Good morning! Looking for a place to share the music you love with like-minded people? You’re in the right spot.
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On to the music:
For those of you who are new, we kick off every week by sharing what we’ve been playing. New year, new us? Not a chance. lol.
The playlist below is some of what I’ve had in heavy rotation:
Now it’s your turn.
What caught your ear this week? Any 2025 releases or shows you’re excited about?
Just saw Slowdive on Saturday and now I need to dive into their stuff beyond Souvlaki.
Also been loving the new FKA twigs album. Also revisited Yo La Tengo’s “This Stupid World” (just found a limited edition vinyl in a discount bin) and “Fade”
I've mentioned them several times already here - but just saw DC's Flowers for the Dead again this weekend. New album not on Bandcamp so you can find here - https://open.spotify.com/album/2H5Dmldv7tZxYDLwaoB7YA. "Falling at Your Feet" is definitely On Repeat here.
I have a few recommendations this week. I recently read Lucinda William’s book, Don’t Tell Anybody The Secrets I Told You. It was a good book and talks about the struggle of her mom with mental illness and how it shaped her. It also discusses the development of her songs some of which took twenty years to write.
I also watched the documentary, The Devil and Daniel Johnston. Been like twenty years since I last watched it. It’s still one of the best documentaries I’ve ever seen.
Guster released another version of their 2024 album, Ooh La La, it’s called Ooh La Luxe. It has a couple extra demos on it. “Keep Going” and “When we were Stars” are two of my favorite tracks, but the whole album is good. I also like the demo of “It’s Wild”.
The new Larkin Poe (Fantastic), The Buzzcocks 'Another Music in a Different Kitchen', and a phenomenally talented young lady named Cecilia Castleman. I am also visiting the songs that happened to sit at #1 during each Super Bowl. That playlist is here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1qHsTQRchtrKGCAzJNUwu9?si=tCgCNQ6JRWGlDCGUfF5IMg
Nice! I too need to calm the heck down, and can't believe I failed to use Coltrane or Davis for the effort. To be remedied immediately. May add some Morphine to the mix; they inspire an odd sort of happiness for me.
I just grabbed that second Belly album on CD. It's got my husband's favorite on it. My go-to is still the first album, but I need to repeat listen to the second.
As to what I'm listening to this week so far: Red Rubber Ball covers for my Monday post, Augustines because I created a starter list yesterday, and the new release by Combover Beethoven as part of my new music listening.
I'm eagerly waiting to receive my vinyl copy of Donny Hathaway's self-titled debut, which should arrive in the next few days. In the meantime, I've been spinning B. B. King's debut, "Singin' The Blues".
I did add singles from Elena Tonra’s solo album Ex:Re several years ago (and just re-added them because they must have moved within Spotify). The Middle Farm Session is a session they played of songs off their newest album, released last year, which I realized that I had never listened to in its entirety, so I listened to that after the Middle Farm Session.
I went to my local record store to see if they had the album they released last year (Stereo Mind Game) on vinyl. It’s on back order, and I ordered it, but as I was browsing, I found the 30th anniversary edition of INXS Shabooh Shoobah on clear vinyl at a good price, so I picked that up and played a couple tracks at my local brewery vinyl night. And got cheers when I started “Don’t Change!”
And also bought Alan Tyler's new book (the main guy from The Rockingbirds) and bought a few of his solo albums that I was missing, recommended for anyone who likes Americana or old time country influenced music with a new twist -
Still listening to what I posted on Friday (C Duncan, Magana, FKA Twigs, and Gloria Cheng) but also loving the debut from Charm School - thanks to Rosy Overdrive for the tip: https://charmschool777.bandcamp.com/album/debt-forever
- New Beliefs, self-described "Comic Folk-Rock" with shades of mellow Wilco, the Dead, and maybe King Hannah.
Aside from that, I hung out with Dylan's Fragments (Time Out of Mine reissue), Jeffery Foucault's The Universal Fire, REM's first three, and King Hannah's Big Swimmer.
I'm originally from Milwaukee but haven't kept up with the music scene lately since I moved, so it's nice to hear of these two groups! Newski has been one of my all-time faves from the region and he's real fun at live shows!:
Glad to help! I've heard about Newski, especially with him promoting his new book, but I haven't had a chance to check him out yet. I've also seen Elephonic (symphonic pop by a bunch of scene veterans) and the Chris Haise Band (indie folk/Americana) and dug them both a lot. Going to see Cassini Echoes and Hosts (honky tonk/country side of Americana) this weekend.
Awesome playlist this week Kevin! I enjoyed all of the songs.
Mo Dotti - Opaque
The Beths - Expert in a Dying Field - great power pop!
I'm looking forward to watching the SNL 50 Years of Music doc on network tv tonight. I read that Questlove watched all 900 episodes to put the doc together. There should be a lot of fun and unique moments shown. Can't wait!
Belly is showing up a lot in the comments (and your playlist). I saw a reformed Belly at the Kentish Town Forum in London in 2016.
As per my most recent piece, I have listened to a lot of Psychic Ills this past week.
However, Brother Jake McDuff's 'To Seek A New Home,' Donald Byrd's 'Ethiopian Knights,' Fela Kuti's 'Sorrow Tears & Blood,' and Freddie Hubbard's 'Keep Your Soul Together' have also had several spins this week and past weekend.
New Pornos and Teenage Fanclub as the opening one-two punch and a great INXS deep cut from Kick closing it out? It's almost enough to draw attention away from you sneaking Joy Division and New Order on there too...(joking, of course).
The new Rose City Band album, Sol Y Sombra, sounded really good on first listen. There will definitely be many more. Also digging the new Delivery album, Force Majeure.
Whilst I don't normally push the project I manage - Whiffing The Peaches, I would like to promote their new song "I'm on Fire" and their latest anti Musk SM presence on BSky.
Fleetwood Mac - Dreams
Just saw Slowdive on Saturday and now I need to dive into their stuff beyond Souvlaki.
Also been loving the new FKA twigs album. Also revisited Yo La Tengo’s “This Stupid World” (just found a limited edition vinyl in a discount bin) and “Fade”
Good morning from the left coast, where after 9 months of drought, we have rain!!
Here is what has been in my ears:
1. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1knJSMzp6SWo8aUh3W2hVo?si=6950fffef59742d6
2. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/11GCgEdm6edzkcv3G1UGuM?si=4be77a4564c0411a
3. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1EpiZRrzSeuNAh?si=a26c60f197554337
Have a great week of listening!
Blind Melon
Hey Kevin! I'm sharing a playlist featuring some of my favorite Japanese songs from the winter anime season. Dive in and enjoy these amazing tracks!
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1iNjp7DiLOzL5vIF5pA3mW
Love this! 50% of my music listening is all anime music.
Sooo good!!
Blueburst - Significance
Great to see Polvo and Teenage Fanclub on the list. In our latest 3Albums6OldGuys post (https://3albums6oldguys.substack.com/p/the-6ogs-keep-you-warm-with-new-albums), I had a list of 8 great new albums. Among them I included Montreal band Prism Shores (https://prismshores.bandcamp.com/album/out-from-underneath), noting that their song "Tourniquet" sounds like a long-lost Teenage Fanclub B-side.
I've mentioned them several times already here - but just saw DC's Flowers for the Dead again this weekend. New album not on Bandcamp so you can find here - https://open.spotify.com/album/2H5Dmldv7tZxYDLwaoB7YA. "Falling at Your Feet" is definitely On Repeat here.
I have a few recommendations this week. I recently read Lucinda William’s book, Don’t Tell Anybody The Secrets I Told You. It was a good book and talks about the struggle of her mom with mental illness and how it shaped her. It also discusses the development of her songs some of which took twenty years to write.
I also watched the documentary, The Devil and Daniel Johnston. Been like twenty years since I last watched it. It’s still one of the best documentaries I’ve ever seen.
Guster released another version of their 2024 album, Ooh La La, it’s called Ooh La Luxe. It has a couple extra demos on it. “Keep Going” and “When we were Stars” are two of my favorite tracks, but the whole album is good. I also like the demo of “It’s Wild”.
Thanks Andy; love a good musician biography and Lucinda Williams is one of the best.
“Pony” by the Men.
NEW & SHINY:
* Green!Eyes 'Stigma' - Difficult to pin down (prog80'sjazzpsychrock) & 1st two trks are... challenging BUT it really grew on me.
* Mogwai 'The Bad Fire' - Another solid Mogwai album.
* Rose City Band 'Sol y Sombra' - Music to roll the window down and cruise... (mind the wind chill).
* Flora Hubbard 'Swirl' - Mature, in a good way, altfolk w/ clean, lovely production.
POLISHED GEMS:
Dog Faced Hermans 'Hum of Life'
Genesis 'Nursery Cryme' & 'Fodtrot'
Steve Reich 'Music For 18 Musicians'
Began the day with Edgar Winter's "Frankenstein."
Then plugged in Locrian's The Crystal World. Their third album, from 2010. Gloomy post-metal with a lot of electronics.
Definitely a black metal kind of feel, but not wholly unlike Godspeed You Black Emperor or late period King Crimson, either.
Strange World - Slinky Vagabond
Summer Girl - HAIM
The Little Time I Have - Paul Davids, Serge Dusault, Parsa
The new Larkin Poe (Fantastic), The Buzzcocks 'Another Music in a Different Kitchen', and a phenomenally talented young lady named Cecilia Castleman. I am also visiting the songs that happened to sit at #1 during each Super Bowl. That playlist is here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1qHsTQRchtrKGCAzJNUwu9?si=tCgCNQ6JRWGlDCGUfF5IMg
A jazz quartet named Lophae (lo-fi) released their first album last week, "Perfect Strangers." Greg Sanders, Ben Brown, Tom Herbert & Sam Rapley.
And when the CD arrived, it included a very sweet, personal note of thanks from one of the musicians. Please, show them some love.
https://lophae.bandcamp.com/album/perfect-strangers-2
We Belong - Te Matatinini, Corrella, L.A.B. Nice reggae/Caribbean vibe
Some John Coltrane and Miles Davis to calm me down, and Mint Jams by Cassiopeia to bring me back up - https://tidal.com/album/248381067?u
Nice! I too need to calm the heck down, and can't believe I failed to use Coltrane or Davis for the effort. To be remedied immediately. May add some Morphine to the mix; they inspire an odd sort of happiness for me.
Hey I like the sound of that New Pornographers song. I guess I hadn’t heard them before? (Bryan will probably say I hear them all the time).
We went on a long drive this weekend (to IKEA! In the boonies!) and bryan put on Supertramp in the car. It was a big hit with the 19yo!
I just grabbed that second Belly album on CD. It's got my husband's favorite on it. My go-to is still the first album, but I need to repeat listen to the second.
As to what I'm listening to this week so far: Red Rubber Ball covers for my Monday post, Augustines because I created a starter list yesterday, and the new release by Combover Beethoven as part of my new music listening.
I'm eagerly waiting to receive my vinyl copy of Donny Hathaway's self-titled debut, which should arrive in the next few days. In the meantime, I've been spinning B. B. King's debut, "Singin' The Blues".
'Everything is Everything' is SO fucking good! Play it loud, dance, sing, and enjoy, Andres!
I see you, Jawbox!
I am doing 1988 hits this week. Remembering middle school is... weird.
You & Me by Sara Watkins. It's filling the soul the right way right now.
Future Islands "The Thief" on repeat.
Love to see Belly and INXS on your list!
Last week I got an email notification that Daughter had released an EP: Middle Farm Session. So, I listened to that and re-obsessed over them. They are one of my oldest playlists on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3ec4ky67jdKi97zl9tEmYM?si=ZYSzkk--TEuL_AMLM5ppIQ&pi=u-oORt_JGTQmeU
I did add singles from Elena Tonra’s solo album Ex:Re several years ago (and just re-added them because they must have moved within Spotify). The Middle Farm Session is a session they played of songs off their newest album, released last year, which I realized that I had never listened to in its entirety, so I listened to that after the Middle Farm Session.
I went to my local record store to see if they had the album they released last year (Stereo Mind Game) on vinyl. It’s on back order, and I ordered it, but as I was browsing, I found the 30th anniversary edition of INXS Shabooh Shoobah on clear vinyl at a good price, so I picked that up and played a couple tracks at my local brewery vinyl night. And got cheers when I started “Don’t Change!”
Crooked Teeth - My Favorite Player
Nothing new but I did hear a newish Rammstein song called "Zeig Dich" for the first time which I liked.
I'm really enjoying the new songs by The Photocopies, brilliant melodic songs -
https://thephotocopies.bandcamp.com/album/the-great-comeback-to-the-setting-sun-double-a-side-single
And also bought Alan Tyler's new book (the main guy from The Rockingbirds) and bought a few of his solo albums that I was missing, recommended for anyone who likes Americana or old time country influenced music with a new twist -
https://alantyler.bandcamp.com/album/el-tapado
Still listening to what I posted on Friday (C Duncan, Magana, FKA Twigs, and Gloria Cheng) but also loving the debut from Charm School - thanks to Rosy Overdrive for the tip: https://charmschool777.bandcamp.com/album/debt-forever
Orville Peck is a superstar - and EJ is just himself
https://open.spotify.com/track/489cCuEM2xBYqFNZEFxorb?si=ca6b125b3b8c4311
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1E38VVq6qLzSaR?si=No5gHUFxRoaX-8rRx43DIQ
As I've finally been reading Trouble Boys, I've been listening to a lot of The Replacements (Let it Be and Tim, mostly)
My new discoveries were two Milwaukee bands we saw on Thursday night:
- Cassini Echoes, atmospheric indie rock with shades of Smashing Pumpkins and the mellower side of the Foos. Great guitar tones.
https://emperorpenguinrecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-only-way-out-is-through
- New Beliefs, self-described "Comic Folk-Rock" with shades of mellow Wilco, the Dead, and maybe King Hannah.
Aside from that, I hung out with Dylan's Fragments (Time Out of Mine reissue), Jeffery Foucault's The Universal Fire, REM's first three, and King Hannah's Big Swimmer.
Looking forward to the playlist and your picks!
I'm originally from Milwaukee but haven't kept up with the music scene lately since I moved, so it's nice to hear of these two groups! Newski has been one of my all-time faves from the region and he's real fun at live shows!:
https://brettnewski.bandcamp.com/album/friend-rock-2
Glad to help! I've heard about Newski, especially with him promoting his new book, but I haven't had a chance to check him out yet. I've also seen Elephonic (symphonic pop by a bunch of scene veterans) and the Chris Haise Band (indie folk/Americana) and dug them both a lot. Going to see Cassini Echoes and Hosts (honky tonk/country side of Americana) this weekend.
Big fan of Newski. The new track out this weekend is excellent.
You're still in WI, though, right? (if you're okay with sharing).
Yep still in WI! Just moved to a smaller city 😊
Thanks for this! I’m always looking for more WI bands!
Retail atm: Spice Girls Spice World
Recently purchased at local amazing record store bar in beautiful downtown Ilwaco, WA,
Ship Wrecords and Moor, and in heavy home rotation: Legendary Pink Dots - Asylum.
Another Substacker recommended July Talk to me recently. I'm loving Push + Pull
Awesome playlist this week Kevin! I enjoyed all of the songs.
Mo Dotti - Opaque
The Beths - Expert in a Dying Field - great power pop!
I'm looking forward to watching the SNL 50 Years of Music doc on network tv tonight. I read that Questlove watched all 900 episodes to put the doc together. There should be a lot of fun and unique moments shown. Can't wait!
Expert in a Dying Field is such a great album!
I’ve been catching up with some new releases from the weekend this evening. This one from NEWSKI is my favourite
https://open.spotify.com/track/15h9l5dhqaJ7GlR3YohXWB?si=r7WIfLxdSzSqAKveL-iUWg&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A0glShL3WSZEMhJBZqJ1zUb
Belly is showing up a lot in the comments (and your playlist). I saw a reformed Belly at the Kentish Town Forum in London in 2016.
As per my most recent piece, I have listened to a lot of Psychic Ills this past week.
However, Brother Jake McDuff's 'To Seek A New Home,' Donald Byrd's 'Ethiopian Knights,' Fela Kuti's 'Sorrow Tears & Blood,' and Freddie Hubbard's 'Keep Your Soul Together' have also had several spins this week and past weekend.
New Pornos and Teenage Fanclub as the opening one-two punch and a great INXS deep cut from Kick closing it out? It's almost enough to draw attention away from you sneaking Joy Division and New Order on there too...(joking, of course).
The new Rose City Band album, Sol Y Sombra, sounded really good on first listen. There will definitely be many more. Also digging the new Delivery album, Force Majeure.
I listened to Nick Lowe
https://weatheredmusic.ca
Whilst I don't normally push the project I manage - Whiffing The Peaches, I would like to promote their new song "I'm on Fire" and their latest anti Musk SM presence on BSky.
whiffingthepeaches.bsky.social