The Friday Refrain: a bit of what's new in music

The world is delicious this morning. And the music is interesting. I'm realizing as I eat my brownie (thank you to my niece and her mom), that the diversity of my compiled list this week is lacking - but it's not yet 11 and I'm sitting down to write, my belly full of yummy goodness (even though the brownie had cherries), so I'll just go with it.

"Weird Al" Yankovic is out with Mandatory Fun this week and while I haven't gotten the chance to listen to it, I'm sure if you are a fan you have already listened to it at least once already. Because if there is anything I learned seeing Weird Al live in concert during a late night Bonnaroo set, it's that those who love Weird Al, love him very much. It was like watching a huge screening of a cult classic movie, people saying their favorite lines, laughing at their favorite jokes, and delighting in the new medleys.

After weeks of releasing one single after another from the his new album, Morrissey's World Peace is None of Your Business has finally been released. And if you're from Minnesota, you're probably well aware that favorites Trampled By Turtles have released Wild Animals this week. It's pretty awesome from the few tracks I sampled, and I'll be delving in for a further listen this weekend. As far as popularly known acts, that's about the news this week. Oh, wait, Jasan Mraz with Yes! and Kidz Bop 26 are also new this week. There, now I think that was all the big ones.

And now it's time for The List

And if you're hankering for something new to listen to but don't know what, here are a few ideas.

Girls playing music

Anna Calvi, Strange Weather EP - Nothing directly grabbed me while listening to this, but I also didn't turn it off. I kind of feel like she is a siren luring me back in, not letting me go. I can't believe it, but while trying to figure this out, my best stab at it was "She has that je ne sais quoi quality to her." It's haunting singer-songwriter and short, so give it a whirl why don'tcha?

Luluc, Passerby - this is the acoustic guitar playing singer-songwriter woman that gets me everytime. It's my personal weak spot. Oh, and since I've been mentioning this lately, good album cover.

Pop women releases: Marsha Ambrosius, Friends & Lovers, and Micha Ciselle, Lover's Leap

Moriah Peters, Brave - Christian pop music that sounds current.

Honeyblood, Honeyblood - You might hear more about this one. A bit more rock into it that has to have a Neko Case influence.

Upbeat Music

Little Daylight, Hello Memory - combining so many different elements Playground of Rock favorites. It has poppy hooks; the music has that jumpy Matt & Kim feel at times; that sunny modern 80s pop sound?

Melted Toys, Melted Toys - Beachy guitar sounds with a vague barely-there Smiths feel to it.

Bleachers, Strange Desire - Feels like one of those bands that could cross genres from pop to alternative stations and appeal to lots of people.

Wunder Wunder, Everything Infinite - Bright and sunny with lots of layers

Rock

Pennywise, Yesterdays - more punky and fast

TRAAMS, Cissa - Very The Strokes-like

Betraying the Martyrs, Phantom - they had me at the metal cover of "Let It Go." Which of course that song is metal, it's so obvious now.

Grave Digger, Return of the Reaper - another metal pick for the week.

You'll just know if you like it by the first or second song...

My Brightest Diamond, None More Than You

Jungle, Jungle

Landlady, Upright Behavior

Cloud Boat, Model Of You

Roman Ruins, Source of Pride

Slow Club, Complete Surrender

Vintage Sound

Viet Cong, Cassette

Reigning Sound, Shattered

Other Stuff I Was Digging

Perfume Genius, "Queen"

ODESZA, Memories That You Call/Sun Models

Merchandise, "Enemy"

Anand Wilder & Maxwell Kardon, Break Line The Musical

EULA, Orderly/Meadow

Dead Fingers, Big Black Dog

Jack Clement, For Once And For All

John Hiatt, Terms of My Surrender

Veen, "Babylon"

Well it's the weekend of the Pitchfork Music Festival, and holy cow, I just looked over the lineup - that's pretty much awesomesauce. Beck, Kendrick Lamar, Sharon Van Etten, St. Vincent, Speedy Ortiz, nice... Anyway, that about wraps it up for me. Now I just need to save at least one brownie for my husband. I think I can. I am the little engine that could. Hope you have a good weekend and happy listening!

The Friday Refrain: A bit of what's new in music

Happy Friday! So this will be a bit short today because we are dogsitting this weekend. Which wouldn't be so bad, but our cat is very anti-dog so the house is kind of on a timeshare. So this weekend is just toeing a thin line between semi-contented animals and no urine/feces launching.

Well this week is kinda fun for music - Ted Nugent released ShutUp&Jam, which is pretty fun to take for a spin; Judas Priest with Redeemer of Souls; Sia's 1000 Forms of Fear also came out this week and Chicago is back with Now: Chicago XXXVI.

Attack of The List! (less genred than usual, apologies. Been a light listening week)

There is a lot of chill-out music this week. Or at least that's what has stuck out in my head. So if it's not metal, good chance it's kinda laid back. Here are a few things I'm going to dig into this weekend:

Gingerlys, Jumprope - I want this album on vinyl just because it'd look cool in my house. The sound is sunny Cali-rock and fun.

Cumba All Stars, Tigres En Fuga - Admittedly, my first two picks are both upbeat. Thus making it seem my previous statement of laid back music is a lie. But it's not.

Dale Watson, Truckin Sessions Trilogy - Country fun for the weekend

The Mastersons, Good Luck Charm - Maybe if The Both were an americana/country album, this is what it would be?

Comet Gain, Paperback Ghosts - kinda has a retro sound to it.

Gulp, Season Sun- It's my favorite album cover of the week. And the sound matches the cover.

Eugene McGuinness, Chroma - Not what I was expecting. I thought it would be falsetto singing poppy synthy but it's more Talking Heads and shuffle rock with something else... what is it? All my mind can think is "wet dog smell" and that has more to do with the ambience of my house currently than the music I'm listening to.

Well there you have it. Another Friday, another Friday Refrain. Thanks for checking it out and I hope you find something new to indulge your ears in. Happy listening everybody!

Friday Refrain is a weekly post regarding what new releases have caught my ear for the week. I try to compile a pretty comprehensive list of releases of the week and see what is available for me to listen to on the web. This is just my non-scientific, highly-subjective, randomly-listened-to list of stuff from the week. Oh, and I don’t always listen to lyrics or look at album art/music videos, so appropriateness is left up to the listener

Friday Refrain: A bit of what's new in music

Happy Independence Day! Taking a break from the barbecues, parades and fireworks to give you a taste of this week's new music. I try to stay positive when talking about new music, but I have to admit something - this week has some of the ugliest/weirdest/awkward album covers to come out in one week. Mostly I've been trying to not look at the album art before listening because it probably does skew my thoughts.Though OOIOO, Gamel definitely wins prettiest album cover art for this week. Kudos where it's due. And kudos to some of those other covers out there that went for most awkward cover ever (here's looking at you Benge and MatthewDavid).

The List!

There is a slew of reissues/anniversary albums this week including: Bob Marley & the Wailers Legend; Bon Jovi New Jersey; Wreckless Eric The Donovan of Trash; The The Soul Mining; Emerson, Lake & Palmer Brain Salad Surgery; and last, but not least, Pink Floyd The Division Bell.

Holy Singles, Batman!

Including some from well-known acts:

Lenny Kravitz, "The Chamber;" Melissa Etheridge, "Take My Number;" Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, "Forgottten Man;" Ryan Adams, "Gimme Something Good;" and Spoon, "Do You?."

And some from not-as-well-known too:

Elle Belle, "You Better Mean It" - Looking at the band name and title, I thought to myself "Oh neat, a fun summery pop song." Nope. It's a fun rock song that you should check out for sure.

Moist, "Mechanical"

Real Friends, "I Don't Love You Anymore" - it's as angsty as it sounds.

Matt Nathanson, "Headphones" - a poppy little ditty

Toni Rodriguez, "Stupid Boy" - this jumped right onto next year's lovelorn Valentine's Day mix

Flyying Colours, "Not Today"

Kloot per W en de Beesten, "In Mijn Kop" - I think it sounds like a Belgium? Guided By Voices.

Expand Your Ears

OOIOO, Gamel - It's interesting. It's different. I don't know what to say.

Marcos Ciscar, Wisdom of Mountains - Here's some meditation music for y'all.

Remember Remember, Forgetting the Present - Um, they have a song called "Pterodactyl" which sounds like the musical soundtrack that would play in a pterodactyl's mind as it flew around the world. Which is pretty much the awesomest thing this week. Excuse me while I become a pterodactyl and listen to this song again.

Vulkano, Live Wild Die Free - kinda like Karen O and Bjork made music baby. Or something.

Vacant Lots, Departure - it kinda meanders the line between pyschedelic and loose rock.

Summer Listening

Man you'd think this would be bursting at the seams being the middle of summer time and wouldn't everyone want to be the album being rocked out to in the backyard, or on the beach, or wherever you light a fire and cook some food? But there's just a few this week really.

Musicanti di Grema, Musicanti di Grema - I don't know what he's saying, but it's upbeat and fun.

Beverly, Careers - California rock-pop, sun, summer, surf, you know all that stuff.

Jonah Tolchin, Clover Lane - bluesy country americana-y type of singer-songwriter. I'd insert it sporadically into a mix for the weekend.

King Friday, This Is Supposed To Be Fun - Fleet Foxes style harmonics, Simon & Garfunkel sounding, good for some light listening.

David Sauzay, Meeting with Harold Mabern - a little light jazz for chilling out or that transition into evening twilight, hopefully with some fireflies dancing around the lawn right before the fireworks appear above the horizon.

Need a little rock?

Minot, Equal/Opposite - instrumental rock

Turn to Crime, Can't Love - I liked the title track and the 10 minute jam at the end a lot.

...Or a little pop?

Magic!, Don't Kill The Magic - currently with a single on Billboard's top 100

Tessanne Chin, Count On My Love - first release post-The Voice

Well there you go. Hope you can find something new to tune to for this weekend, seems to be something for everyone. And I hope you have a safe, fun weekend. Remember to stay hydrated and use sunscreen! Happy listening!

 Friday Refrain is a weekly post regarding what new releases have caught my ear for the week. I try to compile a pretty comprehensive list of releases of the week and see what is available for me to listen to on the web. This is just my non-scientific, highly-subjective, randomly-listened-to list of stuff from the week. Oh, and I don’t always listen to lyrics or look at album art/music videos, so appropriateness is left up to the listener

Friday Refrain: A bit of what's new in music...

Oh man, watch out for this week. Phish is out with a new album, Fuego. Mastodon released Once More 'Round The Sun; Ed Sheeran with X; Bassnectar dropped Noise Vs. Beauty; and Deadmau5 released while(1<2). Lenny Kravitz released a single, "The Chamber."

Attack of The List! (Not as complete, sorry, busy week and I didn't get as much research time in as usual)

It's Been A Jazzy Week...

Seriously, so many jazz related albums out this week, it's kinda crazy. Here are a few to wet your whistle.

Ginger Baker, Why?

 Julien Labro, From This Point Forward - It has accordion.

Juan Mario Solare, Gardel Al Piano - Latin jazz

Bobby Hutcherson, Enjoy the View

To-Listen List

It's the list of stuff I'm coming back to because I've been intrigued by it, or it needs another listen.

Secret Cities, Walk Me Home - Winner of this week's album cover and also the sweet female vocals laid over a lush mix of instruments so far seems perfect for summer time.

Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, The Perfect Quirk - need to come back and take a full listen to this children's hip-hop album. I am a sucker for children's albums.

Robert Gordon, I'm Coming Home - This is a weekend morning listen. Old rock n roll, country, you know, morning music.

Noura Mint Seymali, Tzenni - need some world music this weekend? Check this one out.

 Circulatory System, Mosaics Within Mosaics

Donovan Blanc, Donovan Blanc

PHOX, PHOX - I saw them open for Blitzen Trapper a year or so ago and really liked it. So here they are now with their first full length and I'm hoping it will give me another chance to catch them live.

Well there you have it - another week, another round of music. Maybe I'll even have a half year round up one of these days. I can't believe it's been 6 months already. I can't even wrap my mind around how many bands I've listened to... My mind might implode. Anyhoot - if you're out and about enjoying the music - remember to stay hydrated and bring your ear plugs! Happy listening!

Friday Refrain: A bit of what's new in music

The List. Bam. Right at the beginning. Take that.

Time to catch up, here are some of the big-hitters of the week. Our big pop release is from Jennifer Lopez with A.K.A. Lana Del Rey's sophomore release Ultraviolence also hit the shelves this week, as well as Mutineers by David Grey, and Overboard from The Verve Pipe. Sam Smith has the bees buzzing this week with In The Lonely Hour. Willie Nelson released his first original work in years on Band of Brothers too. And then, I never thought I'd say this, but Linkin Park's new album, Hunting Party, isn't too shabby. In fact, enjoyable at times even. Huh. Good for them.

Let's break it down all fast-like this week again. There's some good stuff out there and I need to hop on the half-way-done-with-the-year-listening list again.

Let's Dance

Tïesto, A Town Called Paradise

Big Freedia, Just Be Free - It can be intense and a lot of booty shaking, but this list would be remiss without it.

Favorite Album Art of the Week

Say Hi, Endless Wonder

Sunny Happy

Miniature Tigers, Cruel Runnings

Trummors, Moorish Highway - sunny happy sometimes in a melancholy way

Possibly Lawn Lounging and Icy Drinks?

Karl Hector & the Malcouns, Unstraight Ahead

John Robinson, Modern Vintage

Clothesline Revival, The Greatest Show On Mars

Fouma System, Mind Me Dem

Hands on the wheel, coasting down the road

Death Has No Dominion, Death Has No Dominion - I thought it was going to be metal. It's not. Chilled and reflective, this album has a good sound to it and deserves a front to back listen.

The Delines, Colfax

Worth A Shot

Dead Stars, Slumber

The Antlers, Familiars

Ian McLagan & The Bump Band, United States

Hiromi, Alive

Boris, Noise

Cocktails, Adult Life

Recess Monkey, Wired

I hope that you have a wonderful summer solstice this weekend - whether you're just chilling with friends or at home with your pets, or heading out to catch some artlife. Stay hydrated and don't forget your sunscreen - Happy listening!

Friday Refrain is a weekly post regarding what new releases have caught my ear for the week. I try to compile a pretty comprehensive list of releases of the week and see what is available for me to listen to on the web. This is just my non-scientific, highly-subjective, randomly-listened-to list of stuff from the week. Oh, and I don’t always listen to lyrics or look at album art/music videos, so appropriateness is left up to the listener