Circa Waves: Death & Love, Pt. 1

Liverpool's own Circa Waves are back with some Brit Rock bliss in the form of Death & Love, Pt.1. The record hits one like a shovel to the head in terms of its titanic master of the "dudes with guitars" genre.

Opening track...

The Laughing Chimes: Whispers In The Speech Machine

The Laughing Chimes are quite a wonderful jangle pop band from southeast Ohio. Their latest offering is called Whispers in the Speech Machine and it brings me back to those Lloyd Cole and the Commotions days of the mid 80s and the beginning of my college career. 

Here is one of my faves...

C. Duncan: It's Only A Love Song (Album of the Week)

Glasgow's own C. Duncan is back with yet another soft rock extravaganza guaranteed to make you feel nostalgic for 1970s  AM radio. It's Only A Love Song is his fifth long player and easily his best. 

Example...

There's also tracks that border on the cinematic...

The title track is amazing...

Start listening to this amazing record!

Ringo Starr: Look Up

Ah, Ring. You always make the most fun records. Now you've made a country record and it is just splendid. Look Up is what you were made to do...bring the world joy!

FKA TWIGS: EUSEXUA

The smooth grooves that only FKA twigs can vibe are back with EUSEXUA. She reels us in to world of eroticism and mystery on this one. I feel like I'm in a romantic thriller with cyberpunk themes....

Alpaca Sports: Another Day

Sometimes you are just in the mood for some jangle pop and Swedish duo Alpaca Sports hits that spot just right. Their latest is called Another Day and it's truly an amazing treat of music.

Here is one of my faves and also the lead single...

Michelle: Songs About You Specifically (Album of the Week)

I'm quite happy that my son got me into the band Michelle. The NYC R&B outfit has their third long player out and it's chock full o' musical deliciousness. Songs About You Specifically is an every track must listen kind of record. 

The sonic landscapes...

The pop wonder...

And the shivers and sighs of just great R&B...

Even though it came out late last year, this is likely going to be one of my major soundtracks for 2025. Start listening!

lots of hands: into a pretty room

lots of hands is a true gem of an outfit, hailing from Newcastle Upon Tyne way up in the North. Their latest is called into a pretty room and it is indeed most wonderful. The vibe is quiet and introspective. 

Here is one of my faves...

Metal Bubble Trio: Cucumber

Metal Bubble Trio is quite a pleasant little lounge-y exotica outfit that makes music that spans time. It is it the 1950s and the never ending enchantment under the sea dance. Their latest is called Cucumber and it's an absolute gem. 

Chill out to this vibe...

The Gentle Spring: Looking Back At The World

Parisian pop outfit The Gentle Spring have just dropped Looking Back At The World, a simply gorgeous folk pop record. The vocal arrangements are out of this world beautiful. And the melodies...ah those stunning melodies...

Opening track....

Victoria Canal: Slowly, It Dawns (Album of the Week)

With a very fresh breath of pop, Victoria Canal has dropped Slowly, It Dawns, a veritable cornucopia of simply delightful sounds. The vibe, of course, romance!

The 80's also called and loves it!

There are also some deeply heartfelt moments that tug at the soul...

Start listening!

Franz Ferdinand: The Human Fear (Album of the Week)

Let' s kick off 2025 with a Brit Rock record. Glasgow's own Franz Ferdinand are first out of the gate with a wonderful new offering called The Human Fear. All of the vibe that is Franz Ferdinand is apparent throughout the album (man, I miss that early noughties dudes with guitars era).

Opening track...

And aren't we all every day dreamers?...such a beauty...

We also have this sexy little club number...

A great welcome to the New Year. Start listening! 

Field Music: Limits of Language

Sunderland's own Field Music released a mighty fine record last fall that really hit the spot for me. Limits of Language sees the outfit exploring new sonic frontiers and conquering them. Opening track...

The Soundcarriers: Through Other Reflections

The Soundcarriers are carrying the torch of psychedelic pop proudly into the future. Their latest is called Through Other Reflections and it's their best yet. These Nottingham lads are cosmic!

The National: Rome

I have always been a big fan of live albums. Frampton Comes Alive came out when I was ten years old and all of my friends older brothers and sisters had it. His songs sounded so much better live. 

This is most def the case with The National's Rome which dropped at the very end of last year. The twenty one track set is a shining example of the power and glory that is this Cincinnati band. Check it out!

Saint Etienne: The Night

Let's start off 2025 with some records that snuck out at the end of last year. First up is The Night by one of my all time faves, Saint Etienne. The album gives off a decided cinematic vibe of things that happen in the evening. Make a cocktail for this one!

Love is Hell (and how it became my 3rd favorite album of all time)

I thought I would close out 2024 with a post about how Love Is Hell by Ryan Adams is my third favorite album of all time. While Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys and Abby Road by The Beatles are one and two respectively, Love Is Hell holds a very special place in my heart and is deeply intertwined with my soul. The main reason for this is the comfort it has given me over the years since its release in 2003. 

Before we get into why it's such a salve for me, let's be clear on which edition is the best listen. The initial two EP release in 2003 is the best one. Tracks are as follows:

EP #1 

1. Political Scientist

2. Afraid Not Scared

3. This House Is Not For Sale

4. Love Is Hell 

5. Wonderwall

6. Shadowlands

7. World War 24

8. Avalanche

EP #2 

1. My Blue Manhattan

2. Please Do Not Let Me Go

3. City Rain, City Streets

4. I See Monsters

5. English Girls Approximately

6. Thank You Louise

7. Hotel Chelsea Nights

On the single disc edition released about a year after the EPs, the song "Anyone Want To Take Me Home" is added to make it a full sixteen tracks. As a giant Ryan Adams fan, I don't think this song belongs on Love Is Hell. It fits more with Rock and Roll in terms of style and theme. So, please listen to the double EP edition. 

There is also a Japanese version with seven extra tracks that feel more like B sides if more of the main tracks were released as singles. I would recommend these tracks to listen to as an addendum to the main fifteen tracks on the EPs. In addition, "Wonderwall" was released as a two part single which has two extra tracks and one extra track respectively. These are also more addendums and not really germane to the Love is Hell vibe. 

Now that we have gotten all the nerdy music collector stuff out of the way (and it did have to happen), let's talk about how this record illustrates that Ryan Adams is the greatest living American songwriter. 

The album as a whole brings you into a very dark yet oddly comforting world. Adams is an impeccable story teller, weaving tales of love, heartache and the human condition seamlessly together. The style and theme is perfect for being alone with your thoughts. It's especially poignant for the end of the night, in the darkness, and right before sleep.  

Going to sleep is like a little death, isn't it? I'd bet that every single person out there has, at least once, said to themselves, what if I go to sleep and never wake up? Everyone has things they say to themselves for comfort. My comfort in these moments...my go-to comfort time and time again...is Love is Hell by Ryan Adams.

It kisses me in the lonely darkness of night. From the opening piano of "Political Scientist" to the pomp of "Hotel Chelsea Nights," it holds me close in the night like a warm blanket in the bitter and freezing air of a seemingly endless eternity. Adams' lonely voice spill out into the darkness, loudly echoing into my fucking soul. He taps in to an Americana vibe on each and every track, deeply connecting to the heart and essence of this country. It's a haunted and lost America we are led in to by a deeply gifted artist. 

The first track is "Political Scientist" which tells the story of human relationships in a decaying community. Class strife is all consuming in this track. The next track  "Afraid Not Scared," seems to be set in the same place with the same folks suffering from the same melancholy and societal malaise. Far too many people feel stuck, right? But yet in "This House Is Not For Sale" some people want to stay in the place they call home. Despite the changes in our culture, a triumphant tone is struck. We can make it!

The title track is next as we return to relationships. I imagine a dive bar in a small town as the setting. Love is indeed hell. Terrifying. And yet beautiful as the track right after this one highlights. A cover version of the Oasis song "Wonderwall," Adams' version has been called superior by the writer of the song himself (Noel Gallagher). The echo and the minimal instrumentation just fucking guts me. Could anything in music be more beautiful than this?

The next song is "Shadowlands" which is, hands down, the saddest song I've ever heard. It compels you to wonder where in his heart it came from. It's a gift of music in those most wonderful and deeply painful moments that far too many of us experience. The build/outro at the conclusion is uplifting in its tragedy.

"World War 24" comes next and it's my favorite Ryan Adams song of all time. The love story here is eloquent and beautiful. The detail in the lyrics is shovel to the head stunning in its visual imagery. I feel like I'm that character and can see it all....

The first EP concludes with a delightful track called "Avalanche." It reminds me a great deal of those great AM gold ballads of the late 1970s. 

EP two kicks off with an ode to Manhattan. I've always loved it when artists tell a love story about a city. Adams's voice is particularly wonderful on this track. It's a soundtrack for a snow globe. 

Next we have a track that sums up Adams' acoustic talents. "Please Do Not Let Me Go" is classic Ryan telling a story about relationships. Deep introspection and hope for the future...

"City Rain, City Streets" is spiritual sequel to "My Blue Manhattan." It could be any city really, small or large. We've all been one of "those" walks in our town. This is most definitely the soundtrack to that walk.

"I See Monsters" is likely his most autobiographical song. He plays it on nearly all of his tours. He honestly out Paul Simon's Paul Simon on this one. A deeply dark and terrifying track...

"English Girls Approximately" is probably my second favorite track on the EPs being the brit rock maniac I am. It's another uplifting track on an otherwise melancholy affair. The lead in to the chorus is just fucking perfect and always sends shivers up and down my spine.

Gratitude is the theme on "Thank You Louise." The double tracked voices on the chorus really drives home the respect he has for the character he creates in this song. A great ode to family.

The last track reminds me of John Lennon (solo), Elton John and Billy Joel all rolled into one. Another AM Gold track that would have been a great hit in 1979. A perfect closer to a perfect collection of songs.

Do yourself a favor. Take this double EP set under your wing and keep it in your heart forever. It will soothe your soul and cure your melancholy every single time you play it. 

TOP TEN ALBUMS OF 2024

Here are the best albums of the year 2024. I kept it to a tight ten this year in the hopes of really highlighting the best of the best. Here we go!

10. Rhumba Country by Pokey LaForge

Pokey LaForge is like a treasure you find at a Stuckey's on Route 66. He is Americana through and through. His latest is pure gold. 

9. Luck and Strange by David Gilmour

David Gilmour reminded the world this year why he is a cosmic legend. His latest album oozes stardust and mind bending sonics.

 

8. Handle With Care by Love Fiend

L.A.'s own Love Fiend proved that 80s power pop is still alive and strong. Seriously, did they fall out of a conversion van?

 

7. Star Sign by Ryan Adams

The ever prolific Ryan Adams released a multitude of records in 2024. This was his best. Calling all AM Gold fans..

6. L.A. Times by Travis

The Glasgow lads stormed back on to the scene with a stellar record about Los Angeles. There is some pretty deep and introspective stuff on this one, especially connected to the culture of the western United States.

 

5. Nonetheless by Pet Shop Boys

In many ways, the perfect summer album. It was my soundtrack during that time as I wandered around disc golf courses and the city pavement. Pet Shop Boys keep the 80s and synth pop alive forever...

4. 66 by Paul Weller

The Modfather showed us this year where he is at after sixty six years. It is wonderful.

 

3. Good Together by Lake Street Dive

Most musicians wish they could make music like Lake Street Drive. A variety of style combined with a killer mission. They sound like my AM radio in 1979.

 

2. Macro by Brijean

Brijean created a cornucopia of aural delight on their latest record. "Bang Bang Boom" was my track of the year. An amazing duo with a very bright future ahead of them.

1. Blue Electric Light by Lenny Kravitz

The best album of the year goes to none other than Lenny Kravitz. Holy crap what a record. Clearly, the absolute high point of his now thirty plus years in the biz. Every track is magnificent and shows a real respect for ALL that have gone before. 

 

If these ten aren't enough for you music lovers out there, check out my "Album of the Week" tag. Happy listening! 

Track of the Year 2024: Brijean: Bang Bang Boom

It is with great honor that I announce the 2024 Track of the Year. (drum roll please...)

"Bang Bang Boom" by LA's own Brijean is an absolute stunner of a song. Is it lounge? Is it EDM? Is it psychedelic pop? All of the above and more. It's just so incredibly cool and makes the listener feel like they are sipping a martini with early 1960s go go dancers swirling all around. 

Groovy...

Track #2 of 2024: Lenny Kravitz: It's Just Another Fine Day (In This Universe)

Lenny Kravitz released an incredible album this year (more on that later). The title track is deeply amazing in its groove and positivity. 

It is indeed another fine day in this universe with Lenny doing his thing...