reviews 2020
Wire Mind Hive
On their 17th album, Mind Hive. the British art punks of Wire are still re-imagining their sound. The group's first three albums from the late 1970s are widely considered classics: Pink Flag, Chairs Missing, and 1 5 4. Each fleshed out a different sonic approach ("pure punk minimalist attack, expanding sound and full on syth pop," respectively according to Jim DeRogatis). Since then Wire has been taking apart those elements and reassembling them in different ways. Now Jim hears them nodding to groups that were influenced by those early albums like The Feelies. Greg says if Samuel Beckett were a band, he would be these guys, dryly narrating the end of the world.
Torres Silver Tongue
This week, Jim and Greg review the new release from indie singer-songwriter Torres. Silver Tongue is Torres's fourth album, but she's no stranger to Sound Opinions, having been a guest on the show back in 2015. Greg loves this album and how Torres blends synths with finger picking guitar. She also ups the hook quotient in her writing, making for a great record. Jim agrees, and loves Torres's literary, lyrical tone. They both find her genuine and transparent songs to be refreshing and enjoyable.
Drive-By Truckers American Band
Drive-By Truckers have been at it since 1998, but on their 12th studio album, The Unraveling, Jim and Greg agree they‘ve found something new to say. Coming three and a half years after their“most political album,”2016’s American Band, The Unraveling goes all-in on topical songwriting in a way the Truckers have never attempted before. Jim says the effort works because songwriters Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley focus first on the victims of the current political climate and let that animate their writing. Greg points out a sub-group of songs that focus on characters who feel like they're fugitives in their own country: "Rosemary with a Bible and a Gun," "Armageddon's Back in Town" and "Slow Ride Argument." Jim calls "Thoughts and Prayers" an earworm with an insideous hook.
Beach Slang The Deadbeat Bang of Heartbreak City
The latest album from Pennsylvania punk rock band Beach Slang is called The Deadbeat Bang of Heartbreak City. Led by James Alex, Beach Slang has had a number of members since its creation in 2013. This new album showcases Alex's devotion to the band The Replacements, with similar sonic elements, vocals and lyrics. Jim likes what the band is doing and enjoys the record. Greg finds it to be a bit too derivative and enjoys the more instrumental, original songs.