STACK #242 December 2024

FEATURE MUSIC

MONTH?

N eil Young has maintained a large following since the early ’70s by refusing to musically compromise. His body of work has included albums of solo acoustic ballads, sweet country rock, and lumbering guitar-driven rock. Following the success of his 1972 album Harvest , which reached number one and spawned two Top 5 singles, Young backed away from stardom, stating “the album’s success put me in the middle of the road; travelling there soon became a bore so I headed for the ditch, a tougher ride but I saw more interest ing people”. Fast forward to 1974. His fifth album, the remarkable On the Beach , is among his most primal. Vampire Blues is an attack on the oil industry. For the Turnstiles is a critique of the exploitation present within the music industry. Revolution Blues , a satire, was born of a meeting Young had with Charles Manson prior to the murders, told from Manson’s per spective. And Motion Pictures is a tribute to Young’s actress wife Carrie Snodgress. The vinyl release included only three songs on side two. On the title track, Young refers to the nature of fame and the ever-present insecurities that were impacting on his mental state. Musically, Young relied on members of his long time backing band Crazy Horse and a number of multi-instrumentalists, with Young’s guitar up front. The album closes with Ambulance Blues , an examination of Young’s ca reer. He sets the scene with “ back in the old folky days the air was magic when we played”. Young’s guitar on this track was heavily influenced by Scottish guitar ist Bert Jansch, founder of English folk/rock band Pentangle, who Young once said “was an acoustic guitarist on the same level as Jimi Hendrix”. NEIL YOUNG On the Beach WARNER/INERTIA BILLY’S PICK

LUCINDA WILLIAMS Sings The Beatles from Abbey Road HIGHWAY 20/ROCKET

THE STORY SO FAR What You Don’t See PURE NOISE/ ROCKET

THE REMAINS A Session with The Remains SUNDAZED/MGM The Remains are a legendary garage rock band that formed at Boston University 60 years ago. Their big break – supporting The Beatles on their final tour in 1966 – didn’t go well after their drummer exited the band just before the tour, and they broke up soon after. Thirty-two years later, The Remains reformed. But this record takes us time-travelling back to 1966 when the band auditioned for Capitol Records, recording a blazing set live-to-tape, including covers of Johnny B. Goode, Walkin’ the Dog and Like a Rolling Stone . Rosé has been one of 2024’s breakout solo stars. The Blackpink singer – who was born in New Zealand and grew up in Melbourne – topped the Australian charts with her collaboration with Bruno Mars, Apt ., the lead single from her first solo album, Rosie . “I have poured my blood and tears into this album,” she explains. “Rosie is the name I allow my friends and family to call me. With this album, I hope you all feel that much closer to me.” SNOOP DOGG Missionary UNIVERSAL In a genre not noted for longevity, rap ROSÉ Rosie WARNER/INERTIA says he called the record Missionary because it’s the 30th anniversary of his debut, Doggystyle . Produced by Snoop and Dr Dre, the album features a roll call of big names, including Eminem, 50 Cent, Sting, Method Man, Jelly Roll, and the late-great Tom Petty. legend Snoop Dogg has made it to his 20th studio album. He

Following the release of their fifth album, I Want to Disappear , earlier this year, the story continues for American pop-punk

Lucinda Williams is one of the greats of the alt country world.

It was no surprise when she did an album of Tom Petty songs. And then an album of Dylan songs. But The Beatles? Williams ventured to the legendary Abbey Road studios in London to record Vol 7 of her Lu’s Jukebox series. The result? It sounds as if these songs were written for her. Check out the aching version of While My Guitar Gently Weeps . Superb. NANOWAR OF STEEL XX Years of Steel NUCLEAR BLAST/ROCKET inspired by Manowar and Rhapsody of Fire. This live album follows previous titles Dislike to False Metal , Stairway to Valhalla , and A Knight at the Opera . It’s wonderfully OTT, with one indulgent guitar solo after another. Just check out The Power of Imodium . All killer, loads of filler. THE NEFILIM Zoon BEGGARS BANQUET/INERTIA The Nefilim was a UK studio metal project formed by Carl McCoy in 1992. They released their debut album, Zoon , in 1996. And then they broke up. Twenty-eight years later, Zoon has been reissued on red vinyl. The title is a Greek word meaning “living creature” or “beast”, which seems appropriate. Nanowar of Steel are like an Italian Spinal Tap. They take the mickey out of metal, with the band name

band The Story So Far with the vinyl release of their second album, What You Don’t See , which was the band’s first Top 50 hit in the US when it was initially issued in 2013. ST. PAUL AND THE BROKEN BONES Half the City OASIS PIZZA/ROCKET A dozen years after they formed, American soul band St. Paul and The Broken Bones return to where it all began, re-releasing their 2014 debut, Half the City . Capturing their live vibe, this record shows why they quickly became a much-loved band.

WHITE DENIM 12 ROCKET

12 is the 12th album for White Denim, one of the most popular bands in one of the greatest music cities in the world – Austin,

Texas. They’re psychedelic, funky, and experimental. As the name suggests, White Denim might not be fashionable, but they’re definitely fun. WILCO Hot Sun Cool Shroud SONY Wilco celebrate their 30th anniversary with this EP, which is perfect for long, hot summer days. Indeed, singer Jeff Tweedy explains that it has a “summertime-after dark kind of feeling”. Check out the glorious closing cut, Say You Love Me , where Tweedy sings, “Once you’re gone, you shine on in your friends and then everyone you love hears your voice within.” Beautiful.

Radio legend Billy Pinnell presents Billy Pinnell’s Musical Moments on YouTube.

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