What?!? How... I need to lie down. I have just listened to the new album by Guided by Voices, and it is incredible. I would go as far as to say that this is Robert Pollard's greatest set of songs since Bears for Lunch (2012). Which may seem like very little time in your world, but in the world of Robert Pollard that is over 20 albums. What it is that makes Welshpool Frillies so good is hard to point out, but it is as if this time, randomly or on purpose, Pollard chose to stay inspired and focused all the way through. Fifteen songs, and most of them are ragged little indie rock masterworks. "Why Won't You Kiss Me", for instance, is one of the greatest songs ever written.
Another major surprise was ANOHNI's My Back Was A Bridge For You To Cross. Not because Anohni Hegarty was not capable (I Am A Bird Now is still every bit as good as it was in 2005), but because he hasn't done anything of note in years. 2016's Hopelessness, for instance, sounded disjointed and gave me a headache. This new LP, however, finds him in imperious form. The vocal performances are powerful, and the songs are well-written. All of a sudden, we get excellent soulful melodies and clever arrangements. Even the brief guitar freakout "Go Ahead" is a blast.
Blur are back, and they are all mature and deadly serious. The Ballad Of Darren is mostly made up of laidback, downtempo vibes that could on occasion resemble the latest exploits by Alex Turner. That said, I do not really mind Blur's ballads; it is the likes of "The Universal", "End Of A Century" and "Blue Jeans" that made me fall in love with the band back in the day. The only song that could really be described as 'upbeat' is the second single, the "Parklife"-styled "St. Charles Square" (first lyric: 'I fucked up') - the rest is a much more relaxed and introspective affair with "The Narcissist", "Barbaric" and the closing "The Heights" being the strongest highlights. I believe it is no big surprise that Albarn and Coxon can still concoct a great pop song. Just do not expect them to be 24 again and sing about the rubbishness of modern life.
There are two things that Kevin Rowland's gets terribly wrong on the Dexys' new album. First, the remarkably tasteless cover. Second, the cringe-fest that is "Goddess Rules". The song has an addictive synth groove but its sexual masochism does not really go anywhere. However, the rest of The Feminine Divine is excellent, with Kevin Rowlands at his soulful best. The more experimental stuff works well, too, with "Coming Home" being a successful attempt at disco and the title song channelling Aidan Moffat and Arab Strap. Finally, the two ballads that finish the album provide that unmistakable vulnerability Kevin Rowland has always been so good at. A fine effort.
Songs of the month:
Guided by Voices - "Why Won't You Kiss Me"
ANOHNI - "Rest"
PJ Harvey - "A Noiseless Noise"
The Menzingers - "There's No Place In The World For Me"
Blur - "Barbaric"
Dexys - "The One That Loves You"
