THE LOUDER STUFF
THE HEADS – Yourprettyplaceisgoingtohell
If you think that Monster Magnet sold out after “Spine Of God” then you’re probably going to love this – they even got John McBain on board to produce. (8)
HELLRIPPER – Coronach
Every article about this band describes them as “blackthrash”, but to me this is just imperial era Iron Maiden played at 1.5x the speed, meaning it’s fucking awesome. Not that any album that contains a song called “Blakk Satanik Fvkkstorm” could ever be bad, mind you. (8)
NEUROSIS – An Undying Love For A Burning World
Probably THE most influential band for 21st century metal surprise-drops a new album with Aaron Turner (Isis) the obviously correct choice in replacing the canceled Scott Kelly. Post metal? Doom? Sludge? Tribal? Industrial? I don’t care what you call this, it’s still their best in 20-25 years. (8)
POISON THE WELL – Peace In Place
I never really got into metalcore and I didn’t really pay attention to these guys the first time around, but their comeback album 17 years after their last one is better than what most contemporary metalcore bands can come up with, because they’re not afraid to experiment rather than stick to the formula. (8)
SUN DONT SHINE – Power To Live
Supergroup consisting of Type O Negative and Crowbar members explore their inner Sabbath. (8)
THE OTHER STUFF
ORA COGAN – Hard Hearted Woman
A strong Gothic Americana/dream-pop hybrid including one of the best songs of the year, “Outgrowing”. (8)
THE DANDY WARHOLS – Pin Ups
I love a good cover version and there’s 17 of them here, from The Cult to Violent Femmes to Cramps to Bob Dylan. An album that was probably as fun to make as it is to listen to. (8)
FLEA – Honora
Chili Pepper learns to play the trumpet and releases an ambient/spiritual jazz record featuring Nick Cave, Thom Yorke, and a bunch of L.A. jazz cats. Not only refreshing to hear him do something so different from his day job – it’s actually pretty good! (8)
JOHNNY BLUE SKIES & THE DARK CLOUDS – Mutiny After Midnight
Sturgill Simpson has had zero fucks left to give for some time now and this album, which is sonically more funky Steely Dan than psychedelic Waylon Jennings and includes a bunch of songs about fucking and a bunch of songs about how billionaires are fucking the world, proves it once again. (8)
THE LONG RYDERS – High Noon Hymns
Paisley Underground pioneers are aging gracefully during their second coming. (8)
ASHLEY MONROE – Dear Nashville
A concept album (or rather EP) about the capital of country music and how tough it can be even for a successful artist like Monroe. Beautiful and heartbreaking. (8)
AUBREY SELLERS – Attachment Theory
Her previous couple of albums were a mix of traditional country and classic rock, this one sounds more “modern” and less country, closer to the more corporate side of late 90’s alternative rock. (7)
SNAIL MAIL – Ricochet
Did I mention the more corporate side of late 90’s alternative rock? Well, this lady sounds like she probably grew up on a steady diet of Liz Phair, Smashing Pumpkins, and Death Cab For Cutie, despite such artists having peaked before she was born. (7)
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