Summer 2022 New Music Playlist

 Listen on Spotify, enjoy!

1. "Down" – Hot Chip
2. "Spitting Off the Edge of the World" – Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Perfume Genius
3. "California Sunset (Instrumental)" – Poolside
4. "Your Other Life" – Lord Huron
5. "Wild Green" – Foals
6. "Hoping" – Stars
7. "Desert Snow" – Local Natives
8. "New Summers" – De Lux
9. "We're Not in Orbit Yet" – Broken Bells
10. "Clavicle" – Daphni
11. "Cracker Island (featuring Thundercat)" – Gorillaz, Thundercat
12. "Here to Forever" – Death Cab for Cutie
13. "Your Love" – Tourist
14. "Light of Day (feturing Ólafur Arnalds)" – ODESZA, Ólafur Arnalds
15. "I'm a Sensory Explosion" – Hammock, Lumenette
16. "Lights Out" – Yrstruly pluto, DIIV, Crooked Colours

Spring 2015 New Music Playlist

While it’s not officially the next season, at least we’ll be springing forward with Daylight Savings Time to warm our freezing cold hearts (especially here in the Northeast). Songs of love lost and love found — or just being a fool for love — encourage traditional thoughts of the season with new tunes by Father John Misty, Lord Huron and Emile Haynie. Dance floor favorites Hot Chip and Dan Deacon are on the playlist, ready to get the party going, while veteran bands Blur, Death Cab for Cutie and Sleater-Kinney return to the scene proclaiming their distinct sounds. Check out this and more on Spotify or as a YouTube playlist.

1. “Huarache Lights” – Hot Chip

British electronic band is ready to release its sixth album, Why Make Sense? As introduced by a robotic vocal, “Huarache Lights” has all classic vigor of a pulsating light show staged by this group that has been ready to party since 2000.

2.  “First Light” – Django Django

Django Django, an arty rock band based in London, brings a playful approach with layered vocals, electronics and hand percussion. “First Light” is a teaser single for its sophomore album, Born Under Satan.

3. “Go Out” – Blur

A cancelled festival in Tokyo brought the band together with time to kill, so lucky Blur fans can look forward to the first new album since 2003, The Magic Whip. Guitarist Graham Coxon provides the magic ingredient to the original U.K. line up in the searing song, “Go Out.”

4. “A New Wave” – Sleater-Kinney

Riot grrl trio Sleater-Kinney is back with its intensity intact after a ten-year absence with an eighth album, No Cities to Love. The band was originally formed in Olympia, Washington back in 1994.

5. “Waiting Around For Grace” – POND

Australian band POND is ready with a sixth album, Man It Feels Like Space Again, produced by Kevin Parker of Tame Impala (the two groups actually share members).  This collaborative music project has an ever-changing line up which embraces all things psych rock in “Waiting Around For Grace.”

6.  “California Nights” – Best Coast

“California Nights” is the title track of the third album by L.A. surf pop duo Best Coast. The band has encompassed lo-fi production and the warm vocals of songwriter and guitarist Bethany Cosentino since 2009.

7. “Black Sun” – Death Cab for Cutie

“Black Sun” is the first single for the eighth studio album from Seattle’s Death Cab for Cutie, Kintsugi.  The band began in 1997 as a solo project for singer/songwriter and guitarist Ben Gibbard, with his signature story telling vocals still paving the way.

8. “Multi-Love” – Unknown Mortal Orchestra

“Multi-Love” is the title track for the third album by this Portland trio, started by singer and guitarist Ruban Nielson in 2010. His falsetto soars over an accessible yet trippy psych rock vibe.

9. “Chateau Lobby #4 (in C for Two Virgins)” – Father John Misty

Father John Misty is the pseudonym of Josh Tillman, who just released a concept album called I Love You Honey Bear. This sophomore album is filled with heartfelt stories of finding love—the slightly fictionalized couple in “Chateau Lobby #4 (in C for Two Virgins),” for example.

10. “Little Ballerina (featuring Rufus Wainwright)” – Emile Haynie

Grammy-winning L.A. producer Emile Haynie pulls from personal experiences of love lost for his debut album, We Fall. The release is full of guest appearances to bring the songs to life, such as the warm, playful vocals of Rufus Wainwright in “Little Ballerina.”

11. “Falling from the Sky” ­ – Calexico

“Falling from the Sky” is the melancholy single for the upcoming ninth studio album from Calexico called Edge of the Sun, featuring Ben Bridell of Band of Horses. The group, based in Tucson, Arizona, formed in 1996 to create Americana indie rock music with Latin and Southwestern country music influences.

12. “Fool for Love” – Lord Huron

L.A.’s Lord Huron is ready to release a sophomore album, Strange Trails, with this teaser single “Fool for Love,” showcasing the band’s American folk leanings since 2010. The group vocals and dense instrumentation infuse this breezy tune about giving into love.

13. “Reconfiguration” – Other Lives

Oklahoma band Other Lives (now based in Portland) brings its folk rock bent to this song from the upcoming third album since 2004, Rituals. Singer Jesse Tabish's vocals weave in and out of the sparse, experimental arrangement in “Reconfiguration.”

14. “I Don’t Want to Let you Down” – Sharon Van Etten

Brooklyn based singer/songwriter Sharon Van Etten has used her powerhouse voice as a musical calling card since 2009.  This stand-alone single crafts an interlacing melody over a steady foundation of strumming guitars and drums.

15. “Last Rites at the Jane Hotel” – of Montreal

Since founding the band in 1996 in Athens, Georgia, of Montreal frontman/singer Kevin Barnes manifests an instant scene with glam-rock sensibilities tapping into many genres. “Last Rites at the Jane Hotel” is a rambling psych pop song off the thirteenth studio album, Aureate Gloom.

16. “Feel the Lightning” – Dan Deacon

Baltimore’s composer, electronic musician and dance party master Dan Deacon has released an eighth album since 2000, Glass Riffer. He sings and uses vocal manipulation over a confluence of EDM influences, bringing a human element to the track as well as to his popular live shows, so full of audience participation.

17. “Current Carry” – Vetiver

San Francisco’s indie folk band Vetiver will release a sixth album later this month, Complete Strangers.  Singer/songwriter Andy Cabic’s laidback style and introspective lyrics has given the group a voice since 2002.

18. “Courage” – Villagers

Irish folk band Villagers will release a third album in April, Darling Arithmetic.  Singer/songwriter Conor O’Brien’s vulnerable vocals carry the message for the single “Courage.”

Our His & Hers 25 Top Concert Lists Comparison With Video Highlights

Celebrating the anniversary in Montreal

On the way home from seeing Arcade Fire in Montreal (write up, photos and vids in the previous post) Paul and I took the long road trip to transcribe our top 25 concert moments of all time, plus some Honorable Mentions with the overflow of awesome live music.  It has been an ongoing conversation for years and yes, most of the bands we have experienced together. So on the occasion of our anniversary today, I thought I'd list them here as a his and hers compilation.  As a testament to our longevity, The Ritz is now known as Webster Hall and a big thank you to the Bowery Presents for sprucing up venues around New York City, especially the Music Hall of Williamsburg, The Capitol Theater and Bowery Ballroom -- all excellent spots to see a show. And of course we are fuzzy on some of the dates.

As far as compiling the lists, it was hard to put things in any particular order or consider many festival slots since it usually means not seeing an entire set. Both of us did list Franz Ferdinand at Austin City Limits Music Festival (2013) and Flaming Lips at Moogfest (2012), as we got to the stages early to secure a good view for the complete set. I've added videos from those shows here along with one from LCD Soundsystem's first night of the final week of shows for the band, truly epic.  Other matches are the Talking Heads in 1983, which I wrote about recently with the 30th anniversary of the concert doc from the tour, Stop Making Sense, and David Bowie's 1983 "Serious Moonlight" tour. But can you guess which list is Paul's and which is mine? Listen to some of our fave songs on a Spotify playlist here.

LIST #1
1. Talking Heads 1983 (Forest Hills, NYC)
2. David Bowie 1983 (Madison Square Garden, NYC)
3. Flaming Lips 2011 (Moogfest Asheville, NC)
4. Arcade Fire 2014 (Parc Jean-Drapeau, Montreal)
5. LCD Soundsystem 2011 (Terminal 5 NYC)
6. Franz Ferdinand 2013 (Austin City Limits Music Festival, TX)
7. Moby 2009 (Irving Plaza, NYC)
8. Beck 2014 (Hammerstein Ballroom, NYC)
9. Elbow 2014 (Webster Hall, NYC)
10. Art Brut 2012 (Music Hill of Williamsburg, NYC)
11. Weezer 2006 (Roseland, NYC)
12. Spoon 2018 w/Grizzly Bear (The Captitol Theatre Port Chester, NY) *Update
13. Hot Chip 2010 (Moogfest Asheville, NC)
14. Phantom Planet 2004? (Irving Plaza, NYC)
15. Paul Westerberg 2005? (The Globe Norwalk, CT)
16. David Byrne 2009 (Oxford, UK)
17. David Byrne 2001 (Apollo Theater, NYC)
18. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. 2011 (Bowery Ballroom, NYC)
19. Peter Bjorn & John 2011 (Bowery Ballroom, NYC)
20. The National 2010 (Brooklyn Academy of Music, NYC)
21. CAKE 2010 (Irving Plaza, NYC)
22. Gang of Four 1984 (The Ritz, NYC)
23. Octopus Project & Devo 2010 (Moogfest Asheville, NC)
24. Sufjan Stevens 2010 (Beacon Theater, NYC)
25. Iggy Pop 1986 (The Ritz, NYC)

Honorable Mention:
Dandy Warhols 2011 (Webster Hall, NYC)
The Walkmen 2012 (Crossing Brooklyn Ferry, Brooklyn Academy of Music, NYC)
Band of Horses 2014 (The Capitol Theatre Port Chester, NY)
Portugal The Man 2012 (Terminal 5, NYC)
Fitz And The Tantrums 2010 (Mercury Lounge, NYC)

I was there!!!!

LIST #2
1. Talking Heads 1983 (Forest Hills, NYC)
2. David Bowie 1983 (Madison Square Garden, NYC)
3. Flaming Lips 2011 (Moogfest Asheville, NC)
4. Arcade Fire 2014 (Parc Jean-Drapeau, Montreal)
5. LCD Soundsystem 2011 (Terminal 5, NYC)
6. Franz Ferdinand 2013 (Austin City Limits Music Festival, TX)
7. Frank Zappa 1978 (Felt Forum, NYC)
8. Police 1982 (Syracuse University, NY)
9. Gang of Four 1984 (The Ritz, NYC)
10. The Clash 1981 (The Bond, NYC)
11. Beck 2014 (Hammerstein Ballroom, NYC)
12. Phantom Planet 2004? (Irving Plaza, NYC)
13. Orbital 2012 (Moogfest Asheville, NC)
14. Allman Brothers & Eric Clapton 2011 (Beacon Theater, NYC)
15. Yes 1978 (Madison Square Garden, NYC)
16. Paul Westerberg 2005? (The Globe Norwalk, CT)
17. Band of Horses 2014 (The Capitol Theatre Port Chester, NY)
18. Peter Bjorn & John 2011 (Bowery Ballroom, NYC)
19. Spoon 2009 (Roseland, NYC)
20. Weezer 2006 (Roseland, NYC)
21. Atoms for Peace 2013 (Austin City Limits Music Festival, TX)
22. Hot Chip 2010 (Moogfest Asheville, NC)
23. Grateful Dead 1987 (Providence, RI)
24. Fitz and The Tantrums 2010 (Mercury Lounge, NYC)
25. Iggy Pop 1993 (The Ritz, NYC)

Honorable Mention:
The Walkmen 2012 (Crossing Brooklyn Ferry, Brooklyn Academy of Music NYC)
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. 2011 (Bowery Ballroom, NYC)
Jeff Beck 2009 (B.B. King Blues Club, NYC)
CAKE 2010 (Irving Plaza, NYC)
Sufjan Stevens 2010 (Beacon Theater, NYC)

New Compilation Album -- Red Hot + Arthur Russell (Due October 21)

The Red Hot Organization has released over fifteen compilation albums since 1989, as part of its dedication to fighting AIDS through pop culture. I was able to thank founder John Carlin firsthand during an interview for this ingenious method of supporting a worthy mission, one that continues to haunt those of us who watched friends with the disease given a death sentence during the 80s and 90s. The latest album will pay tribute to Arthur Russell, part of the music scene in NYC's East Village during that time until his untimely death at age 40 in 1992 from AIDS-related causes. He was a talented cellist, pianist, and singer, who easily shifted from classical to folk and disco when composing. 

Red Hot + Arthur Russell (due October 21 via Yep Roc) features 26 tracks by more than 20 artists. It includes many faves from my New Music Playlists: Hot Chip, Sufjan Stevens, Phosphorescent, Junip's José González, Devendra Banhart, Arcade Fire's Richard Reed Parry and Neon Indian's Alan Palomo (as VEGA INTL). Hot Chip is a perfect fit for one of Russell's dance tunes, as witnessed in a preview video showing some behind the scenes recording of "Go Bang."  Check it out along with the track list below, and add this album to your list for fall listening.

Master Mix: Red Hot + Arthur Russell Tracklist:

1.     Jose Gonzalez – “This Is How We Walk On The Moon”

2.     Lonnie Holley – “Soon-To-Be Innocent Fun (Interlude)”

3.     Robyn – “Tell You (Today)”

4.     Hot Chip – “Go Bang”

5.     Sufjan Stevens – “A Little Lost”

6.     Lonnie Holley – “In The Light Of The Miracle (Interlude)”

7.     Richard Reed Parry, Little Scream, Sam Amidon, Colin Stetson & Sarah Neufeld – “Keeping Up”

8.     Liam Finn, Ernie Brooks + Peter Zummo – “This Love Is Crying”

9.     Rubblebucket + Nitemoves – “Eli”

10.   The Revival Hour – “Hiding Your Present from You”

11.   Sam Amidon – “Lucky Cloud”

12.   Devendra Banhart – “Losing My Taste For The Night Life”

13.   Phosphorescent – “You Can Make Me Feel Bad”

14.   Blood Orange – “Is It All Over My Face & Tower Of Meaning”

15.   Scissor Sisters – “That’s Us/Wild Combination”

16.   VEGA INTL. – “Arm Around You”

17.   Oh Mercy – “Planted A Thought”

18.   Lonnie Holley – “Hop On Down (Interlude)”

19.   Cults – “Being It”

20.   Richard Reed Parry – “Just A Blip”

21.   Glen Hansard – “I Couldn’t Say It To Your Face”

22.   Thao & The Get Down Stay Down – “Nobody Wants A Lonely Heart”

23.   The Autumn Defense – “Oh Fernanda Why”

24.   Alexis Taylor – “Our Last Night Together”

25.   Lonnie Holley – “The Deer In The Forest (Interlude)”

26.   Redding Hunter – “Close My Eyes”

My Picks For Older Bands To Round Out the Music Collection (80s, 90s, 2000s) & Bands I Wish Were Still Here From Each Decade

Our CD collection after recent purge

The list of bands in the last post may have been mostly made up of current faves, but I did pad it with some extras outside my personal playlist.  For those looking to dig into the past, I offer three decades of bands with full catalogues worth a listen below.  I actually created this list for a friend's son, who wasn't exactly exposed to any of this rich history in what was new music in the 80s, 90s and 2000s.  After mentioning The Beatles and David Bowie as a foundation, I offered the following bands to provide some basic knowledge of exalted  past bands (at least to my ears!) Hopefully, it provided some inspiration as well.

I've included some videos for the bands I'd most like to resurrect from each decade, thankful for the musicians still active on the scene.  It seems fitting to start with the iconic 80s band Talking Heads, probably my most beloved band ever. Their show in Forest Hills during the 1983 tour, captured so brilliantly by Jonathan Demme in Stop Making Sense, will most likely remain as my top concert experience for all time. I was also able to walk over to the Ritz (now Webster Hall) to see the band introduce the film at the premiere and dance along to the music for a second time. Through the years I've run into David Byrne and seen almost every solo tour, as he continued on a personal music journey after eight albums with the group. "Life During Wartime" perfectly captures the mood of the day with references to Mudd Club and CBGB, along with the layered dance rhythms and a frazzled state of emotional confusion as conveyed by Byrne's song-speak. As he asks at the end of the video, "Does anyone have any questions?" Yes lots -- and thanks for bringing them up.

80s

Talking Heads

Pretenders

Roxy Music/Brian Ferry

Blondie

The Clash

The Replacements

The Police
The Smiths
The Jam
Gang of Four
Psychedelic Furs
The Cure
New Order

If there was a band I could bring back from the 90s, it would be Phantom Planet.  The group are best known for the theme song for television's O.C., "California," but they have a four albums worth of solid pop rock anthems and cooing sing along tunes.  Indie movie regular Jason Schwartzman was a member for the first decade, with songwriting credits for this hit and a similarly memorable "Lonely Day" in the video here. Alex Greenwald's vocals effortlessly bridge that gap between loud and soft, pulling the listener along that mystical musical space between power chords and passionate percussion.

90s

Phantom Planet
Weezer
Smashing Pumpkins

Everclear
Nirvana

Radiohead

CAKE

Blur
Beck
Breeders
Luscious Jackson

Soup Dragons
Stereo MCs
Jesus Jones

Since the sting of losing one of my all time faves LCD Soundsystem is still fresh in the early stages of grief, I'll dig a little deeper here. The Doves are officially "on hiatus" but I'd love to change that status.  This English indie rock band has that ever purposeful ingredient of brothers, Jez and Andy Williams, along with frontman Jimi Goodwin and a willingness to add lush string arrangements to make the heart soar.  I listened to all four albums countless times -- thankfully in a digital format that didn't wear out.  The promotional video here for 2010 best of compilation shows the band creating a fave song "Some Cities," that never ceases to send me into a visceral musical spiral.

2000s+
The Doves

Modest Mouse

Franz Ferdinand

Moby

The Dandy Warhols

Vampire Weekend

Hot Chip

Art Brut
Mew
Gorillaz

Arcade Fire

Spoon

LCD Soundsystem

The Flaming Lips