A busy day for me, as it’s kickball jersey distribution day. So a slightly different playlist, with the Spotify tunes focusing on three of the greatest pop songs ever made. Seriously, if you put these on an endless loop, most of the world’s problems will drift away.  https://open.spotify.com/user/224aiwksicafjldlua6nnpo4y/playlist/7e38bv9Vggb1cfKmwWbbXu “There She Goes” – The La’s “Into Your Arms” – The Lemonheads…

https://open.spotify.com/user/224aiwksicafjldlua6nnpo4y/playlist/5ET9xOsp7Doq5qjwA5Oov2 “Valley Boy” – Wolf Parade. Wolf Parade’s absence hasn’t been quite as long as some other bands that have returned this year; their last album was just seven years ago. And in the interim, its members were still active in other groups, most notably Dan Boeckner in the Handsome Furs and Divine Fits. Based on this song, it’s like…

https://open.spotify.com/user/224aiwksicafjldlua6nnpo4y/playlist/56WsWssRzQp6LRMjCVZYaO “Dog” – Widowspeak. I swear I already shared this but don’t see it in past posts. Just in case, it’s good enough to share twice. Moody, gorgeous dream pop. “Covered Wagon” – Lo Tom. Heavy summertime music. “Motion Sickness” – Phoebe Bridgers. Ryan Adams has called her the next Dylan. He’s not totally unbiased; Bridgers records on his label.…

https://open.spotify.com/user/224aiwksicafjldlua6nnpo4y/playlist/4jA0qgobQcuHxBWqnRLId2 “Little Guitars (Intro)”“Little Guitars”“Best of Both Worlds” – Van HalenEvery summer, around this time, I spend an afternoon listening to Van Halen’s Diver Down and 5150 albums. Those two albums, representing the DLR and Hagar sides of classic VH, have always screamed summer to me. I didn’t get Diver Down until the summer of ’84, months after buying 1984…

https://open.spotify.com/user/224aiwksicafjldlua6nnpo4y/playlist/68re2VqYBAASMJZuzs5xaR “Never Been Wrong” – Waxahatchee. After several months of teasing single, Katie Crutchfield’s third solo album is finally out, and is receiving rave reviews. Based on the early songs, I’ve really been looking forward to it. And, after one listen, it really delivers. One of the best albums of the year so far. “Dean’s Room” – Allison Crutchfield. I…

“Summertime” – DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince. Still busy with family and prepping for another lake weekend, so just a vid this week. I heard this all-time classic this morning, which seemed like a sign. Enjoy your weekends!

https://open.spotify.com/user/224aiwksicafjldlua6nnpo4y/playlist/1bt4wQGoH7jE53kgujtPDz “Endless Shore” – Melody’s Echo Chamber. Terrible news broke this week when Melody Prochet’s family announced that in an accident earlier this month, the French singer suffered an aneurysm and broken vertebrae. She had a new album scheduled for release soon, but that has been shelved for the time being as she (hopefully) recovers. Send good thoughts her way…

https://open.spotify.com/user/224aiwksicafjldlua6nnpo4y/playlist/14g802wqeytMhgySZUC9oy “We Could Run” – Beth Ditto. The former lead singer of The Gossip released her first solo album last week. Her voice is still awesome, and she takes the music in a poppier, more radio-friendly direction. It may lack the rawness of The Gossip’s best work, but it is still mighty fine. “Somebody Else” – The 1975. I came…

https://open.spotify.com/user/224aiwksicafjldlua6nnpo4y/playlist/2K0GjXS5o6Mwc9WDSz2Ezd “Lannoy Point” – Ride. Another of the great bands of the early 90s British shoegaze movement returns with a fantastic effort. Along with Slowdive, they really know how to make a comeback. “Line of Sight” – ODESZA, WYNNE, Mansionair. I often complain about how dance and electronic music has squeezed out traditional guitar-based rock in the indie world. But…