CURRENT ROTATION QUICK TAKES
JULY 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.
Here are some July releases that came across my radar. Cheers!
Michael Head & The Red Elastic Band / Loophole
Though I was completely unaware of Michael Head (or any of the many incarnations he has worked under), I eased into the mellow groove of this unassuming album quite easily. While there isn’t anything particularly groundbreaking going on, there is a convincing assortment of baroque pop charms - think of the earthy pull of The Beta Band mixed with the earnest songwriting & musical arrangements of Sufjan Stevens and you’ll get the territory this album claims. A perfect companion for that lazy Sunday morning. Standout Tracks: “Shirl’s Ghost”, “Ciao Ciao Bambino” & “Connemara” - Thumbs Up / Grade B-.
Beth Gibbons / Lives Outgrown
It is safe to say that Beth Gibbons, the unique singer/songwriter originally from the iconic ‘90s electronica/trip-hop band Portishead, follows a muse that places quality above quantity. Her new album (her first true solo album) is her sixth release in thirty years - the list includes three Portishead collections and two collaborations. Having to wait for long periods between new material from a much-appreciated artist can sometimes return disappointment if high expectations aren't, at least, matched. Thankfully, not only did it bring me complete joy to hear Gibbons' voice again, but I found the complete collection to radiate in exceptional ways - like a mature & reflective companion to the best of the material she released with Portishead. I will admit that this isn’t a windows-down, road trip soundtrack. The music is much better suited for a reflective mood, listening alone at night. So put on some headphones and get swept away. Standout Tracks: “Floating On A Moment”, “Lost Changes” & “Reaching Out” - Thumbs Up / Grade of a solid B.
The Avett Brothers / The Avett Brothers
I counted myself as an Avett Brothers fan. I dug their three album run of high-quality Americana between ‘07-’12 and really enjoyed them in concert. After that, to be honest, they fell off my radar a bit with their last few albums. So seeing they had released their first album in five years, I felt compelled to give it a go. The Avett Brothers do what they do - and even if it’s hard to ignore their excellent harmonies and solid-enough ‘style’, the general umph behind these songs was pretty lackluster - all forced ‘country boy’ rave-ups and saccharine ballads, with only a few elevated moments to get you through. Standout Track: “Cheap Coffee” - Thumbs Down / Grade C-.
Arooj Aftab / Night Reign
The beauty of Aftab’s music is undeniable. Her alluring collaborative lean into ambient jazz with Vijay Iyer & Shahzad Ismaily (who are both guests on this latest album, Atftab’s 4th) on last year’s brilliant Love In Exile - one of my Top Ten releases from 2023 - seems to have perfectly served as a prelude for this new collection. As the title suggests, there is a formidable layer of shadow and mystery at work and it connects the songs (featuring both English & Urdu lyrics) in fascinating ways. She continues to employ jazz approaches, but there is also a modern touch that is strikingly engaging. While listening I thought - more than once - this is the Sade album I’ve been waiting fourteen years for. Standout Tracks: “Raat Ki Rani”, “Saaqi” & “Aey Nehin” - Thumbs Up / Grade A.
The Lovely Eggs / Eggsistentialism
This one - the seventh release by the UK husband/wife team - came down to an issue of balances. On the plus side, there were plenty of interesting-enough musical ideas and touches. The duo definitely digs the same sort of post-psychedelic avenues explored by The Flaming Lips. Working against the collection is the fact that, overall, there are simply too many ‘meh’ moments with completely forgettable tracks - not to mention a tad too much repetition for my taste. Not a complete waste, but also nothing I see myself returning to. Standout Track: “Nothing/Everything” - Thumbs Down / Grade C-.
Crowded House / Gravity Stairs
Best known for hits from their mid-80s heyday, Crowded House (born from the ashes of New Wave stalwarts Split Enz) most firmly made an impact with me on their perfect A+ ‘93 release, Together Alone. While they have never again reached that height, they have maintained an admirable commitment to smart and expertly-crafted pop. Their eighth studio album isn’t perfect, but its charms are many, and the strongest songs exist in the really pleasing haze of lushly layered arrangements that have become a sort of calling card for Neil Finn’s fantastic songwriting (also evident on his solo albums). I guess I’d summarize this way - this is pure craftsmanship over boundary pushing experimentation, but let’s be honest - sometimes you just want a comfy chair to snuggle up in. This album is that, and then some. Standout Tracks: “Magic Piano”,”The Howl”, & “Oh Hi” - Thumbs Up / Grade C.
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