SLOAN
Released May 10, 2011
JEFF BUCKLEY
Released March 11, 2016
NEW 2016 MUSIC: This latest posthumous collection from the archives of the golden voiced Jeff Buckley is an intimate and subtlety revealing grouping of songs from the late artist. Now, we all know about Buckley's astonishing voice but this time around, I was really struck by the dexterity and versatile nature of Buckley' guitar playing as all of the selections upon "You And I" are solo recordings, just Jeff and his guitar.
In addition to two original compositions (including the first recording of "Grace"), Buckley covers material by Sly and the Family Stone, Led Zeppelin, The Smiths, Louis Jordan, Bob Dylan and others deftly showcasing not only his musical taste but his simultaneous musical shape-shifting skill that celebrates all of the artists covered while also making each selection his very own.
WILCO
Released July 16, 2015
WILCO
Released September 9, 2016
NEW 2016 MUSIC: While you cannot always judge an album by its title or by it jacket, I have to admit, I was just this close to maybe giving the album a pass for the time being, precisely due to its album cover artwork and title.
Wilco's 10th album, entitled "Schmilco," and arriving just a tad over one year from the album pictured directly above, possessed just the sort of approach that typically gives me a negative knee jerk reaction. To me, it just smacks of the very self-congratulatory irony and self consciously quirky hipster-ism that is a complete turn off. From the artist Joan Cornelia's bizarre "Nancy & Sluggo"-ish cover to the title itself, a nod towards Harry Nilsson's "Nilsson Schmilsson" (released November 1971) and finally, finding "Star Wars" to being somewhat underwhelming and slight, I wasn't terribly excited about the band's latest effort.
Thankfully, I took the plunge as "Schmilco," feels, to my ears, to be a stronger, much more melodic work than its predecessor that not only stands firmly upon its own artistic feet but it is a work that seems to inform "Star Wars" in retrospect, As this new album was mostly recorded during the same period as "Star Wars," these two albums do indeed now play off of each other.as echoed statements or as two halves of a mythical double album.
Regardless, Wilco's "Schmilco" was a most happy surprise for me this month with its more acoustic based presentation and a sonic texture that often recalls The Beatles' eponymously titled double set a.k.a. "The White Album" (released November 22, 1968) and for that matter, Fleetwood Mac's "Tusk" (released October 12, 1979), both of which also felt like influences upon Wilco bandleader Jeff Tweedy's own double album side project, Tweedy's "Sukierae" (released September 23, 2014). This particular musical palate serves the new Wilco material handsomely as the songs feel nostalgic yet extremely present and urgent with subject matter that reflects upon adolescence from a clear eyed vantage point from middle age as depicted within tracks like "North American Kids," "If I Ever Was A Child," "Shrug And Destroy," and "We Aren't The World (Safety Girl)" among others.
So...lesson learned...again. And sorry I ever doubted you.
COCTEAU TWINS
Released September 17, 1990
CHILDISH GAMBINO
Released November 15, 2011
JOE STRUMMER AND THE MESCALEROS
Released October 19, 1999
ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK ALBUM
Released August 26, 2016
NEW 2016 MUSIC: If you are a regular visitor to either this blogsite or to its sister blogsite Savage Cinema, you are more than aware of my love and adoration for Writer/Director Cameron Crowe's "Roadies," his debut foray into series television, which was sadly critically maligned (and as far as I am concerned, more than unfairly) and even more sadly, cancelled due to middling ratings (although, the series possessed a definitive beginning, middle and conclusion).
Yet, for those who did not see the series, or ones who were underwhelmed, it cannot ever be denied that Crowe carries an impeccable musical taste, which was heroically on display throughout the 10 episodes and now, on this official soundtrack album which captures live performances from musical legends (Lindsey Buckingham, Jackson Browne, John Mellencamp), alternative favorites (My Morning Jacket, Best Coast) and new arrivals (Reignwolf, The Head and the Heart, Lucius), to brilliant effect and deeply felt emotions which echo the series' main themes which served as an elegy to rock and roll as well as an urgent call for its ever lasting flame.
THE SEA AND CAKE
Released May 10, 2011
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