Sebadoh – Act Surprised

Album of the Week – 24/05/19

First off, the wounded the souls. The ones that released something beautiful into the world only to be snubbed right here, right now!

If this slot was called Anthology of the Week, there would be only one winner, as Joan as Police Woman has released a gem in the form of Joanthology! Check it out, if only to be reminded of how good she really is!

We already talked about Swimming Tapes’ new album Morningside here and it’s really quite good also! There are also new releases from the Waterboys, Morrissey and Hayden Thorpe.  [Ex-Wild Beasts singer’s debut]

We went for Sebadoh instead of the above, and this album feels like the return of an old friend!

Sebadoh – Act Surprised

“Indie-rock pioneers Sebadoh will release their first new studio album in more than six years Act Surprised on May 24th via Dangerbird Records.
 
NPR Music stated, “With Act Surprised, Sebadoh kicks off its fourth decade with rare cohesiveness of vision, in a string of spiky, aggressive three-minute rock songs that don’t let their jagged edges obscure the throbbing heart at their center.”

Act Surprised continues the soulful collaboration that’s defined the band since 1991’s Sebadoh III and 1994’s Bakesale. The new batch of songs reaffirms how vital the creative partnership is between members Lou Barlow, Jason Loewenstein, and Bob D’Amico.
 
When Barlow recently moved back to his home state of Massachusetts following a series of personal changes, he pressed the restart button and, in time, felt the incentive to reach out to Jason and Bob again to reunite and start work on a new album. The trio convened and began recording in their original stomping grounds in western Massachusetts where they first formed back in 1988. Along with producer/sound engineer Justin Pizzoferrato, Sebadoh have delivered one of the best records of their career. Act Surprised is a 15-song collection that’s as dynamic and visceral as anything the band has ever committed to tape.”

Other releases –

Amyl And The Sniffers – Monsoon Rock

Cate Le Bon – Reward

Flying Lotus – Flamagra

Hayden Thorpe – Diviner [Ex-Wild Beasts singer’s debut]

Honeyblood – In Plain Sight

Hundred Watt Heart – Turbulent Times [Debut solo LP for The Roots’ “Captain” Kirk Douglas]

Jets – Zoospa [Machinedrum & Jimmy Edgar]

Joan as Police Woman – Joanthology

Justin Townes Earle – The Saint Of Lost Causes

Morrissey – California Son [Covers album]

Sting – My Songs

YG – 4REAL 4REAL

Black Mountain – Destroyer

The Waterboys – Where The Action Is

Faye Webster – Atlanta Millionaires Club

Swimming Tapes – Morningside

Madonnatron – Musica All Puttanesca

Marlon Williams – Live At Auckland Town Hall (Dead Oceans)