The War On Drugs LIVE DRUGSSuper High Quality Records [2020] In a year when we’ve all had to forego live concerts, it feels like a gift that The War On Drugs took a break from the creation of their follow-up to 2017’s Grammy-winning Rock Album of the Year, A Deeper Understanding, to offer up a … Read more
Ghost Funk OrchestraAn Ode To EscapismKarma Chief/Colemine Records [2020] Sometimes you come across an album that feels like it’s tailor-made for you. Maybe the songs perfectly fit what’s going on in your life at the time. Maybe they hit just the right mix of genres and styles, to the point that it feels like it … Read more
The ChivesThe ChivesSuper Wimpy Punch [2020] Sometimes shit just comes together. That statement can apply to so many things like money, relationships, projects and occasionally – music. Case in point today is the Boston garage punk collective called The Chives. The group is made up of members from bands Blue Ray, Brittle Brian, Squitch, and … Read more
Chris Stapleton Starting OverMercury Records Nashville [2020] Like many country music artists, Chris Stapleton had already co-written several hit songs for and with artists like Kenny Chesney and George Strait before launching a solo career with his very successful debut, 2015’s Traveller. While his country music bona fides have been locked down tight since day … Read more
King Gizzard & The Lizard WizardK.G.Flightless Records [2020] After releasing a handful of live releases earlier this year, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard have now returned with the new studio album K.G., their sixteenth since they formed in 2010. It represents a collection of songs that saw the six members of the band home … Read more
The Nels Cline Singers Share The WealthBlue Note Records [2020] Wilco fans can no doubt remember when experimental jazz guitarist Nels Cline came on board, appearing for the first time on the band’s 2005 double live album, Kicking Television; Live In Chicago. While the band had plenty of experience coloring outside the lines – consider … Read more
KarkaraNowhere LandStolen Body Records [2020] 2020 will forever go down as the year psych-rock exploded more into the indie scene with a multitude of quality releases. Karkara is next up as the trio from Toulouse, France have launched their sophomore effort Nowhere Land. The band had the idea that their sound was that of a … Read more
Richard HamiltonMy Perfect WorldQuality Time Records [2020] Richard Hamilton (aka Ricky Hamilton or Ricky Hell) is the formal name of the founder of the criminally under the radar label Quality Time Records. His new long player, My Perfect World, is a 180 degree turn in sound from his past gutter pop bands like Fascinating and … Read more
SUPER-XSUPER-XPolaks/Spoilsport Records [2020] Melbourne’s SUPER-X is propelled by brothers Harrison and George Ottaway on muscle flexed guitars while being glued together by Kaelan Emond’s roaring drums. Their self-titled debut has been in the works for 5 years but the fantastic wall of fuzzy post-punk war they wage here was 110% worth the wait. The best … Read more
Population IIÀ la Ô TerreCastle Face Records [2020] It seems that 2020 has been the year for the power psych genre to move from the shadows and into the spotlight. Montreal’s, Population II is the newest in the genre with their Castle Face Records debut LP À la Ô Terre. The name of the group … Read more
Matt Berninger Serpentine PrisonBook Records [2020] Given the constant chaos and change in our world right now, we hold on to any signs of consistency, something reliable and true. Well, one thing we can count on is this: it’s reasonable to suggest that it’s inevitable for the lead singer of any popular band to want … Read more
Elvis Costello Hey ClockfaceConcord Records [2020] By now, Elvis Costello’s fans have gotten used to his experimental collaborations and explorations of new musical territory. After all, he’s the same stripped-down punk rocker who gave us My Aim Is True in ’77, but by ’82 had delivered the lush, textured Imperial Bedroom. In 1986, he delivered … Read more
SmokescreensA Strange DreamSlumberland Records [2020] You would never guess that the Smokescreens are from Los Angeles because their tender sounding classic indie pop is right from the pages of bands like The Chills and The Bats on New Zealand’s Flying Nun label. Smokescreens have all the pieces with an acoustic and electric guitar blend, upfront … Read more
The Flower KingsIslandsInside Out Music [2020] A global pandemic may not be the most pleasant of origin stories but the new double album from Sweden’s The Flower Kings argues that from great struggle often comes greater returns. At this point in his career Roine Stolt (the band’s leader, singer, songwriter, guitarist, etc.) has absolutely nothing … Read more
Kimono Drag QueensSongs Of WorshipCopper Feast Records [2020] Since their formation in 2016, Sydney’s psych-rock band Kimono Drag Queens have released a string of singles, and have been slowly leading up to finally releasing their debut, Songs Of Worship. It’s taken the seven-piece two years to record but I believe it was worth the wait … Read more
The Budos BandLong In The ToothDaptone Records [2020] Celebrating 15 years from the release of their debut album, The Budos Band return with their 6th long player, Long In The Tooth. It is an album that changes gears from their harder edge they showed the last couple albums but especially as they raged out on … Read more
Love Coma Love ComaSelf-Released [2020] Evidently, San Antonio, TX-band, Love Coma have some unfinished business. Formed in the early 90’s by Chris Taylor, Matt Slocum, and Chris Dodds, they released an album on the indie label Etcetera Records, Soul Rash in ’93. Slocum departed shortly to start the band Sixpence None the Richer with singer … Read more
Holy MotorsHorseWharf Cat Records [2020] Estonia’s Holy Motors sophomore record, Horse, is an easy listen as singer/songwriter Eliann Tulve puts you into a perfect indie trance with her soft Mazzy Star like vocals. Combine this with the groups slight Americana twang and Horse quietly blows by like a lonely tumbleweed on a deserted highway. Holy … Read more
Jeff Tweedy Love Is The KingdBpm Records [2020] If you are looking for a silver-lining here in the eighth month of this long COVID fever dream, perhaps you can find some solace in the number of artists that have used this down time to push back against the surrounding darkness and shine the light of … Read more
Bee Bee SeaDay RipperWild Honey Records [2020] Italian trio Bee Bee Sea have returned with their third LP, Day Ripper, and if a title could ever capture the overall mood of a record this band has nailed it. Day Ripper is a super high energy indie rocker that jams incredibly hard as it dips … Read more
FUZZIIIIn The Red Records [2020] FUZZ, the Los Angeles-based trio of Ty Segall (drums, vocals), Charles Moothart (guitar, vocals), and new member Chad Ubovich (bass, vocals), have returned with their third album and first album in five years. Appropriately titled III, the band comes back with their familiar modern stoner rock but unlike their two … Read more
Bruce Springsteen Letter To YouColumbia Records [2020] Bruce Springsteen, the very guy who wrote “Glory Days” about folk who spend their adult years looking back to the time when they were in their prime and their star shined brightest, should probably have seen this time in his life and career coming. Maybe it’s a little … Read more
The Mountain Goats Getting Into KnivesMerge Records [2020] The Mountain Goats’ singer/songwriter John Darnielle may be thought of by some as the poet laureate of all things nerdy due to entire albums drawn from the world of wrestling (Beat the Champ), Dungeons & Dragons (In League With Dragons), 80’s post-punk art rock (Goths), and obscure … Read more
Kathleen Edwards Total FreedomDualtone Records [2020] Kathleen Edwards, Canadian singer/songwriter, returns after 8 years of relative silence with another fine album of exemplary folk/pop songcraft. Edwards had built a solid following with four solid albums, including 2012’s “Voyager,” which was produced by Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon. Edwards left music after touring that album with Vernon, … Read more
SLIFTUmmonVicious Circle/Stolen Body Records [2020] French psychedelic trio SLIFT started things off back in 2017 when they released their debut EP, Space Is The Key, via one of our favorite labels in Howlin’ Banana Records. Their debut LP, La Planète Inexplorée, then followed in 2018 and found the band exploring their garage psych sound and … Read more