In this installment of Five Albums, I look at some of the year’s releases that I feel are flying too far below the radar.
Ellen Kempner, who performs as Palehound, is probably the best known of this group. A singer-songwriter worthy of comparisons to Waxahatchee and Speedy Ortiz (led by Kempner’s friend Sadie Dupuis), Dry Food should be in conversations about best album.
This is a really great overlooked album — very cool garage punk from Texas.
Closer to home here in Chicago, Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Heaters makes cool throwback psychedelic rock on this debut.
San Francisco’s Painted Palms makes infectious synth-pop (’80s style).
Expert Alterations – Expert Alterations EP
Another very catchy release — this one channeling early ’80s alternative. A five-song EP that makes you want to hear more from this Baltimore trio.
All the Young Punks 