Released in 1971 on Curtom Records Format: LP
Tag: Lyrical
Sandro Perri – Impossible Spaces
Released in 2011 on Constellation Records Format: LP
Digable Planets – Blowout Comb
Originally released in 1994 2013 Light In the Attic Reissue Format: LPx2
Ought – Sun Coming Down
There is a certain beauty just to being alive, and Ought make it their mission to find it through raw rock n’ roll that veers seamlessly between upbeat post-punk, meditative feedback drones, dramatic ballads, and cathartic guitar freak outs.
Recommended for fans of post-punk that blends the moodiness of Joy Division, Iceage, and Television with the experimentation and noisiness of This Heat and No Wave.
Built to Spill – Perfect From Now On
M. Ward – End of Amnesia
Released in 2001 on Future Farmer Records Format: LPx2, 45rpm
The Antlers – Burst Apart
Released in 2011 on Frenchkiss Records Format: LP
A Tribe Called Quest – The Low End Theory
Originally released in 1991 on Jive Records 2000s reissue Format: LPx2
Joni Mitchell – Hejira
Released in 1976 on Asylum Records Format: LP
Quasimoto – The Unseen
Released in 2000 on Stones Throw Records Format: LPx2
Efrim Manuel Menuck & Kevin Doria – “are SING SINCK, SING”
Released in 2019 on Constellation Records Format: 12″ EP
Radiohead – In Rainbows
Originally released digitally in 2007 2008 pressing on TBD Records Format: LP
Edith Frost – Calling Over Time
Released in 1997 on Drag City Records Format: LP
Modest Mouse – The Moon & Antarctica
Originally released in 2000 on Epic Records 2010 Repress Format: LPx2
Van Morrison – Veedon Fleece
Bert Jansch – Moonshine
Released in 1973 on Warner Bros. Records Format: LP
Father John Misty – I Love You, Honeybear
Released in 2015 on Sub Pop Records Format: LPx2 Deluxe edition Overview Josh Tillman is an open book; while his … More
Sufjan Stevens – Illinois
Released in 2005 on Asthmatic Kitty Records Format: LPx2 Listen: Purchase: https://asthmatickitty.com/merch/illinois/
Bright Eyes – Cassadaga
Released in 2007 on Saddle Creek Records Format: LPx2
The National – Sleep Well Beast
Released in 2017 on 4AD Records Format: LPx2, Blue Vinyl
Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-La-La Band – 13 Blues for Thirteen Moons
Released in 2008 on Constellation Records Format: LPx2
Sufjan Stevens – Carrie & Lowell
Released in 2015 on Asthmatic Kitty Records Format: LP, clear vinyl First Pressing, limited to 10,000 copies
Gastr Del Sol – Mirror Repair
Released in 1994 by Drag City Format: 12″ EP, 45rpm
Iron & Wine – The Shepherd’s Dog
Released in 2007 on Sub Pop Records Format: LP
Bright Eyes – LIFTED or The Story is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground
Released in 2002 on Saddle Creek Records Format: LPx2
Bill Callahan – Sometimes I Wish We Were an Eagle
Released in 2009 on Drag City Records Format: LP
Smog – Knock Knock
Released in 1999 on Drag City Records Format: LP
Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes [+ Sun Giant EP]
Released in 2008 on Sub Pop Records Produces by Phil Ek Format: LP + 12″ EP
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young – Déjà vu
Released in 1970 on Atlantic Records South African Pressing Format: LP Recommended Tracks Our House (B2), Helpless (A4), Carry On … More
The Incredible String Band – The Hangman’s Beautiful Daughter
Released in 1968 on Elektra Records Format: LP
Cat Power – Moon Pix
Released in 1998 on Matador Records Reissue Format: LP
Viktor Vaughn – Vaudeville Villain
Originally Released in 2003 on Sound-Ink 2019 15th Anniversary Edition Format: LPx2, Silver Vinyl, Mirrored Jacket
Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra and Tra-La-La Band – Horses in the Sky
Released in 2005 on Constellation Records Format: LPx2, etching on D-side
Magnolia Electric Co. – What Comes After the Blues
“Human hearts and pain should never be separate, then they wouldn’t tear themselves apart both trying to fit”. The first album under the Magnolia Electric Co. name touches on the loneliness and depression of much of Jason Molina’s work, but it also contains a fair amount of the hope, light, and perseverance one needs in times of struggle. The musicians here were recorded live in a room by the great Steve Albini, featuring slide guitar, fiddle, and beautiful vocal harmonies from Molina’s band members. With its mix of melancholy Americana, country-tinged rock, and stripped back folk, What Comes After the Blues feels like a continuation of Neil Young’s great ditch trilogy.
Aesop Rock – Labor Days
Released in 2001 on Definitive Jux Original Pressing Format: LPx2
Bibio – Ribbons
On his latest, producer/composer/multi-instrumentalist Bibio blends serene folk pop, lush instrumentation, pastoral guitar instrumentals, nature field recordings, Walt Whitman-esque lyrics and beat-oriented grooves into the perfectly crafted springtime album. Ribbons feels like daydreaming in a garden or out in the woods under a tree or by a trickling stream.
The Incredible String Band – The Big Huge
Warm, mellow Scottish folk with lyrics that border spiritual, philosophical, and fantasy themes. The arrangements are a bit stripped down from their lush psychedelia of previous releases, but still feature a good amount of sitar, organ, Irish harp, and violin to add some color to the vocals and acoustic guitar-centric songwriting.
King Crimson – In the Court of the Crimson King
Released in 1969 on Atlantic Format: LP Pressing quality: While this album is a masterpiece, these early pressings/masters sound a … More
Slint – Spiderland
Released in 1991 on Touch and Go Records 2000’s pressing Format: LP
The Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-La-La Band with Choir – “This is Our Punk-Rock,” Thee Rusted Satellites Gather + Sing
Released in 2004 on Constellation Records Format: LPx2
The Incredible String Band – Wee Tam
Released on Elektra in 1968 Format: LP Track Notes A1 – Jobs Tears (Uplifting, Morning, Spiritual) “Stranger than that we’re alive” … More
Sufjan Stevens – Michigan
Released in 2003 on Asthmatic Kitty Records Format: LPx2
Love – Forever Changes
Originally released in 1967 on Elektra 2012 Rhino Pressing, cut from original analogue masters Format: LP
Exuma – Exuma
Exuma’s first album is a powerful and ritualistic masterpiece of spiritual folk from the Bahamas. Exuma, the Obeah Man, is a master storyteller and preacher, sharing visions, myths, and prayers. His expressive, soulful voice takes on many tones as he delivers his musical sermons, from smooth to raspy, soft to confident. A group of singers, percussionists, whistlers, and toads join him and his acoustic guitar, making me imagine them all circled around a large fire in communal worship and grateful that they let us listeners in on it.
Leonard Cohen – Songs of Leonard Cohen
Released in 1967 on Columbia Records Format: LP
Van Morrison – Moondance
Syd Barrett – The Madcap Laughs
Released in 1970 on Harvest Records 2014 Pressing Format: LP
Grizzly Bear – Yellow House
Released in 2006 on Warp Records 2012 Pressing Format: LPx2, 180g, 45rpm
David Grubbs – The Thicket
On experimental musician/author/professor David Grubb’s first album as singer-songwriter, he synthesizes technical bluegrass banjo and fingerstyle acoustic guitar playing with imaginative arrangements, abrupt stylistic shifts, philosophical questioning lyrics, improvisation, drones, and an eclectic cast of musicians, including drummer John McEntire (Tortoise, The Sea and Cake), bassist Josh Abrams (Natural Information Society), and drone violinist Tony Conrad.
Pentangle – Cruel Sister
Released in 1970 on Transatlantic Format: LP Original UK pressing
Van Morrison – Astral Weeks
Released in 1968 on Warner Bros.
Songs: Ohia – Ghost Tropic
Marriages – Salome
Released in 2015 on Sargent House
Madvillain – Madvillainy
Released on Stones Throw in 2004 2006 repress Format: LPx2
Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy & Bitchin Bajas – Epic Jammers and Fortunate Little Ditties
A far cry from the sparse folk usually recorded by Will Oldham, “Epic Jammers and Fortunate Little Ditties” finds his intimate voice and warbly acoustic guitar enveloped by the cosmic drones, blooming synths, airy flutes, and hypnotic tape loops of Chicago new age trio, Bitchin Bajas. The lyrics are essentially fortune cookie mantras and, while there’s a chance they’re tongue-in-cheek, it’s difficult not to smile and feel a brightening of the spirit when hearing uplifting phrases like “Your hard work is about to pay off, keep on keepin’ on” or “you and your whole family are well” get repeated over and over. This collaboration is a soothing, heartwarming listen and a refreshing change-of-pace from Oldham’s tendency towards melancholy and solemn lyrical content.
Tim Buckley – Goodbye and Hello
Freddie Gibbs & Madlib – Piñata
Released in 2014 on Stones Throw Format: LPx2
Holy Sons – In the Garden
After 20+ years of using his introspective songwriting as a playground for psychedelic lo-fi experimentation, underdog hero Emil Amos hands the production reins to John Angello (Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr.) for his most polished album yet, capturing the best aspects of 70’s rock classics without ever feeling cliché. The hi-fi analogue production brings a newfound clarity and depth that allows Amos’ songwriting and instrumental performances to bloom; the choruses are anthemic, the atmospheres are darkly psychedelic, and his lyrics are just as philosophical and contemplative as ever.
Tim Buckley – Happy Sad
Released in 1969 on Elektra Records Format: LP
Gene Clark – No Other
No Other is a masterpiece of Cosmic Americana from Gene Clark (Ex-Byrds). Here his amazing songwriting is complemented by lush instrumentation, psychedelic production, and grandiose choir arrangements.
Bert Jansch – L.A. Turnaround
Originally released in 1974 2018 Earth Records Pressing Digitally Remastered Format: LP
Young Jesus – The Whole Thing is Just There
The Whole Thing is Just There is another beautiful and life-affirming release from Young Jesus, the second with the current L.A. iteration of the band. Their inter-band chemistry seems stronger than ever, with telepathic improvisations, symbiotic catharses, and a mutual love for each other that is easily felt from a listener’s perspective. The lyrics deal with self-exploration and one’s relationship with the world around them, finding solace in spirituality, existentialism, literature, and the ethos of free jazz. Stylistically the music seems rooted in late-90’s indie rock and emo, with seamless but adventurous detours into post-rock, noisy post-hardcore, and free improvisation. Excited to see where these guys go next.
Julia Holter – Aviary
Released in 2018 on Domino Records Format: LPx2 Includes 12″x12″ glossy lyric and photo booklet Track Listing *A1 – Turn … More
Mount Eerie – Now Only
Released in 2018 on P.W. Elverum & Sun Records Format: LP
The Body – I Have Fought Against It, But I Can’t Any Longer
Released in 2018 on Thrill Jockey Records Format: LPx2, Metallic Silver Vinyl
Mary Halvorson – Code Girl
Richard Dawson – Peasant
Released in 2017 on Domino Records Format: LPx2
Bob Dylan – More Blood, More Tracks: The Bootleg Series Vol. 14
Released in 2018 on Columbia Records Recorded September and December, 1974
Eric Chenaux – Slowly Paradise
Eric Chenaux’s gentle falsetto is the most constant, tangible element on an album characterized by a permanent state of flux. The guitars are warbly and unsteady with their fluctuating tones, volume, and pitch. Yet, despite their experimental nature, they never sound abrasive and, together with some mellow Wurlitzer, create a soft, pillowy environment for Chenaux’s romantic crooning about the nature of love, the moon, and warm nights.
Palace Brothers – Palace Brothers
Robert Wyatt – Rock Bottom
Released in 1974 on Virgin Records Original U.S. Pressing, Promo Copy
Roy Harper – Stormcock
Deerhunter – Halcyon Digest
Released in 2010 on 4AD Records Format: LP, white vinyl
Songs: Ohia – Didn’t It Rain (Deluxe Edition)
Originally released in 2002 on Secretly Canadian 2014 deluxe reissue Format: LPx2 (full album on first LP and demos on … More
D’Angelo & the Vanguard – Black Messiah
Released in 2014 on RCA Records Format: LPx2 Includes 12″x12″ lyric booklet
lojii – lofeye
Categorization and comparison are the least of lojii’s worries, instead prioritizing creative expression and finding spiritual truth and power in this dimly lit dystopia. He delivers his prophetic words with a focused, unwavering determination, while the beats are gritty and nocturnal with their open percussion, eerie synths, and negative space. Don’t miss out on this one.
Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues
Released in 2011 on Sub Pop Records Produced by Phil Ek and Fleet Foxes Format: LPx2 Includes large foldout poster
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds – Skeleton Tree
On this mournful offering, Cave’s poetic reflections on loss, longing, and loneliness slowly float down a river of gloomy synth drones, somber strings, and sparse piano. While not exactly uplifting, the album has a sense of peace and beauty that continues up through the repeating final refrain, “and it’s alright now”.
Irreversible Entanglements – Irreversible Entanglements
“Four relentless bouts of inspired fire music forged from the true spirit of free jazz, driven by searing poetic narrations of Black trauma, survival and power” (from press release)
Click for review
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds – Murder Ballads
Originally released in 1995 on Mute Records 2015 Pressing
Damien Jurado – Brothers and Sisters of the Eternal Son
Lushly cinematic folk-rock draped in sweeping string arrangements and spacey synth atmospheres. Damien’s reverbed falsetto recalls Jim James (My Morning Jacket) and Bon Iver as he softly sings of God, “spaceships”, and other imagery blending Christian themes with science-fiction.
For fans of My Morning Jacket, Band of Horses, and Beck’s Sea Change
Neil Young – On the Beach
Neil Young with Crazy Horse – Live Rust
Neil Young – A Letter Home
Neil Young – Decade
Neil Young with Crazy Horse – Everybody Knows This is Nowhere
Bright Eyes – I’m Wide Awake It’s Morning
Talk Talk – Spirit of Eden
Released in 1988 on Parlophone Records 2012 Pressing
Joanna Newsom – Ys
Released in 2006 on Drag City Records Format: LPx2
Port St. Willow – Syncope
Released in 2015 on People Teeth Format: LP
Broken Social Scene – You Forgot It In People
Released in 2002 on Arts & Crafts Records Format: LPx2
A Storm of Light – And We Wept the Black Ocean Within
Grizzly Bear – Veckatimest
Neil Young – After the Gold Rush
Billie Holiday – Billie’s Blues
Information Released in 1973 on Columbia Records Recorded between 1936-1958
Poliça – United Crushers
Poliça’s brooding, atmospheric trip-hop/synth pop consists of the passionately dynamic vocals (from co-leader/lyricist Channy Leaneagh), prominent, groovy basslines, driving double drums, and occasional string and horn arrangements all run through effects and mapped into intricate, quantized webs of programmed beats and synthesizers by co-leader/producer Ryan Olsen. Lyrically, the album centers around themes of isolation, fading love, and even addressing on police violence on “Wedding”.
For fans of Portishead, The Knife
Joan Baez – Come From the Shadows
“What I’m asking you to do is take some risks. Stop paying war taxes, refuse the armed forces, organize against the air war, support the strikes and boycotts of farmers, workers and poor people, analyze the flag salute, give up the nation state, share your money, refuse to hate, be willing to work…in short, sisters and brothers, arm up with love and come from the shadows”
Bob Dylan – The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan
Information: Originally released in 1963 on Columbia This pressing was released in 2001 on Sundazed records Format: LP, 180g, Mono
Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here
John Martyn – Solid Air
British singer-songwriter John Martyn fuses folk, jazz, and psychedelic experimentation to create an album that is both eclectic and cohesive, tied together by his flowing voice and virtuosic acoustic guitar fingerpicking.
FFO Van Morrison, Joni Mitchell, Ryley Walker