Crucial Releases: September 12
This week was hard. There were albums I WANTED to be the featured release. Surprises that deserved more consideration and albums that were getting larger attention on the 'net, but I wasn't feeling. AND I wanted to get this out before today (oops) since I knew the Wednesday album was going to be amazing.
So, with all that said, there were four albums I really, really liked this week: Something to Consume by Die Spitz (Listen) which ended up being the feature, Girl Violence by King Princess, Desertion by Spite House, and Hell is an Airport by Liquid Mike. Those last three will get a little more attention down in the Honorable Mentions section, since I think they deserve some love.
So, Die Spitz. I usually don't look at reviews of albums before I give them a listen, but this one I did by accident (the review was posted before the album officially dropped on Friday.) It was the highest rated review I've seen this year, so I immediately did me and thought: no way, it can't be that good. I didn't want to give it a chance, because the bands that usually get insane scores are like Black Midi or some shit – music that my mind can't process. SO I waited.
And wow was I wrong. I've listened to the album 4 times now and I've concluded it's one of the best rock albums of the last few years. It's raw, it's heavy, it's feral at times. Exactly what rock music should be...
As far as their sound, the influences range from Nirvana to Motorhead to shoegaze to riot grrl. I hear Hole, Babes in Toyland, even a hardcore band like Integrity on "Throw Yourself to the Sword". On top of that, they've been friends since grade school and they switch instruments and vocalists, which makes sense given the variety of influences and sounds they produce. Can't help but root for them as the future of rock music.
My favorite tracks:
"RIDING WITH MY GIRLS" by Die Spitz
"Throw Yourself to the Sword" by Die Spitz
"Pop Punk Anthem (Sorry for the Delay)" by Die Spitz
"Punishers" by Die Spitz
Honorable Mentions
Girl Violence by King Princess (Listen)
I was introduced to King Princess via her debut full length, Cheap Queen, in 2019. She makes indie/alt pop that checks all the boxes for me: big hooks using alternative melodies... willing to take chances, but confident enough to own it. And she's delivered the best album of her career.
"RIP KP" by King Princess
Desertion by Spite House (Listen)
Spite House is one of the best hardcore/punk bands going right now. Their sound is in the vein of Samiam, Hot Water Music, Fiddlehead, Militarie Gun, and Drug Church. Exactly the kind of band I like nowadays. Their 2022 debut, self-titled full length was in my top 20 for the year... and this one might be too.
"10 Days" by Spite House
Hell is an Airport by Liquid Mike (Listen)
This is the one I wanted to be the feature, but it will have to settle for just damn good. Last year's Paul Bunyan's Slingshot was my album of the year. This one is chock full of earworms, like all of their albums. If you like bands like Sugar, early Weezer, fuzzed out guitar bands with giant hooks... you'll feel right at home.
"AT&T" by Liquid Mike
Trying Not to Have a Thought by Algernon Cadwallader (Listen)
Baby Man by Fruit Bats (Listen)
Goodbyehouse by Snuggle (Listen)
Future Fortune by Restraining Order (Listen)
MERCH PARTY 🎉
The Crucial Tracks merch store is live! We have shirts, hoodies, hats, sealed new vinyl, and much more for sale. EVERY purchase goes to paying the bills to keep Crucial Tracks going.
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