the National : "First Two Pages of Frankenstein"

There are albums I measure an artist by. For this band it's "Trouble Will Find Me". Up to this point it feels like the band has not tapped into the same depth of feeling. That has changed with this album. The vocals are more memorable and melodies weave complex webs of melancholy around everything. Granted this album has nothing really to do with Frankenstein like the title suggest. Instead they have written some thoughtful songs, that are introspective , but still go somewhere. Matt's sullen baritone remains understated but with impeccable phrasing as the lyrics bounce off the music around him. Sufjan Stevens contribution of harmony vocals to the opening track, sits back in the mix. They indulge the kind of musings that play to their sonic strengths that border familiar territory without sounding stagnant. 

Phoebe Bridgers joins them on "This Isn't Helping" . Her voice cuts through more than Stevens did. She feels like more of a working part of the song. They pick up the tempo to a marginally poppier pace for "Tropic Morning News". This album sounds great and it's impressive they produced it it themselves. "Alien" coasts along an easy going middle road, that makes me think kids today will feel this is like the Barry Manilow of their day. It lacks the offensive edge that makes rock music dangerous, and makes this to casually play in a suburban coffee shop. I can also hear how this sits sonically not far from say the War on Drugs, when the smooth guitar solo comes in. They are so flowing in what they do it is hard to fault them. "the Alcott" which brings in Taylor Swift, is poised to expose a whole new generation to a while new kind of music, though to be fair it is not far from what Tay Tay does on "Folklore". How could anyone not see this coming. 

"Grease in Your Hair" required multiple listens before the subtlety of the writing caught up with me. The more folk flow of "Ice Machines" was another song that took time to sink in. Matt is singing up close to the mic in almost a whisper. There is more to the ballad "Your Mind is Not Your Friend" which Phoebe Bridgers returns for. Her vocals play a lesser role in this song. The pleading reflection of "Send for Me" hovers by with an intangible breeze of sound. I will give this album a 9.5, and see how it grows on me. The easy listening mood of the album brings heavy replay value, but there is a uniformity to the beige shades the songs are colored with. 

boygenius : "the Record"

 

Well Taylor Swift said these girls are her favorite new band, so I figured I would check them out. It also helps that at the center of this trio Phoebe Bridgers, who I am already a fan of. The first single I heard, was more dream pop than how this album kicks off. It is a little more indie rock on "$20". There is a hazy ambiance to what they do. "Emily I'm Sorry" feels almost like a Bridgers solo track. Lucy Dacus takes over on the smooth sailing of "True Blue". It hovers with a relaxed submersing it. "Cool About it" is not a Paul Simon cover, but it is so inspired by him it might as be well one. The harmonies are pretty airtight. 

"Not Strong Enough" finds Bridgers rightfully moving to the forefront of the sound. This album is driven by stellar songwriting that leaves enough for all three women, and the project itself is supposed to show how they can work together without competing. Their sounds all blend in a very organic fashion and leave room, for everyone involved, Bridgers is just the most compelling presence, so she shines through. "Revolution 0" is pretty much just a Phoebe song. The other two come across more like backup singers. It seems to be about kicking heroin. Using headphones there is a wider depth to the layers of harmonies. 

Dacus seems to be the second most powerful writer in this trio. "Leonard Cohen" is more of a folk song. It is not as urgent of a song. "Satanist" is most rocking song, so far but far from having a hard rock edge of any kind. It builds it's groove as it progresses. One odd thing about the album is that for the project to be focused on women creating without having to explain themselves, how heavily influence it is by male singers. "We're in Love" is clearly compelled by Jeff Buckley. Earlier in the album they made no bones about Paul Simon, and Leonard Cohen. I also hear touches of Elliot Smith sprinkled throughout. The Julien Baker penned "Anti-Curse" is more of a rocker, and by rocker I mean the desperation of 90s alternative music. 

"Letter to an Old Poet" is softer more reflective ballad that might be about her relationship with Ryan Adams. There is something lyrical cutting about the tone . I will give this album a 9.5, for what they do it is going to be a hard one to beat, despite the fact the mood and focus of some of the more introspective moments hits the brakes a little hard at times, I will see how it grows on me with time. 

the Metallica Blacklist- pt 6- "Nothing else Matters"

 There are 12 covers of this song, that is ridiculous. That is an entire album of people covering this. There are four really strong versions, the other eight are pointless. The first solid one is from Phoebe Bridgers. If you are regular reader of this blog then you know I am a fan, there are a couple people who also cover this that I am a bigger fan of, but she is one of the four best on here, even if it is not the most powerful vocal version. The version that follows is going to be the most recognized and get the most airplay it is also one of the best. It is from Miley Cyrus. Sure she shows her ass a lot, it is a nice enough ass, so i appreciate that but she can sing her fucking pantiles off, so should not be judged by how she carries herself in the public eye. She almost has an unfair advantage as Miley has been doing this song live for over a year. Se I told you , don't judge her. This might be the best version though one other version is neck to neck with her, we will get to it soon enough. 

I love Depeche Mode, but Dave Gahan's version of the song sucks. There is no emotion or shit to it. Mickey Guyton, who is a big deal because she is a black country singer, offers up something that is like a sound track for a CW show or at least the dramatic conclusion, she doesn't come close to Mliey as is very generic.  Speaking of generic Dermot Kennedy , goes through the motions in what might have worked on a show like the Voice, as he sings the right notes , perhaps too right with little balls. Chilean singer proves she is better at getting naked to shock people  than covering Metallica.  What works for Miley only works when you do it right. Russian pianist Igor Levit, is talented and does a good job with what does which is a solo piano version , but did we need another ? 

My Morning Jacket's version works as they retain a firm hold on what they do, but you can tell what song this is , other artists tried to give their spin on these songs and it just did not work as well, they are also better song writers than those artists too, so there is that. Until the wimpy male vocals come in PG Roxettes version almost works. Darius Rucker's version is well Darius Rucker, who has been pumping out stale from the box radio trash since the 90s, so he has that in common with Metallica I guess. 

Chris Stapleton is the only artist who rivals Miley's version, in both passion and vocal power. I wish he put this kinda feel into his more recent material. He simply kills this , this is only the second time I have felt it has been a tie. Oh yeah some lame bastard called Tresor sucks a dick while trying to do the song.    

the Top 10 Folk & Country Albums of 2020

Feeling depressed? Need a soundtrack to sitting outside by yourself ? This year's current crop of folk albums provided that. As with years past I sort through the genre lists before making the overall top ten of the year list. I know many of you are ready for 2020 to be over with. Hate to break it to you but nothing is getting better next year. As far as 2020 goes for folk and country  there were artists perhaps new to this blog, but not much in the way of new artists debuting anything note worthy enough to make the list. The  fact these artists made it on the list speaks to how great these albums are, so it's not a slight that the number 8 album is above the 9th album, there is something that just gives it an edge that makes me want to listen to it more. After all we can try to look cool and pick the hippest bands for a list, but at the end of the day what makes an album the best is that it makes you want more, you look forward to listening to it again. Sure you can bitch and complain about your favorite band not being on the list. However I listen to five new albums a day so yes I heard your favorite album and was not impressed. No I do not care what you think about it .I do hope you can find your next favorite on this list and have included links to reviews of these albums if you want to check out audio on these guys. Anyways here are the top 10 folk and country albums of 2020

10-Myrkur- "Folksange" 

 This is almost more of an honorable mention. Gone were all trapping of her black metal past. I mean she was half way there on her previous album, this one just finds her all in with a  more Northern European style of folk. She is better at it than most.

 https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/03/myrkur-folksange.html 

 

9- Ataraxia- "Quasar" 

 Nothing short of spell binding. It's a blend of folk with a fey like atmosphere not unlike the Cocteau Twins. Their lead singer's voice is almost operatic. This album I could leave on and let play.

 https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/08/ataraxia-quasar.html

 

8-King Dude- "Full Virgo Moon" 

He goes in a more introspective , almost Death In June like realm of atmospheric folk that is more introspective than this flirtations with a darker post punk sound. It shows another side of his voice that I like. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/03/king-dude-full-virgo-moon.html

7-Brendan Perry - "Songs of Disenchantment" 

This is not Dead Can Dance, but I will always take a solo album from him. He went wit ha selection of underground Greek folk songs . This turned out to be much more gangsta than anticipated. All the songs are about smoking drugs , women and running from the cops. At 61 he is still going hard. 

 https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/12/brendan-perry-songs-of-disenchantment.html

 

6-Sturgill Simpson- "Cutting Grass"

 Simpson worked some of his songs into bluegrass versions , that makes them feel almost like new songs all together. This shows he is the real deal country , so if "Sound & Fury" was your jam then , this might not be for you as the pickin and grinnin is legit here.

 https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/12/sturgill-simpson-cutting-grass.html 

 


5-Mark Lanegan- "Songs of Sorrow"

Another solo effort from the former Screaming Trees front man. Not rock enough to be grunge, but more rock than most other folk albums put out this year as he still has a rock n roll soul. An unmistakable voice , fans of any of his other endeavors should make sure not to miss out on this one.

 https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/04/mark-lanegan-straight-songs-of-sorrow.html

 

4- AA Williams- " Forever Blue"

More melancholy than other singers she fell behind. More atmospheric than her peers , she is not content with just putting out a folk album and follows in the foots steps of artists like Chelsea Wolfe by even weaving in elements of metal. 

 https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/07/aa-williams-forever-blue.html

3-Chris Stapleton- 'Starting Over" 

Not the best album of his career . He begins to settle into a more tried and true formula and shows' off his pipes less. With that said even when he dials it in Chris is able to put out an album that most still can not come close to and continues to dominate country music. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/11/chris-stapleton-starting-over.html

2-Phobe Bridgers- "Punisher"   

She goes beyond the sonic spectrum of conventional folk, but has dressed it up in gorgeous melancholy. Her voice is fragile , but drips with honest beauty. It was a real close call between this and the number one album.

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/07/phoebe-bridgers-punisher.html

1-Waxahatchee- "Saint Cloud" 

This album is in the running for album of the year. She has a unique that she throws around with a great deal of feeling. Her song writing is far beyond the bounds of being just amazing in terms of how she weaves melodies together. Infectious but something to say. Story telling that is left open for you to relate to . She can do not wrong here.  

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https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/05/waxahatchee-saint-cloud.html

Phoebe Bridgers : Punisher"

Here is another moody female folk crooner, though one that is at the top of their peers in terms of both buzz and quality. She does not just wallow in introspection making some pretty moving indie rock on the second song to contrast the more internalized opener. The title track however and haunts with less in terms of melodies to hook you in. Not to say there is not depth and feeling to the more ghostly approach it just require a certain mood to ingest.  The narraitve of " Halloween" is a little more direct, thus balancing out the ambiance. She balances out creating wonderful songs with making empassioned songs on "Chinese Satillite".

"Moon Song" finds the ambiance swelling with her melody floating against it in the kind of balancing that she pulls off better than most. Due to the languid tone of this song and many of the others before it I think I would have to be in a certain mood to get a great deal of rotation out of this though I can see this growing on me. In the comments about this album on Bandcamp one fan said it was the perfect album for her to hit bottom to. I can hear where that might be true. There is a very fragile vulnerability to the lyrics. "Savior Complex" follows the rules of conventional song writing . It is good for what it is but I do npot feel like it plays to her strengths.

The sense of movement to "ICU" breaks up the mood the album was setting. I can also hear a subtle country influence coloring it. This country vibe is pushed even further on "Graceland Too" . As a song however 'ICU' is stronger, for as we have seen before when she plays by the rules of conventional songwriting she gives away a little of her power. " She balances the two sides of what she does , the more experimental one with the ability to write more accessible songs when she wants as she closes the album with " I Know the End" . It digs into the wide range of dynamics she is capable of while staying to the sedate breathy tone she normally sings with.  I will round this up to a 9.5 as it's a beautiful album heavy on melancholy and expresses a desperate longing of the inward kind. Out on Dead Oceans.