So, the new Rolling Stones album is out, and as far as professional critics and ordinary, daily reviewers are concerned, there’s no middle ground with ‘Hackney Diamonds.’ It is either seen (and heard) as their best in decades or just a pitiful attempt to keep up with the times (or worse).
Personally, I’d go with the former. Okay, it is no Let It Bleed,’ its ‘Gimme Shelter’ or anything they did on ‘Exile On Main Street,’ possibly their best hour, but it is neither pitiful nor is certainly better that quite a number of their more recent albums that are.
One thing though can’t be denied - sixty or so years on, they are not only going on, but are giving it an effort, a good one at that, and they are keeping up with times. It seems that going on definitely gives them shelter.
Joy Guidry - Day by Day
This gentle, ambient piece by an award-winning bassoonist is perfect for settling nerves, and as Guidry says, "Day By Day is a hug to my younger self before things got rocky in life"."Day By Day is a hug to my younger self before things got rocky in life".
Fortunato Durutti Marinetti - Clerk of Oblivion
Toronto’s Daniel Colussi has some really interesting influences here, from the likes of Lou Reed and John Cale to Robert Wyatt, and jazz-pop expert Anette Peacock. And he makes the best out of those influences here.
Patrick Shiroishi - if only heaven would give me another ten…
All Shiroishi works with here are a single saxophone, a glockenspiel, two microphones, and a zoom recorder, which he took one night into the cavernous parking structure below a hot pot restaurant in Monterey Park. More than just intriguing.
The Dollyrots - 5+5
Yes, the cover of this one refers to the good, old Sex Pistols and so does the music not only on this single but also on the whole album that it is culled from. And yes, it is quite close to ‘the original.’
Berk Jodoin - Aces & 8’s
Some blues-tinged roots stuff here, and when it is done right it can always go down well. And this one by the guy from Saskatchewan certainly does the trick.
Loyal Lobos - Autosabotear
This Colombian artist based in Los Angeles doesn’t take The Los Lobos route but does a gentle dream pop-tinged ballad that is all charm and no fluff.
Richard Evans - Dream Of The World
Since the early eighties, Manchester was known for some excellent synth-pop, and as another Manchester guy, Evans keeps that tradition fully intact.
Brontez Purnell - Bachelor’s Theme
Purnell originates from the deep south (Alabama) but is now based in Oakland he actually goes for that prime new wave sound, and he does it so well.
Sean Ono Lennon - That Fucking Feeling
Lennon joins a big-name crew that is covering (and helping) Adam Green revive his anti-folk glory that was Moldy Peaches, and it seems that the full album of those is worth the wait.
Nailah Hunter - Finding Mirrors
This one has quite a few things here - from Hunter’s harp, and ambient electronics, to twisted R&B and experimental pop. It seems real trip-hop is alive and well.
Kissing Party - Abandoned Mansions
This quartet labels their music as ‘slop pop,’ but they probably do that with their tongues firmly behind their cheeks, as there is nothing sloppy with their DIY-style music.
Anenon - Moons Melt Milk Light
Anywhere between modern post-classical, post-rock, and post-ambient music, all things post, with a very fresh and inventive approach.
Razor Braids - Nashville, Again
This Brooklyn quartet is on their gentle side here, and their harmonies are just heavenly here, No wonder they are considered as Brooklyn’s new rising pop-rock unit.
In The Pines - Let It Slide
The name of this Cincinnati trio might veer towards some Americana/roots stuff, but these three guys prefer their psych and shoegaze record collections, which they seem to know inside out.
Office Dog - Gleam
Another trio, this time from the iconic Dunedin, New Zealand scene, and with their sound on a bit grungier side, show why that scene has earned that iconic tag. May sound familiar, but not really.
Steve Conte - Girl With No Name
An old, seasoned hand that was in The New York Dolls, sticks to what he knows, some would call it classic, melodic rock, but he surely not only knows it but does it so well.
Rubblebucket - Abbreviation
You can use and you can abuse R&B sounds wrapped in the smooth lounge, and Kalmia Traver and Alex Toth, the group’s front persons do their best, and succeed in actually using it to the best effect here.
The Damn Truth - I Just Gotta Let You Know
This Montreal quartet likes their psych/classic pop/rock on the harder side of things and lead singer Lee-La Baum drives it home successfully.
Dion, Carlene Carter - An American Hero
One of the rare survivors of early pop/rock heroes goes roots with the aid of Carlene Carter and it is just so good that they both deserve the hero tag.
June McDoom - The City - With Strings
Brilliant singer-songwriter McDoom re-imagines one of her initial singles here with some equally brilliant three-part harmonies by McDoom, Grammy-winning jazz vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant, and Kate Davis.