The Playlist – March 2016

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. Got a Spotify account? You’ll find a link to this month’s playlist at the end of the post.

 

Wolfmother – “The Love That You Give”

Because sometimes you just want to rock. And that is exactly what Andrew Stockade and mates have been doing since 2000. This is old school classic rock and it doesn’t need any fancy labels.

 

Fantastic Negrito – “Workin’ Poor”

There have been expectations for this guy. Xavier Dphrepaulezz has been around for a minute but his back story is all sorts of intriguing. NPR gave him some love when they named him winner of a Tiny Desk Concert contest under the moniker Fantastic Negrito. “Working’ Poor” pulls no punches, delivering social commentary and reality via a 30’s era chain gang rhythm. Unshakable.

 

Run River North – “Run or Hide”

Well this is unexpected. This Korean American indie rock band offers up a beefier sound on their sophomore release. The tension here, in tandem to a colossal hook, combines for a mid-90’s angst. A pleasant surprise.

 

PVRIS – “You and I”

Massachusetts trio steps up with a crunchy, gym friendly piece of moody electronica. This one builds with intensity as the song rolls along.

 

Massive Attack – “Voodoo In My Blood” Featuring Young Fathers

Yes, I realize there was a Massive Attack song in the last Playlist. Not even sorry. This is Massive Attack in creepy atmospheric mode. Even without the intense performance by Rosamund Pike in the video, the song stands out. Scottish rappers Young Fathers guest on the kind of song that has been Massive Attack’s bread and butter for years.

 

Carl Sagan – “Night Moves”

Uh, so, this is indie rock Style Council. I think that pretty much covers it.

 

New Order – “Singularity”

New Order returned last year after a 10 year absence with a new album that was really well received. Music Complete found the band returning to musical themes from various parts of their long discography. “Singularity” relies on the band’s earlier post punk beginnings at the beginning before opening up with a nod to the dance rock sheen of Technique.

 

Iggy Pop – “Sunday”

Iggy Pop has shared three songs from his upcoming album and so far it is shaping up to be something special. This is vintage Iggy circa 1977 when he was working with Bowie in Berlin on two of his most influential albums (The Idiot and Lust for Life). A raw, sensual rhythm stretches out allowing for all sorts of terrific guitar work before giving way to a orchestral coda. Yes, I just wrote that.

 

James – “Nothing But Love”

Easily one of the most under appreciated bands of the last thirty years. The band has always had a knack for writing anthemic pop songs that exude positivity (examples here, here and here). This latest example is so very British with its football stadium sing along chorus and pub worthy camaraderie.

 

Cool Uncle – “Never Knew Love Before”

Bobby Caldwell is best known for his 70’s smooth R&B classic “What You Won’t Do For Love.” He has returned with producer Jack Splash for a project called Cool Uncle. The context is retro. The vibe is infectious. And the video screams MTV circa 1989. It’s a solid project. Chill if you will.

 

Esperanza Spalding – “Earth To Heaven”

Wow. This right here. Grammy winning bassist and vocalist Spalding returns with a phenomenal album which channels Joni Mitchel and prog rock, 70’s funk and modern jazz. It all comes together thanks to the Spalding’s complete fluidity and confidence. Fantastic.

 

UNDERGROUND FLASHBACK: Comet – “American Flyer”

This is mid 90’s American indie-rock at its most grandeur. It is as close to shoe gazing as could be and though the arrangement is simple, it explodes with sincerity. It is summer nights outside with your friends. It is the soundtrack to a time when responsibilities were few and obligations non existent. Sometimes a band serves up one perfect slice of time and place that is so relevant it doesn’t matter that they never get anywhere near that again. And that’s ok.

For previous editions of The Playlist, see the growing archive here.

Click here for the Spotify playlist.