Happy Monday, and welcome to all of you who joined us over the weekend. It’s awesome to have you here! Like last week, I want to again give a special shoutout to anyone who graduated this past weekend (or their parents).
Below is some of what I’ve been spinning this week. Many of these come from reader recommendations, so please keep ‘em coming!
Your turn!
What caught your ear this week? Any upcoming releases you’re particularly excited about? Any good finds while crate digging? Share your picks in the comments!
I was driving the other day when I first heard this song. I hit repeat four times all the way home, rolled the windows down, opened up the sunroof, and turned the volume up way too loud. It was glorious.
Just started spinning the 50th anniversary of Nuggets, psychedelic compilation from the 60s.. track 2 is The Standells' "Dirty Water", which plays at Fenway Park after every Red Sox win.
It's actually a morbid track about one of the band members getting mugged in Boston, and the chorus goes "Boston you're my home" sarcastically... But it's been a Fenway staple since the '90s!
Isbell’s latest, Weathervanes, has been on repeat since Friday. Also, Dylan’s Shadow Kingdom. Hard to believe he’s been doing this for 60+ years and still is reinventing himself.
Birds of Chicago Love in Wartime and Allison Russell Outside Child. Vinyl arrived yesterday. Playing them non-stop. Beautiful recording of amazing voices, musical instruments and lyrics. Vinyl sounds rich and sumptuous. Black Country Artists is the search term I used to discover Russell and BoC. Black Americana//Roots/Country is a genre with artists that beg me to listen deeper. Highly recommend.
Thanks for the lovely playlist Kevin - listening now. Meanwhile I'm undecided on what I think of new feeble little horse's album 'Girl With Fish'. Found cathartic comfort in Morphine's 'The Night' and The The's 'Dusk' + I was pleasantly surprised that they have a new single.
Hi Kevin and fellow readers/writers! I’ve been enjoying Mica Millar’s debut album, “Heaven Knows”. She’s a contemporary soul singer from the UK -- I think you’ll like the last track, Give View My Prayer. Link below in case anyone wants to check it out!
My 5-hour drive yesterday turned into a 9-hour drive yesterday because of traffic so my company was the live recording of a concert by my friend Peter Himmelman. A great show with great songs and Peter's amazing sense of humor and improvisational skills.
Been listening to that album too this week! It's such a great album. I wish he would make a new pop-record again. He's just doing soundtrack work as far as I can tell.
I know me neither, I think I only saw his name pop up here on Substack by one of the big music writers. So that made me fire it up on my Spotify and I was instantly transported back to my 90s churchgoing days. And when I say church I mean bands like The Church and not the Actual Church ;) I don't even know if he is still married to Aimee Mann but if they are then that's got to be one of the longest marriages in alternative music, right?
I'm literally listening to "To Be In Your Eyes" by The Church as I type this. lol. Not sure if they're still married, but it's definitely gotta be one of the longer runs for sure.
I'm working on a new piece on The Buggles, who are on tour now supporting Seal for the first time in like 40 years. So I've been listening to both albums, The Age of Plastic and Adventures in Modern Recording. Adventures isn't on Spotify but I found a playlist on YouTube that has a ton of rare, unreleased songs so that's been a great find. Also, listening to Yes' "Drama" album which is essentially a Buggles/Yes super group. Probably the most under-rated album in their catalogue.
Trevor Horn produced the Seal albums. That's the connection. Trevor has produced some of my favorite all-time bands. ABC, Yes, Art of Noise, Spandau Ballet, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Belle and Sebastian, Pet Shop Boys....I could go on and on. I would have went to the show which played locally, but I'm not much of a Seal fan and I heard Buggles played for less than 30 minutes.
Two completely different songs that appeared over a PA at Panera Bread (!) caught my ear like candy: 'House In The Trees' by Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness and '99.9%' by Streets of Laredo.
Yes that is a great description. I'm told that it is two of the guys who used to be in the band The Kane Gang who were contemporaries to Prefab Sprout. On one song it almost sounded like Nile Rodgers was playing guitars :)
A friend on Twitter recommended it to me and after giving it a listen on Bandcamp, I just had to buy it. I just might buy a few more copies to give to friends
I Was Neon...sigh - I song in which to lose yourself completely! One thing I was working on last week had me picking the best album closers for 2014, an interesting and fun exercise. You'll have to wait until August to read it on The Runout Grooves, however! Friday was a huge new release day in my world - I drank from an overflowing cup filled with Feeble Little Horse, This Is The Kit, and Youth Lagoon - all so good! Also listened to a very cool microtonal chamber album by Julia Werntz and caught up with Billy Woods.
But the absolute highlight - maybe of the year - was seeing Florist live at Storm King on Saturday night. Absolutely breathtaking. Review to come!
It's been a lot of Jason Isbell for me. I started with Southeastern and worked my way forward in anticipation of the new album with the 400 Unit, Weathervanes. I love Isbell's work, so it's not like it was a chore. Weathervanes is fantastic and will be revealing even more of itself over repeated listens.
Yes! Reunions didn't get enough listens from me, so playing Weathervanes for the first time was a nice reminder of what an amazing songwriter Isbell is.
I got fascinated with Sinead O’Connor. While all the hatred was being touted towards her I was in India on a spiritual journey so had no idea what was happening. What a voice she has. I know now she is no longer called Sinead O’Connor which also incredibly interesting to me.
Over the last few days I’ve been going back and forth between Lord Huron’s Long Lost (standout track: I Lied) and Marissa Nadler’s The Path of the Clouds (standout track: Bessie Did You Make It), a couple of my favorite albums from 2021.
I've been trying to keep up with some recent releases for my blog. Two really stood out to me.
Jelly Roll- Whitsitt Chapel. I think there's a very strong chance this gets a Grammy nom. A fascinating deep dive into the psyche of hip hop turned country artist Jelly Roll. The albums theme is about being caught somewhere between heaven and hell and not feeling like you belong anywhere. Some really poignant stuff about a childhood in poverty and the deleterious effects that can have on self esteem and self worth. Really compelling stuff. I absolutely will be writing about this at some point.
Willie Shaw- Bloom. Somewhere between pop country and new school soul. Really fun and infectious 7 song album. The dude has some pipes. Nothing too deep but you gotta balance things out. Turn this on if you want to dance in the kitchen when you're waiting for the pasta water to boil.
Turned the clock back about 10 years and listened to the supremely underrated David Nail and his best album The Sound Of A Million Dreams. Honestly some of the best Nashville put out in that entire "bro country" era. Thoughtful, reflective, earnest, and musically impeccable.
Flash and the Pan! Wow! That's one from the vault. I love it. "Melt" seems to get better every time I play it. His new single "Road to Joy" is pretty catchy.
I'm on the Weathervanes bandwagon like a few others here.
I'll admit that I have also been enjoying the new Dead Milkmen album Quaker City Quiet Pills. After 40 years together, they may come across as a group of grumpy old men, but still with that sarcastic, juvenile bent to their lyrics. I can relate 😜
Psychedelic Furs and Counting Crows have been in heavy rotation for me. Common thread is “The Ghost in You.” I always liked the song, but never paid much attrition the lyrics until recently. Counting Crows stripped down cover is an interesting take, and Adam Duritz vocals stay just on the right side of him becoming too, well... Adam Duritz-ey.
Back on Hendrix this morning thanks to @MARKDYKEMAN
https://open.spotify.com/album/3ZGvhPoskm22Tpc9bUkk84?si=WW7mig4lStanUqwYdVfGPg
Most active social link?
Yik Yak
This song right here is anthem for getting started doing. https://music.apple.com/us/album/gotta-be-movin/1573659653?i=1573659661
That's got a great groove to it!
I was driving the other day when I first heard this song. I hit repeat four times all the way home, rolled the windows down, opened up the sunroof, and turned the volume up way too loud. It was glorious.
Just started spinning the 50th anniversary of Nuggets, psychedelic compilation from the 60s.. track 2 is The Standells' "Dirty Water", which plays at Fenway Park after every Red Sox win.
It's Fenway, so there's gotta be a good backstory here?
It's actually a morbid track about one of the band members getting mugged in Boston, and the chorus goes "Boston you're my home" sarcastically... But it's been a Fenway staple since the '90s!
Isbell’s latest, Weathervanes, has been on repeat since Friday. Also, Dylan’s Shadow Kingdom. Hard to believe he’s been doing this for 60+ years and still is reinventing himself.
Birds of Chicago Love in Wartime and Allison Russell Outside Child. Vinyl arrived yesterday. Playing them non-stop. Beautiful recording of amazing voices, musical instruments and lyrics. Vinyl sounds rich and sumptuous. Black Country Artists is the search term I used to discover Russell and BoC. Black Americana//Roots/Country is a genre with artists that beg me to listen deeper. Highly recommend.
Given that you mention Alison Russell, I assume you’ve heard the Our Native Daughters album? If not, I highly recommend it! https://open.spotify.com/album/4h2VDUKuFcJ0cJTQFcNc3A?si=0avP-1dhTRaKZ7dRNXTOdA
Hi Mark,
Yes! It’s amazing. It was the third album I ordered from Amazon along with the two mentioned. I am so looking forward to listening to it.
Ledisi sings Nina is also a stunning album, particularly her rendition of Four Women. https://open.spotify.com/album/0uRNGjcdUeOG9aekGr1cvc?si=4cZkWd5CTdakkdGArAd3rA
Thanks for the lovely playlist Kevin - listening now. Meanwhile I'm undecided on what I think of new feeble little horse's album 'Girl With Fish'. Found cathartic comfort in Morphine's 'The Night' and The The's 'Dusk' + I was pleasantly surprised that they have a new single.
https://open.spotify.com/album/6mK86T4K9xVBcRL8deRW0n
I did not have a new single from The The on my bingo card, but I'm glad it's here!
Melvins.
Hell yeah
Hi Kevin and fellow readers/writers! I’ve been enjoying Mica Millar’s debut album, “Heaven Knows”. She’s a contemporary soul singer from the UK -- I think you’ll like the last track, Give View My Prayer. Link below in case anyone wants to check it out!
https://micamillar.bandcamp.com/album/heaven-knows
My 5-hour drive yesterday turned into a 9-hour drive yesterday because of traffic so my company was the live recording of a concert by my friend Peter Himmelman. A great show with great songs and Peter's amazing sense of humor and improvisational skills.
https://open.spotify.com/album/7nPwHVDataUOTyfoVlL9Dt?si=ydGg6xwDRb6X7j9U5SbDXg
Anytime you mention I-5 (or traffic in general), I shudder. Do NOT miss those days at all.
Yeah, I'm only sometimes in the thick of the commute here. Podcasts are survival for the regular commuters, I think.
Kimberly Perry’s Bloom ep has been on repeat since Friday
Rediscovered Michael Penn's March, so good! This & That, No Myth, Brave New World...
Been listening to that album too this week! It's such a great album. I wish he would make a new pop-record again. He's just doing soundtrack work as far as I can tell.
Love that!
I haven't heard that in years!
I know me neither, I think I only saw his name pop up here on Substack by one of the big music writers. So that made me fire it up on my Spotify and I was instantly transported back to my 90s churchgoing days. And when I say church I mean bands like The Church and not the Actual Church ;) I don't even know if he is still married to Aimee Mann but if they are then that's got to be one of the longest marriages in alternative music, right?
I'm literally listening to "To Be In Your Eyes" by The Church as I type this. lol. Not sure if they're still married, but it's definitely gotta be one of the longer runs for sure.
ABBA for breakfast!
I'm working on a new piece on The Buggles, who are on tour now supporting Seal for the first time in like 40 years. So I've been listening to both albums, The Age of Plastic and Adventures in Modern Recording. Adventures isn't on Spotify but I found a playlist on YouTube that has a ton of rare, unreleased songs so that's been a great find. Also, listening to Yes' "Drama" album which is essentially a Buggles/Yes super group. Probably the most under-rated album in their catalogue.
Nice! I'm looking forward to checking that out. Buggles & Seal seems like a wild combo.
Trevor Horn produced the Seal albums. That's the connection. Trevor has produced some of my favorite all-time bands. ABC, Yes, Art of Noise, Spandau Ballet, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Belle and Sebastian, Pet Shop Boys....I could go on and on. I would have went to the show which played locally, but I'm not much of a Seal fan and I heard Buggles played for less than 30 minutes.
Two completely different songs that appeared over a PA at Panera Bread (!) caught my ear like candy: 'House In The Trees' by Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness and '99.9%' by Streets of Laredo.
Wait -- are you and Brad Kyle getting kickbacks from Panera? And if so, I want in. I do a fair bit of my writing there myself! Free muffins for all!:)
No kickbacks yet, Steve... but that pro-bono muffin you mentioned? 😂
Lol.
I've really been enjoying this album by Autoliesureland - https://autoleisureland.bandcamp.com/album/infiniti-drive
Oh, this is great! I'm getting hints of a more disco-fied Prefab Sprout. At least on the self-titled track.
Yes that is a great description. I'm told that it is two of the guys who used to be in the band The Kane Gang who were contemporaries to Prefab Sprout. On one song it almost sounded like Nile Rodgers was playing guitars :)
Kane Gang! If you look up “beautiful pop song w/ deceptively heavy lyrics,” it just points to a clip of “Motortown.” One of my faves.
Edited to add: man, this record is good! Thanks for turning us on to it.
A friend on Twitter recommended it to me and after giving it a listen on Bandcamp, I just had to buy it. I just might buy a few more copies to give to friends
I had to buy it too. So good.
"Dragon" - the new single from King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard. Epic!
For some reason, Bakar's Hell N Back has been on heavy rotation here in NZ. So I've been reliving 2019 with some mellow Bakar vibes!
I Was Neon...sigh - I song in which to lose yourself completely! One thing I was working on last week had me picking the best album closers for 2014, an interesting and fun exercise. You'll have to wait until August to read it on The Runout Grooves, however! Friday was a huge new release day in my world - I drank from an overflowing cup filled with Feeble Little Horse, This Is The Kit, and Youth Lagoon - all so good! Also listened to a very cool microtonal chamber album by Julia Werntz and caught up with Billy Woods.
But the absolute highlight - maybe of the year - was seeing Florist live at Storm King on Saturday night. Absolutely breathtaking. Review to come!
Florist album and the show last year at Tubby's were both fantastic. Bummed that I missed Storm King.
I think I replied on Notes by accident, but I'm ALL IN on an Earful/Runout Grooves collab.
All weekend, I was putting this playlist together based on the "forgotten" albums mentioned from my Notes thread ("Tunnel of Love" made the cut from your list, Kevin). https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1PcVV8IAAWyDrlFJeErfwa?si=fdf7133a3cab433d
Interesting playlist, thanks for sharing, will give it a listen tomorrow!
I saw that. Instant save for me. :)
Thanks for including The Boss!
It's been a lot of Jason Isbell for me. I started with Southeastern and worked my way forward in anticipation of the new album with the 400 Unit, Weathervanes. I love Isbell's work, so it's not like it was a chore. Weathervanes is fantastic and will be revealing even more of itself over repeated listens.
Yes! Reunions didn't get enough listens from me, so playing Weathervanes for the first time was a nice reminder of what an amazing songwriter Isbell is.
It's worth going back to Reunions after you take some time to absorb Weathervanes.
Haven't had a chance to dig into Weathervanes yet. I'll add it to the list.
I got fascinated with Sinead O’Connor. While all the hatred was being touted towards her I was in India on a spiritual journey so had no idea what was happening. What a voice she has. I know now she is no longer called Sinead O’Connor which also incredibly interesting to me.
The documentary is definitely worth a watch if you haven’t seen it.
Yes I watched the documentary over the last two nights - incredible woman - i am surprised now of her new choice of life. And of course very curious.
Her voice is (was?) amazing. I really liked "Jump In the River" back in the day. Will check out the rock doc too.
Over the last few days I’ve been going back and forth between Lord Huron’s Long Lost (standout track: I Lied) and Marissa Nadler’s The Path of the Clouds (standout track: Bessie Did You Make It), a couple of my favorite albums from 2021.
That was a killer album from Nadler!
I've been trying to keep up with some recent releases for my blog. Two really stood out to me.
Jelly Roll- Whitsitt Chapel. I think there's a very strong chance this gets a Grammy nom. A fascinating deep dive into the psyche of hip hop turned country artist Jelly Roll. The albums theme is about being caught somewhere between heaven and hell and not feeling like you belong anywhere. Some really poignant stuff about a childhood in poverty and the deleterious effects that can have on self esteem and self worth. Really compelling stuff. I absolutely will be writing about this at some point.
Willie Shaw- Bloom. Somewhere between pop country and new school soul. Really fun and infectious 7 song album. The dude has some pipes. Nothing too deep but you gotta balance things out. Turn this on if you want to dance in the kitchen when you're waiting for the pasta water to boil.
Turned the clock back about 10 years and listened to the supremely underrated David Nail and his best album The Sound Of A Million Dreams. Honestly some of the best Nashville put out in that entire "bro country" era. Thoughtful, reflective, earnest, and musically impeccable.
Oh man, these sound great! I'm on it!
I'll make your life easier. Here's my favorites off each of the albums 😀
Jelly roll:
Nail me
Unlive
She
Need a favor
Willie Shaw:
Blessins
Moonlight memories
David Nail:
Song for sale (ft Leeann Womack)
Desiree
Half mile hill
The sound of a million dreams
Thanks!
It's been a fun musical week, one blog posted and some good blasts from the past, including On Repeat of course.
Tonio K - Life In The Food Chain
Nick Cave - Push The Sky Away
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Baby 81 Sessions
Reverend Glass Eye - Our Lady of the Broken Spine
The Noise Who Runs - Preteretrospective
Toby Acuff - Western White Pines
Flash And The Pan - Flash And The Pan
Daniel Amos - Songs Of The Heart
Crosby Stills Nash and Young - CSNY 1974
Peter Gabriel - Peter Gabriel (Melted Face)
Ian Tyson - All The Good'uns
Crosby Stills Nash and Young - So Far
Flash and the Pan! Wow! That's one from the vault. I love it. "Melt" seems to get better every time I play it. His new single "Road to Joy" is pretty catchy.
Life In The Food Chain was a blast! Not sure I've listened to it this century, but I should probably change that...
I'm on the Weathervanes bandwagon like a few others here.
I'll admit that I have also been enjoying the new Dead Milkmen album Quaker City Quiet Pills. After 40 years together, they may come across as a group of grumpy old men, but still with that sarcastic, juvenile bent to their lyrics. I can relate 😜
I'm right there with you. lol.
Psychedelic Furs and Counting Crows have been in heavy rotation for me. Common thread is “The Ghost in You.” I always liked the song, but never paid much attrition the lyrics until recently. Counting Crows stripped down cover is an interesting take, and Adam Duritz vocals stay just on the right side of him becoming too, well... Adam Duritz-ey.
Haha. Always good to stay on the right side of that line.