Spotify Discover Weekly for April 1-7
"Catch the Wind" - Donovan
from album: What's Bin Did and What's Bin Hid (1965)
Allmusic genre: British Folk
My thoughts: One of my favorite songs by Donovan; I'm sure I've known it for most of my life.
*****
"Something in the Air" - Thunderclap Newman
from album: Hollywood Dream (1970)
Allmusic genre: AM Pop
My thoughts: I first knew this song because Wilco covered it live. It's a great song and I'd forgotten about it for a decade; adding it to my Spotify favorites playlist now.
*****
"Love Untold" - Paul Westerberg
from album: Eventually (1996)
Allmusic genre: Adult Alternative Pop/Rock
My thoughts: This song is unfamiliar to me. Inoffensive but unmemorable mid-tempo 90's alt-rock.
**
"I Know No Pardon" - Vetiver
from album: To Find Me Gone (2006)
Allmusic genre: Alternative Singer/Songwriter
My thoughts: This one is new to me; I think I've heard of the band but I've never listened to them before. The song is gentle, acoustic Americana with a somewhat Jeff Tweedyish singing voice. I like it and will save the album to hear later.
****
"Starfish and Coffee" - Prince
from album: Sign 'O' the Times (1987)
Allmusic genre: Contemporary Pop/Rock/R&B
My thoughts: I love Prince but this isn't a favorite of mine. I don't like the alarm clock sound at the beginning or all the piano arpeggios behind the vocals. The lyrics are silly.
**
"You're My Favorite Waste of Time" - Marshall Crenshaw & the Handsome, Ruthless and Stupid Band
from album: B-side to the 45 "Someday, Someway" (1982)
Allmusic genre: Contemporary Pop/Rock
My thoughts: I don't like this. It's really monotonous.
*
"Moment in the Sun" - Clem Snide
from album: The Ghost of Fashion (2001)
Allmusic genre: Alternative Country-Rock
My thoughts: I need to make a project of listening to everything Eef Barzelay has ever written and recorded. I always love it, but I've barely heard any of it. This song has the early 21st century lo-fi sound I crave.
****
"The Only Living Boy in New York" - Everything But the Girl
from album: The Only Living Boy In New York EP (1993)
Allmusic genre: Alternative Dance
My thoughts: "The Only Living Boy In New York" is my favorite Simon & Garfunkel song, and I love what I've heard of Everything But the Girl's own songs, so this was bound to be a future favorite of mine. Adding it to my try-outs list to see if it has the staying power to be on my main Spotify playlist.
****
"Comedy" - Shack
from album: H.M.S. Fable (1999)
Allmusic genre: Alternative Pop/Rock
My thoughts: This is the reason to listen to the Discover Weekly -- I'd never heard of this band, but it turns out that this song sounds like Richard Hawley, who is one of my favorite singer-songwriters. I will be adding the song to try-outs and saving the artist for later investigation.
****
"End of the Line" - Roxy Music
from album: Siren (1975)
Allmusic genre: Album Rock/ Art Rock
My thoughts: I'm not that familiar with Roxy Music, but this song doesn't sound like I would expect. It reminds me of solo George Harrison. It's a pretty good song but I don't think I need to save it.
***
"Big Love (LIVE)" - Lindsey Buckingham
from album: Live at the Bass Performance Hall (2008)
Allmusic genre: Contemporary Pop/Rock
My thoughts: This song was on the Fleetwood Mac album Tango in the Night (1987) and I recognize it from that. I'm not usually fond of live albums. This isn't terrible, but I'd much rather hear the studio version.
**
"She's a Girl and I'm a Man" - Lloyd Cole
from album: Don't Get Weird on Me, Babe (1991)
Allmusic genre: Alternative Pop/Rock
My thoughts: I think I've heard this song before but I'm not sure. I like it; good 90's pop with plenty of reverb on the vocals and I like the chorus a lot. Very hooky. Adding to try-outs.
****
"I Can't Remember" - The Thorns
from album: The Thorns (2003)
Allmusic genre: Adult Alternative Pop/Rock
My thoughts: The Thorns are evidently a country-folk trio that includes Matthew Sweet. I thought I'd never heard of them, but the song is familiar, maybe just because Matthew Sweet has a distinctive voice. I like it very much -- reminds me of "Summer Breeze" by Seals & Croft. Adding to try-outs.
****
"Old Friend" - J.J. Cale
from album: Roll On (2009)
Allmusic genre: Blues-Rock
My thoughts: I wasn't aware that J.J. Cale still made albums, but I have always liked his voice a lot. This song doesn't sound like his 70's and 80's music, but it's not bad. Still, I think I'd rather revisit old J.J. Cale albums than this one.
**
"Bleecker Street" - Simon & Garfunkel
from album: Wednesday Morning, 3 AM (1964)
Allmusic genre: Folk-Rock
My thoughts: I adore Simon & Garfunkel's late 60's albums; practically every note fills me with joy. This earlier stuff is pleasant enough, but a little corny and twee, and not usually what I'm in the mood to hear. Their harmonies are beautiful, though.
**
"My Lonely Sad Eyes" - Them, Van Morrison
from album: Them Again (1966)
Allmusic genre: Blues-Rock
My thoughts: I know Maria McKee's 1993 cover of this song very well, and the Them version a little bit. It's a really good song and I am glad to hear it again today.
****
"That Time Is Gone" - The dB's
from album: Falling Off the Sky (2012)
Allmusic genre: Adult Alternative Pop/Rock
My thoughts: Speaking of artists I didn't know still made albums in the past decade, I love a couple of 1980's dB's songs but had no awareness that this existed. This song sounds like late-60's garage-rock. It's really energetic and fun, albeit familiar enough that I had to double-check it wasn't a Rolling Stones cover. I will save the album to hear another day.
***
"In Spite of Me" - Morphine
from album: Cure for Pain (1993)
Allmusic genre: Alternative Pop/Rock
My thoughts: I think I had a dubbed cassette of this album from my brother the year it came out, but I mustn't have listened to it much, because the song feels new to me. I love it. The thing that kept me away from embracing Morphine is that I find the horns they often used very abrasive. This song is horn-free and very pretty. I love Mark Sandman's baritone voice. Adding to try-outs.
****
"Cycles" - Frank Sinatra
from album: Cycles (1968)
Allmusic genre: AM Pop
My thoughts: This song is pretty and I've definitely never heard it before. Tinkling piano and swelling strings, unmistakably late 60's easy listening music. It's the kind of song I'd be delighted to hear in a movie score, but I don't think I need to save it for my playlists.
***
"Wrote a Song for Everyone" - Mavis Staples
from album: You Are Not Alone (2010)
Allmusic genre: Retro-Soul
My thoughts: This is a CCR song and Mavis sings it beautifully. The album was produced by Jeff Tweedy and it won the Grammy for Best Americana album. I haven't heard the album in almost a decade so I'm going to save it to hear again later.
****
"Such a Night" - Dr. John
from album: In the Right Place (1973)
Allmusic genre: New Orleans R&B
My thoughts: This is a very happy, summery song and I'm adding it to try-outs. I've probably heard it before but it wasn't immediately familiar, except that Dr. John's distinctive sound is always comforting to me.
****
"I Really Need Love" - A Band of Bees
from album: Every Step's a Yes (2010)
Allmusic genre: Alternative Pop/Rock
My thoughts: I have never heard of this band, but I need to hear more. They have a great retro garage-rock sound and this song makes me very happy. I am saving the artist to explore later.
****
"Stephanie Says" (ORIGINAL MIX)" - The Velvet Underground
from album: White Light/ White Heat Super Deluxe (1968/2013 45th anniversary release)
Allmusic genre: Experimental Rock
My thoughts: I've never heard the song with this particular mix before, and I love how prominent the vocals are. Added to my main playlist.
****
"Dear Prudence" - Siouxsie and the Banshees
from album: Hyaena (1984)
Allmusic genre: Alternative Pop/Rock
My thoughts: A faithful cover that's pleasant enough, but I would rather hear the original Beatles version.
***
"I Need Love" - Sam Phillips
from album: Martinis & Bikinis (1994)
Allmusic genre: Adult Alternative Pop/Rock
My thoughts: Somehow I missed the Sam Phillips boat. Her name is vaguely familiar but I've never listened to her before. The vocals remind me of Liz Phair of the same era, and since I love lady singer-songwriters, I will definitely save her albums to revisit soon.
***
"Emotion in Motion" - Ric Ocasek
from album: This Side of Paradise (1986)
Allmusic genre: Album Rock
My thoughts: I bet I haven't heard this song since it was on Z-100 FM and MTV in 1986. I'm a sucker for Ric's voice, but the song is a little too mellow or something. If I'm going to listen to his songs, I'll go with older Cars albums.
**
"Total Control" - The Motels
from album: The Motels (1979)
Allmusic genre: New Wave
My thoughts: Her voice is great, but I think this song is a too-long snooze, and I can't abide the sax solo.
*
"A Higher Power" - Jens Lekman
from album: When I Said I Wanted to Be Your Dog (2004)
Allmusic genre: Alternative/Indie Rock
My thoughts: I own this CD and I'm sure I've listened to it at least a dozen times, but this song is not ringing any bells. I usually love Jens Lekman, but this one just doesn't do much for me.
**
"82nd Street" - The Delines
from album: Colfax (2014)
Allmusic genre: Country, R&B
My thoughts: Wow! This is beautiful. I don't know this band but I'm going to be sure to listen to everything I can ASAP. Her voice is a gorgeous alto, there's lots of reverb, and the music is moody and atmospheric.
****
"The Promise" - Sturgill Simpson
from album: Metamodern Sounds in Country Music (2014)
Allmusic genre: Neo-Traditionalist Country
My thoughts: This song is so pretty. I can't believe I didn't already have it on a playlist, but you can bet I do now. There's one musical phrase that makes me think of the Elvis song "In the Ghetto," which is one of my favorite "extremely problematic guilty pleasure" songs.
*****
OVERALL PLAYLIST RATING: 3.25 out of 5 stars
5 songs from the 1960's
4 songs from the 1970's
4 songs from the 1980's
6 songs from the 1990's
6 songs from the 2000's
5 songs from the 2010's
from album: What's Bin Did and What's Bin Hid (1965)
Allmusic genre: British Folk
My thoughts: One of my favorite songs by Donovan; I'm sure I've known it for most of my life.
*****
"Something in the Air" - Thunderclap Newman
from album: Hollywood Dream (1970)
Allmusic genre: AM Pop
My thoughts: I first knew this song because Wilco covered it live. It's a great song and I'd forgotten about it for a decade; adding it to my Spotify favorites playlist now.
*****
"Love Untold" - Paul Westerberg
from album: Eventually (1996)
Allmusic genre: Adult Alternative Pop/Rock
My thoughts: This song is unfamiliar to me. Inoffensive but unmemorable mid-tempo 90's alt-rock.
**
"I Know No Pardon" - Vetiver
from album: To Find Me Gone (2006)
Allmusic genre: Alternative Singer/Songwriter
My thoughts: This one is new to me; I think I've heard of the band but I've never listened to them before. The song is gentle, acoustic Americana with a somewhat Jeff Tweedyish singing voice. I like it and will save the album to hear later.
****
"Starfish and Coffee" - Prince
from album: Sign 'O' the Times (1987)
Allmusic genre: Contemporary Pop/Rock/R&B
My thoughts: I love Prince but this isn't a favorite of mine. I don't like the alarm clock sound at the beginning or all the piano arpeggios behind the vocals. The lyrics are silly.
**
"You're My Favorite Waste of Time" - Marshall Crenshaw & the Handsome, Ruthless and Stupid Band
from album: B-side to the 45 "Someday, Someway" (1982)
Allmusic genre: Contemporary Pop/Rock
My thoughts: I don't like this. It's really monotonous.
*
"Moment in the Sun" - Clem Snide
from album: The Ghost of Fashion (2001)
Allmusic genre: Alternative Country-Rock
My thoughts: I need to make a project of listening to everything Eef Barzelay has ever written and recorded. I always love it, but I've barely heard any of it. This song has the early 21st century lo-fi sound I crave.
****
"The Only Living Boy in New York" - Everything But the Girl
from album: The Only Living Boy In New York EP (1993)
Allmusic genre: Alternative Dance
My thoughts: "The Only Living Boy In New York" is my favorite Simon & Garfunkel song, and I love what I've heard of Everything But the Girl's own songs, so this was bound to be a future favorite of mine. Adding it to my try-outs list to see if it has the staying power to be on my main Spotify playlist.
****
"Comedy" - Shack
from album: H.M.S. Fable (1999)
Allmusic genre: Alternative Pop/Rock
My thoughts: This is the reason to listen to the Discover Weekly -- I'd never heard of this band, but it turns out that this song sounds like Richard Hawley, who is one of my favorite singer-songwriters. I will be adding the song to try-outs and saving the artist for later investigation.
****
"End of the Line" - Roxy Music
from album: Siren (1975)
Allmusic genre: Album Rock/ Art Rock
My thoughts: I'm not that familiar with Roxy Music, but this song doesn't sound like I would expect. It reminds me of solo George Harrison. It's a pretty good song but I don't think I need to save it.
***
"Big Love (LIVE)" - Lindsey Buckingham
from album: Live at the Bass Performance Hall (2008)
Allmusic genre: Contemporary Pop/Rock
My thoughts: This song was on the Fleetwood Mac album Tango in the Night (1987) and I recognize it from that. I'm not usually fond of live albums. This isn't terrible, but I'd much rather hear the studio version.
**
"She's a Girl and I'm a Man" - Lloyd Cole
from album: Don't Get Weird on Me, Babe (1991)
Allmusic genre: Alternative Pop/Rock
My thoughts: I think I've heard this song before but I'm not sure. I like it; good 90's pop with plenty of reverb on the vocals and I like the chorus a lot. Very hooky. Adding to try-outs.
****
"I Can't Remember" - The Thorns
from album: The Thorns (2003)
Allmusic genre: Adult Alternative Pop/Rock
My thoughts: The Thorns are evidently a country-folk trio that includes Matthew Sweet. I thought I'd never heard of them, but the song is familiar, maybe just because Matthew Sweet has a distinctive voice. I like it very much -- reminds me of "Summer Breeze" by Seals & Croft. Adding to try-outs.
****
"Old Friend" - J.J. Cale
from album: Roll On (2009)
Allmusic genre: Blues-Rock
My thoughts: I wasn't aware that J.J. Cale still made albums, but I have always liked his voice a lot. This song doesn't sound like his 70's and 80's music, but it's not bad. Still, I think I'd rather revisit old J.J. Cale albums than this one.
**
"Bleecker Street" - Simon & Garfunkel
from album: Wednesday Morning, 3 AM (1964)
Allmusic genre: Folk-Rock
My thoughts: I adore Simon & Garfunkel's late 60's albums; practically every note fills me with joy. This earlier stuff is pleasant enough, but a little corny and twee, and not usually what I'm in the mood to hear. Their harmonies are beautiful, though.
**
"My Lonely Sad Eyes" - Them, Van Morrison
from album: Them Again (1966)
Allmusic genre: Blues-Rock
My thoughts: I know Maria McKee's 1993 cover of this song very well, and the Them version a little bit. It's a really good song and I am glad to hear it again today.
****
"That Time Is Gone" - The dB's
from album: Falling Off the Sky (2012)
Allmusic genre: Adult Alternative Pop/Rock
My thoughts: Speaking of artists I didn't know still made albums in the past decade, I love a couple of 1980's dB's songs but had no awareness that this existed. This song sounds like late-60's garage-rock. It's really energetic and fun, albeit familiar enough that I had to double-check it wasn't a Rolling Stones cover. I will save the album to hear another day.
***
"In Spite of Me" - Morphine
from album: Cure for Pain (1993)
Allmusic genre: Alternative Pop/Rock
My thoughts: I think I had a dubbed cassette of this album from my brother the year it came out, but I mustn't have listened to it much, because the song feels new to me. I love it. The thing that kept me away from embracing Morphine is that I find the horns they often used very abrasive. This song is horn-free and very pretty. I love Mark Sandman's baritone voice. Adding to try-outs.
****
"Cycles" - Frank Sinatra
from album: Cycles (1968)
Allmusic genre: AM Pop
My thoughts: This song is pretty and I've definitely never heard it before. Tinkling piano and swelling strings, unmistakably late 60's easy listening music. It's the kind of song I'd be delighted to hear in a movie score, but I don't think I need to save it for my playlists.
***
"Wrote a Song for Everyone" - Mavis Staples
from album: You Are Not Alone (2010)
Allmusic genre: Retro-Soul
My thoughts: This is a CCR song and Mavis sings it beautifully. The album was produced by Jeff Tweedy and it won the Grammy for Best Americana album. I haven't heard the album in almost a decade so I'm going to save it to hear again later.
****
"Such a Night" - Dr. John
from album: In the Right Place (1973)
Allmusic genre: New Orleans R&B
My thoughts: This is a very happy, summery song and I'm adding it to try-outs. I've probably heard it before but it wasn't immediately familiar, except that Dr. John's distinctive sound is always comforting to me.
****
"I Really Need Love" - A Band of Bees
from album: Every Step's a Yes (2010)
Allmusic genre: Alternative Pop/Rock
My thoughts: I have never heard of this band, but I need to hear more. They have a great retro garage-rock sound and this song makes me very happy. I am saving the artist to explore later.
****
"Stephanie Says" (ORIGINAL MIX)" - The Velvet Underground
from album: White Light/ White Heat Super Deluxe (1968/2013 45th anniversary release)
Allmusic genre: Experimental Rock
My thoughts: I've never heard the song with this particular mix before, and I love how prominent the vocals are. Added to my main playlist.
****
"Dear Prudence" - Siouxsie and the Banshees
from album: Hyaena (1984)
Allmusic genre: Alternative Pop/Rock
My thoughts: A faithful cover that's pleasant enough, but I would rather hear the original Beatles version.
***
"I Need Love" - Sam Phillips
from album: Martinis & Bikinis (1994)
Allmusic genre: Adult Alternative Pop/Rock
My thoughts: Somehow I missed the Sam Phillips boat. Her name is vaguely familiar but I've never listened to her before. The vocals remind me of Liz Phair of the same era, and since I love lady singer-songwriters, I will definitely save her albums to revisit soon.
***
"Emotion in Motion" - Ric Ocasek
from album: This Side of Paradise (1986)
Allmusic genre: Album Rock
My thoughts: I bet I haven't heard this song since it was on Z-100 FM and MTV in 1986. I'm a sucker for Ric's voice, but the song is a little too mellow or something. If I'm going to listen to his songs, I'll go with older Cars albums.
**
"Total Control" - The Motels
from album: The Motels (1979)
Allmusic genre: New Wave
My thoughts: Her voice is great, but I think this song is a too-long snooze, and I can't abide the sax solo.
*
"A Higher Power" - Jens Lekman
from album: When I Said I Wanted to Be Your Dog (2004)
Allmusic genre: Alternative/Indie Rock
My thoughts: I own this CD and I'm sure I've listened to it at least a dozen times, but this song is not ringing any bells. I usually love Jens Lekman, but this one just doesn't do much for me.
**
"82nd Street" - The Delines
from album: Colfax (2014)
Allmusic genre: Country, R&B
My thoughts: Wow! This is beautiful. I don't know this band but I'm going to be sure to listen to everything I can ASAP. Her voice is a gorgeous alto, there's lots of reverb, and the music is moody and atmospheric.
****
"The Promise" - Sturgill Simpson
from album: Metamodern Sounds in Country Music (2014)
Allmusic genre: Neo-Traditionalist Country
My thoughts: This song is so pretty. I can't believe I didn't already have it on a playlist, but you can bet I do now. There's one musical phrase that makes me think of the Elvis song "In the Ghetto," which is one of my favorite "extremely problematic guilty pleasure" songs.
*****
OVERALL PLAYLIST RATING: 3.25 out of 5 stars
5 songs from the 1960's
4 songs from the 1970's
4 songs from the 1980's
6 songs from the 1990's
6 songs from the 2000's
5 songs from the 2010's
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