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Wednesday, Jun 29 2016, 6AM
From Simon & Garfunkel's final studio record, Bridge Over Troubled Water, released back in 1970. Ranked No. 51 on Rolling Stone's dubious 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Backed up by The Wrecking Crew on this release.
If you're into "Maps," but wish it could be played in a coffee house, this may be the version for you. Saw this movie once about the no-wave scene, and it was a bunch of old and young people dumping on Karen O, which was a little disconcerting. Like come on, guys.
Patti Smith put out a crazy good memoir last year, titled M Train, which is based around a number of polaroid photographs taken throughout her life. Also lots of rumination on detective TV shows, which was pretty unexpected.
One of PJ Harvey's best? Stories From the City, Stories From the Sea won Ms. Harvey her first Mercury Music Prize back in 2000. Considered her "New York" album, if you're into that. Probably her happiest record, by a wide margin.
Beck covering Nick Drake. More the Morning Phase side of Beck, as opposed to the adderall-induced "Wow"-type Beck, currently being blasted out of a Chevy Impala near you. That dude loves his covers, though.
Playing this year's Capitol Hill Block Party on Sunday, July 24th. Off Cave Singers' 2013 LP Naomi, which came out on the venerable Jagjaguwar label. Here's a sweet vid of the band playing live in 2013 on KEXP: blog.kexp.org.
Playing The Triple Door on September 15th in Seattle. From Joseph's latest solo LP, The Family, which came out at the start of June. Was the first American artist on Peter Gabriel's label back in the day.
Sad, sad new record from Mr. Bazan, who has made a career doing just that. He played live on KEXP not too long ago in support of the new record, which isn't available just yet on our website. Eventually though.
From the most recent Posies record, Solid States, which came out at the tail end of May. Clearly have taken on even more of a Big Star influence since being part of the band for a few years there.
In my mind, I can't full keep Timothy Showalter (Strand of Oaks) and Timothy Treadwell (now deceased bear enthusiast) separate, which isn't that big of a problem all things considered. It makes watching Grizzly Man a little awkward though.
Was New Order's first single to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 32. Peter Hook doesn't love it, but that's alright. Probably 'cuz his bass isn't that high in the mix. Sort of drowned out by all that synth pop.
Dan Boeckner sounding all New Order on his latest project. What a guy. If I get a tattoo at this point, and it's not somehow related to the great Dan Boeckner, something must be wrong with me. Off one of 2016's best records, in my opinion.
Official groovedown song of the Seattle Mariners. If this isn't the National Anthem of a country somewhere, then what has modern society become? Bob's latest, Patch the Sky, is arguably another one of 2016's best LPs. Got some really good reviews.
Fantasizing about Rob Dickinson will only get you so far in life. I guess this band can be considered shoegaze, if one insists on labeling them? They've always struck me as a bit more melody-obsessed than your Lushes or My Bloody Valentines?
A duet with the great Apollonia. Lisa Coleman sang underneath Apollonia's vocals to add a little extra uumph. Guess it paid off, because her part feels pretty indelible to the track. That dude could write a harmony line.
Today is the birthday of DJ Shadow, also known as the Pied Piper of douchebags. Off DJ Shadow's new record, which has gotten some pretty solid reviews. Some calling it his best since the early aughts.
Featuring the lyric: "I've got more stories than J.D.'s got Salinger," which is at once so cringe-worthy and so great. From the Paul's Boutique record, which was considered a flop upon its release in 1989. Not exactly new news, but still interesting.
The moniker of Will Holland, who also own a label called Magnetic Fields, which is no way affiliated with Stephen Merritt? Like come on now, Mr. Holland. From his new record 1000 Watts.
Such great production on this record. Just sounds so light. As recorded in Dynamic Sound Studios, Harry J. Studios, and Randy's Studios, all in Kingston, Jamaica. Catch a Fire was the fifth Wailers record, and is considered among their very best.
A song that's oddly emotional for me? Some combination of childhood associations and that scene in 127 Hours with James Franco where's he's really losing it? He hasn't cut off his arm yet, and he's just freaking out. Poor guy.
A song that survived being covered on Glee, and continues to sound good. One of the rare few. Here's a video of the late, great Amy Winhouse playing this track: www.youtube.com.
Google Images searching Kevin Parker can really cause some LSD flashbacks, I warn you. That dude probably bought so many scarfs using all that Currents money, he probably has a drawer full by now.
If only the US Government could harness all the whine-emitted by Billy Corgan's voice and use it as a renewable energy source. Just play Siamese Dream on repeat and watch the need for oil plummet.
Playing The Tractor Tavern on August 27th. Playing The Wild Buffalo in Bellingham, on August 25th. Off Diarrhea Planet's new album, Turn To Gold, which came out earlier this June.
New music from Middle Kids sounding really quite good. The Sydney band's debut EP will come out some time later this year. Strangely, the rest of the EP will just be Hannah Joy's Mark E. Smith impression for 15 minutes.
Oh, Mitski. Playing The Crocodile on July 12th, where I will be sobbing while surrounded by all my friends from high school, who will also be sobbing. From her so brilliant new record, Puberty 2, which came out a week or so ago.
Babes has a hotline you can call to book them for parties, or maybe just leave a voicemail? Pretty cool gimmick if I may say so: call 470-BABES-77. New self-titled record from the band is out on Barsuk.
Playing this Saturday's KEXP Rocks The Dock, along with Telekinesis & the great local artist Erik Blood. Hosted by DJ Evie (!). At Waterfront Park from 4-8 PM. Off the great new Summer Cannibals record, titled Full of It.
One of those songs that sounds sorta silly when you first hear it, then you realize just how damn good it is? Stephin Merritt is one clever dude. Such a smart songwriter. An NPR critic I like once said he was writing the modern Great American Songbook, which I thought was incisive.
Good track off Oscar's debut record, Cut and Paste, which came out in mid-May. Sounding rather like Magnetic Fields, though not in a derivative way, dude's doing his own thing with it. Sounding so good this morning. Matches the weather for some reason.
This dude has a croon. Like he's been listening to the right type of 80s pop. Off an expected full-length from the band, perhaps out sometime this year on 4AD? Their first LP in a few years, feels like.
Off the About a Boy soundtrack, which came out back in 2002. The kid in that movie, Nicholas Hoult, grew up to be a damn beautiful man. Was on that show Skins, dated Jennifer Lawrence, he's doing well for himself.
Amazing vibes from the great Julianna Barwick. Studies have shown conclusively that over 80% of the population is made more peaceful and grounded by the sheer beauty of Ms. Barwick's music.
Julianna Barwick LIVE on KEXP performing tracks off her 2016 record, Will, which came out on Dead Oceans back in early May. Easily among the year's most beautiful releases.
Ms. Barwick's 2009 debut EP Florine was listed by Pitchfork as an honorable mention for the best records of 2009. The site has continued to laud her music with praise, which is uncharacteristically good judgment on their part.
Julianna Barwick played in Seattle last month, which from all reports was a rare beacon of light in 2016. Also, just as an aside, Julianna has played piano with Yoko Ono, which is pretty wild.
From Akron/Family's 2009 LP, Set Em Wild Set Em Free, which was released on Dead Oceans. It was the group's fourth record. Their most recent, Sub Verses, came out in 2013.
Arguably part of the new emo revival? Found a few articles online which would certainly like you to think that. The band's new record, Holy Ghost, came out in mid-May on Run For Cover Records.
Pela (part of whom now form Augustines) off their 2007 record, Anytown Graffiti. Was the lone Pela record before the band imploded. Wikipedia would like to remind you that the band was "known for their intense live performances."
Off the pretty darn blissful new LUH record, titled Spiritual Songs for Lovers to Sing. New project of Ellery Roberts, formerly the preternaturally youthful frontman of the great band WU LYF. That band burned bright. His new stuff sounds good though.
The video for this track fulfills my longtime dream of recreating The Wicker Man with Playmobil characters. Fun for the whole family, in spite of what you might hear- www.youtube.com.
