COFFIN BREAK – Revival
Wow, this is a name I never thought I’d hear again. Not exactly grunge, but formed in Seattle in the late 80’s and sharing rehearsal spaces (and Jack Endino) with the likes of Alice In Chains and Nirvana, these guys return with their first album in 33 years and it’s a solid slab of hook-laden punk with song titles like “Kill The President”. Cobain loved them and so will you. (8)
ENUFF Z'NUFF – Xtra Cherries
You know I love these guys and consider them criminally underrated, right? This time the album’s chock full of guests from Journey, Cheap Trick etc., they’ve even dug up Steven Adler. In a parallel universe they’re selling out arenas. (11)
LAURA JANE GRACE & THE TRAUMA TROPES – Adventure Club
One of the best punk rock records of the year was conceived and recorded in Athens, Greece, with a local pick-up band (the Trauma Tropes are basically the rhythm section from Vodka Juniors), and includes a song about espresso freddo. Sort of makes me proud of my hometown. (8)
KAYO DOT – Every Rock, Every Half-Truth Under Reason
File Under Uneasy Listening. (6)
DARON MALAKIAN & SCARS ON BROADWAY – Addicted To The Violence
The closest we’re going to ever get to a new SOAD album, I guess. It’s really good. (8)
THE OTHER STUFF
NATALIE BERGMAN – My Home Is Not In This World
An album that sounds like a sample compilation of the best “quality” pop music of the 60’s and 70’s, from solo McCartney to Dusty Springfield. (8)
RYAN DAVIS & THE ROADHOUSE BAND – New Threats From The Soul
Think David Berman, Bill Callahan, Will Oldham, i.e. country-influenced indie rock where the lyrics are probably more important than the tunes. You'll see this on several year-end lists, probably not on mine. (7)
PATTY GRIFFIN – Crown Of Roses
I’m a sad bastard and this is top-shelf sad bastard music. With sparse instrumentation and deep lyrics about loss, you can call it Americana, I just call it great. (8)
CORY HANSON – I Love People
If you follow this blog then you know I love this guy, and I love the left turn he’s taking with this album moving from a guitar-based to a piano-based sound, like a Harry Nilsson on edibles or a psychedelic take on the 70’s Laurel Canyon sound. (8)
MF TOMLINSON – Die To Wake Up From A Dream
London-based Australian art rocker attempts to find the Venn diagram between 70s prog and 80s Talk Talk, or something. (7)
FRANK TURNER – Show 3000
The title is self-explanatory, he is unstoppable. Sort of a live “greatest hits” setlist and some solid performances, both on the full-band and the solo-performed tracks. (8)
