5. Cloud Nothings – Here and Nowhere Else
To me there is a void in rock music right now. An empty space surrounded by either extremely talented hard rock/metal bands who struggle with captivating songwriting or catchy pop rock that fails to take any chances. Both have their place for me, but Cloud Nothings are working to fill the gap on Here and Nowhere Else. My first listen was astonishing in a ‘what just hit me’ kind of way. The guitar riffs are meaty and fast while weaving compelling melody, and the drums are explosive. The snarling Joe Strummer-style vocals play second only to the Fugazi/Nirvana tendencies. There are intriguing musical interludes throughout, but there is no mistake…this is blistering, explosive post-punk. “Quieter Today” builds tension, comes to a quick halt, and then launches into impressive sections. Dylan Baldi’s throaty wail articulates the mental anguish and introspection felt by all young generations. He takes on his occasional screamer-vocal style on “Giving Into Seeing“, which just burns amid the ecstatic “Saying something, it’s supposed to be True!” The pulverizing, churning “Pattern Walks” and accessible “I’m Not Part of Me” are also album standouts. It’s an energetic rush of an album, and I’m here to follow what’s next for this phenomenal band.
Cloud Nothings – Giving Into Seeing
4. The War On Drugs – Lost In A Dream
The perfect album for a road trip or late night train ride, or if you’re seeking the youthful abandon of Dylan and Petty filtered through dreamy indie rock. It is an expansive statement that is quickly enjoyable but allows the listener to satisfyingly get lost along the way…I’ve never seen an album title describe the sound so perfectly. I use the word lush quite a bit when describing some music, but there is nothing more lush than Lost In A Dream. I’ve checked out some live videos just to understand how all the sounds are originated (yet to see them live). You know what’s in store immediately as lead-in track “Under the Pressure” surges layer after layer into your conscience. The ecstatic reverb-drenched guitar fills are grounded by a consistent percussion sizzle. “Red Eyes” has a pulsing 80’s-ish beat with synth, many buried sounds, and a delightful late-night dance rhythm. The mellow swirl becomes waves of crescendos with exceptional guitar playing on “An Ocean in Between the Waves“. What makes this album great, in addition to the confident and daring musicianship, is the recurring themes and cohesive hazy vibe.
The War on Drugs – An Ocean in Between the Waves
3. Shovels & Rope – Swimmin’ Time
Was looking forward to this album after 2012’s convivial O’ Be Joyful and especially after seeing them live during that tour. The brilliant song-writing and scrappy blend of folk, country, and vintage rock – with some blues and doo-wop as well – gripped me right away. Seeing this married couple, Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent, perform with such passion made me feel like hitching to their bandwagon for the dirt road trips across America so often depicted in the songs. Still, Swimmin’ Time takes all the ramshackle fun into a big leap forward with a darker edge and increased dynamics. “Bridge On Fire” is a soulful wail on troubled relationships and “Evil” is exactly that with it’s mangled guitar and blues stomp. The lyrics on the latter are indicative of this album’s story telling: “Another victim of the mortgage bubble pop, Waiting on the other shoe to drop!” The title track “Swimmin’ Time” seems like a fun time, but the song is a gritty and apocalyptic howl about greed and vanity. Electric guitars win the acoustic-electric battle always present on the ripping “Stono River Blues“. Things are even darker on the Tom Waits-ish “Ohio” and the slow burning epic album closer “Thresher“. Not that there isn’t a great amount of jubilance on this enduring album….that balance is what make Shovels & Rope great. “Fish Assassin” is a short shout-out fun tune about fishin’ and the one-two punch of “Coping Mechanism” and “Pinned” are both outstanding folk rock songs. I guess I haven’t even mentioned the gorgeous opening number, “The Devil Is All Around“. The abundance of accomplished tunes throughout the album grow even stronger with time providing a virtuous but wicked ride.
Shovels & Rope – Evil
2. Strand Of Oaks – HEAL
A time existed where I was crumbling. I could feel every piece falling away in real time. I had always felt I was in a confined place and wasn’t really me…but more so during that time. The pain, emptiness, and self-pity were real and have shaped who I am even though I’ve long let those feelings go. No matter what afflicts you, the best lessons of life can be found in productive expression of the ghosts and a serious attempt of reaching forward. These things are obtained with the support of others, but even more importantly, a focus on improving yourself. My words and feelings….and they are mirrored so incredibly on the absolutely phenomenal release, HEAL, by Timothy Showalter’s band Strand of Oaks. It kicks off in high gear with “Goshen ’97“….any song devoted to one’s first infatuation with music and what it does for you hits home with me. The open book approach continues on the title track “HEAL” with “I know you cheated on me but I cheated on myself” and the poignant “give up, give out, give in” section. All of the songs seem they could be just as affecting as quiet acoustic numbers but are offered up in loud, grand fashion as electronic-tinged lush rock. On “Shut In“, he quivers “I lose my faith in people, Why even take the time, You’ve got your problems I’ve got mine”. “JM” is an epic album centerpiece about “sweet tunes” getting us through dark times. Stylistically, this amazing listen is fragile, but rocks extremely hard at times and ultimately is hopeful on “Wait For Love“. Ultimately the goal is to HEAL.
Strand Of Oaks – Goshen ’97
1. Spoon – They Want My Soul
After a long break, one of my favorite bands is back with a phenomenal piece of work. Part cocky, snarling rock, part sophisticated, beat-heavy soul, it truly grips the listener from the very beginning drum beat to the ending psychedelic guitar swirl. Spoon have always experimented with different recording methods and complexities, but the production here is especially top notch. It’s crisp but warm, every layered riff cuts through, and contains the perfect slight amount of lo-fi distortion to keep things real. After the trademark fractured simplicity of the first track, “Rent I Pay“, things get interesting right away on “Inside Out“. The delay-heavy guitar and swelling synth weaves around a late-night beat and Brit Daniel’s perfectly paced delivery. The chaotic piano runs starting at 1:59 are pure genius, as is the ensuing wall of sound swells. “Rainy Taxi” was my early favorite with its driving rhythm and noisy guitar. Love the ragged vocal delivery of “I came home last night, I had no good news” and the way it just takes off at the halfway mark….extremely tight melody on point and more frenetic piano fills. “Do You” is a catchy, boisterous track and “Knock Knock Knock” is an olio of haunting vocals, abrasive sounds, and a damn good bass guitar line. The outro segues into an outstanding dance song for those that love rock music, “Outlier“. Brit delivers biting criticism of someone on this track albeit in his usual mysterious clever way. That continues on “They Want My Soul“, with crunchy guitars and howling about all the various soul-suckers in life…including the re-emergence of the Jonathon Fisk character (for those die-hards). The last section of this song just rips! Next up is “I Just Don’t Understand“, a short piano-heavy jazzy rave up. The album closes with two more cheerful rolling numbers, “Let Me Be Mine” and the deranged, but celebratory beats of “New York Kiss“. In addition to just being fun, majestic albums tend to balance familiar and visionary sounds while laying the path for many years of enjoyment and They Want My Soul accomplishes this easily!
Spoon – Rainy Taxi