Three terrific releases are featured in my column this week.
Title: All Of This Will End In Tears (Big Stir Records)
You might like if you enjoy: The Strypes, The Replacements, The Plimsouls, Cheap Trick
Tell me more: Detroit-based rock outfit Popular Creeps has released the terrific album All Of This Will End In Tears, one of the last notable new releases of 2022. Popular Creeps' hybrid of melodic songcraft and garage rock bite proves to be a winning formula across the fast-moving 11-track disc. There is an immediacy heard on the straightforward "Black & Blue," "Gone By 45," and "Wait & See" that bewitches with a single listen. Elsewhere the jangly "Window" and "Split Decision," wistful "Keep It To Myself" (the latter enhanced by stunning guitar work including an extended solo to cap the song's rousing finale), countrified folk rocker "Wait Forever," punk rocker "Tear Me Apart" and emotional closer "Favorite Picture" add to the far-flung magic. The members of Popular Creeps (guitarist-vocalist Lenny Grassa, guitarist-vocalist Andrew Colvin, bassist Joe Heaphy and drummer Dave Nantais) have an obvious musical chemistry that is both impressive and palpable. Information: BigStirRecords.com.
Title: Lagoon (Sparkle Plenty Records/Deko Entertainment)
You might like if you enjoy: Big Star, Jason Falkner, Crowded House, Pugwash, Bird Streets' 2018 self-titled debut
Tell me more: Bird Streets — the moniker for singer-songwriter John Brodeur — is back with the ambitious Lagoon. An album of luxurious and literate songs aimed at "separation, rumination, regret and recurrence," the artistic scope of the dozen track collection is elevated by an incredible list of notable collaborators who guest on the project. Indeed, Brodeur's considerable talents as lead singer and guitarist are bolstered by the likes of Aimee Mann, Jody Stephens (Big Star), Ed Harcourt, John Davis, and Buddy Judge (The Grays) along with the production skills of Patrick Sansone (Wilco), Michael Lockwood (Aimee Mann, Fiona Apple), and Zach Jones (Sting) and Oscar Albis Rodriguez (A Great Big World). While the initial recording of Lagoon spanned from the earliest sessions in Nashville in 2019 through time at Ardent Studios in Memphis in February 2020, the sudden arrival of the COVID-19 global pandemic ultimately found Brodeur turning to Los Angeles-based producer Lockwood to work on the project via remote technology for the home stretch. Each and every song on Lagoon hits its mark; the confessional opener "Sleeper Agent," emotive "The Document" (the latter one of the most striking breakup songs in memory), soaring "Let You Down," haunting "Leave No Trace" (featuring Davis' artful sitar playing), confessional "Disappearing Act" and Baroque pop sortie "Unkind" are among the wonderful songs on the masterful collection. Information: birdstreetsmusic.com.
Title: Lyceum '72 (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: The Grateful Dead, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Gram Parsons
Tell me more: A magical trip back 50 years awaits music fans who check out New Riders of the Purple Sage's Lyceum '72, a previously unissued opening set from the last night of the Grateful Dead's 1972 European Tour. New Riders of the Purple Sage — whose original lineup included several members of the Grateful Dead —shine across the 17-track concert recording that was recorded on a 16-track machine by Dead engineers Betty Cantor, Janet Furman, Bob Matthews, Rosie McGee and Wizard. The quintet's take on country music is infectious and many of the selections here are familiar beyond the Americana genre. The rowdy "Hello Mary Lou," uptempo "Truck Drivin' Man," infectious "Dim Lights, Thick Smoke (And Loud, Loud Music)" and countrified take on The Rolling Stones' "Honky Tonk Women" are among the wonderful tracks on the disc. Lyceum '72 is available on audio CD and digital with packaging containing photographs and a reminiscence from Sam Cutler, tour manager of The Rolling Stones, the Grateful Dead and New Riders of the Purple Sage. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.
Robert Kinsler
No comments:
Post a Comment