Over on BlueSky, Luke Haines has confirmed a new Haines/Buck album in the new year, with a UK tour. Scott McCaughey and Linda Pitmon involved too. Recorded in Portland.
I love the first two, so I’m looking forward to this. Hope they come to Scotland this time!
New album announced. Due in July. 
New album out today. I’ve had three or four listens so far. Initial impressions are that, musically, it’s the most R.E.M.ish of the three that they’ve done. Obviously, as with the others, it sounds nothing at all like R.E.M. And, as with the others, I like it a lot. Can’t wait to see them in Glasgow (with the added bonus of the Minus 5) next month.
That makes some sense, it’s definitely my favorite Buck/Haines-album so far, though I did like the previous ones just fine.
digging into the new album… uhh. it sucks. by which i mean it’s mediocre music from a guy capable of great music. buck is in fine form, but this luke haines guy is almost as boring as that joseph arthur guy. all i hear are these hushed, hookless vocals that barely interact with the music. no passion or urgency. tepid melodies. feels like a waste of some cool guitar riffs.
i’m happy for buck getting to collaborate with anyone he wants, but i feel like he goes to the bargain bin every time. or even when he doesn’t (corin tucker) the results are awkwardly mismatched.
sorry for my negative rant