The Moving Stills Find Delight on the “Westside”
Why did the Moving Stills call this song “Westside”? Not just because they’re touring (though, yes: at the time of this typing, the Australian band is wrapping up its “Westside” tour.) Titles are a kind of signpost: they can tell you where to focus in a song. “Westside” points to the geography of “distant love.” […]
J Lind’s “Oxford Sweater” & Simple Joy
This is what J Lind writes on his instagram about his newest single: “Oxford Sweater” is about turning off your phone and noticing the world but here are some things I’ve noticed with my phone on, no regrets” What follows is a photo carousel of the quirky, the heartwarming, the mundane—an action figure on a […]
Prince Slams Societal Discord on “Sign O’ The Times”
It’s 1986 and Prince’s career is in full-afterburner mode. “Purple Rain,” “When Doves Cry,” and “Raspberry Beret” have already cemented his inclusion among the most successful – and talented – popular musicians of the second half of the 20th century. Tepid off of two less-than-seismic releases, The Artist has decided to go rogue, disbanding his […]
Rachel Newnham Gently Calls to the Weary Soul in “Nobody Loves You Like I Do”
A little house down my suburban street, when I was a kid, had peeling paint, and curled up shingles, and an overgrown yard. There was a formerly white wooden fence, about 3 feet high, with a gate that was falling off. Cats wandered in and out of the foliage. Trees, which had grown on their […]
Elizabeth Hume’s “August” Unveils a Different Side to Summer
Well. How about we get honest? Like a lot of people in this world, I struggle with depression. Severe for awhile, now it’s just severe anxiety and moderate depression (woohoo!). It’s super… well, not fun, a lot of the time. Even now I’m about three minutes away from a beach and I struggle to get […]
Bad Tiger’s “Enough” and Timing
Bad Tiger is a story about timing. I was impressed beyond belief when I read that San Fran-based Bad Tiger debuted the week lockdown started. Because that one fact tells a story of its own: of pure resilience. I can’t think of much else that would so fully overshadow or outdo something so precious, so […]
Bernie and Kaycie Satterfield want you to “Stay”
Bernie (Sarah Bernstein) and Kaycie Satterfield’s recent collaboration, “Stay,” alternates between creating moments of timelessness and evoking the march of days. Appropriately, it’s a love song. Somewhat unusually, it’s a love song focused on ordinary times. The lyrics contrast love’s way of measuring time with standard measurements. The singer observes “People on the corner selling […]
The Questions of Seba Safe’s “I Wonder”
The title of Seba Safe’s “I Wonder” doesn’t promise any answers. And indeed the song begins with questions: “What the hell is wrong with people? / What the hell is wrong with me?” Good questions; I wonder about that too. But instead of answers, the rest of verse one gives instructions: “Twist the hurt into […]
Steve Earle Dismantles Capital Punishment on “Ellis Unit One”
“I object to my government killing people because my government is meant to be me and I object to me killing people.” This is simply one of many damning quotes by legendary American folk artist Steve Earle regarding America’s arguably archaic capital punishment laws. It’s 1995 and famed actor/producer/director Tim Robbins (The Shawshank Redemption, Jacob’s […]
“1979” – The Smashing Pumpkins’ best song
There’s three things I love about The Smashing Pumpkins. First, Billy Corgan’s look – watch the videos for “Ava Adore” or “Stand Inside Your Love” – he’s mesmerizing, a modern rock Nosferatu. Second, their name – it’s hilarious! And third, “1979” – their best song. There are other songs I like but “1979” has this […]
