IDLES, Joy As An Act Of Resistance

IDLES, Joy As An Act Of Resistance

This British band’s sophomore album is a thunderous display of riotous leftist punk about the power of sensitivity, vulnerability and self-love. Their rousing anthems of unity often recall Operation Ivy but Idles is louder and harsher and embraces the tropes of punk’s more aggressive edges — all in service to creating safe space for people to feel their feelings and nurture themselves. (More than one song specifically urges the importance of crying). Idles were originally considered a post-punk band but they’ve continually peeled back layers of cleverness and charm, to get bolder, ballsier and more earnest as their music has gotten rowdier. Much of it is angry, much of it is feel-good music, much of it is funny, and a remarkable portion of it is all three at the same time. One song, “June,” is heart-wrenchingly sad; the real life tragedy of frontman Joe Talbot’s daughter dying during birth makes the profoundly uplifting energy of Joy As An Act Of Resistance all the more remarkable. This band dives into some dark territory, but you’ll wind up feeling inspired and exhilarated. Highlights: “Danny Nedelko,” “Television,” “Colossus”

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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”

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”

Fantastic Negrito, Please Don’t Be Dead

Fantastic Negrito , Please Don’t Be Dead With the sophomore effort of the third incarnation of Xavier Dphrepaulezz’s musical career, the eccentric bluesman surges ahead on a wave of confidence bestowed by the long-sought success of his 2017 release The Last Days of Oakland. This album is one of a kind; blues is Fantastic Negrito’s homebase, but for the purposes of this album it’s simply springboard to a fantastically diverse array of sounds. From soulful paeans of resistance, to all-out rockers with theatrical guitar wigouts, to off-kilter grunge progressions, to anthemic chanting in exotic scales, Dphrepaulezz is unpredictable and impossible to pin down. Sometimes the only things tying the album together are the progressive message and the personal mojo of its artist, but that’s all it needs. Highlights: “A Letter To Fear,” “A Boy Named Andrew,” “A Cold November Street”

Album Reviews by Stefan Wenger

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