STRFKR "Being No One, Going Nowhere"
Oh man, are STRFKR ever back (not that they really went anywhere, but you gotta start a blurb somehow, right?)! Being No One, Going Nowhere (Polyvinyl) is a groovy, synthy, poptastic good time. More of a dance-pop release than their previous band-oriented release Miracle Mile, we find the band focusing their gaze to things like Italian disco of the ‘70s, synth-y new wave of the ‘80s, and alt-electronica of the modern era a la Phoenix and MGMT. The whole party is driven forward by infectious bass lines, downtown beats, and a M83-ish collection of perfectly produced synth sounds. Check out the disco-prog strains of the laid back bounce of “Never Ever.”
Lambchop "FLOTUS"
If you’re sick of Lambchop releasing subtle masterpiece after subtle masterpiece, then FLOTUS (Merge) is probably gonna make you mad. (Frankly though, I think it’s weird that good music makes you mad.) If, however, you can’t get enough of their experimental beauty, then get ready to fall in love. Expanding on the electronic, auto-tuned direction they’ve been playing with of late, this time around all that is coupled with lush strings, delicate arrangements, and Kurt Wagner’s unmistakable voice (auto-tuned or not, there’s no mistaking him). The weirdest country band in the world keeps getting weirder, and we should consider ourselves lucky that they are doing so. Thanks Lambchop! You’ll be thanking them to when you check out the Krautrock meets Peanuts music sounds (trust me, it’s an awesome combo) of “NIV.”
Nada Surf "Peaceful Ghosts"
In the summer of 2016, while the rest of us were busy wasting the days away watching the summer olympics (I honestly don’t remember one thing that happened, so that was time well spent…) Nada Surf was busy recording their new album Peaceful Ghosts (Barsuk). And by new album, I mean greatest hits. And by Greatest Hits I mean live with a full orchestra. Anyone playing along with the home version of BRM knows that we hold Nada Surf near and dear to our hearts. They were our very first placed band. So chances are you know what the boys sound like normally, right? Well this time around, they went back through their catalog and hand-picked some classic jams to give the gift of recording them with the Babelsberg Film Orchestra. They have found new depths with this one. Take, for instance, the haunting string chills that now accompany “Blizzard of ’77.”
Sasha Siem "Bird Burning"
With a Tom Waits flair for drama, a Joanna Newsom-esque flair for neoclassical arrangement, and a voice all her own, Sasha Siem is back with Bird Burning. No, this isn’t a record full of sick burns to use as retorts towards mean avian friends (if you do need a bird burn, try “you call that a beak?”). It is in fact a record filled with soaring, sophisticated tunes that combine Sasha’s lyrical prowess with her crisp, nuanced vocals, and almost jazz-y pulses of her band. Check out the yearning of “Crow.”