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Magnetic Morning – A.M. (Friend or Faux)
A beguilingly full-band effort, which again grasps the poorly recalled slower side of Swervedriver and Interpol (key members from both are in this group)—only it prettifies it and adds a wide-spectrum, kaleidoscopic lushness. It’s released in January, but was available at their merch table on their recently concluded tour with my own Springhouse, and it was a hell of a treat to hear this material live for six shows!!! The sleeper album of the year, it says here!
For 38 minutes, A.M. gives a shiver effect. Don’t miss!
Gene Clark – Silverado ’75: Live & Unreleased (Collectors’ Choice)
The late ex-Byrds singer caught live in the Gerry Ford era in his solo career, with a crackin’ band and plenty of verve. Alt. country and folk pop the way it was at its best and still is sometimes, 33 years later.
Darker My Love -2_ (Dangerbird)
We’ve been waiting eons for a U.K. dreampop band this good, post-Doves. Who’d have thought it’d come from our side, from L.A.?
D.O.A. – Northern Avengers (Sudden Death CAN)
With original bassist Randy Rampage rejoining founder Joey Keithley, several hot tracks such as the catchy “Last Chance,” riff-wonder “Crossfire,” and “Golden State” easily stack up to the likes of “The Enemy” and “The Prisoner” from nearly 30 years ago. Their best record since War on 45.
The Coast – Expatriate (Aporia CAN)
This Toronto four sound exciting, a band that could fill big halls in breathtaking sonic vistas on this holy headphones LP. Turn it up and revel in alpine heights!
Sleepover Disaster – Hover (Devil in the Woods)
Like *For Against*’s latest, Shade Side Sunny Side, the well-named Hover is spectacular dreampop, breathing new life and volume into shoegaze’s enduring ghostly dissonance. Look for this on release February 10!!!
American Music Club – Atwater Afternoon (American Music Club)
Fans will be enticed by this special merch table-only collection for the six unreleased songs, three of them covers. (Two are of Ray Price extraction.)
The Decemberists – _Always the Bridesmaid: a Single Series _ (Y.A.B.B./Jealous Butcher)
These six non-LP tracks failed to make the cut for their heavily anticipated fifth album, 2009’s Hazards of Love. All six are in the mode of 2006’s incredible The Crane Wife, especially the A-side of single two, the sprightly, up-tempo, typically hummable “Days of Elaine” (the one killer; the others would-be lesser tracks).
Billy Bragg – Mr. Love & Justice (Anti)
Beating 2002’s surprisingly unsatisfying England, Half English and 1996’s good but inconsistent William Bloke, this is more a successor to 1988’s beloved Worker’s Playtime, occasionally even approaching 1991’s all-time classic, Don’t Try This at Home. Hurrah! It’s a full reclaim of bounteous strengths in lightly-seasoned folk rock with touchingly personal soul influences, given Bragg’s gift for tantalizing lyrics sung in amazingly empathetic, cockney-inflected, yet poignant singing.
For Against – Shade Side, Sunny Side (Words on Music)
This is just a fabulous work, one of the most unnerving and yet often resplendently gorgeous records I’ve heard in some time. Every time I play it, it unfolds new layers of feeling, unlocking new mysteries of the clash between head and heart, and digs in harder with the simple clarity of its musical force. Album of the year? So far it sure as hell is.
