Thank you readers! 50 people have taken the time to read my first "albums that matter" blog post. I'm flabbergasted. I really wasn't sure that it would generate any interest at all. You can be assured that, with renewed vigour and enthusiasm, I'll keep working on more of these.
ZZ Top - I Thank You (1979) - https://youtu.be/PjbaHlTl86Q
Link to Spotify playlist for all the songs in this episode; click here.
Jethro Tull will be releasing a new album in early March. As you'd expect, a single has been released, along with the obligatory music video, to get our attention. Ignoring the fact that Jethro Tull should never have won a Grammy for heavy metal bands, I quite like them albeit not in huge doses. The album Stormwatch (1979) is the one for me and has been for more than twenty years. The new single is classic Tull. They have an instantly recognisable sound based around Ian's flute and voice melded with traditional and modern instrumentation. The new single showcases all of that as well as new guitarist Jack Clark who channels the old rhythm sounds and adds tasty soaring lead breaks.
Jethro Tull - Curious Remnant - https://youtu.be/sFOv9HHe19c
I'm a bit miffed today. I thought my sore knee was better so I headed off for a gentle walk. Well, I was wrong and it still hurts. I will put my big boy trousers on and get it looked at by the physio next week. This is so annoying. I trained hard on my walking fitness prior to going to the USA. I gradually built up distance and time to the point where a 21km hard hike up and down hills felt good. Oh well. I'll do the rehab and get it back to what passes for normal. Meanwhile my new bike with its geometry that suits my back is a total revelation. At least that doesn't hurt anything! I also have some other fitness stuff going on but maybe I'll reveal that another time.
Have you ever listened to a band called Mogwai? Me neither. Not with any real level of interest anyway. They are from Glasgow and have been around since 1995. At some stage I got it into my head that all they did was make noise that annoyed me so I tuned out. I was turned around by some tracks from their new album (released yesterday) that were early releases. Much of their music is instrumental and some tracks are very long and involved. If you'd like something to listen to that you can feel as well then this might be it. Apparently they are a "post-rock" band.
Mogwai - Fanzine Made Of Flesh - https://youtu.be/hKFvvSE4SCo
Here's one for all my peeps in the UK, USA and Canada. While we are sweating it out DownUnder, they're contending with some very average weather. How had I not heard of this celtic/punk band from Sydney? They are awesome!
The Rumjacks feat. Ken Casey of Dropkick Murphys - Cold Like This - https://youtu.be/LAS3hnlzSH8
Jason Isbell also has a new album coming out. This time it's a solo, acoustic affair. He's a well regarded lyricist and musician and I'm looking forward to seeing how he fares without The 400 Unit backing him up. If you haven't heard the album of mostly solo, acoustic demos from the Southeastern album that came out last year then seriously, run to the record shop (or your preferred streaming service) and have a listen.
Jason Isbell - Bury Me - https://youtu.be/dMUTZv-6Yak
I've chosen the next song because it's one I started listening to a few years ago and I regularly find myself re-adding it to my playlists. When I first heard it, Willie Nile was a guy I didn't know but it turns out he's great. The album that includes this track is well worth listening to. Sometimes I feel that he has the same pattern of repetition in many of his songs but then if it works then why fix it. This is earthy, honest rock and roll with lyrics that, despite a million cliches, bite hard.
Willie Nile with Steve Earle - Blood On Your Hands - https://youtu.be/LCM1QyWM-3M
My mate George is busy prepping for some upcoming gigs. Watch out for details soon if you are in Canberra as well as further afield. He's also found time to release a new song and associated clip. This one is a bit different to a lot of George's slower tunes. Yes, it's complex but also easy to listen to (without being easy listening). It's a song that I feel I can let wash over me and seep into my pores. Please give it a listen. Supporting local music is more important than ever in a world of billion listen Spotify tracks. And if you want a copy of this on physical media then George is available via his website or Farcebook page.
George Huitker - What Makes It Rain - https://youtu.be/ateArN2kZtU
Sometimes the internet is a good thing. I mean that's how you're reading this as opposed to me sending reams of photocopies of a fanzine all over the world. As a result of being online and looking for Big Country songs this band popped up. They're from Saskatoon in Canada which is also where one of my great friends, Ken, lives. Were they well known outside of Canada? I dunno. This is a great song though and I intend to track down an album or two. To be honest, when the song started I thought that they were about to cover Blondie's Heart of Glass.
The Northern Pikes - Things I Do For Money - https://youtu.be/7FnrC0JPEAI
Shirley Manson has a singing voice that I really like. She's also a great actress. Check her out in Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles as she's wonderfully evil. This song regularly resonates with me and perhaps as a cautionary tale. It's too easy to only be happy when you've got something to whinge about.
Garbage - Only Happy When It Rains (acoustic) - https://youtu.be/ieZWE_A6gzc
What would happen if The Doors, The Specials, and a beat poet mixed their DNA up in Washington DC and started a band? I think I've found the answer to this in a group called Des Demonas. One of my regular music pusher-men, David Dubya, pointed me in their direction and I was not disappointed.
Des Demonas - Apocalyptic Boom Boom - https://youtu.be/NxzHZLw_JOQ
That'll do. Watch out for a link to the next albums that matter episode via Fartsbook or in the next blog. I'm not emailing those out as a maximum of one email every now and then for me is enough.
Rock on and keep smiling,
The Woozle (with 'assistance' from Gertrude and Fitzwilliam)
"If you wanna be an Aussie, here's the way to go
Take care of Country and let the wattles grow.
There's no room for hate here, love runs the show..."
John Williamson, If You Wanna Be An Aussie, 2025.
No comments:
Post a Comment