Some new fall music!

Lately I have been concentrating on upgrading some of my favorite albums in my vinyl collection, seeking out rarer pressings or fancy imports. In the meantime I have been buying some new CD's to enjoy in my car and on my iPod. It has been a great fall season for new music and I figured I would share a few of my personal favorites.

 

The Avett Brothers – Magpie and the Dandelion

 

I know these guys have been a hot band for a while now, but this is my first experience with The Avett Brothers. I'm a little weary of these nu-folk bands that are trigger happy with the banjo. I’m just immediately thinking Mumford and Sons. Not saying that there is anything wrong with Mumford and Sons, I like their albums….. but I get really bored with them quick… After one listen to Babel, I had enough. So in the back of my mind I was expecting the same with Magpie and the Dandelion but this was not the case at all! This album surpassed my expectations in so many ways. 

 
First off, the production: Rick Rubin produced this album and really demonstrates his dominance in his field. Wow! This is about as perfect as an album can sound in my opinion. He keeps the vocals up front and center, doesn't overpower anything with the guitars and banjos. I particularly enjoyed this album with my headphones on, hearing all of the quiet little instrument breaks hiding strategically in the background. 

 
This is one of those albums that just hit me at the right time with songs that I could relate to, a very comforting album for me. All these songs sound very personal and full of emotion. I enjoyed this album so much that I’m a little nervous to even try their previous material, scared that it will ruin my initial impression. 

 

Pearl Jam - Lightning Bolt

Growing up in the 90's, I am always eager to hear some new music from PJ. Some think that they will never top vs, Vitology or Ten, but I feel that they have only been improving with time. Backspacer was my top pick up until hearing Lightning Bolt. Full of power and aggression in songs like Mind Your Manners.... and still managing to tame it down nicely with songs like Sirens. 

 
But enough about the music check out the CD packaging! It has a nice hard cover CD case with great liner notes. The spine stands out nicely on my CD shelf as well. Seems that CD’s have really been upping the quality of packaging to compete with digital sales and I'm enjoying it.

 

 

A few honorable mentions:

 
 

Matthew Good – Arrows of Desire

I've always respected Matthew Good music but would never have called myself a fan. After hearing Arrows of Desire, I’m definitely now a fan. Matt really through together ten great songs with not a single weak one on the album. And the singing, man he nailed the vocals on this album, his voice is full of power and it just sounds loud. Sounds like one of those people who couldn’t sing softly if he tried, but he does try, and succeeds! This album really sounded different to me than any of his prior releases. Not being a huge admirer of his earlier material, I'm curious to hear what fans of his past albums think of this release.


Pup – Pup

A young punk rock band from Toronto, Pup is a more aggressive than I am used to lately but I still thought it was a very solid album. It reminded me a bit of Japandroids with their screaming, chanting type lyrics backed with loads of distortion and fast loose drumming. They sure got my attention and I think that this debut release will pave their way to a successful career.