THE LOUDER STUFF
BLOOD INCANTATION – Absolute Elsewhere
Blood Incantation have finally created their masterpiece, seamlessly blending Morbid Angel-esque death metal with Pink Floyd, Tangerine Dream, and even ambient dub influences in the most exciting album of its kind since Opeth’s “Blackwater Park”. (9)
HIGH PARASITE – Forever We Burn
Aaron from My Dying Bride forms side project and releases a better album than My Dying Bride did this year. It’s much more uptempo, sort of like a Cult/Sisters of Mercy combination with death growls, and it’s fun as hell. (8)
THE JESUS LIZARD – Rack
If you’re too young to know them from their early 90’s heyday, boy oh boy are you in for a shock, these noise rock animals have lost none of their bite in middle age, from Denison’s angular riffs to Yow’s yowls to the pulverizing rhythm section – it’s all here. A great comeback. (8)
LOWEN – Do Not Go to War With the Demons of Mazandaran
Plenty of other bands have previously infused heavy metal with a Middle Eastern influence, but few have done it as beautifully as Lowen. (9)
SERJ TANKIAN – Foundations
The closest he’s come to recreating the SOAD magic on his solo releases, maybe because the tracks on this EP are based on old ideas for SOAD songs. (8)
THE OTHER STUFF
MANU CHAO – Viva Tu
A welcome return after a 17-year absence, Chao’s new album sounds exactly like the catchy reggae- and Latin-flavored global pop you expected and will delight casual fans and Antifa sympathisers alike. (8)
FAT DOG – WOOF.
A fun and very British dance-punk hybrid. (9)
GODSPEED YOU! BLACK EMPEROR – No Title As of 13 February 2024 28,340 Dead
You can probably tell by the album title that this is a politically-minded album from the post-rock giants, despite it being instrumental as always. Like all GYBE albums it’s emotionally charged, a bit uncomfortable, but it engulfs you and cleanses your soul. (8)
GEORDIE GREEP – The New Sound
Black Midi frontman goes solo and merges his band’s extreme prog tendencies with Brazilian and Steely Dan influences for an entertaining but chaotic mess. (7)
MIRANDA LAMBERT – Postcards From Texas
Country superstar turns her back on the Nashville industry status-quo and goes back home, metaphorically and sonically. (8)
JD McPHERSON – Nite Owls
Rockabilly/garage rock dude takes it to the next level. In his own words: “My elevator pitch to anyone who would listen was that it’s ‘surf noir’, as if The Ventures were the session band on the first New Order record.” (8)
MAXIMO PARK – Stream Of Life
I’ve loved these guys ever since I first heard their debut album blasting out of the speakers of a record store in London back in 2005 (hey, remember record stores?) and their eighth album is probably amongst their top-three –you’ll get addicted to their distinctly Northern English post-punky pop if you give it a chance. (8)
MIDLAND – Barely Blue
Soft rock-y country, like a twangier Eagles. (6)
THE SMILE – Cutouts
Second album this year by the Radiohead side-project after January’s “Wall Of Eyes”, recorded at the same time, and just like that one it sounds like a Radiohead album. (8)
TINDERSTICKS – Soft Tissue
Lush strings and a 70’s-soul feel make this a wonderful late-night listen. Not many bands still make great albums 30 years into their career. (8)
WILLIE WATSON – Willie Watson
Old Crow Medicine Show co-founder on a solo path goes beyond traditional folk covers and sings his own songs, staying within the acoustic Americana realm. (7)
YASMIN WILLIAMS – Acadia
Listen to this. No, really listen to this, carefully, the way this lady plays guitar is something else. And she can write a mean tune too. (8)
VARIOUS – Silver Patron Saints: The Songs Of Jesse Malin
NYC rocker faces serious health problems, all his heavy-hitting buddies get together for a benefit album covering his songs and proving he’s one of the all-time greats. Everyone from Jack Antonoff, Bruce Springsteen and Elvis Costello to The Hold Steady, Gogol Bordello and Agnostic Front chip in. (9)
