Kev & Ty’s Record Club 7/31
Hey! We’re back again. Check out last week’s releases reviewed for today.
The A Side:
Love? Said the Commander – “Misery” (Local)
I love this band name and I love this song. “Misery,” from Love? Said The Commander’s brand new EP, A Place For Our Heads, is roadworn folk-pop at its finest. This beautiful collection of shimmering acoustic & electric guitars and finely placed instrumentation provides an incredible introduction to this musical duo. –Tyler
Vital Stats – “Summer Morning Love” (Local)
This new sunny jam from Philly locals Vital Stats instantly reminded me of a mix between late 90’s twee and early 10’s surf rock (Belle & Sebastian meets Real Estate?). The song is a slow build with a winking tone, contrasting the bright summer days with the heartache that can leave a burn harsher than the sun. -Tyler
GOT TA! With bottomless mic in hand, wild man Jacques St. Claire, fronts this rambunctious group of misfits for some trashsoul, rock and roll. Vital Stats stands out as one of the most ferocious live bands in the PA/NJ area. “Summer Morning Love” is a new direction for the 5-piece. It’s a fitting title for a sweet summer melody, suggestive of Sam Cooke and Brooklyn neighborhood street corner doo wop groups. -Kevin
Alright Junior – Battle Scars (Local)
My favorite kind of alt-rock. Gritty, passionate lyrics from a politically-driven, (and newly engaged ~ CONGRATS JACE & ERIN!!) Alright Junior. The trio captures their frustrations ahead of a 2020 presidential election with a powerfully haunting 3 track EP. “Choke The Earth” takes the cake. -Kevin
The opening track of Alright Junior’s new EP, Battle Scars, rocks with a dark intensity that echoes Silversun Pickups or Muse. Don’t miss out on the Dispatch From Around The Globe they did last week! -Tyler
Hootsie – “Writerly Anxiety” (Local)
Hootsie’s bandcamp bio is simply, “your least favorite country band.” The always clever Conshohocken trio build upon layers of a basic drum, bass, guitar song structure. Lyrically, they break the fourth wall of songwriting and sing about the motions of writer’s block and what “traditionally” comes next in an ABAB form. The track settles into a melodic, EBOW guitar solo. -Kevin
I love Hootsie. Listen to Hootsie. (Obligatory disclaimer: I’m playing guitar on “Writerly Anxiety”) –Tyler
The B Side:
Fontaines D.C. – A Hero’s Death
The second record by the critically acclaimed Irish post-punk band is currently in a UK chart war with another recently released, critically acclaimed album: Taylor Swift’s folklore. A Hero’s Death is distinctly darker than Fontaines D.C.’s first record, last year’s Dogrel, but it’s equally frantic and destructive. Where Dogrel looked within Dublin for the end of the world, this new album looks outward into the deepest depths of our imminent apocalypse. (HIGHLIGHT: “Televised Mind”) –Tyler
Fontaines D.C.’s A Hero’s Death is as brooding as my crushing, Irish-Catholic guilt. It’s a dreary record for those rainy U.K. days. Carlos O’Connell and Conor Curley’s guitar work carry most of the melodic elements of this album forward while Grian Chatten’s monotone vocal summons Sid Vicious’ ghost. Focus track: “A Hero’s Death.” -Kevin
Mike Polizze – Long Lost Solace Find
Mike Polizze is the longtime frontman of local punks Purling Hiss, along with being a frequent collaborator of the likes of Kurt Vile & The War On Drugs. You know, the whole Philadelphia psych-rock thing that has flowered in the past 15 years. His new solo LP, Long Lost Solace Find, is a slowed-down but intricate portrayal of his unique brand of songwriting, which also features the aforementioned Kurt Vile on trumpet. (HIGHLIGHT: “Wishing Well”)
Alanis Morissette – Such Pretty Forks In the Road
2020 is the summer of women in music. From Beyonce’s Black Is King to Taylor Swift’s folklore, the hits just keep coming. This week we celebrate Alanis Morissette’s Such Pretty Forks In the Road. 2019 saw the opening of Jagged Little Pill, the broadway musical. Forks In the Road opens with “Smiling,” a song adapted from the production and tracked for the record. You can imagine tracks “Missing The Miracle,” and “Losing The Plot,” driving act one along. Working with Michael Farrell must have rubbed off on Morissette as a lyricist. While she’s always been one for the dramatics, Morissette has mellowed from her angsty “You Oughta Know,” post-grunge days to emerge as a musical theater songster. –Kevin
Alanis is back. 25 years after the release of her super record Jagged Little Pill (which The Philadelphia Globe’s Patrick DeMarco celebrated a couple months back), Alanis Morissette has returned with Such Pretty Forks In The Road, her first new record in 8 years. The infamous Canadian singer-songwriter’s classic snark is on full display here, especially on the album centerpiece/single “Reasons I Drink.” The production here is pretty incredible, which was helmed by Alex Hope (who has worked with Tegan & Sara) and Catherine Marks (Foals & The Killers). -Tyler
Psychedelic Furs – Made of Rain
The 80’s post-punk legends Psychedelic Furs are back with their 8th studio record, Made Of Rain. To me, it’s more reminiscent of 90’s brit-pop with its swirling guitars and rave tempos. There are moments of levity here too, like on the Beatles-influenced “You’ll Be Mine.” –Tyler
Mars Williams makes this record. He wears his influences on his sleeve. The avant-garde Saxophone lines on focus tracks “The Boy Who Invented Rock N Roll” and “You’ll Be Mine” really show his love for John Coltrane. I’m hoping Made of Rain‘s purple splashed album cover is Richard Butler’s new wave musical nod the Purple One, Prince. -Kevin
Every week, Kevin & Tyler will take a look at 5 singles (The A-Side) and 5 albums (The B-Side) and report back on Kev & Ty's Record Club! - Reviewing last week's records today!
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