We are already reaching the 11th month of the year and I hope you enjoyed these regular reviews as much as I liked doing them. November was probably not the best month of the year but with still enough material to find seven records to enjoy. Stay tuned for next month as you will get two for the price of one: December Album of the month but also the usual Best of the Year list!
Album of the month: OCS – “Memory of a Cut Off Head” – Pop Rock – I was actually quite happy to be able to promote this album as the best of the month as a kind of reward to its main creator. John Dwyer is an incredible talent and his energy is limitless. He leads at least three different bands (OCS, Thee Oh Sees and Damaged Bug) and releases in average two records per year. This is actually his third record of 2017 and with OCS you will discover his soft side whereas he is dedicated to psychedelic rock with Thee Oh Sees and to German-influenced repetitive rock with Damaged Bug. What makes this record probably different from his other works is that there is a real sensitivity and female voices… which to my mind is a great thing as I am a huge fan of women in rock.
- Runner-up: Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – “Who Built the Moon?” – Pop Rock – …good question indeed Mr G…. While Liam G. has recently released a quite boring LP, his big brother keeps on being more adventurous and his latest work is by far the most interesting of all post-Oasis productions. A mix of psychedelic rock with a few dance sounds whilst keeping the melodic sense of their leader. In other words, a record that should please Oasis fans as much as less traditional music fans.
- Also recommended:
- Shamir – “Revelations” – Pop Funk – Post depression blues album for the young transgender man. Not always easy to listen to but a few tracks are very moving and beautiful.
- Eera – “Reflection of Youth” – Pop Folk – Latest opus from the UK-based Norwegian young woman; very much PJ Harvey and Joni Mitchell-influenced.
- Charlotte Gainsbourg – “Rest ” – Pop Rock – Probably not the masterpiece defended in the French media but there are a few very good tracks. I guess it may be a grower in the months to come.
- Morrissey – “Low in High School” – Pop Rock – Morrissey did not become a nazi as read here and there but this is true that his words are sometimes ambiguous… There are a few very bad tracks in this album but also a few great ones so this is definitely a record to discover.
- Mavis Staples – “If all I was was Black” – Soul Rock – Another great collaboration between Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy and the amazing 78-year old Mavis Staples. She is one of the truly greats of all times and I consider myself honoured to see her in 2011 at Austin City Limits. Beautiful music and important words in today’s America…
- Lest we forget: album of the previous month – Courtney Barnett & Kurt Vile – “Lotta Sea Lice“
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