Monday, January 25, 2021

The Weeknd: After Hours (Album of the Week)

I feel as though I didn't pay enough attention to Toronto's own The Weeknd when he released After Hours last March. As a child of the '80s, the synth-pop hooks on this record are plentiful and run deep. And the dude is playing the Super Bowl this year so he deserves some props! 

This song makes me feel nostalgic for a time nearly 40 years before its release! 

Monday, January 18, 2021

Ryan Adams: Wednesdays (Album Of The Week)

Ryan Adams is back after a two year hiatus with Wednesdays. It's the first of three promised records in 2021 and Adams is kicking things off on a sad but lovely note. Much of the record reminds me of Love is Hell which I consider the third best album of all time (more on that at some point in the future). It's haunting, stark, gentle and yet somehow hopeful.

Adams is the greatest living American musician. No one even comes close to his depth and range. His songwriting skills are so incredible that it's hard for me to get my head around how fucking good he is. 



Monday, January 11, 2021

Taylor Swift: Evermore (Album of the Week)

Taylor Swift snuck out an album at the end of last year that's just fucking amazing. Channeling her inner Ryan Adams, Swift digs deep into her bag of emo for Evermore. This record is a stunning achievement and is easily my favorite of her entire catalog. 

It's pretty much got everything, folks. Check it out!

Saturday, January 9, 2021

Dire Straits: Making Movies

I've been playing the third offering from London's own Dire Straits quite a bit lately. Seven tracks of sheer musical beauty. Their first two albums were stellar, don't get me wrong, but Making Movies showed an outfit ready to go beyond the stars. 

This video played a lot on MTV. I loved it every time I saw it. 

Sunday, January 3, 2021

Album of the Week: McCartney III by Paul McCartney

Macca was doing quarantine long before pandemics. His first solo album (McCartney) was recorded in seclusion at his Scottish farm and saw him playing and performing all instruments and vocals. Flash forward to McCartney II in 1980 which saw the same formula used albeit with a more techno sound than the first offering.

Now we have McCartney III, recorded this year during the quarantine. That amazing feeling of the other two records is present on this album along with some new sounds and horizons. 

I love the down-home feel!