Generationals "State Dogs – Singles 2017-2018 (Polyvinyl)"
Over the last few years, Generationals have foregone writing a full album in favor of releasing singles whenever they are ready (like the old days! Shout out to the early 60s!). Well, just because the songs came out piecemeal doesn’t mean they can’t be eventually collected and released as one. Case in point? State Dogs – Singles 2017 – 2018 (Polyvinyl). All the hooks! All the fun! All together at last! Check out “Beggars in the House of Plenty.”
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.”
Chris Garneau "Yours"
“Chris Garneau has always pursued his own strange sonic path, drawing on a diverse array of influences to create an otherworldly, haunting and distinct lane in the singer-songwriter universe.” Thanks Billboard! You’ve made my job here pretty easy, because I’m not sure that Chris’ ovure has ever been described more succinctly or poetically. Thankfully, Yours, his latest release, continues in this grand tradition. Like a lot of us, Yours finds Chris fed up with the state of things, but the results are far more beautiful than an angry twitter feed. Songs build and crescendo, at times gentle-at other times epic. Case in point is the single “Torpedo.”
Grapetooth "Grapetooth (Polyvinyl)"
The name of the band Grapetooth was originally bestowed as a nickname upon Clay Frankel (Twin Peaks) after a night of drinking a LOT of wine. Makes sense. I had the same nickname when I was little, but it was because of my affection for grape Kool-Aid and other artificial grape flavored candies. Not exactly the same, but then again this would be a much different blurb if I talked about all the wine I drank as a little kid. Also, Frankel, along with his partner here Chris Bailoni, formed the band over a mutual admiration of ‘80s Japanese new wave and Arthur Russell-neither of which I was cool enough to be into as a kid (Chuck Berry and Car 54 Where Are You? were my jams! Who wants to be in THAT band? Lemme know). This album is full of new wave-y synths and smooth grooves, with totally different vocal vibes for each jam. Grapetooth (Polyvinyl) is bound to stain your chompers too. So take a big bite out of the lead off track, “Violent.”