Most bands will create a pompous intro to their albums because they don't have Mariusz Duda's balls who kicks off this masterpiece
a capella, signifying the emptiness of loss. The loss of bandmate, guitarist Piotr Grudzinski. Riverside redefine their sound as Duda picks up rhythm guitar duties and experiments singing in a lower register descending deeper into melancholia.
Somehow, this album reinstates my belief that the purpose of life is to improve one's self, chisel away on his personality, better him/herself until he/she becomes someone he/she likes and maybe, create a better world in his vicinity. Maybe Duda believes (consciously or subconsciously) the same. NEVER have a heard in
this generation of rockers a voice so eloquent, gentle and wistful.
"I am wading through the desert To the promised land You burnt to
to the ground" Duda is THE dude...
EMMA RUTH RUNDLE - "On Dark Horses"The 4th solo outing for MARRIAGES singer and RED SPARROWES member is a dark, heavy and emotive affair. Here is an artist with a good understanding of dynamics in music. In todays indie rock scene female artists tend to copy Bjork or attempt tepid electro-pop. The real alternative is Emma Ruth Rundle along with Chelsea Wolfe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JKAoIYGhX8
How many times have you listened to a doom album and felt that it "dragged" on? Khemmis have introduced more heavy metal riffing and contemporary ideas to their music and made an album that will
appease stoner, doom and metal fans alike. I will be surprised if this work doesn't catapult them to the creme-de-la-creme division of the genre...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZd2liHm8P8
Discovered this husband/wife indie band only recently. Still trying to get my hands on the 20 or so albums they released over the last 12 years. This one offers heavier psychedelia than previous ones but you really cannot pigeonhole them. Strange and captivating...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Plx4uYTrJYk
Based on Plato's "Allegory of the Cave" the Israeli band has probably produced the best "oriental" prog metal album ever! This is a tour-de-force with JUST the right amount of symphonic pomp and bombast. Unparalleled production values and kudos to Jens Bogren who mixed this monumental recording...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIrVRgSLM58
Cosmic dirges from Swedish goth composer. Elegiac and enigmatic excursions into the subject of mortality. It will leave you breathless...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nre0hcDz5TI
Marcus King, singer, songwriter, guitarist is only 22. Everything is coming together on his 4th album, a southern gothic rock future classic...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPIAy13xzjA
A change of label and...what is this...songs lasting less than the 15-20 minute cosmic jams? But wait...in the hands of 3 of the finest musicians in today's rock music (Isaiah Mitchell/guitar, Mario Rubalcaba/drums and Mike Eginton/bass) the results are as exciting as ever. Stoner album of the year from a band that isn't stoner...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QvV3J5buvk
Clocking in at a little less that 2hrs 30mins, it does have some forgettable passages but when the saxophonist hits high gear, he is exhilarating! Using a large canvas, Kamasi draws from many musical territories. Rightly, the most recognisable name in jazz today...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdyabrdFMC8
There's a disarming honesty about her songs and delivery. With a cooking band supporting her, this alt country artist is the closest thing to the old generation of "outlaw" country artists...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paaU1Qewcss
Thanks to John Mayo for the shout...this is heartfelt, atmospheric,
proggy, post black metal. Underground album of the year...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7BxM0kicfM
Purists may forgive Gomes for taking a rock direction throughout his 8th release because this the feel-good blues rock album of the year. No fillers, great guitars and vocals and wonderful production...
Unfortunately, no vinyl yet...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZ52Rm3osfk
Lioness Sessions"
There was the Strummer box set, the multi-coloured reissues of the early King Gizzard LPs but this transitional album from Jason Molina, his "romantic" record originally released in 2000 tops the lot. Lovely packaged with insight from his wife Darcie and others who knew or worked with him. Expanded to include 11 previously unreleased tracks, it cements his status as one of the most important artists of the last 30 years. Check out also Erin Osmons Riding With The Ghost biography which is very well researched and sheds light on the dark passages of this most unique artist/tortured soul.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxAaf16xXRk
Get To Heaven"
Infectious, catchy, danceable. Heir apparent to Bruce Springsteen?
"And when I was a child, a dream came to me
Well, every soul hanging low found its piece of dignity
'Til that dream gets to heaven you can ride this train on me
And we're gonna run so fast they'll never fin us again"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVTSAUZYRz8
A testament to the enduring qualities of the Boss. Just watch the Netflix special. Vinyl box set scheduled for February 19.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4D1smUCqEEw
