The Hard Quartet: The Hard Quartet

The Hard Quartet is a supergroup composed of Stephen Malkmus, Matt Sweeney, Jim White, and Emmett Kelly. Their debut album is out and it's corker. Just the fuzz and grunge alone reminds me so much of alternative music in the 90s. 

Opening track...

Blossoms: Gary (Album of the Week)

Blossoms are back with a wonderful new record called Gary. This is the Stockport lads fifth record and it kicks off with a corker...

The title track is also transplendant...

My personal fave is this introspective number...

Amazing keyboard hook...

Start listening to Gary!

Saleka: Lady Raven (Original Music From the Motion Picture "Trap")

My wife and I quite enjoyed the latest M. Night Shyamlan film "Trap." One of the best parts about was his daughter's music, now collected on Lady Raven. Saleka is a true gem of the world. 

Witness!

The Linda Lindas: No Obligation

The Linda Lindas are back with another record chock full o' fun pop and power rockers. No Obligation is everything pop music should be...loud, upbeat, and raucous!

Check it out!

Lady Gaga: Harlequin

Lady Gaga's latest is quite a treat for those of us that love the old timey songs. Harlequin is connected to the latest Joker film but it's so much more than that. It showcases how this artist deeply appreciates the entire history of music.

Maximo Park: Stream of Life

Maximo Park is back with a corker of a record called Stream of Life. The album cooks from start to finish and has many amazing tracks. The NE England lads have really outdone themselves on this one.

Opening track...

The Waeve: City Lights

The Waeve (Damon Albarn, Rose Elinor Dougall) are back with a second offering that is simply magnificent. The combination of folk and dream pop works in a majestically synergistic way.

Here is one of my faves...

Love Fiend: Handle With Care (Album of the Week)

Love Fiend has taken the musical world by storm with their latest record that sounds like it dropped out a of closet from 1980. Handle With Care is a perfect new wave punky pop record that you MUST have in your collection.

The second track really sets the tone...

The video looks like early MTV era. 

This song is just plain fun....

Then we have the power...

It's a modern day classic, folks. Start listening!!

Tift Merritt: Love Soldiers On (Album of the Week)

Today I took a walk with the missus down the path by our house. The fall colors are fully in overdrive and it reminded me of this track by Tift Merritt. Love does indeed solider on.

Sunflower Bean: Shake

Sunflower Bean has decided to ROCK OUT on their latest ep, Shake. It's a five song powerhouse from the NYC band that is a much appreciated addition to their musical lexicon.

Cursive: Devourer

I've always loved that late 90's post punk sound. Omaha's Cursive fits that vibe perfectly. Their latest is called Devourer and it has certainly consumed me with its power and energy these last few weeks. Check it out and ROCK ON!

Toro Y Moi: Hole Erth (Album of the Week)

Toro Y Moi is an earth bound treasure. His latest record is a veritable cornucopia aural landscapes that expand the mind into the cosmos. Hole Erth is also quite down to earth as is evidence by this wistful track...

Ah, 21st century nostalgia...

The next track that really got me was this one...

Stunning vocal arrangements.

The album closes with a trip out to the cosmos.

Start listening!

Coldplay: Moon Music

Stadium superstars Coldplay are back with their final (?) album and it's quite interesting in terms of theme. Moon Music is the outfit's wonderful attempt at making scifi rock. And they succeed massively.

My favorite track is "Alien Hits/Alien Radio" which sounds like music the Legion of Super Heroes would listen to flying through space...

Angel Olsen: Windows (Autumn Music Series)

The haunting, early evening tone of Angel Olsen's "Windows" makes for the perfect fall song. It's chilling and wonderful in the first wisps of October chill...

Pale Waves: Smitten

Manchester's own Pale Waves are back with a wonderful record called Smitten. The pure pop bliss drips throughout all twelve tracks. This is the group's fourth long player and is easily their best so far!

Opening track...

Alan Sparhawk:White Roses, My God

Minnesota native Alan Sparhawk has a fab new record out called White Roses, My God. His first since the death of his wife and Low bandmate, Mimi Parker, sees Sparhawk striving for new frontiers and horizons.

Opening track...

The The: Ensoulment

London's The The are back with yet another amazing record. The veterans of cryptic alternative music have really outdone themselves with Ensoulment, a deep exploration into the darker corners of the human psyche. 

Opening track...

Dummy: Free Energy

L.A.'s own Dummy has a wonderful new record out called Free Energy. There is certainly a great deal of power on this album both thematically and stylistically. And they've tapped into multiple genres which is always a plus. 

One of my faves...so 60s!

David Gilmour: Luck And Strange (Album Of The Week)

For as long as I can remember, David Gilmour has been a part of my musical life. My dad played Pink Floyd when I was growing up. All of their records, and especially Gilmour's incredible voice, colored my childhood and adolescence. 

David's ethereal cosmic connection to the universe continues with Luck and Strange, an absolutely astounding work that is most welcome after a nearly decade absence of musical releases. The album opens with a brief instrumental track followed by the title track which ranks right up there with any Floyd track...

"A Single Spark" is just all shivers...

My favorite track features his daughter on vocals.

So many wonderful sounds on this record. Go listen!

The Dare: What's Wrong With New York?

The Dare has finally released his first full length record and the Los Angeles native has really hit it out of the park with this one. What's Wrong with New York is a giant party from start to finish. The honesty and the passion really come through, more and more on each listen.

Opening track...