New Records to Check
In a bit of news that temporarily made me suspect that I had been transported back to 2001—both The Shins and Spoon released new records this month. This confluence has sent me spiraling down a bit of a nostalgia trip for that early oughts indie rock sound. On the new Shins record Heartworms James Mercer is in top form. There are a wide variety of influences on display here with a heavy emphasis on The Zombies and The Magnetic Fields. The record possesses a startling ability to be simultaneously nostalgic and modern. There are arrangements and harmonies from throughout the pop music canon but they are massaged into a new form and sincerely deployed to those ends. What strikes me about this record is the earnestness of it. It is playful without being naive and complex without leaning on irony. Mercer has hit upon a sweet spot in indie pop that allows for hook driven joy without yielding the expressive self reflection for which his work is known. This record seem destined for my best of list for the year.
Check out the track “Cherry Hearts” below.
A week after The Shins’ release the always proficient Spoon released Hot Thoughts their followup to 2014’s outstanding They Want My Soul. If there is one thing that characterizes Spoon’s sound it is their precision. There is a distinct sound to Spoon’s music that is situated between Brit Daniel’s staccato delivery and the grind of the guitar. On this record they have grown a bit more experimental, branching out into the realm of electronic beats. There are moments where their sound veers into the realm of Radiohead but while retaining that signature Spoon style. This is another great early release for 2017.
Check out “Can I Sit Next to You” below.
Hogs for the Cause
Hogs is back for another year of music and BBQ. This year the event has put together a stellar lineup of musicians to help you digest all of that delicious pork. On Friday you can catch Motel Radio, the Furturebirds and the Seratones. On Saturday there will be performances by River Whyless, Railroad Earth, George Porter Jr. and Shovel and Rope. This is one of my favorite events of the year and the move to the UNO Arena grounds is an inspired change that should open the event up further. Check out the Hoggy Hour deal, which allows for early access to the event an hour of free beer to get the day rolling.
To Do This Week
Tonight the Avett Brothers are at The Saenger and the Reverend Horton Heat is at Tips with Unknown Hinson. Friday check out Hippie Sabotage at Republic or Honey Island Swamp Band at The Carver. Don’t forget about Hogs for the Cause on Friday and Saturday at the UNO Arena. Monday Radiohead is at the Smoothie King Center if you can find a ticket. Wednesday the excellent Of Montreal will be returning to the Howlin’ Wolf.
To Listen This Week
- Check out this amazing new track from Perfume Genius via Youtube
- Angel Olsen covers “Who’s Sorry Now” via CoS
- Hurray For The Riff Raff delivers and explosive set at SXSW via NPR
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