Happy Monday, and welcome to each of you who joined us over the weekend! I’m happy to have you here. We kick every week off with a little bit of what I’ve had in heavy rotation.
Some of these come from reader recommendations; please keep them coming!
Now it’s your turn.
What’ve you been listening to? Got a song or record we should all be checking out? Maybe an upcoming release you’re excited about? Share it below!
Yeah. I'm now listening to "The Dark Forest" and it is every bit as good. As an aside, would recommend you check out "Quinn's Ideas" on Youtube. He does amazing deep dives into the Three Body Problem series as well as scifi in general!
I went off-brand and listened to an old favorite: Pink Moon by Nick Drake. Few records quite as sparse or sad or beautiful. It's only 28 minutes long but it honestly feels like a whole universe.
Couldn't agree more! I was recently part of a writer's roundtable and the question was for best album under 30 minutes and when someone suggested Pink Moon, I had to immediately put it on after not listening to it for probably a decade-plus. Amazing record.
Yeah, even though all of his stuff is pretty melancholic, Pink Moon is quite a bit darker than Bryter Lyter. One of those acts that completely changed how I thought of music when I was younger.
I read a very good bio once that kind of used "Things Behind The Sun" as a throughline. He wrote it early on when he was hanging around Morocco, and it was intended for Five Leaves Left. That didn't work out, so he tried it a more orchestral version for Bryter Later. Nobody liked that version and it seemed like the song was destined for the trash. Then, in 1972, he called around to the friend who had been with him when he wrote it in Morocco, and he got the friend to record a demo of a very stripped-back acoustic version. The result was almost identical to the finished version—and it was also the last time that this friend ever heard Nick play.
Wow, "Hella Good." There's one I haven't thought about in forever! I know we're both so ready for Yo La Tengo and love that you have "Fallout" back on here. I spent all weekend still listening to Gaz Coombes as the snowy weather compliments it well. Also saw Achikochi by Auto on your list... what are your thoughts? I'm into some of it but it feels a little uneven in parts.
Hella Good popped into my head after an old roommate came up in equally random fashion. He loved it and would belt out the “ooh yeah yeah” part no matter where we might be.
Achikochi was my soundtrack for a lot of writing last week. It’s a little undercooked here and there, but still pretty good overall.
I've been digging back to "old" Folk Implosion songs - and awaiting thier new releasae. Speeding 72 from Mama is probalby the best new song in the past few months.
Listening to lots of The Delgados, prior to seeing them tomorrow night in Sheffield, first time they've played together for seventeen years!
If you've not come across them before, I'd recommend 'Pull the Wires From the Wall' off 'Peloton', or 'Accused of Stealing' off 'The Great Eastern', two excellent songs from two brilliant albums.
Their obvious joy at playing together again after so long shone through, and with the core band supplemented by a three strong string section (and a flautist!) there were some cracking amped-up versions of many of my 'favourites'.
If pushed to nominate a stand-out song from the set; I'd probably plump for 'American Trilogy' (or possibly a really punky version of their debut single 'Monica Webster' to kickstart the encore).
Mentioned other bands before and will again in future, but today I'm listening to my newest folk release "Throwing Darts at the Universe," which is getting offers for playlist and radio play:
Like that Tisbury's song - will listen further! Friday we got new albums from John Cale (moody, artful, odd, witty) and Ryuichi Sakamoto (transparent, shimmering, gorgeous). I took my daughter record shopping as part of her birthday outing and she picked up Silk Sonic's LP, which just made it out of the pressing plants recently. Such a fun record, my favorite Anderson .Paak next to Malibu. Also super-psyched about the new Yaeji album coming later this year and have listened to For Granted several times - it's a short song! New songs from Arlo Parks and Kali Uchis were quite diverting as well. And since I'm working on my best of Hip Hop, R&B & Reggae from 2022, dug deep into Conway The Machine's God Don't Make Mistakes - fantastic stuff and a candidate for those lists of great album closing tracks, WOW.
A favorite band, JOSEPH, has an album coming out in April (do we still say album?), so I’ve been listening to their older stuff. Like this one from 2016, which I saw them play live on tour:
Last week through Ponytail Press' 'Fresh Tracks' post, I shared a new track by Miss Grit called "Follow the Cyborg." It's still playing on repeat in my head: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZFxE1LcNsM
I was passively listening to your playlist and noted that I enjoyed the J.J. Cale track. Spotify chose some tracks after the playlist was done, and I noted another Cale song I enjoyed. Guess I’m discovering a new artist’s tunes this week--thanks!
When I first started at the airline I work for, we still did the cabin cleaning. The guys I worked with would hook a boombox up to the PA system, and we’d listen to Cale, John Hiatt, and others all night. The work was awful, but I was exposed to a lot of great music, so it was worth it.
Yes!
I'm listening to the audiobooks of "The Three Body Problem" series by Cixin Liu. Exceptional contemporary scifi. Highly recommended!
Read the first one - so GOOD.
Yeah. I'm now listening to "The Dark Forest" and it is every bit as good. As an aside, would recommend you check out "Quinn's Ideas" on Youtube. He does amazing deep dives into the Three Body Problem series as well as scifi in general!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ye02qGiKKY&list=PLRXGGVBzHLUfIzEhovpQJ2ENiNvJoOD2A
Nice - thanks for the tip!
I went off-brand and listened to an old favorite: Pink Moon by Nick Drake. Few records quite as sparse or sad or beautiful. It's only 28 minutes long but it honestly feels like a whole universe.
Couldn't agree more! I was recently part of a writer's roundtable and the question was for best album under 30 minutes and when someone suggested Pink Moon, I had to immediately put it on after not listening to it for probably a decade-plus. Amazing record.
I’m kind of glad it’s only 28 minutes, because I’m always so emotionally wrung out at the end. A double album might kill me.
Yeah, even though all of his stuff is pretty melancholic, Pink Moon is quite a bit darker than Bryter Lyter. One of those acts that completely changed how I thought of music when I was younger.
I read a very good bio once that kind of used "Things Behind The Sun" as a throughline. He wrote it early on when he was hanging around Morocco, and it was intended for Five Leaves Left. That didn't work out, so he tried it a more orchestral version for Bryter Later. Nobody liked that version and it seemed like the song was destined for the trash. Then, in 1972, he called around to the friend who had been with him when he wrote it in Morocco, and he got the friend to record a demo of a very stripped-back acoustic version. The result was almost identical to the finished version—and it was also the last time that this friend ever heard Nick play.
Oh man; that record is…a lot. Its beautiful, but I can only listen to it every so often.
Yeah, it's one of my all-time favorites but I don't think I've played it in at least five years, and I might not play it for another five.
This week, I'm back to my favorites from college days. The Shins - New Slang is one of the many on repeat :)
So, did this song change your life?
I can’t say that much but it reminds me the good times when I was in Belgium as an Erasmus exchange student so it is a special one :)
It’s been a Crosby sort of week...
+1
I feel like it’s been that way for a lot of people.
Wow, "Hella Good." There's one I haven't thought about in forever! I know we're both so ready for Yo La Tengo and love that you have "Fallout" back on here. I spent all weekend still listening to Gaz Coombes as the snowy weather compliments it well. Also saw Achikochi by Auto on your list... what are your thoughts? I'm into some of it but it feels a little uneven in parts.
Hella Good popped into my head after an old roommate came up in equally random fashion. He loved it and would belt out the “ooh yeah yeah” part no matter where we might be.
Achikochi was my soundtrack for a lot of writing last week. It’s a little undercooked here and there, but still pretty good overall.
And YLT? Yes please. Is it the 16th yet?!
I've been digging back to "old" Folk Implosion songs - and awaiting thier new releasae. Speeding 72 from Mama is probalby the best new song in the past few months.
If you haven’t already, the rest of the record is really good. “Medicine” is my other favorite.
Listening to lots of The Delgados, prior to seeing them tomorrow night in Sheffield, first time they've played together for seventeen years!
If you've not come across them before, I'd recommend 'Pull the Wires From the Wall' off 'Peloton', or 'Accused of Stealing' off 'The Great Eastern', two excellent songs from two brilliant albums.
Tim
How was the show?
The Delgados were superb.
Their obvious joy at playing together again after so long shone through, and with the core band supplemented by a three strong string section (and a flautist!) there were some cracking amped-up versions of many of my 'favourites'.
If pushed to nominate a stand-out song from the set; I'd probably plump for 'American Trilogy' (or possibly a really punky version of their debut single 'Monica Webster' to kickstart the encore).
Awesome!
The Shootouts... it's country music for people who don't like country music (their words, not mine... but it's true). Check them out. :)
I’m on it!
Love to know what you think about the album ... and the episode!
Was /not/ expecting a Whitney Houston cover here...and was definitely not excpecting to like it!
Mentioned other bands before and will again in future, but today I'm listening to my newest folk release "Throwing Darts at the Universe," which is getting offers for playlist and radio play:
https://open.spotify.com/track/4p0Trs9zo0oMRF4RpcI2Cc?si=6c48545b841445b9
I'm really proud of this yet also dislike talking about it (and I'm trying to get over that hump).
You should be proud of it! It’s lovely. Coulda sworn I heard a cello in there (I’m holding my iPhone up to my ear) as well?
If I had to guess, I’d say most of us are a bit shy about talking up our work. It’s a work in progress for me too.
Yes! I love cellos. It's mostly acoustic guitar, piano, cello, and pad (synth). Thank you :-)
Goung back to my college days. Guadalcanal Diary with "Lonely Street." https://open.spotify.com/track/0T2boeCToQZbmB8LNUaQVE?si=E3XC5qVbT0m7EHJZ62cVIw
Wow! That takes me back. Such a great band for the few people lucky enough to have heard them.
Like that Tisbury's song - will listen further! Friday we got new albums from John Cale (moody, artful, odd, witty) and Ryuichi Sakamoto (transparent, shimmering, gorgeous). I took my daughter record shopping as part of her birthday outing and she picked up Silk Sonic's LP, which just made it out of the pressing plants recently. Such a fun record, my favorite Anderson .Paak next to Malibu. Also super-psyched about the new Yaeji album coming later this year and have listened to For Granted several times - it's a short song! New songs from Arlo Parks and Kali Uchis were quite diverting as well. And since I'm working on my best of Hip Hop, R&B & Reggae from 2022, dug deep into Conway The Machine's God Don't Make Mistakes - fantastic stuff and a candidate for those lists of great album closing tracks, WOW.
The whole Tisburys record is great. Lots of catchy hooks from start to finish and plenty of verses to get stuck in your head along the way.
Please share those best of lists when they’re done; the ones you’ve done so far have been packed with great sounds!
I'm looking forward to Dead Meat by The Tubs dropping on Friday
https://thetubs.bandcamp.com/album/dead-meat
Post-punk + jangle pop guitars + vocals from a young Richard Thompson is my cocktail for this week.
Just listened to the title track. This is right up my alley! They had me as soon as they mentioned Cleaners From Venus as an influence.
A favorite band, JOSEPH, has an album coming out in April (do we still say album?), so I’ve been listening to their older stuff. Like this one from 2016, which I saw them play live on tour:
https://open.spotify.com/album/0kb4iBtX69frHEfyNv7EJG?si=IwFwoFBMT46dwm9q5T8iDQ
Oh, we absolutely still say “album” here. LP too, if you want. 😀
Listening to “Canyon,” the singer’s voice reminds me of someone else, but I can’t put my finger on who.
Two things I found recently that I think are worth sharing:
I heard Remi Wolf's cover of "Pink + White" by Frank Ocean over the weekend. She completely transformed the song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbYX8FctoG4
Last week through Ponytail Press' 'Fresh Tracks' post, I shared a new track by Miss Grit called "Follow the Cyborg." It's still playing on repeat in my head: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZFxE1LcNsM
Love Remi Wolf!
I've been listen to K-Tel's ROCK 80. 😉🤘
That track list is awesome. The story of how you came back across the record after so many years is even more so.
Thanks Kevin. I felt long-winded, so I'm glad somebody liked it.
Looking forward to that to la tengo record.
YES.
I haven’t been this excited for a record in a long time. I can’t tell if that’s a good thing or not. Lol.
I was passively listening to your playlist and noted that I enjoyed the J.J. Cale track. Spotify chose some tracks after the playlist was done, and I noted another Cale song I enjoyed. Guess I’m discovering a new artist’s tunes this week--thanks!
Right on! I’m happy to hear it. 😀
When I first started at the airline I work for, we still did the cabin cleaning. The guys I worked with would hook a boombox up to the PA system, and we’d listen to Cale, John Hiatt, and others all night. The work was awful, but I was exposed to a lot of great music, so it was worth it.