Welcome back to Band Practice where I do the thing—and by thing I mean listen to a lot of music—and then I do the other thing where I share my favorite finds with you. It has been longer than I intended between issues, and I apologize in advance if I write a little more sporadically in the near future. Life has been busy and challenging lately, and I haven’t had as much time to write as I would like. And the stress of managing my senior dog’s new health issues has me feeling about as sentient as a pool noodle—just a squishy, foam tube floating in a chlorinated lagoon, with little energy to spare. I’m prioritizing taking care of his health and mine right now and will send out new issues as frequently as I’m able.
I did, however, put my noodle brain to work to share two excellent albums with you: Beloved! Paradise! Jazz!? from rap artist McKinley Dixon, and 3D Country from—let’s just call them alternative with an ominous question mark—Geese. We also have another entry in the “reader recommendations” series: Gag Order from Kesha.
As always, if you want more new music inspiration, you can peruse the playlist at the end of this issue which contains my favorite song from every album I listened to—updated with this month’s batch.
In other, separate, playlist news: I added a new song to the Summer 2023 playlist: Kim Petras’ “Coconuts.” I intended to include it originally but totally spaced and it just wouldn’t feel like summer without its inclusion. It’s silly and camp and a total bop. It adds just a bit more energy to the beginning section of the playlist (I think it improves the vibe). The song is also responsible for this iconic lip-sync from RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars (kind of NSFW). It’s fixin’ to be a karaoke staple. I hope you enjoy it! You can listen to the Summer 2023 playlist on Spotify or Apple Music, and you can find links to my other, chill summer playlist here.
Ok, let’s get to it!
Pick of the week…err…month
3D Country — Geese
Alternative [Released 5/9/23]
I don’t know if it was because I had no context when I went to listen to Geese’s 3D Country or if it’s a testament to their originality, but from the first line I was as equally mystified as I was wowed. I found myself trying to figure out what was even going on. Was this post-punk? Was it country? Was it sent from an alternate dimension where we have hands for feet and feet where the hands go? It was as confounding and thrilling as a rollercoaster ride, and when I got to the end I wanted to jump back on again.
In their second studio album, the quintet of Brooklynites bend all of the rules bringing hints of country, blues, soul, and psychedelia into a post-punk backdrop—where a banjo has equal merit as screechy electric guitars. Lead vocalist Cameron Winter has a voice like a rubber band—stretching and slingshotting from vocal stylings reminiscent of Michael McDonald to Thom Yorke and everywhere sideways, longways, and in between. His charismatic energy is both chaotic and convincing, steering the album through its twisty course.
Every song is its own unique ride. The aptly titled, “Cowboy Blues,” is an upbeat bluesy number featuring gospel-esque backup singers and a delightful amount of cowbell. The quirky love song builds to a bongo jam session that is sufficient to register on the Richter scale. The soul-driven, “I See Myself,” provides the most stripped-down moment on the album. Slide guitar and the cheery twinkle of a triangle lure you into believing that chaos isn’t lurking around the corner. It segues into the rowdy and spooky, “Undoer” (which sounds like it was plucked from Hail to the Thief-era Radiohead) with a slightly demonic sendoff.
This album improves with every listen. After many, some questions from my initial confusion have been answered, but one still remains: is this the future of country music or the future of punk? Whatever future it is, Geese is living in it.
Tracks on repeat: 2122, I See Myself, Crusades
Available on Spotify, Apple Music, bandcamp
Also worth a listen
Beloved! Paradise! Jazz!? — McKinley Dixon
Hip-Hop/Rap [Released 6/2/23]
My favorite rap feels like jazz—nimble, complex, and deeply emotive—and there are few who fuse the two together more naturally than McKinley Dixon. In Beloved! Paradise! Jazz!?, the Virginian rap artist brings along a full jazz band (and occasional string orchestrations) to deliver tight, socially conscious verses that reflect the city’s oppression of Black communities.
Throughout the album, Dixon delivers snapshots of these oppressions, pulling from his own experience. Tracks like, “Mezzanine” and “Run, Run, Run” shine a light on racial violence. “Mezzanine” is particularly jarring. It opens with the repeated cries of “fuck 12” over sounds of rattling chains (or possibly handcuffs)—strongly conveying pain at the hands of the police. “Run, Run, Run,” is sonically brighter with plucky piano and xylophone, but its message is just as heartbreaking. He raps about “running from the guns”—both pretend and literal—as a youth. He shares about his, “nights on the car hood, laid out crucified,” again referencing interactions with the police.
Everything I’ve listened of Dixon’s has moved me, and this album is no exception. His ability to turn pain into lyric, and lyric into flow isn’t jazz with an interrobang—as the album’s title suggests—but jazz with a declarative period.
Tracks on repeat: Sun, I Rise; Run, Run, Run; Dedicated to Tar Feather
Available on Spotify, Apple Music, bandcamp
Special feature: reader recommendation
Gag Order — Kesha
Pop [Released 5/19/23]
Another exciting installment of the reader recommendation feature comes from Erica of Seattle, WA. She recommended Kesha’s new album and I was thoroughly impressed by it.
You might know American pop singer/songwriter Kesha (formerly stylized as Ke$ha) from her chart-topping hits like, “Tik Tok” and “Die Young,” but over the years she has considerably developed and refined her craft. Her latest album, Gag Order is perhaps her most mature yet. The album marks a pivotal moment for her: the settlement of her lawsuit with former producer Dr. Luke (whom she accused of assault). In it, she brings a new perspective and a new sound that made me double-check that I was actually listening to Kesha. Let’s hear what Erica has to say about it.
How did you hear about this album, Erica?
Erica: I enjoy watching Zane Lowe interview artists and I came across his interview with Kesha. I have enjoyed a few of her hits here and there in the past and have heard about her legal battles, but the depth of personal reflection and spiritual connection in her interview drew me in even more and I knew I had to listen to the full album this time. I love knowing the stories behind songs.
What did you love about it?
Erica: It is a full masterpiece that I enjoy listening to all the way through over and over. It's edgy, trippy, spiritual, deep, has moments of cheeky humor, and stick-it-to-the-man vibes all in one. It takes me out of my day-to-day experience and puts me in this deeper level of thought while being super enjoyable at the same time. I think it is partly due to the level of personal reflection she has done that Kesha's words and sounds can simultaneously cut to the heart of the pain and vulnerability of the human condition while also having some sort of hope for self-love and healing.
What is your favorite song on the album?
Erica: “Eat The Acid.” It's so unique and builds in a slow burning crescendo. I also identify with the theme of feeling like change can be scary, but so exciting and life-changing.
Thanks to Erica for sharing this album! If you would like to recommend an album to be featured in a future issue, let me know in the comments or reply to this email. If I love it, I’ll reach out to you.
Available on Spotify, Apple Music
Thanks for reading! For the next issue, I’m listening to new albums from Blur, Carly Rae Jepsen, Georgia, and more. I’ll write about my favorites—make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss it!
The playlist!
Want even more good music?? I’m keeping a running playlist of my favorite song from every new album I listen to this year. It’s ordered chronologically by date listened and I’ll update it with every issue. It’s long, so you’ll need to scroll to the end get to the most recent albums. The latest batch starts with the song “Djit Nishrab” from Dudu Tassa & Jonny Greenwood (highly recommend). Some other highlights include “Klettur” from Sigur Rós (off of a very lovely album that has been bringing me peace) and “Wesley Crusher” from Your Heart Breaks (a must-listen if you enjoy Star Trek and engaging storytelling).
Albums of 2023 - Apple Music playlist
Albums of 2023 - Spotify playlist
I love hearing what you have to say! If you have feelings about this issue, questions for me, album recommendations, or any other thoughts, send them my way by hitting that comment button or replying to this email.
I hope not too sporadically...😉
Both of these albums (and Kesha) have such cool names?! Jazz?!
Also, if you haven’t listened to Kim Petras’ new album feed the beast I recommend! Much less vulgar than her previous one 😜