Music Friday: "One Last F.U."

An album I acquired earlier this year that was a new release was Should've Learned by Now by the great band Lucero. 

Here's the opening track from the album and a live performance of it.  

Music Friday: "One Last F.U."

I got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell. 

The first single off Lucero's new album, Should've Learned by Now, starts out with a the drummer playing and using a cowbell.

Here's "One Last F.U." 

Music Friday: "I Can Get Us Out of Here"

I've been listening to Lucero all day today as I was doing work. 

When I got done, this song was playing. 

Music Friday: "Good as Gone"

The first new album I acquired this year is Lucero's When You Found Me. 

It's a solid album. I've listened to it several times, and the lineup of songs works seamlessly. 

Here's the fifth tune on the album. 

Check out When You Found Me. It's a good one.  

Random Notes from a Crank

 I'm looking forward to some new albums coming out this year. I know The Hold Steady is set to drop a new album this year. And I've already acquired new albums form Lucero and Langhorne Slim. 

The fact that many of the GOP Senators will not acquit the 45th president for inciting a riot is ridiculous but not surprising. No spines or ethics. The Republican Party is being held hostage by a crazy person and white supremacist nonsense. 

As much as I like the term Latinx term, I read an article in Harper's recently that noted that over two-thirds or three quarters of Latinos don't care for or use the term. It's a coinage used by academics and well-meaning liberals, not one created by the people themselves. So they're not really using it. 

Regardless, Latinos and Black are not monolithic voting blocks. They never have been. In fact, they tend to be more centrist than left wing. 

Then again, as Jennifer Rubin write about in "Shrinking the GOP, One State at a Time," there are significant amounts of voters who are no longer registered as Republicans in important states like Colorado, North Caroline, Arizona, and Pennsylvania after the attack on the Capitol. 

And D.C. and Puerto Rico should be given statehood.

Music Friday: "What Are You Willing to Lose?"

At the conclusion of walking my loyal dog Sampson last night this fine tune came across on Shuffle.  

Lucero makes some fine music. 

Top Ten Albums of 2018

It's that time of the year again.

Like I did in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017, I'm providing my top choices of albums that came out this year. 

It has been a slow year for me buying new music, so if there are other albums you would recommend that came out in 2018, please let me know in the comments section. I know two albums that I want to buy, but I just haven't gotten around to purchasing them. 

Because I wasn't as prolific in getting new music, this year, I'm providing my top ten albums with a handful of honorable mentions. 

1. Lake Street Drive, Free Yourself Up

I got turned on to this great band once I saw them perform on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The lead singer's voice is luscious. The backing and arrangements are interesting. I probably listened to this album the most this year. 

Favorite Songs: "Baby Don't Leave Me Alone with My Thoughts," "Dude," "Doesn't Even Matter Now," "Good Kisser." 

2. Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Tearing at the Seams

I really enjoyed the band's previous album, and this offering was a solidly constructed opus. This dude has soul, and the R&B/Rock music is fabulous. I think these guys would be wonderful to see in concert. When Rateliff was written about in Rolling Stone, I discovered that he's originally from Hermann, Missouri, which is central Missouri wine country, home to Octoberfest celebrations. 

Favorite Songs: "Be There," "Hey Mama," "Intro," "I'll Be Damned." 

3. The Record Company, All Of This Life

This band is a tight-knit trio that puts out a heady mix of blues-rock that might make you dance.    In times like these when I read the news and get angry almost every day, this band puts me in a better mood. 

Favorites Songs: "Life To Fix," "Make It Happen," "The Movie Song," and "Night Games." 

4. Father John Misty, God's Favorite Customer

That facial expression replicates how I feel at times. This guy is prolific since Pure Comedy came out last year. If you're familiar with the Father's work, you'll like this one. 

Favorite Songs: "Mr. Tillman," "Just Dumb Enough to Try," "Date Night," and "God's Favorite Customer." 

5. Lucero, Among the Ghosts

For Lucero, this seems like a quiet album, but it's a good one. On previous albums, we saw the inclusion of horns. Not so much on this one. I'm not one of those Lucero fans who is a hater of horns, and this album harkens back to early albums. 

Favorite Songs: "For the Lonely Ones," "Long Way Back Home," "To My Dearest Wife," and "Everything Has Changed." 

6. American Aquarium, Things Change

I hate that iTunes classifies this album as "Country." If anything, you might classify AA as Americana, but I've always seen them as a rock band, which is how the other albums are codified. One of my favorite songs put out this year was "The World Is On Fire." 

Favorite Songs: "The World Is On Fire," "Tough Folks," "Things Change," and "Shadows of You." 

7. Buffalo Tom, Quiet and Peace

Much to my delight, I was surprised to find out that Buffalo Tom, a band once prominently featured on Mtv's 120 Minutes, put out a new album this year. The album is like most other Buffalo Tom albums: good straightforward rock. 

Favorite Songs: "All Be Gone," "Lonely Fast and Deep," "In the Ice," and "Slow Down." 

8. Thunderpussy, self-titled

I don't get the weird cover with the snake, but one member of Pearl Jam recommended this band via a short little article about the group in Rolling Stone, so I checked 'em out. I can see the Pearl Jam influence, which is a compliment. 

Favorite Songs: "Speed Queen," "Thunderpussy," "Gentle Frame," and "Torpedo Love." 

9. Brandi Carlile, By The Way, I Forgive You

I haven't listened to this album as much as I probably should have. When I listen to it, I think, "Man, I need to listen this more often." And then I forget about it. So one of my New Year's resolutions is to listen this album more often. It's an attainable goal. 

Favorite Songs: "Fulton County Jane Doe," "Most of All," "The Mother," and "Every Time I Hear That Song." 

10. Death Cab for Cutie, Thank You For Today

This is another album I need to listen to more often because DCFC usually scratches my pop-rock itch. 

Favorite Songs: "Summer Years," "When We Drive," "Northern Lights," and "60 & Punk." 

Honorable Mentions

Leon Bridges, Good Thing

Dawes, Passwords

Ben Miller Band, Choke Cherry Tree

Marie/Lepanto, Tenkiller

I'm With Her, See You Around

Music Friday: "Everything Has Changed"

I am behind on getting new albums that have come out from bands I like and follow. 

One I got this week was Lucero's new release, Among the Ghosts.

It's a solid effort, one of the band's better releases in a while. 

Top Twentysomething Albums of 2015

It's that time of the year again.

Like I did in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014, I'm providing my top twenty some albums that came out this year. After the top twenty, there's a list of albums that deserve honorable mention. 

As for the year in music, I see it as a decent year. On a personal level, halfway through the year, my car's cd player malfunctioned, so I've had the misfortune of having to listen to the radio stations around here. iTunes and my iPad have given me solace. 

The year saw some solid albums from artists who have been on my end-of-the-year list before, but there are some new bands featured. 

If there are other albums you would recommend, please let me know in the comments section.

1. Josh Ritter, Sermon on the Rocks

I listened to this album a lot this year. Like his other albums, Ritter puts together interesting arrangements and lyrics. On first listen, some of the songs will surprise you from a musical standpoint. Some sonic curveballs. This is one guy who has the misfortune of not getting noticed enough by the mainstream music scene. If we were still in the 90s, he would have racked up a number of hits. "Getting Ready to Get Down" is one of my favorite tunes of the year. 

Favorite songs: "Homecoming," "A Big Enough Sky," "Where the Nights Goes," and "Getting Ready to Get Down"

2. Jason Isbell, Something More Than Free

Some readers might be surprised that Isbell's album got second on this year's list. He shows off his songwriting craftsmanship again on this album. It's an opus that bears witness to listening to it from start to finish, especially the lineup of songs five, six, seven, and eight in the middle of the album. My only minor complaint is that I want more uptempo, rock-oriented songs. Isbell is a very good guitarist, and I wish he showed that off more often. Still "Speed Trap Town" is the best song of 2015, and in these times it's easy to understand these lyrics from "24 Frames": "You thought God was an architect./ Now you know he's something like a pipe bomb ready to blow./ And everything you built was all for show goes up in flames." 

Favorites songs: "Palmetto Rose," "Speed Trap Town," "24 Frames," and "The Life You Chose"

3. The Bottle Rockets, South Broadway Athletic Club

Huzzah for straightforward rock and roll. As is the band's character, this album gives you the perspective of the everyman, the regular joe who might visit the South Broadway Athletic Club in South St. Louis to watch wrestling matches. Themes include Monday sneaking up on you, just relaxing, building cars, and man's best friend.

Favorite songs: "Building Chryslers," "Big Fat Nuthin'," "Shape of a Wheel," and "Monday (Everytime I Turn Around)"

4. Punch Brothers, Phosphorescent Blues

This outfit has put out albums and EPs at a steady clip over the past few years, which makes me wonder what will happen once Chris Thile takes over for Garrison Keillor on Prairie Home Companion. Regardless, this is a stunning album with the usual intricate arrangements and soaring lyrics. I've sat on the couch and just let the album wash over me. It's something. 

Favorite songs: "Little Lights," "Magnet," "My Oh My," and "I Blew It Off"

5. Chris Cornell, Higher Truth

Soundgarden is one of my favorite bands, and Chris Cornell is one of the major factors why I like the band so much. I only have one other of Cornell's solo albums. I like this one much more. And it's not often you see an artist put out an album with sixteen songs. There's a lot to listen to here. The album's lineup generally alternates between slower and more uptempo songs. It's a fun ride. Lyrics to ponder: "Time ain't nothing if ain't fast,/ Taking everything that you ever had,/ Giving nothing in return but a cold bed in the quiet earth." It's a modern day "Thanatopsis." 

Favorite songs: "Before We Disappear," "Let Your Eyes Wander," "Our Time in the Universe," and "Murderer of Blue Skies"

6. Courtney Barnett, Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit

This is a fun record. Though this description could lurch toward an oxymoron, this album could be described as introspectively peppy. Barnett is an Australian singer-songwriter who was recommended to me by a reader of this blog. I guess if people are going to label her work, it could get filed under alternative rock or college rock. The songs certainly have a young person's perspective to them although the lyrics reveal an old soul. 

Favorite songs: "Nobody Cares If You Don't Go to the Party," "Dead Fox," "An Illustration of Loneliness (Sleepless in New York)," and "Pedestrian at Best"

7. Dawes, All Your Favorite Bands

Dawes' fourth album is another strong offering. If you like their sound like I do, you'll enjoy this album. Like Ritter, this band would have done well in an earlier musical era. They compose strong rock-pop musical arrangements and have good lyrics. "I Can't Think about It Now" is yet another song that makes me wish the band had more songs in which Taylor Goldsmith had guitar solos. That song has great lyrics too. 

Favorite songs: "I Can't Think About It Now," "All Your Favorite Bands," "Things Happen," and "Somewhere Along the Way"

8. Langhorne Slim & The Law, The Spirit Moves

Even if you're not familiar with this artist, you've probably heard the first part of one of his songs, "Changes," via a commercial for something I can't remember. Once again, Mr. Slim brings his distinctive voice to the fore often with jangling guitars that remind me of early R.E.M. (to a small degree). The album is gritty, fun, and jaunty. 

Favorite songs: "Strangers," "Bring You My Love," "Southern Bells," and "Spirit Moves"

9. The Bad Plus Joshua Redman

Combine one of the most innovative jazz trios with one of the best jazz saxophonists, and you get a fine album. Pretty simple math.

Favorite songs: "Dirty Blonde," "County Seat," "Lack the Faith but Not the Wine," and "Friend or Foe"

10. Brandi Carlile, The Firewatcher's Daughter

This young lady has some pipes. Offering a mix of rock, country, and bluesy tunes, this album is on par with Bear Creek. 

Favorite songs: "Mainstream Kid," "The Eye," "The Things I Regret," and "The Stranger at My Door"

11. James McMurtry, Complicated Game

The salty singer-songwriter put out another fine album this year. Like Isbell and The Bottle Rockets, he spins narratives about common folks. One of my favorite songs on the album, "These Things I've Come to Know," has the persona talking about and admiring a female bartender. 

Favorite songs: "How'm I Gonna Find You Now," "Deaver's Crossing," "These Things I've Come to Know," and "Carlisle's Haul"

12. Lucero, All a Man Should Do

Some fans of Lucero complain about the band's new sound. I don't. I certainly like the older albums that are gritty and very guitar oriented. But I like the more recent sound (with horns) that Lucero is putting out. I like this album better than Women & Work. It seems like a more complete album. 

Favorite songs: "Can't You Hear Them Howl," "Young Outlaws," "Baby Don't You Want Me," and "I Woke Up in New Orleans"

13. The Yawpers, American Man

This is one of the stranger album covers I've seen in a while. I have very little background on this band, but they play a strong brand of rock ~ no frills, guitar-oriented rock and roll.  They take their name from Walt Whitman's Song of Myself, and their music is reminiscent of "barbaric yawp"s. I'd like to see them perform. I imagine they'd put on a fun show. 

Favorite songs: "Doing It Right," "Burdens," "Deacon Brodie," and "Walter"

14. JD McPherson, Let the Good Times Roll

I got introduced to this artist this year. This is his second album, and it's a raucous, 50s-rock-inspired affair. Good stuff, people.

Favorite songs: "Let the Good Times Roll," "It's All Over But the Shouting," "It Shook Me Up," and "Mother of Lies" 

15. Radkey, Dark Black Makeup

The Wikipedia article on this band describes them as a "garage punk band." That's a fair description of what they do. The band consists of three brothers who were home-schooled in St. Joseph, Missouri. Their first major performance was opening for Fishbone. That's awesome.

Favorite songs: "Love Spills," "Le Song," "Feed My Brain," and "Glore"

16. The Railsplitters, The Faster It Goes

I always have time for some traditional bluegrass, and this album fills that need. The singers have beautiful voices backed by sometimes traditional sounding arrangements. 

Favorite songs: "It's a Little Late," "The Estuary," "Goosetown," and "Tilt-A-Whirl"

17. American Aquarium, Wolves

I've enjoyed AA's raucous rock over the years. Dances for the Lonely and Small Town Hymns are excellent albums. Wolves is a good one though some of the lyrics tend to either complain about the road or discuss personal demons. Those are decent themes, but the former can get tiresome. "Southern Sadness" is one of my favorites: "There's a certain kind of despair/ that hangs heavy in the air./ And everywhere I go I always smell the Piedmont pines./ There's a Southern sadness that won't let go of this heart of mine." 

Favorite songs: "Southern Sadness," "Wolves," "Wichita Falls," and "Old North State"

18. JJ Grey & Mofro, Ol' Glory

If this dude puts out an album, it's highly likely it'll be on my annual list. His soul-rock-funk sound moves me. I wish he'd play the harp more often because he's an outstanding harmonica player. Regardless, it's another fine album by Mr. Grey. 

Favorite songs: "Light a Candle," "Turn Loose," "Brave Lil' Fighter," and "Everything Is a Song" 

19. The Turnpike Troubadours, self-titled

Along with Sturgill Simpson and Hayes Carll, this outfit is one of finest country artists out there right now. There isn't Nashville-inspired pop-country @#$% smeared all over their sound. It's good stuff.

Favorite songs: "Bossier City," "Ringing in the Year," "Down Here," and "The Bird Hunters"

20. Joe Pug, Windfall

It's not that he ever had a weak voice, but on this album Joe Pug's voice sounds stronger. Maybe it's just me. If you like traditional folk-rock songs, this is a good choice.

Favorite songs: "Stay and Dance," "Burn and Shine," "Bright Beginnings," and "Veteran Fighter"

Honorable Mentions

Blitzen Trapper, All Across This Land

Ben Folds, So There

John Moreland, High on Tulsa Heat

The Lone Bellow, Then Came the Morning

Robert Earl Keen, Happy Prisoner: The Bluegrass Sessions

Death Cab for Cutie, Kintsugi

Jayme Stone, Lomax Project

Gary Clark Jr., The Story of Sonny Boy Slim

Justin Townes Earle, Absent Fathers

Calexico, Edge of the Sun

Craig Finn, Faith in the Future

Music Friday: "Nights Like These" & "What Are You Willing to Lose?"

Double your pleasure, people.

Here are a couple of videos of Lucero, a band I'm really starting to like.

The lead singer sounds like he gargles with a concoction of whiskey and gravel, but I like the gruff, unpolished sound.

Click HERE for "Nights Like These" live.

And you can click HERE for a low-grade video of "What Are You Willing to Lose?"

"So what if all my heroes are the losing kind?

We ended up with nothin', but we put up a fight.

And most of it was choices we never asked to choose.

The rest of it was luck, and now we're out of that too."