“Summer Breeze” – Seals & Croft
Yes, yes, yes.
“Disconnect” – Fanning Dempsey National Park
I doubt many of you know the names Paul Dempsey and Bernard Fanning. Dempsey was the lead singer for the band Something For Kate, while Fanning led Powderfinger, both of which have appeared in these playlists over the years. The two Aussie veterans joined forces and this is the first product of their work. I quite like it.
“The Howl” – Crowded House
Once upon a time we could call CH Aussies. But now that three-fifths of the band are Finns, that makes them three-fifths New Zealanders. Their new album came out a couple weeks ago. I don’t love it, but there are a few songs like this that, while far from Neil Finn’s best work, are perfectly pleasant to listen to.
“All A Mystery” – Phantogram
After a brief spell away, Phantogram are back with new music for the first time in four years. The phrase this song is built around is one the band has been using as a warm-up exercise since they formed. I guess they just needed over a decade as a band to add enough life experience to it to turn it into a song.
“Honeycrash” – SASAMI
Sasami said she wrote this song with the goal of making a song that had all “the drama of a 19th century classical opera but with the patience and understanding of someone in therapy in 2024.” I’m not sure I would have guessed that, but I would label this as one of those rare songs that could have come out in 1984, 1994, 2004, 2014, or 2024.
“Dirty White” – Basht.
Not exactly traditional Irish music, but this song rips.
“Summer Breeze” – The Isley Brothers
Oh hell yes.
“I’m Free (Heaven Helps The Man)” – Kenny Loggins
The bottom 10 of this week’s Top 40 didn’t have anything that jumped out at me, so I expanded my scope a bit. This debuted in the Hot 100 at #50 this week in 1984, eventually reaching #22, which is completely ridiculous. I guess that’s what happens when you release five other singles from the Footloose soundtrack before this one, even if it was the best. Maybe it was because the video is a cheesy, “cinematic” deal rather than just more clips from Footloose. Although, if you pay attention, there is a Footloose shout out in it. 1980s D was in love with Virginia Madsen, so I appreciate her presence.