Good morning! Welcome to each of you who joined us this past week! You’ve landed at what was once described as “the nicest place on the internet.“ Looking for a place to share the music you love with like-minded people? You’re in the right spot.
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When you’re ready, joining them is easy. Just click here:
On to the music:
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:
Now it’s your turn.
What caught your ear this week? How are your AOTY lists coming along? Any upcoming releases or shows you’re excited about?
Marillion released a remastered deluxe edition of This Strange Engine on Friday. I have been playing the four discs in that set nonstop since it arrived.
I haven’t heard that name for many years! Kayleigh, from their third album was one of my most favorite songs around that time! I just looked at their discography and they have been prolific! I’m going to have to check out all of their albums!
I’ve spent much of the weekend enjoying three incredible albums that dropped on Friday, all of which will almost certainly make my top 20 this year:
• Kim Deal - Nobody Loves You More
• Michael Kiwanuka - Small Changes
• Father John Misty - Mahashmashana
Hard to believe this is Kim Deal’s first solo album but it’s incredible (which isn’t surprising). I wasn’t a huge fan of Michael Kiwanuka’s second album and “Small Changes” is very much a return to form for me. By now, most people will know what they’re getting from Father John Misty; he’s not for everyone for sure, but this album is sublime, in my view the best since “I Love You, Honeybear”.
I'm enjoying the Deal and Misty (full on embrace of his Vegas vibe). Though I loved last few Kiwanuka albums & Sault, the new one was a bit flat on 1st listen - beautiful but zzzz. Will certainly give it another listen and see if it grows.
We, too, are enjoying Kiwanuka's new LP. There is so much emotion and almost a world-weariness in his voice. We just saw him in October (2nd time—first was just before everything shut down in 2020), and he was brilliant.
I have seen Father John Misty twice. The first time (2015) was mainly to see King Tuff who opened. The King was a lot of fun. My first time time seeing Misty he came off as an arrogant jerk. Little did I know that was part of “his act”. I saw him again a few years ago, he has definitely lost the attitude.
I saw The Heads in ‘79, 1982 and with Saint Vincent in 2019(?)
Soldier Coliseum, Kansas City, KS in 1979 was maybe half full. Somehow he is now the Darling of Broadway. Took along time for people to “get” what he has is about.
Love Doug Sahm’s first album. It’s a treasure with Dr. John, Dylan, David Bromberg, and saxophonist David Fathead Newman (Ray Charles band).
Mustard is listening to "Stay Golden" by emo/alternative band Combat. This is a band that Mustard was recently introduced to. They have not gelled so well with an album like this in some time.
Yesterday was the start of the baking season for the upcoming Holiday.
Starting off I made cardamom shortbread cookies with orange glaze. Van Morrison, tupelo Honey, and Herb Alpert, a taste of Honey, with a smattering of other songs seem to be appropriate.
I then moved on to spiced apple muffins with a cardamom/ cinnamon crumble. I paired this with Dead Shrimp Blues by Robert Johnson. Green onions by Booker T and the MG's.
I also recall playing sugar sugar by The Archies, Spam by Monty Python, and finished off the day with American pie by Don McLean.
Tuesday's the big day, I will make my pumpkin pies. I start by baking and pureeing squash that I grew in the garden and then actually make the pies. I mix two different types of squash together to get the right consistency and texture. So, of course I will start the day with American pie by Don McLean and also be playing a fair amount of Humble Pie.
I’ve always loved the Cracker album with the sardine can on the cover. Songs like ‘Cracker Soul’ ‘Satisfy You’ and ‘Happy Birthday to Me’ are classics.
Love to see "(Let's All) Turn On" by the Hoodoo Gurus on the playlist today! Stoneage Romeos is one of my favorite albums. I recently picked up the album Life's Too Fast by High Fade. Amazing funky band from Scotland. Definitely an AOTY contender.
Yes! My favorite show of theirs was when I saw them play a theater in Boston in 1987 the same night U2 was playing the Boston Garden. Such a ferocious, fun performance.
I had an overly busy week as we got our house ready to sell. I'm happy to say it went on the market on Thursday afternoon and was under contract in 48 hours. Huge relief! So my week was about musical comfort food or records with a certain momentum that propelled me forward when I started to wear down.
* Comfort food: U2 - Boy; Bill Frisell - Good Dog, Happy Man; GoGo Penguin - Man Made Object; Calexico - my playlist of their instrumentals:
* Momentum: Elvis Costello - King of America reissue; Fontaines DC - Dogrel; Wilco - Being There.
* New: I discovered IST IST via Mallie Hart's most recent Two For Tuesday playlist last night. As she described them, "There’s a nostalgic 1980s vibe to “The Kiss,” but it also sounds very now."
Looking forward to the playlist and your picks. Have a great week, everyone!
Let's talk more about Aja, though. That is the album that got me into Steely Dan, and it was the song "Deacon Blues" that ripped my brain out from behind the wheel of my 84 Ford Escort (or maybe that car was dead by then, not sure). It took a few years before I saw one of those "behind the music" things where they talked about Aja specifically. I was all in.
Great band to get into at anytime. I actually had two chances to see The Dan once in the ‘70s, then again in the ‘80s. They were no-shows both times. Something they were known for.
There are two bands, the other was the Talking Heads that I would seek out the date their new music was to be released and show up at the record shop to buy their latest. I could not wait to see what they were up to next. Actually ‘Countdown to Ecstasy’ and ‘Pretzel Logic’ are my favorite. Most seem to discover the band via Aja. Thanks to the hit “Peg”. You mention “Deacon Blues”. Saxophonist Pete Christlieb had played in Jonny Carson’s Tonight Show Big Band. Johnny’s band had amazing players! It is a song that creates a great atmosphere as if you’re in a dark NYC jazz club. The whole album is great and I think it caused a lot of fans to explore jazz for the first time.
I love Pretzel Logic. That one is frequently my favorite SD album depending on the mood/moment.
Those guys had the best studio musicians playing on their songs, and from what I understand, they played these parts dozens (if not hundreds) of times to get them right.
All I do know is who they worked with were always the best. Victor Feldman who played vibraphone is a good place to start. He comes straight from the world of jazz. Not many people were playing the vibraphone at the time. Guys like Milt Jackson, Buddy DeFranco, and even Gary Burton were aging out of the business. Plas Johnson led a stellar sax section, David Paich founder of Toto I believe was one of the featured guitarists. Most of their other albums feature even more “stars”.
I discovered Leif Vollebekk over the weekend and have been obsessively stalking him online. Looked up whether he was touring and discovered he played my favorite venue last week! 😭😭😭
The new Sade song from the Transa project is refreshing, and I think Joan Armatrading (73) deserves a shout out for her 21st studio album (I hope I counted right), ‘How Did This Happen and What Does It Mean?’
I’ve listened to barely anything in the last week as I’ve been too busy following We Are Scientists around on tour. I’m back home now though and inspired to catch up on some new releases and check out some recommendations here.
I've been listening to and watching Milky Chance's live stuff I like Synchronize, living in a Haze, Running, Golden, Better Off, and Stolen Dance are my favorites of the band.
I've been in the Father John Misty, Michael Kiwanuka, and Kim Deal loop like many others. Also trying to go back through the year and give things a fresh listen as we aren't far away from trying to figure out a Top 10.
A friend put me onto the instrumental concept album Compass by Californian producer Koresma and I've been hooked ever since. I was after some lofi beats with a bit more going on and this is exactly what I was looking for. I'd suggest The Overlook as a first taste
Love this!
Marillion released a remastered deluxe edition of This Strange Engine on Friday. I have been playing the four discs in that set nonstop since it arrived.
I haven’t heard that name for many years! Kayleigh, from their third album was one of my most favorite songs around that time! I just looked at their discography and they have been prolific! I’m going to have to check out all of their albums!
They are my favorite band. For me, there is Marillion...and then everyone else.
Chris Isaak - Wicked Game
Such a great one!!
I’ve spent much of the weekend enjoying three incredible albums that dropped on Friday, all of which will almost certainly make my top 20 this year:
• Kim Deal - Nobody Loves You More
• Michael Kiwanuka - Small Changes
• Father John Misty - Mahashmashana
Hard to believe this is Kim Deal’s first solo album but it’s incredible (which isn’t surprising). I wasn’t a huge fan of Michael Kiwanuka’s second album and “Small Changes” is very much a return to form for me. By now, most people will know what they’re getting from Father John Misty; he’s not for everyone for sure, but this album is sublime, in my view the best since “I Love You, Honeybear”.
Definitely going to listen to Kim Deal’s album asap!
I'm enjoying the Deal and Misty (full on embrace of his Vegas vibe). Though I loved last few Kiwanuka albums & Sault, the new one was a bit flat on 1st listen - beautiful but zzzz. Will certainly give it another listen and see if it grows.
We, too, are enjoying Kiwanuka's new LP. There is so much emotion and almost a world-weariness in his voice. We just saw him in October (2nd time—first was just before everything shut down in 2020), and he was brilliant.
I *still* haven't made it to Deal's record yet! Hoping to change that today.
I think you’ll really dig it
I have seen Father John Misty twice. The first time (2015) was mainly to see King Tuff who opened. The King was a lot of fun. My first time time seeing Misty he came off as an arrogant jerk. Little did I know that was part of “his act”. I saw him again a few years ago, he has definitely lost the attitude.
• Son Volt — Day of the Doug, a tribute to Doug Sahm, has a laidback feel I've been seeking during a busy time
• Talking Heads 77 — the opposite of laid back, but hey...
Any time's a good time for '77!
I saw The Heads in ‘79, 1982 and with Saint Vincent in 2019(?)
Soldier Coliseum, Kansas City, KS in 1979 was maybe half full. Somehow he is now the Darling of Broadway. Took along time for people to “get” what he has is about.
Love Doug Sahm’s first album. It’s a treasure with Dr. John, Dylan, David Bromberg, and saxophonist David Fathead Newman (Ray Charles band).
Popped up in sequence on my “thumbs up” play list last week
Luna: 23 minutes in Brussels (I love the bassline) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEzWq7FJ2Zs
Mercury Rev: Goddess on a Highway https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqGDHA4dcXQ
Beta Band: Dry the Rain https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ek_X_e8Byng
Badly Drawn Boy: Once Around the Block https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPVAipmV7jY
Magnetic Fields: I Don’t Really Love You Anymore https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M85roWLtGlc&list=RDM85roWLtGlc&start_radio=1
So there are three bands that Spotify is pushing onto my playlists:
Luna - Interesting alt-rock history, I am not sold yet on the actual songs
The Go-Betweens - Tight band, not my cuppa
Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever - Now this might be up my alley. Is it something about Australian indie?
I am interested in any feedback that might sway my nascent interest in any of these three bands....
Try Penthouse for a full Luna album experience and 16 Lovers Lane for The Go-Betweens. Rolling Blackouts C.F. is great.
Can I just cut and paste Justin’s comments in? 16 Lovers Lane is a fave. For RBCF, “Endless Rooms” is great as is their “The French Press” EP.
Dave Edmunds' "Slippin' Away" is such a treasure and needs to be amplified up to 11. What a twangster Welsh boi!
On this week's past playlist: Interpol, K-pop band ATEEZ and newbie (to me) from the UK: Belle.
One of my all time faves!!
Mustard is listening to "Stay Golden" by emo/alternative band Combat. This is a band that Mustard was recently introduced to. They have not gelled so well with an album like this in some time.
https://counterintuitiverecords.bandcamp.com/album/stay-golden
Kevin is happy to hear that you've found a new favorite and looks forward to checking it out.
Yesterday was the start of the baking season for the upcoming Holiday.
Starting off I made cardamom shortbread cookies with orange glaze. Van Morrison, tupelo Honey, and Herb Alpert, a taste of Honey, with a smattering of other songs seem to be appropriate.
I then moved on to spiced apple muffins with a cardamom/ cinnamon crumble. I paired this with Dead Shrimp Blues by Robert Johnson. Green onions by Booker T and the MG's.
I also recall playing sugar sugar by The Archies, Spam by Monty Python, and finished off the day with American pie by Don McLean.
Tuesday's the big day, I will make my pumpkin pies. I start by baking and pureeing squash that I grew in the garden and then actually make the pies. I mix two different types of squash together to get the right consistency and texture. So, of course I will start the day with American pie by Don McLean and also be playing a fair amount of Humble Pie.
Ha! I love it!
Thanks for the playlist - Hoodoo!
NEW & SHINY
* Kim Deal 'Nobody Loves You More'
* Father John Misty 'Mahashmashana'
* Neva Dinova 'Canary'
POLISHED GEMS
Philip Glass 'Glassworks'
R.E.M. 'Murmur'
Cracker 'Kerosene Hat'
Kerosene Hat is fantastic!
Phillip Glass and Cracker on the same list is my kinda mix!
I’ve always loved the Cracker album with the sardine can on the cover. Songs like ‘Cracker Soul’ ‘Satisfy You’ and ‘Happy Birthday to Me’ are classics.
"Happy Birthday to Me" might be my favorite Cracker song.
Love to see "(Let's All) Turn On" by the Hoodoo Gurus on the playlist today! Stoneage Romeos is one of my favorite albums. I recently picked up the album Life's Too Fast by High Fade. Amazing funky band from Scotland. Definitely an AOTY contender.
Love seeing Hoodoo Gurus as well. I was fortunate to see them once in the early 90s -- they were incredible live.
Yes! My favorite show of theirs was when I saw them play a theater in Boston in 1987 the same night U2 was playing the Boston Garden. Such a ferocious, fun performance.
Oh, that's a new name for me! Sounds like I've been missing out. I'm on it!
Listening to Flow State’s recommendation of Saapato. Very soothing.
Flow State never misses!
Good Morning From San Diego on the Left Coast.
Here is what has been in my ears:
1. Singles list https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1knJSMzp6SWo8aUh3W2hVo?si=26e3090fddef4687
2. Albums list https://open.spotify.com/playlist/71PrDfTT9eNSnK4nHDJCqx?si=c2be94cba848488e
3. Release Radar https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZEVXbiVenzsKaMd4?si=55de0f3b6dac4bf4
Have a great week everyone!
Thanks for these! Any list w/Goose on it is alright by me!
https://sonvolt.net/
this dude is for real
https://open.spotify.com/track/52iyhfd6jgU2wYB8QIYs6t?si=ac25f0b0c5804151
Son Volt forever!
His stage set up and presence is throw back old school
I had an overly busy week as we got our house ready to sell. I'm happy to say it went on the market on Thursday afternoon and was under contract in 48 hours. Huge relief! So my week was about musical comfort food or records with a certain momentum that propelled me forward when I started to wear down.
* Comfort food: U2 - Boy; Bill Frisell - Good Dog, Happy Man; GoGo Penguin - Man Made Object; Calexico - my playlist of their instrumentals:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5J9asPQt6uRQUb8GISi22e?si=dUVvhbKMRIWTaMszCeR2VA&pi=ftkRfeBuTzOlU
* Momentum: Elvis Costello - King of America reissue; Fontaines DC - Dogrel; Wilco - Being There.
* New: I discovered IST IST via Mallie Hart's most recent Two For Tuesday playlist last night. As she described them, "There’s a nostalgic 1980s vibe to “The Kiss,” but it also sounds very now."
Looking forward to the playlist and your picks. Have a great week, everyone!
Mallie and Will's Band of the Week both featured "The Kiss" this past week. What a great sound!
Two words: Michael McDonald.
Ah mo b there
A national treasure.
I heard "national treasure" in his booming (yet also high-pitched) voice.
I beg to differ on Michael McDonald. He single-handedly destroyed the Doobie Brothers turning them from a rock band to a MOR soft rock band.
He enhanced Steely Dan’s ‘Aja’ I will give him that.
Aja is so good! McDonnell is one of a kind, for sure.
I'm not sure it's fair to say that I "enjoy" him as much as I enjoy listening to him for various reasons, some of which include making fun of him.
That's what I meant with my original post, "Two words: Michael McDonald."
Andrew that was the right answer.
Let's talk more about Aja, though. That is the album that got me into Steely Dan, and it was the song "Deacon Blues" that ripped my brain out from behind the wheel of my 84 Ford Escort (or maybe that car was dead by then, not sure). It took a few years before I saw one of those "behind the music" things where they talked about Aja specifically. I was all in.
Great band to get into at anytime. I actually had two chances to see The Dan once in the ‘70s, then again in the ‘80s. They were no-shows both times. Something they were known for.
There are two bands, the other was the Talking Heads that I would seek out the date their new music was to be released and show up at the record shop to buy their latest. I could not wait to see what they were up to next. Actually ‘Countdown to Ecstasy’ and ‘Pretzel Logic’ are my favorite. Most seem to discover the band via Aja. Thanks to the hit “Peg”. You mention “Deacon Blues”. Saxophonist Pete Christlieb had played in Jonny Carson’s Tonight Show Big Band. Johnny’s band had amazing players! It is a song that creates a great atmosphere as if you’re in a dark NYC jazz club. The whole album is great and I think it caused a lot of fans to explore jazz for the first time.
I love Pretzel Logic. That one is frequently my favorite SD album depending on the mood/moment.
Those guys had the best studio musicians playing on their songs, and from what I understand, they played these parts dozens (if not hundreds) of times to get them right.
All I do know is who they worked with were always the best. Victor Feldman who played vibraphone is a good place to start. He comes straight from the world of jazz. Not many people were playing the vibraphone at the time. Guys like Milt Jackson, Buddy DeFranco, and even Gary Burton were aging out of the business. Plas Johnson led a stellar sax section, David Paich founder of Toto I believe was one of the featured guitarists. Most of their other albums feature even more “stars”.
Unsung heroes.
I have a running joke about McDonald with another reader. I happen to like his voice, but it makes him reflexively angry.
"Reflexively angry" never sounded so good (MM voice).
Lol.
The Raconteurs - Broken Boy Soldiers
TV on the Radio - Dear Science
Fugazi - 13 Songs
Hell yes.
The Unseen's Lower Class Crucifixion.
Rad!
I'm new and quite slow but want to share my motivational playlist to keep me accountable to my practice and continuous improvement... https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcyDSXbiVMCHw9JcV9p0MB3F_6B8q6cr3&feature=shared
This comment probably sounds quite corporate. Forgive me as I am still trying to find my voice 🙏
A few new-ish songs I've got in heavy rotation this week:
Water Underground - Real Estate https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDVifDI1je0
Scantily Clad - Haute & Freddy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9Ns9M0aJxo
Anyone in Love - Jalen Ngonda https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KQyUOZbh1E
Thanks for these, Dan!
I discovered Leif Vollebekk over the weekend and have been obsessively stalking him online. Looked up whether he was touring and discovered he played my favorite venue last week! 😭😭😭
https://open.spotify.com/track/4iYYYiWBVhJn1Z1V9TkyBo?si=2y7k49FRTQ2i8jbQt_L7tA&context=spotify%3Aplaylist%3A37i9dQZF1DZ06evO1Ve68X
Oh no! Hopefully, you can catch him next time!
De la Soul
Always!
This morning “janet.” was spinning on my turntable. What a great record. I have an old UK pressing and the sound is 🔥
Underrated for sure!
Giraffes and mewithoutYou were my most frequent listens this week. You nailed your selection of tunes this week Kevin, great tunes.
https://wordpress.com/post/weatheredmusic.ca/7400
Thank you, Norman I'm glad you liked it. And thanks for the link as well!
Hey Kev and to all Kev fans. Here's my weekly Substack. Now off to listen to Father John Misty as apparently everyone loves it! https://open.substack.com/pub/recentanddecent/p/recent-and-decent-48?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=1z6rnh
Thanks for this, Matt! At this point, I think I might be the last person left who hasn't heard ‘Mahashmashana yet...
1) Father John Misty, ‘Mahashmashana’
2) Kendrick, ‘GNX’
The new Sade song from the Transa project is refreshing, and I think Joan Armatrading (73) deserves a shout out for her 21st studio album (I hope I counted right), ‘How Did This Happen and What Does It Mean?’
✌️
YES! I'm so happy someone mentioned the record! I've only heard a few tracks, but Armatrading hasn't lost a step.
This playlist is awesome. I LOVE LUCINDA WILLIAMS.
Thank you, Felicia! I'm glad you're enjoying it!!
I’ve listened to barely anything in the last week as I’ve been too busy following We Are Scientists around on tour. I’m back home now though and inspired to catch up on some new releases and check out some recommendations here.
I've been listening to and watching Milky Chance's live stuff I like Synchronize, living in a Haze, Running, Golden, Better Off, and Stolen Dance are my favorites of the band.
Been listening to the new Papa M and the new Kendrick…
I gotta check out the new Kendrick too!
Trying to remain serene in not-so-serene times. This week has been my go-to artist first with a little smooth and angst mixed in for good measure:
~Mark Lanegan - Straight Songs of Sorrow
~Linkin Park - Hybrid Theory
~Morphine - Like Swimming
~Nick Cave - The Boatman's Call
Feeling much better now.
I think a lot of us are gonna really be leaning into music over the coming weeks/months.
This weeks faves:
Rage Against the Machine - Renegades
Wilco (The Album)
Bowery Electric - Beat
Heatmiser - Dead Air
Boldy James & Conductor Williams - Across the Tracks
Heatmiser! Nice! Are you from PDX? Bowery Electric's first record has been in my orbit a lot lately as well.
King Crimson -Model Man
the Manhattans -Shining Star
Kim Deal - Nobody Loves You More
Easy Eye Black Friday digital albums HERMANOS GUITIERREZ, THE ARCS, ROBERT FINLEY
Vermillion Sands - Wake Me When I Die
Sweet Reaper - Sidekick
Eddie Current Suppression Ring - Having a Hard Time
Litige - Casual Tonight
La Sabotage - Mad
I've been in the Father John Misty, Michael Kiwanuka, and Kim Deal loop like many others. Also trying to go back through the year and give things a fresh listen as we aren't far away from trying to figure out a Top 10.
A friend put me onto the instrumental concept album Compass by Californian producer Koresma and I've been hooked ever since. I was after some lofi beats with a bit more going on and this is exactly what I was looking for. I'd suggest The Overlook as a first taste
I can’t get enough of the Australian band ‘Cool Sounds’. Each track on their latest release from 2022 “Like That” is downright fun and funky!
That's a new name for me. Thanks fo the rec.!