Good morning! Welcome to each of you who joined us this week! You’ve landed at what was recently described as “the nicest place on the internet.“ Looking for a place to share the music you love with like-minded people? You’re in the right spot.
It’s great to have you here.
I also want to again give a special shoutout to those of you who recently upgraded your subscription. That direct support fuels this community and truly makes a difference. Thank you!
When you’re ready, joining them is easy. Just click here:
On to the music:
For those of you who are new, we kick off every week by sharing what we’ve been playing.
The playlist below is some of what I’ve had in heavy rotation. I’m excited that a couple of this week’s tracks are from members of the community:
Now it’s your turn.
What caught your ear this week? Any luck crate digging? Some yard sale finds? Are there any upcoming releases or shows you’re excited about?
So whatcha got? Share your thoughts in the comments!
📻📻📻
P.S. Have you seen this yet? Some of your favorite music writers got together and wrote about your favorite records. Check it out!
-- And, sure enough, the best track on the new EP by folky/blues-y/midwest emo-y artist Claire Ozmun is also called "I90." (https://claireozmun.bandcamp.com/album/dying-in-the-wool). It's a stunning song, which she'd released before, but it sets up her new EP so well.
That's cool. We drove long sections of I-90 on our 'pic Road Trip.) I curated playlists for every state we drove through, but I do not remember I-90 being on those lists. Good music, just the same. Thanks for lining these songs up and driving them down I-90.
Speaking of jaw dropping performance, Ekko Astral opened for Lambrini Girls last night. If you don't know them, well, just go see them. In your face political and joyous punk. The lead singer literally hung from the rafters to sing one song and jumped on top of the bar to sing another. Then twice got in the crowd, got everyone on the floor to get quiet, and then explore. Exhilarating. I'll have this on repeat all week to keep the energy and intention of the show alive. https://lambrinigirlsband.bandcamp.com/track/help-me-im-gay
And when I need to quiet down from Lambrini Girls, I will honor one of the greatest musicians of the last several decades, Toumani Diabate. What a remarkable artist. Truly "of the world" with so many collaborations and ways in which he made the kora come alive. "Symmetric Orchestra" is in my top 20 albums of all time and is just an incredible journey. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkNTKQAIXEI&list=PLetv3SCC-r3Y1m_r7RLdttaObTTSbcE9V
Meanwhile - I am going to try to convince myself that the Japandroids single is good and that the tour will be worth seeing. Top of your list will inspire me to try again.
My first impressions on this are good. I put new stuff I think I like on a playlist and play it in the background. Then I take note of the songs that make me sit up and pay attention. This one has every time.
The Cardinals tracks are catching my ear every time I hear them on XMU and elsewhere. Didn’t know Jessica Boudreaux. Already enjoying. Thanks for the tip. And for the reminder it’s time to get Endtroducing back in rotation.
Great list, as always. I think "Ballads" is the most comforting record I own. It's so beautiful and tranquil that it always makes me feel better if I'm down or stressed.
The Universal Fire by Jeffrey Foucault. It's about the fire at Universal Studios and what was lost. But it also seems to be about so much more than that.
Tanukichan via Kevin Alexander in last week’s thread. Umm, yea. Relistening a few days later, can confirm: will be listening to more by Tanukichan.
The Exits via Kevin Alexander in last week’s thread. What a bop this stuff is, thanks for sharing, Kevin!
BIG SPECIAL - POST INDUSTRIAL HOMETOWN BLUES via Senor Fix. Post punk electronica? Set Dig Level to Steam Shovel, Number Two.
LA Priest - LA Fusion via Senor Fix: fun and dancy? Yes and YES.
GUM & Ambrose Kenny-Smith - Ill Times. It seems like this record took forever to land. It’s been a dark/weird week, needed a shot of upbeat rock and roll music. This record will get some spins, I reckon.
Tropical Fuck Storm - Inflatable Graveyard. I was at this show @ Lincoln Hall in Chicago. It felt like a great set. I couldn’t believe how tight the band was. I don’t ‘memeber them saying anything about a recording, just complaining about how expensive the US was (tix were $20). One of my fave bands, grateful to have witnessed this live: https://tropicalfstorm.bandcamp.com/album/tropical-fuck-storms-inflatable-graveyard
Slightly used:
The Mysterines - Afraid of Tomorrow has been getting SPINS. Uhhhhhh, this just made my AOTY list
ORB - Tailem Bend will be in heavy rotation for a while (it already is). Also in my AOTY shortlist.
Old:
Led Zeppelin - II & III. ‘Nuff said.
Stonefield - As Above, So Below + Bent. Reminded to fire up As Above, So Below by https://misirlou22.substack.com last week. AA,SB is great. Their last album - Bent - is the pinnacle. All of Stonefield is worth exploring . 4 ladies from Australia rocking for the good of all humankind.
Toadies - Feeler and others. I’m on a kick, some would say. Got a new vehicle on the way; Rubberneck is top of the pile as first record to be played ear-piercingly loud on the drive home (with album length detours).
Rage Against the Machine - The Battle of Los Angeles. These updated mixes are TOP NOTCH. Great record by a great band that will never tour again??? NOooooooOOOOoooooOooOO.
Audioslave - Out of Exile. Basically the same as RATM above.
Chris Cornell - Euphoria Morning. One of my favorites. Best use of Chris’ voice, imho. Soulful. Great artist, dearly missed.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Ghosteen. Not a big fan, but trying to become more familiar. Liking the singles off of Wild God.
BC Camplight - The Last Rotation of Earth. one of my absolute fave releases of the 2020’s. This will be the last rotation of this record for me. Sardonic. Well crafted. Funny. Sad.
Brody Dalle - Diploid Love. Not a Distillers fan. Spinerette was just ok. Brody Dalle? Just right. This record has one of my all time favorite album closers in Parities for Prostitutes, and the other 8 songs ain’t too shabby either.
Stone Temple Pilots - No. 4. Ultra nostalgia week or music continues with this ripper. I woke up with Atlanta stuck in my brain which triggered me visiting church on Saturday.
Sluts of Trust - We Are All Sluts of Trust. Found Piece ‘O You on a SXSW sampler back in the day, picked on this record and hav never put it back down. Sad there is only the one record from this band.
Well, we've been spoiled with a new Fab release virtually every week right now, it seems, and this weekend it was Paul's Backyard Sessions for One Hand Clapping.
I'm reveling in the sumptuous vocal/guitar interpretations of Buddy Holly (Peggy Sue and I'm GOnna Love You Too) and the long overdue guitar/vocal for Twenty Flight Rock, the song Paul auditioned for the Quarrymen with.
I'm now longing for a full album of just Macca with his guitar singing the songs he loves. We don't have anywhere near enough of that, even with the Unplugged album and the song demos.
I'm also oddly obsessed at the moment with an extended instrumental track by Nick Cave, Psalm Instrumental, which is astoundingly good trance music.
Odds and ends, too. Elvis Costello's Imperial Bedroom (produced by Beatles engineer Geoff Emerick), New Order's Power Corruption and Lies, and The Everly's roots album Songs Our Daddy Taught Us.
I went diving through what remains of my vinyl collection this weekend! A local brewery does a vinyl night (you can sign up for a 20min slot) and I have been intending to dig through and spin one of these weeks. Last Wednesday they announced a theme week for this coming Wednesday and it’s female artists. Other than random songs by female artists on soundtracks, I only have a handful of female artists in my collection. I did purchase a reissue of Sinead O’Connor’s The Lion and the Cobra. Other than that, I have Eurythmics-Touch, Cocteau Twins-Victorialand, Everything But the Girl-Idlewild, Romeo Void-Benefactor, Altered Images-Happy Birthday, and Madonna-Like a Virgin. Not going to play any Madonna lol, but I spent time listening to all of these albums this weekend - along with the Some Kind of Wonderful soundtrack (March Violets have a couple of songs on it).
what's the "lol" re Madonna about? (geniuine question. I haven't listened to her in years, and am just wondering where other people are relative to her.)
Sorry, should have had more of an explanation there - was just personal! The brewery is known for being associated with metal music - though they do yacht rock one Sunday a month and have also had Goth nights here and there. Vinyl nights you can hear anything from metal to Taylor Swift though 😂 But, Like a Virgin is probably one I would not play anything off of for this group of people. A friend has threatened to play a whole 20 minute Debbie Gibson set 😂
Funny, I was talking to the bartender on Monday (she also works every Wednesday for vinyl night), and I told her that I had Like a Virgin, but wasn’t going to play anything off of it and she said “Why Not?!?!?” So, now I probably will! Hahahaha!
Firstly, a nice acquisition - a brand new headset, a SteelSeries Nova 3. This will make the listening experience more pleasant for me, and less annoying for others (well, unless I start singing along to the music).
After testing it out on the first two parts of the 2112 suite by Rush, I listened to The Funeral Pyre by Kvaen. Kvaen is a metal band from the northeastern part of Sweden, not too far from the Finnish border. They classify themselves as "extreme" metal, but upon listening to it, I'm not as sure about it being "extreme". Sure, the vocalist is growling and shrieking, but it's understandable (although perhaps still a bit too harsh for my liking, I prefer clean vocals). The drums though. Really like them here. The opening track, "Revenge by Fire", is the best track on this.
Also new listens for me: a pair of 1983 releases: Black Sabbath's Born Again (which should've been more epic than it was, considering you have Ian Gillan supplying lead vocals. It honestly felt like the band ran out of steam a bit) and Snowy White's debut solo album, White Flames (a nice slice of blues infused rock).
Nice to see Santa Fe represented on the playlist with the Free Range Buddhas! My week was focused on listening to final mixes of my record, so I didn't have time to check out as much new stuff as usual. Some highlights:
* Lou Reed/VU - I was asked to play a Lou Reed tribute show which made me realize I hadn't spent much time with his catalog lately. So I dug into my faves from his and the VU's catalogs, and listened to New York.
* James Mastro - Dawn of a New Error - Last week, I mentioned seeing James Mastro (ex-Bongos, Health & Happiness Show) open for Alejandro Escovedo and play in his band. That led me back to James' new record from this year which is full of solid songwriting. Definitely worth a listen.
* Blue Mountain - Dog Days - They were a favorite back in the mid-90s roots rock/Americana boom, and they were always fantastic live. It a sweet, fantastic record -- check it out! (Fun fact: The bassist, Laurie Stirratt, is the sister of John Stirratt of Wilco.)
Have a great week, everyone! Looking forward to your picks.
I'm glad and mine, too is a much longer journey than expected -- I'm still trying to finish my pandemic album (!) but my heart isn't in it and it's beyond painful to work on it. But I've come too far to turn back now...
Sorry to hear, Faith. I can empathize as that happened to me with my last record in 2017. I almost quit so many times and my wife kept urging me to finish it so I could let those songs go and move on. She was right, but the scars from that were what kept me from recording again until now. I hope you find that final burst of motivation to get it over the finish line!
Thanks! It’s so hard when I’m disconnected emotionally from the project — and when I know that nothing will happen with it other than that it will exist. I set it aside by necessity to do the podcast, and I’m not sorry about that. But I wish I had the emotional bandwidth for both and I just don’t…
BTW, you mentioned Santa Fe in your comment -- are you in SF? (I ask because Santa Fe is a second home for me. lived there for many years and occasionally spend the winter there)
Congrats on the final mixes. And a deep dive into Lou Reed/VU is always an experience; for some reason, I always find "New Sensations" to be an underrated pop classic, although I have trouble articulating why. And I saw Blue Mountain live in North Carolina; have to dig them out again! Thanks for the reminder!
I agree on New Sensations. A great example of an artist being influenced by contemporary popular music, without losing their identity; instead making it their own.
I'm happy to see this! I've always felt like I was the only one that liked this record! It's definitely underrated, and I think maybe people just couldn't wrap their heads around the idea of Reed having fun?
I remember "Rock and a Hard Place" from this album being the 2nd biggest hit (I think after "Mixed Emotions") from Steel Wheels, which was like a comeback album for the Stones. In retrospect, it was probably comeback #7 of 17 or so.
Side note: I am playing Dr. Octagon radio in the background today.
I heard of Dr Octagon a long time ago, listened to the debut record, and enjoyed it... but then I kind of stopped thinking about Dr. O in favor of stuff like MF Doom... but Kool Keith brings an entire world with him, and Dr. Octagon is just one of his many projects. Fascinating art.
Looking forward to diving into this playlist. Japandroids is a great place to start. I’m really enjoying that track.
More love for Los Campesinos! - In Hell here. It’s an excellent album; Coin-Op Guillotine is a highlight for me along with the single release Feast of Tongues.
Also, so pleased to get new music from Sports Team for the first time in a couple of years. Very excited for that album.
I think July has provided some fabulous new music to date. This is my pick of the month’s releases so far:
Also, I totally forgot to mention my friend Kaicee’s band Ugly Jumper. I really like this track and I think it deserves lots of streams. It’s already on my July playlist but I thought it needed its own link.
Thanks for both links! Cueing up the playlist to play here shortly. Might have to skip to the Sports team track--anything that mentions Subaru gets my attention. lol.
One of my big listens is an obscure jazz number thanks to its appearance at the end of some recent live renditions of Particle Man. I finally made a list just for sharing my weekly rotation here!
This week, I leaned heavily into Humphrey and the Dumptrucks. I listened to all of their catalogue on vinyl. Several of their songs are available on YouTube if you're interested in them.
I was WFH and, for some reason, my brain told me that I needed to listen to some Neil Young. I think it was prompted by the Cowboy Junkies version of "Helpless".
So I cued up the 2004 Greatest Hits compilation and listened while doing some light administrative tasks (I can't listen to any meaningful music while I am doing actual work). It was everything I wanted it to be. What a catalog! I sang along (out of tune) and truly enjoyed myself.
But then I cued it up again in my car (with a 30 minute drive ahead) and it left me flat. It was as if that single listen had supplied enough Neil and any more Neil going to ruin the initial Neil. Is it Neil's music that caused this, or is this a common phenomenon?
That is interesting because I've long thought of Neil as the artist I ought to listen to more often and rarely do (beyond the early, formative listens). Love the guy, but I'm rarely inspired to put him on.
Over a week after its release, I'm still OBSESSED with Cassandra Jenkins' My Light, My Destroyer. It instantly set my carefully constructed Best Of 2024 (So Far) list in a spin. We'll see how things shake out over the next 6 months., but this album is a masterpiece. I also did a deep dive into Sly & The Family Stone's 7th and final album, Small Talk, which I've loved for years. You can read all about it in the Rock & Roll Globe, whenever they decide to publish it! Besides Cassandra and Sly, I'm also enjoying Font's Strange Burden, Clairo's Charm, West Of Roan's Queen Of Eyes, and Sour Widows' Revival of a Friend.
I'm not sure i've heard Small Talk, but will change that ASAP. Same with My Light, My Destroyer. if it's upended your list, it's gotta be good!
I didn;t think I would like Charm nearly as much as I did. I read a review somewhere that (paraphrasing) compared it to her rooting through a box of soul 45s, and that got me to give it a spin. It was a happy surprise for me.
Finally went down the Maggie Rogers and Waxahatchee new album rabbit holes and won't be coming out anytime soon. Easy to see why both will be on so many best of lists at the end of the year.
Brilliant African band led by Joni Haastrup. I picked up the Soundway repress just yesterday and it sounds perfect on a surprisingly cool (but nice!) Monday afternoon here in the PNW.
We were in Peru when the really hot weather hit, but when we returned, it still felt hot (high 80s/low 90s) as Peru is south of the equator. After three weeks of 68-70ish highs, dropping down to the 30s, and even high 20s low, 92 felt very warm indeed.
That said, even when it gets really hot in Portland, it rarely lasts longer than a week, and the evenings are often breezy. The humidity that I grew up with in Cleveland (and you no doubt know in Wisconsin) is never an issue here.
Thanks as ever for the inspiration. Recently discovered a great Italian psych artist called Upupayama - new stuff sounds fantastic. And two recently issued compilations from the outstanding Numero Group - You're not from around here and They move in the night. An escape pod of stunning surf exotica and more! So bloody good.
I very much appreciate you sharing my latest single, Kevin. You may note that the band and I channeled a JJ Cale-style arrangement on the first Elvis single, "That's All Right."
What am I listening to?
I just got the WMP Mono vinyl pressing of Dylan's Blonde on Blonde, and it's magnificent. Ditto for Harry Nillson's Aerial Ballet in glorious mono, too. I've been obsessed, and I mean obsessed, with the Grateful Dead's "Mr. Charlie," searching for any and all versions featuring Pigpen on vocals. I found a fantastic take from John Mayer from Dead & Co. I will definitely add it to my next live show setlist.
Also groovin' on Italian pop star Mina (my daughter's name). Check her out on "Nessuno," a catchy 1960 ditty and film clip. It features Chet Baker in the bathtub! From the film, Urlatori alla sbarra (Howlers in the Dock).
Thanks for the links, Dave!
Circle in the Sand - Belinda Carlisle
Nice pick, Yana!
Who knew I would need a playlist devoted to one highway?
-- I've commented before on "I-90" by Sour widows and
-- "I-90" by Ekko Astral (https://ekkoastral.bandcamp.com/track/i90-feat-josaleigh-pollett). And I saw Ekko Astral give a jaw-dropping performance of that song last night.
-- And, sure enough, the best track on the new EP by folky/blues-y/midwest emo-y artist Claire Ozmun is also called "I90." (https://claireozmun.bandcamp.com/album/dying-in-the-wool). It's a stunning song, which she'd released before, but it sets up her new EP so well.
Time for an "On Repeat" roadtrip?
That's cool. We drove long sections of I-90 on our 'pic Road Trip.) I curated playlists for every state we drove through, but I do not remember I-90 being on those lists. Good music, just the same. Thanks for lining these songs up and driving them down I-90.
Lol. It might be! I'm typing this about a mile(ish) from I-90, so...
Walk Cycle by The JuJu Exchange
https://open.spotify.com/track/45pi4lJQlmehAEdkCdPzFB?si=dc13d314add44dba
Speaking of jaw dropping performance, Ekko Astral opened for Lambrini Girls last night. If you don't know them, well, just go see them. In your face political and joyous punk. The lead singer literally hung from the rafters to sing one song and jumped on top of the bar to sing another. Then twice got in the crowd, got everyone on the floor to get quiet, and then explore. Exhilarating. I'll have this on repeat all week to keep the energy and intention of the show alive. https://lambrinigirlsband.bandcamp.com/track/help-me-im-gay
Thank you for sharing this concert review!
Here’s the full one on FB if you want some pix — https://www.facebook.com/story.php?id=793809687&story_fbid=10163329742744688
Sounds like a killer show!
And when I need to quiet down from Lambrini Girls, I will honor one of the greatest musicians of the last several decades, Toumani Diabate. What a remarkable artist. Truly "of the world" with so many collaborations and ways in which he made the kora come alive. "Symmetric Orchestra" is in my top 20 albums of all time and is just an incredible journey. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkNTKQAIXEI&list=PLetv3SCC-r3Y1m_r7RLdttaObTTSbcE9V
I hope to have new purchases to recommend to you next week, for once.
Looking forward to it, David!
Ivy - Apartment Life (Demos)
https://open.spotify.com/album/1Mg3ZO43xJePoXHhde1sTo?si=bwnhXKIXShWVIjFm_NLXmw
Yes!
Meanwhile - I am going to try to convince myself that the Japandroids single is good and that the tour will be worth seeing. Top of your list will inspire me to try again.
My first impressions on this are good. I put new stuff I think I like on a playlist and play it in the background. Then I take note of the songs that make me sit up and pay attention. This one has every time.
Hope it 'clicks" this time for you. I really like it.
NEW & EXCEPTIONALLY SHINY
Cardinals 'S/T' EP When they release their debit album it will be EPIC.
Los Campesinos 'All Hell' Their best album!?
Dr Dog 'S/T' I like Dr. Dog, they make me smile.
Jessica Boudreaux 'The Faster I Run' Just really good, cruchy rock n roll, and that's hard.
POLISHED GEMS
DJ Shadow 'Endtroducing'
John Coltrane Quarter 'Ballads'
Aimee Mann 'Bachelor, No. 2'
The Cardinals tracks are catching my ear every time I hear them on XMU and elsewhere. Didn’t know Jessica Boudreaux. Already enjoying. Thanks for the tip. And for the reminder it’s time to get Endtroducing back in rotation.
The new Abbey Road remaster of Endtroducing is spectacular!
Great list, as always. I think "Ballads" is the most comforting record I own. It's so beautiful and tranquil that it always makes me feel better if I'm down or stressed.
It's my go to chill, but not snooze album. Inevitably I hear something new with each listen.
Yes, the Los Campesinos! Record is incredibly strong. I’m enjoying it a lot.
Bachelor #2 is one of my favorite albums.
With good reason - it's great!
Dr. Dog is quite good at making people smile. :)
The Universal Fire by Jeffrey Foucault. It's about the fire at Universal Studios and what was lost. But it also seems to be about so much more than that.
https://youtu.be/BOnaV1SrzrI?si=u8NOnOZSi8H2dR_g
good morning from the left coast.
What is in my ears.
1. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1knJSMzp6SWo8aUh3W2hVo?si=67e53abbb0034f82
2. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/627aLiTKOjoWAfyqcdqQie?si=6e52b8b4a3644978
3. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1EpiZRrzSeuNAh?si=c3fd92942b254433
Thanks as always for the links!
New:
Tanukichan via Kevin Alexander in last week’s thread. Umm, yea. Relistening a few days later, can confirm: will be listening to more by Tanukichan.
The Exits via Kevin Alexander in last week’s thread. What a bop this stuff is, thanks for sharing, Kevin!
BIG SPECIAL - POST INDUSTRIAL HOMETOWN BLUES via Senor Fix. Post punk electronica? Set Dig Level to Steam Shovel, Number Two.
LA Priest - LA Fusion via Senor Fix: fun and dancy? Yes and YES.
GUM & Ambrose Kenny-Smith - Ill Times. It seems like this record took forever to land. It’s been a dark/weird week, needed a shot of upbeat rock and roll music. This record will get some spins, I reckon.
Tropical Fuck Storm - Inflatable Graveyard. I was at this show @ Lincoln Hall in Chicago. It felt like a great set. I couldn’t believe how tight the band was. I don’t ‘memeber them saying anything about a recording, just complaining about how expensive the US was (tix were $20). One of my fave bands, grateful to have witnessed this live: https://tropicalfstorm.bandcamp.com/album/tropical-fuck-storms-inflatable-graveyard
Slightly used:
The Mysterines - Afraid of Tomorrow has been getting SPINS. Uhhhhhh, this just made my AOTY list
ORB - Tailem Bend will be in heavy rotation for a while (it already is). Also in my AOTY shortlist.
Old:
Led Zeppelin - II & III. ‘Nuff said.
Stonefield - As Above, So Below + Bent. Reminded to fire up As Above, So Below by https://misirlou22.substack.com last week. AA,SB is great. Their last album - Bent - is the pinnacle. All of Stonefield is worth exploring . 4 ladies from Australia rocking for the good of all humankind.
Toadies - Feeler and others. I’m on a kick, some would say. Got a new vehicle on the way; Rubberneck is top of the pile as first record to be played ear-piercingly loud on the drive home (with album length detours).
Rage Against the Machine - The Battle of Los Angeles. These updated mixes are TOP NOTCH. Great record by a great band that will never tour again??? NOooooooOOOOoooooOooOO.
Audioslave - Out of Exile. Basically the same as RATM above.
Chris Cornell - Euphoria Morning. One of my favorites. Best use of Chris’ voice, imho. Soulful. Great artist, dearly missed.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Ghosteen. Not a big fan, but trying to become more familiar. Liking the singles off of Wild God.
BC Camplight - The Last Rotation of Earth. one of my absolute fave releases of the 2020’s. This will be the last rotation of this record for me. Sardonic. Well crafted. Funny. Sad.
Brody Dalle - Diploid Love. Not a Distillers fan. Spinerette was just ok. Brody Dalle? Just right. This record has one of my all time favorite album closers in Parities for Prostitutes, and the other 8 songs ain’t too shabby either.
Stone Temple Pilots - No. 4. Ultra nostalgia week or music continues with this ripper. I woke up with Atlanta stuck in my brain which triggered me visiting church on Saturday.
Sluts of Trust - We Are All Sluts of Trust. Found Piece ‘O You on a SXSW sampler back in the day, picked on this record and hav never put it back down. Sad there is only the one record from this band.
Right on! I'm glad you found a couple of new faves. I'm not too big of fan of Distillers, but will give Dalle's record a spin.
Well, we've been spoiled with a new Fab release virtually every week right now, it seems, and this weekend it was Paul's Backyard Sessions for One Hand Clapping.
I'm reveling in the sumptuous vocal/guitar interpretations of Buddy Holly (Peggy Sue and I'm GOnna Love You Too) and the long overdue guitar/vocal for Twenty Flight Rock, the song Paul auditioned for the Quarrymen with.
https://open.spotify.com/album/6YCmiTHYtzwNuW4DkgzcwI?si=T-TTDakcQaeEUERRItOMKg
I'm now longing for a full album of just Macca with his guitar singing the songs he loves. We don't have anywhere near enough of that, even with the Unplugged album and the song demos.
I'm also oddly obsessed at the moment with an extended instrumental track by Nick Cave, Psalm Instrumental, which is astoundingly good trance music.
https://open.spotify.com/track/5FZVeZGvsY5aDoOoa3LG3C?si=ee420f8e12df4f4d
And with the raw studio mix of Tight A$ off the newly and gorgeously remixed Mind Games, which is IMO a Don't-Miss.
https://open.spotify.com/track/7veIJD4qLLEt0L5vPOoZhW?si=4089a016ccfd4d90
Odds and ends, too. Elvis Costello's Imperial Bedroom (produced by Beatles engineer Geoff Emerick), New Order's Power Corruption and Lies, and The Everly's roots album Songs Our Daddy Taught Us.
Thanks for the links, Faith! I'm always looking for some good trance music, and (to the surprise of none) love Power Corruption, and Lies.
About to listen to that new Childish Gambino album and also diving into Sturgill Simpson's catalogue.
Yes this! Love the new SS/Johnny Bluesky album “Passage du Desir,” on repeat!
Sturgill's is one of my next deep dives.
I hear it’s dope! I really liked Metamodern sounds so I’m just gonna go in chronological order
“The Ballad of Dood and Juanita” is also excellent. I love the diversity of Sturgill.
Right on! I'll be curious to hear what you think once you;ve had a chance to listen to each of them.
I went diving through what remains of my vinyl collection this weekend! A local brewery does a vinyl night (you can sign up for a 20min slot) and I have been intending to dig through and spin one of these weeks. Last Wednesday they announced a theme week for this coming Wednesday and it’s female artists. Other than random songs by female artists on soundtracks, I only have a handful of female artists in my collection. I did purchase a reissue of Sinead O’Connor’s The Lion and the Cobra. Other than that, I have Eurythmics-Touch, Cocteau Twins-Victorialand, Everything But the Girl-Idlewild, Romeo Void-Benefactor, Altered Images-Happy Birthday, and Madonna-Like a Virgin. Not going to play any Madonna lol, but I spent time listening to all of these albums this weekend - along with the Some Kind of Wonderful soundtrack (March Violets have a couple of songs on it).
what's the "lol" re Madonna about? (geniuine question. I haven't listened to her in years, and am just wondering where other people are relative to her.)
Sorry, should have had more of an explanation there - was just personal! The brewery is known for being associated with metal music - though they do yacht rock one Sunday a month and have also had Goth nights here and there. Vinyl nights you can hear anything from metal to Taylor Swift though 😂 But, Like a Virgin is probably one I would not play anything off of for this group of people. A friend has threatened to play a whole 20 minute Debbie Gibson set 😂
makes sense. I'm now picturing a Debbie Gibson set at a metal bar and feeling like I'd pay for that life experience....
Right?!?!? 🤣
A case where the whole is far more than the sum of the parts
How about watching her perform The Soft Boys - I Wanna Destroy You with the Circle Jerks at CBGBs?
https://youtu.be/vwE5YoKJsFs?feature=shared
What????? Omg!! Love it!! I saw the Circle Jerks back in 88 or close to that when they played at a VFW in Rock Island, IL.
This is next-level rock & roll weirdness, and I am 100% here for it.
haha. Same here!
Those are some great records! I grabbed a banged up copy of 'Benefactor' not too long ago, and was reminded that I'd been missing out.
Possible hot take: Like a Virgin is madonna's best record.
Funny, I was talking to the bartender on Monday (she also works every Wednesday for vinyl night), and I told her that I had Like a Virgin, but wasn’t going to play anything off of it and she said “Why Not?!?!?” So, now I probably will! Hahahaha!
Firstly, a nice acquisition - a brand new headset, a SteelSeries Nova 3. This will make the listening experience more pleasant for me, and less annoying for others (well, unless I start singing along to the music).
After testing it out on the first two parts of the 2112 suite by Rush, I listened to The Funeral Pyre by Kvaen. Kvaen is a metal band from the northeastern part of Sweden, not too far from the Finnish border. They classify themselves as "extreme" metal, but upon listening to it, I'm not as sure about it being "extreme". Sure, the vocalist is growling and shrieking, but it's understandable (although perhaps still a bit too harsh for my liking, I prefer clean vocals). The drums though. Really like them here. The opening track, "Revenge by Fire", is the best track on this.
Also new listens for me: a pair of 1983 releases: Black Sabbath's Born Again (which should've been more epic than it was, considering you have Ian Gillan supplying lead vocals. It honestly felt like the band ran out of steam a bit) and Snowy White's debut solo album, White Flames (a nice slice of blues infused rock).
You should totally sing along! :)
Hello! I decided to spin An Evening with Silk Sonic this morning to remind myself of how a contemporary soul/R&B album should sound like 😅
It's way out of my wheelhouse, but 'Leave The Door Open' is gorgeous.
Right?! Another one I suspect you would enjoy is "Blast Off" (the final track on the album).
Nice to see Santa Fe represented on the playlist with the Free Range Buddhas! My week was focused on listening to final mixes of my record, so I didn't have time to check out as much new stuff as usual. Some highlights:
* Lou Reed/VU - I was asked to play a Lou Reed tribute show which made me realize I hadn't spent much time with his catalog lately. So I dug into my faves from his and the VU's catalogs, and listened to New York.
* James Mastro - Dawn of a New Error - Last week, I mentioned seeing James Mastro (ex-Bongos, Health & Happiness Show) open for Alejandro Escovedo and play in his band. That led me back to James' new record from this year which is full of solid songwriting. Definitely worth a listen.
* Blue Mountain - Dog Days - They were a favorite back in the mid-90s roots rock/Americana boom, and they were always fantastic live. It a sweet, fantastic record -- check it out! (Fun fact: The bassist, Laurie Stirratt, is the sister of John Stirratt of Wilco.)
Have a great week, everyone! Looking forward to your picks.
congrats on final mixes!
Thank you! It's been a longer journey than I expected and I'm really happy with them.
I'm glad and mine, too is a much longer journey than expected -- I'm still trying to finish my pandemic album (!) but my heart isn't in it and it's beyond painful to work on it. But I've come too far to turn back now...
Sorry to hear, Faith. I can empathize as that happened to me with my last record in 2017. I almost quit so many times and my wife kept urging me to finish it so I could let those songs go and move on. She was right, but the scars from that were what kept me from recording again until now. I hope you find that final burst of motivation to get it over the finish line!
Thanks! It’s so hard when I’m disconnected emotionally from the project — and when I know that nothing will happen with it other than that it will exist. I set it aside by necessity to do the podcast, and I’m not sorry about that. But I wish I had the emotional bandwidth for both and I just don’t…
BTW, you mentioned Santa Fe in your comment -- are you in SF? (I ask because Santa Fe is a second home for me. lived there for many years and occasionally spend the winter there)
No, but I'm right down the road in ABQ. We moved here three years ago. Get in touch if you'll be here this winter!
I'm sorry to hear that! Inspiration has it's own timeline.
Congrats on the final mixes. And a deep dive into Lou Reed/VU is always an experience; for some reason, I always find "New Sensations" to be an underrated pop classic, although I have trouble articulating why. And I saw Blue Mountain live in North Carolina; have to dig them out again! Thanks for the reminder!
Thanks! Good call on "New Sensations" -- I need to revisit. Glad to hear you saw Blue Mountain. Hope the records hold up well for you!
They do!
Have you heard the Lou Reed/VU tribute album — "The Power of the Heart"? As these things go, it's a good one.
I agree, it's good! Thanks for the reminder, as I'd forgotten to add that to my 2024 playlist.
I agree on New Sensations. A great example of an artist being influenced by contemporary popular music, without losing their identity; instead making it their own.
I'm happy to see this! I've always felt like I was the only one that liked this record! It's definitely underrated, and I think maybe people just couldn't wrap their heads around the idea of Reed having fun?
Check out VU The Matrix box set
Wow, I didn't know about that. Thanks for the heads up!
It’s a revelation, especially given how many crappy live recordings are out there.
Right on! Happy to hear the record is coming along. I'm looking forward to hearing it.
Always happy to represent Santa Fe. Kiley Larsen's Mama Manana records has been on an incredible run lately.
I remember "Rock and a Hard Place" from this album being the 2nd biggest hit (I think after "Mixed Emotions") from Steel Wheels, which was like a comeback album for the Stones. In retrospect, it was probably comeback #7 of 17 or so.
Side note: I am playing Dr. Octagon radio in the background today.
Nice! I'll bet that channel is a ride.
I heard of Dr Octagon a long time ago, listened to the debut record, and enjoyed it... but then I kind of stopped thinking about Dr. O in favor of stuff like MF Doom... but Kool Keith brings an entire world with him, and Dr. Octagon is just one of his many projects. Fascinating art.
Looking forward to diving into this playlist. Japandroids is a great place to start. I’m really enjoying that track.
More love for Los Campesinos! - In Hell here. It’s an excellent album; Coin-Op Guillotine is a highlight for me along with the single release Feast of Tongues.
Also, so pleased to get new music from Sports Team for the first time in a couple of years. Very excited for that album.
I think July has provided some fabulous new music to date. This is my pick of the month’s releases so far:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3VaeOWYkIHMaATb11ArfZ2?si=JeCFD7zDSQWzjYXc-COEKg&pi=e-nt5fJaM-TgWh
Also, I totally forgot to mention my friend Kaicee’s band Ugly Jumper. I really like this track and I think it deserves lots of streams. It’s already on my July playlist but I thought it needed its own link.
https://open.spotify.com/track/1SQAI15C0Clvpf5QZUlMUA?si=i60vykElTTm5aMEV1kqJhA
Thanks for both links! Cueing up the playlist to play here shortly. Might have to skip to the Sports team track--anything that mentions Subaru gets my attention. lol.
This week it was The Parting Glass by The High Kings: https://open.spotify.com/track/3yY3HAW5wDG0oXf06JyoZ4?si=6Hj7zz2GQku62cS_xe1R5w
For some contrast:
K Washington - Fearless Movement
MARO - hortelã
Waxahatchee and Beach House.
Always Beach House!
An excellent pairing!
Hey Kevin! Here's a couple of new-ish tracks I've been listening to during my travels:
Brain Freeze - Everyone Says Hi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKMybUSh_gI
Takes One to Know One - The Beaches https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zPx9j-2D_o
I love the track from The Beaches. Excellent choice.
Their album from 2023 was one of my favorites too!
Yes! And mine.
Everyone Says Hi is officially on my radar. Thanks!
Thank you for both of these! Where does this post find you?
Just got on the plane from Lisbon and heading back to Chicago.
Gotcha. I hope you have a great flight back! :)
One of my big listens is an obscure jazz number thanks to its appearance at the end of some recent live renditions of Particle Man. I finally made a list just for sharing my weekly rotation here!
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/03u2LGNgCVfE4w0NmUJGmJ?si=naedwnJPSsuWF32LbsASLw&pi=u-t4hHAhK5TN6l
Right on. Thanks for this, Chase!
This week, I leaned heavily into Humphrey and the Dumptrucks. I listened to all of their catalogue on vinyl. Several of their songs are available on YouTube if you're interested in them.
https://www.youtube.com/@humphreyjugbandmusic
A few more words about the music and some pretty pictures are here:
https://weatheredmusic.ca
I was WFH and, for some reason, my brain told me that I needed to listen to some Neil Young. I think it was prompted by the Cowboy Junkies version of "Helpless".
So I cued up the 2004 Greatest Hits compilation and listened while doing some light administrative tasks (I can't listen to any meaningful music while I am doing actual work). It was everything I wanted it to be. What a catalog! I sang along (out of tune) and truly enjoyed myself.
But then I cued it up again in my car (with a 30 minute drive ahead) and it left me flat. It was as if that single listen had supplied enough Neil and any more Neil going to ruin the initial Neil. Is it Neil's music that caused this, or is this a common phenomenon?
I haven't heard the CJ's cover of Helpless. Off to find it....
That is interesting because I've long thought of Neil as the artist I ought to listen to more often and rarely do (beyond the early, formative listens). Love the guy, but I'm rarely inspired to put him on.
Good question. I can say that in my case, I can only listen to a little of Young's music before I've had my fill--even tracks/albums I like.
The algorithm's got me hooked on some earthy basslines this week.
Piero Umiliani - Lady Magnolia
The Fabulous Three - Nightbird
I Marc 4 - Ray Ban
As always, looking forward to checking out these songs! Here's my weekly offering: https://open.substack.com/pub/recentanddecent/p/recent-and-decent-30?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=1z6rnh
Thoroughly enjoyed this one, Matt!
Thanks for the link, and congrats on the show! That's awesome.
Over a week after its release, I'm still OBSESSED with Cassandra Jenkins' My Light, My Destroyer. It instantly set my carefully constructed Best Of 2024 (So Far) list in a spin. We'll see how things shake out over the next 6 months., but this album is a masterpiece. I also did a deep dive into Sly & The Family Stone's 7th and final album, Small Talk, which I've loved for years. You can read all about it in the Rock & Roll Globe, whenever they decide to publish it! Besides Cassandra and Sly, I'm also enjoying Font's Strange Burden, Clairo's Charm, West Of Roan's Queen Of Eyes, and Sour Widows' Revival of a Friend.
I'm not sure i've heard Small Talk, but will change that ASAP. Same with My Light, My Destroyer. if it's upended your list, it's gotta be good!
I didn;t think I would like Charm nearly as much as I did. I read a review somewhere that (paraphrasing) compared it to her rooting through a box of soul 45s, and that got me to give it a spin. It was a happy surprise for me.
Finally went down the Maggie Rogers and Waxahatchee new album rabbit holes and won't be coming out anytime soon. Easy to see why both will be on so many best of lists at the end of the year.
An incredible rabbit hole. I still haven;t made my way out of Rogers'.
Damn, why you gotta go after my heart like that with the “Mixed Emotions” inclusion? RIP the current level of quiet in my office 😂😭
Your coworkers needed a boost. :)
Currently, as I type:
Monomono - "The Dawn of Awareness"
Brilliant African band led by Joni Haastrup. I picked up the Soundway repress just yesterday and it sounds perfect on a surprisingly cool (but nice!) Monday afternoon here in the PNW.
Nice! I'm happy to see it's cooled off a bit over there. PDX is not built for triple digit temps.
We were in Peru when the really hot weather hit, but when we returned, it still felt hot (high 80s/low 90s) as Peru is south of the equator. After three weeks of 68-70ish highs, dropping down to the 30s, and even high 20s low, 92 felt very warm indeed.
That said, even when it gets really hot in Portland, it rarely lasts longer than a week, and the evenings are often breezy. The humidity that I grew up with in Cleveland (and you no doubt know in Wisconsin) is never an issue here.
I’m still not sure I’m used to the humidity out here!
Anytime I read about heat wave out there, I think of the Rube Goldberg-like maze of fans my mom would use in her house—which of course, never worked.
I'm listening to The Bings
Right on! If that means what it normally does, I'll refresh my podcast feed. :)
Mal Waldron & George Haslam 1994 piano/baritone sax duet album
Also The Messthetics & James Brandon Lewis
Messthetics! Yes!
Late night last: Psychic TV - "Origin of the Species" Volume Too! A Second Supply of Two Tablets of Acid. Third Tablet of Acid cd
(yes they live to make things complicated)
Retail today - Malcolm McLaren and the Bootzilla Orchestra - Waltz Darling cd
I'm listening to a bunch of things while working on my next massive post.
I'm looking forward to it! Please share the link here if you think of it.
Thanks as ever for the inspiration. Recently discovered a great Italian psych artist called Upupayama - new stuff sounds fantastic. And two recently issued compilations from the outstanding Numero Group - You're not from around here and They move in the night. An escape pod of stunning surf exotica and more! So bloody good.
I very much appreciate you sharing my latest single, Kevin. You may note that the band and I channeled a JJ Cale-style arrangement on the first Elvis single, "That's All Right."
What am I listening to?
I just got the WMP Mono vinyl pressing of Dylan's Blonde on Blonde, and it's magnificent. Ditto for Harry Nillson's Aerial Ballet in glorious mono, too. I've been obsessed, and I mean obsessed, with the Grateful Dead's "Mr. Charlie," searching for any and all versions featuring Pigpen on vocals. I found a fantastic take from John Mayer from Dead & Co. I will definitely add it to my next live show setlist.
Also groovin' on Italian pop star Mina (my daughter's name). Check her out on "Nessuno," a catchy 1960 ditty and film clip. It features Chet Baker in the bathtub! From the film, Urlatori alla sbarra (Howlers in the Dock).
https://youtu.be/4nHEqcRjVm8?si=iengQh8l14JHS-N3
You're very welcome! It's a great track, and I loved the spin you & the band put on it.
The salute lp True Magic. Exceptional.
Rainbow, the Joe Lynn Turner years.
I am a big fan of Deep Purple and Rainbow with Dio. But there is just something about Rainbow with Turner that hits home
I was lucky enough to see Deep Purple one time in Portland and Dio many many times all over the PNW.
I never got to see Rainbow....