This week, Nick Landolfi, WTSR assistant music director, and Nelson Kelly, music staff member, highlight some of the best new albums that the College’s own radio station, 91.3 FM WTSR, puts into its weekly rotation.
Band: The Dead Weather
Album: “Dodge and Burn”
Hailing From: Nashville, Tn.
Genre: Weird Hard Rock
Label: Third Man Records
The Dead Weather, the side project of Alison Mosshart, Jack White, Dean Fertita and Jack Lawrence, are a gritty and angry rock group. Some say this project merely serves as a means to unleash their pent up musical aggression. This idea is supported by their announcement to not follow this album up with a tour. With this in mind, it may pique your interest. Essentially, this album is a collection of new songs that emote raw, guttural anguish that the band members save just for the Dead Weather. It places this album in a unique and interest light. “I Feel Love (Ever Million Miles)” opens the album with a straight-up rock ‘n’ roll sound that serves as a motif throughout. This is an incredibly creative, dark and heavy album that sounds almost like a diseased travelogue.
Must Hear: “I Feel Love (Every Million Miles),” “Three Dollar Hat,” “Open Up” and “Mile Markers”
Band: The Arcs
Album: Yours, Dreamily
Hailing From: Akron, Ohio
Genre: Garage Psyche
Label: Nonesuch Records
So Dan Aubach made a new album and didn’t tell anyone? It’s pretty surprising how little this album was promoted as it’s a side project of the frontman of what is arguably the biggest rock band in the world right now (The Black Keys). “Yours Dreamily” is very interesting because it sounds just like the Black Keys with the occasional horns thrown in for good measure. Several of the songs also have a Jack White/Dead Weather – vibe to them, especially “Put A Flower In Your Pocket” and “Cold Companion,” which I’m pretty sure has the same riff as a White Stripes song. This is a pretty decent release, nothing too special here, but if you like the Black Keys you should definitely check this out. “The Arc” is probably the hidden gem of this album, so start with that or “Outta My Mind.”
Must Hear: “Outta My Mind,” “Put A Flower In Your Pocket,” “Pistol Made of Bone” and “Cold Companion”
