December Hotel's favorite albums bring together familiar classics, independent releases and overlooked records that deserve a wider audience.
The selections span a broad musical landscape, connected by memorable songs, distinctive performances and the lasting impression they leave. Explore the reviews, revisit an old favorite or discover an artist whose music has yet to find its way into your collection.
It was a sad day when Thrice announced their hiatus. Hearing that Dustin Kensrue would continue to record and release music made that news a little easier to take. The Modern Post became his new musical avenue: a worship project distributed by Mars Hill Music.
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Ecovillage is the Swedish shoegaze outfit of Emil Holmstrom and Peter Wikstrom. Their second release is a beautiful sound collage, with each song flowing into the next. From the start, there is little that feels like filler; the whole album invites you to settle into its atmosphere.
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Marvin Gaye brings tenderness and urgency together on a record that asks us to pay closer attention to one another. His voice moves through warm arrangements with an ease that makes even the hardest questions feel personal. It is an album whose compassion stays with you long after the music ends.
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Best known for his drumming with Fold Zandura, The Lassie Foundation and numerous studio projects, Frank Lenz takes a different approach here. Instead of a barrage of block-rocking beats, this release offers subdued, soulful rhythms and an unexpected look at his work as a vocalist and solo artist.
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This is the kind of album that rewards rediscovery. Beyond the familiar pull of “No Rain,” songs like “Change” reveal the band's easy blend of rock and folk. Shannon Hoon's distinctive voice gives the music both its lightness and its emotional weight.
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Having been a big fan of Waiting, I was excited to hear Isolation. The earlier record took a few listens to fully reveal itself, with “Lay Down Your Burden” keeping me coming back. This one drew me in much faster: two plays were enough to send me headfirst into its world.
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Drum machines, keyboards and sampling play a prominent role on Big Bam Boom. The duo pushes further into the electronic possibilities of its era, making the production an active part of the songs. The result captures a familiar pop partnership exploring a bigger, more ambitious sound.
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With Roland Orzabal taking the lead without Curt Smith, Elemental gives him room to follow his own instincts as a songwriter, producer and performer. The music still carries the sound and spirit of Tears for Fears, even as the arrangements reflect a different chapter in the band's story.
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