A Playlist Series
American Crisis Playlist #25
Sounds of Silver everywhere
Metals are everywhere today, or at least here within my sanctum. First, we have the silver anniversary of the American Crisis Playlist which, even though federal courts keep shooting down challenges to the election (remember? the one that trump LOST?) and even though virus vaccines seem ever nearer on our horizon, must go on until I, for one, feel safer.
Second, today’s the yearly renewal of the Iron Bowl, and though I expect my beloved Crimson Tide to win, Nick has Covid and won’t be on the sidelines, and I’m slightly more nervous than usual. At least the game’s in Tuscaloosa, because down on the plains, awfully stranger things happen (by the way, is the Netflix series returning? Anyone???).
Maybe there’s other metal around, and no, I won’t be listing any heavy metal here. In my youth, it was termed “Hard rock” anyway, and in a past list, I did pay homage to Black Sabbath. I forget what else constituted 1960’s Hard Rock, and maybe you’ll remind me. What I remember sounds more bluesy these days, like Alvin Lee and Ten Years After. Oh, and Hendrix. Always Hendrix.
The game’s not till 3:30, and I need to stay sane until then and not while away the hours either. So here’s to more music, and I hope, as usual, that you find something to take home — something to wear well and keep humming through the increasingly long, almost winter nights.
Oh, are you watch The Queen’s Gambit, also on Netflix? You should, you know.
AMERICAN CRISIS PLAYLIST #25
- “The End of the World,” Herman’s Hermits, from their Greatest Hits (1973). I think I mentioned or listed this song, done originally by Skeeter Davis, in an earlier playlist. But I forget the Hermits and how well they could sound. On episode three of The Queen’s Gambit, this song has a special moment, an emphasis that music so often provides for a storyline. Haven’t we all felt this way at some point? Mostly we move on, except for those who can’t, and those we’ve lost too recently.
- “Cold Water,” Cut Copy,” from this year’s Freeze, Melt. I don’t know if Biden’s naming John Kerry to his cabinet as environmental czar will make a grand difference in what’s so clearly happening to our natural world, to us, but at least it’s something, compared to what we haven’t had these past four years. I’m relatively new to this band, but I’m a fan already. All I need is you in the midnight sun. A little electronica for your Saturday soul. Calming, naturally.
- “Black Dog,” Arlo Parks, from her upcoming release, Collapsed in Sunbeams. So I’m a sucker for any song mentioning a dog in its title. But this one continues the mellow flow, and damn her voice drips right into my heart. So looking forward to the rest of the record. “Let’s go to the corner store to buy some fruit. I would do anything to get you out your room.” I remember days when walking to the store was easy and convenient, and someone always dropped by to suggest we do so. The black dog isn’t always your friend, as those of us who know him, know.
- “Lifetime,” Romy, from a brand new single. Still no hard rock in sight, but we can dance, can’t we? Once a groove, always a groove. I started stirring roux for my post Thanksgiving gumbo to this song yesterday. The stirring got a bit excited, but man, the minutes oozed by, and by the time I got finished, I had such a chocolate-y roux, and hours later, with the turkey and shrimp and spices, it tasted like Romy sounds. Smooth, rich, and leaving me, at least, wanting more. Once in a lifetime, something matters.
- “Cha Cha,” Balkan Beat Box, from their self-titled 2005 record. I’m so glad I remembered them. I know, I used them in last week’s list, but so what. Sue me, take me to court. Or listen to these crazy sounds, the infectious beat, and Orson Welles, as Charles Foster Kane, chiming in every now and then amidst the trumpets and sax. Where can I go to hear this music live? Please help. I think they appeared at The Orange Peel in Asheville once. Figures. Missed it. DANCE.
- “Walk Like an Egyptian,” The Bangles from 1986’s Different Light. So might as well reprise another band from last week, and if you play this one right after the Balkans, you’ll have an amazing segue, or at least I thought so as I was adding the onions and celery to my roux yesterday. Clearly un-politically correct, and back in 1986, no one knew or used such terms. Anyway, it’s The Bangles, so let it go. Please. Or keep walking.
- “The Great Divide,” The Shins from a new single, which makes me so happy. The Shins themselves make me happy, and if this song reminds you of hair bands from the 80’s then so be it. It’s funny, but as we were rewatching Schitt’s Creek the other night, Jocelyn, Moira, Twyla and the ladies were headed to a casino to see Poison perform. But Poison cancelled on them and poor Jocelyn was momentarily devastated. Can you imagine Poison doing that to anyone? They recovered with some champagne and special cookies. As we knew they would.
- “My Girls,” Animal Collective from 2009’s Merriweather Post Pavilion. So, my lost friend Owen hated Animal Collective, and Owen was the type of guy who prided himself on keeping current in musical trends and liking the outre, and the otherwise thumping sounds of bands like LCD Soundsystem. I don’t know why AC couldn’t turn him on. He never fully explained, and while I understand that they’re not for every taste, still, it seems like a fine line to be drawing in your own personal sand. I miss him.
- “Jealousy,” Chicano Batman from Freedom Is Free ( 2017). I wonder what he would have thought of this band. I wonder so many things about Owen and our lives. He would have come over for Thanksgiving supper, and he would have been here this afternoon watching the game and opining about how scores and turnovers and everything else tend to even out over the course of four quarters. Words to live by, I know, and so we keep on lighting the lights and reminding ourselves of what we used to have and what we still do. My daughter is here to watch so never fear.
- “Disco Fever,” GOAT, from 2012’s World Music. I caught my wife dancing to this song on our porch yesterday. The sound appealed to her and as she swayed and did her Persian steps, I realized again just how good I have it. I get to cook and watch football and play good vibrations and watch people I love dance. All is certainly not lost, but I do feel for the ones who aren’t with us and who have suffered so much. In our town, we have the Harvest Hope Food Bank, which I affirm is a worthy place to volunteer and to donate need funds and goods. Anyway, Disco Fever is one that’s allowable.
So there you go, and it’s still three hours till game time, so my daughter and I are out to make deviled eggs, guacamole, and whatever else we can find in our larder. Thanks as usual to The Riff, to Noah Levy, Steven Hale, Oliver Norris, And Jessica Lee McMillan, and whoever else likes to play and dance.
And here’s last week’s list in case you missed it!
