Weekend Music Roundup

So the weekend is here, and I know the weekend has come and gone the past two weeks as well without a Roundup. I apologize for that, for anyone who actually noticed. I had a lot going on and somehow just never got around to putting everything together. That doesn't mean I haven't been listening to music over the past few weeks. In fact, I now have a large stockpile of reviews to last me through the year, while I still try desperately to get through the remaining 2019 albums. There will be lots more to come, but for now, enjoy this mix of new and old. Enjoy.

I Am Oak - Osmosis: This is the sixth album from the Dutch indie folk band. I enjoyed their first two albums, released last decade, but have missed the three between them and this...I think I might need to back track, because somewhere along the way they went from solid to excellent. This album feels a lot like Iron and Wine and shows more depth than their earlier records. One of the best indie folk albums I've heard this year.

Wilco - Ode to Joy: The 11th proper album from the legendary Chicago indie band is their most introspective and impactful album in some time. Not that they have ever released a bad album, but this is top tier for them, feeling a bit like a book-end to their classic '02 album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Over the past three decades, Jeff Tweedy has established himself as one of the most important songwriters of his generation, and his talent shines on this record. "One and A Half Stars," "Bright Leaves," "Quiet Amplifier," "Everyone Hides," and "Hold Me Anyway" are personal favorites. 

The Flock - The Flock: The 1969 debut from the short-lived Chicago psychedelic prog band. Incorporating lots jazz instruments in their sound, from violin and sax, there is a feel of jazz fusion on here, but it comes off more like funk infused psych rock. This album quickly finds its groove and falls deep into it and stays there. Very nice lost album with two epic tracks making up the second side, "Store Bought - Store Thought," and "Truth."

Korn - The Nothing: It's almost hard to believe the nu-metal pioneers have been around for 25 years, but here we are. The newest album is their first in three years, their 13th studio album. I've always been partial to this band when they've made music that is slightly more mainstream, which is kind of opposite of their original fans. This album follows that path, as have many of their more recent albums, and it's basically just straight up rock metal. The thing about Korn is that they never pretend to be anything they aren't, and for that reason, I can totally respect them. Not my favorite of theirs, but this is certainly a good one of theirs.

Hanoi Rocks - Self Destruction Blues: The third album from the Finnish glam rock band was released in 1982. By this time, they were on top of their game and poised to be the face of the emerging new glam scene that was just about to take off, before tragedy struck during their first US tour in '84 (a famous rock story). I recently picked up a copy of the 1987 reissue on blue vinyl on GnR's Uzi Suicide label at Geffen. This album showcases the band at their best, in a compilation of early singles and B-Sides. "Kill City Kills," "Nothing New," "Beer and Cigarette," "Taxi Driver," "Desperadoes," and the wonderful Stones-y title track are standouts. 

Lenny White - The Adventures of Astral Pirates: In the 70's, Lenny White was involved in many jazz-fusion, jazz-funk projects, including Return to Forever. He was pioneer drummer, infusing jazz into other styles. In addtion to having one of the best album covers, this album is super groovy, and though certainly club friendly, it's anti-disco in its complexity. "Universal Love" is a song that Jamiroquai wishes he'd written in the 90's, and was obviously inspired by.  The range on this record keeps it interesting throughout, there's definite rock tracks on here, like "Assault". Truly a musicians album, and great for getting you moving.