SEVEN IN SEVEN music
Welcome to Seven in Seven, where each Thursday in this space we would typically take a look at concerts coming to the region over the next week. With most shows on hold due to the pandemic, here’s a look at seven of the best albums being released Jan. 22:
1 Brian Eno — “Rams: Original Soundtrack Album”
Originally released a few months back as a Record Store Day vinyl-only exclusive, Brian Eno’s “Rams: Original Soundtrack Album” garnered a great deal of attention with unanimously glowing reviews. Due to an overwhelming number of inquiries from fans, the record company agreed to make it available as a very limited one-off CD pressing. Eno, best known for his ambient and electronic-tinged music, scored the soundtrack to an intimate documentary about Dieter Rams, one of the most influential designers in history. It takes an unprecedented look at the life and legacy of the man responsible for so many iconic designs, and in line with the aesthetic of the film, director Gary Hustwit asked Eno specifically to write the original score because of “a connection between Dieter’s design sensibility and Brian’s music.”
2 Wig Wam — “Never Say Die”
Norway’s Wig Wam reunited in 2019and is back in the ring with a new album, aptly titled “Never Say Die.” The new record showcases all the elements that helped the band develop the monster reputation it is known for: driving energy, unstoppable force and never-ending glam-rock fun. Its 12fresh-sounding tracks wear loud guitars on their sleeves while still showing a more mature approach to the group’s sound. Filled with catchy hooks, the melodic anthems are full blown rock ’n’ roll.
3 Rhye — “Home”
Rhye, the project of Los Angeles-based musician Michael Milosh, makes sure every element of the new LP “Home” is intentional and reverberates on a higher extra-sensory plane. Since the release of his 2013 debut, “Woman,” Milosh has mostly lived on the road, playing up to 100 shows a year and decamping in Toronto, Montreal, Thailand, the Netherlands, Germany and Los Angeles. On this follow-up to 2018’s “Blood,” the subject matter is centered around the idea of home as the core of creativity and community. It’s familiar in its synthesis of propulsive beats, orchestral flourishes, piano ruminations and sultry, gender nonconforming vocals, but never have they sounded more cohesive or alive.
4 Phantom Elite — “Titanium”
Originating six years ago, Phantom Elite sprang from Sander Gomman’s band HDK, and, while releasing the album “Serenades of the Netherworld,” he brought together a group of young musicians with the intent of playing HDK’s songs in a live setting. The natural chemistry among the group wound up sparking a wealth of new and exciting musical ideas, and Phantom Elite was born. Fronted by singer Marina La Torraca from Exit Eden and live vocalist for Avantasia, the band is a perfect combination of symphonic, progressive and heavy metal.
5 Damon Johnson & The Get Ready — “Battle Lessons”
Rock fans know Damon Johnson’s name from his years of scorching stages as lead guitarist in Alice Cooper’s band, later with Thin Lizzy and the Lizzy offshoot Black Star Riders, in addition to fronting ’90s Southern rockers Brother Cane, who had a hit with “And Fools Shine On.” Now, with “Battle Lessons,” he returns to that original hard-rock sound, feeding a fire he first discovered as a teenager playing Van Halen and AC/DC covers while in garage bands. These nine newly written songs are just as much about clever lyrics and melodies as searing guitars.
6 Richard Hell & The Voidoids — “Destiny Street Complete”
“Destiny Street” was Richard Hell’s follow-up to one of the greatest punk albums of all time, 1977’s “Blank Generation.” The LP was originally recorded in 1981 and released in 1982, but not to Hell’s satisfaction. As he says in his new liner notes to “Destiny Street Complete,” “The final mix was a morass of trebly multi-guitar blare.” Now, for the 40th anniversary of its creation, the album is at last presented the way he has long hoped and intended: “The sound of a little combo playing real gone rock and roll.”
7 Jeremiah Fraites — “Piano Piano”
Jeremiah Fraites, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and co-founder of The Lumineers, has unveiled a collection of songs in the works for the better part of a decade in “Piano Piano.” The LP, Fraites’ solo debut, features gorgeous, intimate piano-centric instrumental songs capturing reflective moments from his Denver home. The hushed beauty of the compositions and the striking intimacy of the album’s recordings make for a radiantly moving experience throughout.