On the whole, the Earth Division EP works structurally, serving an image of a classically-informed sandwich with some meaty sounds left in the middle to savor.
This is one spark-plug of a new artist we got right here. Lydia Loveless Bloodshot Records debut Indestructible Machine kicks ass, leaving a a scattered wake of creepy stalkers, shot glasses and bibles as it blows by. Loveless was reared on country twang, but came of age in the adolescent rage of punk rock and both can be felt wrestling with the singer/songwriter throughout the release.
With tunes from The Beatles (McCartney’s “I Will”) residing comfortably next to standards of a different era ("I Loves You Porgy"), the array of songs matches the versatility of the musicians involved. Deserving an audience beyond that of the genre itself A Moment’s Peace is a seamless piece of contemporary jazz that that never betrays an unnecessary compromise to broaden its appeal.
The title of The New Mastersounds’ latest, Breaks from the Border, refers to the fact that the album was recorded in the border town of Tornillo, Texas, but it may as well refer to the musical position in which the band finds itself in the wake of the album’s release.
Above all, Neon Indian’s sophomore effort Era Extraña illustrates the band’s musical maturation and showcases the evolution of their style, departing from their ambient, sample-speckled debut without losing its defining characteristics.
All troubled thoughts and hand-wringing should cease however, as Wilco has released The Whole Love, a fully realized collection of tunes versatile, commanding, and magnificent. This album is bold, yet painted with deft touches; powerful and evolved, yet simple and stripped down when need be; grippingly philosophical yet still fun enough to demand sing-alongs.
This is her most consistent effort yet, and the process of building the songs up from programmed sounds reveals Herzig’s deft architectural hand, and the fact that she’s chosen bouncy, spirited and cathartic as her palette further bolsters the album. The next step will be learning how to incorporate lyrically the more intimate and raw moments of introspection, but this is an admirable first step in the right direction.
With his newest release – The Lost Cause Minstrels – on the Potato Head Family label, Grayson Capps takes his music in a new direction. Having lived in both New Orleans and Nashville, the Alabama native recently returned home and seems to further embrace his roots.
2007’s personality-driven Marry Me and the production-forward Actor have been rounded out by Strange Mercy’s maturity, honesty and skill to make a solid, progressive and enviable career trilogy that showcases Annie Clark’s talent, innovations and development as an all-around artist.
The whole production envelops, from the layers of perfectly produced instrumentation to the quiet, emotional vocal performances, Father, Son, Holy Ghost has it all.
