Weekend Music Roundup

The weekend has arrived and as I mentioned the other week, I've finally had some time to catch up on a bunch of new releases and will continue to bring them here. But I've also taken this time to explore older stuff, as I always do and found on absolute gem to share for this week. This week it's all indie rock that is on the mellow side, which is always great for sunny summer days. Hopefully there's something here the interests you. Enjoy.

Lonker See - Hamza: The third full length album from Polish psychedelic space rock band is a jazzy interpretation of the genre. This album reminds me of Broadcast but with jazz trance elements instead of electronic. It's ethereal and beautiful and a great record of soundcapes. The title track, "Open and Close," "Infinite Garden," and "Put me Out" are my personal favorites. If you're into this kind of sound, this certainly an album worth checking out. 

Bob Brown - Willoughby's Lament: Released in '71, this is the second and last album from the young progressive folk singer/songwriter. This is beautiful lost example of the genre that reminds me of other visionary artists such as Nick Drake, Dory Previn, and Marc Johnson. There's an honest purity to the music that makes it a spiritual experience to listen to. Absolutely beautiful, absolutely brilliant!

The Fratellis - Half Drunk Under a Full Moon: It's hard to believe that it's been albums 15 years since this Glasgow garage rock revival band burst onto the scene with a song featured in one of the earliest iPod commercials, and later a Heineken ad. As with any band that has a debut album that I love, I follow them through thick and thin. While the Fratellis have had some ups and downs, their ups far outnumber their downs, so I was excited for this, their sixth album and first in two years. The thing about them is that there's no surprises, you know what they sound like and you either dig it or don't. Sometimes they put their catchy garage style indie rock together just so that it's fist raising spectacular and beautiful love songs. This album has some of those tracks, such as "Lay Your Body Down," "The Last Songbird," "Action Replay," and "Strangers in the Street." A solid effort by a solid band. 

Built to Spill - Ancient Melodies of the Future: By 2001, the indie band from Boise had paid their dues and this, their fifth record, saw them at their peak, both creatively and commercially (if you can call indie success commercial success). I had gotten into them during their previous album, '99's Keep It Like a Secret and was pretty excited for this one. Both of those albums are defining records of the end of the 90s indie alternative era. I picked a copy of the Music on Vinyl re-issue on gold wax, limited to 750 copies. It sounds as unnerving and commanding as ever. 

Morrissey - I Am Not a Dog on a Chain: As Mozz enters his 60's, he continues to play his role as the grandfather of gloom. His 14th solo effort is about what you might expect. He's included more electronic elements to his style, giving this album a slight synthpop feel that suits him. There's no surprises on here. It's a decent record as his last few have been. "Knockabout World" revives a Smiths feel, or a Smiths with electro orchestration rather than Johnny Marr on jangle guitar.