rock

A collection of 78 posts

rock

141. LAST OF THE INDEPENDENTS by The Pretenders

When I discussed The Pretenders’ latest album here [https://auditorymusings.ghost.io/hate-for-sale-by-the-pretenders/], I mentioned how the record I’m discussing today, 1994’s The Last of the Independents, had been my prior favorite of theirs. So I thought now would be as good as a time as any to

alternative

139. DEAD MAN’S POP by The Replacements

This gets a bit complicated so bear with me. This 2019 box set includes a fully remixed version of the band’s 1989 record, “Don’t Tell A Soul” which, in this set, is referred to as “Don’t Tell A Soul Redux.” So, the record I’m really covering

rock

138. LINDSEY BUCKINGHAM (self-titled)

(Former) Fleetwood Mac frontman (that still just doesn’t sound right) Lindsey Buckingham has a just released 2021 record out which, interestingly enough, is self-titled (not typically the norm for one’s seventh solo album). Perhaps it’s his way of embracing the new found independence forced upon him. That

rock

134. SAY YOU WILL by Fleetwood Mac

When thinking about a Fleetwood Mac record, this 2003 release doesn’t necessarily come to mind. But, it’s got some gems in there worth checking out. This was the album they put out after Christine McVie left the band (though she does play on a few songs). So, principal

rock

131. FLOWERS by The Rolling Stones

Though technically a compilation album, this 1967 release can stand on its own as one of the Stones’ best. In light of the recent death of drummer Charlie Watts, it’s worth taking a look back at this record. Only three of the twelve tracks had not been released previously,

blues

129. TRES HOMBRES by ZZ Top

I wasn’t yet 3 years old when Texas blues rock outfit ZZ Top released their third record in 1973. This band has always held a special place in my heart, not just because they hailed from the Houston and surrounding area, but also because I was lucky enough to

alternative

120. GISH by Smashing Pumpkins

This 1991 debut record by alt rock deities Smashing Pumpkins was critically reassessed only after the band released their 1993 sophomore smash Siamese Dream. And, oh what a revelation. The opening two tracks (‘I Am One’ and ‘Siva’) announce the foursome with a bang and a clatter (due in large

indie

119. TODAY WE’RE THE GREATEST by Middle Kids

This just released 2021 record by Australian trio Middle Kids is for fans of indie or alt rock. Gaining quite a following after the release of their debut long play in 2018, this second effort is sure to expand their reach around the globe.  Check out ‘Cellophane (Brain),’ ‘R U

indie

117. ZACH PERSON EP (self-titled)

I never thought I would be mentioning American Idol in this blog but, well, here we are. Houston native (from age 13) and Austin transplant Zach Person was a contestant on the show during the 2016 season. Though he didn’t make it far, he definitely got noticed. Considered a

indie

114. KIWANUKA by Michael Kiwanuka

This 2019 record (and winner of the 2020 British Mercury Prize) received critical acclaim from all over the planet. Considered indie folk or rock, Kiwanuka is an autobiographical concept album released just when you thought concept albums were dead. Mixing elements of soul, rock, gospel and jazz, there’s bound

indie

111. TOP OF THE STAIRS by Maxband

This short, 5 song 2020 EP is the product of New York City indie rock band Parquet Courts’ drummer, Max Savage. Though in this role, he’s stepped out from behind his drum kit to share vocals and play guitar, Dave Grohl-style. The record is a mix of punk and

rock

110. I LOVE YOU BUT DAMN by Smokey Brights

Another husband/wife band out of the fertile Seattle music scene brings us this 2020 record. Kind of a mixture of modern rock and pop, the songs rock and groove simultaneously, suitable for arenas and dance floors, respectively. My favorites include ‘72,’ ‘I Love You But Damn’ and especially ‘Since

indie

109. EVERY BAD by Porridge Radio

This 2020 record from Brighton, England indie rock band Porridge Radio is reminiscent, in some ways, of 90’s grunge bands in that the loud/soft aesthetic is present in several of the tracks. “Every Bad” was a nominee for the 2020 British Mercury Prize and deservedly so. The stand-outs

rock

106. WRECKLESS ABANDON by The Dirty Knobs

Mike Campbell (guitarist for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers) formed The Dirty Knobs back in 2001 with 3 other session musicians, mainly as a way to keep himself busy and occupied during downtime from the Heartbreakers. It only took about 19 years to finally put out a formal debut album.

blues

94. KILL OR BE KIND by Samantha Fish

This 2019 record from blues rocker Samantha Fish is probably more rock than blues though she mixes the genres up on the songs pretty nicely - there’s even some soul-style horns scattered among the tracks. Putting out albums and touring relentlessly over the past 10 years or so, she’

rock

91. THE DIVISION BELL by Pink Floyd

Though almost universally criticized at the time of release as a Roger Waters-less ‘Pink Floyd’ trying too hard to sound like Pink Floyd, this 1994 record was, in later years, praised for being a Roger Waters-less Pink Floyd that sounded a lot like classic ‘Pink Floyd.’ Huh? Anyway, regardless of

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88. WISH by The Cure

I picked this 1992 Cure record to feature since it came right after their landmark album “Disintegration” and, as such, does not get as much recognition as it should (though many still consider it a very good album). The singles/hits off “Wish” will be familiar to many, including ‘High,

rock

85. TWO ROOMS: CELEBRATING THE SONGS OF ELTON JOHN AND BERNIE TAUPIN

This 1991 covers album is not available on streaming services, so if you click on the sleeve, it will take you to a YouTube playlist of the songs. Though there have been more recent albums reimagining John/Taupin compositions (search for Revamp and Restoration), Two Rooms is near and dear

punk

84. LONDON CALLING by The Clash

One of the greatest albums of all time, one of the greatest double albums of all time, one of the greatest punk albums of all time…the list goes on and on. Released in 1980 in the US, one look at that record sleeve clued you in that you were

indie

80. YOLK IN THE FUR by Wild Pink

It’s kind of funny how Wild Pink are consistently compared to The War on Drugs and Death Cab for Cutie since I haven’t been able to find any real connection to either of those band’s music. The first time I heard “Yolk in the Fur,” however, I

punk

78. STAY ALIVE by Laura Jane Grace

Punk rock band Against Me!’s frontwoman, Laura Jane Grace, dropped a surprise solo album this past week. Though quarantine livestreams have become a thing of late, Grace has shied away from those, instead deciding to make this record over the span of just a few days and using songs

blues

76. BLACK HOLES by The Blue Stones

What’s with guitar/drums blues rock duos naming themselves after colorful objects? There’s The White Stripes, The Black Keys and, now, The Blue Stones. Hailing from Windsor, Ontario, Canada, the similarities with the aforementioned bands don’t stop at the color wheel. This 2018 record (actually 2015 but

indie

74. OUT IN THE STORM by Waxahatchee

In contrast to her 2020 record discussed here [https://auditorymusings.ghost.io/saint-cloud-by-waxahatchee/], Katie Crutchfield’s 2017 outing is filled with electric guitars and rockers. Still writing about personal themes, the music makes you feel like she really had a lot to get off her chest. Depending on which record

rock

73. ROYAL BLOOD (self-titled)

You would be forgiven if, based on the record sleeve, you thought this debut album from UK duo Royal Blood dropped this year, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic - that sure does look like a mask. You would be wrong, though. This record was nominated for the British

indie

71. JUDY SUCKS A LEMON FOR BREAKFAST by Cornershop

Cornershop is a band out of the UK known for their fusion of Indian elements (particularly the sitar) with indie rock, pop and electronic music. They started out in the mid-90’s. This, their fifth album, was released in 2009. As mentioned, they have a knack for making a melting