Music

This Week’s Heavy Rotation #18

“And the river opens for the righteous”

Note: Each week I take a look back at my playlists and share songs that were either played the most, got stuck in my head, or just stood out. Many are new to me, but there are old faves mixed in as well.

Let’s get right into it! Here are my Top 5 of the last 7 days…

Tugboat Captain- Galaxie 500

I took my younger son to our local record shop recently. I wasn’t looking for anything in particular, just seeing what they might’ve gotten in recently. While rooting through the stacks, I came across this band. I hadn’t listened to them in years. Picking it up took me back to a past lifetime that I almost don’t recognize anymore.

It can be hard enough to explain the immersive quality of vinyl to a pre-teen raised on streaming. Trying to tie together a tribute to the Velvet Underground’s Sterling Morrison, boats, and a former roommate's penchant for singing this (a lot) is a bigger reach. I think It worked, though.

Tiger Trap-Beat Happening

In the early 90’s, Seattle — and it’s bands — took a hugely deserved share of the spotlight. At the same time, just down the road, Olympia had it’s own scene, with plenty of solid artists putting out great work. Beat Happening was one of them.

They used to come down to Portland often, either headlining their own shows, or opening for bands like Fugazi. I first saw them during the “everything is terrible” phase all teenagers seem to go through. I initially found them annoying, mainly because of singer Calvin Johnson’s odd dancing. Luckily, I quickly got over myself. They’re an underrated band, who made a big impact in the community — not just through their sound, but by boosting other artists via their label, K Records.

Longtime readers know I’m a sucker for a good outro, and this song has one.

Arc-Lite-Loop

Arc-Lite is one of those songs that I swear was made just for me. No one else I know bought this when it came out, and only a couple seemed into it when I would share it. I would pop the cassette in, press play, rewind, and repeat.

I Am a Patriot- Pearl Jam

Earlier this week, Pearl Jam announced they were posting nearly 200 concerts from 2000–2013 on their site, allowing fans to access over 5000 songs. This cover was the song attached to the news blurb I saw, I must’ve listened to it a dozen times. I thought I knew most of the covers they’ve done, but was proven wrong here. In 2021 America, the term “Patriot” has been co-opted and bastardized. Little Steven’s lyrics bring it back to what it really means.

Sometimes a song just reminds you that everything’s gonna be alright. This is one of those tunes.

Beachy Head- Destroy Us

Q: What happens when you merge Slowdive, The Flaming Lips, and two other bands?

A: You get Beachy Head.

And it’s fantastic.

I was turned on to this via the Dig Me Out podcast/newsletter. I don’t know if I can articulate the sound here other than to call it “wide open shoegaze.” It feels like warm waves of sound washing over you. Listen to it with good headphones.

Honorable Mention:

Lively Up Yourself-Bob Marley

I would be remiss if I didn’t note that this week marks the 40th anniversary of Marley’s passing. He’s in that rarefied category of artists who make music that’s equally at home at a party or a revolution. Or in my case, in a friend’s van heading to the coast. Marley provided the soundtrack to lots of trips back and forth on Highway 26, and for that I’m grateful.

What was made your lists this week? Anything new I should check out?

As always, thank you to the fantastic community here at The Riff for sharing your experiences, and letting me share mine! You’re helping to build something great. And if you haven’t checked out the podcast yet, give it a listen!

In case you missed last week’s list: