Here in the northeast, we’re in that peak/past peak moment with foliage. We balance precariously at this point for quite a few days before one day the weatherman pronounces decisively, “we’re past peak,” and you know it’s true. It’s also a time when we balance precariously between two radically different views of the future — […]
Love Me Baby – August 18, 2021
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The work don’t quit, as they say. It’s August, when everyone gets back to the old routine, and life starts anew. We aren’t sure how that works. Distracting us from intermittent anxiety were the hushed ambient waves of Bartosz Lugowski, the mixed media adventures of Zach Promesa, and the romantic swirl of Veronique Bilodeau. Big Rips (yes, that’s their name) wowed with a from-the-heart rock epic appropriately entitled “Everything Has Sucked Lately.” Jonas & I, Finland’s entry onto the indie-pop world stage, sound lonely and northern on their latest track “Yellow Walls.” A bit like Simon & Garfunkel if it was just Garfunkel…
The Doldrums Fade Away – August 11, 2021
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We took a two week semi-hiatus to celebrate the fact that no one else was doing anything so why should we? Hey, you know what they say about absence. In the meantime, the rain let up and we enjoyed some summer weather, which we deserve, dammit. Fortunately, by early August, there was starting to be music again, so we played some. For instance, the new old Prince album Welcome 2 America was released, courtesy of the Prince Estate, and yeah, it’s good. There’s even a summer song – “Hot Summer.” So what if it’s a decade old? Also awesome this week was Zella Day, who knocked listeners hand knit socks off with the southern-sky slippity-slide of “Girls.” “Storm” by Shad also rocks, if you care, and you should about this one.
Down On Us – July 21, 2021
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The summer lull continued and so did the rain but the fireflies provided nightly light shows all the same. Favorite song of this week was “A Bee Without its Sting” by The Go! Team from Brighton, UK, because sometimes you just want some pop. Also enjoyed the dreamy sounds of Lightning Bug (“The right Thing Is Hard To Do”) and the stripped-down piano-driven sound of Clairo’s “Amoeba.” Fortunately, Desperate Journalist was on hand to wake us up with the dark, urgent gothiness of “Fault.”
Just Like The Rain – July 7, 2021
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Right after the Fourth of July, our region in the northern northeast entered an unexpected rainy season where we’ve been on and off ever since. This prompted us to wonder what was up with the sun which just days before had been baking us in (nearly) 100 degree heat. We especially liked “LMK” by Caribbean artist Navy. Panache! amused with their very French “Paradis,” and who wouldn’t be amused by Cheekface’s “Listen to your heart — No!”
Daudane – Colchique
| Records
Daudane are an accomplished indie rock band from Bayonne, France — guitar-driven, choral rather than vocal, and with enough little extras to keep the sound interesting. The new album is called Colchique, “crocus” in English, and for the most part, it’s a light trip — jammy in a good way, inspired one guesses by late 60s psychedelia filtered through late 90s indie.
No Way, New Way – May 12, 2021
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Half the theme of this week’s Bubble Wrap show was The World. The other half was No Theme At All. Always good to include the random element. Picks of the week include Thee Brinks, Daudane, Sorry, and Jessie Ware, whose dance hit “Please” pleased us. Thee Brinks are a French band, reminding us that French […]
Rain Cloud Rain – May 5, 2021
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Who knew there were so many songs about rain? It’s Spring, so yes, it rains. What choice have we but to acknowledge it? New music helps. We’ve been especially liking Benjamin Belinska, The Silver Sands, The Bablers, and Daudane, among others. But first, it’s time to revive Issac Burgess and Emily Parrish, Detroit dance pop duo whose super fun dance pop ep Year In Review seems to have been roundly and unfairly ignored, at least on the Internet.
One Thing After Another – April 28, 2021
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Another interesting week of music on Bubble Wrap radio where the glories of spring met the grumpiness of our current state of mind. But we do our best to remain cheerful despite the events that make us doubt our sanity for doing so.
On the grumpy side: Yard Act, our new favorite UK band, with a new song “Dark Days.” This on the heels of last week’s “Fixer Upper,” seemed almost too good to be true. These guys fall into the new British genre of talkie rock which seems possibly influenced by the recently departed Mark E. Smith.
Shall We Dance? – April 21, 2021
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In case you hadn’t noticed, April 21, 2021 is the five year anniversary of Prince’s death, and while not a happy milestone, it proved to be a great opportunity to play a bunch of Prince and Prince-related music. On Bubble Wrap this week, we played selections from his first album, For You, all the way […]
Weather Happens – April 14, 2021
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April is the month of “now you see it, now you don’t” weather. It’s sunny and bright! It’s dark and stormy… The wind howls! It’s peaceful and still. So too in all of life. Does this have anything to do with music? Maybe. It’s up to you to find out.
Top tracks this week from the likes of Grrrl Gang and their the delicious Honey, Baby ep; also from The Happy Smiling Germ, Nashville’s best kept indie folk secret. Robot Rights “Getaway” was a fun surprise, doubly so because he’s from “around here,” in this case Vermont.
Smart As Art – April 7, 2021
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Lots of new music this week, leading off with Chris Catalyst’s “Make Good Art,” featuring (of all people) novelist Neil Gaimon. We like this song because it gets right to the point, and it’s a good point. Continuing with this new UK “talkie” rock thing, we heard from Yard Act (really?) who gave us a […]
Make Your Own Revolution – March 31, 2021
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This week saw the return of rock to Bubble Wrap, brought to us by the serendipitous luck of the draw. We especially liked French retro rockers Thee Brinks, strange Baltimorean L Cars, and The Armoires in their Covid-tinged memoir “Ghost of Fall Singer…” Revival of the week: Scruffy the Cat, that legendary Boston pop band whose late ’80s glory days brought a touch of playful insouciance to the otherwise gritty local scene.
Mt Pleasure – Purple Galaxy
| Records
Mt. Pleasure manage to pack a lot into 23 minutes — their new and possibly only album Purple Galaxy contains 10 tracks of varied genres, all under 3 minutes each. But despite its brevity, the record feels complete, with everything from jangly indie pop to contemplative folk rock to interstitial drones.
Not So Dark After All – March 24, 2021
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As Spring emerges from the snow and the snow melts into the earth and the rivers run down to the river and on into the Sound, we find the pulse and pace of life have quickened, but to what end? That is a question to ponder as Bubble Wrap gently escorts you through the earliest days of this virginally new season. Surely this involves music, no? And so it does, from The Dowling Poole and Snapped Ankles to the Armoires and Parker Milsap. In short, a motley assortment of late winter/ early spring releases.