Featured Crucial Releases for October 4 + 11
Featured crucial releases from the first two weeks of October, highlighted by Wild Pink and Hemlock.
Today's post features two weeks of music, so lots to check out if you haven't heard these records yet. For the first week, there were two albums I really wanted to like: the debut album by The Hard Quartet (the Stephen Malkmus led super group that also has members of Dirty Three and Chavez) and The Smile's new album Cutouts... just couldn't do it. High expectations? Probably.
I did end up picking Wild Pink's Dulling the Horns. Wild Pink is an Americana-tinged indie rock group influenced by the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, The War on Drugs, The Hold Steady, and Japandroids.
It might be fall, but I've been on a serious indie folk and adjacent kick lately, with this group and Hemlock this week. Merce Lemon last week. I also thought Lizzie McApline released a new album this month, so I listened to Older (and Wiser) a couple times too. Turns out it's a deluxe version of her Older album (oops!) released earlier in the year. (It's still great by the way.)
Back to Wild Pink though – what gets me is the fuzzy guitars, the dynamics, the melodies, and the earnestly sung lyrics. Like on "Disintegrate":
You don’t believe me when I say
I could’ve had it either way
Every good and bad
Thing will have to pass
There must be a long ass German word
For when you’ve destroyed something good
I don't think it's their best release, but it's probably top 3 and well worth your time – especially if you are in a fall mood as well.
Favorite tracks: "Dulling the Horns", "The Fences of Stonehenge", "Disintegrate"
October 4 Honorable Mentions
PRUDE by Drug Church (Listen)
I really wanted to like this more. That's unfair. It is pretty good, but I don't think it's really anything different than what they've put out in the past. Some fans like that, but that approach to bands is not for me any longer.
See You at the Maypole by Half Waif (Listen)
Half Waif is Nandi Rose Plunkett, a classically trained singer and keyboardist who also played in the band Pinegrove. The sound is cinematic and ethereal with very interesting melodies. A talented singer-songwriter.
Last Week
The most recent release day had four albums that really stuck out to me, with 444 by Hemlock and East My Love by Current Joys rising above the rest. I ultimately picked the Hemlock album, as I think it's more interesting as a whole.
Hemlock is the vehicle of songwriter Carolina Chauffe, who is accompanied by an all-star midwest band on this album with members of Friko, Free Range, and Red PK. This album in particular is a re-working of 12 songs previously released as part of Chauffe's twelve-year song-a-day for a month folk project.
On this record, Chauffe has really interesting melodies and lyrics, while the backing band adds so many well crafted elements using lap steel and banjo, on top of their expected guitar and rhythm work. It's a great fall and winter album.
I'm really interested to check out their other releases and see where this project goes next. If you like the Squirrel Flower, Babehoven, Lomelda, Merce Lemon, Allegra Krieger vein of indie folk, you'll definitely dig this too.
Favorite tracks: "Full", "Drive & Drive", "Depot Dog"
October 11 Honorable Mentions
East My Love by Current Joys (Listen)
So close to making it as my favorite release for the week. This is definitely a contender for my end of year list. Well crafted, heartfelt songs that are apparently a set of songs that songwriter Nick Rattigan felt were too raw to sing. Whatever he did worked.
Spiral in a Straight Line by Touche Amore (Listen)
Honestly I am not sure why I hadn't given this band a chance before this release. It checks a lot of boxes for me: hardcore, DC/Dischord influences, emo/screamo influences. I read a review where they were called arena hardcore. I guess that tag fits, but honestly doesn't do them any favors. I definitely dig this album and will be digging into their back catalog.
Dance of Love by Tucker Zimmerman and Big Thief (Listen)
Zimmerman has been releasing songs since 1969 and apparently has a cult following. I wasn't familiar with him prior to this album, but seeing Big Thief as the backing band and producer got me interested. You can definitely hear the influence, so that alone will get it another pass or two.
Until next week! (or a couple days)
