Weekend Music Roundup

 

The weekend is here, and the Roundup finally returns! It's been a few weeks since I've posted. The summer just sort of got away from me, the way summer's often do. But the music keeps on playing even if I haven't written about it. This is a bit of an eclectic list, which means there some things to perk some interest. Happy listening. Enjoy.

Current Joy - Voyager: The newest album from the indie artist on one of my favorite labels (Secretly Canadian) is bit of a 80s inspired pop rock, a kind of Ryan Adams record but with fits of chaotic energy that make it unpredictable and enjoyable throughout. "Breaking the Waves," "American Honey," "Amateur," and "Voyager Pt 2" are personal favorites on this solid record. 

 

Elton John - Victim of Love: By '79, Elton was awash in drugs and this disco effort is a prime example of a coked-up odyssey. If it wasn't clear by the cover, it instantly becomes clear with the opening track, possibly the longest version of Johnny B. Goode ever made. Though pretty much panned when it came out, and still one his most un-loved albums, it's actually pretty enjoyable and one of those albums that bridges the blues based nature of 70s pop rock and the slicker style of 80s pop rock. 

 

Rod Stewart - Every Picture Tells a Story: After leaving the Jeff Beck Group and joining the Faces, Rod also embarked on his solo career in the early 70s. Released in 1971, the same year the Faces' "A Nod is as Good as Wink...", this is probably Rod's most beloved solo record and features "Maggie May" as the opener for Side B. As followers of the Roundup may have noticed, I've been really into Rod these days and consider him one of the best true barroom vocalists. There's a grittiness to his voice that is so soothing and catchy. You can usually find a copy of this in the cheap bin, and it will always be worth the few dollars you pay. 

 

Royal Trux - Pound for Pound: Released in 2000, twelve years after the Chicago noise rock band's debut. This is one of those bands that's listened to on and off for a good two decades, but never found an album that I really connected to. This one, I did. It's a little more garage rock than some of the albums that came before it, a little easier to get into. I will definitely go back and explore their CDs that I have in my collection. I often find that once I connect with something a band does, I can connect with other albums that I may not have connected with before.  

 

Big Mama Thornton - Stronger Than Dirt: Released in '69, almost 20 years into the southern blues singer's career, this album is a powerhouse of soulful blues. There are many classic songs on here, each of them transformed by her captivating voice. This was one of those albums I picked up for a few dollars and instantly felt that it was worth 10x what I paid. 

The Cult - Electric: The third album from the London band was their released in '87 and sees them move away from their gothic roots and establish themselves as a hard rock band. Ian Astbury does his best Jim Morrison on here, oozing an electric vibe over grinding guitar riffs. It was the album that came after this, Sonic Temple that hooked me when I was a tween, with the powerhouse "Fire Woman". What I didn't know at the time is that this album is filled with "Fire Woman" type tracks and a much more solid album. Great late 80s hard rock that fits in with the sound coming out of L.A. at the time.