Seasons of Your Day by Mazzy Star (September 24)
(It’s been 17 years since their last album, and nothing has really changed about her vocal. If you liked the band’s earlier work, this new collection will probably appeal to you. For a limited time, you can listen to the LP at NPR First Listen)
Favorite tracks:
California
In The Kingdom
Common Burn
Lay Myself Down
4 out of 5
AM by Arctic Monkeys (September 10)
(I usually prefer Alex Turner's acoustic work, but I'm slowing getting into his rock albums.)
Favorite tracks:
Do I Wanna Know?
Why Do You Only Call Me When You’re High?
Knee Socks
Arabella
3.5 out of 5
Simon Killer soundtrack by Various Artists
(I read someone call it the soundtrack of the year. It isn’t out on disc, but after that statement I had to give the tracks I could find a listen. Many of the tracks didn’t live up to that hype. Below selections are my favorites)
It Takes a Muscle to Fall in Love - Spectral Display
Dance Yrself Clean - LCD Soundsystem
Beat And The Pulse - Austra
3 out of 5
Loud City Song by Julia Holter (August 20)
(I don’t love all the album, but she managed to catch my attention on several tracks.)
Hello Stranger
This is a True Heart
Maxim’s 1
3.5 out of 5
Dynamics by Holy Ghost! (September 3)
(Sophomore album by Brooklyn electro-pop duo Holy Ghost! Solid record, yet not quite as catchy or memorable as their 2011 self-titled record.)
The stand-outs for me are: It Must Be The Weather,
Okay, Dumb disco Ideas, Bridge & Tunnel, Don’t Look Down, Cheap Shots
3.5 out of 5
Heard any of these new albums yet? Agree or disagree? Share your opinions in the comments.
The new Mazzy Star... fuck... it's fucking good. I love the production in that record. It's what albums should be.
ReplyDeleteThe new Arctic Monkeys is great. Now that's a band that should be given more exposure.
Other new records are the new Bill Callahan (which is really good), the new Chelsea Wolfe (amazing yet scary), and the Elvis Costello album w/ the Roots (it's solid and fun).
@thevoid99: I’m enjoying that Mazzy Star album too.
DeleteThe Artic Monkeys LP I need to give a few more spins, at the moment unsure about its position on my year-end list.
Haven’t listened to the other albums you mentioned, thanks for the tips.
I just listened to the Mazzy Star album. Love the vocals and how they blend with the gorgeous instrumentals. Tracks I liked from the first listen are California, In My Kingdom, Common Burn and Flying Low.
ReplyDeleteMan, I love AM. Every song is strong. I like his acoustic work as much as the rock ones. It's a very good album and one my favorites of the year.
I want to check the Holy Ghost!, Julia Holter and Elvis Costello and The Roots albums. The latter one sounds like a great idea.
September brought some really good music.
@Cristi B: Agree on Mazzy Star. So far it’s in my top 10 of 2013.
DeleteArctic Monkeys does have a good production, I’ll be relistening to it this week.
Hope you like those other albums you haven’t heard yet. Yes, a good month so far :)
I have so many albums to catch up Chris! But you keep them coming real fast and you are my source for new music lately!
ReplyDelete@Michaël Parent: I know, there is so much new music, and tough to keep up. Happy to help out :)
DeleteI haven't listened to any of these, but I'll try to check them out, especially Seasons of Your Day.
ReplyDelete@Josh: Mazzy Star is currently in 9th spot on my list of favorite albums of 2013, hope you like it too.
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