WHO: Alex G WHAT: Headlights WHY: No one does lo-fi moody like Alex G. It would be easy-listening, but Headlights is just weird enough and subversive enough to give it an edge. But then there’s a consistent sweetness in all these songs, and nowhere more evident than on Afterlife. His style becomes more singular with each album and Headlights is the obvious progression for him. We should all be excited about what’s coming next. Listen to it...
WHO: Pulp WHAT: More WHY: I should have known my love for Pulp runs too deep for this album not be one of my highlights of the year. I thought it was just OK at first, but the more I listen to it (and I mean REALLY listen), the more I started appreciating what Jarvis was cooking. More sounds distinctly Brit-Pop, which now is just rock with pop tendencies. This is a more grown-up Pulp: interested in appreciating and loving...
WHO: The Darkness WHAT: Dreams on Toast WHY: It doesn’t have the kind of bangers you get from their first two albums, but Dreams On Toast grows on you the more you listen to it. Full of clever lyrics and outstandingly catchy choruses, this album pivots slightly to country but is still strongest when it sticks to what the Darkness does best: rock ‘n’ roll. Skip the “members” version which adds several skippable tracks and opt for the standard version...
WHO: Viagra Boys WHAT: Viagr aBoys WHY: I never thought I’d give this band a shot, but all the right people were fans: people with good taste on social media, music publications with good taste (like CREEM), and bands with actual integrity. Who was I to argue? Of course, I’m late to the game (they were on the Daily Show!?), but better late than never. Viagra Boys is rocking’, nihilistic, vulgar and honest – with itself and with itself. It’s...
WHO: Ty Segall WHAT: Possession WHY: After conquering garage rock, Ty Segall has continued on his orchestral glam-rock path. Those noisy roots are evident even on his newest album Possession. There will always be a new album with Segall and you can always expect it to be of good quality. Possession has the more complex sounds of Manipulator, employing organs and strings. It sounds like Segall has grown up but can still push himself and keep his edge. Only he...
WHO: Panda bear WHAT: Sinister Gift WHY: I definitely had an Animal Collective phase. I don’t think I “outgrew” them, because I occasionally revisit them and remember I enjoy that music. I even thought Time Skiffs was a cool album, so there was no harm in giving the new Panda Bear album a shot. Sinister Gift is more rock, pop, and less experimental, but still “weird” by contemporary standards, so sonically it’s in a unique space. It also has those...
WHO: Propagandhi WHAT: At Peace WHY: I could argue that Propagandhi started making their best music once they left Fat Wreck Chords. It might be a hard sell, because of Tomorrow’s Ashes, but their post-Fat releases have been formidable and raging. At Peace continues on the thrash metal path and does what a good album does from a band who wants to keep exploring their style: it sounds different on a first hearing but becomes more and more enjoyable after...
WHO: Personality Cult WHAT: Dilated WHY: It look me a while to figure out why I feel so cozy listening to Personality Cult, and their latest release Dilated was a revelation. I’m listening to a Buzzcocks album, warts and all. It’s been too long since their excellent album New Arrows, but good things are worth the wait. This one has the arms, legs, hooks, and soul of a great buzzpop record. You’re not going to get a new Marked Men...
WHO: Lambrini Girls WHAT: Who Let the Dogs Out? WHY: I’ve heard the Lambrini Girls’ music described in a variety of different ways, but to me they sound like Death From Above 1979 mixed with Crass. That’s a GREAT combo, people! Who Let the Dogs Out is abrasive, catchy, dancy, daring, unapologetic, and ready for a fight. Time will tell if this album was too much too soon, but right now, it’s hitting all the right buttons and kicking the...
WHO: Tim Heidecker WHAT: Slipping Away WHY: Sure, you don’t start your album by telling your listener to lower their expectations, and Slipping Away does have some half-cooked ideas at the beginning, but it ends with a rich, compelling and beautiful set of songs that make the rocky start worth it. In the end, this album is a fuzzy and remarkably relatable experience, especially to a dad like me. Yeah, it’s easy listening, but it’s good warm easy listening. Listen...