Album Reviews
»Album Reviews For Release Date: 08.17.10
by Joshua Krage
This week marks the anniversary of my arrival on this spinning (mostly-)blue ball, so it’s good that one of my favorite artists chose to drop his new, self-produced work of down-home vocal gold so close to my special day. Thanks Ray! There’s other stuff, too– check it out:
Trace Adkins
American Hi Fi
Bombay Bicycle Club
Jackson Browne – DVD
Chief
Darker My Love
Matthew Dear
Filter
David Gray
Hey Monday
ICP
Iron Maiden
Kem
Ray Lamontagne & the Pariah Dogs, God Willin’ & the Creek Don’t Rise – adding a dedicated band hasn’t done much to alter this soulful songsmith’s sound but it has filled it in quite a bit. The biggest change on this, his fourth LP, is in production. Having learned the ropes from master sound sculptor Ethan Johns on his first three albums, Ray goes it alone this time around, yielding a less orchestrated atmosphere but capturing a more down home feel, with sheets of pedal steel filling in the corners. Vocals are front and center on every track, smartly putting the spotlight where it belongs, but the Pariah Dogs are no slouches, having collectively cut their teeth with the likes of Tom Waits, Lucinda Williams, Beck, and Ryan Adams, to name a few, and the band is masterfully understated in supporting these fine compositions. By now you know to expect sheer, earnest greatness from Ray Lamontagne, but it’s a triumph for the songwriter to strike out on his own in the production and remain true to his subtle, organic sound.
Leslie Stevens & the Badgers
Lissie, Catching a Tiger – an intriguing and invigorating mix of folk, indie rock, pop, and country flavors, this spirited Illinois songstress caught a bit of attention with her inventively-arranged and fully unexpected live covers of songs ranging from Kid Cudi to Metallica to Lady Gaga, and her own compositions pack some serious muscle as well, big pop hooks with a nuanced voice that’s all coy kitten one minute, jungle tiger the next. This girl’s got a future, and it’s a gloriously creative path she’s taking toward it.
John Mellencamp
NOFX
Rhythms Del Mundo
The Secret Handshake
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, Let It Sway – one of my favorite indie pop bands, I’m constantly surprised one of this band’s songs hasn’t popped in a Wes Anderson movie yet, they’re so quirky and optimistically melancholy. This third album gets extra production mojo from Death Cab’s Chris Walla, who smartly stays mostly out of the way to let this band’s upbeat heartache bounce and roll along on its own volition. Sounds are crisp and uncluttered, and their jovial dual melodies and harmonies deliver that sweet sound that got them out of Missouri in the first place. Great follow-up from a band deserving of more recognition.
Esperanza Spalding
Superchunk
Taking Back Sunday – live
Camu Tao
Toadies
Brian Wilson, Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin – it’s a Gershwin tribute album, from Brian Wilson, who has never done any tribute albums, but who has had countless tributes devoted to his own work. This equals something special, and in addition to Wilson’s endearing and masterful re-interpretations of some timeless American Songbook standards here, he also received permission from the Gershwin estate to finish two incomplete compositions from the seminal songwriter. It’s a win all around here, maybe not for the ADHD crowd but worth a listen for some updates on songs which have stood the test of time.
Happy Birthday me. Next week half of America waits with bated breath for Katy Perry’s Teenage (wet) Dream, so prepare for either greatness or major annoyance. Or maybe both.
—–
To view past reviews, visit our archives.