It’s been a while since I’ve written about music. I’ve actually been so busy with work and riding and general life-related things that I simply haven’t had enough time to digest many recent releases. The past month or two has produced a couple of standouts, though. 

I have been listening to the Decemberists’ new album, the Hazards of Love, on repeat since its’ release in mid-March. It is an epic record – a rock opera that begs to be listened to from start to finish. It probably won’t grab you during the first listen and maybe not even the second, but once you start to piece Colin Meloy’s tale together, you’ll be as hooked as I am.

The Hazards of Love

I listen to Ratatat with extreme regularity, but they’ve resurfaced with a vengeance thanks to their killer performance at the Fillmore two weeks back. Their entire catalog is solid and they played everything that I wanted to hear at that show. For a second, I thought they might head off stage without playing their best track, until I heard the track’s signature sound byte come through the speakers: “I been rappin’ for about 17 years, okay..?” And with that, the crowd went nuts.  

LP3

One of my recent personal discoveries is the French band called Phoenix. They’ve got a new one out, entitled Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix and it’s incredibly solid. I’ve got a couple flights scheduled this week – maybe I’ll have time to let this one sink in a little deeper!

Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix