Something Old...Something New (#28)

Each month I will review an old favorite from my collection and a new one that has caught my ear. Give a listen!

 

"Automatic For The People" - R.E.M. (released 1992)

The plan was for this quartet from Athens, GA to follow up their multi-platinum "Out of Time" album with a collection of hard rockers...but it didn't happen. As Peter Buck (guitars, mandolin) Mike Mills (bass, accordion, keyboards) Bill Berry (percussion) and Michael Stipe (vocals) crafted a new album the themes of death, loss and mourning kept cropping up (hardly the grist for a big rock album). As a result "Automatic for the People" took on a dark reflective tone highlighted by the most emotionally evocative songs of their career (with a few upbeat numbers wedged in for relief). Less guitar and drums plus a more liberal use of accordion, piano, organ and strings lend a rich depth to the music and it's stark themes. The record opens with the appropriately moody "Drive" and contemplative chanty of "Try Not to Breathe". "The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite" is pushed by an organ on it's way to a joyous chorus. "Everyone Hurts" is a swelling ballad reaching for the hand of anyone losing life's battles ("you're not alone") and "Sweetness Follows" promises reward after the sadness of loss (heavy stuff but all beautifully written and arranged). "Ignoreland" is a rocking political screed (always relevant) with a punchy chorus. The Andy Kaufman tribute "Man on the Moon" is a standout! Percolating verses lead to Stipe's Elvis impression, into a wonderfully addictive chorus and Buck's keening slide guitar is perfection! "Nightswimming" is a nostalgia-soaked stunner pushed along by a beautiful piano figure played by Mills. The closer "Find the River" features another gorgeous melody tastefully accompanied by Bill Berry on melodica. The song also highlights R.E.M.s secret weapon...the backing vocals of Mike Mills. R.E.M. is a band that has evolved greatly over the years from the early loose, mumbling, jangly college darlings (first 5 albums) to the tight, clear, polished rock stars of today (last 10 albums). I love both eras and have never been disappointed by any of their releases.

 

 

"Wooden Head" - The Proper Ornaments (released 2014)

A thoroughly enjoyable debut album from a pair of guitarist/songwriter/singers who take their name from an obscure New York pop band (Free Design) song from 1967. Englishman James Hoare (Veronica Falls, Ultimate Painting) and Argentinian Max Clapp combine their similar talents and influences to produce 14 songs of psych-tinged melodic pop. It's easy to get lost in the hushed vocals and melancholy guitar figures which echo the dreamy drone of The Velvet Underground and the paisley underground scene of the 80s. Accompanied by Daniel Nellis (bass) and Robert Syme (drums) the guitars and voices compliment each other beautifully. Most of the tracks clock in at about three minutes so there are no wasted moments here. Some of the many highlights include the murky chug of the opener "Gone" and the floating bliss of "Sun". "Ruby" is a pretty, baroque acoustic tune that wouldn't sound out of place on a 60s Nuggets collection. "Now I Understand" grabs you instantly with a hypnotic riff and pulls you into some nice vocal harmonies. "Step Into the Cold" is a driving song and the most rocking track on the record. The slippery guitar shine of "Always There" is a nice contrast to the psychedelic edge of "You Shouldn't Have Gone" which resolves itself in a haunting guitar solo. "Magazine" (titled after the late 70s post punk band) and "Stereolab" (a dreamy pop band from the 90s) show these guys wearing their influences on their sleeves but in the end it just doesn't matter as they do such a marvelous job inhabiting these songs, each one sparkling like a star in the winter sky.

Favorite Albums of 2015

   2015 began with a flurry of great new Rock 'N' Roll releases but then slowed to the usual harvest of good music to feast on. Here are my favorites that I have heard over past year - #1 - 5 are pretty set but after that it's a free-for-all (including my honorable mentions). Hoping for new albums from Cloud Nothings and The Wrens in 2016!

1. Swervedriver - "I Wasn't Born to Lose You"

English shoegaze rockers reunite after 17 years and produce the best album of their career! Guitars distort, sizzle and chime through the melodic haze of vocals to create one addictive musical epiphany after another. I missed these guys the first time around but never again!

                                       

2. Radioactivity - "Silent Kill"

It's a breathless blitzkrieg of an album - 12 songs in under 30 minutes. Frantic rhythms and hooky melodies delivered to you by guitarists Jeff Burke and Mark Ryan from The Marked Men (one of my favorite bands of this century). So happy these guys are back doing what they do!

                                      

3. Wavves X Cloud Nothings - "No Life for Me"

A brief yet exhilirating EP of tunes from a collaboration by Nathan Williams (Wavves) and Dylan Baldi (Cloud Nothings). Nicely crafted indie tunes that will stay in your head for days! Dylan's solo turn "Nothing Hurts" may be my favorite song of the year! 

                                  

4. Ryan Allen & his Extra Arms - "Heart String Soul"

I love Power Pop when it is done well and here is your benchmark for 2015. The genre can sometimes seem wimpy or cloying but the tunes on this album are full of fire, have energy to burn and are LOUD! Ryan Allen hits the Rock 'N' Roll trifecta here and we are all richer for it. 

                                   

5. Tommy Keene - "Laugh in the Dark"

A Tommy Keene album is money in the bank. As sure as the sun rises you can count on every release to have perfectly crafted melodies, great vocals and incredible guitar work. His extended solo closing "All Gone Away" is one for the ages! It's easy to take such excellence for granted - but don't!

                                   

6. Noel Gallagher - "Chasing Yesterday"

Second solo effort from the Oasis mastermind is packed with track after track of Britpop awesomeness. Factor in Noel's wonderful guitar work and you have the sound of Rock 'N' Roll being saved! Tip: spring for the deluxe version to get four extra songs.

                                   

7. Best Coast - "California Nights"

Bethany Cosentino is back with another collection (3 LPs now and an EP) of songs about boyfriends and the west coast. You'd think I'd be ready to jump off this train by now but the choruses are huge and her voice is even bigger and better. Add Bobb Bruno's driving surfy guitar and I'm in!

                                  

8. Dungen - "Allas Sak"

It's like tripping down a psych/acid/prog/rock rabbit hole into the seventies! Sweden's Gustav Ejstes has been working his jam magic in this vein for years now, but does it matter that it's all in Swedish? - Nope, not a bit! Recommended if you like Tame Impala.

                                 

9. Deerhunter - "Fading Frontier"

Another winner from Bradford Cox and his band that grows on you with each listen. Nice mix of the familiar dreamy Deerhunter pop ("Breaker" and "Carrion") along with some surprises (the slinky glam of "Snakeskin" is a highlight). 

                                

10. The Decemberists - "What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World"

Colin Meloy's distinctive vocals and literary heavy lyrics combine with the sometimes precious instrumentation of his troupe to trend toward the maudlin yet manage to produce another collection of memorable music - how do they consistently do that?! They also released the equally excellent EP "Florasongs".

More good stuff;Ryley Walker - "Primrose Green",   Nick Piunti - "Beyond the Static",    Death Cab for Cutie - "Kintsugi",   Richard Thompson - "Still",   Wavves - "V",   Wilco - "Star Wars", AC/DC - "Rock or Bust",  Martin Courtney - "Many Moons",  The Chills - "Silver Bullets",  Low - "Ones and Sixes",  Cheatahs - "Mythologies",  Johnny Marr - "Playland"