Album of the Week: Sam Fender – Seventeen Going Under

New Zealand Net Radio plays a song from our irregularly updated #albumoftheweek every hour from 9am to 12pm Monday to Friday. Listen in @tunein at https://tunein.com/radio/New-Zealand-Net-Radio-s305138/

This is a superlative album. We’ve been enjoying the title track for a few months – I still can’t help turning up the volume when it comes on. Sam Fender has demonstrated that a well performed rock album filled with melodic songs and well crafted lyrics can capture the popular imagination – hence its number 1 slot on the UK charts. It combines delicate social commentary and authentic personal reflection. On his recent co-host of Elton John’s Rocket Hour he said that some therapy and lockdown had accentuated his self-reflection and this comes across in the music. A very talented man with a five star album.

Radio Garden

We think the garden is a delightful place to spend time (either your own or a public one) and what better accompaniment than the unique 24/7 music blend offered by yours truly, New Zealand Net Radio! We recently came across the delightful website and app “Radio Garden” although it sounds like its been around for some time.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_Garden

Check it out – and of course listen to “New Zealand Net Radio” šŸ™‚

http://radio.garden/listen/new-zealand-net-radio/2hIpYroX

Album of the Week: Brandi Carlile – In These Silent days

New Zealand Net Radio plays a song from our irregularly updated #albumoftheweek every hour from 9am to 12pm Monday to Friday. Listen in @tunein at https://tunein.com/radio/New-Zealand-Net-Radio-s305138/

This is Brandi Carlile’s seventh album, so I suppose we should have reasonably high expectations. We were delighted however to hear her growth from her previous, Grammy award winning album By The Way, I Forgive You. We begin with the lush “Right On Time” followed by a stunning set of original songs. AllMusic described its “controlled urgency and tight sense of craft, an aesthetic evident in how the album is as lean and robust as a well-loved record from the ’70s”. “You and Me On The Rock” is a clear tribute to Joni Mitchell. I loved her story in her Apple Music interview of playing it to Joni and anxiously awaiting her verdict – all she got was an offhand “sounds like a hit”! We look forward to further investigating the album this week.

Album of the Week: Lindsey Buckingham – Lindsey Buckingham

New Zealand Net Radio plays a song from our irregularly updated #albumoftheweek every hour from 9am to 12pm Monday to Friday. Listen in @tunein at https://tunein.com/radio/New-Zealand-Net-Radio-s305138/

Lindsey Buckingham has chosen to come out again and make comment on his departure from Fleetwood Mac. Although undoubtedly an attempt to get publicity for the release of his seventh solo album, and although undoubtedly there was fault on both sides, some of the narrative (“Stevie Nicks has never been over me”) reinforces the impression that he is a bit of a narcissistic prat.

Although that impression might be debatable what isn’t is that he is a pop master craftsman. This collection is another gem, phenomenal for someone whose career began in the late 1960s. As AllMusic state it is his most “Fleetwood Mac-esque” solo album and a great listen.

Album of the Week: Kacey Musgraves – Star-Crossed

New Zealand Net Radio plays a song from our irregularly updated #albumoftheweek every hour from 9am to 12pm Monday to Friday. Listen in @tunein at https://tunein.com/radio/New-Zealand-Net-Radio-s305138/

After the marital bliss of her last album Golden Hour things come back to earth with Star-Crossed. Blissful melodies and polished production can’t smooth out the anguish of a failed marriage. Musgraves seems honest although also packaged up for pop perfection with accompanying film. Without trying to guess where blame lies I did feel a little for her ex-husband with some of the revelations. That said this album displays her musical prowess and ability to straddle country and pop with aplomb.

Album of the Week: CHVRCHES – Screen Violence

New Zealand Net Radio plays a song from our irregularly updated #albumoftheweek every hour from 9am to 12pm Monday to Friday. Listen in @tunein at https://tunein.com/radio/New-Zealand-Net-Radio-s305138/

We really enjoy CHVRCHES synth driven music. This album follows an interesting theme of screen violence, both of the ‘movie’ as well as more personal social media variety. The Guardian has a great write-up on this “big icy romp” here. We’ll look forward to checking it out this week.

Album of the Week: OneRepublic – Human

New Zealand Net Radio plays a song from our irregularly updated #albumoftheweek every hour from 9am to 12pm Monday to Friday. Listen in @tunein at https://tunein.com/radio/New-Zealand-Net-Radio-s305138/

Judging by the lack of reviews you would think this album from the consummate masters of bombastic pop had slipped under the radar or was symptomatic of their waning powers. We’ll be a bit contrarian and play it as our album of the week despite some equally meritous competition. A bit of a funny album, the first single came out over two years ago and its been delayed many times. That said its still a solid collection of pop songs and sitting at no. 6 on the Apple Music NZ album chart so not too shabby!