Archive for November, 2017

Vinyl

Steely Dan’s ‘Black Friday’ provides a perfectly nonsensical soundtrack for today

Steely Dan’s “Black Friday” might feel a bit on the nose this morning, but what else comes to mind on the first day of the Christmas shopping season?

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Anna Nalick – At Now (2017)

Anna Nalick’s vulnerable, touching ‘At Now’ breaks down the barriers to human emotion, telling her story through song.

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Jerry Granelli, feat. Bill Frisell and Robben Ford – Dance Hall (2017)

At a young seventy-six years old, Jerry Granelli still pushes forward even when his muse beckons him back, as it does for the Bill Frisell/Robben Ford reunion ‘Dance Hall.’

Toto, “Animal” from Past to Present (1990): Toto Tuesdays

Toto, “Animal” from Past to Present (1990): Toto Tuesdays

“Animal,” the final new song on Toto’s 1990 retrospective ‘Past to Present,’ may be the weakest – but that doesn’t mean it’s not good.

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The Everly Brothers – Two Yanks in England (1966): Forgotten Series

‘Two Yanks in England’ finds the Hollies working with the Everly Brothers, one of their key influences. Two future Led Zeppelin members, were there, too.

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Fiona Ross – Black, White and a Little Bit of Grey (2017)

Fiona Ross’ new album builds on her previous material, while demonstrating the maturation of talent this musical hand grenade has let loose.

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Vinnie Sperrazza Apocryphal – Hide Ye Idols (2017)

Vinnie Sperrazza and his audacious crew once again stretch jazz across multiple red lines and force people to rethink what defines that idiom.

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Maroon 5 – Red Pill Blues (2017)

You can’t help but wonder how great this would have been if Maroon 5 more consistently rose above the easy expectations of their fans and these times.

Chicago, “Harry Truman” from Chicago VIII (1975): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “Harry Truman” from Chicago VIII (1975): Saturdays in the Park

One of the more unusual things Chicago ever recorded, “Harry Truman” could be considered a novelty song – but that doesn’t take away any of my enjoyment.

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Lucas Lee Discusses His Topical New Album, Working with Marco Minnemann

Lucas Lee goes in depth with Preston Frazier on ‘Acceptance of Gravitational Collapsing Manifestations,’ his 2017 prog-rock project with Marco Minnemann.