Bob's Vinyl Tips | April 2025
Every month a lot of beautiful things are released on vinyl. At the end of each month I choose 3 albums that I find special, striking, worth mentioning or just beautiful!
April 2025 was mainly the month of Record Store Day in the record stores, but there were also enough nice 'regular' releases. New records were released by Bon Iver, Billy Idol, Djo, Annie & The Caldwells, Black Country New Road, Ghost, Viagra Boys, Benediction, Brandi Carlile & Elton John and Anouk and there were finally reissues of Smashing Pumpkins and the absolute bestseller of the month: Tracy Chapman ! All nice, or at least nice and friendly, but my choice fell on the following 3 titles this month:
1. Julien Baker & Torres - Send A Prayer My Way
Indie artists Julien Baker (also known from boygenius) and Torres decided to make a country album together after a joint tour through the US. The result was released this month and is a record that will make many an Americana heart beat faster! Beautiful vocals, rock-solid lyrics and especially very catchy songs. From genuine honky tonk country to wonderfully beautiful ballads with a real sob.
Listening tip: Goodbye Baby
2. Annie & The Caldwells - Can't Lose My (Soul)
What a record! This is a great tip for anyone who loves Soul, Funk, Blues, Disco and Gospel. You may know Annie from The Staples Jr. Singers. Together with 2 daughters and a niece, she has been part of Annie & the Caldwells for 20 years, with this album as the highlight. "The best soul band on the planet?" is written on the hype sticker on the cover. A bit ambitious perhaps, but after listening we can nod in agreement. Listening tip: the great gospel track Dear Lord. Hallelujah!
3. Bon Iver - Sable, Fable
After his first two albums, which were a great inspiration for a whole generation of folk musicians, Bon Iver started experimenting with electronics and vocal effects. Sable, Fable actually unites the best of these two periods. The first part, Sable, contains the folk of his early years, including the highlight Speyside. Fable experiments again with samples and a dose of soul. Sit back and relax for this masterpiece by Justin Venon!
