NEW RECORDS!!!
- Dakota Kahler
- Mar 25, 2020
- 3 min read
Anticipating spending a lot of time at home, I mail ordered 3 new records so I could have some fresh material to listen to. I usually do not order records off Amazon as I do my best to support local, it seemed to be the only option at the time. I did, however, order one off of a band's Bandcamp profile, which supports the artist directly.
Monophonics - "It's Only Us", 2020
Jason Isbell - "Southeastern", 2013
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit - "The Nashville Sound", 2017
I ordered Monophonic's newest project off of Bandcamp on a day where all revenue went to the artists directly. This was a one-day promotion Bandcamp did to help artists in this rough time, as they cannot tour (which is their main source of revenue). Over the course of 24 hours, Bandcamp generated over 4 million dollars in sales that went to the artists directly. I had fallen in love with "It's Only Us" when it dropped (March 13) and thought it would be perfect to support the California Soul group. The album, released on indie label Colemine Records, includes standouts such as "Chances", "Tunnel Vision", and "Day by Day". I am fairly new to Monophonics, and this is the first album of theirs that I have sat down and listened to front to back. I was blown away by the amount of soul the album had, sprinkled with bits and pieces of psychedelic rock for good measure. It will definitely be an album I have on constant repeat for the foreseeable future, and I would recommend it to anybody wanting to feel powerful soul that cannot be taught. Fantastic pressing out of Gotta Groove Records, packaged in a beautiful die-cut outer sleeve, and packaged in an archival quality anti-static inner. There were no cut corners on this release, and I look forward to diving deeper into it with future spins.
Ever since my best friend Jake introduced me to Alabama born, Nashville dwelling singer/songwriter Jason Isbell, I have been HOOKED. His songs evoke deep emotions, convey powerful messages, and display true feeling. Jason's lyrics are carefully and masterfully crafted, and they are complemented by his innate comfortability with his 6 string. "Southeastern" is a perfect example of what a true singer/songwriter is capable of; songs such as "Cover Me Up", "Elephant", and "Songs That She Sang In The Shower" show Isbell laying it all on the line emotionally, personally, and musically. Backed by his band (the 400 unit, which includes his wife Amanda Shires), Isbell created a masterpiece of an album that deals with love, death, heartbreak, and addiction. Anyone desiring a roller coaster ride of emotions should hop on and take this album for a spin. This is a 180g black vinyl pressing on Isbell's Southeastern Records label, and it is remarkable.
Because one was not enough, I ordered Jason's newest album "The Nashville Sound" for many of the same reasons stated above. Though a much different tempo and mood than Southeastern, "The Nashville Sound" still showcases not only Isbell's raw abilities, but also his bands. My favorite tracks are "Cumberland Gap", "Anxiety", and "Chaos and Clothes". Don't be fooled by the official band name, Jason has always been backed up by the 400 Unit, but not all of his records have included their name behind his. I do not know why he dropped "and the 400 Unit" for a few albums, but it is the same old Isbell I fell in love with.. This copy is once again a 180g black vinyl pressing on the Southeastern Records label. I'll be spinning this one for a while.
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