CURRENT ROTATION QUICK TAKES
JUNE 2024
INTRO:
Who has the time? It has been said a thousand times before, but the convenience of infinite accessibility that music subscription services provide is often countered with an overwhelming sense of ‘where to begin?’ syndrome. Beyond a few trusted online sources, I am lucky to have some close buddies with great ears who keep me posted on new music - especially that which might not be on my regular radar.
In a humble effort to pay-it-forward (and keep it simple), I will monthly post CURRENT ROTATION QUICK TAKES - a handful of albums that I have recently checked out - complete with brief thoughts and an ultimate Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down. Explore further as you care to.
June brought a slew of really strong releases. Cheers!
St. Vincent / Broken Man
St Vincent has certainly earned my respect as a consummate artist - one that I am prepared to follow down pretty much any musical rabbit hole she feels inclined to explore. All the better when that exploration wraps tight in classic singer/songwriter approaches that simultaneously sound as forward leaning as just about any release I’ve heard yet this year. From the intriguing pull of “Hell Is Near” to the epic finality of “All Born Screaming”, this is a perfectly crafted musical statement not to be missed. Standout Tracks: “Broken Man” & “Violent Times” - Absolute Thumbs Up.
The Lemon Twigs / A Dream Is All We Know
I’ve said it before - walking the thin ice of completely immersing in a retro sound can be extremely risky. A tip of the hat can so easily become a slight veil hiding the lack of new musical ideas. Artists who lack earnest concentration committing to thoughtful repurposing can easily get tripped up on blatant lifting. Thankfully, on their 5th album, the D'Addario brothers turn their love of all things ‘60s into a full-fledged, delightful homage. The lush arrangements and vocalization of The Beach Boys are front and center, but effective remodeling of such an iconic sound isn’t easy and this complete album manages it gracefully - and joyfully. Spoiler alert: It might just also be a perfect summer listen. Standout Tracks: “My Golden Years” & “In The Eyes Of The Girl” - Thumbs Up.
Guster / Ooh La La
Since 1994, MA’s Guster have delivered impressively solid alternative rock of the highest order in an almost workmanlike fashion. They’ve made the admirable job of turning out nine albums of well crafted & engaging songs seem easy. Ooh La La continues that trajectory as their developing sound - less alt rock, more atmospheric pop - scores points for a consistent dedication to the through-line of their output. Though I wouldn’t call this a perfect collection, the standout tracks are more than capable of buoying the entirety of the effort and returning a wholly satisfying experience. Standout Tracks: “All Day” & “Keep Going” - Thumbs Up.
Cadence Weapon / ROLLERCOASTER
It has been some time that a new rap/hip-hop album has really caught my ear or attention. More than that, given my deep love of ‘old school’ rap artists, I am almost resigned to feeling OK about solely living within a rap world that is bookended by Kurtis Blow and The Chronic. The fact that I had never heard of Cadence Weapon or his five previous albums, was almost enough to convince me to side-step his latest, but I’m glad I gave it a try. This collection is definitely experimental, but the twists and turns kept me on my toes and returned a mostly interesting ride. Standout Tracks: “Press Eject” & “My Computer” - Thumbs Up.
Mdou Moctar / Funeral For Justice
I certainly don’t know enough about Nigerian or West African music to fully dissect what is going on with this album, but I know I like it. It delivers the hypnotic skip-step African sound I’m familiar with, but infuses a rock urgency that is really quite thrilling. Songs with shredding guitar & driving rhythm coexist with numbers that are cradled by more reserved musical settings - the balance works wonders throughout. Standout Tracks: “Imouhar” & “Sousoume Tamacheq” - Thumbs Up.
The Decemberists / As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again
Though I hope this feeling is no indication of reality, the band’s ninth album (a sprawling double album of over an hour’s worth of new material) feels like a culmination of all that The Decemberists have mined and molded throughout the impressive journey of their discography. That is, while there is much on this album that - in one way or another - satisfyingly reflects the charms the band is known for, the entirety of this collection presents their musical mission in pronounced ways. The songwriting is clever and nuanced, the arrangements are first-order baroque pop, and the flow is sublime. From perfect jangle pop to hushed lullabies to the epic 20-minute prog of closer, “Joan In The Garden”, this is an album that succeeds in swinging for the fences and being well equipped with a great box of tools to deliver. Standout Tracks: “Burial Ground”, “Don’t Go In The Woods”, & “Tell Me What’s On Your Mind” - Strong Thumbs Up.
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