Papa M "Highway Songs"
David Pajo of Slint and Tortoise fame is back with his first solo record since 2009, and his first record as Papa M since 2004. Highway Songs (Drag City) is a hodgepodge of genres, as Pajo decided to let the songs go wherever they wanted to this time around. There are metal burners, experimental folk tunes, and electro-freak outs, but the thing that holds them all together cohesively is David’s ability to find the emotional thru line on just about any kind of music. Seeing as how he recorded this album at home, recovering from a motorcycle accident that almost cost him his leg, emotions run high throughout. Check out the pastoral experimental folk of “Walking on Coronado.”
The Silence "Nine Suns, One Morning"
Japan’s The Silence is now three albums into a musical career where the only constant is a constantly changing sound. Nine Suns, One Morning (Drag City) is a jazzy, funky, rock record. Occasional hints of previous psych-folk sounds are here, along with a no wave-esque experimental saxophone-including freak out style that’s blossomed since their last record. It’s as if Morphine and Mr. Bungle formed some sort of supergroup while I was in college and made all of my (at the time) dreams come true. Make all of your dreams come true and check out “Ritual of the Sun (Worm Hole to the Universe).”
Major Stars "Motion Set"
You’re sitting there like everything is normal, like your face isn’t about to melt off. Well all that is about to change, as 18 blistering strings of guitar-ness set your eyes, ears, and nose on fire. Wait. This isn’t 5 alarm chili. We are only here to burn your ears. And blazing they will be with the majesty of Motion Set (Drag City), the new face-melter (remember, I warned ya) from Major Stars. Drone-y wry vocals from Kate Biggar, and ‘70s metal rhythm lay the foundation for the guit-army to attack. Hints of Black Sabbath, Mike Oldfield, and lots of other great guitar things that happened in the ‘70s mixed with a bit of a Pinkerton-era Weezer thing, add a million awesome guitar solos, throw in some jazz exploration, and there you go. Prepare yourself for the aforementioned Sabbath-ness of “For Today.”
Cory Hanson "The Unborn Capitalist From Limbo"
Cory Hanson, the frontman for psych-rock favorite Wand is here with his solo debut, The Unborn Capitalist From Limbo (Drag City). So what’s it sound like? Well, sure, it’s a little psychedelic feeling, but this is not exactly the rock sound his band Wand is known for. Here, Cory has opted for a lush, pastoral, celestial folk sound. String arrangements worthy of Nick Drake and a star-gazing vibe not unlike Joni Mitchell. This is a smoked-up good time, with Cory delivering his poetic vocals with just a hint of a British accent that suits the music better than a tailored shirt. Ok, I’m not sure how I feel about that analogy, but I am sure how I feel about this record. It’s great! Don’t believe me? Then check out standout track “Replica.”