Weekend Music Roundup

Well it's here...the unofficial last weekend of summer! I thought I'd feature mostly new releases on this list, a sort of catching up on summer albums before summer passes. This is a completely rock based list, including new artists, indie rock, new wave icons, metal monsters, and classic rock superstars. Lots of great stuff on here, and another spectacular summer of listening. Hopefully you all found some great music this summer as well. Enjoy.

Briston Maroney - Indiana: The second EP from Nashville based the singer songwriter was released earlier this year. Only 21 years old, his work shows a lot of promise. He reminds a bit of Eliot Smith, with a much brighter outlook, but not all that much brighter. Only four songs long, but the sparseness definitely adds to the appeal. "Caroline" is my favorite, but all four songs are excellent. Definitely one to check out.

Interpol - A Fine Mess: A year after Marauder, their comeback album of sorts, the NYC band has released this five song EP. Cut from the same cloth as that album, this is another fine release that sees a band that has re-found themselves. The title track is one of their finest songs since the early days, and the next four keep the feel going. This probably won't win them any new fans, but old fans will be pleased, and fans who haven't listened to them in a decade might want to return. 

Graham Parker and the Rumour - Stick to Me: After listening to and loving the '79 Squeezing Out the Sparks record, I snatched up this one from '77 from the "4 for $10" bin at the local shop. This one is just as good, and just as much a clone of Elvis Costello. By clone, I don't mean rip-off, I mean sounds similar and equally as great. "Problem Child," "I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down," "Watch the Moon Come Down," and "Thunder and Rain" are my personal favorites on this great record.  

Liam Gallagher - MTV Unplugged (Preview): In spectacular fashion, the once influential channel announced the return of the once iconic Unplugged program to the UK featuring Liam. Recorded in Hull, this is a career spanning set as the Oasis singer prepares for the release of his second solo album and will air on Sept. 27th. In preparation, this bootleg collection of live acoustic performances hit the internet. An amazing collection of tunes from one of the best voices in rock. 

The Mystery Lights - Too Much Tension!: This is the third album from the L.A. formed, Brooklyn based psychedelic garage rock band. Right from the opening, it digs deep into the early '70s psychedelic garage sound of The Stooges and feels interesting and dangerous. The first three tracks are fantastic, but this aura fades on some tracks, but never vanishes, making this a record worth listening to.

Grand Funk - Survival: The band's fourth album in two years, was released in 1971. This is a band that I wasn't turned on to until the last couple of years, but have grown to love. Their brand of hard rock is totally pure, as it should be as one of the pioneer's of the genre. The band was shit hot at this point in their career, and perhaps overextended, but somehow they manage to keep up the quality on this record. "Comfort Me," and the covers of Joe Cocker's "Feelin' Alright" and The Rolling Stones "Gimme Shelter" are my personal favorites. 

Krokus - The Blitz: Released in 1984, this is the eighth album from Swiss hard rock band. This is very representative of hard rock from the era, borrowing heavily from bands like AC/DC. It features blistering guitars, pounding drums, and hair raising screeching vocals...a good formula in my mind. "Out of Control," "Our Love," and "Rock the Nation" are my personal favorites. Just plain old good hard rock.