Lori Goldston

High And Low

Sofaburn Records

Goldston is best known as the cellist on Nirvana’s In Utero. She has played on a lot of other albums by artists as diverse as Earth, David Byrne, and Black Cat Orchestra, which she co-founded, and has released many solo and ensemble albums. This is her Sofaburn debut and it’s a great one.

The best way to listen to this album of amplified cello with effects, is to concentrate on the patterns made by her playing. It’s all little melodies and rhythms swirling around, but always propelling the music forward. Some tracks include percussion, like “Crossing Over Place,” played by Dan Sasaki, who has played with Jackie-O Motherfucker, Gun Club, and others, and "Moss on Rock," which features Dave Abramson on drums and percussion and Greg Kelley on trumpet. The drums and cymbals add more textures, which is another thing to look for: the shifting textures moving things along, and the interplay between percussion and cello.

The High section of the album is a tribute to a friend who had recently passed away, but the music is never mournful, more like a celebration of her life and a tribute. The Low section doesn’t have a unifying concept, but is as lively as the High section and just as exciting.

What this really is, though, is contemporary classical music, and those who like that will love this album. It’s special, it’s different, fun in its own way, and thrilling.

Andrea Weiss

 Danny Wilkerson

Strawberry Sherry single

Big Stir Records

This new single, from an album in progress, is very blissed out. Sherry is the girl he loves like anything, and he wants to marry her. It’s sweet, nicely psychedelic power pop and a lot of fun to listen to.

If you need something to feel good about and something cool to listen to, this song fits the bill.

Andrea Weiss

 The Flashcubes/Paley Brothers

Come Out And Play

Big Stir Records

What I like about this cover is it’s a bit more rock than the original Paley Brothers version from the 70s; the original is more bubblegum pop. But both are really good, and the Cubes are joined here by the Paley Brothers themselves, who do add something good on guitar and vocals. So if you’re new to the brothers as I am, this is a good introduction.

Andrea Weiss

 Lori Goldston

We Miss You And Wish You Well (Official Video)

Sofaburn Records

Watching this video, filmed and directed by Clyde Petersen, is like drinking a strong, but relaxing cup of tea. Soft focus, flying above the clouds, with long shots of Mount St. Helens, the effect is soothing and meditative.

The music is amplified cello with effects, and the playing is very intricate. Interlocking little melodies, drones, and rhythms going everywhere, with lots of textures making the pieces fit together, it suggests many things going on below the surface, not necessarily bad, just contemplative.

Sit down with your favorite hot beverage, or maybe iced tea, and watch this. It’s a nice way to unwind after a long day, or just take a break in the middle of a busy one. This is a great video, and it’s always a joy to hear some good cello playing.

Andrea Weiss

 Librarians With Hickeys

Ghost Singer

Big Stir Records

This song is about saving yourself from being dumped at a concert by leaving on your own. It’s a rowdy rocker with twin guitars. Ray Carmen's singing is great, with inspired backing vocals from The Armoires' Christina Bulbenko and Rex Broome.

The single will be on Librarians With Hickeys’ upcoming album, Handclaps & Tambourines. It's one of the finest singles of the year. Grab this. The guitars are killer, the singing is wonderful, and it’s just a really great song. The full album will be out October 14.

Andrea Weiss

 Lung

Let It Be Gone

Romanus Records

This album, recorded before the pandemic and delayed because of that, trouble finding a label, and being on the soundtrack of a horror film that never got released, doesn’t sound dated. What it does sound like is one of the best albums of the year.

The sound of Lung, who are Daisy Caplan and Kate Wakefield is unique. Kate is classically trained and plays the electric cello, making it sound like a lead guitar. Daisy plays drums. It’s not for the fainthearted. It’s pretty dark, yet doesn't sound disturbing, just filled with dread and unease, which does fit today's mood. It was recorded and engineered wonderfully by Mike Montgomery.

Come Clean Right Now, an album the band recorded while the wait for Let It be Gone was on, was spare and stark. Gone, on the other hand, is lush with many layers, more cello, and more vocals. The ultimate 1-2 punch of the album is “Siren Song” and “Her Voice Is What follows.” The former says beware the siren's song, and we don't know if the person running from the siren gets away. The latter continues the siren’s voice, presented as an aria.

If you want something different and very good, try Lung. You’ll be rewarded with a great album. Gone was more than worth the wait.

Andrea Weiss

 Speed Of Sound

Virtual Reality 123/Charlotte 12” single

Big Stir Records

This is an old-fashioned style 12” single made for today, to mark the 1 year anniversary of their album Museum of Tomorrow.

These extended remixes make “Virtual Reality 123” sound like a mix of jangle pop and goth, “Charlotte” is 80s style goth. The album had been a concept album about sci-fi themes. The single carries this theme, but sounds a bit more ominous than the original versions.

So if you want to remember what 80s 12” single remixes sound like, want to revisit the album in a new way, or both, give these remixes a listen, then check out the album, which is really good too.

Andrea Weiss