NEW MUSIC FOR OLDS #55
Respect the anti-hustle
Dear reader,
Life is bleak and a soul-dissolving oblivion awaits us all.
The Knicks just lost playoff game and I’m feeling…things. Luckily, I already wrote most of this newsletter, so my current mood won’t affect things. But please know that I am typing this intro from a place of despair.
That reminds me…
In today’s NMFO:
New Wave jangle that sticks
Someone who’s better than you at singing
Shameless Gen X bait
NMFO Fictional Band Madness enters Round 2
And now, we venture back to a time when I didn’t long for Joel Embiid to be catapulted into the sea. Current Me will see you again at the outtro, assuming I can stave off the sweet release of death. Enjoy!
GOOD STUFF
Death, taxes, a Glossary of Terms.
BODEGA, “Tarkovski”
Listen on Apple Music // Listen on Amazon Music
Album: Our Brand Could Be Your Life
Nutshell: Neo “college rock”
Voltage: 6
Thoughts: NMFO superfriend Dave Holmes hipped me to “Tarkovski” months ago, but I’m slow on the uptake. The “art student” vibe is strong with BODEGA, with a heavy dose of early MTV pop—you can imagine this tune sandwiched between Men at Work and The Alarm. Also, this guitar sound is designed to make ears happy. Take me to the zone!
Fun-ish Fact: Back in 2015, when they were known as Bodega Bay, the band released an earlier (and less good) version of this song/album.
Pairing Suggestion: Purchasing a lukewarm Gatorade and past-its-expiration bag of Doritos
Andra Day, “Probably”
Listen on Apple Music // Listen on Amazon Music
Album: Cassandra (cherith)
Voltage: Neo soul
Voltage: 5
Thoughts: I’ll never be as good at anything as Andra Day is at singing and that’s okay. Truly memorable vocalists are usually vocal gymnasts or raspy stylists, but Day is that rare two-fer. I’d heard a couple of her songs over the years, but they reminded me of those nondescript audio paperweights American Idol winners put out once they’re off the show (I still believe, Candice Glover!). Thankfully, “Probably” is a song worthy of Andra Day’s million dollar pipes, with a chorus that’s been rattling around my skull for the better part of a month. And who can refuse a good ol’ Benny-and-the-Jets style piano plod? That’s a yes from me, dawg.
Pairing Suggestion: Overcoming a “group week” meltdown
Pearl Jam, “Waiting for Stevie”
Listen on Apple Music // Listen on Amazon Music
Album: Dark Matter
Nutshell: Pearl Jam of yore
Voltage: 7
Thoughts: This is an iffy selection for two reasons: 1) A new Pearl Jam album is perhaps something you didn’t need to be told about, and 2) I’m not sure if I truly like this song—it may simply evoke a mythical Nineties that barely existed. From the massive guitars to Eddie Vedder’s messianic wail and freshman dorm Zen Koans, this is shameless Gen X bait. It’s mostly working for me, even if I don’t fully trust my reaction. But credit to the band—a song this instantly digestible could drag Pearl Jam back into the mainstream, but they’ve honored their own history by saddling it with an dumb title and refusing to release it as a single. Gotta respect the anti-hustle.
Pairing Suggestion: Scrawling political slogans on your arm with a sharpie
Alright, out with it!
Look, I’m not going to pull that “NMFO is a community” grift on you. But I’d love to hear your thoughts on any of these songs, or stuff you think I should check out.
SOME BULLSHIT
Okay, we took a fortnight off, but it’s high time we get back to…
NMFO FICTIONAL BAND MADNESS: ROUND TWO
Feel free to check out Parts One, Two, Three & Four. Or, if you’d like an overview of where things stand…
Now that we’ve cast aside the dead weight (suck it, Zack Attack), it’s time for our first round winners to level up.
ROUND TWO, Part I
The Vegas Buzz: Conventional wisdom has coalesced around notion that “That Thing You Do” is perfect—I (mostly) agree. But can Erie, PA’s finest overcome The Dude’s long coattails1?
The Vegas Buzz: One band name is annoying to read, the other is annoying to say out loud. A true toss up!
The Vegas Buzz: The Lone Rangers pulled off Round 1’s biggest upset—who knew people gave a shit about Airheads! But can they take out the mighty J and the Puss, which is a nickname I just came up with?
The Vegas Buzz: A battle of comedy icons. My heart says Levy and O’Hara, but my brain says…
The Vegas Buzz: Diane Lane’s path to Round 2 was assured, but she’s about to be sold to Humble Pie for $50 and a case of Heineken.
The Vegas Buzz: I’ve made my feelings clear, re Buckaroo Banzai. If you’re committed to elevating this shitty film over perhaps the most touching indie romance of the 21st Century, I can’t stop you.
The Vegas Buzz: This competition’s most heavily eyeliner-ed matchup. A true fop-off!
The Vegas Buzz: John Cafferty is about to get his beaver browned.
Comments? Predictions? Witty rejoinders?
With that, NMFO #55 comes to a close. Now that I’ve had time to process the Knicks’ grievous Game 3 loss, and I’ve decided to soldier on a while longer. I gotta find out how this fictional band thing ends!
Paid Subscribees, I’ll see you next week. As always, I thank you for your support.
Robe-tails?
Love all your suggestions. Check out the Swedish band Guapa and King Buffalo, if you have not.
I seemed to break a few ties with my votes, which gave me an awesome godlike feeling to start the morning.