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...
