A year punctuated by some personal high high's...
Not one but TWO trips to NYC! once in January for Jack White at Madison Square Garden and again in August for the Dead Weather's Dodge and Burn listening party. I ran the jewels with Run the Jewels. I was front and center for The Kills AND Sturgill Simpson at the Ogden. I wrote songs and recorded an Almost Pioneers Demo EP with my main man.
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| Almost Pioneers, Demos EP- we're bringing cd's back (yeah) |
Things on the music front entirely ROCKED!
but were accompanied by some low low's...
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| Sunning & shunning... little Maggie Mae doing what she did best while our best girl Sydney observed |
two freak-storm-house-floods. two deceased family pets- one from sudden disease onset, one from pure badness and old age. there's been a lot of cleaning and crying around here during what we have deemed our Summer of Mold...
But to get me through the bad, as always, there was music... and these are some of my top listens from this past year.
Knowing me, you might think Dodge and Burn is the supreme front runner on my list, especially considering it's long-anticipated arrival. And though it is a true standout (with its own deserved post in the works) by the time it finally reached me, it couldn't top my Vile state of mind.
A brother as into music as you are can be a great source for finding new stuff to listen to without the foot work. And mine delivered with the Kurt Vile rec. Yes I'd heard of Kurt Vile. No I hadn't listened to Kurt Vile. And it has been So.NICE! to discover him via 'b'lieve I'm goin' down'. Holy shit! what an album. From start to finish- 3 discs, bonus tracks and all- I am so completely enamored with this, his sixth album. I can't help but drift into its weird, wandering, dreamlike state of sound. It so reflects my mood for this year. It's been the warm blanket I didn't even know I needed. In an interview I listened to this past fall he mentions finding the sweet spot of the song, the parts that make you almost cry a little they're so beautiful and GODDAMN if he doesn't capture that perfectly with just about every song on this album, then I'm not hearing it right. I can't quite put my finger on one exact thing, but from his enunciation's of certain words, the rambling grunge cum country guitar riffs, to his staggered delivery style of cleverly crafted lines, it has grabbed my absolute attention. If you aren't yet familiar, I'd highly recommend checking out his most recent KEXP and KCRW sets, and most especially this album. I know my 2016 will consist of a Vile back catalog search and isn't that a great thing to look forward to.
Who doesn't want to get wasted on The Dream? Count me in. Or maybe I already am. Who knows anymore. Anyhoo, Jeff the Brotherhood took their fate back into their own Infinity Cat hands this year with the release of their 'Wasted on the Dream'.
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I would say their most commercial album to date, but it felt good as a follow up to Hypnotic Nights. A grand combination of all of the JEFF sounds. A great listen when it's too early for Heavy Days, yet you don't quite feel like a Champion. I dig it's kind of pop-rock nash-punk sound.
Coming into this year I was riding on a pretty big Big Bang kick. A WaxO reissue of Daniel Finnemore's ye olde band of his UK days, they came to my attention via Tom Needham (another friend always so en pointe with his musical mentions). Absolutely the perfect segue into the new Low Cut Connie album, Hi Honey, which was released via Contender Records in April.
We had the pleasure to see Dan along with his East Coast counterpart Mr. Adam Weiner, back in March at our local Lost Lake where instant hits like 'Shake it Little Tina' and 'Diane (Don't Point That Thing at Me)' wormed their way into my brain. If you aren't familiar and want to get the true essence of Low Cut Connie in one album, this is it. 'Little Queen of New Orleans' is one of my personal favorite standout's that showcases not only Weiner's far reaching talents as front man and vocalist, but also the overall groove of the band. A great bunch of guys who not only made my 2015 list, but also the Presidential Summer Playlist (#POTUS) with their song 'Boozophilia' off their LP 'Call Me Sylvia'! Much congrats to the Connie Boys on that one!
Of course, as incestuous as rock and roll is, Low Cut Connie and Big Bang led me to some other favorite releases from this year, this time featuring LCC's guitarist James Everhart and drummer Will Donnelly in their conglomeration of Scantron. Not Scranton, S.C.A.N.T.R.O.N. You betta come correct.
Their introductory EP appeared on vinyl this year via Grimtale Records and was quickly followed up by their sophomore EP 'Palamino Blackwing', released by Lazy Boy Record Co. Both are solidly stellar, Everhart shines as a front man and their brand of garage rock sticks to your ribs and then some. Although I'm pretty partial to my Grim coinflip
the test press for PB probably won me over the most.
And yeah, I'm pretty sure there needs to be a tour featuring all 3 of these fine bands.
Moving on, one of my favorite 'indie' releases this year came a band I was familiar with but hadn't yet paid too much attention to. Off Nicholas Gagnon's Fonoflo label, Brother O' Brother's 'Show Pony' has quickly become one of my most frequent spins. (toe to toe with Vile guys!)
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Reminiscent in some fashion to early Stripes material, Chris Banta and Warner Swopes leave you little time to ponder what you're hearing because you're too busy rocking out. SOOOOOOOOO excited (like, I can't even tell you how excited I am) for their upcoming split 7" release my favorite Austin duo The Ghost Wolves, anticipated for 2016 arrival, also from the Fonoflo camp.
I couldn't let the year go by without mentioning PUJOL. His latest EP 'Kisses' is brain food you shouldn't skip over in search of the desserts table. If you're having a hard time with the First World state of things in the universe, this EP may give you some insight as to how to deal with those qualms, if not at least providing you something to groove to on our way down.
With new drummer Benji Coale, the band has seemingly crossed this divide I didn't even realize had existed, where once they were the sum of parts and now they are a distinct entity unto themselves. Zach even got proper Rock Star hair! It now goes to 11.
Last but certainly not least, 'In the Blazes' from Aaron Lee Tasjan.
Man oh man had I been looking forward to this one! If 'Crooked River Burning' was one of the prettiest EP's I've ever heard, this is perhaps one of the most fun LP's I've come across in a hot minute (and trust me, I mean that in THE BEST possible way). From the cover art to songs like 'The Trouble With Drinking' and 'Bitch Can't Sing', Tasjan delivers wit through song and I just sit and eat it up with a big ol' spoon. And those iron on transfers??? That's some classic merch right there. He's gained so much ground this past year, traveling around and making new fans, I can't wait to see how his 2016 progresses and wish him all the best.
A ton of great tunes in the pipeline for 2016- more on that later- but for the moment, to all of the musicians listed here, much thanks for the music! You seriously can't even know what a bright spot and inspiration you have provided for me. Would also love to thank the musicians/ artists who were so kind as to participate in Q&A's with me this past year. I really appreciate your indulgence of my interest, and trust that your words have not gone unheeded.
Happy New Year! And 2015, don't let the door hit ya...
