‘This is a scary time for a lot of people, government-wise, art-wise, and especially business-wise,’ says Company of Thieves singer, Genevieve Schatz. ‘People seem to be very held back in what they’re willing to invest in — personally, emotionally, and financially. But at the same time, there’s a new, gutsy energy coming out right now, almost a generational thing. There’s a feeling that we’re at the edge of big change right now. Great art always rises up when change is going on’. These exciting — if uncertain — times are reflected in the eclectic sound of Ordinary Riches, an album that moves effortlessly from the seemingly jaunty, piano-led In Passing and the catchy pop tones of Pressure to the arena-ready sing-along chorus of New Letters and the Jonny Greenwood-ish guitar figures on Old Letters.
Animal Collective / My Girls
It’s pretty much impossible to sit still by the end of this song. Say what you want about this band, but I find them to be one of the most fascinating bands around today. They sound like no one else. With every album, they transform into something new. Their songs become more accessible, but they stay just as indefinable as always. Not to mention that the lyrics in this song are absolutely beautiful.
Bob Dylan / It’s Alright Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)
I think Dylan was possessed when he wrote this song. I can’t stop listening to it from beginning to end and it’s a long song. But when every line has been sung, every issue touched upon, all with some of the most insane wordplay ever, your jaw is on the ground. I remember feeling like I had heard a secret when this song ended for the first time. No one summed up their generation better than Dylan.
David Bazan / American Flags
Pedro the Lion, one of my favorite bands, was pretty much just David Bazan. So when he went solo about two years ago, I knew he’d keep putting out great music. This track has proven my assumptions correct. He not only recorded all the instruments himself, but also recorded it all in his basement. His ideas and executions of them separate him from the typical singer-songwriter label. This song makes it hard to wait for his full length.
Dr. Dog / My Old Ways
If there’s one album that we’ve all been listening to a lot, it would be Dr. Dog’s We All Belong. It’s the combination of great songs, interesting arrangements, unusual instrumentations, and lo-fi production, that just instantly sucked us all in. I don’t know how to explain it, but you feel like you’ve already heard this album before. The piano part at the beginning of this song is one of the best moments on the whole album.
Marvin Gaye / Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)
One of my favorite singers ever. It’s way too hard to pick a song off this album, since it’s perfect, so you should just listen to the whole thing. I recently watched a movie about his life and the making of this album. What a crazy story! The music on this album is just flawless, thanks to the Funk Brothers. The mood in the music and his voice help tell this painful story about the times in such a beautiful way.
Sam Cooke / Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen
What a voice! Sam Cooke is right there with Marvin Gaye, Nina Simone, and Jeff Buckley under ‘people who could sing a phone book and I would probably cry’. His album Night Beat is the perfect way to end any night. Very laid back and very soothing. It’s a subtle record and headphones or speakers bring this album to life. I also think of the movie Spaceballs because the princess sin
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