Another full 2 weeks, another batch of new music. Americana folk, punk, chamber folk, grunge, goth, funk, rap, blues and soul crammed into one playlist again. New singles from Greys, illuminati hotties, Craig Finn, Quivers, and Sinkane, and new albums out from Cochemea, John Vanderslice, and Lady Lamb all here. New collaborations as well with Marissa Nadler & Stephen Brodsky, Karen O & Danger Mouse, and Phoebe Bridgers & Conor Oberst (Better Oblivion Community Center). New releases from Andrew Bird, Ibibio Sound Machine, and Strand of Oaks also featured again.
As mentioned before here, Andrew Bird’s newest album is titled My Finest Work Yet, and while I’ve only given it a couple solid, straight-through listens so far I think it very well may be. “Bloodless” might be my favorite Andrew Bird song ever, and it is far from being the lone highpoint. The multi-instrumental virtuoso seems to be at his best on every instrument, and his voice actually sounding better than ever here. Other favorites on the record are “Don The Struggle”, “Fallorun”, and “Bellevue Bridge Club”.
Quivers may have one of my favorite songs this year. It’s a shimmering guitar-pop that from the outset has a U2-esque quality with it’s steady, insistent rhythm and and bright guitars. “You’re Not Always On My Mind” builds into a beautiful song, and it has certainly struck me more than their previous material. The Australian quartet is certainly a band to watch for in the near future.
Glen Hansard, Strand of Oaks, illuminati hotties, and Cochemea definitely among my favorites this week. To close things out, I think it needs to be said that illuminati hotties is the best bandname to come along since The Dandy Warhols.
Tracklist:
Greys – These Things Happen
illuminati hotties – I Wanna Keep Yr Dog
Quivers – You’re Not Always On My Mind
Strand of Oaks – Visions
Man of Moon – Ride the Waves
Marissa Nadler, Stephen Brodsky – For The Sun
Perry Farrell – Pirate Punk Politician
Kool Keith – Blast
Ibibio Sound Machine – I Need You To Be Sweet Like Sugar (Nnge Nte Suka)
The Budos Band – Veil of Shadows
Cochemea – Mescalero
Maria Magdalena – Tropic
Sinkane – Everybody
Fakuta – Juntapena
Lady Lamb – Deep Love
Andrew Bird – Cracking Codes
Better Oblivion Community Center – My City
Josh Ritter – Old Black Magic
Jenny Lewis – Little White Dove
The Lumineers – Gloria
Craig Finn – Something to Hope For
Glen Hansard – Fool’s Game
Karen O & Dangermouse – Turn the Light
John Vanderslice – Enter the Void
The Fortnightly Playlist 