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Television
Television (Virtual Label)
Back in 1992, the proto-prog-punk quartet Television shocked us all by reuniting and releasing what would be their final recorded statement as a group. The self-titled album—finally available on vinyl thanks to the good people at Virtual Label—finishes the thought that Tom Verlaine began in his solo work with the crucial assist of guitarist Richard Lloyd’s wiry leads and liquid solos. And the dream-pop edge that creeps into the mix is quickly undercut by the deep-pocket, tense work of drummer Billy Ficca and bassist Fred Smith.
Luke Wyland
Kuma Cove (Balmat)
In his Instagram bio, Portland musician Luke Wyland calls himself a “stutterer refracting disfluency into music.” How that is translated into the sounds of his latest solo album, Kuma Cove, is through jagged loops of sound stretched and twisted into beautiful dribbles of melody and rhythm. Billowing though it all are vast clouds of drone that carry within them sheets of sonic lightning. Another massive achievement from one of the city’s finest artists.
Carmike
Comin’ at Yo Ass (Now-Again)
Now-Again has been doing the Lord’s work for many years now, reissuing vital slabs from funk, R&B, and Zamrock artists for the cost-conscious collector. This year, they have set their sights on the Memphis rap scene, licensing and pressing to vinyl rare cassette releases from some of that city’s finest MCs. A must-have from that series is this darkly poetic look at life in the Dirty South anchored by beats that approximate the feeling of sinking into the couch after a particularly righteous bong hit.