Bands often grow as artists. Over a pair of records, Alabama Shakes rolled the dice twice and turned up winners. Singer/guitarist Brittany Howard saw the need to write her most personal music yet. And her most soulful too. The autobiographical "Jaime" captures the heat and organization of classic Sixties soul and the lip-biting funk that permeates the classic Neo Soul run of Erykah Badu and D'Angelo. Songs burst out ("He Loves Me") and gently roll in like clouds ("Stay High,") but Howard guides her band like every word, note and nuance matter. Rooted in the natural funk of drummer Nate Smith and Alabama Shakes bassist Zac Cockrell, guitars swirl around loops, organs purr and rise to strike and Howard grows up. "Jaime" is less the exorcism of ghosts then an actual celebration of the remembrance of life, and how like a groove, it goes on and on.
HISS GOLDEN MESSENGER
Terms of Surrender
(LP/CD)(Merge)
M.C.Taylor has established himself as a songwriter. Going back to 2013's "Haw," he has been on a thrilling run. His roughhewn songs have been smoothed out for radio ("I Need a Teacher" is his most single-worthy track yet.)
His exploded view of Americana since 2014's "Lateness of Dancers" unites folk, rock, soul, and blues into one monolithic sound. 2016's brilliant "Heart Like A Levee" refined his writing to be intimate but universal. Now that he is settled into his road warrior/artist role, "Surrender" may offer his deepest writing yet. "Cat's Eye Blue" is a mysterious soulful dirge alight with gurgling organ and piano accents. "Cat's Eye" is just one of a handful of songs from "Surrender" that demonstrate his confidence and ability to write short, memorable choruses. However, the real payoff is how Aaron Dessner's lush production makes Taylor sound like that voice we have all been waiting to hear.
LIAM GALLAGHER
Why Me? Why Not.
(LP/CD)(Warner Music)
There’s something about sibling rivalry in rock history. Ray always outclassed Dave in the Kinks, but once Dave had the chops to go solo, his songs proved to be more hooky. Robinsons aside, Oasis' brothers Gallagher are the best approximation of how that rivalry can fuel a group's rise and its demise. Having proven himself worthy on the surprising "As You Were," Liam settles back into BritPop's familiar Beatlesque swagger and drills out several well-written, well-crafted songs.
To his credit, with a phalanx of producers and composers on hand in Greg Kurstin, Andrew Wyatt and Michael Tighe, his songs reflect his use of their skills NOT their acumen for rewriting and retooling.
"Once" is a biting ballad that is at times wistful and revisits that Lennon-esque bite Liam made famous. "The River" and "Shockwave" flirt with his ongoing search for his own anthemic call, but its the standout "One of Us" that really hits home with its provocation, "You said we'd live forever."
