March and April each year bring a plethora of new releases. Just like spring brings the blooming plants, artists release their music upon us that they recorded 6-8 months prior. Some hit the mark, while others don’t.  Here’s a rundown of my playlists for the last couple of months and a few thoughts on each.
Damien Jurado/Visions of Us on the Land– Jurado finishes up his psychedelic trilogy, working with producer Richard Swift,  with a bang.  I still dig the first from the series, 2012’s Maraquopa, the best, but they are all worthy of picking up and adding to your Jurado collection.  And if you don’t have a Jurado collection, start today.
Slow Runner/New Monsters – Charleston’s Slow Runner are back with their computer hooky songs of heartbreak and love.
Pete Yorn/Arranging Time – Probably Yorn’s best release since 2006’s Nightcrawler. Songs like “Lost Weekend” and “Walking Up” will be stuck in your head for days. This is definitely a great summer/beach album.
Sturgil Simpson/A Sailor’s Guide to Earth – I have to say this one has grown on me. The opening track was a bit much when I first listened, but it’s all good now. “Sea Stories” and “Call to Arms” showcase what he does best, and I love his ambitiousness in production. I hope he keeps on getting weirder.
Del McCoury/Del and Woody – What else do you need really? Guthrie’s lyrics and the McCoury band’s playing. It’s quite a fun listen.
The Dandy Warhols/Distorland – The Dandys kind of missed the mark on this one for me. Of course most see their high water mark as 2000’s Thirteen Tales from Urban Bohemai, and I don’t disagree, but I really dug 2005’s Odditorium or Warlords of Mars and 2008’s Earth to the Dandy Warhols. I was hoping for a return to something similar after 2012’s This Machine. I guess if you’re a band that has 3 albums I really dig, you’re doing pretty good though.
Eric Bachmann/Eric Bachmann – From Archers of Loaf to Crooked Fingers Bachmann doesn’t disappoint. His latest under his own name has what is one of my best songs of the year in “Mercy†and the other eight on the album ain’t bad either.
About the author: Producer, Engineer, Musician and all around music enthusiast.