Miracles (Alex G)

Alex G - God Save The Animals (2022) ****

Nominated by: Alex G (no relation)

Music club: Monday Night Album Club

Playlist addition:  After All

Only released a few weeks ago (Sept 23), this is fresh as a daisy music - in more ways than one.

It's a fantastic collection of beguiling sounds which improves with every listen.

First track, After All, is a brilliant introduction of Alex G's catchy pop smarts, even though it's not representative of the album. In fact, no one track is. And thereby lies a lot of the no boredom guaranteed appeal. It's tough these days to hang in there for a whole album of the same thing. There is so much music out there on Spotify and the temptation to jump into something else is never far away. But I've just kept hitting replay for the past week or so on God Save The Animals. It rewards repeat listens.

At times, to my ears, there are hints of Bon Iver, Elliot Smith, Neil Young, and Todd Rundgren but Alex G creates his own thing anyway.

Highlights are many: Immunity seems to be going one way and then a jazzy piano break veers it off in another direction entirely; the wonky Neil Youngish Miracles; Runners' lo-fi drum sounds; the anthemic singalong of Forgive; Mission glides by; No Bitterness's Beatle-esque moments; and Ain't It Easy's dream pop are my favourites, but there were no songs I skipped during my listens.

Then it's back to the start with After All and those lovely female vocals, superb layered harmonies, acoustic guitars and we're away again...

I can't get enough of this album and I strongly recommend it to the blogosphere. Alex G deserves your time and attention.