WHO: Toadies WHAT: The Charmer WHY: I can’t believe it myself. I saw them play their old hit Possum Kingdom on KEXP and that song drilled its way into my brain all over again. It turns out they have a new album, produced by Steve Albini, that was getting some pretty good reviews. Sure enough, after a couple of listens, it’s becoming one of my favorite albums of the year, especially because it sounds way too much like Shellac for...
WHO: Shellac WHAT: To All Trains WHY: In a world full of phonies, Steve Albini was a real one even to the real ones. To All Trains is a wonderful sendoff both to the main and his band. It rocks, it paces, it pounds, it zigs and zags, and is full of humor in a way no other band can get away with. It does effortlessly what others would consider taboo. Excellent, and dude, incredible. It’s just a shame it’s...