Arcade Fire "Reflektor"

Released 10/28/2013

This is a band you never know what to expect from.  Constantly evolving, they take the listener on a journey that can be rewarding and, at times, somewhat scary.  Early viewing of some of the tunes from “Reflektor” done live had me wondering about the actual album.  The Caribbean influence seemed strong and the structure of the tunes a bit erratic. No fear.  Now that the album is here I can strongly say it’s one of the better albums I’ve heard all year.  Co-produced by James Murphy of the former LCD Soundsystem, the production is crisp and current.  Recorded first in Louisiana, moved  to Jamaica they then joined Murphy in the studio creating additional electronic influences and beats.

The result of all this is an album much different than what they’ve done before yet still retaining that “Arcade Fire thang”.  Never content to stay too static…Arcade Fire gives us another first rate album (double at that).

Now that they are an arena headlining band, I wonder where they are going next with their music?  For sure it will be interesting and I want to be along for the ride...no matter how bumpy.

     

Kings Of Leon "Mechanical Bull"

Released 09/20/2013

The word on this album was that the Kings were doing shorter, harder rock songs and less of the longer rock anthems they are known for.  A quick listen dispelled that notion.  The tracks are generally shorter (and tighter) and each one knocked me out.  I can hear “anthem” with most of the songs, especially imagining them played live.  Kings of Leon are doing what they do best and once again they deliver. 

      Kings of Leon are one of the major rock groups operating today.

Bob Dylan "Another Self Portrait"

Released 08/23/2013

Possibly the most important album listed here.  As disappointing as the original “Self Portrait” was, this one is just as satisfying.  There is way enough unreleased material here to qualify it for this list.  This is 1969 – 1971 Dylan output that you mostly haven’t heard.  Makes you realize what a good album the original could have been and makes the question as to why he released what he did more relevant than ever.

      An elusive and important artist.  Essential.

John Fogerty "Wrote A Song For Everyone"

Released 02/03/2013

Vampire Weekend "Modern Vampires Of The City"

Released 05/13/2013

If you felt that Vampire Weekend's previous releases were a bit too, well, precious and gimmicky, check out "Modern Vampires of the City".  The sonics open up a bit and it's quite a clever listen.  These are still some college grad-u-ates showing off their "arty farty" side but there's more of a feeling of sincerity and understanding of their sound, song construction and lyrical intent.  This is a much smarter album and not in a smarmy showy way.

They have come into their own with this album and are a major band worthy of consideration.  Without dooming the record, this is a smart album for smart people.

Oh, and I forgot to mention: "Modern Vampires of the City" is also a fun listen.  Cult following written all over it.

Mayer Hawthorne "Where Does This Door Go"

Released 07/16/2013

 Ok, another Mayer Hawthorne album and another listing on the best cd list.  Retro respect for classic soul. Yawn?  Not really, Mayer boosts up a notch here with improved production, singing and, yes, more contemporary sounding songs.  The classic sound is still there but bringing in current top pop, hip-hop, R&B producers Pharrell Williams (N.E.R.D, Madonna, Strokes), Greg Wells (Adele, Katy Perry, OneRepublic), Jack Splash (Alicia Keys, Cee-Lo Green, Jennifer Hudson) and Oak (of Pop & Oak: Nicki Minaj, Alicia Keys) seemed to push Mayer forward a bit without losing his basic roots.

If you’re a fan of his work, everything you’ve enjoyed is still there but somehow…better.

      You know, I think this guy has a future in this business.

Iggy & The Stooges "Ready To Die"

Released 04/30/2013

In 2006 Iggy reformed the Stooges with guitarist Ron Asheton, recorded 4 tracks and started appearing live for the first time since 1974.  In 2007 they recorded an album of new songs.  I wanted so badly to be knocked out by “The Weirdness” but, alas, it wasn’t that strong an album. The gigs were good though.  In early 2009 Ron Asheton passed away.  Sigh.

Later in 2009 Iggy got together and reformed Iggy & the Stooges (“Raw Power”) with guitarist James Williamson and started doing live shows.  Forward to 2013 and they recorded a new album “Ready To Die”.  This was the album I expected in 2007.  Produced by Williamson it doesn’t try to burden itself being another “Raw Power”.  It’s a good rock band that’s played together long enough to present us with a tight album doing what they do best…having fun (both musically and lyrically).  The spirit of the earlier Stooges albums (and the best of Iggy’s solo work) is there in spades.  The only miss for me is “Unfriendly World” with Iggy’s Leonard Cohen voice he’s used unsuccessfully in the past. 

      This album rocks out.

Atoms For Peace "Amok"

Released 02/25/2013

Easy review to write.  If you have enjoyed Radiohead you'll enjoy this.  If you enjoyed Thom Yorke's solo work you'll enjoy this more electronically stretched out version.  Layers of sounds interplayed with Yorke's playful vocalizations...this is electronic music, not necessarily electronic dance music.  Though one could imagine a dance floor full of throbbing Yorke wannabes.

If you don't enjoy later Radiohead and Thom Yorke you'll pass.

That's ok, we want to keep this music our own...hands off.
   

Kurt Vile "Wakin On A Pretty Daze"

Released 04/08/2013

Kurt's 2011 album "Smoke Ring for My Halo" was a critically lauded album that strayed away from his earlier lo-fi fuzztone roots.  The songwriting was first rate and his vocals gained an introspective edge that along with higher production values, all the praise was well deserved.  Now what to do about a follow-up?

"Wakin' On a Pretty Daze" continues much in the same vein but much more stretched out (and even more introspective?).  Laconic vocals with a "I'm not in much of a hurry" attitude.  A lot of country comes through here but his garage roots aren't hidden either.  Again, the production is top rate.  And if you listen closely this guy is actually saying something worth considering.

This may top his previous album...it's that good.

David Bowie "The Next Day"

Released 03/08/2013

First off, I'm a huge Bowie fan of his studio output from "The Man Who Sold the World" (1970) through "Heros" (1977).  I consider "Hunky Dory", "...Ziggy Stardust", "Station to Station" and "Low" as classics.  Much of his output in the later years I found somewhat spotty with the occasional good track.  But the excitement of his early work...that pleasure we get listening to a favorite artists work was missing.

Happily, a decade after his last studio album, we get "The Next Day" and the joy seems to be back for this listener.  Referencing his great 70s work throughout, each track has it's own identity.  Even though this is basically the same band from his last studio album in 2003, the sound overall is much more (should I say) retro with a millennium feel.  You could merge varied tracks on "The Next Day" onto specific 70's Bowie albums and they would align perfectly.

Some would say this shows a lack of originality.  I say that with an artist like Bowie in the later stages of his career, what better time than now to look back and assess your past (and your potential future)?

It also helps that he delivers.  A mature, career spanning work.

Richard Thompson "Electric"

Released 02/05/2013

I always found it interesting that when rock musicians are asked to name their favorite guitarists, Richard Thompson is usually among the group of usual suspects.  He's truly a musician's musician.  Acoustic or electric, his work stands out.  Not only instrumentally but vocally (hard to miss his distinctive British inflection), Thompson is unique. 

Then there's his song construction.  Always interesting, when he hits the mark the tunes deliver.  "Good Things Happen to Bad People" on "Electric" is a prime example.  A great song with a chorus that refuses to leave your head.  When a track is this good one would like all the rest to be as on the mark.  That's hard to do.  He comes close on this album with tunes like "Stony Ground" and "Straight and Narrow".  No throwaways here.

A very good album with excellent sound (recorded at a home studion in Nashville) and a lot more "Electric" than recent albums.  Good place to start (or go back to "Mock Tudor" or "Rumour and Sigh"). 

An artist you can't go wrong with.

Aaron Neville "My True Story"

Released 01/18/2013

Take a whole bunch of classic do-woop tunes, a smooth toned singer named Aaron Neville, add Keith Richards on guitar and Benmont Tench on keyboards, put Keith and Don Was in charge of production and you have as sure a thing as possible.  To coin a phrase, true that for "My True Story".

This album pays respectful tribute to the songs with a tasteful band and the mellow tones of Mr. Neville.  Vocal backup includes members of the Jive 5 (Eugene Pitt), Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers (Bobby Jay) and the Del Vikings (Dickie Harmon). 

Aaron, Keith and Don were big fans of the Jive 5 version of "My True Story" and stayed true to the original.  For Leiber and Stroller's "Ruby Baby" they combined both the Drifters and the Dion versions.  Aaron admits a huge Curtis Mayfield influence so "Gypsy Woman" was a no-brainer. "Money Honey", "Be My Baby", "Little Bitty Pretty One", "Under the Boardwalk", "Work With Me Annie", "This Magic Moment"...the list goes on and on.  Magic in these tracks.

Word is that 23 tracks were cut for this album and only 12 were released.  One only hopes that a second release is forthcoming. 

True that.

Parquet Courts "Light Up Gold"

                    Released 01/14/2013

Former Texan bandmates now operating out of Brooklyn, Parquet Courts (supposedly named after the Boston Celtics basketball floor) are a band that wear their influences firmly on their sleeve.  My first impression was the Fall but in quick order Modern Lovers, Feelies, Pavement and Wire (from "Pink Wire") followed.  You get the drift: late 70s - 80s alt indie bands.  Good company though.  Amazingly, after a few listens they have taken those influences and melded them into something that is, well, Parquet Courts.

The main songwriters are lead singer Andrew Savage and guitarist Austin Brown.  Savage is also involved with two other bands: Ferguson & Geronimo (more experimental in a Zappa Straight Records fashion) and Teenage Cool Kids (power pop-ish).  Brown must have a positive influence on Savage because Parquet Courts stands out from those other bands (they do have their appeal though).

The band talks about an "Americana" influence on their work.  Yeah, Americana via CBGB's and late 70's British punk.  They released their first album on cassette only in 2011 and it's hard to locate.  "Light Up Gold" was released by a smaller label in 2012 and this is the 2013 reissue of the same album with larger distribution on a bigger label.

If you're a fan of the above mentioned bands (with a touch of Buzzcocks, Vibrators. et al) this is an album worth looking into.  I wavered at first but now I'm firmly in the Parquet camp.  A quick and very rewarding listen.