I read a great review of this record a while ago, but never got around to listening to too much of the record itself. I'll have to see if I can find it to share here, but it's pretty clear I've been missing out!
The Judybats!!! I think All Day Afternoon is my favorite song on this CD. I do think An Intense Beige is a close second though. I saw them a couple of times in the '90's when some of the best music came out in the alternative genre.
I saw them once. To this day, they were the most polite band I've ever seen. I'm not sure what they were expecting from us, but they seemed genuinely thrilled that such a (relatively) large enthusiastic crowd had shown up.
Ah! The National. I'm hearing a lot of it coming thru since I'm reading Warren Zanes' book on Bruce Springsteen. And The Dictators. Any thoughts from you, Kevin?
Ah! Zanes' book is officially released May 5. I'm currently devouring it as an ARC for Substack publication (hopefully) May 5. Zanes' unique position as a rocker himself is quite helpful by giving readers insight into Springsteen's love of these genres - ones that were dismissed in their time period, i.e. Suicide, that Springsteen took with him in making Nebraska. Oh ,and thank you! More like that on the way.
I played this while eating at my desk at work (by choice). Not my normal thing, but I rally enjoyed it. It's definitely something that would be suited for a family dinner on the back deck!
What's been on in my car and house this week is a loaded question since I picked up a total of six new, and new to me, CDs. Since Saturday when I picked up some Elle King, her CD Come Get Your Wife has been playing nonstop in my car and in my head! I gave it to my husband last night for him to listen to back and forth from work today. I cannot get enough of Elle King or BillyStrings....and I don't see it letting up anytime soon.
This is biased, but I'm still higher than giraffe ears on a band I played a show under last Saturday night here in Cleveland; West Virginia's Brimstone Coven. Clear, thumping riffs; with great harmonies to leaven the heaviness. Here's their set opener:
I'm a sucker for obscure stuff from the 70s and 80s. Like this great song from a band named D.B. Cooper, which was apparently from Santa Barbara. "Had Enough" has a very strong early Joe Jackson sound to it. It's amazing it wasn't a hit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHIXdtOrZTw
Thanks for including “Boots and Cats” and love The National pick from when they were good (which was up until this new album that dropped Friday... solid first half, back half is a snooze).
Friday was a huge release day with Circles Around the Sun, Triptides, and Jessie Ware all in constant rotation this weekend.
A couple of things in particular...Bokani Dyer's new album 'Radio Sechaba' for Gilles Peterson's Brownswood Recordings. It's contemporary South African jazz covering nation building and individual strength issues through great songwriting and performances. Also, the title track from Yussef Dayes' upcoming album 'Black Classical Music' is just terrific, here's a link: https://youtu.be/qw6MY45tK6o
It's light indie pop, synths and guitars. Pleasant stuff!
(edit: I think I did find you though Notes; I am trying Notes as a way to find readers for my own music recommendations blog and it is working only very slowly, and anyway this is a good-looking comments section)
Hi Kevin and fellow readers/writers! I’ve been reconnecting with Babasonicos, an alternative rock band from Argentina. Think Sonic Youth meets Arctic Monkeys with a whiff of Elvis. Check them out!
Their first albums were rockier and their latest are more electronic, so there’s a bit of everything. I think the album “Infame” best depicts everything they’re capable of, and they consider it their magnum opus. If more interested in a heavier type of rock, I’d say go for their album “Babasonica”, if more after a trippier vibe, “Miami”; for a poppier, lush sound, “Jessico”. There’s a lot to explore, but “Infame” has it all (and beautifully blended, in my view).
Nice selection! You may find something interesting in what I'm currently in, a bit more relaxed and acoustic, though. It's a playlist I update every two weeks that I also post in Substack.
Right now one song I really like is "Just Relax" by Lola Brooke. It samples "The Choice Is Yours (Revisited)" and does it really well. We're going through a "sample saturation" in the rap world where the samples on many mainstream songs are TOO recognizable and often not even creatively used. However, I feel like this one did it well: used the iconic part from the original (the bass line), updated the chorus to fit her style of music and the music video even has Dres of Black Sheep (from the original song) in it.
Like that Michigander track - checking out their new EP now! This was a busy weekend for live music (Moor Mother, NY Philharmonic, Zosha Di Castri - all discussed briefly on the latest podcast) but I still found time to listen to the debut album from The Thing - well worth checking it if you, like me, miss Jane Church. https://open.spotify.com/album/7D6T266nZIgvmwmihILOHK?si=SZ6HDr55S_6RM4fKIuPkdg
We post weekly about our favourite records released in the last seven days. Also, we attach the link to the eight records on Bandcamp. See the last edition:
Still in that rut, but my brother is going to send recommendations so I will soon be saved. In the meantime, my husband got interested in Nick Beggs of Kajagoogoo because the baseline of their hit “Too Shy” is heavily jazz influenced. He’s been playing the song itself, bass covers, and YouTube breakdowns, so against my will, I am listening to Kajagoogoo. 🤦🏾♀️
Still ploughing through the stack, only two left. I find that if I play the whole discography of an artist in one sitting I don't want to hear that artist again for a long time, it's like overdosing.
We’ve been listening to The National, too! And now I’m listening to Gordon Lightfoot since hearing about his death. I have memories of listening to his music a lot during the two years I spent living in the Hudson Valley of New York in my 20s.
Oh man, that's gonna be a great show! I've been down a huge NP rabbit hole lately, and was really bummed that I couldn't make it to Thursday's show in Milwaukee. Please let us know how it goes!
The show was really good! Wild Pink sounded great and played either a lot of new stuff or things off the first album that I'm just not that familiar with. The New Pornographers sounded fantastic and every song is just so well constructed. Plus, I could listen to Neko's voice soar through a venue for days on end.
I read a great review of this record a while ago, but never got around to listening to too much of the record itself. I'll have to see if I can find it to share here, but it's pretty clear I've been missing out!
The Judybats!!! I think All Day Afternoon is my favorite song on this CD. I do think An Intense Beige is a close second though. I saw them a couple of times in the '90's when some of the best music came out in the alternative genre.
I saw them once. To this day, they were the most polite band I've ever seen. I'm not sure what they were expecting from us, but they seemed genuinely thrilled that such a (relatively) large enthusiastic crowd had shown up.
Ah! The National. I'm hearing a lot of it coming thru since I'm reading Warren Zanes' book on Bruce Springsteen. And The Dictators. Any thoughts from you, Kevin?
I haven't read it! Am I missing out?
I do think that Handsome Dick Manitoba might be one of the most rock & roll names ever, though.
Way off topic, but I forgot to mention that I really enjoyed your pod/interview talking about the Beatles' trip to Florida.
Ah! Zanes' book is officially released May 5. I'm currently devouring it as an ARC for Substack publication (hopefully) May 5. Zanes' unique position as a rocker himself is quite helpful by giving readers insight into Springsteen's love of these genres - ones that were dismissed in their time period, i.e. Suicide, that Springsteen took with him in making Nebraska. Oh ,and thank you! More like that on the way.
Oh nice! That sounds like it's right up my alley.
Ah! My date for release is incorrect. Zanes’ book was released today. So... go get it. It. Is. Amazing. 😳
Really been enjoying The David Grisman Quintet. Such a great mix of jazz and bluegrass that is perfect for dinner time. Dawg Music!
https://open.spotify.com/album/3WFYnejh2lEBcrQq2gclVq?si=vw5yr4hsRtu47j5P8C-U4A
I played this while eating at my desk at work (by choice). Not my normal thing, but I rally enjoyed it. It's definitely something that would be suited for a family dinner on the back deck!
What's been on in my car and house this week is a loaded question since I picked up a total of six new, and new to me, CDs. Since Saturday when I picked up some Elle King, her CD Come Get Your Wife has been playing nonstop in my car and in my head! I gave it to my husband last night for him to listen to back and forth from work today. I cannot get enough of Elle King or BillyStrings....and I don't see it letting up anytime soon.
Nothin' wrong with that! :)
This is biased, but I'm still higher than giraffe ears on a band I played a show under last Saturday night here in Cleveland; West Virginia's Brimstone Coven. Clear, thumping riffs; with great harmonies to leaven the heaviness. Here's their set opener:
https://youtu.be/RSUSKcK4AOI
That's locomotive heavy. Your banded opened for them? I'll bet it sounded killer live!
They absolutely did; no lie, it was the best set I've seen anyone play this year. And their singing was spot-on and phenomenal.
I'm a sucker for obscure stuff from the 70s and 80s. Like this great song from a band named D.B. Cooper, which was apparently from Santa Barbara. "Had Enough" has a very strong early Joe Jackson sound to it. It's amazing it wasn't a hit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHIXdtOrZTw
I'm a sucker for those same sounds! This was new to me- and great! Great name, too. lol.
Thanks for including “Boots and Cats” and love The National pick from when they were good (which was up until this new album that dropped Friday... solid first half, back half is a snooze).
Friday was a huge release day with Circles Around the Sun, Triptides, and Jessie Ware all in constant rotation this weekend.
Of course! We played both Lowmello CDs on the way to the booming metropolis of Richland Center, WI & back.
Hey, but they have a Frank Lloyd Wright warehouse!
Lol. This is true.
A couple of things in particular...Bokani Dyer's new album 'Radio Sechaba' for Gilles Peterson's Brownswood Recordings. It's contemporary South African jazz covering nation building and individual strength issues through great songwriting and performances. Also, the title track from Yussef Dayes' upcoming album 'Black Classical Music' is just terrific, here's a link: https://youtu.be/qw6MY45tK6o
These are all new to me. I'm off to check 'em out!
Hope you enjoy them. And if you don't know it already, please take a listen to one of my favourite albums of last year from saxophonist Binker Golding 'Dream Like A Dogwood Wild Boy' https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nLr_1WgMbhw8en-Wmr3rUK_fqUbO_n82Q
The Mekons and Angel Olsen!!!
That's a good combo!
I'm on Goth Babe's latest EP, Iceland: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fR6gMRFIIQw
It's light indie pop, synths and guitars. Pleasant stuff!
(edit: I think I did find you though Notes; I am trying Notes as a way to find readers for my own music recommendations blog and it is working only very slowly, and anyway this is a good-looking comments section)
Welcome! I'm happy you're here.
And I'm biased, but this is the best music community on Substack.
The Muncie Girls cover the Ramones' "Pet Semetary." !!!! https://open.spotify.com/track/5sivLNJabmysJGCXeTZkiF?si=24esDOtRQ3SJbXol3xb7CA
OMG. How did I not know this existed?!
I didn't even know the Muncie Girls until I heard them on your playlist! A discovery after a discovery!
My favorite virtuous cycle!
Hi Kevin and fellow readers/writers! I’ve been reconnecting with Babasonicos, an alternative rock band from Argentina. Think Sonic Youth meets Arctic Monkeys with a whiff of Elvis. Check them out!
That description's definitely got my attention! For those of us that are new to the band, where should we start?
Their first albums were rockier and their latest are more electronic, so there’s a bit of everything. I think the album “Infame” best depicts everything they’re capable of, and they consider it their magnum opus. If more interested in a heavier type of rock, I’d say go for their album “Babasonica”, if more after a trippier vibe, “Miami”; for a poppier, lush sound, “Jessico”. There’s a lot to explore, but “Infame” has it all (and beautifully blended, in my view).
Link to the album in question 😊
https://music.apple.com/gb/album/infame/403659432
https://open.spotify.com/album/7FYLw9fTOiYnJFbFk2Mntn
Nice! Gotta echo the comments on including The National, and Apartment Story is a great choice!
Nice selection! You may find something interesting in what I'm currently in, a bit more relaxed and acoustic, though. It's a playlist I update every two weeks that I also post in Substack.
https://reflectandrelaxcafe.substack.com/i/116325495/playlist-editions
There's always a place for resting & relaxing music! I ran through #35, while writing and fit the mood.
Glad you like it 😊
Right now one song I really like is "Just Relax" by Lola Brooke. It samples "The Choice Is Yours (Revisited)" and does it really well. We're going through a "sample saturation" in the rap world where the samples on many mainstream songs are TOO recognizable and often not even creatively used. However, I feel like this one did it well: used the iconic part from the original (the bass line), updated the chorus to fit her style of music and the music video even has Dres of Black Sheep (from the original song) in it.
Hard to go wrong with that sample. Both are bangers. And I'm with you-- I like that the sample(s) were recognizable but subtle.
Like that Michigander track - checking out their new EP now! This was a busy weekend for live music (Moor Mother, NY Philharmonic, Zosha Di Castri - all discussed briefly on the latest podcast) but I still found time to listen to the debut album from The Thing - well worth checking it if you, like me, miss Jane Church. https://open.spotify.com/album/7D6T266nZIgvmwmihILOHK?si=SZ6HDr55S_6RM4fKIuPkdg
Otherwise, most of the listening was around prepping to record the podcast and then recording it! Playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/12kSm8LcvL84J1P0fnuivS?si=cafc889ce0ab41f0
I've got the pod saved for later today (5/2). I get to spend some time in a waiting room this afternoon, and it's gonna keep me company.
Hey Kevin,
We post weekly about our favourite records released in the last seven days. Also, we attach the link to the eight records on Bandcamp. See the last edition:
https://cosmiclazers.substack.com/p/weekly-releases-week-12
Some killer sounds in there!
I’m glad you like our taste 👌
I just sent you a request on Instagram, good to connect!
Awesome! Thanks for the add. :)
I’ve been enjoying Jimmy Cliff’s 2022 “Refugee” album and “Birds go die out is sight” by Peter One.
I love it. I didn't realize Cliff had released anything recently!
Still in that rut, but my brother is going to send recommendations so I will soon be saved. In the meantime, my husband got interested in Nick Beggs of Kajagoogoo because the baseline of their hit “Too Shy” is heavily jazz influenced. He’s been playing the song itself, bass covers, and YouTube breakdowns, so against my will, I am listening to Kajagoogoo. 🤦🏾♀️
I mean, I'm glad you're listening to /something/. Not sure if Kajagoogoo would've been my pick, though. lol.
To be fair, that bassline is pretty cool, so...
Recently got hooked on Paranoid Void, to the point I had to post about them. Hypnotic stuff: https://zapatosjam.substack.com/p/can-something-written-in-weird-time
A busy week with a live show which I haven't been to in ages.
Aunt Betty's - Aunt Betty's
Radiohead - OK Computer
Amy Winehouse - Back to Black
Julia Fischler - Baby Blue
Utopia - Deface The Music
Fossil Hunting Collective - Vacancy
Dave Edmunds - I Heat You Rockin'
The Flowers of Hell - Keshakhtaran
The Bablers - Psychadilly Circus + the single Mr. King
GreenWing - Live in Concert
Tom Waits - Glitter and Doom Live
Daniel Lanois - Acadie
Low - The Great Destroyer
Withered Hand - How To Love
Greenwing, with Lauriers, Gratuitous Platypus, No Such Thing As Ghost
Saturday, April 29
Kaffa
#201, 10920 88 Ave (upstairs)
Edmonton, AB
What a mix! Anytime I see Dave Edmunds make the cut it makes me smile.
Still ploughing through the stack, only two left. I find that if I play the whole discography of an artist in one sitting I don't want to hear that artist again for a long time, it's like overdosing.
We’ve been listening to The National, too! And now I’m listening to Gordon Lightfoot since hearing about his death. I have memories of listening to his music a lot during the two years I spent living in the Hudson Valley of New York in my 20s.
Lotta Lightfoot here too this morning!
Man, The Judybats?! Okay! Almost forgot about them
That's why I'm here! :)
I've been listening to a ton of Wild Pink and The New Pornographers, since I'm seeing them in concert tonight. Can't wait!
Oh man, that's gonna be a great show! I've been down a huge NP rabbit hole lately, and was really bummed that I couldn't make it to Thursday's show in Milwaukee. Please let us know how it goes!
The show was really good! Wild Pink sounded great and played either a lot of new stuff or things off the first album that I'm just not that familiar with. The New Pornographers sounded fantastic and every song is just so well constructed. Plus, I could listen to Neko's voice soar through a venue for days on end.
Oh, I could too!