I’m a simple man, really. I try to be content with what I have – and I have been blessed with much. But Record Store Day is one “holiday” that, if I’m not careful, can provoke cravings in deep ways. If there is one day a year on which I wish I was rich, this would probably be it. I’ve learned, though, that the great music will be around even if I can’t plop down thousands of bucks for vinyl today. The following are just a handful of recent releases (or upcoming) that I encourage you to check out. Some of these will receive more complete reviews in the coming weeks.

 

Shadow Weaver (The Choir)

I’ve run out of adjectives raving about this band for the last 30 years. I’m going to assume that their followers are well aware of this stunning record and address the rest of you. On Shadow Weaver The Choir does what they do – which is rich, layered, ambient, modern alternative rock with deeply soulful melodies, hauntingly poetic lyrics, and smooth, sweet vocals pooling atop swirls of guitars, horns, feedback, and other elements of the deep. The band exists entirely off the radar of the watching world – choosing to make music this good just because they want to and they can. As connected as they are to their legacy, The Choir sounds absolutely PERFECT amidst today’s indie music renaissance. If you loved them in the 80s or 90s and have lost track, let this record be your re-introduction. If you’re a fan of bands like The Church, Sigur Ros, Echo and the Bunnymen, Pink Floyd, Future Islands, Smashing Pumpkins, and Psychedelic Furs, then follow these guys into soulscapes you may never recover from. (www.thechoir.net)

 

Borderland (John Mark McMillan)

John Mark McMillan may be inventing his own genre here. Borderland follows on the trail that has seen this incredible independent artist brazenly stir up the sacred and the scary for years. This is church music for the bars. It is deeply spiritual but never religious-sounding. It is at times disturbingly personal and yet completely relatable. McMillan’s voice just gets better and better and his musical arrangements leave me awestruck. This is one artist that uses his independence very, very well. He answers to no one but his internal compass and his fans. Borderland is a masterpiece. It’s hard to imagine a scenario in which this does not end up on my Best Of 2014 list at the end of the year.  (http://johnmarkmcmillan.com)

 

Rivers In The Wasteland (NEEDTOBREATHE)

It’s easy for some to dismiss NEEDTOBREATH as some kind of Kings Of Leon shadow. Sure, they benefited from the moment of cultural affection the Kings brought to a form of music some have called “Modern Southern Rock,” but NEEDTOBREATHE is so much more. Rivers In The Wasteland feels, this far, like the best of their career. Every song sits perfectly in the mix. The disc opens with the title track, a slowly building anthem that soulfully meditates on Romans 8:31 with none of the bravado that the religious sort often add in. Elements of Beach Boys, Rolling Stones, Dylan, The Band, Rod Stewart (the good stuff,) and Ike Turner all church around perfectly in this brew. Seriously – this is one fantastic rock record. It’s blues, rock, gospel, and pop coming from back-woods tent revival roots but ready for arenas.  (www.needtobreathe.com)

 

The Apache Relay (The Apache Relay)

This may in fact be the next non-country band to break big out of Nashville. They’ve been dialing in their sound the hard way, and it’s been three years since their “debut” American Nomad, but the miles and years have been very good for them. Their self-titled record is a charming blend of dreamy 60s pop and modern alternative indie rock. If this disc was a cup of black coffee I’d be picking up notes of the best Neil Diamond, Letterman, and Four Tops notes – alongside more up-front hints of Buffalo Springfield, REM, Smokie Robinson and Neil Young. This is the kind of record that makes me so glad the rules are going away. In some ways it feels like the kid brother of Beck’s stellar Morning Phase released last month. So good. (http://theapacherelay.com)

 

Put Your Needle Down (Secret Sisters)

I liked the self-titled debut of Secret Sisters in 2010. But I love their latest. With T-Bone Burnett’s production (and certainly A&R) help Laura and Lydia Rogers have achieved the sort of Americana perfection few artists do. Their vocals remain appropriately upfront, but the tracks frame them with rustic swagger and sass. Sure, there are a few chanted “hey” moments that might date a couple of the songs to this particular moment in time, but considering the balance of the material it’s OK. Such a cool title too. Is it about drugs and addiction? Definitely could be. With songs this swampy and dark anything could come out of the shadows. But the reference to dropping a needle on a record works too. This is the kind of music that benefits from the kind of friction only wax can give. It’s rich and layered, laid-back and confident. This is one I’ll buy on vinyl for sure. Check out the excellent NPR feature here: http://www.npr.org/2014/04/17/304160063/dylan-approved-harmony-loving-sisters-keep-it-retro?ft=1&f=1039&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

 

Turquoise Blues (The Lower Caves)

I’ve raved about this band for years, even though this is their debut. That’s because they have been grinding out some of the most fascinating rock music in Music City for a long time under the name Eastern Block. With a new name and a new album this band has the world in its sites. Front man Aaron Ahlstrom is a force to be reckoned with. With just enough backwoods heart to charm fans of My Morning Jacket or Decemberists, and enough blistering bravado to bring along fans of Jack White, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club or The Doors, The Lower Caves are a classic in the making. Turquoise Blues is motorcycle rock that you can take to the park. Love it. (http://www.thelowercaves.com)