Tomorrow’s Hits Today!
by Steve
I thought I’d offer something of a musical interlude, to break up all my pretentious waffling. So, here’s the platters that matter folks – a few tracks from some much-anticipated albums. Well, much-anticipated by me anyway.
Lower Dens – Brains
The first Lower Dens album is on my ever-increasing list of albums I’ve found on Spotify, would like to buy in real, tangible form, but just haven’t got around to yet. Funny how the internet changes out habits, eh? Anyway, this is from their next album and already feels like a big step forward. Nice motornik rhythm going on, so is an early contender for my Slave Ambient of 2012. Pretty soon I’ll get sick of the formula of guitar-y stuff with that kind of beat behind it, but Lower Dens have been canny in courting me before that sickness sets in. Good work chaps.
Lambchop – Gone Tomorrow
I think I’m looking forward to the new Lambchop record more than any other this year. It’s a hackneyed phrase (but when has that ever stopped me?), but on the evidence of this track and the other released track from the album this is a proper return to form. Not that Lambchop have ever really properly dipped in quality, but if everything is as good as these two tracks we could have a pretty special Lambchop album on our hands. Which is quite an achievement for a band that’s been around for what, 20-odd years?
Lightships – Two Lines
And finally, a new track from a new project from Teenage Fanclub’s Gerard Love. Now, not only are Teenage Fanclub one of my all-time favourite bands, but Gerard Love is my favourite member. Sure, having a favourite band member is a little ‘teenage’ (Ha! Geddit?) but in my defence: 1. I first got into TFC as a teenager 2. With three band members sharing songwriting duties equally it kind of makes sense that I might like one more than the others. That is not to say I’m some sort of Gerard Love obsessive or anything. Or that I don’t like the other guys. Because I do. Well, anyway, this track is lovely.
SPECIAL BONUS STUFF!!!
The National – Bloodbuzz Ohio
Not a new one, but I’m on a bit of a National tip right now, and it’s my blog to put up what I want and veer wildly away from the point of the post etc etc.
You should tell me what new stuff you’re listening to, if you’re so inclined. I love comments, and I may even remember to reply to them. In the meantime I’m going to have a little think about how on Earth bloggers managed before they had YouTube et al to go to for filler posts…
Wait until next year 
You’re speaking my language. When I had a radio show, I played the Lower Dens every week; Teenage Fanclub and the National are two of my favorite bands, and I saw Lambchop in concert a few times back in the day. All these (save the National) are new to me. Thanks!
My 2012 listening:
1.) Girls Father, Son, Holy Ghost. I hated it the first time I heard it and my wife still hates it, but it’s grown on me. And they’re coming to town soon.
2) I had really strong reactions against both Radiohead’s OK Computer and Pink Floyd’s The Wall when I first heard them; Radiohead bugged me because I was 16 and a pretty girl was like, “Ooh, alternative music,” and I was thought, if pretty girls like it, then it’s probably not angsty enough for me. And I had the mispleasure of listening to The Wall with someone who was shroomin. I was stone sober, and it kind of ruined the experience for me. I’ve forgotten the girls’ names, but I think one was Andrea and the other was either Jessica or Jennifer, and so I’ve decided that it’s time to let bygones be bygones and give the albums another chance, and Amnesiac and Hail to the Thief haven’t held up for me, but Kid A and In Rainbows and King of Limbs are sticking with me, and Dark Side of the Moon has always been a favorite, so I’ve been listening to those to remind me that Pink Floyd and Radiohead aren’t all mushrooms and pretty girls, and in a couple of weeks I’ll give the troublesome albums a shot.
3) Earworms. Rather than try to expunge a song that weasels its way into my head, I’ll listen to it hundreds of times a day on Spotify until it’s out. Last week was Meatloaf; this week’s is Don Henley’s Boys of Summer.
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I’ve listened to the Girls album once or twice and it made absolutely no impression on me. I shall have to revisit.
I loved Radiohead through my teenage years, but think I kind of grew out of them, yet I still think they are a great example of how a band can become huge yet not feel like they have to pedal the same old same old. But I think over the last ten years they’ve been a bit patchy – some great stuff, and some less so.
Pink Floyd – I’ve always had a bit of a mental block towards them. I have an aversion to proggy concept album stuff, but I’m sure I’m selling them short. Like the Syd Barrett stuff though.
Boys of Summer is amazing, such great production. I remember reading an article about chillwave that suggested it sounded like hearing Boys of Summer in a dream or something. I was very disappointed when it didn’t live up to that description.
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