The first sign of spring and warmer weather comes and BAM! We get hit with a devastating tornado that no one saw coming. Nashville will do what Nashville always does and that’s pick itself up and rebuild. The sense of community in this city is like nothing I’ve seen anywhere else.
While you are out helping a friend out that has lost everything or volunteering to help complete strangers, please check out some of the great new music out this week. I Believe In Nashville.
Mandy Moore Silver Landings
I’ve come to accept the fact that I am now middle-aged and there is a group of people that will see that Mandy Moore has an album out and will think “I didn’t know the mom from This Is Us sang.” I guess it’s time to fill out my AARP membership card.
It’s been 10 years since the pop star turned actress released new music and Silver Linings is truly worth the wait. Moore returns with a very matured sounding album that feels so modern while sounding like it could have been a massive hit in the 70s or 80s.
From the sleek production to the personal lyrics throughout the album Moore delivers what should be one of the best albums of 2020. Moore did not want to put music behind her but an abusive marriage with singer Ryan Adams forced her to put singing on hold. With that relationship behind her, Moore returns triumphantly with 10 nearly flawless songs.
Moore wrote and recorded the new album with new husband Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes and spends the majority of the album looking forward. Silver Landings showcases her growth as an artist from teen pop sensation to folk musician. While the album focuses on the future Moore is still honest about her past on it.
“If That’s What It Takes” sounds like something crafted for Kacey Musgraves and is centered on abusive relationships. Mandy sings “I wanted to be good enough for you, until I wasn’t good enough for me” while keeping the focus on herself. “Will I forgive you? You don’t get to know” shows that she refuses to be a victim and rather takes control of the situation.
Silver Landings is the best Mandy Moore album to date. While listening to it it’s hard not imagining Stevie Nicks or even Olivia Newton-John singing these songs. Mandy Moore brings her North American tour to the Ryman on April 5. @TheMandyMoore
Body Count Carnivore
I grew up an inner-city white kid that was surrounded with the sounds of rap music coming from every direction. I was introduced to hardcore rap music at an early age and gravitated to it more than I did The Sugarhill Gang, Fat Boys or Run-D.M.C. My taste was more geared towards the likes of 2 Live Crew, Blowfly and Ice-T.
Ice-T rapped about things that as a kid I knew where wrong and illegal but I was drawn to his every word nonetheless. “High Rollers,” “I’m Your Pusher” and “Sex” just painted the most vivid pictures of world I never knew existed.
Before becoming more known for his role as Fin on Law and Order: SVU Ice-T flipped the script and formed the metal band Body Count and continued his run as one the most controversial people in music. Nearly 30 years after the release of the infamous track “Cop Killer” Body Count returns with Carnivore.
Carnivore, the 7th Body Count album and first since 2017s Bloodlust, continues to blaze the trail that the band has been on for over 30 years. There’s no let down on the album as the band goes full throttle from the jump. Riley Gale of Powertrip guests on “Point The Finger” and delivers one of the nastiest songs in the bands discography while detailing street life and its culture.
Carnivore features two covers including Motörhead’s “Ace of Spades” and Ice-T’s own “Colors”. The deluxe edition of the album includes a second Ice-T cover “6 in Tha Morning.”
The first single of the album serves as a rally anthem for America. “Bum Rush” takes aim at the political scene of the country while empowering people to stand up and fight for what’s important to them. @BodyCountBand
Swamp Dogg Sorry You Couldn’t Make It
Hey kids! Come have a seat and let me tell you about the best soul singer you’ve never heard.
Jerry Williams, Jr. who is better known as Swamp Dogg is a 77 year old R&B singer from Virginia. Swamp Dogg recorded his first song, “Hardsick Troublesome Downout Blues,” at the age of 12 in 1954. He has recorded over 20 albums over the past 5 decades and written songs for Irma Thomas, Z.Z. Hill and Johnny Paycheck.
Swamp Dogg enters 2020 with a classic soul album that just makes you want to sit on the porch with a nice cold glass of lemonade. One of the albums highlights is “Memories” a duet with John Prine. The duo try to out rasp each other while singing about the things lost from getting old.
Sorry You Couldn’t Make It should be on everyone’s rotation of Sunday morning driving records. @TheSwampDogg
Check out some of the other great albums out this week
- Lauv how i’m feeling
- Caroline Rose Superstar
- U.S. Girls Heavy Light
- Moby All Visible Objects
- Flora Cash Baby, It’s Okay
- Jhene Aiko Chilombo
- Honey Harper Starmaker
- Phantogram Ceremony
Steven McCash is the Music Columnist for SoBros Network. He is the pioneer of New Music Friday, highlighting each week’s new releases in the world of music, in addition to the occasional live show review. Follow on Twitter: @MC_Cash75
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