I did not do a lot of new music listening this week. So, to switch things up, I’m just going to play my Spotify Liked Songs on shuffle and see what it throws out for this week’s list. I’ll also make it extra-long, hopefully a good soundtrack as you wrap up your week.
“1234” – Feist
Remember when iPod commercials took songs that were niche hits and turned them into songs everyone knew?
“Welcome to the Boomtown” – David & David
One of the greatest songs to come out of the mid-80s, Dad Rock/Miami Vice moment.
“Do You Understand?” – En Attendant Ana
This feels more like a spring song to me. But it made me happy on this bright, but crisp, fall morning.
“It’s My Life” – Talk Talk
A straight-up classic.
“Alabama Hammer” – Tenderloin
Oh man, I had forgotten about these cats, probably the most notorious band to rise from the Lawrence, KS music scene in the 1990s. The lead singer, Ernie Locke was a true freak, a very large man prone to “losing” his clothes while performing. Once he nuded-up at a show at Worlds of Fun. Pretty sure he got a lifetime ban for that act. Like a lot of bands from that time and scene, they signed to a major label but their local popularity never translated to broader success. This song hits as hard as it did 25 years ago.
“Reptile” – The Church
I’ve been feeling the urge to listen to The Church’s legendary Starfish recently. This might finally get me to spin it again.
“This Tornado Loves You” – Neko Case
I’m re-reading a classic book I last read nearly 30 years ago. I’ll share what it is in a week or so when I finish it. But last night I worked through a scene where two of the main characters have an encounter with a massive tornado. A coincidence this popped up this morning?
“Rain” – The Cult
One of my brothers-in-music, Sir David, went to see The Cult last week. He said the band sounded good but Ian Astbury’s vocals were lacking a bit. Coincidentally I heard this song the day after he saw the show.
“Just Goes to Show” – Eliza Shaddad
Still think this sounds like a song made for placement in a 1980s teen romance movie.
“Nighttrain” – Public Enemy
Let’s wrap this up with an absolute bomb. Chuck D turning his scorn on the Black community and the elements within it he felt was undermining the cause of equality.
“Portland, Oregon” – Loretta Lynn and Jack White
Country music legend Loretta Lynn died earlier this week at 90. What a life! I’m not going to pretend I was ever a fan of her music. Or at least not until 2004, when she partnered with Jack White for one of the most out-of-left field collaborations I can recall. This track has never stopped being amazing. My #5 song of 2004 and #7 song of the 2000s.