Broncho, Bad Behavior

Broncho, Bad Behavior

Bouncing along over infectious dance beats, Ryan Lyndsey and his band deliver simple, catchy, sexy post-punk pop songs about scandalous behavior. Perfect for night-time city listening, this Oklahoma band’s 4th album is a cycle of songs revolving around the misdeeds we all do. Their approach to Bad Behavior ranges from cheeky and playful, to sincere and repentant, but there’s probably more of the former. This is a fun, tightly constructed album, which takes its rhythmic cues from the Talking Heads and melodic cues from the Beach Boys, with a punk-informed undercurrent of badassery. Highlights: “Family Values,” “Boys Got To Go,” “Keep It In Line”

Comments

Richard Thompson, 13 Rivers

Richard Thompson , 13 Rivers Richard Thompson — 13 Rivers Arguably the most consistently engaging artist of the last 50 years, Richard Thompson continues to write deep, dark folk-rock songs with an acerbic wit married to a soft, calm wisdom. This new album isn’t widely divergent from his established catalogue but miraculously Thompson, who was already a guitar hero in the 1970s, still manages to grow as a guitarist and sound fresh. Working highly intricate riffs into the undergirding of each song’s frame, he also solos on every song and as usual, his virtuosity remains connected to the music, always moving the songs forward rather than grandstanding. Plus, Thompson’s one of a kind voice only deepens in resonance over time. Highlights: “Trying,” “O Cinderella,” “Bones of Gilead”

Santigold, I Don’t Want: The Gold Fire Sessions

Santigold , I Don’t Want: The Gold Fire Sessions Philly-based rennaisance woman Santi White’s latest release is full of ridiculously catchy tunes, most of them bright, melodic pop songs undergirded by rhythms of myriad inspirations, but especially dancehall and dub. White’s voice delights in her upper ranges and bounces along with such day-glo radiance, it’s all the more satisfying when you realize the songs have both depth and lyrical dexterity, and that the music underneath is so intricately rich. This album is technically a mixtape — in the rap sense of the word, not the cassette compilations Gen X-ers made — rather than an album; there’ll be no singles, no push to make it commercially successful, she’s just releasing songs for free to get recognition. That doesn’t stop it from being one of the very best pop records of the year. Highlights: “Coo Coo Coo,” “Valley of the Dolls,” “Crashing Your Party”

Courntey Marie Andrews, May Your Kidness Remain

Courntey Marie Andrews, May Your Kidness Remain This young old soul sings simple songs of timeless wisdom that could have been delivered in any genre; Courtney Marie Andrews has chosen folk-country stylings with some indie pop flavorings. The Phoenix-born Andrews has a voice that rings out clear and sonorous and heartfelt, and leaves the twang to the guitars. The first two songs are sheer perfection and at least half the songs approach it; she’s at her strongest when she’s extolling the core virtues of her message — love, kindness and self-awareness. Highlight: “May Your Kindness Remain,” “Lift the Lonely from My Heart,” “This House”

Album Reviews by Stefan Wenger

Search This Blog