new music reflection #1

Perhaps this is a good time to reflect on some CDs I've discovered over the past few months.
Let's start with last November ...

• The Lemonheads, The Lemonheads [Vagrant Records]
• Hot Burritos! The Flying Burrito Brothers Anthology: 1969-1972 - Flying Burrito Brothers [Interscope Records]
• Safe at Home, The International Submarine Band [Sundazed Music]
• The Further Adventures of Flossie Fillett: The Complete Recordings - Turquoise [Rev-Ola]

Dando has reformed the Lemonheads with a bunch of new musicians. The key difference between this album and Dando's last solo outing, Baby I'm Bored, is that he seems to be consciously writing/recording tracks that could fit on any of the final three Lemonheads albums. While Dando isn't really breaking any new ground with this album, The Lemonheads offers up a nice bit of poppy nostalga for fans of the band, or bubblegrunge.

Those who are into the Lemonheads know very well that Dando admires (and sometimes covers) Gram Parsons. While in the US I got a couple of albums with Parsons connections. Hot Burritos! offers a nice overview of the Flying Burrito Brothers while Safe at Home (not to be confused with Captain Beefheart's Safe as Milk) repackages the first (and only) album by his first countryish outfit, the International Submarine Band. If you're not into country music, then these early country rock gems aren't for you.

I picked up The Further Adventures of Flossie Fillett (by Turquoise) purely based on the recommendation of a friend. Actually, that isn't entirely true, as the band's connection to the Kinks was also a factor. Either way, I am happy to report the album doesn't disappoint in the least bit. Think London pop of the late 60s. Something between Badfinger and the Zombies.