Best Coast – The Only Place (Mexican Summer)
Please see my full review here.
OFF! – OFF! (Vice)
16 songs in 16 minutes and the sound here has not changed one iota from The First Four EPs, their first quasi-full length release. That’s a good thing, though, as this as close a recreation of the early, Keith Morris-led Black Flag as one can find. Sure, the drums could’ve been mixed higher, but this doesn’t affect my enjoyment of this one bit. Get it!
Spiritualized – Sweet Heart Sweet Light (self-released)
This was 4 years in he making and well worth waiting for. This is the best Spiritualized album since at least 2001’s Let It Come Down. A stunner.
Nick Lowe with Tift Merritt – Keswick Theater (Glenside, PA) – April 29, 2012
What a great double bill! Nick played a great show featuring songs from his most recent albums and a few oldies as well and ended the night with his take on his friend and collaborator Elvis Costello ‘s “Alison”, which was an unexpected treat but fitting since he was in the studio when Costello’s version was recorded.
I’d never heard Tift Merritt before, but she reminded me lots of Neko Case and I loved her set.
The Wrecking Crew (Not Rated)
If you have an opportunity to see this documentary about ’60s LA session musicians who played on more hit records than you count, do so! The pertinent information is here.
The Avengers – “We are the One”, “Paint It Black” and “Teenage Rebel” EPs (Superior Viaduct)
These are 3 Avengers 7” issued for Record Store Day. “We Are the One” is a reissue of their only 7” on Dangerhouse while “Paint It Black” is a reissue of the posthumous 7” first released by CD Presents in 1983 around the same time as their only Lp (a compilation) was originally issued. “Teenage Rebel” and its B-side “Friends of Mine” were previously unreleased recordings from 1978 that sat in the vaults until the late ’90s and only then appeared as a 7” on a Swedish label. Essential.
One of the highlights of Death Cab for Cutie’s recent area show was their unexpected cover of the Mike Mills-sung R.E.M. gem “Near Wild Heaven” from 1991’s Out of Time. Here’s what it sounded like.
Beastie Boys – The In Sound from Way Out! (Capitol)
In more recent years and especially after seeing The Beastie Boys perform as an instrumental trio on one of the side stages at the Sasquatch Festival in 2007, I’ve really come to appreciate their instrumental side and in particular this overlooked 1996 compilation. RIP Adam Yauch.
Alex Chilton and The Cossacks – “Holocaust”
This is a live recording from 1978 at CBGBs. The short-lived lineup backing Alex featured Chris Stamey, Richard Lloyd and Will Rigby, so this is a full-band take on the Big Star classic.
Ian MacKaye‘s guest DJ set on Henry Rollins‘ KCRW show –
You can listen and read about it here. I highly recommend it!
