Nada Surf Never Not Together Barsuk Records [2020] Nada Surf’s ninth studio recording and first in almost four years, Never Not Together, does not necessarily mark new territory for the band but highlights the veteran groups quality writing, musicianship, and knowledge of how to grab the listener with a hook. For some that remember the … Read more
Mr. Wrong Create A Place Water Wing Records [2020] TFN Album Review: Create A Place is the sophomore album from Portland, Oregon’s Mr. Wrong and it can be summed up in one word – RIPPER. The female trio of Mof (guitar), Leona (bass) and Ursula (drums) offer up more fierceness here in their 9 songs … Read more
Kiwi Jr. Football Money Mint/Persona Non Grata Records [2019/2020] TFN Album Review: Here is a record I have been sitting on for a bit as this Friday will see the world-wide release of Football Money, the debut album from Toronto’s Kiwi Jr. The album is being released via Persona Non Grata Records and follows its … Read more
Ty Segall Pig Man Lives Volume I See Note / Drag City Records [2019] TFN Album Review: Ty Segall has been consistently releasing his style of garage indie rock music since 2007. Pig Man Lives Volume I is his new 4 LP vinyl only release compilation that captures his demos that span from 2007-2017. For … Read more
Smug Brothers Serve A Thirsty Moon Gas Daddy Go! Records [2019] TFN Album Review: Serve A Thirsty Moon completes a trifecta for Dayton’s Smug Brothers as the LP represents the groups third release this year following February’s Attic Harvest and July’s All Blur And Spark. The bands creative surge is the result of adding members … Read more
DIIV Deceiver Captured Tracks [2019] TFN Album Review: The third record from DIIV has always been somewhat in jeopardy as frontman Zachary Cole Smith has had a very public battle with his sobriety. That being said, Deceiver does not sugar coat addiction and definitely does not point to a happy ending of recovery but really … Read more
Young Guv GUV II Run For Cover Records [2019] TFN Album Review: You are not seeing double as Ben Cook’s solo effort Young Guv has released GUV II. It is the second part to Young Guv’s earlier and Headphone Approved power pop release simply titled GUV I. GUV II starts off where GUV I left … Read more
Mikal Cronin Seeker Merge Records [2019] TFN Album Review: Seeker is Mikal Cronin’s fourth LP but he is probably known best as Ty Segall’s bass player. If you have been following the excellent solo work of Mikal Cronin you have become familiar with his more indie pop leanings of his last two excellent albums but … Read more
Leeroy Stagger Strange Path True North Records [2019] Who: Alberta musician Leeroy Stagger has a 17-year singer songwriter resume, two kids, a home in Lethbridge and a world class recording studio to go with it. Sound: Typically, Leeroy Stagger offers a folk-Americana delivery but here he brings a much more defined rock that is more … Read more
Liam Gallagher Why Me? Why Not. Warner Records [2019] Who: The Oasis singer Liam Gallagher is back with his sophomore solo record. Sound: Liam embraces the sound of his former band Oasis while also channeling John Lennon. TFN Final Take: For the first time in some years, Liam Gallagher sounds hopeful on his sophomore solo … Read more
Black Pumas Black Pumas ATO Records [2019] Who: Black Pumas is the debut full-length release from the Austin duo of Adrian Quesada and Eric Burton who were named Best New Band at the 2019 Austin Music Awards. Sound: Black Pumas play a smooth neo-psychedelia, retro-soul set. TFN Final Take: Austin’s Black Pumas shine as a … Read more
King Gizzard & The Lizard WizardInfest The Rats’ NestFlightless Records [2019] If you’re a fan of King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, then you already know that being surprised is a key element of the band. Despite working tirelessly, they have never churned out the same record over their 15 studio albums in this short … Read more
Ty Segall First Taste Drag City Records [2019] Who: Cali rocker Ty Segall returns with another batch of creative tracks. Sound: Without a guitar, Ty Segall still can bring his brand of indie psychedelia rock. TFN Final Take: Ty Segall has been pushing his limits on every release since his earliest days. He loves new … Read more
Young Guv GUV I Run For Cover Records [2019] Who: Young Guv is the solo project of Ben Cook. Since 2008, he has released a solid number of singles and EPs, plus two full-lengths. Sound: Sweet perfect power pop that will have you thinking Teenage Fanclub, Fountains of Wayne and Superdrag all wrapped into one … Read more
Tony Molina Songs From San Mateo County Smoking Room [2019] Who: West Bay staple Tony Molina has been cranking out excellent short burst indie rock for some time now but really came on the radar after his Headphone Approved 2013 release Dissed And Dismissed. Sound: Tony Molina has an Elliott Smith type vocal that combines … Read more
Bleached Don’t You Think You’ve Had Enough? Dead Oceans [2019] Who: Jennifer and Jessie Clavin are back with more indie pop rock on their third record as Bleached. Sound: Bleached don’t hold back here with crunching indie pop rock with big hooks that make plenty of sing along moments. Think Blondie, Joan Jett, Best Coast … Read more
Mannequin Pussy Patience Epitaph Records [2019] Who: Philadelphia’s Mannequin Pussy have just released their third LP and first for Epitaph Records. Sound: Melodic powerful punk rock that can hum like Cherry Glazerr and Charley Bliss with the snarl of Amyl and the Sniffers and Bikini Kill. TFN Final Take: I remember being impressed with Mannequin … Read more
Bill Callahan Shepherd In A Sheepskin Vest Drag City Records [2019] Who: After almost 20 years behind Smog for his music, Bill Callahan has had his name on the spine now for five solo records. Sound: Singer/songwriter with level baritone. Fans of Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Sun Kill Moon and Nick Cave will enjoy. TFN Final … Read more
Calexico | Iron & Wine Years To Burn Sub Pop Records [2019] Who: Sam Beam’s Iron & Wine and Calexico have a long musical resume that includes their 2005 album together, In The Reins. Sound: Smooth indie folk with intricate instrumentation that falls in line with both artists catalog and fans of Bon Iver, Bill … Read more
Kishi Bashi Omoiyari Joyful Noise Recordings [2019] Who: Kaoru Ishibashi, aka Kishi Bashi, is a multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter. He is a founding member of Jupiter One, and, was a member of the group of Montreal before going out on his own. Sound: Kishi Bashi offers a melodic orchestrated indie folk that is delivered with 110% … Read more
Khana Bierbood Strangers From The Far East Guruguru Brain [2019] Who: Khana Bierbood (translated as Strange Brew in Thai), formed in 2012, in Bangsaen Beach, Thailand. After hours of jamming together they created their unique sound. Sound: Surf psychedelic rock that also includes lo-fi garage and fuzz. Not only for fans of label mates Kikagaku … Read more
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard Fishing For Fishies ATO/Flightless Records [2019] Who: Australian neo-psych wizards King Gizzard are back with their 14th long player. Sound: 70′ warm jamming sound laced with harmonica and some electro Devo rhythms. TFN Final Take: King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard have returned with their fourteenth album since their … Read more
Various Artists Soul Slabs Vol. 2 Colemine Records [2019] Who: Soul Slabs Vol. 2 is a collection of A-sides from the 7-inch catalog of Loveland Ohio’s Colemine Records. Sound: This compilation features the Colemine spirit with plenty of heavy soul, jazz, funk, and R&B. TFN Final Take: If you have been enjoying the growth of … Read more
Ty Segall Deforming Lobes Drag City Records [2019] Who: Ty Segall and the Freedom Band — Mikal Cronin, Charles Moothart, Emmett Kelly, and Ben Boye, offer up a snap shot of their live show. Sound: Live indie punk rock that does not slow down. TFN Final Take: Deforming Lobes is a salute to Ty Segall’s … Read more
