Staff Picks for October 2022
October 31, 2022
Sounding for all the world like a like a long lost Billie Holiday LP minus the scratches and pops, these smoky jazz interpretations slink languidly across the dusty nightclub floor. Breezy and cool, a highlight is the humming cover of Elliot Smith’s “Between the Bars,” adding a layer of melancholy to the already-subdued torch song.
October 30, 2022
Kenton's 1952 Orchestra was a very interesting transitional band, still performing some of the complex works of the prior Innovations orchestra but also starting to emphasize swing. This set contains Bill Holman's complex "Invention for Guitar and Trumpet" (starring guitarist Sal Salvador and trumpeter Maynard Ferguson) but also Gerry Mulligan's boppish "Young Blood" and Bill Russo's features for trumpeter Conte Candoli ("Portrait of a Count"), trombonist Frank Rosolino ("Frank Speaking"), and altoist Lee Konitz ("My Lady").
October 29, 2022
There was a period of time in the early 2000s where Fiona Apple’s anticipated upcoming release was being held up because of record company tomfoolery, and this album hit at just the right time. Stabbing piano and broad orchestral sweeps punctuate heartfelt lyrics with a loose, swinging production complete with Jon Brion-esque sonic curveballs.
October 28, 2022
The charms of English actor and musician David McCallum burn brightly on this cheeky cult classic from 1967. Aided by David Axelrod's superb arrangements, A Bit More of Me is a novelty gem of instrumental elevator music that is at its best when going over the top.
October 27, 2022
Although there is a noticeable Icelandic connection to Björk in Emiliana Torrini's voice, Torrini has more in common with the acoustic dreaminess of Nick Drake than her Nordic cousin's experimental electronica. This album features languid snapshots accompanied by sparse and simple acoustic instrumentation and the soft sighing of boats on the river.
October 26, 2022
Robin Skinner, artistically known as Cavetown, self-published this debut album in 2015. Melodically, Cavetown is a wholesome album with a gentle acoustic guitar at its heart and these nearly ethereal synthesized compliments. Lyrically, the album is a journey of self-expression, finding your identity, and adolescent romance.
October 25, 2022
Following two impeccable classics, the band manages to sound both exhausted and completely invigorated on this uneven third set. Their longest album to date, it really could have been pruned. Side A is a beast (the opening trio is worth the price of admission), while Side B remains hit or miss ("Electricityscape" and "Ize of the World" are the standouts). A welcome listen for fans missing the riffs.
October 24, 2022
From the return of classic-lineup bassist Dan K. Brown to its George Underwood cover art (the painter whose work adorned 1983's Reach the Beach and 1984's Phantoms), this reunion effort marked a return to form for the synth-pop-but-almost-prog-rock group who made socially aware angst fly up the charts in the '80s. The real treat here is how it builds, from the first half's politically minded prog for the people to the second half's quirky new wave attack, as vocalist Cy Curnin leads the band on something akin to a mini-concert that's alive and familiar in feel.in the new millennium.
October 23, 2022
The 2020 folk-punk album introduces a new synthesizer accent to the Frontbottoms' normally acoustic reservoir best seen in "jerk". This dangerously self-aware album views the human experience through a melancholy lens with brief, but exceptional moments of optimism.
October 22, 2022
A genuine classic of U.K. folk-rock's heyday, this joyful set of mostly instrumental Morris dance music features scene lynchpins like Ashley Hutching, Richard Thompson, and John Kirkpatrick having a damn good time.
October 21, 2022
The first improvised collaboration between the legendary guitar terrorist and the post-metal trio is a relentless torrent of bitterness, despair, and frustration at the system, with Haino's full-throttle screaming matched by the intensity of Sumac's surround sound sludge. This is completely harsh, brutal, and disorienting, and not for one moment does it ever sound boring, uninspired, or pointless. All of the musicians maintain a deadly, razor-sharp focus, and the whole thing is powerful and full of purpose and conviction. Completely unbelievable.
October 20, 2022
Incorporating found sounds, funk loops, movie quotes, breakbeats, old soul sides, early electro, and anything else in the kitchen sink, Hexstatic’s 2003 Ninja Tune release is a sound collage of funky breaks in the style of DJ Food and Coldcut. Any of these tracks could be found in a Steven Soderbergh heist montage without breaking a sweat.
October 19, 2022
With heavy bass prominent throughout the entire album, and with a sense of self-importance and confidence evident in the lyrics Who Are The Girls? is a blend of feminist messaging and angry reactional punk enthusiasm that encapsulates the beautiful chaotic energy the Nova Twins embody. This album's combination of grime and hyper-femininity makes it an easy headbanger.
October 18, 2022
Perhaps the peak of depraved lunacy for a band who made psychedelic confusion their calling card, the Butthole Surfers' 1988 album Hairway to Steven views burnout culture through the perspective of an active acid trip, and a bad one at that. Disguising their most menacing sounds with juvenile humor and big, stupid riffs, the Butthole Surfers create something deranged and wonderfully perplexing.
October 17, 2022
This 2020 album exudes psychedelic, witchy rock energy and sounds like it could have been released in the 70s. The lyrics, focusing on the daily tribulations of life and the mundane, pair incredibly well with the star-child electric keys and guitar distortion. It's an amazing-sounding album that's great to dance or inspire with.
October 16, 2022
While their debut Everything Else Matters proved that Pinkshinyultrablast were adept at creating dreamy, overdriven shoegaze with nods to 2010s-era indie electronic pop, on Grandfeathered they add an intriguing prog rock element to their sound, twisting and contorting time signatures and typically building tracks out to epic six-minute lengths. Instead of sounding bombastic and overblown, the songs build and become more exciting.
October 15, 2022
With undoubtedly juvenile themes, and punk influence Open Mouth, Open Heart is reflective of a new type of alternative music that promotes social justice while still maintaining that characteristic rock and roll anger. This album while primarily being high energy and fun, does balance a more serious tone with some songs slowed and focused on a more mature type of romantic relationship.
October 14, 2022
Hard to believe it's been almost 20 years since the last Cardigans LP. Split between the countrified leanings of 2003's Long Gone Before Daylight and the hookier pop material of their '90s output, this (maybe?) swan song is a lost gem. "Godspell" and "...Fine Wine" are two of their finest singles, while the epic "Holy Love" is so good it should have closed the album. Fingers crossed they make another.
October 13, 2022
Like its namesake, the Church is capable of both beautiful and terrifying things. A bloated, elegant, and unsettling storm of a record, Uninvited Like the Clouds manages to celebrate improvisation and songcraft without any favoritism, resulting in the band's most cohesive record since 1992's Priest = Aura.
October 12, 2022
This grunge-infused new-age rock album oscillates between intense dramatic subject matter and a softer more interpersonal relationship focus. The pure vocal authenticity coupled with the heavy bass results in a raw emotional sound. This is an album that has a song for however you're feeling, and a few sound clips thrown in to contextualize the story behind the album.
October 11, 2022
Drill a Hole in That Substrate and Tell Me What You See preens like an alley cat with a bellyful of chicken scraps. The thick veil of gloss that co-producers Joe Henry and Tucker Martine use to coat each of the 11 hypnotic tracks is entirely transparent, resulting in a glass-bottom boat ride that's both cathartic and uncomfortably voyeuristic.
October 10, 2022
This 1967 album was Sanders' first for Impulse and considerably toned down from what the world had heard of him from his noisy playing accompanying Coltrane. Instead of full-on chaos, Sanders dials in groove and expression, with a little bit of occasional disruption provided by Sonny Sharrock's guitar, making its first recorded appearance here.
October 9, 2022
Eisley broke onto the 2003 scene with a pair of EPs that showcased their atmospheric sonic heaven buoyed by the harmony vocals of the DuPree sisters. Several of those early songs surfaced on their debut full-length album which feels fully realized and mature for a bunch of musicians in their late teens. This wistful and occasionally melancholy collection of compositions are well-crafted teenage symphonies to God.
October 8, 2022
Distorted guitar, breakneck rhythms, and a very prominent anti-establishment message throughout Bob Vylan Presents the Price of Life situates this 2022 album firmly in punk's wheelhouse. The U.K. group completely disregards propriety and embraces their authentic against-the-grain noise, making this a great album for high-energy moments, and political activism. The rap style of delivery compliments the short punchy instrumentals and proves that alternative music is constantly evolving— taking from other genres and contemporary subjects and blending them into an overtly grungy thing of beauty.
October 7, 2022
One of Eddie Harris' more underrated sessions, this Atlantic album finds Harris creatively playing his electrified tenor on a wide variety of tunes, some of which utilize rock/funk rhythms of the period. Although his supporting cast includes such fine players as baritonist Haywood Henry, trumpeter Jimmy Owens and pianist Jodie Christian, the focus throughout is on Harris's distinctive playing.
October 6, 2022
While Aimee Mann has on occasion disparaged her work with her early band (specifically her singing), reasonable minds may disagree, and her songwriting ability was already indisputable with the arrival of their second album, over half of which she wrote alone. Trading the new wave gloss of their hit debut for something more organic and less trendy, this follow-up didn't sell quite as well as Voices Carry, but it still went gold and, along with their third and final album, helped earn Mann a loyal base to begin her solo career.
October 5, 2022
Though most often associated with his swinging post-bop albums for Blue Note, saxophonist Joe Lovano is no stranger to the ECM label. He first recorded with producer Manfred Eicher's storied German institution in 1981 for drummer Paul Motian's album Psalm, playing alongside bassist Ed Schuller and guitarist Bill Frisell. Since then he has made several appearances on the label, including further hits with Motian (who died in 2011), as well as pianist Steve Kuhn and guitarist John Abercrombie. With 2019's deeply atmospheric Trio Tapestry, Lovano takes his relationship with ECM to the next logical and long-awaited plateau.
October 4, 2022
A gorgeous blend of bedroom pop, indie-rock vocals, and some heavy guitar technique will make even your most pretentious music friends nod in approval. Tigercub’s 2021 album assures that modern alternative rock is still relevant. The sentimental subject matter paired with the emotion-laden instrumental segments results in As Blue as Indigo being the perfect album for the seasonal transition from long summer days to cooler fall afternoons.
October 3, 2022
Recorded live in 2018 at Rome's Auditorium Parco Della Musica, Roma is the engaging debut collaboration between trumpeter Enrico Rava and saxophonist Joe Lovano. Although both artists are masterful improvisers known for their lithe approaches to modern jazz, their intense compatibility displayed throughout Roma might seem from the outside an unlikely event. While Rava made his ECM debut with 1975's classic The Pilgrim and the Stars, it wasn't until 2019 that Lovano joined the label with his textural, atmospheric Trio Tapestry. In the intervening years between those two albums, the two initially disparate artists have seemingly moved ever closer.
October 2, 2022
All of Sherelle's mixes and live DJ sets are incredible, and her first commercially issued mix (for Fabric) amazingly retains the energy of her sessions for Dekmantel, Boiler Room, Bang Face, and others. Seamlessly blending oldskool breakbeat hardcore and jungle tracks with newer productions in the same spirit, her aggressive yet ecstatic mixes draw connections between the U.K.-bred rave scenes and Chicago's juke and footwork communities.
October 1, 2022
This 1968 album embodies that honest fun typical of our modern idealizations of the era. laced with just a hint of rebellion in some of the occult-like lyrical choices and anti-war sentiment to keep it relevant. The brightness of the horns, and prominent electric bass result in October Country’s album. October Country is ideal for some warm afternoon walks as we approach the month responsible for the album and band’s name.