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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. This week found me listening to a ton of new (like, brand new) releases from the likes of Immersion, Massage, and The Symptones. Always a good thing!
NOTE: Spotify has been intermittently throwing a “no upstream” code message for the last couple of days. If you’re still seeing it, you can check out the playlist here.
As some of you may have seen, I recently wrote about a Best Record of 1989 challenge and noted that I'd be occasionally writing some of these up.
I've started doing some quick hits of each match up and posting them directly to the page here. There's probably some typos. Check 'em out and let me know your thoughts! Chin wags & hot takes welcome! Sharing and restacks always appreciated.
Also: As most of you have seen, I am a huge fan of the music streaming platform Qobuz. The sound quality is second to none, and the entire UX is fantastic. Thanks to our friend Kenn Richards, you can now see it for yourself.
I’m thrilled to share this exclusive offer for 2 free months. Not an ad, and there’s no catch. Just hella good sound quality, solid recommendations tailored to your tastes, and editorials well worth your time.
Note: The codes will be sent out by an actual human over the next several days. Please be patient.
My week ended up being about Camper Van Beethoven, Cracker, and David Lowery after a friend recommended Get Off This, a crowdfunded documentary that can't be released because the producers failed to secure the rights to the music in the film. It's well done and is a fun trip through the evolution of CVB into Cracker and CVB's reunion.
Searching for more info on CVB's sudden breakup while on tour in Europe led me to David Lowery's old school blog which provides background on his songs, his early days, and certain moments in CVB, like the split:
And as a result of all this, I listened to CVB v1's records, which I hadn't revisited in a while. Highly recommended if you haven't heard them in some time.
Looking forward to the playlist (all new to me!) and your picks.
Wow! I’m going to have to watch this! I’m a huge fan of CVB and Cracker. I was lucky enough to snag the one copy of CVBs Telephone Free Landslide Victory on Record Store Day this year! It was one I always looked for back in the day!
Thanks for the link! Feel like I'm gonna have a field day reading each of these. Good timing too; today is Key Lime Pie's turn at bat in the Best of '89 challenge I've been doing.
Following some new stuff over the past couple of weeks - the new Chappell Roan- Subway, the new Royel Otis- Say Something, the new Wolf Alice- The Sofa. And still listening to Wet Leg’s Moisturizer on repeat lol
So, if you look on Spotify, it says it was just released on July 23rd. If you go to Bandcamp, it has a 2020 release date. I think (?) this might be the first time it's been available to stream?
Thanks for these, Lou! Chloe Slater is a new one for me, and I hope a bunch of people see you Minus 5 comment and check the record out. it's pretty awesome.
I am in the middle rebuilding my cd collection and getting a physical copy of all the albums I downloaded on limewire back in the day. So it's a mix of new music I am checking out and my most recent cd purchases!
I read Mike Campbell's memoir last week, so I've been listening to a lot Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Campbell's guitar playing and songwriting is such a big part of why I love TP and the band. Lots of great deep tracks on those albums too, like "Magnolia" from You're Gonna Get It!.
I saw them for the second time in the mid-2000s. And I remember my main takeaway being -- holy cow, Mike Campbell has written more great riffs and solos than I remembered. I keep hearing good things about his memoir, so I'm curious to check it out.
They are super fun live! I saw them locally back in maybe April or something - apparently the last of their smaller shows on moving on to larger venues.
My son introduced me to Mike Edel—in particular, a song called Casseroles & flowers. I’ve added that to my mix this week, and smile every time he sings, “The rain falls down on the old blue house…” (We live in an old blue house).
I just learned Bettie Serveert released a new track last month (first in 11 years), so I gave that a few spins. They havent changed.
I also got on a Lush kick this week. Played the hell out of "Lovelife" again. Still holds up.
Oh really?!? I’ll have to check that out!
https://youtu.be/obSMC2M20r4?si=6tJ-0EfqndlJYZQ1
Awesome, thanks for this!
Lush! Yes! Definitely holds up well.
I didn't realize Bettie Serveert had a new song out, and will have to get on it!
Just found out myself the other day. I have to imagine they're gearing up for a new record soon.
https://open.spotify.com/album/6cXzNHCcql2F15q7OP3Sks?si=5XXE1sWHQFuFXf7DnLsxDA
woke up with the chorus of Dollar Store in my brain this morning. Took me 30 mins to find it. great album
I'm late to the Ben Kweller party, but it sure sounds like I've been missing out!
Wicked Game - Chris Isaak
Such a great one!
Love that song. The guitar tone in that one is perfection.
Nice one, Yana!
Conan.
My week ended up being about Camper Van Beethoven, Cracker, and David Lowery after a friend recommended Get Off This, a crowdfunded documentary that can't be released because the producers failed to secure the rights to the music in the film. It's well done and is a fun trip through the evolution of CVB into Cracker and CVB's reunion.
https://youtu.be/6msJ2O8HUMg?si=1x4jD6B4MeCHx0ED
Searching for more info on CVB's sudden breakup while on tour in Europe led me to David Lowery's old school blog which provides background on his songs, his early days, and certain moments in CVB, like the split:
https://300songs.com/2010/08/30/40-sad-lovers-waltz-camper-van-beethoven-a-viking-funeral-pyre/
And as a result of all this, I listened to CVB v1's records, which I hadn't revisited in a while. Highly recommended if you haven't heard them in some time.
Looking forward to the playlist (all new to me!) and your picks.
Wow! I’m going to have to watch this! I’m a huge fan of CVB and Cracker. I was lucky enough to snag the one copy of CVBs Telephone Free Landslide Victory on Record Store Day this year! It was one I always looked for back in the day!
I should've picked up a copy on RSD! Mine is, um, "well worn."
I'm gonna watch that documentary right now. I love a good music doc.
Thanks for the link! Feel like I'm gonna have a field day reading each of these. Good timing too; today is Key Lime Pie's turn at bat in the Best of '89 challenge I've been doing.
Hello everyone! This morning on my turntable: Lou Rawls - Black and Blue. Such a great record that never gets old.
Never listened to that one, will have to give it a “spin”!
That's an early one, right? Someday I will bore everyone with my story of seeing Lou Rawls play a show.
Yes! His version of How Long, How Long Blues is one of the best ever, IMO. And yes, please!!!
Good morning here is what has been in the air here:
1. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3wBlm9P7dw8ZMh4DgXzNcJ?si=9766af3fb50f4e98
2. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1knJSMzp6SWo8aUh3W2hVo?si=4965d030b6b24cb9
3. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1EpiZRrzSeuNAh?si=e1c07f9fff214f33
Have a great week!
JP
See you still have Lord Huron’s Nothing That I Need on your list - it’s such a great song!
It just got stuck and wont let me go
Thank you, Jon!
Following some new stuff over the past couple of weeks - the new Chappell Roan- Subway, the new Royel Otis- Say Something, the new Wolf Alice- The Sofa. And still listening to Wet Leg’s Moisturizer on repeat lol
I love Say Something! It’s my favourite of the releases from the new album so far. Big fan of Subway too.
Lol. Still listening to Wet Leg! I love it.
I’ve been listening to the new Cloud Nothings album. It’s really good.
Do they have a new one I don't know about or are you listening to the one that came out last year, Final Summer?
It’s called The Black Hole Understands
Seems like that just snuck out. Thanks for the heads up.
So, if you look on Spotify, it says it was just released on July 23rd. If you go to Bandcamp, it has a 2020 release date. I think (?) this might be the first time it's been available to stream?
Soooo good!
Great new track from Chloe Slater - Harriet https://open.spotify.com/track/209gemJjT5HBPKA2Pspu8L?si=4PFB-UOIRUStrhnir0R62w
I’ve also listened to the Minus 5 album Oar On, Penelope for the first time today. Really like the opening track https://open.spotify.com/track/6fDNhQZfWrH529dn569A6J?si=RymHkJOIStiIG6IeF6mL_A
I forgot they had a new one coming out -- thanks for the reminder!
Thanks for these, Lou! Chloe Slater is a new one for me, and I hope a bunch of people see you Minus 5 comment and check the record out. it's pretty awesome.
It is! Chloe Slater is also well worth checking out
My recent favorites:
Kris Kristofferson - The Silver Tongued Devil and I
LL Cool J - The Force
Jon Spencer Blues Explosion - Acme
Rip Van Winkle - Blasphemy
Matt Berry - Heard Noises
Project Move - Butterfly Theory
Low Healer - Hold Music
Now, this is a mix!
I am in the middle rebuilding my cd collection and getting a physical copy of all the albums I downloaded on limewire back in the day. So it's a mix of new music I am checking out and my most recent cd purchases!
I read Mike Campbell's memoir last week, so I've been listening to a lot Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Campbell's guitar playing and songwriting is such a big part of why I love TP and the band. Lots of great deep tracks on those albums too, like "Magnolia" from You're Gonna Get It!.
I saw them for the second time in the mid-2000s. And I remember my main takeaway being -- holy cow, Mike Campbell has written more great riffs and solos than I remembered. I keep hearing good things about his memoir, so I'm curious to check it out.
I highly recommend it.
Safe to assume I should have this memoir on my TBR list?
If you are a fan of the Heartbreakers, absolutely.
Push Puppets and Popsicko
https://weatheredmusic.ca
Great write up this week, Norman! "I like that Pointer Sisters record, too" is not a sentence I imagined I'd be writing today, but here we are. lol.
Thanks also for mentioning Popsicko. SW Lauden was close to the band, and has written quite a bit about them and this record.
https://rememberthelightning.substack.com/
Been spending time listening to Brigitte Calls Me Baby as I’m seeing them live in concert in Manchester next week
They are super fun live! I saw them locally back in maybe April or something - apparently the last of their smaller shows on moving on to larger venues.
From the july electronica harvest:
https://amadeupsound.bandcamp.com/album/ex-libris-001-2
https://jakojako.bandcamp.com/album/t-t-41
https://rroxymore.bandcamp.com/album/juggling-dualities
https://homenormal.bandcamp.com/album/rusted-in-the-salt-air
https://skeemask.bandcamp.com/album/e
https://burial.bandcamp.com/album/comafields-imaginary-festival
Right on! Thanks for these. I'm always looking for more electronica/EDM.
My son introduced me to Mike Edel—in particular, a song called Casseroles & flowers. I’ve added that to my mix this week, and smile every time he sings, “The rain falls down on the old blue house…” (We live in an old blue house).
A new one for me! Thanks for getting it on my radar.
New Nine Inch Nails & Paul Weller! https://danpal.substack.com/p/new-music-from-nine-inch-nails-and?r=lru5s
YES!
Something about Sy Smith has me in a trance. Seems no matter the time or place either of these songs will hit the spot-
- Bad On You (Bonus) [ft. Anthony Hamilton]
- Perspective
Honorable mention (usually queued right after Sy Smith);
Just Another Honky - Faces
Also, have been loving this thread to find new music! My Spotify algorithm has nothing on an open forum.
Right on! That's the north star of this entire project. I'm really happy to hear it. :)
Just got turned onto Mogwai! Started with Young Team and it rocked my world.
I’ve also had the Jesus Piece EP on repeat for something heavier. Sinking into Oppressor is one of my favorite runs in hardcore!