AMIRA MEDUNJANIN – Silk And Stone
Haunting voice sings updated interpretations of Bosnian folk songs. This is probably the saddest thing I’ve heard in months. (8)
MAGGIE BJORKLUND – Shaken
She’s the pedal steel guitarist in Jack White’s band and she’s got a lot of famous friends, many of which appear on this album: Members of Portishead, PJ Harvey’s band, Lambchop and Calexico, the latter being the closest point of reference for this beautiful, ethereal, twangy collection of tunes. (8)
MARILYN MANSON – The Pale Emperor
Like most people I gave up on this guy 14-15 years ago but I have to admit that, surprisingly, this is a killer album: Forget industrial, this is Manson in glam/QOTSA/classic rock mode and he RULES. All Hail the Pale Emperor. (8)
PUNCH BROTHERS – The Phosphorescent Blues
Progressive bluegrass. Proggrassive? Bluegressive? Whatever, sounds good anyway. (7)
SLEATER-KINNEY – No Cities To Love
The angular punk guitars/urgent pop hooks combo still works like a charm a decade later, on this most welcome comeback by a leading riot-grrrl act we thought we’d never hear from again. (8)
SWAMP DOGG – The White Man Made Me Do It
Veteran soul/funk eccentric lunatic who’s been around for 45 years but whom you’ve never heard of, unless you read the liner notes on Kid Rock albums to figure out where the badass samples come from. On this album he tackles politics and race and he actually sounds saner than you. (7)
THE HOLD STEADY – Live At Horseshoe Tavern
Good quality bootleg (soundboard recording), semi-official since apparently it was leaked by the band themselves. World-class performance rocking a legendary Toronto live venue, next best thing to actually being there. I do miss the Springsteen piano on “Stuck Between Stations” though. (8)
VARIOUS ARTISTS – Funky Soul Brothers and Sisters: Ghetto Funk Classics & Southern Fried Soul Killers
Stylistically it’s a bit all over the place but at 38 tracks long and mixing unknown funk soul gems with hits by Gil-Scott Heron, Curtis Mayfield, Ike & Tina, Maceo Parker, Mavis Staples, Bettye LaVette, Aaron Neville, The Meters and Bobby Womack, it’s an instant party! (8)
VARIOUS ARTISTS – Native North America Vol.1 Aboriginal Folk, Rock & Country 1966-1985
Amazing 3-LP collection of folk and country by the folk who used to own the country, including 34 ultra-rare songs, lengthy essays and fantastic photos. Musically the main influences are Woody Guthrie, Phil Ochs, Neil Young and Hank Williams, but lyrically the themes are uniquely Native American. (10 for the release package, 7 for the actual music)
VARIOUS ARTISTS – Truckers Kickers Cowboy Angels: The Blissed-Out Birth Of Country Rock, Vol 2, 1969
Volume 2 in this great series documenting the birth and development of country rock. Featuring The Byrds, Flying Burrito Brothers, Bob Dylan, The Band, Dillard & Clark, Poco, Linda Rondstadt, Townes Van Zandt, even Elvis Presley. (8)
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