Drive By Truckers might well be into their 12th year, but on this evidence they’re not showing any signs of coasting or lack of inspiration. There is talk of the band taking a rest shortly, let’s hope they’re not out of action for too long.
Author Sam Shepherd
Various Artists – Black Hole: Californian Punk 1977-1980
Jon Savage shines a light on the forgotten and fallen of the Californian Punk scene.
Various Artists – Leader Of The Starry Skies: A Tribute To Tim Smith. Songbook 1
Cardiacs have always appeared impervious to the cover version. Some things however simply happen out of necessity; as is the case with Leader of The Starry Skies. Since suffering a stroke in 2008, Tim Smith has been in hospital, where he remains in a fragile state. Raising money to get Tim home and pay for his care is the main impetus behind this album.
Blurt – Cut It!
It’s been 13 years since their last album, but that hasn’t discouraged Blurt from their continued exploration of the outer limits of absurdity.
Teengirl Fantasy – 7am
Teengirl Fantasy craft dream pop, opening the door to those subconscious worlds at any time of the day and they are more than willing to act as guides through the constantly shifting, delicately shimmering vista that they create.
Annuals – Count The Rings
Sam Shepherd reviews the latest from Annuals, finding them a little frustrating at times.
Crippled Black Phoenix – I, Vigilante
This is the sound of one of the most inventive bands around at the moment ransacking the past and building a fascinating future.
The Boy Who Trapped The Sun – Fireplace
This is a fine collection of songs, shackled by their subject matter and the folk template according to Sam Shepherd.
Thomas Truax – Sonic Dreamer
Sonic Dreamer is an interesting album showing Truax as an experimental artist and musician capable of writing some really great songs.
Fuzzy Lights – Helm EP
Sam Shepherd is impressed with Fuzzy Light’s latest release. It’s just a shame it’s an EP and ends all too quickly…
Dan Sartain – Lives
Sartain is a fine exponent of classic rock ‘n’ roll and Lives certainly demonstrates that. Sam Shepherd reviews.
David G Cox – David G Cox
This is a wonderfully inspired debut full of depth and wonderful performances from Cox and his cohorts.
The Time and Space Machine – Set Phazer To Stun
Essentially an outlet for his overriding interest in the prog/psychedelic frequency of the musical spectrum, this collection is part homage and part exploration of the reaches just before the outer-reaches.
John Grant – Queen of Denmark
Queen of Denmark is a stunning piece of work and it confirms John Grant as a brilliant lyricist and vocalist. This is an album that deserves a place alongside this year’s best.
Nice Nice – Extra Wow
With Extra Wow, Nice Nice have created an album that is not so much a collection of individual tracks as it is a singular piece of meditative electronic noise. It’s a splendid, if sometimes confusing achievement.
Gonjasufi – A Sufi and A Killer
A remarkably confusing but expertly conceived record that come December could be up there as one of the year’s best. It is utterly spell-binding.
