This Track Is Fire!

  Let me first say that I respect Phoebe Bridgers and I fully recognize that she is massively talented. That said, for some reason her music just never seemed to click with me.  I am not saying I dislike her music, and if I could explain it better I would, but there's something about her music that just does not resonate with me even though everything else about her says that I should like her music, that I should be a fan of hers. I like strong, independent women who are singer/songwriters; in my defense I point to my love of Nina Nastasia, Fiona Apple, Ela Minus, Annie Lennox, Lady Gaga, Pink, Billie Eilish, Loretta Lynn, etc., etc., etc... Again, as I said, I respect her. I have listened to many of her hit songs and as much as I wanted them to resonate with me they just didn't. I even listened to the Boy Genius super-group she formed, and again, everything on paper said that I should like them, but again, nothing. To be clear, I didn't dislike her music; at no point did...

  A lot of people will tell you that punk can't be fun or even catchy, but those people forget that groups like the Ramones had a deep love for the melodies of the Beach Boys. Besides, if you  like it then listen to it! And me, I really like Teen Mortgage. Listen to that almost-twangy rock-a-billy/garage rock intro as the drums and guitar jump in before the fuzzy lyrics take hold, and then BAM! you're getting yelled at by that lovely chorus. For me, this is the hit of dopamine I need to get my blood flowing. This is the fun, aggressive punk that I enjoy so much! Enjoy and have a great weekend! TEEN MORTGAGE by TEEN MORTGAGE

I mentioned before that I go through spurts of creativity, and this entry is no different. I initially drafted this entry two months ago but when I heard it played before Garbage hit the stage the weekend before last I was again reminded how good this song was. With that opening guitar lick the song draws you in, and like a cresting wave it continues to hum along but never seems to actually crash. It has a power and tension that is almost palpable, to the point that you kind of want to wash over you, but it holds you there in its power until almost four minutes in when everything comes crashing down. Damn! Apocalipstick by Cherry Glazerr

Hello! Over on my main blog I've written about  my purchases from Bandcamp Friday for September 2025 .  I'm sure you'll be seeing some of the music I purchased show up here as well in the coming days/weeks/months. As always, support independent artists and music!

At 30+ years old I think we can all agree that "Closer" was a hit that was about as perfect as it could have been, and has since become a classic.  But ever since I saw NIN in Detroit, and even before, thanks to YouTube, I have been obsessed with this remix of the track. I thought maybe that would fade, but here we are weeks later and I am still impressed with not only the audacity to rework such a well-known, iconic song, but I'm equally astounding as to how well it works. And now, with the Coachella lineup announced  (see above as well), it's obvious that this NIN/Boys Noize collaboration is going to continue as Nine Inch Noize. Personally, I love it, and am hopeful to get an official release of this version so I can buy it and listen to it to my heart's content. Welcome to Monday! Enjoy!

You know, after this week I felt that we all needed to hear from the Dead Kennedys because I think this about sums up my mood. Have a great weekend!

I bought a fair number of singles and albums earlier this month for Bandcamp Friday , and I've purchased a couple/few singles already from the Beachcoma Recordings label , but over everything that I bought last week I think this is my favorite. I've listened to it countless times. No doubt a lot of that has to do with the quality of the track, I love how stompy it is while also making you want to get up and dance, but I fully recognize that the last few years there's been this wonderful comingling of EDM with EBM , especially with tracks/albums by Snowbeasts , Pixel Grip , Boys Noize , and this one, of course. It's driving, it builds, and yes, it's dark and sinister as well. My black heart swoons for this. Music like this makes me so very happy. I hope it makes you happy as well. Enjoy! Raven by Sid Le Rock

I realize this is my blog with my own thoughts, but I like this song, and instead of trying to come up with different way of saying the same thing I think I'll just quote the blog where I found this band and this album : The new record from Newcastle’s Parastatic really shouldn’t work. Concrete Reborn is a post-punk, noise-rock, art-rock concept album about… brutalist architecture. It’s the kind of idea that sounds like a parody of a Pitchfork review. I’m here to tell you: it works. Does it ever. Concrete Reborn is dense, beautiful, political, and deeply strange. I really could not have said it any better myself, so why should I? Because, yeah, I agree with  Turn & Work , when it comes to this song and this album: this shouldn't work, and yet, it does ! First, I hope you enjoy this track, and secondly, I hope you check out and enjoy  Turn & Work .  They don't know me and I don't know them, but I've really been enjoying their blog since I discovered it a co...

I'm going to see Garbage tomorrow night in Detroit, so I wanted to post one of my favorites from their previous album. Perhaps I should have posted something from their new album, but this is the song I really want to hear tomorrow, but as this is their last North American tour I'm thinking they may stick to songs from their latest album as well as the greatest hits, but a boy can hope, right? Besides, this ties together quite nicely with the other female-centric, ironic songs from this week, as you can see from the lyrics: The center of heaven is you And the truth keeps weighing me down (I'm such a bitch) No matter what you have done You are the Godhead, the chosen one (I'm a terrorist) The center of heaven is you And the truth keeps weighing me down (I'm such a bitch) No matter what you have done You are the Godhead Like I said, I like strong, intelligent women. I haven't seen Garbage since the 90s, and Shalee has never seen them, so I'm really hoping this...

A peek behind the curtains here: I usually write up these posts well in advance. Because of my ADHD I go through bursts of creativity followed by dayslong, or weekslong, fallow periods. More on that here . I wrote up my post on Lambrini Girls on September, 7 (Sunday night) as well as my forthcoming post for Friday and two other posts. I realized there was a common thread between my Monday and Friday posts (feminism, irony) and I thought to myself, "the entry I have scheduled for Wednesday doesn't really fit the theme I unintentionally created; I wonder if I have other songs that I love that would fit that bill?" Readers, of course I do. I think I looked for less than a minute. Here comes THICK to the rescue! I was first introduced to THICK years back by my dear friend Sean, who seems to know all of the up-and-coming punk bands, which is pretty impressive for a dude in his 50s. He thought I'd like THICK, and yes, yes I do, so very much. While this isn't the first s...

Please note that the change in the title is mine because, well, I don't want to get punished by Google/Blogspot. You may have noticed that it was Bandcamp Friday last week, which you already knew if you read this blog because I may have mentioned it once or twice . I made a few purchases (which I will be highlighting on my main blog later), of which this is one.  Should we start the week with the "c-word?" I think so. I consider myself to be a feminist, but as I am a man I believe that I'm a feminist that needs to listen to what women have to say. For example, I have been listening to how some women have decided to own that word. I have enjoyed the last couple of years how some acts have made an effort to reclaim the most awful American curse (which obviously doesn't have the same power across the pond in the UK). There's no better example of that than here when it is used ironically: Getting used to saying no is cunty Getting out of your comfort zone Lear...

If you haven't figured it out already, you might be noticing a trend: I really like electronic music, most especially synthpop, EBM, and futurepop. While certainly not unaffected by more popular acts (Depeche Mode, New Order, CHVRCHES), when I can I like to promote these smaller acts that are putting out high-quality music. Like this collaboration between &Tilly and Color Theory. Maybe it's not for you, and that's just fine, but this is the kind of music that speaks to my soul. If you do like it, well, it's  Bandcamp Friday  today, so maybe pick it up? Enjoy! I Cannot Rain by &Tilly & Color Theory

This is your final reminder this month that it is  Bandcamp Friday  tomorrow! Always support independent artists and independent music. Buy something cool then come back here and tell me about it!

  I am not entirely sure how I found Snowbeasts, probably perusing through the Bandcamp website  at some point, but what I do know is that this is the stompy, dancy, kind of electronic music that I can throw on and just bliss out to. It also makes for excellent driving music. I don't know who started this trend of industrial and techno becoming more and more intermeshed, but I'm here for it. Who needs words, anyway? Enjoy! The Snow by Snowbeasts       

What is Bandcamp Friday, you may ask? All you need to know is right  here . Remember to always support independent artists and independent music. Buy something cool!

  This Labor Day Monday I think it's important to remember why there is a Labor Day: unions and the working class sticking together and demanding a day dedicated to celebrating and remembering the importance of labor. Say Johnny me boy, you live no longer, Others forgotten, your memory's stronger. Lets drink to the causes in your life: Your family, your friends, the union, your wife. What is more blue collar than punk? And who better to remind us than Dropkick Murphys? Also, this song kicks ass. In fact, one might say it was fire... I hope you have the day off today and are having a wonderful Labor Day! And remember, "together we are what we can't be alone."