DPDC Quarterly Report 2Q2012

As promised in March, in conjunction with the 1st Quarter Report, it's time for the second installment of this "feature" of the site, where I provide a run down of recommended full-length albums released in the past three months with an associated playlist. The following are some of my favorites from April, May and June of this year (as well as some I missed from the first 3 months).

Since i'm a bit pressed for time these days and there has been such a wealth of good stuff coming out this year, i'm primarily just gonna go with lazy comparisons as descriptions. Should give you a decent enough idea of what to expect of the album, plus you have the playlist to fall back on

Follow the link below to listen

DPDC 2Q2012 Quarterly Report

Japandroids - Celebration Rock: Don't know how these guys just came across my radar. Great anthemic fuzzed out rock.  Like a revved up Husker Du meets the Hold Steady (no they're not from Minneapolis. Vancouver actually).

Red Collar - Welcome Home:  If you are into Gaslight Anthem, Hold Steady, Titus Andronicus or any highly Springsteen influenced modern day rock you will enjoy this.  Also, frontman Jason Kutchma's "Pastoral" as JKutchma & The Five Fifths, released early July is sure to be in the 3Q post.

Alone at 3am - Midwest Mess: As I've written several times previously on the site, to me they sound like a cross between TMFW/Nobody's Darlings era Lucero and a rootsed-up (if that's a term) Hot Water Music (particularly in the rhythm section). I think I'd now say I also hear splashes of Glossary and Limbeck type sound in there. All of these are of course good things.

Cloud Nothings - Attack on Memory: Maybe a less esoteric, and more lo-fi melodic punk rock, Sonic Youth?  The Albini production touches are quite evident and suit the sound.

Cory Branan - Mutt:  Very apt album title. Stylistically it's all over the place, but it all works and works well. Some stripped down acoustic stuff, some rockers, some pedal steel, some elaborate instrumentation new to his sound, some Waits, Some Springsteen, songs that sound like Calexico or newer Iron & Wine, some that just sound like classic Cory Branan, with great guitar work and near perfect lyrics.

Lumineers - S/T: I'd honestly be amazed if you haven't heard this thing, if not you should, it really is great. One of those rare situations where the hype is to be believed. RIYL: Dawes, The Head & The Heart

Hot Water Music - Exister: After an 8 year hiatus, HWM is back with a new album, and while I don't love it quite like I do some of their back catalog (especially Fuel for the Hate Game and No Division), I still do. Now if only I could get to a show.

District Attorneys - Slowburner: Really just fun, sincere music. Guess I'd characterize it as jangly indie pop meets southern rock.  RIYL: My Morning Jacket, Band of Horses, Futurebirds, Paul Westerberg

Lee Bains II & The Glory Fires - There's a Bomb in Gilead: Former Dexateens guitarist Lee Bains and company really deliver with this thing, blending  southern soul and rock influences into one tight and intensity filled package. I hear everything from Skynard to the Stones to the Stooges, not to mention the Band, Allman Bros, Al Green, Otis Redding, etc. Of course given their Alabama roots Truckers comparisons are inevitable.

Royal Headache - S/T: Garage rock with classic soul and late 70's, early 80's punk inspiration. Like the Buzzcocks fronted by Sam Cooke or Otis Redding. Released last year in their home country of Australia, but re-issued for the first time in the States this year.

Apologies, I Have None - London: Former 2 piece British folk-punk band historically labeled with predictable Against Me! comparisons (not a bad thing) has a evolved with a full band, studio produced, album that to me sounds a lot like Frank Turner meets 90's emo-ish bands (a la Saves the Day, Grade, etc.)

Lower Dens - Nootropics:  Like a darker moody more psychedelic and ?better? version of Baltimore neighbors Beach House.

Wood Ear - Steeple Vultures:  Heart on its sleeve rock n' roll with underpinnings in Springsteen, 90's indie like Pavement and Dinosaur Jr.,  and Uncle Tupelo and lineage.

Dr. Dog - Be the Void: Yet another album of bouncy orchestral indie rock that unabashedly channels The Beatles (McCartney in particular) and other 60's classic rock staples. You'd think this formula would get old and tired but it just doesn't.

Torche - Harmonicraft: I've heard this referred to as sludge pop, bubblegum metal, doom pop etc., to me it's just solid heavy guitar driven rock. RIYL: Earlier Soundgarden and similar era subpop releases, Helmet, Queens of the Stone Age.

Truckstop Darlin - Hope and the Heart it Breaks: Really finds a nice balance between 90's alternative and country/southern rock (really lame description i know).  Good songs, steel guitar, drinking music. RIYL: Drive By Truckers,  Screaming Trees, Two Cow Garage

I also am pretty fond of new albums from Sun Kil Moon (this one's pretty much solely Kozelek and nylon strings again), Langhorne Slim, The Only Sons, Hiss Golden Messenger, Hospitality, Diamond Rugs, Tennis, Joe Pug, Best Coast, The Great Unknowns, Joyce Manor, The Pines and I'm sure more I'm missing . . . let me know.