Happy Monday, and welcome to those of you who joined us over the weekend! It’s good to have you here. This week’s playlist is a bit of what I’ve had in heavy rotation recently. Let me know if you find something new on here!
More importantly, what’ve you had on? Got something we should all be checking out? Share it below!
The Triffids are always one of the contenders for my 'all-time favourite band' Tony, so in some ways I'm envious of you & Kevin being able to discover them anew. BSD is their best album, but their best record, in my view, is the 'Field of Glass' EP (from a John Peel session), check out 'Monkey on my Back' in particular, an awesome track.
And if you like this, then give my music themed novel a try at https://challenge69.substack.com David McComb is a genius songwriter, and (in a later chapter) is one of the 'musical mavericks' my story is bult around. Advert over!!
Thanks for signing up for my book Tony, hope you enjoy it. I'll reply direct to your subscription by email and give my answer on your LiBL question there.
Thanks for the tip Andrew. 'The Rat' by The Walkmen is one of my favourite singles, but somehow though I stopped listening after 'Bows + Arrows'. I'll give the 'You & Me' album a try later today.
The band actually feature in one of the later chapters of my novel, serialised on Substack at https://challenge69.substack.com in a section themed around, "best New York bands". Give my book a try (and I'll do the same with Ponytail Press), I think you'd enjoy it.
PS In case you're wondering, The Strokes top my NY list, you just can't get, "more New York," than them!
You're not the first person to tell me they don't know The Walkmen much past "The Rat." Maybe it's a matter of when you get introduced to them, but in my opinion, the band just got better and better. Lisbon and Heaven are both worth your time, too. I can't get enough of Hamilton Leithauser's voice.
I don't think I could possibly pick a top for an NY list. Too much good music comes from that city/state. A shocking number of my all-time favourites come from and/or created their best work in NYC, The Strokes included.
Thanks for signing up to read my book Andrew, I hope you enjoy it, I'll reply by email to your subscription.
Looking forward to bringing my Walkmen listening up to speed. Somehow though I did manage to catch Hamilton L's solo album (and love 'A 1000 Times').
Agree on NY, as I argue later in my book, " it is the most fascinating musical city. You can forget Nashville and Detroit and, while tipping a metaphorically appreciative hat to London and Manchester, have to accept that nowhere but New York can genuinely compete for such a title."
I'll leave you with one final leftfield NY contender, QTY. While they only seem to have ever made one album it's a beauty.
I've been listening to the new Santigold release 'Spirituals' which is pretty fun! Also Sky Ferreira has found her way into my playlists and its been a post-punk-synth-pop good time.
Been thinking back to what my mother listened to as a teen in Jamaica and spinning Don Drummond’s album The Best of the Skatalites. “Eastern Standard Time” as well as “(Music Is) My Occupation” are notable tracks. You might recognize the latter song’s melody. 😉
Also, I randomly got back into the aesthetic and theme song for the show Mad Men. RJD2’s “A Beautiful Mine” leans heavy on percussion with strings accompanying them. Great track. Great show. Might get a wiggle dress to complete the mood.
I'm on it! They're 100% new to me.
The Triffids are always one of the contenders for my 'all-time favourite band' Tony, so in some ways I'm envious of you & Kevin being able to discover them anew. BSD is their best album, but their best record, in my view, is the 'Field of Glass' EP (from a John Peel session), check out 'Monkey on my Back' in particular, an awesome track.
And if you like this, then give my music themed novel a try at https://challenge69.substack.com David McComb is a genius songwriter, and (in a later chapter) is one of the 'musical mavericks' my story is bult around. Advert over!!
Thanks for signing up for my book Tony, hope you enjoy it. I'll reply direct to your subscription by email and give my answer on your LiBL question there.
Leaf Encoder, a sparkly shiny track.
https://open.spotify.com/track/6inzD7XVAjwI0HMBqXyVZ0?si=45215ce77eaf4780
Just listened to this at work. It's got a great groove!
Woohoo!
All things Jack White and Yo La Tengo!!!
I am waaaaay down the YLT rabbit hole this week.
Very much enjoying the new Suede album https://open.spotify.com/track/3Si1CN1khI5LRvwqUX1e2u?si=17fd2ff2bdfe4d3a
I didn't know they had one out until I saw you mention it.
Middle Cyclone by Neko Case. Working on an essay around a couple of tracks from that album.
Right on. I'm looking forward to reading it!
Becoming borderline obsessed with the new Beths album. It is so, so great. https://thebethsnz.bandcamp.com/album/expert-in-a-dying-field
It's on my list to check out today!
Amazing album. Cross that border into complete obsession!
My “Woke” playlist :
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1U90IWA6L1N6aYBLfPzPuT?si=IXrgpWrdRFqxttQ-mRnIRg
JJ Cale just makes everything better.
Today's record: You & Me by the Walkmen
Just cued this up. Really liking it so far!
Thanks for the tip Andrew. 'The Rat' by The Walkmen is one of my favourite singles, but somehow though I stopped listening after 'Bows + Arrows'. I'll give the 'You & Me' album a try later today.
The band actually feature in one of the later chapters of my novel, serialised on Substack at https://challenge69.substack.com in a section themed around, "best New York bands". Give my book a try (and I'll do the same with Ponytail Press), I think you'd enjoy it.
PS In case you're wondering, The Strokes top my NY list, you just can't get, "more New York," than them!
Will do!
You're not the first person to tell me they don't know The Walkmen much past "The Rat." Maybe it's a matter of when you get introduced to them, but in my opinion, the band just got better and better. Lisbon and Heaven are both worth your time, too. I can't get enough of Hamilton Leithauser's voice.
I don't think I could possibly pick a top for an NY list. Too much good music comes from that city/state. A shocking number of my all-time favourites come from and/or created their best work in NYC, The Strokes included.
Thanks for signing up to read my book Andrew, I hope you enjoy it, I'll reply by email to your subscription.
Looking forward to bringing my Walkmen listening up to speed. Somehow though I did manage to catch Hamilton L's solo album (and love 'A 1000 Times').
Agree on NY, as I argue later in my book, " it is the most fascinating musical city. You can forget Nashville and Detroit and, while tipping a metaphorically appreciative hat to London and Manchester, have to accept that nowhere but New York can genuinely compete for such a title."
I'll leave you with one final leftfield NY contender, QTY. While they only seem to have ever made one album it's a beauty.
I've been scratching my bluegrass itch with some Fruition out of Portland
There is another PDX-based bluegrass artist named Josh Cole that you might like.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXlJwV01d5no5gKjtMwbaMQ
Thanks for the tip!
I've been listening to the new Santigold release 'Spirituals' which is pretty fun! Also Sky Ferreira has found her way into my playlists and its been a post-punk-synth-pop good time.
Love Sky Ferreira!
I just came across her recently and I'm really excited about her new album whenever that happens!
Been thinking back to what my mother listened to as a teen in Jamaica and spinning Don Drummond’s album The Best of the Skatalites. “Eastern Standard Time” as well as “(Music Is) My Occupation” are notable tracks. You might recognize the latter song’s melody. 😉
Also, I randomly got back into the aesthetic and theme song for the show Mad Men. RJD2’s “A Beautiful Mine” leans heavy on percussion with strings accompanying them. Great track. Great show. Might get a wiggle dress to complete the mood.
I might've heard the melody once or twice. :) Great track, though! The kind of jolt I need to get ready for work on a rainy Sunday morning.