Yeah, it’s a rare original content post. We stayed away for a while, and will probably return to hibernation immediately, sort of like that international sporting event. But while we’re awake, here are a couple of records we liked this year.
Japandroids – Celebration Rock. Post-Nothing was a solid introduction for this band but they really caught our attention with the infectious Art Czars 7″. A collection of other singles tided us over, but didn’t come close to heralding this record. If you listen to this band’s work in the order of release, presumably also the order of composition, you can see where they are going – and it’s great fun. Loud, rambunctious and little bit aggressive but never straying too far from melody. My favorite so far.
Ceremony – Zoo. The band is Ceremony and it is an apt name. They are paying homage to many before them. With hints of Black Sabbath, the Stooges and the Sex Pistols sneaking into the first four songs, you know that there isn’t going to be much new ground broken here but there is plenty to enjoy.
Henry Clay People – Twenty-Five for the Rest of Our Lives. I was introduced to this band by a friend and musician whose taste and talent I admire greatly. He urged me into this record and when I got my hands on it, I played it back to back to back (or three times in a row, whichever came first) – haven’t done that in a long time. Forward leaning power pop with inspiration from The Replacements and a nod to the early anthems of The Who. Not hard to go wrong there.
That’s all I’ve got for now. Now run along kids, and don’t come home without a new record.
Ceremony – Zoo
