First off, a moment of contemplation of the true meaning (if any) of the American Revolution which began on this day in 1775… Ok, with that out of the way, were hear to tell you that Bubble Wrap made it on the air this week, despite setbacks, obstacles, and bad moods. But the show must go on!
We played a lot of oldies, but good oldies, and not all of them were even that old. That said, a lot of them are gone (wipe a tear for Nic Armstrong, Adventure, and Raging Family). The hit revival for this week was Port O’Brien from 2009 or so, with “I Woke Up Today” (and there are days when that feels like an accomplishment). This is a live track released around the time of SXSW that year and it features a lot of truly joyous unison singing on the part of the band and the audience. There is something about such over the top vocals that makes you feel better, and can even revive your optimism about life, no matter how shit your life might feel at the mo’. So it was fun to hear that again.
Amongst the newer tunes that we liked: Wye Oak’s “The Louder I Call, The Faster It Runs.” I always like Wye Oak but this track is exceptional. Why St. Vincent so popular when there is Wye Oak? Plus, they’re from Bmore, my old stomping grounds…
In a completely different vein, Sidi Touré from Mali with an incredible tune entitled “BK,” which seems to interweave traditional Malian music with rock and funk. It’s music to groove to that doesn’t sound like everything else….. Check it out — they’re on Thrill Jockey, of all places.
There was more — we were glum but we had fun. Full list follows…
April 18, 2018
Can This Be Spring?
Cosmos Sunshine – Letdown
Albert Hammond Jr. – Far Away Truth
Adventure – Feels Like Heaven
Howie Gelb & the Band of Gypsies – 4 Door Maverick
Howlin Wolf – Work For Your Money
Hue & Cry – Fixing A Hole (ed: yes, that one)
Cherophobiac – Unknown Liquid Substance
Raging Family – The Klep Telescope
Sidi Touré – BK
Human League – Being Boiled
Hüsker Dü -Turn On The News
X – The Unheard Music
Wye Oak – The Louder I Call, The Faster It Runs
Frightened Rabbit – Swim Until You Can’t See Land
I Love Math – A Good Flying Bird (gbv cover)
I, Ludicrous – Preposterous Tales
Fire Engines – Meat Whiplash
Nic Armstrong – If We Can’t Escape My Pretty
Port O’Brien – I Woke Up Today
Weaves – Walkaway
Ian Dury & the Blockheads – Sex & Drugs & Rock and Roll
Ian Dury & the Blockheads – Reasons To Be Cheerful
Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings – Money