.
Dave Rowntree ::RADIO SONGS:: solo project by the drummer of Britpop darlings Blur. Has a Blur meets Joy Division quality to it. Droney and synth-y, which is a music style that many folks somehow enjoy.
Dosser ::VIOLENT PICTURE/VIOLENT SOUND:: Baltimore, Maryland alt-rock band raised on a steady diet of 90s grunge. The opening cut on this record ("Joy Thief") sounds like a mash up between Hum and early Foo Fighters. But the band's sound isn't just "grunge cosplay" - not only have the band been honing this sound for years, but they have been a staple of a scene brewing in Baltimore and the surrounding region with similar sounding acts (Baltimore's Mess and Frederick's Lilac Daze come to mind). I've known the guitarist and drummer for several years through my foray in the Maryland music scene, and I can tell you this record has been a long time coming. The production is a little slick for my tastes, but there's no question that the band put a lot of effort into this project.
Erik Vincent Huey ::APPALACHIAN GOTHIC:: Debut solo effort from Huey (aka Cletus McCoy of The Sureal McCoys). Aided by Eric Ambel, this offers up some basic Country, R&R & Americana material dealing mostly with Huey's family history and life in West Virginia coal mining country.
Fran ::LEAVING:: Self-described as 'sexy rock u can cry to', Chicago-based songwriter Maria Jacobson diched her career path in film to teach English in Mexico. While there (circa 2015), she started learning guitar, and eventually came back to the states ready to start a band. Folks who dig songwriting styles of strong female artists like Lucy Dacus and Phoebe Bridgers will probably find something here. Spotify also has some non-unknown RIYLs including Gold Dust, Why Bonnie, Gladie, and Disq.
Glyders ::MARIA'S HUNT:: Chicgao-based, Drag City band that sounds more like they should be in the tepid, red clay-stained waters of some Alabama swimming hole more so than the Windy City. Fans of Natural Child and Color Green should get all over this one.
Half Life ::LIKE A JUNGLE:: From Iron Maiden cover band to legit Iron Maiden-influenced metal band. Singer Alessandro Minervini sounds like a meld between Rob Halford and Bruce Dickinson, and the lo-fi recording makes the LP sound like an old metal cassette from the 80s.
J.T. IV ::THE FUTURE:: Man...talk about lo-fi! J.T. IV's record sounds like it was recorded on cheap gear, then played over a stereo, and recorded onto a tape deck. But these songs have energy. The thing is, after doing some digging, this is kind of what happened. from J.T. IV aka John Henry Timmis was a Chicago-based punk musician active in the 1980s. He released only a smattering of music during his lifetime (and an extremely long film) that was collected for a posthumous re-release in 2008. from his bandcamp: "Barely-heard in his lifetime (1961-2002) but hailed as an outsider hero of ur-punk since 2009’s Cosmic Lightning comp, J.T. IV strikes back! 15 unheard-of tracks found on an obscure cassette tape make the schizo split in his music – rabid rock n roll fantasy and cold-eyed acoustic introspection – an epic. The Future is J.T. IV’s mad magnum opus." And *this* is why I like to add these info snippets on this list. What a weird and rad fucking story!
The MOSS ::INSOMNIA (EP):: Garden variety indie rock by 4 dudes from...UTAH?!?!? What? This shit is catchy.
The Murder Capital ::GIGI'S RECOVERY:: Dublin-based Post-punk. RIYL Shame, Fontaines D.C.
Oddisee ::TO WHAT END:: Moniker of DC hip-hop artist Amir Elkhalifa, born to and raised by a Sudanese father and African mother, he grew up in PGC (Prince George's County) and witnessed the iniquity abound in America's capital city. These themes are present on TO WHAT END. Musically, Elkhalfia mixes old school hip-hop, jazz, and go-go in these tunes. Not your average hip hop record. Rifling through, it might be my second favorite release this week next to The Bad Ends.
Spice World ::THERE IS NO 'I' IN SPICE WORLD:: No, this has nothing to do with the Spice Girls. I'll let the bandcamp bio do the work here: "Spice World are a 4-piece band formed on Whadjuk Noongar Boodja (Fremantle, WA) for a one-night-only performance in early 2021 before their drummer Julia had to rush back to Melbourne a few days later. This performance was surprisingly well-received and so Spice World continued with occasional shows, sometimes in a more soft-edged trio format. Endearingly scrappy, Spice World perform DIY, ad-hoc pop music that is sometimes sad and sometimes silly, but always offered in earnest. They bring a punk mindset and laissez faire approach to sun-drenched kitchen table music."

Friday, January 13th, 2023

Here’s what trickled out of the new releases valve when they opened it this morning. Holler if we missed something.

Keep up with all weekly releases through the comprehensive Spotify Monthly New Release Playlists; here’s January’s Playlist.

The Knowns:

Belle & Sebastian ::LATE DEVELOPERS:: Considering last year's A BIT OF PREVIOUS was the band's first studio output in seven years, and it only released seven months ago in May 2021, LATE DEVELOPERS may be leftovers from the previous, well, A BIT OF PREVIOUS. Or who knows, maybe these are all organically written and recorded since A BIT. Pre-COVID, the band was slated to come to LA and make a record, but scrapped those plans and built a recording space to work during the pandemic. Both LATE DEVELOPERS and A BIT OF PREVIOUS were home-recorded, and so far, both records have a similar vibe. I am already enjoying this new one more so than the PREVIOUS.
Gaz Coombes ::TURN THE CAR AROUND:: Former Supergrass frontman returns with his third solo release of trippy, atmospheric rock n roll that you should expect.
Margo Price ::STRAYS:: On her 4th record, Price is plugged in, turned up, and roaring - about a broken world full of substance abuse, self-image, abortion rights, and ... orgasms (hey-o!). This record's 10 tracks are way more cosmic than they are country.
Obituary ::DYING OF EVERYTHING:: Fuckin' OG death metal since 1986. Grab your lyric sheet as Tom Hardy got with the times, delivering these songs with a guttural vocal growl like many contemporaries. But all the classic elements are here from double-kick thrash drumming to heavy riff breakdowns. Make sure you don't have any valuables nearby when you spin this one.
Ernie Vincent ::ORIGINAL DAP KING:: New Orleans stalwart of funk music whose latest release boasts a shit-hot cast of players including the Drive-by Truckers’ Matt Patton (bass), Jimbo Mathus, the Squirrel Nut Zippers’ horns and strings, and backup vocals from Seratones frontwoman AJ Haynes. This record is a party.

The News:

Billy Nomates ::CACTI:: British singer-songwriter who Tor Maries, whose stage name is Billy Nomates, was raised in Leicester and played in a number of bands that failed to get recognition. She was inspired to get back into music after a Sleaford Mods gig (who would eventually feature her on their track "Mork and Mindy"). Funny - the stage name was taken up from an insult tossed at her when playing a solo gig. Maries' self-titled first album was recorded in Bristol with Portishead’s Geoff Barrow. Released this in 2020, it quickly gained attention from BBC Radio 6 Music. She describes her music as "No-wave", though other critics call it post-punk. Fans of Portishead will probably dig this. It's a bit more upbeat and less melodically dour, but still driven by synth-y beats.
Etta Marcus ::HEART-SHAPED BRUISE:: Twenty-year old singer songwriter from South London who wouldn't be out of place on a Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus and/or Sharon Van Etten tour. May not have much staying power, but the opening cut is a driving indie pop song with a great melody. "Smile the Camera" has a nice pop lilt that could easily find a place on a streaming television show about young women not taking shit from the patriarchy (not saying that pejoratively). Several songs have a 'chill-anthem' vibe to them which isn't off-putting.
Rozi Plain ::PRIZE:: UK Singer/Songwriter whose latest release is giving me some softer Vita and the Woolf vibes. Synthy, melodic, chill. I almost wrote this one off as not interesting, but each track I skipped through had some interesting musical blocks. Again, may not have staying power, but definitely worth a few listens at least.
Myron Elkins ::FACTORIES, FARMS, & AMPHETAMINES:: Elkins, a 21 year old welder-turned musician must've made some waves somewhere considering Dave Cobb (Jason Isbell, Sturgill Simpson) produced his debut album. Across the album’s ten tracks, Elkins crafts sharp observations informed by his working-class upbringing, infusing his music with rich personal experience. “I actually wrote a lot of these songs on the album in my head while I was welding,” he says. “I just loved to play and write all of the time. Finding people who want to do that with you isn’t always easy, but we made it work. And with this bunch of songs, it made it all worth it.” Check out Elkins' bio here. Dude sounds like he's 70 years old singing some of these songs...
poolblood ::MOLE:: This record by Toronto's Maryam Said is a grower...in that it really blossoms from early, quieter, lo-fi tracks to full blown indie-pop shimmer by the time track 4 "twinkie" is up. Drawing inspiration from Fiona Apple, Nick Drake, Yuck, The Apples in Stereo, Mitski, the Deftones, and all points in-between, this record is a smorgasbord of sonic layers.
Unarmed ::IT'S LIKE THAT (EP):: Garden variety emo-pop-punk from Portland Oregon. May not be your thing, but it for damn sure is mine. Brb...gonna go sit in my feels and listen to this.
Wailin' Storms ::THE SILVER SNAKE UNFOLDS:: From the band's webpage bio: "Originally formed in the unrelenting heat of Corpus Christi, Texas, WAILIN STORMS migrated east and ended up in Durham, North Carolina. Their sound is justly a mix of doom-punk and swampy rock, as elements of their prior and current surroundings culminate into a unique and volatile brew. Stamped with eerily dark and ominous vocal elements reminiscent of bluesy masters like Howlin’ Wolf and Samhain with emotive nods to Destruction Unit, Bauhaus, and Jesus Lizard, the band’s output is incessantly passionate and harrowing in its entirety."
Whitehorse ::I'M NOT CRYING, YOU'RE CRYING:: "Ethereal folk, space cowboy twang, psychedelic spaghetti western, intergalactic blues grooves, pop noir."

Friday, January 6th, 2023

And we’re back! The monthly new release playlist for January is live! Smash that “like” button!

The Knowns

Anti Flag ::LIES THEY TELL OUR CHILDREN:: Pittsburgh PA punks return with their 13th (!!) record.
Iggy Pop ::EVERY LOSER:: There's no reason why this album should jam as hard as it does, especially given that Iggy Pop is 120 years old. Given that, there is obviously less of the Iggy snarl, but the tunes are more straight-forward rock that lend to his more low-pitched vocal delivery. Hell, it worked for Ian Curtis.

The News

Doom Flower ::LIMESTONE RITUAL:: After returning Chicago as a home base, Doom Flower's debut LP came together through the "pavementing" process (I dunno if this is a thing, but my buddy uses that term to describe when art is achieved collectively from different places, and sent back and forth until the final product is achieved). Songwriter Jess Price was in Columbus, OH filming a band that included now-bandmate Bobby Burg. The two became friends and that friendship grew into musical collaboration. The COVID pandemic was a boon to this process as each member had time to work on, refine, share, tweak, and repeat from their respective stations (Burg, for example, had moved to Tulsa, OK just prior to the pandemic). The result was 12 demo songs that would eventually comprise LIMESTONE RITUAL. Eventually, the band returned to Chicago to record the LP. This article in the Chicago Times has a nice summary of how the band, and the LP came together. It also notes that though the band may be "reminiscent of many ‘90s and aughts alt-rock and trip-hop greats like Mazzy Star, The Breeders, Cat Power and Portishead, [they] also sound unlike anything else currently being released."
Allen Epley ::EVERYTHING:: Not sure how to describe this one - singer/songwriter whose parents were classical professors for music; meaning he grew up with access to their record collection. Epley was best known for his work with the post-rock trip The Life and Times who formed after Epley's math rock outfit Shiner disbanded. But I don't think EVERYTHING fits into either "post-" or "math" rock. This record is sonic...and dreamy...and melancholy. Pedal steel guitar provided sweeping and floating melodies, but without the twang you might expect from the instrument...it almost serves like a string section on these songs. If any of this sounds intriguing, I encourage you to spin this record and read more about Epley on his website.
Isaac Alexander ::FUTURE SANCTUARY 1 / FUTURE SANCTUARY 2:: Those of you who attend(ed) the Holiday Hangout over the years likely recognize Isaac's name - as he'e been a staple performer at the event. A Little Rock native, as one-third of the Eric, Rob, and Isaac graphic design firm, he's been designing the Holiday Hangout posters and t-shirts for years. This most recent year's t-shirt design was a fucking ambigram of 'holiday hangout." I say all this to say that Isaac is a unique artistic talent. In the early aughts, Isaac fronted the Little Rock band Big Silver, which kind of skirted alt-country, but wasn't quite pure twang+punk. I've always viewed Isaac as Little Rock's own Jeff Tweedy - in that he will start with what is a simple folk song, and then add a chord or a section to the song that is rooted in this beautiful dissonance...which shouldn't work, but somehow does...Kinda like Heff Tweedy has been doing since SUMMERTEETH. That all said, Isaac released FUTURE SANCTUARY 1 and FUTURE SANCTUARY 2 to start the year. Vol. 1 is a bit more sleepy than Vol. 2, but as a whole, this is a pretty ambitious step for a guy who has a day job. Isaac remains one of my favorite songwriters in Arkansas, and in general. I hope y'all give this one (rather, these two) a spin.
L.A. Edwards ::OUT OF THE HEART OF DARKNESS:: Somewhat rockier than their earlier efforts. Not as much Jackson Browne/Dawes sounding and more early Deer Tick and Delta Spirit.
Nicole Dollanganger ::MARRIED IN MOUNT AIRY:: Southern Ontario gothic singer songwriter with a childlike voice hovering over dour, dark melodies. One RIYL from spotify is Gregory and the Hawk (Meredith Godreau) whose vocal timbre is not all that dissimilar from Dollanganger. Indeed, MARRIED IN MOUNT AIRY sounds like it could pass for a Gregory and the Hawk record with tighter/crisper production.
We Are Only Human Once ::EVERY DOG ON EARTH:: Fuzzy, lo-fi, DIY songs that can crescendo into an epic cacophony of sound (see the opening track on EVERY DOG for an example). The singing on the songs seems a little constricted when not backed by harmonies (think John K. Samson's restricted range from the Weakerthans). The Delaware Ohio band self-describes their music as "poorly vocalized elongated snippets about heartache..." Track 3 (Happier Than This), clocking in at 1:47, sounds pretty Postcard-friendly. The further I get into this record, the more I like it. It's definitely our kind of lo-fi.