Sunday Music: New Playlist For June 2020

A new mix to close out June 2020. This is a little mellower than some of the last few (find more here), and it has less purely new stuff than normal. Still, it’s an early summer vibe. The world is a mess. It’s hot out. Might as well put the windows down and sing along …

Sunday Music: Don’t Be Cruel (No, Not That One)

What do you know about Billy Swan? Nothing? Fine. Start here. His rendition of “Don’t Be Cruel” will make you completely rethink the Elvis version you’ve been hearing for years. Pay extra note to the break in the middle, right around the “walk up to the preacher” line. He’s building a tension I had never …

Sunday Music: Playlist For May 2020

The spring of 2020: under quarantine, but still coming into summer. Here’s a playlist of some new (to me) and old favorites that I’ve been listening to. This one starts off pretty high energy, mellows into some R&B, drops in on some New Orleans horns, gets rocking, and then turns almost country (almost, but not …

Sunday Music: RIP It Up, Little Richard

One of the most rock ‘n’ roll songs of all time, “Rip It Up” signifies youth, having some money in your pocket, and going out to raise some hell. Magic. Little Richard was the king, from the drum and vocal breakdown of the verse to the blues/gospel-infused chorus, this is the beginning of everything that …

Sunday Music: I Fall In Love Every Night

The Born Ruffians are back and this song’s been stuck in my head since I heard it: “I Fall In Love Every Night.” Simple and jangly with a wall of horns, the building tension and energy support such a simple yet profound idea. I mean, that’s the idea, that’s the goal, isn’t it? To re-fall …

Sunday Music: “Fire” By Waxahatchee

Whatever Katie Crutchfield tapped into to write “Fire,” she hit a nerve. Waxahatchee takes chances and this is one that works on every level. The visuals in the lyrics are a gut punch. What a song. And that's what I wantedIt's not as if we cry a river, call it rainWest Memphis is on fire …

Sunday Music: Playlist For March 2020

I started this playlist before we were quarantined, but finished it off just as things were getting underway. Funny how it plays differently. This is not strictly new music here, there are a few trips down memory lane. I reread High Fidelity before watching the reboot (still have to rewatch the 90s movie), so a …

Sunday Music: Where Did You Get That Blank Expression On Your Face? (Quarantine Edition)

I wasn’t paying attention yet to have caught The Specials in their prime (I had done too little and was much too young). But, when I found them, meaning really finally say with them, they immediately clicked. So much energy, so much attitude, and so much reality in the lyrics (if my pun didn’t make …

Sunday Music: Beach Bunny – “I’m Afraid Of Winding Up Alone, But That’s Not Love”

Beach Bunny has been slowly maturing into an indie-pop, surfer punk powerhouse. The newest record, Honeymoon, is a testament to their understanding of the form and the personal touch Lili Trilifio and her bandmates bring to these songs. There’s a deep, melancholy quality fo these otherwise upbeat songs. An example from “Cuffing Season,” Maybe we …

Sunday Music: Playlist For January 2020

Kicking off the new decade and ending the old - with style. As always, these songs are mostly new music from 2019/2020 releases. Here is the iTunes link. If anyone wants to make a Spotify link (or any other service), post it in the comments or email me and I’ll add more links. If anyone …