Just Listen! Stellar New Albums

There are some really strong discoveries to be made this spring, including stellar returns from Matthew Sweet, Tower of Power and Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson, as well as two outstanding deluxe reissues featuring singer-songwriter Steve Wynn.

Artist: Matthew Sweet
Title: Tomorrow's Daughter (Honeycomb Hideout / MRI)
You might like if you enjoy: Jason Falkner, Big Star, Cheap Trick
Tell me more: Matthew Sweet has long been one of power pop's most talented and important voices. On his latest album Tomorrow's Daughter, Sweet finds new sonic pay dirt in shimmering guitar work, propulsive rhythms, lovely melodies and exhilarating choruses. It all makes for one great listen, with every track on the dozen-song set a genuine winner. The jangle pop of "Lady Frankenstein" is an early standout, with Sweet's skills as tunesmith and singer on full display. The wistful "Years" has more than a trace of melancholy, exploring regret with elegiac candor. The garage rocker "Out Of My Misery" is one of those driving rockers bolstered by the three-guitar attack of Jason Victor, John Moremen and Sweet as well as the great drumming of Ric Menck. The Beatlesque "Belong To You," baroque pop of "Ever After" (featuring the Bangles' Debbi Peterson on drums), psychedelia-tinged "Passerby" and indie rocker "Show Me" explore the other stellar reaches of the Lincoln, Nebraska native's musical reach. Information: matthewsweet.com.

Artist: Tower of Power
Title: Soul Side of Town (Artistry Music)
You might like if you enjoy: Tower of Power, The Heavy
Tell me more: Celebrating their 50th anniversary this year, legendary Tower of Power are back with a new album, Soul Side of Town, that fully delivers the horn section-based group's signature brand that masterfully blends R&B, soul, funk and jazz. The 10-member Bay Area group (which includes four of their founding members) continues to celebrate and refine its classic sound and style, with the troupe's spectacular horn section enhanced by a potent rhythm punch, as well as flashy guitar work and keyboards. Lead vocalist Marcus Scott has a powerful voice able to further propel Tower of Power's celebration-minded approach. A collection anchored by the killer title track, "Soul Side of Town" includes a slew of great songs including the percussion-fueled "East Bay! All Day!," funky "Hangin' With My Baby," the shining R&B ballad "When Love Takes Control" and aptly-dubbed "Do It With Soul." The amazing horn arrangements dazzle everywhere, including on "After Hours" and "Butter Fried." Information: TowerOfPower.com.  

Artist: Steve Wynn
Titles: Kerosene Man; Dazzling Display (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: The Dream Syndicate, the Baseball Project, John Doe
Tell me more: After fronting his seminal band the Dream Syndicate for the better part of the 1980s, Steve Wynn embarked on a successful solo career that expanded his musical range. The beginning of that solo journey is celebrated across the recently-reissued and expanded editions of his first two solo efforts, 1990's Kerosene Man and 1992's Dazzling Display. The range of material on each album is stunning; take "Kerosene Man" with the far-flung likes of "The Blue Drifter" (an Americana-styled lyrical tale with Steve Berlin's baritone sax capturing the mood perfectly), the edgy rocker "Younger," Latin foray "Under the Weather" and fiery heartland-styled rocker "Something to Remember Me By" about as different from each other as imaginable. Add to that intoxicating mix a duet with Concrete Blonde singer Johnette Napolitano, the stirring "Conspiracy of the Heart," and six bonus tracks recorded live originally on a rare promo-only vinyl "Straight to the Swapmeet: Legendary Authorized Bootleg" disc. 

On Wynn's sophomore solo disc Dazzling Display the results are just as glorious — with the swirling rocker "Drag," reflective "Halo," rollicking folk rocker "A Dandy in Disguise" and the magnetic, thought-provoking title track "Dazzling Display" resound with the same power today as when they were originally released 25 years ago. This writer's favorite track on the disc is the radiant power pop nugget "Tuesday" (featuring Peter Buck's 12-string guitar, John Wesley Harding's harmonica and backing vocals from Susan Cowsill, the Bangles' Vicki Peterson, and the Turtles' Flo and Eddie). The bonus tracks included on Dazzling Display include live covers of Sonic Youth's "Kool Thing" and Paul Simon's "Boy in the Bubble." Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.

Artist: Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson
Title: Apart (Capitol Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Pete Yorn, Scarlett Johansson, the Postal Service
Tell me more: Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson have returned with another great collaboration, with the new EP Apart being the long-awaited follow-up to the duo's 2009 wonderful debut album Break Up. The new set takes a probing look at one-time lovers living life apart. The release launches with the infectious dream pop of "Iguana Bird," a song that probes the aftermath of a couple divided as the two singers' voices uniformly proclaim "I Love You" delivered amidst a glimmering and intoxicating sheen. "Bad Dreams" is just as inviting with an undeniable chorus and the two singers' voices blending to create a singularly voice of its own.  "Movies" plays out via a dreamy moodscape, Yorn's distant keyboards-bolstered vocals suddenly doubled by Johansson's rich soprano; "Cigarillo" is folk rock perfection. The 18-minute disc ends with the decidedly-modern "Tomorrow," Johansson showcasing her evocative vocals amidst an electronica soundscape.  Information: PeteYorn.com.




Robert Kinsler