A loving, brutal Springsteen takedown
Plus Fever Ray, Zach Bryan, Bicep, Jeff Parker, Spoon going dub, Samory I and a Necros 7"
Hello! All this week I kept thinking of this absolute takedown of Bruce Springsteen’s new covers album Only The Strong Survive by Caryn Rose in Jukebox Graduate.
It’s striking to me how much it’s unsparing in describing how the record is a failure, but in a way that’s filled with appreciation and love. Like, after hundreds of words reminiscing about Bruce’s Christmas shows with Sam Moore, her killshot on why the album failed is followed up by this
He has the chops, he has the knowledge and the genuine emotion and affection, he can snap his fingers and the most talented musicians in the world who also vibe with this would be at his service. It would be a breeze, he’d be hanging out with old friends, they’d argue about their favorite songs, Bruce would win and only later realize that Stevie made him feel like he won the argument when he, Steve Van Zandt actually did.
In a world where fandom and “hating” are presented as polar opposites, I loved how the album was exacting in its criticism but from a deep place of love. Give it a read!
Hey! Some Good Links
Peanut Butter Jelly Time…to open up this FUCKING PIT - someone mashed up “Peanut Butter Jelly Time” with Turnstile and they go together like…well, you know.
The Songs They Are A-Playin’ - Dwight Garner does Bob Dylan’s new book about music justice by channeling the book’s wild prose, matching it with an equally enjoyable and evocative review for the NYT
A Note On How Key Changes Went Flat - Chris Dalla Riva looks at the data, and the causes, behind why there are fewer songs with key changes on the charts.
Demo 3000-21 - Wayne Coyne revisits the original four track demos of “Do You Realize??” for the 20th anniversary of Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots.
His Joe-to’s - Perfectly Imperfect talks to Joe Coscarelli about the stuff he likes. Rap Capital is really great btw!!
And now, on to this week’s tracks - as always, you can follow along on our playlists on Spotify and Apple Music, which update every Tuesday along with the newsletter.
UNSKIPPABLES #60
Fever Ray - Carbon Dioxide
After the smoldering preview track “What They Call Us,” Karin Dreijer is back with an absolute banger to announce Fever Ray’s third album Radical Romantics. Dreijer doesn’t chew on their syllables in “Carbon Dioxide” as much as wraps around them like a python, spilling over across phrases to add another layer of chaos to the beat’s physical presence. The way they tackle the title phrase as if it’s a playground slide is thrilling, especially when paired with Vessel’s propulsive production. It’s the most accessible thing Dreijer has done since the first Fever Ray record, and I’m deeply excited for the full LP.
Zach Bryan - Fifth of May
Zach Bryan is putting out great records like he’s being held hostage Misery-style, chained to a desk and forced to push out a 34-song album, a stellar EP, and now an excellent single all in 2022. When you have a hot hand like his, I guess you just have to embrace it and strike while the iron’s hot! “Fifth of May” is my favorite side of the single, but “The Greatest Day of My Life” is an absolute radio-ready widescreen hit - so enjoy this victory lap from the year’s best and most prolific country star.
Bicep feat. Clara La San - Water
Bicep’s first new music since their album Isles from last year is a crisp, blooming house-pop track built around Clara La San's ethereal croon. “Water’s” restrained build gives the release at the three minute mark an unhurried poise as arpeggiated synths adorn the song's propulsive peak.
Jeff Parker - 2019-07-08 II
A hypnotic set of jams from Tortoise guitarist Jeff Parker and a small combo recorded live in Los Angeles in 2019. I was doubtful of the album’s Best New Music until I hit the 10m mark on the jam below, which took a basic groove and turned it into a kaleidoscopic duet between saxophone and guitar. The whole record is a delightfully unfocused listen as brilliant moments rise up amidst the woody funk of the combo finding their way in real time.
Samory I - Blood in the Streets / Spoon - Here (Adrian Sherwood Dub)
I was really uncomfortable having Spoon as the first dub/reggae record in this email, so I’m pairing their excellent Adrian Sherwood dub mix with an equally delightful single from Kingston-based artist Samory I. The Spoon dub remix record, which on paper sounds a bit silly, is actually a lot more fun than their original Lucifer On The Sofa, especially on “Here” and “The Devil and Mister Jones,” thanks to strong cuts and sounds from UK dub legend Adrian Sherwood.
Samory I’s “Blood In The Streets” rides a reverbed drum sample and classic pocket with lyrics about violence and police brutality, and the song's bridge pulls you out of the pocket just long enough for the original bassline to hit twice as hard when it returns.
THROWBACK CORNER
Necros - Sex Drive 7”
This early hardcore 7” was mentioned in the zine Debussy Ringtone in an interview with ambient/electronic artist Tim Story, who was behind the knobs of this legendary record! Blast the whole four minute EP - especially the second track “Police Brutality” - if you’re in need of pure youthful aggression this Tuesday.
That’s all for this week, folks. Please subscribe if you’d like these opinions straight in your inbox. See you next week!