Music In, 2026, Q2

1. Joe Pernice, "Sunny, I Was Wrong", 2026, 11 tracks, BandCamp. A solo album from 1 of the Pernice Brothers. Guest artists include Aimee Mann & Jimmy Webb (79 YO now!). The songs are OK, mostly folky, but no standouts. 3 stars.

2. Anita O'Day, "Incomparable!", 1960, 12 tracks & "Waiter, Make Mine Blues", 1960, 12 tracks. I forget where I was pointed at Anita O'Day. She was a well-regarded white jazz singer, from the 1930s through the 2000s. I like her voice. But, the big band arrangements of 1960 are pretty tacky - lots of bombast. She was also known for her scat singing, of which I am not a fan. I was disappointed I didn't get any new songs off of these 2 albums - I am still iffy on "old devil moon". It's 1947, getting out of my sweet spot. Here's the songs on these albums that are already in my book:
   • when sunny gets blue
   • it could happen to you
   • the party's over
   • can't we be friends
   Note, she could have been much more successful without her addictions to heroin & alcohol.

3. Broken Social Scene, "Remember The Humans", 2025, 12 tracks, BandCamp. Really nice to hear from this band again, it's been awhile. Toronto's supergroup. 4 stars. Here's "Life Within The Ground".

4. Edmund O'Brien, "blue morpho", 2025, 7 tracks. I've been kind of on the fence on this album. Very chill. Many echos of Radiohead. Note, I had a solo album by O'Brien attributed to EOB, this one is attributed to Ed O'Brien. Not sure why he changed his brand?!?!?
   7 tracks, but 39 minutes, so longish songs. Hmmm.
   OK 4 stars. A couple of the longish songs have multiple movements. I tend to be too 2-3 minute song oriented.
   Here's "Sweet Spot".

5. Death Cab for Cutie, "I Built You A Tower", 2026, 11 tracks, BandCamp. Another band we have not heard from in a while. A nice effort, 4 stars. Here's "Punching the Flowers".

6. Paul McCartney, "The Boys of Dungeon Lane", 2026, 14 tracks. These are well-crafted songs (duh). But, after several listens, there's no track I really look forward to hearing. 3 stars.

7. Fruit Bats, "The Landfill", 2026, 10 tracks, BandCamp. I like the full band better than the recent solo effort, but, the 2 albums close together has led me to conclude that the lead singer's voice is annoying. 3 stars.

8. Jéroboam, eponymous, 2026, 8 tracks, BandCamp. I so love NeoMotown, wherever it comes from. There can never be too many alternative iterations of Earth, Wind, and Fire. Jeroboam appears to be out of Paris, France. 4 stars. Here's "Sweet Addiction".

9. Asher White, "Jessica Pratt", 2026, 11 tracks, BandCamp. This is the 3rd of their albums I have. The high ethereal vocals, with harmonies, are a guilty pleasure - kinda like The Cardigans. 4 stars. Here's "Night Faces". I was listening to this & really enjoying the harmony - 2 part with some naked 5ths I think. I had the thought, "This could use a 3rd harmony part." Next verse, bingo, there it was!

   Looking for this video, I discover this album is a cover album of Jessica Pratt's 2012 self-titled debut album. I guess I should check out Jessica Pratt?!?!?

Not too bad! Q3 is worse, currently at 12 albums, & the month is still open. Onwards! Neuroplasticity or death!