Something Old...Something New (#31)

"Mr. Tambourine Man" - The Byrds (released 1965)

   From the moment you hear Jim McGuinn's ringing 12-string Rickenbacker guitar on the opening track there is a musical revolution in the air (ask Tom Petty or R.E.M.)! The Byrds create the folk/rock genre virtually overnight in Los Angeles by marrying the melodic social consciousness of American folk music with the sharp pop of the British Invasion. The original lineup (too talented to last long) is Jim McGuinn (lead guitar, vocals) Gene Clark (vocals) David Crosby (vocals, guitar) Chris Hillman (bass) and Michael Clarke (drums). This album boasts four definitive covers of Bob Dylan songs including the title track which becomes a #1 single! Singer/songwriter Gene Clark bursts onto the scene by contributing to all five original tunes. The sparkling "I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better" is a personal favorite and includes an outstanding undulating guitar solo. "Here Without You" is beautifully haunting and "I Knew I'd Want You" glows with the singular harmonies of McGuinn, Clark and Crosby "It's No Use" is the hardest rocking tune on the record highlighted by a couple fiery guitar bursts. This is a classic debut album that plays like a Greatest Hits package! The 1996 Columbia remaster includes dramatically improved sound, 6 bonus tracks and informative liner notes. I can only imagine what it was like to initially hear this perfect harmony of songwriting, guitars and voices pouring from your speakers in 1965!

"12" - Sloan (released 2018)

   Question: How many bands release a dozen albums with the same lineup and make album number 12 their best ever? Answer: Sloan! This Canadian alt rock/power pop quartet is a model of democracy as each member writes and sings three of their own songs while playing a variety of instruments. The album explodes out of the gate with the sublimely careening power pop of "Spin Our Wheels" Chris Murphy (vocals, bass, drums) creates the year's catchiest tune while also contributing the crushing "Wish Upon a Satellite". Patrick Pentland (vocals, lead guitar) just might outgrunge Nirvana on "All of the Voices" and showcases his hard driving guitar on "The Day Will Be Mine". Andrew Scott (vocals, guitar, drums) displays a beautifully constructed introspectiveness on "Gone for Good" and the record closing "44 Teenagers". Jay Ferguson (vocals, guitar, bass) crafts pretty pop with the delicate tunefulness of "Right to Roam" and "The Lion's Share". His "Essential Services" wouldn't sound out of place on "Sgt. Pepper"! There is more, but suffice to say there is not a weak moment on this album. This is a multi-talented group with plenty of songs that I've enjoyed in the past but this record blew me away! The superlative songwriting, addictive melodies and faultless harmonies make this album an absolute joy - looking forward to "13"!

Favorite Albums of 2019

It seems to get a bit trickier each year to find the musical gold buried among the mountains of corporate endorsed shit that passes itself off as the next big thing. Commercial radio is officially dead - here are my picks for favorite music I've heard over the past year via satellite radio, college shows and music podcasts - Long Live Rock!

1. Persian Leaps - "Electrical Living"

   Last year's collection "Pop That Goes Crunch" was in my top ten and is an apt description of the twist Drew Forsberg applies to the Power Pop template. Each track begins with a memorable riff or melody but doesn't settle for simply repeating this pattern. As each verse or chorus comes around more hooks, textures, rhythms and harmonies spring up to carry each tune to new heights! This is exquisite pop songcraft and each listen unlocks a new favorite - "Electrical Living" is brilliant!

2. The Jellybricks - "Some Kind of Lucky"

   No luck involved - this Harrisburg, PA quartet has been producing excellent Power Pop for over 20 years and this is their crowning achievement! A dozen punchy hook-filled songs with tight dynamic performances and topped off with their sublime harmonies! Put it in the time capsule as an example of pop perfection!

3. Spielbergs - "This is Not the End"

   In a year with no releases from Cloud Nothings or Japandroids this will scratch your post punk melodic noise itch! This trio from Norway manages to fulfill the promise of last year's Distant Star EP with an ideal mix of distorted guitars and anthemic choruses! They smartly mix things up with a few quiet moments and the noise fueled epic "McDonald's (Please Don't F*ck Up My Order)" - we've all been there and it's good to have the Spielbergs on our side!

4. The Appleseed Cast - "The Fleeting Light of Impermanence" 

   Christopher Crisci has been leading this band from Lawrence, KS for over 20 years and I just discover them at the end of 2019?! How to describe their music - maybe Built to Spill meets the Wrens? It often takes a couple minutes for melodies to unfold in these ever evolving songs and your patience is always generously rewarded. An album that begs to be listened to from beginning to end - I have a big back catalog to check up on!

5. Young Guv - "Guv I & II"

   Ben Cook is a multi-talented musician who has flown under the radar for most of his career. A veteran guitarist for many projects and now as Young Guv his gifted songwriting skills are on full display. He is a power pop whiz amid jangling guitars and Teenage Fanclub shimmer on "I" and a soul pop dynamo on "II". I can't think of another musician who could pull this off - impressive!

6. William Tyler - "Goes West"

   Guitar phenomenon William Tyler's last album "Modern Country" was an all instrumental affair featuring his incredible and imaginative electric guitar artistry. This is an all acoustic outing and I am thrilled to report that it is equally enthralling! It's difficult to record an instrumental album that doesn't approach tedium but he's done it - again!!

7. Moving Panoramas - "In Two"

   My favorite dream pop album this year is from an Austin, TX outfit led by singer Leslie Sisson. Driving rhythms - check. Shimmering guitar/keyboards - check. pretty/ethereal vocals - check. It all comes together to create a thoroughly enjoyable listening experience - similar to the best of the Dum Dum Girls. 

  

8. The Resonars - "No Exit"

   It is easy to take Matt Rendon for granted. He has been writing and recording Resonars albums since the late 1990s and they are models of consistent extraordinary excellence! Navigating the convergence of garage, power pop and psychedelia like the genius songwriter he is - here's the latest in his spectacular catalog!

9. Bob Mould - "Sunshine Rock"

   Old Mould continues his late career roll with another album of distortion filled angst but there are glimmers of light (even strings!) as he charges through ten new emotion-filled tunes and a cover (the Shocking Blue chestnut "Send Me a Postcard"). The fourth album with his killer rhythm section from Superchunk - Jason Narducy (bass) and Jon Wurster (drums).

10. The New Pornographers - "In the Morse Code of Brake Lights"

   The combination of A. C. Newman's songwriting and the voice of Neko Case (she never sounds better than with this band) produces another winner for this Canadian supergroup! Keyboards dominate the collection of uniquely quirky yet catchy tunes - nobody sounds quite like The New Pornographers.

Honorable Mention: These releases also caught my attention over the past year

Extra Arms - "Up From Here"
Potty Mouth - "SNAFU"
Swervedriver - "Future Ruins"
Tacocat - "This Place is a Mess"
Ex Hex - "It's Real"
Juliana Hatfield - "Weird"
Liam Gallagher - "Why Me? Why Not"
Richard & the Young Lions - "Volume 2"