New Releases - June 24, 2022
Weekly Album Reviews By: Aviv Borenstein
Weezer - Summer Weezer need no introduction: they are one of the most important bands to emerge from the post-grunge era. Formed in 1992, they became famous for their catchy songs and slightly nerdy videos. In 2022 they announced a series of EPs, one for each season. Spring was weak, and Summer arrived on June 21. The good news is that it is better than Spring. The bad news is that it is still not good enough. There are some good, charming songs here, though it is
a memorable, fairly decent record. The feeling is that Weezer simply decided to release everything they worked on during the pandemic.
Listen on: Spotify
Alestorm - Seventh Rum of a Seventh Rum The Scottish heavy-rock band formed in 2004, though folk metal is probably the more accurate label. Singer Christopher Bowes is the only surviving original member. This is a kind of heavy rock I am less familiar with. Its pirate-rock flavor makes it feel as though you are at a rock concert inside Pirates of the Caribbean. The deluxe edition has three parts: the main rock album, acoustic versions and other takes, and a third part featuring barking dogs. Yes, you read that correctly. This is an excellent album, heavy rock that goes down easily and is a pleasure to hear. Even listeners who do not usually enjoy the genre may find themselves
enjoying this album. For more about the album, read here
Listen on: Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer
Zola Jesus - Arkhon
Nika Roza Danilova, better known as Zola Jesus, is an American singer born in Arizona in 1989. She released her debut in 2009, and this is her sixth album. Her style is indie rock with a strong electronic element, and the music is catchy. In a week packed with releases, though, this is not a record that stayed with me for long. It is not bad, but it arrived in a particularly tough week.
Soccer Mommy - Sometimes, Forever
Sophie Regina Allison, better known by her stage name, was born in Zurich in 1997 but is American and based in Nashville. This is her third album. She is a singer-songwriter making alternative and indie rock. Her previous two albums were excellent, and the new one maintains that standard. The songs move between sadness and joy, and it is worth taking time to read the lyrics. An excellent album, one of the best released in this crowded week.
Listen on: Spotify
Alexisonfire - Otherness
Alexisonfire are a Canadian heavy-rock band formed in 2001. This is their first album since 2009, following a breakup in 2012 and a return in 2015. The music is heavy rock, at times leaning toward screamo. I had not known them before, and the album took a while to sink in. It is good music, but as with Zola Jesus above, this is such a packed week that I am not sure how much it stands out.
Listen on: Spotify
The progressive-rock band from New York formed in 1995. Their style is a little like Alexisonfire. This is their tenth album and the second part of the story begun on their 2018 release. Since I have not heard that earlier album, I do not feel I have missed anything in particular. This is an excellent, very catchy record that makes me want to hear more of the band. Singer Claudio Sanchez has been a member since the beginning and also plays guitar.
I recommend giving them a listen.
Listen on: Spotify
Day Wave - Pastlife
This California indie-rock project formed in 2014 and is led by Jackson Phillips. This is its second album, a pleasant rock-pop record that sounds as though it came straight from the mid-1980s, when this mix of electronics and rock was so fashionable. The songs are very catchy, as befits the era. But as I said, this week is packed with albums, so this one also gets pushed aside.
Listen on: Spotify
Muna - Muna
The American pop band from Los Angeles was formed by three women in 2013. Their debut arrived in 2017, followed two years later by their second album. Along the way they toured with Harry Styles and performed with Phoebe Bridgers, who also guests on this, their third album. It is wonderful. Yes, it is pop, but it is well made, full of catchy songs and simply a pleasure to hear.
Listen on: Spotify
Regina Spektor - Home, Before and After
Regina Spektor, the American singer of Russian origin, is an excellent pianist and singer whose albums are usually very good. She also speaks Hebrew and is one of the best singers around today. There is much to say about her: she is a social activist, her songs have appeared in many films and television shows, and this, her eighth album, arrives with high expectations. The disappointment matches those expectations. The opening song is excellent, and I thought I was in for a lovely album. After that, however, it simply does not work for me. Perhaps a few more listens will help me connect with it, and I will certainly give it a chance. But I expected much more from her.
Listen on: Spotify
Petrol Girls - Baby
This British punk-rock band is named after the petroleuses, women associated with the Paris Commune of 1871. As the name suggests, their music is built on protest, especially feminist protest. Their second album, released in 2019, was named one of that year's best, and this third album follows changes in the lineup. It recalls the forceful protest of Rage Against the Machine. The messages are clear, the guitars cut through and the music is wonderful. The album arrived on the Friday when the US Supreme Court allowed states to ban abortion, and remarkably there is a song addressing exactly that subject. You are invited to listen. In short, this is an essential album, simply excellent. Its energy really does recall Rage Against the Machine, and anyone who gives it a chance will not be disappointed.
Listen on: Spotify
Porcupine Tree - Closure/Continuation
This is the eleventh album from Steven Wilson's wonderful band, following 13 years of silence and other projects. Wilson needs no introduction, and I assume neither does the band, formed in 1987. This is progressive rock, and like almost all progressive rock, it takes time to sink in. At first I did not like the album: it simply was not good enough.
After several listens, though, it proves a worthy record. It does not approach some of their masterpieces, but after 13 years of silence it certainly deserves its place, and I hope they keep going.
Listen on: Spotify
The Warning - Error
Three Mexican sisters: Daniela, Paulina and Alejandra Villarreal. They became known for their wonderful performance of "Enter Sandman" as part of the tribute to Metallica's Black Album. Before long they had signed a record deal and begun releasing singles and videos. This is one of the albums I have most looked forward to over the past year. I follow them, and they are one of the best new bands around today. Their rock is simply good: young, fresh and, above all, fun to hear. The album does not disappoint. It is exactly what I hoped it would be and, for me, the best album released this week.
Listen on: Spotify
"Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog
Comments