Holy Sons "In The Garden"
I’m not the first person to compare Emil Amos to Jim O’Rourke. Like O’Rourke, Amos has nearly countless bands, Holy Sons here (plus Om, Lilacs and Champagne, Grails) and solo outings and guest turns. Much like the last release from Jim O’Rourke as well, In The Garden (Partisan) appears to be both a forward thinking love letter to the easy rocking ‘70s, as well as a song cycle that is the culmination of a lifetime spent listening to and recording music. A swan song? Well, no. It’s way too early for that. But definitely a high water mark (having the lovely and talented John Agnello in the studio sure doesn’t hurt.) Check out the Cure covering Phosphorescence sounds of “Robbed and Gifted.”
Kevin Devine "Instigator"
I was about to write “if there’s one thing Kevin Devine is know for” but quickly thought better of it. Why? Because KD is known for lots of things. His introspective lyrics. His ability to change from solo acoustic to rollicking rock and roll. His prolific discography. His awesome last name. His bionic heat vision. Ok. Now I’m starting to make stuff up. But I’m not making this up: Instigator (Procrastinate! Music Traitors), Kevin’s 9th studio album (that number at least triples if you include live albums, other projects, EPs, singles…), is everything we love about Kevin. Elliot Smith-esque confessions and vocal melodies, Weezer-y hooks, simple math rock complexities (yeah, I know that doesn’t make sense, but listen and you’ll see I’m right), and all produced by the lovely and talented John Agnello (Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr.). Check out “No History.”
American Football "American Football (LP2)"
It has been 17 years since Polyvinyl released what would eventually become the classic self-titled debut from American Football. As you probably know, what happened after that is the stuff of rock legend. The band broke up only having played a handful of small shows. It was only after the band didn’t exist that the record went on to become “one of the single most influential rock records of it’s time” (quote from Noisey, but a sentiment expressed by countless media quote makers). Thankfully, the legendary 2014 reunion shows went as well as they did, because (and I can’t believe I’m writing this) American Football are back with a new self-titled LP! (make sense of THAT discogs!) The same emotionally resonant lyrics tugging at nostalgic heartstrings, the math rock syncopation, the swirling emo interplay, and now Mike’s bro Nate Kinsella laying down the bass. Even more surefooted and (of course) mature then the last time around, this is gonna get you just like the first one did. Prepare for a rush of turn-of-the-century emotions with the first single from the album “I’ve Been So Lost For So Long.”
MONO "Requiem For Hell"
MONO has spent nearly 20 years playing and recording some of the most dramatic instrumental post-rock we have ever heard. Requiem For Hell (Temporary Residence) will do little to shake you of that opinion. It is gorgeous. It is instrumental. It is dramatic. Bonus: It is recorded by Steve Albini. The band smartly went back to recording with the analog wizard for this emotional album. Every tune a movie for your mind. So prepare your brain theater for the Explosions In The Sky sounds of “The Last Scene.”