Spins
Spins: Paul McCartney • Amoeba Gig
Paul McCartney Amoeba Gig (MPL/Capitol/UMe) Lots of artists play informal sets at record shops when promoting an album. These appearances offer the chance for fans to get up-close-and-personal with their favorites, but how memorable could they be without the pomp and production of a full-blown concert experience? If the artist in question is Paul McCartney, […]
Spins: Hall & Oates • Our Kind of Soul
Daryl Hall & John Oates’ Our Kind of Soul (Friday Music) Making its vinyl debut, this reissue of 2004’s Our Kind of Soul takes a deep dive into the roots of Daryl Hall & John Oates’ chart-topping blue-eyed soul. The duo’s own ebullient “Let Love Take Control” fits well alongside an urgent performance of the […]
Spins: Tuff Sunshine • Dig Deeper, Peanut
Tuff Sunshine Dig Deeper, Peanut (Declared Goods) Brooklyn’s Johnny Leitera returns with his second full-length LP under the Tuff Sunshine banner. Dig Deeper, Peanut shows no sign of a sophomore slump, and why would it? Leitera proved his songwriting mettle with Low Water before stretching out for a pair of pseudo-solo EPs and 2015’s celebrated […]
Spins: Rush • Permanent Waves 40th Anniversary
Rush Permanent Waves (40th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition) (Anthem/Mercury/UMe) With the passing of beloved drum virtuoso Neil Peart early this year, the days are gone when Rush fans can anticipate new music from the Canadian progressive rock heroes. However, it’s a great time to celebrate Peart’s memory and rediscover the band’s rich catalog. The trio […]
Spins: Local H • LIFERS
LOCAL HLIFERS(AntiFragile) Twenty-five years after their debut, Scott Lucas’ Local H continues to defy the odds – not only by producing aggressive music that still matters but by being a band that appeals to both city and suburban crowds. Their musical magnetism continues to be strong across both musical spectrums, and that’s no small feat. […]
Spins: Cy Curnin • Lockdown
Cy Curnin Lockdown (Self) Fixx frontman Cy Curnin has returned with Lockdown, his fifth solo LP, his latest since 2013’s The Horse’s Mouth. The town crier continues to roam the global village with a sweet voice that conveys bitter truths when it must. That voice may not always bring comfort, but it nonetheless assures us […]
Spins – The Outfit • “Viking”
The Outfit Viking (Pavement Entertainment) Chicago rockers The Outfit have done it again. On its second full-length album, Viking, the foursome — brothers Mark (drums) and Matt Nawara (guitar), Mike Gorman (bass) and Andy Mitchell (vocals/guitar) — seamlessly merge massive hooks, edgy riffs, soaring vocal harmonies and catchy choruses with pleasing results. Mixed by multi-platinum […]
Spins: Stephen Malkmus • “Traditional Techniques”
Stephen Malkmus Traditional Techniques (Matador Records) When Pavement first entered the rock scene nearly 30 years ago, they stood out like a sore thumb. While they were lo-fi, they weren’t punk, and while they had pop melodies, those were buried under tape hiss and inside jokes. Frontman Stephen Malkmus never went for a stylistic makeover, […]
Spins: Greg Dulli • “Random Desire”
Greg Dulli Random Desire (Royal Cream/BMG) Calling this “the first solo album” by The Afghan Whigs frontman Greg Dulli isn’t technically truthful – unless it’s a deliberate attempt to erase 2005’s Amber Headlights altogether. Whether first or second, it was time for another musical road less traveled for Dulli. Surviving way longer than most rock […]
Spins: Pearl Jam • “Gigaton”
Pearl Jam Gigaton (Monkeywrench/Republic) Pearl Jam’s timing for the end of the world record is impeccable. The Seattle-based quartet’s recorded output has been stalled for nearly seven years, and apparently, they have some shit they want to get off their chests. The band’s eleventh record, Gigaton, also finds its members looking for new ways to […]
Spins: The Beatles “Abbey Road” 50th Anniversary Super Deluxe Box Set Reviewed
The Beatles Abbey Road 50th Anniversary Super Deluxe box set (Apple/Universal) As with the 50th anniversary editions of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and The Beatles (aka The White Album), any fan could argue that this new mix of Abbey Road is unnecessary. Some may go as far as saying that tinkering with the […]
Spins: The Mekons, Signal The Launch, Foreigner, Journey
The Mekons Deserted (Bloodshot) This isn’t the Joshua Tree that U2 wrote about 30 years ago. But peering into their crystal ball, you would think they’d approve (and be disturbed) by the Mekons version of southern California’s treasured landmark inspiration on Deserted. Climate change, industrial expansion, government shutdowns, and neglect threaten Joshua Tree National Forest, […]
Spins: The Beatles – The White Album at 50
The Beatles The Beatles (aka The White Album) anniversary editions (Apple/Universal) Following 2017’s 50th anniversary retooling of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, producer George Martin’s son Giles Martin takes a deep dive into the original White Album reels for a revelatory remix. Pepper’s remix incited heated debate. On one side were fans (and even […]
Spins: Rush, Frank Zappa Reissues
Rush 2112 – 40th Anniversary Edition (Universal Music Enterprises) Bassist Geddy Lee has described Rush as “the world’s biggest cult band.” Among the trio’s most devoted followers, you’ll find fans claiming any one of the Canadian prog-rock powerhouse’s twenty albums as their favorite. To the world at large, however, it all comes down to 1976’s […]
Spins: Reviewed – The Rolling Stones – “Blue and Lonesome”
“Britain’s oldest hitmakers” return to their blues roots. Instead of revisiting tired cliches, Jeff Elbel says they sound inspired and re-energized, in Spins.
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