Three-Sentence Review: John Newman is a singer, songwriter, and producer, and his first solo album, Tribute, is a stunner. The retro sound, the Northern Soul sensibilities, the Motown influences, and the modern dance energy is contagious and addictive, and the best way to kick off a New Year of music. I love the addition of the horns, trumpets and strings, too!
Initial Favorite Track(s): Cheating, Love Me Again and Easy
Rating (1-5 Stars): 4.5
Cheating
Love Me Again
Easy
Wig Out at Jagbags :: Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks
Three-Sentence Review: I feel like it’s the 90’s again when I listen to this album! At times I feel like I’m back there listening to my Pavement albums, and at other times I feel like I’ve rented a place in Laurel Canyon and invited Stephen and the Jicks to come in and play with the ghosts of the music that was made there “once upon a musical time“, and look (listen), it sounds like they brought along Sonic Youth, too. This is definitely a driving around Los Angeles album, listening to the great stories in the songs.
Initial Favorite Track(s): Lariat, Houston Hades and Cinnamon and Lesbians
Rating (1-5 Stars): 4
Lariat
Cinnamon and Lesbians