New Release Tuesday :: My Top 5 :: December 2, 2014

1. Classics :: She & Him

Three-Sentence Review: This may not be a “holiday” album, but there is something about this album that is so perfect for December. Perhaps it is the “classic” feel of Classics that makes it feel like it should be in a 30’s or 40’s movie, playing in the background at the Inn in White Christmas, or as one of the songs that George and Mary dance to when they were first falling in love in It’s a Wonderful Life. I’ve been a fan of M. Ward for a long time now, and have always enjoyed his work with Zooey with She & Him – this release does not disappoint and may just be my favorite album to play this Wintertime.

Initial Favorite Track(s): Stay Awhile, She and Unchained Melody (with the Chapin Sisters)

Rating (1-5 Stars): 5+

Stay Awhile

2. Other People’s Songs :: Owen

Three-Sentence Review: I’m a cover song lover and this is an album full of cover songs to love. My favorite of the bunch is the Against Me! cover of one of my favorite Against Me! songs, but these are all stripped back, delicately melodic and lovely interpretations. By the time the album ends I find myself wanting more – here’s to hoping there will be an Other People’s Songs, Volume 2.

Initial Favorite Track(s): Borne on the FM Waves of the Heart, Judas and Some Kinda Angel

Rating (1-5 Stars): 5

Borne on the FM Waves of the Heart

3. Doolittle 25 :: Pixies

Three-Sentence Review: Doolittle was an album that was played to near obsessive levels in my first apartment that I shared with my first husband, back when I was in my very early twenties. We both loved the Pixies and this album was our first “us” purchase and we even named one of our two kittens we adopted Doolittle. Though it is staggering that the album is 25 years old, I am loving this re-release full of demos, Peel Session versions and b-sides.

Initial Favorite Track(s): Wave of Mutilation (Peel Session), Mr. Grieves (Demo 2) and La La Love You (Demo 2)

Rating (1-5 Stars): 5

Wave of Mutiliation

Editor’s Note: They do not have any of the “Doolittle 25” versions on YouTube, so this is the original recording (my all-time favorite from the album) – but I urge you to go grab the whole album Doolittle 25 because it is amazing.

4. The London Sessions :: Mary J. Blige

Three-Sentence Review: Gorgeous and brilliant, The London Sessions captures the soul of Mary J. Blige voice, as well as the rhythm and the blues. Blige’s work with Disclosure, Jimmy Napes, Naughty Boy, Sam Romans and Emeli Sandé really brings life to the album, but it is Blige’s voice that makes it the so fierce and fantastic. This album comes right at the end of the year, but most certainly belongs on the “best of 2014” album list.

Initial Favorite Track(s): When You’re Gone, Whole Damn Year and Not Loving You

Rating (1-5 Stars): 5

Whole Damn Year

December Day: Willie’s Stash, Vol. 1 :: Willie Nelson & Sister Bobbie

Three-Sentence Review: The guitar work on this album is fucking breathtaking. Willie’s voice, well it reminds me of my childhood, of when my Mother went through a country phase and listened to Willie’s Stardust in the late afternoons when I was home from school doing homework, or reading books – those hours that were the most peaceful in my home for me – Willie’s music brings that calm back to me. It is really something to hear him playing with his sister, Bobbie, especially knowing that the siblings picked the songs to record together.

Initial Favorite Track(s): Mona Lisa, Who’ll Buy My Memories? & Ou Es-Tu Mon Amour/I Never Cared For You

Rating (1-5 Stars): 5

Who’ll Buy My Memories?