ANDREW BIRD – Inside Problems
A true artist defying categorization, multi-instrumentalist and renaissance man Bird jumps from chamber pop to jazz rock to indie with ease, sometimes within the same song. (8)
THE BLACK CROWES – 1972
A covers EP to test out the new line-up before the tour. Obviously all songs are from 1972 (Stones, Bolan, Rod Stewart, Little Feat, Bowie, and a fantastic version of The Temptations’ “Papa Was A Rolling Stone”) and fit the Crowes template well. (8)
CAVE IN – Heavy Pendulum
Recruiting Converge’s Nate Newton as the late Caleb Scofield’s replacement, Cave In release what is probably their finest work since 2000’s “Jupiter” – a beast of an album where fierce metal riffage meets prog atmospherics that wouldn’t be out of place on a Radiohead tribute recorded by Rush. (8)
CURRENT 93 – If A City Is Set Upon A Hill
I don’t have anything against post-industrial goth neofolk or whatever you call this kind of thing but I can’t stand this guy’s croaking voice, it doesn’t help control my overwhelming urge to suckerpunch any religious mystic I come across. (5)
DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS – Welcome 2 Club XIII
More personal and less political than their previous three albums, this is another excellent effort from DBT who still sound their best when they’re trying to emulate a southern rock version of Neil Young & Crazy Horse. Despite being a Hood fan, I have to admit that this time around it’s Cooley’s songs that steal the show. (8)
FANTASTIC NEGRITO – White Jesus Black Problems
Award-winning blues artist releases concept album that includes very little blues, based on his family history. There’s funk, rock, and lots of experimentation here and it’s probably his best, certainly his most intriguing, work to date. (8)
CRAIG FINN – A Legacy Of Rentals
The Hold Steady frontman’s latest solo album shifts the sonic palette by adding a rich string section on several tracks, but once again the key element on this collection of songs is Finn’s superb storytelling and his ability to create fully formed characters within the format of a 4-minute song – and if you’ve ever fucked up in your life, you can’t help loving Finn’s losers and outcasts. (8)
MINA GAJIC & ZACHARY CARRETTIN – Confluence: Balkan Dances & Tango Nuevo
Married classical musician couple (Serbian pianist, American violinist/violist with Latin roots) brings together Marko Tajčević’s “Seven Balkan Dances” with Ray Granlund’s modern tango with extraordinary results. (8)
SASS JORDAN – Bitches Blues
Sexagenarian Canadian hard rocker (and first employer, back in the 90’s, of an unknown 22-year-old drummer called Taylor Hawkins) explores her blues side with a mix of covers and originals on this enjoyable album. (7)
NITTY GRITTY DIRT BAND – Dirt Does Dylan
You simply can’t go wrong with a Bob Dylan tribute – the songs are so amazing that you just can’t ruin them even if you try, and his voice on the originals is so annoying that you’re probably going to sing them better than him anyway. But NGDB do a solid job, especially on their epic versions of “The Times They Are A-Changin’” (featuring special guests Jason Isbell, Rosanne Cash, Steve Earle and the War & Treaty) and “I Shall Be Released” (featuring special guests Larkin Poe). (8)
ANGEL OLSEN – Big Time
It’s unfair to compare Olsen to her peers, but this really sounds like a hybrid of Sharon Van Etten and Lana Del Rey gone full country and you’ll see it on many year-end lists in six months’ time. Probably not on mine, since I appreciate the vibe but was hoping for more hooks. (7)
FRANK SINATRA – Watertown
A Sinatra album unlike any other, this 1970 oddity sold poorly, almost killed his career, and remained forgotten for decades – it’s a totally depressing concept album about the loss and desperation of one man, created in collaboration with members of rock band The Four Seasons, and this new remaster should set the record straight: It’s actually really good! (8)
WILCO – Cruel Country
Their most “country” record in 25 years but it’s not particularly cruel, as a matter of fact it’s gentle and beautiful. Including the two saddest songs of all time, “The Universe” and “Many Worlds”. (8)
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