Music
This Week’s Heavy Rotation #25
Pick it up and tune it on in
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:
Pearl Jam-Hail Hail
After 30+ years together any band worth its salt should have a discography broken down into distinct chunks. Otherwise, it's a big block of sameness, There’s no evolution, baby.
For PJ, there’s the first burst (Ten, VS., and Vitalogy) that most people are familiar with. 95% of what you still hear on the radio is from that stage of their career.
The next era (No Code, Yield, Ticketmaster fights) saw the band getting off the ride that had brought them so much fame. Intentionally going a new direction sent the backward hat crowd home, and gave the band room to breathe. It also signaled an exit from a regular spot on the airwaves.
So it was a little shocking to be gutting it out in a foggy 30-mile long construction zone just past the middle of nowhere and hearing this come on the radio. No Code isn’t exactly a new album either — it’s officially old enough to rent a car — but it sure was a treat to hear.
A how I love you till the day I die…ah and beyond… Are we going to the same place? If so, can I come? It’s egg rollin’ thick and heavy…all the past we carry… Oh, I could be new…you underestimate me…
The Records-Starry Eyes
Every Wednesday & Saturday, Jake Rudh hosts a live show on Twitch. I always find something new (well new to me, anyway) on there. This past week, the lineup featured songs from 1978, and this was one of them. I’d never heard it but really dig it. What’s old is new again, I guess?
Sonic Youth-Disappearer
Last week I mentioned the cavalcade “On This Day in 19xx” social media posts lauding albums turning 30. This week, Sonic Youth’s “Goo” joined the fray.
I used to say that Daydream Nation was my favorite — and to be sure, “Teenage Riot” from the record is one of my all-time favorite Sonic Youth tracks — but I think Goo now holds the belt.
In the early ’90s, people in Portland were quick to weaponize words like “Sell out” on any band that dared see success. Sonic Youth always seemed to stay above the fray. Maybe it was because they’d already established their bona fides. Maybe it was because Public Enemy’s Chuck D featured on “Kool Thing.”
Or maybe it was ’cause this was just a great record (and not a little more accessible than some previous works).
I gave it a listen after seeing the Instagram post, and realized I still knew all the words to “Kool Thing,” and “My Friend Goo” (she’s got a real tattoo), but had forgotten about this one. I didn’t get to any of the songs after it; I just played this 3–4 x in a row.
Here it comes again, out of the rain. Seems to have a new kind of same. Been playin’ on a simple ride, The sign comes alive and speaks the mind.
NOTE: This video has strobe lights in it. You can watch an alternate version here.
The Sundays-Goodbye
See above. This time it was a birthday celebration for The Sundays’ lead singer Harriet Wheeler, who is closing in on 60. Getting old sucks.
On the plus side, this is a great record, and she has the voice of an angel.
Bobby Womack-Daylight
We lost Bobby Womack 7 years ago this week (6/27/2014), but his music is as timeless as ever. I came to his work through the use of “Across 110th Street” in Quentin Tarantino’s 1997 film “Jackie Brown.” Daylight quickly became a favorite of mine.
A song about still partying from the night before as the sun comes up, I used to relate to Bobby’s Point of view. These days, “I’m one of the people [who] like getting up when [he’s]just gettin’ in.”
6th (wo)man: Curve- Horror Head
If Lush and Nine Inch Nails had a baby, it’d be Curve. Their songs beautifully blend the textured and shoegaze-y, and the mildly menacing. Having a gorgeous lead singer in Toni Halliday never hurt, either.
I was a pretty good hype man for a lot of bands when I was younger, but I could never quite get people to come around to my way of thinking with this band. Shame really. People were missing out.
Earlier this week, Reuben Salsa jogged my memory when he mentioned them briefly in this article. Go give it a read, and then cue this song up.
What topped your lists this week? Anything new that I should check out? Maybe an old favorite you dusted off? Let me know in the comments!
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Last week’s list: