Ty SegallSegall SmeagolSelf-Released [2020] I can’t name many good things so far that have come out of self-isolation but this new free EP from Ty Segall will be near the top of my list. Segall Smeagol offers 6 cover cuts from singer Harry Nilsson’s 1971 classic Nilsson Schmilsson. Ty states that he has wanted to … Read more
Brian Fallon Local HoneyLesser Known Records/Thirty Tigers [2020] Brian Fallon’s freshly released third solo album, Local Honey, had to have been written and recorded prior to this period of physical distancing with much of the nation locked down in the forced intimacy of their homes. Yet, the eight songs here from Gaslight Anthem’s former lead … Read more
Best CoastAlways TomorrowConcord Records [2020] I always like a comeback story and Best Coast’s Bethany Cosentino has returned to music after a 5 year absence. She honestly stated that she almost walked away from recording completely but after some solid recovery and self-care the band’s fourth album, Always Tomorrow, represents a brighter outlook on life. … Read more
Cable TiesFar EnoughMerge Records [2020] There is one word to describe lead singer-guitarist Jenny McKechnie of Cable Ties – FIERCE! You will get to know her very well on Far Enough, the Melbourne group’s sophomore album and first for Merge Records. The opening track “Hope” is really all you need to hear to get hooked … Read more
Lilly Hiatt Walking ProofNew West Records [2020] Nashville singer/songwriter Lilly Hiatt has known most of her existence that life is rarely just one thing. On her fourth album’s title track, she sings “I could tell you that it’s easy/but that wouldn’t be the truth/if you ever need to call me, well you know that’s walking … Read more
THICK5 Years BehindEpitaph Records [2020] The debut from Brooklyn-based DIY punk trio, THICK, was the perfect record to pick up as our country was shutting down due to the Coronavirus/COVID-19, bringing enough noise, angry energy and musical muscle to make the required lock-down relatively tolerable. No doubt, Nikki Sisti (voice/guitar), Kate Black (voice/bass, guitar and … Read more
Black Market BrassUndying ThirstColemine Records [2020] Black Market Brass is a Minneapolis-based group performing their own brand of originally composed Afrobeat/Afrofunk music, and Undying Thirst is the group’s sophomore album and Colemine Records debut. The instrumental group is comprised of eleven musicians that form such a powerful force together that this record will blow you … Read more
The Mr. T ExperienceMTX ForeverSounds Rad [2020] If your were around for the punk rock explosion that was helped along and spotlighted by Green Day in 1994, then you just might know The Mr. T Experience. The band actaully formed in 1985 and has a history that spans over 30 years and eleven studio albums, … Read more
Sleepies Time v PleasureSelf-Released [2020] Who: Sleepies awake from their three year hiatus to deliver a unique take on their sound. Sound: Sleepies branch off from their established jangly post-punk sound and dive into the early years of stripped-down post-punk with stunning results. I have been a fan of Sleepies since I heard the herky-jerky … Read more
Rookie RookieBloodshot Records [2020] The debut album of 6-piece Chicago band Rookie comes out of the box just dripping with references to a much earlier time in rock music history. From the opening crunchy guitar chords of “Hold On Tight,” it’s clear this band’s goals are to relive in a fresh way the musical highlights … Read more
Yumi Zouma Truth Or ConsequencesPolyvinyl Records [2020] The third full-length effort from the quartet of New Zealanders who got their start playing shows around Christchurch in 2014, finds the popsters delivering another album of light electronic dance grooves focused on listener friendly melodies. While the four no longer live close together on one continent, they … Read more
Monophonics It’s Only Us Colemine Records [2020] We are currently in really strange times so the smooth soul of the Monophonics fifth record, It’s Only Us, brings on a very comforting vibe that just blankets you with its harmonizing background vocals. The West coast band has dubbed their sound “psychedelic soul” and I feel more … Read more
The DistrictsYou Know I’m Not Going AnywhereFat Possum Records [2020] For The Districts’ fourth full-length release, You Know I’m Not Going Anywhere, singer/songwriter Rob Grote withdrew to his bedroom with a guitar, a synthesizer, and a drum machine during a period of introspection and creative exploration while juggling “this desperate desire to escape and the … Read more
Porridge RadioEvery BadSecretly Canadian [2020] What started out as a bedroom project from singer Dana Margoiln has quickly evolved into a much bigger indie band sound of what Brighton’s Porridge Radio is today. On the band’s sophomore record, Every Bad, the group delivers everything they have to offer and then some, one intense song at … Read more
Wasted Shirt Fungus IIFamous Class Records [2020] Ty Segall is back and this time he has collaborated with Brian Chippendale of Lightning Bolt to form Wasted Shirt. Their debut, Fungus II, finds both sharing the vocal duties, while Segall plays guitar, bass, and harmonizer and Chippendale is pounding on the drums. I will warn you right up front that Wasted … Read more
Stephen Malkmus Traditional TechniquesMatador Records [2020] Stephen Malkmus has been on a creative tear of late, releasing a band record with The Jicks in 2018 after four years away, Sparkle Hard, and an experimental solo record dabbling in electronica last year, Groove Denied. On his third release in as many years, Malkmus continues to experiment, … Read more
DisqCollectorSaddle Creek Records [2020] What is not to like about Madison Wisconsin’s Disq? They are a young five piece barley into their twenties that play a combination of power pop, indie rock, post punk and just overall have released a very catchy and carefree debut record. When the opening line of first track “Daily Routine” … Read more
Sonny Landreth Blacktop RunMascot Label Group [2020] Sonny Landreth is a guitar player’s guitarist, much the way John Hiatt and John Prine are songwriter’s songwriters. Bob Dylan is one of the most beloved and respected songwriters of the modern era, yet back in ’87 he covered John Hiatt’s song, “The Usual.” Bonnie Raitt has written … Read more
The Proper Ornaments Mission BellsTapete Records [2020] After a few enjoyable listens to this fifth album from London’s The Proper Ornaments, I was surprised to pull up their bio on the label website and read that “this is not a retro band.” Now “retro” wasn’t a word that had come to mind while listening exactly, … Read more
EyelidsThe Accidental FallsJealous Butcher Records [2020] When you can list Guided By Voices, The Decemberists, Stephen Malkmus and Elliott Smith as artists you have played with it should be an automatic for any indie music fan to be following Portland’s Eyelids. Now, when you find out that R.E.M.’s Peter Buck produced and plays on this … Read more
Shell Of A Shell Away TeamExploding In Sound Records [2020] Who: Nashville, Tennessee quartet, Shell of a Shell ramp up the tension for their debut LP. Sound: Shell of a Shell continue to impress. Their sound makes me think of a blend of Pile’s or Rodan’s edginess and unconventional arrangements mixed with a contrasting side … Read more
Tame ImpalaThe Slow RushInterscope Records [2020] Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker is a perfectionist and he has slowly turned his musical vehicle away from the psych rock driven debut Innnerspeaker from ten years ago into the extra smooth snyth grooves that flow throughout his newest long player The Slow Rush. This move to supplying more beats … Read more
Greg Dulli Random DesireRoyal Cream/BMG [2020] Greg Dulli may just now be getting around to making a solo studio album, but both as the lead singer for alt/rock heroes Afghan Whigs, and as the creative center of The Twilight Singers he’s cut a wide musical swath across a variety of music genres in his 30-plus … Read more
Guided By Voices Surrender Your Poppy Field GBV Inc. [2020] The 2020 release calendar finally feels official with a new album from Guided By Voices. After releasing three records in 2019, GBV is back officially with their newest album of indie rockers, Surrender Your Poppy Field. If you are a follower of Bob Pollard then … Read more
Phil Madeira Open HeartMercyland [2020] At this late date, Phil Madeira must still feel that he has something to prove. Besides his “day job” as part of Emmylou Harris’ backing band, The Red Dirt Boys,” he’s recorded three solo albums in the last two years, after producing an all-star tribute to the songs of the … Read more