10. King Tuff – Black Moon Spell
King Tuff is the work of multi-instrumentalist Kyle Thomas, who plays assertive noise rock but with pop sensibilities. I dig the off-center, warped style (and humor) of these tunes and appreciate that there is considerable more creativity than the normal simple post-punk. The vintage, oversaturated riffs driving title track “Black Moon Spell” and “Sick Mind” are fused with effect-drenched shredding. “Rainbow’s Run” leans toward psychedelia and “Headbanger” is Cheap Trick-influenced power pop disguised as metal. Thomas deviates into the Ramones-flavored “Demon From Hell” and classic rock-kissed “Eyes of the Muse“, adding variety to this entertaining listen. Part of my enjoyment stems from the nostalgia I feel for a younger time when I was really absorbed with alternative garage punk. Black Moon Spell occupies that territory with dazzling passages and brilliant hooks throughout.
King Tuff – Black Moon Spell
9. Elliott Brood – Work and Love
Canadian trio Elliott Brood create an extremely fetching style of alternative folk music with fabulous vocal harmonies. Work and Love is a lively, concise release of roots rock with a mature edge. The gorgeous melody of “Little Ones” portrays the process of growing older and what we should try to hang onto. The lead vocals turn more ragged on the rollicking “Nothing Left” and the mini-epic “Mission Bell“, where the crescendos and breakdowns come in equally powerful waves. An abundance of creative instrumentation is what makes this otherwise straight-forward rock so alluring. This is evident on the endlessly catchy “Jigsaw Heart” and “Each Other’s Kids“, with the memorable sing-along line “staying up all night drinking homemade wine”. Listening to this album is a fun getaway from any of life’s challenges, and its warm sounds become a comfort with several listens.
Elliott Brood – Nothing Left
8. The Black Keys – Turn Blue
After previous album, El Camino, which I definitely enjoyed, I was concerned about the direction The Black Keys were headed. The logical next step was a more catchy, less musically interesting, arena rock record to satisfy the new arena rock fans. OK, concerned is the wrong word, but I’ve seen several transitions of this band. It’s great that no matter what, they’ve made their own records independently and grew slowly by relying on their immense talent. Imagine my excitement as new album Turn Blue is a dense, multi-layered, groovy affair while still featuring an abundance of engaging hooks and vocals. It leads off with a type of song, “Weight of Love“, they surprisingly haven’t really covered yet…..a long guitar-solo-heavy jam vehicle. It’s steeped in Cream and Pink Floyd. One of the highlights comes next with “In Time”, a funky soulful number most likely influenced by Dan Auerbach’s work with Dr. John last year. Personal hard-hitting lyrics include “You’ve got a worried mind, I’ve got a worried heart, You don’t know what to do, I don’t know where to start.” Also, if you are not dancing, you have no soul. “Fever” is the big stomping rock song The Keys have perfected over the years, but there is a more atmospheric bluesy sound this time. Other prodigious songs include the soaring “Bullet In the Brain“, the Motown meets Garage “10 Lovers“, and “In Our Prime“, full of tempo changes and phenomenal guitar playing. Throughout the synth-heavy Turn Blue, I do feel like Auerbach is overusing his falsetto and dynamics are favored over guitar rock, but when it’s this good, change is good.
The Black Keys – In Time
7. Ages and Ages – Divisionary
One of the most jovial listens of the year, Ages and Ages combine lively acoustic rock with tasteful embellishments and extremely bright harmonic vocals…from all 7 members. Led by Tim Perry, who clearly has an ear for melody and boogie rhythms, even the most wistful of moods is offered in a crisp, uplifting fashion that never seems trite. “Light Goes Out” initiates the exuberance with call-and-response vocals and hand claps before becoming a pulsing modern rock marvel. “I See More” implores us to “Spread out your losses, part of the process, really it’s okay”. One of the few departures is the epic “Over It” with tribal percussion and diverse sections of strings and keys. There may never be as perfect an album closer as “Divisionary (Do The Right Thing)“, which brings all the sounds and themes of the entire album to a swirling affirmative conclusion. I thought maybe this album would grow insipid over time, but instead I’ve ended up digging it even more. There are so many incredible moments and cool musical detours, that it will remain interesting for some time to come.
Ages and Ages – Divisionary (Do The Right Thing)
6. Yellow Ostrich – Cosmos
Walking the line between dreamy pop and noisy indie rock is something Yellow Ostrich does extremely well. After spending a good deal of time with 2012’s Strange Land, one of my best 25 albums of that year, I was stoked to hear about a new release. And it’s awesome to see a band take a step forward. Their sound is somewhere in Local Natives / Spoon / Radiohead / Pavement territory, which explains why I dig it. The songs are concurrently tight and exploratory with build-ups, breakdowns, and engaging rhythms. “Neon Fists” is a snappy, percussive late night thrill that induces me to spin around a room. “Shades” has one of the most engaging guitar riffs of the year, and the way it restrains as it explodes is masterful. The electric guitar that comes into and rips apart the beautiful “My Moons” is an awesome moment….up there with the sick jam during the second half of “Things Are Fallin’“. There is accessible sing-along material also like the frantic “Any Wonder” and “How Do You Do It?“, but really this is all maniacal energy and a sophisticated psychedelic sound I dig immensely.
Yellow Ostrich – Shades