I rediscovered some old favorites this August, while also stumbling upon new sounds and taking recommendations that pushed my boundaries. From a live performance that made me feel young again to unexpected gems that found their way into my library, this month’s collection has been, as always, eclectic. Whether the timeless appeal of classic rock or the intricate nuances of jazz, August’s albums brought a little bit of everything to the table.
Let’s start with my favorite album of the month.
My Favorite Album of August
Flight b741
by King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard
In mid-August, I had the incredible luck of catching King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard live at Suffolk Downs, just outside of Boston. Since this Australian group rarely tours the States, the four-hour drive from Vermont felt more like a pilgrimage than a trek. And let me tell you—it was worth every mile. This was, without exaggeration, one of the best concerts I’ve ever experienced, and I’ve been to a lot of shows. As with all things Gizz, I went in with no idea what to expect. The first forty minutes were like stumbling into an EDM wonderland, with every band member, minus the drummer, glued to “the synth table.” Slowly, they transitioned from synths to live instruments, and the show transformed into a metalcore, psychedelic frenzy. I haven’t danced that hard since high school.
The album Flight b741, released just a week before the concert, takes a different turn. Neither synth-heavy nor a metalcore trip, this album is a straight-up rock and roll ride. The band adopts a playful, garage-band vibe across a suite of songs loosely themed around airplanes and flight. The melodies are catchy, the music oscillates between being tight and loose in all the right ways, and the lyrics, as always, are a surreal mix of fun, subversive, and strange.
There’s a reason these guys are one of my favorite bands, and Flight b741 is yet another reaffirmation of that fact.
New Albums from Four Familiar Bands
Alchemy Creek
Cloud Cult
Cloud Cult has been on my radar for over a decade, though their last few albums have felt a bit predictable. Sadly, Alchemy Creek falls into that same pattern. Don’t get me wrong—I still enjoy their songwriting, and their blend of philosophical lyrics and attractive melodies remains appealing. But musically, their evolution seems to have stalled. The album delivers what we’ve come to expect: reflective lyrics, a couple of solid rockers, whispered verses that build into explosive choruses. It’s not bad by any means—it’s just not new. With that being said, check out "I Am A Force Field." It's Cloud Cult at their best.
I Am The Moon
Tedeschi Trucks Band
Released in 2022, this ambitious quadruple album from the roots blues rockers, paired with four short films (for example, Episode 1), is inspired by the Arabian tale Layla and Majnun. The story follows Majnun, a man so in love with Layla that he writes endless poetry, driving his neighbors to think he’s mad. Rejected by her father, Majnun flees to the desert, seeking spiritual solace. Layla marries someone else. Years later, Layla dies of illness, and Majnun is found lifeless near her grave, with his final three poems etched on a nearby rock, all dedicated to her. The album captures this love beautifully, especially the the Arabian-influenced guitar and the horn section on "All the Love."
No Name
Jack White
I was late to the Jack White fan club, but now I’m a proud member. The man knows how to make a guitar sing, and his dedication to blues-infused rock feels both timeless and fresh; in his hands, the genre never feels stale. No Name continues that tradition seamlessly. The opening track, "Old Scratch Blues," is a standout with its explosive guitar riffs, Jack’s signature high-pitched vocals, and an electrifying drum breakdown. It’s everything you want from a Jack White record: raw, powerful, and undeniably cool. At this point, a new Jack White album is a guaranteed good time, and No Name doesn’t disappoint. Go rock out to it.
Snake Oil King
Widespread Panic
Snake Oil King marks Widespread Panic’s first studio release of new material in nine years, and the first of two planned releases for 2024. It’s got everything you expect from Panic: John Bell’s smoky vocals, Dave Schools’ intoxicating bass, and a percussion section guaranteed to get your hips moving. While they don’t break any new ground here, you could say they return to their classic sound. It’s a fun, if ultimately familiar, six-song EP. The opener, "Little by Little," is the standout here.
Old Albums from Three Familiar Bands
The Beach Boys Today!
the Beach Boys
In early August, I watched a documentary about the making of Pet Sounds, followed by the feature film about Brian Wilson, Love & Mercy. For my commute that week, I decided to listen to the album that preceded Pet Sounds, which followed Brian Wilson's first emotional breakdown. It marks a conscious effort to go beyond songs about cars and surfing. The result is clearly the Beach Boys ("Help Me, Rhonda") with slightly more daring instrumentation, though Wilson has yet to reach the breakthrough of Pet Sounds.
Full House (Live)
J. Geils Band
While sitting around the campfire with my brothers, nieces, and nephew, my oldest brother queued up "Whammer Jammer" from this live album—a true oldie but goodie, with Magic Dick blowing his heart out on the blues harp. The next day, as I drove home, I realized I didn’t have this classic in my library and quickly fixed that. When people think of classic rock bands from Boston, Aerosmith usually comes to mind, but for my money, J. Geils, Peter Wolf, Magic Dick, Reputa the Beauta, and Wooba Gooba with the Green Teeth define that quintessential Boston sound.
Ghost V: Together
Nine Inch Nails
Someone tweeted, "Every episode of The Bear so far has a 'damn this ambient track fucks who wrote it' moment and every time I look it up I'm met with [Nine Inch Nails]." That's exactly why I added this album. Episode 1 of Season 3 of The Bear is virtually dialogue free with just tracks from this album playing behind a time-jumping montage for an entire episode. Many folks didn't love Season 3 of The Bear, but Episode 1 made a fantastic segue between Season 2 and Season 3 — mostly because of the music.
Two Inspired by King Gizz
A Laughing Death in Meatspace
Tropical Fuck Storm
While exploring Apple Music's list of "Similar Artists" to King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, the name of this band called to me, so I snagged the album and pressed Play. What I heard impressed the shit out of me. The closest thing I could point to for Tropical Fuck Storm would be black midi, another band that experiments on the edges of jazz, rock and roll, lounge, and metal. If you like King Gizz, black midi, or Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, I think you'll dig this Australian outfit. They're not for everyone, but if you like weird stuff, give this album a spin.
The Great Misdirect (Live)
Between the Buried And Me
As I walked out of the King Gizzard concert, a girl next to me began talking to her friend about a band named Between the Buried And Me. For some reason, I was particularly chatty with strangers at the show, and I injected myself into their conversation, promising to listen to whatever band she was recommending if she could explain why she recommend them. She told me the band was pretty heavy, but if I liked King Gizz's heavier stuff, I'd enjoy Between the Buried and Me. Turns out, she was not quite correct. Musically, I dig it, but the vocals? Too metalcore for me.
Four Jazz-ish Albums
Delicate Steve Sings
Delicate Steve
I snagged this album because of the title. I hadn't heard of Delicate Steve, but now I wondered what he sounded like. Turns out, Delicate Steve doesn't sing on Delicate Steve Sings. He's a guitarist who, on this album, plays instrumental soft rock — think Kenny G, but on guitar, doing a cover of "Yesterday" by The Beatles. With that being said, the album isn't bad. It's not good...but it isn't bad.Weird fact: Chuck Klosterman once wrote a fictional biography of Delicate Steve.
Carpet Cocoon
Iceblink
I honestly can’t remember how Carpet Cocoon landed on my radar, but I found myself returning to it again and again throughout August (and into September). There’s a warmth to it that just pulls me in. Iceblink creates what they call “bedroom new age” music, and the sound feels like it could easily be the score of an Italian film about middle-aged lovers rekindling romance after the tragic deaths of their previous partners. It’s a very specific vibe, but one that continues to charm me.
Altera Vita
Alina Bzhezhinska & Tony Kofi
A recommendation, I think, from @somewhere_soul, this album serves as a beautiful meditation on the legacy of Pharoah Sanders. Integrating West African and Eastern European musical traditions with jazz, harpist Bzhezhinska and saxophonist Kofi, supported by their own percussion, conjure an ethereal soundscape. The result is a serene, spiritual journey where the world feels at peace and alive with music.
Alternate Summer
Tom Harrell
More traditional than the other albums in this category, Alternate Summer sees the legendary trumpeter Tom Harrell exploring bossa nova and post-bop sounds with grace and nuance. The tunes are warm and inviting, yet there’s an undercurrent of loneliness—the kind only a trumpet can convey. The album creates space for rumination, but Harrell’s bursts of energy demand your full attention at times. It’s an album I’ve returned to frequently, drawn in by its depth and impeccable musicianship.
Alternate Summer by Tom Harrell feels like a fitting close to August’s listening journey. The kids are all now back at school, I’ve started my first September in 15 years without standing in front of a classroom of students, and I have the longest commute I’ve ever had, giving me plenty of time to listen to new music. From the rock-and-roll riffs of Jack White to the meditative melodies of Altera Vita, each album in August brought something unique to the experience, and I’m sure a few of them will remain in heavy rotation as I drive through the mountains of Vermont this fall.
See you next month!