The Playlist – August 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.

 

Green Day – “Bang Bang”

Wham, bam, thank you ma’am. Reportedly, this is the first record Billy Joe has recorded sober in a long time. If not ever. And yet it is nothing but what people probably want when they think of their favorite Green Day tracks. In other words, it’s snotty and catchy and reminiscent of their early 90’s sound.

 

Kiiara – “Gold”

I have a friend who always makes fun of his taste in music. One, as if that should matter to anyone and two, it doesn’t. He brought this to my attention. Next time I hear that line I will shrilly shout this woman’s name. If I knew how to pronounce it. That also doesn’t matter. I had no words for what was going on here but I did find this helpful description at Wikipedia:

Her music is described as downcast electronic pop with bass-heavy, trap-style rap production.^[4]

Wait, did I say helpful? To sum up. This makes all my moveable parts move. And it is so easy to get caught up in. My pal summed it up perfectly: “…this is a slo-motion, make eye contact with a pursued potential mate, across a dimly lit room at a party… song.” Indeed.

 

Bastille – “Good Grief”

Britain’s alt-pop combo responsible for earworms like “Pompeii” share their first single from their upcoming album. Once again the band delivers a super catchy, hook driven singalong with a big chorus, terrific production elements and, did I mention that hook?

 

Sarah Jarosz – “Comin’ Undone”

Sitting on the deck, with a cold drink, a dog and maybe something nice to look at. This is the soundtrack to that. Nothing fancy. But a whole lot to grab onto here. Also, I think I need a re-fill.

 

Cheap Trick – “No Direction Home”

One of Rock N Roll’s criminally underrated bands, Cheap Trick offers up a song that could have been lifted from any of their early 80’s releases. Their Beatles influence is a big part of the appeal. Robin Zander’s iconic vocals are ageless and, together with the harmonies, bring to mind some of the band’s best material. Terrific guitar work from Rick Nielsen as always. Yes, it’s something your classic rock loving uncle would even like.

 

SURVIVE – Stranger Things Main Theme (LUNAR remix)

Because some of us just can’t get enough of Stranger Things, especially where the music is concerned. They have just rush-released the first of two soundtracks as well. This remix of the theme doesn’t mess too much with the basic guts of the song but it does stretch it out a bit and adds a few more elements to the arrangement. Doesn’t appear to be available for purchase?

 

Blink 182 – “Left Alone”

Haters are going to hate on these guys but I’m not one of them. This updated line up picks up a lot of the main building blocks of the Blink 182 people knew, and keeps going. This album track is a good example.

 

Eliot Sumner – “After Dark”

Once you understand that Eliot Sumner is, in fact, Sting and Trudie’s daughter, it all makes sense. But I will be honest. I listened to this song 4 times before I rewatched the video and realized that Eliot is a woman. Her voice just nails me. And while the track is uptempo and built upon a solid rhythm, there is something haunted about this, and that keeps me coming back for more. And that voice…

 

Saint Motel – “Move”

Oh hell yeah. Full marks for this one. What if Franz Ferdinand were a late 70’s disco funk band?  Because that is the first thing I thought when I heard this. The first track from this LA band’s debut full length. This is music to strut to. And then some.

 

BETWEEN THE BEATS:

• You have never seen Mister Hetfield and Company quite like this.
• I’m just going to leave this here. I imagine there might be points to ponder over a beer or three.
• The guy responsible for some of my favorite songs of the 80’s lists his favorites from back then.
• This is called diversifying your assets.

 

Norah Jones – “Carry On”

It’s mostly a piano driven, Texas soul jazz kind of thing. Her new album, that is. This is the Norah people fell for in 2000.

 

Father John Misty – “Real Love Baby”

One last non album song from a man who feels the need to step back from the world for a bit. He leaves us with another timeless tale of love, drenched in an AM Stereo 70’s MOR sound. This is also one of his most straightforward songs in a bit. This makes me remember why I liked him in the first place. Fantastic.

 

Rihanna – “Sledgehammer”

The first time I heard this I thought it was Sia. Turns out it is, mostly. Not even being snarky. Her minor key anthems just go right to the gut.

 

THE CLASSIC: David Bowie – “I’m Afraid Of Americans”

Because, 2016.

 

BONUS CLASSIC: Soundgarden – “Fresh Tendrils”

There have been some interesting outtakes from Superunknown released over the past two years. You can thank me for not posting the EDM-“Spoonman” remix. This is a really solid album track that might not be as shiny as the singles but is every bit as substantive.

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

Click here for the Spotify playlist.