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A few issues back, SPIN<\/i> Magazine asked its regular contributors (including me) to help build a list of 40 albums of the past 40 years that you likely missed. I contributed several. Here\u2019s my offerings, with links to more in-depth coverage as available. \u2013 bk<\/p>\n
A Camp \u2013 <\/b>Colonia<\/b><\/i> (2009)<\/b>
\nA side project from the Cardigans\u2019 Nina Persson, combining the detached ultracool of Nico and the melodrama of cabaret.<\/p>\n
The Orange Peels \u2013 2020<\/i> (2009) <\/b> DC Fontana \u2013 La Contessa<\/i> (2011) <\/b> The dB\u2019s \u2013 Falling off the Sky<\/i> (2012) <\/b> Sloan \u2013 Commonwealth<\/i> (2014) <\/b> JD McPherson \u2013 Let the Good Times Roll<\/i> (2015) <\/b> Mike Mills \u2013 Concerto for Violin, Rock Band and String Orchestra<\/i> (2016) <\/b> Tchotchke \u2013 <\/b>Tchotchke<\/b><\/i> (2023)<\/b> Trees Speak \u2013 Timefold<\/i> (2024) <\/b> Sykofant \u2013 Sykofant<\/i> (2024)<\/b>
\nThe nexus in which AM Gold and power pop meet, sophisticated pop that\u2019s tuneful in the extreme, drawing upon diverse influences while never falling into the power-pop trap of aping their idols. Review of 2020<\/i> here<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nA punchy album that swings, retro but with enough modern sheen to make it more than a stylistic excursion. Hints of slinky-cool acts like Air and Zero 7 mix smoothly with a hip soul vibe. Fuzz guitars and combo organs blend surprisingly well with beefy horn charts and jazzy electric-piano figures. Hints of Morricone, Herb Alpert and John Barry abound, but the music always rocks. Review of La Contessa<\/i> here<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nThis older, wiser version of the dBs draws on each member\u2019s life experiences to craft what is arguably the group\u2019s finest release. As wordsmiths, Peter Holsapple and Chris Stamey seemed at the top of their game during the dB\u2019s original run. This brilliant album proves otherwise. Review of Falling off the Sky<\/i> here<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nThe Canadian power poppers\u2019 most ambitious work yet\u2013a four-sided LP in which each member crafts a side-long suite that works as a very good mini-album of its own. Review of Commonwealth<\/i> here<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nIn which the wild and reckless feel of early rock and roll is brought forth largely intact into the 21st century, informing the music with a knowledge and understanding of all the hard rock that came in the wake of those early pioneers. Review of Let the Good Times Roll<\/i> here<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nThis ambitious outing from the R.E.M. bassist finds him pairing with the violinist Robert McDuffie and playing a lengthy multi-suite piece that features guitar-bass-drums and a powerful string section. Review of Mills\u2019 Concerto<\/i> here<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blog.musoscribe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/the_comet_is_coming.jpg\")
The Comet Is Coming \u2013 <\/b>Hyper-dimensional Expansion Beam<\/b><\/i> (2022)<\/b>
\nThe melodically accessible music on this London threesome\u2019s third album is a heady mixture indeed, drawing upon hip-hop and electronic textures for both its foundation and its well-placed musical adornments. At its core: a potent soul-jazz, free-jazz blend. Review of Hyper-Dimensional Expansion Beam<\/i> here<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nThis trio of young women makes energetic, super-catchy music with a knowing attitude. \u201cCome On, Sean\u201d has a sophisticated, art-pop character that might call to mind Jellyfish or even \u201cBeing for the Benefit of Mr. Kite.\u201d Tchotchke feature here<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nIn which an Arizona duo draws inspiration from krautrock (most notably Tangerine Dream and Neu!) and \u201860s film soundtracks. Hypnotic trance that takes listeners on a journey. Review of Timefold<\/i> here<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nA Norwegian quartet nodding to everything from spaghetti-Western soundtracks to Rush to Led Zeppelin and doing so with originality, muscle, chops, and (believe it or not) humor. Sykofant feature here<\/a>; the band\u2019s debut album also gets an entire chapter in my latest book, What\u2019s the Big Idea: 30 Great Concept Albums<\/i>.<\/p>\n