Johnny Marr, Sarah Borges, Urge Overkill and Scorpions are back with outstanding new studio albums. Also worth celebrating is the 30th Anniversary Edition of Natalie Cole's acclaimed Unforgettable...With Love available now.
Title: Fever Dreams Pts 1-4 (New Voodoo/BMG)
You might like if you enjoy: The Smiths, Johnny Marr, New Order, The The
Tell me more: Since Johnny Marr embarked on his bona fide solo career in 2013 with the release of his debut effort The Messenger, the British singer-songwriter/guitar master has carved out an essential new chapter in his career that builds on his immense contributions with The Smiths, the Pretenders, The The, 7 Worlds Collide, Modest Mouse and more. Add to that growing legacy the release of his ambitious new album Fever Dreams Pts 1-4. The 16-track album — which runs more than 72 minutes — finds Marr at the top of his game using his sharp vocals, signature guitar work and honed songcraft in the service of another truly incredible album. The thrilling opener "Spirit Power & Soul," hypnotic "All These Days," 1980s-meets-2022 "Hideaway Girl" and fiery modern rocker "Tenement Time" are among the thrilling early entries on the must-hear collection. The second half of the album continues to showcase Marr's razor-sharp approach as evidenced by the spellbinding "The Speed of Love," infectious "Night and Day," driving "The Whirl" and meditative closer "Human." Information: JohnnyMarr.com.
Title: Together Alone (Blue Corn Music)
You might like if you enjoy: Rosanne Cash, Aimee Mann, Sarah Borges
Tell me more: Years from now music historians will likely shine a reflective light on the myriad of masterworks created amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic that stopped the world in its tracks in early 2020. Among the albums deserving of their future attention — and ours now — is Sarah Borges' excellent Together Alone. Recorded remotely with her longtime producer Eric "Roscoe" Ambel, Together Alone features 10 original songs anchored by Borges' marvelous talents as singer, songwriter and guitarist. The lead-off track "Wasting My Time" sets up the lyrical themes and inviting soundscape to come with Borges singing: "It's been a while now since I've seen my friends / Don't know when I'm gonna see 'em again / Without them around / It's harder to pretend that I know where I'm going." The buoyant rocker "Lucky Day," rootsy "Wouldn't Know You" (featuring nice lead guitar work and piano playing from Amber), poetic "13th Floor," rollicking "You Got Me On The Boat" and introspective "Together Alone" are among the great songs on the disc. Ambel's liner notes add insight into the challenges and rewards of the way that Borges and a cast of great players — including members of NRBQ and The Bottle Rockets — were able to complete the recording of this superb album. Information: bluecornmusic.com.
Title: Oui (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: The Replacements, Husker Dü, Weezer
Tell me more: Back with their first new album since 2011's Rock & Roll Submarine, Chicago-based Urge Overkill's Oui marks a wonderful addition to the discography of the Nash Kato- and King Roeser-led troupe. The duo's loose and energetic Rolling Stones-on-steroids approach shines across the long-awaited album. Urge Overkill's parade of killer cuts on Oui includes a sparkling reworked version of George Michael's Wham!-era "Freedom," the tuneful "I Been Ready," rapid-fire "Forgiven," wistful "Litany" and crunchy "Won't Let Go." Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.
Title: Rock Believer (Spinefarm)
You might like if you enjoy: Deep Purple, Scorpions, UFO
Tell me more: Crank it up. Famed German rockers Scorpions are back with the pedal-to-the-metal Rock Believer, created during the global pandemic in Hanover. The venerable hard rock quintet fires through 11 melody-minded rockers including the opening sortie "Gas In The Tank," ripping "Roots In My Boots," soaring "Shining Of Your Soul," poignant "Seventh Sun," inspired "Peacemaker" and lovely closer "When You Know (Where You Come From)." Many of the songs celebrate the band's strong ties with their fans and the music they play; there is a growing appreciation of their lasting place 55+ years into their marathon rock 'n' roll run (the band has reportedly sold more than 100 million records since 1972). Indeed, on the title track lead vocalist Klaus Meine sings: "Scream for me screamer / I'm a rock believer / like you just like you / Come on scream for me screamer / I'm a rock believer, like you just like you." The audio CD release is packaged in a 4-panel digipak and comes with a 16-page booklet. Information: scorpions.com.
Title: Unforgettable...With Love [30th Anniversary Edition] (Craft Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Natalie Cole, Nat King Cole, David Foster
Tell me more: Long before she recorded Unforgettable...With Love at the dawn of the 1990s, Natalie Cole had often been encouraged to complete a collection of songs that had been recorded by her late father Nat King Cole. Unforgettable...With Love was ultimately Natalie Cole's most successful album, selling more than seven million copies and earning the artist a number of Grammys including Album of the Year, Record of the Year and Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance for the title track. Now the 1991 album has been newly remastered and sounds better than ever. Natalie Cole brings her own signature style to classic material, her soprano bringing technical precision and emotional warmth to uptempo numbers ("Route 66," "This Can't Be Love," "Orange Colored Sky"), slower nuggets ("Mona Lisa," the jazzy "That Sunday That Summer," the gorgeous ballad "Too Young") and many of the most beloved songs of the 20th century (notably Charlie Chaplin's "Smile," George and Ira Gershwin's "Our Love Is Here To Stay," Irving Gordon's "Unforgettable" and Nat King Cole's own "Straighten Up and Fly Right"). In addition to the inclusion of all 22 selections featured on the original release, the 30th Anniversary Edition of Unforgettable...With Love includes two bonus tracks ("At Last" and "Cottage For Sale"). A wonderful 24-page booklet includes extensive liner notes and historical photos of Natalie Cole with her legendary father. Information: CraftRecordings.com.
Robert Kinsler
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