NEIL YOUNG on the beach

perhaps less acclaimed than the aforeposted NY album, but perhaps more important (and better).

Wow, Neil's flipped out and joined "the family" or something. You might think it could only get better from there, but you'd be wrong. This ain't for rainbows and unicorns here baby, better leave that to T. Rex or somebody, this here is like Alice in Chains in 1974 and I couldn't possibly love it any more than I do.

This album was reportedly made under the influence of honey slides, a rather noxious combination of honey and marijuana invented by fiddle player Rusty Kershaw who played on the album. Apparently this stuff would really put it on you, and the pace and tempo of the album would certainly confirm those rumors, not to mention the fact that they were cooked up at a rate of a reported pound a week. Yeah, that explains a lot.

The songs themselves range from the singular up-tempo "Walk On," through a trilogy of "blues" titled tunes and some other ditties you've probably never heard on Sesame Street I'm betting. They cover a variety of subjects from disillusionment to relationship disintegration and other happy subjects along those lines.

If you are a Neil fan and don't own this go get it now. If you are new to Neil, you better wait on this one. This one here is a different beast entirely than those pretty records like After the Gold Rush and Harvest. This one here is creepy man, be prepared. It's also one of the absolute best in my collection.

essential. 1974.

NEKO CASE fox confessor brings the flood

neko case, known mostly for her work with the new pornographers, also releases fantastic alt-country/singer-songwriter material under her own name. her most prominent asset (aside from her gorgeous red locks) is her mesmerizing voice, and it's on full display here:

If Neko Case isn't the reigning queen if alt. country, I don't know who is. Employing The Sadies, Calexico, and Giant Sand's Howe Gelb, Neko's self-produced fourth solo album is a certain ambiance shift from her last traditional covers laden release The Tigers Have Spoken, despite maintaining the animal imagery. Fox Confessor rides a heavier dark and sombre vibe with Case's lyrics apparently waking up from the disillusionment of the Hollywood propagated notion of some rewardingly presented all encompassing love that's crammed down our throats from a young age (though I don't understand how anyone could believe Jennifer Lopez is even capable of loving anyone besides herself). While legions of accountants and secretaries flock to the banal, unchallenging likes of Jack Johnson, Case wraps her singer-songwriter roots folk vocals and vision around country, twisting it to accept everything from moody psychedelic rock to eloquent orch-pop. The brilliant symphony of a household’s mental downfall, "Dirty Knife" exhibits all the best qualities of where she’s at now. Move aside, Wilco. It's Neko's turn now.

2006.

WHISKEYTOWN stranger's almanac

a brilliant alt-country album from ryan adams and co. the sound is less ryan adams than his solo stuff (imagine that), but the quality is extremely high. this band was fucking phenomenal, and this is possibly their best work. ranks way up there with the best of the genre. originally released in 1997, this is the deluxe edition from 2008 with copious amounts of (excellent) bonus tracks.