Friday Playlist

‘’Over Our Heads” – Snocaps
Last week’s big music surprise was the new album from Katie and Allison Crutchfield. Rather than resurrect one of their previous bands, they brought in pal MJ Lenderman and longtime Waxahatchee producer Brad Cook to do something completely new. It is a nice blend of what each sister does well. Believe it or not, I think I might prefer the Allison songs a little more. This is one of her best.

“Let Your Hands Go” – Guv
Guv used to be called Young Guv. I guess he’s all growned up now? A nice shift from his former power pop sound to this, which has some Kasabian and some very early Madchester elements (Inspiral Carpets, maybe?) to it.

“I’m Your First” – flowerovlove
The Sabrina Carpenter Effect? I wouldn’t say this artist is a copy of Carpenter, but there are a lot of common elements.

“Miss” – Florence Road
The second track I’ve shared by this Irish band. This one takes a very different path than the first. It takes a minute or so to get going, but once it starts, it cooks.

“Expanding Blue” – GUM
“One Thing At A Time” – Gumm
I’m not sure I would normally share either of these songs. But two bands with nearly identical names releasing new singles on the same day deserved recognition. Good thing they sound nothing alike or it would be even more confusing.

“PONR” – Preoccupations
Yet another band that has just released some tracks that did not make their most recent album. Speaking of Preoccupations, I put in my first serious work on my Favorite Songs of the Year list this week. They might want to order tuxes for the official reveal ceremony next month, as I would wager they will be on the list.

“Minutes To Memories” – John Cougar Mellencamp
It’s November, which means it’s time to break out the real fall music, including Mellencamp’s Scarecrow album. So many good songs on it, this might be the best. I love the line in the third verse about him doing things his way and paying a high price.

“The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald” – Gordon Lightfoot
“Fellas, it’s been good to know ya.” Fifty years ago this coming Tuesday.

“Ridiculous Thoughts” – Cranberries
I always listen to the first two Cranberries albums this time of year. I discovered their first album in the fall; the second one was released in the fall. And so many of their songs fit the season’s vibe. This is one of my 3–5 favorites of theirs, but it is way too much of a banger to be relegated as just fall music.