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"!
