August Music Appreciation ~ Focus On Top Recent Albums 11Aug24

We've been hitting a lot of fine live shows this summer already and there's plenty more coming, but I still listen to albums in full and support artists I like by buying their stuff. That's typically via Bandcamp, through which they get more of the proceeds than through other distribution schemes. And I completely dodge AI spam by not blindly streaming stuff. This installment of the monthly Music Appreciation will focus on recent album drops I like and have purchased... including a few spurious thoughts I have on each of them. I will do them in release order from oldest to newest... you might notice another thread.

Margo Cilker ~ Valley Of Heart’s Delight 15Sep23

This is clever, funny, heartfelt penning of personal stuff sung in a keen alt country style. Cilker's been publishing since '15 with a number of EPs and with this being her 3rd LP. So she's prolific and oh so capable... leading bands of cool multi-instrumentalists to boot. She hails from NorCal, been to Carolina, etc but has lived in the northwet for some time now. This is a great album full of the geography & stories she's lived. Plus, she sings about salmonids! Kala & I just caught her singing a great set including these at the recent Rocky Mtn Folks Fest.

Waxahatchee ~ Tigers Blood 22Mar24

This sophomore LP release is surprisingly even better than her fabulous 1st LP, Saint Cloud, IMO. A bit louder and boulder and full and wide ranging. Remarkable singer/songwriter Katie Crutchfield from Alabama, now KC. Also kindof southern Americana version of country. Love it.

Grace Cummings ~ Ramona 05Apr24

Grace is totally committed to every note with a killer voice of ultra-low smoke, growl, breaks and more... I love that. The album is the 1st produced by Jonathan Wilson rather than being self-published, and it shows. This is good & very big stuff full of references to her and Wilson's favs. Maybe the riffs and references are flat copies. Just to hear this Aussie sing is amazing.

Katie Pruitt ~ Mantras 05Apr24

I was blown away by Nashville's Katie Pruitt's first album, and #2 is so much more experienced without any loss of beauty. She's a great songwriter but not all her subject matter is straight ahead in my experience or understanding ~ but she makes me aware. This album has alt-rock guitar pieces delivering her sensitive voicing, and acoustics too. She remains an interesting and stellar artist.

DEHD ~ Poetry 10May24

The awesome beat & jangle trio from Chicago dropped what might be a top 10 album for 2024. The early official vids were wild but the tunes were awesome. I still love the back & forth lead vocals (vs harmonizing) from Emily & Jason, but this album is even more varied and artsy and complex than either prior. Emily still can do amazing things with her voice here and Jason still plays jangly surf stuff with the best. Eric always keeps the beat. Same topics of love, observation, outsiders, and pain and there's no discussion... this is a great album.

Mysterines ~ Afraid Of Tomorrows 21Jun24

Reeling (their 1st) was excellent but I was a fan long before an LP; Afraid Of Tomorrow still needs to win me over. It is seedier, darker, and straight out of LA (actually & truly) for this Liverpool powerhouse. The team is set strong at this point and the stuff is tight but Lia plays less guitar and focuses on vocals. They seem to have a greater presence of darker stadium rock in the material now, after touring as openers for Arctic Monkeys, and I'm not sure that helps. There are very bright spots like the Last Dance & Hawkmoon and darker psychedelic stuff where Lia's writing gets sinister like Another Another Another. Anyway... time and repeat plays will tell whether this rises to meet their potential for me. Unfortunately Mysterines cancelled their US tour (I had Denver tix) so I'll have to wait to hear live show progress.

AJ Lee & Blue Summit ~ City Of Glass 19Jul24

So good. It is different, but awesome. AJ's voice is always gorgeous and round and her playing is lights out, and I've liked almost all the songs she pens. Here she allows/depends more on the members of Blue Summit (each fabulous artists in their own rights) for some heavier contributions. And they get very funny at times. They write stuff, they sing lead vocals, and more; they always play tight and scrumptious bluegrass. There's even a sweet collab with Molly Tuttle... who features AJ with her as well. Very worthwhile listen and my latest buy. I solidified my fandom last year seeing AJ Lee & Blue Summit live @ Lulu's. Huge fan and this album is apt.