This week’s best albums
– Draped in a reverence for sci-fi and fantasy, Seattle’s “behemoth power trio” Sandrider pays tribute to local heavy-rock history.
– With the production work of Dave Grohl, Sweden’s Ghost BC drops an EP that covers Roky Erickson, ABBA, Army of Lovers, and Depeche Mode.
– Mark Orton’s soundtrack to Nebraska — which includes one tracks that reunites the original Tin Hat Trio — matches the movie’s moods of funny, heartfelt, maudlin, and eccentric.
– On his fourth solo record, guitarist Mick Turner of Dirty Three takes a journey — a laid-back tour of a rock opera reminiscent of the work of John Vanderslice or The Mountain Goats.
– Chicago indie outfit Audiences makes a good first impression with melody-minded hooks and less-is-more bravado.
Honorable mentions
Ephel Duath: Hemmed by Light, Shaped by Darkness (Agonia)
Nils Frahm: Spaces (Erased Tapes)
Harsh Toke: Light Up and Live (Tee Pee)
Reggie and the Full Effect: No Country for Old Musicians (Pure Noise)