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On to the music:
For those of you who are new, we kick off every week by sharing what we’ve been playing. New year, new us? Not a chance. lol.
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 2025 releases or shows you’re excited about?
Nice to see Mono Men on the playlist -- I'd forgotten about them. This will send me on an Estrus binge. Check out The Mortals, a great Cincinnati band who were on Estrus in the 90s.
Three highlights from my week:
- Jerry Garcia - Garcia. I'm not much of a Dead fan, but the Pitchfork review of this record got me to listen to this last night. It's interesting and not a straight up Garcia/Dead-like record. I'm going to dig in more this week.
- The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis - s/t. I lost track of The Messthetics until a pal told me about this record. It sounds exactly what you would expect from Fugazi's rhythm section + a jazz saxophonist. Good stuff.
- R.E.M. - Fables of the Reconstruction. REM is rarely far from my regular listening, and this record is perfect for the last leg of winter. REM recorded it during a dreary London winter and it seeps through nearly every song (not including "Can't Get There From Here").
This has gotta be the first time Screaming Blue messiahs have been mentioned in these threads? I guy on my block named his (Dodge) car the "Jesus Chrysler" after their song. I love it.
For whatever reason, the song popped into my head while watching a dinosaur documentary, and I heard the lyric, "Dino is my dinosaur. His head's out the kitchen and his tail's out the door"
I went through a Lloyd Cole revival a few years ago. He has so many good songs and such an interesting voice, it's a bummer he didn't have more commercial success.
Neil Young, Bloc Party, and a Minor Threat connected band from the 80’s I had never heard: Second Wind. Their lone LP “Security” was on repeat this weekend.
My Mom is in the hospital. Driving home from a visit, I really needed to hear something but I did not know what to play. Devo was out. After poking around on Spotify (via Apply Play), I tripped across Neil Young's Greatest Hits. I tried that and it worked! I am not sure I would call Neil's music "intelligent", but it seems like he put some thought into it. And some feeling. And some rock'n'roll. Just another example of music being good for the soul.
Marianne Faithfull, who we lost this week -- and more specifically the original mixes of Broken English, which are vastly superior to the released version). If you haven’t heard the original mixes of “Broken English,” treat yourself tonight. The whole album is a masterpiece, but esp those original mixes--
Marianne was a friend, albeit a new one. We spent the day together last May and I was hoping to visit her again when next in London, but it was not to be.
My favourite Marianne story of our time together? This one—
At the end of her life, she was living in a (very posh) care home due to long-term covid. She was barred from smoking, and of course, that included weed. She spent a bit of time during our visit doing her best to convince me to bring her a “fat spliff” next time I visited. Sadly, I didn’t get the chance, but I’ll not lie — I was gonna give it a go, because getting high with Marianne Faithfull — now that would be a story.
This is likely to be an insanely crazy week. So I am listening to the most deranged cover version of a Beatles tune I have ever heard. A 1968 cover of "Day Tripper" by the Japanese band The Spiders. I truly can't explain how strange this track is and now I must track down the rest of the album https://youtu.be/4sJEQ2JtOtI?si=tW1tjUKIkl3w5DMU
One of our vendors here is named Stuart--super nice kid, but afraid of his own shadow. and every once in awhile I tell him "You know what, Stuart? I like you. You're not like the other people...here in the airport." And sometime before I retire he's gonna get the reference. lol.
, I’m doing a project. I never realized that you have download the songs. So it’s a two step process. One to purchase the song; and another two download the song to my phone. I have about 10,000 songs on my phone. So it’s a huge process.
I’ve been MIA on the Monday boards for a while, but I just got my new turntable yesterday and so my last 12 or so hours (other than sleeping) were spent listening to my vinyl.
The first album I pulled out was Airto Moreira’s 1972 Return to Forever album, which either predated or coincided with the birth of the band Return to Forever, featuring many of the same legendary musicians (Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Joe Farrell, Flora Purim, etc.).
This was more of an alphabetical choice, but I was amazed at how alive the music sounded as it played through my studio monitors.
The 2nd record I played was Pat Benatar’s 1981 Precious Time album. I’m going to be writing about her soon, so wanted to immerse myself in her classic songs.
Then I had to put on Rush’s Signals album.
It was a nostalgia tour for sure, but also, oddly, a guide for the future. A future of less streaming, more spinning.
If you're writing about Pat Benatar, can I put in a plug for her brilliant blues album True Love? I think it's the best thing she ever did and I wish more people knew about it.
Yes, for sure! Such an underrated album. And Neil Giraldo's blues originals hold up against the classics they cover on it. I don't have that one on vinyl, but now I know what I'm going to seek out next weekend!
Still suck on 1986. What a time for music in my life! I had just listened to the Beatles for the first time, and my mind was blown. It was opened to music, basically.
Sabrina Carpenter - "Short n' Sweet". A friend of mine was listening to her the other day as she was being hyped up for the Grammys last night (I didn't watch them). I remember last year this was hyped up, especially with "Espresso" becoming one of last summer's anthems. Personally, I didn't get the hype. Upon listening to it, it was enjoyable, but it didn't have enough to garner more listens. I will say "Slim Pickins" is a great song - reminds me of some of the early Taylor Swift stuff.
With that I am up to 3 new-to-me albums listened to in 2025 - just 97 more to go to succeed in the challenge Buddy Gott set back in January.
Espresso didn't exactly land with me either, and I was sort of wondering what the fuss was...and then I realized I'd had it in my head for, like, a day and a half.
Maybe it's because of the winter, I've had this newfound obsession with Grouper, specifically "Dragging a Dead Deer Up a Hill" and "A I A: Alien Observer."
Also about to see Geordie Greep play tonight. Highly recommend checking out his album that dropped last fall.
So for physical forms I've picked up a few vinyl's including Stones 12x5, Iron Butterfly - In A Gadda Da Vida, and Kansas Two for the Show. My CD player currently has Darlahood - Big Fine Thing spinning in it though I haven't played it today yet.
As for streaming the past week I've been putting on my 70s playlist and looking into late 00s Black Crowes.
Loving this week’s playlist! The Tisburys track is great.
I’ve been listening to Death and Love, Pt 1 by Circa Waves. It’s a good album but not as strong as 2023’s Never Going Under. My friend recommended This Is Not An Exit by The Backfires and it’s absolutely excellent; reminiscent of Catfish And The Bottlemen. So good!
I’ve spent a lot of time over the last few days listening to many of the fantastic January releases. If January’s releases are a reflection of what we have to look forward to in 2025 then I’m super excited!
These are the 12 January albums I’m most excited about:
• The Weather Station - Humanhood
• FKA Twigs - Eusexua
• Anna B. Savage - You & i are Earth
• Dax Riggs - Seven Songs For Spiders
• Rose City Band - Sol Y Sombra
• Prism Shores - Out From Underneath
• Dusqk - Sanctuary OS
• Circa Waves - Death & Love, Pt. 1
• The Laughing Chimes - Whispers in the Speech Machine
I've been listening to albums for the 80s Album madness bracket that the Rockin' the Suburbs podcast is doing. An early tough choice was Back in Black vs. 1984. Hated voted against Pyromania, but Born in the U.S.A. is one of the most important albums of my life. Currently finishing a listen of Michael Jackson's Bad, which I know I haven't heard in full since...1988?
I'm on it!
Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood - Nina Simone
Always a good time for Nina!
Nice to see Mono Men on the playlist -- I'd forgotten about them. This will send me on an Estrus binge. Check out The Mortals, a great Cincinnati band who were on Estrus in the 90s.
Three highlights from my week:
- Jerry Garcia - Garcia. I'm not much of a Dead fan, but the Pitchfork review of this record got me to listen to this last night. It's interesting and not a straight up Garcia/Dead-like record. I'm going to dig in more this week.
https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/jerry-garcia-garcia
- The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis - s/t. I lost track of The Messthetics until a pal told me about this record. It sounds exactly what you would expect from Fugazi's rhythm section + a jazz saxophonist. Good stuff.
- R.E.M. - Fables of the Reconstruction. REM is rarely far from my regular listening, and this record is perfect for the last leg of winter. REM recorded it during a dreary London winter and it seeps through nearly every song (not including "Can't Get There From Here").
Looking forward to the playlist and your picks!
Dave, DM me your email address. I have some music to share with you...
Listening to the Garcia record as I type this!
Fables is one of my very favourite REM records. Nice to see it get some love.
Liking the new MIKE and Bonnie Prince Billy albums. Some other stuff in rotation:
IVVVO - Bleached Butterfly
Fantastic Negrito - The Last Days of Oakland
Aztec Camera - Love
The Replacements - For Sale: Live at Maxwell’s 1986
Aztec Camera! Nice!
Aztec Camera is a favorite 👌
Here are some “lost tunes” from my formative years in the 1980’s
Lloyd Cole and the Commotion: “Perfect Skin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiCmPQLbqqU
Big Audio Dynamite: “Harrow Road” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzNMLwh5CSw
Echo and the Bunnymen: “New Direction” (a great guitar solo, not played live in a long-long time) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7_trPBfNU8
The Screaming Blue Messiah’s: “I Wanna Be a Flintstone” It’s a silly little ditty” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGZenzfg3A0
. . and before Greta Van Fleet in the 2000’s, the ‘80’s had Zebra: “Who’s Behind the Door” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ofz0iJQd-xU
Love this list!
Haven't thought about the Screaming Blue Messiahs in forever! I might even have that one on vinyl.
This has gotta be the first time Screaming Blue messiahs have been mentioned in these threads? I guy on my block named his (Dodge) car the "Jesus Chrysler" after their song. I love it.
For whatever reason, the song popped into my head while watching a dinosaur documentary, and I heard the lyric, "Dino is my dinosaur. His head's out the kitchen and his tail's out the door"
I went through a Lloyd Cole revival a few years ago. He has so many good songs and such an interesting voice, it's a bummer he didn't have more commercial success.
Neil Young, Bloc Party, and a Minor Threat connected band from the 80’s I had never heard: Second Wind. Their lone LP “Security” was on repeat this weekend.
Right on! Not sure I've ever heard Second Wind?
My Mom is in the hospital. Driving home from a visit, I really needed to hear something but I did not know what to play. Devo was out. After poking around on Spotify (via Apply Play), I tripped across Neil Young's Greatest Hits. I tried that and it worked! I am not sure I would call Neil's music "intelligent", but it seems like he put some thought into it. And some feeling. And some rock'n'roll. Just another example of music being good for the soul.
You bet. Hope your mother is doing better.
Great to see Little Oso and Momma on the list. Over here, enjoying a whole bunch of new releases:
-- DRC is in the news a lot for sad reasons (this is what I do in my day job), but the country's best band, in my opinion, Jupiter & Okwess just released a fantastic new album - https://airfono.bandcamp.com/album/ekoya. I wrote about them in 2023 - https://3albums6oldguys.substack.com/p/chicagos-best-hip-hop-congos-best
-- If you need an REM fix, Laughing Chimes put out an excellent new record in the jangle/indie rock lane - https://thelaughingchimes.bandcamp.com/album/whispers-in-the-speech-machine
-- Had the chance to see Jeanines on Saturday night here in DC to celebrate the anniversary of Slumberland Records. Their 2022 release has been on repeat - https://jeanines.bandcamp.com/album/dont-wait-for-a-sign
I've been meaning to get to the new Laughing Chimes, but haven't quite made it...yet.
Listening to Laughing Chimes as I type. I like it a lot, thank you!
Marianne Faithfull, who we lost this week -- and more specifically the original mixes of Broken English, which are vastly superior to the released version). If you haven’t heard the original mixes of “Broken English,” treat yourself tonight. The whole album is a masterpiece, but esp those original mixes--
https://open.spotify.com/track/0tu7eV7IqN1ejsGc2gp8WE?si=47a2b84faf154b12
Marianne was a friend, albeit a new one. We spent the day together last May and I was hoping to visit her again when next in London, but it was not to be.
My favourite Marianne story of our time together? This one—
At the end of her life, she was living in a (very posh) care home due to long-term covid. She was barred from smoking, and of course, that included weed. She spent a bit of time during our visit doing her best to convince me to bring her a “fat spliff” next time I visited. Sadly, I didn’t get the chance, but I’ll not lie — I was gonna give it a go, because getting high with Marianne Faithfull — now that would be a story.
So long, Marianne. You were a hell of a dame.
What a great memory!
Seconding the recommendation to listen to Marianne Faithful. . .
I'd also suggest _20th Century Blues_ her live cabaret album. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/20th_Century_Blues_(Marianne_Faithfull_album)
You should drop a link to your post here. I'm walking the dog or I would look it up. But it's a good one.
Thank you for saying that; I appreciate it (and there's good discussion in comments as well).
https://earnestnessisunderrated.substack.com/p/rip-marianne-faithfull
Thanks for the link, Nick!
What a memory! What a gift. Thanks for sharing that with all of us.
I added a bit more of the story in a note the other day. She was everything you’d want Marianne Faithfull to be.
So Long, Marianne (Leonard Cohen), because that pops into my brain every time I hear her name.
Good Morning from Cali.
Here is what is in my ears:
1. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/71PrDfTT9eNSnK4nHDJCqx?si=f75d749fdd3d4d19
2. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1knJSMzp6SWo8aUh3W2hVo?si=ddb43f63b5d84c00
3. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1EpBbYmYjaqNaa?si=47fbad446b604f5d
Keep your eyes on the sky for smoke, keep your eye on the fascists in Washington, and keep your heart and soul safe and sound.
JP
Thanks for these, Jon! Sage advice all around.
every time Slabo Day comes on i crank it up - this dude Peter Green is good
https://open.spotify.com/track/7zwWMJUV62QNNLz15hrWZl?si=3e0f02482ef141f0
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3y1DgnVXqckGJrbwOKchdU?si=djhy8kuoQc2GNX7DO_Tf6Q
This is likely to be an insanely crazy week. So I am listening to the most deranged cover version of a Beatles tune I have ever heard. A 1968 cover of "Day Tripper" by the Japanese band The Spiders. I truly can't explain how strange this track is and now I must track down the rest of the album https://youtu.be/4sJEQ2JtOtI?si=tW1tjUKIkl3w5DMU
That was a /ride/!
Never heard that one before.
Here is an old favourite cover - https://youtu.be/ED1Ft_e4gfY?feature=shared
My ears were alive with the sounds of:
Melvins - Stoner Witch
Lightnin' Hopkins - Lightnin' Strikes
The Dead Milkmen - Beelzebubba
Love Beelzebubba!
Me too!
One of our vendors here is named Stuart--super nice kid, but afraid of his own shadow. and every once in awhile I tell him "You know what, Stuart? I like you. You're not like the other people...here in the airport." And sometime before I retire he's gonna get the reference. lol.
That’s hilarious! 😂
, I’m doing a project. I never realized that you have download the songs. So it’s a two step process. One to purchase the song; and another two download the song to my phone. I have about 10,000 songs on my phone. So it’s a huge process.
Hi Kev, hi all! Albert King’s “Born Under A Bad Sign” was on my turntable this morning.
Good way to kick off the day!
I’ve been MIA on the Monday boards for a while, but I just got my new turntable yesterday and so my last 12 or so hours (other than sleeping) were spent listening to my vinyl.
The first album I pulled out was Airto Moreira’s 1972 Return to Forever album, which either predated or coincided with the birth of the band Return to Forever, featuring many of the same legendary musicians (Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Joe Farrell, Flora Purim, etc.).
This was more of an alphabetical choice, but I was amazed at how alive the music sounded as it played through my studio monitors.
The 2nd record I played was Pat Benatar’s 1981 Precious Time album. I’m going to be writing about her soon, so wanted to immerse myself in her classic songs.
Then I had to put on Rush’s Signals album.
It was a nostalgia tour for sure, but also, oddly, a guide for the future. A future of less streaming, more spinning.
If you're writing about Pat Benatar, can I put in a plug for her brilliant blues album True Love? I think it's the best thing she ever did and I wish more people knew about it.
Yes, for sure! Such an underrated album. And Neil Giraldo's blues originals hold up against the classics they cover on it. I don't have that one on vinyl, but now I know what I'm going to seek out next weekend!
I'd love to have that on vinyl. I hadn't thought to see what the vinyl issues situation is like on it.
I like your vision of the future! What kind of turntable did you wind up getting?
Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB-BK. I got the seal of approval from Andres so I knew I chose well.
I just bought one of these, and I love it.
Still suck on 1986. What a time for music in my life! I had just listened to the Beatles for the first time, and my mind was blown. It was opened to music, basically.
So, I turned on the radio and started listening.
Dick Valentine
Still enjoying Thao (reposting some links from Notes):
https://www.oxfamamerica.org/explore/stories/exclusive-thao-the-get-down-stay-down-debut-new-song-temple/
https://www.stereogum.com/2084014/thao-the-get-down-stay-down-pure-cinema/music/
https://youtu.be/vFBbgPkVtio
The B52's.
Started with the first album and went from there. "Dance This Mess Around" is one of my favorites.
So, so good!
LOVE Dance This Mess Around!!
I spun "Dance This Mess Around" just this morning on the way to work. "Gimme Back My Man", on the second album, is a great follow up.
Totally agree.
New this past week:
Sabrina Carpenter - "Short n' Sweet". A friend of mine was listening to her the other day as she was being hyped up for the Grammys last night (I didn't watch them). I remember last year this was hyped up, especially with "Espresso" becoming one of last summer's anthems. Personally, I didn't get the hype. Upon listening to it, it was enjoyable, but it didn't have enough to garner more listens. I will say "Slim Pickins" is a great song - reminds me of some of the early Taylor Swift stuff.
With that I am up to 3 new-to-me albums listened to in 2025 - just 97 more to go to succeed in the challenge Buddy Gott set back in January.
Espresso didn't exactly land with me either, and I was sort of wondering what the fuss was...and then I realized I'd had it in my head for, like, a day and a half.
January has been great for new music:
- "Balloonerism" - Mac Miller
- "Eusexua" - FKA twigs
- "Hurry Up Tomorrow" - The Weeknd
Maybe it's because of the winter, I've had this newfound obsession with Grouper, specifically "Dragging a Dead Deer Up a Hill" and "A I A: Alien Observer."
Also about to see Geordie Greep play tonight. Highly recommend checking out his album that dropped last fall.
I was gonna pass on FKA Twigs, and then she was on NPR talking about the concept(s) behind the record, and now I'm all in.
You should really check it out. There's definitely some Vespertine vibes.
Would it be out of line to say the only thing I've been able to hear this week are the screams inside my head repeating WTF! WTF! WTF! ?
Nope, completely reasonable.
Last year’s highly rated blues album by Michael Messer & Chaz Jankel: https://open.spotify.com/album/2VMSu8Xg8aFwA5fLhzTcPC?si=xvs0I18TSz-iEVKuZujQPg
So for physical forms I've picked up a few vinyl's including Stones 12x5, Iron Butterfly - In A Gadda Da Vida, and Kansas Two for the Show. My CD player currently has Darlahood - Big Fine Thing spinning in it though I haven't played it today yet.
As for streaming the past week I've been putting on my 70s playlist and looking into late 00s Black Crowes.
Loving this week’s playlist! The Tisburys track is great.
I’ve been listening to Death and Love, Pt 1 by Circa Waves. It’s a good album but not as strong as 2023’s Never Going Under. My friend recommended This Is Not An Exit by The Backfires and it’s absolutely excellent; reminiscent of Catfish And The Bottlemen. So good!
Corb Lund, I'm putting on my cowboy hat. https://weatheredmusic.ca/2025/02/03/february-3/
I’ve spent a lot of time over the last few days listening to many of the fantastic January releases. If January’s releases are a reflection of what we have to look forward to in 2025 then I’m super excited!
These are the 12 January albums I’m most excited about:
• The Weather Station - Humanhood
• FKA Twigs - Eusexua
• Anna B. Savage - You & i are Earth
• Dax Riggs - Seven Songs For Spiders
• Rose City Band - Sol Y Sombra
• Prism Shores - Out From Underneath
• Dusqk - Sanctuary OS
• Circa Waves - Death & Love, Pt. 1
• The Laughing Chimes - Whispers in the Speech Machine
• Brooke Combe - Dancing at the Edge of the World
• Nyron Higur - self-titled
• Decius- Decius Vol. II (Splendour & Obedience)
A friend recommended Vintage Trouble and I'm really digging the track Everyone is Everyone
I've been listening to albums for the 80s Album madness bracket that the Rockin' the Suburbs podcast is doing. An early tough choice was Back in Black vs. 1984. Hated voted against Pyromania, but Born in the U.S.A. is one of the most important albums of my life. Currently finishing a listen of Michael Jackson's Bad, which I know I haven't heard in full since...1988?