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Melodic pop confections from New Zealand that melt in your ears, not in your hands. Standouts include “Thing Well Made” and “Dominion Road.” Vastly underrated.
These blissed out and eminently likeable robe cladded nutters have made another enjoyable record, exuding exuberance with a relish worthy of Up With People. If the songs were ironic the record wouldn’t work. But to me, it sounds earnest and more importantly, most of the songs are simply good.
In its debut, the Fields serve up a propulsive, psychedelic and shoegazey sonic stew. One of my faves this year.
Hyper-literate lyrics and accessible yet accomplished songs that sometimes evoke R.E.M.
With winning lyrics that focus on the interpersonal, a la Buzzcocks, these post-punk anthems crackle with attitude, intelligence and genuine emotion.
Impressive lyrics and wordplay on an eclectic record that melds indie rock with small doses of hip-hop.
They keep cranking out very good to excellent albums on a consistent basis. In fact this is number fourteen! They make it seem far easier than it really is. Recommended but no major surprises. It’d be nice to see more stylistic variation but perhaps singer Greg Graffin uses his solo efforts to take care of that.
Yes, those Bee-Gees. If you only know this group from its disco heyday in 1977 you’ll be shocked by how good this group was a decade earlier. I certainly was. “Red Chair, Fade Away,” “Holiday,” and “Cucumber Castle” are among the melodic gems from the fantastic 1967 debut.
This album is endlessly inventive. An incredibly fresh and original record. Songs like “Cast Off Crown,” “Believe E.S.P.” and “Whither the Invisible Birds” will have you coming back repeatedly. Amazing.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart—Herbert von Karajan/Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra – Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (Polydor)
With Clara, our first child, all of 24 days old, we’re introducing her to what I remember as being the first record I ever heard.
