Kvadrat, "Αποκοπή"
This is from Ψυχική Αποσύνθεση, the EP released in 2021 from this Greek black metal band. Here's what I know about them:
- They're Greek.
- They released this on the magnificent Total Dissonance Worship label out of Portland, who have quickly become one of my favorite labels.
- That's it.
This is the stuff, though - unpredictable and relentless black metal where I cannot understand anything that's going on, but do not care at all. I cannot even verbally recommend this to anybody, I haven't the foggiest how any of that would be pronounced. I suppose I can fake the band's name. Anyway, I hope they release a full-length at some point!
Forth Wanderers, "Not For Me"
I'm sure I picked this up because it came out on Sub Pop and was looking at release lists from them. I know I listened to it a couple times back then and then haven't touched it since. It's pretty good, but I'm not sure I find it all that memorable. I suppose it's not for me? I guess I should have just read the song title?
Calexico, "Wash"
The first Calexico record (Spoke) found the band sounding unmistakably like Calexico: the accordion, the brushes, the languid songs, and the lovely singing. They would continually refine things, and even on the next record would have a pretty big jump forward, but if you're a fan, you can go all the way back to the beginning and will find plenty to enjoy.
Robert Johnson, "When You Got A Good Friend"
I will never feel like more of a fraud than when I try and write about someone like Johnson, a titanic figure in music that I'm just not qualified to talk about in any way. If I write anything substantive here, it'll subtract from the world's body of knowledge. So, enjoy! I'm a bozo!
Son Volt, "L Train"
Jay Farrar re-formed Son Volt in 2005, and The Search was the second album to come out of that reformation, and it continued from the strength of Okemah and the Melody of Riot. While not as good as that record, there are plenty of highlights on it, such as this tune. While Farrar is creating richer compositions as of this album, the basic pleasure here is the same as going back to the Uncle Tupelo days, of hearing a good country song that's also not reactionary.