Joe Bonamassa

British Blues Explosion Live

J&R, 2018

8/10

Listen to British Blues Explosion Live

The always prolific Joe Bonamassa takes a nod to his British heroes here, where songs by Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page were recorded live at Greenwich Music Time at The Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, London on July 7, 2016.

After the opening of Beck’s “Bolero/Rice Pudding”, where Bonamassa’s world renowned guitar prowess is on full display, it isn’t long before he finds a firm groove in Led Zeppelin’s “Boogie With Stu”.

Other disc 1 highlights include the vocally strong “Let Me Love You Baby”, where Bonamassa shows us his pipes can be just as luminous as his guitar acrobatics, while the strong blues presence of “Double Crossing Time” alone is worth the price of admission.

Disc 2 standouts include the solo Bonamassa venture of “Black Winter/Django”, and the medley fun of “Tea For One/I Can’t Quit You Baby”, which brings an unparalleled solo from Bonamassa. The set ends with a 15 minute version of “How Many More Times”, where an impressive drum solo from Anton Fig adds much to the dynamic exit.

Bonamassa has taken more inspiration from British artists than anyone in his career, and he pays homage with his inimitable skill and esteemed band with this chapter of his incredible catalog that even has a companion DVD with bonus tracks.

Travels well with: Reese Wynans And Friends- Sweet Release; John Fogerty- 50 Year Trip

Miya Masaoka, Zeena Parkins, Myra Melford

MZM

Infrequent Seams, 2020

8/10

Listen to MZM

An album of 10 improvised pieces from the creative minds of Miya Masaoka, Zeena Parkins and Myra Melford, in MZM the experimental artists blend art-rock, noisey textures and modern jazz on this exciting listen.

“Red Spider” starts the listen with unpredictable keys amid some spacey sounds in an oddly cinematic opener, and “Bug” continues the unusual setting with an even more bizarre display of key acrobatics and precise ambience.

In the middle, “Retina” rumbles a bit quieter but is certainly no less exploratory, while “Taurus” offers a stark setting of hazy qualities of ominous and artistic flourishes. “Southern Owl”, one of the most interesting pieces, then manipulates space and tension strategically in a way that few could replicate.

Towards the end, “Spiral” plucks and simmers with mesmerizing strings, and “Rosette” ends the listen similarly, where their meticulous spontaneity seemingly knows no bounds.

Armed with a harp, piano, koto and electronics, the trio birth what might be a niche record, but if you’re open to the unconventional, it’s certainly a journey worth taking.

Travels well with: Robert Dick, Joelle Leandre, Miya Masaoka- Solar Wind; Funk Shui NYC- Shark NATO On A Plane

Sadler Vaden

Anybody Out There?

Thirty Tigers, 2020

9/10

Listen to Anybody Out There?

Perhaps best known as a member of Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, the longtime musician and guitar enthusiast Sadler Vaden returns with a sophomore solo album where hooks, melodies and timeless song craft draws comparisons to Cheap Trick, Joe Walsh and even The Who.

The albums starts out with the warm melodies of “Next To You”, which carries an anthemic quality that builds into louder rootsy rock, and “Don’t Worry” follows with a calm, folky approach where smooth vocals and emotive introspection highlight the affair.

Near the middle, “Anybody Out There?” brings some blues rock to the fun with both rugged and tuneful qualities, while ‘Curtain Call” enters ballad territory with sublime beauty as light keys add much to the soulfulness that takes an obvious nod to Tom Petty. “Peace + Harmony”, the album’s best, then delivers a punchy tune with a great chorus, strong guitar work and immediately memorable landscape.

Near the end, “Good Man” is a close 2nd for the standout tune as Vaden sings with much conviction on the country inspired rocker, and “Tried And True” ends the listen with a great sing-along of gritty rock’n’roll that flirts with power-pop, too.

A superb record that’s instantly ingrained in your mind from the first spin, Vaden offers plenty of solos in his multi-faceted rock’n’roll approach that would be appreciated in any decade since the ‘60s.

Travels well with: Aaron Lee Tasjan- Karma For Cheap; Daniel Romano- Modern Pressure

Robert Dick, Joelle Leandre, Miya Masaoka

Solar Wind

Not Two, 2020

8/10

Listen to Solar Wind

A trio of expert improvisers, Robert Dick, Joelle Leandre and Miya Masaoka bring their respective talents to a listen where each tune turns free jazz into a highly refined science in their inestimable delivery.

The album starts with the ambience of “Whispering Of The Stars”, where a collage of seemingly random instruments are all played meticulously, and “Speed Of Silence” follows with a harsh landscape of squealing, clanging percussion and brief, howled vocals that are as unusual as they are alluring.

Things only get more atypical from there, including the flute acrobatics of the jagged “Dinoflagellates”, while “Prepsychotic Philosophers” dips into calmer ebbs of experimental prowess. “Solar Wind”, one of the most intriguing tracks, then manipulates sound playfully, where strings and woodwind instruments are strategically and sparingly used.

Close to the end, “How Old Is Your Shadow” offers an aberrant and artistic display of almost sci-fi noises, and “Adiabatic” ends the listen with quivering strings in a nearly chaotic display of calculated skill.

An extremely accomplished listen, we’re treated to many solos here, where intensity and restraint are both in attendance in spades, as Solar Wind keeps the unpredictability and creativity about as high as you’re likely to hear anywhere.

Travels well with: Funk Shui NYC- Shark NATO On A Plane; Sarah Elgeti With Friends- Dawn Comes Quietly

Fluqx

Monolith

hfn, 2020

8/10

Listen to Monolith

A duo composed of Joel Krozer and Brian Della Valle, as Fluqx the pair from Denmark deliver unique electronic texturing, where nods to the ‘80s are never in short supply and Della Valle’s strategically placed vocals leave an impression.

“Here” starts the listen with hypnotic synth manipulation as a dreamy setting enters amid New Wave nods, and “Feather” continues the mood with a dark quality that’s ambient and exploratory but not without underlying melody.

In the middle, “Monolith” moves with a surreal quality that’s playful with precise synth, while “First, Everything” gets spacey and cinematic in its calculated and mesmerizing execution.

Deeper cuts bring us the strategic and blurry “Carvings”, and the precise, yet delicate “Ephemeral Objects”. “Mojave Booth” ends the listen with a cosmic approach and droning display that finishes the listen with glowing experimental prowess.

Krozer and Della Valle do an impressive job of tweaking pop sounds on this debut album, where hooks and throwback moments mesh well with their inventive approach to today’s version of electro-pop.

Travels well with: Kasper Bjorke- Fool; Trentemoller- Lost Reworks

Jonny Polonsky

Kingdom Of Sleep

Ghostworks, 2020

8/10

Listen to Kingdom Of Sleep

Though Jonny Polonsky’s name may not ring a bell, the multi-instrumentalist has an impressive list of credentials that includes touring, recording or collaborating with Frank Black, Jeff Buckley, Pete Yorn and many others. On this 6th LP, Polonsky brings a very artistic approach to his song craft, where gongs, piccolos, bass fiddles and other noisemakers invade the varied textures.

“Ghost Like Soul” starts the listen and sounds like the cover art-mysterious, sci-fi and atypical with breathy vocals and dreamy instrumentation- as Cedric Bixler-Zavala lends a hand, and “Sign In The Window” continues the unconventional setting with dark rhythm, strategically strummed guitars and an alluring atmosphere.

The remainder of the listen is equally unusual, and includes the surreal “No Tears”, which flows with a hazy post-punk meets alt-pop feeling, while the ominous “Take Me Home” sounds like a late night soundtrack to something sinister yet also meditative and with a cinematic quality.

Near the end, “You Turn Me On” recruits some pop sensibilities in the cautious environment that’s as playful as it is precise, and “A Willing Eye” exits with a fuller execution of some type of cosmic cocktail where prog. psyche and alt-rock all collide and mesh with inimitable results.

I guess when Black Francis handpicks you as a teenager to display your talents to the world, you might have a lot to live up to. Polonsky has clearly far exceeded anyone’s expectations- in the bands he’s played in, as well as on his own- as evidenced by this extremely detailed and unique listen that will appeal to fans of Nick Cave, Cocteau Twins, The Cure or Love And Rockets.

Travels well with: Grant Earl LaValley- A Brighter Day; Subduxtion- The Black Point

Sunset Canyoneers

Sunset Canyoneers

You Are The Cosmos, 2020

9/10

Listen to Sunset Canyoneers

An outfit with an impressive resume that includes time spent playing in Jolly, Red Planet, and The Happy Regrets among others, Jeremy Powers, William Duke, Ian Robertson and John Kontogianis, aka Sunset Canyoneers, breed a very engaging brand of cosmic country folk-rock on this self-titled debut.

“High In The Sky” starts the listen with pedal steel and an upbeat Americana feeling in the ultra melodic opener, and “Alcohol And A Gamblin’ Town” follows with a breezy approach that’s no less memorable in its rootsy fun where the harmonies tip their hat to The Byrds.

In the middle, “Junk #1” delivers a subdued display of mild psychedelia, while “Spirits” soars high amid some folk-rock sensibilities and classic rock ideas that just sounds like California with its soulful, sunny qualities. “Los Angeles”, one of the brightest tunes here, then shimmers with intricate guitar work in a timeless appeal that brings to mind names like Dylan or Petty.

Near the end, “Half Past One” finds the listen in country rock territory with a shuffle you can’t help but move your body to, and “Dontcha Go Talkin’” ends the album with warm acoustic guitar that builds into a sing-along that you can’t help but adore.

Sunset Canyoneers somehow manage to be reminiscent of both Alex Chilton and Jerry Garcia while still being much indebted to country and folk, and it ends up being a remarkable formula that should make plenty of Year End Lists.

Travels well with: The Traveling Wilburys- Vol. 1; Animal Years- Far From Home

Ben Millburn

Sunglass Moustache

Self-Released, 2018

9/10

Listen to Sunglass Moustache

A Louisiana native who now resides in Austin, Ben Millburn and company bring us a record where much improvisation comes out via prog, blues, psyche, and many other ideas that unfold with both precision and playfulness.

Millburn starts the listen with the smooth and stylish “I Feel Something”, where a contagious energy enters the rhythmic delivery, and “Mr. Tuxedo” follows with soulful and psychedelic influences that are never predictable and entirely enjoyable.

Further along, “Isayuletit” brings some fantastic fuzz rock and jangly fun to the varied affair, while “Mr. Taco” stays calm and adventurous with a vocal-less display of sonically engaging skill as bass and synth steal the show. Although there isn’t a track to be found that isn’t intriguing, “The Beat” is especially mesmerizing with its subtle groove and hazy delivery amid glowing guitar work.

Near the end, the title track buzzes with soundbites in a dreamy, atmospheric setting, and “Especially” exits the listen with more instrumental prowess, as Millburn and his band illustrate much skill and restraint.

A highly creative endeavor that still has plenty of pop appeal, Millburn’s cosmic and uniquely melodic formula makes Sunglass Moustache a stand out effort in a sea of the same old same old.

Travels well with: Matthew Sweet- Blue Sky On Mars; Kurt Vile- Smoke Ring For My Halo

Kathy Mattea

Pretty Bird

Thirty Tigers, 2018

8/10

Listen to Pretty Bird

Kathy Mattea has enjoyed an amazing career, which includes a pair of Grammy’s, several CMA awards and 5 gold albums so far. However, in her 50s, her voice started to change, which forced her to adjust her singing style accordingly. After much vocal training and soul searching, the songstress returns with Pretty Bird, one of her most reflective albums to date.

“Chocolate On My Tongue” wastes no time reeling us in with playful, organic instrumentation against Mattea’s rich, expressive vocals, and “Ode To Billie Joe” follows with a warm, folksy strummer where vivid storytelling keeps us hanging on every word.

Further along, “He Moves Through The Fair” glides with a vocally strong tune of timeless ideas, while “St Teresa” picks up the pace and volume with a lush display of country inspired rock. “October Song”, one of the album’s best, then offers gorgeous instrumentation as Mattea’s graceful pipes emit much intimacy.

Late in the listen, “Holy Now” recruits backing vocals for breezy, folk and gospel fun, and the title track exits the listen a cappella, as just Mattea’s flawless pipes take on a hint of jazz influence in their new life.

Mattea picks tunes from artists like Joan Osborne, Martha Carson and Hazel Dickens, to name a few, and much like everything she’s done, she makes the songs her own with a soulful, emotive and often bare display of country/gospel/folk/rootsy power.

Travels well with: Gretchen Peters- Dancing With The Beast; Randy Travis- Precious Memories

The Green Orbs

Thumb Wrestling Champions

Mama Bird, 2018

8/10

Listen to Thumb Wrestling Champions

A brother and sister duo consisting of Eddie RosenBerg III and Heather Hirshfield, this debut album from the siblings injects the sounds of their youth- The Beatles and ‘80s pop songs- into a clever and silly listen that’s both nostalgic and hilarious.

The title track starts the listen with a quirky retro-pop tune where keys and sing-alongs make for a playful tune about, well, thumb wrestling, and “The Suction Cup Shuffle” follows with some blues guitars in a soulful and melodic dance rocker where horns are also in attendance.

Near the middle, “Ruby The Tooth Fairy” recruits pretty vocals from Hirshfield and brass in the jazz friendly setting, while “Tips From Toby The Turtle” is a playful folksy strummer that the young ears will adore. “Flower In My Shower”, one of the album’s best, then shines with frisky melodies and classic rhythm amid some moments of beautiful restraint.

Near the end, “The Duck Of Whistleburg” is a calm moment of fun storytelling about our duck friends, and “Twelve Steps To Eating Your Veggies” unfolds like an educational ditty with keys and punchy pop spirit. “Soup (An Epilogue)” ends the listen with ‘60s nods that are retro and brief with a hint of psychedelia.

Though it’s their first record, the siblings deliver a fine kids’ album with strong instrumentation from their vast skill set that will certainly appeal to parents as well.

Travels well with: Jesse Jukebox- Awesome!; Moozika- Moove To The Moozika!

Ralph Carney & Chris Butler

Songs For Unsung Holidays

Smog Veil, 2018

8/10

Listen to Songs For Unsung Holidays

A very creative concept album from 2 Ohio legends, Ralph Carney (Tin Huey, The Waitresses, Serious Jazz Project) and Chris Butler (Tin Huey, The Waitresses) collaborate on the aptly titled Songs For Unsung Holidays, where the pair pen tunes about ridiculous, obscure holidays in a comedic fashion that was recorded in their home studios.

“Tapioca Day” starts the album with all sorts of inventive swirling sounds of slide guitar, pedal steel and maybe a kazoo behind the repetitive line of ‘Tapioca Pudding Day’, and “Bald And Free Day” continues the party with spirited guitar work alongside harmonicas and a mix of talking and singing in the playful atmosphere that’s blues tinted.

Later on, “Polka Day” is a quirky tune where horns invade the festive delivery, while “Bubble Wrap Day” flows with a lo-fi garage rock appeal that’s both charming and goofy. “Gorilla Suit Day”, one of the best of the best, then moves with a chunky Americana flavor that’s reminiscent of names like Waits or Dylan.

Deeper highlights include the psychedelic riffage of “Hippie Day”, while the blurry “World UFO Day” is certainly one of the weirdest and most intriguing of the bunch. “Blessing Of The Bikes Day” exits the listen with spoken word that comes off as gospel, as the music floats with a dreamy quality alongside some chanting and even a flute solo.

Sadly, this is a posthumous release for Carney, who died after a fall in his home in 2017, but thankfully it captures his clever and humorous persona, while displaying his unparalleled multi-instrumental skill. Though it’s not a very serious effort as far as subject matter goes, Songs For Unsung Holidays is a seriously fun spin, where unique and unpredictable song craft keep your attention with a firm grin.

Travels well with: XTC- Oranges & Lemons; Tin Huey- Disinformation

The Cowboy Way

Go West

Self-Released, 2018

8/10

Listen to Go West

A trio of musicians from New Mexico, if you were thinking that a band called The Cowboy Way are going to write music that goes along with horses, spurs and Western sounds, well, you’d be exactly right.

“It’s A Cowboy I Will Be” starts the listen with fluid guitar work, as the smooth vocals complement the crisp, country sounds, and “Goin’ Home” follows with dusty melodies amid the strong storytelling that is prevalent throughout the entire listen.

Near the middle, “Fool’s Gold” flows with dynamic instrumentation and a precise delivery, while “Let’s Ride” is a playful ditty of tuneful, rural influenced fun. “I Make My Livin’ In The Saddle”, one of the album’s best, then moves with a shuffling pace of vivid song craft in an instantly charming appeal.

Near the end, “Ten Below Zero” enters ballad territory with sublime beauty, and “The Best Horse” continues the authentic atmosphere with a lush and memorable landscape where the 3 members all contribute their respective talents in spades. The title track ends the listen vocally strong that resonates with a timeless quality, something that is recurring throughout the entire 13 tracks.

Doug Figgs, Jim Jones and Mariam Funke, aka The Cowboy Way, know their way around a galloping good time, as you’ll be hard pressed to find a better Western record released anytime recently.

Travels well with: Marshall Tucker Band- Beyond The Horizon; Desert Rose Band- Pages Of Life

Dead Can Dance

Dionysus

Pias, 2018

9/10

Listen to Dionysus

Few outfits will last as long as Dead Can Dance nor will they influence as many artists with their inimitable and always shifting vision. This time around, Lisa Gerrard and Brendan Perry take inspiration from spring and harvest festivals that had their origins in Dionysian religious practices in Europe, and the result is one of the most adventurous and mesmerizing efforts in their 30+ year existence.

Act I consists of “Sea Borne”, “Liberator Of Minds” and “Dance Of The Bacchantes”, where the 3 songs unfold in one long opus that starts percussively heavy with ambience, as soaring vocals from Gerrard enter the hypnotic landscape that’s mesmerizing and almost meditative. In the middle, the Act dips into calmer ebbs of mysterious, graceful beauty, where hand clapping and plucking make a lasting impression.

Act II offers “The Mountain”, “The Invocation”, “The Forest” and “Psychopomp”, where a similar amount of exploration occurs, as synth and chimes are used strategically, and strong percussion and vocals from both members complement this unpredictable portion.

A listen with plenty of classical, World Music and Celtic ideas where the vocals, which are used sparingly, are generally chanting, instruments like Aztec flute, zourna and davul, among many others, are in attendance, making for a journey that no one else could replicate quite like this. Gerrard and Perry started Dead Can Dance when they were still teenagers, and they are clearly nowhere near running out of ideas, and we’re all better off for it.

Travels well with: Agnes Obel- Myopia; Marissa Nadler- The Sister

Lando Chill

Black Ego

Mello, 2018

8/10

Listen to Black Ego

Though he’s most known as a hip-hop artist, Lando Chill is well versed in funk, gospel, jazz and plenty of other genres, too, and here he brings his varied influences to a listen where plenty of guests help him flesh out tunes that were inspired by the passing of his father when he was 4 years old.

“Ego Vanish”, with The Lasso, starts the listen with ambience in the beat heavy and rap acrobatics, and “Clypped” brings help from MotorKam for a rhythmic and soulful display of universally embraceable hip-hop.

In the middle, “Fauna” recruits electro-pop influences into Chill’s groove friendly formula, while “Cess” unleashes a rugged delivery of anthemic hip-hop. “Koolaide”, one of the strongest collaborations, then makes great use of Psychic Twin’s inimitable execution in a dreamy setting.

Closer to the end, “Free Pack” finds a soulful place to reside with an immediate memorability, and “From The Hip” offers some psychedelic aspects, illustrating even more diversity. “Love Cold” finishes the listen with some funk nods, exiting the listen with a playful aspect to Chill’s strong song craft.

An extremely ambitious and adventurous offering. Chill brings a poetic quality to his art, where each tune brings new surprises that are effectively carving out a very unique niche for his music to exist.

Travels well with: The Lasso- The Sound Of Lasso; Homeboy Sandman & Edan- Humble Pi

Kick Pistol

Kick Pistol

Nub, 2018

8/10

Listen to Kick Pistol

A debut EP from the UK outfit Kick Pistol, though there’s just 4 tunes, the rising trio bring their wide range of influences from bands like Muse and Radiohead into an alt-rock meet indie-rock formula that’s both exciting and well crafted.

“The Pragmatic” starts the listen with a cautious yet spirited alt-rock tune where wavering vocals align with textured beauty, and “Unobtainable” follows with a rhythmic display of thundering percussion and buzzing rock.

The back half of the EP brings us the piano friendly “Losing Control”, which builds into a slightly haunting indie-rock anthem, and “In Darkness” ends the quick listen with a dreamy quality amid some folk-rock influences.

Looks like these youngsters are making quite a name for themselves so far in their short career. If they continue at this pace and keep making records like this strong effort, we could very well have the next globally known rock band from the UK in the making.

Travels well with: Muse- Drones; PVRIS- All We Know Of Heaven All We Need Of Hell

Lake Street Dive

Free Yourself Up

Nonesuch, 2018

8/10

Listen to Free Yourself Up

Lake Street Dive’s 6th album, Free Yourself Up, thankfully continues the strong songwriting prowess we’ve come to expect from the esteemed members, where front woman Rachael Price’s inimitable alto guides us through plenty of thoughtful and clever tunes.

“Baby, Don’t Leave Me Alone With My Thoughts” gets the album started off to a finger snappin’ and soulful start, where grooves come in spades as the music flows both eloquently and playfully, and “Good Kisser” follows with an upbeat and charming delivery as Price’s pipes show incredible range.

Near the middle, “I Can Change” brings the record into balladry, where Price mesmerizes us with a repetitive line that somehow never out welcomes its stay, while “Dude” offers frisky rhythm and a danceable approach to the sing-along highlight that’s indebted to the blues.

Deeper into the listen, “Doesn’t Even Matter Now” is beautifully textured with nods to the ‘70s, and “You Are Free” finds the listen at the most guitar driven setting with pop melodies that you can’t help but be smitten with. “Hang On” ends the listen with a punchy, throwback execution of precise fun, effectively putting the punctuation mark on another fine album from Lake Street Dive.

An outfit who are undeniably retro in their formula, the smooth pop appeal here is certainly well done enough to reel in many new fans while satiating their longtime listeners with plenty of their jazz, R&B and Motown traces.

Travels well with: Sister Sparrow- Gold; Greyhounds- Cheyenne Valley Drive

Greg Hawks

I Think It’s Time

Sweet & Salty, 2018

9/10

Listen to I Think It’s Time

A North Carolina resident and multi-instrumentalist, Greg Hawks may not be a name most are familiar with, but if you spend some time with his eclectic brand of alt-country, even if just a brief spin, I Think It’s Time could make anyone a fan.

Hawks starts the album with the warm and playful sounds of “So Lonely”, where the country and folk ideas are mixed together fluidly, and “I Hope I Never Know” follows with breezy melodies in timeless appeal that brings to mind The Jayhawks or Tom Petty.

Further along, “Nothing Matters Here Anymore” flows with a soulful quality amid the rootsy delivery, while “Pretending Not To Know” offers an emotive and restrained display of strong singer-songwriter prowess in the reflective atmosphere. “From One To The Other Extreme”, one of the album’s standouts, then finds a very Nashville-esque place to reside with its rural melodies and southern influences.

Late in the listen, “It’s Going To Be Okay” gets dreamy with strings in attendance, and “Another Possibility” closes out the listen with a shuffling pace of honky tonk nods in a instantly memorable display of rustic beauty.

A record that was penned during Trump’s time in office, Hawks offers insightful wordplay about social/political topics, and his music bridges the gap between his early years with country, as well as his teenage punk interests, in a formula that might be pretty common in 2020, but that few will ever present as well as Hawks.

Travels well with: 3 Pairs Of Boots- Gone South; Dearling- Silver And Gold

The Underhill Family Orchestra

Tell Me That You Love Me

Skate Mountain, 2018

9/10

Listen to Tell Me That You Love Me

Alabama residents with a penchant for Appalachia sounds, the 5 piece Americana-pop outfit The Underhill Family Orchestra know their way around a swirling, lush and extremely memorable tune where grooves, harmonies and southern influences are never in short supply.

“Oak Holler” starts the listen with folksy acoustic strumming before quickly moving into an energetic rocker where many voices help flesh out the fun, and “Chickasaw Fields” follows with a rootsy duet that’s full of swift melodies and jangly instrumentation.

In the middle, “Nebraska Town” flows with a gospel feel as thumping percussion and intricate guitar work highlight the affair, while “Wooden Hymnal In C” enters soulful territory, where instruments are sparse but the singing is strong. “On The Wind”, one of the album’s best, then offers pretty female vocals that build into a rugged, soaring Americana rocker that’s loud, harmonic and just so radiant.

Near the end, “The Door/The Heart” resides closer to folk-rock with steady acoustic strumming where bouts of majestic, anthemic rock are present, and “Holy Roller” ends the listen calm, with a slow burning track that erupts into a piano fueled rocker before fading out.

A record that will leave your body unable to sit still and that could also make you just want to mull things over, Tell Me That You Love Me nearly redefines Americana with its occasional funk nods and harder rock moments, effective making The Underhill Family Orchestra one of the most exciting entities that exists today.

Travels well with: Animal Years- Far From Home; Wild Rivers- Eighty-Eight

Dry Reef

Daychange

Free Dive, 2018

8/10

Listen to Daychange

Yet another innovative band from Philadelphia, Dry Reef bring elements of surf rock in their easy going indie-rock delivery that’s also indebted to reggae sounds, too.

The records starts with “Harmony”, which is as colorful as the cover art with bright guitar work and the sort of island rhythms that are both adventurous and soothing, and this continues to the breezy melodies of “Come Away”, as well as the proficient drumming of “Sweet”.

Elsewhere, “Car Keys” recruits spirited guitars and plenty of grooves in the album highlight that isn’t short on funk nods, while some of the best singing resides on the folky-pop of “Saucier”.

Near the end, “Bliss” delivers precise and timeless instrumentation in a feel good atmosphere- something the entire listen isn’t short on- and “Another Day” finishes the listen calm, where a dreamy quality enters the cautious exit.

An extremely positive record that’s anchored by Patrick Gillen’s soulful, inimitable vocals, these youngsters are really onto something here, as they breathe new life into the indie-rock template with their unique and easily embraceable formula.

Travels well with: Slightly Stoopid- Everyday Life, Everyday People ; G Love- The Juice

Spearmint

Are You From The Future?

hitBACK, 2019

8/10

Listen to Are You From The Future?

It’s been two decades since the London outfit Spearmint released their debut album, and Are You From The Future? proves that 20 years later, these Brits still have their songwriting chops in prime form.

“24 Hours In A & E” starts the listen with a vibrant display of soulful strings in a cinematic fashion that becomes danceable and funky, and “Pick Up The Paper” follows with a warm acoustic guitar alongside melodic singing from frontman Shirley Lee.

In the middle, “Thomas” offers a swift pace of jangly indie-rock, while “I Don’t Sleep Well Without You” trims the pace back with a timeless folk spirit. “As I Write This”, which is one of the best tracks, then brings orchestral ideas to the breezy tune.

At the end, “The West Pier” strips the atmosphere bare with a dreamy quality that’s vocally expressive, and “It Won’t Happen To Me” exits the listen with a beat filled with a throwback pop delivery that’s certainly indebted to the ‘80s.

Although they certainly have an unwavering cult following, it surprises me that Spearmint never saw worldwide fame, as their smartly crafted indie-pop and Brit-pop is some of the best I’ve heard; or, more accurately, haven’t heard until now, but will be hearing much more of from here on out.

Travels well with: The National- Trouble Will Find Me; Belle & Sebastian- If You’re Feeling Sinister