New music: The Lucky Losers, Radio California

Check out my latest album reviews...

Artist: The Lucky Losers
Title: Arrival (MoMojo Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Mavis Staples, John Nemeth
Tell me more: The Lucky Losers' sixth studio album Arrival is a stellar effort that brings the retro sounds of blues, funk, country blues, 1960's soul, '70s rock and R&B into the here and now. With Cathy Lemons' terrific vocals at the fore, the ensemble of terrific players includes Phil Berkowitz (vocals, harmonica), Chris Burns (keyboards), Simon Govan Smith (guitar), Edgar San Gabriel (bass), drummer Jon Otis and several top-tier guests. Early standouts on the disc include the timely funkified opener "S-C-A-M," delightful harmonica-adorned blues rocker "Sunday Stroller" and powerful "I Believe Her (Because I Am Here)" — the latter a track about the sexual abuse of young girls penned by Lemons. Later highlights include "Sorry Brother" (featuring Berkowitz's masterful harmonica playing), the soulful "My Father's Song" featuring Berkowitz on lead vocals), grooving "Pig Iron Tough" and emotive horns-filled ballad "Don't Let It Slip Away." Information: theluckylosers.com.

Artist: Radio California
Title: Youth (Radio California)

You might like if you enjoy: The Pixies, Husker Dü, Bob Mould
Tell me more: Blending post punk and alt rock stylings with an undeniable amount of melodic songcraft, Radio California's latest album Truth boasts a slew of great tracks. The rousing opener "Antoinette Squad" with its surf rock guitar overtones, the hypnotic noise pop sortie "Keep Jumping," driving "Girls in L.A.," indie rocker "Porcelain Nights," shimmering "Empty Champagne Glass," explosive title cut and dreamy "Rich Girl" are among the outstanding originals on the title. In addition to lead-singer/guitarist Jesse Ojeda, the Southern California-based band includes drummer Jeff Williams, bassist/backing vocalist Daniel Marker and lead guitarist Steve Shoemaker. Information: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100045496762199. 

Robert Kinsler 

New music: Julian Lennon, Crossword Smiles, Built to Spill

New albums from singer-songwriter Julian Lennon, melody-minded newcomers Crossword Smiles, and Boise, Idaho-spawned indie rocker Built to Spill are highlighted in my latest column.

Artist: Julian Lennon

Title: Jude (BMG)

You might like if you enjoy: David Bowie, John Lennon, Ron Sexsmith

Tell me more: It's hard to believe, but singer-songwriter Julian Lennon's amazing new album Jude marks the artist's first new full-length studio album since 2011's Everything Changes. The wonderful news for fans of Lennon is the artist's skills as a songwriter and singer of literate and expressive songcraft is as potent as ever. Jude is filled with emotive and lush originals including the soaring "Round and Round," Baroque power ballad "Love Don't Let Me Down," shimmering "Freedom," gorgeous "Love Never Dies," French-flavored "Gaia" (the latter a collaboration with Paul Buchanan of Scottish band The Blue Nile and Elissa Lauper), yearning art rocker "Breathe," and ambitious "Stay" with its enthralling jazz and experimental sections. A fantastic return. Information: JulianLennon.com.

Artist: Crossword Smiles

Title: Pressed & Ironed (Big Stir Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Crowded House, Badfinger, Dada

Tell me more: Michigan-based duo Crossword Smiles has released their terrific debut Pressed & Ironed, a 10-song set of stellar power pop. Led by Tom Curless (formerly of Your Gracious Host) and Chip Saam (bassist with The Hangouts), Crossword Smiles' originals are melodic to be sure but simultaneously showcase a multi-layered and inventive approach; for example the lead single "Parallel Lines" could have been a collaboration between members of Crowded House and Dada with its perfect fusion of artful harmonies, a dynamic rhythmic groove and luxurious arrangement. Other highlights on the marvelous album include the sweeping opener "Feet on the Ground," evocative "October Leaves," '60s-mining jangly gem "Where's The Sense," countrified ballad "Walk Softly" and lavish "Second Guesser." The album is now available via audio CD, vinyl and streaming everywhere. Information: BigStirRecords.com.

Artist: Built to Spill

Title: When the Wind Forgets Your Name (Sub Pop Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Dinosaur Jr., Husker Dü

Tell me more: Since launching Built to Spill in 1992, singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Doug Martsch has carved out a wide-ranging and highly-acclaimed path including 1994's There's Nothing Wrong With Love and 1999's Keep It Like a Secret. Now Built to Spill — whose only permanent member over the past 30 years is Martsch — has joined forces with Brazilian punk rock artist Le Almeida and his long-time collaborator, João Casaes, on the wonderful disc When the Wind Forgets Your Name. Built to Spill's ninth album is filled with glorious alt rock ranging from the psychedelic garage rocker "Fool's Gold" and bouncy "Rocksteady" to the melodic nugget "Understood," hypnotic cut "Spiderweb" (the latter which recalls a mix of early R.E.M. and Husker Dü) and the tender "Alright." The album's closing cut "Comes a Day" is eight and a half minutes of enthralling rock whose driving rhythm is adorned with colorful shades of distorted guitar. Information: BuiltToSpill.com.

Robert Kinsler

Bob Mould box set 'Distortion:1989-2019,' pushed to release Oct. 23; Upcoming album 'Blue Hearts' out this Friday Sept. 25

A quick update on the release date of the much-anticipated Bob Mould box set...

Bob Mould box set DISTORTION: 1989-2019 is rescheduled to come out Oct. 23, 2020

 

Upcoming album BLUE HEARTS arrives on Friday, Sept. 25, 2020 via Merge Records

Bob Mould / Photo credit: Blake Little Photography

The massive Bob Mould box set Distortion: 1989-2019, originally slated for early October has been pushed back to October 2, 2020. Mould’s upcoming studio album, Blue Hearts will come out this Friday, September 25. 

Blast From The Past Via Recent Releases

For discerning listeners seeking out special releases profiling under-the-radar artists as well as those looking for special reissues, early 2019 has already revealed a parade of strong titles.

Artist: Van Duren
Title: Waiting: The Van Duren Story (Original Documentary Soundtrack)
You might like if you enjoy: Big Star, Alex Chilton, Paul McCartney
Tell me more: Wow! Before listening to the recently-issued Waiting: The Van Duren Story I had not ever heard of Van Duren despite his links with Big Star (he was in Baker Street Regulars, a post-Big Star band with Chris Bell and Jody Stephens) and Memphis' famed Ardent Studios. Blessed with a voice that recalls the best of a youthful Paul McCartney and "In Color"-era Cheap Trick singer Robin Zander, Van Duren shines across the new collection that compiles fabulous studio and live cuts recorded between 1975 and 1986. A wonderful vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, Van Duren's songwriting also astounds. The gems here include the piano-anchored "Grow Yourself Up" and tender jazz-tinged "Waiting" (both off Van Duren's 1978 solo debut LP "Are You Serious?), melodic rocker "Make A Scene" (off Van Duren's 1979 disc "Idiot Optimism") and previously-unreleased power pop standout "Andy, Please" (featuring Jody Stephens on drums and backing vocals). The special collection also includes several great live tracks, with the McCartney-flavored "Yellow Light" showcasing Van Duren's soulful vocals. You can learn more about this wonderful album as well as the related documentary about Van Duren on the Omnivore Recordings website. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.

Artist: John Denver
Title: Leaving On A Jet Plane (Varèse Sarabande Records)
You might like if you enjoy: John Denver, Dan Fogelberg
Tell me more: Before his successful solo career in the 1970s, singer-songwriter John Denver was a member of two talented singing groups in the late '60s. A member of the Mitchell Trio and Denver, Boise & Johnson, a dozen tracks captured between 1967 and 1968 from those two ensembles are featured on the aptly-titled Leaving On A Jet Plane. In addition to the original versions of his songs "Leaving on a Jet Plane" (there are two different versions of that classic) and "Take Me To Tomorrow," the stellar track listing includes the beautiful "Baby, That's Where It Is" and English music hall-flavored "Like To Deal With the Ladies As Sung In The Shower Accompanied By a Twenty-Seven Piece Band" (both featuring the Mitchell Trio), and a previously-unissued version of Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now" and Tom Paxton's tender "Victoria Dines Alone"  (courtesy of Denver, Boise & Johnson). The buoyant version of the Denver-penned "Take Me To Tomorrow" is among this writer's favorite cuts on the collection. The audio CD version also includes insightful liner notes penned by Mike Ragogna and historic photos of Denver from that era. Fans of the late Denver will want to seek out this terrific dozen-song set. Information: VareseSarabande.com.

Artist: Soul Asylum
Title: While You Were Out (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Soul Asylum, Husker Dü, the Replacements
Tell me more: Fans of Minneapolis-spawned rockers Soul Asylum can celebrate the release of Omnivore Recordings' While You Were Out, a killer title that features Soul Asylum's final two indie releases (1986's While You Were Out and the 1989 EP Clam Dip & Other Delights). Stuffed to the max with 24 tracks encompassing both of the original Twin/Tone Records releases as well as previously-unissued bonus tracks, the sound here blends the fury of punk and hard-charging indie spirit of the area's best-known proponents (notably the Replacements and Husker Dü). Listening to the blistering-meets-artful "Freaks," melodic punk rocker "Carry On," anthem "Crashing Down" and genre-splitting "Just Plain Evil" is to hear a band on the verge of Grammy-winning and widespread acclaim via early '90s hits such as "Runaway Train" and "Somebody to Shove." Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.

Artist: W.G. Snuff Walden
Title: The West Wing: Original Television Soundtrack (Varèse Sarabande Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Television and movie soundtracks
Tell me more: Those who were not able to get the special limited edition two-disc The West Wing soundtrack released as part of Varese Sarabande Records' "We Hear You" series several years ago are in luck. The record label has just issued a single-disc version of "The West Wing: Original Television Soundtrack" featuring composer W.G. Snuff Walden's memorable music for the long-running series. The full-length collection includes an impressive 29 tracks, all of which helped enhance the series (that won nine Emmy Awards at the end of its debut season in 2000 including Best Drama Series). Information: VareseSarabande.com.



Robert Kinsler