Tall Ships "Impressions (Fat Cat)"
The 2012 stunning debut from Tall Ships was both a blessing and a curse for the band. After all, Pitchfork described their sound as “the more swashbuckling strains of Okkervil River and Modest Mouse, M83’s downcast glimmer, and Sigur Rós’ misty yawn.” Expectations were high. Plus, some personal turmoil and a falling out with their label left the band with two options. Persevere or give up. Thankfully, they did the former. Retreating to their keyboardist’s country home to regroup. And regroup they did. Each song on Impressions (Fat Cat) is an anthemic, build-y wonder. Patches of beauty only outdone by patches of even more joyous beauty. Seriously. This one is a keeper. Check out “Road Not Taken.”
Craig Finn "We All Want The Same Things"
Craig Finn has been recording music in some capacity since 1993. Let that soak in. That’s the year that Bill Clinton began his first term. Besides his work with The Hold Steady (and Life Puller before that) Craig has also been known to release a solo album not and again. We All Want The Same Things (Partisan) is his 3rd solo outing. His mixture of unique storytelling, pop-punk leanings, and ear for arrangements is on full display here. You know you already love Craig, and can’t wait to hear some new tunes from him, so check out Velvet Underground meets Springsteen strains of “Preludes.”
Laetitia Sadier Source Ensemble "Find Me Finding You (Drag City)"
“Experimental and soothing.” That’s how Stereogum describes the sound of Laetitia Sadier’s new project. The former Stereolab member is back with a new band. Following two solo releases, Laetitia Sadier Source Ensemble is here as the new framing for her unique songwriting abilities. Frankly, everything she does fits into that Stereogum description. There are few bands you can recognize instantly based on chord changes, and Laetitia is one of them. It sounds exactly like you want it to. A furthering of the ideas born of Stereolab. I will gladly take every second of music she sees fit to gift the world, and to be sure, Find Me Finding You (Drag City) is certainly a gift. Timeless, steeped in French traditions, and yet always space aged and forward thinking. Check out the lead track from the album, “Undying Love For Humanity.”
Pontiak "Dialectic Of Ignorance (Thrill Jockey)"
Since the last time Pontiak recorded an album, the brothers Carney started a brewery. Because they are splitting their time now, they spent far more time recording Dialectic Of Ignorance (Thrill Jockey) then any of their previous albums. Each day they would get to work fermenting soda beans (i’m not super clear on how beer is made, just how it’s consumed) and listen to what they recorded the day before. They’d spend the day mulling over ideas, talking things out, and then head back into the studio later that night. This slowed down process gave them the ability to lovingly craft these songs. Stretched out, and full of good ideas, this is what a Roger Waters-less Pink Floyd SHOULD have sounded like. Psychedelic, with a hard edge, and sophisticated while still retaining experimentally.