Kendrick Lamar – Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers: This album continues to unfold as I enter my second week of listening. “Worldwide Steppers,” “Crown,” and “Auntie Diaries” jumped out this week. As usual, Kendrick challenges us to think about hard things: good and bad, innocent and criminal, dark and light. Also, I love the way he included his longtime partner, Whitney Alford, throughout the record.
Tim Hecker – Dropped Pianos: One of my favorite Tim Hecker records, though in fairness, I’d have a hard time naming any of his albums that don’t make that list.
The Joy Formidable – Wolf’s Law: I saw this in my pile of records and decided to jump back in, and I’m so glad I did. The energy and excitement remind me why I fell in love with rock music.
Richie Weeks – The Love Magician Archives – Disco – New York City – 1978-79. Vol.1: Bob turned me on to this one through the description of the album and a great article in the Times. This is disco at its finest: funky, soulful, and joyous.
Lou Rhodes – One Good Thing: Last year, I wrote a fairly glowing review of Rhodes’ first solo album, yet I’ve never felt compelled to play it again. I love Rhodes’ voice but I don’t hear anything on this record to distinguish it from a hundred other women who make guitar-based indie folk music. The mood reminds me of Lori Carson, but without the depth or beauty that Carson bakes into her writing and arrangements.
Lori Carson – Stars and Everything I Touch Runs Wild: In the wake of listening to One Good Thing, I dug up a couple of Carson’s records to see if they are as deep and beautiful as I remember. Yes. Yes they are. I don’t love all the songs (and there are a few I don’t like at all), but this is a great example of how someone who writes simple songs can still push boundaries.
Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders, & The London Symphony Orchestra – Promises / Pharoah Sanders – Karma: Rest in peace, Mr. Sanders.
Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here: One nice thing about a library of music—regardless of whether it’s a shelf of records or a favorites list on Spotify—is sometimes you look through it and something catches your eye that is perfect for the moment.
Tom Waits – Alice and Mule Variations: Cleaning again, and these were in the background. I don’t know Alice well so I’m adding it to my long list of records that deserve a focused listen. Mule Variations is an old friend, even if it’s not one of my favorites, so it made for a good soundtrack to cleaning.
Old 97s – Fight Songs: I read that Rhett Miller earned a creative writing scholarship to a pretty serious university back in the day. I’ve become a sucker for story songs so it’s time to revisit this band that I’ve mostly ignored for their near 30-year run. The jury’s still out, but I enjoyed my first pass through Fight Songs.