Short Attention Span Record Reviews, June 2020 Vol. II

BLACKBERRY SMOKE –Live from Capricorn Sound Studios
Premier contemporary southern rock band doing stellar covers of a handful of classics from the Capricorn Records catalog including tracks by the Allman Brothers, Marshall Tucker Band and Wet Willie (whose frontman guests here). (8)

BOB DYLAN – Rough and Rowdy Ways
How can a 79-year old with a 6-decade career already behind him release an album so good? Seriously, this is probably the best Dylan record since 1975’s “Blood On The Tracks”. (9)

ERIC HILTON – Infinite Everywhere
1/2 of Thievery Corporation on very cool ambient solo effort. (8)

JAZZ SABBATH – Jazz Sabbath
Long-time incognito Black Sabbath keyboardist Adam Wakeman has some fun doing jazz versions of classics from his employer’s first four albums. (7)

JEHNNY BETH – To Love Is To Live
Savages frontwoman releases first solo album which moves a bit away from her band’s post-punk towards a darker electronic sound. (7)

LAMB OF GOD – Lamb Of God
Is it just me losing my heavy metalness, or is this less exciting than previous LoG albums? (7)

LARKIN POE – Self Made Man
Blues rock on steroids, this kicks some serious ass. (8)

MELVINS & MUDHONEY – White Lazy Boy
Great collaborative EP by an ad hoc group featuring the key members from both legendary grunge bands. Two new tracks plus Black Flag and Neil Young covers. (8)

MICHAEL FRANTI & SPEARHEAD – Work Hard And Be Nice
What is this happy hippy shit? Of course I wasn’t expecting the Beatnigs or the Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy, but even compared to recent Spearhead albums this is too lightweight. (5)

NORAH JONES – Pick Me Up Off The Floor
Haters might call her Snorah Jones but this album proves that even her leftovers are interesting – Jones revisits previously rejected songs from her demos and reinvents them for a new release which goes beyond the smooth jazz she’s known for, blending it with blues and country elements. (7)

PHOEBE BRIDGERS – Punisher
You’re gonna see this on many year-end Lists in December since Bridgers is the new Indie Rock Hipster Queen. Going beyond the hype, her sophomore album is a strong testament to her songwriting and storytelling talents. (8)

PROTEST THE HERO – Palimpsest
The third best (and by far the nerdiest) Canadian progressive metal band of all time is back with their best album since 2008’s “Fortress”. (8)