The Clientele "Music For The Age Of Miracles (Merge)"
It’s been 7 long years since The Clientele have graced our ears with a new album. A lot has changed since 2010, but thankfully, the awesomeness of The Clientele isn’t one of them. Music For The Age Of Miracles (Merge) is exactly what you want it to be. Full of smart lyrics, charming songs, and more indie pop warmth than a highly coveted copy of C86. Jam packed with chilling piano turns, bright acoustic guitars, and Alasdair Maclean’s singular vocal style. If The Apples In Stereo were more interested in Rubber Soul, their output might sounds like this stellar LP. Check out the perfect for the first day of autumn lead single “Lunar Days.”
Upper Wilds "Guitar Module 2017 (Thrill Jockey)"
Dan Friel (of Parts & Labor fame) fans, do I ever have a treat for you! His new project, Upper Wilds, has released an introduction of the new sound with Guitar Module 2017 (Thrill Jockey). Performed entirely by Friel on a heavily distorted guitar, along with a sequencer, a keyboard, and a pedal board full of goodies, GM2017 is a big, messy good time. A little like Lightning Bolt but with Dan’s occasional vocals being far less distorted. His guitars certainly thrash, likely causing heads to be banged and devil hands to be thrown up wherever this album is being played, and played LOUD. Crank it to 11 and check out “UFO.”
Walker Lukens "Tell It To The Judge (Modern Outsider)"
The day has finally arrived! Walker Lukens has released this long-awaited Jim Eno-produced follow up to 2013’s Devoted. Tell It To The Judge (Modern Outsider) not only collects a few singles that have already garnered millions of plays, he has also made writing this blurb very, very easy. How? By writing this: “I wanted Tell It To The Judge to feel like one of those late 70s ZZ Top records –fun, to the point, a little funny, full of good grooves… The thing is that it’s 2017. I love hip-hop and I can only take so much of that boys drinking around a campfire feel. I mostly play piano and am not that good at guitar. I spend too much time in my head to play good old rock-n-roll. Thus, I give you Tell It To The Judge.” Thanks Walker, not only for the tremendously fun album, but also for the excellent PR blurb. Check out the premiere single “Don’t Wanna Be Lonely (Don’t Wanna Leave You Alone).”
Wand "Plum (Drag City)"
Drag City favorites Wand have expanded their roster. Now, what’s the first thing a band does when they expand their roster? Why they write a bunch of new tunes and record a new album to showcase their new sound. Plum does just that. From the very first bouncy piano licks of the title track, you know you are in for a new, and dare I say (I dare! I dare!) improved Wand. Buoyant, laid back psychedelia seems to be the name of the game for Wand 2.0. If Jonny Greenwood and Tim Presley formed a group to cover Donovan songs, they would sound a lot like this. Check out the aforementioned title-track “Plum.”