Sunn Amps And Smashed Guitars

Drone metal gods Sunn O))) have two new albums coming in 2019, both of which were produced by the equally legendary Steve Albini.

Recorded at a low ebb in Nelson's career, the tracks here were never intended for solo release; instead, they were demos for a projected band called Perfect Serpents – a sort of Be Bop Deluxe Mark II. That project never managed to get off the ground, and Nelson issued this set, a rough snapshot of what might have been. Like most demos, it's rough; the drum machines used sound raw, and often too far in front, and the mixes aren't perfect (it's a shame, really, that he didn't go back and remix the tracks to do them more justice before releasing them). However, the Nelson guitar magic is there in abundance, multi-layered and glorious. His singing still remains a take-it-or-leave-it proposition, but those already converted will love it. As for the music, it's far more energetic and focused around songs than Nelson had been for a while.

Yet another record of instrumental hits meant to cash in on the bossa nova craze, or L.A. session musicians at the top of their game? Certainly fans of Howard Roberts, once a recording artist for Verve, will not want to miss this one, as the cool guitarist lends solos to all but one of the tracks here, a usual assortment of Jobim and Gilberto tunes and soundalikes. No strings anywhere on the album, and arranger Jack Marshall keeps things light and lively. Easy to find in cut-out bins and certainly worth the dollar or two price.