NEW MUSIC FOR OLDS #67
You win again, inner monologue
Welcome to another exciting edition of NEW MUSIC FOR OLDS, the newsletter that encourages you to open your ears to new sounds and perspectives. I’ve got three great songs for you this week, so let’s get right to—
INNER MONOLOGUE: Hey Christian, sorry to interrupt. Big fan. Got a minute?
Huh? Oh hello, inner monologue. No offense, but this isn’t a great time. This newsletter is already late and—
INNER MONOLOGUE: I couldn’t help but notice this week’s songs have a certain…how do I put this?
Just spit it out.
INNER MONOLOGUE: Well, are you sure you want this week’s NMFO to feature three new songs by musicians who’ve been around since the Nineties? That’s literally thirty years go. Do you think that reflects well on this newsletter? And you, as a human being?
I take your point. But I’ve only ever promised to boost whatever songs are giving me joy in a given fortnight, without regard to genre or popularity or cultural narrative.
INNER MONOLOGUE: Fortnight?
It means two weeks. That’s proper usage!
INNER MONOLOGUE: Not sure why you’re getting upset.
Because you’re pulling the same shit you always do! Trying to make me second guess myself into oblivion. The fact is, I write about young, up-and-coming artists all the time. Constantly!
INNER MONOLOGUE: Right. Like Nada Surf.
(sigh)
INNER MONOLOGUE: Did I say something wrong?
Look inner monologue, I’m allowed to like what I like.
INNER MONOLOGUE: Of course you are. I just thought that the entire purpose of this newsletter was to encourage people not to get into a listening rut, stuck on the same eight bands they loved in college. I feel like I remember reading something about “new sounds and perspectives”? I won’t even mention that this week’s artists are all straight White dudes with guitars.
Okay not gonna lie, I’m not super crazy about that.
INNER MONOLOGUE: What if you replaced one of this week’s songs with something by a 19 year-old Filipino rapper, or whatever? You know, just to reassure new readers that you’re not some cranky Gen X fossil.
No, then I would feel like I was trying to get away with something. Better to lean into it, as if it’s a “theme”. I have nothing to be ashamed of!
INNER MONOLOGUE: You sure? Because you seem really insecure, with this whole “inner monologue” narrative device.
You don’t think I know that?! And now I don’t know how to end this bizarre spectacle. Help me inner monologue, you’re my only hope.
INNER MONOLOGUE: Star Wars reference? Oof. Look, the best plan is to just rip the band aid off.
Like, just go straight to this week’s music? Won’t that be an awkward transition?
INNER MONOLOGUE: Dude, you’re not Salman fucking Rushdie. Nobody’s even reading this. By now, this newsletter is already sharing the trash bin with old Amazon confirmations and Elissa Slotkin fundraising emails.
Yeah, why do I get so many Elissa Slotkin emails? I don’t even live in Michigan.
INNER MONOLOGUE: Focus, Finnegan! No one has time for your whimsical bullshit.
You’re right, inner monologue. You’re always right.
INNER MONOLOGUE: It’s only because I love you. In fact, I’m the only one who loves you, fat and stupid as you are.
You said it, inner monologue. Now let’s hear some music!
GOOD STUFF
I suppose you’ll be needing this Glossary of Terms.
John Davis, “Indifferent Stars”
Listen on Apple Music // Listen on Amazon Music
Album: JINX
Nutshell: Fuzzy power pop
Voltage: 7
Thoughts: It’s a matter of public record that Superdrag, the Knoxville power pop band best known for “Sucked Out”, is one of my favorite bands of all time. So whenever erstwhile bandleader John Davis releases new music, either under his own name or with his various and sundry side projects, there is joy in Mudville. I was especially excited when rumors of a new Superdrag album started making the rounds. It now appears a (second) reunion is not to be, but those new songs morphed into Davis’ latest solo album, JINX. Is it radically different than it would have sounded with his former band? Probably not, although I do miss the Superdrag rhythm section a bit. But John Davis has a “thing” (specifcally, marrying boldface melodies with shoegaze guitar) and it’s either going to resonate with you or it won’t. Such are the vicissitudes of power pop!
Pairing Suggestion: Getting your head right up close to the speaker
The Hard Quartet, “Our Hometown Boy”
Listen on Apple Music // Listen on Amazon Music
Album: The Hard Quartet
Nutshell: Shambolic alt rock
Voltage: 6
Thoughts: The term “supergroup” is too grandiose for a project this laidback, so let’s say that The Hard Quartet is comprised of members who are best known for their previous work. The above-the-title name is Stephen Malkmus of Pavement, but Matt Sweeney of Chavez is an equal draw for me. The other quartet-ers come to us from The Cairo Gang and The Dirty Three, about whom I know little. But if you’re a fan of any of those artists, you need this album, pronto. There are so many musical ideas at play here, all delivered with the confidence (and competence) of dudes who’ve been at this for a long time. This particular tune sounds as if it was pulled directly from the Kinks’ Village Green Preservation Society, which is a-ok by me. This may not be a “supergroup”, but this album is kinda super.
Pairing Suggestion: Beer #3 with your best buds
The Smile, “Zero Sum”
Listen on Apple Music // Listen on Amazon Music
Album: Cutouts
Nutshell: Radiohead, with busier percussion
Voltage: 8
Thoughts: That nutshell description is literal—as you may know, The Smile is Radiohead’s Thom Yorke and Johnny Greenwood, along with drummer Tom Skinner of Sons of Kemet. As a white Gen X-er with a BFA, my Radiohead fandom is legally enforceable, but I’ve felt strangely indifferent to the Smile until now. I think it’s less about the quality of those albums and more about me maybe needing a break from Thom Yorke’s whole “deal”. But I guess I’m back in the “disquieting sonic journey” biz, because I’m loving Cutouts. Sure, there are shapeless and meandering moments, but there’s also some bonafide hooks and moments of rock ‘n roll swagger—by Radiohead standards, that is. I won’t spoil it, but something delightful happens at the 1:33 mark of this tune—a playful arrangement choice that makes “Zero Sum” feel kinda…fun? I’m as surprised as you are.
Pairing Suggestion: That weird Thom Yorke dance
INNER MONOLOGUE: *Ahem…* Last chance to mix things up a bit, Finnegan.
Okay, fine! A bonus tune, if that will shut you/me the fuck up.
Caroline Kingsbury, “Take My Phone Away”
Listen on Apple Music // Listen on Amazon Music
Album: Take My Phone Away (single)
Nutshell: Eighties-style radio pop
Voltage: 6
Thoughts: I read somewhere that Caroline Kingsbury is the Cyndi Lauper to Chappell Roan’s Madonna: quirkier, a bit less conventionally marketable. Both artists make buoyant, undeniably catchy Reagan-era Pop. In fact, “Take My Phone Away” shares a co-writer with Roan’s recent hit, “Good Luck Babe”. Why does Kingsbury resonate with me more than her more successful compatriot? Kingsbury incorporates some rock and new wave influences, so that probably has something to do with it. Also, her booming alto is perfectly suited to this kind of radio pop. Lyrical conceit aside, “Take My Phone Away” would have been right at home on America’s Top 40, sandwiched between Laura Branigan and Kim Carnes. You can almost hear Casey Kasem: “Up three spots from last week, here’s Caroline Kingsbury with…”
Pairing Suggestion: Asking Mom for a ride to the mall
The moment of truth is nigh at hand.
Please submit all mockery and ridicule to the provided link.
INNER MONOLOGUE: Great job, Finnegan. To prove you aren’t stuck in the Nineties, you picked a “bonus” song that evokes the Eighties. Perfect. No notes.
Goddamit!
INNER MONOLOGUE: Just saying, the 21st Century is available to you, whenever you’re ready for it.
You win again, inner monologue.
INNER MONOLOGUE: And don’t you forget it. Now hit send on this thing and get your ass to the gym.
As you command.
Thanks for reading. See you all in a fortnight!
Excellent pull on tagging the Hard Quartet song as a forgotten Kinks b-side. Great work all around from another Old, and thankfully some other music nerd pointed out the Malkamus.
This made me laugh so much! Thank you. I really don’t think there is anything wrong with listening to new music from artists you have historically enjoyed as long as you are open to new ones too. It’s like saying you should only be reading new authors.
I have a difficult relationship with Pavement having not even heard of them before last year and really not enjoying the albums I’ve listened to since that point so I was about to scroll on by until you mentioned The Village Green Preservation Society which is one of my favourite albums. That was such a great observation and it’s a really good track so I’m going to give the rest of the album a try.
Also really enjoying Caroline Kingsbury. I’ve not come across her before so thanks for the recommendation.