Music

This Week’s Heavy Rotation #24

Let ’em say what they gonna say

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.

Below is my Top 5 of the last 7 days:

Smashing Pumpkins- I Am One

Every so often the universe likes to remind me that I’m screaming toward middle age. Sometimes it’s more grey hair (of the little I have left). Sometimes it’s seeing a Zoomer wearing a band t-shirt from “my” era, and hoping they stole it from their parents instead of Urban Outfitters.

Lately, it’s been social media timelines full of albums I love turning 30. With the benefit of hindsight, we know how this story turned out; Billy Corgan was a control freak, played many of the parts on the album, etc.

But when it was new? Man, what a breath of fresh air. Jimmy Chamberlain’s thundering drum riff kicks off the opening track of the album, and never lets up.

I found a lot of their later work to be a bit overwrought and self-important, but before all that came this; hungry, energetic, and ready to take on all comers.

Been there, done that, got the T-shirt.

I kinda wish the Zoomers could’ve too.

Sparks ft. Jane Weidlin- Cool Places

Sparks is one of those bands you’ve likely heard many times, but never quite knew who they were. After 50 years of making music, 20+ albums, and 345ish songs, Ron and Russell Mael are finally getting their story told in a new documentary. As producer Jack Anotnoff notes in the film:

“All pop music is rearranged Sparks”

This song was my entry into the band when it saw decent rotation on early MTV. It’s a little cheesy — and a masterclass in 80’s dancing — but sticky enough that it was the first one that popped into my head when I heard about the movie.

Apropos of nothing, I once backed away from a soda machine at the airport and turned right into Weidlin, who was waiting her turn behind me. She was quite nice about it all.

Lizzo & Caroline Smith- Let ’Em Say

Long before we got the results of Lizzo’s DNA test, she was out here declaring that she was 100% unfuckwithable.

Joining up with fellow Minneapolis artist Caroline Smith*, the two sing about body positivity and the absolute joy of just letting the haters hate.

I don’t know how much exposure this track saw nationwide, but for a brief moment, it was huge up here in the upper Midwest. Minneapolis’ 89.3 The Current couldn’t play it enough.

With a beat that grips you as tightly as Lizzo grips her cup, this track will leave you feelin’ good as hell.

*Smith is still actively recording, and now performs as Your Smith.

Dad Sports- Nrvs Again

The algorithm Gods recognized that I was stuck in a time warp and gave me a totally new track to course correct with. Another band I know absolutely zero about, other than I thought this was really catchy and put it on repeat for a bit.

Archers Of Loaf- Web In Front

If you’re at a party with fellow music nerds, someone will eventually mention music scenes, and a few usually come up early; LA, New York, Manchester.

But much like Minneapolis, The Chapel Hill/Raleigh North Carolina area might be further down the list, but the scene is/was producing a ton of fantastic music back in the day, with groups like Superchunk, The Connells, and the Veldt leading the way.

And in that pack was Archers of Loaf. An odd name for a band that put out great music. They split up in 1998 but got back together again in 2011.

6th Man: Pink Floyd-Take It Back

This week’s bolt from out of nowhere. When you hear Pink Floyd out here, it’s usually “The Wall,” “Dirty Woman,” and maybe “Wish You Were Here.”

In other words, almost never anything from their later catalog, and certainly not from 1994’s Division Bell. This was a nice change:

What caught your ear this week? Anything I should be checking out? Whether it’s new or pushing 30, Let me know in the comments!

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In case you missed last week’s list: