Is there new music from David Bowie? No. But we are celebrating our 50th birthday here at KAXE, and we thought it would be fun to highlight influential releases from the year this community radio station first transmitted to Northern Minnesota.
Each week, you will find a review of an important album from 1976 alongside our normal Fresh Picks. If you're new here, it's a weekly feature on the latest in the wide world of music. There might even be cases of new music from musicians who are deeply inspired by the very album we're digging into from 50 years ago.
What better way to start it off than with David Bowie? Read on for Andrew Dziengel's thoughts on the iconic Station To Station album.
Alongside that look back, we've got a new albums from Swedish post-punks Makthaverskan and their one-of-a-kind singer Maja Milner, from Daniel Romano's rock 'n' roll experts Outfit and from the hard-hitting and groovy soul jazz trio Parlor Greens.
For singles, Kacey Musgraves announced a new album and hits a "Dry Spell," Kelsey Lu's stadium-filling pop, John R. Miller says "You Should See Me Now," but does he mean it? And André Tanker gives a peek into Trinidad and Tobago in 1979.
Check out this week's suggestions from Asst. Music Director Malachy Koons, Volunteer Coordinator Dan Gannon and KAXE Morning Show Producer Andrew Dziengel.
Albums
Album of the Week: Makthaverskan - Glass and Bones
Led by the unmistakable vocals of singer Maja Milner, Swedish post-punk outfit Makthaverskan are back with a blistering new album. On Glass and Bones, the Gothenburg five-piece's strengths are on full display: the chorus and reverb drenched melodic guitar lines, thundering basslines, breakneck punk drumming, and above it all, Milner’s evocative voice that pierces through the mix — whether a breathy whisper or a full-throated roar. -MK
The Outfit - Preservers of the Pearl
If Thin Lizzy, The Kinks and The Jam had a musical child, it might be The Outfit. With powerhouse drumming pushing these riff heavy tunes forward, The Outfit instantly gets you bopping your head and working out those neck muscles. Songs such as "Unseeable Root," "Harmless" and "Firebreather" are power-pop at its best.
Did I mention the drummer??? Holy guacamole, can they knock the daylights out of those skins. Last but not least, let's not sleep on the catchy vocals that sound like experienced grad students of the University of Rock 'n' Roll. The Outfit know what they are doing and exactly how to do it! - DG
Parlor Greens - Emeralds
Instrumental trio Parlor Greens return with another funky, groovy and inventive soul jazz album. Heavily inspired by the ‘70s organ work of soul jazz legends like "Brother" Jack McDuff and Jimmy Smith, Adam Scone (organ), Jimmy James (guitar) and Tim Carman (drums) are all seasoned players in the retro soul, blues and jazz world. Their natural affinity for playing together shines through.
"Mustard Sauce” taps into The Meters funk, “Letter To Brother Ben” pairs an R&B groove with gospel organ, and “Drop Top” is the instrumental to a lost soul ballad classic. I’ve been a fan of James since I first heard the Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio, and I hope his incredible guitar chops get their due soon. -MK
Singles
Kacey Musgraves - "Dry Spell"
On "Dry Spell," we hear Musgraves bringing a quiet yearning for intimacy over an up-tempo rimshot rhythm featuring some very tasty guitar riffs. As Kacey tells us, "Ain't nobody's tool up in my shed/ Ain't nobody's boots under my bed," successfully fusing longing with humor. Prediction: This tune is gonna get a LOT of play at KAXE / KBXE. -DG
Kelsey Lu - "Running To Pain"
An early contender for pop banger of the summer? I think so.
Experimental pop vocalist and cellist Kelsey Lu recently announced her second album due out in June with this synth-pop belter about returning time and time again to something that hurts you. “Running To Pain” is a stadium-sized anthem that hurtles forward at the same speed the narrator runs toward the cause of her pain. -MK
John R. Miller - "If You Could Only See Me Now"
Miller’s 2023 album The Heat Comes Down was one of my records of the year, with Miller’s worn-out voice detailing the failed relationships and everyday struggles of a musician scraping by on the road. On the surface of “If You Could Only See Me Now,” it seems the country songwriter’s life has improved, but there’s more than a hint of sarcasm on this cover of his friend William Matheny. Perhaps the packed rooms and increased attention to his music are a distraction from, and not a cure for, his blues. -MK
André Tanker - "River Come Down"
One of the lead singles from Soundway Records' next big archival project, André Tanker’s hip-shaking 1979 funk and calypso release is a fitting intro to Kaiso Power: Sound Revolution in Trinidad, 1970-1980. The river is a metaphor for the wave of revolutionary activities that swept through the country in the ‘70s, like the Black Power marches and trade union demonstrations that coincided with a growth in Pan-Africanism throughout the Caribbean and the world. Due out May 29, Kaiso Power will showcase the revolutionary music that soundtracked the time. -MK
1976 Album
David Bowie - Station to Station
David Bowie’s 10th studio album Station to Station represented another pivot in a career filled with them. Having successfully shed the Ziggy Stardust persona years earlier, Bowie entered the sinister Thin White Duke era inspired by his alien performance in The Man Who Fell to Earth.
In his previous album Young Americans, Bowie took inspiration from disco and soul, and that continues on Station to Station — but with the added influence of krautrock bands like Neu! and Kraftwerk. He ended up creating what some consider the proto-new wave album, with the more mechanical pop songs like "TVC 15" and the 10-minute title track.
The album went on to become one of the most successful albums in Bowie’s career to that point, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard charts thanks to groovy singles like "Golden Years" and the Frank Sinatra approved cover of "Wild is the Wind." Bowie claimed he didn't remember much of making this album, but he ended up creating not only one of his most successful albums, but one Bowie fans regularly contend is one of his best. -AD
