The Music Wrap-Up is a monthly summary of my favorite and other notable new releases. Having trouble keeping up with all the new music? Need some music suggestions? Then the Music Wrap-Up is for you. And please support these musicians as that's the reason I'm featuring them in the first place.
As we approach the end of the year, we grow ever closer to the always awesome spring music-release season. But until then there's still some good stuff coming out. From well worn but classic performers like Elvis Costello and Brian Eno, to pop punk mainstays like The Queers and Smoke or Fire. It's a slim month, and December will be even slimmer, but you should probably be spending it with family, right? For now, though, sneak away for a little bit and enjoy the music of November.
Tracks
#1 - Back to the Basement
#2 - Everyday Girl
The Queers have been around for almost three decades now, going through about a billion line-up changes and a few new sounds in that time. From what I can make out, based on the songs that are on YouTube (I have yet to get the CD), Back to the Basement is yet another sound change.
Previous releases have been of the most ridiculously-poppy form of pop punk you've likely ever heard, and I absolutely loved it. You see, pop punk is not anything like Good Charlotte -- it is the more traditional punk sounds (fast, simple, and not always mature), fit into the poppiest of molds, and it is wonderful. This release seems to be more a return to their roots, which is basically the same, just with less bubblegum.
Tracks
#3 - National Ransom
#4 - Five Small Words
The story goes that on December 17th 1977, Elvis Costello was a last minute fill-in guest on Saturday Night Live and was forbidden from playing his song Radio, Radio. After briefly starting the song he was supposed to play, however, he abruptly switched. Lorne Michaels was none too pleased and apparently stood next to the camera flipping him off the whole song.
Back in high school that was all it took to sell me on Costello's music. Being into punk at the time, that sort of attitude was brilliant in my mind. Nowadays, a condemnation of the trash played on radio is hardly something to be forbidden -- and Costello has turned to a more folksy, almost country sound -- but I still follow his career closely. There are usually several stinkers on his albums, but he can always put out a toe-tapper that I can't help but sing-along to.
Tracks
#5 - Zombies, March
#6 - Beat You to Death
If you didn't catch my recent article on GWAR, you might be unaware of the fact that I am completely obsessed with them. While I might still prefer the older, goofier GWAR, it has always been the ridiculous lore they've created for themselves that draws me in.
I finally saw them for the first time in 2009, and again this year. If they keep coming back every year, I will probably continue seeing them until they break-up. Just, trust me on this one thing...even if you don't like the songs I've featured here, go see them live if you get the chance. It's always fun. And check out some of their older releases like Scumdogs of the Universe or This Toilet Earth to see if they're more up your alley.
Tracks
#7 - 1968
#8 - Monsters Among Us
A lot of punk bands that don't completely offend the mainstream sensibilities have been stepping up to the next levels of success lately. Still, I feel like there is always a vast amount of quality bands that the major labels could snatch up if they ever scratched a little deeper.
Smoke or Fire is definitely in that second layer, for me. They're a really good band, but I wouldn't say I'm a very big fan. If you like punk, though, you'll probably enjoy this release. It doesn't disappoint when you need a little rocking-out time.
Tracks
#9 - Block After Block
#10 - Northeast
Something about two-person bands always intrigues me. It's probably the stripping down of the music that makes every sound stand out more than ever. I only just heard of Matt & Kim, but I already really like them. With just drums and a keyboard the duo manage to make some of the most fun and upbeat pop music I've ever heard.
The popular consensus amongst fans seems to be that their release last year, Grand, is overall better. Coming from a fresh perspective on both albums I can see that opinion, but I think both are pretty great, and I don't believe many fans disagree.
Tracks
#11 - Horse
#12 - Slow Ice, Old Moon
The guy who used to "play the recording studio" for Roxy Music, has come a long way since leaving the band in 1973. Moving away from glam rock, he coined the term "ambient music" and made beautiful albums designed to be heard in airports, behind films, or on the moon. Small Craft on a Milk Sea hit me as the soundtrack to a sci-fi movie -- if Blade Runner had been made in 2010, it might've sounded like this. It sounds urgent and driving and not what I was expecting from an Eno album.
Other November Releases
The Left Rights - Bad Choices Made Easy
Tallest Man on Earth - Sometimes the Blues is Just a Passing Bird
The Russian Futurists - The Weight's on the Wheels
The Methadones - Self-Titled
Weezer - Death to False Metal
Coming Out in December
Eluvium - Motion Makes Me Last EP - 7th
Daft Punk - Tron Legacy OST - 7th
Sufjan Stevens - All Delighted People EP - 7th
Panda Bear - Last Night at the Jetty - 14th
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