“Neighborhood #3 (Power Out) – Arcade Fire
As I write this our power has been out for about 15 hours, our home just one of over 45,000 in Indianapolis that remain powerless after major storms hit us yesterday afternoon. Unfortunately for us, it seems like just one wire affecting 4-5 houses in our neighborhood is causing our outage. So we could be waiting awhile. I will not let that deter me from using some of the remaining power in my electronics from getting a playlist out to you!
“All I Do” – Bully
We are at the mid-point of the year. Bully’s Lucky For You is the best album I’ve heard in 2023’s first half. Really there aren’t many other contenders. Let’s hope the next six months feature a little more competition.
“Act Natural” – Margaret Glaspy
Every couple of years Ms. Glaspy shows up with a killer song. This is her latest example, about trying to keep your cool when you meet someone who knocks you off your feet. Maybe her next album will help elevate the back half of ’23.
“The Alcott” – The National featuring Taylor Swift
M is off to her future home city of Cincinnati to see Taylor Swift tonight. I’ll share more about that next week. The National haven’t started their new tour yet. I wonder if there’s any chance for fellow Bearcat Matt Berninger to show up in his home town and sing this with Taylor.
“Raid” – DOOM REGULATOR
This song is either completely terrible or completely awesome. My opinion changes every 30 seconds or so.
“Strange Currencies” – R.E.M.
A song that played a huge part in season two of The Bear. I believe it was played three different times. It comes from one of the more maligned records in R.E.M.’s career, 1994’s Monster, so I doubt I had heard it in 20 years or so. Which means I forgot what a great song it is.
“Anytime” – Neil Finn
Another track played on The Bear. In fact, it was one of three Neil Finn songs to appear, along with “Something So Strong” from his Crowded House days and his cover of Hunters & Collectors’ “Throw Your Arms Around Me” with Eddie Vedder.
Extra points for selecting this live version from the 7 Worlds Collide concert album.
“Last Day of June” – Finn Brothers
Hell, I’ll include two Neil Finn songs too! This was already on my list for today for obvious reasons. It is from the first Finn Brothers album, recorded with his brother Tim in 1995.
“Independence Day” – Palehound
I don’t recall if I’ve ever listened to any of Palehound’s music. After hearing this, I’m very interested in their new album, which drops in two weeks.
The title is also a reminder we are just a few days from me posting my annual Independence Day playlist. An underrated cool music day of each year.
“I Was Made for Boogie Wonderland” – Earth, Kiss, and Fire
It’s been awhile since I’ve heard a good mashup. I would rate this one as a B. Seems like it should be a little better than the final result.