“Do You Feel Like Dancing?”

I remember when the release of a new Superchunk album was a big event- well, at least for me. Over 30 years since their debut, the Chapel Hill, North Carolina indie icons (who apparently have not received the memo the album is a dead art form) dropped Wild Loneliness on the world last Friday. While their last album- the pre-pandemic What a Time to Be Alive- was an angry, anti-Trump affair, Wild Loneliness- which opens with “City of the Dead”- finds Superchunk in a calmer, more introspective mood. But do not mistake calm introspection for sadness and slowness; the album is pretty life affirming and clocks in at just under 40 minutes which makes it conducive to repeated listens, especially for folks “drinking through the news” and finding the state of the world- as well as many of our fellow citizens- “highly suspect”.

Not really ever known as a political or message band (on their early records, it was even unclear what the lyrics were), the songs and themes on Wild Loneliness sound unified and this reminds me of my two favorite Superchunk albums of all time: Here’s Where the Strings Come In (1995) and Come Pick Me Up (1999). Not a nostalgic trip down memory lane, the music on Wild Loneliness sounds fresh, honest, and immediate with the classic Mac Muppet-like vocals and some fine drumming by Jon as well as strings, piano, horns, and catchy melodies. My only complaints are the hardcore song (probably made to satisfy Laura) and the lack of any memorable Jim signature guitar solo attacks. The closer chant may be the crown jewel of what will probably become known as Superchunk’s “COVID-19” album. Grade: A-

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Superchunk “Void” (Official Music Video)

New Faves 02/26/2022 – Part 2

“We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.”

– Winston Churchill, June, 4, 1940 

Kate Wolf

When it comes to crate digging with the Jean, I’m hard to impress and often feel I’ve heard it all before- and from better. Many of my new faves in 2022 are lesser known songs from the 20th century and frankly sound a bit strange- almost spooky- which may reflect the times in which we are living as well as explain their obscurity and why it took them so long to reach my ears. 

Superchunk

These new faves may also reflect my own current thoughts about life, the meaning of which I know includes getting some enjoyment out of it especially through music that moves the spirit. If there is another thread connecting these 40 songs then it may be they are consciously and/or subconsciously tied to my plans to write a thriller/romance/adventure novel about a protagonist’s struggle against overwhelming evil forces while living in a cabin in the remote Adirondacks circa 1995. Enjoy!

Kate Wolf

01. Kate Wolf – “Green Eyes (Live)” (1982 or 1983)

02. Golden Smog – “Glad and Sorry” (1995)

03. The Beat – “End of the Party” (1983)

04. Linda Perhacs – “Chimacum Rain” (1970)

05. Kate Wolf – “The Redtail Hawk” (1976)

06. Peter Gabriel – “Here Comes the Flood” (1990)

07. Emmylou Harris – “Sweet Old World” (1995)

08. Kathy McCarty – “Living Life” (1994)

09. Superchunk – “This Night” (2022)

10. Lloyd Cole and the Commotions – “Why I Love Country Music” (1985)

11. Stephin Merritt – “One April Day” (2003) 

12. Jamey Johnson – “In Color” (2008)

13. Honeybus – “Story” (1969)

14. Mercury Rev – “Holes” (1998)

15. Bob Mould – “Voices in My Head” (2016)

16. Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks – “Gardenia” (2008)

17. Michael Chapman – “You Say” (1969)

18. Tom Waits – “Somewhere (from ‘West Side Story’)” (1978)

19. William Tyler – “The Great Unwind” (2016)

20. Chuck Prophet – “Bad Year for Rock and Roll” (2017) 

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New Faves 02/26/2022 – Part 1

In trying to emulate their heroes (and steal from the best), musicians- more than writers and visual artists- can have a much easier time stumbling upon something original and setting themselves apart from the pack- at least for three minutes. Of course, if the formula were easy then one could easily replicate, package, and exploit it, yet even in today’s musically challenged landscape one can still find occasional magic (and thank goodness for certain female folk singers who seem to know my soft spots). 

Judee Sill

While 20th century music masters like the Beatles churned out a constant stream of hits, got rich, and made it look easy, many of today’s musical imitators (who probably don’t  know a Byrd from a Beatle) still hope and reach for that one elusive hit- that one new sound- yet often forget to borrow from the first rule of film and literature: make it personal. Here are some of my new favorite musical discoveries of 2022 (most you have probably never heard, and, if you have, well, my compliments to you). Enjoy!

The Cramps

01. The Aislers Set – “Chicago New York” (2000)

02. Arlo Guthrie and Jim Wilson feat. Vanessa Bryan – “Hard Times, Come Again No More” (2020)

03. R.E.M. – “Harborcoat” (1984)

04. The Interrupters – “She Got Arrested” (2016)

05. Felt – “Magellan” (1986)

06. Buddy Holly – “Love Is Strange” (1969)

07. Cracker – “Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out with Me” (2009)

08. Michael Farneti – “The River” (1976) 

09. The Cramps – “Green Door” (1981)

10. Thin Lizzy – “Little Girl in Bloom” (1973) 

11. Tia Blake – “Betty and Dupree” (1972)

12. Smog – “Dress Sexy at My Funeral” (2000)

13. Butthole Surfers – “Dracula from Houston” (2001)

14. Kate Wolf – “You’re Not Standing Like You Used To” (1977)

15. The Apples in Stereo – “Ruby” (1999)

16. Judee Sill – “Lopin’ Along Thru the Cosmos” (1971)

17. The Olivia Tremor Control – “Jumping Fences” (2004)

18. Jad Fair and Daniel Johnston – “I Did Acid with Caroline” (1989)

19. Perry Como – “Delaware” (1959)

20. The Cry – “Alone” (1990) 

Listen to the playlist on Spotify...