Last year was a good harvest of local music. After years of pandemic-related closures and cancellations, the band is back with live shows (though illness-related cancellations are still common). Many local bands have released great singles, EPs, the following is by no means an exhaustive list. Here are 7 of his personal favorite local music releases for 2022.
1. Jaguaroons, “Walk, don’t run to the border.” The Albany-based surf-rock combo’s EP covers the rich surf instrumental realm, from the Tijuana sound of “Baja Blast” to the classy, delicate “Nacho Boyfriend.” [Seven Layers of Tears]It’s an all-instrumental tribute to Taco Bell and proves, in the band’s words, that “bad food can inspire good music.”
2. Steve Hammond “Honky Tonk Record Club No. 1” Troy’s outsider musician and audio engineer, Steve Hammond, is a versatile and prolific self-released album and single that spans metal, psychedelic and experimental rock. Here he turns his attention to outspoken honky-tonk, and the result is impressive, a complete revamp of Jesus and Mary’s Chain classic “Halfway to Crazy,” from space country “Someday Mother.” Until his version of Twang is impressive.
3. Saucer “Outside” Jim Crowley and Jim Temple, formerly of the Postenkill rock band Blue Factory (and Albany’s Private Plain), were joined by Crowley’s son Evan, a talented songwriter, and Band Saucer. and released their debut album, which showcased the trio’s melodic talents and bristling rock punches with tracks like “Miss Loneliness,” “Motorcycle,” and “Rest.”
4. The Scurves “Shelter In Place” Guitarist and songwriter DJ Miller is a former member of the Saratoga-area heavy rock group Small Ax, who spent some time away from the local music scene after being active in the late 1990s and early 2000s. It’s great to see him back with a new trio featuring ex-The Orange’s Dan Sorensen and Levi Jennes.
5. Think Charmer “Radical Luck” Paul Coleman (playing in Hayley Morley with super talented partner Jennifer Maher Coleman) is one of the most prolific and active local musicians. Sinkcharmer is his solo outfit, but he’s joined live by the ever-talented Shane Sanchez (100 Psychic Dreams) and his Madeline Darby. Highlights include the Madeleine Darby-penned electro-anthem “Innovation” and the subtly dystopian “Season 6 Screenplay Planning Meeting.”
6. Buggy Jive, “Alexander’s Ghost”. Soul rock singer-songwriter Buggy Jive aka Brian Paul Thomas’ new album is always something to look forward to. He also released his excellent EP “I Don’t Understanding How the World Works” this year. Baggy Jive, the self-proclaimed “Kravitz of Literature,” fuses the funk of D’Angelo and Prince with acerbic lyrics and daring social commentary. Always unpredictable, always important.
7. Dr. Baker, “The Intruder.” Recorded by Troy punk legend Don Fury, this album by Albany’s Dr. Baker is toe-to-toe with the opening track of “Exhausted,” which descends discontent like a boat on the Mississippi, post-pandemic. It was the perfect musical antidote to fatigue. – tapping “Hey Romeo” and “Dark Times”, a hopeful upsurge.
Plan of this week
Celebrate the life and spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with celebratory music and cultural events at several community venues this weekend. Don’t miss:
— Danyel Smith, a 2021 Yaddo Fellow, is an author, journalist, creator and host of Spotify’s Black Girl Songbook, a music and talk show centered around black women in music. She leads a free concert, “The Greatest Love of All: Black Women’s Roots and Revolution in Pop,” at The Pines Concert Space. Register at www.yaddo.org/greatest-love-of-all-the-roots-revolution-of-black-women-in-pop.6:00 pm
— The Strand Theater (210 Main Street, Hudson Falls) will join R&B singer Milaine Jackson, local gospel ensembles Heavenly Echoes and Jonathan Newell for a musical celebration in Dr. King’s honor Sunday afternoon .3 pm
— At the Capital Repertory Theater (251 North Pearl St., Albany) with DJ Hollyw8d and a cast of performers — including Doc Horton and The Jay Street Band, Camtron 5000, Leik, Quav13, Gianlife, Levi, Ovaia, NoxTros and King Malachi , King Var DaSuperstar, and spoken word poet Nrgy kick off the annual More Music Less Violence concert gala in a safe space for positive messages and creative freedom.Sunday, 4 pm
— Free family concert in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., vibraphonist, teacher, composer and children at Cafe Lena (47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs) Sunday afternoon In Jazz as Part of the American Story.3 pm
Reach Kirsten Ferguson [email protected]
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