Weekend Music Roundup

 

 

The weekend has arrived, and as I promised last week, I've had more time to digest some '21 releases over the past week and am sharing a few of those with you all. In addition to some new albums, there's a few re-releases and some old discoveries on the list. Mostly rock on here, and fair amount of female artists. Hopefully there's something here you might want to check out. Enjoy.

Elizabeth and the Catapult - Sincerely, E: The first album in four years from the Brooklyn singer songwriter who won me over with her debut Taller Children back in 2009. I've always loved the 70's style of her voice, that blue eyed FM folk sound. This album has that, combined with an Aimee Mann introspective examination of the world. "The Muse," "Sweet Chariot," "The Stranger," and "Hope, My Sometimes Friend" are my personal favorites and this very welcomed record.

The Misunderstood - Children of the Sun: The complete recordings of the Riverside, California band that was meant to be the next "it" thing but then never were. After legendary DJ John Peel convinced the band to relocate to London, things began happening. And then lead singer and songwriter Rick Brown was drafted and fled to India where he'd remain for 12 years. Listening to this, it's clear to see the promise that others saw in them. They were blossoming American answer to The Animals. This is one of those nuggets that was in need of a re-issue.

Rob Zombie - The Lunar Injection Kool Aid Eclipse Conspiracy: It's been five years since his last solo album and this is a welcomed continuation of the sound that really came into its own two albums ago. With similar titles and artwork, I can help but look at the last three albums as a trilogy and they are a fantastic one of industrial hedonism. "Ballad of Sleazy Rider," "18th Century Cannibals," and "Boom Boom Boom" are standouts on another fantastic display of insanity.  

 

The Great Society - Conspicuous Only in Its Absence: Before she became the San Fran psychedelic icon from Jefferson Airplane, Grace Slick was the front woman of this early psych rock band which recorded the original versions of her classic songs "Somebody to Love" and "White Rabbit." The band was making a name for themselves in '65, securing a record deal, only to have Grace leave and join Jefferson Airplane who had just released their first record. Their second would be legendary, but this album captures the shadow that came before. This is a live set, that wouldn't be released until '68. Really solid stuff and a must for Airplane fans. 

The Pinkos - The Pinkos: The one and only album from the socialist indie punk band released in 2000 is one of the many little known gems from that explosive era in indie music. This two piece garage punk band out of the North West has roots in the riot grrl scene, which is probably to be expected. While I love bands like Bikini Kill and Babes in Toyland, these guys are much easier to listen to. One of the great things about exploring music is that there are always bands that existed that you missed for whatever reason, and sometimes you find one that just clicks for you. Super solid record.