Something Old...Something New (#33)

"Horses" - Patti Smith (released 1975)

   "Jesus died for somebody's sins but not mine", and with those words the high priestess of punk announced her arrival on a debut album unlike any other. Packed with free-form poetry and for the most part ignoring conventional song structure. It was off-kilter and oddly abstract set amidst the typical radio fare of the time but her unique voice, fearless passion and unbridled energy kept you spellbound. This was something wholly different and at the same time something special! Expertly backed by a sympathetic band (Lenny Kaye-guitar, Richard Sohl-piano, Ivan Kral-bass, Jay Dee Daugherty-drums) there are no missteps or creative dead ends. The single, "Gloria" opens the record with a mournful/slinky intro which builds to an unleashed version of the Van Morrison classic. "Redondo Beach" is a fairly straight Reggae based tune that would fit neatly on an early Elvis Costello album. The brooding, elegiac, "Birdland" showcases Kaye's keenly skittering guitar, Smith sing/speaks in tongues like a woman possessed while Sohl's beautiful piano anchors the nine minute piece. "Free Money" quickly unspools into a wonderful minor key rocker while "Kimberly" is a pretty mid-tempo song for her sister. "Break it Up" has Kaye's soaring guitar echoing Smith's emotional vocals. This brings us to the three-part tour de force "Land: Horses - Land of a Thousand Dances - La Mer (De)" A driving epic with the rhythm section constantly pushing forward as Patti's words pour out as if in a trance. The album wraps up with "Elegie" a tribute to her fallen heroes in music and poetry. From the production by John Cale to the striking b&w cover by Patti's great friend, Robert Mapplethorpe, this is a landmark album in every way!

"The Town That Cursed Your Name" - The Reds, Pinks & Purples (released 2023)

   A veteran of the Bay Area music scene (Vacant Gardens, Skygreen Leopards, Art Museums, to name just a few) "the Reds, Pinks & Purples" is the latest and greatest creation of San Franciscan singer/songwriter/musician, Glenn Donaldson. Over the past four years he has released over a dozen EPs and LPs showcasing his hazy, melodic, lo-fi pop methodology. His world weary voice instills a sad beauty to every song while acoustic strum and electric jangle add to the dreamy tone throughout the record. Recording everything himself in his home studio/kitchen is a recipe that has served Donaldson well.  Some favorites from this album's smorgasbord of melancholy pop are the opener, "Too Late for an Early Grave", "Leave it All Behind", "Waiting on a Ghost to Haunt You" and "Mistakes (Too Many to Name)". "Here Comes the Lunar Hand" is an absorbing and hypnotic change of pace while the driving "Burning Sunflowers" features some fairly sizzling guitar work. His arrangements reward every listen as an opportunity to discover more sonic details in each song. Honestly, he is so consistently excellent that if you like one song you'll enjoy the whole album and indeed his entire catalogue! My favorite album of 2023 and he already has a new LP out now! RIYL; East River Pipe, the Smiths, Belle & Sebastian.