Top of the New Year!
Best of the Week
Jonathan Hulten - The Forest Sessions
2022 10 tracks (38:16)
Once in a great while, an album or artist comes along and just shakes your soul, often when least expecting it. This album by Hulten is a derivative of his studio album Chants from Another Place with many of that album’s songs redone in the bowels of a Swedish forest during the time of Covid isolation. The music is gentle and soaring with precision vocal work to create a masterpiece of sound. It’s a great piece and one that will be revisited many times in the future. A+
Mammoth WVH - II
2023 10 tracks (48:14)
Eddie Van Halen’s son, Wolfgang, drives this group and he kills it. Great songs, killer guitar licks, and steady vocals as opposed to the showy Haggar/Roth vocals. It would be fair to say Mammoth sounds closer to Green Day than dad’s old band. WVH has a fine sense of melody, rocking techniques, a good voice, and hammers it out consistently. What more could you ask for? A
Interesting Finds
Greta Van Fleet - Starcatcher
2023 10 tracks (42:49)
Fascinating sounding rock group formed by three Kiszka brothers and Danny Wagner from Michigan. Straight forward hard rock, Joshua Kiszka has a voice somewhere between Geddy Lee and Grace Slick. Admittedly, his voice takes getting used to as it isn’t the prettiest voice in rock but the band’s ability to rock out overcomes any of the vocalist’s misgivings. Solid effort. B
Teenage Fanclub - Nothing Lasts Forever
2023 10 tracks (39:28)
This alternative rock band from Scotland plays a throwback style of rock where the tune is more important than the production. This well-received album is their twelfth, they are clearly no spring chickens. It’s warm and inviting throughout. Many enjoyable tunes gives this modern take on an old pop sound new life. B+
The Secret Sisters - Saturn Return
2020 10 tracks (40:34)
The difference between Americana and country is often slight, but it’s unmistakable; this is definitely Americana with some modern elements. The two women here are clearly of one soul and with that is some sweet songs sung with terrific harmony. If in the mood for a softer sound, this can be a winner. B
The Warning - Error
2022 14 tracks (48:56)
This kick-ass trio of women from Mexico should be on every pop radio. Think of them as elevated Bangles. With guitars blazing, they are a force. Much like the Mammoth WVH above, well done straight ahead rock B+
Stephen Malkmus - Traditional Techniques
2020 10 tracks (41:05)
Malkmus plays alternative indie rock with some folk elements featuring acoustic instruments. The songs are pleasant, his voice is not bad if you like Lou Reed intonation, and it doesn’t sound like a rehash of Joni Mitchell songs. It isn’t what you call beautiful. Ugly can work as it does here and there are enough good moments to make a trip to his sound worthwhile. B-
311 - Voyager
2019 13 tracks (44:15)
It’s been thirty some years since 311 put out Music, the first release that showed the incredible balance between ska, rap, and rock. It doesn’t seem like much has changed, the format still holds. Nick Hexum’s steady vocals plays well against Martinez’ rap singing. There is a lot of repetition from prior releases, some of which works (“Dodging Raindrops”) and some of it doesn’t (“Don’t You Worry”). It’s a little stagnant. C
Drive-By Truckers - Welcome 2 Club XIII
2022 9 tracks (42:44)
DBT is a band from Athens, GA that could at times sound like a dead ringer for Neil Young’s band Crazy Horse. The title track, “Welcome 2 Club XIII” (Club Thirteen) sounds just like a bar band number from a southern roadhouse. There is a little of The Replacements in their sound. A little raunchy and rough around the edges, it’s a fun listen. B-
Stone Temple Pilots - Perdida
2020 10 tracks (45:33)
They may have been long associated with the grunge scene, but this album is more like easy listening alternative rock. Probably the main reason is because they used only acoustic instruments. The sounds of Camper Van Beethoven come to mind while listening, just a little more serious than CVB. A terrific surprise from a name I wouldn’t have checked into. B+
Forgettable
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