From: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org (ecto-digest) To: ecto-digest@smoe.org Subject: ecto-digest V16 #2273 Reply-To: ecto@smoe.org Sender: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk ecto-digest Friday, May 18 2018 Volume 16 : Number 2273 To unsubscribe: e-mail ecto-digest-request@smoe.org and put the word unsubscribe in the message body. Today's Subjects: ----------------- more on new releases [JoAnn Whetsell ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 11 May 2018 18:38:48 +0000 From: JoAnn Whetsell Subject: more on new releases Sherlyn Koo gave a wonderful review of Missy Higgins' Solastalgia. All I can say is, yes, I agree. So re-read what Sherlyn wrote and listen to the album. I've been hit and miss with Missy's work; the last few albums I found rather blah. This new one I found more engaging. We'll see if it holds up. Neile also gave a good review of Eleanor Friedberger's new album Rebound. To which I basically say the same as above: read what Neile said and listen to the album. It's fun and good. I've also really been enjoying Birds of Chicago's new album Love in Wartime, which was also released last Friday. It's their third album, but the first I've listened to. More energetic than Po' Girl (of which Alison Russel is also a member). Birds of Chicago is her duo with her husband (I'm pretty sure it's her husband; it's a guy at any rate). Rootsy, bluesy, folky, Americana. I highly encourage people to check the new album out. I was pleasantly surprised by Rachael Sage's Myopia. I haven't listened to her recent albums much, but this one seems to have more of the energy (or maybe the style? or both?) of the albums through Public Record. Again, we'll see if it holds up, but it feels more promising. Similarly, I haven't listened to Tori Amos' recent albums that much. I liked Night of Hunters quite a bit, and I thought Unrepentant Geraldine had some good songs. I thought Native Invader had some good songs when it first came out (namely Cloud Riders and Up the Creek) but I hadn't listened to it in a while. But after listening to Myopia, I decided to return to it, and I found I liked it a lot. There are a few weird sounds in the early tracks, production choices I guess (I don't really know how to describe it), somewhat off-putting but not enough to mar the songs or the album. Cloud Riders and Up the Creek are REALLY good and I would start there if you haven't heard those songs yet. Overall, I find this her strongest and most cohesive work in years. It's also shorter (13 songs, less than an hour). Some of her albums seem to go on and on, so maybe she did a better job culling weaker material. I randomly woke up around 3 in the morning and was awake enough to stream Loreena McKennitt's very lovely new album Lost Souls. Can't wait to listen to it again. It sounds like she's in top form but exploring new ground. Love the Spanish rhythms on the opening track. Listening now to Beach House, 7. I find it more engaging than some of their recent work. Though I must admit I haven't paid much attention since Teen Dream. I'd give a listen, but didn't connect. This one makes me want to listen more. JoAnn ------------------------------ End of ecto-digest V16 #2273 ****************************