Weekend Music Roundup

The weekend is here, the resurrection weekend no less. In that vein, many of the albums on this list are a bit of a resurrection project as they are old and forgotten, but perhaps shouldn't be. However, to keep it interesting, there are a couple of new releases (or newer). There's a big mix of music from folk to noise rock to jazz. Hopefully there's something here that will be worth your time to seek out and check out and enjoy.

Turin Brakes - Invisible Storm: It's been nearly 20 years since this London outfit's first release and they've been active ever since. Released in January, this is their eighth studio album and my favorite of theirs in a decade. It captures the melancholy edge of indie pop in a way that they did on their best work. "Lost in the Woods," "Deep Sea River," "Everything All at Once," and "Don't Know Much" are my favorite tracks.

Karen Dalton - In My Own Time: This 1971 folk album is one of those unknown to many yet treasure by the few who do. One of the Woodstock artists, her name lives on in my neck of the woods and I picked up the reissue of this album a few months ago, yet held off reviewing it until I'd listened to it several times. I've always loved her voice and her playing, but it took a few times for the beauty of this to sink in. She breaks many of the folk rules to create what is often billed as "acid folk," creating a sound that is grating on the surface, but beautiful underneath.  It reminds me of Jackson C. Frank, another artist who ended up in the Woodstock area.

The Skull Defekts - The Skull Defekts: Though this Swedish noise rock band has released a ton of music in the past 13 years, this is the first I've encountered. Ironically, it appears to be their last as the band reportedly disbanded after the release this year. This has the kind of heavy psych vibe that I dig, mixed with a harder rock sound. It reminds me of Icarus Line, one of my favorite bands of the '00s. Definitely worth checking out and I'm going to check out other albums. 

Chain and the Gang - Experimental Music: The newest album from Ian Svenonius (Make-Up, Nation of Ulysses, Weird War) is the best of this incarnation's releases. It returns to the throwback garage sound of the Make-Up and ironically is the least experimental music he's done in a decade. "The Logic of Night," "Rome," and "Three Made a Fool Out of Me" are standouts on this welcomed return to form.

Panama Limited Jug Band - Panama Limited Jug Band: The short-lived London psychedelic folk band produced two albums in '69 and '70, this being the debut on the Harvest label (Pink Floyd's label at the time). I picked this up on a whim due to my obsession with jug band music and have to say, despite reviews I've read online, I quite liked it. Sure, there's lot of kazoo and mandolin, and hippy freak outs, but that's what makes it so entertaining. This is London side of the psychedelic end of the '60s and I find it fascinating.

Charles Mingus - Mingus at Carnegie Hall: Recorded in '74, this album is two jams that each take an entire side of the record. Mingus is fine form, playing the bass, and his talented band totally bring it, as most performers usually do at this venue. This is a non-stop assault. When one sax solo is done, another picks up. The result can be overwhelming at times, but if you get in the right frame of mind, it's a wonderful trip and one worth taking.