Jethro Tull: Curious Ruminant

Holy Crap, Ian! Your guys new album is VINTAGE JETHRO TULL. Curious Ruminant has all the classic noises of this much venerated band. It's great to see this outfit still going strong in its now seventh decade!

Opening track...

Greentea Peng: Tell Dem It's Sunny

Greentea Peng is back, spreading her joyous love all over the planet. Tell Dem It's Sunny is an uplifting and majestic statement in its stark reality, a true connection to our times. Somehow, I am positive through all of it...

The Horrors: Night Life

The lads from Southend-on Sea are back with a wonderful new record called Night Life. The Horrors have become a goth rock/Brit pop colossus over the course of the last several years and their latest record puts an exclamation mark on all of it.

One of my faves...

Bob Mould: Here We Go Crazy (Album of the Week)

One of my all time favorite hometown heroes is back with a fabulous record called Here We Go Crazy. Bob Mould is now a six decade long Minneapolis treasure and, with each new record he releases in his massively prolific career, he cements himself as a true alt/indie hegemon.

The album opens with the title track...

Later we get some pulse pounding power reminiscent of the Husker Du days....

And this heartfelt rocker...

So proud of this amazing artist!

Hannah Cohen: Earthstar Mountain

Hannah Cohen lives in the gorgeous. Her latest record is a damn fine example of that. Earthstar Mountain is a gem of an album filled deeply romantic and groovy vibes. That voice lures me in every time:)

Opening track...

KiiiKiii: UNCUT GEM

 It's a K Pop Friday! And KiiiKiii has just the EP for YOU! UNCUT GEM is indeed just that. The opening track lets you know what kind of party you are in for...

Ok Go: And the Adjacent Possible

Ok Go is back with yet another ridiculously amazing record. How do they do it? I think it's the lush pop sounds and the straight to the heart themes they explore. Their latest is called And the Adjacent Possible and here is one of my faves...

Perfume Genius: Glory

Perfume Genius is back with a stunner of a record called Glory. It's the ultimate expression of this amazing's artist's journey through all of his unique challenges in life. For over two decades, this treasure continues to impress!

My Raining Stars: Momentum

My Morning Stars have always been a beloved outfit on the dream pop/shoegaze circuit. Their latest is called Momentum and it just shimmers.The crisp wonder of the cosmic universe...

My Morning Jacket: is (Album Of The Week)

 My Morning Jacket's latest record opens with an absolutely gorgeous, uplifting number. 

This is what is is. Immediate contender for Album of the Year. 

The album is filled with laid back introspectives on life and catchy as heck!

Here is one of the best love songs I've ever heard...

Just a stunner of a record...start listening!

Dean Wareham: That's The Price of Loving Me

Dean Wareham is back with a wonderful new offering called That's The Price of Loving Me. It's mystical on love that sent my mind to places where I didn't even know I had places...

Example...

Great title track...start listening!

Gary Louris: Dark Country

Gary Louris has a most excellent record out called Dark Country. It's one of those albums that takes you on a journey. And it's not necessarily all bleak. I find the mix of light and dark in both style and them to be refreshingly melancholic. 

Rusty Williams: Grand Man

So....Hayley Williams' granddad made a record a while back (the 1970s) and it's just now seen release. Rusty Williams' Grand Man is a tour de force of soft rock. The nostalgia is strong on this one and gets you going right away. 

Where's my conversion van?

Yukimi: For You

Yukimi Nargano is a treasure of the world. Her music kisses me every day. For You is the name of her latest offering and it really does feel that way.

One of my faves...

Japanese Breakfast: For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women)

Philly's own Japanese Breakfast is back with a wonderful new record called For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women). The word "chill" can't even begin to describe how relaxed this record is. Perfect vibe for today..

Opening track...

Peace: Polly With The Perfect Hair

Peace is back after a long hiatus with a new EP called Polly With The Perfect Hair. The four track outing shows the lads from Birmingham still going strong with their unique slant on pop.

Here is a taste...

Sam Akpro: Evenfall (Album of the Week)

London's own Sam Akpro gets my nod for Album of the Week. Evanfall is his first full length release after a series of singles and EP's. It's an Everest like opening volley that culminates all the songs we've heard so far in a perfect climax.

The album opens with this stunner...

And then it kicks it up a notch...

We get the love for my second favorite city in the world...

Akpro's music is a genre in and of itself. Start listening!!!

Destroyer: Dan's Boogie

Vancouver's own Destroyer is back with Dan's Boogie, the outfit's 14th record. What a long and storied career these amazing Canadians have had. Their latest effort really encapsulates how incredible they are.

One of my faves...

HotWax: Hot Shock

The debut album for the powerhouse indie band, Hot Wax, is here. Hot Shock shows that these Hastings, East Sussex gals are serious about their rock and roll!

Killer...

Rizzle Kicks: Competition is for Losers

Brighton's own Rizzle Kicks are back with a corker of a record. Easily their best yet, Competition is for Losers is a tour de force of stream of consciousness hip hop. Example...

Some of it even sounds like old school R&B...

Mos def in the running for my top albums of the year!