Happy Monday, everyone, and a warm welcome to those of you who joined us over the weekend! It’s great to have you here with us.
As always, the playlist below is some of what I’ve been playing this week. Several of these came from reader recommendations, so please keep ‘em coming!
Now it’s your turn.
What caught your ear this week? Find anything good while crate digging? Is there an upcoming release you’re excited for?
Just finished the Documentary "Where are you Jay Bennett" - so I've been listening to his stuff. We're interviewing Gorman Bechard, the director of that film, "Color Me Obsessed" (about the 'mats), "Who Is Lydia Loveless," and a bunch of other music docs. I'm not the biggest WIlco fan, but loved the Sam Jones doc "I Am Trying To Break Your Heart" - Gorman's doc actually breaks your heart.
I'm glad you liked it! it's a great record. I must be the last person on Earth that hasn't heard "Eye on the Bat" yet, but I finally started it about :10 minutes ago. So far, so good.
Great list, sir, especially The Pretenders! I've had my head into 1st Wave on SiriusXM and heard The Sugarcubes 'Birthday' and a ton of The Smiths! There's also a Sunday night program called Dark Wave hosted by Slicing Up Eyeballs Matt Sebastian and that had some real mindblow segments, including Chapterhouse's 'Pearl' and Shriekback's 'The Big Hush.'
I'm never up late enough to hear the show, but they usually post the Dark Wave playlist the next day, so I try and go through and play a bunch of the tracks. Soooo many good picks on those lists!
Have been on a Talking Heads kick as well, but also found myself going down the Little Feat rabbit hole — an occasional indulgence — with the live album Waiting for Columbus. New music: Really enjoying Lucinda Williams' newest.
Yay for that dog.! Spinning the triplets rn in fact - thanks to you recommending me to see if Petra Haden is still active on IG, there was a reel from Jack Black pumping their 2020 album The Family Songbook. I didn't know about this one before but the first track is really dirgey, second song really country. Will give the whole thing a listen in hopes that something will perk up my ears.
I've always liked the sound of the bagpipes. Likely something my grandfather instilled somewhere along the way. I was traveling over the weekend, and, inspired by a song on another playlist, decided to create a dedicated one.
Just saw that The Weather Station is playing in Toronto in December for three days and six albums in their entirety. Found out about her a few year ago through the indie buzz around "Ignorance" and fell in love with that album. Going to see her on the night she's playing "Ignorance" and "How Is It That I Should Look at the Stars," so I've been reacquainting myself with those albums.
First stop: all of my junior high dances. I know he's an easy target for people to make fun of, but a lot of that stuff holds up. And he collabs with some great people these days like Fee Waybill from The Tubes.
Hi Kevin and fellow Substackers! Crate digging whilst on holiday, I finally got Random Access Memories on vinyl. Looking forward to spinning it when back home!
This came our last year but I just discovered it, it's a compilation on the Irish Dimple Disc label and has connections to several bands I really like - The Undertones, The High Llamas, The Tea Set and also has 2 songs by the very talented Eileen Gogan who has a beautiful voice - https://dimplediscs.bandcamp.com/album/bunnies-babies
As someone that tends to overthink everything, just letting it wash over you doesn't come easy for me. But it's also the best way to listen to a jazz record (or any record, really).
Kevin - I used to HATE Peter Gabriel. We played "Sledgehammer" on the radio more times than my stomach could handle. But fast-forward 30+ years and I am now slowly digesting the best of his work with Genesis and his solo career. My favorite song these days is "Here Comes The Flood."
I used to as well. If I never see that scene from "Say Anything" again...
But a few years ago, I got back into the early stuff- not in the hipster "I only like his early records" way. I just happened to find a copy of "Melt" that was priced to move. From there, I dove back into the some of the stuff that came before So.
It’s so hard to pick a favorite. I’m very into the early stuff right now, it’s super inspiring. But, the jazzier later years are also so great as well!
I enjoyed listening to Black Rebel Motorcycle Club this week along with a new released from Arthur Alexander. A longer list is on weathered music.ca Opening your playlist with Peter Gabriel certainly got my attention, more good music, thanks Kevin.
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and Arthur Alexander were highlight from another week of good music. A longer list is on https://weatheredmusic.ca Opening with Peter Gabriel will get me every time, thanks Kevin.
That Warren Zevon album is just an utter classic! On the new side, I've been listening a lot to this gorgeous electronic album by Omar Ahmad called Inheritance (https://themusicofomar.bandcamp.com/album/inheritance), just incredible stuff. Also enjoying the first semi-final for the #5albums project on Twitter, giving my (sometimes unpopular) opinions on flawed classics like Pretzel Logic and Transformer.
Something sent me down a rabbit hole after Interpol's great album "Antics"; and it has stuck with me HARD for a few days l onger than most things do. I've tried a few things from their latest album, but nothing yet has seemed such a clear, strong distillation of what made Interpol great as tracks like "Evil" and "C'mere", from Antics.
Dang it, I wanted to credit the proper Substacker for turning me on to Dungeon of Skeletons (Kevin can you remind me?). I've been playing that album for a few days now and it's some of the best power-pop I've heard in a long time. It's hilarious what a misnomer their name is. But funny. Hopefully they gain a following. Gorgeous vocals.
I've been listening to a few other new albums -- a couple I already told you about. Mainly, Youth Lagoon's latest and The National Honor Society's To all the Distance Between Us. Both really impressed me a lot more than expected.
Thank you, Kevin! A playlist with The Jayhawks on it is always a warranty :)
It was update week for Reflect & Relax Cafe, so these were the chosen:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6EcLhgESeOBX3Fvfxt8SH4?si=z6PRf7anQGW8U7AG1P4Hsw
Have a great week!
Blackbraid
Nakamarra by Hiatus Kaiyote and Q-Tip. The beauty of this song is beyond my words. Play it and have a giant smile on your face for the next hour!
https://open.spotify.com/track/12v5GBM74fB8WsHJPQRTIe?si=b251a70dc7c0448e
Hiatus Kaiyote is the shit. Saw them live in Amsterdam last October and they blew me away. Their last album is primo.
I would love to see them live. I play this live set all the time!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcL-kWRt5Sk
I'm on it!
Been spending a bit of time with Cymande, particularly their 1972 self-titles debut (https://cymande.bandcamp.com/album/cymande)
Also been listening to the latest albums by:
Yves Tumor (https://yves-tumor.bandcamp.com/album/praise-a-lord-who-chews-but-which-does-not-consume-or-simply-hot-between-worlds)
Frankie Rose (https://frankierose.bandcamp.com/album/love-as-projection)
Alex E.T. (https://alexet.bandcamp.com/album/the-ashes)
And the recent reissue of Cabo Verdean reggae artist Tchiss Lopes (https://arabustarecords.bandcamp.com/album/stranger-j-catem-traboi)
Cymande and Yves Tumor are choice. I saw Yves back in May and it was amazing. Like grungy Prince vibes.
I really like that Frankie Rose record. "Anything" got a lot of plays from me when it was first released.
Just finished the Documentary "Where are you Jay Bennett" - so I've been listening to his stuff. We're interviewing Gorman Bechard, the director of that film, "Color Me Obsessed" (about the 'mats), "Who Is Lydia Loveless," and a bunch of other music docs. I'm not the biggest WIlco fan, but loved the Sam Jones doc "I Am Trying To Break Your Heart" - Gorman's doc actually breaks your heart.
Gorman is an interesting filmmaker, and I'm a huge mats fan, but I think "Where are you Jay Bennett?" may be his best. Such a tragedy.
Keith, where can I watch "Where Are You Jay Bennett?"
Right on! I'm looking forward to listening to it. Please post a link for everyone when the episode drops!
Another varied & most excellen playlist. Justin Nuñez was a nice discovery. Thanks.
Eye On The Bat by Palehound has rocketed to #1 album of the year contender for me.
Glad you’re enjoying Justin Nuñez! That Palehound record is excellent as well.
I'm glad you liked it! it's a great record. I must be the last person on Earth that hasn't heard "Eye on the Bat" yet, but I finally started it about :10 minutes ago. So far, so good.
Great list, sir, especially The Pretenders! I've had my head into 1st Wave on SiriusXM and heard The Sugarcubes 'Birthday' and a ton of The Smiths! There's also a Sunday night program called Dark Wave hosted by Slicing Up Eyeballs Matt Sebastian and that had some real mindblow segments, including Chapterhouse's 'Pearl' and Shriekback's 'The Big Hush.'
I'm never up late enough to hear the show, but they usually post the Dark Wave playlist the next day, so I try and go through and play a bunch of the tracks. Soooo many good picks on those lists!
Have been on a Talking Heads kick as well, but also found myself going down the Little Feat rabbit hole — an occasional indulgence — with the live album Waiting for Columbus. New music: Really enjoying Lucinda Williams' newest.
Yay for that dog.! Spinning the triplets rn in fact - thanks to you recommending me to see if Petra Haden is still active on IG, there was a reel from Jack Black pumping their 2020 album The Family Songbook. I didn't know about this one before but the first track is really dirgey, second song really country. Will give the whole thing a listen in hopes that something will perk up my ears.
I haven't heard it, either. I'll have to give it a shot!
I built a bagpipe playlist this weekend starting with the classics. I'm planning to add to it this week.
Wait, really? I'm genuinely curious to see/hear it. What inspired you to put that together? Do you have a link to share?
I've always liked the sound of the bagpipes. Likely something my grandfather instilled somewhere along the way. I was traveling over the weekend, and, inspired by a song on another playlist, decided to create a dedicated one.
Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3jpToDQi4yfCnKdNCb0O56?si=adf6d34498f6422d
Thank you!
Just saw that The Weather Station is playing in Toronto in December for three days and six albums in their entirety. Found out about her a few year ago through the indie buzz around "Ignorance" and fell in love with that album. Going to see her on the night she's playing "Ignorance" and "How Is It That I Should Look at the Stars," so I've been reacquainting myself with those albums.
Dude, we are traveling to Nostalgia-ville right now and listening to Richard Marx's Greatest Hits.
First stop: all of my junior high dances. I know he's an easy target for people to make fun of, but a lot of that stuff holds up. And he collabs with some great people these days like Fee Waybill from The Tubes.
He was an excellent songwriter and a good musician, but he did write a few duds. Still, the good ones really do stand up - I agree!
Hi Kevin and fellow Substackers! Crate digging whilst on holiday, I finally got Random Access Memories on vinyl. Looking forward to spinning it when back home!
Nice! Where's you guys travel to this time?
Switzerland, to see Stephan’s family and spend a couple of days by one of their famous lakes. Stunning views and amazing food!
Sounds wonderful!
Thanks! Hope you’re having a good week
Mainly been obsessing over my own stuff, but new Blonde Redhead will definitely get my attention! I like it.
https://open.spotify.com/track/3cVEXHZ2G8tJMGoYff4B3q?si=73c2e0790257485a
I didn’t realize there was new Blonde Redhead material, thanks for that! Turns out there’s a new album coming on Sept 23. Awesome!!
Really dug this. I know it's an off the wall comparison, but I got strong Portishead vibes from it.
This came our last year but I just discovered it, it's a compilation on the Irish Dimple Disc label and has connections to several bands I really like - The Undertones, The High Llamas, The Tea Set and also has 2 songs by the very talented Eileen Gogan who has a beautiful voice - https://dimplediscs.bandcamp.com/album/bunnies-babies
Oh, this was awesome! Cathal Coughlan, The Undertones, what more could you want? :)
Thanks Kevin 👍 😊
Colter Wall's new album - "Little Songs"
John Coltrane - "Evenings at the Village Gate (Live)"
Both came out last Friday. I'm not a big jazz guy but I also don't hate it. It just depends on my mood at the moment.
As someone that tends to overthink everything, just letting it wash over you doesn't come easy for me. But it's also the best way to listen to a jazz record (or any record, really).
Kevin - I used to HATE Peter Gabriel. We played "Sledgehammer" on the radio more times than my stomach could handle. But fast-forward 30+ years and I am now slowly digesting the best of his work with Genesis and his solo career. My favorite song these days is "Here Comes The Flood."
That's a great, great song. I can forgive every other excessively harped-on thing he did for that one.
Lol - right?!
I used to as well. If I never see that scene from "Say Anything" again...
But a few years ago, I got back into the early stuff- not in the hipster "I only like his early records" way. I just happened to find a copy of "Melt" that was priced to move. From there, I dove back into the some of the stuff that came before So.
This week's bender came after reading one of Marshall Bowden's latest posts: https://newdirectionsinmusic.substack.com/p/my-life-in-the-cutout-bins-peter
Great point about the boombox scene! ha ha.
And thank you for introducing me to Marshall and that post!
You bet! He's doing some great stuff over there.
Today its Kevin Morby
I had a mostly Stereolab weekend. Working my way through their discog and up to Dots and Loops today.
Ahh I love Dots and Loops, such a great album!
Seriously! I kind of forgot how good it is!
Peng! and Dots and Loops are my 2 faves. When I was finishing up my degree I would listen to "Brakage" on a loop.
Brakage, what an opening track!
It’s so hard to pick a favorite. I’m very into the early stuff right now, it’s super inspiring. But, the jazzier later years are also so great as well!
I enjoyed listening to Black Rebel Motorcycle Club this week along with a new released from Arthur Alexander. A longer list is on weathered music.ca Opening your playlist with Peter Gabriel certainly got my attention, more good music, thanks Kevin.
Of course! I'm glad you liked it.
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and Arthur Alexander were highlight from another week of good music. A longer list is on https://weatheredmusic.ca Opening with Peter Gabriel will get me every time, thanks Kevin.
I haven't heard that Arthur Alexander record yet, but Big Stir records has really been pushing it, and they usually put out my kinda music.
Btw, is there a way to sign up so I don't miss any of your new posts?
That Warren Zevon album is just an utter classic! On the new side, I've been listening a lot to this gorgeous electronic album by Omar Ahmad called Inheritance (https://themusicofomar.bandcamp.com/album/inheritance), just incredible stuff. Also enjoying the first semi-final for the #5albums project on Twitter, giving my (sometimes unpopular) opinions on flawed classics like Pretzel Logic and Transformer.
Something sent me down a rabbit hole after Interpol's great album "Antics"; and it has stuck with me HARD for a few days l onger than most things do. I've tried a few things from their latest album, but nothing yet has seemed such a clear, strong distillation of what made Interpol great as tracks like "Evil" and "C'mere", from Antics.
Hmmmmm... I spy a song on your list that gives a clue to my new newsletter name! 🤫
Hmmm. Well now my curiosity's piqued!
Girl In A Tower- A serialized modern take on Rapunzel, perhaps? :D
🤷🏼♀️
Dang it, I wanted to credit the proper Substacker for turning me on to Dungeon of Skeletons (Kevin can you remind me?). I've been playing that album for a few days now and it's some of the best power-pop I've heard in a long time. It's hilarious what a misnomer their name is. But funny. Hopefully they gain a following. Gorgeous vocals.
I've been listening to a few other new albums -- a couple I already told you about. Mainly, Youth Lagoon's latest and The National Honor Society's To all the Distance Between Us. Both really impressed me a lot more than expected.
That was Keith R. Higgons. He recently interviewed them for his Abandoned Albums podcast.
https://abandonedalbums.com/2023/07/episode-508-dungeon-of-skeletons/
Your playlist looks great - can't wait to get to it at some point (I'm back on #190, because I'm behind on almost everything).
Three newish things that I've been into over the last week:
Palehound/Eye on the Bat - I know I'm not the first to mention this
Tom Curless & the 46%/Speaking in Code - solid pop/power pop from Michigan
The Pretty Flowers/A Company Sleeve - really good rock