Brother JT "Tornado Juice (Thrill Jockey)"
Brother JT, he of The Original Sins, he of the internet show Tripping Balls (and yes, it’s exactly what you think it is) is back with a new BroJT album. Tornado Juice (Thrill Jockey), is the latest collection of tunes, but not made in his normal way. Generally, John Terlesky likes to record by himself in the band’s practice space, but this time he actually recorded in a studio. Ray Ketchem, who recorded The Original Sins’ classic album Bethlehem in 1996 just opened a studio on Jersey, so he knew it was time to step out of his comfort zone and into another comfort zone, the studio of a friend. After those sessions, he took the tracks home and took a bunch of LSD and overdubbed to his hearts content. The results are a strange mix of garage rock, ‘60s psych, modern references, talk of food, talk of drugs, and more distortion than a Guitar Center on a Saturday afternoon. None of it taken too seriously, but all of it great. Tune in and check out “Baked Alaska.”
The Skull Eclipses "The Skull Eclipses (Western Vinyl)"
What a year 2018 is turning out to be for Philadelphia! First, the Eagles win The Super… er… The Big Game, and somehow Philly as an infrastructure has survived. Now, Philly’s own Lushlife has teamed up with Austin producer Botany to supply suits to gameshow hosts. Wait. That isn’t right. They teamed up to form The Skull Eclipses, a ‘90s electronica-influenced hip-hop group. This self-titled debut is sure to please anyone with even a passing interest in hip hop (or pocket squares). Check out the smooth head nodding’ energy of “Gone” featuring Open Mike Eagle!
Erasure "World Beyond (Mute)"
If you were a fan of Erasure’s last album World Be Gone, then do I have good news for you! It’s back! In POG form. Ok, now that I’ve got your attention with talk of Erasure and Simpsons references, let’s get down to business. World Beyond (Mute), the newest LP from the long-lasting Erasure, is a post-classical reworking of their last LP World Be Gone. The arrangements of these songs have been stripped down to fit the seven players from Echo Collective that Vince and Andy worked with. The result is a sophisticated take on already sophisticated music. This collection of reflective songs have plenty of space here to breathe, and Andy can really dig into his vocals here. Check out the haunting strains of “Oh What A World.”
of Montreal "White Is Relic/Irrealis Mood (Polyvinyl)"
Like a lot of people, the last election cycle effected Kevin Barnes of of Montreal profoundly. Turned him deeply paranoid. But another thing happened. He fell in love. These two opposites make up the backstory for his latest stunner White Is Relic/Irrealis Mood (Polyvinyl). Also, he rediscovered his love of the extended dance mixes of pop hits of the ‘80s. The long versions of songs that you ould only hear if you went to the club. So he set out to make this LP sound like it was the extended mixes of the songs found here. The result is somewhere between Bowie’s Berlin era and extended mixes of Prince’s most beloved albums. Check out the eff-word heavy “Paranoiac Intervals-Body Dysmorphia.”