Older acts dominated this week's batch of new releases, but a standout LP from a new band is the sophomore release from L.A. duo Girlpool. KEXP Music Director Don Yates notes the album "finds them recording with a full band for the first time, and the end result is a more muscular and fully realized take on the band's stripped-down, lo-fi folk-pop, combining buzzing guitars and sturdy rhythms with their hushed harmonies and intimate lyrics."
On the other end of the spectrum is a new release from veteran Memphis soul singer/songwriter, Don Bryant. It's a "potent set of old-school southern soul combining a warm sound featuring stellar accompaniment including five members of the legendary Hi Rhythm Section with Bryant's grainy vocals and lovelorn lyrics. (Bryant was a staff songwriter for Hi Records in the 1970s. His most famous song is "I Can't Stand The Rain," made famous by his soon-to-be wife Ann Peebles. This album was recorded in her honor.)" Veteran multi-instrumentallist/singer/songwriter/producer Todd Rundgren delivers "a typically eccentric and varied set ranging from slinky electro-pop and bumping funk to '80s yacht rock and more. The diverse guest lineup ranges from Dam-Funk, Robyn, Bettye LaVette and Trent Reznor to Donald Fagen, Joe Walsh, Daryl Hall and Joe Satriani." And, Paul Weller, former frontman for The Jam, releases his 13th full-length solo album, which features guest appearances from PP Arnold, Madeleine Bell, Boy George, The Strypes' guitarist Josh McClorey, and Soft Machine's Robert Wyatt.
Mod '60s band The Creation release a five-disc box set, with four discs of music and a DVD that includes an interview with guitarist Eddie Phillips and various live performances, including appearances on the legendary German 60s TV show Beat Beat Beat. And veteran Athens, Georgia-based band Elf Power release their 13th LP, a release that keeps in time with their Elephant 6-psych beginnings.
Earlier this year, we got a sneak peek at the new alt-J album as the UK trio stopped by KEXP for an in-studio session. Now, the entire LP is out -- a release KEXP Music Director Don Yates calls, "their most adventurous, ranging from catchy prog-pop and solemn atmospheric folk ballads to decidedly o…
It's a good week for comebacks. UK band Slowdive return with their first new album in 22 years. KEXP Music Director Don Yates calls it "a strong return-to-form of shoegazerish dream-pop with swirling, reverbed guitars, ethereal vocals, hazy harmonies and blissed-out melodies." It's been 17 years si…
