Head Down by Rival sons

Released: March 19, 2013
Rating: éééé
Genre: '70s Blues Rock

This is my second album by the LA based quartet (and their second album as well).  While many critics compare them to bands like the White Stripes, Wolfmother and the Black Crowes, I hear all kinds of my favorite '70s rock bands:  Mountain, Grand Funk Railroad, Molly Hatchet and Joe Walsh.

Check out some of these (seeming blasts from the past): Wild Animal (BTO?) All the Way (Joe Walsh?) The Heist (Ten Years After?).

Maybe it's just because so much of this is influenced by the bands I was listening to in High School, but I love this!

The Next Day by David Bowie

Released: March 12, 2013
Rating: ééé1/2
Genre: Art Rock

At 66, David Bowie is still amazing.  This is a provocative and wonderful piece of work; his 30th album (I think) and his first in a decade. It isn't my favorite Bowie album, but be real, that's some stiff competition. (The critics raved about it, with 44 reviews at an average of 81/100.)  It takes focus to get into it.

My favorite song is the Trip-Hoppy Dirty Boys (the horn, mixed with electronics is intoxicating), but don't miss the slow rocker Boss Of Me or the pounding, danceable How Does The Grass Grow?

Mala by Devandra Banhart

Released: March 5, 2013
Rating: ééé1/2
Genre: Indie Folk

The King of Freak-Folk returns with his best album (under his own name) since 2009's What Will Be.  (I must note here that I loved his album 2008 album, Surfing, recorded under the name Megapuss)  There's a mix of tropical Latin (Mi Negrita), 50s doo-wop (Your Fine Petting Duck) and folk (Daniel).  But my favorites on this album are the dark electronic tunes:  the opener Golden Girls, or Hatchet Wound are excellent examples.

This is great music for just hangin'.

People, Hell & Angels by Jimi Hendrix

Released:  March 5, 2013
Rating: éééé
Genre:  Blues-Rock

Mostly recorded in 1968 and '69, after the Experience was pretty much done, this arguably could have been the next album from the greatest guitar player in Rock 'n' Roll.  Most of this is previously unreleased and what had been released had been pretty mangled by overdubs.

Listening to these songs, in 2013, for the first time makes clear just what a loss to music was Hendrix' premature death.

My least favorite songs in this set are the slow burning blues jams Bleeding Heart and Villanova Junction Blues, but that's just in comparison to rockers like Easy Blues (my favorite song on the disc) or the super funky Mojo Man.

If you have any soft spot in your musical heart for Hendrix,  do yourself a favor and listen to this album from front to back.

Amok by Atoms for Peace

Released:  February 26, 2013
Rating:  ééé1/2
Genre:  Experimental Indie Electronic

Radiohead lead vocalist Thom Yorke teamed up with Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers) and a few other friends to form Atoma for Peace.

It's telling that my rating of the album as a whole is far greater than my scoring of the parts.  The music is beautiful, intricate, thickly layered and yet seemingly loose.  Like an electronic jam session.

My favorite song on the album is Before Your Very Eyes..., but try listening to Ingenue or Default, over and over  with your eyes closed.

Holy Fire by Foals

Released:  February 12, 2013
Rating:  ééé1/2
Genre:  Post-Punk Revival
Demographics:  English band, formed in Oxford.  Six piece that recorded their first album 2007.  This is their third album (and I have all of them).

I was lucky enough to see these guys at a small club in downtown Sacramento, shortly after this album came out.  Their poppy, jittery, upbeat, math rock/post-punk sound is a lot of fun on disc; but live, it becomes something entirely more powerful.

Give a listen to:

• Inhaler - Slow burn, with an explosion of fuzz guitar.
• Everytime - A lesson in math rock.
• Milk & Black Spiders - Just a great tune.

Wonderful, Glorious by Eels

Released:  February 5, 2013

Rating:  éééé1/2

Genre:  Post Grunge

Demographics:  Essentially a one man writing crew on their first 11 albums, this is the first time "E" (born in Virginia) involved the whole band in the writing.  They've been around since '96 and had songs in both the Shrek soundtracks.

This is far and away my favorite album this year. Citing influences including the Beatles, Elvis Costello and Todd Rundgren, they had a great foundation.  But this is my favorite Eels album, too.

There are so many great songs here.  I recommend the following:

• New Alphabet - Funky and dark.  My favorite song on the album.
• Kinda Fuzzy - Super-cool bass line and as smooth as E gets on a rocker.
• Open My Present - Great guitar solo and E's rasp are killer.

 

II by Unknown Mortal Orchestra

Released:  February 5, 2013
Rating:  ééé
Genre:  Indie Electronic Pop
Demographics:  The Founder Ruban Nielsen is from Portland, transplanted to New Zealand as a member of the Mint Chicks.  The second album as UMO.

The album is a big hit with the critics (averaging 4 out of 5 stars).  Psychedelic, mellow, slightly melancholy, innocent.  The closes comparison I can make is Andrew Bird in a sad state of mind.

Suggested songs:

• Swim and Sleep
• No Need for A Leader
• Faded in the Morning

Pedestrian Verse by Frightened Rabbit

Released:  February 5, 2013
Rating: ééé1/2
Genre: Alt Folk Rock
Demographics:  The 4 piece from Scotland, formed in 2004, was founded by two brothers.  This is their 4th studio release (my first.)

The sound is big, especially from a four piece, but then, U2 is a four piece and they can fill an arena with sound.


Recommended sample tracks include:

• Backyard Skulls - The Scottish accents are thick here.
• Holy - I just love the pain:  "You're acting all holy/Me I'm just full of holes."
• December's Traditions - The language is not for the kids.

The Village by Monoswezi

Released:  January 29, 2013
Rating:  ééé1/2
Genre:  Scandanvian Jazz, Percussion from Mozambique and vocals from Zimbabwe



It's too different to explain, but worth your time.
Suggested tracks include:

• Hondo - Starts more like traditional African music, but begins to morph about 90 seconds in.
• Mapfunde - Begins almost as a children's sing along
• Heya! - The beautiful flute reminds me at time of Henry Mancini.

Oddfellows by Tomahawk

Released:  January 29, 2012
Rating:  ééé1/2
Genre:  Hard Rock

Tomahawk released their first album in 2001; three years after founder/lead singer Mike Patton's previous band (Faith No More) broke up. This is one of three bands he currently fronts (can you say overachiever?).

The album is almost universally loved by the critics, and musically it's better than the three and a half stars I've given it for pure listenability.  According to the industry it qualifies as Heavy- or Alt-Metal, but for the past few years that's meant, to me, too loud and too angry, with the music something you have to dig to find. This album has some great stuff on it.  To whit, Stone Letter, A Thousand Eyes, Choke Neck or Waratorium.  All have great musicality, plenty of hooks, interesting  rhythms and a touch of metal sludge.  (Okay, so Warratorium has a lot of metal sludge; shoot me.)

No Beginning, No End by José James

Released: January 22, 2013
Rating: ééé1/2
Genre: Jazz and Soul

Described by some as a Jazz singer for the Hip Hop generation.  I don't hear it.  I may be too old-school, but what I hear is Bill Withers in the 21st century (which I consider a good thing.)  New York City's Jose James lists Marvin Gaye as an influence and I can hear that too.  This is great as either a sound track to an easy day or for focused listening in a contented mood.

Both the opener  It's All Over Your Body and  Trouble remind me so much of Bill Withers, it's easy to forget he hasn't had a new studio release in almost 30 years. Or, try my favorite, the simple, beautiful  Come To My Door.

Anything in Return by Toro y Moi

Released:  January 22, 2013
Rating:  ééé1/2
Genre:  Chill & B

This album does not come easy.  It takes repeated listens to get into the layers that make it so darned interesting, and ultimately enjoyable.  There's R&B, funk and electronica here, and they all come together for something that is really terrific when you need a distraction (in the office between tasks) or when you have time to really listen (like during the commute or a drive to Monterey.)  I don't know Exactly what to compare it to that would be better known.  Maybe Stereolab, or Girls.  Spotify relates them to Phantogram, which I guess I can hear.

Chaz Bundick, the 26 year old from South Carolina (now residing in Berkeley CA), is Toro y Moi, This is his third album (my second) since 2010, though he's been performing since 2001. It's darker than 2011's Underneath The Pine, but I also think it's a better collection.

My favorite song on the album is   High Living.  I can also strongly Cola and Studies.

Beta Love by Ra Ra Riot

Released:  January 22, 2013
Rating:  éééé
Genre:  Indie Chamber Rock

This is my third album from the now-five-piece from New York.  (The cello player, who I met during their last show in Sacramento, has left the band.)  My enthusiasm for the album, matched against the breadth of the reviewers opinions here, support my theory that if they're mixed on it,  I'll probably love it.  Almost all of the reviewers acknowledge how much fun the music is.  Most of the mixed and negative reviews tend to harp on the fact that they're trying something new and they don't like it.  (Some folks just didn't get what they expected.)

The album's just soft enough to work in the office; the dance beats are great for the gym; and it's not bad in the car, though a little slow at times.

My favorite songs on the album are the spacey, synth-heavy What I Do for U and the 80's style  When I Dream.

Light Up Gold by Parquet Courts

Released:  January 15, 2013
Rating:  ééé
Genre:  Neo-Punk

Parquet Courts' special breed of "Americana punk" - noisy indie rock with jagged punk edges borrowed from late-'90s guitar-heavy alternative acts - began in 2011 when some former Texans who had relocated to Brooklyn began practicing and gigging regularly.  The band released its first album, American Specialties, on cassette in late 2011. This is their first disc.

Don't let the artwork fool you.  There is nothing cowboy about this.  And, while I like the album, the critics seem to love it, with a metascore of 84

There's nothing I can adequately compare them to, as the bands others use as comparisons, for the most part, I've never heard of (The Feelies, Borrowed Thyme, etc.).  Please pardon my ignorance.  The two bands I have heard of include Modern Lovers and Foxygen (which, coincidentally, I was just introduced to tonight).

Personally, I found the best place to listen to Parquet Courts was on my i-Pod at the gym.  Way too frenetic for the office.  Not bad in the car, but it can become a little monotonous.  For a taste, I'd suggest Donuts Only, Yonder Is Closer To The Heart, or, my favorite, Stoned and Starving.

Dead In The Boot by Elbow

Released:  19 Novemeber, 2012
Rating:  73.85
Genre:  Atmospheric-Alt-Rock

Finally, wrapping it up for 2012 is the phenomenal Elbow with a collection of "B" sides.  These caught my attention in 2008 with The Seldom Seen Kid.  Grounds for Divorce (not sure J.C. Penney paid much attention to the name when they bought the rights for a TV commercial) and Audience With the Pope are still two of my favorite songs since the turn of the millennium.

This album has a couple near comparable tune. The pounding McGreggor is my favorite and the yearning The Long War Shuffle is totally absorbing . Most of the rest of the album is more soulful, exemplified by Lucky With Disease

Into the Future by Bad Brains

Released:  19 November 2013
Rating:  70.77
Genre:  Hardcore-Punk-Reggae

They've been around since the late 1970's and were one of the first true punk bands.  This is there 9th studio release and the first in five years.  More than anything, I can else say, it's really interesting.  I realize that sort of sounds like "damned with feint praise", but I really mean it in the best possible way.  This is an all-black, Rastafarian band, from Washington, DC, playing angry white-boy punk with great reggae beats behind it and outstanding musicality.

Bad Brains – Youth of Today bounces from punk to arena rock to reggae and back again.  Jane,s Addiction would be proud of Earnest Love.  Maybe a Joyful Noise is a sweet reggae number and Mca Dub could come from a trip hop era (of which DC has their fair share.)

All in all, I'm higher on the disc the the average critic, especially as a background sound to a long drive.

Busting Visions by Zeus

Released:  March 27, 2012
Rating:  71.43
Genre:  Indie

Out of Toronto, the quartet calling themselves Zeus (caution if you're Googling them, there are more than one Heavy Metal band of the same name) were recommended to me by one of my musical mentors (thanks Michael) which explains there late entry onto list.  AMG compares them to ELO, T-Rex and George Harrison.  I can see that, and a number of others from the late '60s and early '70s.

Are You Gonna Waste My Time? reminds me of late-Beatles
Love / Pain could be John Lennon in a pop frame of mind.
My favorite son on the album is With Eyes Closed, which could have come from the Guess Who.
Stop The Train reminds me of something between Three Dog Night and the Grateful Dead.

Cobra Juicy by Black Moth Super Rainbow

Released:  22 October 2012
Rating:  70.91
Genre:  Psychedelic Electro-Pop

On the Indie circuit since 2002, the self-released Cobra Juicy is the seventh release for the quintet from Pennsylvania.  This album is described by AMG as "subterranean lo-fi weirdness with upped production values and a  [clear] view of their psychedelic electro-pop."  I'll buy that.  Outside of San Francisco's Deerhoof, I'm not familiar with any of Spotify's related artists, so I'm not sure who to compare them to.

Like a Sundae is a sort of sunny, almost dream-pop tune that seems it would be more at home in CA than PA.
Hairspray Heart is electronic funk (and the lyrics are not for children)
I Think I'm Evil has a cool, 80's kinda vibe.

Sorry to Bother You by The Coup

Released:  October 30, 2012
Rating:  69.23
Genre:  Underground Rap

20 Years and six albums in, the Coup are considered "one of the most overtly political bands in rap history." That being a lean to the extreme left.  (Lead rapper/producer, Boots, was deeply involved in the occupy Oakland movement.  However, that's not what attracted me.  The music is great and the songs are catchy as hell.

The Magic Clap is just a lot of fun.
The Gods of Science has a terrific funk beat.
This Year is a little slice off Motown
The Guillotine is just smokin' hot.

The Haunted Man by Bat For Lashes

Released:  October 22, 2012
Rating:  69.09
Genre:  Indie

This is a challenging album, for me, to describe.  There are moments I'd call chamber-pop, like the opener Lilies.  Others are more singer-songwriter, such as my favorite song on the album All Your Gold.  The beautiful  Laura  the first single off the album, reminds me of Kate Bush or maybe even Bjork.

Pakistan-born Natasha Khan is the creative force behind the band from Brighton, England.  In fact, she pretty much is the band, though she's hired a lot of other musicians to perform behind her; especially strings.  This is Bat For Lashes' third album and my second by the band.  While I really enjoy listening to it, in the right frame of mind, I'm not quite as high on it as the professional critics, who seem to be pretty much over the moon for it.

Mondo by Electric Guest

Released:  May 15, 2012
Rating:  74.00
Genre: '80s Dance Pop

It's a late purchase,and thus a late entry. For that I apologize.  It wasn't until a friend and fellow Danger Mouse enthusiast mentioned that Brian Burton had produced this that I was even aware it existed.  And you should know my rule by now:  If Danger Mouse is involved, buy it.  He does not disappoint.

Danger Mouse has been involved with the creative force behind Electric Guest, Asa Taccone, almost since the Grey Album.  In fact, he credits Taccone with helping him to define his style.  So it's no surprise that you can hear a lot of his other work in these songs.  The Bait and Troubleman could have been Beck;
American Daydream reminds me of Sparklehorse (from Dark Night of the Soul), or maybe Damon Albarn (from The Good, The Bad and The Queen album);  Control taps his work with James Mercer on the Broken Bells album; This Head I Hold, my favorite song on the album and is an RB number reminiscent of his work with Cee Lo Green.  The one exception is Under The Gun, which reminds George Michael.

Sunken Condos by Donald Fagen

Released:  October 16, 2012
Rating:  75.56
Genre:  R&B

I love this album as much as the critics (it received a metascore of 82) and it easily jumps into my top 10 for 2012.

Steely Dan's Aja was one of my favorite albums through the late '70s and Early '80s.  In fact, when I first heard the a CD, my only thought was how amazing Deacon Blues would sound with that format.  In fact, it was the first disc I ever bought.  Donald Fagen, half of the brain trust behind Steely Dan, has brought that sound into the 21st century.

Check out Slinky Thing, which could have easily fit between Black Cow and the title track on Aja; Weather In My Head has a great funk beat and is my favorite song on the disc; The New Breed's got a little bit of an Al Jarreau vibe; and Out Of The Ghetto's opening riff is dead ringer for Curtis Mayfield's Pusherman from the Superfly soundtrack.

Tender New Signs by Tamaryn

Released:  October 9. 2012
Rating:  68.89
Genre:  Shoegaze Revival

I don't imagine I qualify as a Shoegaze revivalist, because I was never a big Shoegaze guy the first time around.  Given my lack of experience here, it's hard to compare it to anything I've heard before.  The best I can describe it is pretty and atmospheric.

Tamaryn, the New Zealand-born singer providing the soft, girlish vocals here and guitarist Rex John Shelverton are the duo known by the name of Tamaryn.  The formed in New York in the early '00s and this is there third album (my first).  I really like this album and recommend it as a Spotify or Pandora listen (and only add it to your collection if you really like what you hear too.)  However, I'm also really interested to see where they go from here.

A few of the songs here could easily qualify as dream-pop (While You're Sleeping, I'm Dreaming, Afterlight, Violet's in a Pool) and those are the songs I'm personally more drawn toward.

The 2nd Law by Muse

Released:  October 2, 2012
Rating:  71.67
Genre:  Neo-Prog

For a change, I like an album more than the critics.  While this has received generally good reviews, I think it's a terrific album.  The influences are so varied that it's fun to play: Who Does That Remind You Of?  I hear Oasis (Explorers), U2 (Uprising), Queen (Survival), David Bowie (Panic Station) The Smiths (The 2nd Law: Isolated System) and Led Zeppelin (Supremacy).  The UK band has been around in one form or another for 15 years and, although this is their sixth studio release, it's the first I was inclined to obtain.

"Muse's fusion of progressive rock, glam, electronica, and Radiohead-influenced experimentation is crafted by guitarist/vocalist Matthew Bellamy, bassist Chris Wolstenholme, and drummer Dominic Howard. Bored by the sleepy life provided by their hometown of Teignmouth, Devon, the three British friends began playing music together. They started the first incarnation of their band while only 13 years old, changing the name of the group from Gothic Plague to Fixed Penalty to Rocket Baby Dolls as time passed. By 1997, the bandmates settled on the name Muse and released their self-titled debut EP" (by Heather Phares for Rovi).