In this context Spring means albums released in April to May, with just a couple from March that I missed in my rundown. Despite many artists delaying their released until later in the year when they hope to be better able to promote and at least play a few shows, the quantity and quality of albums released during the initial throes of the pandemic have been as good as ever. One album, recorded over a number of years by recluse Fiona Apple, clicked with what people were feeling (including myself, even though her music is not usually my style), and another, was written and recorded by White Denim in quarantine in just 30 days. We most likely won’t see the long-term effects to album releases for a little while yet. So in the meantime, let’s savor and appreciate some new tunes.
- Elder – Omens (Armageddon) | Bandcamp
- The Sonic Dawn – Enter The Mirage (Heavy Psych) | Bandcamp
- Rose City Band – Summerlong (Thrill Jockey) | Bandcamp
- Shaman Elephant – Wide Awake But Still Asleep (Karisma/Dark Essence) | Bandcamp
- RVG – Feral (Fire) | Bandcamp
- Emile – The Black Spider / Det Kollektive Selvmord (Heavy Psych) | Bandcamp
7. The Buttertones – Jazzhound (Innovative Leisure)
Post-punk, surf and garage noir? Yes please! It took this L.A. band until their fifth album to really live up to their name, though I’m always game for the jangle pop they serve on their 2013 debut, and the evocative surf noir of Gravedigging (2017). But Jazzhound is where Richard Araiza’s lugubrious baritone blossoms into full lushness, and they’ve fleshed out their garage sound into something more sparkling, bringing to mind some of the cream of the early 80’s psychedelic post-punk of The Sound, The Monochrome Set and The Blue Orchids. The soundtrack of the summer for late night drinking on the beach after a midnight surf, or whatever you can approximate in your quarantined backyard kiddie pool party of one.
- Public Practice – Gentle Grip (Wharf Cat) | Bandcamp
- White Denim – World As A Waiting Room (Radio Milk) | Bandcamp
10. Vincas – Phantasma (Learning Curve)
It’s been a while since I thought about that terrifying scene in Salem’s Lot (1979) where the vampire kid scratches at the window, summoning his brother. Athens, GA ‘s garage noir/deathrockers Vincas revive that image in “Let Me In,” and all kinds of other creepy imagery that leans toward the Birthday Party end of the goth/post-punk spectrum. Their third album brings it all together in a cohesive, terrifying whole.
11. Vitskär Süden – Vitskär Süden (Vitskär Süden)
L.A. band Vitskär Süden’s debut album is a bit of a mysterious riddle. The Samuel Araya cover illustration is of some mystical, helmeted sci fi warrior, hinting that at content of progressive death metal or psychedelic black metal. Instead, first track “War Machine Crimson” introduces a uniquely evocative hybrid of strings pulled from Ennio Morricone westerns, prog keyboards and desert psych noir. Martin Garner’s vocals resemble Michael Stipe or Peter Gabriel, but works well with the music. The lyrics evoke the the literary Art Nouveau and supernatural horror of Robert W. Chambers, making for some rewarding repeated deep listening sessions.
12. Mother Island – Motel Rooms (Go Down)
Like The Buttertones, Vicenza, Italy’s Mother Island feature some surf rock twang in their garage psych, and have made a major step forward on their new album (the third in their case).
13. Dead Visions – A Sea Of Troubles (Slimer)
Also from Italy, Dead Visions are pretty unabashedly influenced by the galloping garage noir served up decades ago by Gun Club, along with the lurking plod of The Cramps, and some rambling Crazy Horse crunch. Singer/actor/screenwriter/director/TV personality Francesco Mandelli gives a cinematic flavor to some to the lyrics. I’m all in, but still waiting for the full album to be available for download on Bandcamp.
- Spectres – Nostalgia (Artoffact) | Bandcamp
- Fiona Apple – Fetch The Bolt Cutters (Epic, 2020) | Buy
- Loose Fit – Loose Fit EP (FatCat, 2020) | Bandcamp
- Hollow Ship – Future Remains (PNKSLM, 2020) | Bandcamp
- Wailin Storms – Rattle (Gilead, 2020) | Bandcamp
- The Earth Below – Nothing Works Vol. 2: Hymns For Useless Gods (Unherd Music, 2020) | Bandcamp
- Cafe Racer – Shadow Talk (Born Yesterday, 2020) | Bandcamp
- Wild Tinderbox – Hardboiled Fire (Wild Tinderbox, 2020) | Bandcamp
- Sei Still – Sei Still (Fuzz Club, 2020) | Bandcamp
- Fearing – Shadow (Fearing, 2020) | Bandcamp
- Horisont – Sudden Death (Century Media, 2020) | Buy
- X – Alphabetland (Fat Possum, 2020) | Bandcamp
- Bacchae – Pleasure Vision (Get Better, 2020) | Bandcamp
- Rough Spells – Ruins At Midday (DHU, 2020) | Bandcamp
- Louise Patricia Crane – Deep Blue (Peculiar Doll, 2020) | Bandcamp
- Dark Forest – Oak, Ash & Thorn (Cruz Del Sur) | Bandcamp
- Witchskull – A Driftwood Cross (Rise Above) | Buy
- Alice Bag – Sister Dynamite (In The Red) | Bandcamp
- The Cool Greenhouse – The Cool Greenhouse (Melodic, 2020) | Bandcamp
