One Louder Magazine… RESURRECTED!

One Louder Magazine… RESURRECTED

Introduction
Album of the Week
Honorable Mentions
Missed The Cut
Addendum
On The List
Looking Forward To
Fine Print
About One Louder Magazine

Hey gang, before getting to it…

…this mailer is dedicated to THE Queen of Country who died at 80 years old.

Throughout the years, I, of course, have stated my disdain for country music (for the most part), but Dolly was great! So much so that we even covered her classic ‘Jolene’ for charity. Granted, we played it more punk-style, but it was HER song we played.

“The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain!”

RIP to a true original, RIP Dolly ‘The Queen of Country’ Parton:
January 19th, 1946 – August 25th, 2026.

This blog is dedicated to you with love ❤️

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So we’re here for another round-up of my $0.02 album reviews, and…

…I received a few complaints:

“We want longer intros,” they cried!

That’s a complimentary complaint; I’ll take it!

[FWIW, I do, too.]

A little while ago, I mentioned that intros may shorten due to my being in the office five days a week for the first time since 2006 – 20 years! Now I average two hours on the road per day, 10 hours per week. So yeah, I’m pretty fucking gassed by the time I get home, meaning shorter (or no) intros.

Hey, speaking of gas and being in the office five days a week, my office stinks, haha! No, no, I said I would keep track of the gas prices. For consistency, I always gas up at the same place: Costco in Lake Stevens (WA). I’ve tracked from mid-March – the war with Iran began two weeks prior – to the present day. The highest it’s been was May 14th, when I paid a whopping $5.50 per gallon <gut punch>. The lowest was literally the very first one I tracked back on March 16th at $4.66 per gallon.

Worse yet, instead of gassing up every (roughly) three-ish weeks (~21 days) as I did previously (at lower gas prices), I now gas up every 9.1875 days. So I’m basically gassing up twice as much as I did previously. That, along with the higher gas prices, is hitting the wallet hard. If you live in other parts of the country (or somewhere overseas, what do your prices look like?)

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Moving right along, on Friday night, I rolled down to the Showbox Sodo with my bass player and his wife to go catch two bands that I absolutely love: Red Fang and The Sword… as co-headliners! What a bad-ass lineup, oh hellz yeah!

The show itself was incredible, I am so into both bands, but…

…there’s always a “but”, isn’t there…?

But – and I’ve said it before, but I’m 99% sure that I’ll hold to it this time – I believe that was my last gig at the Showbox SoDo. The sound in there is fucking ass. I say it every time. The venue is a huge square, so a wall of sound just gets trapped in the air after bouncing off the walls and ceilings. Last time it was All Them Witches with King Buffalo, two more bands I love. Fuck it, no more SoDo REGARDLESS of who plays there. Done.

BTW, reaching into my memory banks, there is only one artist I’ve seen there that sounded absolutely perfect, and that was Slash and the Co-Conspirators a number of years ago. I have no idea who was running sound, or what, but it was immaculate. An arena-sized sound at a small club, they were fantastic!

But wait, there’s more! I hadn’t had a street dog in… I can’t remember how long, so between bands, I went outside and grabbed myself a hot link (with cream cheese and grilled onions, OF COURSE!). I’m out there shoving this weenie down my throat, cream cheese all over my lips and cheeks, when I hear, “Troy… Troy Monteforte…?” Side note: the wife says “Cutafarte”, haha! I look up, and it’s my bro Seth! We have a mutual friend – hi Lynly! – and see each other only once/twice a year (at most), but it’s always great to see him and catch up.

He said that I introduced him to Clutch – rad, thanks for letting me know! – so I mentioned this blog to him… a few days later, I saw that he subscribed. Hey, thanks Seth, much appreciated! I hope I can turn you onto some more bands :-)

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I have a few movies and TV series to recommend.

First up: a seven-episode miniseries on Apple TV titled ‘Lucky’ starring Anya Taylor-Joy (The Queen’s Gambit, The Menu). The show itself is not mind-blowing, but it’s a solid, enjoyable series. What I especially liked about it were the performances by actors Timothy Olyphant and Annette Bening. They were absolutely fantastic!

Next up: The Rip on Netflix, starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. It’s based on a true story, which I tend to love. It really is pretty solid, although… there are definitely moments where, “sure, it’s based on a true story, but methinks you took some liberties with it.” Yeah, there are parts that seem a little far-fetched. I believe the “idea” behind it, but I also believe they made it more dramatic than required. Worthwhile watch, but check your brain at the door. Damon and Affleck are great!

Last but not least… I am so embarrassed to mention this, but I absolutely LOVED the following series and am super-bummed that it was canceled after two (very) short seasons.

Before mentioning the name, allow me to set the table. The show was released in 2021. To rave reviews, mind you! But the genre is listed as a “musical”. I am so not into musicals. Okay, perhaps there are a few (Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon, etc.), but for the most part? Nah, no way! In fact, a few years back, the movie La La Land was released to great fanfare, winning and/or nominated for no fewer than 250 awards, gadzooks! The wife and MIL watched the entirety of La La Land, but I tapped out after 20 minutes… ’cause it fuckin’ sucked. I asked them what they thought of the whole thing, and they just kinda shrugged their shoulders and said, “eh…”. Anyone else see it and like it (or not like it)?

Anyway, on to the musical dramedy that I thoroughly enjoyed… so much so that we crushed it over a two-night period. Granted, the episodes are, like, ~20-25 minutes each, so it was a fast, fun watch. Anyway, I bring you…

Schmigadoon!

Of course, the title is a parody of the 1947 musical, Brigadoon (which I have not seen).

Both seasons may be watched on Apple TV. The first season is set in the town of Schmigadoon. The sets and clothing reflect 1910s America, while the songs reflect the “Golden Age” of musicals of the ’40s and ’50s. The second season is set in Schmicago, which, of course, represents the darker, grittier, and edgier themes of the ’60s and ’70s (and the 1975 musical, Chicago – which I also have not seen).

While it is a musical, there is plenty of talking throughout. Then they break into the song. Listen to the words… they’re hilarious! The songs on Schmigadoon are all originals, but they reference musicals from yesteryear, including the following (with a little help from ChatGPT):

Oklahoma!, Annie Get Your Gun, Carousel, The Music Man, South Pacific, Brigadoon, The Sound of Music, Guys and Dolls, The King and I, and more.

Schmicago, on the other hand, takes on classics such as Cabaret, Chicago, Sweeney Todd, A Chorus Line, Jesus Christ Superstar, Hair, Godspell, Annie, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, The Phantom of the Opera, and more.

But the lyrics are high-larious! What’s really fun is getting to know the characters in Schmigadoon. Because once you know them and their roles there, you see the same actors/characters in Schmicago, but they don’t “match up”. They’re completely different characters in both towns, so the two main characters are confused at first.

I really hope that at least a couple of you watch it (and report back). Twelve total episodes at roughly ~30 minutes each equals a total of six hours… You know, for the folks who struggle a little with the maths, ha! Are there any lulls? Yeah, of course there are, but for the most part, we just burned through it and loved it!

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Guess what? One more to recommend… but it’s a great segue to what comes next.

There is a documentary on Netflix titled: André Is an Idiot

André Ricciardi is an idiot because he didn’t get a colonoscopy until it was too late. He was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer. This documentary shows him from diagnosis to death. Not that I personally know, but from watching it, it seems like it is a horrible thing to go through, with all of the chemo and radiation.

BUT… he wanted to show the positive, humorous side of his pain, how he dealt with it, his family, etc. Speaking of his family, how he and his wife met is all kinds of holy shit awesome!! It was very well-received. I highly recommend watching this short, hour-and-a-half documentary. He seemed like a super-cool, unique, one-of-a-kind dude!

The segue… and coming full circle.

I’ve been dealing with a health issue lately, as well. Mine doesn’t even compare to what André went through. Not even close. I fully know and understand that. The reason I bring it up, though, is that I shared the news with some family and friends. They were surprised that I didn’t mention it in last week’s mailer, “…since you’re so open about everything else going on in your life, Troy.”

That is 100% true. I totally planned on writing about it, but it’s still ongoing. I originally planned to talk about it once everything was all wrapped up. But since people mentioned it, I’ll just share the news now.

I have Pilonidal Disease. It sounds worse than it is… but the pain is magnificent!

In short, pilonidal disease is a cyst… right the fuck on my tailbone. It is my first cyst. I first started feeling back/tailbone pain a couple of weeks ago. But it was a dull pain, so I simply passed it off as “I’m old, and I’ll occasionally get back pain; them’s the breaks.” When I was a spring chicken, I’d bounce back the next day, no problem. Nowadays it takes a bit longer. That was my thought. Take it easy, and I’ll be back full-throttle soon enough.

That didn’t happen. What happened is that the pain continued to worsen to the point where I asked the wife to take a look to see if she could see anything out of the ordinary. Sure enough, my tailbone and the superior tip of the intergluteal cleft (aka upper butt crack) were quite red. There she noticed what looked like a spider bite. Yeah, it wasn’t a spider bite. It was a cyst… or, I suppose, IS a cyst.

The pain was so intense that even sleeping was a chore and kept me awake. Sitting, standing, moving, getting in/out of the car, showering, getting the mail, whatever, it all sucked. Bad.

On Saturday (August 15th), the cyst burst. The pain at that moment was HOLY SHIT! level, but it was reduced to a much more manageable, dull pain afterwards… and that’s where I am today. Constant, dull pain. It’s a tad bit uncomfortable, as you might imagine.

The following day (Sunday, August 16th), I went to the walk-in clinic. Sure, sure, the pain was much more manageable, but yeah, I still needed to get it checked. Plus, if you know anything about cysts, they’re kind of like glaciers. What you see on top is not all there is. So yes, there is a whole cyst “sack” that lives under the skin and will need to be removed.

I apologized for them having to deal with a pilonidal cyst on a Sunday (or really, at all), but they were super-cool: “oh, no worries, we deal with these all the time.” I mean, I figured, hey, they’re medical professionals and have seen worse, but still. I’ve seen Dr. Pimple Popper and know what’s up!

She comes in… yes, a female doc to look at my upper butt crack, haha, poor woman! Asks a bunch of questions, including, “Have you ever had MRSA?” Uh, no… and, in fact, this is my first-ever cyst. All new to me. She checks it out for a minute, asks more questions, then asks if she could bring in a colleague. Sure, no problemo!

Dude comes in, pokes around (“does this hurt, does this hurt”), asks a few other questions (including if I’ve ever had MRSA). Then he said something to the effect of, “ok, this is going to hurt a little bit.”

Good fucking god. No. It didn’t hurt a little bit. It hurt a lot. Like a lot, a lot. When a cyst opens, there’s a small hole. It basically looks like a tiny butthole on your tailbone. The tiny butthole-looking thing is about the size of a pencil. Yeah, so dude shoves a fucking Q-tip down there to gather a sample for testing. Just writing about it takes me back to that time. I was lying face down on that table and just gripped the pillow as hard as I could while trying to hold back tears. Youch, mo fos, not good times.

Anyway, they wrote up a couple of Rxs for antibiotics and a cream to put on the infected area. She also wrote a note saying I could WFH for the week (which was all of last week). So if you didn’t see me in the office, that’s why.

But wait, there’s more! They said I’d have to get surgery to remove the rest of it. The consult is on Wednesday, September 9th, and the surgery will probably be set at that time (once they know what they’re getting into).

So I worked from home on August 17th-21st (doc’s note). I ended up WFH on Monday the 24th, as well, because I still had a lingering, dull pain. Tuesday I went in… and what a mistake that was. I could feel my shorts rubbing up and down my tailbone over every single bump in the road, no matter how big or small.

Now, I’m not saying that that’s what did it… but I’m not not saying that, either. I mean, I worked remotely for 20 years. Started working in the office five days a week for the first time since 2006, and then a few short months later I develop a cyst? I mean, c’mon… Again, I’m not saying that that’s what did it… but I’m not not saying that, either. I’ll have to ask the surgeon if that’s a legitimate possibility. That… would be wild!

ADDENDUM: Holy fucking shit, wowzers. For shits & giggles, I consulted the search engines to see if driving can result in a pilonidal cyst. You know what they said?

“Yes, the friction and pressure from your daily commute absolutely could have contributed to developing a pilonidal cyst. In fact, the mechanical action you described – your clothing rubbing against your tailbone over the bumps – is the exact mechanism that triggers pilonidal disease.”

Continuing on, “This connection is so historically well-known that during World War II, the condition was nicknamed ‘Jeep Rider’s Disease,’ affecting more than 80,000 soldiers.”

Dude, WTF, whoa!!

Anyway, back to the story.

Now, “the segue” was André to me. Like him, I have nothing to hide, either. We all have issues (health and otherwise), and this just happens to be one of mine… one of my latest ones. I just didn’t plan on sharing until down the road. But now I can share the journey with you.

The “coming full circle” is about not having the gas to crap out an intro. I’ve felt less tired ever since I’ve been WFH, so my nights are free to talk to you!

Some people get squeamish talking (or reading) about health issues, so I apologize if this turned some heads. But for the most part, I am a totally open book. Want my SSN, haha?! Anyway, squeamishness. I attached some pictures for those who may want to see the current arc of the cyst. No, the hole that you see is not my butthole. It’s way north of that, haha! Of course, if you have any questions, feel free to ask.

If I did this correctly, you should be able to view them by clicking ‘pilonidaldisease’ below. It’s a .zip file that will need to be opened. All photos are within.

Last, but certainly not least: A massive, HUGE shout-out and much love to the wife. She has gone above and beyond what any non-doctor human should go through. A real trooper, a real good one! How I landed her will always escape me, but I never take her for granted… Thanks, m’love 😘

WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT – MEDICAL PICTURES!

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Speaking of doctors and health, a friend – who shall remain unnamed (but he did give me permission to share the story so I’m not violating any HIPAA laws!) – texted the following when he got his prostate checked:

“I was at the doctor’s, and as he was putting on the glove, he said, ‘Would you like someone in the room with us?’”

My friend: “You mean I have the power to make someone watch this?! I was laughing so hard that I barely noticed his finger up my ass.”

Holy shit, I was dying, that was hilarious! I have the power! Watch this!

FTR, I know it’s around the corner for me, but no, I still haven’t had the (dis)pleasure of a prostate exam. You know I’ll share, though, haha… I just hope he sends me flowers. I mean, yeah, I know he’ll call – after all, he is paid to follow up – but I want flowers! Or chocolates. He has my address on file.

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It looks like some really nice albums will be released this upcoming week, and I have high hopes that at least one (if not more!) lands at the top of the pile to become an AOTW.

Yes, that means that nothing climbed to the tippy-top this week. Great, fun, enjoyable Honorable Mentions, but nothing that would land an AOTY trophy, unfortunately.

Are you a casual fan who stumbled across this site? If so, be sure to SUBSCRIBE, as these are delivered every Thursday at 9 PM PT. With a subscription, you’ll be sure to never miss an issue!

😁 BE THE REASON SOMEONE SMILES 😁

Be sure to let me know what you agree / disagree with, etc… always fun to hear your opinions, too. Happy listening… and see you next week!

Cheers,

Troy
oneloudermagazine@gmail.com

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Album(s) of the Week** – August 21st to August 27th, 2026:

None.

Honorable Mentions (in order by “popularity”*):

27,316,046 – Sam Smith – Hazel Eyes

Dude’s got a voice on him. Great songwriting, beautiful arrangements, and amazing pipes. Good stuff! Will I ever listen to it again? Eh, probably not. I mean, the talent is all there, but it’s not in my wheelhouse, really.

From Townsend Music: “A heartfelt ode to the city of New York, Sam now calls home, Hazel Eyes captures themes of emotional vulnerability, artistic freedom, and self-reflection. Created alongside longtime collaborator and friend Simon Aldred, the album includes the new single My Guy, along with To Be Free and Love Is A Stillness.”

12,029,730 – KISS – KISS Destroys Anaheim ’76 [Live]

I’ve liked KISS since I was a wee lad… heck, I still dig ’em! I have heard these songs a billion times – I know ’em as well as the back of my hand – so it’s nothing new, necessarily, but I still always find them to be an enjoyable listen. RIP Ace Frehley :-(

From the band: “Commemorating the 50th anniversary of one of the most seminal concerts in KISStory – on August 20, 1976, KISS performed in front of their largest audience to date – 42,000+ fans – at Anaheim Stadium. Originally recorded by Eddie Kramer on that KISStoric night, Eddie has newly mixed this concert from the original multi-track tapes! The 60+ minute concert is featured on 1 CD with a booklet featuring liner note highlights from the Deluxe version, unreleased photos & memorabilia imagery.”

5,365,835 – Weezer – Weezer (Gold Album)

Rock ‘n roll! It seems like people either LOVE this band or HATE them. I’m in the former category, although they’ve had a couple of misses; for the most part, great stuff. This release has some excellent tracks and some that are less than thrilling, but it’s always great to hear them releasing new shit! They’re really fun live, too.

From Townsend Music: “The new Weezer album – Weezer – will be released on 21st August on Reprise/Warner Records. After sharing Blue, Green, Red, White, Teal, and Black albums, Weezer returns with a new colour in their arsenal for Weezer – their 20th album over their monumental, decades-long run. The project’s lead single, “We Might As Well Be Strangers,” is out now, weaving vocals from Rivers Cuomo and Wednesday’s Karly Hartzman.”

1,121,730 – The Tragically Hip – Live July 22 – August 20, 2016 (2 CDs)

Great (and highly underrated) Canadian band, I have loved these guys for years, and this live release confirms just how awesome they were! Simply good, solid, rock ‘n roll songs. Nothin’ fancy, meat ‘n potatoes rock and roll. I can’t believe that I never caught them when they rolled through town. Fartz. RIP wherever you are, Gord Downie :-(

From amazon: “Ten years ago, The Tragically Hip took the stage for the final time in their hometown of Kingston, Ontario. That extraordinary night has since become woven into Canada’s cultural fabric, and now, the band honors its legacy with the release of a landmark live album on August 21, 2026, along with an exclusive global livestream of the band’s last show, A National Celebration, on August 22.

The album, Live July 22 – August 20, 2016, features recordings from the band’s unforgettable final cross-Canada tour; the collection captures The Tragically Hip’s last stand in real time, powerful, unfiltered.”

492,750 – Brandon Flowers – THRASHER

The frontman (primary songwriter, keyboardist, and occasional bassist) of The Killers returns after a decade-long gap between solo albums. It reminded me (a little bit) of country-fied Bruce Springsteen-type tunes, yet totally his own. Solid voice, solid songs, I approve!

From amazon: “Brandon Flowers presents THRASHER, his first solo album in over a decade, via Island Records.

Recorded in Nashville at the historic RCA Studio A with longtime producers Shawn Everett and Jonathan Rado, THRASHER features many of Music City’s most renowned players, including longtime Gillian Welch collaborator David Rawlings on guitar, prolific and influential pedal steel player Bruce Bouton, and Charlie McCoy, the legendary harmonica player whose signature playing graces all four of Bob Dylan’s iconic Nashville records.

Rooted in his formative childhood years in the small town of Nephi, Utah, the timeless sonic approach proves to be the ideal home for Flowers’ most personal and vulnerable songwriting yet.”

383,386 – Chelsea Wolfe – The Dark

Chelsea has a beautiful voice, and the music – ambient, drone-y, goth/folk/electronic/industrial (all within a singer-songwriter frame) – is great, too. Keep the hits comin’, Chelsea!

From Loma Vista Recordings: “Chelsea Wolfe enters a new era with her forthcoming album The Dark, shaped by a period of letting go, transformation, and confronting inner shadows.

Written from a place of becoming “the darkest thing in the woods,” it moves through darkness rather than away from it, sharpening her blend of mysticism, memory, grief, and desire into something heavier, more immediate.

Produced with Jennifer Decilveo (Hozier, Hinds, Bat for Lashes) and featuring collaborators from Nine Inch Nails, Queens of the Stone Age, Tori Amos, and Air. Sharper and heavier than ever, The Dark is where beauty meets ruin.”

382,074 – Keb’ Mo’ – The Breakdown

Kevin Roosevelt Moore (bka Keb’ Mo’) has been hit-or-miss for me throughout the years, but this release is a massive hit! It’s bluesy singer-songwriter tunes, featuring Keb’ on guitar and vocals… nothing else. Very subdued and nice. Beautiful.

From amazon: “Five-time GRAMMY-winner Keb’ Mo’ is a living legend in the Blues space. He has been consistently releasing beautiful, well-produced records for 30 years. The Breakdown finds him in a new, more intimate space. This record narrows the spotlight on Keb’ and his songwriting skills. Aside from two tracks that have guest vocals, the rest of the album is focused on Keb’ and his guitar. Showcasing him as a true troubadour.”

150,021 – Ghost Hounds – Justified

Other than a couple of throwaway clunkers (that leaned too country for my taste), this is a tasty blues-rock album, quite reminiscent of The Rolling Stones. Speaking of which… they covered a blistering version of The Stones’ ‘Gimme Shelter’. The band was formed by (~$5.3) billionaire entrepreneur (and guitarist) Thomas Tull. Will keep my eyes on ’em!

From Broadway World: “Justified is a roots-rock album that blends blues, soul, country, Americana, and classic rock. The album explores themes of redemption, revenge, hardship, resilience, faith, and the consequences of one’s choices, with a series of character-driven songs that often have a cinematic, storytelling quality.

Alongside original material such as “Something Wicked,” “Sinner’s Prayer,” “Justified,” and “Pale Horse,” Ghost Hounds put their own roots-rock spin on classics including “Gimme Shelter” [Rolling Stones], “Going Down” [Freddie King], and “Amazing Grace” [gospel standard]. The result is a dark, soulful, and guitar-driven album that combines traditional American roots influences with the power and scale of modern rock.”

142,434 – Pigeons Playing Ping Pong – Sugarshack Sessions [Live]

Not all funk-jam bands are built the same, but this Baltimore-based band delivers the goods! Here they turn down the heat a little, releasing an all-acoustic live album. Still en fuego, though! I may have to catch these fellas next time they’re in town.

141,698 – Grace Potter – Trespasser

I’ve been lukewarm with her in the past, but I’m fully on board the Grace Potter train now. She is a singer-songwriter who writes great tunes, has an amazing voice, and the production is great as well. I like it!

From amazon: “With her new album Trespasser, Grace Potter introduces a beautifully unruly cast of characters who step into forbidden spaces with absolute abandon. As the spiritual sequel to 2023’s Mother Road, the four-time Grammy nominee’s seventh studio LP continues the kaleidoscopic storyline shaped by her many road trips from her Topanga Canyon home to her part-time residence in her native Vermont (a journey she’s made eight times in the last five years, usually on her own). But while Mother Road was born from a desperate need for solace in the midst of emotional freefall, Trespasser reveals an artist firmly anchored in her singular vision. The latest chapter in a career marked by endless transformation and elite recognition—including sharing stages with rock & roll icons like the Rolling Stones & Robert Plant and earning praise from legends like Bob Dylan and Bonnie Raitt—Trespasser ultimately lights the way toward a more unbound and expansive means of moving through the world.

Produced by her husband and frequent collaborator Eric Valentine (Queens of the Stone Age, Weezer, Slash) and recorded in a cross-country journey beginning at her home in Topanga with Benmont Tench, continuing in Nashville with Mother Road session players (members of Cage the Elephant, Kings of Leon, and Train), and completed in Vermont with members of her longtime live band, the album echoes its origins with a wayward sound that spans from stripped-bare soul to cosmic country to hellraising rock & roll—all while orbiting Potter’s force-of-nature voice and lavishly imagined storytelling.

“We’ve always been taught that the trespassers are the bad guys, but to me it’s not about reckless rebellion,” says Potter. “It’s about exploring, physically and mentally and emotionally, and being willing to step outside the narratives we’ve accepted. Because in my experience, the places we’re told not to go are exactly the ones that show us who we really are.””

131,188 – The Afghan Whigs – Soft Control

I think I’m finally converted… the alt-rock / indie rock band’s earlier releases never did much for me, but these latter-era releases are totally working. I kinda like it and would jam it again. I never was much of a fan of them back in the day, but this album is aight. Congrats on your 40th anniversary as a band!

From amazon: “Brand-new studio album from iconic Ohio rock band The Afghan Whigs. The album contains 10 new songs that feature the band’s soulful, gritty rock, with frontman Greg Dulli’s vocals sounding as emotive and unique as ever. Soft Control features singles “House Of I” and “Duvateen,” and comes as the band celebrates their 40th year.”

98,508 – Lambchop – Punching The Clown

Lambchop – led by singer-songwriter (band founder, and only original member) Kurt Wagner – is a band that I have not cared much for in the past. They play a variety of styles, but this release was a bit of a departure and more enjoyable than previously released albums. Here, it’s basically Kurt Wagner’s vocals and acoustic with occasional banjo, bass, and background vocals. Low-key and very nice! I like the story behind the album, as well.

From Merge Records: “On August 21, the beloved shapeshifting Nashville institution Lambchop returns with their seventeenth album, Punching the Clown. Produced by Ryan Olson (Poliça, Gayngs) with songs by Lambchop’s principal Kurt Wagner and member Andrew Broder, Punching the Clown was tracked over three days at April Base, the studio of Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon, and features Vernon on banjo as well as a six-part choir throughout.

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To hear Kurt Wagner tell it, Punching the Clown began as a ghost hunt. After hearing a song on the radio while driving one night — “a minimal single chord strummed banjo and a small group of voices” — he went looking for it and failed. In his pursuit, he discovered “lined out singing,” a form of acapella call-and-response gospel singing that began in Scotland in the 1800s and became a root of American gospel and country music when Scottish immigrants settled in Appalachia. The song, typically a hymn, is led by a clerk, who begins the verse alone before a choir swells up to accompany them on the rest of the line.

Lined out singing was born out of necessity — not every member of a given congregation could read, so the clerk’s voice spurred the choir’s memory of what came next in the hymn — but its effect is profound: a haunting, elegiac means of interpretation in which you can hear not only the words and what they mean, but what those words meant to each person singing them.

From the desk of Kurt Wagner:

…a spontaneous call-and-response type of acapella singing led by a clerk with a chorus of singers, revealing the raw beauty and power of the human voice with its unique varieties; its unadorned simplicity gave weight to the words as they were sung.

I wanted to make a record that emulated this kind of music.”

72,755 – The Band Feel – What Of Now

This is the band’s debut full-length. Not only did I think I would be bowled over by it, but I thought it would easily take the AOTW crown. Unfortunately, neither happened. I simply based my guess on two things. First, their looks. They look like long-haired hippies. Second, the description of the album (read ahead). Based on those two things, I was totally thinking classic rock, stoner rock, psychedelic rock, maybe almost Zeppelin-ish. Instead, it kinda sounds like airy, progressive, yacht rock (sort of). I liked it, of course, but not nearly as much as I thought I would.

From Red Light Management: “A debut LP from St. Louis’s The Band Feel that presents their “living, breathing progression of rock,” combining contemporary rock with influences from earlier generations, music, poetry, and visual art. The band’s material is deliberately steeped in the sounds and spirit of classic rock—particularly the 1970s—with “Summer Song” being described by Classic Rock as evoking Laurel Canyon circa 1974. The album is produced by five-time Grammy-nominated Paul Moak and is intended as an immersive, euphoric rock experience that bridges generations.”

69,900 – Paul Heaton – Jenius

What a fun, whimsical singer-songwriter album! It’s likely that I won’t reach for it again, but it’s fun for a listen or two!

From Townsend Music: “Love songs for imperfect people. Pub wisdom for uncertain times. Kindness as a radical act. Paul Heaton’s 23rd album Jenius is everything you’d expect – and somehow more. 15 brand new songs that find beauty in the ordinary, warmth in the imperfect, and something worth celebrating in all of us.”

55,706 – Squirrel Flower – Say a Prayer to the Gods of Getting Going

Squirrel Flower is singer-songwriter Ella O’Connor Williams. She writes great tunes and has a beautiful voice!

From amazon: “On Squirrel Flower’s new album, Say a Prayer to the Gods of Getting Going, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Ella Williams delivers her most transcendent and instantly classic record to date. It’s an album full of hope and beauty, with themes of staying in constant motion, electric love, and knowing when to leave, but also when to stick around.

After touring in support of 2023’s Tomorrow’s Fire, Williams remained on the road, following instinct over itinerary – passing through Gary, Indiana; Los Angeles; Putney, Vermont; Silver City, New Mexico; and Hudson, New York. Each stop became a site of creative renewal. She ended up recording the album at two locations: a makeshift studio in rural Wisconsin and at Drop of Sun in Asheville, NC, featuring friends and collaborators such as Dimitri Giannopoulos (Horse Jumper of Love), Sofia Jensen (Free Range), Clay Frankel (Twin Peaks, Hazel City), and many others along the way.

Standouts like “Reelin” and “Highway Woman” showcase the push and pull of life as a musician; the constant need to embark on a hero’s journey in search of reflection and freedom. Others like “Not Me” and “Cleveland” are classic Squirrel Flower, but with a sharper and more concentrated writing style paired with some of Williams’ strongest vocal delivery of her career.

Mixed and co-produced by Alex Farrar (MJ Lenderman, Wednesday), Say a Prayer to the Gods of Getting Going is the sound of cosmic rebirth, looking behind to illuminate what’s ahead. “Pack your life and your guitar,” Williams sings on “Highway Woman.” “You can change it as you go. You do not plan on dying.”

In addition to her seemingly nonstop touring across North America and Europe, Squirrel Flower has been featured in outlets such as Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, The NY Times, Paste, and many others, as well as performances at NPR’s Tiny Desk & KEXP. Williams’ music has been streamed millions of times around the globe, proving her to be an undeniable force as a songwriter.”

32,194 – Fen – Elemental Part One: Mourning Earth

As most of you know, I am typically not into black metal bands, but Fen is one of the few that makes the cut. There is a lot of post-metal goodness thrown in for good measure. I definitely like that stuff; a lot of variety musically. Vocals are meh, but the music kicks ass (for the most part). Will continue to follow these dudes and see what else they come up with. Fun fact: “Fen” is a noun that means, “low land covered wholly or partially with water; boggy land; a marsh.”

From their bandcamp page: “FEN are climbing to a new artistic height by coming down to earth with their eighth full-length “Elemental Part One: Mourning Earth”. The East Anglian trio has turned to their ‘roots’ in every sense, by distilling the true essence of what constitutes their sound through everything that they have learned and added in the last two decades.

While the previous album, “Monuments to Absence” (2023), was deliberately arranged to be dense, fast, and intense, FEN decided to leave breathing space on this album to allow more time for themes and ideas to exhale and unfurl. Of course, there is still much sonic aggression but channelled differently, as large parts of “Mourning Earth” were recorded live to allow an organic nature to flow, and to permit the natural rhythms of the pieces to develop.

Lyrically, FEN sum up their basic idea behind “Elemental Part One: Mourning Earth” in their own poetic words: “The morning mists clearing over the boggy expanses of the fens to reveal another grey, gloom-laden day of sorrow and regret. And at twilight, the slow, sad realisation that tomorrow promises only more of the same – tormented by the half-heard whispers of the spirits bound to the soils, our pain continues. And we can only endure.”

With “Elemental Part One: Mourning Earth”, FEN have reached a new pinnacle in their exciting career and achieved a perfect balance between their black metal foundations and post-black metal innovations. FEN take their listener on a journey to grim bogs, languid waterways, and dismal fogs over bare rock – yet on the other side waits a sense of surcease to the endless existential ennui within.”

31,048 – William Shatner – Love & Other Mysteries

It’s the Shat, yo! It’s completely awful spoken word over countrified rock, courtesy of Bill’s good friend and guitar slinger Brad Paisley. There is about a zero percent chance that I listen to this ever again, but I can’t say that it missed the cut. I suppose it’s mostly for a niche market, for fun. BUT… fun fact: He is 95 years young. Wow, congrats on crushing into your mid-90s. My dude!!!!!

From The Music Universe: “Love & Other Mysteries is a 2026 spoken-word album from legendary actor William Shatner, produced by Brad Paisley. Across 15 original pieces, Shatner explores love, aging, vulnerability, art, nature, mortality, and the enduring mysteries of life and the universe.

His unmistakable dramatic delivery is surrounded by warm, understated arrangements featuring acoustic and electric guitars, piano, mandolin, pedal steel, fiddle, and other instrumentation, with musical contributions from Paisley, Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes, and pianist Gordon Mote.

The result is an intimate and reflective collection that combines Shatner’s longtime spoken-word style with thoughtful, often surprisingly joyful musical storytelling.”

29,231 – Wild Pink – Still Coming Down

This is the band’s SIXTH full-length album (in addition to a handful of EPs), yet my introduction to them. It’s solid indie rock meets alternative rock. Or “heartland rock” as they call it… all the way from New York City. I look forward to what this four-piece releases in the future, and perhaps I’ll dig into their back catalog, as well.

From amazon: “Still Coming Down is Wild Pink’s sixth studio album, and their most refined offering to date. Continuing along the shredded and steely path forged by 2024’s Dulling The Horns – named one of the year’s best albums by Vogue, Consequence, Paste, and more – Still Coming Down doubles down on Wild Pink’s “proper rock” (Stereogum, Best Albums of 2024) and sticks every landing.

Dulling The Horns saw Wild Pink reach new levels of critical acclaim and live success, performing alongside the likes of indie torchbearers Dr. Dog, Crumb, and MJ Lenderman (who lends his guitar skills on Still Coming Down). Still Coming Down finishes out the ride of those highs, settling into a life on the road and reflecting these experiences across a warped and encyclopedic vision of America.

Led by John Ross, “one of the best lyricists in indie music” (The Guardian), Wild Pink hunkered down in Asheville’s storied Drop of Sun Studios to record Still Coming Down with virtuosic producer Alex Farrar (Bnny, Wednesday, Samia). At once strange and familiar, Wild Pink’s Still Coming Down is a product of modern times that only John Ross could pen.”

21,497 – Joyous Wolf – In Between

Great album! They have this nice blend of hard rock and garage rock, dirty, swampy Delta blues, and pepper in the swagger of The Stones, and you get Joyous Wolf. Gonna keep my eyes and ears peeled for future releases. This is their debut full-length.

From Blue Grape Music: “Forming in Orange County, CA, with humble beginnings, Joyous Wolf have created their own hybrid of hard-driving rock ‘n’ roll, soul, blues, and alternative music. Heavily influenced by artists spanning not only various genres, but literally decades of music, their electric live performances have taken them from the clubs of the Sunset Strip to international stages.”

11,391 – The Night Eternal – Cold Velvet

This was listed as a straight-up “heavy metal” album, but I believe it sounds a little goth-metal-ish, too. Gives it a dark edge. This is the band’s third full-length, yet my introduction to them. I dug it. Solid, fun listen. I’ll keep my eyes on ’em.

From Metal Blade Records: “Since their foundation in 2018, the quintet has built themselves a serious reputation with their ’70s and ’80s guitar-driven sounds in their very own sinister guise. The band’s previous two full-length, Moonlit Cross (2021) and Fatale (2023), gained applause by fans and critics alike which resulted in successful support tours (Blind Guardian, Michael Schenker Group, Angel Witch, Lucifer) and festival gigs (Wacken, Summer Breeze, Hellfest, Alcatraz) throughout Europe as well as a spot on the infamous Hell’s Heroes fest in Houston, Texas.

With Cold Velvet, the band has ultimately carved out its own subgenre, weaving darkness, dreamlike unease and deep melancholy into a dramatic yet untainted heavy metal rock ‘n’ roll attitude. Recurring trademarks such as hypnotic, ritualistic rhythms, mesmeric guitar riffs and melodies, and irresistibly catchy choruses permeate every track, drawing the listener into a trance-like state and unleashing a relentless surge of dark energy and dopamine.

“With this album we set out to open a new musical chapter in the story of THE NIGHT ETERNAL,” the band remarks. “Each song stands strong on its own, yet together they form a cohesive narrative – unfolding through rising tension, shifting atmospheres, and unexpected twists and turns that guide the listener from beginning to end.”

Conceptually, the album was conceived as a bridge from Fatale: allowing the band and its music to develop naturally, explore new atmospheres, grow in maturity, and ultimately manifest a sound that is unmistakably their own. What emerges is not simply an evolution, but a clear statement of identity – this is, without question, THE NIGHT ETERNAL!

In advance of the record’s release, today the band presents the lead single, “Where This World Ends.”

The band comments, “This track gets straight to the core of what THE NIGHT ETERNAL stands for. Dramatic, dark riffing is paired with haunting vocal melodies that linger long after the final note. While the track forms a seamless bridge between the band’s previous work and the present, it also introduces new sonic elements, including subtle synth-guitar textures inspired by Iron Maiden’s Somewhere in Time, woven discreetly into the background.”

Cold Velvet was recorded between May and December 2025 at Church Of Sound Studios in the greater area of Munich, Germany. Production, recording, and mixing duties were handled by Michael Zech – guitarist of black metallers Secrets Of The Moon and a highly respected producer known for his work with Sulphur Aeon, Triptykon, and The Ruins Of Beverast, among others.”

6,582 – The Commonheart – Live At Mr. Smalls

What a find! Funky, soulful, gospel-y… I’m lovin’ it! The horn section kills me… nearly an hour and a half of kick-ass tunes!

From Jullian Records: “Pittsburgh’s own The Commonheart return with “Live at Mr. Smalls,” a powerful live album captured at Mr. Smalls Theatre in Millvale, PA, just outside Pittsburgh. Long a home-field stage for the band, Mr. Smalls is the perfect setting for a group that has become one of Pittsburgh’s most beloved live acts, building its reputation on sweat-soaked performances, big-hearted songs, and a sound that brings together rock, soul, gospel, blues, horns, keys, and pure communal release.

Led by Clinton Clegg’s commanding vocals and powered by a full-band collective spirit, The Commonheart have carried Pittsburgh soul well beyond the city, earning national attention with releases including “Pressure ” and “For Work or Love,” while remaining deeply connected to the hometown audience that helped shape them. That connection runs through the city’s clubs, stages, and even its sports culture, with Clegg representing The Commonheart on major Pittsburgh stages, including performing the National Anthem for the Steelers.

“Live at Mr. Smalls” captures that relationship in full force: the band’s fire, the room’s energy, and the kind of shared joy that only happens when a great live band is playing to its people.

Featuring “Pressure,” “Trying to Get Over,” “All I Ever Wanted,” “Can’t Forget You,” “Best Hold On,” “Who Dat Mama,” “Lonely King,” “Cannonball,” “Half at Home,” “Names,” “Never Say Goodbye,” “Aloysius,” and “Do Right,” the album is both a celebration of The Commonheart at full power and a love letter to Pittsburgh.”

4,235 – Oddland – Unilluminate To Illuminate

I was familiar with the band name “Oddland”, but apparently I had never listened to any of their prog-metal releases before their last release, 2022’s ‘Vermillion’. It definitely leans on the “heavier” side of prog (with some djent thrown in for fun). Plus the occasional horn section, yee-haw!

From Frontiers Music S.R.L.: “Oddland return with their highly anticipated new album “Unilluminate To Illuminate”, reaffirming their status as one of the most innovative and compelling forces in modern progressive metal. Known for their intricate compositions and fearless approach to songwriting, the band continues to push boundaries while refining their already distinctive sonic identity.

The experience gained while supporting Soen on tour has clearly elevated the band to an even higher level, sharpening their performance edge and strengthening their sense of dynamics and impact. That growth is fully reflected in this new record, which feels more focused, confident, and mature than ever before.

This new album expands Oddland’s complex musical universe with heightened intensity, atmospheric depth, and razor-sharp precision. Shifting seamlessly between crushing heaviness and cinematic expanses, “Unilluminate To Illuminate” showcases a band operating at the peak of their creative powers, delivering a listening experience that is both technically impressive and emotionally resonant.

With a bold sense of dynamics and a strong conceptual undercurrent, the album captures the essence of a band that refuses to stand still. Each track reveals new layers upon repeated listens, blending progressive complexity with memorable themes and a powerful sense of direction.

“Unilluminate To Illuminate” stands as a striking statement from one of the finest names in modern progressive metal — a record that challenges, captivates, and ultimately elevates the listener.”

2,760 – Faerie Ring – Faerie Ring

Heavy AF, yet still melodic, super-tasty fuzz / stoner rock grooves. This may be the band’s self-titled release, but it is their third full-length… gonna keep my eyes and ears peeled for future releases!

From King Volume Records: “From the label that brought you Castle Rat comes the next wave of working-class stoner doom metal. Heavy and free. Believe in Electric Guitar.

“Faerie Ring” Unlocks New Emotional Depth With Tighter Songwriting Inspired By Personal & Global Conflict And Powered By Revised Band Lineup; FFO Queens of the Stone Age, Mondo Generator, Monolord, Torche Faerie Ring.

The hard-rocking, retro-tinged stoner rock band out of Evansville, IN, has announced their third album: a self-titled effort through King Volume Records that marks the band’s sonic rebirth – one that emphasizes tighter songwriting, blistering hooks, and a new emotional depth that was assisted through the mastering process by Torche guitarist Jonathan Nuñez.

“Our last album, Weary Traveler, was happy-go-lucky,” says band guitarist, vocalist, and primary songwriter James Wallwork. “But so much has happened since that came out in 2023, both in our personal lives and in the rest of the world. Songs like “Lost Boy” reflect the furious, “I don’t even care” attitude I felt after my divorce, while “Gargoyle” is a doomed-out perspective of realizing you’ll grow old alone. “No Surrender,” meanwhile, was inspired by the latest Israel-Palestine conflict, and it’s written from the perspective of someone living in Gaza during the war.

Ultimately, Faerie Ring is a cathartic album that acknowledges that death is real, but so is love. This is an album about love and triumph in a time of existential dread.” One of the biggest influences behind the band’s revitalized sound was the addition of multi-instrumentalist songwriter and new Faerie Ring drummer Matt McGuyer. “With Matt on drums, it’s almost like a completely new band,” says guitarist Kyle Hulgus. “Matt cracked our sound wide open. He’s such a talented musician. He’s a guitarist, he’s a vocalist, and, obviously, he’s an incredible drummer. His input was so valuable, and he helped us spread our wings.””

2,445 – 7 Zuma 7 – Beneath the Desert Floor: Chapter 11 – 7 Zuma 7 – Deep Inside [Reissue – 1999]

Ooooooh, very nice! This is an album that was released by European stoner rock band 7 Zuma 7, but faded into obscurity. The Ripple Music label “resurrected” it from the archives to share with those of us who missed it the first time ’round in 1999. Rock ‘n fucking roll, bitches, this thing slams!!

From Ripple Music: “7Zuma7’s “Deep Inside…” is a highly regarded, massively loved, lost European stoner rock album released in the late 90s. Fans and critics praise its impeccable guitar work, heavy desert grooves, and excellent musicianship.”

662 – Cutthroat LA – The Purge EP

Five songs clocking in at 18:36 of tasty hardcore jams coming from these LA metalheads. Beautiful in brutality, looking forward to hearing more from these guys!

From their bandcamp page: “A crushing crossover assault with 5 songs of pure hostility, featuring cover art by Mick Lambrou (Agnostic Front, Slapshot, Sick Of It All).”

51 – Oh Louise – Everything On High

Wise beyond her years, Oh Louise is 19-year-old singer-songwriter Olive Siegel, and this is her debut. The songwriting, her voice, the production… I am stunned at how fantastic the album was! Nice work, Olive, I can’t wait to hear more!

From Broadway World: “Everything On High is the debut album from Maine-based singer-songwriter Olive Siegel, performing as Oh Louise. Drawing from four years of journal-written songs, the album explores love, heartbreak, betrayal, dreams, faith, truth, and the uncertainty of finding one’s identity.

Blending intimate indie folk, bedroom pop, and dream-pop textures with acoustic guitar, piano, layered vocals, and melancholy cello, the album reflects Siegel’s influences ranging from Elliott Smith and Judee Sill to Weyes Blood, Nick Drake, Paul Simon, and Enya.

Recorded in Round Pond, Maine, with producer Charles Van Kirk and featuring contributions from cellist Nat Smith and Wilco bassist John Stirratt, Everything On High is an emotionally candid and atmospheric coming-of-age debut.”

Missed the Cut (in order by “popularity”*):

3,282,867 – Dan + Shay – Young

Dan (Smyers) + Shay (Mooney) is a country-pop duo. In a word, pass. In two words, avoid entirely. In three words, do not listen. In four words, you have been warned. I suffered so you don’t have to.

645,720 – The Cramps – Gravest Gravy

Me to myself: Wait, what? There’s a new album from The Cramps? I thought they were done a long time ago. Furthermore, didn’t one of the main members die?

Sure enough. The band was active from 1976 to 2009. The band split in 2009 upon the death of lead singer Lux Interior (Erik Lee Purkhiser). The other main member was his wife, guitarist Poison Ivy (Kristy Marlana Wallace). As you’ll read ahead, this is not a new album, after all. It was just shelved. So that means that it IS new (to us), but was written/recorded years ago.

Thoughts? I always loved The Cramps’ psychobilly, gothabilly, rockabilly, surf/punk delivery… even had a chance to catch ’em live. Kicking myself now for not going, fartz! That said, this release is a bit too gritty and raw for my taste. Perhaps not meant to see the light of day. I’ll listen to other Cramps albums instead. RIP Lux Interior.

From Rough Trade Records: “Unreleased studio tracks from the October 1977 Memphis recording sessions that unleashed ‘Human Fly’!! Mixed by Alex Chilton, Poison Ivy, and Lux Interior!!

With tracks selected and mixed in the late 1980s, Gravest Gravy was designated by Lux and Ivy for release years ago, but for reasons lost to time, remained shelved until now. Completely rippin’ versions of classic early Cramps tracks, two of which feature Alex Chilton on organ. Cut from the analog source tapes and mastered expertly in Nashville. Stay Sick! Turn Blue!

In October 1977, the Cramps, who were at that time Lux Interior on vocals, Poison Ivy on guitar, Bryan Gregory on guitar, and Nick Knox on drums, ventured into Ardent Studios with the extraordinarily talented musician and producer, Alex Chilton. These sessions were responsible for the first two Vengeance Records releases, both permanently disfiguring the music world in 1978.

Surfin’ Bird / The Way I Walk
Human Fly / Domino

In 1979, young British degenerates were treated to a five-track 12” EP by the Cramps called Gravest Hits, which featured all four tracks released in the USA, along with another from the October 1977 sessions, a great channeling of Ricky Nelson’s hit Lonesome Town. From there, the band released their first LP, Songs The Lord Taught Us, again working with Alex Chilton, and went onward, releasing records and touring all over until the sad passing of Lux in 2009.

What Cramps fans might not know, was at Ardent, the band had planned to record their song T.V. Set to be their first A-side, along with another track or tracks. Alex told them that he liked to have a band play every song they knew, and the best of the batch would be committed to vinyl. This was fantastic advice, and luckily for us, that’s what the Cramps did. This is how Lonesome Town found its way to Gravest Hits. But there was much more to the story.

In the late 1980s, Lux and Ivy endeavored to release more recordings from the October 1977 sessions. It was to be titled Gravest Gravy. It was a record for the fans, a journey back to Memphis, back to the first Cramps records that, try as it might, the world has been unable to heal from. Lux and Ivy mixed several tracks between June 14 and 30, 1989, at Present Time Recorders, in North Hollywood. Alex mixed a few tracks in Memphis. The album had a title, a cover by the great Stephanie Chernikowski, who passed away recently, but for reasons lost to time, Gravest Gravy was shelved.”

265,378 – DMA’S – DMA’S

Ultra-boring cookie-cutter paint-by-numbers alt-rock album, zzzzzz… This self-titled album is the band’s fifth full-length.

138,934 – Julia Holter – Materia

Julia was recommended to me because I dig Pretty Lights… not even close. She has that eclectic art pop meets indie electronica thing going on (with vocals), and it is absolutely not happening for me… at all. In fact, I’d say it’s in contention for worst release of the year! Thumbs up for Pretty Lights, but thumbs down for Julia Holter. But, hey, don’t listen to me. It received rave reviews <shrug>…

79,727 – Sondre Lerche – Acrobats

Sondre is a Norwegian singer-songwriter. His releases (to me) sound like they could be soundtracks to one of those “old school” romantic-type movies. I kinda dig it, but not enough to rave about. Good, not great.

39,887 – Antony Szmierek – Decoding Birdsong

Yeah, so this album sounded interesting on paper – read ahead – but it’s like a poppy dance album with spoken word poetry over it. I mean, that’s exactly what’s on paper, but I dunno; I guess I envisioned it sounding different/better somehow.

33,259 – Westside Cowboy – It Goes On

Westside Cowboy is a four-piece British indie rock / alt-rock band, and this is their debut full-length. It’s not awful, per se, but it didn’t grab me. I won’t listen to it again, nor do I need to follow them. But, hey, forget everything I said. Fans and critics alike LOVE the album!

18,072 – Mob Rules – Stories From The Verdant Vale EP

Cheesy-ass power metal. Some riffage was pretty sweet, but overall it’s oozing just a bit too much for my taste… but, hey, only 17:15. I didn’t suffer for too long! Don’t listen to this Mob Rules. Listen to Black Sabbath’s ‘Mob Rules’ instead!

10,078 – Pattern-Seeking Animals – Grimalkin

The band features current and former members of Spock’s Beard, and like Spock’s Beard, they are complete and total prog-rock. They are very talented, of course, and the music is “perfect”. Unfortunately, to me, it’s also boring… I know the proggers out there will love it, but it’s not for me (even though I’d consider myself a prog lover)… Fun fact: A grimalkin is an older female cat, often connected to folklore and witchcraft.

3,242 – Elanor Moss – The Knife, The Needle

This is Elanor’s debut album. Very subdued, mostly just acoustic and voice. Roughly half an hour long, but it felt like listening to a plateau, if that makes sense. Fun fact: yes, her name is spelled “Elanor,” not “Eleanor”. I misspelled it at first, whoops!

341 – SlugWeed – The Contours Of Reality

SlugWeed is a one-man band outta New England, and this release is – as he calls it – “post-stoner doomgaze”. I have enjoyed previous releases of his, but thought this one was a bit of a miss, unfortunately.

From his bandcamp page: “Headphones and cannabis recommended for a full, immersive experience.”

Addendum (in order by “popularity”*) – Albums that were released earlier in the year (or previous years) that I missed, but are worth mentioning, anyhow:

None.

On the List (in order by “popularity”*) – Albums that I didn’t get to (yet) for one reason or another. Will (hopefully) get to them at a later date:

Only listing ones that made me take notice, not everything…

1,349,903 – The B-52’s – Ancient Culture: Mesopotamia Revisited [1982] (3 CDs)

Disc one is the original EP remastered, disc two is the original EP remixed and remastered, and disc three sees the band live at the Roseland Ballroom, New York, New York on April 19th, 1982.

From amazon: “Reimagined version of The B-52’s release Mesopotamia. Originally released as a mini-album/EP, this new deluxe edition reinstates previously unreleased and rare material from the original sessions to present the album as originally intended.

Contains two additional discs, including rare remixes and a complete previously unreleased live show recorded on the Meso-America tour in 1982. Includes 1LP and 3CDs.”

300,721 – Dark Funeral – A Beast To Praise [Live In Stockholm]

Black metal. From Century Media Records: “DARK FUNERAL’s “A Beast To Praise” is the long-awaited and newest live album by the Swedish kings of Black Metal, featuring 13 apocalyptic live tracks across almost 70 minutes of playing time.

Recorded at Fållan in Stockholm in 2022, “A Beast To Praise” contains DARK FUNERAL’s annihilating live set from their latest studio album release, “We Are The Apocalypse,” and is available as a jewel case CD, a gatefold 2LP on 140g vinyl, and as a digital album.

Don’t dare to miss DARK FUNERAL on the massive “In League With Satan” tour across Europe together with Behemoth and Dimmu Borgir in October 2026.”

Looking forward to (in order by “popularity”*) – These albums will be released this week and should be in next week’s AOTW blog:

SOLID week ahead!!!

8,254,397 – Prince – Timeless

2,055,761 – Sara Bareilles – Good Grief

1,925,453 – Interpol – This Mirror Weighs A Ton

1,789,982 – Alabama Shakes – I Must Be Dreaming

1,497,397 – In This Moment – Witch

1,191,573 – NOFX – 40 Years Of Fuckin’ Up: Soundtrack

1,096,073 – Mastodon – Marrow Deep

1,017,874 – Turnstile – Never Enough: Versions

932,611 – Beartooth – Pure Ecstasy

885,162 – The Warning – Everything’s Falling

874,542 – Airbourne – Airbourne

654,566 – Billy Strings – So Much For Goodbyes

624,913 – Dinosaur Jr. – There Near

420,539 – Everlast – Embers To Ashes

292,537 – Russian Circles – Nine

172,682 – Steve Hackett & Steve Rothery – The Roaring Waves

141,300 – Ballyhoo! – Bad Summer

127,520 – Flotsam and Jetsam – Rats In The Temple

65,252 – Exumer – Death Mask Messiah

16,639 – Steve Cropper – Watching the Tide

11,214 – Mike D – Thank You

4,508 – Besvärjelsen – Till Glömskan Ad Oblivionem

…and several others. Some that I am looking forward to and others not so much.

———————————————————————————————

Small print that’s normal size print:

*These albums are listed in order by “popularity”. Wait, what? How? By no means is it a measured calculation. They’re listed in order by number of ‘followers’ on Spotify. While it is listed by Spotify ‘followers’, the order would (most likely) be similar if looking at the number of ‘likes and/or followers’ on each band’s social media pages. Speaking of “popularity”, there is a bolded red number. This number (more or less) represents the number of Spotify ‘followers’ at the time of review.

**Album of the Week. No promises, but I will do my best to NOT include Greatest Hits, Best Of, Live releases, re-releases, etc. Even if these “new” releases include a ton of bonus goodies, multiple unreleased tracks, demo versions, etc, I’ll still (try to) hold off.

All albums are listened to IN FULL unless stated otherwise.

Some artists are quite controversial. My goal is to review the album on its own merits, not based on the history, beliefs (political or otherwise), police records, and/or anything else that could be considered “unsavory” of the artist(s).

(Almost) all albums are hyperlinked. I link in order by Bandcamp first, YouTube next, then Spotify last. This is so you can check out (AND PURCHASE) the album, if interested. I do and hope you do, as well!

Do you have any friends or family who might be interested in this weekly blog? If so, send ’em this way!

Until next week…

Cheers,

Troy