Here's the 2nd half of my picks.
The Record Company is a roots rock band that hit it big in 2016, first with “Off The Ground”, then with “Rita Mae Young”. Here’s the song that put them on the map.
The Record Company – Off The Ground
Prince’s final album was “HitnRun Phase Two”. The song “Stare” was released on Spotify in September 2015, but the single charted on the radio in 2016. This is a reduced-quality version; the real one is only available on Spotify.
Prince – Stare
Sylvan Esso is an awesome electronica duo, whose first album contained several charting songs. Their next album isn’t out yet, but they released the single “Radio” way ahead of that. It’s their biggest hit to date.
Sylvan Esso - Radio
Temples is a British psych rock band that has had some success since 2012. This single is from their upcoming album. It’s got a “Legend of Zelda” sound.
Temples – Certainty
Acclaimed artist PJ Harvey put out a new album in 2016, “The Hope Six Demolition Project”. Here’s the hit from that album, “The Wheel”.
PJ Harvey – The Wheel
I don't imagine there were many Trump/Pence supporters who worked on that video.
Before we end "Bands from Boston" week in ATW, I thought I'd feature some actual music of bands from Boston.
The founding members of The Pixies met at U Mass Amherst; their song about it is my favorite from them.
The Pixies – U Mass
Believe it or not, I think that in the 90's, nobody did the "wall of guitars" grunge sound better than Juliana Hatfield on the album "Only Everything". It's hard to pick just one song to play here, but this one definitely rocks.
Juliana Hatfield – OK OK
On the other end of the spectrum, the album "I'm With Stupid" from Aimee Mann is full of songs that trigger deep emotions; it's my go-to album when I'm going through tough times. Aside from Aimee's beautiful voice, listen to the subtle interweaving of instrumentation, which occurs over the span of the song.
Aimee Mann – Par For The Course
A lot of great folk rock has come from Boston. Jonatha Brooke is not a big name, but she had a hit album some years ago, and she's one of the best live performers around, due to her flawless voice. She's also a masterful guitarist and pianist.
Jonatha Brooke – Crumbs
And finally, the band Letters To Cleo had a good run in the 90's, fronted by the adorable Kay Hanley. Here's one of their hit songs. (And in-case you’re wondering, the chorus is: "The comfort of a knowledge of a rise above the sky above could never parallel the challenge of an acquisition in the here and now.")
Letters To Cleo – Here and Now
That about covers it.Good. Good. Sleepy, but not bad. Good. Great. They need to play Hear and Now more often on Lithium
Mark my words: this'll be the dance hit of the summer
Portugal. The Man - Feel It Still
Here's a trio of old, broken-up groups, who have reformed, and put out decent new songs.
I'm not sure she can still sing live, but this studio track sounds good
Blondie – Long Time
Every decade or so, we get something new from these guys
Depeche Mode – Where’s the Revolution
And here's the band that very publicly did a farewell tour 7 years ago. They performed this on SNL recently, and I think it's one of their best long-form songs
LCD Soundsystem – Call the Police
Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around (with Stevie Nicks)
My band used to play that song for a little while. It's a lot of fun to play.Love this song. It was the first song I thought of when I heard Tom Petty was in the hospital.
I know you really wanna tell me goodbye. I know you really wanna be your own girl