Title: Ruins (Columbia)
You might like if you enjoy: Emmylou Harris, First Aid Kit
Tell me more: The world's most amazing young Americana group is actually a duo from Sweden. Comprised of sisters Klara and Johanna Sรถderberg, First Aid Kit has released one of the first epic albums of 2018, the masterful Ruins. The siblings each have exceptional voices that soar alone but when blended together the results are never less than otherworldly. Take the first song "Rebel Heart," – locked together across the intoxicating verses and choruses there is one section leading to a break where timbre of their voices mirror each other via an extended note that is simply dazzling. On the introspective "It's A Shame," their sopranos cascade amidst a sonic backdrop of electric guitar (courtesy of R.E.M.'s Peter Buck), pedal steel, percussion and a sublime mix of piano and organ - the song's nuanced finale has their voices dropping low against light acoustic guitar. Other songs that impress powerfully include the melancholy-laced "Fireworks," countrified "Postcard" and yearning "Distant Star." The lyrics across the disc are gloriously literate as well, solidifying the substantial might of this 10-song release. First Aid Kit is set to perform at Coachella on Saturdays, April 14 and 21. Information: www.FirstAidKitBand.com.
Title: War Between Worlds (BMG)
You might like if you enjoy: U2, Simple Minds
Tell me more: Simple Minds is back with yet another masterwork. The Scottish outfit's new album War Between Worlds is bolstered by an amazing collection of songs that are both artful and intoxicating; listeners who connected with 2014's thrilling Big Music will definitely want to pick up War Between Worlds. The material here blends ethereal synthesizers, infectious rhythms, blazing and soaring guitar work (just listen to the fiery "Barrowland Star") and Jim Kerr's signature vocals. Standouts on the disc abound; the electronica-tinged "Magic" and "The Signal and the Noise," driving "Summer" and dreamy "Utopia" showcase a 40-year-old group still focused on the future. Produced by Simple Minds with Andy Wright and Gavin Goldberg, the album is available on standard and deluxe audio CD, standard, deluxe and picture disc vinyl, and digitally, The deluxe edition features three additional tracks, including the sweeping "Silent Kiss" and a reworked cover of the traditional Irish song "Dirty Old Town" featuring Kerr sharing vocals with Sarah Brown. Information: SimpleMinds.com.
Title: One For All Tour Live in Australia 1989 (Eagle Rock Entertainment)
You might like if you enjoy: The Bee Gees
Tell me more: Time has not dimmed the power of the Bee Gees' distinctive vocal sound and wide-ranging style of melodic songcraft. The release of One For All Tour Live in Australia 1989 on DVD and Blu-ray revisits the Gibb brothers' performance at The National Tennis Centre in Melbourne, Australia in November 1989. Offering sparkling versions of material first forged in the 1960s (including their 1968 break-out U.S. Top 10 hit "I've Gotta Get A Message To You" as well as the enduring ballads "Words," "To Love Somebody" and "I Started A Joke"), their '70s disco hits and then-new material featured on their 1989 album "One," the concert showcases the warmth of the three siblings' relationship with each other and their adoring audience, as well as a wealth of great songs. A tender version of "How Deep Is Your Love" is dedicated to their younger brother Andy Gibb, who had passed away the previous year. A lovely "World" and "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart," as well as a driving "Stayin' Alive" and concert-closing "You Should Be Dancing" are other standouts on this wonderful concert film. Information: www.eagle-rock.com.
Title: Songs, Bond Songs: The Music Of 007 (Curry Cuts)
You might like if you enjoy: Mike Viola, Freedy Johnston, Popdudes
Tell me more: Even those who have never spied a James Bond film will likely enjoy Songs, Bond Songs: The Music Of 007. The two-disc audio collection is filled with so many artful and creative covers it's worth crediting album producer Andrew Curry along with the lineup of more than two dozen contributing artists who offer up their own versions of songs featured in five decades worth of 007 flicks. The wistful "From Russia With Love" delivered by The Stereo Twins, evocative "The Look of Love" from Wyatt Funderburk, dance-minded "Diamonds Are Forever" from The Corner Laughers, wonderfully-rocking "Live and Let Die" from the Popdudes and "The Man With The Golden Gun" from Lisa Mychols are early highlights. The sweeping "Moonraker" from Gary Frenay, a splendid folk-styled "For Your Eyes Only" from Freedy Johnston, opulent "All Time High" from Zach Jones, a delightful jazzy reworking of Duran Duran's "A View To A Kill" from Jay Gonzalez, swanky remake of the Bono/The Edge track "GoldenEye" from Identical Suns, a minimalist electronica "Die Another Day" from Big-Box Store and the dreamy "Skyfall" unleashed by Gretchen's Wheel impress later. Songs, Bond Songs: The Music Of 007 is truly an epic listen across both discs. Information: https://currycuts.bandcamp.com.
Robert Kinsler
2 comments:
Absolutely love the new First Aid Kit album. Nice write up and dammit - now you made me want to go to Coachella!!
And as if First Aid Kit was enough of a good reason, The War On Drugs is also playing and that band is truly amazing!
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