Good morning! Welcome to each of you who joined us this past week! 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.
The playlist below is some of what I’ve had in heavy rotation:
Looking for a holiday playlist? I got you covered. Click here.
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?
It's "Long Live" for me. Still in a post-Eras tour reverie mindset ("lavender haze") this morning now that her tour is officially over. Plus this was one of Swift's bonus songs from last night's concert.
Steve Hogarth just released a new concert album, "SPQR," from the show he did in Rome with the Italian group RanestRane (Italian band) and Flowing Chords (a choir). It's extremely well produced, some of the best live audio I've ever heard. He performs a bunch of Marillion songs in new arrangements. It's kind of neat to hear, but when he slows a song way down to do an overly interpretive, I-am-a-singer version of it, it gets a little pretentious.
Still, the man has a great voice and is an excellent musician. It's a must-get for Marillion fans. For anyone else, one listen will probably do you.
That is one awesome playlist, Kevin. In lieu of any fresh tunes at the moment, I've been huddled down on my book review and spinning a lot of Paul McCartney. Fave at the moment is "With a Little Luck."
Have missed these discussions the last few weeks. Great to be back and reminded I always need to listen to more Nick Drake. Actually listened a lot in the last week to an indie folk artist named Lou Terry who has moments of Nick in him. But the album has a lot of indie from all aspects to it. https://louterry1.bandcamp.com/album/building-a-case
And had the pleasure to see LA LOM on (the Los Angeles league of musicians) Saturday night. So infectious and enjoyable. If you’re a fan of Marc Ribot’s Cuban album or anything in the lane of cool Latin, this is for you. https://lalom.lnk.to/LaLom
oh I did a huge best of the year series, but around this time every year I need a little break to go digging into the past. even a new music curator needs time for old music sometimes! this year was incredible for new music though.
"Is This Music" - love this underrated gem from TFC, great track for the end of your playlist. I discovered Garbage has an E.P. of covers they put out this year and it's so good!
I'm starting to write the specific things that happened down, so hopefully it's a virtuous cycle where a memory will trigger a song memory, which will then trigger another memory. Good luck, and let me know how it goes!
I think I got the idea from a combination of writing about synesthesia (experiencing one sense though another sense) and listening to Dave Grohl's audiobook, where he talks about triggering specific memoires with music.
One notable thing for me: it's not about when the song was released as much as what I was doing when I fell in love with the song.
Last week, listened to another Witch Mountain album, this time South of Salem. Can't get enough of Uta Plotkin's voice.
I received and listened to for the first time Death is This Communion, High on Fire's fourth record from 2007, which I'd somehow missed previously. Think it's as good as Blessed Black Wings!
Listened to Yussef Kamaal's Black Focus--their only album!--outstanding breakbeat-inflected electrojazz from London, heavy on that awesome Fender Rhodes sound.
Big thing for the week, though, I listened to it two or three times, was Tomas Dvorak aka Floex and his soundtrack to the video game Machinarium. Beautiful electroacoustic semi-ambient stuff from the Czech composer and clarinetist, poignant and wistful and playful in equal measure
I went to the estate sale of a well-known comic book artist and writer who had lived in my daughter's co-op, and was stunned to see a beautiful mint collection of blues and R&B records: So I listened to Big Joe Turner's "Rock & Roll" (Atlantic), with "Shake, Rattle, and Roll" and "Flip, Flop, and Fly." Also, my earworm is Feist's "1234" re-worked by her for "Sesame Street," now top of my 18-month-old grandson's playlist.
It's been a little while since I last posted an update on listening, so here goes:
Firstly I did buy tickets to see Aurora at the Beacon Theater on 12/5. Unfortunately, the weather was not good enough for me and a friend of mine to safely make the journey (I'm in Buffalo, and on that day there was a significant amount of lake effect snow). So I ended up eating the cost of those tickets...
On the other hand, over the last couple of weeks I did discover two new artists - Jinjer and Anna Lapwood. For Jinjer I started with their debut full length, Cloud Factory. I found it to be pretty good, although the last track was a bit weak. I discovered Lapwood after hearing her play the organ on Aurora's performance of "The Seed" at the Royal Albert Hall. My god, is it powerful. I imagine it would have been mind blowing witnessing it live. I dug a bit deeper into her catalogue and listened to her EP titled "Midnight Sessions at the Royal Albert Hall", which contained organ driven versions of various songs from movies like Interstellar.
I saw that (The Buffalo weather). A coworker of mine *just* made it out before everything went sideways. His family decided to drive...and wound up spending the night in a church with some other folks after the interstate closed.
At any rate, I hope you get a chance to see Aurora at some point soon!
I hope so too. Probably will have to wait until the next album drops - which, considering she's on tour through mid-2025 in Europe, means I'll probably have to wait until 2026 at the earliest. Unless I win the lotto or something and I can find my passport.
One of the best feelings is coming upon a band that is seemingly new and unknown. It's also becoming rarer and rarer, especially on Substack, as a cadre of folks seem to be racing to find as many artists that others haven't heard of in order to stake a claim as some sort of early adopter. I think I found one, because I haven't found anyone who knows of them. Though the future of this band is far from clear, I will stake my claim: Magick Potion. Here's their album: https://open.spotify.com/album/37cVw7PNGphM1PE5PJ8VIb?si=E2VHjZ1SSmSH0_wg-xTm1g
Note: You will be stoned by :30 seconds in.
Also, the new Rose' album is simply phenomenal. It is a top pop album for this year, absolutely.
The debut album Millions by Brisbane emo act Bad Neighbour. It was released in September but I saw them at Good Things festival on the weekend and I fell in love with them all over again
How did you get turned on to Jim Sullivan? That backing orchestra is sooo late 60's / early 70's. I bet he would sound better if he recorded today. Good tune. Interesting back story. Another rabbit hole that I have to go down..........
We're a week away from a cross-country move, so like I mentioned last week, I'm mostly listening to musical comfort food. This past week was about:
* Bruce Cockburn: Waiting For A Miracle (greatest hits up through 1987) and Nothing But A Burning Light. Lovers In A Dangerous Time -- man, what a great song.
* Jeffrey Foucault - He released an acoustic version of his Universal Fire (in the running for my favorite record of '24) to his email list. It's great to hear these songs with little accompaniment.
* Calexico instrumentals playlist
* It's not musical comfort food, but Fontaines DC's Romance finally clicked with me. I've always liked a handful of songs, but now I get the record as a whole.
Looking forward to the playlist (a big hell yes to Steely Dan and the Furs back-to-back!) and your recommendations. Cheers!
I’ve been listening to Demob Happy in advance of a gig on Wednesday night, in particular their excellent album Divine Machines.
I’ve also been catching up with some recent releases. This is my pick of December so far. Thanks to Matt Bull’s Recent and Decent for the first two tracks. Great to see new music from Beach Riot too.
It's that time of year and Spotify tells me that I listened to The Bangles more than any other artist this year. I am not surprised. I have much love for them. This is a corker of a compilation. Go find the biography too. Its brilliant
The appearance of "Katy Lied" on your playlist makes me wonder if you watched the "Yacht Rock" documentary.
We're 10 days into December and I've only listened to 1 album more than once this month (Joy Buzzer's Pleased to Meet You). Still trying to listen to everything, I guess.
Elvis Presley - Suspicious Minds
Zebra's first album, great album that everyone should listen to.
Also pulled out some Donny Iris and Sniff n The Tears.
Sniff 'N' The Tears were the opening act at the first concert I ever attended. And they were in Boogie Nights!
That's awesome. I never saw them in concert. I also never watched Boogie Nights, now I will have to find it.
"Driver's Seat"
Who did they open for when you saw them?
Kansas.
November 21, 1979
https://www.concertarchives.org/bands/kansas?page=1&year=1979#concert-table
Wow, always wanted to see Kansas.
WHOA! Some great name checks here!!
Donny Iris! I love it.
It's "Long Live" for me. Still in a post-Eras tour reverie mindset ("lavender haze") this morning now that her tour is officially over. Plus this was one of Swift's bonus songs from last night's concert.
So awesome that you got to go and experience this!
For anyone scrolling the comments, here's Beth's take on experiencing the Eras tour:
https://open.substack.com/pub/bethlisogorsky/p/taylor-swift-the-eras-tour-toronto?r=3cbf2&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
Steve Hogarth just released a new concert album, "SPQR," from the show he did in Rome with the Italian group RanestRane (Italian band) and Flowing Chords (a choir). It's extremely well produced, some of the best live audio I've ever heard. He performs a bunch of Marillion songs in new arrangements. It's kind of neat to hear, but when he slows a song way down to do an overly interpretive, I-am-a-singer version of it, it gets a little pretentious.
Still, the man has a great voice and is an excellent musician. It's a must-get for Marillion fans. For anyone else, one listen will probably do you.
Will definitely give this a listen!
I'm on it!
That is one awesome playlist, Kevin. In lieu of any fresh tunes at the moment, I've been huddled down on my book review and spinning a lot of Paul McCartney. Fave at the moment is "With a Little Luck."
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Have missed these discussions the last few weeks. Great to be back and reminded I always need to listen to more Nick Drake. Actually listened a lot in the last week to an indie folk artist named Lou Terry who has moments of Nick in him. But the album has a lot of indie from all aspects to it. https://louterry1.bandcamp.com/album/building-a-case
Thanks for the rec. (and welcome back!). That's a new name for me.
Mustard is listening to Babe City's debut album "I Love You Forever." They make bubblegrunge and it is both pleasant and kick ass.
https://welcome2babecity.bandcamp.com/album/i-love-you-forever
Kevin is a fan of bubblegrunge and will check this out post haste.
And spending a lot of time with a great new album from local DC band Flowers from the Dead. Some shoegaze, some indie rock, some noise. All great. https://open.spotify.com/album/2H5Dmldv7tZxYDLwaoB7YA
A friend of mine took me to see Flowers For The Dead not long ago in DC. Great band!
And had the pleasure to see LA LOM on (the Los Angeles league of musicians) Saturday night. So infectious and enjoyable. If you’re a fan of Marc Ribot’s Cuban album or anything in the lane of cool Latin, this is for you. https://lalom.lnk.to/LaLom
The Gun Club. I'm done with new music for the year 😉
oh I did a huge best of the year series, but around this time every year I need a little break to go digging into the past. even a new music curator needs time for old music sometimes! this year was incredible for new music though.
We could use a few more harumphs.
Lol. I like it!
Lol. I don't blame you! Lots of "comfort food" listening for me in the last couple of days.
Benjamin Booker’s new song “…LWA in the Trailer Park,” and 14th Wish’s “I Gotta Get Rid of You”
"Is This Music" - love this underrated gem from TFC, great track for the end of your playlist. I discovered Garbage has an E.P. of covers they put out this year and it's so good!
That might be my fave TFC song of all time!
I've been listening to music from a particular year to try to remember things I did during that year. Anyone else playing this game?
YES! I mean, are we ever really ready to look at our teenaged selves?
https://goatfury.substack.com/p/84-ford-escort
Yeah, but only thanks to the sweet tape deck.
Just an incredible ride. 11/10. No notes.
Lol. Let's just say I'm glad that Instagram wasn't a thing back in the day.
Might try this over the holiday shutdown. Thanks!
I'm starting to write the specific things that happened down, so hopefully it's a virtuous cycle where a memory will trigger a song memory, which will then trigger another memory. Good luck, and let me know how it goes!
No, but I'm curious to try it now!
I think I got the idea from a combination of writing about synesthesia (experiencing one sense though another sense) and listening to Dave Grohl's audiobook, where he talks about triggering specific memoires with music.
One notable thing for me: it's not about when the song was released as much as what I was doing when I fell in love with the song.
I was spinning Mariah’s 1994 Christmas album at the weekend because, well… it’s tiiiiime 🤣🤣🤣🎄
When is it not time for Mariah? Such a fantastic voice
Thank you, Bob! Absolutely. There is no time of year I don’t listen to her. But it was a nod to her famous Christmas announcement 🤣 https://youtu.be/XpSdD63j7Y4?si=O8hBQRxhtMmzrlXi
Nice. I had not seen that.
This is true!
Last week, listened to another Witch Mountain album, this time South of Salem. Can't get enough of Uta Plotkin's voice.
I received and listened to for the first time Death is This Communion, High on Fire's fourth record from 2007, which I'd somehow missed previously. Think it's as good as Blessed Black Wings!
Listened to Yussef Kamaal's Black Focus--their only album!--outstanding breakbeat-inflected electrojazz from London, heavy on that awesome Fender Rhodes sound.
Big thing for the week, though, I listened to it two or three times, was Tomas Dvorak aka Floex and his soundtrack to the video game Machinarium. Beautiful electroacoustic semi-ambient stuff from the Czech composer and clarinetist, poignant and wistful and playful in equal measure
NEW & SHINY:
* TV Girl & George Clanton 'Fauxllennium' - Party time!
* The Cleaners From Venus 'Winter' EP - Lovely.
* Aan 'Over The Mountain' - Genre blurring goodness.
* Nils Frahm 'Paris' - Sublime.
Al Green sings Everybody Hurts https://youtu.be/UEwPIfk6LpQ
Lighter held high, I went down a live recordings, vinyl rabbit hole:
* Little Feat 'Waiting For Columbus'
* Lynyrd Skynyrd 'One More From The Road'
* Heart 'The Road Home'
* Warren Zevon 'Stand In The Fire'
Cleaners From Venus! Yes!
Good morning from the left coast: Here is what has been in my ears:
1. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1knJSMzp6SWo8aUh3W2hVo?si=992dc376da7e4b32
2. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/71PrDfTT9eNSnK4nHDJCqx?si=2b824e08f8964238
3. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1EpBbYmYjaqNaa?si=7e08b34d154d4042
Have a great week
Killer lists as always, Jon! Thank you!!
Grudge
https://grudge.bandcamp.com/album/joie-de-vivre
Hell yeah!
I've become obsessed with a tiny art pop/glam rock band called Theophobia. I've had their new EP on repeat all weekend "Most Wanted Woman in Estonia "
Sounds pretty cool- I'll look for it & give it a spin later today!
I went to the estate sale of a well-known comic book artist and writer who had lived in my daughter's co-op, and was stunned to see a beautiful mint collection of blues and R&B records: So I listened to Big Joe Turner's "Rock & Roll" (Atlantic), with "Shake, Rattle, and Roll" and "Flip, Flop, and Fly." Also, my earworm is Feist's "1234" re-worked by her for "Sesame Street," now top of my 18-month-old grandson's playlist.
What a goldmine! Would love to hear more about what you walked out of there with!
Bite Me Bambi - :)
I'll stay tuned for tomorrow! :)
Matthew Sweet - Girlfriend
Dinosaur Jr - Where You Been
The Jesus and Mary Chain - Automatic
Automatic is underrated, IMO.
Been listening to a lot of Swans, Deftones, and Tool lately. Did not think I would be enjoying this as much as I am.
Nothin' wrong with any of that!
I have been exploring sunshine psychedelic pop that was popular in California.
The Sunshine Company is my latest purchase, so another album, another rabbit hole.
Those are the best kinds of rabbit holes!
It's been a little while since I last posted an update on listening, so here goes:
Firstly I did buy tickets to see Aurora at the Beacon Theater on 12/5. Unfortunately, the weather was not good enough for me and a friend of mine to safely make the journey (I'm in Buffalo, and on that day there was a significant amount of lake effect snow). So I ended up eating the cost of those tickets...
On the other hand, over the last couple of weeks I did discover two new artists - Jinjer and Anna Lapwood. For Jinjer I started with their debut full length, Cloud Factory. I found it to be pretty good, although the last track was a bit weak. I discovered Lapwood after hearing her play the organ on Aurora's performance of "The Seed" at the Royal Albert Hall. My god, is it powerful. I imagine it would have been mind blowing witnessing it live. I dug a bit deeper into her catalogue and listened to her EP titled "Midnight Sessions at the Royal Albert Hall", which contained organ driven versions of various songs from movies like Interstellar.
I saw that (The Buffalo weather). A coworker of mine *just* made it out before everything went sideways. His family decided to drive...and wound up spending the night in a church with some other folks after the interstate closed.
At any rate, I hope you get a chance to see Aurora at some point soon!
I hope so too. Probably will have to wait until the next album drops - which, considering she's on tour through mid-2025 in Europe, means I'll probably have to wait until 2026 at the earliest. Unless I win the lotto or something and I can find my passport.
One of the best feelings is coming upon a band that is seemingly new and unknown. It's also becoming rarer and rarer, especially on Substack, as a cadre of folks seem to be racing to find as many artists that others haven't heard of in order to stake a claim as some sort of early adopter. I think I found one, because I haven't found anyone who knows of them. Though the future of this band is far from clear, I will stake my claim: Magick Potion. Here's their album: https://open.spotify.com/album/37cVw7PNGphM1PE5PJ8VIb?si=E2VHjZ1SSmSH0_wg-xTm1g
Note: You will be stoned by :30 seconds in.
Also, the new Rose' album is simply phenomenal. It is a top pop album for this year, absolutely.
That feeling is the best!
Andre 3000 - New Blue Sun
Chet Atkins - Superpickers
Willie Nelson's latest release Last Leaf On The Tree. There's a great playlist to this album with covers along with the originals: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4Xul8Td9egnnw5yCKKifHC?si=1be12c5fc8d04c59
Listened to John Coltrane's 'My Favorite Things' album from front to back this weekend. Two thumbs up!
Nice! And nice to see Ponytail Press back from hiatus! :)
King Crimson & Coolio, along with an assortment of other players: https://weatheredmusic.ca
That's an amazing combo!
The debut album Millions by Brisbane emo act Bad Neighbour. It was released in September but I saw them at Good Things festival on the weekend and I fell in love with them all over again
How did you get turned on to Jim Sullivan? That backing orchestra is sooo late 60's / early 70's. I bet he would sound better if he recorded today. Good tune. Interesting back story. Another rabbit hole that I have to go down..........
I was listening to something else and it came up as a suggested track. Another rabbit hole for me as well!
We're a week away from a cross-country move, so like I mentioned last week, I'm mostly listening to musical comfort food. This past week was about:
* Bruce Cockburn: Waiting For A Miracle (greatest hits up through 1987) and Nothing But A Burning Light. Lovers In A Dangerous Time -- man, what a great song.
* Jeffrey Foucault - He released an acoustic version of his Universal Fire (in the running for my favorite record of '24) to his email list. It's great to hear these songs with little accompaniment.
* Calexico instrumentals playlist
* It's not musical comfort food, but Fontaines DC's Romance finally clicked with me. I've always liked a handful of songs, but now I get the record as a whole.
Looking forward to the playlist (a big hell yes to Steely Dan and the Furs back-to-back!) and your recommendations. Cheers!
Thank you! I'm glad you liked that pairing. Fontaines DC's "Favourite" is one of my favorite songs of the year.
More importantly, safe travels this week! Hopefully, the only adventure you find is the good kind.
I’ve been listening to Demob Happy in advance of a gig on Wednesday night, in particular their excellent album Divine Machines.
I’ve also been catching up with some recent releases. This is my pick of December so far. Thanks to Matt Bull’s Recent and Decent for the first two tracks. Great to see new music from Beach Riot too.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2rW51PRZ7vHhXrtne9v1iH?si=x0Rj81gtTQiW9dy77Ezd9A&pi=e-mYdGYdeMRVKn
Matt's always got some great new finds!
It's that time of year and Spotify tells me that I listened to The Bangles more than any other artist this year. I am not surprised. I have much love for them. This is a corker of a compilation. Go find the biography too. Its brilliant
https://open.spotify.com/album/29sZQQZrnc9aRSHPNZ9Asn?si=daBpVcqOR-Sqm2rLhStRDQ
Will do & thank you!
My favorites this week:
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - s/t
Sierra Ferrell - Trail of Flowers
Chuck Prophet - Wake the Dead
Lunar Vacation - Everything Matters, Everything's Fire
Talk Talk - The Colour of Spring
Trail of Flowers is a fantastic album. No spoilers, but it may or may not make an appearance in a post next week.
I still haven't got into Holiday music, but I'm listening to my Spotify Wrapped. I'm stuff in the 70s right now.
It's a good decade to be stuck in! :)
The appearance of "Katy Lied" on your playlist makes me wonder if you watched the "Yacht Rock" documentary.
We're 10 days into December and I've only listened to 1 album more than once this month (Joy Buzzer's Pleased to Meet You). Still trying to listen to everything, I guess.
Great catch! That’s absolutely how it popped back into my radar. I thought it was really well done.
I did too. Michael McDonald was great.