Ears We Trust: Jim McGuinn

Our Programming Director Jim McGuinn chimed in for the latest installment of Ears We Trust. If you tune in to WXPN Evenings when Jim is hosting, you might just hear him spin some of these albums and tracks.

HELP(2)

This entire project is so cool. Getting 23 artists crammed into Abbey Road over a few days in November to cut songs for the War Child charity is no small feat, but when the results include amazing performances by Fontaines D.C., Arctic Monkeys, Beth Gibbons, Wet Leg, Depeche Mode, and many more. It’s a really special thing. Building on the original Help release from 1995, it’s tragic that the need for War Child and support for their mission is more important than ever. Nice when listening to and purchasing music can do a tiny bit to help.

Ratboys – Singin’ To An Empty Chair

In the past few years my awareness of the Chicago-based indie rock band Ratboys has gone from “never heard of ‘em” to “can’t get enough” — and with the new album, tour, and recent World Cafe session bringing it all together, I’m starting to think this could be my album of the year. From punky indie rock to lilting Americana (hello pedal steel!), and songs that deal with the malady and absurdity of modern living, Julia Steiner and the band pack a punch while making you think, have a great beat you can ‘80s dance to, and sound as great on a Friday night as they do on a Sunday morning. This is no small feat!  Bravo!

Sloan – One Chord To Another (1996)

Been a fan of this Canadian band for more than 30 years, and among many great records, this might be my favorite. Everything about it — the cover art; simple, blue and cool (and hilarious, I love the fake liner notes!); the production, crisp and lively; and the songs, tightly constructed and hard hitting. One of the amazing things about this band is that they have four lead singers and songwriters, yet always seem to sound… like Sloan. I can think of only one other band who has achieved that, and they are a quartet from Liverpool from the ‘60s (and I’m kinda stretching it to consider Ringo a songwriter, outside of “Octopus’ Garden”). I put this on the other day — the sun was shining, and the power pop grooves exploded. If you are new to Sloan, this is a great place to start.  

King Tuff – Moo

Give it up for keeping it real. A few years after leaving his native Vermont, Kyle Thomas (aka King Tuff) returned to his cherished 8-track Tascam 388 tape machine that he started working on nearly 20 years ago and laid down a scorcher of a new album. Playing most of the instruments himself (except a few drummers helping out, including his buddy Ty Segall), the songs come fast and furious, and if that’s a theme for all four releases in this post, I’m up for it: Bring the rock, don’t overcook it, and don’t overthink it. Another rocker for the sunny spring and summer.