The Monthly RecommNeds: March 2022

Now we’re into it! Lots of great music discovered over the past month and I can’t wait to share some choice picks with you all. So let’s dive right in! And if you missed last month’s RecommNeds, it's right here.

As a reminder, the RecommNeds is a monthly rundown of maybe-not-on-your-radar new music, hopefully with something-for-everyone variety. I’m also putting together a special 25-track playlist each month: songs I’ve been digging, some from the monthly picks, some from albums that weren’t featured, some singles from upcoming releases, and maybe a random blast-from-the-past favorite or two. This month’s playlist is here. Dig it!

Without further ado, here are my latest finds, enjoy!

The Monthly 10:

Ten under-the-radar albums released last month that I think you might dig, presented in alphabetical order.

Blue Rumble: Blue Rumble

Got your headphones on? Ready to crank up the volume? Turn that shit up to 11 for these deep-rockers from Switzerland. Blue Rumble are a new quartet and their debut self-titled release (which actually has been out since January) is a psych-rocker in the classic sense. Evoking blue-based out-there-getters from the late-’60s/early-’70s (Led Zeppelin is as good a reference point as any), this is some sweet hair-on-fire guitar-keys-bass-drums stuff of the type that anyone and everyone would dig. So, like, dig it, friends!

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Chris Castino & Chicken Wire Empire: Fresh Pickles

https://chriscastino1.bandcamp.com/album/fresh-pickles-release-date-2-4-22

It’s easy to get caught up on the who’s-who guests on the latest album from Minnesota bluegrassers Chris Castino & Chicken Wire Empire. And why not get caught up? Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, Tim O’Brien, Peter Rowan and many more … what’s not to love? The extra muscle beefs up an already solid set of ‘grass, with some excellent songs and terrific musicianship, improvisational spirit with a dash of good humor. If you’re looking for some fresh new bluegrass, this one is a must-listen.

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Gui Duvignau: Baden

Speaking of extra-special special guests, if the only reason you check out the newest from bassist Gui Duvignau is because Bill Frisell adds that quintessential Bill Frisell magic to four of the 12 tracks, you will be forgiven. Those are worth the price of admission alone on this tribute to Brazilian guitarist Baden Powell. But the rest of the album is equally enchanting, a led-by-the-bassist jazz ensemble that really clicks in all the right places. Lots of magic in there to discover, so go discover!

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Fazer: Plex

When the double-drummer thing is done right, it’s tough to beat. This group out of Munich, Germany, does the double-drummer thing extremely well and their newest is knock-your-socks-off good. Fazer are one of those not-really-a-jazz-band jazz bands that expands their sound with pop, rock, electronic, krautrock and more. Trumpet, guitar, bass and the constant, compelling rhythms of those drums make Plex a total delight.

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Kerbside Collection: Round The Corner

Time for a little boogie, eh? How about checking out Kerbside Collection out of Brisbane, Australia. Their latest is a cornucopia of grooves, hitting every flavor of funk and soul over 11 tracks. The instrumental ensemble evokes all your old school favorites, some clean, some dirty, all dance-ready. Enjoy!

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Lumberbob: Language Learner

Always good to throw in something weird for you and the newest from Lumberbob is terrifically weird. Language Learner is 20+ tracks of one-two minutes each, aggressively free from genre. They bounce between catchy bits of musical ideas to something closer approaching songs. The result is almost as if someone took the Talking Heads catalog and put it in a blender to be drank through a straw. It’s weird, sure, but it’s fun as heck and extremely listenable. Check it out, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

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Night Shop: Forever Night

https://nightshop77.bandcamp.com/album/forever-night

I’m realizing that this set of recs is heavy on the instrumental side, so good to get something a little more song-centric in there and this one is a perfect way to mix things up. There is a strong RIYL Kevin Morby feel to the latest from Night Shop and that makes sense, as Justin Sullivan has played drums for Morby amongst others in that orbit. But he’s got his own thing going and Forever Night is alive with Sullivan’s point of view, the jangle of electric guitar and some super catchy songwriting. Unsurprisingly, he’s enlisted some killer musicians and excellent guests to flesh things out. Highly recommended!

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Orange Crate Art: Contemporary Guitar Music

If you’re gonna listen to just one rec this month, make sure it’s this beaut from Orange Crate Art. Yes, it’s your latest/greatest Eurojam, actually a one-man deal out of Sweden. The record from guitarist Tobias Bernand is a beyond-description set of soundscapes of the highest order. It’s psychedelic, it grooves, it takes you places and it takes you back. Someone hipped me to it and I fell right in love and now I’m passing it on to you with my highest recommendation. Enjoy!

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Erin Rae: Lighten Up

I’m kind of hoping Erin Rae is already on your radar and you’re saying to yourself “oh yeah, that record is great” because you’ve already been listening on repeat. But just in case that doesn’t describe you, please go ahead and put this serious gem of a folk record on repeat right quick. This is breakout-level good from Rae. Her voice is both earthy and ethereal, her backing band is a delight of modern day Americana, and the songs will have you falling in love, breaking up and falling back in love again. Like a big musical hug, embrace it, folks.

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Carmen Villain: Only Love From Now On

This month’s set has been a genre-hopping potpourri, so the final rec, this gem from Norwegian-Mexican producer Carmen Villain is a good way to end things. Villain’s electronica is a soothing, jazz-flecked ambient, rhythms and melodies built for inward reflection and expansion. This is music to lose yourself to and we all need to lose ourselves every once in a while, wouldn’t you say? I hope you do enjoy this and all of this month’s picks. Let me know what you think.

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Bonus Round

In addition to the Monthly 10, I’ll try to throw in a few other picks each month.

For my live pick this week, check out the Sheepdogs, rocking the heck out in concert. Hell yeah!

As for my EP picks, Royal Arctic Institute are instrumentally relaxing and engaging and Norway’s The Orange Dots are a kick ass duo that’ll Europsych your face off.

And finally, five more recommendations that may not be on your radar but are well worth a listen, presented without comment: Black Country, New Road, Los Bitchos, Bvdub, caroline, Kendra Morris … what other good ones did I miss this month?

I think that’ll do, more next month.

Please note: all of the music mentioned in this column can be found in this March compilation playlist on Spotify. I’ll also keep up this running playlist with all the recommendations from 2022 so they’re all in one place for easy new music discovery at any time.

Enjoy!