So we’re in March. When the hell did that happen? We’re almost at the Summer, which means stuff like my birthday and Arcade Con. No. I don’t need this at all. Nevertheless, my own indignant protests to the passage of time are made slightly more irrelevant because with the passing of time comes new stuff that people have made. And amongst that new stuff is new music from artists who’re really good when it comes to making new music. Some of these might have a chance at a career, I reckon. Here’s my quarterly top five (in no particular order)!
Napalm Death – Smash A Single Digit
The grind lives on, and Napalm Death are well and truly towards the top of the pile when it comes to abrasive, groove filled musical noise. Their latest record, “Apex Predator – Easy Meat”, is as much an assault on the senses as is to be expected from the refined purveyors of the grind. Starting off firmly in the noisy side of things, “Smash A Single Digit” blasts straight into a groovy guitar driven section that’s got the distinctly groovy death metal flavor that’s permeated their work in the latest century. There’s few bands I would regard as utterly unstoppable, and Napalm Death are one of them.
Sleater-Kinney – A New Wave
The return of riot grrrl patriots Sleater-Kinney is something that’s made the punk rocker in me very happy. They’re loud, brash and catchy as anything else that’s out there, they just happen to favor jangly guitar lines over over-produced beats. “No Cities To Love” is FILLED with massive choruses, and latest single “A New Wave” is just another proof of that. I dare you to listen to this and not find yourself humming it through-out your day. Actually, just listen to the song and forget I said that. Oh, and brownie points for Bob’s Burgers fans!
Tigran Hamasyan – Entertain Me
And now for something completely different. Tigran Hamasyan is part of that elite circle of musicians that create music that can be dissected and studied but is also absolutely listenable. A rare feat not to falter under the pressure of your own musicianship, but Tigran manages it. “Mockroot” is an absolute journey through the art of music, anchored with jazz piano but sure as hell not limited by it. Listen.
Steven Wilson – Perfect Life
From the mind of Steven Wilson comes another dreamy slice of ambient beauty. His newest LP “Hands. Cannot. Erase.” is about a good an entry point into the mind of Wilson as any, in that there is no ‘good’ entry point, you just have to dive right in and hope for the best!
Periphery – Alpha
Periphery‘s “Juggernaut” is just that, a juggernaut of progressive metal. The double concept album is one of the best albums I’ve heard in recent times and it’ one of the rare instances, to my ears, where a concept album truly feels like a cohesive piece of work as opposed to a selection of songs with a resonating theme. The lead single, “Alpha”, showcases much of what gives Periphery their charm; groove, heaviness, slick playing and a reliance on the ever so slightly absurd.
