In this column I review three outstanding new audio titles available now.
Title: Wild Spirit (The National Parks)
You might like if you enjoy: The Lumineers, the National Parks
Tell me more: Beloved Americana quartet The National Parks are back with their newly-released sixth studio album, Wild Spirit. The Provo, Utah quartet — Brady Parks (vocals, guitar), Sydney Macfarlane (vocals, keyboards), Cam Brannelly (drums) and Megan Parks (violin) — utilize soaring harmonies, authentic musicianship, lush arrangements and compelling song craft to transport the listener to wide open vistas. Wild Spirit features a myriad of sweeping gems, including the romantic "Caves" and "Scenic Route," reflective title track, dreamy "Sightseeing," rollicking "Take A Hike" and buoyant "Hinterland Reverie." The National Parks embark on their "Wild Spirit Tour" beginning on Sept. 6 and there are early October dates in Southern California and Phoenix, AZ. The group is really a powerful live act, as this writer witnessed when they performed at the Pure Imagination Festival in Prescott, AZ in May 2024. Information: thenationalparksband.com.
Title: The Boy Who Ran the Paisley Hotel (Slumberland Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Rain Parade, Teenage Fanclub, The Dream Syndicate, Johnny Marr
Tell me more: San Francisco-based power pop heroes Chime School is back with a wonderful new album, The Boy Who Ran the Paisley Hotel, a terrific follow up to singer-songwriter Andy Pastalaniec's 2021 self-titled debut. The songs across Chime School's sophomore full-length disc are uniformly melodic and glisten with a mix of dreamy moodscapes, jangly guitars, intoxicating rhythms and alluring song writing. Recorded by Pastalaniec himself at his home studio, "these songs are also very much rooted in the Bay Area of 2024, boasting both lyrical gestures to gentrification's destruction, beloved shuttered bars and theaters, as well as a songwriting collaboration with SF native Mike Ramos of Tony Jay/Flowertown fame on the album's penultimate song," according to a media release. This writer's favorites include the wonderful opener "The End," playful "Give Your Heart Away," Johnny Marr-flavored "Another Way Home," the reflective "Words You Say," propulsive 12-string guitar adorned "Say Hello" and wistful "Negative Monday." Information: slumberlandrecords.com.
Artist: Oasis
Title: Definitely Maybe [30th Anniversary 2CD edition] (Big Brother Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Oasis, Blur, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, Paul Weller
Tell me more: August 30th saw the release of Oasis' Definitely Maybe (30th Anniversary) Deluxe Editions, an eagerly-awaited reissue of the British band's beloved 1994 debut released via Limited Edition Deluxe 4LP and Deluxe 2CD formats as well as as exclusive colored vinyl formats, cassette and digital — all formats include the 2014 remastered version of the album along with outtakes from the definitive album sessions at Sawmills Studios in Cornwall. Additional insight into the creation of the album by Liam Gallagher (vocals), Noel Gallagher (lead guitar, backing vocals), Paul Arthurs (rhythm guitar), Paul McGuigan (bass) and Tony McCarroll (drums) are early recordings of eight songs tracked at Monnow Valley Studio in 1993.
The 2CD version reviewed here is definitely worthy of adding to any rock music lover's library; insightful liner notes penned by Hamish MacBain and colorful artwork featured in a 24-page booklet enhance the special reissue. Oasis' Definitely Maybe is truly one of the great debut albums of all time; timeless classics including a slew of winning singles ("Supersonic," "Shakermaker," "Live Forever" and "Cigarettes & Alcohol") and treasured album tracks ("Rock 'n' Roll Star," "Columbia" and "Slide Away") are as exhilarating in 2024 as they were when first heard in 1994. Disc 2 highlights abound including the Monnow Valley Studio takes on "Rock 'n' Roll Star," "Live Forever," "Up In The Sky" (the latter adorned by a psychedelic vibe), "Bring It On Down," and Sawmills Outtakes of "Columbia" and "Digsy's Dinner"; a beautiful acoustic-flavored recording of "Sad Song (Mauldeth Road West Demo, Nov. '92)" closes out the terrific reissue. The good news is the world will get to hear many of the Definitely Maybe classics when Oasis returns to play together live next year for the first time in more than 16 years as part of the "Oasis Live '25 Tour." Information: https://oasisinet.com/home/.
Robert Kinsler
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