“Cured” – Restorations
This band enjoys taking its sweet time between new releases. It’s been six years since their last album. I think you can hear the effect of the breadth of their career in Jon Loudon’s vocals.

“Distinct Star” – So Totally
As much as I’ve enjoyed the recent shoegaze revival, I’ll admit it has become a little much since s many of the songs sound so much alike. So I am pleased that there are some bands that nudge into that space while still putting their own twist on the sound. Like Restorations, So Totally are from Philly. Speaking of Philly, can the War on Drugs stop touring and start recording again, please?

“On Tonight” – Rosali
This is very nice.

“Agua” – Porno for Pyros
Released in advanced of PfP’s current farewell tour, it is their first new song in 26 years. It was inspired by the band members’ encounters with dolphins while surfing, and raises money for the Surfrider Foundation, which fights to protect the oceans and coasts.

“Silver” – DMAs
My #8 song of 2019, it always makes me happy when the algorithm pulls it from the virtual pile.

“Take Me Out” – Franz Ferdinand
My #4 song of 2004. FF’s debut album was released 20 years ago last week. Kind of crazy how we’re coming up on anniversaries that line up with when I became a dad. That must mean M is about to turn 20. 😱

“Hazy Shade of Winter” – The Bangles.
For the last couple weeks temps have been above average. We had a few days in the 50s, but most have been in the 40s. Which isn’t like super balmy but is still better than what they could be. Today, though? Our biggest snowstorm of the year is expected to hit in a couple hours. That’s not saying a lot as we’ve had almost no snow, but 2-4″ is not the way to kick off All Star Weekend. The wind chill being around zero tomorrow isn’t going to generate a lot of love amongst the people who are flooding downtown Indy. Next Wednesday, though? Up into the 60s. Mother Nature…

“99 Luftballoons” – Nena
So far for my 1984 vids I’ve taken a look at the bottom of the chart in the corresponding week that year to find a big song that was just debuting on the chart. Nothing jumped out at me this week, so I went to the top of the chart for this classic. The week of February 8 Nena’s one US hit was at #4, two weeks and two spots shy of its eventual peak. Even my music memory can get a bit fuzzy at times, but I swear in Kansas City they primarily played the English version where the original German was an occasional treat. I was surprised a few years ago to hear an AT40 from ’84 and learn that the German version was the proper single. Casey played a few moments of the English version as a bonus for listeners. I guess Midwesterners weren’t over World War II yet.