Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers

Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers

Omnivore, 2022

8/10

Listen to Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers

Originally released in 1976, this debut album from Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers was released shortly after Richman relocated to California and created a new version of The Modern Lovers, who helped 2 singles from this record bring more visibility to Richman’s inimitable rock formula.

“Rockin’ Shopping Center” opens the listen with a bouncy bass line, as Richman’s distinct talk/singing enters the jangly rocker, and “Back In U.S.A.” puts a very fun twist on the Chuck Berry original with crisp drumming, meticulous guitar and plenty of rock’n’roll energy.

Packed in the middle is the cautious and eastern spirit of “Lonely Financial Zone”, that’s heavy on mood, while “Hey There Little Insect” is very much drum focused and recruits backing vocals for the nearly tribal like climate.

Approaching the end, “Springtime” is an acoustic guitar, folk friendly love song, and “Amazing Grace” exits with a very unique version of the classic that moves quicker and even with an upbeat demeanor as Richman and company really do make the tune their own.

Richman is joined by David Robinson (drums, vocals), Leroy Radcliffe (guitar, vocals) and Greg ‘Curly’ Keranen (bass, vocals), and together they dive right into Richman’s vision of more acoustic and harmony fueled song craft that would quickly gain them a cult following all across the globe.

One of four releases from Richman that Omnivore is reproducing in CD and LP for the first time since their original releases, this one has clearly aged well, much like everything they’ve done.

Travels well with: Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers- Rock’N’Roll With The Modern Lovers; Alex Chilton And Hi Rhythm Section- Boogie Shoes: Live On Beale Street

New Riders Of The Purple Sage

Lyceum

Omnivore, 2022

8/10

Listen to Lyceum

A live album from the legendary psychedelic country rockers New Riders Of The Purple Sage, this set documents the last time members of The Grateful Dead would accompany the band on these classic tracks.

“Leaving On Her Mind” opens the listen with some warm twang amid the scrappy drums and rugged melodies, and “Whatcha Gonna Do” follows with spirited guitar guiding the folk influenced climate.

Towards the middle of the performance, the shuffling and energetic “Glendale Train” seems like it could soundtrack a campfire perfectly, while “Duncan And Brady” flows with a cozy, rugged yet tuneful approach.

Making our way towards the end, “Dirty Business” is a psyche-friendly and cautious set highlight, and “Honky Tonk Women” exits the listen with plenty of jam band flavor amid the honky tonk fun.

The set is mixed from the original tapes by Jeffrey Norman and mastered by Dave Glasser at the Grammy Award winning Airshow studio, and it documents the songwriting of John Dawson perfectly, captures Jerry Garcia on pedal steel and Mickey Hart (also of The Grateful Dead) on drums.

Travels well with: Damn Tall Buildings- Sleeping Dogs; Chicago Farmer- Flyover Country

Carlos Simon

Requiem For The Enslaved

Decca, 2022

8/10

Listen to Requiem For The Enslaved

The US composer Carlos Simon takes help from text by Marco Pavé for these new works commissioned by Georgetown University for spoken word, ensemble and piano, as they honor those who suffered throughout the slave trade years.

The title track opens the listen with MK Zulu, Carlos Simon and Hub New Music allowing the stirring strings, soulful brass and soothing winds that are complemented by strategic spoken word in the sometimes dreamy, other times frisky and even haunting climate.

In the middle, the solo piano of “Light Everlasting” displays profoundly skilled playing that packs much beauty and emotion into the 3 minutes, while “In Paradisium” uses well timed horns and calming keys to make for a very intimate landscape.

“We All Found Heaven” exits the listen, and it’s a dreamy, absorbing display of graceful piano and hazy brass that’s quite captivating in its textured nature.

Simon brings his jazz and gospel history into the affair, and the cultural moments are sprinkled across the entire listen with much care, making for a substantial listen both musically and lyrically.

Travels well with: Albrecht Mayer- Mozart: Works For Oboe And Orchestra/Piano; Daniil Trifonov- BACH: The Art Of Life

Barry Coates/Jimmy Haslip/Jerry Kalaf

New Dreams

Outside In, 2022

8/10

Listen to New Dreams

The exceptional musicians Barry Coates (guitar, synth guitar), Jimmy Haslip (fretless and fretted bass) and Jerry Kalaf (drums, percussion) come together for this cognitive, cautious and groove oriented 8 songs that are as calming as they are mysterious.

“Towner” starts the listen with atmospheric drumming, where soft and stirring guitar enters the reflective climate, and “Transcendent” continues the emphasis on mood with a very dreamy landscape of cinematic and absorbing instrumentation.

“Swing Set” occupies the middle spot and displays sublime chemistry between the guitar, bass and drums amid a bit of droning, while “Before” is a quicker display of nearly sci-fi sounds that are quite unpredictable.

“Sacred” and “Retrograde” exit the listen, where the former glides with a very pretty, acoustic template and shimmering sounds, and the latter finishes with an animated and fuller presence of ambient textures that allows each player’s respective talents to be spotlighted.

All 3 musicians have outstanding careers of their own, and their collective strength makes for a heartfelt, meditative and often progressive version of jazz that you can’t not admire.

Travels well with: The Adam Larson Trio- With Love, From Chicago; Roxy Coss- Disparate Parts

Steve Shapiro

Plan To Be Spontaneous

Solidtone, 2022

8/10

Listen to Plan To Be Spontaneous

The multi-instrumentalist and composer Steve Shapiro recorded these 7 originals during lockdown, where his esteemed vibraphone, marimba, percussion and electric mallet keyboard skills take help from some of the finest from Nashville and New Orleans.

“Extremely Moderate” starts the listen with extremely warm vocals from Lucy Woodward’s mesmerizing pipes, as Jeff Coffin’s soulful sax complements Shapiro’s well timed vibraphone, and the title track follows with a dreamy demeanor that benefits from Oz Noy’s meticulous guitar and Joel Rosenblatt’s precise drumming.

Elsewhere, “Outono” showcases Shapiro’s mallet manipulation amid Pat Bergeson’s atmospheric guitar that helps cultivate an eerie, ballad friendly demeanor, while “Candygram For Mongo” moves swiftly thanks to Shapiro’s hypnotic vibes and crisp percussion and Noy’s agile guitar in the funk and groove spirited display.

The album highlight exits the listen, where Shapiro holds down the fort on his own initially, and radiates much beauty from the modular synth, and Bob Lanzetti’s guitar acrobatics certainly impress, too, as the landscape builds into a busy, cinematic, experimental finish.

Certainly steeped in jazz, but also embracing pop, soul, funk and rock nods, Shapiro and company make an indelible impression with these progressive pieces.

Travels well with: The Relay- The Relay; Aaron Stroessner Quartet- Gifts

Jason Tamba

Don’t Give Up

Playing For Change, 2022

8/10

Listen to Don’t Give Up

The international singer-songwriter and guitarist Jason Tamba offers a very powerful and soulful debut album here, which is often sung in his native language, Kikongo.

“Masele” starts the listen with warm acoustic guitar, as Tamba’s very poetic singing unfolds with much warmth that welcomes frisky drumming, and “Maasai” follows with fascinating vocal acrobatics that flow amid the pretty harmonies and hypnotic guitar playing.

Halfway through, the dreamy and intimate “Gethsemane” emits cozy pedal steel alongside sublime singing in the album’s best track, while “Nkomba Mi” lands closer to folk territory with its vivid storytelling and timeless strumming.

At the end, “Faria” is a vocally strong moment that’s full of charming bass lines and cultured percussion, and “Nda” exits with mesmerizing harmonica to complement the breezy melodies and soft singing.

Tamba is joined by Whynot Jansveld (The Wallflowers) on bass and mastering, Greg Leisz (John Mayer, Aaron Neville, Eric Clapton and more) on pedal steel guitar, the esteemed guitarist/producer Louis Mhlanga, Matt DeMerritt on saxophone, Roberto Luti on slide guitar, Grammy award-winning producer Mark Johnson on production, and Yasu Takeuchi. Additionally the PFC Band members Mermans Mosengo (vocal/ percussion/harmonica) and Robin Moxey (guitar) are also in attendance. Together, along with Tamba’s wordly approach, his message of unity and hope sure is appreciated across this very well thought out first LP.

Travels well with: Playing For Change Band- The Real Revolution; Clinton Fearon- Breaking News

The Paranoyds

Talk Talk Talk

Third Man, 2022

9/10

Listen to Talk Talk Talk

The Los Angeles garage rockers The Paranoyds returns with a sophomore album, where a very diverse listen is fleshed out that pays particular attention to the ‘80s in all the best ways.

“BWP” opens the listen with a percussively strong and atmospheric display of fuzzed out indie-rock, and “Lizzie” follows with plenty of melody and power present across the swirling, lo-fi, post-punk haze.

Further on, the playful “Single Origin Experience” offers a scrappy and very pretty ‘80s rock demeanor that benefits from quirky keys, while “Andrew”, the album’s best, thumps and bounces with some New Wave spirit amid the infectious bass lines.

Inching towards the end, the swift climate and upbeat melodies of “LA 2032” is complemented by crisp drumming and a bit of guitar crunch, and “Sunburn” exits the listen with a more firm droning that’s quite dense as it comes to a finish.

The Paranoyds consists of Laila Hashemi (keyboardist-vocals), Lexi Funston (guitars/vocals), Staz Lindes (bass/vocals) and David Ruiz (drums, vocals), and they’re quickly carving out a very unique spot in the area of guitar driven rock that’s sometime fierce enough for the punk crowd, but can also touch on jazz and R&B, too.

Travels well with: Hushdrops- The Static; Haunted Summer- Whole

Art Song Colorado

El Rebelde

Dasp, 2022

8/10

Listen to El Rebelde

Andrew Garland, Javier Abreu and Jeremy Reger lend their inimitable and powerful skills to compositions by Gabriela Frank and Dmitri Shostakovich here, who transformed Spanish language song via their ingenuity to song craft.

“Cantos de Cifaryel MarDulce (Songs of Cifar and the Sweet Sea)” opens the listen with Garland’s soaring baritone that’s illuminated by Reger’s alluring piano across the diverse 8 chapters, and “Las Cinco Lunas de Lorca” follows with a duet that allows Abreu’s tenor to add another dimension to the emotive and powerful landscape.

The back half consists of “Cuatro Canciones Andinas” and “Spanish Songs by Dmitri Shostakovich, Op.100”, where the former if often tense and unfolds with a very expressive quality that details the assassination of Federico García Lorca in the Spanish Civil War, and the latter bounces with a charming energy but can also retreat to calm ebbs of beauty and gracefulness.

At nearly 70 minutes long, there’s much to absorb here, but the quality of the compositions and precise singing and piano prowess make for a captivating listening experience.

Travels well with: Maya Magub- Consolations; Variant 6- New Suns

Playing For Change Band

The Real Revolution

Self-Released, 2022

8/10

Listen to The Real Revolution

Though they’ve been together since 2008, this is the debut album from the Playing For Change Band, and they bring love, truth and unity into these worldly reggae songs that welcomes plenty of guests.

The title track starts the listen with no lack of breezy, reggae spirit, where soulful vocals guide the cautious rhythm and empowering tone, and “Young People” follows with bright horns and playful group vocals as the setting is quite melodic.

“Right Foot Forward” occupies the middle spot, and it’s a charming affair that’s got piano in all the right spots and call and response singing that’s quite uplifting, while “Bibamba” uses spirited guitar and some funky ideas that help make this the album’s best track that you could and should dance to.

Landing near the end, the intimate nature of “Bwanya” flows with lush and dreamy song craft, and “When The Music Comes Around” exits the listen with strategic harmonica, cozy vocal harmonies and some subtle folk nods.

Playing For Change Band consists of 10 musicians from 10 different countries, and this album was recorded over 5 years as they toured the world. The band’s message is as vital as ever, and their fusion formula tips it hat to Bob Marley while still being very accessible to every corner of the planet.

Travels well with: Clinton Fearon- Breaking News; Artikal Sound System- Welcome To Florida

Heavy Gus

Notions

BMG, 2022

9/10

Listen to Notions

The debut album from the singer-songwriter/guitarist Dorota Szuta, the multi-instrumentalist Stelth Ulvang (of The Lumineers) and percussionist Ryan Dobrowski (of Blind Pilot), as Heavy Gus the trio are largely on the softer side of the equation, but also don’t shy away from grunge flavored, louder moments, too.

“Dinner For Breakfast” starts the listen with a very pretty, dreamy display of atmospheric indie-rock that’s quite stirring, and “Weird Sad Symbol” follows with a thicker, buzzing display that’s full of throbbing and thumping alt-rock ideas.

“Still To Be” occupies the middle spot, and showcases bouncy bass lines alongside Szuta’s expressive and charming pipes, while “Trees” is quite bare in its poetic nature that fits in nicely with today’s version of indie-folk.

Close to the end, “Paracosm” finds itself in a bit of haze that’s quite absorbing, and “Scattered” exits the listen with soulful singing and an orchestral spirit that complements the harmonies perfectly.

An extremely well done first effort, Heavy Gus touch on desert rock, ‘90s alt-rock, sun soaked indie-rock and many other ideas, and it’s all executed with much heart, sincerity and memorableness.

Travels well with: The Lumineers- The Lumineers; Charming Disaster- Our Lady Of Radium

Mary Scholz

Begin Again

KZZ, 2022

8/10

Listen to Begin Again

The Los Angeles based singer-songwriter Mary Scholz returns with a 3rd solo album, and it’s very topical take on post-pandemic grief and optimism that illustrates a very unique and flourishing brand of Americana.

“Happy Birthday” opens the listen with much warmth and intimacy, as Scholz’s stirring pipes are complemented by Ben Peeler’s atmospheric pedal steel and Ed Maxwell’s strategic upright bass, and “Talk To Me” follows with a more upbeat flavor that benefits from Ted Russel Kamp’s fluid upright bass and Jonathan Wilson’s well timed synth moments.

In the middle, “Strength Hope You” finds itself in minimal areas of sublime beauty thanks to Will Gramling’s graceful piano, while “One Thing Left To Do” is more drum and percussion focused, and spotlights Jorge Balbi’s strengths in both those areas with no lack of rhythm.

“Devotion” and “Holy Man” exit the listen, where the former touches on folk ideas amid Zachary Ross’melodic electric guitar and Scholz’s breezy acoustic guitar and flowing vocals, and the latter exits with much emphasis on mood and tone in the very eloquent climate.

Scholz is surrounded by an all-star cast of musicians, and her own skills are certainly first rate, too, as a fascinating and artistic version of Americana is present and appreciated.

Travels well with: Derek Hoke- Electric Mountain; Lilly Winwood- Time Well Spent

L&S

When The Vowels Fall

Sérotine/Tractor Notown, 2022

8/10

Listen to When The Vowels Fall

The duo of Anthony Laguerre and G.W. Sok, as L&S the two birth a poetic, indie-rock and symphonic, orchestral affair that’s quite striking and unique.

“Brother Bomb Blues” opens the listen with soft guitar and a hypnotic atmosphere that gets a bit theatric, tense and mysterious, and “Utter Matter” follows with more emphasis on drumming, as a firm rock approach is delivered with both power and melody.

Halfway through, “For You, My Love” is an intimate and expressive album highlight that’s a bit haunting, while “Down Goes To Blue” is a chilling and minimal display of a mood focused song craft that does get fuller near the end.

Deeper still, “Krant & Schaar” uses a mesmerizing beat that builds into a precisely textured display of exciting, symphonic rock, and “A Case Of Fire” exits the listen with soft guitar soundtracking the cautious storytelling.

Sok handles voice and text, and Laguerre plays several instruments. They take help from Jean-Michel Pirés on drums and Eric Thomas on guitar, plus an orchestra and strings, bells, and woodwinds are present for an unclassifiable and articulate peek into the pair’s very creative minds.

Travels well with: Équipe de Foot- Geranium; Dewaere- What Is Pop Music Anyway?

Rootbeer Richie & The Reveille

Something Like This/This Tide 7”

Snappy Little Numbers, 2022

9/10

Listen to Something Like This/This Tide 7”

A self-described ‘swamp pop’ outfit, Rootbeer Richie & The Reveille’s have roots in Louisiana, and they bring that influence and run it through a punk rock formula that’s quite diverse and unique.

Side A, “Something Like This”, glides with a very warm, soulful demeanor that’s full of instant sing-alongs that are complemented by the skilled drumming, spirited guitar work and plenty of rhythm that you can’t not admire.

“This Tide” finishes the listen, and it moves at a slower pace which is populated by cautious R&B nods that recruits well timed brass, powerful singing and much emotional depth.

An ideal listen for those who appreciate some soul and R&B in their punk friendlly flavor, this one is a limited double A sided 7” (320 copies) that comes on charming Ron Burgundy vinyl.

Travels well with: Gentlemen Rogues- A History Of Fatalism; State Drugs- Explosions On The Radio

State Drugs/ZEPHR

Mr. Untitled/Landline (J’ai Une Ame Solitaire)

Snappy Little Numbers, 2022

9/10

Listen to Mr. Untitled/Landline (J’ai Une Ame Solitaire)

An excellent split 7” from a couple of today’s best punk outfits, State Drugs and ZEPHR both bring plenty of power and melody to 2 tunes that you won’t soon forget.

State Drugs starts the listen with the very melodic and thumping “Mr. Untitled”, where a scrappy, dreamy version of garage rock unfolds with some post-punk haze, too. The tune benefits from well timed backing vocals and swirling guitar, and makes an immediate and lasting impression.

ZEPHR’s contribution, “Landline (J’ai Une Ame Solitaire)”, is a bit more crunchy, where similarities to Superchunk will be appreciated as a slight jangle enters the dense versus softer dynamics of the guitar driven rocker.

An ideal way to dip your toes into their ‘90s alt-rock ways and heartfelt formula, first time listeners will be clamoring about the greatness of these Denver residents, and seeking out their excellent, respective LPs. For the collectors, this 7” is limited to 250 copies and on eye catching xanadu green vinyl, with a download code.

Travels well with: ZEPHR- Don’t Worry About It; State Drugs- Explosions On The Radio

Spray Allen

Needful Things

Self-Released, 2022

9/10

Listen to Needful Things

A supergroup that features the bassist Eric Wilson (Sublime), drummer Wade Youman (Unwritten Law), vocalist/guitarist Daniel Lonner (Late Night Episode) and guitarist/vocalist Eric Sherman (Late Night Episode), as Spray Allen the seminal players make a big impression with a double disc on this debut.

The album opens with the shimmering psyche-pop of “Left For Dead”, where bouts of louder hard rock are present amid the beauty, and “World Ends Everyone Dies” arrives not long after with contributions from Paul Leary (Butthole Surfers) on the adventurous alt-rock angled climate.

Further on, “Dirt” is fueled by acoustic guitar and is quite poetic in its warm delivery, while “Into The Sun” is pleasantly thick and enters grungy areas of throwback rock. “Crazy Brain”, one of the album’s best, then jangles a bit with some gritty punk rock nods which might remind you of Unwritten Law’s best days.

Residing near the end, “The Innocent” buzzes with some spacey sounds while still being firmly rooted in the more abrasive sides of rock, and “Thank You (Skit)” exits with processed talking amid a sci-fi background that’s quite unexpected.

The band take help from Gabrial McNair (No Doubt) on keyboards and horn arrangements, and this only adds to the diversity that includes power-pop, desert rock, traces of dub and, of course, the raw yet melodic rock that the members are known for from their previous bands.

Travels well with: Too Much Joy- Mistakes Were Made; Pluralone- I Don’t Feel Well

Sir Rod & The Blues Doctors

Keeping It In The Family

Self-Released, 2022

8/10

Listen to Keeping It In The Family

A trio of bluesmen who were founded right before the pandemic hit, this sophomore album again showcases ‘Sir Rod’ Patterson’s inimitable vocals, Adam Gussow’s skilled harmonica and percussion, and Alan Gross’ meticulous guitar for the live album that’s got much energy and charm behind it.

“Shake, Rattle And Roll” starts the listen and does all of those things with plenty of melodic guitar and frisky percussion alongside Rod’s smooth pipes, and “Seventh Avenue” follows with warm harmonica and thumping drums amid the expressive vocals.

Moving on, the spirited demeanor of “Every Day I Have The Blues” is full of playful, rhythmic interplay, while “Brother Sterling” certainly isn’t short on grooves in the soulful album highlight.

“Ode To Billie Joe” and “Hot Tamale Baby” exit the listen, where the former is more intimate with vivid storytelling, and the latter finishes with an energetic and jangly display of busy but controlled blues.

Though I generally think live albums are better for the longtime fan, since Sir Rod and company only have 2 releases now, it’s likely this could be your introduction to the band, and we’re all lucky that the sound quality here is fantastic, and the songs timeless, memorable and just so much fun.

Travels well with: Derrick Procell- Hello Mojo!; John Primer & Bob Corritore- The Gypsy Woman Told Me

Robert Diack

Small Bridges

Self-Released, 2022

9/10

Listen to Small Bridges

The drummer, synth player, composer and producer Robert Diack returns with a sophomore album that’s very rich, textured and genre defiant while being steeped in traditional jazz yet very welcoming to other ideas, too.

“Hollow” opens the listen with much warmth, as a swirling melody unfolds with much attention to detail amid the skittering keys and agile drumming, and “Plex” follows with a more dense display of thick ambience alongside the crisp drums and busy post-rock dynamics that border on frenzied.

Further on, “Indigent” moves with a calm intimacy that benefits from stirring guitar, while “Aler” is bit more firm with a charming rhythm that showcases the glowing piano.

Nearing the end, “Loam” recruits a nearly classical feeling as the intricate key acrobatics radiate a very cozy demeanor, and “Loesother” exits with a dreamy, psychedelic prowess in its exploratory gestures.

A very unique affair that brings surprises with each track, Diack and company, i.e. Brandon Davis (bass), Patrick O’Reilly (guitar), and Jacob Thompson (piano), illustrate much imagination and control across this very fascinating listen.

Travels well with: Kate Wyatt- Artifact; Doxas Brothers- The Circle

Fanfara Station

Boussadia

Garrincha GOGO, 2022

8/10

Listen to Boussadia

A very unique trio consisting of the Tunisian multi-instrumentalist Marzouk Mejri, the American horn player Charles Ferris and the Italian DJ/producer Marco Dalmasso aka Ghiaccioli e Branzini, as Fanfara Station they birth a very vibrant form of brass driven dance-rock meets world music nods.

“Nagran” gets the listen off to a percussively strong start with lively brass and cultured singing in the highly rhythmic and infectious opener, and “Madinafrika” follows with a very swift and dynamic delivery that flows with a backbone of electronica in the energetic demeanor.

In the middle, “Lafoo” recruits plenty of melody in the buzzing and breezy album highlight, while “Yemule Muladdiwen” touches on pop influences amid the world music gestures and well timed horns.

“Adra” arrives close to the end, and is quite creative in its club friendly meets hypnotic and flowing jazz and rock nods, and “Ya Baba” exits the listen dreamy, in a haze of soulful brass that shifts into a lively and beat driven, festive rocker.

You’d be hard pressed to find anyone out there who sounds like Fanfara Station, and the trio’s combined skill makes for a captivating 8 tracks you won’t soon forget.

Travels well with: Wesli- Rapadou Kreyol; Esbe- Under Cover

Misha Galaganov/John Owings

Charm, Passion, And Acrobatics

Navona, 2022

8/10

Listen to Charm, Passion, And Acrobatics

The viola extraordinaire Misha Galaganov and pianist John Owings bring us the work of Pierre Kunc, Désiré-Émile Inghelbrecht, and Ernest Chausson here, and it’s a highly technical and emotive performance.

“Nocturne for Cello (or Viola) and Piano”, by Inghelbrecht, opens the listen with the strings and keys interacting with much beauty in the very stirring, fluid delivery, and Kunc’s “Sonata For Viola And Piano” follows with the keys being a bit more firm, as the tense viola pays much attention to mood.

Inghelbrecht’s “Prélude et Saltarelle” resides in the middle and is often bare but impactful in the poetic demeanor, while Kunc’s “Rapsodie for Viola and Piano: Fêtes - Recueillement – Danses” illustrates a very meticulous nature between the pair that moves swiftly. Chausson’s “Piece for Cello (or Viola or Violin) and Piano, Op. 39” exits the listen, and it’s full of intimacy and exploration where the pair both illustrate incredible skill with their respective instruments.

Galaganov stumbled upon some overlooked 19th century viola music at a public library, which was the impetus for this project, and along with Owings it turned into an expressive and dynamic affair of mostly unheard pieces

Travels well with: Gibbs Street Duo- Memories Unsettled; Monika Gurak- Scenes From A Life

Roger C. Reale & Rue Morgue

The Collection

Rave On, 2019

10/10

Listen to The Collection

A remastered discography disc that collects all 24 of their tunes, tracks 1-12 includes the 1978 debut album Radioactive, while tracks 13-24 give us the unreleased Reptiles In Motion, where guitar legend Mick Ronson is present.

“High Society” starts the listen out with gritty rock’n’roll that’s full of power-pop sensibilities and proto-punk ideas, and this extends to the New Wave nods of “Stop & Go”, as well as anthemic and rowdy punk rock of “Kill Me”. A late album highlight here is the rhythmic and groove friendly “Close Inspection”, where frontman Roger C. Reale shows us just how versatile he is.

The unreleased album leads with the rugged power-pop of “She’s Older Now” and it’s immediately apparent that the band’s formula has been refined for what would have been their 2nd album. The melodies are more meticulous, the landscape more calculated and the songwriting still loose and raw, but with a more mature demeanor. It certainly doesn’t hurt that they added 2 guitarists, too.

Elsewhere on the back half, “Radioactive” flows with a pulsating restraint in the retro-rocker, while “I’m In Distress” drives with an incendiary energy that legends like The Buzzcocks and The Ramones built their fame on. Late in the listen, “Back It Up” bounces amid a playful spirit you could dance to, and “Rock It To The Kremlin” ends the listen on a guitar driven rocker that’s pure power and melody.

The Rue Morge band consisted of G.E. Smith, Jimmy McAllister, Hilly Michaels, and Mick Ronson and together with Reale’s iconoclastic vision of rock’n’roll, these 24 tracks leave an indelible mark on the first listen. Hell, I don’t think it’s an overstatement at all to suggest that these 40+ year old tracks sound better than most music being made today.

Travels well with: New York Dolls- Too Much Too Soon; MC5- High Time