Fever Tree

 

  Just imagine ... if possible, an even kitchier version of the Doors that explores a pastiche of 60’s stereotypes that isn’t too bad.

David Bowie — The Man Who Sold the World

   As my friend and I were digging in my record collection we came across The Man Who Sold the World.  There might have been a time where I might have said this is a underrated classic, but those days are long gone, so today I’m saying this is a colossal piece of crap. 

Fleetwood Mac — Tusk

     Yes, I totally realize that’s it’s stereotypical for a record collector to proclaim that Tusk is the best Fleetwood Mac album ... you’ll just have to face the fact that it is.  No it doesn’t have the wall to wall hits of Rumours, but it’s chalk full of timeless artistry that can be played alone in morning having a cup of coffee or at night having a drink with friends, which to me is the mark of a great record.  Critics and fans seem to hear an artsy post-punk New York sound to the music but I hear more a continuation of where Todd Rundgren was going with A Wizard, a True Star.

Thin Lizzy — Bad Reputation

 

   I’m not super in love with Thin Lizzy but they do have a certain charm and this is my favourite of their albums.  Not only does it include the virtuoso producer Tony Visconti, giving the record great sound, but also the band was really able to make a flawless bridge of 70’s rock, metal and punk ... who else can say that? 

Tyler, the Creator — Igor

   Igor is a deeply personal record about love, loss and all the other messy feelings that reside in the grey areas in between.  Sonically it’s a brilliant pastiche of synth, soul, funk and hip hop.  Basically the kind of music I was expecting when hearing about how great Kanye West is, who has a cameo on this very album.  Tyler found a way to epitomize the spirit, sense of humour and style of the millennial generation, this music will only grow better with age like a time capsule for a certain period. 

Fiona Apple — Fetch the Bolt Cutters

  Man, I can see why pitchfork gave this such a high rating.  Fetch the Bolt Cutters has a acoustic industrial feel with a constant sense of structure-less rythme that guide the tracks to wherever Fiona means for them to go.  There’s a dark, personal but playful mood drenched all over the album that very much mirrors the shack wacky feelings during the initial lockdowns and mandates, which made it the perfect release for beginning of the covid-19 pandemic. 

Rolling Blackouts C.F. — Hope Downs

 

  Totally the amalgamation of early REM jangle and later Feelies Velvets style jams.  I can’t say there is anything mind blowing on this album, other than they’re just great tunes.