FloatieVoyage OutExploding In Sound Records [2021] There is something special about Floatie’s math rock that brings you closer to your speakers and that is what makes the Chicago-based band’s debut, Voyage Out, so engaging. The band approaches each song with a cautious but focused playing of their instruments that never really leaves a mid-tempo pace … Read more
Josh Caterer The Hideout SessionsPravda Records [2021] Back in October, Smoking Popes’ vocalist and main songwriter Josh Caterer put together a new band, with John San Juan (of the Hushdrops) and John Perrin (drummer with NRBQ), and played a live show in the empty venue of The Hideout in Chicago, sending their music out over … Read more
TUNSDuly NotedMurderecords [2021] There is nothing better than a killer power pop record and TUNS sophomore album, Duly Noted, may just be one of the best ones you might hear this year. If you are already familiar with TUNS this should not be a shocking statement as members Chris Murphy (Sloan), Mike O’Neil (The Inbreds), … Read more
JPLSapiens – Chapitre 2/3: Deus ex MachinaQuadrifonic Records [2021] Coming in hot after last year’s Album Of The Year designation, JPL has unleashed part two of his Sapiens space rock opera and it hits hard and fast. The pressure of repeating a classic album is nothing new to Jean-Pierre Louveton though. Back in 2006 his … Read more
Ghost Of Vroom Ghost Of Vroom 1Mod y Vi Records [2021] The story goes something like this: after making 3 critically acclaimed albums in the 90’s with Soul Coughing, a NYC band that distinguished itself from that decades heavy grunge/rock dominance with what Mike Doughty calls his “quasi-rap thing” delivered over the band’s unique mix … Read more
TriptidesAlter EchoesAlive Natural Sound Records [2021] The current streaming generation, for the most part, does not seem to really like listening to one album all the way through let alone develop artist loyalty. It is just the times I guess but there are plenty of past groups that would never have “made it” if they … Read more
Peter Case The Midnight BroadcastBandaloop Music [2021] Singer/songwriter Peter Case’s first brush with mainstream rock star level fame came when his band the Plimsoul’s appeared in the 1983 cult classic movie, “Valley Girl,” which featured Nicholas Cage. The band was featured playing “A Million Miles Away,” their near-hit, and a couple other live songs in … Read more
Too Much Joy Mistakes Were MadePeople Suck Music [2021] Along with the quick arrival of life saving vaccines, you can count the return to recording by the late 80’s/early 90’s power pop/punk rockers Too Much Joy as something good that came from our year of COVID-19 shut-down. The Scarsdale, NY natives achieved a modicum of … Read more
Jay Gonzalez Back To The HiveMiddlebrow Records [2021] Athens, GA musician Jay Gonzalez joined Drive-By Truckers in 2008, filling in for Spooner Oldham on keyboards, and eventually sharing lead guitar duties with Mike Cooley to compensate for the absence of third guitarist Jason Isbell. Left to his own devices on this second full-length solo album, … Read more
Lake Street Dive ObviouslyNonesuch Records [2021] Lake Street Dive have carved out a unique place on the current musical landscape rooted in time honored pop music songcraft informed by classic R&B, with just the right dash of dance floor funk, delivered in jazzy arrangements that push the soulful lead vocals of Rachel Price to the … Read more
GlittererLife Is Not A LessonANTI- [2021] Washington, D.C. resident and northeastern Pennsylvania native Ned Russin co-fronted Title Fight for many years before the band went on hiatus and Russin became Glitterer. So far, Glitterer has self-released two EP’s and his 2019 ANTI- debut LP Looking Through The Shades. That brings us to the rowdy and … Read more
King Gizzard & The Lizard WizardL.W.Flightless Records [2021] One thing that never was in question during this eternal pandemic lockdown was that Australia’s King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard would crank out some more records. L.W. is the bands seventeenth studio album and is the bookend to last year’s K.G. release and considered Volume 3 … Read more
Har Mar Superstar RosevilleLove OnLine Records [2021] I’ll admit that the first and only time I saw Har Mar Superstar play live, opening for Afghan Whigs in Cincinnati in the Fall of 2017, more than once in the band’s nearly hour long set I wondered if it was a joke, that somebody had forgotten to … Read more
Julien BakerLittle OblivionsMatador Records [2021] “Until then I’ll split the difference / Between medicine and poison / Take what I can get away with / While it burns right through my stomach” is just one of the very first devastating lyrics you will hear from Julien Baker on the opening track “Hardline” from her third … Read more
Todd Rundgren: Clearly Human Live Virtual Tour; Cleveland, OH (via Chicago, IL) – Monday, February 22, 2021 Anyone who’s paid attention to the technology of live concert touring, would not be surprised to learn that long-time early adapter, rocker, and producer Todd Rundgren would be one of the first people to reimagine live music experiences … Read more
Nick Cave & Warren Ellis CarnageGoliath Records [2021] The one time I was able to see the Australian band Nick Cave & The Bad Seed play live, they delivered a set in the afternoon on the 1994 version of the Lollapalooza festival, the year Beastie Boys and Smashing Pumpkins were the headliners. Fresh from the … Read more
The Martha’s Vineyard FerriesSuns Out Guns OutErnest Jenning Record Co. [2021] The Martha’s Vineyard Ferries have one of the best indie rock resumes in the game and they completely flex a high level talent on their new album Suns Out Guns Out. The group features bassist/vocalist Bob Weston (Volcano Suns, Shellac. Mission Of Burma), drummer/vocalist … Read more
The MuckersEndeavorGreenway Records [2021] Brooklyn’s The Muckers deliver hot steamy rock n roll that was inspired by The Strokes but at times sounds like it is right out of the 70’s arena rock era. Their debut, Endeavor, maintains a modern flare but does include a throwback approach that has bits and pieces of past rock … Read more
Maxïmo Park Nature Always WinsProlifica Inc. [2021] British trio, Maxïmo Park combine the big, rock guitars of modern rock acts with the catchy electro-pop melodicism of 80’s new wave on their solid seventh full-length album, Nature Always Wins. With the departure of long-time keyboard player Lukas Wooller, the remaining trio of players have regrouped to … Read more
Joyann Parker Out Of The DarkHopeless Romantic Records [2021] Joyann Parker, a Minneapolis-based singer/songwriter, brings her big, soulful voice to a set of originals that lean toward the traditional pop side of Americana’s spectrum of musical influences, from rootsy R&B to blues, country and rock & roll. Parker co-writes with her band’s guitarist Mark Lamoine, … Read more
Mister GoblinFour People In An Elevator And One Of Them Is The DevilExploding In Sound Records [2021] Mister Goblin is the solo project of Sam Goblin (formerly of Two Inch Astronaut) and his sophomore album, Four People In An Elevator And One Of Them Is The Devil, is the best recording he has released to … Read more
Jeff Johnson & Phil Keaggy RavennaArkMusic [2021] Ravenna is the fourth instrumental collaboration from keyboardist Jeff Johnson and guitarist Phil Keaggy, this time inspired by 5th and 6th century mosaics from the Byzantine era, housed in 8 early Christian monuments in Ravenna, Italy, all now on the World Heritage List. As such this lush, layered … Read more
The Hold Steady Open Door PolicyPositive Jams/Thirty Tigers [2021] At this point, with 7 studio albums under their belt since debuting on the scene in 2004, The Hold Steady have locked down a pretty reliable piece of rock & roll real estate around the storytelling narratives of singer/songwriter Craig Finn. The band’s 2019 album, aptly … Read more
Black Country, New RoadFor The First TimeNinja Tune [2021] Despite having just two early singles to date, Black Country, New Road came into 2021 with their debut, For The First Time, being one of the most highly anticipated records of the year. The critics picked up on their Black Midi vibe early and quickly crowned … Read more
The Weather Station IgnoranceFat Possum Records [2021] With the fifth album from her band The Weather Station, Canadian singer/songwriter Tamara Lindeman has expanded her band’s sonic palette to include a fuller sound that includes a richer, jazzier sound carried in the percussion and the increased textures achieved by the addition of saxophone, flute and in … Read more