Happy Monday, and welcome to all who joined us over the weekend. It’s awesome to have you with us! Special shoutout to anyone who graduated this past weekend (or their parents).
Below is some of what I’ve had in heavy rotation this week. Many of these come from reader recommendations, so please keep ‘em coming!
Your turn!
What caught your ear this week? Have an upcoming release you’re excited about? Any good finds while crate digging? Share your picks in the comments!
'My City Was Gone:' love it. I especially dig all the in-betweens apart from Chrissie singing: the bass line, the jangling guitar and the perfectly sleepy, laconic vibe. I think it's an overlooked gem.
I treated myself to a 1976 remaster of Sgt Pepper’s in excellent condition (looks and sounds like new) for a very decent price so quite pleased with that 😊 It was in “careful rotation” this morning 😂
Having Bully and Joe Jackson on the same playlist is my kinda move! Still listening to that excellent Country Westerns album and the wonderful return of Beach Fossils - well worth the six year wait 🏄♂️
My playlists can be a weird place. I'm glad someone else can appreciate the vibe! Heard Beach Fossils on the home last night. I'm ready to dig in to the rest of the record.
Ellen -- not to self promote (well exactly to self-promote), but I wrote a piece about JJ a few months ago. Very high-school memory focused...You can check it out here!:)
I’ve really been enjoying Fin del Mundo, which I heard about from Ecléctico, which you recommended. If it’s good enough for Cheryl Waters to go to Buenos Aries, it’s good enough for me!
I recently rediscovered a stash of mixed CDs I made.....some time ago... This was before the thrill of curating a solid playlist on Spotify. Anyway, as I listened through two discs, the last song of one and the first song on the other was "Jumper" by Third Eye Blind. I would have never told anyone this was a favorite song of mine but I apparently enjoyed it enough to open and close a mix with.. Needless to say, the song has been in my head all weekend thanks to these odd CDs. Could be worse..
Sparks: Past Tense Anthology, A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip, A Woofer in Tweeter’s Clothing, Propaganda & Hippopotamus (Pitchfork reviewer found GIDDY GIDDY GIDDY annoying & repetitive, but I found it delightful in its manic energy & clever wordplay). Also, a 3 CD anthology TEENAGE DIRTBAG makes an appealing case for turn of the century pop-punk, like Dazed & Confused did for 70’s pop rock. Both combine songs & bands that were far from my favorites into anthems you would blast driving with the windows down on a hot day. By taking the best (and in some cases, only hits) songs by Lit, Sum 41, Blink-182, Good Charlotte, Fall Out Boy etc. one can admire the catchiness of the lyrics & sturdy structure of the tunes. I’m sure someone could mine hair metal and repeat the trick.
I've been in an Americana phase lately. I just saw the great Grant-Lee Phillips perform live this past weekend and so was playing from his extensive solo catalog as well as the 4 Grant Lee Buffalo albums.
Which then led me to revisit the vastly underrated Blitzen Trapper. I played my two favorite albums of theirs, "Wild Mountain Nation" and "Furr." It's too bad they are likely a band no longer.
Great list! I haven't played Graceland in years. I'm gonna have to change that ASAP. FWIW, I found a pretty good copy of Dave Edmunds' "Information" recently, so that's been getting plenty of spins.
RE: You blogpost- I'm really looking forward to Graham Parker's upcoming release. Also, They Might Be Giants really have 23 records out?! I had no idea.
I spent most of Friday revisiting the early catalog of the Canadian alternative rock band Lowest of the Low. Their 1991 debut “Shakespeare My Butt” was on heavy rotation for me through much of the mid-90s; I couldn’t get enough of it. Sometimes music from my college days doesn’t hold up but in this instance, although my musical tastes have evolved a lot since then, I found still connected with it quite strongly. Also spent time with “Hallucigenia” their 1994 release and lead singer Ron Hawkins’ 1995 solo debut “The Secret of My Excess”. Some great music and great memories
Cranked up the volume this weekend with both Propellerheads' DecksAndDrumsAndRockAndRoll and Bobby Whitlock's debut - neither have been dimmed by time! Also revisited Iron & Wine's Beast Epic, which has taken on new resonance since seeing Sam Beam live a few weeks ago - reviewed here: https://open.substack.com/pub/anearful/p/live-log-2023-sound-mind-wet-feet?r=3d4xe&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web. Finally, I dug into the 3-CD set featuring the latest recordings of Claire Chase's flute commissioning project, Density 2036. The 45-minute Liza Lim piece, Sex Magic, is a mind-blower!
Just started this month's An Earful podcast on the way to work this AM. Also: I must've been the last person on Earth to learn that Iron & Wine covered New Order's "Love Vigilantes."
A classical, folk, bluegrass fusion instrumental. Even tosses in some jazz. On the more easy listening side but really tasteful and enjoyable.
Celebrants- Nickel Creek (2023)
First album from the group in 10 years! It's a progressive bluegrass band. Many would call it "Newgrass". They mix bluegrass with a more contemporary production and super compelling vocal and harmony work. The vocals are the standout but the writing is quite solid as well. Standout tracks are To the Airport, Holding Pattern, and Hollywood Ending. I lean more traditional with my bluegrass so some of the more pop production choices feel Mumford and sons like to me. Other may enjoy it more. I still really liked the album.
Yourself or Someone Like You- Matchbox 20 (1996)
I guess this is considered an oldie nowadays. I like the straightforwardness this album has. Sometimes I feel rock lost its way because it tried to get too complicated. Also, they dropped an album last week and I figured I should get reacquainted with the discography before giving the new one a listen. It's been probably a decade since they were relevant so I've pretty much forgotten the album cuts lol
They’re ridiculous and irreverent but very good musicians. “Lovers in the Backseat”, “Mary” and “Otherside” are all fantastic. First discovered them watching the show Nip/Tuck back in the mid 2000s. Their song “Filthy/Gorgeous” was on the soundtrack.
Working through a Bad Seeds guest post for 'The Run Out Grooves' I've been re-listening (and really listening!) to 'The Boatman's Call' for the first time in a long time, reminding me what a truly beautiful album it is!
'My City Was Gone:' love it. I especially dig all the in-betweens apart from Chrissie singing: the bass line, the jangling guitar and the perfectly sleepy, laconic vibe. I think it's an overlooked gem.
I couldn’t stop listening to Turtle Rock by Sharp Pins. I think I might be driving my family crazy. Perfect summer album though.
I gotta check out that Bully album!
It's really good!
I treated myself to a 1976 remaster of Sgt Pepper’s in excellent condition (looks and sounds like new) for a very decent price so quite pleased with that 😊 It was in “careful rotation” this morning 😂
Oh, that's a great find!
Having Bully and Joe Jackson on the same playlist is my kinda move! Still listening to that excellent Country Westerns album and the wonderful return of Beach Fossils - well worth the six year wait 🏄♂️
My playlists can be a weird place. I'm glad someone else can appreciate the vibe! Heard Beach Fossils on the home last night. I'm ready to dig in to the rest of the record.
Love me some Joe Jackson! Brings back many high school memories ❤️
Ellen -- not to self promote (well exactly to self-promote), but I wrote a piece about JJ a few months ago. Very high-school memory focused...You can check it out here!:)
https://earworm.substack.com/p/joe-jackson-happy-loving-couples
Read it and loved it! Thx!
Promote away! :)
I’ve really been enjoying Fin del Mundo, which I heard about from Ecléctico, which you recommended. If it’s good enough for Cheryl Waters to go to Buenos Aries, it’s good enough for me!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpXIt_7uso8
Armando puts together such a wide range of music. You never know what you're gonna get!
I recently rediscovered a stash of mixed CDs I made.....some time ago... This was before the thrill of curating a solid playlist on Spotify. Anyway, as I listened through two discs, the last song of one and the first song on the other was "Jumper" by Third Eye Blind. I would have never told anyone this was a favorite song of mine but I apparently enjoyed it enough to open and close a mix with.. Needless to say, the song has been in my head all weekend thanks to these odd CDs. Could be worse..
See
If it makes you feel any better, I've had their "Graduate" stuck in my head for a few days now.
Good playlist. Thank you for including the dBs and introducing me to PONY.
You bet! The entire Pony record is a belter.
Sparks: Past Tense Anthology, A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip, A Woofer in Tweeter’s Clothing, Propaganda & Hippopotamus (Pitchfork reviewer found GIDDY GIDDY GIDDY annoying & repetitive, but I found it delightful in its manic energy & clever wordplay). Also, a 3 CD anthology TEENAGE DIRTBAG makes an appealing case for turn of the century pop-punk, like Dazed & Confused did for 70’s pop rock. Both combine songs & bands that were far from my favorites into anthems you would blast driving with the windows down on a hot day. By taking the best (and in some cases, only hits) songs by Lit, Sum 41, Blink-182, Good Charlotte, Fall Out Boy etc. one can admire the catchiness of the lyrics & sturdy structure of the tunes. I’m sure someone could mine hair metal and repeat the trick.
I'm curious what you think of the latest Sparks record. Have you had a chance to listen to it yet?
Ruen Brother "Bullet Blues"
https://open.spotify.com/track/7H7Y8ozSdV6L9U8dxn7cqO?si=U9J6KpqzTkWW1fYVWpbWjw
Loved this one. Thank you Sherman!
I've been obsessed with Seven Psalms by Paul Simon for the past few weeks. Very moving.
I haven't made it to this one yet, but by all counts, I've been missing out.
Generationals 'Heatherheads' is mighty fine, comfort, pop-rock.
Yeah! I've been a generationals fan since the first album. I like the new one, especially this track https://open.spotify.com/track/3RqvRCUUcZLRN7EwKps1hZ?si=8ce72970610349b6
Yeah, great track - the subtle sax adds such a sweet, throwback 80's sound. Album has really sublime production throughout.
Made it 2/3's through the opener before being asked to turn it down. Mighty fine indeed!
Nice playlist, Kevin! Last week I had been preparing the update of mine, so this is what I came up with: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6EcLhgESeOBX3Fvfxt8SH4?si=cFBGQsxCTViJEhLxSUE50w
And this is what I’ve been listening to!
Thank you, Michael!
Right on! I've got a lot of work to catch up from this weekend, so this'll definitely be getting played.
I recently discovered "Someone You Loved" by Lewis Capaldi. My thanks to Polina Pompliano at The Profile.
I think the Profile was one of the first newsletters I subscribed to. Did I miss a profile of him?
Indeed you did. She covered him here while simultaneously exploring the challenges of first time success: https://theprofile.substack.com/p/the-hellish-curse-of-first-time-success
I've been in an Americana phase lately. I just saw the great Grant-Lee Phillips perform live this past weekend and so was playing from his extensive solo catalog as well as the 4 Grant Lee Buffalo albums.
Which then led me to revisit the vastly underrated Blitzen Trapper. I played my two favorite albums of theirs, "Wild Mountain Nation" and "Furr." It's too bad they are likely a band no longer.
I like that song Fuzzy by GLB. Should give them another listen.
Yeah, I think all four of their albums are excellent, but Fuzzy and Mighty Joe Moon are especially so.
Love Blitzen Trapper!
Another awesome list Kevin, anything by The Talking Heads is a winner, and the rest are good too. Pearl Jam - Pearl Jam - CD - 2006
Spike Jones - The Best of Spike Jones - Streaming 1993
Various - Various Silly Songs - Streaming - 2023
Roger Miller - Golden Hits - Streaming - 1965
Bob Booker & George Foster - You Don’t Have To Be Jewish - Streaming - 1965
Corb Lund - Songs My Friends Wrote - Streaming - 2022
Grinderman - Grinderman - Streaming - 2007
Grinderman - Grinderman 2 - Streaming - 2010
Popsicko - To A Bad Start - Streaming - 2023
The Cowboy Junkies - Such Ferocious Beauty - Streaming - 2023
Paul Simon - Graceland - CD - 1986
I did a blog as well: https://weatheredmusic.ca
Great list! I haven't played Graceland in years. I'm gonna have to change that ASAP. FWIW, I found a pretty good copy of Dave Edmunds' "Information" recently, so that's been getting plenty of spins.
RE: You blogpost- I'm really looking forward to Graham Parker's upcoming release. Also, They Might Be Giants really have 23 records out?! I had no idea.
I spent most of Friday revisiting the early catalog of the Canadian alternative rock band Lowest of the Low. Their 1991 debut “Shakespeare My Butt” was on heavy rotation for me through much of the mid-90s; I couldn’t get enough of it. Sometimes music from my college days doesn’t hold up but in this instance, although my musical tastes have evolved a lot since then, I found still connected with it quite strongly. Also spent time with “Hallucigenia” their 1994 release and lead singer Ron Hawkins’ 1995 solo debut “The Secret of My Excess”. Some great music and great memories
Big fan. Shakespeare is one of the greatest debuts in Canadian history. Rosy and grey my favourite.
I used to drink at the Only cafe in Toronto with my friends in the early 90's. I don't remember the picture of Chairman Mao.
Cranked up the volume this weekend with both Propellerheads' DecksAndDrumsAndRockAndRoll and Bobby Whitlock's debut - neither have been dimmed by time! Also revisited Iron & Wine's Beast Epic, which has taken on new resonance since seeing Sam Beam live a few weeks ago - reviewed here: https://open.substack.com/pub/anearful/p/live-log-2023-sound-mind-wet-feet?r=3d4xe&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web. Finally, I dug into the 3-CD set featuring the latest recordings of Claire Chase's flute commissioning project, Density 2036. The 45-minute Liza Lim piece, Sex Magic, is a mind-blower!
Just started this month's An Earful podcast on the way to work this AM. Also: I must've been the last person on Earth to learn that Iron & Wine covered New Order's "Love Vigilantes."
Cool! And, yes - so so good. Prefer it to the original, in fact!
Los Lobos and the North Mississippi All-Stars, whom I saw live last night!!!
Nice! I'll bet that was a great show!
Diane's got everything, a helicopter and a submarine...
I've been listening to last week's new releases, but also hit up Chuck Prophet's Age of Miracles.
Always a good time for Chuck Prophet.
Listened to a lot of Geotic this weekend, thanks to my Ponytail Press co-writer Joel's recommendation from Friday's post: https://ponytail.substack.com/p/ponytail-picks-32-space
I'm on it!
News of unearthed John Coltrane with Eric Dolphy from 1961 has got me extremely excited. In many ways, a jazz holy grail.
The subject of a future Listening Sessions post?
You know it - likely late July.
Uncommon Ritual- Edgar Meyer (1997)
A classical, folk, bluegrass fusion instrumental. Even tosses in some jazz. On the more easy listening side but really tasteful and enjoyable.
Celebrants- Nickel Creek (2023)
First album from the group in 10 years! It's a progressive bluegrass band. Many would call it "Newgrass". They mix bluegrass with a more contemporary production and super compelling vocal and harmony work. The vocals are the standout but the writing is quite solid as well. Standout tracks are To the Airport, Holding Pattern, and Hollywood Ending. I lean more traditional with my bluegrass so some of the more pop production choices feel Mumford and sons like to me. Other may enjoy it more. I still really liked the album.
Yourself or Someone Like You- Matchbox 20 (1996)
I guess this is considered an oldie nowadays. I like the straightforwardness this album has. Sometimes I feel rock lost its way because it tried to get too complicated. Also, they dropped an album last week and I figured I should get reacquainted with the discography before giving the new one a listen. It's been probably a decade since they were relevant so I've pretty much forgotten the album cuts lol
Scissor Sisters! 🏳️🌈
They’re ridiculous and irreverent but very good musicians. “Lovers in the Backseat”, “Mary” and “Otherside” are all fantastic. First discovered them watching the show Nip/Tuck back in the mid 2000s. Their song “Filthy/Gorgeous” was on the soundtrack.
Absolutely loving WITCH - Zango, the first album since 1984 from the Zamrock legends.
New album from French artist and composer Forever Pavot - L’idiophone is really exciting.
Tracey Denim album by bar italia
And kind of obsessed with Michel Legrand’s score for The Go-Between (1971), which I’ve only found on YouTube: https://youtu.be/wHNFbRI79EM
Working through a Bad Seeds guest post for 'The Run Out Grooves' I've been re-listening (and really listening!) to 'The Boatman's Call' for the first time in a long time, reminding me what a truly beautiful album it is!
Material Issue!