Hello world. Anything new happen recently? I will leave pandemic/political discussion for another time, as I am sure we are all sick of talking about it. What I will say is the drugs must be working because I am encouraged that we are headed in the right direction and contrary to just about every other year I have been “POOPing”, I actually found a bunch of solid releases this year. With that, here goes.
Buy New or Used via Amazon Rent via iTunes [?]
1. Dirty Projectors – 5EPS Quite a diverse collection of mini releases that sound solidly like DP. Each EP features a different singer and sound that covers all your cravings.
Buy New or Used via Amazon Rent via iTunes [?]
2. Hum – Inlet Went into this record with low expectations. Was beyond pleasantly surprised. Shoegaze is alive and well, as if they have not missed a beat.
Buy New or Used via Amazon Rent via iTunes [?]
3. Phoebe Bridgers – Punisher The perfect soundtrack to a solo car ride, in the fall, in New England. Laid back vide through and through.
Buy New or Used via Amazon Rent via iTunes [?]
4. Jason Isbell – Reunions Another strong release. His voice and song writing are as strong as ever.
Buy New or Used via Amazon Rent via iTunes [?]
5. Fleet Foxes – Shore Spacey, anthemic and hypnotic was the perfect background to working from home.
Buy New or Used via Amazon Rent via iTunes [?]
6. Sufjan Stevens – The Ascension Another lowkey, solid release. Classically moody, good beats throughout.
Buy New or Used via Amazon Rent via iTunes [?]
7. Flaming Lips – American Head The perfect contribution to my 2020 list. Like everything before it, lots of spacey, anthemic sounds I expect from The Lips.
Buy New or Used via Amazon Rent via iTunes [?]
8. Thundercat – It Is What It Is Dude is out there. A George Clinton for the next generation. Not only can play but he is a great arranger, part of the new generation of jazz.
Buy New or Used via Amazon Rent via iTunes [?]
9. Elvis Costello – Hey Clockface Opens up with some interesting spoken word, then quickly moves into the crunchy pop I expect from him. Still relevant after all these years.
Buy New or Used via Amazon Rent via iTunes [?]
10. Jeff Tweedy – Love is the King It has been a busy year for Jeff Tweedy. Between his new book, new record and nightly Instagram show, there was a wealth of material for him.
11. Christian Lee Hutson – Beginners Sweet, soft and hushed tunes; has a very 70’s vibe. Should definitely appeal to the Elliot Smith crowd, although not as desperate sounding.
12. Waxahatchee – Saint Cloud Jangly pop, easygoing country twang. Falls squarely into the alt-country camp.
13. AdriAnne Lenker – Songs Intimate and sparse; all the things you would expect from this troubadour during a pandemic.
14. Moses Sumney – Græ Genre bending throughout, Moses is comfortable moving from classic R&B to indie rock.
15. Young Jesus – Welcome to Conceptual Beach File this under a more emo version of a Bon Iver record or early Red House Painters.
16. Bonny Light Horseman – Bonny Light Horseman Great record to listen to in your cabin in the woods.
17. KeiyaA – Forever, Ya Girl The new sound of R&B. I dig it. A bit warbly at times, it feels fresh and unique.
18. Pinegrove – Marigold Strong opening, they have become experts at building the suspense. Unfortunately, it does not carry all the way through. Still love these guys.
19. Rufus Wainwright – Unfollow the Rules Back to the basics for this pop crooner, and the basics are catchy melodies and big sounds.
20. Sam Prekop – Comma I love the hypnotic, repetitive sounds from this record. Perfect soundtrack for 2020.
Reissues
1. The Replacements – Pleased to Meet Me A plethora of demos and outtakes.
2. Lou Reed – New York A great record just got better with live versions of these classics.
3. The Grateful Dead – American Beauty 50 th Anniversary Wow, tons of new versions.
4. Neil Young – Homegrown Will never understand why it wasn’t released before but glad it is now.
5. Thelonious Monk – Palo Alto Recorded by a janitor in ‘68 and shelved for decades, great lineup.
6. Wilco – Summerteeth “The ashtray said, you were up all night”. Love that line.
7. Cream – Goodbye Tour Live 1968 Four full concerts from the supergroup. Still relevant today.
8. Richard & Linda Thomson – Hard Luck Stories 1972-1982 Packed with rarities and live gems.
9. Yo La Tengo – Electr-O-Pura B-sides and some strong covers make this a required collection.
10. The Rolling Stones – Goat's Head Soup Underrated, hopefully this will shine some light.
That is all she wrote. Good vibes and positivity full steam ahead!
Eric Fine New York City
Hey, Eric! Nice to see that you’re still cracking on. Hope all is well with you and your family. Cheers!