Friday Playlist

For the second straight week we lock into a general vibe through this entire playlist. Rather than being reserved, though, this one is bright and full of the vibrance of spring.

“Pay No Mind” – Weird Nightmare
Not sure if this sounds more like The Knack or the rock revival bands of the early 2000s.

“Receive” – youbet
The latest in our ongoing series of female fronted bands that sound straight out of the mid-Nighties. I am not yet sick of them.

“Still Around” – Friko
Oh hell yes! I shared Friko’s “Choo Choo” a month ago, and it seemed like a bit of a novelty song, fun but slight. This one here? This is a proper banger.

“Don’t Let Go” – Fantastic Cat
I’ve been reading great things about Brian Dunne, lead singer of Fantastic Cat, recently. I listened to his most recent solo album, which was very much in the Ryan Adams pocket. Hopefully without all the bullshit that comes with Ryan Adams’ music. I didn’t look into that. You might hear something from that album here eventually. His other band, Fantastic Cat, has a new album out today. It’s called Cat Out Of Hell. Awesome title. I listened to a couple of the pre-release singles, and this was my favorite. It might lean a little too close to Lumineers territory for me. Meaning my wife would probably like this way more than I do. That said, not a bad song.

“G.O.D. And The Broken Ribs” – Jack White
Two new songs from Mr. White last week, in advance of his SNL appearance. Neither is essential, but since they are Jack White tracks, they don’t suck either.

“Like A Spark” – Rostam
Mmmm yes, lots of spring in this track. And you hear a little bit of Rostam’s other band, Vampire Weekend, in certain moments.

“Better Weather” – Crystal Tides
Maybe it’s my imagination, but there’s been a minor trend lately, led by bands like the Bleachers, making classic, FM radio pop. As a devotee of American Top 40, you know I am here for it. This track falls right into that (hopefully) burgeoning movement. And we’re also having some better weather!

“We’re Gonna To Be Okay” – Dari Bay
The mantra I keep telling myself, hoping eventually it will be true. Kind of a sick song, too.

“Another Beautiful Day” – Courtney Barnett
I listened to Barnett’s most recent album last week and fell in love with it. I think it’s the strongest album, front-to-back, of her career. The highs may not be quite as high as her best work. But it is rock steady from track one to track ten, which this just happens to be. A terrific album closer for sure. Critic Steven Hyden said Barnett’s music feels looser again now that she’s been around for a few years and has escaped the hype that came with her debut album. I think that assessment is spot on.

“Weather With You” – Neil Finn & Friends
This past week has been the 25th – TWENTY FIFTH!!!! – anniversary of the concert series that would be my first choice to attend if I had a time machine. Old heads know what I’m about to say already: in April 2001 my hero Neil Finn invited some of his pals – including Eddie Vedder, Johnny Marr, and two members of Radiohead among others – to New Zealand to hang out for a few days practicing songs, play a series of shows, then depart. As the CD and DVD proved, it was an amazing week of music. I honestly can’t believe it is a quarter century old. This performance, which features Tim Finn on co-lead vocals, really demonstrates the sense of community and collaboration that week was all about.

Oh, hell, why not share another…