Good morning! Welcome to each of you who joined us over this past 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.
Also a belated happy Fathers Day to those of you who may celebrate it!
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:
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!
ORB - Tailem Bend singles. New one dropped on Wednesday named You Do. Guess I’ll listen to all three singles on repeat for a while.
The The - Ensoulment single Cognitive Dissident is still getting lots of play time.
Dale Crover - Glossolia single. Melvins - and former Nirvana - drummer with some his third solo record coming out. Doug Yuletide is a tasty ear snack.
SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE - YOU’LL HAVE SOMETHING TO LOSE single.
Toro y Moi - Hole Erth single Tuesday. MAHAL from 2022 is excellent, looking forward to this new one. First single is promising.
GUM & Kenny Ambrose-Smitten -Ill Times single Dud. Departure from the first three. My enthusiasm is unchanged: can’t wait for July 19th.
Hooveriii - Quest for Blood. New Hooveriii is always welcome.
Not as new:
Beak> - >>>>. There isn’t a bad track on this record. Denim is easily my favorite. These guys make a groove, groovier.
Old and busted:
The Black Angels - Death Song. Good rocking music. Deep catalog if they catch your fancy.
All Them Witches - Our Mother Electricity. The record that started it all. Elk.Blood.Heart makes my go cross eyed in binaural ecstasy. I am firmly in the camp that my favorite ATM record is whichever one I am listening to right now.
King Buffalo - discography. All Them Witches are opening for King Buffalo in August. Thinking about a trip to Kentucky. Meanwhile; I’m giving a listen to everything both of these bands have created. It was a FUZZy kinda week…
Fuzz - Fuzz. II & III are good. Fuzz is great. More psych-rocky than Ty Segall’s normal releases. Check out their Levitation Session from 2021 (video on YouTube).
Ovlov - AM. Excellent album by a band that only has three records, all worth popping into your ears. I’m more of a Buds kinda guy, but AM is a good time. Guitars, distortion, some shoegaze.
Black Midi - Schlagenheim. Proggy, off balanced, loud, with outstanding drumming.
Model/Actriz - Dogsbody. One of my fave ‘23 records. Dark and noisy. Industrial. Pounding. Pumping through my veins.
Our Lady Peace - Clumsy. Not a fan of OLP, but I did get sucked into this album when it came out and I dust it off once every 5 years or so. I would like to thank the Edmonton Oilers for this listening session (OLP played before game 3).
Flight of the Concords - discography. Yea, these songs are delicious and funny.
Was just thinking the same thing- I put Beak on my radar a few weeks ago when someone here mentioned it (probably you?). I played a few tracks and enjoyed it, but need to go listen to some more!
Several years ago, a woman transferred into our station and somehow Flight of the Conchords came up. Turns out she was obsessed with the show. It also turns out that that moment is when we became fast friends.
"Metamorphosis Complete" by Infinity Song. When "Hater's Anthem" began to circulate on adult alternative radio station playlists it caught my attention. One of the keys to having a hit song is to stick out, sound different, but not ridiculous. The sound is definitely different and transports me to early 70's vocal group dynamics. This young group has released a fantastic album and I have had it on repeat since the weekend. Included are a couple of recognizable covers, twists on some gigantic tunes; Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams" and Kacey Musgraves's "Slow Burn." Infinity Song is a family group of siblings and operates under the Roc Nation umbrella. I hope great things happen for them.
I just noticed, after writing the above, that The 5th Dimension is on your playlist. THAT is exactly what Infinity Song reminds me of; The 5th Dimension particularly and more so that era of vocal groups that was prevalent during the late 60's and early 70's blowing through the airwaves of AM radio.
I'm listening to "Hater's Anthem" as I type this, and can definitely see how you drew a line from the 5th Dimension to Infinity Song. Am I too old to refer to a song as a "bop?"
The 5th Dimension! They were huge early in my childhood and then seemed to just disappear after McCoo & Davis went off on their own. Now I have "til you marry me, Biilll-illll..." stuck in my head. ;-) Looking forward to the playlist, as always.
My last week was mostly about old music. News of the Midnight Oil documentary inspired me to go through most of their catalog. They were a top five band for me at one point and are still one of the best live bands I've ever seen (had the good fortune to see them in a theater in Indy before they blew up). If you're looking for a starting place, Diesel and Dust and Blue Sky Mining absolutely hold up, as do their edgier earlier records. Give "Sometimes" a spin when you're having a rough day.
I spent some time with Cheap Trick's second and third records thanks to Kevin's piece on In Color. It's interesting to revisit how their early videos balanced the pretty boys (Robin and Tom) with the goofy ones (Rick and Bun E.) in a way that still feels natural.
Yesterday, I caught up with the CBS Sunday Mornings interview with REM, their first group interview in 30 years. It is great to see that they're so content and still friends, but I was melancholy afterwards. It felt like one of those dreams where a departed friend comes to visit and I get excited and say, "Let's put the band back together!" and they say that they're just visiting and have to go. And I wake up with mixed feelings -- grateful for the visit but sad that I may never see them again. REM may never have another reason to gather for an interview again. And that sent me through a tour of their early records to console myself.
Have a great week, everyone. Looking forward to your recommendations!
RE: REM interview - I watched the official 8-minute segment and then the entire, unedited 40-minutes of tape that CBS put on YouTube. They have such integrity - not only as artists but human beings. Their deep respect for each other came across in the interview in a way that really moved me. Berry’s confession was a revelation - something i’ve always wondered about. You may have caught that he referenced them being friends “again” - which suggested some tense times after his departure. And Buck’s answer to whey they won’t unite is exactly right - “It would never be as good.” Needless to say, I listened to some REM this weekend (the Complete Rarities release IRS put out about 10 years ago).
Well said, Marcus. Yeah, I thought it was curious that he said "friends again" and quickly added "still." There may be more to the story, but they're so classy and good at managing their narrative that it would never come out.
Ha! Sorry about getting "Wedding Bell Blues" stuck in your head. I tend to listen to them in spurts-- I'll go "all in" for a couple of weeks, then take a few off. Not for nothing, it's one of my all-time favorite songs. Picked up two of their records this past week while crate digging.
The R.E.M. clip left me with mixed feelings; happy to see 'em all at the same table, grateful I got to see them play, and bummed that I likely never will again.
And wow! I'll bet I haven't heard 'Sometimes" in 20 years? Thank you for getting that back on my radar!
I've been listening to the song "Rats" by Pillow Queens on repeat. I don't even know the band but it came up during the credits scene of some show and now I'm obsessed.
Also, I never got around to giving Chappell Roan a listen until this post - glad I did!
The Pillow Queens are great! "Rats" is on an early EP. Since you like that song, you might like their debut full-length, "In Waiting." It was was tied for my favorite record of the year when it came out. They've since gone in a moodier direction and while I like the new stuff, I miss the sound they had back then.
Been listening to that new Kaytranada album all week!
Also:
John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman - "John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman"
Vince Staples - "Dark Times"
Sade - "Love Deluxe"
Missy Elliot - "Supa Dupa Fly"
Charli XCX - "Brat"
The first four albums from Pixies in preparation for their show with Modest Mouse
I thought 2023 was a stacked year for music, but I've been feeling spoiled so far in 2024. If we do another year-end top 10 list, my top 10 may already be close to full...
Used to shoot wedding video, bar/bat mitzvahs & birthday parties for high value dudes (mostly) back in the day and Foreigner played one of them - yeah, they were those kinds of parties. Anywho, it was painful watching the birthday boy "play lead guitar" on one song. Best part of that gig was having drinks & commiserating with the band after the dust settled. Those were lean times for all of us...
Michael Head is national treasure and everything he touches is gold. Loving the new album!
I found an unofficial Shack compilation of singles and B-sides which was incredible 👌 - when the B-sides are that good, you know you have stumbled on a great band.
listened to the Talk Talk discography for the first time. truly amazing all the way through. re-listened to their last two albums a lot and actually got Spirit of Eden on vinyl for my birthday.
other record hauls:
Legend—Bob Marley; can’t go wrong. lots of memories of vacations to Florida as a kid
I Can Hear The Heart Beating As One—Yo La Tengo; classic indie rock album and one of my favorite bands
Guns—Quelle Chris; so glad to have this after being a fan since its release. haven’t played it yet but expect to a lot
other recent listens:
Exploded Drawing—Polvo; love this band. maybe not their best album but a great one nonetheless and my introduction to them
Something In The Room She Moves—Julia Holter; LOVE this new record of hers. feels like a spirit continuation/enhancement of Aviary, and a much more digestible one at that
Frog in Boiling Water—DIIV; not my favorite but good, slow shoegazy indie music
Lapse—IDAHO; only gave it one listen but i feel a lot of potential for really enjoying this album
All Life Long—Kali Malone; man i love her drones
Blue Rev—alvvays; but off listening to this for a long time but find myself liking it more than i expected!
You Think It’s Like This…But It’s Really Like This—mirah; i mean it’s a classic indie album. really been inspirational for my project recently
also been revisiting early Microphones tapes which are so weird and so good
Spirit of Eden on vinyl? That’s not easy to come by. I did a radical attention listening session with my kids last week, using Inheritance from Spirit of Eden (on CD). Such a great album
amazing album and an amazing song to do that to! my mother in law got it for me, not sure where or how. she’s not much of a record person so i don’t think she scoured too hard to find it lol maybe just amazon even
Props for including Chappell Roan and Tom Petty in the same playlist 🙌
I have been on a R.E.M. kick after watching their full (41 minute!) interview from last week. I really enjoyed the job Anthony Mason did when he interviewed Wussy several years ago, and he did not disappoint this time either.
Saw Sarah McLachlan and Feist Friday night, which then led to a long discussion the next day on how she laid the groundwork for current stars like Taylor Swift through Lilith Fair. It’s fun to play connect the dots with today’s Swifties.
Thank you! I'm glad you liked that. I'm struggling with the idea that A: The bands I like are now on CBS Sunday morning, and B: that I'm now old enough to watch the show/ I'm also petty enough to cringe a little at Anthony mason's leather jacket, but you're right; he really does a great job.
So good! I'm not a huge fan of their first album yet, but I imagine I might be at some point... but like everything from album 2 through at least the mid 90s (and that's a lot of music) absolutely shreds in its own unique way.
I am late to the party, although I was also early to the party. I owned the record Wrong and played the crap out of it 30 years ago, but I had kind of forgotten about everything else.
On my latest research trip to Liverpool, I discovered Brthr, a German pop duo. All of their stuff is interesting, but their 2017 debut album Strange Days in particular is stunning (and different from their later releases). It reminds me very much of Cowboy Junkies' Trinity Session:
It's always Fab to be in Liverpool. But about 3 days after I got back, I had the thought that it's been too long since I've been in Liverpool. So I guess I didn't really scratch the itch did I?
PS That first album is definitely more country tinged. The rest of their stuff is not. I love alt country so that's the one that caught my ear but you might prefer their later stuff
A brand new song by Cherry Fez that I'm also enjoying is now on Bandcamp and for those who love connecting the dots, Cherry Fez is the band that Todd Shuster is now playing in. Some may remember Todd from his earlier band The Impossible Years that had only one incredible EP on Dan Treacy‘s Dreamworld Records label many years ago but it's a releases worth searching for. Here is the new song:
There are at least 3 "Wallytbm bought music on Bandcamp" emails sitting in my inbox, and I'm waiting for a little bit to dare open them, since doing so almost guarantees I'm gonna buy something. lol.
110% agreed on the Soft Science record. Would've likely been on my AOTY list last year had I known about it.
thanks man - i appreciate that. Like most of my projects - i put so much into it that it takes a while to circle back. i'm jammin this list daily - keep climbing the hills right!
I have a microSD card in my phone with virtually my entire music collection, and I set the app to "everything, randomly." It's wonderful. I'm sometimes surprised and think, "I own THAT?"
Lately, it's selected Track 1 of "Extrapolation" by John MacLaughlin. I wore out the grooves on the vinyl of that in grad school.
Thanks. Somehow I seem to hear Rob McConnell & The Boss Brass more often than randomness would suggest. However, during a recent errand the app played "If I Should Lose You" (Mulgrew Miller) and "I've Got You Under My Skin" (Bill Evans and Jim Hall). A good trip.
Oh, that sounds right up my alley. FWIW, they flew through here not too long ago, and all I could think about was how "un rock and roll" catching a 5:45 AM flight must've been.
So, this weekend has feature some investigation of older work I’m just not familiar with, namely the excellent Wide Awake by Parquet Courts. I love those bass lines!
I’ve been trying out Pavement too, but that is still more of an intellectual exercise at the moment.
In new releases the Picture Parlour EP is out and the other tracks are every bit as good as Face In The Picture. I’m also really enjoying Feet’s new album Make It Up and singles from Nell Mescal and Circus Trees
For sure! I’ve always listened to a lot of music but there is a wealth of stuff I just never came across. I only started streaming in 2021 and I guess that really opened things up.
Danger Mouse produced Wide Awake. You might be interested in his work with The Black Keyes on Attack and Release. To tie together Pavement and this week’s REM-mini theme, be sure to listen to Unseen Power of the Picket Fence.
Wide Awake is SUCH an amazing punk album. so upbeat and fun, such stellar lyrics and killer songwriting, and yes, those bass lines i swear are some of the best to come out of rock in recent memory
Zero shame in stating that I’ve been nostalgic and blaring McCartney’s “Flowers in the Dirt” album!!
Also my toddler is really loving Big Audio Dynamite at the moment so that’s been fun to dance with her, and asked me to play her a “bass” video this weekend. Then she proceeded to sit through 9 minutes of Chris Squire. I was so proud 🥲🥲🤣🤣
Sorry Mom post lol, it’s really half my listening is with her.
CIMAFUNK! Wholly bujesus! I got turned on this week by watching a performance they had on Austin City Limits in 2023. It combines Latin music, with Funk, the moves of James Brown and performance nuances of The Wailers and Steel Pulse. This is amazing stuff!
They’re going to be in Madison, WI, on Thursday, July 11. Want to be there but need a place to crash for the night because I can’t drive in the dark!
Had the best time going with a group of friends to see My Posse in Effect- A Tribute to The Beastie Boys on Saturday. One of our good friends opened the show DJing some fantastic old school hip hop! I’m probably a bit biased, but his set was the highlight for me.
Greetings from a chilly UK… this week I have mostly continued listening to the back catalogue of Karate (I’ve decided Geoff Farina is now my favouritest guitar ever).
I gave the John Cale a listen - will return to it to give it a second chance. Much ‘better’ was the new Fu Manchu
Weird chance encounter was with Laid Back Country Picker (who a friend saw in Manchester over the weekend); quirky and definitely worth exploring - they hail from Kentucky: https://youtu.be/K9rdRmXLwMo?si=cHH1DnUCE7WTMkBx
Didn’t know the soft science. Enjoying that. Can’t recall if I found it here but enjoying the mix of loud guitar sounds in the great new record from the (poorly named) Babe Report out of Chicago. https://babereportchicago.bandcamp.com/album/did-you-get-better
And in self promo mode — I cohost a radio show in the DC area, and my Juneteenth inspired hour yesterday (along with a set of prison songs, as one of the aspects of slavery we have not eradicated) turned out well. Have been listening a bunch to all the tracks I played. Lots of new-ish hiphop, soul, R&B, tracks from Cameroon and Malawi, and Johnny Cash. Available for two weeks in the archives (ignore that it says Sarah B)
I compiled a lively discussion at the link here with thoughts and opinions (and from others too) https://substack.com/chat/280698. It lacked more nostalgia and BTS stories I wanted to hear. It was mostly McCarthy’s sour grapes 🍇
Ane Brun - Portrayals. Ane Brun features on the track "My Name" on Aurora's latest effort, What Happened to the Heart? Seeming as I like her vocals on that track, why not listen to some of her own work? Overall I enjoyed this album - it's very relaxing and easy on the ear.
Cage the Elephant - Neon Pill. I rediscovered this band when 97.7 HTZ FM played "Ain't No Rest For The Wicked" on 6/11 (for those that don't, 97.7 HTZ is a radio station out of St. Catherines, which I can receive in Buffalo, where I live). Now that song is a great one. This album... doesn't quite hit the mark. It comes out as a bit generic and a bit of a slog to get through, despite taking less than 40 minutes to get through. "Rainbow" and "Metaverse" are the top tracks on this.
Also been listening to a good bit of Jimmy Buffett, although only random tracks, and not a particular album in full.
I just finished reading the excellent 'This Isn't Happening' by Steven Hyden, and have been listening to Radiohead's Kid A ad nauseum the past few days.
New:
ORB - Tailem Bend singles. New one dropped on Wednesday named You Do. Guess I’ll listen to all three singles on repeat for a while.
The The - Ensoulment single Cognitive Dissident is still getting lots of play time.
Dale Crover - Glossolia single. Melvins - and former Nirvana - drummer with some his third solo record coming out. Doug Yuletide is a tasty ear snack.
SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE - YOU’LL HAVE SOMETHING TO LOSE single.
Toro y Moi - Hole Erth single Tuesday. MAHAL from 2022 is excellent, looking forward to this new one. First single is promising.
GUM & Kenny Ambrose-Smitten -Ill Times single Dud. Departure from the first three. My enthusiasm is unchanged: can’t wait for July 19th.
Hooveriii - Quest for Blood. New Hooveriii is always welcome.
Not as new:
Beak> - >>>>. There isn’t a bad track on this record. Denim is easily my favorite. These guys make a groove, groovier.
Old and busted:
The Black Angels - Death Song. Good rocking music. Deep catalog if they catch your fancy.
All Them Witches - Our Mother Electricity. The record that started it all. Elk.Blood.Heart makes my go cross eyed in binaural ecstasy. I am firmly in the camp that my favorite ATM record is whichever one I am listening to right now.
King Buffalo - discography. All Them Witches are opening for King Buffalo in August. Thinking about a trip to Kentucky. Meanwhile; I’m giving a listen to everything both of these bands have created. It was a FUZZy kinda week…
Fuzz - Fuzz. II & III are good. Fuzz is great. More psych-rocky than Ty Segall’s normal releases. Check out their Levitation Session from 2021 (video on YouTube).
Ovlov - AM. Excellent album by a band that only has three records, all worth popping into your ears. I’m more of a Buds kinda guy, but AM is a good time. Guitars, distortion, some shoegaze.
Black Midi - Schlagenheim. Proggy, off balanced, loud, with outstanding drumming.
Model/Actriz - Dogsbody. One of my fave ‘23 records. Dark and noisy. Industrial. Pounding. Pumping through my veins.
Our Lady Peace - Clumsy. Not a fan of OLP, but I did get sucked into this album when it came out and I dust it off once every 5 years or so. I would like to thank the Edmonton Oilers for this listening session (OLP played before game 3).
Flight of the Concords - discography. Yea, these songs are delicious and funny.
Pavement.
I need to spend more time with Beak as I really like what I've heard so far. Thanks for the rec!
You will continue liking what you hear as you explore Beak> a bit more (I hope)! Happy listening!
Was just thinking the same thing- I put Beak on my radar a few weeks ago when someone here mentioned it (probably you?). I played a few tracks and enjoyed it, but need to go listen to some more!
overwhelmed with good new music thanks.
I have the Flight of the Concords Live and really like it.
Several years ago, a woman transferred into our station and somehow Flight of the Conchords came up. Turns out she was obsessed with the show. It also turns out that that moment is when we became fast friends.
Arooj Aftab's Night Reign
Vetusta Morla's Figurantes (this is my favorite Spanish group...)
Also discovered the singles from an upcoming Tigran Hamasyan album...
I really need to give 'night reign" a closer listen!
"Metamorphosis Complete" by Infinity Song. When "Hater's Anthem" began to circulate on adult alternative radio station playlists it caught my attention. One of the keys to having a hit song is to stick out, sound different, but not ridiculous. The sound is definitely different and transports me to early 70's vocal group dynamics. This young group has released a fantastic album and I have had it on repeat since the weekend. Included are a couple of recognizable covers, twists on some gigantic tunes; Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams" and Kacey Musgraves's "Slow Burn." Infinity Song is a family group of siblings and operates under the Roc Nation umbrella. I hope great things happen for them.
I just noticed, after writing the above, that The 5th Dimension is on your playlist. THAT is exactly what Infinity Song reminds me of; The 5th Dimension particularly and more so that era of vocal groups that was prevalent during the late 60's and early 70's blowing through the airwaves of AM radio.
I'm listening to "Hater's Anthem" as I type this, and can definitely see how you drew a line from the 5th Dimension to Infinity Song. Am I too old to refer to a song as a "bop?"
https://open.substack.com/pub/scottwinchell/p/infinity-song?r=2xtsf&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Correction: I apologize for the mistake, but ‘Slow Burn’ is 100% Infinity Song written. It is NOT the Kacey Musgraves song.
The 5th Dimension! They were huge early in my childhood and then seemed to just disappear after McCoo & Davis went off on their own. Now I have "til you marry me, Biilll-illll..." stuck in my head. ;-) Looking forward to the playlist, as always.
My last week was mostly about old music. News of the Midnight Oil documentary inspired me to go through most of their catalog. They were a top five band for me at one point and are still one of the best live bands I've ever seen (had the good fortune to see them in a theater in Indy before they blew up). If you're looking for a starting place, Diesel and Dust and Blue Sky Mining absolutely hold up, as do their edgier earlier records. Give "Sometimes" a spin when you're having a rough day.
I spent some time with Cheap Trick's second and third records thanks to Kevin's piece on In Color. It's interesting to revisit how their early videos balanced the pretty boys (Robin and Tom) with the goofy ones (Rick and Bun E.) in a way that still feels natural.
Yesterday, I caught up with the CBS Sunday Mornings interview with REM, their first group interview in 30 years. It is great to see that they're so content and still friends, but I was melancholy afterwards. It felt like one of those dreams where a departed friend comes to visit and I get excited and say, "Let's put the band back together!" and they say that they're just visiting and have to go. And I wake up with mixed feelings -- grateful for the visit but sad that I may never see them again. REM may never have another reason to gather for an interview again. And that sent me through a tour of their early records to console myself.
Have a great week, everyone. Looking forward to your recommendations!
Midnight Oils Live Album is a keeper.
While their electric show is epic, anything Midnight Oil Acoustic/Unplugged is absolutely worth checking out. I have a bootleg https://www.discogs.com/release/881595-Midnight-Oil-Acoustic-Nights that is amazing!
Will look to acquire, thank you for the lead!
Nice! I wasn't aware of them doing unplugged shows. Thanks for the heads up!
Spent most of last week listening to REM on shuffle. Bill Berry definitely got me a little teary eyed during that CBS interview.
Same here! That was tough to watch.
RE: REM interview - I watched the official 8-minute segment and then the entire, unedited 40-minutes of tape that CBS put on YouTube. They have such integrity - not only as artists but human beings. Their deep respect for each other came across in the interview in a way that really moved me. Berry’s confession was a revelation - something i’ve always wondered about. You may have caught that he referenced them being friends “again” - which suggested some tense times after his departure. And Buck’s answer to whey they won’t unite is exactly right - “It would never be as good.” Needless to say, I listened to some REM this weekend (the Complete Rarities release IRS put out about 10 years ago).
Well said, Marcus. Yeah, I thought it was curious that he said "friends again" and quickly added "still." There may be more to the story, but they're so classy and good at managing their narrative that it would never come out.
They course corrected really, really quickly.
I caught that and it made my ears prick up a little bit, but I wondered if I might've just been overthinking it. Glad to see it wasn't just me.
Love Midnight Oil!
Will have to check out the REM interview!
https://consequence.net/2024/06/r-e-m-tv-interview-cbs/
Thank you for the link!!
Ha! Sorry about getting "Wedding Bell Blues" stuck in your head. I tend to listen to them in spurts-- I'll go "all in" for a couple of weeks, then take a few off. Not for nothing, it's one of my all-time favorite songs. Picked up two of their records this past week while crate digging.
The R.E.M. clip left me with mixed feelings; happy to see 'em all at the same table, grateful I got to see them play, and bummed that I likely never will again.
And wow! I'll bet I haven't heard 'Sometimes" in 20 years? Thank you for getting that back on my radar!
I've been listening to the song "Rats" by Pillow Queens on repeat. I don't even know the band but it came up during the credits scene of some show and now I'm obsessed.
Also, I never got around to giving Chappell Roan a listen until this post - glad I did!
The Pillow Queens are great! "Rats" is on an early EP. Since you like that song, you might like their debut full-length, "In Waiting." It was was tied for my favorite record of the year when it came out. They've since gone in a moodier direction and while I like the new stuff, I miss the sound they had back then.
This album is great. Thank you so much for the recommendation!
Glad you like it!
Right on! I'm happy to see a new Pillow Queens fan. Such a cool band!
Been listening to that new Kaytranada album all week!
Also:
John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman - "John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman"
Vince Staples - "Dark Times"
Sade - "Love Deluxe"
Missy Elliot - "Supa Dupa Fly"
Charli XCX - "Brat"
The first four albums from Pixies in preparation for their show with Modest Mouse
I thought 2023 was a stacked year for music, but I've been feeling spoiled so far in 2024. If we do another year-end top 10 list, my top 10 may already be close to full...
Lush Life on that Coltrane/Hartman album is so good
Haha. Mine too (and I'm totally hoping we get to do it again).
It was an all Foreigner weekend. First four album complete from front to back. Double Vision...twice.
Nice! For all the radio overplay, they were a great band in their early years.
Double Vision was one of the first albums I spent my money on.. I still have it as well.
They were definitely a staple on the radio.
Used to shoot wedding video, bar/bat mitzvahs & birthday parties for high value dudes (mostly) back in the day and Foreigner played one of them - yeah, they were those kinds of parties. Anywho, it was painful watching the birthday boy "play lead guitar" on one song. Best part of that gig was having drinks & commiserating with the band after the dust settled. Those were lean times for all of us...
How cool.
Holy shit.
I love it! You get the sound system all set up?
Yes, thanks for asking. Sorting the albums has been an overwhelming task. Tried to get to fancy and ended up with a mess...lol
I am digging Soft Science! Our the door with playlist blazing!
NEW & EXCEPTIONALLY SHINY
John Cale 'POPtical Illusion' - Cale, the gift that keeps giving.
Poobah 'Burning in the Rain' - It's kinda... not very good and yet SO damned good! Swampy, authentic Foghat/Tap + BOC/Canned Heat.
The Decemberists 'As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again' - Going to need a lot more time to digest this.
Cola 'The Gloss' - Quirky, sparse post-punk (?), but oh the lyrics.
Michael Head & the Red Elastic Band 'Loophole' - I love everything Mr Head has created. If you don't know Shack then please check out HMS Fable!
POLISHED GEMS
Divine Comedy 'Fin de Siecle'
Belle & Sebastian 'Boy With the Arab Strap'
Michael Head is national treasure and everything he touches is gold. Loving the new album!
I found an unofficial Shack compilation of singles and B-sides which was incredible 👌 - when the B-sides are that good, you know you have stumbled on a great band.
I love Boy With The Arab Strap. Great record!
Oh man, I'm really happy you're digging Soft Science. I found 'em not too long ago, and now I'm wondering what else I've been missing out on.
Anything described as 'Swampy" will get my curiosity piqued. I'm on it!
listened to the Talk Talk discography for the first time. truly amazing all the way through. re-listened to their last two albums a lot and actually got Spirit of Eden on vinyl for my birthday.
other record hauls:
Legend—Bob Marley; can’t go wrong. lots of memories of vacations to Florida as a kid
I Can Hear The Heart Beating As One—Yo La Tengo; classic indie rock album and one of my favorite bands
Guns—Quelle Chris; so glad to have this after being a fan since its release. haven’t played it yet but expect to a lot
other recent listens:
Exploded Drawing—Polvo; love this band. maybe not their best album but a great one nonetheless and my introduction to them
Something In The Room She Moves—Julia Holter; LOVE this new record of hers. feels like a spirit continuation/enhancement of Aviary, and a much more digestible one at that
Frog in Boiling Water—DIIV; not my favorite but good, slow shoegazy indie music
Lapse—IDAHO; only gave it one listen but i feel a lot of potential for really enjoying this album
All Life Long—Kali Malone; man i love her drones
Blue Rev—alvvays; but off listening to this for a long time but find myself liking it more than i expected!
You Think It’s Like This…But It’s Really Like This—mirah; i mean it’s a classic indie album. really been inspirational for my project recently
also been revisiting early Microphones tapes which are so weird and so good
Spirit of Eden on vinyl? That’s not easy to come by. I did a radical attention listening session with my kids last week, using Inheritance from Spirit of Eden (on CD). Such a great album
amazing album and an amazing song to do that to! my mother in law got it for me, not sure where or how. she’s not much of a record person so i don’t think she scoured too hard to find it lol maybe just amazon even
Yes to Talk Talk!!
Fantastic list! Glad you enjoyed the ride through Talk Talk's discography. And happy (belated) birthday!
thanks Kevin!
David + David ;)
hint hint
No way!
Way.
Such a great record!
Props for including Chappell Roan and Tom Petty in the same playlist 🙌
I have been on a R.E.M. kick after watching their full (41 minute!) interview from last week. I really enjoyed the job Anthony Mason did when he interviewed Wussy several years ago, and he did not disappoint this time either.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATHHACcw3Q4
Saw Sarah McLachlan and Feist Friday night, which then led to a long discussion the next day on how she laid the groundwork for current stars like Taylor Swift through Lilith Fair. It’s fun to play connect the dots with today’s Swifties.
Thank you! I'm glad you liked that. I'm struggling with the idea that A: The bands I like are now on CBS Sunday morning, and B: that I'm now old enough to watch the show/ I'm also petty enough to cringe a little at Anthony mason's leather jacket, but you're right; he really does a great job.
Everyone, go listen to Nomeansno today. It's a good idea to start with their "People's Choice" album, I think: https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=UL8LkKFuHk8&list=OLAK5uy_kHrhR6Jm_200QHJy9s6xqN6rHbF1P28G4
If this floats your boat, I'm your goat.
This is my weekly earworm, and I can't get enough of these guys.
Lol. Nomeansno rips!
So good! I'm not a huge fan of their first album yet, but I imagine I might be at some point... but like everything from album 2 through at least the mid 90s (and that's a lot of music) absolutely shreds in its own unique way.
I am late to the party, although I was also early to the party. I owned the record Wrong and played the crap out of it 30 years ago, but I had kind of forgotten about everything else.
It was a solid weekend.
1. The Staple Jr Singer. Gospel. First LP in 50 years. Produced by Sinkane.
2. Infinity Song.. the “urban” Free Design or Mamas and Papas?? The new 5th Dimension? So many things to say about how refreshing they are...
3. Sibyle Baier - Color Green... just amazing. incredible story too.
Someone upthread drew the same parallel between the 5th Dimension and Infinity Song, and you're both right. The more I listen, the more I hear it.
George Clanton & Nick Hexum
Intershop by Dettinger
Róisín Machine
Group Home - Livin' Proof
Nia Archives - Cards on the table
That's my kinda mix!
Good morning from the Left Coast.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1knJSMzp6SWo8aUh3W2hVo?si=f67868b35cbb4424
Phish, Jah Wobble, and Dawes all in the same place. What a time to be alive!
All in my release radar.
On my latest research trip to Liverpool, I discovered Brthr, a German pop duo. All of their stuff is interesting, but their 2017 debut album Strange Days in particular is stunning (and different from their later releases). It reminds me very much of Cowboy Junkies' Trinity Session:
https://open.spotify.com/album/1Eo7nnoXMyGAYFzDaWEvgy?si=UALXHky6ShenbnxMiziH7g
Also the new pressing of John Denver's Back Home Again album is astoundingly good.
That's a new one for me; I'll check 'em out here ASAP! Hope your trip was fantastic!
It's always Fab to be in Liverpool. But about 3 days after I got back, I had the thought that it's been too long since I've been in Liverpool. So I guess I didn't really scratch the itch did I?
PS That first album is definitely more country tinged. The rest of their stuff is not. I love alt country so that's the one that caught my ear but you might prefer their later stuff
That Soft Science album is great 👍
Here are a few things I've purchased on Bandcamp this week:
The new EP by The Loft, a radio session from last year when they reformed for a bit and I've only heard one song so far but it's great -
https://preciousrecordingsoflondon.bandcamp.com/album/pre-050-the-loft-riley-coe-session-091023
A brand new song by Cherry Fez that I'm also enjoying is now on Bandcamp and for those who love connecting the dots, Cherry Fez is the band that Todd Shuster is now playing in. Some may remember Todd from his earlier band The Impossible Years that had only one incredible EP on Dan Treacy‘s Dreamworld Records label many years ago but it's a releases worth searching for. Here is the new song:
https://cherryfez.bandcamp.com/track/superexcited
There are at least 3 "Wallytbm bought music on Bandcamp" emails sitting in my inbox, and I'm waiting for a little bit to dare open them, since doing so almost guarantees I'm gonna buy something. lol.
110% agreed on the Soft Science record. Would've likely been on my AOTY list last year had I known about it.
And thanks for getting Cherry Fox on our radar!
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/20y2tILRmcV8QaFUQng34A?si=H7u3zfjYR_iqX4V8sLhlGQ&pi=E49C0VgMSWyiB
Pretty happy with this list, sounded good on the road yesterday with the windows down and the hams blasting
This is a great list, Ric! Tailor made for driving through SoCal.
thanks man - i appreciate that. Like most of my projects - i put so much into it that it takes a while to circle back. i'm jammin this list daily - keep climbing the hills right!
The Last and Das Damen. Been exploring bands they had SST releases that I missed.
I think I missed both of them as well?
This morning I decided to spin Little Milton’s “We’re Gonna Make It” and it was such a good way to start the week.
Nice pick!
New on heavy listening for me:
Midnight Ride - Orville Peck, Kylie Minogue, & Diplo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKtOo5vwPVg
Don't Go Making Plans - Hard-Fi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_exetOK5S0
Nice to Meet You - Imagine Dragons https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeUfmyu5t8Q
Honey - Lenny Kravitz https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ph7R3a_5mko
I'm a sucker for anything Kylie-related, so I was happy to hear this one! So good. And I really need to hear the new Lenny Kravitz.
I have a microSD card in my phone with virtually my entire music collection, and I set the app to "everything, randomly." It's wonderful. I'm sometimes surprised and think, "I own THAT?"
Lately, it's selected Track 1 of "Extrapolation" by John MacLaughlin. I wore out the grooves on the vinyl of that in grad school.
I love it! That's incredibly relatable.
Thanks. Somehow I seem to hear Rob McConnell & The Boss Brass more often than randomness would suggest. However, during a recent errand the app played "If I Should Lose You" (Mulgrew Miller) and "I've Got You Under My Skin" (Bill Evans and Jim Hall). A good trip.
Jett Holden is the first act signed to the new Black Opry label and "Backwood Proclamation" could be a lost Marshall Tucker hit. https://youtu.be/9FYqOIYHOgk?si=-C17_DOUIrEGAIQn
Oh, that sounds right up my alley. FWIW, they flew through here not too long ago, and all I could think about was how "un rock and roll" catching a 5:45 AM flight must've been.
So, this weekend has feature some investigation of older work I’m just not familiar with, namely the excellent Wide Awake by Parquet Courts. I love those bass lines!
I’ve been trying out Pavement too, but that is still more of an intellectual exercise at the moment.
In new releases the Picture Parlour EP is out and the other tracks are every bit as good as Face In The Picture. I’m also really enjoying Feet’s new album Make It Up and singles from Nell Mescal and Circus Trees
https://open.spotify.com/track/6ox6XhXh6Fxm5JognCIRBJ?si=xjaJa4XZQAGfS_Mix8OY8g&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A0yZfqRm2y0XHiUdN0eMKmT
https://open.spotify.com/track/7I44sHDIKobKhA9qIKYqUs?si=YlouigQxR46vsx7bBl3xWg&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A2dgZ3hrWwrfyfC4OWMe6Ep
Oh! And this one from Art Brut
https://open.spotify.com/track/2se5nSv4B5dcmHMJzFNkBF?si=tnI0d2jSTJ-4sZgusFv91g&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A626oEOY5sccmhtdEMyols7
I'm jealous that you are "trying out" Pavement and "not familiar with" Parquet Courts. So, so much great undiscovered music!
For sure! I’ve always listened to a lot of music but there is a wealth of stuff I just never came across. I only started streaming in 2021 and I guess that really opened things up.
Me too! I love that Lou gets to dive in for the first time.
Danger Mouse produced Wide Awake. You might be interested in his work with The Black Keyes on Attack and Release. To tie together Pavement and this week’s REM-mini theme, be sure to listen to Unseen Power of the Picket Fence.
Thank you!
Wide Awake is SUCH an amazing punk album. so upbeat and fun, such stellar lyrics and killer songwriting, and yes, those bass lines i swear are some of the best to come out of rock in recent memory
Parquet Courts! Yes!
If you enjoy Cola then you may like Ought. Two members in Ought formed Cola. This is my favorite Ought track.
BTW, a good starting word in Wordle!
https://open.spotify.com/track/5vs3jJj3AhJMgIycoiF5Tx?si=BqzV4D1GTdimG2t4uhKqkQ
Excellent choice! It's between that and Desire for me!
Thank you for this!
Definitely a good starting word! Kicked my morning off by breaking my streak, but tomorrow's a new day.
A broken wordle streak = a broken man
Get back on that pony tomorrow!
Thanks! I’m back in business. We’ll see what tomorrow brings… lol.
Zero shame in stating that I’ve been nostalgic and blaring McCartney’s “Flowers in the Dirt” album!!
Also my toddler is really loving Big Audio Dynamite at the moment so that’s been fun to dance with her, and asked me to play her a “bass” video this weekend. Then she proceeded to sit through 9 minutes of Chris Squire. I was so proud 🥲🥲🤣🤣
Sorry Mom post lol, it’s really half my listening is with her.
Love BAD!! And it’s sooo fun to share music with our kids!
No shame at all!
Playing music with--and for--our kids is a delight. What BAD music are you two enjoying?
CIMAFUNK! Wholly bujesus! I got turned on this week by watching a performance they had on Austin City Limits in 2023. It combines Latin music, with Funk, the moves of James Brown and performance nuances of The Wailers and Steel Pulse. This is amazing stuff!
They’re going to be in Madison, WI, on Thursday, July 11. Want to be there but need a place to crash for the night because I can’t drive in the dark!
Oh, that sounds like it'll check a lot of boxes for me. I'll check them out ASAP!
My weekly Recent and Decent post includes some of this week's faves. Not included in it is Ugly's EP Twice Around the Sun, which I just can't stop listening to! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ye1V9UpyPPauxrbB2PNsi?si=FZvSIMytTxa8BzU0R8tCzQ&pi=_qYLgmzeTKiDC
Right on! Thanks for sharing the link with everyone as well!
Bought All Star Funk on Priority. Includes the P and the Funk and a Bootsy and more.
Playing Replacements Let It Be especially Androgynous. Who's gonna fuss?
Perfect!
Had the best time going with a group of friends to see My Posse in Effect- A Tribute to The Beastie Boys on Saturday. One of our good friends opened the show DJing some fantastic old school hip hop! I’m probably a bit biased, but his set was the highlight for me.
And here’s a link he just uploaded of his set https://www.mixcloud.com/shane-brown11/opening-set-my-posse-in-effect-beastie-boys-tribute-band-61524/
Sweet! Thanks for this. I'll queue it up for later.
You’ll have to let me know what you think. My 16 year old wasn’t impressed with the “randomness” 🤣🤣🤣
Will do!
Greetings from a chilly UK… this week I have mostly continued listening to the back catalogue of Karate (I’ve decided Geoff Farina is now my favouritest guitar ever).
I gave the John Cale a listen - will return to it to give it a second chance. Much ‘better’ was the new Fu Manchu
Weird chance encounter was with Laid Back Country Picker (who a friend saw in Manchester over the weekend); quirky and definitely worth exploring - they hail from Kentucky: https://youtu.be/K9rdRmXLwMo?si=cHH1DnUCE7WTMkBx
Small world! How's the record coming along?
Good - got the master back for next release today and I’m in the studio for song after on Friday!
Going to see Drive-By Truckers next Saturday so I’ve been spinning Southern Rock Opera.
That's sure to be a great show. Have fun!
Didn’t know the soft science. Enjoying that. Can’t recall if I found it here but enjoying the mix of loud guitar sounds in the great new record from the (poorly named) Babe Report out of Chicago. https://babereportchicago.bandcamp.com/album/did-you-get-better
I'm glad you liked 'em! I really wish I'd have found them a little sooner, but what can you do?
Indeed - too much good music that is too easily available.
And in self promo mode — I cohost a radio show in the DC area, and my Juneteenth inspired hour yesterday (along with a set of prison songs, as one of the aspects of slavery we have not eradicated) turned out well. Have been listening a bunch to all the tracks I played. Lots of new-ish hiphop, soul, R&B, tracks from Cameroon and Malawi, and Johnny Cash. Available for two weeks in the archives (ignore that it says Sarah B)
https://spinitron.com/WOWD/pl/19114396/Sunday-Midday
Thank you for the link! I'm on it!
I'm enjoying the two new singles by The Menzingers!
YES!
A venue owner I worked for put me on to this Italian band called Giuda- sounds like early-70s glam, but rougher. Digging their album, "Racey Roller".
https://youtu.be/28wL4Jvq2k4?si=m4K9sztfjX90dNKi
This is great, Shaggy! A little scuzzy, a little loud. I'm here for it.
Walk On Water - Walk On Water
The Speed Of Sound - A Cornucopia: Minerva
Jimmie Dale Gilmore - Fare and Square
The Waiting - blue belly sky
David Wilcox -Thirteen Songs
The Beatles - The Beatles
Eddie Schwartz - Schwartz
The Beatles - Revolver
The Talking Heads - Remain In Light
Remain In Light is an all-timer!
Massive Attack.
Bill Callahan 'Apocalypse'.
Miles Davis 'Sketches of Spain'.
'5am [Mixtape]' by Solitude (very mellow and trippy).
'Music Theory Songs' by @ethanhein (Really enjoying this. Some great tracks! https://ethanhein.bandcamp.com/album/music-theory-songs).
Massive Attack and Miles in the same list? I like it! Thanks also for the link to 'Music Theory Songs!'
Thank you Kevin 🤓🎺🎸🥃
Some Soft Cell, John Parr and Alphaville.
A clue to my state of mind - I watched BRATS about 80s “Brat Pack” on Hulu yesterday
We watched it too; What'd you think?
I compiled a lively discussion at the link here with thoughts and opinions (and from others too) https://substack.com/chat/280698. It lacked more nostalgia and BTS stories I wanted to hear. It was mostly McCarthy’s sour grapes 🍇
New this week:
Ane Brun - Portrayals. Ane Brun features on the track "My Name" on Aurora's latest effort, What Happened to the Heart? Seeming as I like her vocals on that track, why not listen to some of her own work? Overall I enjoyed this album - it's very relaxing and easy on the ear.
Cage the Elephant - Neon Pill. I rediscovered this band when 97.7 HTZ FM played "Ain't No Rest For The Wicked" on 6/11 (for those that don't, 97.7 HTZ is a radio station out of St. Catherines, which I can receive in Buffalo, where I live). Now that song is a great one. This album... doesn't quite hit the mark. It comes out as a bit generic and a bit of a slog to get through, despite taking less than 40 minutes to get through. "Rainbow" and "Metaverse" are the top tracks on this.
Also been listening to a good bit of Jimmy Buffett, although only random tracks, and not a particular album in full.
Can't go wrong with a little Jimmy Buffett!
I just finished reading the excellent 'This Isn't Happening' by Steven Hyden, and have been listening to Radiohead's Kid A ad nauseum the past few days.
Should I add it to my TBR list?
If you like Hyden’s writing and are a fan of Radiohead (or at least Kid A), then I would definitely recommend it.
Listened to Springsteen & the E Street Band's Live in New York City for the first time in a long time and it was glorious.
The new Sadler Vaden, Dad Rock, is pleasing as well.
is that the one with the acoustic piano only version of Thunder Road? Because.... oh my fucking god.... that version...
If it's the one you're thinking of, that's on Live 1975-1985.
it is, yeah, but I thought it was from that NYC concert. either way, imo it's transcendent.
Yes, great version.
Tough scrap between Hermanos Guttierez and Cola this week and to be honest neither deserved to lose! Will both be in end of year Top 10
It's been a heckuva year so far, hasn't it?