Weekend Music Roundup!

The weekend has arrived and with it, as always, comes my ramblings about music that potentially I am the only one who cares about. Yet, it's the age of social media and we must pretend that others care about our thoughts and reckonings, so I'm going to go along with the facade and share with you all my thoughts and reckonings about some albums I've been listening to lately. This is mostly some old stuff, but there are two new releases thrown in. Some folk, some psych, some new wave, and some metal. Hopefully you can find something to explore. Enjoy.

Unicorn - Too Many Crooks: Released in '76, this is the third album from the UK folk rock band. There are obvious nods to the Grateful Dead on this record and they are playing a similar country folk rock sound that the Dead were playing at that time. Luckily they are talented enough musicians and while imitative, it's not unworthy of a listen. There are some really solid tracks on this record, including "Bullseye Bill," "Disco Dancer" and "No Way Out of Here" which would later be covered by David Gilmour on his first solo record. 

Green River - Dry as a Bone: This is the second EP from Mark Arm's pre-Mudhoney and Stone Gossard's pre-Pearl Jam Seattle band. This was released in '87, shortly before the band broke up and was recently released in a deluxe expanded double LP edition. I've always enjoyed Mudhoney early work and figured this deserved a listen. It definitely sounds exactly like early Mudhoney! This is the garage punk sound that started the entire Seattle music movement of the '90s, in it's absolutely rawest form. This feels heavily influenced by Iggy and The Stooges with lots of great heavy riffs and lots of attitude. "One More Stitch," "This Town," "Unwind," "Bleeding Sheep," and "Bazaar" are my personal favorites.

Mitski - Be the Cowboy: The fifth album from the Brooklyn indie artist was released late last summer. It's my first encounter with her work. This album is indie pop with lots of electronic overtones, and in that way reminds me of artists from twenty years ago, though this definitely doesn't sound like music from that time. It's very moody, but also catchy, much like Aurora or Tina Dico, but with more indie rock instrumentation. "Why Didn't You Stop Me," "A Pearl," "Lonesome Love," "Remember My Name," and "Blue Light" are my personal favorites. 

Squeeze - Cool for Cats: The second album from the London New Wave band was released in 1979 and features perhaps their most iconic song, "Up the Junction." And being the earliest days of the genre, there is a lot clear punk influences on this record that remind me of early Adam Ant and even early The Cure.  This is a very enjoyable album that still sounds fresh and catchy. "The Knack," "Up the Junction," the rockabilly "Hop, Skip, and Jump," and "Goodbye Girl" are standouts for me on this essential album in the genre.  

Spidergawd - V: Released in January, this is the fifth album from the Norwegian hard rock band, but my first encounter with them. This is pretty much by the numbers stoner rock played by capable musicians, but it certainly isn't anything that blows you away. There are some great heavy riffs spread throughout the record and moments where it feels like it might explode into greatness, but never truly does. It reminds me of Monster Magnet in that way. "Whirlwind Rodeo" is the one song that really stood out for me. 

Jackie Washington - Jackie Washington at Club 47: There was no shortage of folk singers in the early '60s, but there were few African American ones. Jackie is from Boston and is certainly in that Dylan, Frank, Van Ronk mold of acoustic guitar and social consciousness lyrics, but there's a level of soul in his voice that makes this Vanguard folk artist. "It Isn't Nice," "Man of Constant Sorrow," "Loving Hannah," "Yaravi," and "Freedom Songs" are my personal favorites on this quality live folk album.