Tag: Alternative
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José González, Local Valley, 2021 on Imperial
José González’s fourth studio album, released in 2021 on Imperial/Mute (in the US). Recorded and produced in Studio Koltrast in Sweden. Cover art by Hannele Fernström. My copy—from the merch table at a José González gig in Beverly—is the green vinyl “Indie Exclusive” limited edition.
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Natalie Merchant, Keep Your Courage, 2023 on Nonesuch
Merchant’s first collection of new work since 2014’s self-titled album – in between she did some releases of new versions of existing songs. I love everything Natalie Merchant touches – she’s a great singer, songwriter, performer, and all around human. A model for the independent artist who keeps her ability to do what she wants…
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David Bowie, A Divine Symmetry, 2022 on Parlophone
Divine Symmetry was first available as a box set in 2022, with 4 CDs and a Blu-Ray disc (or a 72 track digital download). This single LP vinyl edition, with the subtitle An Alternative Journey Through Hunky Dory was released in February 2023. Hunky Dory is one of my all time favorite albums, so getting…
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Too Much Joy, Son of Sam I Am, 1988 on Alias
This was the second full length from Scarsdale New York’s Too Much Joy. I didn’t actually know them in the 80s so picked this up a bit on a whim (it sounded vaguely familiar but I couldn’t place it). Great LP of late 80s college radio alternative with some humor, as the title suggests. My…
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The Del Fuegos, Smoking In The Fields, 1989 on R.C.A.
Fourth and final studio album from Boston Massachusetts’ own The Del Fuegos, recorded after Warren Zanes and Woody Giessmann left the band. Recorded in Woodstock NY and produced by David Thoener. The first three Del Fuegos albums were on Slash Records – this was their only one on R.C.A. The Del Fuegos reunited in 2011…
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Timbuk 3, Greetings From Timbuk 3, 1986 on I.R.S. Records
Debut album from Pat MacDonald and Barbara Koyman MacDonald, the husband and wife duo better known as Timbuk 3 (sometimes written Timbuk3), featuring their most well known single “The Future’s So Bright I Gotta Wear Shades.” Such great songwriting on this and all their albums – people sometimes think of them as a one-hit wonder…
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Wall of Voodoo, Dark Continent, 1981 on I.R.S. Records
This was the debut album for Wall of Voodoo, before the big hit “Mexican Radio” which was on their follow-up Call of the West. In addition to the immensely talented Stan Ridgway (credited here as “Stanard Ridgway”) the band here includes Bruce Moreland, Joe Nanini, Marc Moreland, and Chas Gray. A live version of “Back…
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Tori Amos, Little Earthquakes, 1992 on Atlantic
Tori Amos’ debut album from 1992. I had this CD (and Under the Pink) on constant repeat through graduate school – happy to finally get a copy on vinyl. What an amazing album – still gives me chills 30+ years later. “Me and a Gun” of course, but also “Silent All These Years,” “China,” “Precious…
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The Replacements, Don’t Tell a Soul, 1989 on Sire / Reprise
This was the Replacements first album with Slim Dunlop replacing Bob Stinson on guitar. It was recorded in LA, produced by Matt Wallace and mixed by Chris Lord-Alge, purportedly in an attempt to be more radio friendly, though Westerberg said he preferred the rougher approach of other ‘mats albums. I think it’s a wonderful album…
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The Alarm, Standards, 1990 on IRS
Compilation from IRS records in 1990 – most of the songs you’d expect from their earlier LPs, plus A New South Wales and Happy Christmas (War is Over). My copy is a UK pressing I picked up at Academy Records in NYC. Rare that I buy an LP just for one or two songs where…
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Free Albums, no Guilt
Another great source of music online is FreeIndie.com – they make available full albums (usually more like an EP length – 5 or 6 songs) from independent artists for download. They’ve featured, for example: Beirut Ted Leo and the Pharmacists Bright Eyes Voxtrot Tim Fite Rogue Wave
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Music that Matters
KEXP has a podcast series called Music That Matters. You should immediately go download them all, if you haven’t been listening to them already. The music is all over the map – different episodes have different themes, so there’s quite a range of different styles. Browse the previous episodes page to get a sense of…
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Post-Cabaret
 Although all labels are odious, I’ve come to like the term “post-cabaret” as a way of referring to an interesting and diverse group of musicians, including: Regina Spektor Nellie McKay Casey Dienel Dresden Dolls
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Podcasting Becomes Eclectic
One of my favorite benefits of the Internet is the ability to connect with media you would otherwise not likely have known: bands, bloggers, radio shows, and the like. At the top of the shortlist of the discoveries I’m happiest about finding the online, streaming version of Morning Becomes Eclectic, a radio show from KCRW…