Monthly Archives: February 2019
MARC PAYNE – Payne to Fame // AMG Records
Marc Payne definitely isn’t reinventing the genre or anything here. Payne to Fame is a pretty solid, if not somewhat banal, pop trap album. Payne’s lyrics feature a lot of the usual subjects: money, sex, partying, etc. But, his flows are competent, some of his hooks are catchy, he has a few funny punchlines here […]
THE TWILIGHT SAD – IT WON/T BE LIKE THIS ALL THE TIME // Rock Action Records
The Twilight Sad released a new album after a few years, and it absolutely delivers. They are a scottish band with influences in post punk and shoegaze. The lead singer, James Graham, has a very unique accent, making the songs a more intriguing listen. This album is extremely heavy and sad, with emotional line repetition […]
MIKE KROL – Power Chords // Merge Records
Mike Krol begins his fourth studio album with the distinctly grungy Power Chords, and doesn’t let up from there. Full of bold guitar sounds and hard hitting drums, this album is a paragon for the modern grunge/garage rock sound. Easy lyrics, easy jamming. Label: Merge Records Start with: 1, 4, 7, 10 RIYL: SWMRS, Wallows, […]
NIGHT BEATS – Myth of a Man // Heavenly Recordings
A surfy, garagey album with some pop influences and somewhat of a 60s psych rock vibe. Label: Heavenly Recordings Start with: 6, 5, 2, 3, all RIYL: The Growlers, Low Cut Connie, King Tuff, Ty Segall, Tijuana Panthers, Guantanamo Baywatch FCC: Clean
SNEAKS – Highway Hypnosis // Merge Records
Exciting blend of hip-hop and post-punk minimalism from the DC based artist – one of the best 2019 releases so far! Label: Merge Records Start with: 3, 2, 7, 12, 11, 13 RIYL: Priests, FKA Twigs, Sleaford Mods, Earl Sweatshirt FCC: Clean
DAWES – Passwords // HUB Records
The new studio album blends fast paced rock songs with slower ballads about heartbreak and being in love, adding a folky twist. It is their most romantic album to date and involves a lot of piano and mellowed down songs. Check it out! Label: HUB Records Start with: 1,2,5,8,10 RIYL: Langhorne Slim, the Avett Brothers, […]
SHAD-A SHORT STORY ABOUT LOVE AND WAR // Secret City Records
Kenyan-Canadian MC Shad’s latest release is a concept album in the vein of To Pimp a Butterfly, complete with recurring poetic interludes and phrases. The album’s story focuses on a (semi)fictional world in a constant state of war, and the various factions within, but it isn’t necessary to understand the overarching story in order to […]
Violet
Contemporary works for clarinet and viola, an unusual combination! Play!
Of Love and Loss
Delicate percussion pieces, some with spoken word/singing by the percussionist and others.
Red
Works for and transcriptions of pieces, baroque to new for saxophone quartet, varied.
Carl Vollrath–Souls in Transition
Beautiful pieces for piano trio, abstract interesting plucking and rhythmic changes–play!
Michael Byron–Fabric for String Noise
Two parts of “Fabric for String Noise” aptly titled– violins are squeaky, almost discordant. The 3rd piece, “Dragon Rite” for double bass is droning, minimalist.
Four Shades of French
As in the title, all French composers works, Impressionistic, most transcribed for saxophone from other instruments. Includes some very familiar pieces. Play most!
Connections–The Music of Olivier Messiaen and His Students
Abstract, solo piano pieces ranging from lyrical to strident, composed from 1920’s onward. Messiaen had no interest in having his students imitate him–he promoted their own styles. Play!
THE DEMOS – If You Only Knew EP // YOUNG LION OF THE WEST
The newest Demos EP is full of lively indie rock with a few pop elements. Catchy melodies and a strong presence os electric guitar as well as classic strong drums that make it stylistically rock. Some good stuff ! Label: Young Lion of the West Recording Company Start with: 1, 4 RIYL: COIN, The Wombats, […]
PERFECT SON – Cast // SUB POP
“With powerful, sweeping production that recalls the best pop beats of Matthew Dear and arcing melodies that conjure the majesty of Johnathon Meiburg, Perfect Son Animates sensations of lust, belonging, and newfound trust with tumescent electronic arrangements that threaten the safety of any sound system.” Label: Sub Pop Records Start with: 2,3,6 RIYL: Pavo Pavo, […]
TINY RUINS – Olympic Girls // BA DA BING
Tiny Ruins explores rich, melodic storytelling layered on top of intricate finger picking, dreamy chords, and in a departure from their acclaimed previous work, full band arrangements. A blend of poeticism, dream pop landscapes, and off kilter experimental pop. Label: Ba Da Bing Records Start with: 1, 4, 5 RIYL: Sharon Van Etten, Phoebe Bridgers, […]
Phil Salathe–Imaginary Birds
Fun, quirky, storey-telling works for oboe and/or English Horn. Enjoy!
Larry Grenadier–The Gleaners
A collection of pieces for solo double bass, mostly by Grenadier with versions of Gershwin, Coltrane and Muthspiel. Mostly slow, quiet. Play!
Fausto Romitelli–Solare
Very abstract pieces for guitar mixing plucking, tapping and other percussive sounds. One raucous piece for electric guitar aptly titled “Trash TV Trance” and other pieces including recorder/Paetzold flute. Play most!
David Carpenter–From the Valley of Baca
A mix of chamber pieces, instrumental or baritone with piano, quiet. Play most!
Ferrucio Busoni–The Late Works
Recognized for his rejection of Late Romanticism and exemplary of the early modern, these are piano pieces composed through his life, from elegant to powerful and strident.
Sustain–Works for Solo Piano and Percussion Instruments
Mostly piano, varied and contemporary and two other works for abstract marimba/vibraphone. Play!
Aaron Lington–Secondary Impressions
Contemporary transcriptions or originals for bass saxophone and piano. Very nice!
Garth Baxter–Resistance
Described in the liner notes as modern traditional, these are gracious, lyrical, predominantly slow and quiet for strings and piano, some sax and flute. Play!
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