Jeff's Best of 2022 - #8: Ash and Eric - Sure

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I fully admit to having a bit of hometown bias here, because I've gotten to know Ash and Eric through mutual friends over the last 18 months or so and "Church of the Concrete Wave" is about a location in my hometown of Millbury, but put my biases aside for a moment and consider that Ash and Eric should be one of the more massive folk acts in the country, and Sure is as good a demonstration of that as anything.

Sure finds the duo navigating being professional musicians, seeking and recalling inspirational moments and ideals, considering humanity in all its forms. It's expert folk-driven storytelling, to be sure (no pun intended), but it's just as much gorgeous songwriting and hook-laden melodies that win you over from the first notes. Whether somber and serious like "Autumn Hymn," or the faux Carter-Cash rockabilly feel of "Never Walking Out," it all works in unexpected and beautiful ways.

In a year with a lot of really solid folk albums, and when we're still trying to get back to some sense of post-COVID normalcy, it's great when albums like Sure come along to keep us grounded.

Songs of note: "Autumn Hymn," "Simon, Taylor, Denver, Cash," "Never Walking Out," "Church of the Concrete Wave"

On Repeat...

Liam Kazar - "Shoes Too Tight"

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Photo by Alexa Viscius This may be Liam Kazar's debut single, but the Chicago based musician already has an impressive resume, having worked with Jeff Tweedy, Chance the Rapper, Steve Gunn, Daniel Johnston, and others. "Shoes Too Tight" features childhood friend Spencer Tweedy on drums, Lane Beckstrom on bass, and Ohmme on vocals. It's an absurdly fun and groovy little song that is a party waiting to happen. What he gives us here is a timeless song that could truly have been released any time since the 1960's (ok... maybe not the 80's...) There are elements of classic rock, 60's crooners and R&B, indie rock, modern Americana... it's really just packed with everything in a cohesive song that maintains the vibe the entire way through. You can watch the video for "Shoes Too Tight" below. For more on Liam Kazar, check him out on Instagram and Twitter . He's also raising money on his Bandcamp for Constellation and The Hungry Brain. ...
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Dutch ReBelle - "GOONIEZ"

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How is Dutch ReBelle not a national superstar at this point? The Boston MC just released "GOONIEZ," and I know I'm a bit out of touch with current mainstream hip hop, but this song is absolutely killer. It's a stripped down hip hop song that has this futuristic space age sound to it. Plus, ReBelle's flow is unsurpassed. You can't listen to her and not be completely sucked in. The song has a feel reminiscent of classic Missy Elliott. As much as I love that we can still see Dutch ReBelle in smaller Boston venues, "GOONIEZ" proves she should be playing much larger venues nationwide very, very soon. You can watch the video for "GOONIEZ" below. For more on Dutch ReBelle, check out the artist's website . 
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The Freqs - "Witch"

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Photo via Facebook When you're a rock band from Salem, MA, you have to have at least one song about witchcraft. The Freqs have fulfilled their obligation with a banger of a song. "Witch" is this giant monster of a song, filled with fuzz and strained, screaming vocals. This is the type of song that doesn't usually exist in this century. It's giving me some serious 90's flashbacks, like if Hum got aggressive or Alice in Chains decided to do some damage on the college charts. As great as the vocals are in "Witch," what's really drawing me in is the instrumental break down that takes over about halfway through. This is the kind of song to make the hipsters and the headbangers equally excited. You can listen to "Witch" below. For more on The Freqs, check out the band on Facebook and Instagram . The Freqs · Witch
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