There are two recent albums currently occupying almost all of my available listening time.
One of these is the much anticipated follow up to the excellent '[Awayland]' by Villagers.
For this outing, Conor O'Brien has dispensed with the superb musicians that ably supported him on [Awayland]' and it's predecessor 'Becoming a Jackal', so one might expect to be hearing a stripped down acoustic collection of songs. Wrong!
While this album may not include all of the musical embellishments that were present on the previous albums, O'Brien does a pretty fine job of supporting himself on guitar, bass, piano, organ and drums. Yes, he plays and sings everything on this rather wonderful record and unfettered by the responsibility of directing other musicians, he has produced a collection of songs that are confessional and intensely personal. Take for example the words that open the album, "It took a little time to get where I wanted, it took a little time to get free. It took a little time to be honest. It took a little time to be me."
These lines set the tone for what follows as O'Brien addresses his demons and takes on the bigots who are critical of his homosexuality. It is a sublime, emotional record and is as musically beautiful as anything I have heard this year including 'Carrie & Lowell' by Sufjan Stevens an album that follows a similar confessional path.
I have little doubt that this album will feature prominently in my end of year "best of" collection.
Oh and I did mention that there were two albums currently occupying my time. To find out what the other is, you will need to check back in a few days.
I notice that there are a few new albums on the horizon which have caused a wee flutter of anticipation here in the White Room.
In April there will be a new offering from Calexico. Called 'Edge of the Sun' it will be their first release since 'Algiers' in 2012. You can listen to the track 'Cumbia de Donde' by clicking here.
On the same date, Villagers will release the follow up to the brilliant '{Awayland}'. The track 'Hot Scary Summer' is also currently streaming and can be heard on this link.
I see that both bands also happen to be touring to promote the albums but the bad news for me is that they will not be appearing in my area. Which means I either travel or miss them altogether. Decisions, decisions!
Pretty much imminent is an album 'New York Before the War' from Jesse Malin. It will be his first new album in five years so it will be interesting to see what he comes up with. In my view he is a very underrated artist. I note that he is touring also though the date he hits my area, I have other plans so I will have to miss out. I've seen him on several occasions previously and he never fails to deliver a first class show. Unfortunately on the eve of my 59th birthday he was playing in Newcastle but I was otherwise engaged. My son was able to attend and as he happened to be carrying his birthday card to me, he was cheeky enough to get Malin to sign it for me. A nice little memento for me to keep.
No doubt I will have more to say about Jesse's album in due course.
Also in April I see a new album is due from the Alabama Shakes. I wonder whether 'Sound & Color' will match their debut 'Boys & Girls'. Have a listen to 'Future People' by clicking here and see what you think.
Yet another anticipated release in April comes from Bill Fay. We waited 41 years for his last album, 'Life is People' but thankfully only three years for his latest which will be called 'Who is the Sender?' A track called 'War Machine' is currently available to stream if you click here.
Finally I am looking forward to summer for the release of another album by Sun Kil Moon. It will be called 'Universal Themes' but the exact release date has not yet been announced.
It looks as though 2015 could be another great year for new music.
It has been quite a difficult task coming up with my absolute favourite albums of 2013; it truly has been a wonderful year for new (and reissued) music. Now it has finally come to the point where tradition dictates I should name the ones that come top of the pile, the deciding criteria being which new albums have occupied most of my listening time this year. In the end it comes down to the following six.
To place these six albums into some kind of order is also difficult for I am sure that whatever sequence I come up with today, I may disagree with tomorrow and to quote David Bowie, 'and the next day and the day after that'.
Anyway, this is the White Room top six (in reverse order) for 2013.
6. 'Haw' by Hiss Golden Messenger.
I wrote about this album in May and you can read my thoughts here.
5. '[Awayland]' by The Villagers.
This was written about way back in January and my prediction that it would feature among my favourites was accurate. Read my thoughts here.
4. 'We Are The 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic' by Foxygen.
My thoughts on this work appeared on these pages in July. Read them here.
3. 'VII' by Blitzen Trapper.
One of my favourite bands of the past ten years didn't disappoint with this offering. Yes, of course you can read my opinions here.
2. 'The Raven That Refused To Sing (And Other Stories)' by Steven Wilson.
It was a very close run thing for first place this year. I love this album and on any other day it may have clinched the top spot. If you wish, feel free to read more here.
1. 'Field Of Reeds' by These New Puritans.
I don't see this album finishing top of any other list this year, though to be fair it has featured in the lower extremes of some magazine lists. There is no doubt that this is less accessible than other albums in my own list, yet it is for that very reason that I have decided to award it first prize this year. The band are not seeking any commercial route to stardom but are bravely ploughing their own furrow, creating music which is challenging yet immensely rewarding for those prepared to stick with it. This is an album that will stick with me for many years and which one day may be looked back on as a true classic.
You can of course read my original thoughts here.
That's all until after Christmas but here's wishing you a very happy holiday.
Cheers!
As another birthday slips by, I realise that we are once again midway through the year. So it seems a good time to quickly mention the albums that have most impressed me so far in 2013.
I have of course previously mentioned some of the best, such as:
- Pere Ubu - Lady From Shanghai
- Richard Thompson - Electric
- Villagers - {Awayland}
- Steven Wilson - The Raven That Refused to Sing
- Steve Earle - The Low Highway
- Hiss Golden Messenger - Haw
- These New Puritans - Field of Reeds
- Anais Mitchell & Jefferson Hamer - Child Ballads
Others that are contenders include 'Til Your River Runs Dry' by Eric Burdon who remains in very fine voice. Also a great return to form by David Bowie with 'The Next Day', 'Push the Sky Away' by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds and the second album from Mount Moriah entitled 'Miracle Temple'.
I am also currently listening to 'Southeastern' by Jason Isbell and 'Once I Was an Eagle' by Laura Marling and I have little doubt that they will feature in my final decision at the end of the year.
All in all it has been a great year so far. And there are still another six months to go!
Only two weeks into a new year and already I'm beginning to hear some great new albums. It bodes well for the rest of the year.
First into the White Room came 'Lady from Shanghai' by Pere Ubu which I intend to review in greater depth very soon.
This was followed by the second album from Villagers an Irish band led by Conor O'Brien. I thoroughly enjoyed their debut, the Mercury Prize nominated, 'Becoming a Jackal' back in 2010 and wondered then what they would come up with for the 'difficult' second album. Also I wondered how O'Brien would cope with the inevitable comparisons to Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes fame. Any fears were dispelled after I listened to '{Awayland}'. The parentheses are theirs, not mine.
The first track 'My Lighthouse', is a low key acoustic number but thereafter, the songs and arrangements become much more complex and electronic. 'The Waves' for example begins with Morse beeps and thudding bass & drums. Gradually the arrangement builds with guitar and piano joining the mix before O'Brien's voice fades into the background, being swamped by some thrashing chords and frantic drumming.
Throughout, O'Brien's now trademark surreal lyrics, force you to listen to try to unfathom the true meanings. It is never boring. When was the last time you heard a song begin with lines like 'Naked on the toilet with a toothbrush in his mouth / When he suddenly acquired an overwhelming sense of doubt'? Never, I suspect. (The song in question is 'Earthly Pleasure'). In 'Nothing Arrived', he sings 'I waited for something and something died, so I waited for nothing and nothing arrived'. The stunning 'Grateful Song' has O'Brien offering his thanks to a god of pain, tragedy, hatred and deceit for his company and for the misery from which he takes the inspiration for this song. Phew!
The whole album is full of wonderful imagery but this is music and as such the success of the album should depend upon the quality of the songs themselves. Have no fear. The songs are very strong and have the capacity to draw you further in with each repeated listen.
It is only mid January and already I feel I have a contender for the album of 2013!
I read also that Villagers will be performing live at The Warehouse in Newcastle upon Tyne on 9 February. I just may have to be there.
Soon to come, as promised a look at the new album by Pere Ubu and a superb new album from Richard Thompson.
See you soon.
