Best Of 2022

Although the new year is already in full swing, it’s always worth taking a look back. Here are some of my favourite albums released in 2022:

Michael Rault: Michael Rault

A warm and sonic depth runs through this self-titled album by Michael Rault. The songwriting of Harry Nilsson springs to mind, Emitt Rhodes or even Stevie Wonder. Amidst the lush harmonies and spacious analogue sound, you could almost get the idea that this is a lost work from the 70s that only recently has been rediscovered. But no: Michael Rault releases music since 2008. His present work is the second for Wick Records, which in turn are associated with Daptone. And shows a very mature and passionate songwriting. The sensitive quality is surely also related to the fact that many things changed in Michael Rault’s life: he left his partner, his manager and his backing band, moved from Montreal to Los Angeles and recorded some of the songs in his bedroom. But for the big production, for the smooth string and wind arrangements, there was plenty of help from his circle of friends and rounds off this historically well-inspired piece of classic pop just perfectly.

Apollo Ghosts: Pink Tiger

In their native Canada, Apollo Ghosts are already known and appreciated. The band was formed in 2009 around songwriter Adrian Teacher and drummer Amanda Panda. Most recently, they released an album with ambient tracks as well as a collection of local cover songs, whereby only artists from Vancouver were re-scored by Apollo Ghosts. And now, titled Pink Tiger, there is a regular studio work that deserves special attention: Pink Tiger by Apollo Ghosts was created over the last three years: 22 songs, divided into two chapters: Pink features the acoustic version of the band. It shows a smooth and clever songwriting, in which Teacher undergoes a self-analysis. During the recordings he had the feeling that everything was falling apart: his father was dying and he also lost part of his hearing. The second chapter – Tiger – was recorded a year later and celebrates the endurance of friendship, music and hope. Garnished with strumming guitars, the three piece presents some good old energetic indie rock. So this double-album shows two different sides of one and the same band. And the good thing is: both are absolutely entertaining from beginning to end.

Papercuts: Past Life Regression

Music that refers to the baroque pop of the 60s is still occasionally produced today. For example, by Jason Quever and his project Papercuts. Past Life Regression, his eighth album, sounds very organic and you can hear that the man behind Papercuts not only writes songs but also works as a producer for others: Sugar Candy Mountain, Cass MacCombs or Beach House –  they all have placed themselves in his trusting hands. When Quever himself plays music as Papercuts, his songs often have a melancholic touch and the vintage-heavy sound palette plays well into his hands.

Partner Look: By The Book

When two people wear the same or a very similar outfit, one often speaks of a partner look. I didn’t realise until now that this term is only common in German-speaking countries and tends to cause confusion elsewhere. But that’s exactly why a band from Melbourne has named itself after this pseudoanglizism. The quartet Partner Look consists of the German-born sisters Ambrin and Anila Hasnain and their partners Dainis Lacey and Lachlen Denton. All four musicians are also involved in other music projects: Cool Sounds, The Ocean Party and Studio Magic and also move in related pop terrain. They play through their debut very nonchalantly: By the Book by Partner Look is an album that offers very good entertainment in its casual, charming way.

Dana Gavanski: When It Comes

Dana Gavanski and her music have been on my radar from the very beginning. I’ve watched her songwriting evolve from humble, soulful folk to a more daring art-pop direction. On her second album, When It Comes, the Serbian-Canadian songwriter is coming a step closer to the wondrous sound world of Robert Wyatt. She has a very playful and honest style, and like Wyatt, it’s the fragile voice that really carries you away. Hard to believe, but it wasn’t long ago that Gavanski lost her voice due to illness. Thankfully, she’s back again and in great shape and has delivered this wonderful, timeless yet beautifully idiosyncratic album that sadly far too few people know about. Also check out the live report from last year’s Reeperbahn Festival. It was a very special event!

Way Dynamic: So Familiar

There are always cultural hotspots, places where a lot of talented musicians gather at one time and create something special: an exceptional sound that stands for a certain time and a certain place. One such hotspot at the moment is clearly Melbourne in Australia. Good projects are springing up like mushrooms and everything is somehow connected. Way Dynamic is the name of the project of the Australian Dylan Young. Young, who was just touring as a drummer with Emma Russack & Lachlan Denton as well as Snowy Band. He played two gigs each evening and now presents his ambitious solo project: Way Dynamic. On his stunning debut So Familiar, Young shows a knack for putting together familiar retro sounds in a new way. The sound of the American West Coast and the early 70ties shimmers through, yet it is not simply copied. Once again, I’m amazed at how a single person manages to replace an entire band so effortlessly.

No Frills: Downward Dog

Downward Dog is the fabulous debut of the Canadian band No Frills. In their own words, this is a collection of DIY pop hits with serious themes such as depression, despair, life and death. But most of all, this band wants to have fun! And that is noticeable all along the record: No Frills from Toronto moves quite nonchalantly through the songs. Also the recording process was exceptional. For example, the singer wore a hygiene mask and sang through a toilet paper roll attached to the microphone. Just to capture the right sound for his voice. This pretty much sums up the album – lots of ideas floating around to discover!

Pete Astor: Time On Earth

Pete Astor and his bands The Loft and The Weather Prophets are among the best Creation Records had to offer in the 80s. And British songwriter is still a very good storyteller: Time On Earth is the name of his new album, and as on its predecessor One For The Ghost, the theme of „life after death“ plays a central role. Pete Astor shows himself reflective and personal, and he knows exactly what he is singing about. Dealing with death can be a cheerful and comforting thing when you think of dear friends who have recently passed away and are sorely missed. Life goes on while Pete Astor created one of his most beautiful albums.

Switched On Pop

Keine Frage, diese Sendung ist auf Pop eingestellt. Damit ist aber nicht ökonomische Rentabilität, sondern die Freude an der Melodie gemeint. In solchem Sinne stehen heute zwei Popspezialisten aus Kalifornien im Fokus.

Auf seinem achten Solowerk „Episodes“ präsentiert sich Bart Davenport als guter Beobachter, wobei es nicht unbedingt alltägliche Figuren sind, die ihn interessieren, stattdessen besingt er einen Freund der Freikörperkultur sowie die Milliardäre unserer Zeit. Davenports Geschichten sind poetisch, manchmal tragisch – und stets eingebunden in einen so geschmackvollen wie abwechslungsreichen Westküstensound.

Ein ebenfalls wunderbares achtes Album gibt es von Jason Quever und seinem Projekt Papercuts. «Past Life Regression» klingt organisch analog; es lässt sich erahnen, dass Quever auch als Produzent begehrt ist. Als Papercuts widmet er sich Songs mit melancholischem Unterton und einer vintagelastigen Klangpalette – kalifornische Popmusik kurz vor der Vollendung.

Switched On Pop war zu hören am Mittwoch, den 20.04.22 – 17:00-19:00 Uhr.
Wdh.: Donnerstag, 21.04. von 7:00-9:00 Uhr und Samstag, 23.04. von 15:00-17:00 Uhr

Stream online here: ByteFM
Hamburg UKW: 91,7 & 104,0 MHz & DAB+
Berlin DAB+: Kanal 7B


ArtistTrackLabel
Tahiti 80Let's Get StartedHuman Sounds
Le PainIs That How You Want Me to Feel?Lucky Buckeye
Isik Kuralcoral gables (feat. spefy)Rvng Intl.
Jeremy IveyGrey MachineAnti-Records
Bart DavenportCreatures In LoveTapete Records
Bart DavenportAll Dressed In RainTapete Records
Aaron M OlsonNo BurdenMoone Records
Exploding FlowersA Daunting ThoughtThe Beautiful Music
Peter HallEnglish RoseThe Beautiful Music
Forever AmberBits of Your Life, Bits of My LifeGuerssen Records
The ZombiesCare Of Cell 44Columbia
PapercutsI Want My Jacket BackSlumberland
PapercutsRemarrySlumberland
Dan WeltmanNobody's FaultGlass Modern
Apollo GhostsPink TigerYou've Changed Rec.
Aldous HardingFever4AD
---------
NeutralsGary Borthwick SaysStatic Shock Records
Lost DaysIn The FadeMapache Records
The Boys With The Perpetual NervousnessOpen Up the BoxBobo Integral
Andrew Taylor & The HarmonizersOlderRock Indiana Records
Die AeronautenCountrymusikTapete Records
Teenage FanclubI Left A Light OnPeMa
Jane WeaverHeartlowFire
C DuncanBell TollBella Union
Mike GaleI'm Really Gonemikegale.bandcamp.com
Top SoundYSLtopsound.bandcamp.com
Touching BoxWhat NothingReckless Yes
Toro y MoiDeja VuDead Oceans
Large PlantsThe CarrierGhost Box
Ari RoarHide Outself-released
Ari RoarFar from the Restself-released
PentangleLight FlightSanctuary
The Order of the 12Eye of a LensGroup Mind Records

Pink Tiger

Rosa Tiger gibt es ebenso wenig wie lilafarbene Kühe. Doch die kanadische Formation Apollo Ghosts schert sich nicht darum. Überhaupt liebt das Trio seine (künstlerische) Freiheit: Zuletzt veröffentlichte es ein Album mit Ambient Tracks sowie eine Sammlung lokaler Coversongs. Mit dem Doppelalbum «Pink Tiger» präsentieren Apollo Ghost nun nochmals zwei unterschiedliche Seiten ihrer selbst: Das erste Kapitel «Pink» ist in solider Heimarbeit entstanden und geprägt vom Songwriting Adrian Teachers, dessen sonore Stimme zuweilen an Bill Callahan erinnert. Rein akustisch und einfühlsam zeigt sich hier die Band. Das zweite Kapitel «Tiger» wurde ein Jahr später eingespielt – in einem energetischen Schrammelsound, wie er im Neuseeland der 80er beliebt war. «Pink Tiger» deckt somit allerhand ab, was bei Golden Glades saisonunabhängig hoch im Kurs steht.

Außerdem mit dabei: fröhliche Jangle-Tunes der Glasgower U.S. Highball sowie Forever Ambers fast vergessener Harmony-Pop. Die Band aus der britischen Provinz hatte «The Love Cycle» in späten 60er Jahren zunächst in zweistelliger Auflage veröffentlicht. Irgendwie hat das Konzeptalbum trotzdem überlebt. Wir würdigen es heute.

Pink Tiger war zu hören am Mittwoch, den 06.04.22 – 17:00-19:00 Uhr.
Wdh.: Donnerstag, 07.04. von 7:00-9:00 Uhr und Samstag, 09.04. von 15:00-17:00 Uhr

Stream online here: ByteFM
Hamburg UKW: 91,7 & 104,0 MHz
Berlin DAB+: Kanal 7B


ArtistTrackLabel
Rat ColumnsI Can't Live On LoveTough Love
Guided By VoicesMad River ManGuided By Voices Inc
Air WavesThe DanceFire Records
U.S. HighballMental MunchiesLame-O Records
U.S. HighballDouble DareLame-O Records
ArmstrongRock Star Rock StarThe Beautiful Music
M Ross PerkinsVenti Gasp InhaleKarma Chief Records
Apollo GhostsMelatonin 5GYou've Changed Rec.
Apollo GhostsSpilling Yr GutsYou've Changed Rec.
Adrian Teacher and the SubsEmily Carr Punksadrianteacher.bandcamp.com
Aldous HardingEnnui4AD
Kamikaze Palm TreeFlamingoDrag City
Large PlantsNo DifferenceGhost Box
Ghost WomanBehind Your EyesFull Time Hobby
MattielOn The RunHeavenly Recordings
Young GuvCouldn't Leave U If I TriedRun For Cover
Weird NightmareLusitaniaSub Pop Records
---------
SeatbeltsHey, Hey Tiger!Rooftop Records
Yves JarvisBootstrap JubileeAnti- / Flemish Eye
Rosalie CunninghamNumber 149Cherry Red
PapercutsPalm SundaySlumberland
Yani MartinelliEverything In Timeyanimartinelli.bandcamp.com
Forever AmberGoing Away AgainGuerssen Records
Forever AmberFor a Very Special PersonGuerssen Records
Apollo GhostsOK SodaYou've Changed Rec.
Apollo GhostsDirty SpoonsYou've Changed Rec.
Kristine LeschperRibbonAnti- Records
Say Sue MeAround YouDamnably
PLOSIVSBroken EyesSwami
PinbackPenelopeCutty Shark
fine.Loveless / Love LessSubjangle
Blue StatesScience or Fiction?Memphis Industries

Top Sound

Ein «top sound» ist für Golden Glades maßgeblich dadurch definiert, was er nicht ist: auf Hochglanz poliert, auf Perfektion oder Verkaufsquote hin getrimmt. Diese Sendung bevorzugt das liebevolle, detailreiche, ja, durchaus auch rumpelnde Werk. Poetisches Klangschaffen, das von Optimierungsstrategien weitgehend unverstellt ist.

Der Sendungstitel passt aber auch zur schwedischen Band Top Sound, die auf ihrem neuen Album «Isn’t Happiness» freundlich gestimmte Popmusik mit einer Prise Shoegaze und Disco-Anleihen versieht. Absolut eingängig klingen ihre Songs, doch die Melodieführung und Arrangements sind so clever, dass wir ihnen kein unlauteres Erfolgsstreben nachweisen konnten.

Top Sound war zu hören am Mittwoch, den 23.03.22 – 17:00-19:00 Uhr.
Wdh.: Donnerstag, 24.03. von 7:00-9:00 Uhr und Samstag, 28.03. von 15:00-17:00 Uhr

Stream online here: ByteFM
Hamburg UKW: 91,7 & 104,0 MHz
Berlin DAB+: Kanal 7B


ArtistTrackLabel
GwennoAn Stevel NowydhHeavenly Recordings
PapercutsLodgerSlumberland
Bobby OrozaThe OthersideBig Crown Records
Stephen's ShoreCarefree TymeMeritorio
Top SoundSadmatopsound.bandcamp.com
Top SoundMario, Where Are You?topsound.bandcamp.com
Astral BrainFrom AboveShelflife
Eliza NiemiSushi CaliforniaTin Angel Records
Tyler BurkhartStringstylerburkhart.bandcamp.com
Breathe PanelMy Preferred Memory Was The OppositeFatCat
FrontpersonParadeOscar St. Records
Pictish TrailMelody SomethingFire Records
The LemonheadsRudderlessFire Records
The LemonheadsMy Drug BuddyFire Records
Kev HopperThe Dog WalkerDimple Discs
---------
Heaven For RealSweet RoseMint Records
Alex IzenbergEgyptian CadillacWeird World
The FernwehPas Devant Les EnfantsWinterlude Records
Melody's Echo ChamberPersonal MessageDomino
Saint EtienneNothing Can Stop UsHeavenly
Madeline BellI Can't Wait To See My Baby's FaceRPM Records
The Mike Bell CartelWait!Beluga Records
The Mike Bell CartelThe Storm is ComingBeluga Records
Jeremy IveyInvisible PicturesAnti- Records
Simon LoveI Will DanceTapete Records
Lonesome StationGather Around In The FogStationrecords
Pocket KnifeMe & The CeilingOlive Grove
Red PantsLost MomentumPaisley Shirt Records
Rodney CromwellCloud CatalogueHappy Robots Records
Pale Blue EyesDr PongFull Time Hobby
The Velvet UndergroundPale Blue EyesMGM

Zeitvergessen

Aktuelle Trends sucht man in der heutigen Ausgabe vergeblich, vielmehr soll es «zeitvergessen» zugehen. Dabei ist durchaus neues Material zu hören, etwa «Grizzly Peak» von The Dodos. Das Duo aus der Bay Area erfreut uns mit ungeraden Rhythmen und elaborierten Streichern. Tief verwurzelt im 60ties- und Psychedelic-Rock ist die kanadische Formation Polite Society – aufreizend abgeklärt, wie hier alte Sounds geschmackvoll und spannend verpackt werden. Zeitvergessen sind auch Musiker*innen wie Wyndow, Lucy Gooch und Aquaserge, die sich von historischer Avantgarde-Musik haben inspirieren lassen. Ein Hoch auf die Innovationen von Gestern und Vorgestern!

Zeitvergessen war zu hören am Mittwoch, den 01.12.21 – 19:00-21:00 Uhr.
Wdh.: Samstag, 04.12. von 15:00-17:00 Uhr und Montag, 06.12. 08:00-10:00 Uhr

Stream online here: ByteFM
Berlin: 91.0 MHz // Hamburg: 91.7 MHz


ArtistTrackLabel
MUNYAPour ToiLuminelle Records
Kate BollingerYards / GardensGhostly International
Hand HabitsFalse StartSaddle Creek
SubterfugeThe Good GoodLess Records
The DodosWith A GuitarPolyvinyl
The DodosSustainerPolyvinyl
Dana GavanskiLetting GoFull Time Hobby
Cate Le BonModerationMexican Summer
NaytronixIndigoOverseas Artists Recording
Tigers & FliesBenViolette Records
Guided By VoicesCherub and the Great Child ActorGuided By Voices Inc
Guided By VoicesThe Bell Gets Out of the WayGuided By Voices Inc
WyndowAll Cameras GoneSummer Critics
Lucy GoochOrthioneFire Records
Annie BoothTropicLast Night From Glasgow
---------
Ducks Ltd.Always ThereRoyal Mountain Rec
PapercutsA Dull BoyPsychic Friends
Dean WarehamRed HollywoodDouble Feature Records
MattielJeff GoldblumHeavenly
Tracey ThornSimply Couldn't CareCherry Red
Gary OlsonA House In ProvenceTapete
The Ladybug TransistorFallen And FallingMerge
Polite SocietyThe Medusa MalfunctionSpiral Void
Polite SocietyGod's Electric FenceSpiral Void
AquasergeOnly (Version 2)Crammed Disc
RaveloeCatkinsOlive Grove
OvlovStrokesExploding in Sound
OvlovEat MoreExploding in Sound
Novelty IslandBlackcurrant SkyThink Like A Key Music
Emma Russack & Lachlan DentonDone My TimeBobo Integral
Richard Dawson & CircleCooksoniaWeird World

Hard Facts

Schauen wir doch heute mal den nackten Tatsachen ins Auge und lassen uns schonungslose HARD FACTS um die Ohren hauen. Und siehe da: gut verpackt klingen selbst knallharte Fakten etwas weniger unbequem und vermögen trotz einer scheinbar hoffnungslosen Lage zumindest kurzweilig die Stimmung zu heben.

Der Brite David Brewis zum Beispiel (auch bekannt als die eine Hälfte von Field Music) bringt als School of Language pünktlich zum Staatsbesuch im Vereinigten Königreich ein Konzeptalbum über Donald Trump auf den Markt. Vom dubiosen Aufstieg an die Spitze ist die Rede, aber auch Trumps Charakter und Führungsstil bieten reichlich Stoff für smarten Art-Pop mit einem funky feeling.

Eine durchgehend persönliche, aber nicht weniger harte Faktenlage wird bei Ryan Pollie und seinem neuen, selbstbetitelten Album verhandelt. Der Singer-Songwriter aus Los Angeles erhielt mit Ende 20 eine Krebsdiagnose und musste sich während der Aufnahmen einer Chemotherapie unterziehen. Die eigene missliche Lage verpackte Pollie in einen warmen, nostalgischen Sound. Auch bei ihm werden die Hard Facts nicht außer Acht gelassen, klingt aber hoffnungsvoll und versöhnlich.

Diese Sendung war zu hören am Mittwoch, den 05.06.19 – 20:00-22:00 Uhr.
Wdh.: Samstag, 08.06. von 15:00-17:00 Uhr

Stream online here: ByteFM
Berlin: 91.0 MHz // Hamburg: 91.7 MHz

PlaylistGG_KW23


ArtistTrackLabel
FoxygenFace The FactsJagjaguwar
SebadohFollow The BreathFire Records
MalojianBeardnessRollercoaster Records
Swimming TapesIt Gets OldHand In Hive
The Leisure SocietyOverheardEgo Drain Records
Jens LekmanRevenge Of The NerdsSecretly Canadian
Stella DonnellyTricksSecretly Canadian
School of LanguageA Beautiful WallMemphis Industries
Field MusicChecking On A MessageMemphis Industries
Garcia PeoplesThe SpiralingBeyond Beyond is Beyond
Mike Adams At His Honest WeightWonderful to LoveJoyful Noise
PapercutsBlues Run The GameSlumberland
Shannon LaySomething On Your MindSub Pop
Mike GaleRareearaamikegale.bandcamp.com
Olden YolkGrand PalaisTrouble In Mind
---------
Marble ArchReminiscenceGeographie
Big TideThe CrashA Turntable Friend
FeltDismantled King Is Off the ThroneCherry Red
Field MedicUsed 2 Be A RomanticRun For Cover
Say Sue MeAt The End Of The RoadDamnably
J FernandezUnwindJoyful Noise
School of LanguageNobody KnowsMemphis Industries
School of LanguageThe Best PeopleMemphis Industries
MaunoReally ReallyTin Angel Records
Racket ManA Bit More Obscureracketman.bandcamp.com
Ryan PollieGetting CleanAnti-
Ryan PollieAim SlowAnti-
Justus ProffitPainted in the SoundBar/None Records
Jo MangoSuspensionOlive Grove
Rozi PlainDark ParkMemphis Industries
Nina SavaryPres de la fenetreLa Souterraine
Social media & sharing icons powered by UltimatelySocial