Hurray For The Riff Raff Trilogy

Part 1 "Living in the City"

Hurray For The Riff Raff is a New Orleans band lead by Alynda Segarra, raised in New York and of Puerto Rican descent. The recently released 'The Navigator' album is their sixth album. It is a concept album, of sorts - based on an alter-ego named Navita, a Puerto Rican teenage runaway folk artist. There are probably a lot of autobiographic references, one is that Alynda ran away from the Bronx as a teenager and ended up settling in New Orleans. Her previous albums have been more Americana in general - but The Navigator crosses into newer territory, in more ways than one. "Living in the City" is a pop-rock classic.... a great way to start an exceptional album.



Part 2 "Be My Baby"

This is fucking brilliant. An unexpected gem from Hurray For The Riff Raff. Alynda's take on Ronnie Spector is so good on so many levels. There is even a 'Wall of Sound' production feel to it. It's from an Amazon exclusive playlist 'Love Me'.



Part 3 "Slow Walk"

"Slow Walk" was my introduction to Hurray For The Riff Raff. And I'm sure Bitter FM listeners know it well now.

Aldous Harding - "Horizon"

When Aldous Harding released her debut album in 2014 it was a surprise obsession. It is a very spare folk record with a darkness hanging over it. There are many captivating aspects to the album - from her lyrics and the haunted harmonies - to the delivery and phrasing. But the voice itself is what really struck a chord. And soon we will be treated to her follow up album, which may be approached with some trepidation, like the curse of the sophomore album. Well the first single "Horizon" put an end to those fears. Fucking stunning!
Her sound is now more expansive and she even toured the country with a full band recently.
I can't wait for this one.

I remember seeing her mother Lorina Harding performing at the Gluepot (Corner Bar, I think) in Auckland in the 90's, which was possibly not long after she moved here from Canada. I hadn't really heard much about her since. So it's also great to see her in the video of "Horizon" with her daughter Aldous.



Here is a great video of Lorina and Aldous (Hannah) performing together....

Steve Abel - "Best Thing"

Steve Abel has the perfect baritone voice for sad songs and it is usually sad songs that you get on a Steve Abel album. His album 'Luck Hope' from 2016 had an opening track that became a Bitter FM favourite. A voice similar to Bill Callahan (of Smog) and the music that could be from a Bonnie "Prince" Billy album are a couple of reasons "Best Thing" is such a standout. But add backing vocals and violin from Jolie Holland and the deal's done.



A live version recorded at the RNZ studio

Young Fathers - "Only God Knows"

Trainspotting was one of those movies that stuck in your mind for days after. There were so many memorable scenes from the hilarious to the cringe-worthy. The soundtrack was another work of genius - with Iggy Pop's "Lust For Life" and the pulsating "Born Slippy" from Underworld, the jewel in the crown. I'm not sure how the sequel T2 Trainspotting will compare to the original - but one thing that does compare is the jewel in the crown of the soundtrack. This time it is "Only God Knows" from Edinburgh band Young Fathers. It features the Leith Congregational Choir - but don't be fooled. What starts off as a sweet gospel piece, quickly turns into an emotionally charged rant.... but without completely going off the rails. In fact, the choir smooths the rough edges nicely. This should be as important to the sequel as "Born Slippy" was to the original. Stunning!

Cherry Glazerr - "Nuclear Bomb"

Cherry Glazer are a young band from LA with a leader with lots of personality. Clementine Creevy started out by releasing her songs on Soundcloud as a teenager until Burger Records approached her. It's not such an unusual story anymore, in fact, it's possibly the common road to discovery now. Cherry Glazerr, a trio, was born after the cassette release of her early material. Their debut was released in 2014.
The follow up album 'Apocalipstick' has just been released and the album title even rivals the brilliantly named 'Femejism' by Deap Vally. "Nuclear Bomb" has an element of Dream-Pop mixed with the indie rock. Her performance in the video is something else again.
Already with a part in the television series 'Transparent' Clementine Creevy is a rising star - one way or another.... hopefully there are a few more albums like this in her career.

Emma Russack - "Best Love"

Emma Russack is an Australian singer songwriter who has been under the radar for much too long. She released her third album 'In A New State' in 2016 and it was one of my favourites of the year. The song that struck me the most, initially, was "Best Love", due to its honest recollection of a first love. This story of an obsessive relationship with a much older man can not be anything other than a personal one - the sincerity and heart is too true to be a fictional tale. And even though the relationship was never going to last, something she knew even then, it's everything she learnt from him that is remembered with much affection and she can look back without regret. It's a beautiful slow song that just takes you along.

The Rolling Stones - "Commit A Crime"

Anyone aware of the Rolling Stones blues roots, whether it's from a general observation from the band's history or from reading Keith Richards' autobiography 'Life'. Those in the latter camp will also be aware that their early recordings actually revived the careers of a lot of the old blues artists. They basically introduced a lot of blues artists to a whole new audience. As we know - Jagger and Richards became one of the greatest songwriting partnerships - with Lennon and McCartney as their obvious rivals. But it was the blues that was their absolute passion. So it seems so logical that a blues covers album was to be recorded at this part of their career and 'Blue and Lonesome' doesn't disappoint. They were so amazing when they recently played in Auckland but I can only dream about seeing them play this album in a club or small venue.... something some lucky punters will experience somewhere in the world at some stage. If I had to pick one song from the album - at this stage it is Howlin' Wolf's "Commit a Crime". Finally we have another classic Stones album and while the songwriting partnership of Jagger and Richards didn't contribute with the songs - they certainly contributed in many other ways. Classic Stones!!




Howlin' Wolf's original "Commit a Crime"