King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard "Flying Microtonal Banana Vol. 1"
If you expected King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard to get less weird after last year’s infinite loop masterpiece (according to me) Nonagon Infinity, then you don’t know King Gizzard. Flying Microtonal Banana Vol. 1 (ATO) is the first of 5 LPs they plan on releasing this year. For FMB, they decided to all start playing microtonal instruments (the notes between the notes) which gives the whole thing an atonal, Indian Raga sort of vibe to their Krautrock-y, smoked-out psych-rock. Seriously, if you don’t already have a King Gizzard t-shirt in the drawer, then you need become a superfan. They are having as much fun as any rock band out there right now, and their fans are having just as much fun going along for the ride. Just try to keep your face from melting off during the Can meets Blue Oyster Cult sounds of “Rattlesnake.”
Alasdair Roberts "Pangs"
For 15 years now, Alasdair Roberts has been writing and performing songs so timeless that it’s impossible to tell if they were written yesterday or hundreds of years ago. Sure, his Scottish brogue helps add to the ancient sound of his songs, but it’s more than that. He has been known to cover traditional songs from time to time, but his own songs match up with those perfectly. On his latest album Pangs (Drag City) he has cast aside the all-acoustic nature of his last album to include some electrics along with the fiddles and other instruments. Check out the Shakespearean lilt of “The Downward Road.”
Six Organs Of Admittance "Burning The Threshold"
If you’ve never heard a song from Six Organs Of Admittance (which would be shocking, there are like 20 records!), I cannot think of a better place to jump on board than with their latest album Burning The Threshold (Drag City). A gentle, unabashedly pretty album full of peace, love, and understanding. Pastoral folk-esque tunes, like a slowed down Fairport Convention, or a less mope-y Nick Drake, or a more relatable Bon Iver. Some songs have vocals, some do not. That’s how the world works. Seriously, if you need some pretty then look no farther than this record. Start with the fretboard gymnastics of the haunting “Threshold Of Light.”
Brokeback "Illinois River Valley Blues"
Douglas McCombs has been recording with his instrumental band Brokeback in some capacity since ’95. Not a bad side gig, eh? Well, that last sentence means he has a main gig, right? Yup. He sure does. Tortoise! How’s that for a one-two punch? I’m sure you are well familiar with the sounds of Tortoise, but Brokeback somehow seems to fly under the radar. It’s a shame, too, since they have been making some of the most evocative instrumental rock of the last 20+ years. If David Lynch were to direct a Kids In The Hall project, the music would almost certainly sound like Illinois River Valley Blues (Thrill Jockey). If you find that statement hard to believe, than you haven’t listened to “Cairo Levee.”