LEON BRIDGES, LEON

Leon Bridges’ self-titled fourth album has really been a lifetime in the making. Through thirteen songs, Bridges journeys through "The heart" of Ft. Worth, TX where he grew up, sharing stories about about home, about nostalgia, and his upbringing. Ultimately, it's music that Bridges hopes takes every lister back to their own roots and journey. 

Recorded and produced by Ian Fitchuk (Kacey Musgrave, Maggie Rogers), Leon has a timeless sense about it and is an incredibly soulful album.

 

TERRI WALKER, MY LOVE STORY

Terri Walker may not be familiar to many here in the states, but she's been gracing the folks in Britain for twenty years now with her impeccable fusion of R&B, jazz, funk, soul, and a bit of reggae. On her Latest LP, MY Love Story, Walker takes a few steps back from the boundary pushing that she's done with these various musical genres over her last few albums. Of the album, Walker has said that it's one she made for herself. It's an album where she didn't worry that it didn't meet her or other people's expectations.

I certainly had no expectations as I sat down to listen to My Love Story. So it was a pleasant surprise for the album to hit such a great groove right from the beginning with Finally Over You. With only seven songs clocking in at just 23 minutes, I will say that this album does feel brief and one of unfinished business. But I walked away with a new appreciation for Walker and her music and definitely wanting more. 

ON ROTATION

M. Ward, A Wasteland Companion
I almost forgot that M. Ward had a solo career, which seems absurd considering that A Wasteland Companion is his ninth outing. But that happens when an artist has had so many successful collaborations over the past few years. Now Ward is back in his own space and I found his new songs to be very absorbing. Striking a nice balance between quieter moments, which occupy most of the album, and a few upbeat sing-alongs, Ward narrates these songs and stories about life's moments and time's passing with a gentle touch.   
The First Time I Ran Away  

Heartless Bastards, Arrow

Last year I fell hard for Drive-By Trucker's Go-Go Boots. As a pick of the week, I wrote "Sometimes I don't want a high concept album.....I just want to hear great straight-forward songs with great songwriting." Heartless Bastards' fourth album, Arrow, fits that need to a tee. With Erika Wennerstrom's great skills as a singer, songwriter, and guitar player, the band lays down ten solid songs that combined to make a winning album. Just don't get too caught up with thinking all the songs are going to sound the same. They don't. This is an eclectic mix of songs, but each one is so good that you'll be happy for the many change ups that show up throughout Arrow.
Parted Ways   

Of Monsters And Men, My Head Is An Animal
Last year I became very interested in Of Mosters And Men when KEXP broadcast from Iceland and featured the band. At the time they were just releasing this debut album in their home country. They sounded great live and had an wonderful energy, one that I was not sure could be translated well in a studio recording. So I waited. Now, finally, the album is making its debut here and I am so glad that the album captures the essence of their live performances. My Head Is An Animal is a fun and lively album. I love the interplay between Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir and Ragnar Þórhallsson who share vocals. You can tell that they, along with the rest of the band, had a good time making
                                                        this album. And you will have a great time listening to it.
                                                        Little Talks  

Lee Fields, Faithful Man
While I can't say that I have followed Lee Fields' career very closely, I am certainly familiar with him as recording artist who has been singing his brand of soul and funk music for forty years. That kind of longevity is rare these days and hard to maintain. But Lee Fields does it, and he does it with power, grace, style, and maturity. It makes an album, like Faithful Man, something out of the ordinary. There is a lot of living in these songs. Fields' with his band, The Expressions, have it all going on, all through this album, and it was a joy to experience.
Your The Kinda Girl 

The Roots in 2010

I am a big fan of The Roots. Beyond the fact that they are absolutely amazing musicians, mixing hip hop, soul, jazz, funk, rock, and R&B, I have always appreciated their social mindedness. For over twenty years, the Roots have been putting out super albums that are musically and socially relevant.

2010 was another REALLY strong year for The Roots. The band put out not one, but two great albums, they opened The Rally To Restore Sanity and/or Fear in Washington DC, and they continued their presence as the house band on Jimmy Fallon's Late Night show.

In early 2010 The Roots released the first of the two albums, How I Got Over. From my perspective, this was the better of the two albums, and frankly, I am regretting that I did not include this album as one of my top albums of the year. Everything about this album works. Musically, this album is more restrained and toned down from previous releases, but there is a groove to these songs that I just love. Lyrically, the band has a lot to say. Social theme abound throughout this album as the the band reflects on the end of the Bush administration and the hope of better days ahead under the Obama Presidency. Even if one is not a fan of hip hop or rap, this is a great listen.
Now Or Never [Explicit]   

In September of 2010 The Roots released Wake Up! with John Legend. Comprised mostly of soul music covers from the 1960's and 1970's, Wake Up! was intended to draw parallels between the social and political issues of the times when these songs were written and today. The selection of songs here are fantastic and I love the way The Roots and Legend have incorporated musical elements that are squarely of today's times, while holding onto the essence of these songs. Listening to this album has made me go back to Marvin Gaye and Curtis Mayfield albums that I have not listened to in years. I forgot just how great and powerful the song writing was for these artists.
Compared To What   

TOP ALBUMS OF 2010

It's that time of year when I spend WAY too much time choosing my favorite albums of the past year. This past year there were some really strong releases. Some made my list, others did not. Albums by bands such as The National, Arcade Fire, LCD Sound System, Yeahsayer, and Gorillaz were quite ambitious and gained a lot of attention, but I just could not get 100% behind them. What came as a surprise to me was that a few of the albums that I chose for my list are fairly recent arrivals for me...which means that I am running on a bit of a gut reaction. Having said this, each one of these albums really does stand on its own as something very special.

Broken Bells, Broken Bells

When I first hear that Brian Burton a/k/a Danger Mouse and James Mercer (The Shins) were teaming up I thought 'well there's an odd pairing.' Turns out the pairing is perfect. The depth of Burton and Mercer's musical knowledge and abilities complement one another so well and are prominently on display on their debut album. The songs that work well here are fantastic. Unfortunately, a few of the songs fall a bit flat and so the album did not make my final cut.

              

Villagers, Becoming A Jackel

Connor O'Brian is an Irish folk-pop singer/songwriter who performs under the name Villagers. On his debut album O'Brian has crafted some great songs. Beyond the strong song writing, I have to say that I just love his voice. He sings with such clarity. When you listen to him you feel like he is really thinking about each note and word and the meaning behind them. Like with Broken Bells, a few songs did not hold my attention. Having said this, there are a few songs here that are among the most memorable of the year for me.

Eels,  End Time
The release of an Eels album is always an event for me. Mark Everett can do no wrong in my book. Having said this, I approach each album with as much objectivity as possible. With End Times, Everett takes things down a few notches from his last album Hombre Lobo, as he takes the listener into his post love of his life break-up head. Everett's writing is open, honest, heartbreaking, and humorous.

The Radio Dept.,  Clinging To A Scheme

On Clinging To A Scheme, The Radio Dept. (from Lund, Sweden) continues to play with rich, textured sounds that fill whatever space they occupy. The band, the songs, and the album are in no particular rush to get from one place to another, so no one particular track really stands out from another. Both of these aspects of the album are just fine by me. It is a great listen on a cold and rainy day...or any other day really.

Deerhunter, Halcyon Digest
I'm always a bit skeptical when music critics seem to fall over one another to pour praise on album. It feels like folks jump on a ban wagon out of fear of being looked at the wrong way if they don't. This was the reason that I ignored Halcyon Digest for so long. So imagine my surprise when I took it for a spin and instantly knew that this album would make my top picks list for the year. Deerhunter's latest album is full of cool layers and textures of sound with vocals that are both contemporary sounding and a throw back to Britain in the 60's. The more I listened, the more I was drawn in to it. 

      

The Tallest Man On Earth, The Wild Hunt

Kristian Mattson, who records under the name The Tallest Man On Earth, is a special artist. As I wrote last month, his unfiltered voice, guitar, and story telling just feels so unique and original in today's music environment where everything feels pulled, pushed, and processed. I was absolutely captivated by The Wild Hunt. His writing and story telling here is just beautiful as he explores his spirituality and the world around him. 

              

Mumford & Sons, Sign No More

As much as I enjoyed this album, I knew that it was a true winner when my 10 year old son started requesting me to play it. Signs No More is a mash up of a British bluegrass type sound, country, folk, and a strong right elbow thrown in every once in a while for good measure. I am really encouraged that Mumford & Sons have found a wide ranging audience that has helped propel this album to the top of many music charts both in the States and in England. It is nice to hear some real diversity on the radio.

Cee Lo Green, The Lady Killer
The Lady Killer is currently my guilty pleasure. Everything about this album grabs the listener: the rhythms, beats, vocals, and lyrics..oh the lyrics....This is not a family friendly sing-a-long kind of an album...but you will be singing along. Green belts out these songs with such zeal and gusto. Honestly F*ck You (makes me cringe a bit to write this) may be my favorite song of the year. Do yourself a favor. Pick up this album, kick your kids out of the living room or car and crank this one up a few notches.  

Janelle Monáe, Archandroid
I will admit that I did not think that I would like this album let alone love it. I knew nothing about Monáe going into my first listen. I knew nothing about the alter ego she created, Cindi Mayweather, a messiah figure to a community of androids, that this album chronicles. And I did not know that mixing R&P, Hip-Hop, Soul, rock, and orchestral suites could be so successful and satisfying. Every song on this album surprised me and picking one stand out from the 18 proved impossible to do.

Surfer Blood, Astro Coast

I am a sucker for music with playful guitars. I still look fondly on Built To Spill's Keep It Like A Secret for this very reason. Add catchy melodies and poppy choruses (Think Fountains of Wayne or Weezer), and I am sold. Unfortunately, bringing all of these elements together in one song, let alone 10, is hard to do well. Surfer Blood has accomplished this with Astro Coast. This album is thoroughly fun, fresh, and enjoyable.