Weekend Music Roundup

It's the Super weekend, but as you are busy stuffing yourself with snack foods and beer, you might want to take a break from the bad music and think about some good music. As promised last week, I've listed some 2020 albums from bands I'd been looking forward to hearing new material from. I've also put some albums that I've recently picked up, mostly new, but one old jazz record. Hopefully there's something that scores with you today. Enjoy.

Wolf Parade - Thin Mind: It seems like just yesterday that these guys released their comeback album, but it has been almost three years. Their fifth album follows the same established sound that they've been pursuing for years, with Dan and Spencer playing off each other's strengths and alternating songs. This has always kept their albums fresh and interesting throughout and this is no different. It's funny though, it clearly has a "00's - '10s" indie sound to it. Strange how that can be pinpointed now. Another solid album by a band that has always been solid. 

Monoski - Pool Party: The second album from the Swiss duo was released in 2015 and was gifted to me from my Mother in-law in Switzerland. She picked this album out with the help of the shop owner in their town, a shop I've visited many times. They did a fantastic job as this is a wonderful noise rock album in the vein of Death From Above.  It's chaotic in ways, but maintains a structure, which is the best kind of noise rock in my opinion. You can listen to some of it on their Bandcamp site (linked above). 

The Frights - Everything Seems Like Yesterday: The fourth album from the San Diego indie band was released early in 2020. I really enjoyed their second record, You're Going to Hate This, but missed their next one that came out in 2018. So I'm not sure what the sound of that one was, but this is a departure from the second record. More introspective, more acoustic, this is feels very different, but not in a bad way. A very solid effort from a band that I will continue to watch.

Myles Kennedy - Year of the Tiger: This is the 2018 solo album from the Alter Bridge singer and Slash collaborator. The Washington native has that Seattle sound to his voice that reminds me of Mark Lanegan. There's a clear blues influence on here that works great, giving the entire album this haunting should. The title track is my favorite, and is one of the best songs of its type that I've heard in a long time.

Johnny Hartman - I Just Dropped By to Say Hello: Released in '64, in the peak of the jazz vocalist's career, this is one of his signature records. He captures the sound of late night loneliness better than anyone. Unlike a lot of the standards singers of the time, Johnny is accompanied by outstanding jazz musicians. "Charade," "In the Wee Small Hours," "Don't Call It Love," and the title track are standouts on a fantastic record.

Czarface and MF DOOM - Czarface Meets Metalface: For the past six years Wu Tang founding member Inspectah Deck has been releasing albums under the Czarface moniker, and collaborated with MF DOOM on this 2018 release. It's kind of a dream team of East Coast Hip Hop and it doesn't disappoint. Typical of the genre, it has incredible beats, hard hitting lyrics and kicks from start to finish. Excellent album for NYC hard core fans.