Newer Sounds

I guess this isn't really "newer" but it's the Pet Shop Boys newer release.

I saw them twice in the past year while touring this album. And it was worth every penny.

They were one of my favorite live acts before this tour and they continue to be.

Pet Shop Boys - Electric. amazon.com. New.

More Than Hold Me Now

Until recently ("recently" in my old age seems to cover a few years at a time) I didn't own anything by Thompson Twins. I've been making up for lost time. It's always interesting exploring a band deeper than their hits. Thompson Twins are a great example of that.

Thompson Twins - The Best of Thompson Twins Greatest Mixes. amazon.com. Used.

Newer Sounds

I think it's important to check out and support newer hardcore bands. I think too many people get stuck in the hardcore of "their era" and think everything new can't compare to what came before.

Feel free to disagree.

Focused Minds - The Fact Remains. 6131 Records. New.

Newer Sounds

I am incredibly disappointed I didn't manage to see Honeyblood a few weeks ago. World Cafe Life maybe? I like them a lot. Glasgow delivers again.

Honeyblood - Bud. iTunes.

Newer Sounds

Another artist with a lot of hype. I've managed to miss her once or twice now. Shows can feel very late for this old man. But I'm very excited for more from MØ.

MØ - Bikini Daze. iTunes.

Decades Old

Have I said how much I enjoy that nineties "DC sound"? I'm pretty sure I have. Many times. Teen Beat. Simple Machines. Tuscadero is definitely one of my favorites. They're no Velocity Girl, Unrest or Tsunami. But they're up there.

Tuscadero - The Pink Album. amazon.com. Used.

Newer Sounds

There seems to be a lot of hype surrounding Jungle. And while I think this single is decent enough, I don't get the buzz. I should probably explore additional releases. They played fairly recently. That might have been a good opportunity to check them out.

Jungle - The Heat. iTunes.

Newer Sounds

Wolf Alice reminds me of the lighter end of female fronted rock of the late eighties, early to mid-nineties.

It reminds me of 10,000 Maniacs. Sinead O'Connor. Mazzy Star. Maybe the Cocteau Twins. Not that it sounds specifically like any of that. But that's where my head is filing it.

Wolf Alice - Bros. iTunes.

Newer Sounds

Don't get me wrong. NO CEREMONY/// is fantastic. I mean really great. A rock/electronic hybrid in the vein of New Order. Female vocals. And a slick design.

But I hate when bands use capitalization, lack of spacing, symbols. Sure it looks good in print. But it's a real hassle for iTunes tagging obsessives such as myself.

NO CEREMONY/// - iTunes Festival: London 2013. iTunes.

And Again

I had to repurchase this album. I'm fairly certain I loaned it to someone and never saw it again.

I don't know why anyone ever thinks they'll get a CD back when they loan it out.

I never have. And I never learn that lesson.

Modern Life Is War - Witness. amazon.com. Used.