Juliana Hatfield, The Polyphonic Spree, & Elastica
The Week in New Music & Dig Me Out Podcast
Juliana Hatfield - Juliana Hatfield Sings ELO
Juliana Hatfield, a key figure in the 90s alternative rock scene and known for her work with The Lemonheads and her impactful solo albums, continues her series of tribute albums with ""Juliana Hatfield Sings ELO."" This endeavor follows her well-received tributes to Olivia Newton-John and The Police. Growing up with ELO's music, Hatfield's latest album is a heartfelt homage, where she adeptly reinterprets ELO's complex orchestral compositions with her distinct indie rock flair. The project, undertaken during the pandemic, stands as a testament to her creative adaptability and deep-seated love for ELO's influential music.
What Critics are Saying:
Based on the reviews from Glide Magazine, Get Ready to ROCK!, and Cover Me Songs, ""Juliana Hatfield Sings ELO"" can be characterized as a "Worthy Album." The album is acclaimed for its innovative reinterpretation of ELO's classics, blending Juliana Hatfield's unique style with the essence of the original songs. Critics appreciate her ability to infuse new life into these tracks, creating an album that not only pays homage to ELO but also stands out as a notable work in its own right."
Vince Clarke - Songs Of Silence
Vince Clarke, celebrated for his contributions to the synth-pop world and as a key member of influential bands like Erasure, Depeche Mode, and Yaz, takes a significant turn with his first solo album, ""Songs Of Silence."" Conceptualized as a respite from the cacophony of the world's press, the album is distinctively written using only a Eurorack modular synth.
What Critics Are Saying:
Drawing from the reviews by RETROPOP, AllMusic, Louder Than War, musicOMH, and NARC Magazine, "Songs Of Silence" is unanimously regarded as a "Worthy Album." This reflects the album's transformative nature, with critics lauding its significant departure from Clarke's signature synth-pop sound towards more ambient and atmospheric domains. The album's introspective quality has been particularly praised, showcasing Clarke's versatility and depth as an artist. Its meditative and expressive pieces form a musical journey that explores the extremes of emotion in a dark, often treacherous world. Fans and critics alike have described the album as a faultless piece of genius, especially highlighting tracks like ""Red Planet."" ""Songs Of Silence"" surprises many with its atmospheric, restrained, and unshowy nature, starkly contrasting Clarke's previous danceable, shiny releases. "
The Polyphonic Spree - Salvage Enterprise
The Polyphonic Spree, known for their unique blend of positive pop and orchestral elements, marks a significant return with their album ""Salvage Enterprise,"" their first album of original material in almost a decade. This album showcases the band's signature bombastic pop style while introducing quieter acoustic elements, adding a new dimension to their sound.
What Critics Are Saying:
Drawing from the reviews by Glide Magazine, Dallas News, Tinnitist, Album of the Year, and Shepherd Express, "Salvage Enterprise" by The Polyphonic Spree is unanimously regarded as a "Worthy Album." Critics celebrate the album for maintaining the band's iconic bombastic pop sound while introducing quieter acoustic elements, adding a fresh dimension to their music. The sense of childlike melancholy and emotional depth noted by Dallas News adds a layer of complexity to the typically uplifting sound of the band. Tinnitist's description of the album as a phoenix rising from the ashes suggests a significant evolution and renewal in their eighth LP. With a high rating from Album of the Year, the album is recognized for its emotional range, exploring themes of joy, pensiveness, relief, and wistfulness. Overall, ""Salvage Enterprise"" is celebrated for its emotional diversity, maintaining the band's core sound while marking a notable return to form."
Madness - Theatre of the Absurd Presents C'est La Vie
Madness, renowned for their upbeat hits, ventures into more introspective territory with their 13th album, ""Theatre of the Absurd Presents C’est La Vie."" This concept album, inspired by the band's experiences over a couple of fragmented years, touches on themes such as the pandemic, social justice, love, and paranoia, all within an existential framework.
What Critics are Saying:
Based on reviews from MOJO, XS Noize, and The Arts Desk, Madness' ""Theatre of the Absurd Presents C’est La Vie"" can be characterized as a "Worthy Album." MOJO praises the album for its thematic depth, exploring darker realms with a narrative that reflects political and social issues. XS Noize, giving it a 4.0 rating, applauds its exploration of themes like the pandemic and the purposelessness of life, noting the band's successful attempt to push their creative boundaries. The Arts Desk commends the album's tuneful, witty, and melancholic portrayal of the current state of the nation, highlighting the band's freedom from expectations and its vibrant yet introspective nature. Overall, ""Theatre of the Absurd Presents C’est La Vie"" is celebrated for its artistic evolution, maintaining Madness's distinct musicality while delving into more serious and introspective themes.
The Dwarves - Concept Album
The Dwarves, a seasoned force in punk rock, continue their trailblazing journey with "The Dwarves Concept Album." Known for their raw energy and audacious style, this album is a sprawling adventure across multiple genres. It covers the spectrum from hardcore to garage rock, surf music, and even experimental noise, all while maintaining their signature irreverent lyrics and provocative visual style. The album, featuring a remarkable 20 tracks, displays the band's unmatched versatility and bold creativity.
What Critics are Saying:
Based on the collective reviews from sources like Tinnitist, Punk Rock Theory, and ThePunkSite.com, "The Dwarves Concept Album" can be characterized as a "Better EP." While the album is praised for its ambitious range and high production quality, some critiques point to its eclectic mix as a double-edged sword, suggesting a variance in the cohesiveness and impact of individual tracks. However, the inclusion of esteemed musicians like Josh Freese and the band's iconic humor and transgressive themes are noted as strengths. Overall, the album is recognized for bringing something fresh and dynamic to the punk rock scene, albeit with a few reservations about its overall execution."
Andre 3000 - New Blue Sun
Andre 3000, a luminary in the hip-hop world, takes a bold leap into new musical territories with his album "New Blue Sun." This record marks his first full-length solo venture in 17 years and is a distinct departure from his OutKast roots. The album is purely instrumental, featuring an array of flutes and spanning multiple genres including electronic, rap, jazz, ambient, new age, and electro-acoustic. It's an eclectic mix that defies easy categorization.
What Critics Are Saying:
Critics' consensus on André 3000's "New Blue Sun" can be characterized as a "Decent Single." Reviews from TheGrio and Metacritic present a mixed perspective. TheGrio criticizes the album for its lengthy tracks that lack dynamism, suggesting it might be more suited for passive listening activities like meditation or yoga, while appreciating some individual elements. Metacritic reviews describe the album as an eclectic mix of genres, ranging from electronic to jazz and new age, with one critic finding it ecstatic and dreamy and another acknowledging its bizarre yet beautiful nature. However, there's a recognition of its potential divisiveness among fans, with varying opinions on whether it's an unclassifiable mood piece or lacks detail and substance. This diversity of views reflects the album's experimental nature and its departure from André 3000's previous work.
Woolworthy - Electric Heartbreak
After a 21-year hiatus, Chicago-based alt-rock band Woolworthy makes a striking return with "Electric Heartbreak." The album, featuring 11 tracks, retains the band's unique blend of emotionally charged lyrics, powerful guitar riffs, and melodic hooks, reflecting their roots in the alternative rock scene. With members Rudy Gonzalez, Rick Uncapher, Mark Doyle, and Dave Suh, Woolworthy continues with a style that combines classic riffs and fiery lead guitar lines within a punk-pop framework. Celebrated for its cohesiveness and energetic sound, the album signifies a faithful revival of the band's characteristic vibe.
Car Colors - Old Death (Single)
Charles Bissell, the singer, writer, and producer of The Wrens, has released new music for the first time in 20 years. This marks his return since the landmark album, The Meadowlands. The single is part of his highly anticipated comeback and is set to be followed by a new record release in 2024. Known for his signature songwriting style, Bissell's new musical project showcases intricate soundscapes and meticulous production. The single is a layered journey of over seven minutes, offering a glimpse into the depth and complexity of his music.
Geddy Lee - My Effin' Life (Book)
Geddy Lee's memoir "My Effin' Life" is a deep and engrossing account of his rise from a self-proclaimed "classic underachiever" to a Rock & Roll Hall of Famer. Lee intertwines personal anecdotes and Rush's history with insights into his multifaceted interests and reflections on both triumphs and challenges. The book features an eclectic mix of content, from personal photos and lyric sheets to Lee's exploration of his family's Holocaust history. His honest and detailed storytelling offers a narrative that is as much about the human experience as it is about his life as a rock star, making it an effin' good read.
Rob Harvilla - 60 Songs That Explain the '90s (Book)
The 1990s were a chaotic and gritty and utterly magical time for music, a confounding barrage of genres and lifestyles and superstars, from grunge to hip-hop, from sumptuous R&B to rambunctious ska-punk, from Axl to Kurt to Missy to Santana to Tupac to Britney. In 60 SONGS THAT EXPLAIN THE '90s, Ringer music critic Rob Harvilla reimagines all the earwormy, iconic hits Gen Xers pine for with vivid historical storytelling, sharp critical analysis, rampant loopiness, and wryly personal ruminations on the most bizarre, joyous, and inescapable songs from a decade we both regret entirely and miss desperately.
