5. Dawes – All Your Favorite Bands
Dawes – Don’t Send Me Away
Often one of my favorite albums of the year claims that position because of the serene elation it generates time and time again. That may be most true with Dawes newest effort, All Your Favorite Bands. At one point, I thought this band’s style was a little too safe, and I still feel that way. But this is safely one of the most beautiful pieces of American Folk music I’ve heard. the Eagles and Crosby, Stills, & Nash come to mind and not just because Dawes is from California and deeply-rooted in the Laurel Canyon sound. This is a perfectly crafted album of tight songwriting, gorgeous vocal harmonies, and the sort of impeccably timed electric guitar passages that coax me into a temporary fanciful flight. It’s also lyrically rich and superbly produced. “Things Happen” leads it off with a vibrato guitar passage and smartly describes all the ups and downs of relationships over a wonderful piano lead – listen for it. “Somewhere Along The Way” has a soaring chorus that locks in the listener and serves as a guiding spirit for the unfolding art. A groovy syncopation leads off “Don’t Send Me Away” and the beautiful melody crescendos with a gritty electric guitar providing counterpoint. The title track is a wonderful sentiment and “I Can’t Think About it Now” has a slightly more haunting sound with a standout ripping guitar section that I positively get lost in! The album is an extremely cohesive release and obtains a vibrant panache easily – without even trying so hard.
4. Wilco – Star Wars
Wilco – Random Name Generator
It seems not quite true that it had been 4 years since Wilco’s last album, The Whole Love – a wonderful listen and personally meaningful stunner. My live show attendances are piling up, and they’ve easily fell into that comfort zone where enough of a catalog has satisfied. Email updates from the band were always about touring until suddenly – an announcement for Star Wars, a brand new surprise album that was available for free download. As a huge fan of this unfailing band who normally reads about new rumored recordings, I can say it was a surprised indeed. Jeff Tweedy wrote that the no-cost release was a thank you. How wilco of you. Star Wars kicks off with the short, jarring instrumental “EKG”, both a nod to the eccentricity of the past and the ambition of the present. A vision into the entire album really – implied if not intended. “More…” is a sparse, bouncy tune with noisy effects and is lyrically about our demanding must-have-now culture, which seems to be embraced by the author. “Random Name Generator”, about the randomness of our universe, has a great fuzzed-out riff, and “Pickled Ginger” churns and then rips. “You Satellite” and “Where Do I Begin” are classic Wilco with lyrical prowess on relationships, the former an epic jam from start to finish. Electronic swells, slide guitar, and genius orchestration permeate album closer “Magnetized”. As expected, these folk based tunes are formed with many shapes and colors, this time out with a looser vibe and more romping distortion. The album is one of the most concise, stripped-down albums they have released – yet somehow the roughest and most adventurous rock in awhile. I missed the headlining Pitchfork Festival slot where they performed the album from start to finish…about 24 hrs after the free release….how wilco of you.
3. Sleater-Kinney – No Cities To Love
Sleater-Kinney – No Cities To Love
One of the biggest stories in music in 2015 is the return of Sleater-Kinney. The hiatus was over for these 3 ladies from the Northwest. An entire album had been recorded in secrecy, and most notably – it is phenomenal! Sleater-Kinney has the post-punk grit and defining feminist growl you would expect of them, but they are so much more. They are a significant rock group with killer hooks, dynamic tempos, and immense musical skill. “Price Tag” kicks the release off with syncopated rhythm and a dark, driving guitar riff. “Surface Envy” is a wave of sound with blistering guitars and yelps from Corin Tucker and Carrie Brownstein, thunderous drumming by Janet Weiss, and the vocal “We win, We Lose, Only together do we break the rules”. Absolutely addictive lines, both musically and lyrically, permeate the title track – “There are No Cities, No Cities To Love. It’s not the city, it’s the weather we love. It’s not the weather, it’s the people we love!” One of my favorite tracks is the roaring “Bury Our Friends”, containing biting social commentary about celebrity and wealth worship instead of attention to the people we should care more about. This welcome return is not only the sharpest rock they’ve released yet, but the most memorable and massive rock in recent memory. The catchy choruses and vigorous hard rock have sonic complexity and dramatic diversions that make it one of the best albums of 2015.
2. Alabama Shakes – Sound & Color
Alabama Shakes – Gimme All Your Love
The belabored sophomore album. The knack for radio-friendly tunes. The desire to explore new territory. It’s not known to me whether these thoughts crossed the minds of Alabama Shakes. I do know Sound & Color is a fantastic album with a truly original sound. Also known but revealed again – Brittany Howard is the real deal. Her voice is powerful, but she knows when to show restraint for soulful effect – the kind of Soul that drips with late-night sex, sweat, and tears. This release is more about the entire sound of the band, however, and that sound has evolved into a more expansive R&B affair. Lead guitarist Heath Fogg and rhythm section Zac Cockrell and Steve Johnson serve up the Southern Soul, Blues, and Funk – this time with more varied structures and space within the music. A critical listening environment is recommended to dig into the beats and synth swells on the lead-off title track, or the brawny guitar and bass riffs serving as undercurrent for the wailing vocals of “Don’t Wanna Fight”. The beginning sparse notes in “Dunes” are equally as haunting as the ensuing caterwauls. “Gimme All Your Love” is concurrently a sultry plea and swaggering rocker. Boisterous confidence continues on the back to back furious punch of “The Greatest” and “Shoegaze”, the latter comprising sensational melody – “I can’t have everything, everything”. The sweeping dimensions and psychedelic electric guitar workouts are evident throughout this unparalleled album – never more so than on the epic “Gemini”. You never experience a weak song throughout this listen, but it’s the cohesive atmospheric vibe and exceptional playing that makes it seep so deeply into your soul.
1. Lady Lamb – After
Lady Lamb – Billions of Eyes
Lady Lamb, aka Aly Spaltro, has been one of my favorite artists over the past few years. Her songwriting is striking and personal, often tender and aggressive in the span of a single song, and most impressively – highly inventive. Her songs are folk ditties with rock club edge but sometimes punk rock with ragged folk tendencies – evident throughout the awesome album, After. First track “Vena Cava” starts with a subdued riff and the immediate recognition of Aly’s phenomenal vocals before breaking into something even more powerful – just in time for more beautiful crooning about the physical and emotional workings of the heart. Standout track “Billions of Eyes” chugs along with phenomenal lyrics about anxieties and making connections in a life on the move – including the memorable “I just want to fall into a pile of warm laundry. I just wanna keep very very quiet”. The progressive banjo, layered vocals, and varied orchestration of “Violet Clementine” is pure genius! Other highlights include the gentle and gorgeous “Sunday Shoes” and the intense fervor of “Spat Out Spit” and “Penny Licks”. We also get some scathing, angry commentary on the rocking “Dear Arkansas Daughter”. For whatever reason, Lady Lamb’s voice, approach to songwriting, and delivery has been extremely affecting to me. I dig that she doesn’t follow any convention but gives forth abundant hooks and melody for the duration of this masterpiece!