The 2026 3 Albums A Week Challenge; September

 The 2026 3 Albums A Week Challenge; September

 September

2026 Album Challenge (Home Link)

The Olivia Tremor Control - Music From The Unrealized Film Script: Dusk at Cubist Castle

Format: Apple

Fiio FT1 Headphones

Notes: An album and band I had never heard of until Chris brought it to album night. It definitely leans into The Beatles more psychedelic tendencies. It won't be the last time I put this on with headphones. 

Jim James - Wowed Out

Format: Apple

Stereo

Notes: Not much difference between his solo work and MMJ in my opinion. It's occasionally interesting, but mostly tends to run together song after song. There are some artists and bands that kind of run out of steam or find themselves in a rut, unable to push into new ground. I have felt that way about MMJ and Jim James for awhile. 

Prince - Timeless

Format: Apple

Stereo

Notes: Cool record! Not a properly formed album that we likely would be getting from Prince if he were still with us, but a collage of songs culled from a long period of time. If you like Prince, you will like this. "Heaven" is a track that could sit right at home with his Revolution work. 

Son Volt - Sound Signal Serenades

Format: Apple

Stereo

Notes: Jay Farrar and Son Volt doing what they do. They have never strayed far from their core sound and for a lot of bands that would feel stale, but somehow Son Volt overcomes that consistently. "Away From The Blues" is as good anything they have done and "The New Low-Down" has a nice energy to it. 

The Jayhawks - Sanctuary Park

Format: Apple

Stereo

Notes: It seems to be a trend this month, hitting new albums from old favorites. Just like Son Volt, the Jayhawks know what works for them and manage to make interesting music despite not veering far from what fans recognize. "Keeping Our Heads" is a pure pop tune that could easily find a home on Smile or Rainy Day Music. Check out "Young Mr. Lincoln" (drummer Tim O'Reagan gets his usual tune) and "American Midnight". 

Neil Young - On The Beach

Format: Vinyl

Stereo

Notes: Hard to go wrong with 70's era Neil Young. I bought the vinyl reissue and having never heard this in its entirety, i enjoyed it. I can't say I was surprised. It sounds like what you would expect. "Motion Pictures" has long been a favorite for me and "Ambulance Blues" closes the album feeling like a familiar friend. 

Neil Young - Homegrown

Format: Vinyl

Stereo

Notes: The album shelved back in the 70's for the much darker "Tonight's the Night". Some songs about his relationship breaking down. There's a lot to like here and again, this is familiar territory for anyone that knows Neil Young's output from this period of time. "Homegrown" is the title track, I'll let you figure out what it's about. Other highlights include "Star of Bethlehem" (best song on the record?) and "White Line". Give it a listen if you haven't. Solid stuff. 

George Harrison - Wonderwall Music

Format: CD

Stereo

Notes: I can't believe I had never heard this....any of it. It was part of "Beatles" weekend and a pleasant surprise. Not quite as abstract and "Indian" as I expected. Not music I would go back to a lot, but I can see myself revisiting under certain mental conditions. :) 

The Beatles - Rubber Soul

Format: CD

Stereo

Notes: Another one I listened to over Beatles Weekend with Chris, but I have listened to it 5 or 6 times since in different versions (Mono, Stereo, 2026 Stereo, Atmos) and it never fails to deliver. This jump started the album era and the band went on a journey musically that set the tone for what pop could be. Obvious favorites are obvious "Norwegian Wood", "The Word", "In My Life", "Think For Yourself"....blah blah blah.....

The Beatles - Abbey Road

Format: CD

Stereo

Notes: Sometimes my favorite Beatles album and sometimes my favorite album period. It's so good it overcomes 2 mediocre songs (Maxwell's Hammer, Octopuses Garden) to still be great. The production and care put into the musicianship and brilliant vocals cement its' spot as a true masterpiece. Favorite track? All of side 2. 

The Beatles - Magical Mystery Tour

Format: CD

Stereo

Notes:  A psychedelic powerhouse. Not much to say about it other than if I considered it a "proper" album, it would rank way up there in Beatles cannon. I know most consider it cannon....I just don't. It's a song collection, albeit a great one! 

Tears For Fears - The Hurting

Format: CD

Stereo

Notes: I have always loved their album Songs from the Big Chair, but didn't get into them much past that. A mistake for sure. This is their debut. The talent is undeniable. "Mad World" and "Change" are pure 80's and I unapologetically love those.