Sorry to take so long to get this up here, especially as it will prove to be anti-climactic. I am ashamed about how little new music I take the time to listen to these days. It seems I only pick up a few new things a year now, and mostly by artists I’m already familiar with. I’m also ashamed to admit my jazz listening has really dropped off the last couple years. Might have something to do with the fact that I’m playing more, and very old country and folk stuff almost exclusively. May resolve to remedy this, beginning with Bob and Brent’s 2014 lists.
Albums
1. Benji (Sun Kil Moon). I have a love affair with Ohio. Not a trace of irony on this record. Heartfelt and autobiographical. Literature. He’s around my age and also from Ohio, so a lot here that resonates. If you only can handle one song: “I Watched the Film the Song Remains the Same” or “Pray for New Town“.
4. Metamodern Sounds in Country Music (Sturgill Simpson). Some interesting meldings of psychedelic and country, especially: “Turtles All the Way Down” or “It Ain’t All Flowers“.
4. Saturday Night & Sunday Morning (Marty Stuart and the Fabulous Superlatives). My favorite band in the world, the Fabulous Superlatives. Mavis Staples guest vocals on the first track of the gospel CD, my favorite song of the year: “Uncloudy Day“. Please listen to this and tell me it doesn’t raise goose bumps, especially around 1:45 or so. “Heaven” is another beaut. The first CD is traditional honky tonk country, as good as it gets. Try the great cover of Charlie Rich’s “Life Has Its Little Ups and Downs“. I think I’ve said it before, but I can’t recommend “The Marty Stuart Show” highly enough. It appears on Rural TV, an obscure station I get with Dish Network. See if you have it, and if so, record it. Rivals “Fridays” as the best TV music show I’ve ever seen.
4. Morning Glory (Beck). Finally got around to this in December, after listening to a few tracks John posted after its release. This rises in my estimation with every listen, and will probably be my go to Beck album in the future, over Sea Changes. Particular favorites: “Morning“, “Unforgiven“.
Songs
Saturdays = Celebration (Big K.R.I.T.). Heard this on college radio one day and couldn’t stop listening to it.
Tzenni (Nouri Mint Seymali). See above. This whole album is sure to stand the test of time for me.
War on Drugs Can Suck My Cock (Sun Kil Moon). Google search will pull the mp3 up. Whether this is just mean-spirited or a marketing ploy, can’t deny its brilliance.
Rental Love (Lake Street Dive). Harmless, timeless, good-time music and one of the great vocalists of any time.
Nose Grows Some (Thom Yorke). I like the whole album a fair amount. I don’t think he gets enough credit as a solo artist.
Music Corner w/ Archive 