Music Friday: "I Guess Time Just Makes Fools of Us All"

I didn't realize Father John Misty had a new album out this month until this video came across my recommendations when I went to YouTube. 

I haven't bought the album yet, but I'm likely to do so soon. 

Stay Positive: Five Sad Songs

 I mentioned this in a recent Music Friday post, but after reading Ander Monson's "The Sadnesses of March" in his collection I Will Take the Answer, I thought about the two-person committee's selection of "Here Comes a Regular" from The Replacements. 

I noted another sad song from The Replacements that is an opus of sadness: "Answering Machine." 

I also like sad songs. They make us empathize with the precarious, pathos-laden nature of the human condition.  

So I'm featuring some other sad songs that the committee might want to check out if they ever revive the tournament with songs from different eras. I will note that most of them are about death in some way, so I'm thinking about doing another post of this ilk to focus on sad songs not necessarily related to death. 

"Elephant" by Jason Isbell 

Nothing like a song about cancer to make people cry when he performs this in concert. As is typical of Isbell's fine work, he's a master storyteller. The song's persona is the husband of a woman who has cancer. 

 

Lyrics of Note: "We burn these joints in effigy and cry about what we used to be/ and try to ignore the elephant somehow."

"Puttin' People on the Moon" by the Drive-By Truckers

I thought about a number of songs by DBT to put here, especially from their last few albums that are strongly political, but this is a classic DBT sad song that features healthy smidges of anger and despair. And I like this live version better than the one on The Dirty South.

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Lyrics of Note: "Another joker in the White House said a change is coming 'round./ But I'm still working at the Wal-Mart and Mary Alice in the ground." 

"Ballad of the Dying Man" by Father John Misty

Mr. Tillman is adept at social commentary. I wouldn't call this a traditional sad song, but it's one that makes us think about one's addiction to technology, which harnesses a certain kind of Black Mirror kind of sadness.

 

Lyrics of Note: "What he'd give for one more day to rate and analyze/ the world in his image as of yet/ to realize what a mess to leave behind." 

"Holiday" by James McMurtry

This song is so fitting for the holiday season. McMurtry is one of the finest lyricists alive right now. For me, this tune explicates a regret for people like me who no longer have their parents in this world. Some of my fondest memories are when my large family would get together for Xmas eve. Aside from my personal reaction, the lyrics expose the dread some people have for the holidays and presents images of loneliness.

 

Lyrics of Note: "Silent and shattered and numb to the core,/ they count themselves lucky/ they got through one more holiday." 

 

"Speed Trap Town" by Jason Isbell

Here we go with Isbell again. Like "Elephant," it's a tightly constructed narrative about visiting a father for the last time in an ICU and the persona's decision to leave.

Lyrics of Note: "Drank a cup of coffee by an Indian mound/ a thousand miles away from that speed trap town" 

The reference to the Indian mound reminds of the University of Alabama's Moundville Archeological Park. 

Top Ten Albums of 2018

It's that time of the year again.

Like I did in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017, I'm providing my top choices of albums that came out this year. 

It has been a slow year for me buying new music, so if there are other albums you would recommend that came out in 2018, please let me know in the comments section. I know two albums that I want to buy, but I just haven't gotten around to purchasing them. 

Because I wasn't as prolific in getting new music, this year, I'm providing my top ten albums with a handful of honorable mentions. 

1. Lake Street Drive, Free Yourself Up

I got turned on to this great band once I saw them perform on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The lead singer's voice is luscious. The backing and arrangements are interesting. I probably listened to this album the most this year. 

Favorite Songs: "Baby Don't Leave Me Alone with My Thoughts," "Dude," "Doesn't Even Matter Now," "Good Kisser." 

2. Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Tearing at the Seams

I really enjoyed the band's previous album, and this offering was a solidly constructed opus. This dude has soul, and the R&B/Rock music is fabulous. I think these guys would be wonderful to see in concert. When Rateliff was written about in Rolling Stone, I discovered that he's originally from Hermann, Missouri, which is central Missouri wine country, home to Octoberfest celebrations. 

Favorite Songs: "Be There," "Hey Mama," "Intro," "I'll Be Damned." 

3. The Record Company, All Of This Life

This band is a tight-knit trio that puts out a heady mix of blues-rock that might make you dance.    In times like these when I read the news and get angry almost every day, this band puts me in a better mood. 

Favorites Songs: "Life To Fix," "Make It Happen," "The Movie Song," and "Night Games." 

4. Father John Misty, God's Favorite Customer

That facial expression replicates how I feel at times. This guy is prolific since Pure Comedy came out last year. If you're familiar with the Father's work, you'll like this one. 

Favorite Songs: "Mr. Tillman," "Just Dumb Enough to Try," "Date Night," and "God's Favorite Customer." 

5. Lucero, Among the Ghosts

For Lucero, this seems like a quiet album, but it's a good one. On previous albums, we saw the inclusion of horns. Not so much on this one. I'm not one of those Lucero fans who is a hater of horns, and this album harkens back to early albums. 

Favorite Songs: "For the Lonely Ones," "Long Way Back Home," "To My Dearest Wife," and "Everything Has Changed." 

6. American Aquarium, Things Change

I hate that iTunes classifies this album as "Country." If anything, you might classify AA as Americana, but I've always seen them as a rock band, which is how the other albums are codified. One of my favorite songs put out this year was "The World Is On Fire." 

Favorite Songs: "The World Is On Fire," "Tough Folks," "Things Change," and "Shadows of You." 

7. Buffalo Tom, Quiet and Peace

Much to my delight, I was surprised to find out that Buffalo Tom, a band once prominently featured on Mtv's 120 Minutes, put out a new album this year. The album is like most other Buffalo Tom albums: good straightforward rock. 

Favorite Songs: "All Be Gone," "Lonely Fast and Deep," "In the Ice," and "Slow Down." 

8. Thunderpussy, self-titled

I don't get the weird cover with the snake, but one member of Pearl Jam recommended this band via a short little article about the group in Rolling Stone, so I checked 'em out. I can see the Pearl Jam influence, which is a compliment. 

Favorite Songs: "Speed Queen," "Thunderpussy," "Gentle Frame," and "Torpedo Love." 

9. Brandi Carlile, By The Way, I Forgive You

I haven't listened to this album as much as I probably should have. When I listen to it, I think, "Man, I need to listen this more often." And then I forget about it. So one of my New Year's resolutions is to listen this album more often. It's an attainable goal. 

Favorite Songs: "Fulton County Jane Doe," "Most of All," "The Mother," and "Every Time I Hear That Song." 

10. Death Cab for Cutie, Thank You For Today

This is another album I need to listen to more often because DCFC usually scratches my pop-rock itch. 

Favorite Songs: "Summer Years," "When We Drive," "Northern Lights," and "60 & Punk." 

Honorable Mentions

Leon Bridges, Good Thing

Dawes, Passwords

Ben Miller Band, Choke Cherry Tree

Marie/Lepanto, Tenkiller

I'm With Her, See You Around

Music Friday: "God's Favorite Customer"

I haven't bought a lot of new music this year, so when I get around to posting my top ten/twenty albums of the year, I don't know if I will get to twenty albums. 

Regardless, here's the title track of Father John Misty's new album. It'll be included on top albums of 2018 post. 

Music Friday: "Mr. Tillman" & "Date Night"

That Father John Misty character has been productive. Last year he gave us Pure Comedy. 

This year he gives us God's Favorite Customer. 

Here are a couple of solid tunes from his latest opus.

Top Twentysomething Albums of 2017

It's that time of the year again.

Like I did in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016, I'm providing my top choices of albums that came out this year. 

If there are other albums you would recommend that came out in 2017, please let me know in the comments section.

1. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, The Nashville Sound

Not a big surprise here. Isbell put out another fine album this year. Unlike the previous album, this one showcased more rockers, which I thoroughly enjoy. Isbell and his comrades need to plug in the electric guitars more often and turn it up to eleven. "Hope the High Road" is one of my favorite songs of this year, and it effectively sums up my sentiments about the shit show that was the election and this past year. "White Man's World" is provocative exploration of white privilege. 

I am a bit flummoxed by the title of the album, however. Perhaps it was a juke move to get on the ballot of the CMT awards? I doubt it. Regardless, he has the poetic license to name the album whatever he wants, but I have these candidates for a better album title: Fire in Her Eyes, One Great Burden, One Fate, or Hope the High Road.

Favorite Songs: "Hope the High Road," "White Man's World," "Something to Love," and "Anxiety"

2. Benjamin Booker, Witness

This year I discovered Benjamin Booker. I'm late to the party. I like his mix of rock, R&B, and punk sensibilities. I need to get his debut album. 

Favorite Songs: "Motivation," "Truth is Heavy," "Overtime," and "All Was Well"

3. Father John Misty, Pure Comedy

I really got into this dude's music this year. The video of "Pure Comedy" has to be one of the highlights of the musical year. It reminds me of Twain's Letters from the Earth, and that's a huge compliment from me. That's one of my favorite Twain books. At times the album seems like Mr. Misty pontificating to musical tracks, but I like his pontificating. It's an album that when you sit down to or have on in the car on a road trip, it gets you trippy. In a good way. 

"Where did they find these goons elected to rule them? What makes these clowns they idolize so remarkable? These mammals are hell-bent on fashioning new Gods."

"I hate to say it, but each other's all we got." 

Favorite Songs: "Pure Comedy," "Total Entertainment Forever," "When the God of Love Returns There'll Be Hell to Pay," and "In Twenty Years or So"

4. Queens of the Stone Age, Villains

Man, Sirius XM's The Spectrum played the Hell out of "The Way You Used to Do" this year. I know it's a good song and all, but there are many other solid songs on the new Queens... album. If you like guitar-driven rock, this is worth your time. 

Favorite Songs: "The Evil Has Landed," "Feet Don't Fail Me Now," "Head Like a Haunted House," and "Domesticated Animals"

5. The War on Drugs, A Deeper Understanding

I had read critical praise for this band here and there over the years, but I didn't pay much attention to it. Then I took the dive and bought the band's new album. I got hooked. There's a hypnotic quality to the band's songs. They just suck you in.  

Favorite Songs: "Nothing to Find," "Holding On, "Up All Night," and "In Chains" 

6. JD McPherson, Undivided Heart and Soul

Now that's a great album cover if anyone cares about album art anymore. McPherson has a old-time rock-n-roll vibe to his work. What a great voice. What was missing from this album were the horns. His previous album featured horns in a good way. Regardless, this is a strong album that I happily listen to. 

Favorite Songs: "Let's Get Out of Here While We're Young," "Under the Spell of City Lights," "Style (Is a Losing Game)," and "Desperate Love"

7. Deer Tick, Vol. 2

Deer Tick came out with two albums this year. Vol. 2 is the more rock-oriented offering, the mustard of the two. This band is one of the more underrated groups playing right now. You need to buy their albums. Depending on the day, I could easily flip Vol. 1 for Vol. 2 in the rankings. 

Favorite Songs: "Jumpstarting," "Sloppy," "Tiny Fortunes," and "S.M.F."

8. North Mississippi Allstars, Prayer for Peace

After World Boogie is Coming, I didn't know what to expect from NMAS. This is another solid offering from the guys who provide healthy doses of rock/blues. Like Benjamin Booker's "Witness," "Prayer for Peace" weighs in on race relations. 

Favorite Songs: "Red Rooster," "Prayer for Peace," "You Got to Move," and "long Haired Doney"

9. Deer Tick, Vol. 1

Vol. 2 is the more folk-oriented offering of the two albums. 

Favorite Songs: "Doomed from the Start," "Hope Is Big," "Cocktail," and "Sea of Clouds" 

10. Son Volt, Notes of Blue

I think I have unrealistic expectations for Son Volt, aka Jay Farrar and other dudes he plays with. I found Honky Tonk disappointing, and considering the greatness of the band's earlier albums such as Trace and Swing Wide Tremelo, I cast a hypercritical eye on the new releases. 

I bought this album when it came out, listened to it a few times, and then didn't revisit until I drove up to Iowa to visit my dad. I decided to give it a second chance and realized it's a good album.

Favorite Songs: "Back Against the Wall," "Sinking Down," "Lost Souls," and "Cherokee St." 

11. Eric Bibb, Migration Blues

In a time in which a narcissistic, fact-challenged, pathological liar claims that he's going to build a wall to stop the illegal immigration that has actually declined, Migration Blues was a needed tonic. This is traditional blues fare we should be thankful for. 

Favorite Songs: "Delta Getaway," "Diego's Blues," "Masters of War," and "Postcard from Booker"

12. Matthew Ryan, Hustle Up Starlings

I dig this artist's scratchy voice and singer-songwriter bent. I had never heard of this guy before I read on some blog post that he had a new album out. The album is a mix of acoustic numbers and straightforward rock-n-roll. 

Favorite Songs: "It's a Delicate Waltz," "Battle-Born," "Close Your Eyes," and "Summer Never Ends" 

13. Trombone Shorty, Parking Lot Symphony

You know the deal. Trombone Shorty melds jazz, R&B, and rock to please your ears. I don't think it's the strongest of his albums, but it's enjoyable. 

Favorite Songs: "Tripped Out Slim," "Where It At?," "Laveau Dirge No. 1," and "Here Come the Girls" 

14. Turnpike Troubadours, A Long Way from Your Heart

This band keeps putting out strong after strong albums. I don't know if top 40 country stations play this band's songs because, in general, top 40 country sucks. The current "Nashville sound" is crap. Feces. Fertilizer. Merde. Unimaginative Shit.

Favorite Songs: "Oklahoma Stars," "The Housefire," "The Hard Way," and "Something to Hold on To"

15. Black Joe Lewis and the Honey Bears, Backlash

I like this guy's work. His songs often get selected when my iPod is doing its shuffle. He and his mates mix rock with horns. This album seems to be more guitar-oriented. 

Favorite Songs: "Global," "PTP," "Shadow People," and "Prison"

16. Foo Fighters, Concrete and Gold

I really enjoyed the band's previous album and the HBO series that corresponded with it. If you like hard rock, check out this new offering. 

Favorite Songs: "La Dee Da," "Run," "The Sky is Neighborhood," and "Make It Right"

17. Blitzen Trapper, Wild and Reckless

The band billed this as a dystopian album of sorts. I need to listen to the lyrics more carefully to suss that out. From what I recall, darkness lurks. 

Favorite Songs: "When I'm Dying," "Dance with Me," "Joanna," and "Baby Won't You Turn Me 

On" 

18. Margo Price, All American Made

This Illinois native is one of the few country musicians to speak out against MoscowDon. Good for her. 

Even better is that she has crafted a strong album that is worth your time. 

The title song and "Pay Gap" are great. 

Favorite Songs: "All American Made," "Pay Gap," "A Little Pain," and "Wild Women"

19. Prophets of Rage, self-titled

It's good to hear Chuck D doing his thing again. 

These songs could be political. 

Favorite Songs: "Living on the 110," "Hands Up," "Unfuck the World," and "Radical Eyes"

20. Weezer, Pacific Daydream

That was quick. This band that made its name in the 90s just had an album out last year. How productive. If you like Weezer, you'll like this album. 

I like Weezer. 

Favorite Songs: "Feels Like Summer," "Weekend Woman," "Any Friend of Diane's," and "Happy Hour"

Honorable Mentions

Bash & Pop, Anything Could Happen

Courtney Barnett & Kurt Vile, Lotta Sea Lice

Fleet Foxes, Crack-Up

Josh Ritter, Gathering

Justin Townes Earle, Kids in the Street

The Secret Sisters, You Don't Own Me Anymore

Supersonic Blues Machine, Californiasoul