KoЯn - Requiem (2022)

 

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I want to punch myself in the face for typing this, but the new KoЯn record is in fact listenable. It's actually really good if I have to be honest. There's subtle hints of blues almost, however still dripping with overprocessed distorted nonsense, and oh so much PAIN. I will admit that at first listen I had a bit of a shit-eating grin on my face because I haven't felt this excited listening to a KoЯn record since Issues in my youth. 

Requiem 

Beck - Morning Phase (2014)

 

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A dozen albums in and our friend Beck traded in his maddening sounds for a more peacefully matured structure on this record. I love listening to this first thing when I wake up, as I'm making tea or coffee, and getting the day started. There's a subtle sadness on this recording, but it's delivered so beautifully that I cannot help but feel really great after every spin. 

Morning Phase

The Church - Seance (1983)

  

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Australian psych-master's 3rd album offers up a darker, more moody effort then their first 2 recordings. Sometimes it's difficult to follow a group with a career spanning over 40+ years, doubly so with a catalog as impressive as theirs. Fortunately enough for me, each record is fantastic. No matter where you stick your face in, you’ll be met with really great tunes. Light some candles and enjoy this one. 

Seance

The Dodos - Beware of the Maniacs (2006)

 

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San Francisco's The Dodo's debut effort is still my go-to in their catalog. I like the fuller sound they drifted towards in their more recent efforts, however I just love the feel of this set. The music and vocals just blend so well together. It's just these 2 dudes in a room, jamming the fuck out, and occasionally having a guest play the trumpet. Grab this, be kind to your neighbors, and wash you fucking hands. 

Beware of the Maniacs

100 Flowers - 100 Flowers (1983)

 

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I've been on this angsty teenage punk kick, lately. These guys fit that bill perfectly. The band itself has a collection of silly names, with this one being the most timid, although the factual history behind their name isn't so timid. Sprawling 16 tracks and 41 minutes, 100 Flowers has a unique sound that boarders on the familiar, but is definitely their own. Apparently they were a huge influence on the SoCal scene with their jangly guitar, anxious vocals that yell mostly about sex, west coast shit, and sometimes war. What's not to love? 

When life gets too heavy and you're taking things that you can't change way too seriously, take this for a spin and dance around your living room. You'll feel better afterwards, trust me. 

100 Flowers

Future Islands - As Long As You Are (2020)

 

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My introduction to Future Islands was the summer of 2010 with their oh so brilliant Tin Man video. I just happened to see it in passing, while kicking it with some friends and Herring's voice was like a breath of fresh air in an otherwise stale start to the 2010's. I grabbed their record and lived with it for the better half of that year. I kept up with them to the best of my abilities and have been impressed with how consistent they've been. Pumping out banger albums on average every 3 years. 

Presented here is Future Islands 6 studio release and it continues to show every bit of their strengths. Lush pop tunes, swelling ballads, and ass-shaking dance tunes. Nearly 11 years after I first saw their video I am still feeling their tunes. Grab this, and a friend, and enjoy.

As Long As You Are

The Jesus & Mary Chain - Psychocandy (1985)

 

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If the lights are too bright, and the world is too loud, nurse your hangover with The Jesus & Mary Chain's debut album. It's chock-full of shoegazy jams with pop sensibilities that will help ease your pounding brains, and shrink them back down to an tolerable size. Click the link and spin this album. Start your year off right.

Psychocandy

Beth Gibbons and Rustin Man - Out of Season (2002)

 

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I grabbed this album for $1 from the famed Reckless Records in Chicago my freshman year of college. Sadly, it was dumped in the discount bin. I ran back to my apartment and promptly listened to this album 3 times that night. Beth's voice is both sultry and inviting, however on this album it feels to me very mournful. In this collection, her voice very briefly touches on the strength she shows with Portishead,  and often times is low, almost at a whisper. I like how intimate the set feels, like you're there in the room with them. Put this on, dim the lights, roll up, and relax. 

Out of Season

The Jesus Lizard - Head/Pure (1990)

 

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I decided to share 2 at once. The Jesus Lizard flew way under my radar in my early years. It's a damn shame considering I'm from Chicago, where they spent a large chunk of their time gigging. I shit the bed on that. These efforts were later packaged together, although they both stand firm and strong on their own. The tracks are similar sounding in nature. They're heavy, crunchy, with Yow gurgling on the microphone like a fucking lunatic. These first recordings are genius noise in my opinion. 

Pure/Head

Cocteau Twins - Garlands (1982)

 

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Anytime I hear this record it reminds me of my grandfather's house. He had a pair of love birds that would coo just like Fraser does all over this album. While her voice is sweet, and hypnotic, and most inviting, those fucking birds irritated the shit out of me. But while this spins, by the time I've reached Grail Overfloweth, I've forgotten about those birds. 

Garlands

The La's - The La's (1990)

 

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I listen to this record at least 3 times a month. It's a pleasant slice of 90's alternative music that's filled jangly guitars, good vocal harmonies, and a bit of psychedelia sprinkled throughout. My absolute favorite track on this record is Freedom Song. It has a very Mojo Risin vibe and makes me want to smoke loads of weed in a park with my Wife on a glorious summer's day. 

The La's

Toadies - Rubberneck (1994)

 

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I was surprisingly pleased with with Rubberneck, besides the obvious single, the rest of the album flows really well with little to no filler. I really enjoyed driving around with this as my soundtrack this week. 

Rubberneck