Naturally, I miss quite a few 2022 releases. This week will feature several of them…
Anchor & Bear “No More Nights On The Roof”
Katy Pearson and Brian Bringelson the duo known as Anchor & Bear. I’ve been following Brian since his early days as Paul Starling, and it’s nice to find that Katy is a perfect match for him musically. “Earthquake On The 4th Of July” hits it right away, as Katy’s gentle harmonies and the catchy chorus make it a great start. The follow-up “Hospital Song” is so low-key, it loses some momentum, but luckily it picks up the tempo with the breezy “Red Letter Days” and playful “Cool Water” with Katy on the lead.
“Glad it’s Over” and “She’s A Robot” takes time to build momentum, but they are also fine tracks. The dynamic is very much along the lines of Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham (Fleetwood Mac) or Carl Newman and Neko Case (New Pornographers). The bouncy “On The Deck Tonight” is another highlight, and while it sometimes feels inconsistent – it more often hits than misses. Definitely, music that deserves to be heard.
Dan Israel “Seriously”
Dan Israel has been very active these last few years. Like a mix of Elvis Costello and Tom Petty, he weaves tales of woe and emotional frustration to a solid guitar melody. Starting with the workman-like effort of “Happy For Now.” It’s all about the nature of his pessimism, with a blistering guitar break. The title track is a bit heavier, with his Dylan-like vocals asking “Should I write another song that nobody hears?” It all seems rather sour but, “I’m In New York” is a chugging melody with harmonica accompaniment offers some relief, leading seamlessly into the acoustic “Taking The Fall.”
The album is consistently good but the best standout tracks are reserved for the end of the album, the defiant “I Quit” and amazing “Hang Of It” make this triumphant. It did make my top 50 list (#40) last year, so do not hesitate. I would also check out his earlier album Social Media Anxiety if you are a new Dan listener. Highly Recommended.
