Clannad- Nádúr: And then, just like that, we jump across a lengthy hiatus to 2013 and an album that sounds quite different from what they were doing in the 90’s. Not stylistically, I’m just talking about the quality and their approach to Celtic New Age. The vocalists distinctly sound different is a big element, and that’ll happen over a decade and a half. Quite nice though, I’m glad they didn’t pack it up forever. 6.5/10
The Music- Welcome to the North: The 2004 sophomore release from this group. It is, pleasantly, no sophomore slump. They’re still doing what they do best, which is good, since they’re the only ones who do it. No one else quite like the Music, I’m glad this album works as well as it does. 6.5/10
Linda Eder- Storybook: While most of this is slow love ballads, the first third or so is some of the coolest swing jazz I have ever encountered. This is a demonstration of why she shouldn’t have bothered chasing after Whitney in the 90’s: not that she’s ill-suited for that, just that she’s so much better at this. This, I imagine, is why she made a splash on Broadway. And those slow love ballads? Many of them bring to mind smoky evenings in Prohibition-era jazz clubs, so they aren’t too shabby either. I’m gonna have to look up more of her stuff now. 6.5/10
Neck Deep- All Distortions Are Intentional: Been a while since I heard from these guys. And I gotta say, they’re kinda phoning it in? Things pick up a bit in the middle with “When You Know” and the UK hip-hop inspired “Quarry”. But the rest is just kinda undifferentiated pop punk. I was hoping for more. 5.5/10
The Fisherman and the Sea- Botify the People: This has been brewing for quite some time! It’s a great indie rock concept album, not something I’ve really seen before. And the thing that makes it work is the theme: not simply “technology bad”, but more about how the way we use technology — or the way it’s used on us — is what causes suffering, depersonalization, distance from others, and any number of other existential problems. With upbeat guitars and long, introspective solos, this is a worthy addition to the annals of concept album history. If nothing else, it’s totally worth it for the single, “Scream Into the Void”. 7.5/10
Present Perfect 