Happy Monday, and a hearty hello to each of you who joined us over the weekend! It’s great to have you here. We kick every week off with a little bit of what I’ve had in heavy rotation.
Some of these came from reader recommendations; please keep those coming!
Now it’s your turn.
Got a song/record/band we should be listening to? An upcoming release you’re excited about? Share it below!
Hi Kevin and fellow readers! This morning I listened to an American soul band called Durand Jones and the Indications, specifically their second album, American Love Call, on vinyl. Fantastic sound. Check it out!
Greetings, Andres, and welcome to the mighty 'Stack! Just up the street from Kevin's place (a fab place to hang, shake loose, and subscribe, of course) is my joint, which you're more than welcome to visit! In the meantime, after I devour Kevin's Monday 'List, I'm off to darken the door of The Vinyl Room! Again, welcome, Andres!
Andres, welcome to Substack. As a fellow proponent for music enjoyed on physical formats, I'm an automatic 'subscribe' to your newsletter. Welcome and I look forward to reading your stuff!
Hey, I've heard of 60% of this week's artists! Woo-hoo! That's better than my record for most weeks! Didn't know if you knew you've book-ended your 'List with Houstonians! Top, of course is originally FROM Houston (Billy's Moving Sidewalks was the precursor to ZZ Top....me mum used to book MS in clubs around Houston in the '60s), and Narrow Head, apparently from Dallas originally, is now based in the Bayou City!
And, you followed one "Head" with another! Makes me wonder (if the stars and decades had aligned) if there could've been a thematic touring bill of "Big Talking Narrow Heads Todd and the Monsters". Nah...couldn't fit all that on the ticket!
I can't recall a particular song (I was rummaging and quickly moving thru Spotify for a post), but I was taken by the pop sense of The Wynners, a band you might find worth pursuing info- and tune-wise. They're apparently from Hong Kong, and began in the '70s, and are still at it! They seem to toe the line between early boy band and pop. Ever heard of them?
Good on ya for featuring another song by the La's. I'm as guilty as anyone of being so taken by their "There She Goes," that I virtually ignored anything else by them! Shame on me. I enjoyed the Your Smith track, to the point of wanting to hear more. Nothing on Wiki about them, so I'll have to dig a bit to find out about 'em. Thanks, Kevin! Another stimulating 'List!
60%! Not too shabby. usually, it's pretty hard to stump you, so I'll take it. :)
No specific "heads" theme; I just liked the way they fit together. Your Smith used to go by Caroline Smith, so you may have better luck that way? She and Lizzo made a song called "Let 'Em Say," which was my on-ramp for both.
Quite a stacked Friday for new releases, yet I spent the entire weekend listening to Narrow Head... was going to tell you about it and BAM, there it is on your playlist for the week! Holy cow, this record rules. Also, "Disturbance At The Heron House" and all of Document in general is a great way to kick off the week. One of those records I've heard a million times but grabbed the tape a few months ago and enjoying it in new ways!
I’m really getting into Florence Dore’s Highways and Rocketships, her first album in 21 years. She lives in Chapel Hill after growing up in Nashville, and is an English professor at UNC. Authored/edited a great book (“The Ink and the Grooves”) about how literature and rock music intersect and influence each other.
Her husband is Will Rigby, who plays drums in her band along with a former member of Son Volt. Really enjoying the new album and hope to catch her live/interview her soon.
That's a solid playlist, or as I used to call them, mix tape. I was unaware of who Your Smith, Vista House and The La's were and will have to give them some air time based on a favourable first listen.
Late last night, I gave a first listen to Once Do It With Feeling by Candy Coffins. I liked it. They channel the post-punk movement of the late 70s and the feel of bands like The Cure and The Cult. I am giving them a second listen as I write this.
I also listened to some older music this week from the British New Wave scene, Nick Lowe, Rockpile, and Graham Parker. That tied into my recent blog. Insert self-promotion here.
Listening to "The Falling Man" as I type this. This is my kind of sound! Thanks for getting it on my radar. Also, tons of love for Nick Lowe, Graham Parker, & Rockpile here! Dave Edmunds, too.
And on the other end of the release spectrum, I found this playlist that meticulously compiles almost all of the songs from Harry Smith's Anthology of American Folk Music box set. Stumbling on something made with such care is always gratifying.
That playlist is really something. I skipped around a bit, but it covers a wide breadth. And it looks like it's been years in the making (and a work in progress?).
The new Kelela album, Raven, got a couple of spins since last Friday. It's been a long wait and I'm loving it. She somehow manages to take an ice-blue musical surrounding and make it feel fiery orange. Sometimes I hear in colors, what can I say! It's a fairly long album, but unlike SZA's SOS does not sag in the middle, LOL.
I've been listening to a female duo that calls themselves Overcoats ever since we saw them live at a pre-COVID show when they opened for somebody... maybe it was Cold War Kids? Anyway, they just released new music this year that I have on repeat. Their new single, Winner, has some Wilson Phillips vibes. I find it cute that they're all grown up now and have clearly upgraded their production chops on this latest album. I love seeing new bands emerge and find themselves.
Ha! I dunno; I tend to like that sort of thing. This was pretty good!
Hi Kevin and fellow readers! This morning I listened to an American soul band called Durand Jones and the Indications, specifically their second album, American Love Call, on vinyl. Fantastic sound. Check it out!
Greetings, Andres, and welcome to the mighty 'Stack! Just up the street from Kevin's place (a fab place to hang, shake loose, and subscribe, of course) is my joint, which you're more than welcome to visit! In the meantime, after I devour Kevin's Monday 'List, I'm off to darken the door of The Vinyl Room! Again, welcome, Andres!
Hi Brad! Been checking your Substack -- amazing work. Just subscribed so I don’t miss anything. Hope to see you in my Vinyl Room soon!
Well, bless your heart (hey, I'm in Texas!), and thanks! I'll be down in just a bit!
Cheers from a cold (but sunny) London!
Andres, welcome to Substack. As a fellow proponent for music enjoyed on physical formats, I'm an automatic 'subscribe' to your newsletter. Welcome and I look forward to reading your stuff!
Thank you Kiley and likewise! Just subscribed to yours too. Look forward reading your material too!
Thanks, Andres!
I'm on it, and thanks! Just subscribed to The Vinyl Room as well.
Thank you, Kevin! Much appreciated. Look forward to seeing you there. And hope you enjoy the album I mentioned :)
I’ve been hooked on the new Yo La Tengo since it dropped last Friday.
Same here. It was worth the wait!
You had me at ZZ Top. One of my faves.
Houston's own! Yo, 'tis I, representin' as I think the kids would say!
One of mine too! I bought my copy of Tres Hombres at a garage sale. It's definitely seen some wear, but somehow that makes it seem better.
Hey, I've heard of 60% of this week's artists! Woo-hoo! That's better than my record for most weeks! Didn't know if you knew you've book-ended your 'List with Houstonians! Top, of course is originally FROM Houston (Billy's Moving Sidewalks was the precursor to ZZ Top....me mum used to book MS in clubs around Houston in the '60s), and Narrow Head, apparently from Dallas originally, is now based in the Bayou City!
And, you followed one "Head" with another! Makes me wonder (if the stars and decades had aligned) if there could've been a thematic touring bill of "Big Talking Narrow Heads Todd and the Monsters". Nah...couldn't fit all that on the ticket!
I can't recall a particular song (I was rummaging and quickly moving thru Spotify for a post), but I was taken by the pop sense of The Wynners, a band you might find worth pursuing info- and tune-wise. They're apparently from Hong Kong, and began in the '70s, and are still at it! They seem to toe the line between early boy band and pop. Ever heard of them?
Good on ya for featuring another song by the La's. I'm as guilty as anyone of being so taken by their "There She Goes," that I virtually ignored anything else by them! Shame on me. I enjoyed the Your Smith track, to the point of wanting to hear more. Nothing on Wiki about them, so I'll have to dig a bit to find out about 'em. Thanks, Kevin! Another stimulating 'List!
60%! Not too shabby. usually, it's pretty hard to stump you, so I'll take it. :)
No specific "heads" theme; I just liked the way they fit together. Your Smith used to go by Caroline Smith, so you may have better luck that way? She and Lizzo made a song called "Let 'Em Say," which was my on-ramp for both.
https://youtu.be/vd4aLl6A_o4
And The La's? Stick around for more of them later this week!
I've returned to Lisa Germano: https://open.spotify.com/track/7wc3vDNk30wsPhq8rsjcdq?si=o5GzCM8IS5SfbPGYnvrthA
Listened to this last night. Beautiful/haunting music, with harrowing lyrics.
Yeah, she's been through a lot. Many different lives as an artist.
Dunno if I've told you about Jesse James yet but the drums in his tracks are crackin'
https://open.spotify.com/track/7nLbaFT1yTqDCou1jTbTPc?si=Pph2x82fTMuNbTrB7rZbbA
You did, but it's worth a repeat! The drums here are awesome.
Glad you like it 😀
Check out Bleach Lab!
I'm on it!
Quite a stacked Friday for new releases, yet I spent the entire weekend listening to Narrow Head... was going to tell you about it and BAM, there it is on your playlist for the week! Holy cow, this record rules. Also, "Disturbance At The Heron House" and all of Document in general is a great way to kick off the week. One of those records I've heard a million times but grabbed the tape a few months ago and enjoying it in new ways!
Totally agree on Document. Heard it start to finish for the first time in years recently and was surprised by all of the “new” I found.
Great minds think alike! I was late to the Narrow Head party, but glad I could get in. What a record!
I don;t know what it is, but I finally got a copy of Document a few months ago, and it feels like a totally new album to me.
I’m really getting into Florence Dore’s Highways and Rocketships, her first album in 21 years. She lives in Chapel Hill after growing up in Nashville, and is an English professor at UNC. Authored/edited a great book (“The Ink and the Grooves”) about how literature and rock music intersect and influence each other.
Her husband is Will Rigby, who plays drums in her band along with a former member of Son Volt. Really enjoying the new album and hope to catch her live/interview her soon.
That sounds awesome. Adding it to the list to play later this morning. Keep us posted about an interview!
That's a solid playlist, or as I used to call them, mix tape. I was unaware of who Your Smith, Vista House and The La's were and will have to give them some air time based on a favourable first listen.
Late last night, I gave a first listen to Once Do It With Feeling by Candy Coffins. I liked it. They channel the post-punk movement of the late 70s and the feel of bands like The Cure and The Cult. I am giving them a second listen as I write this.
I also listened to some older music this week from the British New Wave scene, Nick Lowe, Rockpile, and Graham Parker. That tied into my recent blog. Insert self-promotion here.
https://weatheredmusic.ca
Happy listening, everyone.
Listening to "The Falling Man" as I type this. This is my kind of sound! Thanks for getting it on my radar. Also, tons of love for Nick Lowe, Graham Parker, & Rockpile here! Dave Edmunds, too.
It really does nicely set up what is next to come with Scott Litt on board!
It's a Kind of Blue day.
Can't go wrong with some Miles!
I appreciate the anything-except-There-She-Goes track from The La's.
I've been stuck on the new album from Black Belt Eagle Scout the past few days https://blackbelteaglescout.bandcamp.com/album/the-land-the-water-the-sky
And on the other end of the release spectrum, I found this playlist that meticulously compiles almost all of the songs from Harry Smith's Anthology of American Folk Music box set. Stumbling on something made with such care is always gratifying.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6yHprflPWiTiiVELXDIVrs?si=6e22f31608a64524
That playlist is really something. I skipped around a bit, but it covers a wide breadth. And it looks like it's been years in the making (and a work in progress?).
The new Kelela album, Raven, got a couple of spins since last Friday. It's been a long wait and I'm loving it. She somehow manages to take an ice-blue musical surrounding and make it feel fiery orange. Sometimes I hear in colors, what can I say! It's a fairly long album, but unlike SZA's SOS does not sag in the middle, LOL.
Otherwise, spent most of the weekend finishing up my latest Best Of 2022 post, focusing on jazz, Latin, and global - read it here (playlist included) http://anearful.blogspot.com/2023/02/best-of-2022-jazz-latin-and-global.html#.Y-vekHbMJPY
Also, review soon to come, but last night I heard Julius Eastman's Femenine LIVE for the first time...transcendent is one way to describe it.
Hearing in colors is good! I'm still getting caught up, but this Best Of is on my list to read at lunch today.
I'm really enjoying mostly of the latest Paramore. Only 10 songs. Short and sweet!
I've been waiting for a time when I could really dive into it! The few tracks I've heard so far are fantastic.
I've been listening to a female duo that calls themselves Overcoats ever since we saw them live at a pre-COVID show when they opened for somebody... maybe it was Cold War Kids? Anyway, they just released new music this year that I have on repeat. Their new single, Winner, has some Wilson Phillips vibes. I find it cute that they're all grown up now and have clearly upgraded their production chops on this latest album. I love seeing new bands emerge and find themselves.
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2pst3pDewxsl4kJERuDZpp?si=lMAwvS78Qv20CQwibe8tgQ