-ALBUMS-
SPOON – Lucifer on the Sofa
This Austin outfit
consistently puts out interesting rock albums, and who does that these
days? Almost no one, that's who. Still haven't seen them live, but if
they can grab me by the ears and throttle my brain like their records
do, I'm in. One of the things I like most about Spoon is that each
album is its own journey, and a building on what has come before. Thirty
years into their career, I'd say that's saying something.
HIGH POINTS: Lucifer on the Sofa, Wild, My Babe, Astral Jacket, the Hardest Cut
KEVIN MORBY – This Is a Photograph
Holy crap!
This guy knows how to build a rock album. Earnest, strident and
heartfelt. It's like he's an indie Bruce Springsteen. If you have a
chance to see him live, that road band is legit! Even includes a member
of the Dap-Tones, I'm told. The vibe of the album isn't quite the same
without the road band, but it still played over and over again in my
car all year long. I especially like that he's not just hitting the
same note over and over.
HIGH POINTS: This Is a Photograph; Rock Bottom; Bittersweet, TN; a Coat of Butterflies
TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND – I Am the Moon
The best live band in the country have gone all out this round, birthing a 4-album cycle out of the lockdown period (let us never speak of it again). "I Am the Moon" is a sprawling epic. If Tedeschi Trucks Band never produce another record, this will stand as a testament to what this band can accomplish with 2 years of downtime to roll up their sleeves and create. I still miss Kofi Burbridge (R.I.P.), but his spirit lives on here.
HIGH POINTS: Soul Sweet Song, D'Gary, Playing with My Emotions, Pasaquan
BIG THIEF – Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You
It's entirely possible that Adrianne and Buck splintering into "solo-ville" before this album cleared the clutter in their minds, or maybe pointed them in new, interesting directions when they reunited. It's also possible that they drew inspiration from the hardships in the recording process - I read some of it was recorded "old school" at a cabin in the woods, using a generator for power. In any case, this is likely to go down in history as one of the best indie albums ever made.
HIGH POINTS: Simulation Swarm, No Reason, Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You, Certainty
HERMANOS GUTIÉRREZ – el Bueno y el Malo
Much has already been said about these siblings' output being "cinematic," and this is true from an Ennio Morricone point of view. But, not enough has been said about how truly magical and mesmerizing it is. I'm drawn in by its majesty. This is the grand power of Hermanos Gutiérrez tightly-wound, tightly-knit, kaleidoscopic soundscapes: to give your imagination a place to unpack and settle in a while.
HIGH POINTS: Tres Hermanos (featuring Dan Auerbach), el Bueno y el Malo, Thunderbird, la Verdad
BONNIE RAITT – Just Like That…
She's been around the block a time or two, but still manages to impress with her guitar work and one of the sweetest voices ever to sing the blues. Granted, it can sometimes veer into syrupy, but the solid grooves and bombast surrounding said syrup more than makes up for it in my book. Bonnie Raitt continues to confidently eschew being pigeonholed into any category but that of "True Artist."
HIGH POINTS: Made Up Mind, When We Say Goodnight, Waitin' for You to Blow
THE SMILE – A Light for Attracting Attention
While I truly hope that Radiohead may, someday, make another album (or three, or ten), this album holds up as an interesting substitute; and in many ways, exceeds that evaluation. Something in the way it was constructed leads me to believe I'm listening to a different album each time. I watched their Tiny Desk concert, specifically to see how the songs were built, and I admit I still don't really know. Alchemy?
HIGH POINTS: The Smoke, Pana-Vision, Free in the Knowledge
WET LEG – Wet Leg
C'mon, aren't we all ready for the 90s "alternative" aesthetic to make a comeback? I'm as tired of 80s retreads as I was of the 80s the first time. It's corny, maybe even cliché, to say it: but this is an auspicious debut. Proof that rock isn't dead, it's just waiting to become fashionable again. It comes off as simplistic, but sometimes that's the best kind of music trick. Hopefully they can hold on to it.
HIGH POINTS: Chaise Lounge, Angelica, Too Late Now
VIEUX FARKA TOURÉ et KHRUANGBIN – Ali
It has long been my opinion that any band worth listening to on record ought to be even better live. I was lucky enough to prove myself right in this case. And the combination of flavors when Touré invites Khruangbin to join in the fun is exquisite and delightful. This takes his African guitar-legend father's legacy to another level and into the modern era quite smoothly.
HIGH POINTS: Tongo Barra, Savanne, Tamalla
LETTUCE - Unify
The undisputed kings of Jam Funk show no signs of slowing. This makes three albums in the past four years ("Elevate," "Resonate," and "Unify") which shows their tactic of generating new "rare groove" jams may continue to bear fruit indefinitely. At least, I certainly hope so. To be hitting their stride 30 years into the experiment is nothing short of phenomenal.
HIGH POINTS: Everything's Gonna Be Alright, Vàmanos, Gravy Train
-SINGLES-
LIZZO – About Damn Time
Sparkling and addictive. Now that I know she's a band geek, I like her even more.
YEAH YEAH YEAHS – Burning
Karen O's voice is a ticket to faraway, exotic, possibly imaginary places.
WILLIE NELSON – Energy Follows Thought
A spiritual, late-career gem from one of the living masters of songwriting.
DEHD – Bad Love
This earworm insists on staying for a long while, and I'm inclined to let it.
KHRUANGBIN / LEON BRIDGES – B-Side
Absolute magic. This is one of the grooviest I've heard from the groove champs.
BRANDI CARLILE – Broken Horses
Practically country, but it has a rock bottom to it. Powerful stuff. Her VOICE!!!
MT. JOY – Lemon Tree
By the time it breaks down at the end, I just want to hit "repeat" and figure out how they did that.
UMPHREY’S McGEE – Dayville Monarchy
The kings of guitar rock/improv aren't ones to write catchy songs, but here it is.
ODESZA / BETTYE LAVETTE – The Last Goodbye
That sample is succulent. Here's hoping this is NOT their "Last Goodbye."
FIRST AID KIT – Out of My Head
Seriously had this one stuck in my head for days. I think this sister duo is extremely underrated.
TOM PETTY and the HEARTBREAKERS - Live at the Fillmore 1997
I had a "bootleg" of one of these shows and it always kept me warm on cold nights. The original residency was an astonishing 20 dates, and here we're treated to more than our fair share of highlights. If you never had the chance to see them live, this is as close as you're gonna get to feeling that extraordinary vibe.
MY MORNING JACKET - MMJ Live vol. 2
Probably the best live band I saw in New Mexico this year, and this recording from Chicago in 2021 is as close as I'll get to reliving that magic. Epic without straining to be so. Only available on vinyl, I believe, if you want a physical copy.
JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE - Los Angeles Forum - April 26th, 1969
A complete, never-before released concert. He only performed in this configuration for a few short years, but every time he plays the same old set list, it still sounds new and awe-inspiring.
PRINCE and the REVOLUTION - Live
Technically a re-issue (remastered), but previously only available on VHS. Confirmation that Prince was one of the most engaging live performers of all time.
DOOM FLAMINGO - In the Rain
Not gonna lie - I checked this out because one of Umphrey's guys is in the band. The chemistry makes for super-solid jams I just want to follow down the rabbit hole.
-MOST VALUABLE PLAYER-
BILLY STRINGS!!! You're not mistaken if you believe he popped up almost everywhere in 2022, either fronting his own ensemble or sitting in and shredding with others. And, since he's already too popular ever to play New Mexico, I guess I'll have to hit the road. Especially demonstrative of his sit-in talents was when he filled in for the COVID-addled Phil Lesh with String Cheese Incident at Red Rocks over the summer. This is available on YouTube, and you are right to leave this blog and check it out.
-TOUR DIARY-
Forgive me if this list is longer than usual, but it seemed more than the normal number of acts were champing at the bit to get out on the road after laying low for a couple of years.
WIDESPREAD PANIC - 6/25/22 Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, CO
I've been to Red Rocks to see this band more times than I can count, always walk away beaming. I didn't think they had any more stops to pull out, but by God, this was not only the best, most mind-melting Widespread Panic show I've ever seen, it might be the best live show I've ever, or ever will experience. If I never see another live show, at least I'll have the memory of this one.
These were all pretty great too...
SIERRA FERRELL - 2/23/22 Tumbleroot, Santa Fe, NM
SNAIL MAIL - 4/30/22 Meow Wolf, Santa Fe, NM
BELLE & SEBASTIAN - 6/8/22 The Bridge at Santa Fe Brewing, Santa Fe, NM
GOV'T MULE - 6/11/22 The Bridge at Santa Fe Brewing, Santa Fe, NM
ANI DiFRANCO - 6/17/22 The Bridge at Santa Fe Brewing, Santa Fe, NM
DELVON LAMARR ORGAN TRIO - 6/23/22 Plaza Bandstand, Santa Fe, NM
CERAMIC ANIMAL - 6/21/22 The Bridge at Santa Fe Brewing, Santa Fe, NM
WE BANJO 3 - 7/31/22 Rockygrass Festival, Lyons, CO
ILLITERATE LIGHT - 8/3/22 Triple A Summitfest, Boulder, CO
MY MORNING JACKET - 8/19/22 Kit Carson Park, Taos, NM
EMMYLOU HARRIS - 9/23/22 Santa Fe Opera House, Santa Fe, NM
KHRUANGBIN - 10/2/22 Santa Fe Opera House, Santa Fe, NM
KEVIN MORBY - 10/5/22 Meow Wolf, Santa Fe, NM
IMARHAN - 10/7/22 Tumbleroot, Santa Fe, NM
GOGOL BORDELLO - 10/31/22 El Rey Theater, Albuquerque, NM
HERMANOS GUTTIÉRREZ - 11/20/22 St. Francis Auditorium, Santa Fe, NM
-LOCAL FAVES-
BORIS McCUTCHEON - The Mystery
LIGHTNING CULT - On Again
RON CROWDER - A Little Love
DRASTIC ANDREW - Medicine Woman
STRANGERS from AFAR - the Way Up
-MORE, PLEASE-
CALLING CADENCE
CERAMIC ANIMAL
DANIELLE PONDER
GA-20
ILLITERATE LIGHT
MADISON CUNNINGHAM
MAPACHE
JOY OLADOKUN
TAYLOR RAE
THEE SACRED SOULS
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