Whispertown "I’m A Man (RTP)"
Morgan Meyn Nagler, the guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter behind Whispertown, has a new album of “haunted country” tunes (thanks Bandcamp tags!). I’m A Man (RTP) finds Morgan and a revolving stable of musicians filling out her dusty, dreamy Jenny Lewis meets Harry Nilsson sound. A ramshackle, charming collection of tunes lives in Whispertown, that’s for sure. Why don’t you introduce yourself to the locals? Start by saying hi to the title track “I’m A Man.”
The War On Drugs "A Deeper Understanding"
A Deeper Understanding, the latest from The War On Drugs, is everything you want it to be. Back are the wistful, AOR, Hornsby-esque vibes, coupled with tremendous playing, and a love for songs as long as the line for tickets to the (not yet actually a thing) Ramones Broadway Musical Hey! Ho! Let’s Go. We couldn’t love the fact more that there are still bands with guitars playing rock and roll that sounds great live after a few beers. There was once a discussion in the office about WOD that went thusly: “what if we just closed up shop, and followed The War On Drugs around for a few years. Would that be ok?” We decided that although it wounds amazing, it’s probably not the best idea financially for us. But this is the kind of band that garners that sort of devotion. Check out “Strangest Thing” and see if you don’t feel like following them around too.
A Giant Dog "Toy (Merge)"
My favorite barista at my local coffee shop, who knows only vaguely that my work has something to do with music, said the following to me after she binged Girl Boss: “Oh. My. God! Do you know this band A Giant Dog? I heard them on Girl Boss and immediately they are my favorite band!” So besides the thrill of telling her that “yeah, we had a hand in that” I was also thrilled to tell her “you know they have a new record coming soon?” She was very excited. As is everyone. You either have never heard of A Giant Dog or you are obsessed with Sabrina and the gang. Toy (Merge), their latest LP, is full of their Nashville punk perfection, a sound somewhere between Joan Jett and The Ramones, with a little Jason & the Scorchers thrown in for good measure. And with Sabrina front and center, as fearless and anyone in rock, there is nothing A Giant Dog can’t do. Rock along with “Bendover.” Now, if only I could figure out how to parlay this into a free iced coconut latte…
LIARS "TFCM (Mute)"
TFCM (which is short for Theme From Crying Mountain), the newest album from Liars, is the first since guitarist Aaron Hemphill left the band, leaving Angus Andrew as the sole member. If you’ve been listening to Liars for a while now, then you’ve come to expect the unexpected from their sound. Combining some of the dance hints from their latest albums, as well as the acoustic guitar and electro-experimentation of their 2006 standout Drum’s Not Dead, TFCM is as wonderfully strange as anything they have ever released. Sometimes the record sounds like modern classical music, and other times it sounds like Negativland. As someone who has spent a lot of time listening to both of those things, I’m pleased as punch. Check out “Cred Woes.”