Author: Brent Evans

new music friday / Friday 12-20-24

Lady Gaga has a new Christmas song out. It’s not that one, but it made me think about it.

(“Christmas Tree” Song)

(New Music Friday Intro)

Happy Final Weekend before the Santa Claus is Coming to Town (clip) That’s the newest holiday tune from Lady Gaga. The other song I played is called “Christmas Tree” (clip) Yes – she is singing how her Christmas tree is delicious. I am so ready for the holidays.

(Countdown Video)

New Music Friday:

But first! New Music Friday – I put together a Spotify playlist of the songs that I talked about and thought about today for New Music Friday. Click here for that!

Big album drops aren’t coming, but we still have some new music.

• (clip) Marcus King had his Mood Swings album released this past April (clip) Incredible album filled with bluesy rock sounding music along with his rich guitar. (Hero clip) He’s been touring but a bigger one is coming this Spring 2025. So, how do you celebrate the announcement? By releasing a new song called “Saturday Sinner” (clip)

• This past June, Barns Courtney released 10 songs under the album title: Supernatural (“National Treasure” cut) That’s one of them. “National Treasure.” Today, we got another new song called “Mother Theresa” (clip) Via Instagram he comments about the song: “It is quite possibly the least commercially viable thing I’ve ever made and I love it.” (clip) I’m enjoying it as well. Sorta reminds me of that MIA “Paper Planes” sound with the guns (clip)

• Katy Perry left an early gift under the tree this year. Wait – is she under the tree? (“Woman’s World”) Ahhh, it’s a surprise deluxe edition of her 143 album, re-dubbed 1432. Has all the original hits (“Lifetimes”) This is the special gift from Katy – a previously unreleased tune “OK” (clip)

• The Talbott Brothers have already released a couple new songs from their upcoming album (clip) That’s “Kerosene”. The new album Borderlands arrives on Friday, May 2nd. In the meantime, they keep giving us pieces of the album. Here’s “Easy Love” (clip)

• Several quick hits of new music: 32 years later, the Prince and Kylie Minogue Lost 1992 Collaboration called ‘Baby Doll’ has leaked online – it’s not on any of the digital platforms, but it’s out there if you want to hear it.  // Aphex Twin has put together the limited-edition singles he sold on tour between 2016 and 2023 onto a new album labeled: Music From the Merch Desk (2016 – 2023) – available digitally as well // Jimmy Fallon has been hosting (non-stop DJ) a holiday channel on SiriusXM called Jimmy Fallon’s Holiday Seasoning Radio. (clip) He also released a holiday album called: Holiday Seasoning – was that planned? The songs are good. Original. And very funny. One of the ones that amused me was “Christmas Ding Dong” (clip)

Thank you to Spotify, Rolling Stone, Apple Music, uDiscoverMusic, Pigeons & Planes, Pitchfork, Louder, Spill Magazine, Dan Deluca of the Philly Inquirer & I know there’s more.

Be sure to check out the playlist on Spotify. As I mentioned in the beginning, it’s a playlist of songs that I’ve talked about and thought about: so, you’ll see some new music there from and anything that I really messed up and missed – well, that’s why I’ll be doing Missed Music Monday on Monday. 

Please subscribe on YouTube and spread the Babble wherever you can – Thank you!

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“I’m not here to be perfect; I’m here to be myself.” – by Lady Gaga

Top 20 Albums of 2024 – Part 2

This was my script. Video down below.

(The Black Keys – “Countdown”)

That’s an oldie from The Black Keys called “Countdown”

Black Keys could be heard during Part 1 of Top 20 Albums of 2024.

(clip) They were #18 with Ohio Players.  We are on to Part 2 now as we countdown from 10 to 6.  Which also means that there will be a Part 3.

(Countdown video)

At #10 – she is 18 years old and can rip on her Gibson guitar (“Get On Now” clip) Grace Bowers & The Hodge Podge – Album is Wine on Venus.  The song that I first heard and hooked me was “Tell Me Why U Do That” (clip) Hints of Sly Stone can be heard in that song.  But then, her & The Hodge Podge pay tribute to Sly and the Family Stone with the fun cover: “Dance To The Music” (clip) The album’s title track “Wine On Venus” is a track that Bowers said was inspired by her ‘Nana’ who passed at the age of 100. (clip) Grace Bowers influences?  She says “It started with seeing Slash on YouTube playing Welcome to the Jungle” (clip) she says. “I got really into ‘80s music – but that changed when I heard B.B. King when I was 13. (clip)

On to #9, this band always makes me think of a movie that was filmed in Delaware (clip) The movie, of course, is Dead Poets Society with the great Robin Williams.  The band that officially takes up the #9 slot is Dead Poet (no s) Society (“Running in Circles” clip)  – Album is called Fission and it opened me up to a whole new group of bands such as Younger Hunger, Bryce Fox, Jagwar Twin, & Friday Pilots Club (“Spectator”) Back to Dead Poet Society, the song that made me fall for the band wasn’t their most listened to tune – for me, it’s “My Condition” (clip)

Like any of the Vampire Weekend albums for myself, I have to keep listening. (“Gen X-Cops” clip)  I don’t want to say that they “grow” on me, because that sounds forced.  However, with each new spin, my appreciation grows and I keep wanting to hear more and more. (clip) So yes at #8 is Vampire Weekend: Only God Was Above Us (clip) Love the musical intro to the “Prep-School Gangsters.”  Plants seeds, plants seeds.  Did you know that the lyrical first word of the album is an “F” bomb – I’m amused by that.  They totally did that on purpose.

The number 7 is BRAT (clip) Everything went Brat with Charli XCX this summer – and I’m probably totally messing something up with trying to relate to the younger peeps.  BUT – I do know that it’s a great sounding dance pop album (clip) Lots of dancing – reminds me of my shoes sticking to the dance floor.  Remember that.  Then, if you dropped something – forget about it.  It’s gone (clip) Charli XCX had a ton of fans prior to this album.  It’s going to keep growing.  She’s got the “it” tour for 2025.  Easily, the most BRAT.

(Houdini clip)

6) Eminem: The Death of Slim Shady (Houdini clip)

My 15 year old son totally embraced this new album.  If it was vinyl, cassette, or CD, he would need another one because he cooked it. (Habits clip) A moment with this album that sticks out to me is when it was just my son and I on the 2 hr ride back from the Jersey shore (Brand New Dance clip) My ears felt like they were bleeding because it was so loud, but it was also oh so glorious. (Renaissance clip)  The entire album was cranked the whole way home.  Will forever remember that moment and I hope he does too.  Music creates these magical memories

missed music Monday / Monday 12-16-24

(Missed Music Monday opener)

Early in 2023 in Philly, I saw a Fitz and The Tantrums show. Incredible. I was mesmerized. Loved the engery and happiness that it set off. I was all in on the band and Fitz himself.

(“Head Up High” clip)

This is a Fitz only album – his 2nd solo album called: Summer of Us. I’m still listening, but I like “Wind in My Sails”

(clip)

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Tune in tomorrow for: Quote of the Day!

new music Friday / Friday 12-13-24

My Spotify Artist of the Year. And – guess who has a new album out

(The National “Once Upon a Poolside”)

(New Music Friday)

Happy Weekend! Welcome to mid-December. 2025 is so close. You know what’s also close – “Cookies for Breakfast” week. (clip) I cannot believe that there is a song out there called “Cookies for Breakfast.” I will have it saved on my Spotify playlist.

(Countdown Video)

New Music Friday:

I put together a Spotify playlist of the songs that I talked about and thought about today for New Music Friday. Click here for that!

• First up – British rockers: THE DARKNESS (clip) “I Believe in a Thing Called Love” was released back in September of 2003. BUT – this most recent September – the song hit number one on the iTunes Rock Chart – all because of two people singing along to it at the US Open (clip) Yup – Kansas City Chief Travis Kelce and his girlfriend (clip) Back to THE DARKNESS. The 1st release off their forthcoming eighth studio album: Dreams On Toast was released in the Fall (clip) I guess it’s still the Fall until next weekend. Today, we got release #2 called “I Hate Myself” (clip) The full album – Dreams On Toast arrives in March. By the way, there is a YouTube show called “Justin Hawkins Rides Again” – that’s the lead singer of THE DARKNESS – very entertaining and informative on the musical scene. I’ll provide links!

• Next – we’ve got Benjamin Booker (clip) That’s like the first 10 seconds of the song. I’m loving on that fuzzy guitar sound. Song is called “Same Kind of Lonely” (another clip) Little scary there in the video. The kid heard laughing is that of his daughter. Just prior to this scene, there’s a clip used from an actual school shooting.. Very serious stuff – when asked, Booker says he included this audio because those random moments of horror ‘happen in our lives, just out of nowhere.” I still like the song. (clip) FYI – this is Booker’s 3rd release from his first new album in 7 years, LOWER – arrives next month on January 24th. By the way, thank you to Josh Sharpe for his article with Broadway World – that’s where I got some of my info.

• (Tom Petty clip) “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” via Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers was released back in November of 1993. Today, Snoop Dogg has his own version (clip) Snoop’s song is called “Last Dance with Mary Jane” and is off his new album that’s all out in its glory today called: Missionary. (clip) That’s Sting rapping on the song “Another Part of Me.” A lot of special guests on this album: Jelly Roll, Method Man, 50 Cent, Eminem. Snoop Dogg has that pull. I don’t think it’s the T-Mobile commercials either. He’s just the man. //

• Several quick hits of new music: This guy has been off of my radar for awhile – and I was all over his first couple albums in the early 2000s. Ben Kweller has a new song out called “Optimystic” – the entire album called Cover The Mirrors drops next May // Dead Poet Society’s song “HURT” is off their album – FISSION – which was released earlier this year. By the way – that album is in my top 10 for 2024. That video is coming next week. Anyway – the song “HURT” was redone by the band along with the help of the three sisters from: The Warning // My Spotify Artist of the Year – The National – released a live album called Rome. It’s from when they performed there during their recent tour. 21 songs spread out over nearly 2 hours of music. I can’t wait. Need it on vinyl, Santa. // I’ve talked a lot about Myles Smith this past year. AND – I probably talked about this song “Nice To Meet You.” However, he redid it the some bells and called it the Mistletoe Version (clip)

Amazing how jingling bells can make one think of the holidays. I was looking for some of our bells to jingle, but I think we got rid of all of them because of our dogs.

Thank you to Spotify, Rolling Stone, Apple Music, uDiscoverMusic, Pigeons & Planes, Pitchfork, Louder, Spill Magazine, Dan Deluca of the Philly Inquirer & I know there’s more.

Josh Sharpe for his article with Broadway World

Be sure to check out the playlist on Spotify. As I mentioned in the beginning, it’s a playlist of songs that I’ve talked about and thought about: so, you’ll see some new music there from Beta Radio, Old Sea Brigade, and anything that I really messed up and missed – well, that’s why I’ll be doing Missed Music Monday on Monday. 

Please subscribe on YouTube and spread the Babble wherever you can – Thank you!

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“You gotta lean towards the things that make you like yourself. Forget everything else.” – by Matt Berninger – he sings songs for The National

Top 20 Albums of 2024 – Part 1

Quickly – the just misses – here are 6 of them:

The Black Crowes, Billie Eilish, Brittany Howard, Friday Pilots Club, Judah & The Lion, and Linkin Park (clip)

20) Green Day – Saviors

I forgot how good this album was.  (clip) Some people ripped it because it sounded like a Green Day album.  BUT – that’s what I wanted.  I wanted a Green Day album. (clip)

19) Taylor Swift – The Tortured Poets Department

At #19, I’ve got this one on vinyl.  Double Disc Album purchased on Record Store Day 2024. (Post Malone clip)  It’s a good album.  What made it even better for me was waiting in line with my little girl and seeing her excitement with this purchase.  Besides the Post Malone song, I also enjoyed the song “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart” (clip)

18) The Black Keys – Ohio Players

I’m a huge fan of Beck and he was a major player with the making of this album (clip) Recently, The Black Keys came out with an extended version of the album with 4 extra tracks.  By the way, Ohio Players is the band’s 12th overall.  My favorite song off the album that I know I played the junk out of on New Music Friday was “Beautiful People.” (clip)

17) MJ Lenderman – Manning Fireworks

I was so late to the party on this one.  (Wristwatch)  Wilco meets Beck with a definite Sad Dad Rock feel to it.  The quirky lyrics are splendid.  Feeling Christmasy – Don’t listen to “Rudolph”

16) Jake Bugg – A Modern Day Distraction

Unfortunately, I haven’t found this on too many countdowns. (clip)  “Zombieland” has gotten a ton of listens, but that’s not my favorite. “I Wrote the Book” / “All Kinds of People” /

15) Sia – Reasonable Woman

This is one that I forgot how good it was until I went back and listened again (clip) The songs feel like anthems – I find myself wanting to sing along loud and proud, but they aren’t necessarily dude songs. (Immortal Queen clip)

I’ve always said Beck and Sia – I wish they would testimonials for me.

14) AWOLNATION – The Phantom Five

5th Studio Album arrived at the very end of Summer. (“Jump Sit Stand March”) Emily Armstrong appearing on that song.  “Panoramic View” was probably the big hit off this album, but that’s not the one that I played over and over again on my way to the gym in the morning – “I Am Happy” (clip)

13) Sabrina Carpenter – Short n’ Sweet

We just talked about AWOLNATION’s 5th Studio Album, but Sabrina Carpenter has her 6th (clip) Short n’ Sweet is the album and it had what many consider the song of the summer (“Espresso”)  I love coffee, but I didn’t see too much coffee.  Let’s see another clip (another Espresso)  No java bean seen.

12) Shaboozey – Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going

Ahhh – this album includes my song for the summer which is why it’s kicked up a notch on this countdown. (clip) I like the one from Miley;s younger sister – Noah Cyrus.  But the other fun song that I enjoyed was the song “Drink Don’t Need No Mix” (clip)

11) Orville Peck – Stampede

This is a fun album from interesting guy.  (clip)  Wikipedia states – Orville Peck, is a South African country musician based in the United States and Canada. He is well-known for wearing a mask and not showing his face publicly. (clip)  The song that I enjoyed the most is the one that Beck in on – “Death Valley High” (clip)

Did I just end with back to back country albums?  There’s another one in my top 10.

“Quote of the Day” / Tuesday 12-10-24

Borrowing words from someone else in an attempt to spread happiness everywhere or at the very least – a reasonable range. Hey – go click that video!

(White Stripes cut)

I talk about Jack White a lot because I am a huge fan. But – the White Stripes would NOT be The White Stripes without Meg White

(another White Stripes cut)

AND – Happy Birthday, Meg – she turns 50 today!

Quote of the Day is via a fan of the White Stripes too – who always had them on his show

(Conan clip)

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QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Work hard, be kind, and amazing things will happen.” – Conan O’Brien

missed music Monday / Monday 12-09-24

(Missed Music Monday opener)

1) The storytelling David Kushner delivered a haunting Christmas song called “Empty Bench” / It makes you feel the struggle of Longing and Loss – it’s not a pick me up like Jingle Bells, but still very good (clip)

2) A very appreciative Henrik puts forth more South Jersey music with his song – “Be Alive”

3) Early next year, British rocker Sam Fender will release his new album called: People Watching – that’s always fun to do. It’s when you point, it’s bad. Fender just released a six-minute song from the album – “Wild Long Lie”

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Tune in tomorrow for: Quote of the Day!

new music friday / Friday 12-06-24

My Spotify Song of the Year “Golden Boy” by Bryce Fox / When he comes to Philly’s TLA next April with AWOLNATION, I’m going to flash him the screenshot.

(Bryce Fox “Golden Boy”)

(New Music Friday)

2024 on its last leg – How do you know? All these countdowns or best of’s – I feel like I need to do one. So, I will – not today. Next week – I’ll put out my 20 to 11 albums for 2024 and then the following week, my top 10 albums for 2024. Everybody likes a countdown

(Countdown clip)

New Music Friday:

I put together a Spotify playlist of the songs that I talked about and thought about for today’s New Music Friday. Click here for that!

• 1st – let’s say it together – Rosier. Now, switch the R to an H. Hozier. (“Take Me to Church”) Last year in August, Hozier released his album: Unreal Unearth, but then this past August, he released an extended version called: Unreal Unearth: Unaired (“Too Sweet”) “Too Sweet” was included on that recent one. Today, he released onto triple LP vinyl: Unreal Unearth Unending and it includes a previously unreleased track called “Hymn to Virgil” (clip)

• Back on November 1st, I talked about this album dropping because of the song that had gotten stuck in my head – “Crocodile Tears” (clip) Today, we have that entire album called Vicious Creature from Lauren Mayberry (Chuvrches “Here With Me” clip) She’s also the lead singer of the band: Chvrches. On the band’s Australian tour she hit some tough times with the band that made her think of doing this solo thing – what helped her through it (Taylor Swift’s Cruel Summer.”) Me too girl. What? Too much sharing? Anyway – I’ve listened to the album – definitely more of a pop sound. I enjoyed the delicately soft song of “Oh, Mother”, but another song which has a good upbeat sound to it is “Punch Drunk” (clip)

• Back in June within Spotify, I liked a 4-pack of this band’s songs (“What’s My Name”) Band’s name is Noshows. In an interview, lead singer – Max Satow (Say-toe) described the band’s sound as being Indie-Hop. (“Portrait”) Noshows isn’t just putting out good music , they’re also helping people navigate anxiety through music and pop-up events – the community is called: Magnify the Mind. I’ll provide a link (clip) That song is called “Decisions” and it willl be found on the new EP called Tightrope which drops next year – February 21st to be exact. Check out that band – Noshows //

• Several quick hits of new music: Dua Lipa just released: Dua Lipa Live From The Royal Albert Hall. The new live album features a reimagined version of her recently released album – Radical Optimism performed in its entirety front-to-back, along the 53-piece Heritage Orchestra, a 14-strong choir and her 7-piece band. // Sabrina Carpenter’s song “Taste” was just redone by a band that I’ve been enjoying a lot lately – Daisy Grenade. I was so hoping that it was “Taste It” from INXS (clip) I can’t be the only one? That’s a good song. // Advent calendars are being opened up daily all across the land and the Santa day is definitely getting closer, so here’s a new holiday song from Mat Kearney called “Christmas Chevrolet” (clip)

Thank you to Spotify, Rolling Stone, Apple Music, uDiscoverMusic, Pigeons & Planes, Pitchfork, Louder, Spill Magazine, Dan Deluca of the Philly Inquirer & I know there’s more.

Be sure to check out the playlist on Spotify. As I mentioned in the beginning, it’s a playlist of songs that I’ve talked about and thought about: so, you’ll see some new music there from Maggie Rogers, Fuller, Andrew Bird, and anything that I really messed up and missed – well, that’s why I’ll be doing Missed Music Monday on Monday. 

Please subscribe on YouTube and spread the Babble wherever you can – Thank you!

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“The only truth is music . . . . music blends with the heartbeat universe and we forget the brain beat.” – by Jack Kerouac (Care o ack) – novelist and poet

“Quote of the Day” / Thursday 12-05-24

Borrowing words from someone else in an attempt to spread happiness everywhere

(“The Statue Got Me High” – TMBG)

They Might Be Giants – one of my favorites from my High School and College Years.

(“Birdhouse in Your Soul” clip)

I could play clips of them all day.

(MM Theme)

And yes – they also did the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Theme Song

My kids loved it! Today is Walt Disney’s birthday – he’d be a fan of them, too.

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QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” – Walt Disney

morning babble / Monday 12-02-24

(Missed Music Monday opener)

Jon Batiste has been everywhere. Served as the house band on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. (clip) Composed music & won Grammys for his work on the Pixar film – Soul (clip) and now he reinterprets the Beethoven classics on his new album ‘Beethoven Blues’ (clip)

Oh, and he’s going to sing the National Anthem for this upcoming Super Bowl. Busy man – go listen to any of his stuff.

Please subscribe on YouTube and spread the Babble wherever you can – Thank you!

Tune in tomorrow for: Quote of the Day!