Unlike many of my colleagues, I did nothing to observe the twentieth anniversary of the death of Kurt Cobain last month. I'd rather focus on what's happening now than ruminate on the past. Besides, Cobain lives in the music of Skating Polly. The stepsisters from Oklahoma pay tribute to Cobain in the best way possible- by rocking in the unkept tradition of the icon. It's no accident that the new album Fuzz Steilacoom sounds like a classic recording from the vaults of K Records. The project was overseen by the label's Calvin Johnson. The lead track "Alabama Movies" contains a few of the album's many undiluted moments of greatness.
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I reviewed Fitz and the Tantrums's concert on Saturday.
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Ensemble Ibérica, Beau Blesoe's new performance group, has announced its 2014 season.
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Cowboy Indian Bear made a video for "Ruffian".
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I have real problems with Tech N9ne's "Over It". Strangeulation was released today.
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Don't believe the hype. Ratking makes hip-hop for people who like the idea of the music more than actually listening to it. So It Goes probably sounds great in 30-second preview clips, but it's a rough slog when consumed in its entirety. RIYL: the worst Terror Squad album, hype, the worst Wu-Tang Clan album.
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I'm amused to see that Macroscope, the new release by the Nels Cline Singers, is being embraced by people who would never consider listening to a John Scofield, Pat Metheny, Arto Lindsay or Marc Ribot album. The entertaining recording combines elements of all four guitarists. What's next- a Barney Kessel revival among Wilco fans?
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Coltsblood's Into The Unfathomable Abyss sounds as if it was made by the stoner kids next door. And the amateurish quality is precisely why I love it the new album by the British sludge metal band.
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What if Pat Metheny kept making the same music he made in 1978? Mark Egan, the bassist on those early Pat Metheny Group albums, recreates that sound on his new album About Now.
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Given the participants' track records, Brian Blade & the Fellowship Band's Landmark merits repeated listening, but I'll admit to being totally underwhelmed.
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Iggy Azalea's The New Classic isn't. Gwen Stefani, photogenic people, Nikki Minaj.
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Add me to the long list of metal fans who are losing their minds over Lord Mantis' Death Mask. RIYL: new depths of heaviness, Wormrot, doomsday.
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Of the artists performing at this month's Soundset festival that I haven't seen in the past 12 months, Nas and EarlWolf are the biggest attractions.
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Stanton Moore's Conversations is a straight-ahead jazz trio album. RIYL: Ellis Marsalis, versatility, Karriem Riggins. (Tip via J.F.)
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Whoop whoop! Murs has gone full… well, you know.
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Harvey Mason, the drummer of Headhunters and Fourplay, revisits '70s instrumental funk on Chameleon.
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Anyone familiar with the work of jazz/jam guitarist Charlie Hunter won't be surprised that he and Scott Amendola recorded an EP of five covers of songs by The Cars.
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"They Come In Gold" is a track from the forthcoming album by Shabazz Palaces. I don't think the duo played the song at the Middle of Map fest in April.
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Here's an analysis of the music produced by L. Ron Hubbard. (Via J.F.)
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I had high hopes for Dust Moth's Dragon Mouth. It sounds great but the songwriting is lacking. RIYL: Deftones, the intersection of metal and shoe gaze, My Bloody Valentine.
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It's great to see that Bun B has it together in his interview with Nardwuar.
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Here's the trailer for the documentary: B.B. King: The Life of Riley.
(Original image by There Stands the Glass.)
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