Saint Etienne – Tiger Bay (Deluxe Edition): Between buying Foxbase Alpha at Tower Records in 1992 and hearing Sound of Water in my office in 2000, Saint Etienne was on my radar throughout my 20s but never connected with me. When I read about their label’s misguided liberties with the track list for Tiger Bay, though, I was curious enough… Read more »
Ahmed Abdul-Malik – Jazz Sounds of Africa: I’ve never heard of Abdul-Malik but I found two of his CDs in the used bin on Friday and couldn’t leave them. This is the space between what guys like Coltrane and Dolphy and Mingus were doing in the early ‘60s and what Fela was doing in the ‘70s. “Communication” and “Suffering” are… Read more »
Paul Simon – Graceland: This is another record that I never made the time to listen to until now, which feels particularly egregious because Bob has told me what I’m missing for nearly 25 years. The joy and pain and loss and discovery and wonder in these songs is undeniable, and I haven’t even listened closely yet. Alice Coltrane –… Read more »
Pretty Girl – Fabric Presents Pretty Girl: The low-key start reminds me of Kolsch’s contribution to this series, and she nods to some classic genres before opening up the intensity halfway through the set. This is another reminder of how different every record in this series is, and how I never know what to expect with each one. Jacqueline du… Read more »
Benson Boone – Fireworks & Rollerblades: This is a solid rock album, nothing more and nothing less. Boone is in good company, from Journey and REO Speedwagon to Maroon 5 and Imagine Dragons, all of whom got trashed by elitists and eaten up by fans. Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes – This Time It’s for Real: A conversation with… Read more »
Elkka – Prism of Pleasure: I gave Prism of Pleasure a second listen as I was driving on winding backroads at sunset on Friday night, and it rewarded me dearly. Elkka brings vulnerability and human connection into tracks like “Break All My Walls Down” and “Crushhh.” The highlight, though, is the nearly 10-minute flow of “Passionfruit,” whose piano riff conjures… Read more »
Love – Da Capo: I was working in a record store and playing in a band in NYC when Nevermind came out in fall 1991, and I can talk for hours about how all the bands and records of that time fit together: the ones who paved the way, the ones who blew up, and the ones who eventually killed… Read more »
Chet Baker – Chet Baker Sings: Late on Sunday night, I want to unwind with night music that won’t require too much from me. I mentally flip through my records and stop when I get to Chet Baker, and it is perfect. Young Fathers – Dead | 28 Years Later (Original Soundtrack): The first two songs on the soundtrack, “Promised… Read more »
Pulp – More: During my first listen, I read along with the lyrics and wondered why More was getting such glowing reviews. My second listen was more consistent with how I fell in love with Different Class and This Is Hardcore: Loud, in the car, and singing along with the handful of words I knew. Not surprisingly, the glowing reviews… Read more »
Neil Young with Crazy Horse – Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere: I’m a sucker for long songs and Everybody has two great ones in “Down by the River” and “Cowgirl in the Sand.” The guitar solos are stellar, and that’s coming from a guy who hates guitar solos. Gracie Abrams – Good Riddance | The Secret of Us: I can’t… Read more »