tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-138277022024-03-11T20:54:48.616-05:00Oklahoma LeftyA (mostly) music blog.Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15951430008150125773noreply@blogger.comBlogger6326125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13827702.post-56848301973765775862023-12-09T08:00:00.001-06:002023-12-09T08:00:00.138-06:00Top 30 Records of 2023: 10-1<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzhSvmqN-4hJoEZPNY32DMoL07ryrZnxb_uy4l_E_hKLOGj6NxxL2WaoN_WdOmmvaMqYnKWoGVdXAJKVEivoMydzeS7bKQxrBt5M2JkSuemxtizFxnCH0LXXyBwDTcf89vwY8XNkxZbuyElmz2WX645ZCEl8f3IOTkN1yzU90wjTNORIrSrEmM/s1860/Best%20of%202023%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1860" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzhSvmqN-4hJoEZPNY32DMoL07ryrZnxb_uy4l_E_hKLOGj6NxxL2WaoN_WdOmmvaMqYnKWoGVdXAJKVEivoMydzeS7bKQxrBt5M2JkSuemxtizFxnCH0LXXyBwDTcf89vwY8XNkxZbuyElmz2WX645ZCEl8f3IOTkN1yzU90wjTNORIrSrEmM/s320/Best%20of%202023%20(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />I don't know about anyone else, but 2023 was a weird ass year for me. Oh, who am I kidding...shit's been weird since 2020, but there was something about this year that had me flustered and discombobulated. Here's to hoping things will get better in 2024. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Before we get into the rest of the list, I wanted to talk about some of the people we lost this year. Obviously, there were way too many people who died this year, far more than I can properly discuss here, but there are a few that I needed to touch on. The deaths that really shocked me and I never saw coming included Sinéad O'Connor, Paul Reubens (Pee-wee Herman), Annie Wersching, Bray Wyatt, and Jay Briscoe. Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter was a special woman who did all she could to make the world a better place. Bab Barker played a part in my childhood as the host of Wheel of Fortune. Michael Gambon embodied Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films. Shane MacGowan of The Pogues, Harry Belafonte, Jeff Beck, Vivian Trimble of Luscious Jackson, and Andy Rourke of The Smiths all left musical legacies. Jerry Springer will be remembered for the utter chaos that was The Jerry Springer Show, but I'll always remember his sign-off "Till next time, take care of yourselves and each other." Finally, the celebrity death that hit me the hardest this year was that of Tina Turner. My first concert was Tina Turner on the Private Dancer Tour in 1985 and I love her music to this day.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Below are my picks for the 10 best records of 2023. Interestingly, the last time the top two artists on this list released new music was in 2021. In that year, they both held the <a href="https://oklahomalefty.blogspot.com/2021/12/top-30-records-of-2021-10-1.html" target="_blank">top two spots on my list</a>. How crazy is that?!? </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And please, do follow Jerry's advice and take care of yourselves and each other.<br /><br /><a href="https://oklahomalefty.blogspot.com/2023/12/top-30-records-of-2023-30-21.html" target="_blank">30-21</a>, <a href="https://oklahomalefty.blogspot.com/2023/12/top-records-of-2023-20-11.html" target="_blank">20-11</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4mrAdvaxi_6UM4k8Do_lNXZVaxHW3GAVM1yaeNG5oImbyGnMARFO5AFfTfkIpo42FPrZnQusjhq0fBnCI6ssVc3SrteYRKWw5dc47hXFM3vVV6C5WhFo6sGwjZEtMXrBBXyVMPc6uAP0AxeVxtPtx84dW_ri9-uTzDRGxVu7w3PoLIQaEL6ow/s224/wolves%20&%20wolves%20&%20wolves%20&%20wolves%20-%20cursecursecurse%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4mrAdvaxi_6UM4k8Do_lNXZVaxHW3GAVM1yaeNG5oImbyGnMARFO5AFfTfkIpo42FPrZnQusjhq0fBnCI6ssVc3SrteYRKWw5dc47hXFM3vVV6C5WhFo6sGwjZEtMXrBBXyVMPc6uAP0AxeVxtPtx84dW_ri9-uTzDRGxVu7w3PoLIQaEL6ow/s1600/wolves%20&%20wolves%20&%20wolves%20&%20wolves%20-%20cursecursecurse%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div><br />10. <i>cursecursecurse </i>by wolves & wolves & wolves & wolves</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://wolvesx4.bandcamp.com/album/cursecursecurse" target="_blank">BandCamp</a>, <a href="https://gunnerrecords.com/product-category/bands/wolves-wolves-wolves-wolves/" target="_blank">Gunner Records</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Cursecursecurse-Explicit-Wolves/dp/B0CGDHRX3R" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/3Z7yAz2vanYnpkCf5Exg9c" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Goddammit, I have missed wolves & wolves & wolves & wolves! This is gruff, melodic, anthemic punk rock done to perfection! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2553970777/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://wolvesx4.bandcamp.com/album/cursecursecurse">cursecursecurse by wolves & wolves & wolves & wolves</a></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRylRGeWVuch5XjTCudRQg3VNOnBLEwvtyRVd91hzD_MBLaiF0X5EgGH1q9-yPTT4O49cFtUPA4cK4JTaT_dPLvXjwHZnRZxISkTCqVGqZ-dpw-oeqVFvpbmQAzt1hcxBMioMkRtXhQnbWFnGrtCdfh2pP1eskxm8GVEh9J6CTdlOVoHhPzwQr/s224/The%20Menzingers%20-%20Some%20of%20it%20Was%20True%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRylRGeWVuch5XjTCudRQg3VNOnBLEwvtyRVd91hzD_MBLaiF0X5EgGH1q9-yPTT4O49cFtUPA4cK4JTaT_dPLvXjwHZnRZxISkTCqVGqZ-dpw-oeqVFvpbmQAzt1hcxBMioMkRtXhQnbWFnGrtCdfh2pP1eskxm8GVEh9J6CTdlOVoHhPzwQr/s1600/The%20Menzingers%20-%20Some%20of%20it%20Was%20True%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div><br />9. <i>Some Of It Was True </i>by The Menzingers</span></b></div><div><a href="https://themenzingers.com/collections/music" target="_blank">Official</a>, <a href="https://themenzingers.bandcamp.com/album/some-of-it-was-true" target="_blank">BandCamp</a>, <a href="https://www.epitaph.com/artists/the-menzingers/release/some-of-it-was-true" target="_blank">Epitaph Records</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/music/player/albums/B0CC91NJR1" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/some-of-it-was-true/1698521921" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/1haMGMoO3UjtVB1l3BHMFZ" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>The Menzingers have fallen into an interesting pattern since the release of their brilliant 2012 album <i>On the Impossible Past</i>. The band releases a brilliant record (<i>On the Impossible Past</i>), and then the band follows it up with a record that is good but nowhere near as good as its predecessor (2014's <i>Rented World</i>) only to then follow that up with another brilliant album (2017's <i>After the Party</i>) and a somewhat disappointing one (2019's <i>Hello Exile</i>). Now, you'd better believe that none of these albums are bad. The Menzingers are excellent songwriters and a tight-as-hell band, which means their records range from good to absolutely freaking incredible. <i>Some Of It Was True </i>is one of the incredible ones. As <a href="https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/the-menzingers-some-of-it-was-true-album-review-punk-rock-from-the-heartland/" target="_blank">Far Out explained in their review</a>, </div><div><div></div><blockquote><div>Coming out of the punk rock tradition, The Menzingers have prided themselves on making some of the most earnest music of the era, taking the basic sounds of open chords and writing dense tales about connecting with the world around them. While albums like <i>After the Party</i> may be the shining example of what they could do at their best, <i>Some Of It Was True</i> captures a certain uncertainty that anyone in their 20s is bound to feel.</div><div><br /></div><div>Being one of their first major releases of original material since the pandemic, grief and stark reconciliation are displayed throughout most of the lyrics. </div></blockquote><div></div></div><div>Ain't that the truth. I was starting to wonder if someone should call in a welfare check on the band. More from the review,<br /><div></div><blockquote><div>Although there are rarely optimistic moments throughout the album, the music remains uplifting, from the massive hooks to the sprinkling of lead work throughout the album. While it may not be at the same level as someone like Joe Satriani, the little melodic flourishes help anchor the song down to the ground, almost like they must keep themselves from drifting into the clouds.</div><div><br /></div><div>[...]</div><div><br /></div><div>Whereas most punk fans might see the bleakness of the world around them and lash out in anger, The Menzingers are taking that same frustration and doing whatever they can to make the world a better place. Compared to the rest of the indie punk scene right now, The Menzingers are channelling Ramones and The Clash through Bruce Springsteen and made a stellar album that can be enjoyed for years to come. The world might look dark, but the music can often be the strongest light.</div></blockquote><div></div></div><div>I couldn't agree more.</div><div><br /></div><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=353370873/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://themenzingers.bandcamp.com/album/some-of-it-was-true">Some Of It Was True by The Menzingers</a></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSWMCImqkWplk8ZPMo7dDPhdfzhhVMD08DgePpT_6-bHjnRYMMfP8Y-_oYwTP3GqoEcHDwb8r2Oi5_zM5pilYgqCwC7tgBTQoJZEohk38m95qPhtUD7KamNIbOMr8XQ0irGXtTG_YbIWxYT3YXioYCC78XaOO4ejN-RGspVlefTHYHvqsxyZuH/s224/The%20Bouncing%20Souls%20-%20Ten%20Stories%20High%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSWMCImqkWplk8ZPMo7dDPhdfzhhVMD08DgePpT_6-bHjnRYMMfP8Y-_oYwTP3GqoEcHDwb8r2Oi5_zM5pilYgqCwC7tgBTQoJZEohk38m95qPhtUD7KamNIbOMr8XQ0irGXtTG_YbIWxYT3YXioYCC78XaOO4ejN-RGspVlefTHYHvqsxyZuH/s1600/The%20Bouncing%20Souls%20-%20Ten%20Stories%20High%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div><br />8. <i>Ten Stories High</i> by The Bouncing Souls</span></b></div><div><a href="https://thebouncingsouls.bandcamp.com/album/ten-stories-high" target="_blank">BandCamp</a>, <a href="https://purenoise.merchnow.com/collections/bouncing-souls" target="_blank">Pure Noise Records</a>, <a href="https://lnk.to/SoulsTenStoriesHigh" target="_blank">Linktree</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/music/player/albums/B0BRLYSYXX" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/ten-stories-high/1662735007" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/0wdbr46ndnwB1cgZoNzT48" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>The Bouncing Souls do anthemic punk rock better than anyone, hard stop. <i>Ten Stories High </i>is the band's 11th (or 12th, depending on how you count their 2020 collection of reimagined songs, <i>Volume 2</i>) album and holds its own with the best they have put out in their 30 years as a band. What makes this record different is that its ten songs are based on stories that their fans sent them during the pandemic. Needless to say, the result is outstanding. </div><div><br /></div><div>Check out the <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/2VDAxoBTbKheEZElPawHbo" target="_blank">One Band, 5 Songs episode covering The Bouncing Souls</a>.</div><div><br /></div><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2777545873/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://thebouncingsouls.bandcamp.com/album/ten-stories-high">Ten Stories High by The Bouncing Souls</a></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2truvTCF8uHRRzHYw7k0wU5SB8myfNWPyKrTbJRgB1y69xhC5dWwJuGsVOnNAIZjz2XAgCOx6Y8fONPXeI_4AOn6nHF1wEirQrHQ14BEsp459jexjZq7s6DJNdYOzLA2CinMKWYKKKUMncZSlZtabzsrip405XKCWBfi0Ik4W_f9cGcIn3LRQ/s224/Shit%20Present%20-%20What%20Still%20Gets%20Me%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2truvTCF8uHRRzHYw7k0wU5SB8myfNWPyKrTbJRgB1y69xhC5dWwJuGsVOnNAIZjz2XAgCOx6Y8fONPXeI_4AOn6nHF1wEirQrHQ14BEsp459jexjZq7s6DJNdYOzLA2CinMKWYKKKUMncZSlZtabzsrip405XKCWBfi0Ik4W_f9cGcIn3LRQ/s1600/Shit%20Present%20-%20What%20Still%20Gets%20Me%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div><br />7. <i>What Still Gets Me</i> by Shit Present</span></b></div><div><a href="https://shitpresent.bandcamp.com/album/what-still-gets-me" target="_blank">BandCamp</a>, <a href="https://specialistsubjectrecords.co.uk/collections/shit-present" target="_blank">Specialist Subject Records</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/music/player/albums/B0BS9N8PHK" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/what-still-gets-me/1665296568" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/4fyZ2d1cRqBYB6YJkWjigm" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>This record was such a pleasant surprise. Shit Present's last release was their sophomore EP, 2016's <i>Misery + Disaster</i> and I'd kind of lost hope that we'd get anything else from this tremendous band. Thank god I was wrong! After seven long years, Shit Present has returned with a blistering, biting, and brilliant full-length debut that was more than worth the wait. <i>What Still Gets Me</i> packs pure heart and soul into 13 of the best indie punk jams that you will hear anywhere. I'm so glad this band is back!!!</div><div><br /></div><div>Check out the <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/3IQPyCvaIfvayTCVAqx1nc" target="_blank">Shit Present episode of One Band, 5 Songs</a>.</div><div><br /></div><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=4063991169/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://shitpresent.bandcamp.com/album/what-still-gets-me">What Still Gets Me by Shit Present</a></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6t1hSzR2Ve-z0Hy3KzXVamvbLZvPMcxApQYeJYgpmaq38snBRwSQOeRRJzg5GbHEt_tG4P088__b34hoGe3DGj-0-Ph2sfHo8i4kB901nc7mvyZTUsI38KQZjA4XLu-HyhDIXQdhiaN5Vqd78tL4TjNTj81sc9hK0DiZ0DVDA09ySvcYMO9vh/s224/NOT%20-%20Stop%20The%20World%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6t1hSzR2Ve-z0Hy3KzXVamvbLZvPMcxApQYeJYgpmaq38snBRwSQOeRRJzg5GbHEt_tG4P088__b34hoGe3DGj-0-Ph2sfHo8i4kB901nc7mvyZTUsI38KQZjA4XLu-HyhDIXQdhiaN5Vqd78tL4TjNTj81sc9hK0DiZ0DVDA09ySvcYMO9vh/s1600/NOT%20-%20Stop%20The%20World%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div><br />6. <i>Stop The World</i> by NOT</span></b></div><div><a href="https://wiretaprecords.bandcamp.com/album/stop-the-world" target="_blank">BandCamp</a>, <a href="https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0BZ1HF6BJ" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/stop-the-world/1678189883" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/4GzL1pmmJCSwRKBjamw2qT" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>When the opening line of the press release about your band starts out saying, "What do you do when ALL stop making records? You form a band with your friends and make your own." you have my attention. And holy shit these guys did it. <i>Stop The World</i> sounds just like a record that ALL would have made. They also get extra points for leading with their love and devotion to ALL and not the Descendents. Obviously, NOT are Descendents fans but it is the ALL itch they are hoping to scratch, and boy howdy do they! <i>Stop The World</i> is filled with ridiculously catchy songs that are too good to be true. It's nice to know that I'm not the only one out there who misses ALL. </div><div><br /></div><div>Oh, and for the record, NOT can fucking go! This band rips and is immensely talented. I know this review has talked a lot about ALL, but the thing is, ALL is one of the most proficient and gifted bands in the world and has produced some of the most deceptively complex to ever come out of punk rock. So, if you put a band together as a love letter to ALL, you HAVE to be able to play and play well. NOT plays exceptionally well.</div><div><br /></div><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1882002556/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://wiretaprecords.bandcamp.com/album/stop-the-world">Stop The World by NOT</a></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghGeuiHtabGMwWL4fyhydKRZGc0KZ73YnqcjC1HwgXcjj8i-TwiTaaVfdU5VthmdkPPAbN1P91GS91EQQ74iNm0VhxFErHvdwY2YqLzhRgLYf2rwI-1-9LwgFJ6R79okaalP3fNsmgbZTFRoSr4z4iSvTmdIAKa2HMYio5qFNABteyNWBczDL_/s224/The%20Replacements%20-%20Tim%20(Let%20It%20Bleed%20Edition)%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghGeuiHtabGMwWL4fyhydKRZGc0KZ73YnqcjC1HwgXcjj8i-TwiTaaVfdU5VthmdkPPAbN1P91GS91EQQ74iNm0VhxFErHvdwY2YqLzhRgLYf2rwI-1-9LwgFJ6R79okaalP3fNsmgbZTFRoSr4z4iSvTmdIAKa2HMYio5qFNABteyNWBczDL_/s1600/The%20Replacements%20-%20Tim%20(Let%20It%20Bleed%20Edition)%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div><br />5. <i>Tim (Let It Bleed Edition)</i> by The Replacements</span></b></div><div><a href="https://www.amazon.com/music/player/albums/B0CCST2BPZ" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/tim-let-it-bleed-edition/1699258240" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/2LJSizYgFPP6gP9O3YDBy1" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Normally I don't include reissues on my year-end lists, but I am making an exception for this one. What makes <i>Tim (Let It Bleed Edition) </i>so special is the new mix of the record by Ed Stasium. This was not your standard remix either. Stasium was able to get his hands on the original session recordings and start from scratch. This new mix adds depth and clarity to an already brilliant and classic album. <i>Tim</i> is my favorite Replacements record so it took a few spins before the new mixes of these songs clicked, but when they did it was a <a href="https://youtu.be/uG-Nkhp7qec" target="_blank">glass-breaking moment</a> that made me feel like I was hearing these songs again for the first time. In a lot of ways, Tim (Let It Bleed Edition) feels like a new album thanks to the new life Ed Stasium's mix breathed into it. Simply incredible!</div><div><br /><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="169" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-oRBS04zc18?si=47dotBeJW-vL0R3l" title="YouTube video player" width="300"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Nq_S11Jf0yT0cshsTHTspKZIVMAYVsQbShsnMXHRTADKXb_uW0ar4aOF1krms4sx_TY71iov7AnQMg16jpPlhuOkOWo9qnazoWmGnYDSN0hTwFVun42rzlTO7hyphenhyphenopXqiFP-bsayPhFYJ5cIjQ_BqxvOvcUYZC50p3OeI8viILMoAkyVyZObo/s224/The%20Iron%20Roses%20-%20The%20Iron%20Roses%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Nq_S11Jf0yT0cshsTHTspKZIVMAYVsQbShsnMXHRTADKXb_uW0ar4aOF1krms4sx_TY71iov7AnQMg16jpPlhuOkOWo9qnazoWmGnYDSN0hTwFVun42rzlTO7hyphenhyphenopXqiFP-bsayPhFYJ5cIjQ_BqxvOvcUYZC50p3OeI8viILMoAkyVyZObo/s1600/The%20Iron%20Roses%20-%20The%20Iron%20Roses%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div><br />4. <i>The Iron Roses</i> by The Iron Roses</span></b></div><div><a href="https://iodinerecordings.bandcamp.com/album/the-iron-roses" target="_blank">BandCamp</a>, <a href="https://dthw.sh/theironroses" target="_blank">Linktree</a>, <a href="https://deathwishinc.com/collections/all/products/the-iron-roses-the-iron-roses" target="_blank">Deathwish Inc.</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Iron-Roses-Explicit/dp/B0C83ZR43V" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-iron-roses/1692642937" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/2Z8avcsy4aZIFwIY54WA7b" target="_blank">Spotify</a> </div><div><br /></div><div>Sometimes music all comes down to a feeling. A feeling that is produced when you hear a certain song, record, or artist. Some types of music can induce one type of feeling while others bring about something completely different. And some of these feelings stick with you for years and years. </div><div><br /></div><div>The genesis of The Iron Roses can be traced back to the last two Nathan Gray solo albums, 2020's <i>Working Title</i> and 2021's <i>Rebel Songs</i>, the latter rechristened to be by Nathan Gray & The Iron Roses. It was while playing shows in support of <i>Rebel Songs</i> that Gray realized they hadn't just put together a touring band but a full-fledged musical group. Thus The Iron Roses were born. On <i>The Iron Roses</i>, the band's proper full-length debut, the band has created something special. Somehow this album is angry, desperate, fun, and joyful all at the same time. <a href="https://newnoisemagazine.com/reviews/album-review-the-iron-roses-self-titled/" target="_blank">New Noise Magazine's Ryan Curtiss put it nicely</a>, stating, </div><div><div></div><blockquote><div>Cheerful and angry is the best way to describe the new The Iron Roses self-titled album. These 11 tracks are incendiary bombs with an undertone of gleeful celebration in every song. Crafting music inbetween punk, ska, and a touch of hardcore, The Iron Roses aren’t taking anyone’s shit on their newest album. It is chock full of explosive choruses, catchy singalongs, and a fuck you attitude that will have you throwing this record on repeat for a while.</div><div><br /></div><div>[...]</div><div><br /></div><div>The Iron Roses self-titled album is a breath of fresh air in a landscape of tired music. Maybe it’s because this is my first time listening to them, but they are able to mix genres and styles fluidly and stylishly, suiting the energy and tone of the album. Every track is a fun listen, diving into an irate frenzy of sound and lyrics that are bound to get the most jaded punks up and dancing. Don’t sleep on The Iron Roses self-titled album. It is a great fucking listen.</div></blockquote><div></div></div><div>For me though, what it really comes down to is a feeling. I got hints of this feeling on <i>Working Title</i> but it really hit me on both <i>Rebel Songs</i> and <i>The Iron Roses</i>. Unfortunately, I don't have a name for this feeling but it's the same way that I felt the first time I heard bands like 7 Seconds and Operation Ivy. Hopeful optimism. That hopeful optimism is all over The Iron Roses' music and that is what truly makes all the difference in the world.</div><div><br /></div><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=521112135/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://iodinerecordings.bandcamp.com/album/the-iron-roses">The Iron Roses by The Iron Roses</a></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0_dRwRt8yB11RtV0vM9kcV9p-foHIgNuv-WrGEDpRuIQUslVVyFQjRK-3S4SPh9O52KzA3A74SUEOak7VNQZ0e6vbOUYIwb9UbpFbdjrBX9fvFh4JRSOkSCo0Np796YpAvk2HE3PnRvXY0t5h59VqhJrNQZ-9iZBf_D2znTqXAwikQXtAWYn3/s224/Dave%20Hause%20-%20Drive%20It%20Like%20It's%20Stolen%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0_dRwRt8yB11RtV0vM9kcV9p-foHIgNuv-WrGEDpRuIQUslVVyFQjRK-3S4SPh9O52KzA3A74SUEOak7VNQZ0e6vbOUYIwb9UbpFbdjrBX9fvFh4JRSOkSCo0Np796YpAvk2HE3PnRvXY0t5h59VqhJrNQZ-9iZBf_D2znTqXAwikQXtAWYn3/s1600/Dave%20Hause%20-%20Drive%20It%20Like%20It's%20Stolen%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div><br />3. <i>Drive It Like It's Stolen</i> by Dave Hause</span></b></div><div><a href="https://dave-hause.myshopify.com/" target="_blank">Official</a>, <a href="https://davehause.bandcamp.com/album/drive-it-like-its-stolen" target="_blank">BandCamp</a>, <a href="https://go.davehause.com/DILISa" target="_blank">Linktree</a>, <a href="https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0BQCY6V49" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/drive-it-like-its-stolen/1660345690" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/0UNrzpkxEcc5VUO1tLSHuS" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Dave Hause's last album, 2021's <i>Blood Harmony</i>, was his most somber full-length since his 2011 debut <i>Resolutions</i>. While I thoroughly enjoyed <i>Blood Harmony</i>, I missed the more rocking nature of 2017's <i>Bury Me in Philly</i> and 2019's <i>Kick</i>. <i>Drive It Like It's Stolen</i> has found the perfect middle ground between the two, no more perfectly encapsulated than in the opening track "Cheap Seats (New Years Day, NYC, 2042)," a song that starts out dark and slow and builds to a powerfully cathartic crescendo. Still, this album took me a while to really get but I'm glad that it did. Sometimes an album takes multiple listens before it sinks in and often those are some of the most rewarding records. That is certainly the case with <i>Drive It Like It's Stolen</i>. There is so much raw emotion and complicated feelings in these songs and that is what ultimately makes this album so damn good. Dave Hause is an incredibly special artist who has crafted some of my favorite songs and whose music I feel down in my bones and <i>Drive It Like It's Stolen</i> is a welcomed addition to the canon.</div><div><br /></div><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1604035888/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://davehause.bandcamp.com/album/drive-it-like-its-stolen">Drive It Like It's Stolen by Dave Hause</a></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAXx8Jlh7hb5DZtWnUZRf9849vEUfYMrbE_RZj7LDw2rISlOMR5lEekFFn9JQdwf9Eew_JjP467GqJAzynLzNNQXnmtAaFiXmwZqfQFjIHwxIFYcOBh-VTnqproTjATm1Mvm-XvRAUI7wfBOX2Umwe2POp6F1SoHJ2yM3IKFbYGrDmNV9YNNVi/s224/Baby%20Queen%20-%20Quarter%20Life%20Crisis%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAXx8Jlh7hb5DZtWnUZRf9849vEUfYMrbE_RZj7LDw2rISlOMR5lEekFFn9JQdwf9Eew_JjP467GqJAzynLzNNQXnmtAaFiXmwZqfQFjIHwxIFYcOBh-VTnqproTjATm1Mvm-XvRAUI7wfBOX2Umwe2POp6F1SoHJ2yM3IKFbYGrDmNV9YNNVi/s1600/Baby%20Queen%20-%20Quarter%20Life%20Crisis%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div><br />2. <i>Quarter Life Crisis</i> by Baby Queen</span></b></div><div><a href="https://shop.babyqueen.world/collections/music" target="_blank">Official</a>, <a href="https://babyqueen.lnk.to/QLCID" target="_blank">Linktree</a>, <a href="https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0CDQF86DX" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/quarter-life-crisis-deluxe/1701096977" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/2OqDjO2moqMLtBEfFiu8OB" target="_blank">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarter_Life_Crisis_(album)" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Here's something about me that is probably very obvious to those who know me. I have big feelings. In fact, I'm probably overly emotional if I am being honest. Regardless, my emotions are strong and I feel things fully, deeply, and for a long time. This is why I am drawn to music that is epic and soaring and invokes big emotions. It is also what draws me to Baby Queen's music. </div><div><br /></div><div>Baby Queen, shoot name Arabella Latham, writes and plays ridiculously catchy and bombastic indie pop anthems filled with commentary about mental health and modern life. Latham hits the nail on the head so hard and so often that I'm amazed she hasn't broken something. <i>Quarter Life Crisis </i>is billed as her debut album, but she released a full-length, and brilliant, "mixtape" in 2021 titled <i>The Yearbook</i> and I can't understand why it is not considered her debut album. I'm probably being way too nit-picky about this... </div><div><br /></div><div>From top to bottom, <i>Quater Life Crisis</i> is a fun and cathartic romp through some of life's deepest valleys and darkest emotions. There is also something that is so completely intangible and indescribable about this music. </div><div><br /></div><div>The best music hits you in the gut and makes you feel something long after the song and record are over. <i>Quarter Life Crisis </i>is that kind of music.</div><div><br /></div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="169" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_z2-_ZeK0Mo?si=LowQqrLDLmQYPiDw" title="YouTube video player" width="300"></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAD_c1BqtJfvn52w012pcI8v38WzbfWCi0TbBFghTXqRoDwHmKoMu9c6yWIGYvflDItnv-00ixWYuVI9YLdcK6DKaORzZekNz7t1u9YBevfuTs1Ggv2XngNw1VvB9gX9Zx7lYGINfn8eHvvCESgbmR-VQIMETaoaDN4KLy3N1PArYNS9E3c0z4/s224/Sincere%20Engineer%20-%20Cheap%20Grills%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAD_c1BqtJfvn52w012pcI8v38WzbfWCi0TbBFghTXqRoDwHmKoMu9c6yWIGYvflDItnv-00ixWYuVI9YLdcK6DKaORzZekNz7t1u9YBevfuTs1Ggv2XngNw1VvB9gX9Zx7lYGINfn8eHvvCESgbmR-VQIMETaoaDN4KLy3N1PArYNS9E3c0z4/s1600/Sincere%20Engineer%20-%20Cheap%20Grills%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div><br />1. <i>Cheap Grills </i>by Sincere Engineer</span></b></div><div><a href="https://sincereengineer.com/" target="_blank">Official</a>, <a href="https://sincereengineer.bandcamp.com/album/cheap-grills-2" target="_blank">BandCamp</a>, <a href="https://hopelessrecords.myshopify.com/collections/sincere-engineer" target="_blank">Hopeless Records</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/music/player/albums/B0C9LR6XJQ" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/cheap-grills/1694643339" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/3OicTD14V4nO5N1lLvcKRz" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Jesus H Christ, how does this band keep getting better and better?!? </div><div><br /></div><div>Sincere Engineer's third album, <i>Cheap Grills</i>, sounds pretty much exactly what one would think a new Sincere Engineer record would sound like. How is that a bad thing? This band is tight as hell and still at the height of their powers, producing songs that are emotional gut checks and musical anthems. All three of Sincere Engineer's albums have packed a punch but each one has hit a bit differently. <i>Rhombithian</i> was immediate. It cleaned your clock in a rough and messy way, kind of like an up-and-coming prodigy fighter. <i>Bless My Psyche</i> was rolled out over a good six months, revealing itself slowly and deliberately, but once it arrived you knew it was here and here to mess you up. <i>Cheap Grills </i>has been a slower burn, like a long and winding road that makes you work to see its glory. Sure, the songs themselves all have a certain feel to them because Sincere Engineer has created its own unique take on the punk rock formula. But when taken as a whole, the albums themselves are three distinct listening experiences. </div><div><br /></div><div>Look, I've been preaching the gospel of Sincere Engineer for a long time. Their full-length debut, <i>Rhombithian</i>, was # 1 on both my <a href="https://oklahomalefty.blogspot.com/2017/12/top-40-records-of-2017-10-1.html" target="_blank">Top 40 Records of 2017</a> and <a href="https://oklahomalefty.blogspot.com/2019/11/top-50-records-of-2010s-10-1.html" target="_blank">Top 50 Records of the 2010s</a> lists. The follow-up, <i>Bless My Psyche</i> was # 1 on my <a href="https://oklahomalefty.blogspot.com/2021/12/top-30-records-of-2021-10-1.html" target="_blank">Top 30 Records of 2021</a> list and now <i>Cheap Grills </i>makes it three for three. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>Cheap Grills</i> is also a record that makes me feel seen and not alone in this crazy ass world. I am so grateful for Deanna and company, and their music. </div><div><br /></div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/isof4t4k1So?si=1tYIP6J52Z5SwaId" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><div><br /></div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ICelcCbttD8?si=bq31Q1ecwEq2EeO7" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><div><br /></div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VaTGDIXnlMQ?si=_ImKiy8qWbJyP7uO" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><div><br /></div><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1540067450/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://sincereengineer.bandcamp.com/album/cheap-grills-2">Cheap Grills by Sincere Engineer</a></iframe>Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15951430008150125773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13827702.post-28700233093191509902023-12-07T08:00:00.001-06:002023-12-07T08:00:00.139-06:00Top Records of 2023: 20-11<div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwxmN_9Y7quu4eLNbM7QrttGzdG0MXQZ_ssK7P1g1CkoCcrrLF2XngrsjnlY9mJxdaLlYCOl1f5l0PiE86IquGlIkPpwOoE6nLxn0hUXL2x93yyz_c-zcKzGPAOfSUFzLP922b5f2hGDulX6xZYfO3Yoe5fXPmbcVdItw1IY6eouDfxZbmackF/s1860/Best%20of%202023%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1860" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwxmN_9Y7quu4eLNbM7QrttGzdG0MXQZ_ssK7P1g1CkoCcrrLF2XngrsjnlY9mJxdaLlYCOl1f5l0PiE86IquGlIkPpwOoE6nLxn0hUXL2x93yyz_c-zcKzGPAOfSUFzLP922b5f2hGDulX6xZYfO3Yoe5fXPmbcVdItw1IY6eouDfxZbmackF/s320/Best%20of%202023%20(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://oklahomalefty.blogspot.com/2023/12/top-30-records-of-2023-30-21.html" target="_blank">30-21</a>, 10-1</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5DPSlU64Szq7DAbqU3xWvP1V3ihVLswSnodZg1Ki_68q2IBS_9dEhkg9rZQJteE7paoyiebv6DuFn10QM3Cbqxu-ZRBRwnR5JB_mhSEp3zQztf1PIQ0E7nYhwC_ymG6rC31Ap4N7BNqFB-Doo1otSDBH8Xq-vUsXFLgHEnLR7t1w-TrNPoKjL/s224/U2%20-%20Songs%20Of%20Surrender%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5DPSlU64Szq7DAbqU3xWvP1V3ihVLswSnodZg1Ki_68q2IBS_9dEhkg9rZQJteE7paoyiebv6DuFn10QM3Cbqxu-ZRBRwnR5JB_mhSEp3zQztf1PIQ0E7nYhwC_ymG6rC31Ap4N7BNqFB-Doo1otSDBH8Xq-vUsXFLgHEnLR7t1w-TrNPoKjL/s1600/U2%20-%20Songs%20Of%20Surrender%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div><br />20. <i>Songs Of Surrender</i> by U2</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.u2.com/news/title/songs-of-surrender-out-now/" target="_blank">Official</a>, <a href="https://u2.lnk.to/U2sos" target="_blank">Linktree</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Songs-Surrender-U2/dp/B0BRYHZNQ9" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/songs-of-surrender/1664119641" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/3fqPfbVHsvdpovpJXOJlvU" target="_blank">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Songs_of_Surrender" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Songs Of Surrender</i> is way better than it has any right to be. On the surface, the thought of U2 reinterpreting 40 of their songs sounds like a trainwreck waiting to happen yet, somehow it's not. It is not a perfect collection by any stretch of the imagination but it is a fascinating listening experience. I don't think any of the renditions on <i>Songs Of Surrender</i> are better than the originals, but a lot of them are quite good and some are even great. The record also serves as a companion to Bono's memoir <i>Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story</i>, which I recently started listening to on Audible and so far it is pretty freaking great with some awesome production choices that make it feel more like a podcast than an audiobook. Here's the deal, while <i>Songs Of Surrender </i>is a shockingly good record, it is one designed and intended for longtime fans of the band. In other words, if you don't already like U2, this record is not going to change your mind.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="169" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Id3P3o8zO_s?si=t8D-_13ODR8qL52N" title="YouTube video player" width="300"></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0KhRu8yCpr_-XPSe7P99jrx7dg6TtT0GdMdTht_EjAZ85cXZdz6oPphHAcAbB10s4LWOCa07HgzONA7DREMoxNMhvPGcxrrD4r12WUWGCM-kzVWYzXH6gOpZuPaUuTg5bhDSEHc8oSRIQebHeckEC7EjqHMI_AhU88MFZD1REZc_K_RRfG2-t/s224/girlhouse%20-%20the%20fourth%20ep%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0KhRu8yCpr_-XPSe7P99jrx7dg6TtT0GdMdTht_EjAZ85cXZdz6oPphHAcAbB10s4LWOCa07HgzONA7DREMoxNMhvPGcxrrD4r12WUWGCM-kzVWYzXH6gOpZuPaUuTg5bhDSEHc8oSRIQebHeckEC7EjqHMI_AhU88MFZD1REZc_K_RRfG2-t/s1600/girlhouse%20-%20the%20fourth%20ep%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div><br />19. <i>the fourth ep </i>by girlhouse</span></b></div><div><a href="https://www.girlhouseonline.com/music" target="_blank">Official</a>, <a href="https://orcd.co/thefourthep" target="_blank">Linktree</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C1THLD8P" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-fourth-ep/1681309532" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/7h1ExZHmKyLZ61ZC6zpHOR" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>I am new to indie bedroom pop artist girlhouse and honestly, I can't remember how I came across her latest, <i>the fourth ep</i>, but I am glad that I did! The brainchild of Lauren Luiz, girlhouse packs a powerful emotional touch through lush and now energetic indie pop music. As <a href="https://loudwomen.org/2023/06/03/girlhouse-the-fourth-ep/" target="_blank">Loud Women's Reva May puts it</a>, </div><div><div></div><blockquote><div>girlhouse’s personal experiences continue to be a source of inspiration and she continues to grow as a songwriter with each EP release. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>the fourth ep</i> is a mashup girlhouse’s signature heartfelt lyrics with touches of bright pop punk fun. This EP isn’t just a different side of girlhouse; the fourth ep reveals a new layer of girlhouse’s endless talent.</div></blockquote><div></div></div><div>And <a href="https://hashbrandnew.com/Artists/girlhouse/Albums/the+fourth+ep" target="_blank">according to #BrandNew</a>,</div><div><blockquote>While her earliest material honed in on a more reclusive artist at the helm, girlhouse has been blooming with a fresh and euphoric confidence these last few years, culminating in 'the fourth ep', her most explosive EP to date. Bringing in a harder and more raucous energy this time around, while still honouring her more lovelorn origins, her newest collection sees her break out of her timid shell to deliver a blistering array of cacophonous gems throughout.</blockquote></div><div>This is one of those records that hits you each and every time you listen to it. I can't wait to see what girlhouse does next!</div><div><br /></div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="169" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NwAx6zG8E1s?si=Ue6BH6TwI6RJJM8z" title="YouTube video player" width="300"></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ARsDicAUj13kRThlNpf-bwoLjNxEYoOhXV9D0m0DDb1OnJoPwp60rUfNMlndLBz-D7DvCOuNyRPgxQRhrJjnkmznBX8ooHcX0qTq2yltJ2snY85KM9Mq9cHwEt7KM32Xtiph8WMYIVae4d4dFSjIL9Uo9SwbaXBbqsqNVYDWxpdv6uf9nWgO/s224/The%20Gaslight%20Anthem%20-%20History%20Books%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ARsDicAUj13kRThlNpf-bwoLjNxEYoOhXV9D0m0DDb1OnJoPwp60rUfNMlndLBz-D7DvCOuNyRPgxQRhrJjnkmznBX8ooHcX0qTq2yltJ2snY85KM9Mq9cHwEt7KM32Xtiph8WMYIVae4d4dFSjIL9Uo9SwbaXBbqsqNVYDWxpdv6uf9nWgO/s1600/The%20Gaslight%20Anthem%20-%20History%20Books%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div><br />18. <i>History Books </i>by The Gaslight Anthem</span></b></div><div><a href="https://linktr.ee/tgamerch?ffm=FFM_72692a700072258aa2fcb3773200410e" target="_blank">Official</a>, <a href="https://orcd.co/historybooks" target="_blank">Linktree</a>, <a href="https://gaslightanthem.bandcamp.com/album/history-books" target="_blank">BandCamp</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/History-Books-Gaslight-Anthem/dp/B0C9FZRHV4" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/history-books/1694394095" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/1GxcyEReAOxieTKZZcivlJ" target="_blank">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_Books" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a></div><div><br /></div><div>It has been nine years since the last Gaslight Anthem album. <i>Get Hurt </i>was a bit of a departure from their previous records taking on a darker, more somber tone that felt more like singer/songwriter/guitarist Brian Fallon's other project The Horrible Crowes than what I'd come to expect from the band. Since then Fallon released four solo albums that saw his songwriting go in more of an Americana direction. <i>History Books </i>feels like a mashup of all of it. In other words, it feels like a natural progression born from the entire Gaslight Anthem, Horrible Crowes, and Fallon solo discographies. </div><div><br /></div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="169" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gyUgfrCegOs?si=YN711VKpBO_A37oP" title="YouTube video player" width="300"></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgilT14aFut8IhJKqvBv8vhMv6vB-zf1jdKv3y3JzCwKgaaUc6N6_JXu0IkyS_XCT4Xx2Ozd3e1MW0p6nxrbrOby75LF6ibrZ-JA5C4K_BLl44dToFRobmY0mIbU3AMS_3fWO-xx21OnnJDLOdKVSDdhuUxbvx1WYxrJyxUkTWC4H1nfCCb5c5u/s224/The%20Carolyn%20-%20Harmful%20History%20(EP)%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgilT14aFut8IhJKqvBv8vhMv6vB-zf1jdKv3y3JzCwKgaaUc6N6_JXu0IkyS_XCT4Xx2Ozd3e1MW0p6nxrbrOby75LF6ibrZ-JA5C4K_BLl44dToFRobmY0mIbU3AMS_3fWO-xx21OnnJDLOdKVSDdhuUxbvx1WYxrJyxUkTWC4H1nfCCb5c5u/s1600/The%20Carolyn%20-%20Harmful%20History%20(EP)%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div><br />17. <i>Harmful History (EP)</i> by The Carolyn</span></b></div><div><a href="https://thecarolyn.bandcamp.com/album/harmful-history-ep" target="_blank">BandCamp</a>, <a href="https://www.59xrecords.com/products/harmful-history" target="_blank">59 X Records</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/harmful-history-ep/1689818528" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/4np1cIz8QFCcZKq1AvkIlw" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>The Carolyn's latest EP, <i>Harmful History</i>, is three songs of heart-on-your-sleeve melodic, anthemic punk rock. This band is tight as hell and this EP leaves you begging for more.</div><div><br /></div><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2560540074/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://thecarolyn.bandcamp.com/album/harmful-history-ep">Harmful History - EP by The Carolyn</a></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgESE3omB-YxGTR9_1OihYqD4Fbpqf5mtBnmPvqfTb1wjM48OHjn_QGhoXD4FJ5xGsi1FP_i9b8KrO0cDeV0cPwpQr1eyxv-f06kj5VwtjkFFPDIhbtzRKGJl2CiUqHD3vuvS8jiTUim3I5PlVKZhE5MRIaNsCwLyJNBRshLTijbEIBXFSPsukd/s224/Dangerous%20Knights%20-%20EP1%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgESE3omB-YxGTR9_1OihYqD4Fbpqf5mtBnmPvqfTb1wjM48OHjn_QGhoXD4FJ5xGsi1FP_i9b8KrO0cDeV0cPwpQr1eyxv-f06kj5VwtjkFFPDIhbtzRKGJl2CiUqHD3vuvS8jiTUim3I5PlVKZhE5MRIaNsCwLyJNBRshLTijbEIBXFSPsukd/s1600/Dangerous%20Knights%20-%20EP1%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div><br />16. <i>EP1 </i>by Dangerous Knights</span></b></div><div><a href="https://dangerousknights.bandcamp.com/album/ep1" target="_blank">BandCamp</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/music/player/albums/B0BWCVPSLB" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/ep-ep/1673131457" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/30iJ1Wg839q8FLPmUazodo" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Dangerous Knights' debut <i>EP1 </i>is fucking brilliant. What an opening statement! There is so much going on in this four-song EP that it is kind of hard to put into words, but I'll give it a shot. Dangerous Knights mix elements of new wave, power pop, indie rock, and punk with bombast, joy, and hints of Madchester and even some Big Music. As far as direct comparisons are concerned, think of bands like <a href="https://waxwav.bandcamp.com/music" target="_blank">WAX WAV</a> (especially their first two EPs), <a href="https://therentiers.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank">The Rentiers</a>, <a href="https://theblackburns.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank">The Blackburns</a>, and maybe even The Killers. Here's to hoping this band has a nice long career because I could listen to records like this forever.</div><div><br /></div><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=453079782/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://dangerousknights.bandcamp.com/album/ep1">EP1 by Dangerous Knights</a></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiGJJTr9ZTSR0vzWdmViMCnlrtr_c0EClEHHDWCBM0_rCOm2CtqqjjATGOjZ1kDm-CsOTkgWeh0YHxojQyIfapppnjlNSGUzl4T-13eEKI63hiuwLZFEcHwivKfcJSQS4CHKYzwCq5dRr0g6m0GWBMIfGQktxpUS4o2mIq98LVmWJJVnbuESNL/s224/Northcote%20-%20Wholeheart%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiGJJTr9ZTSR0vzWdmViMCnlrtr_c0EClEHHDWCBM0_rCOm2CtqqjjATGOjZ1kDm-CsOTkgWeh0YHxojQyIfapppnjlNSGUzl4T-13eEKI63hiuwLZFEcHwivKfcJSQS4CHKYzwCq5dRr0g6m0GWBMIfGQktxpUS4o2mIq98LVmWJJVnbuESNL/s1600/Northcote%20-%20Wholeheart%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div><br />15. <i>Wholeheart </i>by Northcote</span></b></div><div><a href="https://northcotemusic.bandcamp.com/album/wholeheart" target="_blank">BandCamp</a>, <a href="https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0BN391BGP" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/wholeheart/1655984220" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/4FBOY9wJCy48DEWQsnKKPR" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>I first discovered Northcote’s music thanks to a cover of “Worry” <a href="https://youtu.be/gm6yDfez9V8" target="_blank">performed by Dave Hause and Chuck Ragan</a>. Soon after that, came the self-titled album and I was hooked. The brainchild of singer/songwriter Matt Goud, Northcote has been a solitary troubadour project to a full band playing rocking and rousing anthems; <i>Wholeheart </i>lands somewhere in the middle, leaning towards the side of darker, somber ballads. What's great about Northcote's sixth album is that it has so many layers that peel back with each and every listen. Admittedly, I miss the soaring rock anthems but that doesn't take away from the brilliance of Goud's songwriting or the heart, passion, and soul that fuels <i>Wholeheart</i>.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Check out the <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/6fm5x4EoErzafZ8YVNkA0B" target="_blank">Northcote episode of my podcast, One Band, 5 Songs</a>.</div><div><br /></div><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2944138865/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://northcotemusic.bandcamp.com/album/wholeheart">Wholeheart by Northcote</a></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2O1wP_rCuI7Fig0wCmd7P1EAT1Xg1cnLu6uTLAiUo1eGfl8mGw6jANrfUFaIE2fMC1I0KGVI6bHd4DnrRK_JVm5vBVnxM5GJ4FaHc4JIKqf-qC42UomPGhXFYMZV2Hmo6XiJfldj8aQAypsrQpdP1EH3y65_sGal2Sf6FO3XoKtRdgUAiPibI/s224/The%20Inciters%20-%20Bring%20Back%20The%20Weekend%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2O1wP_rCuI7Fig0wCmd7P1EAT1Xg1cnLu6uTLAiUo1eGfl8mGw6jANrfUFaIE2fMC1I0KGVI6bHd4DnrRK_JVm5vBVnxM5GJ4FaHc4JIKqf-qC42UomPGhXFYMZV2Hmo6XiJfldj8aQAypsrQpdP1EH3y65_sGal2Sf6FO3XoKtRdgUAiPibI/s1600/The%20Inciters%20-%20Bring%20Back%20The%20Weekend%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div><br />14. <i>Bring Back The Weekend </i>by The Inciters</span></b></div><div><a href="https://theinciters1.bandcamp.com/album/bring-back-the-weekend" target="_blank">BandCamp</a>, <a href="https://shop.piratespressrecords.com/pages/the-inciters" target="_blank">Pirate Press Records</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bring-Back-Weekend-Inciters/dp/B0CJ17GB4Y" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/bring-back-the-weekend/1707229795" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/02xrqMyKogWPaqULp1K6hW" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>This was a pleasant surprise. I had no idea The Inciters were still making music, especially music that is this good! I first discovered The Inciters in 1997 when I picked up their excellent album <i>Movin' On</i>. Around that time, there was a bit of a renewed interest in 60s-style soul music in the punk and punk adjacent scenes. The highest-profile example was probably The Pietasters and their 1997 album <i>Willis</i>. Admittedly, I dropped off following these bands by 2000 but continued to love the records that I'd heard. Fast forward to 2023 and the release of The Inciters' sixth album <i>Bring Back The Weekend</i>, the band's first album in 11 years. The 10-piece band from Santa Cruz, CA plays <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_soul" target="_blank">Northern soul</a> and does so exceptionally well. As Ink 19's Bob Pomeroy put it, </div><div><blockquote>The Inciters have been keeping the fire of Northern Soul burning for over 30 years. The Santa Cruz-based 10-piece band specializes in hard-driving, horn-powered tunes aimed at moving feet and filling dance floors. The band’s music sounds like it could have come out of Muscle Shoals 60 years ago.</blockquote></div><div>On top of that, vocalists Sabi Kendrick, Rizzie Vacketta, and Aimee Gruber are all insanely good and blend together beautifully.</div><div><br /></div><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=308812658/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://theinciters1.bandcamp.com/album/bring-back-the-weekend">Bring Back The Weekend by The Inciters</a></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT_nsy5WbDzW2AovSkVl_ZoFp_Nte9tuhdEOWC7W4UIPxLzo50YYWmqTa9R1FKEiLtpHmt7aZ6XYepWXnrS-IN6AgtLDS9uNLhBPR3_lu4eOej5TrjMGFvifgH0s7bcrr16eR3ATJARVvj5Qo0LtZpOSOiWoicqPCwJnoNIe-yOV6mXSxwcst_/s224/Territories%20-%20Colder%20Now%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT_nsy5WbDzW2AovSkVl_ZoFp_Nte9tuhdEOWC7W4UIPxLzo50YYWmqTa9R1FKEiLtpHmt7aZ6XYepWXnrS-IN6AgtLDS9uNLhBPR3_lu4eOej5TrjMGFvifgH0s7bcrr16eR3ATJARVvj5Qo0LtZpOSOiWoicqPCwJnoNIe-yOV6mXSxwcst_/s1600/Territories%20-%20Colder%20Now%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div><br />13. <i>Colder Now </i>by Territories</span></b></div><div><a href="https://territoriescalgary.bandcamp.com/album/colder-now" target="_blank">BandCamp</a>, <a href="https://shop.piratespressrecords.com/pages/territories" target="_blank">Pirate Press Records</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/music/player/albums/B0CH1RKZ9R" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/colder-now/1705283711" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/5lwKMNPo2K7enh4pn3HbqN" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Territories sophomore full-length, <i>Colder Now</i>, is a collection of 11 catchy, anthemic punk rock tunes. The band pulls from 70s punk, 80s rock, classic arena rock, 90s punk, 00s Orgcore, and just about everything in between. In other words, this is simply great rock 'n' roll music! </div><div><br /></div><div>There's something about Territories that makes me feel nostalgic. For a good 10 years, from the mid-90s to the mid-00s, I listened to a lot of 77-style punk, street punk, and Oi. The best bands from that time were never just one of those things. They were all of them and more. Territories reminds me of those bands and takes me back to my 20s. And what's great about this style of music is that, when done well, it is fairly timeless because, at the end of the day, it is stripped-down, traditional rock 'n' roll music and Territories plays it <b>very </b>well.</div><div><br /></div><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1438008182/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://territoriescalgary.bandcamp.com/album/colder-now">Colder Now by Territories</a></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvSrDu-wCXzd1kaQfCyRrYlmuZ2FJZzZtOUU7sQyIKn5FY1EXZeJAzpNMnBdzmS0BfWVG9UJYO6IYLumF9LPuvBx4z9ZfKZnz2cC3cLqg5dtg4HtwmPWK2gstujAGag_9rQJBggDQt_e_MzL3K_gHsZlC1R-o-HtGgIqjl1rGmDZi-5XWSBxx/s224/Worriers%20-%20Trust%20Your%20Gut%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvSrDu-wCXzd1kaQfCyRrYlmuZ2FJZzZtOUU7sQyIKn5FY1EXZeJAzpNMnBdzmS0BfWVG9UJYO6IYLumF9LPuvBx4z9ZfKZnz2cC3cLqg5dtg4HtwmPWK2gstujAGag_9rQJBggDQt_e_MzL3K_gHsZlC1R-o-HtGgIqjl1rGmDZi-5XWSBxx/s1600/Worriers%20-%20Trust%20Your%20Gut%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div><br />12. <i>Trust Your Gut </i>by Worriers</span></b></div><div><a href="https://worriers.bandcamp.com/album/trust-your-gut" target="_blank">BandCamp</a>, <a href="https://www.ernestjenning.com/products/744663-worriers-trust-your-gut" target="_blank">Earnst Jenning Record Co.</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/music/player/albums/B0C767X44F" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/trust-your-gut/1691168175" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/2Er5Yu8eXCSMU94ECmDDCx?si=h_vgpOlIS4unqEEGqu517g" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Trust Your Gut </i>is Worriers' second album of 2023 and holy crap it's a doozy! Loren from Scene Point Blank explained it perfectly stating,</div><div><blockquote>The music is consistently emotional and relatable while being clearly rooted in personal experience. The magic of the entire Worriers catalog is how Denitzio manages to be both personal and relatable. You’re sometimes listening to a journal, but you can feel everything in your heart, not just your ears. Painting with a wide brush, this record shares a lot of harsh world experiences, concluding with a simple, three word philosophy and title: <i>Trust Your Gut</i>. The album is about how we manage hardships. Not how we fix them -- because we don’t. Life is going to continue to steamroll you, so you need to find your place, your strengths, and your comfort zone. It preaches lukewarm positivity in a hopeless sea. It acknowledges the pain and suffering of the world, but has enough resolve to stand tall as the next wave comes crashing toward you. Sort of like <b>Springsteen</b>, these are songs about working through life’s struggles while finding some positive elements within them.</blockquote></div><div>This album feels big and sprawling and epic and has taken Worriers to a whole new level. Plus the title track, "Trust You Gut," is a freaking instant classic. How does this band keep getting better and better?</div><div><br /></div><div>Check out the <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/3DrjAmmmRDpd4otjwLlF5b" target="_blank">Worriers episode of One Band, 5 Songs</a> with special guest Matty Grace!</div><div><br /></div><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=4083765541/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://worriers.bandcamp.com/album/trust-your-gut">Trust Your Gut by Worriers</a></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihYM1zotXEZCETP1MqyeCaypUe2okyBzcGe2rASavL669I8nT0ap7M4DkxhDpyqWtq_9JdxWgE_MhEQ5M46vtxTO6HViid8UooI2fMRI9_BBbRThQuSpcXQiDxX4aHZQk0obz-LpwaJbTRVYuv5fUEIHjXEweD2yf4SzBboRVDfUN8geiSvPbA/s224/Billy%20Liar%20-%20Crisis%20Actor%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihYM1zotXEZCETP1MqyeCaypUe2okyBzcGe2rASavL669I8nT0ap7M4DkxhDpyqWtq_9JdxWgE_MhEQ5M46vtxTO6HViid8UooI2fMRI9_BBbRThQuSpcXQiDxX4aHZQk0obz-LpwaJbTRVYuv5fUEIHjXEweD2yf4SzBboRVDfUN8geiSvPbA/s1600/Billy%20Liar%20-%20Crisis%20Actor%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div><br />11. <i>Crisis Actor </i>by Billy Liar</span></b></div><div><a href="https://officialbillyliar.bandcamp.com/album/crisis-actor" target="_blank">BandCamp</a>, <a href="https://shop.piratespressrecords.com/collections/ppr367" target="_blank">Pirate Press Records</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/music/player/albums/B0CKDDHWTF" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/crisis-actor/1710237557" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/3xzXqcRRE5NiFjND8H0sST" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Bottom line, Billy Liar puts the punk into punk troubadour, and <i>Crisis Actor</i> fucking rules! FFO: Billy Bragg, Frank Turner, The Menzingers, Stiff Little Fingers, and Sam Russo just to name a few.</div><div><br /></div><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2807532992/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://officialbillyliar.bandcamp.com/album/crisis-actor">Crisis Actor by BILLY LIAR</a></iframe>Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15951430008150125773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13827702.post-31940789344655761382023-12-05T08:00:00.067-06:002023-12-07T10:15:05.228-06:00Top 30 Records of 2023: 30-21<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYg1IyOnfVj1-QW_URnAe9zjpDeeUnM7EHtmDayna9345pckbiWg1atIL62_Q87tRbspOMQdz9luL1o-Z9vlDhmxxxFDLcw7q9cgzuNfkueSvYDC-D3inRIR7FoGMXOMbIsRq1-Nzj9drz2pyTVR6JLh2C_SEc0MVT1ebTgBpamiZF4N6NN6B/s1860/Best%20of%202023%20(2).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1860" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYg1IyOnfVj1-QW_URnAe9zjpDeeUnM7EHtmDayna9345pckbiWg1atIL62_Q87tRbspOMQdz9luL1o-Z9vlDhmxxxFDLcw7q9cgzuNfkueSvYDC-D3inRIR7FoGMXOMbIsRq1-Nzj9drz2pyTVR6JLh2C_SEc0MVT1ebTgBpamiZF4N6NN6B/s320/Best%20of%202023%20(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Well, well. Here we are. 2023 is coming to an end, so that means it's year-end list season! A most wonderful time of the year. Most years I have something to say here but to be honest, the older I get, the less I have to say, but I'll try to make something up. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This was an interesting year in music...well I'm pretty sure it was. To be honest, I had a hard time keeping up with everything that dropped this year. I did have the tracking playlist that I use each year to collect records that I want to check out but often would dump stuff in there and not come back to it for a long time. Obviously, there were records that grabbed me immediately, I just couldn't keep up and stay in the weeds of new releases throughout the year. I tried to keep one eye on things by following the trends and discourse through websites, podcasts like <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2tbkgRH7TSYT93QanfJ3Rz" target="_blank">Indiecast</a>, and <a href="https://www.patreon.com/collection/8044?view=expanded" target="_blank">Punk Lotto Pod's New Release Updates</a>, but that's as close as I got. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Wow...what a way to start things off. Despite my issues, I did follow new music enough to put together my Top 30 Records of 2023. This list includes full-length albums, EPs, a soundtrack, and maybe even in reissue. Enjoy.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://oklahomalefty.blogspot.com/2023/12/top-records-of-2023-20-11.html" target="_blank">20-11</a>, 10-1</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir8MDGsmcQHLFP99K_-2k1C2qMOzJLZdrDO4OEuJlwecgOfEgHeOpesRZo3SgTJGuUvgWw2oAe8-MIDYg-z-78b7iGPfQo3QbPMkriQ783_XO8LVhAk97nZht5yIF8Hgj0UgfLcAzieBGeb-Globvt1M2Todl2DxWnrkR0hcdl33C9cKVemmax/s224/Olivia%20Rodrigo%20-%20GUTS%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir8MDGsmcQHLFP99K_-2k1C2qMOzJLZdrDO4OEuJlwecgOfEgHeOpesRZo3SgTJGuUvgWw2oAe8-MIDYg-z-78b7iGPfQo3QbPMkriQ783_XO8LVhAk97nZht5yIF8Hgj0UgfLcAzieBGeb-Globvt1M2Todl2DxWnrkR0hcdl33C9cKVemmax/s1600/Olivia%20Rodrigo%20-%20GUTS%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div>30. <i>GUTS </i>by Olivia Rodrigo</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://store.oliviarodrigo.com/pages/music" target="_blank">Official</a>, <a href="https://oliviarodrigo.lnk.to/GUTS" target="_blank">Linktree</a>, <a href="https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0C9FZF5K6" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/guts/1694767605" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/1xJHno7SmdVtZAtXbdbDZp" target="_blank">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guts_(Olivia_Rodrigo_album)" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Olivia Rodrigo's sophomore album, <i>GUTS</i>, is ridiculously good. Filled with biting wit, heart, growth, and complexity, <i>GUTS </i>is a ride through Rodrigo's experience of that awkward transition from adolescence to adulthood, only in her case it was under the blinding lights and microscope of international fame and stardom. And somehow, despite being born out of circumstances that most could never imagine, <i>GUTS </i>is relatable. The emotional highs and lows in Rodgrigo's songs are universal and her delivery cuts through all the bullshit to hit you straight in the, no pun intended, gut. Musically, the record blends elements of pop, rock, new wave, and punk with an energy and urgency that is undeniable. Or as <a href="https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/olivia-rodrigo-guts/" target="_blank">Pitchfork's Cat Zhang put it</a>, </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; line-height: inherit;"></em></span><blockquote><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; line-height: inherit;">Guts</em><span style="color: #1a1a1a;">, her uproarious second album, is a collection of bratty rocker-chick anthems and soul-searching ballads that could slot into the soundtrack of any classic high school flick, from </span><em style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; line-height: inherit;">10 Things I Hate About You</em><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"> to this year’s ludicrous queer sex comedy </span><em style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; line-height: inherit;">Bottoms.</em><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"> While it might seem tailored to zoomers, several generations will hear the music of their youth: from </span><a data-uri="4f13d3ea2be348589ccda50beaad1423" href="https://pitchfork.com/artists/630-blondie/" style="--color__token-name: colors.interactive.base.light; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; cursor: pointer; line-height: inherit; transition: color 200ms ease 0s;">Blondie</a><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"> and </span><a data-uri="f6e8ae7c10afcd26bc652f09d02ed283" href="https://pitchfork.com/artists/23727-toni-basil/" style="--color__token-name: colors.interactive.base.light; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; cursor: pointer; line-height: inherit; transition: color 200ms ease 0s;">Toni Basil</a><span style="color: #1a1a1a;">, to </span><a data-uri="a5471287790902704abb2955cd53f8e8" href="https://pitchfork.com/artists/6162-hole/" style="--color__token-name: colors.interactive.base.light; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; cursor: pointer; line-height: inherit; transition: color 200ms ease 0s;">Hole</a><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"> and Letters to Cleo, to </span><a data-uri="d5ca75800136a880d7907bed31cd311d" href="https://pitchfork.com/artists/7748-avril-lavigne/" style="--color__token-name: colors.interactive.base.light; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; cursor: pointer; line-height: inherit; transition: color 200ms ease 0s;">Avril Lavigne</a><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"> and </span><a data-uri="53934f4b92a947756d83dccb244a3881" href="https://pitchfork.com/artists/10950-the-veronicas/" style="--color__token-name: colors.interactive.base.light; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; cursor: pointer; line-height: inherit; transition: color 200ms ease 0s;">the Veronicas</a><span style="color: #1a1a1a;">, to the more recent </span><a data-uri="a64221c98258ce88bbf33bd97aab901d" href="https://pitchfork.com/artists/31696-lorde/" style="--color__token-name: colors.interactive.base.light; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; cursor: pointer; line-height: inherit; transition: color 200ms ease 0s;">Lorde</a></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></span></blockquote></div><div style="text-align: left;">Anyone who dismisses Rodrigo as another vapid child actor turned pop star has either not given her music a fair shack or is too cynical for their own good.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="169" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5myKp4ZD2KQ?si=HT0piBHuUNPauWYa" title="YouTube video player" width="300"></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJ8Y2LKa0Vkgb9j0iXr_JKCZ9AJCB4-CzMkoyI5w13bkxBw6V-hFzTLofcxXSJ5E-dJl0GfQq2VOvQWz18KrBOvDjlBxqhgnD-j8L340px9gsXXlgZfTHJDqi7Hn7c4FlOPs_dMaMusfKgm2jd7t2lg043QlBcibVSEAabD6tDL5mrriIRrwA/s224/Brand%20New%20Friend%20-%20Grandstand%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="222" data-original-width="224" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJ8Y2LKa0Vkgb9j0iXr_JKCZ9AJCB4-CzMkoyI5w13bkxBw6V-hFzTLofcxXSJ5E-dJl0GfQq2VOvQWz18KrBOvDjlBxqhgnD-j8L340px9gsXXlgZfTHJDqi7Hn7c4FlOPs_dMaMusfKgm2jd7t2lg043QlBcibVSEAabD6tDL5mrriIRrwA/s1600/Brand%20New%20Friend%20-%20Grandstand%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div>29. <i>Grandstand </i>by Brand New Friend</span></b></div><div><a href="https://brandnewfriendz.bandcamp.com/album/grandstand-3" target="_blank">BandCamp</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Zero/dp/B0CHM38NG9" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/gb/album/grandstand/1704264449" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/3NDVP154S3oAlAd5e6yug2" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Brand New Friends' sophomore full-length album <i>Grandstand</i> is a collection of dark and haunting indie pop rock tunes that somehow never venture into hopelessness or despair. The dueling male/female vocals of siblings Taylor and Lauren Johnson are lush and filled with so much emotion that pack a punch beguiled by the softer tone of the music. Or as The Irish News' David Roy put it, </div><div><blockquote>...while Grandstand's overall sound can certainly be described as 'mature' compared to Brand New Friend's positively fizzy/fizzing debut collection, we should expect nothing less from a group of ex-teenagers who have grown as people, performers and songsmiths over the intervening (whisper it) five years.</blockquote></div><div>Bottomline, Brand New Friend has produced a thoughtful album that highlights the band's versatility and growth as songwriters and musicians.</div><div><br /></div><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2309931799/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://brandnewfriendz.bandcamp.com/album/grandstand-3">Grandstand by brand new friend</a></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBNkDcrrCCWDXgPlPwVXhS1PgA0-SoBzUoMqAckBFMRpXdVyGFfs3EnZJtZlqUhCV4pBp5382qtlIMEspmZmy8ILDhaCgjx03t8XVbwy0YcQs_r7MV2Qkt5V_jQM13zx6wI8JEE9w1MhddTdYYGeP0tVkOk3ZIGl9RUZZtTWWnVxhlavKxn2VK/s224/Crossed%20Keys%20-%20Believes%20in%20You%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBNkDcrrCCWDXgPlPwVXhS1PgA0-SoBzUoMqAckBFMRpXdVyGFfs3EnZJtZlqUhCV4pBp5382qtlIMEspmZmy8ILDhaCgjx03t8XVbwy0YcQs_r7MV2Qkt5V_jQM13zx6wI8JEE9w1MhddTdYYGeP0tVkOk3ZIGl9RUZZtTWWnVxhlavKxn2VK/s1600/Crossed%20Keys%20-%20Believes%20in%20You%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div><br />28. <i>Believes In You </i>by Crossed Keys</span></b></div><div><a href="https://crossedkeys.bandcamp.com/album/believes-in-you-2" target="_blank">BandCamp</a>, <a href="https://shopcreep.com/products/crossed-keys-believes-in-you" target="_blank">Creep Records</a>, <a href="https://selltheheartrecords.bigcartel.com/product/crossed-keys-believes-in-you-12-gold-variant" target="_blank">Sell The Heart Records</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/music/player/albums/B0C2ZLFG51" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/believes-in-you/1683328852" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/53GrHzlBdkijq74V3uTANG" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Crossed Keys is one of those bands that just keeps getting better with each release. After dropping EPs in 2017 (<i>I'm Just Happy That You're Here</i>) and 2019 (<i>Saviors</i>), the Philadelphia punk supergroup took things to another level with their full-length debut <i>Believes In You</i>. The record is ten songs of positive force melodic hardcore that just hits a bit differently and packs one hell of an emotional punch. I think The Indy Review put it best stating "<i>Believes In You</i> is comforting, empathetic, encouraging, and downright energetic." I couldn't agree more.</div><div><br /></div><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2815648778/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://crossedkeys.bandcamp.com/album/believes-in-you-2">Believes In You by Crossed Keys</a></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLu9AsRrR2JLIG2ApPFjFTGW5Y4mOS3Ah2jIC250ja0eymdy-a9wMQuQgpyxPaFAgGC_ozqjpFPjIxYAlEJrcq_DSxLBRNwcs_SzcDZR11VmYaxUB9qi46H1m0P4uVK8-Sr-zEGtbNB29pfS-s6pWVupCmwo3OPd_U63AW5UIhf2I29AFd0BEA/s224/The%20Sleeping%20Souls%20-%20Just%20Before%20the%20World%20Starts%20Burning%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLu9AsRrR2JLIG2ApPFjFTGW5Y4mOS3Ah2jIC250ja0eymdy-a9wMQuQgpyxPaFAgGC_ozqjpFPjIxYAlEJrcq_DSxLBRNwcs_SzcDZR11VmYaxUB9qi46H1m0P4uVK8-Sr-zEGtbNB29pfS-s6pWVupCmwo3OPd_U63AW5UIhf2I29AFd0BEA/s1600/The%20Sleeping%20Souls%20-%20Just%20Before%20the%20World%20Starts%20Burning%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div><br />27. <i>Just Before The World Starts Burning </i>by The Sleeping Souls</span></b></div><div><a href="https://flagshipapparel.com/collections/the-sleeping-souls" target="_blank">Official</a>, <a href="https://thesleepingsouls.bandcamp.com/album/just-before-the-world-starts-burning" target="_blank">BandCamp</a>, <a href="https://www.xtramilerecordings.com/products/the-sleeping-souls-just-before-the-world-starts-burning-cd-colour-lp-t-shirt" target="_blank">Xtra Mile Recordings</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/The-Selfist/dp/B0CGVQ2H51" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/just-before-the-world-starts-burning/1704851161" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/0Jzq9Gtw5eoMsBszZiwvY1" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>The Sleeping Souls have been Frank Turner's band for well over a decade and have now stepped out on their own with <i>Just Before The World Starts Burning</i>. The band's full-length debut simultaneously sounds like what one would expect from Turner's backing band and doesn't. The record is 12 songs of soaring anthems, powerful ballads, and driving rock n roll, with touches of post-punk and a heart of folk. What I keep coming back to while listening to <i>Just Before The World Starts Burning</i> is that this is the modern "Big Music" (something I have attributed to Turner's music as well). Named after The Waterboys' 1984 <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yw1i3S7XeMg" target="_blank">song of the same name</a>, "Big Music" is a bit hard to precisely explain. <a href="https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-waterboys-mn0000924508#biography" target="_blank">AllMusic's Jason Ankeny described it as</a>, </div><div><blockquote>A particularly cinematic mix of post-punk and new wave with a healthy dose of romanticism...</blockquote></div><div>While <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2008/mar/27/timetorediscoverthewaterbo" target="_blank">The Guardian's Alan McGee sketched a more detailed picture stating</a>, </div><div><blockquote>As a concept, "the big music" is hard to define, but as Scott was a young Springsteen fan, I would suggest its influence lay in <i>Born to Run</i>. Springsteen's aspirations for 1975's <i>Born to Run</i> were "Roy Orbison singing Bob Dylan, produced by Spector", and its numbers about hopeful born losers from the wrong side of the tracks clearly influenced the desperate, optimistic rush of the Waterboys' classic 80s albums.</blockquote></div><div>Or as <a href="https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-return-of-the-big-music" target="_blank">Louder's Rob Hughes put it</a>, </div><div><div></div><blockquote><div>While the song’s rousing urgency pointed to the sound of the album itself, its title provided a handy new signifier for a prominent new strain of epic rock. The Big Music swiftly became an umbrella term for a number of bands with one hand on their heart and the other fisting the sky: U2, Simple Minds, The Alarm, Big Country and more.</div><div><br /></div><div>Forged from the ruins of punk, they were now fashioning a more declarative brand of music whose chief weapons were big guitars and soaring vocals. And, particularly when it came to The Alarm, ridiculous hair. This growing style (that’s the music, not the hair) was haughtily described by The Waterboys’ Mike Scott as “a metaphor for seeing God’s signature in the world.”</div></blockquote><div></div></div><div>Whether with or without (see what I did there?) all of the God stuff, "Big Music" really is a fitting descriptor for The Sleeping Souls and the big, expansive nature of their excellent debut, <i>Just Before The World Starts Burning</i>.</div><div><br /></div><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3021272391/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://thesleepingsouls.bandcamp.com/album/just-before-the-world-starts-burning">Just Before The World Starts Burning by The Sleeping Souls</a></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2B1VkMXlpy8GPJLL1Nv6UaYrulzRYHa_BCjRjrPRe8JF-dLq9jtuRzrE4zmMntViQ7m1zRfSTS1uYDq4PduWsO-kvtd3M7R5D9JR_NKvof3hgB7JPgIwZUOGPFI14oBjeCO3Xd7OO5lqRaPM3tXBSyn7wrfr71rJ6PZmZuY4GN1YKaQDO1Nzc/s224/Divided%20Heaven%20-%20V%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2B1VkMXlpy8GPJLL1Nv6UaYrulzRYHa_BCjRjrPRe8JF-dLq9jtuRzrE4zmMntViQ7m1zRfSTS1uYDq4PduWsO-kvtd3M7R5D9JR_NKvof3hgB7JPgIwZUOGPFI14oBjeCO3Xd7OO5lqRaPM3tXBSyn7wrfr71rJ6PZmZuY4GN1YKaQDO1Nzc/s1600/Divided%20Heaven%20-%20V%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div><br />26. <i>V </i>by Divided Heaven</span></b></div><div><a href="https://dividedheaven.bandcamp.com/album/v" target="_blank">BandCamp</a>, <a href="https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0CLPL3YPN" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/v/1713428527" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/0e9P0yfJzrTGepcc43L9mG" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div><i>V</i> is a collection of new songs, singles, covers, rarities, and more that still feels like a coherent record. Divided Heaven's <a href="https://dividedheaven.bandcamp.com/album/v" target="_blank">Jeff Berman explained it stating</a>, </div><div><blockquote>This Divided Heaven collection is lovingly all over the place; a beautiful mess. These 14 songs were previously released as singles, compilation tracks & EPs. Some were released for charity campaigns & some for no good reason at all. Some we’ve always loved & some we loved, then hated & have grown to love again. The four Divided Heaven albums, <i>A Rival City</i> (2011), <i>Youngblood </i>(2014), <i>Cold War</i> (2018) & <i>Oblivion </i>(2022), are unique unto themselves & very different from one another. To me, the songs in this collection take me back to times between each of those album cycles; the times where things get creative and weird. Myself, my bandmates & our producers have always tried to shed the ‘should do’ & instead focus on doing the damned things, turning moments & ideas into reality. Cover Cyndi Lauper? Let’s get it! Write a 4-minute song about the intellectual anti-fascist group known as The White Rose? Hell yes! Re-write & re-record a song for the third time in honor of our late friend? Yes. Turn a classic Oi! Song into a children’s lullaby? Absolutely! I’ll admit, this collection is difficult to define but that makes it fun. Now felt like the right time to properly release this collection as a means of reflection on the past decade plus of Divided Heaven. </blockquote></div><div>Also, the opening track, the absolutely perfect "The New Hallelvjah" (feat. Sam Russo), is in-and-of-itself worth the price of admission.</div><div><br /></div><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2442143391/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://dividedheaven.bandcamp.com/album/v">V by DIVIDED HEAVEN</a></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCfpx7BapiCsKnLGZo7X_xGWj96p_1raIBpKEoOJxqtbMs9CC4Sxhk0fZ2SlOhb-02VAotp7IEnSDi-N_0CvQIoHvymKbvnuRf5kT8HrS1gR8TS9DPvutDsAoo_COW3XPjlp7CNy80UHOAyvL-ot9Sur03MaFUrH9pcIgeVUjxhVtaC-tn6JJV/s224/Fake%20Names%20-%20Expendables%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCfpx7BapiCsKnLGZo7X_xGWj96p_1raIBpKEoOJxqtbMs9CC4Sxhk0fZ2SlOhb-02VAotp7IEnSDi-N_0CvQIoHvymKbvnuRf5kT8HrS1gR8TS9DPvutDsAoo_COW3XPjlp7CNy80UHOAyvL-ot9Sur03MaFUrH9pcIgeVUjxhVtaC-tn6JJV/s1600/Fake%20Names%20-%20Expendables%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div><br />25. <i>Expendables </i>by Fake Names</span></b></div><div><a href="https://www.epitaph.com/artists/fake-names/release/expendables" target="_blank">Epitaph Records</a>, <a href="https://fakenames.ffm.to/expendables" target="_blank">Linktree</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Expendables-Fake-Names/dp/B0BMGRYYDR" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/expendables/1650577261" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/1QgMwxUPs0zNZmbp2hE08U" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Punk rock supergroup Fake Names' sophomore full-length, Expendables, is another outstanding album of melodic hardcore that sounds exactly like what one would think a band made up of scene veterans, and royalty, from the likes of Refused, Dag Nasty, S.O.A., Girls Against Boys, and Fugazi, would sound like. In other words, it freaking RULES!</div><div><br /></div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="169" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DPDvCs9OvZY?si=F81p9CwQBLlMGAX6" title="YouTube video player" width="300"></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7oIDSWCdbSrOZgvDJwnvMtCDimvIjQQBjSMlwo9nslKbodFfXhAoD_4-1EYhyphenhyphenu5OqQjxWYr9_Rl6XymCW7TC_ZlvWl2kJTPHcpvEOLd3z7F3Yo64PDKObQddAn919xBiycCdtr8AgUaNZ-lxoOOultvYd0Q_CyyHXSedgaNhgNCyp_poudxV/s224/Lucero%20-%20Should've%20Learned%20by%20Now%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7oIDSWCdbSrOZgvDJwnvMtCDimvIjQQBjSMlwo9nslKbodFfXhAoD_4-1EYhyphenhyphenu5OqQjxWYr9_Rl6XymCW7TC_ZlvWl2kJTPHcpvEOLd3z7F3Yo64PDKObQddAn919xBiycCdtr8AgUaNZ-lxoOOultvYd0Q_CyyHXSedgaNhgNCyp_poudxV/s1600/Lucero%20-%20Should've%20Learned%20by%20Now%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div><br />24. <i>Should've Learned by Now</i> by Lucero</span></b></div><div><a href="https://orcd.co/shouldvelearnedbynow" target="_blank">Linktree</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/music/player/albums/B0BDGLC9MN" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/shouldve-learned-by-now/1643972871" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/6JEKRn4GsZ9au8LBzCO0WA" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>After two dark and somber albums of ballads, Lucero has returned with an album that actually rocks. <i>Should've Learned by Now </i>is a return to the style of Lucero that I prefer (hence my love for their 2006 album <i>Rebels, Rogues & Sworn Brothers</i>). Plus the opening track "One Last F.U." is an instant classic.</div><div><br /></div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="169" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0TwVOs8erh0?si=y_qdIE6Kd1lcIV42" title="YouTube video player" width="300"></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZ1wXkvEbXvMTN-ECwRIMjSVTpeHqkysEPqMO2tSNDlLcOuLOw4sHsK7Ns645gv_9DV0BzXgBNb7w7JlR-RfiIYftgT4F9cMfh6uO0xb-utr_ZnROtHYU1QdUJhN2cE_gdeOGxMw8wYuU4n7inKxSJ6roUuGtDs5yKPF8KLGDQdPRZS67fISO/s224/boygenius%20-%20the%20rest%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZ1wXkvEbXvMTN-ECwRIMjSVTpeHqkysEPqMO2tSNDlLcOuLOw4sHsK7Ns645gv_9DV0BzXgBNb7w7JlR-RfiIYftgT4F9cMfh6uO0xb-utr_ZnROtHYU1QdUJhN2cE_gdeOGxMw8wYuU4n7inKxSJ6roUuGtDs5yKPF8KLGDQdPRZS67fISO/s1600/boygenius%20-%20the%20rest%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div><br />23. <i>the rest </i>by boygenius</span></b></div><div><a href="https://boygenius.store/" target="_blank">Official</a>, <a href="https://xboygeniusx.bandcamp.com/album/the-rest-ep" target="_blank">BandCamp</a>, <a href="https://boygenius.lnk.to/therest" target="_blank">Linktree</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CKTQZH2J" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-rest-ep/1711261538" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/1n0esOkFQdL74PwMwTVgtz" target="_blank">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rest_(EP)" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a></div><div><br /></div><div>It is very likely that boygenius' other record of 2023, the band's full-length debut <i>the record</i>, is going to clean up in this year's year-end lists. As it should. It's a great album. I just happen to like this one more. I'm not sure exactly what it is about <i>the rest </i>that has connected with me in a way that <i>the record</i> didn't, but it did. The side-project of indie rock giants Pheobe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus, and Julian Baker, owned the first half of 2023 during which they found time to go into the studio and knock out a four-song EP that, IMHO, is the best thing they have ever done.</div><div><div><br /></div></div><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2466514165/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://xboygeniusx.bandcamp.com/album/the-rest-ep">the rest ep by boygenius</a></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8urQ9bdTJa-I23P394eUlaio0OsnxCWs0VUYlLwARZTJA2xIdf3b9J6JrMR90XRyT5vOEZuqc2JQsXoAdMQlSVu2DqAjDWJ8J6cg8DQXiRuSlLqRWaU8J-Y_f5UORXqXvRPQwm1tImj4t3hJkAd4F_h81P9B17b9r2UJiaEoHWAh2Gqm_AzS/s224/Broadway%20Calls%20-%20A%20Little%20Shake%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8urQ9bdTJa-I23P394eUlaio0OsnxCWs0VUYlLwARZTJA2xIdf3b9J6JrMR90XRyT5vOEZuqc2JQsXoAdMQlSVu2DqAjDWJ8J6cg8DQXiRuSlLqRWaU8J-Y_f5UORXqXvRPQwm1tImj4t3hJkAd4F_h81P9B17b9r2UJiaEoHWAh2Gqm_AzS/s1600/Broadway%20Calls%20-%20A%20Little%20Shake%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div><br />22. <i>A Little Shake </i>by Broadway Calls</span></b></div><div><a href="https://broadwaycalls.bandcamp.com/album/a-little-shake-single" target="_blank">BandCamp</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/music/player/albums/B0BZQW9JQ6" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/a-little-shake/1679452676" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/60vGAW6OiTgiRKnxF96ihv" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Look, I'm just going to keep this short and sweet. Yes, this is a two-song EP, but that doesn't matter. "A Little Shake" is quite probably the best song of the year.</div><div><br /></div><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3997429956/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://broadwaycalls.bandcamp.com/album/a-little-shake-single">A Little Shake - Single by Broadway Calls</a></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGFkREhTRmVr5scwJVHdtYMLoWHUGrH622cUbRm1Rgsv97LP10nIBtGl4QPNk2Xpg6UaPEReCEjZKWl5deub9kbhhUd3wKL5mYGltF36Bw5TUcjZTKanxr_r5SZtV0hRMfQ1xfOQ2AEaRisoFVzp9uQkPSufo4Wpjtl5OVUBNfmVs01QFmcPE/s224/Cast%20-%20Star%20Trek%20Strange%20New%20Worlds%20Season%202%20-%20Subspace%20Rhapsody%20(Original%20Series%20Soundtrack)%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGFkREhTRmVr5scwJVHdtYMLoWHUGrH622cUbRm1Rgsv97LP10nIBtGl4QPNk2Xpg6UaPEReCEjZKWl5deub9kbhhUd3wKL5mYGltF36Bw5TUcjZTKanxr_r5SZtV0hRMfQ1xfOQ2AEaRisoFVzp9uQkPSufo4Wpjtl5OVUBNfmVs01QFmcPE/s1600/Cast%20-%20Star%20Trek%20Strange%20New%20Worlds%20Season%202%20-%20Subspace%20Rhapsody%20(Original%20Series%20Soundtrack)%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div><br />21. <i>Star Trek Strange New Worlds Season 2 - Subspace Rhapsody (Original Series Soundtrack)</i> by Various Artists</span></b></div><div><a href="https://lakeshorerecords.bandcamp.com/album/star-trek-strange-new-worlds-season-2-subspace-rhapsody-original-series-soundtrack" target="_blank">BandCamp</a>, <a href="https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0CCGM9W52" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/gb/album/star-trek-strange-new-worlds-season-2-subspace-rhapsody/1699286071" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/1Jqy2Y91uYUdUwxXSTZa2v" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>There is no way that I can do this justice, but I'll give it a go. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is easily the best Star Trek series since Deep Space Nine (it and Lower Decks). When it was announced that the show's second season would not only include a crossover episode with the aforementioned, and animated, Lower Decks but also a musical episode, I was stoked. And guess what? Both lived up to and surpassed my highest expectations! It doesn't hurt that most of the show's cast are excellent singers, especially the Broadway veteran Celia Rose Gooding and Christina Chong, who dropped her own debut EP <i><a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/1GFfatX8r1EctQHy4nZaYR" target="_blank">Twin Flames</a></i> this year. </div><div><br /></div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="169" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tlqC-XpxGBE?si=jYcKvyQiMppYepf2" title="YouTube video player" width="300"></iframe>Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15951430008150125773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13827702.post-27312563045556842842022-12-07T08:00:00.008-06:002022-12-07T08:57:46.622-06:00Top 30 Records of 2022: 10-1<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj15lW_FaN_Q9SWVnd4O9vaR1DNSwmTJ8jAlDgwMguIGPjcJowM35F4iFzfxnD5sAP4vL2t8164ik5W-Kp-X0TCJuqtzAPyaMiO9Iavq2OeKrRHsj5S-Gm9NFfPupdT4IoBJ9a_HYxd41utNcL8z2KgyM59gSg40wdkEBtaPuN9ZwA5fEbVBg/s1803/@Best%20of%202022%20(1).png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1803" data-original-width="1772" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj15lW_FaN_Q9SWVnd4O9vaR1DNSwmTJ8jAlDgwMguIGPjcJowM35F4iFzfxnD5sAP4vL2t8164ik5W-Kp-X0TCJuqtzAPyaMiO9Iavq2OeKrRHsj5S-Gm9NFfPupdT4IoBJ9a_HYxd41utNcL8z2KgyM59gSg40wdkEBtaPuN9ZwA5fEbVBg/s320/@Best%20of%202022%20(1).png" width="314" /></a></div>You know...I'm not really sure where to start with this year. How about this. Did anyone else struggle this year? Lord knows I did. This shit was hard. *sigh* Thankfully, music helped keep me sane and (somewhat) centered. I'm pretty sure that at least one of these records kept me from losing it on more than one occasion. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Before we dig into the Top 10, I'd like to take a moment to look back at some of the people we lost this year. Obviously, this is not an exhaustive list by any stretch but these are the people who either stood out or impacted me in some way. Christine McVie (Fleetwood Mac), Irene Cara, John Aniston (Days of Our Lives' Victor Kiriakis), Gallagher, Kevin Conroy (Batman voice actor), Jerry Lee Lewis, Robbie Coltrane (Harry Potter's Hagrid ), Angela Lansbury, Loretta Lynn, Coolio, Louise Fletcher (One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest's Nurse Ratched and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's Kai Winn Adami), Queen Elizabeth II, Mikhail Gorbachev, Anne Heche, Olivia Newton-John, Nichelle Nichols (Star Trek's Lt. Nyota Uhura), James Caan, Ray Liotta, Naomi Judd, Gilbert Gottfried, Estelle Harris (Seinfeld's Estelle Costanza), Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters), Scott Hall, William Hurt, Emilio Delgado (Sesame Street), Bob McGrath (Sesame Street), Ivan Reitman, Betty Davis, Louie Anderson, Ronnie Spector, Bob Saget, Sidney Poitier, Keith Levene (The Clash and Public Image Ltd), Andy Fletcher (Depeche Mode), George Pérez (comic book artist), Neal Adams (comic book artist), Mark Lanegan (Screaming Trees), Kirstie Alley, and Meat Loaf.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Below are, IMHO, the 10 best records of 2022. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://oklahomalefty.blogspot.com/2022/12/top-30-records-of-2022-30-21.html" target="_blank">30-21</a>, <a href="https://oklahomalefty.blogspot.com/2022/12/top-30-records-of-2022-20-11.html" target="_blank">20-11</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92QIfA6DbWRp49DbabLPgH1BZEimXlQ6h9_LE7UFg0egJaCITfAFM2Nlden_CMyq3-77-xR-mPe01ZaD_C7Z1FmaXhhoSQjX8menGDStfDSAoT009y9hFu-QWyivMd1vMFDMigqJPWmGolcErT-Pg0pO8fhTyjPuowgdL0LIS6FM_SRyvdA/s224/Semantics%20-%20Paint%20Me%20Blue%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92QIfA6DbWRp49DbabLPgH1BZEimXlQ6h9_LE7UFg0egJaCITfAFM2Nlden_CMyq3-77-xR-mPe01ZaD_C7Z1FmaXhhoSQjX8menGDStfDSAoT009y9hFu-QWyivMd1vMFDMigqJPWmGolcErT-Pg0pO8fhTyjPuowgdL0LIS6FM_SRyvdA/s1600/Semantics%20-%20Paint%20Me%20Blue%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div>10. <i>Paint Me Blue</i> by Semantics </span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://semanticstheband.bandcamp.com/album/paint-me-blue" target="_blank">BandCamp</a>, <a href="https://sideonedummy.com/products/semantics-paint-me-blue-lp-preorder" target="_blank">SideOneDummy Records</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Paint-Me-Blue-Semantics/dp/B09XPH8MHF" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/paint-me-blue/1618837405" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/3u8t85Eo4gnw3S0L7h5f2z" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Semantics play a type of indie punk that is equal parts indie and punk, or as <a href="https://newnoisemagazine.com/reviews/album-review-semantics-paint-me-blue/" target="_blank">Ryan Curtiss at New Noise Magazine put it</a> "The four-piece have been crafting a fantastic sound that blends indie and punk without sacrificing either genre for the other." The band's full-length debut <i>Paint Me Blue</i> is 10 songs that meld punk intensity and 90s indie guitar with heartfelt lyrics. Basically, imagine if Buffalo Tom and The Thermals had a kid. Needless to say, this band is right up my alley and one that I cannot wait to follow, hopefully for years to come.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2628893378/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://semanticstheband.bandcamp.com/album/paint-me-blue">Paint Me Blue by Semantics</a></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPkMBv5LAi_ExpZt9vvqp5IAMBADvWvW6ZqMrzZdKxoMrMxdissEJDe-YEqxS4o_d42XKk0cJLZ0F8rJcNwQ29WPDJLHxskk4G1BollaWk6RE398gvzUC3qpv1o9O-8ZLQHoIbRbr5zFEbY68HO44JXbvOWSiYzq5aRzYnTiUTvwynCHI-tg/s224/Camp%20Cope%20-%20Running%20with%20the%20Hurricane%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPkMBv5LAi_ExpZt9vvqp5IAMBADvWvW6ZqMrzZdKxoMrMxdissEJDe-YEqxS4o_d42XKk0cJLZ0F8rJcNwQ29WPDJLHxskk4G1BollaWk6RE398gvzUC3qpv1o9O-8ZLQHoIbRbr5zFEbY68HO44JXbvOWSiYzq5aRzYnTiUTvwynCHI-tg/s1600/Camp%20Cope%20-%20Running%20with%20the%20Hurricane%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div>9. <i>Running with the Hurricane</i> by Camp Cope</span></b></div><div><a href="https://campcope.bandcamp.com/album/running-with-the-hurricane-2" target="_blank">BandCamp</a>, <a href="https://www.runforcoverrecords.com/products/718583-camp-cope-running-with-the-hurricane" target="_blank">Run for Cover Records</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/music/player/albums/B09NF6N85X" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/running-with-the-hurricane/1599795436" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/2KsWFxB2Dqn6SAEAoHHs98" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Camp Cope's third album <i>Running with the Hurricane</i> is one of those records that gets better with every listen. After hearing the incredible title track, I pre-ordered the CD (because I still buy CDs). After the album was released, I was a little taken aback. The band's previous album, 2018's <a href="https://oklahomalefty.blogspot.com/2018/02/album-review-how-to-socialise-make.html" target="_blank">excellent</a> <i>How To Socialise & Make Friends</i>, was a fierce collection of socially conscious indie punk. In contrast, <i>Running with the Hurricane</i> is a contemplative, somber, and deeply personal album. The band discussed the changes with <a href="https://www.npr.org/2022/03/24/1087771908/on-running-with-the-hurricane-camp-cope-trades-rage-for-quiet-confidence" target="_blank">NPR</a> -- </div></div><div><div></div><blockquote><div>Released during the peak of the #MeToo movement, the band's 2018 sophomore effort <i>How to Socialise & Make Friends</i> was fueled by the emotional rage that stemmed from the members' own egregious experiences of misogyny in the music industry. But <i>Running with the Hurricane</i> finds a band at peace and embracing tenderness. "I think that we could have gone two ways. We could have gotten even angrier and even harder," says Maq. "But we didn't. We went the opposite way because we refused to let the world harden us." Instead, they returned with a record centered around the quiet confidence of Maq's vocals, which evoke a calming presence while commanding respect.</div><div><br /></div><div>Though <i>How to Socialise & Make Friends</i> was brimming with blistering guitar riffs and biting lyrics, <i>Running with the Hurricane</i> focuses on depression, crushes and vulnerability, with softer melodies and sparse arrangements. For Maq, penning happy love songs feels inauthentic, and each song on the album explores darkness and lightness in tandem — sometimes in harmony, sometimes not. On "Love Like You Do," Maq longs for human connection despite its pitfalls. "I forgive you, you're not sorry / Pay 'em all back, and you'll still owe 'em something," Maq sings, resigned. "All my songs are like Greek tragedies," says Maq, before refining her comment. "A lot of songs on this album aren't failed romances, but at one point, they were, and I love writing about failed romances because you can get so much out of it."</div></blockquote><div></div></div><div>Admittedly, it took me a while to really click with <i>Running with the Hurricane</i>. Right from the first listen, I was blown away by Georgia "Georgia Maq" McDonald's stellar vocals and Kelly-Dawn Hellmrich's whipsmart bass work, but the subdued nature of the songs took me by surprise. It was <a href="https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/camp-cope-running-with-the-hurricane/" target="_blank">Quinn Moreland's review</a> in Pitchfork of all places, that finally made it all click.</div><div><div></div><blockquote><div>Camp Cope started working on <i>Running With the Hurricane</i> in 2019, but the onset of the pandemic forced them to pause. Over the next couple years, as COVID and environmental <a href="https://eos.org/research-spotlights/australias-most-extreme-bushfire-season-statistically-speaking" target="_blank">catastrophes</a> ravaged the planet, the bandmates refocused their priorities; Maq returned to her prior career path, nursing, and helped vaccinate fellow Australians. When the band finally began recording in 2021, they embraced the twangy lightness of the pop-country tunes that Maq turned to for comfort. Songs like the title track or “Blue” could be lost mid-2000s <a href="https://pitchfork.com/artists/the-chicks/" target="_blank">Chicks</a> cuts—Australian and Southern accents alike stretch vowels like taffy. Shifting away from the gnawing, emo-inflected power-pop of their first two albums, Camp Cope ask: Can softness be as invigorating as fury?</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Running With the Hurricane</i> answers this question with a collection of songs that focus on matters of the heart and mind.</div><div><br /></div><div>[...]</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Running With the Hurricane</i> is at its strongest when Camp Cope harness the swirling turmoil and ride it towards self-awareness. </div></blockquote><div></div></div><div>Now the drastic changes from one record to the next made sense and with recognition came newfound appreciation. Camp Cope has always been a great band, one that started making a lot of waves, and now they have created something extraordinary.</div></div><div><br /></div><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1014255229/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/license_id=2473/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://campcope.bandcamp.com/album/running-with-the-hurricane-2">Running with the Hurricane by Camp Cope</a></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhijc81D8nVASUnJJglv8hQnHw9ZBToCIzCbrXzFTPEjhG1V-O6KDFQbPK9a4ryFgGsK91QE4n4YzfORihlZmTYzYYKXnwrcpaT58S6cIGa8vsz9XsSzmcZExdKpFMUS-pg04Cm3qbXPLwH9F66q4PJD3Tn8vLVYIMmxNbLrtOMC26ph-Vz4Q/s224/Ben%20Lee%20-%20I'm%20Fun%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhijc81D8nVASUnJJglv8hQnHw9ZBToCIzCbrXzFTPEjhG1V-O6KDFQbPK9a4ryFgGsK91QE4n4YzfORihlZmTYzYYKXnwrcpaT58S6cIGa8vsz9XsSzmcZExdKpFMUS-pg04Cm3qbXPLwH9F66q4PJD3Tn8vLVYIMmxNbLrtOMC26ph-Vz4Q/s1600/Ben%20Lee%20-%20I'm%20Fun%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div>8. <i>I'M FUN!</i> by Ben Lee</span></b></div><div><a href="https://store.warnermusic.com.au/artists/ben-lee" target="_blank">Warner Music Australia</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/music/player/albums/B09G9YT795" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/im-fun/1585956930" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/1PV7ACETLIemn6HpJwBpbS" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div><i>I'M FUN!</i> is either Ben Lee's 13th or 20th album depending on how you count his two covers records, two soundtracks, one mixtape, and two albums as part of Radnor & Lee (though if you include the two albums he recorded in Noise Addict that would bring the total to 22). That's a lot of music. Yet somehow, Lee is still able to keep things fresh, energetic, and as the title suggests, fun. And fun really is the best word to describe this album. <i>I'M FUN!</i> is also smart, witty, and filled with social commentary. I especially love the song "Arsehole" which includes additional vocals by Camp Cope's George Maq. In fact, if we could get more of these two collaborating together that would be great. </div><div><br /></div><div>Ben Lee is a nearly 30-year veteran of the music industry and yet he keeps churning out albums that are as vibrant and vital as those of years gone by. </div><div><br /></div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="169" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Yz4Zse80ADY" title="YouTube video player" width="300"></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqzyYCxMtmE-zt7DVlhrTn5IgqMF6djdgJYki_2okOPdCVZOvYRfZD4Flw0LLWnJ7XQlLAKHN44Ci8YWgKnl4yogpsY5l8OSXqf1_dhMGmSyh9qyQuOM3Dg9cOlI0VjVYA322UrDQPHQtrHcW457RAU_78MWg5FMebv8s7BdBnFawRQXDHyA/s224/Fresh%20-%20Raise%20Hell%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqzyYCxMtmE-zt7DVlhrTn5IgqMF6djdgJYki_2okOPdCVZOvYRfZD4Flw0LLWnJ7XQlLAKHN44Ci8YWgKnl4yogpsY5l8OSXqf1_dhMGmSyh9qyQuOM3Dg9cOlI0VjVYA322UrDQPHQtrHcW457RAU_78MWg5FMebv8s7BdBnFawRQXDHyA/s1600/Fresh%20-%20Raise%20Hell%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div>7. <i>Raise Hell</i> by Fresh </span></b></div><div><a href="https://freshpunks.bandcamp.com/album/raise-hell" target="_blank">BandCamp</a>, <a href="https://getbetterrecords.com/products/fresh-raise-hell" target="_blank">Get Better Records</a>, <a href="https://specialistsubjectrecords.co.uk/products/fresh-raise-hell-lp-cd-tape" target="_blank">Specialist Subject Records</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/raise-hell/1599103797" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/6kPUUGwPoLoEHz9gWFbZNA" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>The subgenre indie punk has come up a lot in this list. There are two bands that immediately come to mind when I think about this genre. One is Muncie Girls and the other is Fresh. I first discovered the band in 2017 and have followed them religiously ever since. Their third album <i>Raise Hell</i> shows the band's growth as songwriters and musicians as they slow down the pace a bit while still amping up the emotional intensity. I absolutely love this band and will happily purchase anything they release sight unseen. And if you want to hear some more of my thoughts on the band, check out the <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/4UbUwiRsQzNuWLyqR7TqFI" target="_blank">One Band, 5 Songs episode on Fresh</a>.</div><div><br /></div><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2487680779/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://freshpunks.bandcamp.com/album/raise-hell">Raise Hell by Fresh</a></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnSE4w-rhVMUQtV1g-x1vqSZ3EbOKCNCNdL8dLV5uN3UKZGUXdx-YAAwUX-nZdKIUHFAueC_CpBfJRw7-HYVVvjaGRlwf8VxhPuvU7KLyTTsswLRMeN0FZmyuoK6hZXXrKlu_gwypQagLOkdoyIU3-01NMTAbLxGcwHgcMC-Fpbn47H2wNtg/s224/Cluttered%20-%20Transgender%20Dystopia%20Blues%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnSE4w-rhVMUQtV1g-x1vqSZ3EbOKCNCNdL8dLV5uN3UKZGUXdx-YAAwUX-nZdKIUHFAueC_CpBfJRw7-HYVVvjaGRlwf8VxhPuvU7KLyTTsswLRMeN0FZmyuoK6hZXXrKlu_gwypQagLOkdoyIU3-01NMTAbLxGcwHgcMC-Fpbn47H2wNtg/s1600/Cluttered%20-%20Transgender%20Dystopia%20Blues%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div>6. <i>Transgender Dystopia Blues</i> by Cluttered</span></b> </div><div><a href="https://cluttered.bandcamp.com/album/transgender-dystopia-blues" target="_blank">BandCamp</a>, <a href="https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0BGR8PD9W" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/transgender-dystopia-blues-ep/1647460756" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/4VSUT1P4XzggK2xDcGT91H" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>In less than two years, Halifax, Nova Scotia's Cluttered has made quick a mark, knocking out three EPs and one split, all of which are awesome. <i>Transgender Dystopia Blues</i>, the band's latest, is four songs of blisteringly personal, heartfelt, and painfully honest poppy punk. In fact, I'm not sure that anyone in modern punk so eloquently and perfectly expresses loneliness better than Matty Grace. If you are looking for a band to fill the void left in the absence of RVIVR, look no further than Cluttered. This shit rules!!!</div><div><br /></div><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3234398057/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://cluttered.bandcamp.com/album/transgender-dystopia-blues">Transgender Dystopia Blues by Cluttered</a></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrD_h2wOT9aOvM8dwkyt_7L0RmRU_aMy9TxFKm4I8uEtDYNY-lwIuurTIw4MUzDCG_EFmrTRatDR7qamNeeo_5Q28DHDJ8utsRmYboMHAlvKhbpC24pJJRFJEgJ6qOnu3JOoG975IqBo3pZ2GJpv-keqhYfoX0TAuM86t1aBVgs8M1ZO1j_Q/s224/Beach%20Bunny%20-%20Emotional%20Creature%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrD_h2wOT9aOvM8dwkyt_7L0RmRU_aMy9TxFKm4I8uEtDYNY-lwIuurTIw4MUzDCG_EFmrTRatDR7qamNeeo_5Q28DHDJ8utsRmYboMHAlvKhbpC24pJJRFJEgJ6qOnu3JOoG975IqBo3pZ2GJpv-keqhYfoX0TAuM86t1aBVgs8M1ZO1j_Q/s1600/Beach%20Bunny%20-%20Emotional%20Creature%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div>5. <i>Emotional Creature</i> by Beach Bunny</span></b></div><div><a href="https://beachbunny.bandcamp.com/album/emotional-creature" target="_blank">BandCamp</a>, <a href="https://merch.beachbunnymusic.com/" target="_blank">Beach Bunny Store</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Emotional-Creature-Beach-Bunny/dp/B09W14NKWK" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/emotional-creature/1613600183" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/3H6pbRzmpQa6eqCXn7rgO8" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Chicago's Beach Bunny kind of came out of nowhere a few years ago and rose to prominence thanks to exposure from TikTok. I was completely oblivious to this fact when I discovered the band last year and included their EP <i>Blame Game</i> on <a href="https://oklahomalefty.blogspot.com/2021/12/top-30-records-of-2021-20-11.html" target="_blank">my year-end list</a>. What struck me was the purity and honesty in the band's lyrics and the ridiculously catchy nature of their indie power pop rock so when it was announced that the band would drop their sophomore full-length, I pre-ordered it sight unseen. And I'm glad that I did. Heck, even <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/beach-bunny-review-emotional-creature-1381418/" target="_blank">Rolling Stone knows how great this record is</a> -- </div><div></div><blockquote><div>Trifilio’s overwhelming empathy has become a hallmark of her work, as she’s navigated teen trauma like longing, heartbreak, body image and ghosting through twee garage-pop songs. And on Emotional Creature (their second release for Mom + Pop Music), she ascends beyond those themes with even more of an open-hearted approach, delivering plainspoken missives of quarter-like crises that include crippling anxiety, toxic relationships and self-discovery.</div><div><br /></div><div>Emotional Creature is Nineties rom-com core at its finest. Barreling through the album’s 12 songs, it’s easy to envision Trifilio’s equally ebullient and wistful vocals soundtracking the ups and downs of romantic entanglements in everything from 10 Things I Hate About You to Never Been Kissed. It’s not surprising when you consider that Beach Bunny’s jangly power-pop evokes the sweet but biting timbre of Letters to Cleo’s Kay Hanley—particularly when she’s cosplaying Josie from Josie and the Pussycats—as well as vulnerable contemporary bands like Charly Bliss and Camp Cope.</div></blockquote><div></div><div>There is something that is just so comforting in Beach Bunny's music, so much so that even a guy in his mid-40s gets it. </div></div><div><br /></div><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3950180431/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://beachbunny.bandcamp.com/album/emotional-creature">Emotional Creature by Beach Bunny</a></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghT1kA650-F6QqyUgGnxyGIyok904JdZ9-u48fCt59A4Pa2NzYJaFWOkQwKDSwH0HR_SimazEoU-EaaoUeHTL_b6hJKMtzKLm-a3_OF47Q4awPkvewVJ7IO_8ue-KvluKoWaZLEKmqz8KOmP17USqIElqls_gWDA0_gdBQ0own9AiBtMuFcA/s224/New%20Junk%20City%20-%20Beg%20A%20Promise%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghT1kA650-F6QqyUgGnxyGIyok904JdZ9-u48fCt59A4Pa2NzYJaFWOkQwKDSwH0HR_SimazEoU-EaaoUeHTL_b6hJKMtzKLm-a3_OF47Q4awPkvewVJ7IO_8ue-KvluKoWaZLEKmqz8KOmP17USqIElqls_gWDA0_gdBQ0own9AiBtMuFcA/s1600/New%20Junk%20City%20-%20Beg%20A%20Promise%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div>4. <i>Beg A Promise</i> by New Junk City</span></b></div><div><a href="https://newjunkcityatl.bandcamp.com/album/beg-a-promise" target="_blank">BandCamp</a>, <a href="https://a-frecords.limitedrun.com/products/731978-new-junk-city-beg-a-promise-lp-mp3" target="_blank">A-F Records</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/beg-a-promise/1640411997" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/0cyNPy1AFqYrXVx6EKpHIS" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Have you ever heard a band and thought, "wow they are great" only to realize that you have somehow missed their first eight years' worth of EPs and full-length debut? Yeah, that was how I felt when I discovered Atlanta's New Junk City earlier this year. Then I heard a promo for their sophomore album <i>Beg A Promise</i> and it really drove home how special this band is. <a href="https://www.punkrocktheory.com/music_reviews/new-junk-city-beg-promise" target="_blank"> Punk Rock Theory</a> described the band perfectly stating "New Junk City couple the heart-on-sleeve type lyrics of The Menzingers to the buzzing guitars of a band like Superchunk and then top it off with the pop sensibilities of Gin Blossoms." <a href="https://theindyreview.com/2022/10/20/album-review-new-junk-city-beg-a-promise/" target="_blank">The Indy Review</a> took things a step further stating -- </div><div><blockquote>"Armed with the kind of melodic pop hooks and timeless narratives that summon up whisks of nostalgia, New Junk City‘s latest album <i>Beg a Promise</i> is the kind of punk record that will become a best friend for road trips, night-out after parties, and cathartic hours of contemplation. The Atlanta group should expect to gain the type of hardcore followers that groups like The Gaslight Anthem and The Menzingers have earned through years of heart-on-your-sleeve songwriting."</blockquote></div><div>What I love about this band in general and <i>Beg A Promise</i>, in particular, is the fact that this music blends all the best influences of killer punk and rock 'n' roll, all while sounding like themselves. Yes, all of the comparisons to The Menzingers, Green Day, Gin Blossoms, The Gaslight Anthem, and the faster Weakerthans songs are apt and applicable but make no mistake, New Junk City is their own band, with their own voice, and their own sound. And damn if that sound isn't glorious! </div><div><br /></div><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=4065188467/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://newjunkcityatl.bandcamp.com/album/beg-a-promise">Beg A Promise by New Junk City</a></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEYY6WEmgUSqFmZdzPzeqRy5r6za7lendTOcEMEAgF3ojvZP8F42YMDNBdocfyAiHcgfPL4-xx2SJIGN5Obli3pyq8vZiQfusgqTkEHgD7Dt89xmoO1idT9mzKwEhhEe2DUpMeOnK86jTWPjf1XFnFcz9FaWF9oDagFyejbv8hAybQRiGXw/s224/Future%20Girls%20Year%20Long%20Winter%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEYY6WEmgUSqFmZdzPzeqRy5r6za7lendTOcEMEAgF3ojvZP8F42YMDNBdocfyAiHcgfPL4-xx2SJIGN5Obli3pyq8vZiQfusgqTkEHgD7Dt89xmoO1idT9mzKwEhhEe2DUpMeOnK86jTWPjf1XFnFcz9FaWF9oDagFyejbv8hAybQRiGXw/s1600/Future%20Girls%20Year%20Long%20Winter%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div>3. <i>Year Long Winter </i>by Future Girls</span></b></div><div><a href="https://futuregirls.bandcamp.com/album/year-long-winter" target="_blank">BandCamp</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Year-Winter-Explicit-Future-Girls/dp/B09XLV62W5" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/year-long-winter-ep/1618852502" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/31Q9Sz0tMCGzrBbh1LBYcD" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>One of the best things in the world for a big-time music nerd like me is that feeling you get the first time you hear a band and realize within those first few notes that you have found something special. It's completely exhilarating. That is exactly how I felt the first time I heard Future Girls. It was the opening chords to <i>Year Long Winter</i>'s first track "Ghosts" that got me. Then I heard "Defeat Repeat" and it cemented it for me. This was special and EASILY one of the best records of the year. It was also my introduction to Matty Grace and her cinematic universe of outstanding bands. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>Year Long Winter</i> is five songs born out of the darkest days of the Covid-19 pandemic of poppy indie punk, but not in the same way as bands like Fresh or Muncie Girls. Here's the thing, I can't nail down this band's sound. They simply sound like Future Girls. Labels like indie punk, indie rock, or pop punk could all be used to describe these songs but those tags all feel lacking. Not unlike New Junk City, you can hear influences in Future Girls' music but they completely and totally take those influences and make a sound that is all their own. I really hope this band isn't through.</div><div> </div><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3486780734/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://futuregirls.bandcamp.com/album/year-long-winter">Year Long Winter by Future Girls</a></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Dva9OSXN2EaHxAWbVzIWDqO-mtHgeVH0gc7KSvyxmuhUfChdeO8LZo1awxdZnast0QrDdxpqjAwychGuTJ5xz4RLlesV9BqLHFFGiRYg--g0isvHlb0A0u746tGDHpcPM-6YMq65Z8lbUM3Z_gM_V8G1OH3TPs1_USBtMDF6v1d15TOdaw/s224/A%20Vulture%20Wake%20-%20One.Kingdom.Animal%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Dva9OSXN2EaHxAWbVzIWDqO-mtHgeVH0gc7KSvyxmuhUfChdeO8LZo1awxdZnast0QrDdxpqjAwychGuTJ5xz4RLlesV9BqLHFFGiRYg--g0isvHlb0A0u746tGDHpcPM-6YMq65Z8lbUM3Z_gM_V8G1OH3TPs1_USBtMDF6v1d15TOdaw/s1600/A%20Vulture%20Wake%20-%20One.Kingdom.Animal%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div>2. <i>One.Kingdom.Animal</i> by A Vulture Wake</span></b></div><div><a href="https://avulturewake.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank">BandCamp</a> (A Vulture Wake), <a href="https://thousandislandsrecords.com/2022/08/10/a-vulture-wake-one-kingdom-animal/" target="_blank">Thousand Island Records</a>, <a href="https://thousandislandsrecords.bandcamp.com/album/one-kingdom-animal" target="_blank">BandCamp</a> (Thousand Island), <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/one-kingdom-animal/1650464516" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/28gEHxPLj6Kq4DuhC2g4jE" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div><i>One.Kingdom.Animal</i> is a collection of the two EPs A Vulture Wake released in 2022, June's <i>Kingdom </i>and September's <i>Animal </i>(it's a vinyl thing). I just wanted to get that out of the way for clarity's sake. </div><div><br /></div><div>I instantly fell in love with <i>Kingdom </i>when it dropped in June. </div><div>From <a href="https://oklahomalefty.blogspot.com/2022/06/ep-review-kingdom-by-vulture-wake.html" target="_blank">my review</a> -- </div><div><div style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div><blockquote><div style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A Vulture Wake formed in 2017 and their 2018 debut <i>The Appropriate Level of Outrage</i> was <a href="https://oklahomalefty.blogspot.com/2018/12/top-40-records-of-2018-10-1.html" style="color: #009eb8; display: inline; outline: none; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s;" target="_blank">one of my favorite records of the year</a>. Their debut and its follow-up, the equally excellent <i>Fall Prey</i> EP combined singer/guitarist Chad Price's (ALL, Drag the River) undeniable vocals and biting lyrics with pounding melodic hardcore. This time around, he is joined by Oklahoma’s own Dave Klein on bass (They Stay Dead, plus ex-Black Flag, Screeching Weasel, Wretch Like Me, Euclid Crash) and John Hernandez on drums (They Stay Dead, ex-Wretch Like Me, Euclid Crash, The Lunch Bunch). And the result is absolutely mind-blowing! With a new lineup and six songs, this band has gone from really freaking good to outstandingly great!!! </span></div><div style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Kingdom </i>perfectly blends elements of punk, metal, and prog rock, or as the <a href="https://www.avulturewake.com/about" style="color: #009eb8; display: inline; outline: none; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s;" target="_blank">band's website puts it</a> -- </span></div><div style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><blockquote><span style="font-family: inherit;">...hard rock, progressive punk, and heavy metal at its best - dark and powerful, lyrically dystopian and signaling a hopeful, victorious future. </span></blockquote></div><div style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There is so much going on in each one of these songs including great hooks, beautiful melodies, raging lyrics, hopeful determination, incredibly intricate bass work, wild-ass drumming, strange time signatures, and ripping guitars, and it is ALL punctuated by Price’s ALLways mighty vocals. A Vulture Wake truly stands on its own but also scratches that itch left behind in the absence of Price’s previous band ALL. </span></div></blockquote><div style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><i>Animal </i>is its own...well animal. The band's label <a href="https://thousandislandsrecords.com/2022/08/10/a-vulture-wake-one-kingdom-animal/" target="_blank">Thousand Island Records</a> described <i>Animal </i>as</div><div style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><blockquote>"a progressive powerhouse of hooks & riffs – 5 songs continuing the band’s campaign to “Do No Harm; Take No Shit” while taking aim at the powers that be, inner demons, and a bleak future on this dying planet. AVW now offers solutions to the issues raised in their previous releases – commit violence, give in, leave the planet, sleep? The choice is ours."</blockquote></div><div style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">For a long time, I couldn't put my finger on what exactly was different between the EPs until I read that quote. When you take the two together, you realize that AVW has taken you on a journey. Once I got that, the sonic evolution from <i>Kingdom </i>to <i>Animal </i>made perfect sense. <i>Animal </i>leans deeper into Price's prog and metal influences, which Klein and Hernandez execute perfectly. </div></div><div style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">I saw A Vulture Wake in June and good lord that band is tight!!! Watching them play, one would think that they had been sharing a stage forever and not just a handful of years. <i>One.Kingdom.Animal</i> is the kind of record that could only come from years of experience and incredible chemistry and A Vulture Wake has both in spades.</div><div style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"> </div><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1420141578/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://thousandislandsrecords.bandcamp.com/album/one-kingdom-animal">One.Kingdom.Animal by A Vulture Wake</a></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinO-YyOYULXOEU7YsFGnG3-x3DX9QOhxBujTht0Y2V5j1VoEEMPTzYlg4No0QS5jKZCyCEs0kB74Am-iMx89vZf7ysq-HlTeSntiQ-lz1NPTHwCFTF3ly6MFrtLJTI4mGTfBKAu9Fnx84qVxEXxeGAjVaPQSoUKzQll3BTtX84nKq7ur9Q8A/s224/Frank%20Turner%20-%20FTHC%20(Deluxe)%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinO-YyOYULXOEU7YsFGnG3-x3DX9QOhxBujTht0Y2V5j1VoEEMPTzYlg4No0QS5jKZCyCEs0kB74Am-iMx89vZf7ysq-HlTeSntiQ-lz1NPTHwCFTF3ly6MFrtLJTI4mGTfBKAu9Fnx84qVxEXxeGAjVaPQSoUKzQll3BTtX84nKq7ur9Q8A/s1600/Frank%20Turner%20-%20FTHC%20(Deluxe)%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div><br />1. <i>FTHC (Deluxe)</i> by Frank Turner</span></b></div><div><a href="https://store.frank-turner.com/" target="_blank">Frank Turner Official Store</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/FTHC-Deluxe-Explicit-Frank-Turner/dp/B09FPQ6V3J" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/fthc-deluxe/1584829782" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/0iJXDWIGaGm6bLmhK6Efj8" target="_blank">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FTHC" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a></div><div><br /></div><div>I mean, was there any other option? </div><div>From <a href="https://oklahomalefty.blogspot.com/2022/02/album-review-fthc-by-frank-turner.html" target="_blank">my review</a> -- </div><div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div><blockquote><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Frank Turner has this knack for putting out just the right music at just the right time. <a href="https://oklahomalefty.blogspot.com/2018/12/top-40-records-of-2018-10-1.html" style="color: #009eb8; display: inline; outline: none; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s;" target="_blank">In 2018</a>, his brilliant <i>Be More Kind</i> was, as I wrote in <a href="https://oklahomalefty.blogspot.com/2018/06/album-review-be-more-kind-by-frank.html" style="color: #009eb8; display: inline; outline: none; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s;" target="_blank">my review</a>, "the uplifting hope and inspiration that the world needs." Now in 2022, Turner's latest album <i>FTHC </i>perfectly expresses the pent-up anxiety, frustration, and tension along with the longing, yearning, and hope that has been building for the last two years since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">First off, <i>FTHC </i>is Turner's most punk rock solo record to date. Sonically speaking at least (spiritually, his music has always been punk as fuck). The album rips open with the scorching "Non Serviam" before launching into the record's first single "The Gathering," another blistering ripper. Interestingly, "The Gathering" is a song that benefits from the context of its album. Of the singles that preceded <i>FTHC</i>, "The Gathering" was the one, that for me at least, didn't hit immediately. Now in the context of the album coming between the opening of "Non Serviam" and the perfect anthem for these days (and probably the best of the record's singles) "Haven't Been Doing So Well," "The Gathering" packs a completely new and potent punch. Another punk gem is "My Bad" a song that finds Turner channeling his inner 7 Seconds. "Miranda" tells the amazing story of his relationship with his father who is a trans woman, while "A Wave Across the Bay" is an examination of grief following the suicide of Scott Hutchinson of Frightened Rabbit (which is sadly not the first song Turner has written about the suicide of a close friend; "Song for Josh" from 2015's <i>Positive Songs for Negative People</i> was about the suicide of Josh Burdette, who managed Washington D.C.'s 9:30 Club). "The Resurrectionists" is a fun romp that provides some updates on those we met in “I Knew Prufrock Before He Got Famous” followed by the one-two punch that is "Punches" (a song about the few times in life when everything falls into line) and "Perfect Score" (the most rousing song about the imperfections of humanity ever to hit wax). The album proper ends with a goodbye love letter to London in "Farewell To My City," which in and of itself is a perfect album closer, but on the deluxe version, there are two additional tracks (not counting the four acoustic versions of songs from the record) that somehow take that perfect ending and make it better. This is especially the case with "The Home Where I Was Raised" a haunting remembrance of the old Turner family home. And that's just some of the brilliant songs that make up the outstanding <i>FTHC</i>. </span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I first discovered Frank Turner's music about 11-some-odd years ago (sometime before the release of <i>England Keep My Bones</i>) and instantaneously knew that I had found something exceptionally special. Now over a decade and five albums (seven if you count the split with NOFX and the record with Jon Snodgrass) later, I can truly say that Frank Turner is not only one of my favorite artists of all time but he is one of the most important voices on rock 'n' roll of the last 20 years. How many artists, on album number nine, smashed it right out of the pack on the first swing? <i>FTHC </i>is the album to beat in 2022, it is the record by which all others will be judged, and on top of that, it is one of Turner's best yet.</span></div></blockquote><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div></div><div><i>FTHC </i>is the third Frank Turner album to top my year-end list after <a href="https://oklahomalefty.blogspot.com/2018/12/top-40-records-of-2018-10-1.html" target="_blank">2018</a>'s <i>Be More Kind</i> and <a href="https://oklahomalefty.blogspot.com/2011/12/top-20-albums-of-2011.html" target="_blank">2011</a>'s <i>England Keep My Bones</i>. In fact, I would argue that those are his three best records. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>FTHC </i>got me through 2022. These songs lifted me up, inspired me to be a better person, and helped me feel a little less like a complete outsider. Finally, I leave you with the mantra and charge that we should all take to heart, from "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FutOmkhF9DY" target="_blank">Non Serviam</a>" -- </div><div><div></div><blockquote><div>But moving forward, let's keep things simple</div><div>Here are my principles:</div><div>Help the ones in need</div><div>Do your best to leave the others be</div><div>Doubt yourself and keep your mind open</div><div>Navigate the progress and the scams</div></blockquote><div></div></div><div>Hallelujah! </div><div><br /></div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_VGhqfudU3M" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FzXQVG5uPLI" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xtkK9izzJGo" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XvwSrFMo0FQ" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div>Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15951430008150125773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13827702.post-34771245372192317672022-12-06T08:00:00.004-06:002022-12-07T08:55:32.971-06:00Top 30 Records of 2022: 20-11<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQODIz26Jg3rQ65SeYrVAkhK3GRe_HPeWgmV-njFSY1c5iJWmdLW-EeWUyAoXeeZVgtv1k4goaWEG1pfa7kFFo6nYWh-uuqr3vDdXCwSTB0Bl1rsjxEPPl3P3vVQwAxXEik1_JFxjRCnNCDRvxElUh-Yr3subwWPzWD6VQVqN_gqWFqo30Cg/s1803/@Best%20of%202022%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1803" data-original-width="1772" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQODIz26Jg3rQ65SeYrVAkhK3GRe_HPeWgmV-njFSY1c5iJWmdLW-EeWUyAoXeeZVgtv1k4goaWEG1pfa7kFFo6nYWh-uuqr3vDdXCwSTB0Bl1rsjxEPPl3P3vVQwAxXEik1_JFxjRCnNCDRvxElUh-Yr3subwWPzWD6VQVqN_gqWFqo30Cg/s320/@Best%20of%202022%20(1).png" width="314" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://oklahomalefty.blogspot.com/2022/12/top-30-records-of-2022-30-21.html" target="_blank">30-21</a>, <a href="https://oklahomalefty.blogspot.com/2022/12/top-30-records-of-2022-10-1.html" target="_blank">10-1</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfUMlWr6Uf8btm7ow2_3ikbnsq9A2FoXG8j-VER3I3n4bt2-bba7y-b9vYuQjivU7egFk8thoHwN7TeN-CD8GzHCfQB_xnjN1RTKyN3IFLBQ-FisnTl_30lVZu31ZccDSM_h4i6lBUxiZ1-8VXf39VA7e9POWCFI6p1Dw8woAEmlEIF6spHg/s224/Lights%20&%20Motion%20-%20The%20World%20I%20Remember%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfUMlWr6Uf8btm7ow2_3ikbnsq9A2FoXG8j-VER3I3n4bt2-bba7y-b9vYuQjivU7egFk8thoHwN7TeN-CD8GzHCfQB_xnjN1RTKyN3IFLBQ-FisnTl_30lVZu31ZccDSM_h4i6lBUxiZ1-8VXf39VA7e9POWCFI6p1Dw8woAEmlEIF6spHg/s1600/Lights%20&%20Motion%20-%20The%20World%20I%20Remember%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div>20. <i>The World I Remember </i>by Lights & Motion</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://deepelmdigital.com/album/the-world-i-remember" target="_blank">BandCamp</a>, <a href="https://music.amazon.com/albums/B09MGQLJWK" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-world-i-remember/1596991027" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/0gIvo4wnPYc8ibo8sFAtKv" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Remember earlier when I talked about how Floating In Space is one of the best acts in cinematic post-rock? Well, Lights & Motion is the other. The brainchild of composer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Christoffer Franzén, Lights & Motion always delivers soaring, epic, moving music that is nothing short of gorgeous. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2067511143/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://deepelmdigital.com/album/the-world-i-remember">The World I Remember by Lights & Motion</a></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdR6vRPxcCDIvZRFWTsrSyfFQzfpXjVjkBf6wbyr1l8oQMafl26vEpsNUHOMqm_kwtesrKqOVq-kYEqBP-sUdpH0tnYyIT83QK5iE6XX33-qeYHMjTbkQq-icVOgZ98YkKw33JvMg4s5VhSHr7mpogeXWq435KOEwX5Eu1hToIV2yjJaN05g/s224/Supercrush%20-%20Melody%20Maker%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdR6vRPxcCDIvZRFWTsrSyfFQzfpXjVjkBf6wbyr1l8oQMafl26vEpsNUHOMqm_kwtesrKqOVq-kYEqBP-sUdpH0tnYyIT83QK5iE6XX33-qeYHMjTbkQq-icVOgZ98YkKw33JvMg4s5VhSHr7mpogeXWq435KOEwX5Eu1hToIV2yjJaN05g/s1600/Supercrush%20-%20Melody%20Maker%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div>19. <i>Melody Maker</i> by Supercrush</span></b> </div><div><a href="https://supercrush.bandcamp.com/album/melody-maker-2" target="_blank">BandCamp</a>, <a href="https://www.dongiovannirecords.com/products/729695-supercrush-melody-maker-ep" target="_blank">Don Giovanni Records</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/music/player/albums/B09ZLGNY5C" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/melody-maker-ep/1622577979" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/4ytCUaJLbTA8Qf4aqHREoM" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Not to be that guy, who right off the bat compares one band to another but Supercrush REALLY reminds me of Teenage Fanclub. The Seattle trio plays fuzzy power pop indie rock that is incredibly catchy and endearing. This is a must for 90s bands like the Lemonheads, Blake Babies, Dinosaur Jr., and the aforementioned Teenage Fanclub. Fans of modern indie punk would be wise to give this a go as well.</div><div> </div><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=4064118991/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://supercrush.bandcamp.com/album/melody-maker-2">Melody Maker by Supercrush</a></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTB_AaJeQeh03GdMDYnLPKnLZN7_yKwtp0q7zmJ7IhhIbRQegrVhBa3i7Ylgcl6uJTG88_XBACqCKrc-m9uRE26_GPFlA1Gl37KNAYIj5WdMIuJN-x4-w7ICl9ZI50IUHPYproZnKpnf92ESQg5IJ7JjSZoabfMwjfzirQB-CY8x_xDP4hQw/s224/Nightmareathons%20-%20Hidden%20Vigorish%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTB_AaJeQeh03GdMDYnLPKnLZN7_yKwtp0q7zmJ7IhhIbRQegrVhBa3i7Ylgcl6uJTG88_XBACqCKrc-m9uRE26_GPFlA1Gl37KNAYIj5WdMIuJN-x4-w7ICl9ZI50IUHPYproZnKpnf92ESQg5IJ7JjSZoabfMwjfzirQB-CY8x_xDP4hQw/s1600/Nightmareathons%20-%20Hidden%20Vigorish%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div>18. <i>Hidden Vigorish</i> by Nightmareathons</span></b> </div><div><a href="https://nightmarathons.bandcamp.com/album/hidden-vigorish" target="_blank">BandCamp</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/hidden-vigorish/1650856314" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/0RheQcXSvj1T4rj6ga138H" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Hailing from Pittsburgh, PA, Nightmareathons play a brand of melodic gruff punk that pulls from a variety of sources (also, one would not be off base referring to them as FEST punk). Their sophomore full-length album <i>Hidden Vigorish</i> is 11 songs of passionate rock 'n' roll with dueling vocals that are at times reminiscent of Against Me!'s Laura Jane Grace, The Flatliners' Chris Cresswell, and Two Cow Garage's Micah Schnabel (sometimes all in the same song). </div><div><br /></div><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1763165375/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://nightmarathons.bandcamp.com/album/hidden-vigorish">Hidden Vigorish by nightmarathons</a></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7KSq_-SjD_c2qRmF-rptgEI5fdqh3Cc_AhkXabfIALTRUMecCtx0CDwcPmysIFyC83A6E4s76i89f-6fBXNpn7cVe-DraMySvcZMqpE1HorG0fucZSk9tgqP_frQ-xAVYBoYxlamaedMM_QA6C1N6uh03lZhgVbtsfFHyc6SRDuRUVhwMA/s224/Matty%20Grace%20-%20I%20Was%20A%20Fat%20Stupid%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7KSq_-SjD_c2qRmF-rptgEI5fdqh3Cc_AhkXabfIALTRUMecCtx0CDwcPmysIFyC83A6E4s76i89f-6fBXNpn7cVe-DraMySvcZMqpE1HorG0fucZSk9tgqP_frQ-xAVYBoYxlamaedMM_QA6C1N6uh03lZhgVbtsfFHyc6SRDuRUVhwMA/s1600/Matty%20Grace%20-%20I%20Was%20A%20Fat%20Stupid%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div>17. <i>I Was A Fat Stupid</i> by Matty Grace</span></b></div><div><a href="https://mattygrace.bandcamp.com/album/i-was-a-fat-stupid" target="_blank">BandCamp</a> (Matty Grace), <a href="https://tarantulacassettes.bandcamp.com/album/i-was-a-fat-stupid" target="_blank">BandCamp</a> (Tarantula Tapes), <a href="https://music.amazon.com/albums/B09RHLN86R" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/i-was-a-fat-stupid-ep/1607720268" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/5w9Aqobqlxbl0w7jad6nSp" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>For those keeping track at home, this is Matty Grace project number two of four on this year's list. <i>I Was A Fat Stupid</i> is six songs of garagey poppy lo-fi punk. In a lot of ways, this EP reminds me of what would happen if teenage The Donnas jammed with Bikini Kill. My favorite track is the EPs' closer "Wintertime." Also, there isn't one song over two minutes. </div><div> </div><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=255432630/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://mattygrace.bandcamp.com/album/i-was-a-fat-stupid">I Was A Fat Stupid by Matty Grace</a></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKUjAp3eWxFLf_WV89biiN1ek5jpf_CruxLvgiU1XNMZ6zrzICqR_HfjCb_UhuWh7aeeYUp8IiRALypcExwDCpyZNW_Q4-6GvtpPf9OyD11Zme6bH-BcXKrcv0VfIQqxvKjbycesw6SzTXCKOtnnc_dusu9Kbqw9F2CdRg8uKbIa_d0tN4Q/s224/Lande%20Hekt%20-%20House%20Without%20a%20View%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKUjAp3eWxFLf_WV89biiN1ek5jpf_CruxLvgiU1XNMZ6zrzICqR_HfjCb_UhuWh7aeeYUp8IiRALypcExwDCpyZNW_Q4-6GvtpPf9OyD11Zme6bH-BcXKrcv0VfIQqxvKjbycesw6SzTXCKOtnnc_dusu9Kbqw9F2CdRg8uKbIa_d0tN4Q/s1600/Lande%20Hekt%20-%20House%20Without%20a%20View%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div>16. <i>House Without a View</i> by Lande Hekt</span></b></div><div><a href="https://landehekt.bandcamp.com/album/house-without-a-view-2" target="_blank">BandCamp</a>, <a href="https://getbetterrecords.com/products/lande-hekt-house-without-a-view" target="_blank">Get Better Records</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/House-Without-View-Lande-Hekt/dp/B0B644C6YN" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/house-without-a-view/1622307613" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/38E9pUjpxwpxb8kqHXrAp6" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Lande Hekt's sophomore full-length album <i>House Without a View</i> still falls into the general indie punk buck, with emphasis on the indie. For comparison's sake, Hekt's solo material is more in line with The Sundays whereas her band Muncie Girls is more ethereal Dinosaur Jr. </div><div><div><a href="https://distortedsoundmag.com/album-review-house-without-a-view-lande-hekt/" target="_blank">Millie Warwick at Distorted Sound</a> sums things up nicely -- </div><div><blockquote>"The focal point of <i>House Without A View</i> is its lyrics and the stories they tell throughout, proving that LANDE HEKT is a poet before anything else. Her vocals are beautiful, and although she somewhat relies on keeping the same tempo and energy, this album is a must-listen. Hekt proves consistently that on her solo album, she isn’t afraid to be painfully honest, which is something to be grateful for. This is the work of an artist who is not to be underestimated."</blockquote></div></div><div>I am a ride-or-die Lande Hekt fan and will order anything she's involved with sight unseen. </div><div><br /></div><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1959388751/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://landehekt.bandcamp.com/album/house-without-a-view-2">House Without a View by Lande Hekt</a></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjrjEeQ_cr5UczlupfGsb6xFGFX154L_RYe4G0ehXtIjEfJaBML_mG2GObxrMNuYwmog6Z3-S9iePVs5jmBFi7r5KDBmY1xoWZS-gOHxExv7e0qCQNGH0GAt4BtuMxHdioY0YtN99Z1LMqNEjBrqzvy29nEq3H7PH6y5hln-xIl6wzO3cHjQ/s224/Onsloow%20-%20S_T%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjrjEeQ_cr5UczlupfGsb6xFGFX154L_RYe4G0ehXtIjEfJaBML_mG2GObxrMNuYwmog6Z3-S9iePVs5jmBFi7r5KDBmY1xoWZS-gOHxExv7e0qCQNGH0GAt4BtuMxHdioY0YtN99Z1LMqNEjBrqzvy29nEq3H7PH6y5hln-xIl6wzO3cHjQ/s1600/Onsloow%20-%20S_T%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div>15. <i>S/T </i>by Onsloow</span></b> </div><div><a href="https://onsloow.bandcamp.com/album/s-t" target="_blank">BandCamp</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/S-T-Onsloow/dp/B09PNSTVLC" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/s-t/1603238796" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/4nQN4ynlvpoLdT0SDKTHY3" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Hailing from Trondheim, Norway, Onsloow plays an insanely catchy and infectious brand of 90s-inspired indie rock. What makes Onsloow and their debut album <i>S/T</i> stand out is that they pull from the janglier, bubblegum (bubblegrunge) pop of bands like Letters To Cleo and The Lemonheads. Seriously, these songs are ridiculously catchy, and with just eight tracks for a whopping runtime of just under 30 minutes, there's no fat to trim and no reason not to listen.</div><div><br /></div><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3469166619/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://onsloow.bandcamp.com/album/s-t">S/T by Onsloow</a></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5B3oawqVHw4LqCAckd_cAurEf9S4KxekYMY2AkEtpAiyAueEjssi1xHnK8RMbROvdps_Mist1oKgYCYhDZEjO9qNh0acjOhnEZ6NrvNrM8H5z2EG5NTPyulCEM0JAByo0sXaMUkF62-7nJUCfL0BMX4z7-Wxbg-BkhhnCVUVpSCfJUMvvUg/s224/Oceanator%20-%20Nothing's%20Ever%20Fine%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5B3oawqVHw4LqCAckd_cAurEf9S4KxekYMY2AkEtpAiyAueEjssi1xHnK8RMbROvdps_Mist1oKgYCYhDZEjO9qNh0acjOhnEZ6NrvNrM8H5z2EG5NTPyulCEM0JAByo0sXaMUkF62-7nJUCfL0BMX4z7-Wxbg-BkhhnCVUVpSCfJUMvvUg/s1600/Oceanator%20-%20Nothing's%20Ever%20Fine%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div>14. <i>Nothing's Ever Fine</i> by Oceanator </span></b></div><div><a href="https://oceanator.bandcamp.com/album/nothings-ever-fine" target="_blank">BandCamp</a>, <a href="https://www.polyvinylrecords.com/product/nothing_s_ever_fine" target="_blank">Polyvinyl Records</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Nothings-Ever-Fine-Pink-Oceanator/dp/B09SM37BBB" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/nothings-ever-fine/1606899368" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/0iNvx3HgvlpVAqlQbpChpd" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.undertheradarmag.com/reviews/nothings_ever_fine_oceanator" target="_blank">Under The Radar's Kyle Kersey</a> described Oceanator's music as having "grungy aesthetics, punk rock energy, unpretentious poetry (you don’t have to be a Shakespeare major to understand her lingo), a focus on mental health" and damn if he didn't hit the nail on the head. Oceanator's sophomore album, <i>Nothing's Ever Fine</i>, is a catchy punky grungey collection of indie rock with hints of shoegaze just for good measure. If nothing else, the song "The Last Summer" alone is worth the price of admission.</div><div> </div><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=341701462/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://oceanator.bandcamp.com/album/nothings-ever-fine">Nothing's Ever Fine by Oceanator</a></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6EiKZlXr6p2nmwuIM7DCEdDESDDtyPg4x2XyUqA5JmH8QNR-HP7KwBdZTkXqMB33NnfoeiAO7MOTD7wgbmJG_8IbNm7XutmgtZTVOLvcmbCrwdn2oJbkSHbYGl35AULLVQ5sEWpS4dZ23W8Nyyg9cyOOHmTDsmzRT7boZMyIiC_-Dn60lDQ/s224/Cosmit%20-%20It's%20Cosmit%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6EiKZlXr6p2nmwuIM7DCEdDESDDtyPg4x2XyUqA5JmH8QNR-HP7KwBdZTkXqMB33NnfoeiAO7MOTD7wgbmJG_8IbNm7XutmgtZTVOLvcmbCrwdn2oJbkSHbYGl35AULLVQ5sEWpS4dZ23W8Nyyg9cyOOHmTDsmzRT7boZMyIiC_-Dn60lDQ/s1600/Cosmit%20-%20It's%20Cosmit%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div>13. <i>It's Cosmit </i>by Cosmit </span></b></div><div><a href="https://cosmit.bandcamp.com/album/its-cosmit" target="_blank">BandCamp</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/music/player/albums/B09YYNPV4N" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/its-cosmit-ep/1621282115" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/07ixxEekb37ruo7wAa7oos" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Hailing from Bristol, UK, and boasting an all-star punk lineup of Jeremy Tadros on vocals (Austeros), Steve Gayton on guitar (Austeros), Erica Freas on guitar, backing vocals, and organ (RVIVR), Max Coles on drums (Toodles & the Hectic Pity), and Kay Stanley on bass and backing vocals (Young Adventurers). The band describes their music as a "High octane, scrappy brand of garage punk inspired by Northern Soul, Motown and 1960's pop groups" and damn if that is not spot on. 60s soul and Motown is a genre that simply does not get mined enough by punk bands and Comsit shows us just what we are missing. </div><div><br /></div><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1792925765/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://cosmit.bandcamp.com/album/its-cosmit">It's Cosmit by Cosmit</a></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGkKLBzoKSGj6jgAusvcT6ofgLXxVDkEBWGfJRzI6-I0dL3YYjTwQsNfx3C1mdIqOIRhuAHWFbNYUlwaSto7MIFdng1X_5pDPTjv2-i7E305ywL6QZZI6oRl_S8GtNsHeV24sXaJmhF7aZGx4rMlKcFjfzAiU7TsKPvIoU2Gyj_cx2uPIm6A/s224/The%20Beths%20-%20Expert%20In%20A%20Dying%20Field%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGkKLBzoKSGj6jgAusvcT6ofgLXxVDkEBWGfJRzI6-I0dL3YYjTwQsNfx3C1mdIqOIRhuAHWFbNYUlwaSto7MIFdng1X_5pDPTjv2-i7E305ywL6QZZI6oRl_S8GtNsHeV24sXaJmhF7aZGx4rMlKcFjfzAiU7TsKPvIoU2Gyj_cx2uPIm6A/s1600/The%20Beths%20-%20Expert%20In%20A%20Dying%20Field%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div>12. <i>Expert In A Dying Field</i> by The Beths</span></b></div><div><a href="https://thebeths.merchtable.com/" target="_blank">The Beths Store</a>, <a href="https://thebethsnz.bandcamp.com/album/expert-in-a-dying-field" target="_blank">BandCamp</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Expert-Dying-Field-Beths/dp/B0B3DMC4B9" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/expert-in-a-dying-field/1620095921" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/6RWLJx7kQLSnwwPyTqPj0U" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>So, I am very late to The Beths' party. The band was formed in 2014 and <i>Expert In A Dying Field</i> is their third album. And holy crap is it a great record! In fact, it appears to be <a href="https://www.metacritic.com/music/expert-in-a-dying-field/the-beths" target="_blank">receiving general universal praise</a>, which is completely deserved. For example, <a href="https://www.stereogum.com/2199045/the-beths-expert-in-a-dying-field-review/reviews/album-of-the-week/" target="_blank">Stereogum's Chris Deville proclaimed</a> -- </div><div><blockquote>"The Beths do not have a gimmick — not even the ever-reliable “our band has no gimmick.” They’re not part of a trendy subgenre or revival; although decades’ worth of poppy guitar music echo through the Auckland quartet’s albums — recalling a constellation of acts you might call power-pop, indie-pop, pop-punk, indie rock, alt-rock, or just plain old pop-rock — they aren’t channeling one particular scene or era. It’s not that the Beths put no thought into how they present their music or that they’re actively avoiding categorization; impeccably nuanced arrangements and savvy bits of punctuation at the seams of their songs suggest they think deeply about their own craft and have studied at the feet of the masters. It’s just that there’s no real elevator pitch beyond <i>this band writes great songs</i>."</blockquote></div><div>Exactly!!! This record is simply a must-have. </div><div><br /></div><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1759355578/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://thebethsnz.bandcamp.com/album/expert-in-a-dying-field">Expert In A Dying Field by The Beths</a></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwAkv1Pqc-UF33vuvhRU4sT9rpLbET4FqjLk1yKKZlPCcJlA2N3yCeIitml140jgqZ60E03YKWPPDoyvQ-gEc-Wff7cdbTi6MP5E6Od_vL4mAJqaAYBeBLGqaaa-Hbm8wNFflJtzV0As4qOKD5fjqr5p4WOHWRCytK9g6b_ce51mlgyP7hPw/s224/Lost%20In%20Society%20-%20Life%20During%20Quarantine%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwAkv1Pqc-UF33vuvhRU4sT9rpLbET4FqjLk1yKKZlPCcJlA2N3yCeIitml140jgqZ60E03YKWPPDoyvQ-gEc-Wff7cdbTi6MP5E6Od_vL4mAJqaAYBeBLGqaaa-Hbm8wNFflJtzV0As4qOKD5fjqr5p4WOHWRCytK9g6b_ce51mlgyP7hPw/s1600/Lost%20In%20Society%20-%20Life%20During%20Quarantine%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div>11. <i>Life During Quarantine</i> by Lost In Society </span></b></div><div><a href="https://lostinsociety.bandcamp.com/album/life-during-quarantine" target="_blank">BandCamp</a>, <a href="https://wiretaprecords.limitedrun.com/products/720756-lost-in-society-life-during-quarantine-12-lp" target="_blank">Wiretap Records</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/music/player/albums/B09TZ8MBHG" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/life-during-qurantine/1613068548" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/49gEuUkou4fq2RmiR7HniK" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Lost In Society's <i>Life During Quarantine</i> is technically a compilation of three previously released EPs (2021's <i>Stay Jaded</i> and 2020's <i>Love And War</i> and <i>Help</i>). Normally this is not the type of record that I would include in my year-end lists but the fact is <i>Life During Quarantine</i> feels like a singular entity. In fact, this is a case of the sum being greater than the parts. <a href="https://oklahomalefty.blogspot.com/2021/12/top-30-records-of-2021-20-11.html" target="_blank"> I once described</a> Lost In Society's music as "fantastic, high energy, melodic punk rock that should appeal to fans of damn near all of the various scenes and sub-genres that fall under the punk umbrella" and I stand by that analysis. This is a must for fans of catchy, universal, anthemic, punk rock 'n' roll.</div><div><br /><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1482849978/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://lostinsociety.bandcamp.com/album/life-during-quarantine">Life During Quarantine by Lost In Society</a></iframe></div>Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15951430008150125773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13827702.post-66342561132553846472022-12-05T08:00:00.002-06:002022-12-07T08:55:04.462-06:00Top 30 Records of 2022: 30-21<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizfMdlIJKKITuAE5BKwTegkYa74rWas4QTzfUkQV_zIMuvGVn5LDro5qYXBm56PGqs_m83GMBGVt7SltUMTGb6KIAf7-9xVIw36-HJ4K21c9jPJEwcR7nz1RLuW_UKMxvmNgEA4aLImAg4BF2Cd2BLSxbqhvCVYc3YpCxcAp9YF438aUtcRg/s1803/@Best%20of%202022%20(1).png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1803" data-original-width="1772" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizfMdlIJKKITuAE5BKwTegkYa74rWas4QTzfUkQV_zIMuvGVn5LDro5qYXBm56PGqs_m83GMBGVt7SltUMTGb6KIAf7-9xVIw36-HJ4K21c9jPJEwcR7nz1RLuW_UKMxvmNgEA4aLImAg4BF2Cd2BLSxbqhvCVYc3YpCxcAp9YF438aUtcRg/s320/@Best%20of%202022%20(1).png" width="314" /></a></div><br />It's another December and time for another year-end list. These lists are probably the main reason I keep this blog going after 17 years. Maybe I'll hang it up after 20, but then where would I give all of my hot end-of-the-year takes? </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So, what is there to say about 2022? Well...it was the year that I finally started going to therapy, so that's a good thing. The fact that it took major depression and some weight gain to get me there is sad but hey, at least I'm trying. What's funny, and kind of sad, is that this year in a lot of ways was harder for me than both 2020 and 2021. I think it was the culmination of global and national tragedies, trauma brought on by a toxic personal and work relationship, loss of a loved one, and starting grad school that has taken me to the edge. This living shit is hard. Thank the universe we have music.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As with so many years, 2022 was chock full of great new releases. So ignore the nay-sayers who lament the state of modern music because new music has just as much to offer as the music from any generation's youth. Sometimes you just have to know where to look for it. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Below herein are, IMHO, the 30 best albums and EPs that 2022 had to offer. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://oklahomalefty.blogspot.com/2022/12/top-30-records-of-2022-20-11.html" target="_blank">20-11</a>, <a href="https://oklahomalefty.blogspot.com/2022/12/top-30-records-of-2022-10-1.html" target="_blank">10-1</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWID8Zszy2-gpQ1xglwSz_z6AA3fiFRBg_vjnJ0luf3zDSH6sYo0FlElu_HoWIMqtHFQa6TP18GtepyHfcm2icBW51-7eq2jwXBHG4hYjN_miNjs2nBiwj1zIpAuydhr_gAFH2zmYd8rgOPJLpZ1yCDgppTipukFQTh9oZNGJzYZ1L5BI71A/s224/Crisis%20Party%20-%20Welcome%20to%20the%20Party%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWID8Zszy2-gpQ1xglwSz_z6AA3fiFRBg_vjnJ0luf3zDSH6sYo0FlElu_HoWIMqtHFQa6TP18GtepyHfcm2icBW51-7eq2jwXBHG4hYjN_miNjs2nBiwj1zIpAuydhr_gAFH2zmYd8rgOPJLpZ1yCDgppTipukFQTh9oZNGJzYZ1L5BI71A/s1600/Crisis%20Party%20-%20Welcome%20to%20the%20Party%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div>30. <i>Welcome to the Party</i> by Crisis Party</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://crisisparty.bandcamp.com/album/welcome-to-the-party" target="_blank">BandCamp</a> [Crisis Party], <a href="https://dirtcultrecords.bandcamp.com/album/welcome-to-the-party" target="_blank">BandCamp</a> [Dirt Cult Records], <a href="https://www.amazon.com/music/player/albums/B0B9SZ98P2" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/welcome-to-the-party-ep/1640068264" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/1pdaftZyIFgpfAEREznfkE" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Welcome to the Party</i> is the first of a number of Matty Grace (Cluttered, Future Girls) projects on this list. It is also the most angular, caustic, and post punk of them. The band was started when Grace moved to Ottawa, as she told <a href="https://www.punknews.org/article/77282/interviews-matty-grace-talks-her-new-solo-ep-future-girls-new-ep-and-the-new-cluttered-talk-show-host-split" target="_blank">PunkNews.org</a> -- </div><div style="text-align: left;"><blockquote>I messaged two friends. It’s myself and Jeff - who goes by Ska Jeff sometimes - he was a member of Dogma and some other punk bands in Ottawa and Tony Cordozo who drummed for John Creeden and the Flying Hellfish. Tony and Jeff are pals and I was like, “I’m coming to Ottawa for awhile, would y’all wanna start a band?” and they were like, “yeah, let’s do it” and I was like, “ok, here’s four songs” and I just sent them four songs. They were into it and I wrote three more so we have a set finalized and a cover. We had our first rehearsal six days after me arriving or something. I got here and it was like, “let’s go”.</blockquote></div><div style="text-align: left;">The band pulls influence from the likes of Wire, the Wipers, and the Marked Men, which admittedly are blind spots in my punk and post punk knowledge. What I do know is that Crisis Party is incredibly tight for such a new band.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1384197234/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://crisisparty.bandcamp.com/album/welcome-to-the-party">Welcome To The Party by Crisis Party</a></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilINEYHulu9_VFruZENUKlB3bvrdxlMeQea-00wAs1mYJCun_HkYGKyFB1tPELdVZz5T4gTDestnw5yHxfVyDvELwR4HGF8FGk1BpMD4hrzIKcAQ5VulDL0IWxewH_C4zoYyO6jzIUB-H7OtYdx-Nw3bMCEuCVGVhOG-4PRz0i7y0g258tHg/s224/Hot%20Water%20Music%20-%20Feel%20the%20Void%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilINEYHulu9_VFruZENUKlB3bvrdxlMeQea-00wAs1mYJCun_HkYGKyFB1tPELdVZz5T4gTDestnw5yHxfVyDvELwR4HGF8FGk1BpMD4hrzIKcAQ5VulDL0IWxewH_C4zoYyO6jzIUB-H7OtYdx-Nw3bMCEuCVGVhOG-4PRz0i7y0g258tHg/s1600/Hot%20Water%20Music%20-%20Feel%20the%20Void%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div>29. <i>Feel the Void</i> by Hot Water Music </span></b></div><div><a href="https://www.hotwatermusic.shop/" target="_blank">Hot Water Music Shop</a>, <a href="https://endhitsrecords.bandcamp.com/album/feel-the-void" target="_blank">BandCamp</a>, <a href="http://www.equalvision.com/releases/feel-the-void/" target="_blank">Equal Vision Records</a>, <a href="https://endhitsrecords.com/products/hot-water-music-feel-the-void" target="_blank">End Hits Records</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Feel-Void-Hot-Water-Music/dp/B09M8WX2F9" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/feel-the-void/1592574428" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/1Nz4Ufkp2AZRR1giNkbp5J" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Hot Water Music's ninth album is...well...a bit frustrating. The record has a lot of great songs, in fact, the second half rips, but it is held back by the sequencing. The opening track, "Another Breath," is such an odd place to start with its angular plodding nature. Speaking of angular, <i>Feel the Void</i> finds the band going back to their early post hardcore on tracks like "Newtown Scraper" and the aforementioned "Another Breath." Where the record shines is in anthems like Chris Cresswell's "Turn the Dial," Chuck Ragan's "Killing Time," and Chris Wollard's brilliant "Collect Your Things and Run" which is just as good as some of the band's all-time best songs. While this isn't a perfect album, <i>Feel the Void</i> is an excellent collection of songs.</div><div><br /></div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="169" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/q1d4bvpj-pI" title="YouTube video player" width="300"></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDC_vork8r2QvImpCOBeCovtCd9JztO-ZKLNZIgomcmNvuqt69IBD5zFL2-GvkXudY8oCoVGywXGv0vFznVxpBqG6riiftDMJuXyuA83P7lHyHa1OcQdZbIcWKPG6qTQ9-Ncr33l0KPh2GmbR0_zePENFq5E1pKT45ydj5K-VOsQ38hUfgw/s224/Well%20Wisher%20-%20That%20Weight%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDC_vork8r2QvImpCOBeCovtCd9JztO-ZKLNZIgomcmNvuqt69IBD5zFL2-GvkXudY8oCoVGywXGv0vFznVxpBqG6riiftDMJuXyuA83P7lHyHa1OcQdZbIcWKPG6qTQ9-Ncr33l0KPh2GmbR0_zePENFq5E1pKT45ydj5K-VOsQ38hUfgw/s1600/Well%20Wisher%20-%20That%20Weight%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div>28. <i>That Weight</i> by Well Wisher</span></b></div><div><a href="https://wellwishernj.bandcamp.com/album/that-weight" target="_blank">BandCamp</a>, <a href="https://www.egghunt-records.com/vinyl/well-wisher-that-weight-ehr056" target="_blank">EggHunt Records</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/music/player/albums/B0B94RKFVQ" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/that-weight/1638997796" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/0xyqvz70x6aBAwduiEdLRb" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Well Wisher's sophomore album <i>That Weight </i>is a purposeful and powerful indie punk ripper. But don't take my word for it. <a href="https://therodeomag.com/2022/09/15/well-wisher-contribute-to-the-pop-punk-revival/" target="_blank">Vicky Greer at The Rodeo</a> said </div><div><div></div><blockquote><div>Well Wisher are one such band showing us their spin on punky guitars and belting vocals with <i>That Weight</i>, their second full-length album and first to be released on Egghunt Records. This record sees them inject classic indie elements into emo rock, along with more modern pop influences that link them to artists like Lucy Dacus and Phoebe Bridgers.</div><div><br /></div><div>Well Wisher have a loud, vibrant sound, the product of generations of alternative musicians from the hardcore guitars of Bikini Kill in the ‘90s to the more sophisticated production of modern pop punk artists like WILLOW. The topics they sing about will ring true for a wide audience, covering everything from the pressure of not living up to society’s expectations on ‘29’ to the roller coaster of mental health on ‘Panic’ and ‘Recovery’.</div></blockquote><div></div></div><div>Or as <a href="https://rocknheavy.net/robs-album-of-the-week-well-wisher-s-that-weight-c77f8c6677b6" target="_blank">Rob Duguay put it</a>, </div><div><blockquote>Anyone who’s a fan of ’90s alternative or the indie boom of the 2000s can appreciate what Well Wisher has to offer with their new album. It exhibits vintage qualities but the lyrics and straightforwardness keep it relatively modern. The cohesiveness of it all makes for a stellar listening experience as well.</blockquote></div><div>2022 was a good year for indie punk and Well Wisher is a must for any fan of the genre.</div><div><br /></div><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3861885529/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://wellwishernj.bandcamp.com/album/that-weight">That Weight by Well Wisher</a></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw2C8FnJrJW1NqlRdavyE1baqSzZZV9WrUZCAGrs-7_J2DTKZ5gEKx21XDdeSn5nLXUXOCIii8uhys2yOHZB3qvYKAwZf23goLaTSz16SMEEvuduUg-8xR6buSRX8_SNCDpz4-mdWq2V-cfEc-zKZw93vG6u-luix1cMX--zukBHWhP5lDbA/s224/Timeshares%20-%20Limb%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw2C8FnJrJW1NqlRdavyE1baqSzZZV9WrUZCAGrs-7_J2DTKZ5gEKx21XDdeSn5nLXUXOCIii8uhys2yOHZB3qvYKAwZf23goLaTSz16SMEEvuduUg-8xR6buSRX8_SNCDpz4-mdWq2V-cfEc-zKZw93vG6u-luix1cMX--zukBHWhP5lDbA/s1600/Timeshares%20-%20Limb%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div>27. <i>Limb </i>by Timeshares </span></b></div><div><a href="https://timeshares.bandcamp.com/album/limb" target="_blank">BandCamp</a>, <a href="https://wiretaprecords.limitedrun.com/products/728567-timeshares-limb-12-lp" target="_blank">Wiretap Records</a>, <a href="https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0BBMCNK3M" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/limb/1641256891" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/68xba94alo5aMSbUOPWeQF" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Philadelphia, PA's Timeshares is a band that has always beautifully mixed elements of punk, alt country, and college rock. <i>Limb </i>is the band's third full-length album and first since 2015's brilliant <i>Already Dead</i>. In the ensuing years, Timeshares has not been idle, releasing two EPs in 2018 and an EP and single in 2021. Throughout all of it, the band has churned out heartfelt and pure rock 'n' roll. Or as Bearded Gentlemen Music's <a href="https://beardedgentlemenmusic.com/2022/09/14/timeshares-limb-a-cathartic-punch-straight-to-the-heart/" target="_blank">Aaron Cooper put it</a> -- </div><div><blockquote>Outside the brutal honesty of the upbeat tracks, Limb features a hefty amount of soul-bearing transparency. The lead single “Siren Sound” is a soaring anthem about the protagonist swapping lives with his golden retriever. One gets to live out a life of culturally rewarding adventures, while the other gets to put his primary focus on being a loyal companion. While whimsical and endearing in theory, there’s still an indescribable sadness to the entire scenario. Essentially, we’ve found ourselves in a place where we’re willing to give up our freedom if it means no longer having to deal with society. These little moments of frailty in Limb make Timeshares come alive.</blockquote></div><div>I couldn't agree more.</div><div><br /></div><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=563589734/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://timeshares.bandcamp.com/album/limb">Limb by Timeshares</a></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT7w3uG-jD_M0vdZFyXpugIKnYZ0uXkIR1_975plAiG8JeKdjg_ym4mrXd2KW6hKWMqnCe0MYtlfcirWuVoj5DE9veIN8t-MOuGjFpxxMs4vRzy7Mp_yLKJBfXno4BPUQBXi4G1FHddzuAggDsXc5Z8KbNtdsIgIDolCNtjij-O090FOulRQ/s224/Cold%20Years%20-%20Goodbye%20To%20Misery%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT7w3uG-jD_M0vdZFyXpugIKnYZ0uXkIR1_975plAiG8JeKdjg_ym4mrXd2KW6hKWMqnCe0MYtlfcirWuVoj5DE9veIN8t-MOuGjFpxxMs4vRzy7Mp_yLKJBfXno4BPUQBXi4G1FHddzuAggDsXc5Z8KbNtdsIgIDolCNtjij-O090FOulRQ/s1600/Cold%20Years%20-%20Goodbye%20To%20Misery%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div>26. <i>Goodbye To Misery</i> by </b></span><b style="font-size: large;">Cold Years</b></div><div><a href="https://coldyears.bandcamp.com/album/goodbye-to-misery-2" target="_blank">BandCamp</a>, <a href="https://mnrkheavy.com/collections/cold-years" target="_blank">MNRK Heavy</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/music/player/albums/B09T5PSZX3" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/goodbye-to-misery/1611282280" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/40H60XQTTgGgGvbsav1rh0" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div><div>The best word to describe Cold Year's sophomore album<i> Goodbye To Misery</i> is big. The hooks are big. The choruses are big. The entire sound is BIG. Vocally, Ross Gordon reminds me of a mix between Against Me!'s Laura Jane Grace and The Flatliners' Chris Cresswell. In fact, later-day Flatliners is a pretty good comp to Cold Years. Bottom line, <i>Goodbye To Misery</i> is an excellent collection of heartfelt and bombastic punk rock anthems. </div></div><div><br /></div><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1221077478/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://coldyears.bandcamp.com/album/goodbye-to-misery-2">Goodbye To Misery by Cold Years</a></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5N8xoiZGLMxOj2PT5yjF22pCK4TV4Av_Rp-YD0ukg0FntWmRbqKxVnLQ2KvLO_Mg659wlUP4HfeC7KsGmsWozBHkVe4pgsRGUHLjMj1y4zfhkyRcj-W1uayKM8MjvvdGbQdYR-jdKPryL3L1VZiYzaRVCnU8d6Z0dsANUNERI07fp8vxSyQ/s224/Teens%20in%20Trouble%20-%20Teens%20in%20Trouble%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5N8xoiZGLMxOj2PT5yjF22pCK4TV4Av_Rp-YD0ukg0FntWmRbqKxVnLQ2KvLO_Mg659wlUP4HfeC7KsGmsWozBHkVe4pgsRGUHLjMj1y4zfhkyRcj-W1uayKM8MjvvdGbQdYR-jdKPryL3L1VZiYzaRVCnU8d6Z0dsANUNERI07fp8vxSyQ/s1600/Teens%20in%20Trouble%20-%20Teens%20in%20Trouble%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div>25. <i>Teens in Trouble</i> by Teens in Trouble</span></b></div><div><a href="https://www.amazon.com/music/player/albums/B0B9515B39" target="_blank">BandCamp</a> (Teens in Trouble), <a href="https://asianmanrecords.bandcamp.com/album/teens-in-trouble" target="_blank">BandCamp</a> (Asain Man Records), <a href="https://www.amazon.com/music/player/albums/B0B9515B39" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/teens-in-trouble-ep/1639030690" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/6cOPnN4HfZLgNJo5JfxhNK" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>The brainchild of Lizzie Killian (The Glowing Stars) and hailing from Raleigh, NC, Teens in Trouble is one of the best new bands doing indie punk going! What is indie punk you ask? Great question. It's that style of punk that mixes elements and influences of 90s indie rock with punk. Think Muncie Girls, Fresh, Broadcaster, etc. In just four songs on their self-titled debut, Teens in Trouble hangs with the best of them and I cannot wait to hear more!!!</div><div> </div><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=353452487/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://teensintrouble.bandcamp.com/album/teens-in-trouble-2">Teens in Trouble by Teens in Trouble</a></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxXNfu-kF87of0vBwDux0ceFOoBWa9xsWQdytXkM3alrdbGFNizZaKbSxYHNFUL4e6FdFpiwwDCw4BYJDOdz_aWvc7SC5LQMqmfujNQG2tkkqZB4A_uwJBO8iH_3RCC6CLbpKndXHSme65DK-cpZgGfy9tDTpBaD2iPZtqNBr_YJ6Md7LjJw/s224/The%20Sad%20Tomorrows%20-%20The%20Sad%20Tomorrows%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxXNfu-kF87of0vBwDux0ceFOoBWa9xsWQdytXkM3alrdbGFNizZaKbSxYHNFUL4e6FdFpiwwDCw4BYJDOdz_aWvc7SC5LQMqmfujNQG2tkkqZB4A_uwJBO8iH_3RCC6CLbpKndXHSme65DK-cpZgGfy9tDTpBaD2iPZtqNBr_YJ6Md7LjJw/s1600/The%20Sad%20Tomorrows%20-%20The%20Sad%20Tomorrows%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div>24. <i>The Sad Tomorrows</i> by The Sad Tomorrows </b></span></div><div><a href="https://thesadtomorrows.bandcamp.com/album/the-sad-tomorrows" target="_blank">BandCamp</a>, <a href="https://www.dongiovannirecords.com/products/718802-the-sad-tomorrows-the-sad-tomorrows" target="_blank">Don Giovanni Records</a>, <a href="https://music.amazon.com/albums/B09PCBF1X4" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-sad-tomorrows-ep/1602447619" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/5hU2RcHAbpiJ1BggMwxTVU" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>The Sad Tommows' self-titled debut EP is four songs of American indie punk. Like their contemporaries from across the pond Fresh and Muncie Girls, The Sad Tomorrows mix elements of 90s indie rock, 80s college rock, and pop punk but do so with a distinctly American bent. This EP is equal parts Lemonheads, Sicko, Husker Du, and Big Drill Car. Or as <a href="http://fasterandlouderblog.blogspot.com/2022/02/the-sad-tomorrows-self-titled.html" target="_blank">Faster and Louder put it</a> they are -- </div><div><blockquote>"...a new favorite band for those who can't get enough of Husker Du, the Lemonheads, Soul Asylum, ALL, early Goo Goo Dolls, etc. [...] ...this EP sounds like it could have come out on cassingle on a major label 30 years ago. It recalls that brief but glorious moment of indie rock leaping into the mainstream before it all turned to shit."</blockquote></div><div>Nail on the head! Also, any band that takes its name from <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsxyaZhdW1s" target="_blank">a song by The Muffs</a> is a-okay in my book!</div><div><br /></div><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1047587754/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://thesadtomorrows.bandcamp.com/album/the-sad-tomorrows">The Sad Tomorrows by The Sad Tomorrows</a></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAUWwi9_Vs_vN2J-JjfW1ZkHhE2zfY2_N_t_2t7Tg48-n3AngY0BcKkKV23dfXmMozG1D-V9g8RebP7aO8tQ6noA72p-fzT-wg93E7RwWh9luEEfOaaTXihbCOBiwON6wNYhcocTYXGyJWXd5Y73xTppnDoV9UKaINPHpgdTrWtNrOu2grYg/s224/Floating%20In%20Space%20-%20Liftoff%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAUWwi9_Vs_vN2J-JjfW1ZkHhE2zfY2_N_t_2t7Tg48-n3AngY0BcKkKV23dfXmMozG1D-V9g8RebP7aO8tQ6noA72p-fzT-wg93E7RwWh9luEEfOaaTXihbCOBiwON6wNYhcocTYXGyJWXd5Y73xTppnDoV9UKaINPHpgdTrWtNrOu2grYg/s1600/Floating%20In%20Space%20-%20Liftoff%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div>23. <i>Liftoff </i>by Floating In Space</span></b></div><div><a href="https://deepelmdigital.com/album/liftoff" target="_blank">BandCamp</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sparkles-In-The-Sky/dp/B0B57YWNS2" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/liftoff/1631934969" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/58nyzKvnyMeeAvxksefecn" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>I first discovered the genre of cinematic post-rock about 10 years ago, give or take. One of the best artists in that genre is Floating In Space. The brainchild of songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Ruben Caballero, <i>Liftoff </i>is his latest masterwork. There is so much depth and emotion expressed in these songs through a magnificent construction of soaring melodies. Or as Floating In Space's label Deep Elm put it -- </div><div><blockquote>"Structuring each track on "Liftoff" with enough organic melody, optimistic grace and beautiful instrumentation to give wings to every butterfly in your stomach, each song is a hypnotic soundscape worthy of the act's name."</blockquote></div><div>I couldn't agree more.</div><div><br /></div><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=399919040/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://deepelmdigital.com/album/liftoff">Liftoff by Floating In Space</a></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_0HXhFscLuuek9DRIH7iulmjrM7n8_i-y5lAwSr289A4_Vn9rQrKe9sAxK4BYiJTU21ujH0xURnJbwu-gUIhRjtlhd-y_Z77Fkh-dLlwrX5fL1OHSo_5fJhUC9QIp0JzNGJ31ImZKjulSPj7p9NtEOXVVSbucoJpicyrzdYJdAqxyiItwQ/s224/Playing%20Dead%20-%20Something%20To%20Tide%20You%20Over%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_0HXhFscLuuek9DRIH7iulmjrM7n8_i-y5lAwSr289A4_Vn9rQrKe9sAxK4BYiJTU21ujH0xURnJbwu-gUIhRjtlhd-y_Z77Fkh-dLlwrX5fL1OHSo_5fJhUC9QIp0JzNGJ31ImZKjulSPj7p9NtEOXVVSbucoJpicyrzdYJdAqxyiItwQ/s1600/Playing%20Dead%20-%20Something%20To%20Tide%20You%20Over%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div>22. <i>Something To Tide You Over</i> by Playing Dead</span></b></div><div><a href="https://playingdead.bandcamp.com/album/something-to-tide-you-over" target="_blank">BandCamp</a>, <a href="https://music.amazon.com/albums/B09T4VHGQK" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/something-to-tide-you-over-ep/1611322115" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/05s6TDjw4H0wcLbk7VjjXt" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>I am pretty sure that the members of Playing Dead never sleep. This band is constantly churning out song after song of super catchy indie punk college alt-country rock. What I especially love about <i>Something To Tide You Over</i> is the backing vocals and harmonies provided by Jessie. Her voice perfectly blends with the smooth, almost crooning, vocals of singer/guitarist Sam. Somehow, Playing Dead seems to just get better and better with no signs of stopping anytime soon.</div><div><br /></div><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=869036465/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://playingdead.bandcamp.com/album/something-to-tide-you-over">Something To Tide You Over by Playing Dead</a></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEionBpjDEMSQhXcHZkEEeveqvaNOcMCKG9kQoAvy8apPGA9EXwnNoeB8gZpSGys6V1bONq1atxDrdw0loYtm84gnkzN4IkSVaJvj6dfE2XmzIG16DJFKSKTcwdvS1y5xJhQ2FpjzAmiydWc1_bpWpl-8LadAYpRsYiwcT_YzOi_VoaDs5QZbw/s224/cheerbleederz%20-%20even%20in%20jest%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEionBpjDEMSQhXcHZkEEeveqvaNOcMCKG9kQoAvy8apPGA9EXwnNoeB8gZpSGys6V1bONq1atxDrdw0loYtm84gnkzN4IkSVaJvj6dfE2XmzIG16DJFKSKTcwdvS1y5xJhQ2FpjzAmiydWc1_bpWpl-8LadAYpRsYiwcT_YzOi_VoaDs5QZbw/s1600/cheerbleederz%20-%20even%20in%20jest%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div>21. <i>even in jest</i> by cheerbleederz </span></b></div><div><a href="https://cheerbleederz.bandcamp.com/album/even-in-jest" target="_blank">BandCamp</a> (cheerbleederz), <a href="https://ilovealcopop.co.uk/collections/cheerbleederz" target="_blank">Alcopop! Records</a>, <a href="https://alcopop.bandcamp.com/album/even-in-jest" target="_blank">BandCamp</a> (Alcopop!), <a href="https://music.amazon.com/albums/B09WRNFTZK" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/even-in-jest/1616654425" target="_blank">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/4teQSqsqH3664CzsQ1Am3g" target="_blank">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Speaking of great indie punk, enter the London trio cheerbleederz and their full-length debut <i>even in jest</i>. A bit of a DIY supergroup, cheerbleederz is made up of Kathryn Woods on guitar and vocals (Fresh), Phoebe Cross on drums and vocals (Happy Accidents), and Sophie MacKenzie on bass and vocals (Finish Flag). The chemistry shared between the three drips from every note, chord, melody, and harmony. And that's just the music. Louder Than War's Mark Ray <a href="https://louderthanwar.com/cheerbleederz-even-in-jest-album-review/" target="_blank">summed it up perfectly</a> -- </div><div><blockquote>"This is very accomplished, infectious indie-punk with driving beats, smart, funny lyrics and fuzzy riffs to jangle in the head all day. It bristles with the exuberance of youth and excitement of rock, and showcases an exciting debut from a band surely going places – from teenage bedrooms to mature hit makers. It’s 30 minutes of raucous, riotous rocking and razor-sharp punk tunes – with damn smart lyrics too."</blockquote></div><div>Again, just to reiterate, 2022 was an excellent year for indie punk and cheerbleederz's <i>even in jest</i> is another shining example of why.</div><div><br /></div><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3365438855/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://cheerbleederz.bandcamp.com/album/even-in-jest">even in jest by cheerbleederz</a></iframe>Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15951430008150125773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13827702.post-67241465333513365512022-12-01T14:26:00.000-06:002022-12-01T14:26:10.203-06:00My Year in Music According to Spotify (2022)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVjfJUUhoVu3B3i5bZfizdtnzSjrnHJqP1qdh8HecdNI_I9RxjkVRP8JIPOXGNQuVLtQ0IS1j4nnFq_2J940TTV7GmQ1_SIsDRxBdcbl5zo-hn0seJqzBi2E8no0DzYQIF53Lvearb9bgFE_76FeG7YSRuTHX7cN6waLMqCOLtr_VZROQhUw/s1920/26f62ed1-4.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVjfJUUhoVu3B3i5bZfizdtnzSjrnHJqP1qdh8HecdNI_I9RxjkVRP8JIPOXGNQuVLtQ0IS1j4nnFq_2J940TTV7GmQ1_SIsDRxBdcbl5zo-hn0seJqzBi2E8no0DzYQIF53Lvearb9bgFE_76FeG7YSRuTHX7cN6waLMqCOLtr_VZROQhUw/s320/26f62ed1-4.png" width="180" /></a></div>Most years I have a lot to say about my Spotify Wrapped but as I sit here to write my annual post about the results I'm finding that I don't have much to say. Here's the bottom line, my listening this year was primarily driven by two things: 1) my podcast <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/41Qob6bGxamOq4P8FW2XuZ" target="_blank">One Band, 5 Songs</a> and 2) <a href="https://oklahomalefty.blogspot.com/2022/02/album-review-fthc-by-frank-turner.html" target="_blank">the new Frank Turner album</a>. And since I use the <a href="https://www.last.fm/user/oklahomalefty" target="_blank">Last.fm scrobble gimmick</a>, I have a pretty good idea of what my listening stats look like. I know that takes some of the fun out but I'm such a nerd that I genuinely love keeping an ongoing tally of this stuff. <div><br /></div><div>Obviously, Spotify is not perfect and they don't do a good job paying most artists (which is a more complex story than one might think). I try to make up for that by purchasing music and merch directly from my favorite artists. Is the system still jacked? Yes. Do people have a right to complain about it? Absolutely. Is it still a good service for customers? Yes. Sadly the world is a messed up, unfair, unjust place and I can't change that. What I can do is support my favorite artists and labels with my money and do my best to spread as much kindness and compassion as possible. Hopefully, that is enough. </div><div> </div><div>Below are My Top 101 Songs of 2022.</div><div><br /></div><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="380" loading="lazy" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/5VIw9exWjRupevhUJvtjCO?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe>Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15951430008150125773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13827702.post-42320616224043478322022-08-09T14:15:00.000-05:002022-08-09T14:15:04.603-05:00Currently Listening<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnB3e3GIOv7Zc0JOFS2LAyy8Fv3MXvYp6OWpDYgrdnIkXFISx5M1ielSk4o2J1UWAdov3qb0cqUeQayoov_plB9LUOZz-8ySFBL3mk6OZFfGUJeVeVSMc9T04RCwLejEk3bzl4OJekanplj_RsXkY8V00RXgDgow8atn70MDy5RvSGVsjow/s243/Currently%20Listening%2008-09-2022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="241" data-original-width="243" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnB3e3GIOv7Zc0JOFS2LAyy8Fv3MXvYp6OWpDYgrdnIkXFISx5M1ielSk4o2J1UWAdov3qb0cqUeQayoov_plB9LUOZz-8ySFBL3mk6OZFfGUJeVeVSMc9T04RCwLejEk3bzl4OJekanplj_RsXkY8V00RXgDgow8atn70MDy5RvSGVsjow/s1600/Currently%20Listening%2008-09-2022.JPG" width="243" /></a></div>Last night I discovered this outstanding new podcast about movie soundtracks called the <a href="https://www.podpage.com/va-club/" target="_blank">V/A Club</a>, hosted by Niko Stratis. I listened straight through the first two episodes this morning (<i>Empire Records</i> with Oceanator and <i>Angus </i>with Matty Grace) and I am hooked! In fact, after listening to the <i>Angus </i>episode, I watched the film for the first time. I remember when it was in the theaters and that it had an incredible soundtrack but for whatever reason, I'd never actually seen it. Needless to say, it was great. Painful to watch because the struggle of this poor kid was super close to home but great nonetheless. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Those episodes put me in a very '90s frame of mind. The guests of those episodes Elise Okusami of Oceanator and Matty Grace of Cluttered, Crisis Party, and Future Girls reminded me of the number of excellent recent releases that obviously take a lot of inspiration from the glory days of the alternative nation. Hence this playlist -- 10 new/newer songs interspersed with 10 gems from the 1990s. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Now that we are into the second half of the year, my musical attention is focusing more on the records of 2022 and this playlist pulls from some of my absolute favorites. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div>1. "The Last Summer" by Oceanator (from Nothing's Ever Fine)</div><div>2. "Stuart and the Ave." by Green Day (from Insomniac)</div><div>3. "Burn All Of It" by Cluttered (from Accidents)</div><div>4. "White Homes" by Tilt (from Play Cell)</div><div>5. "Trophy" by Supercrush (from Melody Maker)</div><div>6. "Kitchen Door" by Buffalo Tom (from Sleepy Eyed)</div><div>7. "Why Do I" by Fresh (from Raising Hell)</div><div>8. "Molly (Sixteen Candles)" by Sponge (from Rotting Pinata)</div><div>9. "Love Song" by Beach Bunny (from Emotional Creature)</div><div>10. "Here and Now" by Letters To Cleo (from Aurora Gory Alice)</div><div>11. "From Dirt" by Nervus (from The Evil One)</div><div>12. "Girl Power" by Shampoo (from Girl Power)</div><div>13. "Didn't Wanna Hurt You" by Semantics (from Paint Me Blue)</div><div>14. "Precision Auto" by Superchunk (from On the Mouth)</div><div>15. "Go Go Go" by Cosmit (from It's Cosmit)</div><div>16. "Waiting" by The Rentals (from Return Of The Rentals)</div><div>17. "Gay Space Cadets" by Lande Hekt (from Gay Space Cadets)</div><div>18. "Take Me Anywhere" by School Of Fish (from Human Cannonball)</div><div>19. "Looks Right" by All Away Lou (from Things Will Change)</div><div>20. "Susanne" by Weezer (from Mallrats [Original Motion Picture Sountrack])</div><div><br /></div></div><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/3ggHtovi391ndL6Sh0iTuP?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe>Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15951430008150125773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13827702.post-61995461905954685822022-07-13T11:56:00.002-05:002022-07-13T11:56:33.434-05:00One Band, 5 Songs Catch Up<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhym2PqOeqJKvwugZ0fbwzVHZEPc-9zJpz6nicGRWeVV4qcyb2ze4FhgroLi7rrgae-s-qLMkG7FDyas4T8BqOPkXqPdGJV1KaWQ5E_OBPfyhfi0_cA6Ca88AK2va02wFYD4Y4KYihLav34Lt0Sphyhg5jw2FWkIkm4wGHlzMX9cxf5Z-wBDA/s1002/OB5S%20Recap%2007-08-2022.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1001" data-original-width="1002" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhym2PqOeqJKvwugZ0fbwzVHZEPc-9zJpz6nicGRWeVV4qcyb2ze4FhgroLi7rrgae-s-qLMkG7FDyas4T8BqOPkXqPdGJV1KaWQ5E_OBPfyhfi0_cA6Ca88AK2va02wFYD4Y4KYihLav34Lt0Sphyhg5jw2FWkIkm4wGHlzMX9cxf5Z-wBDA/s320/OB5S%20Recap%2007-08-2022.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Amazing Royal Crowns</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Hailing from Providence, RI, The Amazing Royal Crowns (later The Amazing Crowns) mixed the high-end energy and intensity of punk rock within the structure and framework of rockabilly creating a sound that nearly eclipsed all bands past and present in the genre. Rockabilly, and rock 'n' roll in general, will never again see another band like The Amazing Royal Crowns.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="232" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/77nUQnoMe3RmW0NFCvNhqC?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Concrete Blonde</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Hailing from Hollywood, CA, Concrete Blonde mixed elements of punk, post-punk, college rock, goth, and '70s classic rock creating a sound that was chameleon-like and completely their own. Driven by the insanely powerful and soulful vocals of Johnette Napolitano, the band released eight full-length albums and had a crossover Top 20 hit with 1990's "Joey."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="232" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/0jYJTTk14pDezb8rQUJKH0?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Goo Goo Dolls</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Hailing from Buffalo, NY, the Goo Goo Dolls mixed elements of punk, power pop, metal, and college rock for nearly a decade before taking over the charts with swooning alt rock power ballads like "Iris" and "Name."</div><div><br /></div><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="232" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/6yzbZcAMkWzcehBzKZEnMO?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;">Rise Against</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Hailing from Chicago, IL, Rise Against has become one of the most commercially successful bands to emerge from the punk scene. Mixing elements of traditional punk with hardcore, melodic hardcore, metal, and classic hard rock, Rise Against have created a sound that transcends genres while at the same time has consistently been one of the loudest voices of change in modern rock 'n' roll. </div><div><br /></div><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="232" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/4RkIkjHJbk7k4r9ofIW6h3?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe>Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15951430008150125773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13827702.post-50796882657843080532022-07-08T21:11:00.001-05:002022-07-08T21:11:08.062-05:00Currently Listening<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggxq2hb0oJqooQZYOfiaVb6K0d4vS7OQGRNRxQBFnHeDuR_B2niyTx8PSwG-5aE58cyF0vnToJQFEJH0ABted0aQn-giBd56tTVaoZ2GvGdHa3L9toop-9jOUJWU7xS2MXhRrzJ1cdfHtOABbwVHYBzT_M6vuA48B6fc8T3xyOzMwMVW6E9g/s241/Currently%20Listening%2007-08-2022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="239" data-original-width="241" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggxq2hb0oJqooQZYOfiaVb6K0d4vS7OQGRNRxQBFnHeDuR_B2niyTx8PSwG-5aE58cyF0vnToJQFEJH0ABted0aQn-giBd56tTVaoZ2GvGdHa3L9toop-9jOUJWU7xS2MXhRrzJ1cdfHtOABbwVHYBzT_M6vuA48B6fc8T3xyOzMwMVW6E9g/s1600/Currently%20Listening%2007-08-2022.JPG" width="241" /></a></div><br />Does anyone else have issues with eating for comfort? Asking for a friend. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It's time to check back in with what's new in music. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">First up is the new track from The Manges. This was a recommendation from Derek and it is a damned catchy pop punk number! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Next up is the latest in the continuing evolution of Sincere Engineer, "Bottle Lightning Twice." Starting with "Library Of Broken Bindings," Sincere Engineer has started moving into more of a poppier, indie rock direction and I'm here for it. Basically, I'm all in on anything this band does.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">No Trigger's EP <i>Acid Lord</i> is the thing that Toby from Red Scare Industries has called "our biggest project of the year." This is super biting and catchy pop punk.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Next is quite possibly the song of the year, "Nobody Really Cares," from Baby Queen. There is so much truth in this one that it hurts!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The lead single from Lande Hekt's upcoming album <i><a href="https://landehekt.bandcamp.com/album/house-without-a-view-2" target="_blank">House Without a View</a></i>, "Gay Space Cadets" is basically perfect. Needless to say, I preordered the album as soon as I got the email announcing its release. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">PRONOUN comes back swinging with "roe vs gofvckurself." I really can't wait for more new PRONOUN music!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Slow Death just dropped their latest album <i>Casual Majesty </i>and "Now I'm into Nothing" is another ripper.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I was reminded of the Wet Leg record last week when one of their songs was played between sets at the <a href="http://oklahomalefty.blogspot.com/2022/07/concert-review-frank-turner-bronx-pet.html" target="_blank">Frank Turner show</a>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I can't remember how I discovered Rat Tally, but this new song "Longshot" is a darn good little fuzzy modern indie rock number.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Along those same lines is Fime from their album <i>Sweeter Memory</i> with "Bishop."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Another album that just dropped is Arms Like Roses <i>Blooming </i>and it is another showcase of the tremendous vocal stylings of lead singer Estelle. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Nervus is another band that I discovered thanks to Punk Lotto Pod. Their new album <i>The Evil One</i> is catchy indie punk at its best. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Recorded back in 2008, Crushed On You was a short-lived supergroup of sorts that played a brand of punk in the vein of Alkaline Trio and Dead To Me. This was another Punk Lotto recommendation.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"Deer in the Headlights" comes from Fresh's brand new, third album <i>Raise Hell</i>. The record is brilliant. It's Fresh for Pete's sake, what'd you expect?!?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"Bones" is the opening track to Soccer Mommy's latest album <i>Sometimes, Forever</i>. Sometime soon, Soccer Mommy will be the subject of an episode of One Band, 5 Songs.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Finally, we close things out with "I Hate The Beach Boys" by SACK from their album <i>Ripper!</i>. SACK is the recently resurrected band led by the very busy Kody Templeman (The Lillingtons, Teenage Bottlerocket).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div>1. "High On Stress" by The Manges (from High On Stress)</div><div>2. "Bottle Lightning Twice" by Sincere Engineer (from Bottle Lightning Twice)</div><div>3. "Antifantasy" by No Trigger (from Acid Lord EP)</div><div>4. "Nobody Really Cares" by Baby Queen (from Nobody Really Cares)</div><div>5. "Gay Space Cadets" by Lande Hekt (from Gay Space Cadets)</div><div>6. "roe vs gofvckurself" by PRONOUN (from roe vs gofvckurself)</div><div>7. "Now I'm into Nothing" by The Slow Death (Casual Majesty)</div><div>8. "Too Late Now" by Wet Leg (from Wet Leg)</div><div>9. "Longshot" by Rat Tally (from Longshot)</div><div>10. "Bishop" by Fime (from Sweeter Memory)</div><div>11. "The Separation Between Fact and Feeling" by Arms Like Roses (from Blooming)</div><div>12. "Get Equal, Get Even" by Nervus (from The Evil One)</div><div>13. "This Is When The Party Starts" by Crushed On You (This Is When The Party Starts)</div><div>14. "Deer in the Headlights" by Fresh (Raise Hell)</div><div>15. "Bones" by Soccer Mommy (from Sometimes, Forever)</div><div>16. "I Hate The Beach Boys" by SACK (from Ripper!)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/529wJkk5YqAxrBlB2IwghP?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe>Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15951430008150125773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13827702.post-60721897507821264602022-07-03T15:53:00.000-05:002022-07-03T15:53:18.007-05:00Concert Review: Frank Turner, The Bronx, Pet Needs at Tower Theater Oklahoma City<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbbbQKuza3j-RS9ycpSFNlDb4035ti3f0bhGFNtf3_k9JueGhb194kxby9Zl22J-4xkftwBDOcfRu8YJ7UAeS2ZkySEIKu0JW11_sYxCHKOseL7nQRTPerCcFqqaFls4farXpGwldT83KljyAcScPHbmz0Npv3iLv83P5-v_uhSTxOs0RRjQ/s2048/Frank%20Turner%2050%20States%20OKC.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1638" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbbbQKuza3j-RS9ycpSFNlDb4035ti3f0bhGFNtf3_k9JueGhb194kxby9Zl22J-4xkftwBDOcfRu8YJ7UAeS2ZkySEIKu0JW11_sYxCHKOseL7nQRTPerCcFqqaFls4farXpGwldT83KljyAcScPHbmz0Npv3iLv83P5-v_uhSTxOs0RRjQ/s320/Frank%20Turner%2050%20States%20OKC.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><b>Artists:</b> Frank Turner (<a href="#">Official</a>, <a href="#">Facebook</a>, <a href="#">Twitter</a>, <a href="#">Instagram</a>, <a href="#">YouTube</a>, <a href="#">Spotify</a>, <a href="#">Wikipedia</a>), The Bronx (<a href="#">Facebook</a>, <a href="#">Twitter</a>, <a href="#">Instagram</a>, <a href="#">YouTube</a>, <a href="#">Official Store</a>, <a href="#">BandCamp</a>, <a href="#">Spotify</a>, <a href="#">Wikipedia</a>), Pet Needs (<a href="#">Official</a>, <a href="#">Facebook</a>, <a href="#">Twitter</a>, <a href="#">Instagram</a>, <a href="#">YouTube</a>, <a href="#">Spotify</a>)<br /><b>Venue: </b> Tower Theater (<a href="#">Official</a>, <a href="#">Facebook</a>, <a href="#">Twitter</a>, <a href="#">Instagram</a>, <a href="#">LinkedIn</a>)<br /><b>Date:</b> Saturday, July 2, 2022<br /><br />When Frank Turner announced that he was doing a tour of the United States in 2022 and that he was playing a show in Oklahoma City, I nearly lost my shit. The day tickets went on sale I bought four as this was to be a family affair. Last night my kids, Skylar and Nolan, and I headed up to the Tower Theater and dammit we had an incredible evening!!!!<br /><br />This was my first time at the Tower Theater and I must say I was incredibly impressed by the venue, its staff, and its parking. The sound was great, the sightlines (except when blocked by very tall people) were great, and the place was clean. I look forward to hopefully seeing more bands there in the future. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxnftEohvhOu5AEjSnNyxiyeo2uH4cF-bJNbFTgmavzYA3RvN-Rt-YGdzxb4hxpVtDLWCVyBSN9PrOuFF2nLLVE_8bKGbo5NPiF908pXq_v7g0TyinVqRQsAxlrQVKs6Nhq_lJs7oLh3_3nU1JF1M5RZ_-KPSxm2XJIfYN72aadCPGV87tLg/s4096/Frank%20Turner%2050%20States%20Tour.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2340" data-original-width="4096" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxnftEohvhOu5AEjSnNyxiyeo2uH4cF-bJNbFTgmavzYA3RvN-Rt-YGdzxb4hxpVtDLWCVyBSN9PrOuFF2nLLVE_8bKGbo5NPiF908pXq_v7g0TyinVqRQsAxlrQVKs6Nhq_lJs7oLh3_3nU1JF1M5RZ_-KPSxm2XJIfYN72aadCPGV87tLg/s320/Frank%20Turner%2050%20States%20Tour.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The show started at 7:00 PM on the dot with Essex, England's Pet Needs, a brash and very British indie punk band that has the theatrics of rock 'n' roll down to a T. They knocked out a neat, tidy, and highly energetic 30-minute set.<br /><br />Next up, after one of the quickest set changes I have ever seen, Los Angeles, CA's The Bronx tore the house down! Prior to last night, I was only marginally familiar with The Bronx (in reality I only knew, and loved, the song "<a href="#">White Guilt</a>"). After that set, it is one of my goals to learn as much about this band as I can. They play a hybrid of garage rock and punk with elements of both melodic and post hardcore with a good helping of metal-influenced guitar. They were raw, authentic, and balls to the wall. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd88poFXHAjWGXRRKUsZzVVYimZ4_tasHJKogrbuZp7ImCDYbWEdSNN3VC9_xn9CJec6n6KvXr6GMaSo5TWebJqBW3EJnhuGKTzysBGjA62uZRx_QTyzlhchdjWc9f1TfMTb1CZibEdzdsIpDdFfVfHe7RzvV-NIQa1tpMrZL-3N9QuA2GJA/s4032/Frank%20Turner%20Setlist%20OKC%2007-02-2022.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd88poFXHAjWGXRRKUsZzVVYimZ4_tasHJKogrbuZp7ImCDYbWEdSNN3VC9_xn9CJec6n6KvXr6GMaSo5TWebJqBW3EJnhuGKTzysBGjA62uZRx_QTyzlhchdjWc9f1TfMTb1CZibEdzdsIpDdFfVfHe7RzvV-NIQa1tpMrZL-3N9QuA2GJA/s320/Frank%20Turner%20Setlist%20OKC%2007-02-2022.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />Then at 9:00 PM sharp, Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls took the stage and took my breath away. Opening with "Four Simple Words" the audience exploded singing along with a near reckless abandon. The 24-song set included a career-spanning mix of songs from nearly all of Turner's albums including tracks from his latest, and <a href="#">what is sure to be the album of the year</a>, 2022's FTHC. All of the classic songs that I wanted to hear were represented, plus some of the best picks from the new record, and the crowd seemed to know them ALL. I couldn't have asked for anything more!<br /><br />I don't know about anyone who was in that room last night, but I desperately needed this show. Between the frustration, fear, loss, and pent-up everything that has gripped us all since the beginning of covid to the political chaos and upheaval of the last six years to this last week which was filled with a lot of personal and professional change in my life, I needed a release. Last night, I got it. The entire show was incredibly fun but Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls were magical. For over an hour and a half, they gave us something truly special that was not only entertaining but enlightening, impactful, and spiritual. As Turner sings in "<a href="#">The Gathering</a>" -- <br /><blockquote>This is our mantra: we gather together<br />We look out for each other, 'cause we've got strength in our numbers<br />And I'll be the preacher and this is the scripture:<br />Once more with feeling, this is a gathering</blockquote>Amen, sir! Amen.<br /><br />By the end of the night, I was sweaty, drained, exhausted, and exhilarated. My heart and soul felt lighter and more fulfilled than they have in years and the fact that I got to share the entire thing with my kids made it all the more special. <br /><br />Thank you, Mr. Turner, for your music, your message, and your life-affirming and soul-saving shows! And thank you to the super nice kid who gave me their copy of the setlist from the stage (see pic above) since their sibling had another one. God, I love Frank Turner audiences!!!<div><br /></div><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/4uO0HCKNupPNpATBC3W3or?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe>Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15951430008150125773noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13827702.post-56726946358651967522022-06-21T18:42:00.005-05:002022-06-21T18:44:09.076-05:00One Band, 5 Songs One Year In<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEpcTn61RJf20G1oDMeNENdXOqmH9oYWwvsiPVykrv_aqVXu_znDW1WGKM2GRKs2xGQjBDTVzsfqdBCKZKH2q2q7UepGyTvktHgwXzGf8jCXEjqOAanMGBpj-39Vme47W_ajWC6-s7DeDmTdnD3vl_i7Mw8MbukLi-_PPWPCF2L6AYzIFXoQ/s2276/One%20Band%205%20Songs%20Year%201.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2276" data-original-width="1968" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEpcTn61RJf20G1oDMeNENdXOqmH9oYWwvsiPVykrv_aqVXu_znDW1WGKM2GRKs2xGQjBDTVzsfqdBCKZKH2q2q7UepGyTvktHgwXzGf8jCXEjqOAanMGBpj-39Vme47W_ajWC6-s7DeDmTdnD3vl_i7Mw8MbukLi-_PPWPCF2L6AYzIFXoQ/s320/One%20Band%205%20Songs%20Year%201.png" width="277" /></a></div><br />On June 21, 2021, I uploaded the <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/2XL4U8RM31cbhEA3byS6zK?si=bb30d57986c648e8" target="_blank">first episode</a> of my new podcast <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/41Qob6bGxamOq4P8FW2XuZ?si=e06b4d8f5bc84a26" target="_blank">One Band, 5 Songs</a>; it covered the career of Oklahoma's own John Moreland. In that time we have produced 47 episodes (plus two bonus episodes) and covered the careers of 43 artists, plus did two album review episodes of two end-of-the-year list episodes. ALL-in-ALL it's been a lot of fun and I don't plan on stopping anytime in the near future. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Interestingly, the episode that has been listened to the most is <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/2uHKJHZM2Uxa0zq7yJDfd9?si=e546294bdb514998" target="_blank">Phoebe Bridgers</a>. What makes this one interesting, to me at least, is that it just happened on its own. Phoebe did not share it on social media, though that would have been cool, so my guess is that people are searching for her on Spotify and finding the episode. The next two with the highest engagement, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/77nUQnoMe3RmW0NFCvNhqC?si=dced65be7ae54ce2" target="_blank">The Amazing Royal Crowns</a> and <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/0NKggHZMug1Xfn60TaFpZg?si=4d7c31692ab24cfc" target="_blank">Restorations</a>, were both shared on social media by the artists. That all having been said, not a lot of people are listening but that's okay. I'm enjoying doing it and it really is a niche show. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">One year down...hopefully, many more to go.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="232" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/show/41Qob6bGxamOq4P8FW2XuZ?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15951430008150125773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13827702.post-25013223911655741892022-06-18T11:52:00.000-05:002022-06-18T11:52:06.450-05:00EP Review: 'Kingdom' by A Vulture Wake<div style="text-align: left;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEvUS5INhIM1JT9JXgTCKVcVlgkhRrPs3xkyv2aDK4g6BKispwLa31lpKhFvH1Eeg7M5eYkAtklI5_uOTaGd9Dc9qjgxCPENgyLzfA08pJgXpQ6MIwdzaHwOpurOhm5-YlhhOvtUy6QfP9YYLUIkwSfgYfbC7T48w6_98ru5wpbpc49t6RBQ/s224/A%20Vulture%20Wake%20Kingdom%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEvUS5INhIM1JT9JXgTCKVcVlgkhRrPs3xkyv2aDK4g6BKispwLa31lpKhFvH1Eeg7M5eYkAtklI5_uOTaGd9Dc9qjgxCPENgyLzfA08pJgXpQ6MIwdzaHwOpurOhm5-YlhhOvtUy6QfP9YYLUIkwSfgYfbC7T48w6_98ru5wpbpc49t6RBQ/s1600/A%20Vulture%20Wake%20Kingdom%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div><br />Title:</b> <i>Kingdom </i>(<a href="https://thousandislandsrecords.bandcamp.com/album/kingdom-2" target="_blank">BandCamp</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/music/player/albums/B0B1JLJF9L" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/kingdom-ep/1627749239" target="_blank">Apple Music</a>, <a href="https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kvor6xZxdM13iFCgsreRs_eGyQNXKdytg" target="_blank">YouTube Music</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/1IHhRrSMqAfSqBOaXCBiaH?si=q__EuWZCQDGT-Fga2ivjGw" target="_blank">Spotify</a>)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Artist: </b> A Vulture Wake (<a href="https://www.avulturewake.com/" target="_blank">Official</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/avulturewake/" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://mobile.twitter.com/vulturewake" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/a_vulture_wake/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0Fja1rP-0P-CvZLr9S2FOg/featured" target="_blank">YouTube</a>, <a href="https://avulturewake.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank">BandCamp</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/00zGDtqfkwB9k9d6Faiy6p?si=ig-IzHFJREmbL2wSshpSGw" target="_blank">Spotify</a>)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div>A Vulture Wake formed in 2017 and their 2018 debut <i>The Appropriate Level of Outrage</i> was <a href="https://oklahomalefty.blogspot.com/2018/12/top-40-records-of-2018-10-1.html" target="_blank">one of my favorite records of the year</a>. Their debut and its follow-up, the equally excellent <i>Fall Prey</i> EP combined singer/guitarist Chad Price's (ALL, Drag the River) undeniable vocals and biting lyrics with pounding melodic hardcore. This time around, he is joined by Oklahoma’s own Dave Klein on bass (They Stay Dead, plus ex-Black Flag, Screeching Weasel, Wretch Like Me, Euclid Crash) and John Hernandez on drums (They Stay Dead, ex-Wretch Like Me, Euclid Crash, The Lunch Bunch). And the result is absolutely mind-blowing! With a new lineup and six songs, this band has gone from really freaking good to outstandingly great!!! </div><div><br /></div><div><i>Kingdom </i>perfectly blends elements of punk, metal, and prog rock, or as the <a href="https://www.avulturewake.com/about" target="_blank">band's website puts it</a> -- </div><div><blockquote>...hard rock, progressive punk, and heavy metal at its best - dark and powerful, lyrically dystopian and signaling a hopeful, victorious future. </blockquote></div><div>There is so much going on in each one of these songs including great hooks, beautiful melodies, raging lyrics, hopeful determination, incredibly intricate bass work, wild-ass drumming, strange time signatures, and ripping guitars, and it is ALL punctuated by Price’s ALLways mighty vocals. A Vulture Wake truly stands on its own but also scratches that itch left behind in the absence of Price’s previous band ALL. </div><div><br /></div><div>And if that's not enough, you've gotta love a band whose motto is "Do No Harm; Take No Shit." </div><div><br /></div></div><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3264989044/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 470px; width: 350px;"><a href="https://thousandislandsrecords.bandcamp.com/album/kingdom-2">Kingdom by A Vulture Wake</a></iframe><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15951430008150125773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13827702.post-52304597134979950962022-06-11T11:41:00.002-05:002022-06-11T11:41:40.121-05:00One Band, 5 Songs Catch Up<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3zbeofhxvv_D5ASOW6LtPgwze2uFTfU0XjCnfRaINUpVa1Fq__ZfDC-2eiEsx7iLdZ3pDLfPvMF885uCg2SFC80o89DPZDd4e2zT6DcnuuMKchPti5WNRExd8SUWz0G17yxuRWuxUtn9xPh-Q6DAox__w48dcY_hMcZW-WDaFvmA9yI5Tg/s1000/OB5S%20Recap%2006-11-2022.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3zbeofhxvv_D5ASOW6LtPgwze2uFTfU0XjCnfRaINUpVa1Fq__ZfDC-2eiEsx7iLdZ3pDLfPvMF885uCg2SFC80o89DPZDd4e2zT6DcnuuMKchPti5WNRExd8SUWz0G17yxuRWuxUtn9xPh-Q6DAox__w48dcY_hMcZW-WDaFvmA9yI5Tg/s320/OB5S%20Recap%2006-11-2022.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The Gaslight Anthem</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #292f36;"><span style="background-color: white;">Hailing from New Brunswick, NJ, The Gaslight Anthem perfectly mixes elements of punk, college rock, Heartland rock, indie rock, and even '60s soul into a sound that is heartfelt, earnest, raw, and incredibly honest. The band <a href="https://uproxx.com/indie/brian-fallon-interview-gaslight-anthem-reunion/" target="_blank">recently announced</a> a return to full-time status after going on hiatus in 2014.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #292f36;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="232" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/3Wms4apRj311pGgeeELaPC?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe></span><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Jenny Lewis</span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #292f36; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jenny Lewis is a singer-songwriter, musician, and actor who musically came to prominence as part of the Los Angeles indie rock band Rilo Kiley. Originally from Las Vegas, NV, Lewis was a child actor in the 1980s, eventually appearing in the teen (tween?) films Troop Beverly Hills and The Wizard in 1989. Her first solo album Rabbit Fur Coat, a collaboration with The Watson Twins, was released in 2006. Since then, she has released three additional solo albums, two side-project albums (I'm Having Fun Now by Jenny & Johnny, and the Nice As Fuck self-titled debut), a handful of collaborative non-album singles, and appeared on multiple soundtracks. Her solo material generally falls within the indie rock, Americana, and indie folk genres, but even those signifiers do not do justice to her body of work.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #292f36; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="232" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/7B4YfUEJeGCktvsMd4g972?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe></span></p><div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #292f36; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #292f36; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: left;"><div style="color: black;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Living Colour</span></b></div><div style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="color: #292f36;">Hailing from New York City, Living Colour has defied expectations and genres, mixing and melding elements of metal, jazz, funk, punk, and progressive rock (just to name a few) for decades. Best known for their 1988 monster hit "Cult of Personality" the band has produced some of the most innovative music of the last 30 years.</span></p></div></div><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="232" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/6WcX6ljKMmf7jmq3YngOcR?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">ALL</span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="color: #292f36;">"We all know that ALL is the band guilty of not being the Descendents." -- Bill Stevenson</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="color: #292f36;">ALL formed in 1987 when Descendents' lead singer Milo Aukerman left the band to pursue a career in science. The remaining members, drummer Bill Stevenson, guitarist Stephen Egerton, and bassist Karl Alvarez, decided to soldier on and were joined first by former Dag Nasty vocalist Dave Smalley and later by Scott Reynolds and Chad Price. Between the years 1988 and 2001, the band released nine full-length studio albums, two live albums, and one EP. On top of that, ALL is one of my favorite artists of all time. </span></p></div></div><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="232" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/6Si32ywNx5Ty6ijPFobj0f?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe>Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15951430008150125773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13827702.post-9479479985099775192022-06-10T16:19:00.000-05:002022-06-10T16:19:01.976-05:00Currently Listening<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio7a3QRe3cP7PntT0eCZh1EgKcH6-871hbD9jwsmopgQ5ZSz36Dz4YOQ0LIywk4GucOvaowq4hexOK4l1ZvtLvMTID8A-osHxMBeNwephbA_Zw5YuxEV0TFozvi5r2YXW9Bej-J8a5cEFIWajditgLvZdbKtTwjL09GoT51jKZnrkW8bvlyQ/s302/Currently%20Listening%2006-10-2022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="302" data-original-width="301" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio7a3QRe3cP7PntT0eCZh1EgKcH6-871hbD9jwsmopgQ5ZSz36Dz4YOQ0LIywk4GucOvaowq4hexOK4l1ZvtLvMTID8A-osHxMBeNwephbA_Zw5YuxEV0TFozvi5r2YXW9Bej-J8a5cEFIWajditgLvZdbKtTwjL09GoT51jKZnrkW8bvlyQ/s1600/Currently%20Listening%2006-10-2022.JPG" width="301" /></a></div><br />It's about time that I looked into new releases and this week had a bunch. Fresh and Beach Bunny both dropped tracks from their upcoming albums (both of which RULE). A Vulture Wake released their latest EP <i>Kingdom </i>and it is outstanding! Rough Dreams, Future Teens, Jimmy Eat World, and The Slow Death all dropped excellent new songs while SACK, Joyce Manor, and Christoffer Franzen put out new albums. And that's just scratching the surface. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If you like to keep up with new music, make sure to go and sign up for the <a href="https://www.patreon.com/punklottopod/" target="_blank">Punk Lotto Pod Patreon</a> to get Justin's <a href="https://www.patreon.com/punklottopod/posts?filters%5Btag%5D=New%20release%20friday" target="_blank">New Release Friday episodes</a>. It's only $1 a month and there's a ton of great bonus audio that they post each week.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div>1. "Why Do I" by Fresh (from Why Do I)</div><div>2. "Virus" by A Vulture Wake (from Kingdom)</div><div>3. "Entropy" by Beach Bunny (from Entropy)</div><div>4. "Headaches" by Career Woman (from Headaches)</div><div>5. "Something Loud" by Jimmy Eat World (from Something Loud)</div><div>6. "Same Difference" by Future Teens (from Same Difference)</div><div>7. "Make 'Em Go Away" by The Slow Death (from Make 'Em Go Away)</div><div>8. "Quicksand Beach" by Up for Nothing (from Escape Route)</div><div>9. "Figure It Out" by Bad Idols (from Splits and Ladders)</div><div>10. "Band Space Floor" by Rough Dreams (from Band Space Floor)</div><div>11. "newdemo" by Soccer Mommy (from newdemo)</div><div>12. "Chevy" by Snow Coats (from Chevy)</div><div>13. "Did You Ever Know?" by Joyce Manor (from 40 oz. to Fresno)</div><div>14. "I Hate The Beach Boys" by SACK (from Ripper!)</div><div>15. "Pursuit" by Christoffer Franzen (from Fusion: Music for TV & Film)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/54YEl8tq045i6RZt7l5EeB?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe>Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15951430008150125773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13827702.post-8848315988794614652022-05-14T20:06:00.003-05:002022-05-14T20:06:46.118-05:00One Band, 5 Songs Catch Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjH8B6FNtJWSKWrOjl-caC5lJ2MfFj__rrvu7Hx2yVcfM1dNuURlgTHbljVbyQaQUREKPwnsSumEUz93lPaLFMkyLJs6KywPTo2ctVz1VrxOKEVx5-qci70fT7kfdHfKD5XrTrXDVUPUQzHfk4SaES66u7vb8injlE3wXEo6epVgfQPi_9vQ/s1004/OB5S%20Recap%2005-14-2022.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1004" data-original-width="1002" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjH8B6FNtJWSKWrOjl-caC5lJ2MfFj__rrvu7Hx2yVcfM1dNuURlgTHbljVbyQaQUREKPwnsSumEUz93lPaLFMkyLJs6KywPTo2ctVz1VrxOKEVx5-qci70fT7kfdHfKD5XrTrXDVUPUQzHfk4SaES66u7vb8injlE3wXEo6epVgfQPi_9vQ/s320/OB5S%20Recap%2005-14-2022.png" width="319" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The Jesus & Mary Chain</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div>Hailing from East Kilbride, Scottland, The Jesus & Mary Chain have been mixing and melding noise with melody, surf with punk, and danger with beauty for nearly four decades. The band's style has influenced the likes of the Pixies, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, the Raveonettes, and almost single-handedly laid the groundwork for shoegaze (see My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive, Ride, Swervedriver, Lush, Chapterhouse, etc.).</div><div><br /></div></div><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="232" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/3XizqgRwFcNL4SvQOZyQ3s?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Otis Redding</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Born in Dawson, GA in 1941, Otis Redding Jr. moved to Macon at two. When he was 15 he quit school to support his family working with The Upsetters (Little Richard's backing band). In 1958, he hooked up with Johnny Jenkins joining the Pinetoppers (Jenkins' backing band) which led him to a recording session for Stax Records, during which he recorded his first hit single, 1962's "These Arms of Mine." The "King of Soul" would go on to release six albums between 1964 and his death in 1967. Redding had recorded enough material in 1967 prior to his death that four posthumous albums were released from 1968 to 1970, with a fifth in 1992 that collected unreleased material taken from various sessions between 1963 and 1967.</div></div><div><br /></div><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="232" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/3YP2kWykr05YdmulChemZb?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The Nixons</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Hailing from Oklahoma City, OK, and forming in 1989, The Nixons found fame in the mid-'90s with their song "Sister." After their follow-up failed to produce another "hit" (most likely an effect of a major label system that snatched up every "alternative" band that they could in the early to the middle part of the decade, looking for the next Nirvana, with no actual plan on how to nurture or grow any of them once they were milked for that first hit) they recorded a fourth album before quietly calling it a day in 2000. In 2017 the band reunited and since then has released a bevy of singles and an EP. </div></div><div><br /></div><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="232" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/7nygDbAxAoLTVxiXMGggGY?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Fresh</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Hailing from London, England, Fresh plays a brand of indie-punk that pulls equally from the indie rock of the 1990s to the punk and emo of the 2000s, resulting in a sound that sounds not only familiar but, pun intended, fresh. On top of that, singer/guitarist Kathryn Woods is a singular voice who punches with biting lyrics, humor, and heart-felt social commentary.</div></div><div><br /></div><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="232" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/4UbUwiRsQzNuWLyqR7TqFI?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe>Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15951430008150125773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13827702.post-62014932389231676152022-05-08T13:36:00.003-05:002022-05-08T13:36:29.537-05:00Currently Listening<div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPl7zOZVBbFiKkhk_ZB4cIb_obu8Yb2OukYh5W1DjPX7Ivt-YNtKRJkszQ4bsVRGeR6PaO6zMXCxmeQAA5RC2gXp_qi_-VPe8j4EL4exaRlYfr6TmwRgxbqppTDkA75wqG6h0p6VF4YgLLgnIIJUgfxyMjkkCHj4LbIlbI9F3ERhfOmvCgg/s242/Currently%20Listening%2005-08-2022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="242" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPl7zOZVBbFiKkhk_ZB4cIb_obu8Yb2OukYh5W1DjPX7Ivt-YNtKRJkszQ4bsVRGeR6PaO6zMXCxmeQAA5RC2gXp_qi_-VPe8j4EL4exaRlYfr6TmwRgxbqppTDkA75wqG6h0p6VF4YgLLgnIIJUgfxyMjkkCHj4LbIlbI9F3ERhfOmvCgg/s1600/Currently%20Listening%2005-08-2022.JPG" width="242" /></a></div>It's been a while since I've checked in to see what is happening with new releases, so this past Friday I started a playlist of mostly newer stuff, with a few "oldies" thrown in for good measure, and tinkered with it a bit before settling on the group of songs below. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">My biggest discovery this weekend was the band Future Girls and their BRILLIANT new EP <i>Year Long Winter</i>. As it stands, this is my second favorite record of 2022 and I will be shocked if it doesn't stay firmly in the top 5 come December. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Other great stuff to come out includes an excellent new two-song EP from Lande Hekt, more new tracks from the upcoming Beach Bunny, Camp Trash, and Fresh records, Get Fired dropped their latest and last EP (and it's <a href="http://oklahomalefty.blogspot.com/2022/05/ep-review-engineers-of-mediocrity-by.html" target="_blank">really good</a>), The Burnt Tapes dropped a track from an upcoming Vagrant Records tribute, while The Drowns and Todd Farrell Jr. both dropped new EPs. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div>1. "Romantic" by Lande Hekt (from Romantic)</div><div>2. "Karaoke" by Beach Bunny (from Karaoke)</div><div>3. "Defeat Repeat" by Future Girls (from Year Long Winter)</div><div>4. "Going to Bed" by Fresh (from Going to Bed)</div><div>5. "California Sun" by Dead To Me (from African Elephants)</div><div>6. "Baby Magic" by Sofia Mills (from Baby Magic)</div><div>7. "Radio Unfriendly" by Get Fired (from Engineers of Mediocrity)</div><div>8. "Holiday" by The Burnt Tapes (from Holiday)</div><div>9. "Eyes Like Sparks" by Grandpaboy (from Mono)</div><div>10. "Go Go Go" by Cosmit (from It's Cosmit)</div><div>11. "Look What We've Become" by The Drowns (from Lunatics)</div><div>12. "How I'm Feeling" by Pearness (from World Full Of Worry)</div><div>13. "Year In Review" by Todd Farrell Jr. (from Birds On Benches)</div><div>14. "Let It Ride" by Camp Trash (from Let It Ride)</div><div>15. "Sugar Kane" by Ben Lee (from Quarter Century Classix)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/0Q0UlzF7Ecf8e4zII6OIDi?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe>Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15951430008150125773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13827702.post-7812821194933181702022-05-07T07:30:00.002-05:002022-05-07T07:30:47.629-05:00EP Review: 'Engineers of Mediocrity' by Get Fired<div style="text-align: left;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5f9I6pfqKKrTY2hXwkgyXvYArpaskcZ98YcMjBevIssDvSE8S5Y8WYBKtdpuyqDAdN-wImgtrIxHfoML2OrS1ymapvH3dQkCDjq2K63zhxW94-aXUMcJEb7U87vl45couDkQfg1hQ5vne88IgxRr0HtZCxdz2EzkU4ecKJPcJljTf_AgKA/s175/Get%20Fired%20Engineers%20of%20Mediocrity%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="175" data-original-width="175" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5f9I6pfqKKrTY2hXwkgyXvYArpaskcZ98YcMjBevIssDvSE8S5Y8WYBKtdpuyqDAdN-wImgtrIxHfoML2OrS1ymapvH3dQkCDjq2K63zhxW94-aXUMcJEb7U87vl45couDkQfg1hQ5vne88IgxRr0HtZCxdz2EzkU4ecKJPcJljTf_AgKA/s1600/Get%20Fired%20Engineers%20of%20Mediocrity%20(1).jpg" width="175" /></a></div><br />Title: </b><i>Engineers of Mediocrity</i> (<a href="https://getfired405.bandcamp.com/album/engineers-of-mediocrity" target="_blank">BandCamp</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/engineers-of-mediocrity-ep/1622222623" target="_blank">Apple Music</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/7uPG9t1AyDyCD9dG2pjYOk" target="_blank">Spotify</a>)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Artist:</b> Get Fired (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/getfired405" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/getfired405" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/getfired405/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs-feoTx-GKqx-owTZi3OQg" target="_blank">YouTube</a>, <a href="https://getfired405.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank">BandCamp</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/5XNwJudsDqX1RUo9PjEA8y" target="_blank">Spotify</a>) </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Oklahoma City's Get Fired has been plagued by lineup changes and starts/stops since the band originally formed in the early to mid-2010s. Now that singer, songwriter, and founder Steve Long is moving with his family to Michigan, the band is calling it a day, but not without leaving us one final batch of songs to document their journey. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Engineers of Mediocrity</i> is easily the band's most mature record. It's not all serious or high-minded, but there is a growth to these songs that is sometimes expressed in the lyrics and other times in the music. Yes, this is still very much a pop punk record, but instead of drawing from '90s Fat Wreck-era bands or early Descendents like they did on 2017's <i><a href="https://oklahomalefty.blogspot.com/2017/03/ep-review-too-old-to-dream-by-get-fired.html" target="_blank">Too Old To Dream</a></i>, the band draws from doo-wop, surf, and the Dead Kennedys (especially in the guitar). The standout track is EASILY "Radio Unfriendly," a super catchy romp that bemoans the state of modern commercial radio. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As the Long family prepares for their next adventure and they close the door on their time in the Sooner State, Steve and company drop what is certainly Get Fired's best EP leaving one final statement in the annals of Oklahoma punk rock. Steve is a great guy and one of my closest and longest friends. He (and his family) will be missed. Michigan, you're getting one of the good ones!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><iframe style="border: 0; width: 350px; height: 470px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=555286237/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/transparent=true/" seamless><a href="https://getfired405.bandcamp.com/album/engineers-of-mediocrity">Engineers of Mediocrity by Get Fired</a></iframe>Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15951430008150125773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13827702.post-42438277552768656792022-04-11T17:07:00.003-05:002022-04-11T17:07:46.463-05:00One Band, 5 Songs Catch Up<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS2aD3CuDmGi5hwGg7tevn9mPuM9AS75-Zmoin_NNHLG6otEv2_DtOZneBVnIe2LXnIc8NCN0cwPMuLewTOrHTs2ZP_0i9oxHEgN5IQw-lXpxt9SO6bi2zRXjesKY_2l3s8JrJrp5-qumQYztnY-NsnGsR1Ee1tz3Ly2Nv7gb_a7Xq4xkSaw/s1002/One%20Band%205%20Songs%2034-37.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="996" data-original-width="1002" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS2aD3CuDmGi5hwGg7tevn9mPuM9AS75-Zmoin_NNHLG6otEv2_DtOZneBVnIe2LXnIc8NCN0cwPMuLewTOrHTs2ZP_0i9oxHEgN5IQw-lXpxt9SO6bi2zRXjesKY_2l3s8JrJrp5-qumQYztnY-NsnGsR1Ee1tz3Ly2Nv7gb_a7Xq4xkSaw/s320/One%20Band%205%20Songs%2034-37.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />I keep forgetting to post about my podcast One Band, 5 Songs here on the good ol' blog. So, how about some catching up? </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here are the four most recent episodes of the podcast.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Superchunk</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Hailing from Chapel Hill, NC, indie rock legends Superchunk formed in 1989. In that same year, singer-guitarist Mac McCaughan and bassist Laura Ballance started Merge Records to release the band's records. In the 30+ years since Superchunk released 12 studio albums, their latest being 2022's Wild Loneliness, and Merge Records would become one of the most important independent record labels in the country.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="232" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/34Ty3GXgkNcQS3jYyyRNVQ?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">'No Alternative'</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>No Alternative was one of the most iconic compilation albums of the 1990s. Featuring music from Matthew Sweet, The Breeders, Beastie Boys, Smashing Pumpkins, Uncle Tupelo, Bob Mould, Sarah McLachlan, and the Goo Goo Dolls (just to name a few), this album served as a soundtrack for a generation in crisis as Generation X learned to deal with the looming threat of HIV/AIDS.</div><div><br /></div><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="232" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/2piqh8LjBxqAuBAJ8k9Dal?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Restorations</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Hailing from Philadelphia, PA, Restorations mixes elements of post-hardcore, punk, progressive classic rock, indie rock, post-rock, Americana, and emo with "a penchant for big chords and rolling crescendos" resulting in a sound that is entirely unique and immediately familiar all at the same time.</div><div><br /></div><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="232" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/0NKggHZMug1Xfn60TaFpZg?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">7 Seconds</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Punk and hardcore legends 7 Seconds formed in Reno, NV in 1980. Since that time, they have gone through three distinct musical eras, toured the world, influenced a slew of bands over four decades, released (depending on how you count certain releases) 10 studio albums, 2 live albums, and 5 EPs. 7 Seconds was also one of the most important and influential bands on my life, thus this is an expanded edition of One Band, 5 Songs because five was just not enough. </div><div><br /></div><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="232" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/4zXVegSHNCL8NqIbKFopno?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe>Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15951430008150125773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13827702.post-62637821284637433362022-04-02T16:24:00.002-05:002022-04-02T16:24:54.343-05:00Currently Listening: Q1 2022<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_-j95T-IKF2K-FbF0M7eCowtvcqiKILtoqmB2IlCClan7w323YB4sxdQNubxRQx0IlRpa-3NtAEIo5049uiRp8GolNw7OMaKZ1GpgecmfSZzmmxxaUjtakyPsz1lOCCxUHNRvHWIaU-YMWiH4w4PBqBOO_K6KevAmgbc2SgG5Y3Kfulzfw/s1500/Q1%202022%20Artists.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_-j95T-IKF2K-FbF0M7eCowtvcqiKILtoqmB2IlCClan7w323YB4sxdQNubxRQx0IlRpa-3NtAEIo5049uiRp8GolNw7OMaKZ1GpgecmfSZzmmxxaUjtakyPsz1lOCCxUHNRvHWIaU-YMWiH4w4PBqBOO_K6KevAmgbc2SgG5Y3Kfulzfw/s320/Q1%202022%20Artists.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />Because I'm a nerd that likes to keep track of this stuff, I decided to check out my top listened to artists for the first quarter of 2022. What quickly became obvious was that the majority of my listening habits are for my podcast <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/41Qob6bGxamOq4P8FW2XuZ?si=1a5d597930304dda" target="_blank">One Band, 5 Songs</a>, or Frank Turner's <a href="https://oklahomalefty.blogspot.com/2022/02/album-review-fthc-by-frank-turner.html" target="_blank">brilliant new album</a> <i>FTHC</i>. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">One thing that I've noticed is that I have been drawn to a lot of harder music (see Anthrax, Motorhead, Dag Nasty, early 7 Seconds, and even the aforementioned Frank Turner album) and, as of late, soul music (see Otis Redding and Wilson Pickett). I also have a new appreciation for the Beastie Boys.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Normally I type out the playlist but I'm too tired at the moment (it's been a long week). </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/2x2Wx80fvoH2ECXwy7cN7T?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe>Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15951430008150125773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13827702.post-11278333485342709642022-03-21T14:09:00.001-05:002022-03-21T14:09:16.370-05:00Currently Listening<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNrWud3USE4j9aoYmvxlbQnEsXLRzdysjIK0JHyZJxfhfQ_bxcUcqQEO-mskH8lV9uyGkgMYK0x69vaD9WRu5GO4MKlcHDtTiCb5RXlkCze0vDlOD_da6ndC3803TnNPbP1ZXP8-eb88thSdjsD-EHWrqZbRxj8O1B0UUmiU8Y56imf1frPg=s243" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="243" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNrWud3USE4j9aoYmvxlbQnEsXLRzdysjIK0JHyZJxfhfQ_bxcUcqQEO-mskH8lV9uyGkgMYK0x69vaD9WRu5GO4MKlcHDtTiCb5RXlkCze0vDlOD_da6ndC3803TnNPbP1ZXP8-eb88thSdjsD-EHWrqZbRxj8O1B0UUmiU8Y56imf1frPg" width="243" /></a></div><br />I was reminded recently that I hadn't posted any playlists in a while (not that anyone actually cared...) so I thought it was time to remedy that situation. Besides, I really didn't want to work on that homework anyway. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Below are 15 tracks that have come out in the last two months. So far 2022 has been an interesting year for new music. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">First up, Ducks Ltd. and illuminati hotties do a fun cover of The Jesus & Mary Chain classic "Head On." We have the closing track from Hot Water Music's new album <i>Feel the Void</i> next, followed by fun singles from Tiny Stills and The Slackers. Carly & the Universe's latest "Chitter Chatter" is next with their perplexingly unique (in a good way) blend of sounds and styles. PLOSIVS is a bit of a punk rock supergroup featuring John Reis (Rocket From the Crypt, Drive Like Jehu, Hot Snakes), Rob Crow (Pinback), Atom Willard (Against Me!, ex-Rocket from the Crypt), and Jordan Clark (Hot Like (A) Robot, Mrs. Magician). Good Grief is up next with "Metal Phase," a fuzzy punk indie pop rock number, while Love Forty Down rips things up with the Hot Water Music-esque "Fire Within," and Spiral Heads live up to the name of their latest EP <i>Vintage Heads</i> on the '77 styled "Losing My Edge." Glacier Veins "Autonomy" is '90s influenced, yet still very 21st Century indie pop rock, while Molly Ringworm's "Grinding" is in a similar vein of indie rock but very much its own thing. Gangs of Youths (that name is a tongue twister) latest album <i>angel in realtime.</i> has gotten a ton of buzz of late, especially in the Indiecast sphere. "No Apologies" is the opening track to Playing Dead's latest EP <i>Something To Tide You Over </i>and rips. (Side Note: Has anyone else noticed how often Playing Dead drops new music? It's incredible how prolific this band is. Sure they're not Guided By Voices or Kevin Seconds prolific but who is?) We round things out with "Gravity" from Spite House, a fuzzy, punky, punchy, indie rock number, and "Get Up, Let's Go!" is from Ann Beretta's first new album in something like 10 years, <i>RISE</i>. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">That's it for now. If you would be so kind, please check out my podcast <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/41Qob6bGxamOq4P8FW2XuZ" target="_blank">One Band, 5 Songs</a>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div>1. "Head On" by Ducks Ltd. & illuminati hotties (from Head On)</div><div>2. "Lock Up" by Hot Water Music (from Feel the Void)</div><div>3. "Bleeding Out" by Tiny Stills (from Bleeding Out)</div><div>4. "Hanging On" by The Slackers (from Hanging On)</div><div>5. "Chitter Chatter" by Carly & the Universe (from Chitter Chatter)</div><div>6. "Hit the Breaks" by PLOSIVS (from PLOSIVS)</div><div>7. "Metal Phase" by Good Grief (from Shake Your Faith)</div><div>8. "Fire Within" by Love Forty Down (from Don't Be A Stranger)</div><div>9. "Losing My Edge" by Spiral Heads (from Vintage Heads)</div><div>10. "Autonomy" by Glacier Veins (from Lunar Reflection)</div><div>11. "Grinding" by Molly Ringworm (from Seems)</div><div>12. "the angel of 8th ave." by Gangs of Youths (from angel in realtime.)</div><div>13. "No Apologies" by Playing Dead (from Something To Tide You Over)</div><div>14. "Gravity" by Spite House (from Afraid)</div><div>15. "Get Up, Let's Go" by Ann Beretta (from RISE)</div><div><br /></div></div><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/2DBsm3txWW8Pka87tKuO0I?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe>Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15951430008150125773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13827702.post-58939372164021977852022-03-18T08:00:00.001-05:002022-03-18T08:00:00.238-05:00One Band, 5 Songs: The Weakerthans<div style="text-align: left;"><span face="Maax, spotify-circular-cyrillic, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #292f36; font-size: 16px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7m8_Z8_iskIz-7gQfqyvobqjiWeiKE21p8xra6j6ZaDuPkmP6ctZTgtZCZ79qdBOSXp7oGr_TqH37exnhZrgBeQZqYSVLKItJPd5R9dhHArFxFVsdItVZj-1YkxJzrhkkLtEhIYKS5HW76Jg-2syu00vMPwIwvR71GgNxqVPHr3V8ebSrgA=s500" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7m8_Z8_iskIz-7gQfqyvobqjiWeiKE21p8xra6j6ZaDuPkmP6ctZTgtZCZ79qdBOSXp7oGr_TqH37exnhZrgBeQZqYSVLKItJPd5R9dhHArFxFVsdItVZj-1YkxJzrhkkLtEhIYKS5HW76Jg-2syu00vMPwIwvR71GgNxqVPHr3V8ebSrgA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br />Hailing from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, The Weakerthans formed in 1997 and released four critically acclaimed full-length albums over the next ten years. Currently, the band is "cryogenically frozen," also known as on indefinite hiatus.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="Maax, spotify-circular-cyrillic, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #292f36; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="Maax, spotify-circular-cyrillic, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #292f36; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="232" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/2Cih2WTcrbawN6ejL70AvQ?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15951430008150125773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13827702.post-21982270074595354652022-03-14T17:15:00.001-05:002022-03-14T17:15:22.849-05:00One Band, 5 Songs: Blondie<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #292f36;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiA7DBQOFDhRx7GqsXrKHiQK9YoEHokv7wty54fRq-CaSWnhyxQ7Kz9tLW41RwTRFTuNNT1w7PJHH0cVveaIHkFF_Vp7oVPBgZFkXmWxj8UioZdJ7ENQ5_Pne3i7vp6xqXhPYpG7SJxlkqoF4GjbgK7hqSHDHSpZJE5w26MCC6gDFRSYKatrA=s500" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiA7DBQOFDhRx7GqsXrKHiQK9YoEHokv7wty54fRq-CaSWnhyxQ7Kz9tLW41RwTRFTuNNT1w7PJHH0cVveaIHkFF_Vp7oVPBgZFkXmWxj8UioZdJ7ENQ5_Pne3i7vp6xqXhPYpG7SJxlkqoF4GjbgK7hqSHDHSpZJE5w26MCC6gDFRSYKatrA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #292f36;"><br /></span></div>Hailing from New York City, Blondie formed in 1974 and was a big part of the original NYC punk scene in CBGB and Max's Kansas City. From the jump, the band mixed elements of punk, pop, disco, and funk (later adding rap, ska, and jazz to the mix) to become one of the icons of New Wave. In 2006 the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and have ruled since day one.</span></div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #292f36; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Maax, spotify-circular-cyrillic, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;" /></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #292f36; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><br /></p><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="232" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/0E7WZUgJLywnkxeHLipkVR?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15951430008150125773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13827702.post-36730810107333769972022-03-14T17:12:00.003-05:002022-03-14T17:12:47.684-05:00One Band, 5 Songs: 'FTHC' by Frank Turner<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #292f36; font-family: Maax, spotify-circular-cyrillic, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEigvng2vInLWtXsGqC1qjJrBR_-jIij-KBJfu5xIr5dmxmi16Z8MA0I3hhCsS19XuEmrHCxQbvJfVAs3kqgvT5wevgqQx4klk_sNBVnV3GnmfvZscjcNxfOTTRRFkdNCQBNY_ax7xDcszntwKQQ1pREtYpv37H3kdq9FfunaLWQwUDawnH42w=s500" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEigvng2vInLWtXsGqC1qjJrBR_-jIij-KBJfu5xIr5dmxmi16Z8MA0I3hhCsS19XuEmrHCxQbvJfVAs3kqgvT5wevgqQx4klk_sNBVnV3GnmfvZscjcNxfOTTRRFkdNCQBNY_ax7xDcszntwKQQ1pREtYpv37H3kdq9FfunaLWQwUDawnH42w=s320" width="320" /></a></div>With his ninth studio album <i>FTHC</i>, singer, songwriter, and punk troubadour extraordinaire Frank Turner for this first time </span><a href="https://www.nme.com/news/music/frank-turner-scores-his-first-ever-uk-number-one-album-with-fthc-3164760" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #5000b9; font-family: Maax, spotify-circular-cyrillic, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">hit number one on the UK charts</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #292f36; font-family: Maax, spotify-circular-cyrillic, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">. The record, an early contender for the 2022 album of the year, is filled with songs about pent-up frustration, family struggles, relationship issues, and the wisdom of humility and acceptance. <i>FTHC </i>highlights the continued brilliance of one of the best songwriters of the last 20 years. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="232" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/7D1snnT6Yk9w750yn4cnQi?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe>Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15951430008150125773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13827702.post-40466493775343487832022-02-24T21:41:00.000-06:002022-02-24T21:41:17.731-06:00Album Review: 'FTHC' by Frank Turner<div style="text-align: left;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiW-vrcXR0V24w2bupNmI1xDREdIICuxZDzeolB1VKCuDVRLSNLaB8ZlARxxNjoTm3527gKrwo5yFMjxVCL_8sIhaMNUEWGhBZwpAPaJ2EqLoLXDPje6cvXv_2pMckgkdFomMtcyCjgjlTSYI9NqdJlXAixT08UFw-u0gFf475ghz9SxtP6vA=s198" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="198" data-original-width="198" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiW-vrcXR0V24w2bupNmI1xDREdIICuxZDzeolB1VKCuDVRLSNLaB8ZlARxxNjoTm3527gKrwo5yFMjxVCL_8sIhaMNUEWGhBZwpAPaJ2EqLoLXDPje6cvXv_2pMckgkdFomMtcyCjgjlTSYI9NqdJlXAixT08UFw-u0gFf475ghz9SxtP6vA" width="198" /></a></div>Title:</b> <i>FTHC </i>(<a href="https://store.frank-turner.com/" target="_blank">Official</a>, <a href="https://frankturner.lnk.to/FTHCAlbumSo" target="_blank">Linkfire</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/FTHC-Frank-Turner/dp/B096CSH17P" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/fthc-deluxe/1584829782" target="_blank">Apple Music</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/22KVoZ7EmeN7pAbWjb5FeH" target="_blank">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/0iJXDWIGaGm6bLmhK6Efj8" target="_blank">Spotify [Deluxe]</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FTHC" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Artist: </b> Frank Turner (<a href="https://frank-turner.com/" target="_blank">Official</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/frankturnermusic/" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/frankturner" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/frankturner/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/frankturner" target="_blank">YouTube</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/27M9shmwhIjRo7WntpT9Rp" target="_blank">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Turner" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Frank Turner has this knack for putting out just the right music at just the right time. <a href="https://oklahomalefty.blogspot.com/2018/12/top-40-records-of-2018-10-1.html" target="_blank">In 2018</a>, his brilliant <i>Be More Kind</i> was, as I wrote in <a href="https://oklahomalefty.blogspot.com/2018/06/album-review-be-more-kind-by-frank.html" target="_blank">my review</a>, "the uplifting hope and inspiration that the world needs." Now in 2022, Turner's latest album <i>FTHC </i>perfectly expresses the pent-up anxiety, frustration, and tension along with the longing, yearning, and hope that has been building for the last two years since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">First off, <i>FTHC </i>is Turner's most punk rock solo record to date. Sonically speaking at least (spiritually, his music has always been punk as fuck). The album rips open with the scorching "Non Serviam" before launching into the record's first single "The Gathering," another blistering ripper. Interestingly, "The Gathering" is a song that benefits from the context of its album. Of the singles that preceded <i>FTHC</i>, "The Gathering" was the one, that for me at least, didn't hit immediately. Now in the context of the album coming between the opening of "Non Serviam" and the perfect anthem for these days (and probably the best of the record's singles) "Haven't Been Doing So Well," "The Gathering" packs a completely new and potent punch. Another punk gem is "My Bad" a song that finds Turner channeling his inner 7 Seconds. "Miranda" tells the amazing story of his relationship with his father who is a trans woman, while "A Wave Across the Bay" is an examination of grief following the suicide of Scott Hutchinson of Frightened Rabbit (which is sadly not the first song Turner has written about the suicide of a close friend; "Song for Josh" from 2015's <i>Positive Songs for Negative People</i> was about the suicide of Josh Burdette, who managed Washington D.C.'s 9:30 Club). "The Resurrectionists" is a fun romp that provides some updates on those we met in “I Knew Prufrock Before He Got Famous” followed by the one-two punch that is "Punches" (a song about the few times in life when everything falls into line) and "Perfect Score" (the most rousing song about the imperfections of humanity ever to hit wax). The album proper ends with a goodbye love letter to London in "Farewell To My City," which in and of itself is a perfect album closer, but on the deluxe version, there are two additional tracks (not counting the four acoustic versions of songs from the record) that somehow take that perfect ending and make it better. This is especially the case with "The Home Where I Was Raised" a haunting remembrance of the old Turner family home. And that's just some of the brilliant songs that make up the outstanding <i>FTHC</i>. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I first discovered Frank Turner's music about 11-some-odd years ago (sometime before the release of <i>England Keep My Bones</i>) and instantaneously knew that I had found something exceptionally special. Now over a decade and five albums (seven if you count the split with NOFX and the record with Jon Snodgrass) later, I can truly say that Frank Turner is not only one of my favorite artists of all time but he is one of the most important voices on rock 'n' roll of the last 20 years. How many artists, on album number nine, smashed it right out of the pack on the first swing? <i>FTHC </i>is the album to beat in 2022, it is the record by which all others will be judged, and on top of that, it is one of Turner's best yet.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_VGhqfudU3M" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><div><br /><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uT6NclupWhU" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/a1rlf_WY07o" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div></div>Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15951430008150125773noreply@blogger.com2