Brian Eno: Late October (Autumn Music Series)

As we close out October (really the best month to listen to fall music), I can't think of a better selection than "Late October" by Brian Eno. Taken from the 1984 release The Pearl, a collaboration with Harold Budd, this track feels like the last day of October in every way. The haunting and dark piano...

Psapp: Tourists (Album of the Week)

London's Psapp is known as an electronica band but lately they sure sound awfully indie popish. Their latest effort, Tourists, is an absolute gem with 13 tracks of complete bliss. All of the songs blur together in wonder...

Here is the opening song...

The Duke Spirit: Wooden Heart (Autumn Music Series)

The Duke Spirit is a very wonderful band from London that has been making amazing dream pop since 2003. The track "Wooden Heart" from their 2008 LP, Neptune, is perfect for a crunch leaf walk on a late Saturday afternoon.

Enjoy...


    

Rick Springfield: Love Somebody (Throwback Thursday)

Rick Springfield is classic hate turned into love nostalgia for me. I hated him in the 80's, largely because he was overplayed on MTV. Yet, when I hear him now, waves of great memories of being in my father's house in Murphysboro, Illinois and watching WAY too much MTV wash over me.

"Love Somebody" was one such track. What a classic from 1984!

Big Thief: Forgotten Eyes (Track of the Week)

Big Thief has released another album this year and it's just as good as the one that came out last spring. Two Hands is a nice bookend for their 2019 output. Here is the standout track featuring a pleading, loving and sometimes adorably cracking vocal by Adrianne Lenker.

Allah-Las: Lahs (Album of the Week)

The Allah-Las have just released a refreshing and wonderful gift to the world. The Los Angeles four piece's latest effort, Lahs, continues their psychedelic jangle pop journey into music myth making. I wish this band could play in my garage!

Here is the first track...

Ratt: Round and Round (Throwback Thursday)

Ratt's "Round and Round" was a regular staple of MTV in the early 80's. In fact, they played it so much that I never bought the album. I wasn't really into hair bands but hearing those old classics now makes me wax nostalgic and, invariably, I end up going back and buying the records.

This is such a great rocker...

Forest Swords: Hjurt (Autumn Music Series)

Normally my music taste includes more vocal oriented stuff than instrumental excursions. Yet Forest Swords (aka Matthew Barnes) bleak soundscapes have sparked a world of imagination in my mind palace. In particular, the track, "Hjurt" from his 2010 EP, Dagger Paths (expanded No Pain in Pop release) really hit my nostalgia zone. It reminds me a great deal of the whole Eno-Lanois "treatments" genre.

Check it out!

Temples: Hot Motion (Track of the Week)

Temples are back with their third full length entitled Hot Motion. This Kettering, Northamptonshire four piece continues to churn out magnificent psychedelic pop that makes me yearn for the year 1966. The title track is my pick for the week.

Moon Duo: Stars Are The Light (Album of the Week)

Prepare your mind palace for the journey of a lifetime as you listen to Moon Duo's amazing new record, Stars Are The Light. This San Francisco psychedelic rock pair has now made seven amazing records and this latest one is an amazing dream.

Here is the opening track....wow!

Kenny Loggins: This Is It (Throwback Thursday)

What is it about songs I hated when I was growing up now being fun to listen to? I hated, I mean fucking hated, Kenny Loggins and all his simplistic hit singles. Yet, I heard "This Is It" from 1979's Keep The Fire recently and it sounded really great. All the nostalgia from that time washed over me and far too many memories came back.

I was 12 years old when it come out and I heard it constantly blaring through my shitty, old clock radio that could only tune in WLS out of Chicago. I got so tired of the darn song. But here we are 40 years later and it sounds fresh again. Music is just crazy that way.

Noel Gallagher: This Is The Place (Track of the Week)

The psychedelic love continues to flow from Manchester's own Noel Gallagher. He has been on an EP kick lately and I'm loving every minute of it. His latest offering (and my pick of the week) is the title track.

Groovy, babies!

Liam Gallagher: Why Me? Why Not (Album of the Week)

The kid from Manchester recently released his second solo effort and it's every bit as good as the first. In fact, I find it to be much more confident than his first offering. Why Me? Why Not is a pure confection of Brit pop joy rooted in the usual Beatles and Oasis tropes. There are some surprises, though, in the form of simple, sheer power. The album is eleven earthquake-like tracks of sonic delight.

Here's a taste...

Lucas Renney: How I Wanted You (Autumn Music Series)

A haunting and echo-y voice combined with a steel pedal guitar is a must for any fall track. Lucas Renney's "How I Wanted You" delivers this confection quite well plus a whole lot more. A perfect track for walking in the autumn moonlight...

Gary Myrick and the Figures: She Talks In Stereo (Throwback Thursday)

Here's one of my favorite 80's chestnuts from power pop rocker Gary Myrick. Taken from his very first LP called Gary Myrick and the Figures, this track was a staple of our dorm parties at the U of M.

Protomartyr: Pontiac 87

Detroit is normally known for its rich history of soul music yet their indie scene has been blossoming in the last few years and a band leading the charge is Protomartyr. 2015 saw the release of The Agent Intellect and on it was this amazing, autumnal track, "Pontiac 87."

The echo-y guitars...the aural landscape that creates a midwestern landscape in our mind...the ethereal voice...perfect...