The Smiley Smile Message Board

Because it ain't 2015 anymore. If it were, we'd be talking about it here: http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php/topic,19540.0.html  Several year-end recaps can be found in the latter pages of that thread, so check it out if you want to find something new. But to find something newer, check in here. Later. Once something has been written about.

There's a possibility of a new Roger Waters album for 2016. 

But, there's been speculation of a new Roger Waters album since he returned to touring back in 1999. 

I'm looking forward to the new Bowie on Friday!

Also the new Tindersticks (thanks for that one, unreleased backgrounds) and Savages this month. Some other stuff too, but we'll have to see how those pan out.

I've got some 2015 releases that I got for Christmas I still have yet to listen to. 

Not sure if it'll be out in 2016, but Deep Purple is going back into the studio this month. 

Anthrax also is putting out a new album soon. 

New Dr. Dog song out ("Bring My Baby Back"). I'm not super familiar with them, but they are coming in concert soon so maybe I should? Ha. But I'm digging this new song so far.

I hear Red Hot Chili Peppers, Radiohead, and MGMT are supposed to come out with new music this year as well, if that interests anyone.

I'm really hoping that the Shins put out a new album. Their instagram is filled with studio shots and it's killing me.

All my friends love that band, but I remain staunch in my disdain.

Ditto. They are one of two acts I've seen--John Vanderslice was the other--where throughout the show, while they were doing original songs, I was thinking (and eventually naming out loud to my friends) the classic rock and pop riffs, melodies, etc., that they were "borrowing." That was a solid decade ago now, and I've heard bits and pieces of their stuff since. It's fine, certainly. But I just can't shake my initial reaction.

Fans of last year's Sufjan album might be interested in this: the R&B (is that the right description for him?) Gallant did a version of Sufjan's "Blue Bucket of Gold" from the Carrie and Lowell album. Someone here, and apologies because I forgot who, shared Gallant with us on one of the previous years' new music threads, or possibly on that "album listening project" thing we did for a while.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJAxAdZgGnE

Interesting... yeah, my friends who do know Dr. Dog LOVE them. But I can also see how they borrow. The song "My Friends" has a train sound at the end, closing the album. Sounds awfully familiar :P.

Also, thank you for sharing that "Blue Bucket of Gold" video... probably my favorite album from 2015 :')
I think this Gallant guy is the same person who helps Sufjan on this "Hotline Bling" cover (I know, so 2014, but this is great): http://www.buzzfeed.com/kevinsmith/will-you-finally-find-someone-or-nah#.eoZDE5WzD

David Bowie's Blackstar is good.

Yes, Blackstar is a very nice album. I like that it's mostly pretty different from The Next Day, even though I really liked and still listen to that album and it's supplemental songs. Using a band of Jazzbos was an inspired idea that gives the project it's unique flavor. My favorites are Dollar Days and the title song.

(https://www.sciencenews.org/sites/default/files/main/articles/ls_shutterstock_105146921_free.jpg)

I picked up Eleanor Friedberger's New View.

Fiery Furnaces were a band I really liked--I still say Blueberry Boat, EP, and Rehearsing My Choir are some of the best albums of the '00s--and Eleanor has done some really cool solo material over the years, too. Sadly, this one was underwhelming on first listen, very middle-of-the-road in every respect. I didn't even like anything as much as I did her 2015 single "False Alphabet City." Obviously one listen does not a comprehension make, so maybe I'll find out it's a grower.

Kinda funny that you'd put that dinosaur picture on a Beach Boys forum.  Especially considering The Beach Boys predate the careers of both Deep Purple and Pink Floyd by half a decade.

......

Looking forward to the debut album from The Last in Line, featuring Vivian Campbell, Vinny Appice, and the recently departed Jimmy Bain (the main players on the classic Dio albums Holy Diver and Last In Line).

Dinosaurs dominated the earth for 135 million years. I'd call it a compliment...

Al is the little mammal who somehow lived through extinction.

There's a palindrome in here somewhere----I can smell it. ;D

How about:
Avid Al stops Bob Lamm: "Am I mammal?" (Bob spots L.A. diva)

Intrigued by a review (which included mention of Lhasa, a singer sadly departed) and sample, I bought Tindersticks' The Waiting Room and will listen at work today. I shall report back.

I heard that the other day. Not one of their very best, but still good. Will probably get it at some point.

You can get Rihanna's new album for free if that's your thing: http://rihanna.tidal.com/redeem/?voucher=ANTI

I signed up as Jeffrey Dahmer.

Too rich for my blood. 

I missed the free download, but just started checking the samples on iTunes. Right off the bat, I thought track one ("Consideration") sounded cool. Have you listened yet? Thoughts? I'll check Spotify and see if it's there yet. I'm thinking I'll end up getting at least a few tracks. Historically I'm not a big Rihanna fan, but she has her moments. I'd love for this to be a good album (because frankly I'd love for every album to be a good album).

I think it's kinda crazy to realize that she had 13 US number ones. I mean, even regardless of one's opinion of the contemporary charts and the artists featured in them, it's still no mean feat. Only Beatles, Elvis and Mariah Carey had more (Michael Jackson had as many).

That's amazing. I couldn't name 13 of her songs.

That said, my download of the new album is in progress, as I enjoyed enough of the previews that it seemed worthwhile.

I'm going to answer my own question. It's a good album!

I haven't listened to it yet. I've devoted the entire day to power/jangle pop.
I'm listening to Teenage Fanclub's Bandwagonesque at the moment. I'm just hearing it for the first time today, but I like it quite a bit.

The new Suede album 'Night Thoughts', the second of their millennial comeback. It's  much better than their last album 'Bloodsports' which was quite a dull disappontment. They've come roaring back, and This one is a seamless epic, with all tracks bleeding into the next with big arena-size hooks and gobs of drama. It's all very over-the-top in the best entertaining way. If you've never tried their music, this is a fine entry point.

I think about 1/4 of this album is really good. Most of what's left isn't awful, just unremarkable. A lot of musical ground covered.

I picked up Chester Watson's Past Cloaks this morning. He's a rapper whose style I have to compare to (my particular favorite current rapper) Earl Sweatshirt. My knowledge of the rap world is pretty limited, so I hate making comparisons too quickly, but in this instance, I'm doing so because of a similar low-key, "talking" delivery (as opposed to a more forceful, dramatic, "on stage" style). He's also pretty clever lyrically, though the constant weed references are pretty boring after a (short) while. (As a rule, I don't want to hear musicians tell me how drunk or high they are, were, or are going to be. It's a little like counting bedpost notches or bragging about strength: just sad.)

All in all, though, cool album. Give it a listen if that sort of style appeals to you.

will be picking this one up this week, big Suede fan. Is the accompanying dvd good?

This has been a bit of a slow year for me so far.

Flying Lotus recently said he has plans to release a new album this year, so that's cool.

This ought to make undercover-m happy.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BBgOe3Ioj6G/

(At least I think it's undercover-m who's the big Shins fan.)

:listening got that right. Thanks for posting this! Sounds sort of "dark and mysterious" for the Shins, but I like it.

---
Also, I'm fairly new to Animal Collective, although I really like the song FloriDada. How are people feeling about that song/new album?

How did you feel about Port of Morrow? It's not an album either my friends or I are a fan of.

I really like "Floridada," although I'm less enthused by "Lying in the Grass." It just sounds like Panda Bear's recent solo work.

I actually really like Port of Morrow. I think some of the songs helped me get through some rough moments in high school, plus my best friend and I bonded over this album, so maybe that's why. I particularly like "No Way Down" (once I realized what the lyrics meant, I loved it even more) and "For a Fool," and I can't get tired of "Simple Song" even though it's their radio single.

I thought Port of Morrow was an extremely professional album. Well produced. That might sound like damning with faint praise, but oh well, that still rates it above plenty of other albums, right? For me, the Shins' best was far and away--by a factor of two or three--Chutes Too Narrow. But just in terms of a really well performed, well recorded, well produced album? Got to give Mr. Mercer credit on Port of Morrow.

I was disappointed by "Lying in the Grass" but it's grown on me a bit. Like much of the new Panda Bear album its charms are subtle, so I think (hope) it'll just turn out to have been an oddball choice for a single.
But "Floridada" is great.

I'm excited for the new album from ex-Barenaked Ladies frontman Steven Page. It's been 5 years since his last record and I'm getting antsy. His last album felt more like a BNL record than the actual past 3 BNL records put out by his ex-bandmates (Who are still phenomenal musicians and a great live act, but they've been giving into trends and sounding more and more generic with each new album.)

Today I saw that Sam Beam (Iron & Wine) and Jesca Hoop (of whom I have not heard) are releasing an album together in April. The first single is out, and it's really lovely.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAzgRAs-qAs

I know there's an irrational hatred of Kanye West here, but you can listen to his new album right now.
The circumstances are unusual, but you can watch it if you want (http://tidal.com/us/tidalxyeezy3-live).

Even if I actually liked rap, he would be a hard person to like. 

I'm not a fan of his personality (is anyone?) but I can actually appreciate his music, sometimes at least. Something about listening to Yeezus lets me focus on physics homework? I think his ridiculous personality and his ego are humorous, really. I don't take too many celebrities seriously. :P

Also, maybe the captain will appreciate this. I just received an email about some exclusive of Montreal 7" release:
https://www.joyfulnoiserecordings.com/pages/of-montreal-almost-live?mc_cid=5040eb70aa&mc_eid=f7046ae5b5

edit: one more thing; there's a great little Australian band called Good Morning. Just two chill dudes making music. I haven't listened to their new release much but I really like Shawcross.
https://goodmorningisaband.bandcamp.com/album/glory

I think the album is good, but I'll have to hear it a couple more times. It's pretty short.
Chance the Rapper and Frank Ocean are both on the album, so that's cool.

Kanye's just playing music by a different person now he called "Thug."
And now some guy named Vic. Vic Mensa?
He was just letting people plug whatever they wanted into the auxiliary cord.

Apparently Kanye designed a video game about his mother passing through the gates of heaven. It's called "Only One."

Today I learned John Carpenter has been making standalone albums. He released one last year, and is releasing the sequel this year, called Lost Themes II. The first song has just been released, called "Distant Dream," and you can listen to it here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9g0RlOicPo&ab_channel=SacredBonesRecords). I've always been interested in his music but never actually gave it a go, so I'll be happily waiting for the album release day on April 15, 2016.

Dumb question. 

Is this director / composer John Carpenter (ie. Halloween, The Fog)? 

It is indeed.

fantastic.  Reminds me of early 90's Tony Banks/Genesis.  Will be looking in on this when it comes out.

Carrie Rodriguez's Lola: this is a beautiful album that I guess you'd consider a sort of southwestern roots album, a Spanish and English folkie pop combo. I stumbled on it by just sampling new releases showing up on iTunes or allmusic or something, as I try to do occasionally. Never heard of her before, but she's just tremendous. Her voice isn't a powerhouse, but it's strong, nuanced, and emotive. The musicians are great, too, including Bill Frisell.

Here's the album opener, her rendition of "Perfidia." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbxHm6PRuGo

Another album I picked up this week was Lake Street Dive's Side Pony. I first heard of them with their covers EP a couple years back, which had cool versions of "Faith" and "I Want You Back." (I saw their name and wondered if they were local, as we've got a Lake Street with its share of dives...turns out they're from out East.) They're a kind of soul / R&B / southern / hipster group, relatively funny, maybe a little too gimmicky ... but fun. So f*** the rest, fun is fun! (The title track of the new album is indeed about the album's namesake hairstyle. "I rock a side pony. I'm just livin' my life, I rock a side pony." Ha.)

They're great musicians, formally schooled and really good. The bassist is great.

I hadn't realized the national attention they have gotten, but a quick Youtube search to find a clip to share shows they did the tune I'd planned to paste on Colbert.

Live version of "Call Off Your Dogs"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55ogVu_CQiM

Album trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QOS4PDw5y4

Just saw they did this live version of "Bohemian Rhapsody." (Lead singer has a sweet Freddie outfit and mustache!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqEiWN44L3M

In other news, it appears Kanye has a new album coming out this summer.

Technically late 2015 I think, but has anyone else heard HITNRUN phase two by Prince? Seriously, this might be his most consistent album since Lovesexy. (I haven't heard a few of them). I've been listening to a lot of latter-day Prince recently trying to find something in it it I like, and suddenly it's like stepping out into daylight. Not to be confused with HITNRUN phase one, which was the usual slim pickings and to be avoided (or at least put aside till you've heard phase two). But this one, I enjoyed every song, and some of them sounded like hits, which is the acid test.

You can listen on a free Tidal trial.

You're right that it was a late 2015 album. And you're definitely not the only one who thought it was better than Phase One, though I have also heard others say it sounds more like him just painting by numbers. (Pitchfork gave them both a mid-4 out of 10.)

I think it's a good sounding record, and he's just so good that his singing and playing are almost always fantastic. It's not a classic--or even a hit--but it is certainly a good listen.

There is a thread wholly dedicated to it, but I thought I'd note here as well that Willie Nelson has a Gershwin covers album out. I picked it up yesterday and really enjoy it. The arrangements are great, very spartan but tasteful. Fantastic guitar work, whether in solos, little runs between vocal lines, or just cool comping. And the mix between guitars and electric piano, organ...just really nice. Willie's singing is really strong, too. Well, not strong, as his voice isn't ever really strong. But good. Nuanced in that Willie Nelson way, delivered by a guy who is coming at you from inside the song. He sings like he knows every nook and cranny. There's no exploration, just occasional use of this or that hidden spot.

Yeah, on a further listening I may have got a little carried away. Time will tell.

Neko Case, KD Lang, and Laura Viers are working on an album together called, well, Case/Lang/Veirs. They put their first song out recently, and you can listen to it on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rq-AHTFxOU&ab_channel=antirecords). Lots of nice harmonies from the female trio. The album is slated for a June 17th release, and you can check out their website (http://caselangveirs.com/) to look at the tour dates or buy whatever you wish. They have t-shirts. This is one I'm looking forward to, although the preview song hasn't totally won me over yet. It has a beautiful cover, though; I might have to buy the vinyl.

In other news, new artist Peter Stringer-Hye is one that caught my attention last year when he released his "Sunday Girls" EP. The first song I heard was his "Throw Away the Day" (https://soundcloud.com/troubleinmind/peter-stringer-hye-throw-away-the-day) which is predominantly country-rock but also incorporates some slightly-psychedelic organ. The second one I recently heard was the title track, "Sunday Girls." (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Djs-lxSHk9Q#PeterStringerHye) The song, which you might glean from the title, is slightly power-pop-ish. Anywho, "big things" have been promised from him in 2016, so I'm hoping for an album.

Lastly, I subscribe to 4AD on YouTube cuz 4AD is cool, and I saw they posted a new song today. It's called "Idée Fixe" by Methyl Ethel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XY8Oa02PkIU&ab_channel=4AD). I quite like it. The beginning is a little typical, but I think the song really takes off at about 1:37. Kinda funky.

I know I'm always going on about artists I already knew I loved, but

Jonathan Richman's new album Ishkode! Ishkode! (Blue Arrow records)

is totally amazing.

Sturgill Simpson has a new album coming out on April 14, 2016 called A Sailor's Guide to Earth. Apparently they're all songs for his son. I am skeptical.
But you can listen to the new single here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miFepGMB55Q

Apparently PJ Harvey also has a record coming out on the same day.


And there's a new Kendrick Lamar EP out.

Exciting and very pleasant surprise! Was just logging in to post this little fact that delighted me upon my return home from work. It's quite a long EP or a short LP, with eight tracks and about half an hour running time, titled untitled unmastered. Purchased and downloading now.

I also heard a few snippets of Loretta Lynn's new album and am going to pick through it to decide whether to buy some or all.

Yeah, I'm not really sure what to call it. 8 unreleased tracks, 34 minutes, and it's compromised of material from 2013 to now. I guess you could consider it a compilation.

I s'pose it doesn't really matter. The music on there is great, and I'm happy to have more of whatever that guy creates. Although, I think I prefer the Fallon version (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6IAQUsmbfM&ab_channel=EC3) of untitled 8 over the one on the... compilation. I think slowing it down a bit was a great idea.

I don't really give a whole lot of thought what to call things. For example, if we're talking about material released for the first time, hey, I'll call it an album. How many artists do we know of who have used material recorded, or with roots, in earlier years (or decades)? From Zappa to Prince to Beatles to Beach Boys to Dylan: if it's an initial release, I'm not calling it a compilation. But it doesn't matter anyway. EP versus album also seems like a weird discussion since we're not really discussing physical objects as often anymore (though you're a vinly guy, aren't you?).

Being more a casual fan o Lamar, I don't know anything about the history of any of this and haven't heard it at all, so I'm pretty psyched just to hear what it is.

Buying L. Lynn, btw. Sounds just spectacular: what a singer.

And I should note I got the K. Musgraves remix of Miguel's "Waves." Yes, I'm a sucker for her stuff in general. But I'm not really sure what to make of that tune. Kind of odd pairing, but I can't say it doesn't work. I suspect I'm going to like it increasingly.

I think it's more of a compilation of odds and ends, certainly not the follow-up to To Pimp a Butterfly. But I really look forward to hearing it, I'm a huge Kendrick fan.

Esperanza Spalding's new album, Emily's D+Evolution, is a good one, particularly if you're a fan of jazz-pop fusion. It's a bit like some of Prince's jazziest stuff, like Rainbow Children, or some Janelle Monae. The instrumental sound goes all over, sometimes reminding me of my '80s and '90s fusion like Chick Corea's Electrik Band, Frank Gambale, or even back to Return to Forever. Yet it's also certainly pop, with R&B feel at times as well. I can't pretend to give a full review yet, as I'm not even done with one full listen. But eight out of 14 tunes in, I'm a big fan.

Nice week for new music! Spalding, Lamar, Lynn already purchased and some consideration going to M Ward, as well (though I'm more likely to listen to that a while on Spotify and maybe get a couple of the best tracks at some point).

Caveman has a new single out. If you don't know them, check out their self-titled (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7q-NhTVUe4&index=1&list=PL-YdkkAfFG4sUPB12r5YuDLXa3YDsA5df). Chill vibes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VjjrNN7OUE

Yeah this Spalding album is great. I love it!

I don't know if there's something in the water for elderly country musicians this year, but a few weeks after finding and loving Willie Nelson's Gershwin album, I've spent the past week or two giving Loretta Lynn's new album, Full Circle. Absolutely beautiful, produced by John Carter Cash. She's in fantastic voice, especially considering her age. Probably my favorite song on the album is the absolutely gorgeous closer, a duet with Willie Nelson, "Lay Me Down." Simple and touching.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NE2jkXyUKC0

Just checking out new and upcoming releases and saw the rapper Domo Genesis (of Odd Future) is releasing his debut album, Genesis in a couple of weeks. The lead single, "Dapper," is available now and I fucking LOVE it. What a great track. His delivery almost reminds me of Ma$e, kind of a mumbling thing, but for whatever reason, it works over the funky instrumental.

https://youtu.be/HLiMrd45I0M?t=30s

This thread (rightly) rambles as people hear this or that, but being almost up to the one-quarter mark of 2016, I was thinking earlier that it's been a surprisingly strong year for music ... and not just music, but albums. (My opinion, obviously.) Last year I thought there were some great songs, but mostly just good or uneven albums. While I'm not saying we're looking at instant classics or anything, I do think there are quite a few top-to-bottom strong ones already.

David Bowie, Blackstar
Willie Nelson, Summertime
Loretta Lynn, Full Circle
Kendrick Lamar, untitled unmastered
Lake Street Dive, Side Pony
Esperanza Spalding, Emily's D+Evolution
Rihanna, ANTI

I think every one of those is worth spending some time with, if they're in the realm of your interest.

Funny, I've had the exact opposite experience. There was so much I loved from 2015, but I'm struggling to really find something that wows me right now--aside from Lamar and Bowie. Looking forward to see what Parquet Courts, John Carpenter, PJ Harvey, Brian Eno, Marissa Nadler, Bob Mould, and Case/Lang/Viers have to offer. Plus whoever else I may have mentioned in this thread. Maybe Bob Dylan's new album will be good? I'm not really looking forward to more covers to be honest.

I feel the same way: I'm not at all excited for the Dylan album, actually. Granted, it might kick my ass one it happens. But the idea itself? Meh. I have to admit, as excited I was for him through Love & Theft and Modern Love, I have been almost equally unexcited since. A few good songs on each of the two albums of originals, the Christmas album, the covers album...they sound fine, they have their moments, but it's just not the same.

I'm not yet overwhelmed with 2016's music... yet. Mostly because I haven't listened to a lot of the new albums (spending a lot of time catching up on 2015 and whatnot). Plus I'm really just building up suspense for potential Two Door Cinema Club and Shins music. Since Robin Pecknold of Fleet Foxes is touring with Joanna Newsom, I'm crossing my fingers he'll release something.

Basically, just looking forward to amplifying my love of indie music.

My unsolicited advice is never to do that.

I don't know if this has been posted yet (and no I'mnotgonna look through all three pages that's crazy), but Wilco mentioned having another album ready for 2016.

From: http://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/feb/20/wilco-frontman-jeff-tweedy-trumps-success-is-a-sign-of-how-broken-things-have-been

I like Wilco.

And then the following question, why?  ???

Courtney Barnett.

Does she have something new this year I'm unaware of? I know she had a single, but her album was '15. (It is a great album though.)

Was anyone else aware of the new Radiohead album being released this year?

I miss you being Bubs

Yeah, I recall hearing that.

Has anyone bought or listened to the new Iggy Pop (with Josh Homme) album? After listening to them on Nerdist podcast (pretty funny, by the way), I gave it a quick partial listen this morning on Spotify. It sounded pretty damn good to me, actually. I plan to listen again, and more fully. It might be another one to pick up this year.

(Oh, and in some mostly Luther-targeted news, Of Montreal reportedly has a new album coming out this August. Happy me.)

I'm really enjoying the song Candyman that you may have seen on the M&Ms commercials.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBcyBylIr40

Domo Genesis's new album came out Friday. I've been really enjoying it. "Dapper" is still my favorite track, but the album is good. After hearing do a few verses here and there on Earl Sweatshirt, Tyler the Creator, and other assorted Odd Future stuff of the past half-decade or so, it's nice to get a full album and--voila!--have it be good.

Gallant has a new album, Ology, due to be released next week. It includes the fine single "Skipping Stones." I'm pretty excited for this. Another thanks to the member--whose name I forget at the moment, so forgive me--for introducing me to Gallant back during one of our old threads. I forget which. Whatever. 

I heard a song by Barns Courtney, "Fire", on the radio today. I really liked most of it aside from the stereotypical post-'00 power-poprock chorus, a non-surprisingly common element that ruins most contemporary music for me. Anyway the section that begins at approximately the 1:59 mark is mind-blowingly exceptional pop-craftsmanship. Probably the closest anyone's come to reaching the level of Brian Wilson on "Do You Like Worms?", which in my opinion is a very high point. I highly recommend a listen if you haven't heard it. So far he's only released a couple of singles and I'm hoping to GOD the album has more like that section than it does in that chorus, but we'll see.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cnka7iod6C4

Anybody aware of anything else out there with similar elements of said section? Any damn era will do. It's really my ideal kinda music. (i.e, "Isn't It A Pity" outro by GH, "Still I'm Sad" by YB)

I listened to that Barns Courtney song, and the section you pointed out was indeed interesting. I also totally see the point you make about the generic chorus; it's hard not to notice those types of things after picking up on them. I sadly don't have any other songs I can think of with a similar feeling to what you strive for.

On another note, Melody's Echo Chamber announced that she's halfway through recording her next album, which means it'll hopefully be out this year. Her debut came out in 2012, and it's my favorite album of this decade for sure. For those interested, here it is in its entirety: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlrRTeMq8fw (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlrRTeMq8fw)

The only other fully-finished song she's put out since then is a one-off single called "Shirim": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2hgdcbLgyY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2hgdcbLgyY)

I know there was one topic started on her in this section of the board back in 2012, but since she has new material in the works (finally), I felt it'd be a good time to bring her up again. The sound she achieved on her debut blows my mind to this day; it takes that dream-pop/shoegaze sound to a whole different place, particularly (for me) with her sweet-sounding voice. There are some intriguing synthesizer and guitar tone combos that I haven't heard before or since, too. And the way she plays her voice like a keyboard in "Quand Vas Tu Rentrer?" (one of two French-sung songs on an otherwise English-sung album) gets me every time. I generally link album covers with the mood of their albums a lot, and the pinkish-orangish hue of the cover is very much felt on the album.

Sorry for the glance back of four years; I view it as reading/listening material to prepare any potential fans for the new material out this year. I hope her second album has a similar level of exploration and sonic coloration!

Swans' new album, The Glowing Man, is set to be released on June 17th.
I'm ready, Swans. Take me.

Yeah, yeah, I get it: I'm the only Swans fan here.
Seriously, though, this sounds so fuckin good (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ka_hKb7dSiY&ab_channel=SWANS).

I heard a Swans track on a mixtape once that was one of the most horrible songs I've ever heard, and seemed to go on for ten minutes. Also the record sleeve I saw about that time ("To Be Kind"?) was one of the ugliest I have ever seen. Not gone near them since. Maybe I was too swift to make my mind up. I'm not ready to risk clicking on any links yet though. I guess they must have done something right (or wrong) to evoke so strong a negative reaction.

The link I posted really isn't that extreme. It's about two minutes of a groovy musical vamp that I've listened to numerous times today.

I'd be quite interested to find out what song you heard, especially when you describe it like that. Honestly, I can imagine a lot of their music inspiring that sort of reaction--even as big a fan as I am, sometimes I'm still a little stunned when I listen to something I haven't heard yet. Their first album, Filth, was a total shock to me, and I have no doubt that it would send almost everyone on this website fleeing through the nearest exit. I like it now, though.

These are what their most recent album covers look like:
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/a7/Swans_The_Seer_album.jpg)(http://www.paraphiliamagazine.com/periodical/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Swans-To-Be-Kind.jpg)(https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0397/1609/products/chipboard_grande.jpg?v=1459791776)

I'm a little bit disappointed by the new one.

I've never given Swans more than about 5 minutes total. Maybe this time.

Oh, does that mean you listened to and liked the bit of song?
I'm unsure of what you mean, I guess.

Well, my roommate's boyfriend loves that band, if that makes you feel better :P

Although what I've heard (that they've shown me) isn't bad. I think I like havetobeintherightmood for it, you know?

http://consequenceofsound.net/2016/04/fleet-foxes-are-definitely-getting-back-together/

2016 is going to be a good year.

I feel a bit nervous. Here's some stuff that has tickled my fancy within the thread parameters:

Ratatat
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZlzC1qQH0k&nohtml5=False

Green Buzzard
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6F9bgJONqU&nohtml5=False

Nope, means I've tried samples a few times but never enjoyed enough to spend any time, so my assorted sampling S probably added up to a total of <5 minutes.

As for the Fleet Foxes talk, unfortunately I find that unexciting too. I found them to be one of the most overrated bands of the past decade. Nice enough, I guess, but totally insubstantial. More a vibe than a band. Just my opinion. And who knows, I might like them this time.

Well, it took me forever to like them, too. I've had their stuff on my iPod for years, plus they're from my favorite record label and all of my friends love them, and I only got into them a few months ago. I think some people are immediately captivated by Pecknold's voice, but I actually found it deterring until recently. So I can actually understand that. But just you wait  ;D


I think the new Parquet Courts album drops this Friday, too.

For me it's more just a lack of interesting songs.

Going back to the beginning of last month, a band named Sheer Mag released their third EP, III. There's a lot of sensationalism about them and tornadoes on the internet, so if that catches your interest, feel free to look it up. I will say that the woman up front has a great voice, and her band is solid. They write and perform good songs. They make soulful punk music. This is a music video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOt774ekroI&ab_channel=NancyShirley) they made for a song from their most recent EP. They have other music videos and songs, too.

It did. I hadn't listened to them before but am listening to this album. Very, very much in the vein of Jonathan Richman.

How do you like it?

I love the first song already. At least the guitar. Getting weird with the voices but whatever.

No strong feelings beyond "I really like Jonathan Richman's rock-band work; this sounds like a band trying really hard to make more of those." The thing with Richman is, he was (I should say is, he's not dead...I just haven't strongly connected with his work in quite a while) really an inventive lyricist, which makes the elementary music tolerable. Perfectly fitting, even. Whether P.C. have material that is good enough to overcome its obvious mimicry, I haven't listened enough to decide. For now, it was worth the $10 or whatever and it's nice to have on.

I also got Gallant's Ology. Love that voice.

I've got those two albums playing now, on shuffle, so the songs are popping up randomly, and I feel like I should say something nicer about Parquet Courts. I don't want to come off as too dismissive just because of their obvious lineage. I am enjoying the listen, not just thinking about them. "Pathos Prairie," for example, has a nice bounce to it and great guitar tones.

This week is a new release I'm somewhat excited about: Sam Beam and Jesca Hoop's duet album, Love Letter For Fire. Beam is, of course, Iron & Wine, and while many of his earlier fans have been turned off by his trip from lo-fi to technicolor, I've actually loved it ... up until the last go-round. I thought Ghost on Ghost was fine, but didn't have the songs of the predecessors. And regardless of arrangement and production, the songs matter. I thought The Shepherd's Dog was one of the top 10-15 albums of this century, and Kiss Each Other Clean was really good. But then I felt like Ghost on Ghost was Beam jumping at a chance to make an album with great musicians ... but sadly lacking material. Just my impression.

Two tracks have been released so far from Love Letter For Fire, and the simple beauty of two-part vocal harmony is refreshing. The tracks are far simpler, just basic roots combos. I can't say how good each song on the album is, it not having been released yet, but these songs are beautiful, thoroughly enjoyable for people into this sort of thing. So Friday will be a good day for me.

Some new Shins teased. I suspect a certain someone here will want to hear this...

http://pitchfork.com/news/62671-the-shins-tease-more-new-music-listen/

And I wonder who that could be....

Honestly it's been a long couple of weeks so this was just the thing to make my day. Thank you, haha. It sounds sorta like WTNA and POM had a baby, which is fine with me.

The new Lush comeback 'Blind Spot' EP is very nice. Also, for fans of The Heavy Blinkers ilk of gauzy chamber pop, the Giorgio Tuma album 'This Life Denied Me Your Love' is excellent.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2v9gEyIOs0&list=PLzUlxqpib2LqthjBmUgfFHiE--cRLtCNj&index=2

I'm really digging this. Thanks! I also thought I'd give Parquet Courts a try since everyone seems to be hawking them - and turns out I love it. It's only taken me this long to actually check it out because I have built some wall in my mind that rejects everything new. I'm working on tearing it down though, with some help from you folks.

And a little more info today: per their manager, it's out in May and "like nothing like you've ever heard." (I find that hard to believe.)

http://pitchfork.com/news/62800-radiohead-new-album-out-in-june-manager-says/

Radiohead's new album has an anticipated release date for this June.

Also, Band of Horses are to release new music, too.

May, per Pitchfork / their manager. (See previous post.)

Sam Beam & Jesca Hoop, Love Letter for Fire
I mentioned it earlier.


A few more tracks were released this week and now the album is out in full. Working from home, I've been able to have it playing aloud this morning ... about three times through, now. I don't have much to say that goes beyond what I said already, but would expand the comment to include the whole album: these songs are beautiful, thoroughly enjoyable for people into this sort of thing.

This is immediately among my five best albums of the year so far. It's not as good as Blackstar, but there isn't another album I could immediately say is better than this one. It's right in there with Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson, Kendrick Lamar, Lake Street Dive, Carrie Rodriguez, and my other so-far-favorites.

Oh, I don't really follow Radiohead. I just saw this: http://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/apr/15/radiohead-album-june.

Of course, in the music world, a projcted release for date X is really X+60 days :P

Or x+37 years, or maybe even x-60 days. One never knows until it's out.

OK, my source is discredited: Pitchfork has posted an updated news item saying June, too. I lose. Dang.

I'm quoting this and mentioning one of my favorite songs of theirs (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZg8ZJM1uBc&ab_channel=AmbientLightMusic) to encourage at least one person to give them a chance.

I like the bass particularly. It's too good a song for that production style in my opinion: it would benefit from cleaner sounds and an arrangement with more texture. But then again, when you're going for a punk sound, well, that's what that is. Just not to my taste. But the song itself is pretty cool, and as I said, I liked the bass.

I hope people buy this.  Sam, like all of 'em, wants a popular hit album.  Since Ghost on Ghost he has made an effort to go back to what his early fans kept bitching about.  The return of solo acoustic shows - no strings, no horns, just Sam and a guitar.  He now tries to please both types of audiences he has.  Me, I want the strings, horns, electric guitar... a full band.  A mid-set acoustic bit is enough of that for me.  The 2013 Spring Ghost tour was his very best.

By February 2014 he was mixing in the solo tour idea, playing only some dates with a stripped down band.  This is when Jesca came into the picture.  Here is an example, the not yet titled "Kiss Me Quick" (from the new album) :  https://youtu.be/Co0de3Gcrqc    That whole show is up if you want to see everything they played.  As I do with the other people who populate Sam's world, I checked out her albums.  She was surprisingly good.  I'm a big elbow/Guy Garvey fan.  Although I complain about Modern music, some of it does hit a chord with me.  Here's a beautiful duet she did with Guy, "Murder of Birds" :  https://youtu.be/35EeM5DHgRU    She's looking for a wide audience, so some of her music, like "Hospital" takes her in a direction I don't care for.  She also sometimes straps on an electric guitar and rocks it up.  I love this, "Born To" :  https://youtu.be/7bxpLcNod80    I think she was trying to get a message through to Stipe with that make-up job.

NPR has been streaming the album for a week, but I only played about half of them.  Every track I played was laid-back.  I have it ordered, and want to wait til it's in my hands so I can play it on the big system for the first listen.  He has a challenge ahead to top last years exceptional Sing Into My Mouth.  Unlike last year, Sam and Jesca will be touring most of the year.  Sam and Ben only briefly supported their album with a dozen shows.  It looks like Jesca will be doing some solo shows as well.  Garvey is in charge of this years Meltdown festival at the Southbank Centre 10-19 June, celebrating his first solo album, Courting The Squall (2015).  He has chosen Jesca as the support slot for his appearance at the festival on the 17th at the Royal Festival Hall.  One of the great stops on the Sam & Jesca tour will be at the beautiful Union Chapel in London on 1 September.

Before I sign-off, let me say, just to make it clear how much I enjoy Sam's music... Other than Brian Wilson, Sam is my favorite living musician.

And captain, I'm gonna have to address that comment you made about the writing of the songs on Ghost on Ghost in that Masterpiece thread. -Will

Husker Dude, You mean the Husker Du cover band?  I checked them out.  Like Husker Du, a bit too loud for me.  Mould fans are going for their bats about now...  I actually liked the clip you posted.
I played some of their live stuff this morning - that was a wake-up!  The band sounds good, the guitar player is really good.  The lead singer gets drowned out in most of what I found.  I streamed something they did in a car wash, and a couple of German joints.  I don't listen to stuff like this very often, but a chance it got!

Punk is Still Alive in our World!!

Fabulous! thanks for that one, Bübsker Dude.

Bubsker Dude.  That's great Alan.  You've given him a new idea.  Let it Rock!

I think he's great, too. And frankly, the hate he's been getting since expanding the sonic palette is unfair (or at least misguided) in my opinion.


Uh oh. Are we gonna fight?! Out by the flagpole, after school!  ;D

probably.  But that would be a long drive to get there.  It will be better, and easier, just to work up a post.  The long Southern tour the album takes you on from coast to coast forms a smile.  Then he doubles back to end it in New Orleans.  Possibly the lyrics mean more to someone from the South.  His tales of the South are very prominent in many of his songs.  He catches fireflies in his hands, and knows how to describe that in a way I can understand.

No, the name's not in reference to anything... well, other than Hüsker Dü and me being a fan. It's just a name I thought of and liked. I looked it up later and found other people have already beaten me to it.  :( Oh well.  As for the song, I'm glad you all (mostly, anyway) are liking it. I really like what they do, and I was disappointed they were passed over earlier, but that happens in this thread. I can understand not liking or listening to this particular style much, but it seems to be what I'm into lately.

Josh,  I left you an answer to your post over in the Oops thread, so as not to derail this thread.  Now if I could only figure out that new avatar...

Apparently it's Alex Chilton of the Box Tops ("The Letter"). Thank you reverse image search ;D.

I found this blog that has anticipated album release dates on the left sidebar. At least, for indie-related music, which is right up my alley :D
http://indieobsessive.blogspot.com/

Has anyone pointed out that there's a new Paul Simon album coming this year (June)? Maybe, but I'm not going to look because that's beyond my energies at the moment. However, just in case not, Paul Simon is releasing a new album this year (June). It's called Stranger to Stranger, and the lead-off single, "Wristband" is on Soundcloud.

You can hear that and read about the album here:

http://www.paulsimon.com/news/paul-simons-new-album-stranger-stranger-set-release-june-3rd/

You have my insincere, half-hearted apologies if this has been covered already.

Whoa. He sounds great.

The first time I heard "Wristband," I thought the backing track was really cool. But then the song just goes completely off the rails when Paul starts talking about how much he needs a wristband and how he hates tall, authoritative figures.

Beyonce released a surprise album called Lemonade. It's apparently a visual and auditory experience, and it seems to be exclusive (http://beyonce.tidal.com/us/lemonade-offer) to Tidal subscribers. Although, I think someone mentioned it being on sale for $18 or so now. It's supposed to be pretty weird, but I don't have enough time to watch it right now.

I heard a few clips in a review on NPR and it sounded pretty good to me. I'm curious to hear more.

It's for sale on iTunes now, $17 for album and movie. Just bought, will be listening at work.

This is a good album. I'm not much of a Beyonce fan, historically, but I'm really liking this.

Edit: I mean really liking it. While listening quietly on my phone at work, I could tell there were cool things going on. Now I'm listening loudly at home, and damnit, this album is really good. She's all over the map, genre-wise, and she's showing off that great voice in several contexts. Further, the songs sound awfully personal. (I don't much care whether they are, that's irrelevant. They're well written by someone and well delivered by Beyonce.) Quick judgments tend to be a bad idea but this is one of the half-dozen best albums of the year so far for sure.

They've now released two songs from the new album, "Burn the Witch" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yI2oS2hoL0k) and "Daydreaming." (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTAU7lLDZYU&ab_channel=Radiohead)

New album out tomorrow amiright?

My friend's a huge Radiohead fan, so she's shown me the music videos. I like don't know many Radiohead songs, but I find the songs/videos super cool and interesting with a slightly creepy vibe. Like the strings in "Burn the Witch," or the whole video for "Daydreaming."

In other news, Young the Giant's new album comes out August 12.

Quite like this, dubious title aside:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xgFy5SWl1Y

recently released. live albums. instead of cancelling NC shows, AC decides to release this instead. Very cool.
https://anmlcollectve.bandcamp.com/album/live-at-fonda-theatre-march-9-2016

fucking AWESOME

I've heard this a few times.  The backing track is nice.  The lyrics are... Paul is in need of lyrical ideas.  He is trying too hard to sound modern.

I'll give the album a chance.  Too good a guitar player not to.  He gets a listen like all of my old favs.  Too many of which have joined the gotta be better than that to get any more of my bucks club.

I'm thinking about getting the new Jayhawks record.  What I've heard so far, sounds good.

I played some of the animal collective.  mmm  I'll think about it.  pretty strange.  That's the first time I've heard anything by them in a year or so.

I haven't heard the Beyoncé.  I stopped giving her chances a while back.  She was once very good.  Glad you are enjoying it captain.  Where is the captain?

I've had this on repeat all day.  Great track.  Great video, though the ladies throwing up towards the end is a bit rough to watch.  Very colorful.  That's Entertainment.

It was the title of their 2005 album that caught my eye in 2010 while researching All Tomorrows Parties festivals and history.

Wait Long By the River and the Bodies of your enemies Will Float by

My fav off the album:     https://youtu.be/U-tNpnTWI8w   

I love this one too:  The old Cramps # "New Kind of Kick"

https://youtu.be/VbW7YNaP-qA     

The Drones 2015 live   "Baby2"   https://youtu.be/AJ1QyDvMBEM

Gareth is the last original member, but he can still bring the power.  When I first heard the studio version I thought he caught the young energetic feel of Spirit with his guitar playing.  This live run through shows he has the same floor petal set-up that Randy California had back in the late 60's.

"Burn the Witch"       Ahem, very Coldplay, Bubbly.  The video animation version of Wickerman was  interesting.  Did you see the movie?  If you haven't, look it up on youtube and watch the last 15 minutes.  This new song does sound different; better than most songs I've heard by them.

"Daydreaming"          I didn't make it too far into this track.  I have a problem with his vocals, the music is fine.  The Radiohead/Coldplay deal with me, is the same fan battle as blur/Oasis.  I never could get into blur except for a few songs.  Remember "Song 2" was pretty neat.  In contrast, I own everything by Oasis - vinyl (the best way to hear them), Cds, DVds, box sets, you name it.  Oasis was one of the Best bands of the 90's.  I collected them as they came out.  Went to see them live.  Let the critics and music lovers say what they want.  I also own all of Coldplay's albums and DVDs.  Explain your take on why so many  people don't like them.  The records they put out are always in my Best of the Year lists.  They are a band where all four members are great. 

That Coldplay vs. Radiohead remark made me shudder/baffled. I don't see it. Anyhow, A Moon Shaped Pool is fantastic. I could maybe compare it to In Rainbows or Amnesiac. To drop some cliches - a real tour de force and a return to form. Particular favorites being "Daydreaming", "Desert Island Disk", "The Numbers", "Tinker Tailor.." and "True Love Waits".

That's like trying to explain why so many people don't like liquorice. You just take a bite and find yourself repulsed.

I find their music to be incredibly safe and boring. They follow in the footsteps of people like U2, and I dislike U2 even more.

Well, if it's any comfort, I'm a fan of Coldplay. I don't really listen to them now, but honestly their Mylo Xyloto concert was one of the best concerts I've been to. Also, Chris Martin's personality is so much more likeable than Bono's.... ugh. Haha.

I wouldn't compare Radiohead to Coldplay at all, though, unless you're making a list of "bands from the UK" or something.

john k is a U2 fan, we're going to make him mad.  You don't like Bono's personality, I've stopped checking out their newer albums.  They have lost some kind of spark they used to have in the  90's.  They are not making albums that produced songs like "Mysterious Ways," "Even Better Than the Real Thing," "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me,"  "Lemon" - they peaked for years.  I only got to see the POPMART tour - to get a taste of their kind of Big Show.  Now, Bono is very busy doing a lot more than music, and seems well distracted.  Who knows.  If I don't hear something great on the radio or Tv I won't check for more of the same.  I don't want to buy them if I am not going to play them very often.  I own way too much music I play a couple of times and file away by way too many.  U2 left behind some very powerful music. I thought until the past few years they could be magical with a few tracks on an album, but again, not enough to get me to buy the album.  That's why so many of the younger fans just collect tracks.  I rarely download.  I want physical product.  I don't want to print the cover.  Artists who can't come up with a whole album of great, stall.

Coldplay had a great beginning.  The first album is Top.   They built on that and peaked during Viva la Vida, and that tour.  They didn't even bother to put that tour on film.  You got plenty of songs on different Tv shows, but no official tour video.  There was a great DVD videos Comp that came out with the Import Ep just after the album.  I think that's the best one I have.  One of the videos is animated like "Burn the Witch" - I was thinking about that while watching last night.  It's cool with me you guys like Radiohead.   undercover-m, I wasn't comparing Radiohead to Coldplay, exactly.  I was poking at Bubs saying "Burn the Witch" sounded like Coldplay.  What I was really comparing, is the way fans reacted in a similar way to two popular acts in the 90's, blur and Oasis.  Like the Beatles vs Stones camps in the 60's, that really happened.  You and your friends would claim to only like one or the other.  I'm much more a fan of the Stones now than I was as a teenager.  Between the Buttons was the first one that woke me up.  Now I love their early R&B and Country.  The Beach boys and the Four Seasons had fan camps, who was better at hitting the high notes, Brian or Frankie.

I'm glad you got to see Coldplay live.  I haven't.  I have the Mylo Xyloto DVD - It's great- fast and colorful.  Simon must have seen this and thought, "Yeah, wristbands...good title, the kids will like it."  I have a DVD of the 2011 Glastonbury show.  It played on the Palladia channel a few times if you have that on your dial.  A bit better than the official Blu-ray in that it's more a whole show without the between bits, interviews getting in the way.  Speaking of getting in the way...

Bubs is becoming a big star poster around here lately.  Standing up for the rights, kickin' the dirt up, buttin' shoulders. A real Ringo.  And he says an album can change.  An artist can change.  Not be as good as yesterday.  Played out.  It just doesn't connect anymore.
I'm with that.  He knows, you know.  If he can stop connecting, I can stop buying.  And listening to even a long favored band.

What I'm thinking is Coldplay has already did the best stuff they are capable of.  They began to fade with Ghost Stories and the new one.  Both of those made my top ten because I'm not listening very often to other new music.  My 2015 top ten was full of known acts I have followed for years.  Livingston Taylor, Calexico, Los Lobos, Ben Folds and of course whatever Brian and Sam want to toss us.  Many of our members here are too young to have a long history with a band.  For old acts it's dumped on you all at once, usually out of release order.  I think that matters.  It happens cause the old acts, even the 80' and 90's acts continue to be popular.  We all try new music out, but I don't have time to check out everything everybody is checking out.  I'm not finding the time to check what press they got today, their facebooks, if they are planning a tour, or their present whereabouts.  That last one especially.  I don't want to know much about their personal lives.  I never joined a fan club in my life, unless you call this place a fan club.  nah, this place is a free-for-all.

And -I just spend too much of my time searchin' thru the past.  Most of my very favorites are either dead, or too old and out of it.  For at least the last couple years most all new music , new bands I'm hearing in the outside world, where I'm not in control of what I'm listening to, there has only been a few.  I don't let many in the door.  That's why I don't know anything about Radiohead.  I've just lost interest in continuing to find new music to play.  I only have the one day a week where I really sit down in my chair and listen to music.  Hey, I saw Alan say the other day, he only gets 30to40 minutes a day, a week, something like that.  You young folks focus on the new, and spend a lot of time doing it, I did when I was younger.  I don't even know who Young the Giants is.  I check to see who is on the late shows, animal collective tonight btw,  did you catch it?  Most of them I don't know.  That is not a fault.

The days are shorter the older you get.  Maybe when I was young I wouldn't have understood what I just said.  As I get older there are things that become as important as sitting around listening to music real close, Looking for new.  Old is comfortable.  Don't get me wrong, I listen to music all the time on my crummy set-up I've got hooked up to this keyboard and screen.  I very much enjoy having youtube in my life, and have a lot of fun with it.  All the videos you all bring on to Smiley have changed my musical outlook often.  The old Listening thread, I miss.  We had a great group doing that.  Bubs took me off on a new journey with Nick Cave.  Made me a much bigger fan.  Showed me albums I had not bothered to look at closer.  Luther turned me on to a band I'd never heard of, Beulah.  I bought some of their albums and their DVD, played it last Saturday night.  So it can happen, just not to often.  Have I mentioned Iron and Wine? ;)  It's late, I'll get to him another time.

When I signed-on tonight, I did have an idea to bust in this thread with a song.  It's a captain thread, he don't mind bustin'.  Here it is, this goes out to repulsed Bubbly, all the ones I've offended.  and God save the Queen and the Kinks

it's dark in here...let's see if I can hit the right keys

"Problems"  by two of my favorite people.  Chris Hillman and Herb Pedersen:

https://youtu.be/cov1kXTRKhA

Paul, they didn't like it.  Writstbands, good for Coldplay concerts, boring subject for a song.  This tag is for a different reason...

That was my 1022 post (that counted).  Had to come back on and comment for my post history, and so I will remember when it happened.  The numbers 221 have popped up over and over in my life, so has the number 5.  In many special ways.
If it wasn't so late, I'd explain.

Haha. I'm not that easily riled, Will. But it's true----I am a U2 fan, of six years' standing. And my fandom extends to their most recent albums----no appreciable drop in quality there, to my ears anyway...   

Chance the Rapper released his new "mixtape," Coloring Book, but it's exclusive to Apple Music streaming. :(

Still love new Beyonce. I think I like Radiohead. Immediate response to Anohni is lukewarm or worse. Meghan Trainor disappointed me greatly.

I haven't been able to listen to it yet because I'm stupid and I wait for CDs to be available.

Unreserved recommendtion:

Rogue Wave's new LP Delusions of Grand Fur!

(http://i.imgur.com/EktERQ9.jpg)

New music (https://soundcloud.com/wearedelasoul/sets/for-your-pain-suffering) from De La Soul!
(there's a quick mention of The Beach Boys in "Trainwreck")

Haven't listened and wasn't sure I was going to. While I liked the first album and was OK with the next one or two, I really lost interest in what Zach R. has been doing (both as Rogue Wave and Release the Sunbird or whatever). But with your praise, I'll check it out, anyway.

I met their old bassist, the late Evan Farrell, before a gig they did here maybe 10 years ago. Great guy, we talked about jazz, mostly, for probably an hour. They seemed on the brink of (indie-)stardom at that time. Didn't work out: it seemed like each album tried to be more popular, and was less interesting in the process.

(http://www.rhino.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/the-monkees-good-times-cover-art-final.jpg?itok=X8YlPYAm)

The surprisingly strong and fresh sounding new Monkees album.

(http://pitchfork-cdn.s3.amazonaws.com/content/shadow%20art.jpg)

http://pitchfork.com/news/62426-the-last-shadow-puppets-announce-new-album-everything-youve-come-to-expect/

And very good it is too. :=)

Kendrick, Bowie and Avalanches are the best so far.

Kanye's is the first time he disappointed me, though it has its great moments. I feel like he's slowly losing it, though 6 great albums in a row are no mean feat.

Rihanna, Future and Drake were mediocre.

Desiigner was the worst.

I need to get the Radiohead, Swans, Beyonce, Schoolboy Q, YG, Anderson Paak, Death Grips, Chance the Rapper and Aesop Rock.

The new Angel Olsen is lovely and wonderful, everyone.

At long last--five weeks? Fuuuuuck--my Apple ID situation is resolved and I'm back to buying music. Common's new one is really good. Up on deck, A Tribe Called Quest.

Gave a listen to Childish Gambino's new album. Very Funkadelic-like.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hZCsgcKa-g (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hZCsgcKa-g)

Oh that's right, that was another one somebody or other had recommended I listen to. I'll give it a shot.

Anyone else: what have I missed the past month or two? I've been kind of out of it. Spent that time with a lot of news, a lot of basketball, but not much music.

Danny Brown's Atrocity Exhibition released in September is incredible if you haven't heard it.

Also people have been talking about the new J. Cole, Czarface, Weeknd, Metallica, Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga but I've yet to hear these.

I've heard two or three songs from the new Metallica.  The songs I've heard were decent, but not too memorable. 

I'm hoping there's more to like on the album, which I've yet to buy.

I feel confident Metallica won't be up my alley, as I haven't been a fan really since Master of Puppets (and stopped even bothering by the mid-90s). Heavy stuff just no longer agrees with me for the most part.

I've got the Gaga album and think it's pretty good. Surprisingly good, in fact, though also horrible in parts. The very polished work of a big-timer trying to hit every possible sales demographic! Some of it sounds like power balladry, pop country, hard(ish) rock, etc. I'm guessing Bruno Mars is similar, actually, but I do mean to listen to it.

Weeknd: I'll check. I liked "I Can't Feel My Face," anyway. As did most everyone.

An artist named Max Jury (self-titled album came out in June) was brought to my attention earlier this year... I liked what I heard at the time, but held it back until I was in the right mood. The mood has struck, and I'm loving it now.

I also continue to not get the appeal of Frank Ocean. At all. I keep trying.

I've had mixed feelings about him since "Novacane," which was the first thing I heard from him. It's hot and cold. I think I liked about four songs on Channel Orange and I think the new stuff ranges from really good to totally uninteresting.

Same, to the word. I listen to his albums, I hear the potential, the undeniable highlights, but then struggle to remember a lot of it.

It was popular, but I (and a lot of people I know) couldn't stand I Can't Feel My Face.  I never thought there would come a day when I didn't look forward to The Weekend. .....get it???   (crickets).   OK, I'll tall my ball and go home. 

Yeah, the chorus ruined it for me. Too poppy.

Hmmmm, if I had to pinpoint what did it for me, let me know.  Yeah, it was the entire song. 

But, I also detest dance music. 

Even disco?  :o

Absolutely.  Some of the rock music that was influenced by disco is OK (ie. Miss You, Another Brick in the Wall Part 2), but pure disco does nothing for me. 

Being a (good) pop fan, I thought it was good. Very Michael Jackson in spots, which I consider a compliment. But everything else I listened to from him, more or less, I didn't like. I'll check out the new album just in case, but I am not holding out much hope.

I got something new yesterday, but you are going to say it's old.  Well, that's what I buy.  This is a new release, never been on the market before.  I've never heard it, and as far as I know has never been booted.

A new offering from the very talented Laura Nyro:  AMERICAN DREAMER -Live at the Bottom Line, 12th July '78

Laura did a brief promotional tour for her new album Nested (June 1978).  She used a band on the record, but this is just her and a piano playing seven of the ten tracks from the album.  Not focusing on oldies, the only ones she picked are "Sweet Blindness"  "And When I Die" and "Emmie."  She does "Sexy Mama" from Smile, and "man in the moon" (which didn't see official release until 1984).  Some of these tracks have popped up as bonus tracks on re-issues over the years, tho I don't think from this same source - very good songs, "In The Country Way" (from the New York Tendaberry sessions) and a great old Dr. John track, "Mama Roux."  I'll know more later tonight.


I also got something that was recorded this year:  Band of Horses why are you ok.  Only heard a few tracks, should be interesting.

Were you guys happy with the Grammy nominations?  Looking thru the names it was like a list of strangers.  Reminds me of the late sixties, what somebody else thought was worth a nod vs. what I was listening to.  I haven't made a final decision, but it looks like Sam and Jesca's album will top my list.  It's a real shame Emitt Rhodes' Rainbow Ends missed out, it's getting my time.  I don't remember the cut-off date, but shouldn't Los Lobos and Calexico be considered some of the best music of the last year?  I loved Ben Folds' album, too.  Bieber?  Is that really considered cutting edge?  What's it all about?  My 17 year old nieces were disappointed One Direction didn't get showered with nominations, I'm sure.

I did listen to Childish Gambino's album - not too good.  I watched his Tv show, Atlanta, that was okay.  What I've heard of the Bruno Mars album is pretty good - won't be buying it, tho.  Metallica was good a long long time ago, I didn't even know they were still making music - I thought the lead singer quit.  Guess the power of money brought him back.  As for Lady Gaga, I got about as far as the new commercial for the tour.  I don't need to hear more.

I didn't review or even seek out the nominations in any detail. I heard some of them on the radio on my way in to work the other day, but that's about it. Honestly those kinds of things--Grammys, Academy Awards, RnR HoF, etc.--just don't move me. They stir up interest, people get all mad about them and curse how stupid they are, then watch anyway and do it again next year. I've opted out in terms of caring in the slightest. What I do sometimes like to do is watch for the performances, that can be fun. Otherwise, meh.

And really they're in a tough place. Make it objective, about popularity, and there's no real suspense or voting required: just go by some formula of sales or plays. Make it subjective and you'll get slammed for elitism or poor choices. Make it a combination and nobody's happy.

I heard Beyonce got a ton of nominations, and that seems fair. I think Lemonade is probably the second-best album of the year, after Blackstar.

I didn't give this a full listen, but sampled most of the tunes and thought it was OK. Nothing I'm about to pay money for, though.

OK, so sometimes it takes me a while to get around to things ... I am just now listening to this. I wish this album had come out in 2004, 05, 06, 07, when I was more into this kind of music. This feels like the album they should have made instead of, say, Asleep at Heaven's Gate. (OK, to be fair, I mean they "should have" made it in order to keep me interested. I'm not sure that was their #1 objective. Though it should have been. I mean, obviously.) This is the most tuneful batch they've done (including as Sunbird) since the debut, probably. Really pleasant. Not sure whether I'll buy none, some, or all, but it's at least making me happy right now.

That reminds me of the proposed Imagine album cover. Which was a photo of John with his eyes cut out and replaced with the sky.

Just purchased the new Lady Lamb EP, Tender Warriors Club, which I didn't know existed until this morning. She (Aly Spaltro, previously releasing music as Lady Lamb the Beekeeper ... the abbreviated name is wise) has a couple of full-lengths out from the past few years, the first of which (Ripley Pine I loved, the second (After) I thought was OK. This seems pared down, mostly acoustic guitar and generally doubled lead vocals. I am occasionally reminded of Jeff Mangum with her approach and songs, though she's not on that level. She has some really nice lyrical moments, though, as well as really dramatic (in a good way) delivery.

I'm really liking this one at the moment.

(http://cdn2.pitchfork.com/albums/23707/24e1bf8a.jpg)

After sampling some of its tracks I bought the new Blood Orange (Dev Hynes) album, which I'd been forgetting to remember to get for some time now. I haven't listened all the way through yet, but I like it. I wasn't up on him at all, introduced only with Solange's EP a couple years ago that he produced. Like a lot of people these days, he uses a lot of '80s pop sounds and feels, but I don't find it to be boring imitations: I think his vocals and vocal arrangements are really cool. Good guitar parts and sounds as well, though it's synth-dominated overall.

Somebody at PSF (I'm ashamed to say I can't recall who)
extolled the virtues of this album and it really is very good:

https://weyesblood.bandcamp.com/

(http://cdn4.pitchfork.com/albums/23902/homepage_large.084883fd.jpg)

http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/22463-front-row-seat-to-earth/

Finally got Anderson .Paak's Malibu, almost a year after it came out. I'm really enjoying it and trying to figure out how to incorporate something from it into my inevitable, impending 2016 playlist.

Ladies and gentlemen, my fifth annual year-end playlist. If you're not familiar with but are curious about anything, pm me. I recommend listening in order, if it's possible for you, as the track order is a big part of the effort. As always, the rules are that I'm not using more than one song per artist (unless they are from different albums). However, the length is expanding: what began as 24 songs and an hour and a half in 2012 is now roughly a triple album, 37 songs and two and a third hours.

1. Hum Along and Dance (Gotta Get Down), Janelle Monae, The Get Down
2. Call Off Your Dogs, Lake Street Dive, Side Pony
3. Judas, Esperanza Spalding, Emily's D+Evolution
4. Better Than Me, Blood Orange, Freetown Sound
5. Skipping Stones (feat. Jhene Aiko), Gallant, Ology
6. untitled 06 | 06.30.2014, Kendrick Lamar, untitled unmastered.

7. Diamond Heart, Lady Gaga, Joanne
8. Shut Up Kiss Me, Angel Olsen, MY WOMAN
9. Delerium, case/lang/viers, case / lang / viers
10. gratuitous abysses, of Montreal, Innocence Reaches
11. Three Packs a Day, Courtney Barnett, Three Packs a Day (single)
12. We're All Gonna Die, Dawes, We're All Gonna Die
13. Desert Island Disk, Radiohead, A Moon Shaped Pool

14. Pyramids, Common, Black America Again
15. Dis Generation, A Tribe Called Quest, We got it from Here... Thank You 4 Your service
16. James Joint, Rihanna, ANTI
17. Dapper (feat. Anderson .Paak), Domo Genesis, Genesis
18. Waves (feat. Kacey Musgraves), Miguel, Rogue Waves
19. Hold Up, Beyonce, Lemonade
20. Junie, Solange, A Seat at the Table
21. Solo, Frank Ocean, Blonde
22. Celebrate, Anderson .Paak, Malibu

23. Okkervil River RIP, Okkervil River, Away
24. Time After Time, Iron & Wine, Time After Time (single)
25. Perfidia, Carrie Rodriguez, Lola
26. Tachycardia, Conor Oberst, Ruminations
27. Lay Me Down (feat. Willie Nelson), Loretta Lynn, Full Circle

28. Wild Kids Rant, Faun Fables, Born of the Sun
29. We Are Nobody Else, Lady Lamb, Tender Warriors Club
30. Every Songbird Says, Sam Beam & Jessca Hoop, Love Letter For Fire
31. Just a Friend to You, Meghan Trainor, Thank You
32. Endless Bummer, Weezer, Weezer

33. Hey Lucinda, Tindersticks, The Waiting Room
34. Berlin Got Blurry, Parquet Courts, Human Performance
35. Berlin, Kyle Craft, Dolls of Highland
36. Gardenia, Iggy Pop, Post Pop Depression
37. I Can't Give Everything Away, David Bowie, Blackstar

Piggybacking on my year-end playlist, I wanted to list the albums I liked best.

1. David Bowie, Blackstar
2. Beyonce, Lemonade
3. Parquet Courts, Human Performance

And in no particular order:

Common, Black America Again
Dawes, We're All Gonna Die
Lady Gaga, Joanne
Loretta Lynn, Full Circle
Solange, A Seat at the Table
Frank Ocean, Blonde
Anderson .Paak, Malibu
Blood Orange, Freetown Sound
Kendrick Lamar, untitled unmastered
Lake Street Dive, Side Pony
A Tribe Called Quest, We got it from Here... Thank You 4 Your Service

That was me, John. She also has a new EP coming out on Friday.

Thanks, Josh. I'll be sure to check out that EP.