R.E.M. Monster (25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition) Craft Recordings [2019] TFN Album Review: I have very fond memories of R.E.M.’s “big guitar” record Monster when it was released in 1994. At the time, it was hyped and felt like an incredible turn for the band after the quieter and more acoustic orchestrated Out Of Time (1991) … Read more
Omni Networker Sub Pop Records [2019] TFN Album Review: Over the last three years and two albums with Trouble In Mind records, Atlanta’s Omni have built support with their post-punk Gang of Four and Wire riffs, sharp lyrics and laid-back delivery. Needless to say, the expectations have risen with their third LP Networker and first … Read more
GA-20 Lonely Soul Karma Chief/Colemine Records [2019] TFN Album Review: I know if you are into indie music you might not be searching the blues charts for new tunes but on occasion bands cross over and become a must listen with their style and groove. Boston’s GA-20 is one of those bands. Pat Faherty and … Read more
Guided By Voices Sweating The Plague GBV, Inc. [2019] TFN Album Review: Sweating The Plague is Guided By Voices third album release in 2019 and I feel it is their best. That statement alone could be debated for weeks, and already has in GBV groups across the land, but when the last strum of guitar … Read more
Gong Gong Gong Phantom Rhythm Wharf Cat Records [2019] Who: Guitar-and-bass duo Gong Gong Gong are from Beijing’s underground indie scene and Phantom Rhythm is their debut LP. Sound: Phantom Rhythm is a psychedelic blues jam that also has an energetic jazz and surf background that is sewn together by Cantonese lyrics. TFN Final Take: … Read more
WIVES So Removed City Slang [2019] Who: So Removed is the debut album from Queens, NY-based post-punks WIVES. Sound: WIVES have the New York swagger of The Strokes, channel the DC post-hardcore of Girls Against Boys, contain an edge of The Fall and bring out a similar Frank Black type Pixies vocal delivery. TFN Final … Read more
Oso Oso Basking In The Glow Triple Crown Records [2019] Who: Long Island band Oso Oso return with their third album Basking In The Glow. Sound: Basking In The Glow has a catchy indie power pop and if you like Jimmy Eat World, Young Guv and The Promise Ring. TFN Final Take: If done correct, … Read more
J. Robbins Un-Becoming Dischord Records [2019] Who: Alternaive rock staple J. Robbins releases his first solo record. Sound: Un-Becoming has the indie rock sound you might expect and for fans of Robbins own Jawbox or Bob Mould and Bad Religion. TFN Final Take: There is a good chance that J. Robbins is sitting in your … Read more
Whitney Forever Turned Around Secretly Canadian [2019] Who: Chicago’s Whitney return for their sophomore record after 2016’s Headphone Approved Light Upon The Lake. Sound: Whitney bring back the warm 70’s soft rock sound that has a modern flare like Real Estate, Bon Iver and Iron & Wine. TFN Final Take: Three years is a long … Read more
Oh Sees Face Stabber Castle Face Records [2019] Who: Again as the Oh Sees, John Dwyer continues his annual musical journey with another prog/psych/punk experience with Face Stabber. Sound: More prog than previous efforts that has links to Yes and Pink Floyd that runs extra-long at over 80-minutes. TFN Final Take: The constant production of … Read more
Sleater-Kinney The Center Won’t Hold Mom + Pop Music [2019] Who: Sleater-Kinney return with a different look and overall sound with the help of producer St. Vincent. Sound: Indie synth pop with an edge. TFN Final Take: Seems like a bunch of stuff has happened since we last gushed about Sleater-Kinney’s return on No Cities … Read more
Possible Humans Everybody Split Trouble In Mind Records [2019] Who: Everybody Split is the debut album from Melbourne, Australia quintet Possible Humans which has been building a following since forming in 2012. Sound: Modern indie post-punk that has some comparison sounds to early R.E.M., The Clean, and Arcade Fire. TFN Final Take: Many fans of … Read more
Spoon Everything Hits At Once: The Best Of Spoon Matador Records [2019] Who: Spanning a career well into its third decade, Spoon has released this greatest hits compilation that includes the new track “No Bullets Spent.” Sound: Spoon has evolved from the grittier indie rock with Pixies influence to the present where they deliver songs … Read more
Purple Mountains Purple Mountains Drag City Records [2019] Who: Purple Mountains marks the return of David Berman (Silver Jews) and represents his first new music in over a decade. Sound: Indie singer/songwriter that fits in a list with the likes of Nick Cave, Steve Malkmus, Bill Callahan and Will Oldham. TFN Final Take: I don’t … Read more
black midi Schlagenheim Rough Trade Records [2019] Who: The young London quartet black midi basically came out of nowhere and built a super buzz leading up to this debut. Sound: Post punk for a new generation with some extraordinary drumming and the ability to move through multiple genres on the turn of a dime. TFN … Read more
Fruit Tones Natural Selection Greenway Records [2019] Who: The Fruit Tones hail from Manchester UK and Natural Selection is their debut record. Sound: Garage rock that comes at you loose, loud and full of energy. TFN Final Take: Manchester’s Fruit Tones don’t try to win you over with anything fancy or sophisticated on their debut … Read more
The Raconteurs Help Us Stranger Third Man Records [2019] Who: Jack White and The Raconteurs return after an 11 year absence. Sound: Classic rock radio ready. TFN Final Take: Jack White has not ever disappeared but his Raconteurs have been dormant for 11 years until now with the release of their third record Help Us … Read more
Truth Club Not An Exit Tiny Engines [2019] Who: The Raleigh-based four-piece Truth Club are new on the indie rock scene and Not An Exit is their debut record. Sound: Sweeping post-punk that has the indie rocking spirit of a Promise Ring, Car Seat Headrest and The Strokes while bringing a mood like Protomartyr and … Read more
Bad Religion Age Of Unreason Epitaph Records [2019] Who: This is the West Coast punk greats 17th studio record and first full-length since 2013’s True North. Sound: Melodic punk rock that is 120% Bad Religion. TFN Final Take: If there ever was a political environment for punk veterans Bad Religion to storm back – 2019 … Read more
Amyl And The Sniffers Amyl And The Sniffers Flightless/ATO Records [2019] Who: Formed in Melbourne, Australia in early 2016, Amyl and The Sniffers wrote, self-recorded and released their debut EP, Giddy Up, all in a span of twelve hours. Already signed to Flightless Records for Australia and New Zealand, the band capped off a monster … Read more
Charly Bliss Young Enough Barsuk Records [2019] Who: Charly Bliss are back with their sophomore album Young Enough. It was produced by Joe Chiccarelli (U2, Beck, Alanis, The Strokes, The Killers, My Morning Jacket, Cage The Elephant). Sound: Unlike some of the alt grunge on debut Guppy (2017), Charly Bliss now goes darker and poppier … Read more
Vampire Weekend Father Of The Bride Columbia Records [2019] TFN Final Take: Six years between records is a long time for any group and especially in this current music climate when people forget about you as soon as their newest Spotify playlist has ended. Well, Vampire Weekend have done just that with their new release … Read more
The Budos Band V Daptone Records [2019] Who: 60’s/70’s influenced afro-soul legends, The Budos Band have released their fifth full length album with V. Sound: Instrumental horn driven rock that has evolved since their Afro-soul beginnings that has a Here Lies Man vibe along with Antibalas, Ikebe Shakedown and Cochemea. TFN Final Take: The Budos … Read more
FEELS Post Earth Wichita Recordings [2019] Who: LA’s FEELS return as Post Earth is the bands sophomore record. Sound: Post punk that can rock out like Sleater-Kinney, grunge like L7 and hum a tune that blend in with the Breeders. TFN Final Take: Coming off their excellent Ty Segall produced debut, FEELS could really approach … Read more
