- THE DECEMBERISTS – As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again: The Decemberists in high form – smart, witty and all over the map stylistically. And then there’s “Joan in the Garden” which finds the band disappearing into almost Dead “deep space” territory. They did a great show in Kingston last year as well.
- FONTAINES D. C. – Romance: On first listen this is light years away from the punk leanings of their first album and almost a pop record although with a distinct edge.
- RICHARD THOMPSON – Ship to Shore: The move to New Jersey has not made his world any less dark and gloomy, but he sounds better for it. A song cycle that is easily his best album since The Old Kit Bag.
- REAL ESTATE – Daniel: Jangly pop bands have always been a particular weakness for me. Real Estate (and Martin Courtney for that matter) have yet to make a bad album.
- MDOU MOCTAR – Funeral for Justice: Another band who became political refugees from their country due to political unrest (Songhoy Blues was another). They have a great guitarist and have made a muscular and angry album.
- NICK LOWE AND LOS STRAIGHTJACKETS – Indoor Safari: I was not expecting to enjoy this as much as I have. I haven’t followed Lowe that closely in recent years and this always struck me as an unusual pairing, but they provide the perfect balance to his work.
- GARY CLARK JR. – JPEG RAW: Clark covers a lot of ground here. He gets extra credit for his collaboration with Stevie Wonder on “What About the Children” in which he gets a classic 70’s-era performance from Stevie. One of my favorite songs from last year.
- LINDA THOMPSON – Proxy Music: Unable to do more than just compose the songs, she relies upon family and friends to perform her songs. She has a wicked sense of humor and irony. The songs are written in many different styles and the parings with particular artists are spot on (i.e. John Grant performing “John Grant”).
- VAMPIRE WEEKEND – Only God Was Above Us: Melodic ear worms.
- HIS LORDSHIP – His Lordship: i.e. – James Walbourne. Watch this guy. The Pretender/Rail/ Pogue and Thompson Family member who is probably too eclectic for his own good. Here it’s just him on loud electric guitar with a drummer. The reference points would be The Ramones and The Clash.
- T BONE BURNETT – The Other Side: He was losing me with the last couple of electronica albums, so this is a return to form and to his folk and country roots by a guy who has made a career in “roots” music.
- OXN – Cyrm: Sharing more than just a common musical heritage with Lankum (actually a member), this is more of the Celtic new wave for lack of a better term.
- JACK WHITE – No Name: Almost a throwback to the minimalist White Stripes which screams to be played loud.
- GILLIAN WELCH & DAVID RAWLINGS – Woodland: From a scream to a whisper. Under-stated and eloquent.
- CHRIS SMITHER – All About the Blues: He has been putting out albums for the past 50 years with the same high consistency. He’s always had a good ear for unusual riffs.
- TIDE LINES – An Ocean Full of Islands: A late entry from last year, they are a band from the Scottish Highlands with original songs following in the footsteps of bands like Runrig and Skippinish.
- MIKE CAMPBELL & THE DIRTY KNOBS – Vagabonds, Virgins & Misfits
- THURSTON MOORE – Flow Critical Lucidity: Meditative and dreamlike, this flows like jazz. Great for late at night.
- WAXAHATCHEE – Tigers Blood: There is an earthiness to the music which you don’t hear much of these days.
- THE BLACK KEYS – Ohio Players: Consistent if somewhat familiar.
- THE WEEKLINGS – Raspberry Park: It is somewhat telling that for a band that started as a Beatles tribute band, their two Beatle covers are the weakest songs on the album. Their original songs are strong, and it was about time that somebody combined “Mr. Soul Satisfaction”.
- THE CHESTERFIELD KINGS – We’re Still All the Same: A welcome return from the Kings of the second wave of garage rock.
- VARIOUS ARTISTS – Incident at A Free Festival: An interesting concept. A compilation honoring those nameless (and not so nameless) bands who were essentially the “filler” at music festivals to keep the good vibes going in the hours before the headliners played. The tracks are heavy on boogie and surprisingly latin.
- X – Smoke & Fiction: Apparently the band’s swan song. They were one of the greatest bands ever to see live.
- THE HANGING STARS – On A Golden Shore: Psychedelicized country and americana from a band that missed its time by about 50 years.
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Duncan Clark