CORROSION OF COMFORMITY – Good God Baad Man
They’ll never top “Deliverance”, the album that invented COC as most people know them, but this is a welcome return to form and the sound of four men really enjoying themselves with a whole bunch of beer- and whiskey-soaked gritty punk metal riffs and southern rock grooves and hooks. (8)
MELVINS & NAPALM DEATH – Savage Imperial Death March
This one was originally released about a year ago on Amphetamine Reptile – now it gets a wider release on Ipecac with two extra tracks. A collaborative effort that will delight fans of both bands. (8)
POISON RUIN – Hymns From The Hills
On early releases their curious blend of punk/hardcore, NWOBHM and dungeon synth with lyrics about the Middle Ages somehow ended up sounding like the Wipers. Their new album streamlines all the influences into something totally their own, and the much-improved production should guarantee a well-deserved breakthrough. (8)
SUNN O))) – Sunn O)))
The front and back covers feature Mark Rothko paintings, and the album itself is probably the aural equivalent of a Rothko painting that looks simple and will piss off 97% of the people who look at it but will blow the minds of the 3% who get it. (8)
THE OTHER STUFF
ANGINE DE POITRINE – Vol. II
The hype is justified for once, as these anonymous weirdos whose disco math rock seems to channel prime Primus and Lightning Bolt via an organic-not-electronic version of Daft Punk from a parallel universe (or something) have just released one of the most exciting albums of the year. (9)
THE BEVIS FROND – Horrorful Heights
It’s mind boggling that a band led by a 74-year-old has released what is probably their best album in a 40-year career: This is top-shelf grungy neo-psychedelia/folk rock with songs that even prime Neil Young would be proud of. (8)
DRIVIN ‘N’ CRYIN’ – Crushing Flowers
The definition of “underrated”, this band from Georgia has been going since the 80’s and has fans like REM’s Peter Buck (who also guests here). Listening to their latest album you’ll certainly understand why – their mix of southern rock, folk rock, power pop and everything in between will appeal to fans of everyone from the aforementioned REM to Tom Petty to Jason Isbell to Blackberry Smoke. (8)
L.Y.R. – Dark Sky Reservation
A poet and two musicians put together a gorgeous, experimental album. Very hard to compare this mix of organic and electronic to anything else – Kae Tempest, maybe? Saul Williams? Cinematic Orchestra for bookworms? (8)
MY NEW BAND BELIEVE – My New Band Believe
Former Black Midi bassist and occasional frontman keeps the maximalist approach but focuses on acoustic instrumentation on the debut of his new band. (8)
ARLO PARKS – Ambiguous Desire
A move away from the gentle indie pop that made her a household name towards techno and electronica, the gentler tracks are still the best. (7)
SQUIRREL NUT ZIPPERS – Squirrel Nut Zippers Starring In Fat City (The Ballad Of Lil’ Tony)
Legendary swing revival band (a family favorite around these parts) release a concept album based on the early 20th century real-life misadventures of bandleader Jimbo’s grandfather (bootlegger, juke joint operator, big band promoter). It’s more cabaret/smoky jazz club than previous efforts, but still a joy. (8)
FRANK TURNER– Campfire Punkrock 20
Where it all started – 20th anniversary reissue of Turner’s first solo EP for Record Store Day featuring bonus (live) tracks – a bit quieter than the albums that followed with his (E-Street) band. (8)
VARIOUS ARTISTS – Late Night Tales: Barry Can’t Swim
LNT is a wonderful artist-curated chill-out compilation series built around the idea of making the perfect late night mixtape, and the latest instalment by this Scottish DJ is fantastic. (8)
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