This week features several new songs from artists who have played a large role in my musical life.
“Dark Matter” – Pearl Jam
One of my all-time favorite bands returns. This isn’t too bad at all. Now sending out good vibes to keep anyone in the band from getting sick in late August when they are scheduled to return to Indy.
“Oh Hi” – Crowded House
One of my all-time favorite artists returns with the band that made him famous. This is nice enough, but it seems to be lacking that Neil Finn magic that has made so many of his songs classics. Still, a B+ song ain’t bad.
“Bored” – Waxahatchee
The artist who had my #1 favorite song of 2020 returns with another stellar addition to her catalog.
“Purple Land” – Amen Dunes
The artist with my #2 song of 2018/#15 song of the 2010s returns. This takes a while to hit, but when it does, it hits properly.
“Petition” – Middle Kids
One of my favorite current bands released their new album last Friday. As tends to happen, the advance singles accounted for the best songs. But there were still several good ones that were new to me, this one of the best of that bunch.
“Hole In My Head” – Laura Jane Grace
LJG released her third solo album last week as well. It is far more focused – no songs over 2:38 – and enjoyable as her previous album and one of the most listenable albums of the year so far.
“Indiana Wants Me” – R. Dean Taylor
I took L down to Bloomington last night for the Iowa-Indiana women’s game. It was quite a scene, one I’ll dive into Monday. The Hoosiers were ready for the Hawkeyes. Caitlin and her crew were not ready for the Hoosiers.
“The Politics of Dancing” – Re-Flex
No classics debuting this week in 1984, so let’s watch this forgotten jam. I’ve always loved it yet never understood it. I don’t think it was supposed to be super-deep, but that’s never stopped me from hoping there were some hidden meanings in the lyrics. This is a perfect 1980s vid, too. A very low-budget movie angle, with a healthy dose of Cold War imagery. Shots of the band earnestly performing mixed in. Random dancers. And inexplicably, roller skaters. A+!!!