Mike D. – Thank You: I can’t decide if Mike D. is trying to make a more grown up Beastie Boys record or an introspective reflection from a seminal artist in the autumn of his life. Maybe Thank You tries to be both and doesn’t do either well. I like the back half of the record more than the front half, but none of it does much for me. I feel like it deserves at least one more listen, but I’m not sure I care enough to follow through.
William Basinski – The Disintegration Loops: I listened to this on a recent flight, the ambient background noise providing a perfect accompaniment as the 6-second sample disintegrated to more ambient background noise. If I had to pick one essential experimental album, Disintegration Loops would be a strong contender.
Laurel Halo – Midnight Zone: I put this on after Disintegration Loops ended and it set a completely different mood as it immersed me in its chaotic claustrophobic ambience. Another great listen for a flight, because of how the background roar of the plane complements the music instead of competing with it.
Isobella – Akasha: I’m surprised I missed this when it came out in 2000 since it’s the kind of album that I would’ve liked. The major key signature of opener “Black Hair, Green Eyes” is a refreshing surprise in a genre known for an overabundance of minor keys, and “Solstice” is a beautiful closer. While Akasha reminds me of Explosions in the Sky, it came out around the same time (or maybe even earlier) than their debut.
Pretty Girl – Fabric Presents Pretty Girl: I haven’t listened to this in a while and she immediately pulled me in with the seamless flow of the mix and the perfect balance between current and retro energy. When I think it can’t get any better, she drops RONA’s “Be Your Medicine,” which has to be one of the loveliest dance tracks I’ve heard in a long while.
Van Morrison – His Band and the Street Choir: A couple tracks—like “Crazy Face” and “I’ll Be Your Lover, Too”—fit the vibe of Astral Weeks but lack the magic that Morrison’s band conjured on that album. While most of the performances are energetic, many of the lyrics are stream-of-conscience nonsense and the straightforward blues and New Orleans R&B falls flat for me. I’ve got a few more Van Morrison records queued up before I make any decisions, but I’m pretty sure this one will end up in my “sell” pile.
Men I Trust – Equus Caballus: Something about this record compels me to keep listening to it. Jay Som’s Belong hit me similarly, but that album pulled me in deeper with each listen while Equus Caballus pushes me a little farther away each time. But the first two tracks are nearly perfect, and “Another Stone” is lovely.
Grateful Dead – May 20, 1973: This continued to roll in the background last week but rarely did it grab me and force me to pay attention. It’s a perfectly good show, but is it great? I don’t think so. The more I listen to 1973, though, the more I think it’s just not my year for the Dead.
Old friends who made it into rotation this week: Valerie June: Owls, Omens, and Oracles;
Record store finds this week: I found Rachel Chinouriri’s What a Devastating Turn of Events in the used bin of a local shop after looking for it for nearly two years, proof that one should frequently visit their local stores.