Top 20 of 2021

 Here it is, everyone! The 20 current songs that I played most during 2021! Here goes:

20. "Close to You" - Dayglow

19. "Not Dead Yet" - Lord Huron

18. "Wrecked" - Imagine Dragons

17. "Survivor" - Nathaniel Rateliff and The Night Sweats

16. "Heat Waves" - Glass Animals

15. "Mine Forever" - Lord Huron

14. "Hypotheticals" - Lake Street Dive

13. "All My Favorite Songs" - Weezer

12. "Hush" - The Marias

11. "Break My Baby" - Kaleo

10. "All You Ever Wanted" - Rag 'N' Bone Man 

9. "Elevator Boots" - Counting Crows

8. "Missing Piece" - Vance Joy

7. "The Bandit" - Kings of Leon

6. "Vertigo" - Alice Merton

5. "Fire for You" - Cannons

4. "Colorado" - Milky Chance

3. "We Are Between" - Modest Mouse

2. "Stop Making This Hurt" - Bleachers

annnndd....the number one song of the year is (drum roll please)....

"BE SWEET" BY JAPANESE BREAKFAST!!

Happy Holidays, everyone! See you in the New Year! :) 

New songs for November 24th, 2021

 here they are:



"Dream Never Dies" by Lo Moon: The atmospheric, ethereal electro-pop of Lo Moon first permeated the adult alt radio airwaves in 2017 with the songs "This Is It" and "Real Love." However, they have not had a significant adult alt radio hit since those two songs. Until now, that is. "Dream Never Dies" maintains the billowy, ethereal feel of Lo Moon's first two hits, but perhaps more importantly, the lyrical content of this song is also important. It appears to be about a death that one of the members experienced. As the lead singer mourns the death through song, he holds on to hope, the only thing him driving him forward, that the "dream never dies." In other words, he is hoping that the memory of the person he has lost will continue to remain with him throughout his life. A bittersweet song for an overall bittersweet year!

"Elizabeth Taylor" by Pete Yorn: A bit less folk-y than most of his songs, yet still maintaining the "indie" aesthetic, Pete Yorn's "Elizabeth Taylor" isn't actually about the Hollywood movie actress from days of yore, but rather about a breakup. Her name is used only once in the song as Yorn asks the subject of his song why she went "all Elizabeth Taylor" on him. Interesting metaphor...I guess! But it's the "I don't care" vibe of this song that really makes it worth listening to. Pete's songs don't usually have this much attitude, and even this song has one that's more subdued than outrageous, but it still makes this song easily distinguishable from his other material.

"Rose Pink Cadillac" by Dope Lemon: Both the attitude and sound of this song seems like a too-cool-for-school one. Laconic vocals, electronic beats, and funky guitar riffs coalesce into the epitome of techno-fied indie-pop here. That being said, one might be surprised to learn that "Dope Lemon" is actually the alter-ego of indie-folk singer, Angus Stone, who doesn't seem like he'd project as much confidence as he does here. As for the Cadillac he's singing about? Not an actual Cadillac, but a girl (again with these strange romantic metaphors). 

New songs for November 17th, 2021

 here they are:

"Chapstick" by Coin: Coin are a band worth every penny to listen to! Their style is one that hasn't really been attempted before, mixing fuzzy, blues-y garage rock riffs with more electronic rhythm instruments. The title of the song is probably one of the strangest sexual metaphors I've heard yet in a song so far, with lead singer Chase Lawrence saying to his objection of affections that he "wants to taste (their) chapstick." Both the lyrics and the music to this song are weird and cool at the same time!

"Face Down in the Moment" by Nathaniel Rateliff and The Night Sweats: Nathaniel is usually more soulful and peppy with The Night Sweats, as opposed to his sweeter and almost country influenced solo material, but there are exceptions to the rule, such as the bittersweet country-rock of The Night Sweats' "Wasting Time." "Face Down in the Moment" is another tune where Nathaniel sings with The Night Sweats that's a bit of a slower song. It is perhaps the most bittersweet song he has come up with yet as a performer in a band. It's a song that seems to want to show comfort and sympathy to its listeners. I do prefer The Night Sweats as a more energetic and soulful act, but this song is still worth listening to if you feel like no one understands what you've been going through.

"Love Dies Young" by Foo Fighters: Foo Fighters manage to combine two unlikely retro rock styles here with their latest song, "Love Dies Young." The beginning of the song clearly borrows from the chugging, charging guitars of Queen's debut single, "Keep Yourself Alive," while the second verse onward was apparently influenced more by the disco-pop of groups like ABBA. Well, if Blondie can manage to combine rock and disco, why not The Foos?! Apparently, the song started out as kind of a joke in terms of the rock/disco combo it ended up with, but it still manages to shine through in earnest as a solid anthem of both rock and dance-pop. 

"Once Twice Melody" by Beach House: Beach House's combination of electro-pop and light, dreamy psychedelia has always been endearing to me, and lead singer Victoria Legrand's soothing vocals only hooked me into their music more. Their latest song, "Once Twice Melody," attempts to dive a bit more into the avant-garde than they have done previously while not completely alienating their core audience. The song is slightly more bouncy than I'm used to with the largely airy, ambient music of Beach House, but it still manages to rank along with "Norway," "Zebra," and "Myth" as one of their best tracks (and the only one out of the four to have a title longer than one word!) The sighing instrumentation and Legrand's breathy vocals against pulsating synthesizers that aren't present on all of their material make "Once Twice Melody" the perfect chill-out song!

"Stand for Myself" by Yola: Yola's unique take on soul music has managed to win over adult alt radio programmers for the past two or so years, and with her latest song, "Stand for Myself," Yola takes herself in yet another new direction! Yola has sounded neither this blues-y nor this country before. Burning, churning acoustic guitars mark the intro of the song before the even more fiery electric guitars take charge from the chorus onward. The cutting lyrics of the song could fit in the context of both a political situation and in that of a relationship, and there's a good chance that Yola probably meant for the lyrics to be taken either way. There's no telling whether she wants to "stick it to the man" or to walk out on someone who did her wrong, but either way, Yola unleashes her fury here like never before and she really lets her victim have it!

"The Only Heartbreaker" by Mitski: This track, which seems to lift heavily from '80s pop tunes like "Take on Me," albeit with a slightly darker twist, is a pretty simple song lyrically. Buried beneath its repetitive lyrics, however, is the story of a woman scorned that seems more rooted in sadness than in fury. Mitski's fear is that she will be "the only heartbreaker" in her relationship. In other words, she will be the only one feeling as passionately about it as she is. That could leave anyone feeling cold, so it's no wonder the song seems so icy!

New songs for November 10th, 2021

 here they are:


"Billy Goodbye" by Franz Ferdinand: There's hardly a Franz Ferdinand song in existence that doesn't sound energetic in some way, but "Billy Goodbye" has a special kind of energy! The kind of energy and sound you would typically find in a David Bowie song from the early 1970's! Franz have taken on the post-punk sound plenty of times, but this time they go more for proto-punk, or more specifically, the glam rock sound. The titular Billy, by the way, is really a hodgepodge of different people in the band's lives that they've had to end friendships with, although not necessarily in a bad way. Most of these people have just come and gone throughout their lives. "Billy Goodbye" is not about resenting past friendships, but rather about celebrating them for what they were. Friendship IS magic, after all!

"Heading West" by Neil Young: Legendary rocker Neil Young (whose birthday is coming up shortly), offers us yet another way to reminisce about the past with his latest song, "Heading West." The song, which evokes a distinctly early 1970's sound that only Young and Crazy Horse could come up with, is about Neil Young's memories of traveling across the countryside with his mom and how that influenced his life growing up. Beneath the crunchy, blazing guitars of this song lie peaceful memories, and the song never gets too out of control, using a quaint piano sound and mellow beat to cushion an otherwise edgy sounding tune.

"Record Player" by Daisy the Great (featuring AJR): This one's an interesting one, for sure! It doesn't sound that different from most post-millennial mainstream pop, yet there's something "quirky" about this one all the same! Though Daisy the Great take the lead vocals on this track, it was actually AJR's idea when they came across an earlier version of the song (then called "The Record Player Song") and decided to duet with DTG on it. The result is the auditory equivalent of eating a sour lollipop: sweet and delicious, yet also something that perks up your taste buds (or ear buds, in this case). And the video for the song is also worth checking out with its surreal, cartoony look! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyuIHyOBFsU)

"Silk Chiffon" by Muna (featuring Phoebe Bridgers): Two of the most interesting and sweet-voiced women of the indie-pop/folk/rock world come together to create a song that sounds more pop-y than most of the material either of them have done before in "Silk Chiffon." The song brightly mixes acoustic guitars with electronic beats with a sound that wouldn't be out of place in your local mall or grocery store. It's possible that the song's topic could be about a woman falling in love with another woman given both the lyrical content and the fact that Phoebe Bridgers is bisexual. You know you're living in more progressive times when a soft, fluffy pop song is willing to explore modes of sexuality that go beyond what people might expect otherwise from such a song.

"Wake Me Up" by Foals: Are you wondering why indie-popsters Foals are sounding more disco-y than ever? Well, the answer is because they figure that ultra-catchy dance-pop is the antidote to the pandemic blues! The song was originally thought up while people were in fuller lockdown mode than they are today. Instead of relying on pessimism, they chose to rely on hope, and as a result, they have made what could just be their catchiest song since "My Number," which came out 8 years ago. So what are you waiting for? Get down on the dance floor and join us!

New songs for November 3rd 2021

 here they are:


"Fisher Island Sound" by Beirut: After about a decade experimenting with more electronic material, Beirut return to the combination of indie-folk Eastern European music that made them popular among their original audience back in the mid-2000's. Named after the Connecticut location where band member Ben Lanz grew up, "Fisher Island Sound" is something of an exercise in nostalgia for Beirut which dates all the way back to when they first formed as a band. The prominent use of accordion in the song is partially due to how fellow bandmate Perrin Cloutier was newly self-taught at playing the instrument at the time the song was first written. However, not all of the song has warmth and fuzziness to it, as it also serves as a reminder for lead singer Zach Condon about how he struggled to put vocals onto the initial recording of "Fisher Island Sound" due to personal bouts with negative emotions he had during that time. 

"Magnificent Hurt" by Elvis Costello: A master of his craft even into his sexagenarian years, Elvis Costello sounds just as righteously ticked off on his latest song, "Magnificent Hurt," as he did on nearly all of his songs from the mid to late 1970's! With its jagged guitars, bright keyboards, and "take that" lyrics, "Magnificent Hurt" wears its heart on its sleeve, but more in a furious way than in a sad one. This song makes it clear he is not going down without a fight. The "you" in the song is more than likely an ex-lover, but it could almost as easily be applied to society as a whole, or perhaps to certain political figures as well. The title of this song pretty much says it all. Whoever (or whatever) has caused Elvis Costello to be in such a bitter state has indeed caused him to feel magnificently hurt, but instead of bearing the cross of pain, he shoots it right back into his victim's face!

"Never Leave You" by The Record Company: "Never Leave You" continues in the blues-rock direction The Record Company usually goes in, but with a decidedly different approach. Much like The Rolling Stones' "Miss You" mixed blues-rock with disco, The Record Company's "Never Leave You" appears to be doing the same thing! I don't remember hearing anything quite so funky from The Record Company before, but they appear to be pretty good at it. The recurring phrase, "California sun," is in there because The Record Company are a Southern Californian band, and the references to things like Cadillacs and riding along with someone make me think this was probably meant to be a road trip song. These guys are too cool for school, I must say!

"The Hardest Cut" by Spoon: Spoon have dabbled in many styles of rock, ranging from post-punk to folk-rock to pop/rock, but they've never taken on blues-rock quite like they have with their latest song, "The Hardest Cut"! With both a beat and a guitar sound reminiscent of groups like The Black Keys, "The Hardest Cut" puts longtime indie-rock faves, Spoon, in a new direction, but one that their fans seem to be open to, thankfully. It's also the rare Spoon song with a prominent guitar solo, which was apparently inspired by groups like ZZ Top. As Spoon typically take their sound from either "lite-rock" faves like Fleetwood Mac and Steely Dan or more eccentric rock from roughly the same era like Elvis Costello and Talking Heads, the decision to make a blues-rock song might come as a surprise to Spoon fans, but with "The Hardest Cut," Britt Daniels and the boys prove they can boogie down with the best of 'em!

New songs for October 20th 2021

 here they are:


"Beggin'" by Maneskin: Italian rock group, Maneskin (pronounced MAHN-skin), have now broken through to alt and adult alt radio with their first major hit, "Beggin'." However, "Beggin'" is not actually their song, but one that was originally done by 1960's pop sensations, The Four Seasons! Can you believe it?! A Frankie Valli song, be it one of his own or a cover, hasn't sounded this funky since the Grease theme song! The original "Beggin'" had more of an early 1960's pop sound as people were then accustomed to hearing from The Four Seasons. How Maneskin were able to resurrect a slightly obscure pop nugget, give it a funky sheen, and have it explode to popularity far more than the original did is anyone's guess, but I'm glad they did it!

"Crutch" by Band of Horses: After a five-year hiatus from the music biz, indie-pop/rock sensations Band of Horses are back with a fun, upbeat, catchy song called "Crutch." Lead singer Ben Birdwell claims he has a "crutch" on someone during the chorus of the song. In case you were wondering, yes, that IS meant to be misheard as "crush." Well, sort of. It's really more that whether one hears the title as "crutch" or "crush," it more or less means the same thing, since relationships can leave you feeling dependent on the other person, and thus a "crutch" for your emotions. Not often a love song is this clever or punny, is it?

"Taking Me Back" by Jack White: Doing what he does best, Jack White really amps up his guitars loud on his latest song, "Taking Me Back." Somehow, he makes his guitar sound both "robotic" and blues-y on the track, as only he can! Jack sounds pretty assertive and gutsy on this track, as if he is not merely suggesting, but demanding that the subject of the song take him back! It is not the mere presence of Jack and his guitar that is making this song popular, though. Fans of the unapologetically brash video game, Call of Duty, have probably brought this track (which, fittingly, is unapologetically brash as well) to the forefront since it is one of the songs included on the soundtrack for the latest installment of the game. I really couldn't care less about the game (or most video games, really), but I'm all for seeing Jack flex his electric guitar muscles and putting them to the test!

New songs for October 13th 2021

 here they are:


"The Last Dance" by St. Paul and The Broken Bones: Neo-soul group, St. Paul and The Broken Bones, seem to keep moving further and further forward in time with each album they make! Their debut boasted Al Green-ish vintage soul with an early 1970's sound, they progressed into a more mid-1970's sound with their next two albums, and with a fourth album on the way, St. Paul and The Broken Bones seem to be heading into an early 1980's soul sound, evoking vibes of acts like Prince and Hall & Oates. There is a reason, by the way, that this song is called "The LAST Dance." It is yet another song reflective of a world facing imminent danger, hence it could be the last time that they (or anyone) is able to perform music, or do anything, really. Might as well go out with a bang, right?! That is exactly what St. Paul and The Broken Bones do here!

"The Tipping Point" by Tears for Fears: A fave band of people nostalgic for the 1980's, Tears for Fears are back for the first time in 17 years! Although the song uses familiar elements, like the beat of "Everybody Wants to Rule the World," TFF's latest song, "The Tipping Point," mostly sounds like something that would be indistinguishable from current indie-pop-tronica. TFF have never been a band to shy away from dark subject matter either, and they continue to delve into bleak territory with "The Tipping Point," as the title alone might indicate to some. It refers specifically here to singer Roland Orzabal's former wife, Caroline, who passed away a few years ago, and how Orzabal remained uncertain as to when she had officially crossed the "threshold" (or "tipping point") from life to that which lies beyond.

"Working for the Knife" by Mitski: Mitski is not like everyone else, even in a world where it's the thing to not be like "everyone else." Over a bleak synthesizer functioning as the lead instrument and a throbbing guitar riff in the center, Mitski's latest song is one that seems to show her disdain for the music industry, and possibly for industries in general. The "knife" in the song's title serves as a metaphor for anyone and anything, including ourselves, that expects more of us than we intend to give. What can I say? Life is exhausting sometimes! And Mitski makes that clear in both the music and the lyrics of her latest song.

"You've Got a Habit of Leaving" by David Bowie: Did you ever wonder what David Bowie would have sounded like as "David Jones"? Well, now's your chance to find out! "You've Got a Habit of Leaving" was first written and recorded about four years before David Bowie became "David Bowie." Although the instruments themselves sound relatively modern on this track, the structure of the chords, the harmonies, and the "ooh-ah-ooh"s that dominate the chorus sound decidedly more "retro" than what you might otherwise expect of David Bowie. If The Beatles had survived into the new millennium, they'd probably sound a lot like what David Bowie sounds like here! Bowie may be gone, but his music lives on!

New songs for October 6th, 2021

 here they are:


"Rushing Water" by Sting: Rock and roll birthday boy, Sting, who celebrated the big 7-O four days ago, has opted to go less New Age and more New Wave once again, just as he did in 2016. His latest song, "Rushing Water," has a very Andy Summers-ish guitar sound, even though Summers does not appear anywhere in the song. The beat of the song and the muted-palm guitar sound are somewhat reminiscent of "Every Breath You Take," albeit slightly less ominous. The former Police-man came up with the idea to "Rushing Water" during the height of the coronavirus pandemic, attempting to write a song that could help to patch up the many areas that have divided us as a society. Another interesting thing to note about this song is that some of the lyrics highlight Sting's roots in Catholicism, with biblical references woven within such as the Book of Numbers and the story of Jonah getting swallowed by a whale.

"Telepath" by Manchester Orchestra: If Manchester Orchestra's song "Bed Head" from earlier this year had a bit too much of a rock sound for a band previously known best for the indie-folk ballad, "The Gold," then perhaps "Telepath" will be more to your liking. The song is even more acoustic guitar driven than "The Gold" was, and twice as emotional to boot. The song seems to be about a relationship that the lead singer knows is destined to fail, yet he pines for it anyway. The chorus of the song manifests in three different ways. First, the singer asks the object of his affections if she wants him, then if she loves him, and finally, if she's with him? The answer, each time, is no. To admit defeat is not an easy thing to do, perhaps even more so in the context of a relationship, but Manchester Orchestra not only do so here, but they do so with dignity.

"Wasted Days" by John Mellencamp and Bruce Springsteen: Two legends in the classic rock subcategory of "Heartland rock," Mellencamp and Springsteen both started out as scrappy, determined rock stars who became more politically focused and folk-y as their careers went on. Both performers are now in their early 70's (with Mellencamp celebrating a birthday tomorrow), and their first notable collaboration, "Wasted Days," takes a bittersweet look at life from a seasoned, septuagenarian perspective. Their advanced age is actually what "Wasted Days" seems to be about, with both singers asking just how many moments are left in their musically fulfilled lives. With both Mellencamp and Springsteen having been rock stars since the 1970's, it's truly a miracle that they're still able to celebrate life today. To paraphrase another aging, folksy rock star, "May they stay forever young"!

"Write A List of Things to Look Forward To" by Courtney Barnett: I'm wondering if the title of this song is supposed to be a joke. It's only two and a half minutes long, and Courtney really doesn't lay out a "list" of things for us to look forward to, or any list at all, really. The entire song seems shrouded in irony, though this is hardly surprising for a performer as sardonic as Courtney. "Nobody knows why we keep trying," "a baby is born as a man lay dying," and "We did our best, but what does that even mean?" are just some of the pearls of not-quite-wisdom that she shares in this song. Almost seems like a song about someone who's just about to give up on life. Please don't go, Courtney! You have so many years ahead of you! Yeah I know...she's probably just venting here, but still...

New songs for September 29th, 2021

 here they are:


"Time in Disguise" by Kings of Leon: Having started in blues-y, boozy garage rock and having continued in directions as varied as arena rock, post-punk, jangle-pop, and even folk- and country-rock, Kings of Leon have dabbled in many rock subgenres over the years. However, "Time in Disguise" marks the first time, to my knowledge, that KOL have tried taking on psychedelia. A spacious swirl of sound opens the song, inviting the listener in to experience the band as they never have before. About a minute or so into the song, though, it starts to sound like more typical KOL stuff. Once that happens, we are left with exploring the lyrics of the song, which are interesting in their own right. It almost seems like Caleb Followill and co are attempting stream-of-consciousness poetry in "Time in Disguise." The "swirly" element found at the beginning of the song also crops up in the middle, where the song takes an interesting turn once again, briefly shifting its main melody into a bridge section that wouldn't be out of place in an actual psychedelic rock song. As if that wasn't enough, the song ends on a "cliffhanger" organ note, leaving the listener in suspense as to what will happen next. 

"U&ME" by alt-J: Once again, we come to a song that is vaguely psychedelic rock influenced (with a strong Beck influence, too, in this case) with stream-of-consciousness lyrics. Coincidence? Maybe. In an interesting turn of events, though, this song is remarkably straightforward compared to the KOL track of the week, though, and usually alt-J are a lot quirkier than KOL (the name "alt-J" by itself should tell a lot - they named themselves after a computer command for the Greek letter, delta - I can't think of a geekier band name origin, except maybe the prog-rock group, "Spock's Beard"). The title could be construed as the lead singer and an object of his affections, but according to him, it's actually about just going to music festivals with his friends. Well, at least the chorus is. Heaven only knows what the verses are about!

"Valentine" by Snail Mail: A band with the word "snail" in their name probably gives the impression it's a male lead singer with a sludgy, fuzzy rock sound. Snail Mail's breakthrough single, "Valentine," however, is the opposite, in both respects. The lead singer is female, and the sound of the song is soothing, warm, electro-pop. Until the chorus, that is, where it gets slightly more grungy, but not to the point of becoming abrasive. The lyrics of "Valentine," however, tell a slightly different story than the music does. It's a song about breaking up with someone, and the angst that is felt afterwards. Lead singer Lindsey Jordan places rather venomous emphasis on the word "erase" on the song's vengeful sounding chorus: "Why'd you have to erase me, darling valentine?" The word "darling" also seems like it drips with sarcasm here. However, the song comes to a bittersweet end where Lindsey concludes that she does not hate the subject of the song, despite the blame she has received from that person. Sigh...if only I could feel the same about my own past relationships. Well, maybe someday...

New songs for September 22nd, 2021

 Here they are:

"Brightside" by The Lumineers: This is probably the first Lumineers song to make significant use of the electric guitar, as opposed to the acoustic sound they usually go for. However, the sound is roots-y enough that it still fits their sound, using instrumentation that wouldn't sound out of place on a Bruce Springsteen or Tom Petty record. The lyrics seem rather Springsteen-esque as well, weaving a tale of two people, probably either teenagers or college-aged adults, trying to break out of a monotonous desert lifestyle and go into a more adventurous one involving sex, drugs, and rock & roll (Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon is even mentioned by name in the first verse). Wesley Schultz, perhaps in character, assures the subject of his song that he'll be their "brightside" during the chorus. He never says exactly what he means by this, but it probably means he'll serve as the steady anchor to the person's wild lifestyle in case it gets too out of hand. 

"Can't Hide It" by Curtis Harding: In 2017, Curtis Harding's retro-soul music burst onto the adult alt airwaves with a blast of energy that simultaneously recalled Motown and early '70s funk. His latest song, "Can't Hide It," aims for the same kind of sound. The song is a simple declaration of love, like his other two adult alt radio hits ("On and On" and "Need Your Love") have been so far. This one is slightly slower than those songs were, and it also contains a guitar solo towards the end.

"I Don't Live Here Anymore" by The War on Drugs: This song might just encapsulate all the musical nostalgia that The War on Drugs have! The lyrics reference Bob Dylan twice: Once in the lyric "a creature void of form" from the first verse (which borrows a phrase from Dylan's "Shleter from the Storm"), and another time in the second verse where they namedrop Dylan and his song, "Desolation Row." The song itself sounds like Bruce Springsteen, circa 1984, jamming with Tears for Fears. However, The War on Drugs are actually aiming to turn away from nostalgia in the lyrics, as the title seems to imply. Lead singer Adam Granduciel claims he "doesn't live (there) anymore" after the lyric that references "Desolation Row." In other words, he doesn't want to live in the past. Well, from the way the song sounds, it sure doesn't SEEM like he doesn't wanna live in the past!

"Love Love Love" by My Morning Jacket: The latest song from My Morning Jacket, a band that is equal parts jam band, neo-psychedelic, prog-rock, and folk-rock, with just a splash of neo-soul, is "Love Love Love," a song that aims to spread a simple yet universal message amidst an electric guitar that starts out pulsating like a musical heartbeat before blasting out into a psychedelic wail that sounds like it would fit somewhere between Jerry Garcia and Jimmy Page. The song has an optimistic message that can be enjoyed by pretty much anyone, but its sound seems to be one meant to appeal more specifically to blissed out, post-hippie stoners, especially towards the end of it. 

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. 

New songs for June 30th 2021

 here they are:


"Hardlytown" by Hiss Golden Messenger: I'm pretty sure there's no such actual place as "Hardlytown," but if there was, the music there would sound like a cross between Bob Dylan and 1960's soul music, and going by the lyrics, it probably wouldn't be easy to live there! In HGM's latest song, the country-rock ensemble attempt to bring people together and lure them out of their darkness, while still acknowledging that such a task is easier said than done. The likelihood of achieving peace and unity amongst one another seems close to nil right now, but Hiss Golden Messenger still seem to think it could be worth the effort in "Hardlytown." 


"Rocky Trail" by Kings of Convenience: In the early to mid 2000's, Norwegian folk-rock duo Kings of Convenience were seen as being the millennial equivalent to Simon and Garfunkel. Unlike S & G, however, KOC are only known by select few, achieving their fame in a way that was as quiet as their music is. On "Rocky Trail," the first KOC track in 12 years, the duo capture the essence of their quaint, wistful, folksy charm that won over the small but significant fan base they had. Using nothing but their voices, acoustic guitar, and a beautiful but stark orchestral arrangement in the background, Kings of Convenience invite us into their whispery, cozy world with "Rocky Trail." The word "rocky" in the title of the song, however, could be indicative of a broken relationship, judging by what the rest of the lyrics of the song have to say. 

New songs for June 23rd, 2021

 here they are: 


"Colorado" by Milky Chance: German alt-pop duo, Milky Chance, are like the 21st century indie equivalent to Jimmy Buffett in some ways. Where Buffett was big on booze, Milky Chance prefer pot, but both bring tropical, breezy, summertime vibes to their respective drugs of choice. References to weed can be spotted in more than one Milky Chance song, perhaps most notably the "stoned in paradise" line from their first and biggest hit, "Stolen Dance." This time around, Milky Chance are "getting high like Colorado." What does that mean exactly?! Well, obviously, it means getting into a drug-induced state that (supposedly) mellows you out while impairing your sense of judgment...but why Colorado?! More than likely, they chose to sing about the state since it was one of the first states to legalize recreational use of marijuana. Sex, drugs, and not-quite-rock-and-roll strikes again, folks!

"Dustland" by The Killers (featuring Bruce Springsteen): Two years before I even did this blog on a regular basis is when the following song originally came out. However, this version is a new spin on what is now an old song, featuring a guest appearance from one of Brandon Flowers' biggest idols, Bruce Springsteen! Going a half-step lower than the original track, but maintaining its sense of urban melodrama a la Bruce, "Dustland" might not be everyone's taste, but it must have been a dream-come-true for Brandon Flowers! Bruce makes various appearances both on lead vocals and backing vocals during the song. It makes sense, then, that the original "A Dustland Fairytale," as it was known when it initially came out, was written during Brandon's "Bruce phase," which was most prominent on the Killers' second and third albums. Lines like "saw Cinderella in a party dress/she was looking for her nightgown," "straight to the Valley of the Great Divide," and "in the cadence of a young man's eyes" are just some of the many Springsteen-ian lines from the song. Other than Bruce's vocal appearances and the choice to play the song a half-step down from the original, there's really no difference between "Dustland" and "A Dustland Fairytale," but for anyone who enjoys bittersweet, earnest roots-rock with a slight U2-ish tinge to it, "Dustland" is still worth checking out!

"Hush" by The Marias: There is actually only ONE person named Maria (and only one woman out of the four members of group) in The Marias. Now that I've gotten that out of the way, "Hush," the breakthrough song for electro-pop quartet, The Marias, is an icy yet catchy song that basically serves as a "screw-you" to Maria's ex. Appropriately, the word "hush" is spoken in a hushed tone, but make no mistake. She's not saying that word to soothe anyone. Instead, it's basically a code word for, "Forget you!" Amidst grinding, slightly disquieting mechanical yet mellifluous instrumentation, Maria Zardoya seductively whisper-sings a tale of love gone wrong, attempting to lure the listener in right as she's about to tell them off!


"The Angel of 8th Avenue" by Gang of Youths: Fitting to their name, Gang of Youths are a very youthful group! At least, that's the vibe I get from listening to their latest song, "The Angel of 8th Avenue." The song sounds a bit like New Order's "Age of Consent" if it had more acoustic guitars as backing instruments, though its topic is nowhere near as controversial. Quite the opposite of New Order's icy cold, starkness, actually, and is instead about the simpler yet warmer theme of falling in love and moving to another city. GOY's lead singer David Le'aupepe also has a lot more energy and passion in his voice than the more monotone, deadpan vocals of New Order's Bernard Sumner. 

"What You Say" by Cold War Kids: Musically, this song is nothing new for Cold War Kids. It's an upbeat indie-pop song that relies mostly on electronic instrumentation with electric guitar as its main backing instrument. What makes this song stand out from other CWK songs is its message. The song is about the desire some of us have to be accepted just as we are. CWK have covered a lot of topics in their material, but I don't recall that being one of their subjects. Anyway, everyone wants someone who loves them, flaws and all, and this is the perfect song for that, as far as songs from 2021 are concerned so far!

New songs for June 16th, 2021

 here they are:


"Brando" by Lucy Dacus: As many of you have probably guessed, the "Brando" being referred to in the title of the song is none other than Marlon! This is a song from recent indie-folk/pop sensation, Lucy Dacus, that is littered with movie references! Movies ranging from "It's a Wonderful Life" to "Casablanca" to "A Streetcar Named Desire" are all referenced here. However, the song is not about Marlon Brando. Instead, it is about a lover, presumably now an ex, of Lucy's who makes constant movie references and "thinks he's Brando," when he doesn't even come close to that in reality. There's hints throughout the song that Lucy's former flame might just be a social outcast of sorts. He "knows he's uncool," prefers advanced vocabulary like "cerebral" to ordinary words like "pretty," and his constant cinematic references are not unlike what I encounter in my own social circle, which is full of outcasts. How long is it before someone writes a song about me and calls it "Stipe" (as in Michael from R.E.M.)?!

"Cloud 9" by Beach Bunny: A breezy mix of punk, surf, pop, and rock, not unlike what fellow indie group, Best Coast, was doing a decade before, Beach Bunny's "Cloud 9" is a unique and catchy little tune whose title matches its sunny mood. Lyrically, "Cloud 9" is a quirky yet somewhat slice-of-life point of view on what love is like. But neither the music nor the lyrics are the highlight of this piece. Instead, it's the charming, sweetly silly animated music video for the song, done by animator Margaret Bialis, best known currently for her work on children's entertainment outlet, Nick Jr. Though "Cloud 9" is not a children's song, kids can watch the video without their parents objecting to it, and they might even like it! The animation is somewhat reminiscent of cartoons like Bee and Puppycat, albeit without the anime influence that one has, if you mixed it with the purposely childlike illustrations of left-of-center author and blogger, Allie Brosh. A girl, her surprisingly cute pet snail, and the guy she has a crush on are in "Cloud 9"'s video...and that's pretty much all you need to know about it! Should hold equal appeal to Juno fans AND My Little Pony fans! The video can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3vTWUeS80Y

"Know That I Know" by Lake Street Dive: This slinky R & B styled track is notable for all the neat little pop culture references it packs in!! Where to begin? Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Ross, The Ramones, and Star Trek are ALL mentioned within the first two verses of the song! Why, you may ask? It's because lead singer Rachael Price thinks these would all be great references to include in a love song! The song has a "you're my (x) and I'm your (y)" lyrical pattern where all those references seep their way in to this sultry, sensational song! Also, I've gotta say, pretty much all those references are pretty cool (though I've never been big on Star Trek...sorry). Rachael, if you ever wanna date another pop culture savvy musician...I'll be waiting for ya!

"Solar Power" by Lorde: Here is a first for pop sensation, Lorde. A Lorde song with guitar! GASP!! Acoustic guitar, specifically...but that's still a shocker (albeit a good one) for the material of an artist who relies mainly on synthetic instrumentation. The song is also a lyrical first for Lorde. Instead of delving into heavier subject matter as she had been known to do on previous material, in this song, New Zealand's most famous millennial adolescent sings a song that sounds like it came from...an adolescent! It's not a song attempting to diss the media or pop culture, but instead, it's one that just embraces a carefree lifestyle on the beach in the summertime! I don't think Lorde is trying to fool us here. I think she might just be growing up backward somehow! And if she's ok with that, then so am I!

New songs for June 9th, 2021

 here they are:


"Making a Fire" by Foo Fighters: If "Shame Shame" and "Waiting on a War" felt too lightweight for you, then "Making a Fire" might be more up your alley! The song rocks pretty hard from the start, although not without enough melodic vocals to buoy it over and prevent it from becoming too edgy for adult alt radio stations to consider playing. True to its title, "Making a Fire" is a pretty explosive song about wanting to live life to the fullest no matter what obstacles might be in the way! Quite a far cry from the plaintive melancholia of their last single, "Waiting on a War," but after a particularly harsh winter and questionable spring, perhaps this song is just what we need to have a rockin' summer this year! 

"My Cleveland Heart" by Jackson Browne: 1970's rock fave, Jackson Browne, might be getting old, but his spirit still sounds as young as ever in his latest song, "My Cleveland Heart." Aside from the rootsy rock and roll guitar sound Jackson has on this song, another thing he has kept intact is his sense of humor. For instance, the word "heart" might sound like it's supposed to mean something sentimental, but it actually isn't, in this case. It refers to an actual human heart, or at least to a hospital in Cleveland that specializes in cardiology which is called (I kid you not) Cleveland Heart. Browne is aware of how his time is slipping away, so when him and a friend were driving by the place and he found out what it specialized in, he got the idea for his latest song, given the benefits that having an artificial heart from such a place could provide him! He is also very well aware of new talent on the horizon, which is why current indie-folk sensation, Phoebe Bridgers, appears in the video for the song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_gWWzLph24) dressed as a nurse (for all you Phoebe fanboys - no, she is not a "sexy nurse" in this video), adding to the song's already tongue-in-cheek humor (or should I say "heart-in-cheek") by eating his "heart"! There's heartbreaking and there's...ummm...whatever this is! Jackson, when I said some of your songs were "heartbreakers," I didn't mean that literally, ya know!

"Wolves" by Garbage: Utilizing the same combo of goth-rock and grunge that made them so big in the '90s, Shirley Manson and co are at it again for the first time in almost a decade with "Wolves"! The lyrics to the song are just as venomous, if not more so, than the song itself! It's a song about inner conflict, about how chaotic the world has gotten lately, and about regrets Shirley has had about her past self. No wonder the song sounds so...well...angry! Probably more so than Garbage typically is already! In the parts between the verses and chorus of the song, chord changes are used that often sound too dissonant for most pop and rock stars to feel comfortable putting into their music. Even Shirley Manson herself has questioned the notion of whether she wants to put out another song like this one, but has also concluded that she is more adept at writing songs fit for the spooky underbelly of pop/rock music, and not more upbeat and happy material. The song could possibly serve as a reminder to some as to why Garbage were called "Garbage" in the first place. Apparently, someone heard them rehearsing in their garage and, as a response to how noisy they were, said their music sounded like...well...garbage! Hence the name of the group. This might just be the noisiest and darkest song yet in Garbage's catalog...but what would you expect from an already jaded band heading into what is shaping to be an even more doomed decade than the one they started out in?! 

New songs for May 26th 2021

 Here they are:


"Famous Son" by Belle Mt.: With a mix of a crisp, acoustic, folk-pop sound and staccato guitar riffs and pulsating synths forming a new wave influenced sound, Belle Mt's "Famous Son" doesn't really add anything new under the sun, but it's a pleasant song to kick back to nonetheless (we've been needing some of those lately). The real charm of this song, though, is probably more within its lyrics. The title of the song is not mentioned until towards the end, when the lead singer sums up the song's the theme, which is that his father warned him not to be "famous, son." Too bad! With this song being an up-and-comer on adult alt radio stations, Belle Mt. ARE getting famous to a degree.

"I Need Some of That" by Weezer: Weezer first hit the airwaves in the '90s, but in "I Need Some of That," they set the dials back one decade earlier. Recalling big '80s rock hits like Asia's "Heat of the Moment," and just about any early Bryan Adams or Cars song, "I Need Some of That" indulges unashamedly in nostalgia for a decade during which I was only a baby! The song itself is about nostalgia, not only in sound, but in lyric as well! Rivers Cuomo even opens the song with, "Summertime. I press rewind," and we are transported back to a past when Back to the Future ruled the movie theaters. As if the song didn't have enough of a hammy '80s classic rock sound, Rivers even mentions listening to Aerosmith as part of the lyrics. Party on, Weezer!

"Like I Used To" by Sharon Van Etten and Angel Olsen: Two of the most progressive female singer/songwriters of the 2010's come together for the first time with a song that is bound to please anyone who enjoys melancholy indie-folk music! Like our previous entry, "Like I Used To" has a jones for nostalgia, but not of the same type. This nostalgia does not take place in a specific decade, but just any time in someone's life when they might have felt like the past was a simpler time than the present. The title of the song already makes this apparent, but listening to both the words they use to accompany the title ("falling in love like I used to," "lighting one up like I used to," etc.) and the sultry yet sad way the lyrics are delivered really drives the point home. Judging from the things they miss doing in the context of the song, Sharon and Angel probably want to go back to when they were either teens or very young adults, pining away for when sex, drugs, and...folk 'n' roll...held a mysterious allure, as opposed to a harmful aftertaste.

"Missing Piece" by Vance Joy: Contemporary folk-rocker, Vance Joy, tends to be popular among both alternative and adult alt radio stations whenever he releases something, but the use of his latest song, "Missing Piece," on Grey's Anatomy seemed to contribute to his most recent wave of success within just a matter of days! Though I've never been a fan of medical dramas (or most dramas, for that matter), I must say that someone who works on the show must be pretty cool if they selected his music to be on the show! Onto the song itself, though, it's a very yearning one, as per usual for Vance, but in a way he hasn't really done so before. Instead of a "Woe is me. Where did my love go wrong?" song, we get a song about how he misses the one he loves. I suspect that part of this could have been in response to separation he might have experienced during the pandemic (if so, he released this song RIGHT in the nick of time). There's a hopeful side to this song as well, as Vance's "missing piece" is something he is positive will be FOUND once he rejoins his romantic partner. Thanks for getting us all through these hard times, Vance!

"Reverie" by Son Volt: '90s country-rock group, Son Volt, continued to soldier on into the new millennium with sparser and sparser appearances as the years went by. By the time the 2010's rolled around, they made only two memorable appearances, both of which had a bittersweet folk-rock sound in comparison to the more gritty stuff they originally became known for. With "Reverie," it seems as though Son Volt have found a comfortable middle ground. It has a more solid rock sound, veering slightly towards a light Southern rock variant, than most of their more recent material, but it retains the earthy, roots-y quality of their early stuff. This song also may serve as an answer as to why Son Volt retreated from the limelight in late 2016. The entire reign of terror of a certain person who shall not be named took place RIGHT at that time, climaxing in both physical and emotional separation as the current generation has never experienced before. With the recurring line, "We won't know where we stand 'till December," "Reverie" could be a way of summing up both last year AND this year. We didn't know where we would stand politically last year until about a month prior to December, and this year, it'll probably take until the end of it to find out where we are regarding if we can see each other again without fear of anyone we hang out with being contagious. A smart and timely song of both idealism and realism!

"Stop Making It Hurt" by Bleachers: In spite of the happy, bouncy sound of this song, there is most definitely a palpable undercurrent of hurt behind" Stop Making This Hurt." The song came about when the seemingly irrepressible Jack Antonoff came to the realization during the coronavirus pandemic that he wouldn't be able to perform face to face in front of his fans like he used to for a long time! The song details the angst, chaos, and disappointment of family life during the pandemic. The kids are complaining, Mom wants to break loose from the Garden State, and Dad has gotten to the point of not even recognizing where he is anymore. Nothing is fine. But sometimes, that's what we need to hear in a song! We need to KNOW that we're not the only ones going through what we are. "Stop Making This Hurt" might just be the spoonful of sugar we need to make the tiresome medicine of our vaccines go down!

"Witchoo" by Durand Jones and The Indications: Like fellow neo-soul-ster, Leon Bridges, Durand Jones and The Indications started off imitating '60s soul music and have now dipped their feet into '70s funk! "Witchoo" captures that moment in time when the R in R & B was getting stronger than the B, as the focus of this song is primarily rhythmic, lacking the bluesy pulse that was present in early R & B. We've had so many songs here that want to leave the present moment, and for understandable reasons, but this song seems very in-the-moment, at least lyrically speaking. Though its sound is an obvious throwback to soul music of the mid-1970's, "Witchoo"'s lyrics are basically about traveling on the road and spending time with that special someone. The simple pleasures of life. So what are you waiting for?! Get down with yo' bad self and melt into the auditory dance party that is "Witchoo"!

New songs for May 19th, 2021

 here they are:


"Down" by St. Vincent: After her success on adult alt radio stations with the Prince/Bowie-esque "Pay Your Way in Pain," Annie "St. Vincent" Clark continues with work influenced by the two aforementioned eclectic electro-funk-rock masters. "Down" also showcases a Prince/Bowie influence, albeit with one factor that distinguishes it from all other St. Vincent songs that have come out so far. "Down" makes distinctive use of the sitar, as well as the Vocoder (the voicebox thingy Peter Frampton is known for using, which has gained prominent use in funk-rock as well). With all these unique, flavorful elements combined, "Down" sounds anything BUT down, and puts St. Vincent in a place that is too outer space-y to be the past, but too retro to be the future! Far out!

"Motorbike" by Leon Bridges: And speaking of funk music, Leon Bridges is another contemporary musician who has explored the influence of funk in his own sweet way. He started with a record that was a throwback to soul masters like Sam Cooke and Otis Redding, followed that up with a sophomore album exploring more sides of the R & B spectrum, including jazz, funk, and even folk-soul, and now, with a third album on the way, we get to hear Leon exploring...pop-reggae?! "Motorbike" seems to head in that direction, and it is also notable for being Leon's first guitar-less track (if there IS any guitar in it at all, it's barely audible). It's still soul music, as all of Leon's music has been so far, but something feels a little out of place about this one. For one thing, he has enlisted the help of fellow neo-soul musician, Anderson Paak, on this one, and I've never been particularly thrilled with Anderson's style the way I have with Leon's. 

"Worry With You" by Sleater-Kinney: It was only two years ago that the fiercely defiant alt-rock duo, Sleater-Kinney, last released an album. However, with the major changes that came afoot the year after, the sentiments expressed in some of their last songs, such as the passionate yet sexually desperate "Hurry on Home," already seem like the products of a bygone era! Their latest song, "Worry With You," could be thought of as a "sequel" of sorts to that song: still spiky, intense, and sexually driven, yet somewhat more subdued, both musically and lyrically, and with the acknowledgment that love life (and life in general) has become more difficult to manage within the space of just a few years. Here, they are not merely looking for someone to spend a naughty night in the nude with, but are instead seeking a more solid form of companionship with someone whom they can feel comfortable mulling over the future with while still trying to enjoy the sparse pleasures of the present. A slightly blues-y garage rock influence on this one, but as usual, this dynamic duo gives it their all! 

New songs for May 12th 2021

 here they are:


"Echoing" by Kings of Leon: Once again opting for the key of C major, like they did in their previous single from this year, "The Bandit," Kings of Leon storm the alt and adult alt radio charts again just in time for summer with "Echoing." "Echoing" has an almost U2-ish vibe to it, with its fittingly echoing chamber of guitars ringing loud and clear throughout while never quite climaxing to a hard rock sound. The song revels in and revolves around the thrill of adventure!

"We Are Between" by Modest Mouse: It's been 7 years since we last heard from Modest Mouse (and it was also 7 years since THEN that we had last heard a full Modest Mouse album). While Mouse seem to have embraced a Talking Heads-ish sound from about 2004 onwards, "We Are Between" hearkens back to MM's pre-fame years, during which time the band made more sweet, wistful, Shins-ish indie-pop songs like "Gravity Rides Everything." The central subject of "We Are Between" is the titular pronoun: "we." Isaac Brock is addressing our own species in the song, and the many observations he has made about us. "We are made up of rocks and salt." "We are the mirrors of our own faults." It's true. Humans are faulty creatures who, like all living things, are an improbable yet amazing combination of elements that fused together to create entities that survive on eating, breathing, and growing. In "We Are Between," Modest Mouse mull over life in a way that is anything but modest in a way that speaks to all of us!

New songs for May 5th 2021

 here they are:


"Elevator Boots" by Counting Crows: Not since the early to mid '90s have I known a Counting Crows song to get this much positive reception! They may not have the presence on mainstream rock and alt-rock radio that they once did, but thanks to YouTube, we do know that these Gen X folk-rockers still have an avid, loyal fanbase! And adult alt radio, thankfully, still loves Counting Crows just as they did over 25 years ago. "Elevator Boots" is a magical song with quirky lyrics, which Counting Crows are pretty much experts at. The song starts off slow and acoustic, but kicks into gear with roots-y Springsteen/Petty-esque electric guitars being added into the mix shortly after. "Elevator Boots" is a rock song about rock music, specifically about what it's like to be a band who does concerts a lot, a lost dream that will hopefully return to reality one day!

"Perennial Bloom" by Lukas Nelson: Our only other song of the week just happens to be a wistful, roots-y country-rock tune as well! Where our previous song was about being on the road, though, Lukas Nelson's "Perennial Bloom" is about being away from the road! The title of the song, for starters, refers to how Lukas and his family were able to stand by one another through the coronavirus pandemic, and that their love for one another continued to stay strong and "bloom" as time went by. A bittersweet yet relevant song here. 

New songs for April 28th, 2021

 here they are:


"Diamond Studded Shoes" by Yola: Yola's unique combination of country and R & B gains an even thicker musical gumbo with her latest song, "Diamond Studded Shoes." Coming off almost like a Grateful Dead-style combo of country, blues, jazz, and rock with meandering guitar licks during the solo, "Diamond Studded Shoes" is an upbeat song about downbeat subject matter. The titular phrase, "diamond studded shoes," is mentioned only once in the song during the second verse, referring to the much sought after financial value of such clothing, and how people in the big biz buying those sorts of shoes with their taxes is really just their way of keeping more ordinary folk divided. The theme of divisiveness continues throughout the song, addressing more specifically the issue of poverty and how negatively it affects Yola and others whose monetary rank is middle class or lower. Nothing brings controversial issues to the forefront like a catchy song, eh?!

"Easy Sleazy" by Mick Jagger and Dave Grohl: Essentially, the leading Stone and the leading Foo Fighter are churning out classic rock for a generation that has become increasingly disconnected from the idea of rock music. The news of two rock and roll giants collaborating on a song together might excite parents and grandparents of today, but what about the youth which the music industry has long been obsessed with catering to?! Is it really going to be effective for them?! While this question might remain unanswerable, Mick and Dave seem to at least trying to appeal to the youth here, delivering a gut busting rock and roll number that crams all the issues that defined 2020 into the space of roughly three and a half minutes. A world with no tours and no sports, protective face gear mysteriously becoming trendy, the once virtually unknown service of Zoom becoming an internet giant in less than a year, quarantine weight, vaccination, and global warming all get referenced in this song. Only time will tell if this song makes a truly lasting impact, though. 

New songs for April 21st, 2021

here they are:

"Crawling Kingsnake" by The Black Keys: If anyone still knows how to rock and roll in an EDM, hip-hop, and dubstep dominated world, it's The Black Keys! "Crawling Kingsnake" goes back to the roots of rock, predating even the genre's initial pioneers like Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry, unearthing a cover of a song made popular by blues musician John Lee Hooker, and written by fellow blues musician Big Joe Williams. Much like an actual snake, "Crawling Kingsnake" crawls slowly, wraps itself around you, and releases a seductive "venom," intoxicating its listeners in an arousing swirl of oozing guitar riffs backed by tight drumbeats!

"Hot and Heavy" by Lucy Dacus: I previously knew Lucy Dacus only for an ultra-cool indie-pop/rock version of Bruce Springsteen's "Dancing in the Dark" that seemed to outdo the Boss himself. Therefore, "Hot and Heavy" is my first taste of how Lucy Dacus fares with her own material. Lucy has a similar vibe to other women who have recently become rising stars in the indie-pop/rock world, such as Phoebe Bridgers and Julien Baker, and she has a similarly poignant and confessional vibe to these musicians as well. "Hot and Heavy," specifically, is about Lucy trying to grapple with the notion of how her past "selves" (what she was like in various stages of her life, such as childhood and teen years) are nothing like who she is today and probably wouldn't like who she became. It's a common issue for many of us, including myself. Would rock-and-roll me from my teens be ok with the more eclectic and mellow musician I became in young adulthood? Who knows?! Would my past self who was initially embarrassed and frustrated about being neurodivergent be ok with the neurodiversity embracing, open-minded person I've become today? It's all up in the air, but it can be quite fascinating to imagine what that might be like!

"Spanish Doors" by Liz Phair: And speaking of past selves, on the latest song from indie-rock queen, Liz Phair, Liz was apparently inspired by the musicians and bands she listened to during her early college years, including but not limited to alt-rock innovators like The Velvet Underground, Talking Heads, and R.E.M. The song itself, "Spanish Doors," is about having your foundations shaken out from under you. Initially, the song was written about one of Liz's friends who was going through a divorce at the time it was written, but she soon found that the lyrics also applied to her own life, particularly in how the song centers around witnessing your own life break into shambles while those around you are enjoying theirs. This seems like it could be a theme that many people could relate to. That, of course, is part of the beauty of music! 

New songs for April 14th, 2021

 here they are:

"Last Day on Earth" by beabadoobee: As you can probably guess from the song's title, "Last Day on Earth" is about our recent situation facing lockdowns and a "new normal," a phrase that I have still struggled with fully accepting even after a year. March 2020 felt like the "last day on earth" for Beatrice "beabadoobee" Kristi Laus, and in this song, she expresses what that feels like, in a song that attempts musically to emulate the "lighter" elements of female-led '90s alt-rock groups like Garbage and No Doubt. I guess we can all be thankful that "Last Day on Earth" is not the last SONG on Earth! At the bottom of our hearts, let's still hold on to hope!

"Vertigo" by Alice Merton: We haven't heard too many songs from Alice Merton so far, but we've heard enough to know that her typical style is an "alterna-dance-pop" of sorts that dominated the 2010's and which, so far, has carried into the 2020's as well. Not to be confused with U2's rock anthem, "Vertigo," Alice Merton's "Vertigo" has a more intense mood than the U2 song of the same name, though it's still pretty catchy in its own way. The lyrics of the song seem like a disaster movie waiting to happen! The floor is shaking, faces "seem deadly," and there is nothing but darkness all around! Unlike our previous entry, however, "Vertigo" is NOT about recent events. It is instead a more personal song, revealed towards the end to be about jealousy, but Alice keeps us on our toes beforehand, making us wonder just what it is that's making her feel so dizzy and so threatened!

New songs for April 7th, 2021

 here they are:


"Better" by Michigander: "Better" marks a few turning points for indie-pop/rock newcomers, Michigander. For one, at almost 5 minutes, it's Michigander's longest song to date to become an adult alt radio hit. For another, the instrumentation on "Better" has more of a swelling "arena alternative" sound a la The Killers, The War on Drugs, The National, etc. than the songs Michigander did beforehand. Perhaps most striking of all, though, is just how personal this song is! There is no doubt that the recent coronavirus pandemic has impacted musicians of all stripes, and "Better" is one of a growing number of songs to reflect on that subject. The title alone, "Better," is a statement of optimism from Michigander, albeit a cautious and bittersweet kind of optimism that acknowledges the pain we've all suffered as a result of drastic changes and sudden deaths. 

"Evergreen" by Bendigo Fletcher: Kentucky alt-country group, Bendigo Fletcher, have been around for a few years now, but they appear to have ditched the country and folk influences of their earlier material here in favor of a more crunchy yet still melodic psychedelic rock sound. Though their song's title is "Evergreen," a plant known for its willingness to adapt through hard times, the song itself reflects on just how hard it has been for the members to adapt to new ways of life. The song was written a little over 5 years ago, but the band members contend that because of how hard it's been to get used to our new decade-to-be's harsh and startling way of life that it's even more relevant now than it was then. The song is all about anxiety, and the grappling between hopes for the future and more grim yet realistic expectations of how life will probably turn out to be. 

"Heatwave" by Julien Baker: A rarity in this day and age, Julien Baker doesn't hide anything in her music! She tells it like it is! On her last adult alt radio hit, "Faith Healer," she candidly and poignantly discussed her struggles with drug addiction. "Heatwave" addresses the even more troubling subject of suicide, albeit not directly. Instead, hints are given within the lyrics, such as, "Nothing to lose 'till everything's really gone/It's worse than death, that life," as well as the recurring line, "On a long spiral down before I make it to the ground." She is not advocating suicide in this song, but nor is she saying that it's a bad choice for the individual who choose to do so. Instead, she has chosen to sympathize and empathize with people who have suicidal thoughts and offer herself as a shoulder to cry on.

"Spirit" by Judah and The Lion: Judah and The Lion have been a popular indie-pop act for quite some time now, yet it hasn't been until now that I've really delved into their material. Judah and The Lion, from what little I've heard of their material, seem to be to the later 2010's what Mumford and Sons were to the earlier part of the decade: an indie-folk/pop group known for their use of banjo. The song is yet another attempting to offer hope and strength during otherwise difficult times, though I find it to be a bit more gimmicky than some of the others on this list for its heavy use of promotion on Disney+'s reboot of "The Mighty Ducks," a show about a fictional sports team. Oh well, still a good song nonetheless, though I think it could do without the whole "emotional moment during a sports game" ploy. 

New songs for March 24th, 2021

 here they are:


"All You Ever Wanted" by Rag 'N' Bone Man: Expecting another smooth alt-R & B song from Rag 'N' Bone Man like his mid-2010's mega-hit, "Human"? Think again! On "All You Ever Wanted", Rory "Rag 'N' Bone Man" Graham shows a bit more of a passionate rock and roller side! The ardent enthusiasm and echoic sound of earnest arena bands and performers like Kings of Leon, U2, and Bruce Springsteen have clearly influenced Rag 'N' Bone Man here! A refreshing change of pace, isn't it?! The lyrics seem a bit Springsteen-ian as well, especially during the part when Rory says, "It's a city of a thousand heartbeats/No room for another soul." Fusing rock and roll and poetry with such vivid, touching imagery used to be a thing during the genre's heyday. It's time that fusion was brought back to the mainstream!

"Click Click Domino" by Ida Mae (featuring Marcus King): Husband-and-wife duo, Ida Mae, debut onto this blog with an earthy, gritty brand of blues-rock! Equally gritty blues-rocker, Marcus King, is no stranger to this blog, though, and he is featured as the guest guitarist on Ida Mae's "Click Click Domino." I have yet to find out what the phrase "Click Click Domino" actually means. Could be onomatopoeic, for all I know! However, I do know what the song itself is about. Apparently, it came about as a response to all the "rumors on the internets," to paraphrase one of the best known "Bush-isms," that have been spread about today that make their way into news outlets, the political world, and seemingly everywhere we look. Ida Mae decided they are sick of all that, and make their feelings about it known in "Click Click Domino"!

"Dried Up River" by The Lone Bellow: The laid-back, Americana influenced folk-rock sound of The Lone Bellow's "Dried Up River" makes it seem like something from early in the trio's career. As their career progressed, they seemed to add increasingly more detailed instrumentation into their music. "Dried Up River" just seems like the basic two guitars, bass, and drum (with keyboard in the background) formula that The Lone Bellow used for their first three adult alt radio hits back in 2013. Much as its title suggests, "Dried Up River" really isn't very..."deep" (if you'll pardon the pun). Nothing to really take away from it aside from its billowy, breezy, somewhat rural sound. The lyrics seem to suggest a disconnect of sorts, though it's never made clear whether the problems are romantic or if they're between two struggling friends.

"Questions" by Middle Kids: At the end of this list are Middle Kids, who have been interesting since the beginning of their career (see what I did there?!), providing us with one of the few songs in the history of this blog to begin with the letter Q. Lead singer Hannah Joy sings with anything but joy, laced with doubt and fear, about a relationship in which her partner is probably cheating on her in Middle Kids' latest song, "Questions." The "questions" she has are all about whether the cheating she has suspected has really occurred. The songs sounds sweet enough, though, that some listeners might never suspect that the song is about such a troubling subject, with its fun sounding handclaps and bright, spirited brass section. This being the end of my blog for the week, I hope you have no more questions about "Questions"! 

New songs for St. Patrick's Day 2021!

 Today's songs are the same amount of leaves you would count on a four-leaf clover (plus one!) Enjoy! Here they are:


"Be Sweet" by Japanese Breakfast: No, "Japanese Breakfast" is not the name of some obscure anime, and nor was it just a completely random name. The lead singer of the band IS Asian. However, she is from Korea, not Japan. She had chosen "Japanese" as the nationality for her band name since Japan is a better-known country to the Western world than Korea is. Their latest song, "Be Sweet," is exactly what its title suggests it is. It's a sweet song, with funky guitar riffs and a synthpop sound that sounds like it time traveled from "Back to the Future" into the actual future. More specifically, it is a very yearning song, in which lead singer, Michelle Zauner, states in a bubbly, irresistible singing voice that she "wants to believe" in the subject of the song after telling them to "be sweet." 

"Follow You" by Imagine Dragons: You should know by now that if Imagine Dragons come out with a new song, it's going to explode into popularity at some point or another. The sweet, chill sound of their latest song, "Follow You," is probably no exception to this category. Dan Reynolds and co also seem to know that not everyone who knows them likes them, the aspect of which is highlighted in the intro to "Follow You"'s self-deprecating music video, in which a young adult male is excited that his girlfriend has gotten The Killers to perform on his birthday...except, oops! She actually got Imagine Dragons, HER favorite band, to perform on his birthday instead. "I don't wanna hear these guys," her boyfriend states unenthusiastically, before Imagine Dragons launch into their latest hit song. While the song may be a bit lackluster to those who want "alternative rock" to actually sound alternative and rockin' again, at least those who aren't fans of the band's music can enjoy their humor! The video can be viewed at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3zimSRKqNw

"Open Up the Heavens" by Jade Bird: Probably the hardest-rockin' Jade Bird song so far, but certainly not her longest (ALL of her songs seem to clock in under three minutes). Many of the best-known and best loved women in rock, such as Stevie Nicks, Chrissie Hynde, and Patti Smith, seem to have inspired Jade in her latest song, "Open Up the Heavens," perhaps her first song not to have a hint of acoustic guitar at the forefront. Despite briefly resolving to major key and bright instrumentation during the chorus, "Open Up the Heavens" is a pretty angst-ridden song overall, typical of Jade's material. It's a bit more direct than most of her songs, though, confronting the subject of the song and asking them how it feels to be stood up by someone. The title of the song is only mentioned once, during the middle part of it, as a plea requesting the subject of the song to change their mind, while Jade is also fully aware that she will probably not get what she wants. 

"The Last Man on Earth" by Wolf Alice: The latest song from British alt-pop quartet, Wolf Alice, finds lead singer Ellie Roswell contemplating the selfish side of human nature, and why we feel this need to project our own experiences onto everything we see, feel, think, etc. Initially inspired by the Kurt Vonnegut quote, "Peculiar travel suggestions are dancing lessons from God," Roswell alludes to the quote in the first verse of "The Last Man on Earth," and uses it as a springboard for the rest of the song to suggest that not everything is a "lesson from God" or whatever else you might think sounds profound or meaningful. Over a bittersweet piano ballad, Ellie achingly croons a brokenhearted melody which is actually trying to warn us NOT to see ourselves in her song, or to try to identify everything with our own experiences. Sounds challenging, doesn't it?!

"You Saw Me Coming" by Tom Petty: Petty's posthumously released "Leave Virginia Alone" from last fall was only a taste of the outtakes from his 1994 album, "Wildflowers." Where "Leave Virginia Alone" could be described as a laid back rocker, "You Saw Me Coming" is a more poignant song. Ex-Heartbreaker Benmont Tench even thought it was the perfect song to close out Wildflowers, with its sense of wistful longing. The original release of Wildflowers did close with a similarly bittersweet song called "Wake Up Time," but it hasn't been until now, almost half a decade after Tom Petty's departure from Earth, that we've been able to hear his underrated '94 masterpiece of an album the way it was supposed to. Better late than never, Tom!