Music is a little like food and clothes. These are areas where it’s probably worthwhile for one to explore & expand their tastes. The Playlist is assembled each month by Dappered’s very own music correspondent, Tim Johnstone. Tim is a former Virgin Records Label Rep & current award winning Program Director at KRVB, which was awarded the FMQB AAA station of the year markets 50+. You can also catch his work on Fridays when he assembles the Weekend Dossier.
Billy Idol – “Can’t Break Me Down”
He’s back, not so much rockin’ the cradle of love as copping to past misadventures. With his snarl firmly in place, and faithful sidekick Steve Stevens blazing licks, William Michael Albert Broad returns with the first taste of his upcoming album Kings & Queens of the Underground. The production is more contemporary but this song wouldn’t be out of place on one of his earlier albums. Oh, and he’s got an autobiography on the way: Dancing With Myself
TV On The Radio – “Happy Idiot”
After taking a few years off (and losing a member to cancer), TV on The Radio return. This is a good thing. This first single is from their upcoming album Seeds, available November 18th. Also, any video with Pee Wee Herman and Amelia Pond is a win win in my book.
Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators – “30 Years To Life”
Have you seen, or worse, heard Axel lately? Because, um, ouch. Meanwhile, Slash continues to carry his own banner and wear his trademark hat, and he does it all with a wattage that’ll test any power plant’s capacity to provide the juice. Myles Kennedy has impressed other musicians for years, and his vocal cords are some of the few that can keep up with the output from the strings on Slash’s Les Paul. There isn’t a great deal of solid RAWK music out there at the moment (we eagerly await new music from Foo Fighters) and this delivers.
Annie Lennox – “I Put A Spell On You”
Because it’s all about the voice. And Annie Lennox has one for the ages. With her new album Nostalgia, Annie returns to interpretation which is something she excels at.
The Griswolds “Beware The Dog”
HEADS UP: This video contains cartoon-level gore and some other things that might not be appropriate for your day job. Which is too bad because it’s all sorts of fun. Also, the f bomb features prominently in the chorus. Having said that, this Australian band (named after the famous National Lampoon family) craft winning, memorable hooks atop an indie-rock vibe.
Lenny Kravitz – “Dirty White Boots”
Lenny is back with a new album called Strut. Turns out, he’s in the mood to rock. Also, he’s a fan of the four-on-the-floor thing.
You+Me – “You and Me”
Whereupon one of the world’s most famous pop singers teams up with a talented former post-hardcore turned melodic rock dude for a stripped down folk album. Pink and Dallas Green, one time member of Alexisonfire, now known as City and Colour, join forces for an unexpected treat. You+Me’s new album Rose Ave. is available next Tuesday, October 14th.
Bryan Ferry – Loop De Li
Bryan Ferry is on a roll. His last album Olympia was a terrific addition to his catalog. But this first taste of his upcoming release Avonmore is so damn promising. One listen. That’s all it takes. The voice, the guitar solos, the arrangement. This has been missed. “Loop De Li” could have come off the last Roxy Music album (the masterpiece Avalon) or one of his classic mid 80’s releases (Boys & Girls and Bête Noire).
The Cure – “Hello Goodbye”
While it would easy to poke fun at Robert Smith’s continued commitment to oversized black shirts, mussed hair and Mac makeup get-up, I’m going to instead focus on how completely well the Fab Four fares when covered by The Cure. Maybe it’s just this song. But it works for me. From a tribute project jam-packed with big names coming this November
CLASSIC: Cypress Hill – Rock Superstar
There is always room for Cypress Hill on a gym playlist. And this track is a favorite. Solid advice as well. They released this at the same time.
For previous editions of The Playlist, see the growing archive here.