Tim Kasher "No Resolution"
No Resolution, the new solo LP from Cursive’s Tim Kasher, finds Tim at the helm of what can only be described as a pop orchestra. Like a pop-punk song cycle with arrangements from Van Dyke Parks, the concept album (I haven’t gotten to write THAT in a blurb in some time, thanks Tim!) about a soon to collapse relationship between an engaged couple. The songs will be appearing later in 2017 in Tim’s directorial debut of the same name. Oh right! I never mentioned the album’s name. It’s called No Resolution (15 Passenger). Like I said, film of the same name, which will be featuring songs like “An Answer for Everything.” Dig in!
Ibibio Sound Machine "Uyai"
You’re likely going to be at least a little surprised when I tell you that your favorite new dance album is coming to you from our friends at Merge Records. Ibibio Sound Machine’s Merge debut Uyai is a delicious mixture of amazing genres and influences. Led by London-born Nigerian vocalist Eno Williams, this is an impossible-to-sit-still-through combo of disco, new wave, post-punk, and most notably Afrobeat and West African Funk. The result is like a masterful mashup of William Onyeabor, Missing Persons, late-era Talking Heads, Fela Kuti, and Deerhoof. Yeah. They are going on all of your playlists. You will finish the album, and start it over again immediately. Begin your love affair with “Give Me A Reason.”
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.”