2015 New Releases

[Outtasight!]

Ok, Joanna Newsom, I'm intrigued, sell her to me. For some reason I'm reluctant to take the plunge. It often happens with artists I've not yet heard. Maybe it's an age thing, I tend to stay in my comfort zone these days until pushed.

Do you like Kate Bush?

Yes, I have a couple of her albums, I don't like every track but there's enough to keep me interested.

[the captain]

I'm not going to sell her to you beyond what I wrote about Divers. But hopefully that suffices in promoting my feelings on her. She's among the 10 or so best contemporary pop musicians.

[JK]

With all this talk of Joanna Newsom, I decided to revisit her album Ys, with orchestral arrangements (and accordion) by Van Dyke Parks. Oh yes. Highly recommended.

In all likelihood it was the captain (once again) who originally pointed me in its direction. :=)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJ1yFhjRnNc

[alf wiedersehen]

What a wonderful year this has been.

I have bought and greatly enjoyed:
Sometimes I Sit and Think and Sometimes I Just Sit by Courtney Barnett (great lyrics with a 90s, slacker feel)
Calling Out by EZTV (extremely listenable power pop)
Asunder, Sweet and Other Distress by Godspeed You! Black Emperor (instrumental music dredged up from a dark place)
To Pimp a Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar (what could I possibly say about this album at this point)
The Agent Intellect by Protomartyr (great songwriting that's taking post-punk in a compelling direction)
Viet Cong by fka Viet Cong (keepin' the 80s post-punk alive -- don't change your name, guys)
Summertime '06 by Vince Staples (interesting production and thoughtful, intelligent lyrics)
Star Wars by Wilco (s'good stuff)


I have also bought and need to give more time to:
Divers by Joanna Newsom
Vulnicura by Bjork
Choose Your Weapon by Hiatus Kaiyote
Shadows in the Night by Bob Dylan


I have mixed feelings about these albums:
Poison Season by Destroyer (some of the songs just aren't very good)
Universal Themes by Sun Kil Moon (this is an album I enjoy more when I'm listening to it than when I'm remembering it)
Surf by Donnie Trumpet & the Social Experiment (pretty much the same as Poison Season)


I don't have good feelings about this album:
No Pier Pressure by Brian Wilson (sorry, Brian )


Lastly, albums I still wanna buy:
Have You in My Wilderness by Julia Holter
The Epic by Kamasi Washington
This Is the Sonics by The Sonics
Sun Coming Down by Ought
Holding Hands with Jamie by Girl Band
Half Free by U.S. Girls
Fading Frontier by Deerhunter
plus some others I'm less convinced of...

[Dudd]

Excellent year!

I've become rather well acquainted with:
Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper - Kinda spotty but it gets much better the more I listen, along with the two EPs that came out around it (favourite song: "Mr. Noah")
Surf by Donnie Trumpet at the Social Experiment - This has also grown on me a lot, really good-spirited stuff even if there's not much in the way of fully realized songs (favourite song: "Sunday Candy" or maybe "Pass the Vibes")
To Pimp a Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar - ditto (favourite song: "For Sale", just gorgeous)
No Pier Pressure by Brian Wilson - Feelings are still mixed; I think Brian may have surrounded himself with too many people and lost the directness that made his best work so affecting, but there are good tracks (favourite song: "I'm Feeling Sad" or "One Kind of Love")
Natalie Prass - Can only be the best-sounding album of the year, although I find the songs slightly lacking for some reason (favourite song: "Bird of Prey")
Goon by Tobias Jesso Jr. - Very flawed (the lo-fi touches come off as gimmicky) but the guy shows a lot of talent and he clearly knows his way around a song, so I'm excited for whatever's next (favourite song: "How Could You Babe")
Another One by Mac Demarco - Hadn't even heard of Mac before this thing, was pleasantly surprised by his style before getting sick of it then coming back round to liking it again (favourite song: "No Other Heart") (Salad Days is a rather fab album btw)

I enjoyed and intend on becoming better acquainted with:
The Great Pretenders by Mini Mansions ("Any Emotions" might be the best Brian track of the year)
The Epic by Kamasi Washington
Recreational Love by the Bird and the Bee
The Desired Effect by Brandon Flowers ("Still Want You" is an excellent song)
Star Wars by Wilco ("Random Name Generator" is even better)

I listened to maybe once and should probably give more time to:
Have You in My Wilderness by Julia Holter
But You Caint Use My Phone by Erykah Badu
Poison Season by Destroyer
Choose Your Weapon by Hiatus Kaiyote
Calling Out by EZTV
Sometimes I Sit and Think and Sometimes I Just Sit by Courtney Barnett
Divers by Joanna Newsom

[the captain]

Luther’s 2015
Not every year can be 1966. As the statistical probabilities would predict, this one wasn’t. But what it lacked at the top, it made up for in depth and breadth. There wasn’t from what I could hear a single classic album—though these things tend to evolve over time—but there were probably 10 or 15 songs I hated to leave off my annual playlist, which already was pushing my self-imposed limit of double-album length at 34 songs and well over two hours.

Sticklers for true classics, real greatness, may prefer to stick with their existing collections, rehashing whether this remix or that reissue edges the last one. I’m a proud supporter of the good as well as the great, and in fact find greatness in the good. Living with music is the best way to love it, gradually settling into the nooks and crannies that are easily ignored upon first listen or coming across the perfect coincidence of sound and life: the break-up, the hook-up, the nap, the drive.

My favorite albums were, alphabetically by artist:
Asaf Avidan, Gold Shadow
Courtney Barnett, Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit
Kendrick Lamar, To Pimp a Butterfly
The Mountain Goats, Beat the Champ
Kacey Musgraves, Pageant Material
Joanna Newsom, Divers
Mark Ronson, Uptown Special
Sufjan Stevens, Carrie and Lowell
Meghan Trainor, Title
Brian Wilson, No Pier Pressure

I also liked the albums by Lindi Ortega, Ryan Adams, Jason Isbell, Lady Lamb the Beekeeper, The Bird and the Bee, Deerhunter, Grimes, Of Montreal, Earl Sweatshirt, and Vince Staples. No doubt I’m leaving some out, but at a certain point trying to be exhaustive is tedious.

My playlist follows the same rules as every year since 2012: roughly double-album length, one song per artist, with fit playing a key role in inclusion. It’s not the best 34 songs, it’s the best 34-song playlist I could make. I’ve grouped them into the rough “sides” I hear when I listen. If you’ve got the music, or can spend the time making your own playlist so you can listen in sequence without breaks, I recommend it.

1. “Crack in the Pearl, Pt. II,” Mark Ronson (feat. Stevie Wonder and Jeff Bhasker)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpP3rfusyzg

2. “Jenny,” The Bird and the Bee
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vX97nPjel-U

3. “Walkashame,” Meghan Trainor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDjIDaQlFPo

4. “Can’t Feel My Face,” The Weeknd
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEI4qSrkPAs

5. “Holy Ghost,” BORNS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCeoI3S-by8

6. “FourFiveSeconds,” Rihanna, Kanye West, and Paul McCartney
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kt0g4dWxEBo

7. “Are You Alone?” Majical Cloudz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfPUHmNugY8

…..

8. “Blackstar,” David Bowie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kszLwBaC4Sw

9. “Anecdotes,” Joanna Newsom
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjBGuX3dp5M

…..

10. “If It Takes a Lifetime,” Jason Isbell
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmVNswlLDgc

11. “Blank Space,” Ryan Adams
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sndW_dDy-s8

12. “Run-Down Neighborhood,” Lindi Ortega
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JEYSHCE0PM

13. “Get the Point,” My Morning Jacket
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIs-UA1M7q8

14. “Fine,” Kacey Musgraves
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzeQMs3B4c0

…..

15. “Julia,” Fast Romantics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDEdhNnO-28

16. “Torch Song,” Laura Stevenson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmBchlBfp-s

17. “Snakeskin,” Deerhunter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CG6jk5Q90DA

18. “Girls in the Early Morning,” Here We Go Magic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5HOe96oHao

…..

19. “Elevator Operator,” Courtney Barnett
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApG_MtN5M9g

20. “Betsy on the Roof,” Julia Holter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sr2GYsynCFg

21. “Random Name Generator,” Wilco
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2r82YRkLAQA

22. “Southwestern Territory,” The Mountain Goats
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCqoVN5d1V4

…..

23. “Baltimore,” Prince (feat. Eryn Allen Kane)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cieZB0Ab7xk

24. “King Kunta,” Kendrick Lamar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRK7PVJFbS8

25. “Wool,” Earl Sweatshirt (feat. Vince Staples)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pdpym_4f7mo

26. “High by the Beach,” Lana Del Rey
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnxpHIl5Ynw

27. “Loca,” Vince Staples
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkaTnmL3KWs

…..

28. “Life in the Vivid Dream,” Grimes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UoIJnCO-Ew

29. “Ode to My Thalamus,” Asaf Avidan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cM994kgp6IE

30. “The Everlasting Muse,” Belle & Sebastian
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJ6CUGveJVI

31. “Milk Duds,” Lady Lamb the Beekeeper
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1H8rBw2aD4

32. “Estocadas,” Of Montreal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ia07pBxPcb0

33. “Saturday Night on Hollywood Boulevard,” Brian Wilson (feat. Nate Ruess)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83vBf6DgieI

…..

34. “Is It You?” Natalie Prass
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kl3yVWnP8AY

[Outtasight!]

Richard Hawley, Hollow Meadows, give it a listen, this guy is consistently excellent. I would think any BW aficionado will appreciate the songwriting and production. While your at it, Lowedges and Coles Corner are unrecognized classics. As Richard would say 'lets ballad!'.

[KDS]

It came out in late summer / early fall, but I just listened to the self titled album by Hollywood Vampires. 

It's basically an Alice Cooper album, produced by Bob Ezrin.  Alice was a member of a group of musicians who hung out at the Rainbow in the 1970s, called the "Hollywood Vampires."  This group of hard drinkers included John Lennon, Harry Nilsson, and Keith Moon among others. 

Johnny Depp, yes the actor, persuading Alice to start a group called the Hollywood Vampires.  A few shows with guest artists were played, and they call cut an album.

The guest list is very impressive - Paul McCartney, Joe Walsh, Christopher Lee, Joe Perry, Dennis Dunaway & Neal Smith from the original Alice Cooper Group, Robbie Krieger, Slash, Zak Starkey, Brian Johnson among others. 

The story behind the album and the roster however, is more compelling than the album itself. 

The album starts off with a spoken word intro from Christopher Lee, than goes into a killer song called Raise the Dead.  This is easily the highlight of the album. 

The rest of the album is made up of mostly covers.  Songs by The Doors, Led Zeppelin, The Who, John Lennon, Hendrix, and Badfinger are done pretty well.  But, as is often the issue with cover albums, they pale in comparison to the originals. 

Alice even covers himself in a way with a mash up of School's Out and Pink Floyd's Another Brick in the Wall Part 2.  Alice has actually been doing this in concert for a few years now. 

While the album is a fun listen, it falls into the usual covers album trappings, and as a result, will be see a lot of repeat spins. 

This would've probably made a better live CD/DVD. 

[undercover-m]

Excellent year!

I've become rather well acquainted with:
Another One by Mac Demarco - Hadn't even heard of Mac before this thing, was pleasantly surprised by his style before getting sick of it then coming back round to liking it again (favourite song: "No Other Heart") (Salad Days is a rather fab album btw)

I agree with this. Mac's a funny guy, too. The interviews I've watched are pretty humorous. And then there's this: https://www.instagram.com/macdemarco/?hl=en
He also put out a free instrumental album called Some Other Ones: https://makeoutvideotape.bandcamp.com/album/some-other-ones

[Dudd]

https://www.instagram.com/macdemarco/?hl=en

Amazing.
I did catch his Youtube account, which is unsurprisingly more of the exact same: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbiZnqiCUL0
Haven't listened to Some Other Ones yet, but I most certainly shall.

[KDS]

Listened to another Xmas present over the weekend. 

Roger Waters - The Wall

It's the soundtrack of the film about his 2010-2012 Wall tour. 

All in all, it's just another version of The Wall.  But, it's a good version.  Roger sings better than he has in over 20 years.  His band does a great version of the Floyd classic.  IMO, this is much better than the star studded Berlin 1990 version. 

My only gripe was that it didn't feel at all like a live music.  The audience is way way down in the mix.  To be point where it almost sounds like a studio album with some crowd noise between songs. 

So, if you're a big fan of Roger Waters or The Wall, this is worth getting.  If you're a casual Floyd fan, you're better off sticking to the original album. 

[KDS]

Getting caught up on 2015 releases.

I finally listened to David Gilmour's 4th solo album - Rattle That Lock - over the weekend. 

One thing is guaranteed with a David Gilmour solo album, it will be a pleasant listening experience.  You'll get his pristine vocals and you'll hear him bend some notes on his Fender. 

I don't think this album is quite on the same level as his excellent On An Island album from 2006, but it's a good album. 

Gilmour throws in a little surprises like some jazz with The Girl in the Yellow Dress.  Or even the disco/funk of Today. 

A Boat Lies Waiting is a bit of a tribute to Richard Wright, and features David Crosby and Graham Nash on vocals.  The opener Five AM, the title track, Beauty, and In Amy Tongue are also highlights. 

It's also a treat to hear the great lead vocals of the 69 year old Gilmour.  That's one thing that the Pink Floyd swansong of the previous year could've used. 

[Summertime Blooz]

2015 was a great music year for me, with plenty of my old music heroes releasing new albums:

Brian Wilson- No Pier Pressure (had some really great tracks that made for his most satisfying solo release ever outside of BWPS)
Todd Rundgren- Global (an accessible rock/pop electronic album that was his most consistent since Liars)
Todd Rundgren, Nikolaisen, Lindstrom- Runddans (not a Todd solo project, but Todd returning to a prog format with two Electronica artiists- cool album)
Paul Weller- Saturn's Patterns (OK album like his last couple of OK albums- nothing truly great on here)
Blur- The Magic Whip (Not really consistent album, but still has lots of great stuff, and it's just really wonderful to have the whole band together again)
Sarah Cracknell- Red Kite (Saint Etienne singer delivers Plenty of good stuff on this retro album to tide us over until Saint Etienne returns)
Belle & Sebastian-Girls In Peacetime Want To Dance (wildly inconsistent album that descends into dance music doldrums, but still comes up with some great tune. 'Perfect Couples' is my favorite of the year)
The Zombies- Still Got That Hunger (pretty good album that gets a bit too Rock at times)
Joe Jackson- Fast Forward (excellent focused album- he hasn't lost a step)
Jeff Lynne's Electric Light Orchestra- Alone In the Universe  (not close to perfect, but it sounds like an ELO album, not a solo project, and that's enough for me)
Ben Folds- So There (has a couple of clunkers, but the album was recorded with a full orchestra and features a 20 minute concerto. I'm a sucker for these kind of projects so Ben gets a hallpass)
Squeeze- Cradle To the Grave (Fine new album that seemingly came out of the blue. They've been away too long)

Also there was (cuz ya gotta listen to some more recent artists, right?):
The Bird and The Bee- Recreational Love (great album that's so smooth and easy to listen to- no bad cuts)
Mini Mansions- The Great Pretenders (great band- seems they can do it all)
Neon Indian- VEGA INTL. Night School (interesting Electronica artist finally made a consistent album)
Vinnie Who- Harmony (discovered this album thanks to someone on this board- really good stuff, modern day Glam)
Tame Impala- Currents (sleek modern sound that works most of the time. not as unique as earlier albums but still good)

I doubt that 2016 can top that, or that another year ever will again for me, but we shall see. Blackstar has kicked things off on a high and a low note. New Suede and High Llamas albums are up next.

[KDS]

One I forgot to mention was the fourth LP released by The Darkness - The Last of Our Kind. 

IMO, this album is a HUGE improvement over their comeback album Hot Cakes (2012). 

I think The Last of Our Kind is their best album since their classic 2003 debut Permission to Land. 

These guys were written off here in the States as a one-hit wonder back in 2004, and they're one of the best pure proper hard rock bands of this millennium.