Major Stars "Roots Of Confusion Seeds Of Joy (Drag City)"
Psychedelic masterminds Major Stars are back with another dose of face-melting madness. Roots Of Confusion Seeds Of Joy (Drag City) is like a giant wall of psychedelic sounds and riffs, with plenty of distorted guitars and evocative lyrics. You might find yourself staring off into the distance contemplating the big things as their Jefferson Airplane meets groove rock sound has you nodding your head without even knowing it. If you have even an inclination towards things rock and roll, then Major Stars are here to rock your rock and roll-loving socks right off (quick! put your socks back on before the dog starts chewing them!). Check out the epic jamming of “Spun Around.”
Connie Price & The Keystones "Lucas High (Fat Beats)"
Connie Price & The Keystones have teamed up with Zach Lucas, the son of jazz-funk pioneer Doug Lucas for a record teeming with great beats and amazing verses from some of the most beloved hip hop artists of the ‘90s. Lucas High is a musical conversation Zach never was able to have with his dad, who passed away when he was a teenager. Here, together with producers and musicians, he’s created an album full of both sampled tracks from his dad as well as new music written meant to sound like the kinds of things he was famous for. One listen and it’ll be no wonder why the likes of Busta Rhymes and Nas were known to sample his beats. Here, these beats and live instrumental backing tracks are treated to verses from the likes of Big Daddy Kane, Talib Kweli, members of The Pharcyde and Jurassic 5, as well as vocal turns by Macy Gray, and tons of other guests. This is as fun as it gets. Well, maybe it would be more fun if it came with an eggplant lasagna, but that’s not gonna happen. What is gonna happen is you are gonna check out the laid back cool of “Three Kings (featuring Brand Nubian & Macy Gray).”
Meg & Dia "happysad (Pure Noise)"
Chris Staples "Holy Moly (Barsuk)"
Chris Staples has found himself saying “holy moly” a LOT lately. Same, Chris, same. Also, he picked a hell of a time to quit drinking-last year. But in his new found sober time he rediscovered his teenage coping system for his issues. Writing songs. The songs he wrote during this time are the ones found on his new album Holy Moly (Barsuk). Honestly, if this is what sobriety sounds like I might follow in Chris’ footsteps. Full of hopefulness and earworm-worthy melodies, this is as good as Chris has ever been! Whether its the Spoon meets Wilco sounds of the title track “Holy Moly” or the classic Staples folk-balladry of “Spinning Wheel” you’re sure to cheer up checking out Holy Moly. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if you said “holy moly” yourself (or at least “man that is moldy” when opening your bread box. Freeze what you don’t need next time!). So check out the title track already!