Jacco Gardner "Somnium (Polyvinyl)"
In 1608, Johannes Kepler wrote Somnium, which is widely considered to be the first science fiction novel. In 2018, Jacco Gardner recorded Somnium, widely considered to be the first album ever based on what is widely considered to be the first science fiction novel. Jacco challenged himself by deciding to not have any vocals on the album. Having to convey what he wanted via instrumentality offered up a new way of working for Jacco, and it paid off. Hints of Mike Oldfield, Tangerine Dream, Vangelis, classic library music, and everything else I’m looking for when I go to a record show. Check out the positively groovy (yes, I said groovy) “Levania.”
SAVAK "Beg Your Pardon (EJRC)"
Woah! Did you guys know that Mr. Spock’s super-conservative, overbearing Vulcan father Sarek is now releasing music? *puts on glasses* Wait… OH! Savak! Never mind. These dudes just keep getting better than better. This is their third LP in three years, and judging from their trajectory in another 3 years they are going to be releasing Pleased To Meet Me. The angular rock! The power-pop! The humor! The classic rock references! The sax solos! The swimmy guitars! The melodic choruses! Beg Your Pardon (Ernest Jenning) has it all. So check out the jammy-sax chug of “Nature Erased.”
Eiko Ishibashi "The Dreams My Bones Dream (Drag City)"
Eiko Ishibashi’s new LP The Dreams My Bones Dream (Drag City) is a wonderfully ramshackled, travelogue of an album. Written in the time after the passing of her father, she decided to dig into her family history and this is the lovely result. It’s a little bit like Stereolab is covering Miles Davis and Radiohead at the same time, with a little bit of her mixer’s Jim O’Rourke influence thrown in. Some train sound effects here, some detuned tuner there. The occasional soundscape-esque instrumental… Really, until you listen to this one you’re gonna have a hard time picturing it with your mind’s eye…er… mind’s ears. So check out the bouncy Stereolab syncopation of “Iron Veil.”
Sloucher "Be True (Swoon Records)"
If, like me, you devoured the heyday of ‘90s indie rock like it was popcorn at a superhero movie, then Sloucher’s debut record Be True (Swoon Records) is making some late-in-the-year moves towards being on your list of favorite 2018 records. If you remember standing in church basements waiting to see Grandaddy while listening to Pavement on your Walkman wearing a Built To Spill t-shirt the whole time… But also had an ear out for the better mainstream grunge stuffs… Well, get ready to fall in love, starting with “Perfect For You.”