05/20:

Of Montreal, Thecontrollersphere EP
On 2007’s Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?, a typically impenetrable set of Kevin Barnes’ freaked out lyrics simply repeated “Skeletal lamping. The controllersphere. False priest. The controllersphere.” As the next two Of Montreal albums rolled out with the names Skeletal Lamping and False Priest, tho’, it still didn’t make sense, but at least it became interesting. And now here is Thecontrollersphere, just an EP this time, and yet its short running time offers more interesting twists and turns than either of the albums preceding it. Skeletal Lamping was too manic, song snippets instead of songs, while False Priest felt surprisingly complacent and formulaic for such a weird band. Thecontrollersphere is more akin to the adventurous, surprising, but still polished sound of Hissing Fauna..., and a welcome sign from a group that was wearing out its welcome.

Of Montreal, "L'age D'or"

Thao & Mirah, Thao & Mirah
From the first listen, this was in contention for my album of the year. Folk singers Thao & Mirah bring their very different approaches to a true collaboration, each bringing 5 songs to the table and working with the other to push them in directions they wouldn’t choose on their own. They are aided and abetted by Merril Garbus of the frustratingly-named tUnE-yArDs (Welcome to the internet circa 1999) as producer, who wrote album opener “Eleven” to finish the recording session. This is deeply infectuous music, bringing the skittery, energetic sound of Thao and the dreamy, intimate music of Mirah together together in an unlikely but engrossing set of songs  (Garbus’ influence on the sound and in the percussion is so prevalent, powerful and welcome that the record should probably have been called Thao & Mirah & Merril.) Every track is a winner. Can’t recommend this album enough.

Thao & Mirah, "Teeth"

Bob Dylan, Desire
I mentioned it a few weeks ago, and that’s probably why I listened to it. Desire is such a rich album. It’s Dylan doing everything people love him for in a way not quite like anything he’d done to date. Social commentary, story-songs, honest autobiography, it’s all in there, in one of the most cohesive sets of songs the singer ever produced.

Bob Dylan, "Romance In Durango (Live)"

Electric Six, Switzerland

The spectacular 3rd album by the comedy rock group, and a surprisingly adventurous one. E6 are that rare breed of comical music wherein the music is serious and good but the lyrics happen to be funny.  The joke goes a lot farther when the song is actually worth listening to.

Electric Six, "Infected Girls"

Beastie Boys, Ill Communication
I like the new record, but it’s hard not to miss the Beastie Boys that were trying all kinds of approaches to music and not obsessed with the 80s.

Beastie Boys, "Root Down"

Veil of Maya, The Common Man's Collapse

Second album by the metalcore band. Metalcore gets a bad rap, and a lot of the bands deserve it, but I think these guys are an exception. Metalcore is to metal what hip hop was to soul music. It’s all the cool breakdowns strung together. Which can make for songs that just sound like a bunch of parts, but I think Veil of Maya pull it off.

Veil of Maya, "It's Not Safe to Swim Today"

Traveling Wilburys, Vol. 1

A go to feel-good record for me. It’s fun, funny, breezy music from a bunch of seasoned veterans. It just brights my day.

Traveling Wilburys, "Handle With Care"

Yup.

--D