New Album Roundup - Spring 2025 (Part 2, Late Spring)

 New Album Roundup - Spring 2025 (Part 2) 

Here we are at the midpoint of the year with another update on recent new album releases I have been checking out. Once again, lots more high quality new albums released during the second half of the Spring quarter of 2025. Of particular note is the large number of veteran and legendary artists making strong returns/comebacks with new albums. However, although there are a lot of very good albums in this batch, there weren't any that I thought really stood out as truly great or among the very best of the year like there was in the first part of this Spring roundup. Anyway, here are the best of the new albums I've been listening to lately, most all of these released over the past 8 weeks or so. 

The Doobie Brothers - Walk This Road

Of course, the Doobie Brothers have been around in various forms since the early 1970's, but their more recent albums haven't had much impact or made much of an impression. But this new album changes that, and what is different about this new album is that it marks the return of Michael McDonald, for the first time in over 40 years, and not only that, but it is the only Doobie Brothers album to feature all three of the key singer-songwriter members together, Tom Johnston, Patrick Simmons, and Michael McDonald. And they make the most of it, delivering their best album in decades. Right from the start, with the opening title track, it is clear that we are in for some classic-sounding Doobies magic, with a sound that is smooth, comfortable, and immensely satisfying. These seasoned professionals know how to craft appealing and effective songs with top-notch musicianship and arrangements. But what makes this album really special is that diversity of styles provided by the contributions of all three writer-performers, as each delivers their own distinctive sound that keeps the album fresh and vibrant throughout. We get the lush blue-eyed soul of McDonald (Walk This Road, Learn to Let Go, Speed of Pain), the more acoustic folk-rock of Patrick Simmons (Angels & Mercy, State of Grace, Lahaina), and the good-time melodic rock of Johnston (Call Me, Here to Stay, New Orleans), as well as a nice dose of New Orleans funk (Kind That Lasts) to round out the album. Sure, there isn't anything very new or different here, and it all may sound a bit too pleasant and familiar, but it just feels so good, like a nice pair of comfy shoes. Just enjoy. Best Tracks: Angels & Mercy, State of Grace, Walk This Road, Call Me, Kind That Lasts, Lahaina. Rating: 3.5ó

Little Feat - Strike Up the Band

Another legendary veteran band that has had its ups and downs and numerous lineup changes over the years, but the current incarnation seems reinvigorated and carrying on with their classic mix of Southern rock, jazz, folk, and funk. Although they've lost the great Lowell George, Paul Barrere, and Richie Hayward from their classic 70's days, they are still retaining a solid core of Bill Payne (keyboards), Kenny Gradney (bass), and Sam Clayton (percussion) from that time, as well as longtime member Multi-instrumentalist Fred Tackett, and now with recent additions Scott Sharrard (guitars-vocals) and Tony Leone (drums), the band flies high again. Whether its with their infectious grooves, dynamic New Orleans funk, or more country-folk fare. Sharrard makes great contributions, as he sings lead on most songs and plays dynamite slide guitar throughout, in a nod toward the departed George, and re-establishes the great style and sound of the band. Like the recent Doobie Brothers album, this band sticks to their strengths and there isn't really anything new here, but it is a wonderful classic sound brought back by this amazing band. Anyone who was a fan of the old band, and particularly the revived 80's and 90's version of the band, will very much enjoy this album. Best Tracks: Midnight Flight, When Hearts Fail, Too High to Cut My Hair, Disappearing Ink, New Orleans Cries When it Sings, Strike Up the Band. Rating: 3.5ó

Neil Young - Talkin to the Trees

That's right, Neil just keeps on going, and if you don't like it or what he has to say, Tough!, which seems to be his attitude on this album. His 48th(!) studio album, where he plays with the latest incarnation of his back-up band, this time dubbed the Chrome Hearts, but is basically the same as the previous band, The Promise of the Real, just without Lukas Nelson and with long-time collaborator organist Spooner Oldham added. This is a very loose, raw, lo-fi album, where Neil basically rants about the stuff he doesn't like and croons about what he does, in a quite slapdash fashion, with songs and lyrics that he seems to be making up as he goes. Neil pretty much does what he wants, and that's basically what this album is, just a glimpse of is current outlook on things like family, his kids, politics, big business, etc. Most of the songs sound like they were thrown together and recorded in a live rehearsal jam session, and mainly recycle previous songs and melodies (there are actually 2 different songs that basically have the same melody, taken directly from This Land is Your Land). If you're a fan of the Neil's more raw sound, this may be for you. But the lyrics seem especially lazy and simplistic on most songs. The mellower, acoustic, more folky songs fare the best (although the melody and feel of the acoustic ballad First Fire of Winter is basically a reworking of Helpless). But as with most Neil Young albums, there also are a couple real gems here, and these are the last 2 songs on the album, both mellow and recorded with more style and care (and not rants), the beautiful acoustic Bottle of Love and the appreciative Thankful.  These seem to be out of place on this album, as they are more in line with Harvest Moon or Prairie Wind, but do provide some uplifting moments at the end of the album. Certainly a lesser NY album, but still worth checking out for the couple gems and to sample where Neil is now. Best Tracks: Bottle of Love, Thankful, First Fire of Winter. Rating 2.5ó

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - Phantom Island

You never know what will be next from this dynamic chameleon band who seem to just look at different genres and say, 'Yeah, we can do that'. This albums finds them building on some song structures similar to last year's Flight b741, with some breezy, upbeat psych rock with mixtures of blues, jazz, and folk-rock, but the twist with this album is that they have added orchestration, so plenty of strings, winds, and horns here to give a fuller, lusher sound, as this is basically their orchestral album. But the songs still have a light, spacey charm, with some infectious grooves and melodies, lifted to additional textures and sounds with the added orchestration. At times sounds a bit like a hipper, brighter, catchier, drug-free Grateful Dead, with orchestration. Overall, a fun album with engaging songs and styles and rich textures. Best Tracks: Deadstick, Eternal Return, Panpsych, Spacesick, Sea of Doubt, Grow Wings and Fly. Rating: 3.5ó
 
Nad Sylvan - Monumentata

Nad Sylvan is best known these days as the vocalist with the Steve Hackett band and his Genesis Revisited shows, and his vocal similarities with Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins, but he has been around for quite some time as part of other bands (Unifaun, Agents of Mercy) as well as a solo career (5 albums). With this album, Nad takes another step forward with this strong album that provides a great mix of Prog and mainstream rock. The songs have a solid rock feel, but are filled with clever arrangements and proggy instrumental breaks that keep them always interesting and vibrant. Nad's diverse and chameleon-like vocal style change to fit the style and mood of each song. Features contributions from many big name guest artists, including Tony Levin, Randy McStine, Jonas Reingold, Joe Deninzon, Lalle Larsson, Marco Minneman, etc. that really fill out the sound and quality of the production. Best Tracks: Monte Carlo Priceless, Secret Lover, Make Somebody Proud, Monumentata. Rating: 3.5ó   

Lux Terminus - Cinder

Dynamic, vibrant, piano-driven eclectic instrumental Prog Trio from the U.S. (Cleveland) delivers a rousing album of heavy melodic prog with jazzy overtones. Beautiful keyboard passages punctuated by bold aggressive attacks and driving rhythms. Although at times their desire to be heavy and super percussive intrudes upon the flow and feel of the songs, weighing them down a bit (such as on Neon Rain and Mosaic Mind), but overall, strong melodies and powerful dynamics make a compelling listen. Vocals on one song only (Catalyst) provided by Ross Jennings and other guests. The Jupiter Suite, with whispery vocalizations (from guest Esper) is reminiscent of the sounds from the great Pat Metheny Group in the 80's and 90's. Best Tracks: Jupiter Suite, Catalyst, Natsukashii, P.L.O.N.K.. Rating: 3.5ó

Stereolab - Instant Holograms on Metal Film

Stereolab, the unique Anglo-French avant-pop band led by guitarist-keyboardist Tim Ganes and vocalist-multi-instrumentalist Laetitia Sandler returns for their 11th album, but first new studio album in 15 years. Their sound combines old and new elements, taking their song style from early 60's French and European pop, with soft-spoken female vocals over jazzy pop (even some bossa nova, etc.), and mixing in modern elements from Krautrock and electronica for a uniquely retro-futurist sound.  Best Tracks: Electrified Teentbop!, Transmuted Matter, Aerial Trouble, Flashes From Everywhere. Rating: 3.5ó
   
 

The Head and the Heart - Aperture

A welcome return to a more folky homespun style and sound for this indie folk-rock band and their 6th album, after a couple albums that delved a bit too much into slicker, poppier material. Thus, they re-capture their authenticness and believability, with a more stripped back and lo-fi style, which helps anchor these more personal and introspective, but still tuneful, catchy, and inspiring songs. Fine vocals and harmonies and pleasingly simple arrangements bring out the beauty in this very enjoyable collection of new songs. Best Tracks: Blue Embers, Finally Free, West Coast, Beg Steal Borrow, After The Setting Sun. Rating: 3.5ó
 

Van Morrison - Remembering Now

Another aging legend returns with his best album in decades. After being mired in political rants and personal crises for the past several years, Van finally emerges with renewed spirit and harkens back to better times as he regains the style and feel of albums such as Hymns to the Silence (1991) and Sense of Wonder (1984) as he looks back at his life and musical journey with touching and introspective lyrics. Nods to previous songs are plentiful here, and the style is loose, warm, and nostalgic, with laid-back Hammond organ, sax, and strings, and backup vocal singers creating a full, rich, and relaxing atmosphere. Most of the songs are slow, languid, but quite beautiful and warm, as Van rediscovers his days of wonder. May be a bit too mellow for some, but just sit back and let Van's music wash over you. Best Tracks: If It Wasn't for Ray, Cutting Corners, Back to Writing Love Songs, Haven't Lost My Sense of Wonder, Down to Joy, Stretching Out. Rating: 3.5ó 

Quick Hits and Short Takes

Mary Chapin Carpenter - Personal History

Americana singer-songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter returns (for her 17th album) with this deeply personal album of heartfelt, introspective songs, stripped down arrangements, and touching thought-provoking lyrics. Thoughtful, minimal arrangements highlight the beauty of the melodies and lyrical content, as Mary honestly reflects on her life with great emotional depth. Somber and spare, but quite beautiful, moving, and engaging. Rating: 3.5ó

 

Ben Kweller - Cover the Mirrors

This is American singer-songwriter Ben Kweller's 6th solo album, and it's lo-fi charm is a very pleasant respite from all the heavily layered, processed, and programmed music out there. Here it's just Ben and his personal observations and self-reflection in basic stripped down arrangements, with pleasing melodies and lyrics. Sometimes reminiscent of early Neil Young or early Wilco, the album flows between acoustic guitar-only ramblings to easy-going folk-rock up to an occasional punkish outburst. Nothing earth-shattering here, but very enjoyable songs and a charismatic style that serves as a great palette cleanser from harsher, slicker offerings. Rating: 3ó

 

Suzanne Vega - Flying With Angels
American singer-songwriter Suzanne returns with her 10th  album, and first album of new music since 2014, presenting a strong album of songs focused on various aspects of struggle and survival in these modern times. And as the great storyteller that she is, what she is saying is more important than the tunes, but her folk-pop musical style works well throughout the album. Rating: 3ó

Jean Pierre Louveton (JPL) - Post Scriptum

Another wonderful album of jazz-inflected, guitar-driven, atmospheric Prog from one of the masters of French Prog. Rating: 3.5ó

 

Jakko M. Jakszk - Son of Glen

Surprisingly mellow and personal album from this vocalist-guitarist best-known from King Crimson. Some lovely tunes and autobiographical lyrics that create a nice atmosphere, but also occasionally veer a bit too much toward 70's soft rock. Quite pleasant, but doesn't pack much of a punch, or create a lasting impression. Rating: 3ó 

 

Cosmograf - The Orphan Epoch

Good, solid album from this Neo-Prog band from the U.K., their 10th. Quite enjoyable listen, while your listening to it, with good songs, good musicianship, nice instrumental passages, nice vocals. However, I find that as soon as the album is over, I can't remember anything about it, not one song, not one melody or theme. It just is not very memorable for me. So, that's my analysis, after listening to it three times. Good, enjoyable, just not very memorable. Rating: 3ó

Some others of note that I was not impressed with

Sleep Token - Even in Arcadia
OK, I was quite perplexed by this album. I had never heard of this band until last month, when this album by what seemed to be a metal band that incorporated other genres, hit #1 on the Billboard charts. Although not a metal fan, I thought I should check it out. After the first few tracks, I had to check to make sure I had the right album, because what unfolded was not metal, or even a rock album, but basically a slick modern pop album, and even a sappy boy band pop album, albeit with occasional (but quite sparse) bursts of cosplay metal riffs and heaviness added on top, though not very well-incorporated into the songs. It seemed to be more comparable to Imagine Dragons or One Republic than any metal band. Which is OK, if you like that sort of thing, but not at all what I was expecting, or what I would think metal fans would appreciate. Maybe that's why it has done well on the charts, because it is basically a pop album, but it is still confusing because it doesn't seem the metal intrusions would be popular among pop fans, or that the sappy pop production would be tolerated by the metal and rock fans, but evidently it appeals to many. I guess I just don't get it, but then I am not the intended audience for this. For me, this is mediocre pop masquerading as something heavier and more profound. Rating: 2.5ó

Ghost- Skeleta
After checking out Sleep token, I was also intrigued that Ghost was another quasi-metal band that had climbed to #1 on the Billboard album charts. And again, a bit surprised by what I heard. Although a bit more rockin' than Sleep Token, it was much more similar to melodic rock from the 70's-80's, basically like a lesser Journey or Foreigner, but with some heavier metal riffs added. Not bad, but nothing special and most of the melodies seemed to be borrowed from other bands and songs, so, again, not sure what the fuss is about. Rating: 2.5ó

Sparks - Mad!
Legendary eclectic indie pop duo is back with their their 27th album, and just keep going with their own unique brand of quirky musings, strange beats, and off-kilter melodies. But the mind-numbing repetitiveness and monotony of the lyrics and melodies becomes quite tedious very quickly, resulting in a torturously unlistenable mess. If they had kept their quirky sound bites short and sweet (like 1-2 minutes tops), it might have been fun, but dragging these highly repetitive 'songs' out to 3-5 minutes each is just agonizing. Please make it stop.  Rating: 2ó

Avkrvst - Waving at the Sky
Opeth-style prog-metal. Fine musicianship. Just nothing here that interests me. Rating: 2.5ó

Katatonia - Nightmares as Extensions of the Waking State
Ugh. Dull, generic Prog Metal. A bore. Rating: 2ó

BB’s Rating scale:

1ó – Terrible, torturous to have to listen to

1.5ó - Poor, not worth your time

2 ó – Fair, maybe a couple half-way decent songs, but sub-par overall

2.5ó – Average, OK, meh, not bad but not that good either

3ó – Good, solid album, several good songs, but not spectacular. Certainly worthy, but may not be something you come back to very often

3.5ó – Very good album. Some stellar tracks, very enjoyable overall

4ó – Great album, filled with great songs, one that you will want to come back to over and over again

4.5ó – Excellent album, beyond great, superb in every way, just short of a masterpiece 

5ó – A Masterpiece, among the greatest albums of its type, and has stood the test of time

So, that's a wrap for the first half of this year. I've listened to more than 80 new albums so far this year and there have been many gems and wonderful music among them. Since we are now half-way through the year, I will also take a quick look back at the ones that I think are the very best thus far, in another post soon. But since I've already reviewed them here, I'll just present it as a list. Anyway, so that's what I've been listening to and enjoying. But what did I miss? What were some of your favorite recent new album releases?