New songs for September 15th 2021

 here they are:


"Certainty" by Big Thief: I don't know Big Thief's music too well yet, but of the few songs I know of theirs so far, "Certainty" seems like the gentlest and the sweetest of their already mellow catalog. The song is an unabashed declaration of love delivered in a quaint, folksy manner that brings to mind musicians like Lucinda Williams and Iris DeMent. "My certainty is wild, weaving/For you I am a child believing," lead singer Adrianne Lenker softly croons in a charming Southern drawl (despite actually being a New Yorker) during the song's chorus. The "child believing" part of the song seems to serve as a focal point for the song's video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1eypolupH0), which is little more than an uncolored, pencil-sketched drawing of a bear, dinosaur, and two other animals gathered around a campfire with very little movement. This is an indie-folk song whose lyrics are as charming as the tune itself!

"I Can't Remember the Dream" by They Might Be Giants: Perhaps the only alternative group besides Barenaked Ladies who fit the energetic, silly aesthetic of Nickelodeon more than the trendy aspect of MTV, They Might Be Giants have been making their charmingly offbeat brand of music since the mid 1980's, and they show no signs even now of slowing down! Their latest song, "I Can't Remember the Dream," is another of many goofy songs in their catalog. It opens with a guitar riff similar to "Louie Louie" if a band like Fountains of Wayne were covering the song. "Dream," in this case, does not refer to an aspiration, but to an actual dream - the kind you have at night. The song is literally about the speaker not remembering the dream they had. TMBG typically don't have themes that are too morose or weighty (though they sometimes surprise us, like with "Don't Let's Start"). Heck, sometimes their songs are about subjects as seemingly juvenile and obscure as nightlights ("Birdhouse in Your Soul")! This odd song is accompanied by an equally odd video with a faceless man in a costume doing mundane activities like laundry and dishes, before proceeding to destroy a rock music video award towards the end of it (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9Zj8ZSz6dE)

"If You Say the Word" by Radiohead: This song is actually a Radiohead B-side, released 20 years after the album it was originally set to be included in! Given that it's a "Kid A" bonus track, it serves as one of Radiohead's trippier, less explainable songs. Amidst its weirdness, though, it is also an incredibly soothing song, combining electronica, trip-hop, and post-psychedelic rock all in one. Lyrically, it seems like one of many Thom Yorke songs that concerns the topic of isolation (or possibly drugs), opening with lyrics like "If you're in a forest out of your mind," and, "If you're stuck in the rainfall of shattering glass. The song is definitely a mind trip, but it is also one meant to ease your pain.


"Long Way" by Eddie Vedder: In 2016, both Sting and his daughter were each releasing songs to adult alt radio stations. This year, Eddie Vedder and HIS daughter, Olivia, are competing with one another on the format, though her dad has been more successful so far this year. Perhaps part of the reason for this, apart from Pearl Jam being a super successful band that has been around for nearly 30 years, is how Eddie's latest song, "Long Way," is a road-weary tune that evokes the sounds of Tom Petty circa Full Moon Fever. The song's Petty-esque sound is no mere coincidence either, as Eddie did enlist help from The Heartbreakers' organ player, Benmont Tench, on his latest album. The lyrics of the song have an almost Springsteen-ian vibe about two lovers who initially seem destined to be together but end up going their separate ways to explore both love and life a little more.

"The Sun Hasn't Left" by Modest Mouse: A fun, quirky little song that opens with a xylophone riff before adding in some synths and vocals shortly afterward, Modest Mouse's "The Sun Hasn't Left" is a song that attempts to dispense good advice to its listeners while still acknowledging the negativity of the world, with messages like "Relax your breath, lean into yourself" and "Not everything is gonna be the best, but there's still something left." While the song seems to criticize technology for taking over flesh-and-blood friendships and relationships during its later verses, "The Sun Hasn't Left" is not a completely bitter song. It seems to mostly serve as a way to comfort us as our world descends into chaos around us, while not completely ignoring that fact either. The song also has a very summery sound, which is funny considering we're on our last gasp of summer right now. 

New songs for September 1st, 2021

 here they are:

"Can't Stop the Rain" by Neal Francis: Neal Francis is a Chicago resident, but he might as well have come from New Orleans with the sound he has cultivated! Both the honky-tonk sound of the piano and the shrill, blues-y guitar of Neal's debut song, "Can't Stop the Rain," hint strongly at a New Orleans blues and jazz influence! The slide guitar is provided here by none other than blues-rocker extraordinaire, Derek Trucks, known for his work in both The Allman Brothers Band and with his wife, the equally blues-y Susan Tedeschi. "Rain" in the context of this song, I suppose, equates to "sadness," from what I can make out from what the rest of the lyrics have to say. Neal Francis really knows how to turn his frown upside-down if that's the case!

"Get Down" by Susto: South Carolinian indie-pop group, Susto, has been around for a few years now. Until this point, I knew them best for the quirky, tongue-in-cheek Christmas song, "R.I.P. Santa." We still have another three months to see if Susto will make another hilarious holiday tune, but in the meantime, we have what could be their breakthrough hit on adult alt radio stations, "Get Down." "Get Down" is a pleasant, upbeat song, but its lyrics concern a friend of one of the band members who was going through both physical and mental health issues at the time the song was written. 

"Mood Ring" by Lorde: This summer, Lorde treated us to a sunny song unlike any she had done previously with "Solar Power." Both its breezy sound and its summery subject matter took Lorde fans by surprise. As the summer winds down, New Zealand's biggest pop star gives us another splash of summer with "Mood Ring." Well, at least in terms of how the song sounds. The lyrics tell a slightly different story. "Mood Ring" was actually written as a mockery of those who like mood rings, as well as various other aspects of "wellness" culture, such as plant-based diets, yogic exercises, tarot cards, horoscopes, and healing crystals. I guess Lorde is back on her game...kind of. The sound of "Mood Ring" is so airy and hippy-dippy, though, that many might mistake it for a song that is lauding the very things it is trying to lampoon! 

New songs for August 25th, 2021

 here they are:


"Bitter Taste" by Billy Idol: "Bitter Taste" is perhaps the first time in Billy Idol's career as a rock star that he's mellowed out into something almost resembling contemporary folk-rock. I never thought that would happen to the guy who churned out such gutsy, fist-pumpin' rockers as "Rebel Yell," "White Wedding," and "Dancing With Myself," but it's happened now! "Bitter Taste" almost seems like it is for Billy Idol what Johnny Cash's cover of Nine Inch Nails' "Hurt" was for him. A bittersweet song reflecting on a long life of sex, drugs, and rock and roll finally taking its toll. At 65 years old, the rock star life has probably worn thin for Billy Idol. The song was produced by Butch Walker, a musician who probably considers Billy Idol to be one of his own "idols" that walks the line between punk, power pop, folk-rock, and jangle-pop.

"Quiet Town" by The Killers: It was only on their second album that The Killers' Brandon Flowers revealed his passionate love of Bruce Springsteen's music. It was considered a bit surprising at the time, but The Killers have done many musical homages to the Boss since then, one of which is their latest song, "Quiet Town." The title alone sounds somewhat Springsteen-ian, and so are the music and lyrics, which revolve around how tragedies like train accidents and drug overdoses get sadly overlooked by people in a "quiet town." But instead of simply lamenting this tragic state of affairs, Brandon Flowers and co take a sad subject and turn it into bittersweet musical poetry, set to the backdrop of earnest electric guitars and a churning synthesizer.

"Survivor" by Nathaniel Rateliff and The Night Sweats: Don't get me wrong. Nathaniel Rateliff's recent solo detours into country-rock haven't been bad, but they lack the energy and gutsiness that his music with The Night Sweats had. Thankfully, Night Sweats fans need not wait any longer for another one of Nathaniel's spirited, spicy takes on vintage soul music, 'cause here it is! "Survivor," as its title implies, was written last year in response to the coronavirus pandemic. "You think that I'm just some great survivor?" Nathaniel bellows forcefully and convincingly during the chorus. The whole song basically seems like it's trying to say that it's not easy to survive in today's world. The Nathaniel Rateliff solo tunes that were released last year all seemed very mournful, so I thought maybe he was going to continue in that direction. But nope...this time, the power of his inner turmoil has sprung up from under the surface and exploded into song! 

"Wildfire" by The Heavy Hours: Perhaps the only song this week that doesn't quite feel like something special, but I figured it was still worth reviewing. Like The Heavy Hours' previous adult alt radio hit, "Don't Walk Away," "Wildfire" is a simple folk-rock-y tune that doesn't really add anything too noticeable or innovative to the table, but it's still a sweet, breezy song. The title also has nothing to do with any actual fires (which it very well could have been about), and is really just a metaphor for love. A laid-back country/folk-rock tune for those who like that sorta thing. 

New songs for August 11th, 2021

 here they are:


"Chaise Longue" by Wet Leg: The execution of Wet Leg's debut song, "Chaise Longue" is somewhat similar to the band Cake, albeit without the in-your-face use of brass that they were known for. The formula for "Chaise Longue" recalls Cake's penchant for deadpan "sing-speak" vocal delivery, heavy use of the bass, and bizarre lyrics. The opening lyrics of "Chaise Longue," for instance, refer to graduating from college, but for reasons unknown to anyone but the band themselves, the lead singer of Wet Leg claims that her friends call "degrees" the "Big D." Less than a minute into the song, after the part that talks about college, it immediately slips into innuendo territory ("Is your muffin buttered?") Apparently, these lyrics are being addressed to someone "on the chaise longue in (their) underwear." To add to the "quirky" factor, the phrase "on the chaise longue all day long" (and variations of it) is repeated 13 times until the song ends. You've never heard a song like this one, and you probably never will!

"Las Vegas" by Houndmouth: Along with many folk-rock influenced acts of the early and mid-2010's, Houndmouth was a band in which guys and girls shared equal vocal time. That is, until backing vocalist Katie Toupin left the band in 2016. Their first album without her had the synth-pop-y and largely forgettable song, "This Party," so I didn't think Houndmouth would do so well without her. But with their newest song, "Las Vegas, " I get the feeling I might have been wrong about that! Katie is still not in the band, but Houndmouth have gone back to the roots-rock sound they originally became known for in "Las Vegas"! Probably the hardest-rocking song they've recorded so far, but at least they're back to BEING a rock band! Lead singer Matt Myers triumphantly proclaims during the chorus of the song that he "believes in Las Vegas." I'm not sure what it is specifically about Las Vegas that he believes in, but my belief in Houndmouth themselves has certainly been restored by this song!

"Magnolia Blues" by Adia Victoria: Adia Victoria gave us a catchy blues-rock number in 2019 with "Different Kind of Love." "Magnolia Blues" is a slower, more sensuous, and more acoustic based song than that one was. There's a reason for the more delicate sound of this song as compared to her last major effort on adult alt radio. The song is actually about her identity as an African-American citizen, and how she wants to rightfully reclaim that citizenship amidst a world of people who mistreat others simply because of their race. Although the history of violence against black men and women has unfortunately being going on for a very long time, it reached a significant apex in summer of last year with the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. There is no doubt in my mind that Adia felt negatively affected by that, as many people have, regardless of what race they are, but it probably hit her twice as hard given her ethnic background. "Magnolia Blues" is a sad song that comments on a sad reality that many have faced and that many have been affected by, but sometimes we need to wake up and know what's going on in order to right the wrongs of the world, as well as to sympathize with the plights of others. 

New songs for July 28th 2021

 "Can You Handle My Love?" by Walk the Moon: In Walk the Moon's slow but steady progression from pop/rock to something that more closely resembles pure pop, one thing that has always remained consistent in their material is their ability to be insanely catchy! "Anna Sun" and "Shut Up and Dance" were both major earworms for WTM, and "Can You Handle My Love?" aims to continue in that direction! Though not as guitar-centric as either of the other two songs, "Can You Handle My Love?" seems like it's sure to be one of the central feel-good hit songs of summer 2021! It's a fun, get-up-and-dance song! The line "I've got a crush on you, and it's not just physical" will probably endear many who have already become attracted to Nicholas Petricca to develop an even deeper celebrity crush on him!

"Phoenix" by Big Red Machine (featuring Fleet Foxes and Anais Mitchell): Imagine The National, Bon Iver, and Fleet Foxes combining to record a single song. Well, that's exactly what's happening here! (Big Red Machine are comprised of members of The National and Bon Iver) This is pretty much any indie-folk fan's dream come true! Their song "Phoenix" is also a very dreamy sounding song. Far from being fiery like the song's titular mythological bird, "Phoenix" is instead a cool and soothing song! It was inspired at least in part by The Band's concert film, The Last Waltz, and the song's bittersweet flavor does seem to take significant influence from that film. The word "phoenix" is not mentioned anywhere in the song, but the line "you were making my heart change shape" is a recurring one that can be compared to the metamorphic nature of the phoenix.

"Run Run Run" by Kurt Vile: Who better to cover Lou Reed than the equally sardonic and apathetic Kurt Vile?! That's exactly what Kurt does here with the Velvets' song, "Run Run Run" on an album that was recently released in tribute to The Velvet Underground's debut album. "Run Run Run" was one of the more straightforwardly hard-rocking songs on The Velvet Underground and Nico, along with "I'm Waiting for the Man," both of which had a "chugging" rhythm in the key of D major, and both of which were seedy songs about scoring drugs from dealers. Though not the unforgettable combo of beautiful and scary songs like "Heroin" and "Venus in Furs" were, "Run Run Run" was not a bad song on the album, though it is probably one of my least favorites from the album simply because it didn't stand out in the way that most of the other songs did. Still, Kurt Vile does Lou Reed's grimy, unapologetically brash tale of urban poetry justice here. 

"Stay High" by Childish Gambino: Here is yet another cover song! Although this one is a cover of a song that came out just two years ago that was originally done by Brittany Howard from Alabama Shakes. Donald Glover, known in the music biz as "Childish Gambino," was someone I was first introduced to via the quirky NBC sitcom, Community. In it, Glover played Troy, the easygoing and slightly goofy best friend of pop culture nerd, Abed, and became one of my favorite characters on the show. Little did I know at the time, though, that acting was not Glover's only talent. He is also a stellar singer and performer who combines hip-hop, soul, rock, jazz, and a myriad of other genres into his own unique style, perhaps best known currently for his scathing yet compelling political indictment, "This Is America." His cover of Brittany Howard's "Stay High," which itself was a genre buster that mixed folk, soul, and rock, puts a bit more of a hip-hop and techno influence on Howard's composition, but otherwise matches the original perfectly! The key, the mellowness of the song, and even Glover's vocals all manage to emulate the original "Stay High" quite well, yet he still manages to make the song all his own here! 

New songs for July 21st, 2021

here they are:


"Ain't Lookin'" by Wild Feathers: After a brief detour into indie-folk and power pop with their last album, Wild Feathers have returned to their country-rock roots with "Ain't Lookin'." Well...kind of. In addition to the country and roots-rock influences, "Ain't Lookin'" appears to be influenced by blues-rock as well! Fans of other blues-country hybrids such as Sturgill Simpson and Chris Stapleton might enjoy this song. The imagery the song has of traveling out on the road also seems fitting for a blues/country-rock song.


"Amoeba" by Clairo: If the chord progression of this song sounds like a modern-day lounge-pop version of Todd Rundgren's "I Saw the Light," which itself was largely influenced by Carole King, that's probably intentional on Clairo's part here. Carole, along with other early 1970's female singer/songwriter icons such as Joni Mitchell and Karen Carpenter, all inspired Clairo's latest song, "Amoeba." Even Blossom Dearie, the woman who lent her voice to such Schoolhouse Rock classics from that same era, as "Figure Eight" and "Unpack Your Adjectives," apparently inspired Clairo's latest tune as well. Its buoyant sound combined with its jazz-pop chord progressions make for a breath of fresh air compared to the monotony of most of what comprises "alternative" music today. For someone who is only 22 years old, Clairo sure has a vast appreciation for the songwriting chanteuses of the early 1970's! Taking on a truly "indie" aesthetic, Clairo weds these delightful, wistful melodies to lyrics about an abusive relationship. She sure knows how to make lemons out of lemonade, doesn't she?!

"Galacticana" by Strand of Oaks: The intriguingly named "Galacticana" continues in the soothing folk-rock direction that Indiana group, Strand of Oaks, started really honing in on their 2019 ballad, "Ruby." I don't know what "Galacticana" even means, and since it's mentioned nowhere in the song's lyrics, it's not very likely I will know, but going by the song's nostalgic, bittersweet lyrics, perhaps it refers to...wait, I STILL don't know what it refers to! Anyway, in "Galacticana," Strand of Oaks' lead singer Timothy Showalter recounts experiences of his childhood (and perhaps his teenhood as well) that he shares with his listeners to offer an escape from the world today. When he says "I believe that ecstasy happens when we all get together" in the beginning of the song, I don't think he's referring to the drug ecstasy, but to actual ecstasy - that which happens when people share a moment together to create a more understanding bond with one another.

"Poor Boy a Long Way From Home" by The Black Keys: The Black Keys' latest album seems to have offered us their blues-iest sound yet! The scorching, fiery, slow-burning blues-rock of "Crawling Kingsnake" was a great way to kick off the year, and now, midway through it, we have the fast, shuffling blues-rock of "Poor Boy a Long Way From Home." A blues-y rhythm and riff present in songs ranging from John Lee Hooker's "Boom Boom" to Muddy Waters' "Baby Please Don't Go" to ZZ Top's "La Grange" and George Thorogood's "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer" can be heard here. Like "Crawling Kingsnake," "Poor Boy a Long Way From Home" is a cover of a blues tune, this time one from blues musician R.L. Burnside from 1978, though it sounds like it came from a much earlier era. 

"Wrecked" by Imagine Dragons: From the title, you might gather that this is one of Imagine Dragons' more angst-ridden songs. It's really more of a melancholy one that still manages to have a pleasant, pop-y sound like most of their material. In contrast to their spring '21 hit, "Follow You," "Wrecked" is in minor key and is not a love song so much as it is a breakup song, or perhaps just a song about emotional disorder in general. Not a breakup song of the "good riddance" variety either, but more of an "I can't live without you" sort of tune. Dan Reynolds conveys anguish throughout the song, but especially in the middle where he says, "These days, I'm becoming everything that I hate/Wishing you were around now, but it's too late/My mind is a place that I can't escape your ghost." Sometimes, the relationships we might have thought we had given up long ago continue to haunt us. This is a perfect song for those sorts of situations!

New songs for July 14th 2021

 here they are:


"How High" by The Record Company: The Record Company have always had a "retro" rock sound that was heavily blues-based ever since they debuted in 2016. This time around, it seems like they're specifically trying to emulate the sound of other successful latter-day blues-rockers like The Black Keys. For those wondering, "high" is not a drug metaphor in the context of this song. It instead taken to mean something more literal here, about reaching for your aspirations and accomplishing them. I'd say that The Record Company have already met their goals, though!

"How Low" by Heartless B*st*rds: So what is the opposite of "How High"? The answer, of course, is "How Low"! That just happens to be the title of our next song here, coincidentally. Fittingly, the song is a bit more low-key than the high energy of "How High." In spite of their "tough" sounding name, Heartless B*st*rds are really a pretty harmless, folk-rock-y band, whose name is only indicative of their humor. (They named themselves after an answer a game show contestant gave for the name of Tom Petty's backing group). In addition to the song's title, "How Low" also seems like the lyrical opposite to "How High," given how the song is basically a lament about modern-day pop culture and how no one seems to care about one another anymore.

"Mine Forever" by Lord Huron: A song awash with equal flavors of psychedelia, folk-rock, prog-rock, and country-rock, "Mine Forever" is a new song that seems like it came from the days of old. The pleasant, curious vibes of the song are a bit offset by its seemingly creepy lyrics, though. It's hard to tell if Ben Schneider is being serious or sarcastic in the lyrics of this song, but if it is not supposed to be sarcastic, then it reads as a super-desperate plea for him to get his lover back into his life. "In my mind, you're mine forever" might seem like a sweet line, but the more Ben adds morbid lyrics into the song, the more you think his "without you, I'll die" sentiments are more like possession than they are true love. "Forever" is a long, long time to want to be with someone. Don't take your chances, here folks!

"New Invention" by I Don't Know How But They Found Me: Is "New Invention" really a new invention?! It has the same key (D minor) as their other hit, "Leave Me Alone," and the same 1980's synth-influenced dance-pop sound, too. The lyrics aren't anything new either, but one thing they are is very relatable to anyone who has had to deal with the trials and tribulations of relationships! The song is basically about a girl who is using the lead singer. She keeps finding ways to trap him, and he is just a "new invention." The title makes for a somewhat strange metaphor for someone who feels romantically abused, but it's definitely gonna be a song that you'll want for your next breakup playlist!

"Now is the Time" by Jade Bird: This song seems like a very sunny folk-rock tune in comparison to the more dour ones Jade Bird usually puts out. The combination of acoustic guitars and what might be 12-strings in the background in the key of G setting forth a jangly strum seems a lot like "Here's Where the Story Ends" by The Sundays, but happier. As is typical of Bird's material, some of the lyrics to "Now is the Time" are a bit angst-ridden, but the overall message is a positive one: if you want something, go get it! It's tricky to tell if this is a song dispensing good advice or if it's a clever kiss-off to an ex disguised as a song of inspiration (see also "Good Riddance [Time of Your Life]" by Green Day). Whatever the intent, though, Now is the Time to hear this song!

"Rae Street" by Courtney Barnett: I'm sure Courtney Barnett has had more than one person liken her to a modern-day Patti Smith, but on Courtney's latest song, "Rae Street," the Patti influence really shows! It doesn't sound too dissimilar to Patti's "Dancing Barefoot," especially in the beginning. The "urban poetry" vibe of the lyrics also seems like it could be a Patti homage, though I'm sure it's being written from Courtney's own point of view as well. The song seems to tell the tale of a sort of "day-in-the-life" scenario, sung with deadpan vocals as Courtney typically does.