Look! At the top of your playlist! It’s a pop star! It’s a rock god! No, it’s a supergroup! And no wonder: In a year when nearly every hit movie and TV show is based on a comic book — sorry, graphic novel — you can’t be surprised that we’ve been swarmed by superstar musical ensembles. Here are the most powerful teams I came across in 2019:
TINNITIST’S PICK
The Raconteurs
Help Us Stranger
WHO ARE THEY? Former White Stripes leader, sometime Dead Weather guitarist and current Third Man Records mini-mogul Jack White’s indie-rock supergroup with fellow Nashville singer-guitarist Brendan Benson and The Greenhornes rhythm section of bassist Jack Lawrence and drummer Patrick Keeler.
WHAT IS THIS? Their long-overdue third album and first release in more than 11 years.
WHAT DOES IT SOUND LIKE? A blast from the past. White loudly and clearly reconnects with his indie-rock days on this dozen-track comeback — and makes a much-welcome return to form after garnering deservedly mixed reviews for his meanderingly messy 2018 solo album Boarding House Reach.
READ THE FULL REVIEW AND HEAR THE ALBUM HERE
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
Africa Express | EGOLI
The Allman Betts Band | Down to The River
Anyway Gang | Anyway Gang
Beast Coast | Escape From New York
Broken Social Scene | Let’s Try the After Vol. 1 & Vol. 2
Claypool Lennon Delirium | South of Reality
Down ’n’ Outz | This Is How We Roll
Filthy Friends | Emerald Valley
The Flesh Eaters | I Used To Be Pretty
Girlfriend Material | Cool Car
The Highwomen | The Highwomen
Mini Mansions | Guy Walks Into A Bar…
Mounties | Heavy Meta
The New Pornographers | In The Morse Code of Brake Lights
TO FIND REVIEWS OF THESE ALBUMS, PLEASE USE THE SEARCH WINDOW AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE
