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<\/a>Amoeba Teen \u2013 <\/b>Amoeba Teen<\/b><\/i>\nThis band\u2019s 2018 compilation Selection Box Vol. 1 \/ Appleyard Sessions<\/i><\/a> introduced their music (to me, at least). It\u2019s a winning brand of powerpop, and recommended to fans of the style. But this new self-titled album is far more accomplished, and expands beyond the genre. The band explodes out of the gate with the late-period-Beatles flavored \u201cMainstream.\u201d Jaw-droppingly excellent. With a character all their own, Amoeba Teen draws from the best of the \u201860\u2019s, \u201870\u2019s and \u201890s (not so much \u201880s). Intelligent lyrics paired with sharp melodic hooks equals one of the year\u2019s best releases. You read it right here.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Johnny Ray Daniels \u2013 <\/b>Whatever You Need<\/b><\/i>
\nHeartfelt gospel with more than a bit of country-soul flavor, Johnny Ray Daniels\u2019 Whatever You Need<\/em> is the latest sterling release from the always-dependable<\/a> Bible & Tire label. Like many (but not all) of his labelmates, Daniels is an elder from the American south. He displays all of the passion and fervor one would expect from uptempo gospel. Guitarist Will Sexton is a familiar fixture on releases from Bruce Watson\u2019s label, and he he leads the Sacred Soul Sound Section as they back Daniels (who\u2019s joined by family members on vocals). Daniels\u2019 personal experiences inform the lyrics. \u201cGlory Glory\u201d indeed.<\/p>\n<\/a>Deadlights \u2013 <\/b>Eleven Step Intervention<\/b><\/i>
\nJeff Shelton\u2019s name may be familiar to regular readers of these pages; his work as Well Wishers<\/a> gets frequent coverage here, and for good reason. His new Deadlights<\/a> project is quite different, with a gauzy dreampop character close to prime-era Church, with a Stone Roses guitar roar. His original songs shimmer and glow in that shoegazey way, but with strong melodic foundations. For the album\u2019s sole cover, Shelton digs deep into the Pink Floyd catalog for a lovely, faithful reading of \u201cFearless.\u201d In his hands the song fits into the shoegaze aesthetic in a way one might not have anticipated.<\/p>\n<\/a>Polyhedren \u2013 <\/b>Psychic<\/b><\/i>
\nBay Area musical adventurer Dren McDonald is the core of this unusual project. With a dazzling array of collaborators \u2013 many of whom exist well outside the musical mainstream \u2013 Psychic is a compelling work. I hear hints of Talking Heads, that Byrne\/Eno collaborative record My Life in the Bush of Ghosts<\/i> and similarly polyrhythmic cut-up projects. There\u2019s a strong dub character to the music, too, and a close listen reveals prog flavor. Atmospheric and alluring, Psychic<\/i> draws you in and doesn\u2019t let go. It\u2019s also surprisingly sultry and sexy (\u201cSixteen Gold Candles\u201d), words not often applied to music featuring The Residents<\/a>.<\/p>\n