HCTF's annual list of the 20 albums that will be in regular rotation for many years to come. As per usual many genres are represented. Here Comes The Flood covers a lot of ground and it shows in this eclectic, final tally. Caveat: only albums that got a review are in these listings. I listen to a lot more music than I have time to write about.
Today: countdown from number 10 to 6.
Please shop at your local record store. Most of the stores have a pretty good website where you can order your stuff. It might even be cheaper than the big ones on the 'net. The folks who work there know their stuff and can recommend artists you might like.
Buy directly from the artist, attend live shows and stop by the merch table. And be sure to tell your friends about that great new act you discovered. Word-of-mouth can't be beat as the prime source to discover new music. Algorithms always play it safe, which is fucking boring.
10 J.M. Hart: Turned Around
Folk is the genre to ask questions and making a stand. And going electric helps to be heard.
He has a deep knowledge of North-American roots music, which he has put to good use, giving nods to Neil Young, Gene Clark and of course the undisputed champion of Cosmic music, Gram Parsons. Turned Around is an intimate album, a celebration of storytelling. He holds on to the numbers that the clock is showing back home, while he was Nashville during a snowstorm (Central Time), stares at the cards that life has dealt him in the title track, and goes all out with a lengthy progressive folk instrumental part in Holding On as a showcase for the lengthy hours he put in honing his guitar skills.
9 Glyn Bailey: Oran's World
Orchestral pop that shines a light on humankind without judgement, but wonder. Old school? Yes. Timeless. Also yes.
The album's stand-out track is Dinner with Bowie, a heartfelt ballad for his musical hero - he lifted a few notes from Warszawa - picturing people engaging in a slow dance, leading up to short crescendo before the keyboards take over for the coda with a seamless segue into The Presence of Love. Dave Archer of Last Riff Studio in Cincinnati did a wonderful job tweaking the tracks to bring each note to its designated spot in the listening experience. Oran's World is a treat for the ears as well a reminder that people can be kind against all odds
8 The Melody Chamber: The Melody Chamber
Americans in love with the sound of the British. Some of the "special relationship" is still there thankfully.
This album is a true labour of love, out of step what is popular right and not giving a fuck about that. They know that catering to the cognoscenti won't buy them mansions. And since Deckelman and Dietz are partners at Sound of Music Studios, they did not have to worry about the clock when they were recording. It gave them the opportunity to carefully balance everything, allowing each note to contribute to a multi-faceted, shapeshifting canvas of sound.
7 Mike Keneally and Marcelo Radulovich: Thursday
Avant-garde isn't scary or difficult. It's adventurous and can serve as a gateway to uncharted territory listeners were unaware of.
For Thursday, the fourth album of their week day album series, multi-instrumentalists Mike Keneally and Marcelo Radulovich went back a couple of decades, using cassettes that were recorded decades ago and use them as stepping stones for twisted party songs. It is all firmly rooted in the avant-garde and post-rock brackets, but some it is accessible for the uninitiated.
6 Tullycraft: Shoot the Point
Twee pop veterans are back with a vengeance. Sharp-witted as always, handing out pro tips to handle life's questions and stumble blocks.
Love and falling out of love run through pretty much all of the tracks, with plenty of wit, sarcasm and dark humour. Paris is the city of light where romance is a given? Nope, check out Love on the Left Bank for a reality check. Clear Nail Polish will relate to anyone who has been stuck in a rut with a significant other who prefers getting pissed off in stead of doing something to make life bearable and being kind for a chance. And then there it the clear invitation to dance as if no one is watching (Jeanie’s Up Again and Blaring Faith by the Cure).
No comments:
Post a Comment