Weekend Music Roundup

The weekend is here. There a couple of newer albums on here, a bunch from 2019 that I didn't get to in 2019, as well as some older albums that have been waiting for their moment on the Roundup. This is one of those kitchen sink lists with folk, rock, metal and hip-hop. Something for everyone, so go on and dig in. As always, enjoy.

Big Thief - Two Hands: This is one of those albums that I missed in 2019. Though it's the fourth album in four years from the Brooklyn indie band, they were completely unknown to me until I started seeing it pop up on people's favorites lists. This is an album that is true indie folk in the sense that it blends the two genres. Adrianne's voice is amazing and really delivers these songs right to the soul. "Not" and "Replaced" are two of the best songs I've heard in this genre in a long time. Perfect for fans of Smoke Fairies and First Aid Kit. 

ShitKid - Duo Limbo: This is the third album from the Swedish lo-fi indie band. Naturally, with a band name like that, I was tempted to research them and what I found sounded interesting enough to give it a listen. They mix power pop with indie rock the way the riot grrl movement did in the '90s. They definitely have heroes in bands like Bikini Kill. The result is a fun album that has all songs in English on side A and in Swedish on side B. "Eagles Over America," "Feels like the Movies," and "Anger MGMT" are my personal favorites. 

Violent Femmes - Hotel Last Resort: The iconic Milwaukee folk punk band's second album since re-forming in earnest a few years ago is their 11th studio album to date, coming 35 years after their debut. Now this is one of those bands that has suffered from the pure brilliance of their debut album, an album that they have never truly been able to match. However, it doesn't mean their other material isn't worth a listen. This album is a bit hit or miss, and doesn't stray far from the style they developed so long ago, it just sort of lacks the hunger and passion. "God Bless America," "I'm Not Gonna Cry," and the title track (featuring Tom Verlaine of Television) are standout tracks.  

Zaum - Divination: The fourth album from the Canadian doom metal band came out last spring. This is a band that I'd been meaning to check out for some time and finally got around to it. The album consists of three lengthy tracks that create soundscapes typical of stoner doom metal. It's heavy, eerie, sludgy, and quite well done. Certainly not an album for everyday, but when you feel like escaping into this world, it feels just right. 

Eagles - Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975: This compilation is the best selling album all-time in the U.S., having sold more than 30 million copies since it's release in 1975. Any one who grew up in the 70's and 80's, such as myself, undoubtedly knows every one of these songs. That's kind of always been my problem with this album, just way too familiar. Familiarity breeds contempt. The trick for me this time was that I haven't really heard many of these songs in over twenty years and so listening to it now, it was wonderfully nostalgic. The Eagles managed to blend country and folk rock into tunes that were easy to listen to, yet felt special somehow. 

Knxwledge - Wt.Prt10.8: The L.A. based, NJ born artist has released dozens of albums and mix tapes in the past seven years. This mix tape comes from 2017. He does a lot of experimental hip-hop and glitch hop, which makes for an interesting listen when combined with clearly talented flow. Everything feels very fluid and stream of consciousness, which it has to be in order to be so prolific. Nothing is over thought or over produced and the rawness is what makes it worthwhile. "Sneakin," "Runninsprints," and "eggwhites" are standouts on this brief EP.