With the cross-country move, followed by a vacation, it’s better late than never. Here’s The Wheel’s Still In Spin’s favorites new releases for the month of July:
Neil Halstead – Oh! Mighty Engine | Amazon CDVinyl
MP3
| Insound CD Vinyl
Download “Paint A Face” (mp3)
Neil Halstead was one of the driving forces of the shoegazer band Slowdive. After Slowdive released 3 albums, that band reworked itself into Mojave 3 and the music became folkier but still full sounding. Mixed in with the 8 full-length albums that those 2 bands released, Halstead slipped in a solo album back in 2002. Sleeping On Roads, included the track “Two Stones In My Pocket,” which is one of my favorite songs of all time. On Oh! Mighty Engine, Halstead sticks with the spacious folk sound of his initial solo release. The album is an intoxicating relief.
Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson – Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson | Amazon CDMP3
| Insound CD
Download “Buriedfed” (mp3)
Download “The Debtor” (mp3)
Upon listening to the first vocal lines of the opening track of this album, “Buriedfed,” the phrasing and timbre of Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson’s voice is unmistakably reminiscent of Modest Mouse’s Isaac Brock. This debut album was created with the assistance of Chris Taylor and Christopher Bear of Grizzly Bear. The result sounds like a cross between those 2 bands. The songwriting and instrumentation is as skilled and varied as Grizzly Bear, but with the dynamic energy level of Modest Mouse.
The Baseball Project – Volume 1: Frozen Ropes And Dying Quails | Amazon CDMP3
| Insound CD MP3
Download “Past Time” (mp3)
For about 6 or 7 years, mostly in the mid to late 80’s, I owned a sports card shop. I spent a lot of time talking about baseball. I had the chance to meet Ted Williams once. Even in his senior years, that guy was built like a tree with broad shoulders and a stocky posture. When it comes to his playing days, The Baseball Project nailed it with the song “Ted Fucking Williams.” Add songs about Curt Flood becoming the first free agent, the controversy of how Mark McGwire broke the single season homerun record, Jackie Robinson breaking baseball’s segregated barriers, or the Satchel Paige’s rules for staying young – who at the age of 42 become the oldest person to debut in the Major Leagues after about 20 years of pitching in the Negro Leagues. That’s not even half the album and only a small fraction of the baseball stories worthy of song.
But even if you don’t have a passion for the summertime game, this album is still extremely solid. The music is the perfect mix of pop and indie rock. The melodies are remarkably catchy. For someone like me who loves baseball and music, this album will get repeated plays every year from the anticipation that comes with spring training to excitement of the postseason.
Animal Farm – The Unknown | Amazon CDMP3
| Insound CD
This is one of the most original rap albums that has been released in a while. The music and beats alter between the rock and soul of “We Came To Rock,” the old time jazz of “Ragtime Gal,” to the R&B groove of “Move It.” The tracks seamlessly connect the varying beats. Animal Farm calls their style “true-school hip hop.” The group, with four emcees that trade off rhymes, gets political, socially conscious, and makes some claims about modern hip hop. This album is intelligent and unique.
Low vs Diamond – Low vs Diamond | Amazon CDMP3
| Insound CD
Download “Heart Attack” (mp3)
Low vs Diamond have created a debut full-length that is full of grandiose modern rock orchestration. The fluent guitar and keyboard lines drive the songs. The vocals, like the music, fall within the space between The Killers and Coldplay. This is a pop record that expects you to sway and move with its pulsating rock songs.
Dr. Dog – Fate | Amazon CDVinyl
MP3
| Insound CD Vinyl MP3
Download “The Old Days” (mp3)
Download “The Ark” (mp3)
This is a straightforward pop album, but soak in a vintage sound. In creating this rock album, Dr. Dog has dusted off soul and gospel influences. The music is strikingly upbeat and full of hooks, even when it tackles the ballads. The vocal lines are catchy. After listening to “Hang On,” try to shake loose the line, “Why do you think we need Amazing Grace/ Just to tell it like it is.”
Johnny Flynn – A Larum | Amazon CDVinyl
MP3
| Insound CD
The first UK artist signed to Lost Highway, Johnny Flynn has released an impressive debut full-length album. The folk songs shuffle with the constantly picked motion of the Flynn’s guitar. Like most good folk albums, the melodies guide these tracks through the intelligently crafted lyrics. A Shakespearean trained actor, Flynn stars in his own videos. You can watch “Leftovers” at the bottom of this post or see all of his videos at: http://www.youtube.com/user/johnnyflynnofficial
PAS/CAL – I Was Raised On Matthew, Mark, Luke, And Laura | Amazon CDMP3
| Insound CD MP3
Download “You Were Too Old For Me” (mp3)
This album is expansive and ambitious. It’s indie rock with impressive amount of musical layers. There are sheets of keyboards and guitars swirling around the mixes. The melodies are catchy. This is superfluous indie pop.
Hypatia Lake – Angels And Demons, Space And Time | Amazon CD| Insound CD
Download “Lucifer Rebellion” (mp3)
Download “The General’s Gleaming Edge” (mp3)
Hypatia Lake is a band. Hypatia Lake is also a fictional town. The music of the band is set in the town and provides the story of the lives of its fictional inhabitants. You can read “the story so far,” as the band describes it. With or without getting into the story, the music is diverse in style from folky ballads to distorted rock songs. This album is emotive and grandiose.
Lackthereof – Your Anchor | Amazon CDMP3
| InsoundCD Vinyl MP3
Download “Choir Practice” (mp3)
Lackthereof is the solo project of Menomena’s drummer, Danny Seim. This album was recorded and mixed in Seim’s basement. The vocal tone somewhat drones through the melodies, but the songs are hypnotically captivating, even the final track, a cover of The Nationals’ “Fake Empire.”
It should also be said that here were a good amount of strong EPs released in July. The best include The Avett Brother’s The Second Gleam, Clientele’s That Night A Forest Grew, and the digital release of Cory Chisel & The Wandering Sons’ Cabin Ghosts.
Johnny Flynn’s “Leftovers” from A Larum:
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