NEW MUSIC FOR OLDS #76
Unexpected, but not in a gross way
Hello, friends. Sorry the newsletter is late again—I was busy thinking about how much I love you.
On the agenda today:
Twee maximalism!
Unsettling post-rock!
El Brian Wilson!
Fun musical pick-me-ups!
And, a ranking of every performance in last week’s “SNL50: A Homecoming Concert”
SHALL WE…?
GOOD STUFF
Here’s that Glossary of Terms you were looking for.
Denison Whitmer, Sufjan Stevens, “Focus Ring”
Listen on Apple Music // Listen on Amazon Music
Album: Anything At All
Nutshell: Serene folk pop
Voltage: 3
Thoughts: I took a bit of pride in featuring “American Foursquare” by Denison Whitmer waaaaay back in NMFO #4. I’d never heard of this Lancaster, PA singer-songwriter, so I blithely assumed no one else had either. Well, I have shocking news: Anything At All is produced and arranged by indie superstar Sufjan Stevens, which leads one to conclude that Whitmer’s reach may extend a bit further than this bi-weekly newsletter. I’m as surprised as you are! Whitmer’s austere melodies pair nicely with Stevens’ trademark brand of twee maximalism. More than that, each song is imbued with wisdom, humility and a sense of optimism that feels almost nakedly political in these wretched times. This album is a balm for what ails ya.
Pairing Suggestion: A stroll through the woods with your dog
FACS, “A Room”
Listen on Apple Music // Listen on Amazon Music
Album: Wish Defense
Nutshell: Minimalist post-rock
Voltage: 6
Thoughts: I was heretofore unaware of Chicago avant-punk band FACS (or the band from which they spun off), but it only took half of one song for me to realize that their latest album was recorded by Steve Albini—that “unfinished basement” drum sound is always a dead giveaway. In fact, Wish Defense is literally the last album Albini worked on before passing away in May 2024. Beyond that bit of trivia, Wish Defense is just damn fine indie rock—sparse but expansive, menacing but restrained. I’d hardly call these dudes songwriters, but FACS is going for atmosphere over hooks. I find myself listening to this (very short) album in its entirety, or not at all. It’s a “mood”, as they say.
Pairing Suggestion: Pacing back and forth, considering punching the wall but never actually punching the wall.
Marinero, “Cruz”
Listen on Apple Music // Listen on Amazon Music
Album: La La La
Nutshell: Los chicos de la playa?
Voltage: 3
Thoughts: Snack food advice: apples and Oreos. I’m telling you, that there is a delightful taste combination—unexpected, but not in a gross way. That’s how I feel about this album by LA-based artist Marinero, who combines Mexican balladry with a heavy dose of Pet Sounds (and also elements of sunshine pop and lounge music). Take this particular song: the verse-to-bridge transition at 0:45 is like teleporting from a cheesy beach resort in Puerta Vallarta directly into Brian Wilson’s sandbox. It’s not jarring, but it’s definitely a vibe shift. Given that Los Angeles is synonymous with both The Beach Boys and Latin culture, I’m surprised the pairing feels so novel. Or maybe I’m dumb and there’s a thriving “sinfonias adolscente a Dios” scene I don’t know about.
Pairing Suggestion: Doing the backstroke in an Olympic-size pina colada
Tell me baby girl ‘cause I need to know.
I’m sick of doing all the work around here. Tell me something good.
Need a prompt? What do you think 62yo Anthony Kiedis chats about with his 20yo girlfriend?
SOME BULLSHIT
First off, a few simple musical pick-me-ups, guaranteed to help you ward off any feelings of despair or malaise.
Imagine Robert Smith riding a jet ski. Let your imagination run wild.
Read the lyrics to “Darling Nikki” with the notion that it’s a teenage dork trying to convince his D&D friends that he’s toootally not a virgin.
Sing Les Miz in an exaggerated hillbilly accent. It’s oddly satisfying and it works with pretty much every song!
NOTE: It’s difficult to overstate just how much my wife hates when I do this. Absolutely can’t stand it. She hates it even more than when I stick a finger in her plumber’s butt and shout “DON’T DO CRACK!”
SECONDARY NOTE: I apologize that my complexion makes it look like I work the night shift at Chernobyl. I’m 51 years old and it’s mid-February. It is what it is.
I’m sure a lot of you folks watched SNL’s big 50th anniversary show this past weekend. It was fun! But I’m guessing fewer of you were able to catch the massive “homecoming” concert held at Radio City a couple of nights previous. It was also (mostly) good. Three and a half stars!
The full three-hour concert is currently streaming on Peacock. In case you;re wondering what’s worth skipping, I present this ranked list of every musical performance contained therein.
EDDIE VEDDER — The college snob version of me would be pained to hear this, but it’s become clear that Eddie Vedder is perhaps the only Gen X icon to make it to 2025 with his reputation and credibility intact. Enhanced, even! The very best PJ song and my favorite Tom Petty tune? Alt Nation salutes you, Edward! Should have unbuttoned that tux jacket, though.
BRANDI CARLISLE — Yes, Brandi Carlisle has allowed herself to become the new John Legend (i.e., the “safe” choice for industry squares booking award shows and benefit concerts), but “The Joke” has one of the all-time great choruses. And while the lyrics seemed mawkish in 2018, they feel like a defiant call to arms, given the current state of things.
DEVO — “Uncontrollable Urge” has never been one of my top Devo songs (to the extent that I have top Devo songs), but I love seeing legacy artists fully commit to their them-ness. I bet those grampies woke up sore the next day!
JACK WHITE — I’m of the lonely opinion that “Rockin’ in the Free World” is the world’s most overrated tune, but White always brings energy.
THE LONELY ISLAND (and assorted others) — More impressive than laugh-out-loud funny. But impressive nonetheless.
LAURYN HILL & WYCLEF JEAN — Given Lauryn Hill’s *ahem* mercurial reputation, I was expecting a phoned-in performance. But she was working her tail off! It’s hard not to think of her as one of modern music’s biggest “what ifs”. What an immense talent. Wyclef Jean was also there.
BONNIE RAITT — “I Can’t Make You Love Me” is just about perfect, isn’t it?
BAD BUNNY — Style points and the band sounded superb, but…is he maybe not quite good enough a singer for this genre?
MILEY CYRUS & BRITTANY HOWARD — Respectable, snoozy.
ROBYN & DAVID BYRNE — It took me a few years, but I acknowledge that “Dancing on My Own” is a genuine “bop”. The David Byrne appearance would have meant more if he hadn’t already been onstage for 20 minutes. This performance felt so long, I wondered if it was directed by Judd Apatow.
BILL MURRAY, w/ ANA GASTEYER, MAYA RUDOLPH AND CECILY STRONG — “Nick the Lounge Singer” feels a bit outré in 2025, but the women sounded great and “You’re All I Need to Get By” is a stone cold classic.
CHER — I’m sure this meant something to certain people and I shan’t take that away from you.
THE BACKSTREET BOYS — Again, sure. Fine. Whatever.
THE B-52s — God bless ‘em. But Cindy Wilson’s voice was more strained than the skin pulled across Kate Pierson’s face.
Au unnaturale LADY GAGA — I think we’re good on performances of “Shallow”, thanks.
MUMFORD & SONS — This is a complete guess because I fast-forwarded through it!
SNOOP — Samesies.
JIMMY FALLON — My Blues Brothers hatred is well established, and Jimmy Fallon ain’t exactly a “value-add”.
JELLY ROLL — Jesus christ, this dude sucks. Cornier than a port-a-potty at the Iowa State Fair.
Face tattoos with veneers is no way to go through life, son “NIRVANA”, w/ POST MALONE — Dear god, make the Nirvana reunions stop. Just because Post Malone can (kind of) sing and (marginally) play guitar, that’s no reason to sacrifice “Smells Like Teen Spirit” at the Altar of Content. Also, a friendly reminder: fuck Krist Noveselic.
ARCADE FIRE, w/ ST. VINCENT & DAVID BYRNE — Let’s set aside the Win Butler allegations for the moment. I’m not saying they’re irrelevant, just that they’re mostly peripheral to the secondhand embarrassment I felt during this painfully forced “comeback”. Look, I was 31 when Funeral came out—young enough that I found it exciting, but definitely old enough not to get sucked in by their smarmy ayahuasca cult schtick. I can’t rid myself of the image of Win Butler THRICE ambling into the audience, guitar triumphantly held aloft like some sort of dollar store shaman. The fucking balls on the dude. And god help me, I thought we were done having to look at this goofy thing.
Thoughts? Condemnations?
That is all for today. As always, I thank you for your support.
See you in a fortnight!
And now I need to see a full production of Hillbilly Les Miz.
I was really surprised by how easy it was to just let the Marinero album continue to play after the listening to your song 'cruz'! Its pretty good! Thanks for introducing that and apples with oreos into my life! :)