Tag: 2020s
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U2, Songs of Surrender, 2023 on Island
This album features re-recordings of U2’s own songs, re-interpreted from their 2023 vantage point. It was something of an accompanying record to Bono’s memoir (Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story) and the AppleTV documentary Bono: Stories of Surrender. The vinyl editions (2 x LP) only have 16 songs, where some of the other editions had more…
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U2, How to Re-assemble an Atomic Bomb, 2024 on Island
Let’s see if the title gets flagged by the bots. This was the “shadow album” released alongside the 20th anniversary edition of How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb and features songs from the sessions for that album. Basically any U2 vinyl I don’t already have (or don’t need an upgrade copy) is on my wantlist,…
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JD McPherson, The Warm Covers LP, 2023 on New West Records
McPherson toured with Robert Plant and Alison Krauss on the Raise the Roof tour (we saw them in Boston). Great roots rock / Americana from New West Records. As the name suggests this is a covers album, the material on which was originally released on two EPs: one in 2014 (The Warm Covers EP) on…
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Bill Callahan, Resuscitate!, 2024 on Drag City
This was the follow-up to 2022’s Reality – a live double album recorded at Thalia Hall in Chicago, on March 6, 2023. Callahan is joined by Matt Kinsey, Jim White, and Dustin Laurenzi – great band captured midway through this tour. I’ve yet to have the chance to see Callahan live, but this feels like…
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Bill Callahan, Reality, 2022 on Drag City
Some people write this as Ytilaer, based on how it appears mirrored on the cover and labels. Drag City’s website lists it as YTI⅃AƎЯ, and on discogs they call it Reality, which is what I think of it as. Whatever you call it, it’s the eight solo album Callahan’s put out on Drag City. Recorded…
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Regina Spektor; Home, Before and After; 2022 on Sire
I was a bit obsessed with Soviet Kitsch, Spektor’s major label debut, when it came out in 2004 via Sire (she’d previously self-released it), as well as Begin to Hope which included the song “Samson”. This is Spektor’s eighth full-length album and her sixth for Sire. It was produced by John Congleton (along with Spektor…
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Neil Young, The Times, 2020 on Reprise
Live recordings from Fireside Sessions at home, released in 2020 on CD and 2021 on vinyl. Includes “Alabama,” “Ohio,” and “Southern Man” as well as a cover of “The Times They Are A-Changing’.” All just Neil himself with acoustic guitar. My copy—via Residency Records in Salem MA—is the US edition pressed at GZ Media.
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Folk Bitch Trio, Now Would Be a Good Time, 2025 on Jagjaguwar
I was excited for this debut release, having caught Folk Bitch Trio (I hope this doesn’t get me flagged for language in the fediverse) at SXSW in 2024 (at the Driskill in the Victorian Room). Gracie Sinclair, Heide Peverelle, and Jeanie Pilkington are a Melbourne Australia trio with an alternative approach to Americana, as the…
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Rhiannon Giddens with Francesco Turrisi, They’re Calling Me Home, 2021 on Nonesuch
Giddens was a founding member of Carolina Chocolate Drops, now with several great solo albums under her wings. This is her second with her partner, Italian multi-instrumentalist and composer Francesco Turrisi. It’s a collection of traditional songs, all arranged by Giddens and Turrisi and primarily performed by them, with an occasional guest instrument. My copy—via…
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Wet Leg, Moisturizer, 2025 on Domino
Eagerly awaited follow-up to the 2022 self-titled debut album from Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers, here joined by Ellis Durand, Henry Holmes, and Joshua Mobarki. Produced by Dan Carey aka Mr. Dan. Great energy, catchy songs, and funny lyrics – no sophomore slump here. Love it from the drop. My copy—via the Record Exchange in…
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The Cure, Wake Me In the Dark, 2023 on Mind Control
Another live vinyl bootleg from The Cure (said to be an FM radio broadcast), this one from November 1st, 1987 at Forest National in Brussels Belgium. Many tracks from the then-new Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me album. This has also been bootlegged as Belgian Kisses on Casino Records. You can find audio from the…
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Various Artists, The Vinyl Series Volume One, 2021 on Island
Great collection of Reggae / Ska / Rocksteady singles from the early days of Island Records, said to be hand-picked by label founder Chris Blackwell. There’s already been a Volume Two and Volume Three (going into the 70s) – not sure if there will be more or not. Somewhat idiosyncratically includes The Spencer Davis Group…
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Elvis Costello, Hey Clockface, 2020 on Concord Records
Elvis Costello’s 31st studio LP out in 2020 on Concord. There are a couple of different recording sessions here with different bands, but Steve Nieve, Bill Frisell, and Nels Cline all make appearances here. “Hatty O’Hara Confidential” was a highlight when I saw Costello and Nieve at the Cabot last year. My copy—via Bull Moose…
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Margo Price, That’s How Rumors Get Started, 2020 on Loma Vista
Price’s third studio album, produced by Sturgill Simpson (with Price and David Ferguson) and released in July of 2010 during the pandemic. I’ve been a fan since her debut – smart songwriting in a traditional storytelling country way but with a modern take. Now going back and learning the back-catalog via Buffalo Clover. My copy—via…
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Suzanne Vega, Flying With Angels, 2025 on Cooking Vinyl
Vega’s tenth studio album and her first of new material since 2014. Bob Dylan gets cowriting credit on “Chambermaid” as a kind of alternate version of “I Want You.” “Speaker’s Corner” is a great song as well: I have a newfound sympathy For the madman in the square Who rants and raves his rhetoric Into…
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The Lone Bellow, Half Moon Light: Second Phase, 2021 on Dualtone
This EP followed 2020’s Half Moon Light with two alternate versions (“Good Times” and “Count Me In” plus four additional tracks recorded during those sessions. (Dualtone calls it “an addendum”). My copy—direct from Magnolia Record Club—is what I think is the only edition, on “Black and Bone Swirled Marble” vinyl.
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Bill Evans, Live at Ronnie Scott’s, 2020 on Resonance
Recorded back in July of 1968, this is Evans with Eddie Gomez and Jack DeJohnette at London’s landmark Ronnie Scott’s club. Resonance Records itself is part of the non-profit Rising Jazz Stars Foundation. The trio in this form had a month long residency in 1968 at the club. The recording here was made by DeJohnette…
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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.