Another shameless thread trolling for new vinyl ideas...Grading: (Music/Sonics)
Bombino "Nomad", Nonesuch (A-/B+)
Great LP of difficult to characterize but very satisfying guitar music by this Taureg musician. Produced by Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys...you can hear the influence but it is not obtrusive.
Charles Bradley "Victim of Love", Daptone (A/B+)
Even better than his debut. Much more consistent. A great soul record.
Deerhunter "Monomania", 4AD (A-/A-)
On first spin a disappointment, especially on the heels of the brilliant "Halcyon Digest". Very different feel compared to the recent Bradford Cox (Atlas Sound "Parallax") and Lockett Pundt (Lotus Plaza "Spooky Action at a Distance") solo releases. Much more grungy/garage band feel. With repeated listens, this one has really grown on me. There are a couple of throw aways but the rest of the LP is brilliant allowing me to grant forgiveness.
Jacco Gardner "Cabinet of Curiosities", Trouble In Mind, (B+/A-)
He's clearly absorbed the psychedelia of the late 60's...think updated Zombie's. A little long and gets a bit repetitive but an artist to keep an eye on. Well recorded. "Clear The Air" is one of the best songs of the year...
The National "Trouble Will Find Me", 4AD, (A/A- with caveat...see below)
A bit of a disappointment on first spin but with repeated listens this has become one of my favorites. Not as intense as prior LPs and does not quite attain the brilliance of "High Violet". Ho hum, another great LP by one of the best American bands who absolutely kill in concert. The double LP is for the most part, excellent sounding. However, my copy had noise in the right channel on side 3...
The Orange Peels, Sun Moon, Mystery Lawn Music, (B+ to A-/Borderline A-)
A fun pop LP with jangly guitars and catchy tunes.
Phosphorescent "Muchacho", Dead Oceans (A-/B)
Another terrific LP, although not quite the masterpiece of "Here's To Taking It Easy". Has my favorite single of the year "Right On/Ride On". While the sonics are much better quality than previously (the aural equivalent of high jumping a pancake), sound quality is not audiophile.
Psychic Ills "One Track Mind" Sacred Bones Records, (A/A-)
My most pleasant surprise of the year. Never heard of these guys before a recommendation on SHF. "One More Time" is a killer single. Well recorded. Will be a year end top 10.
Smoke Fairies "Upstairs At United", 453 Music, (A-/A)
I'm a fanboy. It's the Smoke Fairies recorded backed by the Blitzen Trapper rhythm section. Excellent direct to tape recording. Did I mention I love the Smoke Fairies?...sigh. Short documentary can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDe8xbo1M80
Kurt Vile "Wakin' On a Pretty Daze" Matador (A/A)
I was not a huge fan of his previous release, the critically well reviewed "Smoke Ring For My Halo" which had some great moments but was inconsistent and not well recorded. This LP is a big step forward with consistently excellent songwriting and excellent sonics. Can't wait for the concert next month!
A couple others I'm enjoying but not quite ready to make a final assessment Wolf People "Fain" and Rhye "Woman" but as I've posted previously, very promising on first few spins.
Bombino "Nomad", Nonesuch (A-/B+)
Great LP of difficult to characterize but very satisfying guitar music by this Taureg musician. Produced by Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys...you can hear the influence but it is not obtrusive.
Charles Bradley "Victim of Love", Daptone (A/B+)
Even better than his debut. Much more consistent. A great soul record.
Deerhunter "Monomania", 4AD (A-/A-)
On first spin a disappointment, especially on the heels of the brilliant "Halcyon Digest". Very different feel compared to the recent Bradford Cox (Atlas Sound "Parallax") and Lockett Pundt (Lotus Plaza "Spooky Action at a Distance") solo releases. Much more grungy/garage band feel. With repeated listens, this one has really grown on me. There are a couple of throw aways but the rest of the LP is brilliant allowing me to grant forgiveness.
Jacco Gardner "Cabinet of Curiosities", Trouble In Mind, (B+/A-)
He's clearly absorbed the psychedelia of the late 60's...think updated Zombie's. A little long and gets a bit repetitive but an artist to keep an eye on. Well recorded. "Clear The Air" is one of the best songs of the year...
The National "Trouble Will Find Me", 4AD, (A/A- with caveat...see below)
A bit of a disappointment on first spin but with repeated listens this has become one of my favorites. Not as intense as prior LPs and does not quite attain the brilliance of "High Violet". Ho hum, another great LP by one of the best American bands who absolutely kill in concert. The double LP is for the most part, excellent sounding. However, my copy had noise in the right channel on side 3...
The Orange Peels, Sun Moon, Mystery Lawn Music, (B+ to A-/Borderline A-)
A fun pop LP with jangly guitars and catchy tunes.
Phosphorescent "Muchacho", Dead Oceans (A-/B)
Another terrific LP, although not quite the masterpiece of "Here's To Taking It Easy". Has my favorite single of the year "Right On/Ride On". While the sonics are much better quality than previously (the aural equivalent of high jumping a pancake), sound quality is not audiophile.
Psychic Ills "One Track Mind" Sacred Bones Records, (A/A-)
My most pleasant surprise of the year. Never heard of these guys before a recommendation on SHF. "One More Time" is a killer single. Well recorded. Will be a year end top 10.
Smoke Fairies "Upstairs At United", 453 Music, (A-/A)
I'm a fanboy. It's the Smoke Fairies recorded backed by the Blitzen Trapper rhythm section. Excellent direct to tape recording. Did I mention I love the Smoke Fairies?...sigh. Short documentary can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDe8xbo1M80
Kurt Vile "Wakin' On a Pretty Daze" Matador (A/A)
I was not a huge fan of his previous release, the critically well reviewed "Smoke Ring For My Halo" which had some great moments but was inconsistent and not well recorded. This LP is a big step forward with consistently excellent songwriting and excellent sonics. Can't wait for the concert next month!
A couple others I'm enjoying but not quite ready to make a final assessment Wolf People "Fain" and Rhye "Woman" but as I've posted previously, very promising on first few spins.
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