Happy Monday, and hello to all of you to that joined us over the weekend! Thanks for joining us. We kick each week off with some of what I’ve had in heavy rotation.
Many of these come from reader recommendations; please keep those coming!
Now it’s your turn.
What song/record/band should we have on our radar? Is there a recent release you’re excited about? Maybe an upcoming one? Find something killer while out crate digging? Share it below!
This morning I felt like spinning “Hot Buttered Soul” by Isaac Hayes. What an absolute journey of an album. It redefined soul and paved the way for so many other artists/records that otherwise perhaps wouldn’t have seen the light of day! If anyone is interested, the Rough Trade pressing of this album is pretty decent at a very affordable price.
I've loved this trio for going on 10 years now. Lately I keep coming back to this track from their latest album. Hope it finds you well.
Also, my brother and I are endeavoring on a project to combine our love of writing and our love for music. I'd appreciated it if any of you would read it and let me know what you think. And please subscribe if it seems like something you'd be interested in. I've posted a link to my first go at it below. Thanks!
Not new, but yesterday I went to the neighborhood bar for the first time in three years, and we blasted Bill Withers on the turntable... Sounded better than ever for all sorts of reasons!
Not new, but yesterday I went out to my neighborhood bar for the first time in three years, and we blasted Bill Withers on the turn table... Sounded better than ever for all sorts of reasons!
Runnin' at another 60% on the awareness meter....that's 60% of artists I've NOT heard of on today's 'List! Are those HORNS I'm hearing on the Jesus and Mary Chain track? Goodness....did they wander in on an Earth, Wind & Fire session by mistake? I notice there's no mention (on the Wiki page for the song) of who did the horns, although I'm noticing it's a re-working of their "I Hate Rock'n'Roll."
I enjoy the Alvvays track. I know you've featured them before, but I particularly enjoy their Plimsoul-y guitar sound running through the song on this one, although the song, itself, isn't really melting my butter.
As for what I'M listening to.....a little more Scouting For Girls' original material, after covering their cover album, "Easy Cover".....which is really only to thank them for re-Tweeting, over the weekend, the link to my article about that album! A jolly good generous gesture by my new favorite band!
Been searching the 'net (for an upcoming post) for some classic 'story telling' songs.
This was prompted by Mat Osman of Suede who put out a challenge on social media that, in his view,. there has never been a better example than 'Up the Junction' by Squeeze, a whole 'kitchen sink drama' film reduced to three minutes (and some very funny rhymes)!
So far, I've got Bobbie Gentry's 'Ode to Billie Joe' in at my #1 slot, with as much of a story as 'UtJ', but with an added bit of 'intrigue' thrown into the mix ...
... but if you, or any of your readers, have got another one to trump that, then let me know!
My weekend was taken up with finally completing my Best Of 2022: Rock, Folk, Etc., which meant close listens to C. Duncan's Alluvium, Beabadoobee's Beatopia, Living Hour's Someday Is Today, and 2nd Grade's Easy Listening as I finished up the 29 new reviews featured on the list. Read all about it here: http://anearful.blogspot.com/2023/03/best-of-2022-rock-folk-etc.html#.ZBCqqXbMJPY
I've also started work on my last Best Of 2022 list, focusing on reissues, so I listened to most of the Revolver and Wilco boxes...more to come on that later!
I meant to mention it after reading this- Lifeguard's EP is amazing. How are they still in HS?! I really dug "Easy Listening" as well. I reviewed both on here somewhere. Same with Automatic and RBCF. Also, "And, in contrast to the title, there's no fat on these carbon-steel bones" is the kind of line I wish I'd thought of when writing it up.
Been obsessing over “Honey I’m Afraid” by Bluhm. Reminds me of another song from long ago and far away, but I can’t put my finger on it. https://spotify.link/3XTTkGZCayb
Love this playlist. This is my big brother's band, Surefire Method. It's Gen X punk music. They just started recording and playing live a few months ago. https://www.youtube.com/@surefiremethod
I doubt it, though I'm the wrong guy to ask- I go like once every few years. Not for nothing, I bring that up in tomorrow's post.
The soundtrack of "In Bruges" is a vibe dude!
https://spotify.link/ibU8gV6n8xb
This link went to a different recording, but I found it. Nice vibe for sure! How's the move going?
Oops, my bad. The "Schubert: Wintereisse" track is a part of the movie's soundtrack but I linked to its original album by mistake.
The move's going well, just finalized a home, will move into it in the next 10 days. Crazy times! 😀
Awesome. I'm happy to hear it! Crazy times indeed! Can't say I enjoy moving all that much.
Hahaha, yes it's definitely stressful, and here I am, doing it for the second time in 6 months 🥲
King Crimson's In The Wake of Poseidon!
A recent find, or an old favorite?
This morning I felt like spinning “Hot Buttered Soul” by Isaac Hayes. What an absolute journey of an album. It redefined soul and paved the way for so many other artists/records that otherwise perhaps wouldn’t have seen the light of day! If anyone is interested, the Rough Trade pressing of this album is pretty decent at a very affordable price.
Very nice!
https://open.spotify.com/track/634nGq9ul0nBMzjXDvz68t?si=6dcc4537411340f2
I've loved this trio for going on 10 years now. Lately I keep coming back to this track from their latest album. Hope it finds you well.
Also, my brother and I are endeavoring on a project to combine our love of writing and our love for music. I'd appreciated it if any of you would read it and let me know what you think. And please subscribe if it seems like something you'd be interested in. I've posted a link to my first go at it below. Thanks!
https://derekpetty.substack.com/p/lend-your-ear-a-pandemic-song
That was a great read! Thanks for posting it here.
And thank you for reading!
Not new, but yesterday I went to the neighborhood bar for the first time in three years, and we blasted Bill Withers on the turntable... Sounded better than ever for all sorts of reasons!
Wait, your local has a record player??
Yes!
That's my kinda place!
Not new, but yesterday I went out to my neighborhood bar for the first time in three years, and we blasted Bill Withers on the turn table... Sounded better than ever for all sorts of reasons!
New record from Australia's Civic "Taken By Force"
Listening to this right now. Perfect for a mid-AM Tuesday at work.
It's growing on me but I absolutely loved the previous record Future Forecast
I went down the Johnny Thunders/The Heartbreakers rabbit hole again. It happens...
Indeed it does!
Runnin' at another 60% on the awareness meter....that's 60% of artists I've NOT heard of on today's 'List! Are those HORNS I'm hearing on the Jesus and Mary Chain track? Goodness....did they wander in on an Earth, Wind & Fire session by mistake? I notice there's no mention (on the Wiki page for the song) of who did the horns, although I'm noticing it's a re-working of their "I Hate Rock'n'Roll."
I enjoy the Alvvays track. I know you've featured them before, but I particularly enjoy their Plimsoul-y guitar sound running through the song on this one, although the song, itself, isn't really melting my butter.
As for what I'M listening to.....a little more Scouting For Girls' original material, after covering their cover album, "Easy Cover".....which is really only to thank them for re-Tweeting, over the weekend, the link to my article about that album! A jolly good generous gesture by my new favorite band!
I love it when that happens! :)
Over the weekend I was on a Greta Van Fleet kick and nothing else I tried playing was satisfying that energy.
You may also like Led Zeppelin. They copied Van Fleet...;)
Turned up to 11, no doubt. All the better to make sure other people in the garage know you're there. :)
Been searching the 'net (for an upcoming post) for some classic 'story telling' songs.
This was prompted by Mat Osman of Suede who put out a challenge on social media that, in his view,. there has never been a better example than 'Up the Junction' by Squeeze, a whole 'kitchen sink drama' film reduced to three minutes (and some very funny rhymes)!
So far, I've got Bobbie Gentry's 'Ode to Billie Joe' in at my #1 slot, with as much of a story as 'UtJ', but with an added bit of 'intrigue' thrown into the mix ...
... but if you, or any of your readers, have got another one to trump that, then let me know!
You have a link to the list? I'm sure people have added tons of good ones by now?
Due out this Friday
Right on! I'll keep an eye out for it.
Throw Down Bone - “Three”
River Flows Reverse - “The Homing Bird’s Trace”
Gina Birch - “I Play My Bass Loud”
Loved "I Play My Bass Loud."
Sweet! This makes me happy.
If you enjoyed that you may like this too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUHxgcN4JPQ
the beths are soo good! i've been loving the new blondshell cover; her record is coming out in april!
https://open.spotify.com/album/3vdEPdCmjkdxlprWNkgRsZ?si=WhZ4nuViRU-8zad3YWyqeg
This was a new one for me! I'm probably the only one that hears it, but they remind me of Dolores O'Riordan.
Blondshell is fantastic!
I went back in time to '69. Woodstock: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DX6WdWXzlAP9E?si=363c9539cd694345
Gonna have to dive into this one later today! I forgot that a lot of these artists were there.
Muddy Monk and Casper!!!!!
I had a busy week. I listened to this:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6v4wEixlzNkYVGEJWDoWcn?si=812c51e3096849a3
On Repeat Playlist #185, Alvvays and the Police pleased my ears.
Fantastic Planet - Failure
A Perfect Circle - Thirteenth Step
Twisted Rose - Watch The Stars
Chiiild - Better Luck In The Next Life
I also listened to 8 versions of the Sabre Dance, including a performance by the person who wrote it, Aram Khachaturian.
Billie Holiday - Billie Holiday Sings
The Art of Noise - Duane Eddie and Peter Gunn
Echo & The Bunnymen - Porcupine
The Earl Scruggs Review - Bold & New
Colin Meloy - Colin Meloy Sings
Duane Eddy - Dance With The Guitar Man
Duane Eddy - "Twang" A Country Song
And, of course, the usual array of questionable characters that I sample but never listen to all the way through, singles and albums.
Now I have to do some writing.
Nice! I'm happy you found a couple on the list you liked. I've found myself listening to Zenyatta Mondatta a LOT lately. Not sure why.
Art of Noise! You've got my ear there, Colin Meloy too. All in all, that's my kinda list.
My weekend was taken up with finally completing my Best Of 2022: Rock, Folk, Etc., which meant close listens to C. Duncan's Alluvium, Beabadoobee's Beatopia, Living Hour's Someday Is Today, and 2nd Grade's Easy Listening as I finished up the 29 new reviews featured on the list. Read all about it here: http://anearful.blogspot.com/2023/03/best-of-2022-rock-folk-etc.html#.ZBCqqXbMJPY
I've also started work on my last Best Of 2022 list, focusing on reissues, so I listened to most of the Revolver and Wilco boxes...more to come on that later!
I meant to mention it after reading this- Lifeguard's EP is amazing. How are they still in HS?! I really dug "Easy Listening" as well. I reviewed both on here somewhere. Same with Automatic and RBCF. Also, "And, in contrast to the title, there's no fat on these carbon-steel bones" is the kind of line I wish I'd thought of when writing it up.
Cheers! And yes, between Lifeguard and Horsegirl, something in the water fountains in those Chicago high schools...
I don't know what it is, but I hope there's more of that where it came from!
Been obsessing over “Honey I’m Afraid” by Bluhm. Reminds me of another song from long ago and far away, but I can’t put my finger on it. https://spotify.link/3XTTkGZCayb
Oh, that's good! I can't say what it reminds me of either, though.
Love this playlist. This is my big brother's band, Surefire Method. It's Gen X punk music. They just started recording and playing live a few months ago. https://www.youtube.com/@surefiremethod
Thanks! And thanks for linking to your brother's band. Besides YT, where can we see more?
They've done a few live shows, but I don't think they are recorded. They post their music to Soundcloud. Here is the linktree from their Instagram. https://linktr.ee/surefiremethodmusic?fbclid=IwAR20Ahc3BAHhN2VN1W9xz94O2-v_tw4aSvoVwA-wLpaaqVcsJHpJ-qE09fg
Right on!