Arthur Russell - Love Is Overtaking Me
A long, 21-track record of guitar songs ranging from folky pop arrangements to straightforward storytelling rock to country ballads, compiled from material recorded over the span of two decades from the 70s to early 90s before Russell's death in 1992. Dude's music has been starting to be reissued and his name has been mentioned more often as a strong proponent of avant-garde cello pieces as well as jazzy disco, but these are very tame, more traditional guitar songs backed by simple percussion and appropriate horns.
Erykah Badu - New Amerykah Part 1 (4th World War)
Some funky, soulful jams with many social issues addressed, etc. Not quite as compelling as I thought it might be, but a good relaxing listen.
The Walkmen - You & Me
First song, "Dónde Está la Playa," sorta could be a Grizzly Bear song, which is good, but Hamilton Leithauser's voice borders on Britt Daniel's, whom I can't stand. Others are great too, including "In the New Year" and "Postcards from Tiny Islands," but the album is too long and doesn't succeed completely.
Unrelated:
ALSO I just realized Jona Bechtolt a.k.a. YACHT released the Summer Song EP this year, appropriately on DFA. There's only four tracks, including the Salvia in the Club remix of "So Post All 'Em," but it's a great twenty or so minutes of "Fucking Positive" white dance music to follow up the euphoria of I Believe in You. Your Magic Is Real. He's busy in Europe through the end of the year (NYE show in Paris ooh la la) and we hope he comes back and plays more shows in America (he was superb at The Grind at Clark University) but here's a video for the title track of the EP.
YACHT - Summer Song
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