Yesterday was exciting and new. Today – it’s really cold and so damn early.
(clip of Green Day “Brain Stew” with opening lyrics)
Day #2
Today was tought.
Please subscribe on YouTube and spread the Babble wherever you can – Thank you!
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, too!
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “You are what you do, not what you say you’ll do.” – by Carl Jung
I’m here in the parking lot of Edge Fitness. They haven’t opened yet. (show time)
(clip of Shinedown’s “Attention Attention”)
I ran. It’s only Day #1, but it’s been done. The streak has begun.
Blah, Blah, Blah
Please subscribe on YouTube and spread the Babble wherever you can – Thank you!
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, too!
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Win the Morning, Win the Day.” – by Tim Ferriss
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!
(“Don’t Stop Believing” clip)
Oh – he held onto that feeling – Kobe Bryant listened to that song for two years simply because the Garden played it when Boston defeated his Lakers in the 2008 NBA finals. He got his revenge in 2010.
(clip)
Ending this year with the quote I used exactly one year ago. It was a mantra that I tried to live by this past year as well.
But first – I did want to announce what I’m doing for 2025.
Do you believe in deja vu?
Why – because I did it back in 2021. Giving it a go again – all begins tomorrow – join me every day.
Please subscribe on YouTube and spread the Babble wherever you can – Thank you!
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Did you get better today?” – by Kobe Bryant
So, that’s counting up to 6, but we’re counting down from 5 at this point. I really didn’t think this intro through. Welcome to Part 3 – the final 5 of the Top 20 Albums of 2024.
Countdown Reel
5) Beyoncé: Cowboy Carter (“Texas Hold ‘Em” clip)
This probably wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for my wife and daughter and then, in turn, the amount of times that I heard it playing throughout our house (“Texas Hold ‘Em”) Like that song – played a lot and I then found myself humming along and looking forward to the next song spun (“Levii’s Jeans”) and a ton of stars can be found throughout the album. Post Malone was on that Levii’s song. (clip) Shaboozey who was at #12 on this countdown appears singing about “Spaghetti” or at least that’s the song’s title (clip)
4) Joey Valence and Brae: No Hands (“Baddest” clip)
This album arrived in June and was quickly followed up in September with the deluxe version (“Pineapple Fried Rice” clip) where you get the duo’s spin on the Charli XCX BRAT summer hit “365” (clip) FYI – Charli XCX made the #7 – BRAT – that would be Part 2 video. Back to this one (“John Cena” clip) I was late to Joey Valence and Brae which is a shame because their sound is so close to one of my favorites the Beastie Boys (“Packapunch”)
3) St. Vincent – All Born Screaming (“Big Time Nothing” clip)
I really fell for this album. For a little while this year – I thought it was going to be a possible number one overall (“Flea”) You know how good this album is? Annie Clark aka St. Vincent redid the entire album in Spanish (“Pulga”) I still prefer the OG – the big song that I played just way too much was “Broken Man” (clip)
2) Pearl Jam – Dark Matter (“Dark Matter” clip)
This is another album that I’ve go on vinyl. Purchased on Record Store Day 2024 (clip) Similar to Green Day sounding like Green Day – cough, cough, who were at #20 on this countdown this Dark Matter album sounded like Pearl Jam and it was amazing (clip) (Setting Sun clip) That’s the last track and called “Setting Sun” – and I could totally see them ending their shows with that one. Also, I enjoyed how several of the songs appeared to slowly build with each band member joining in and nearly turned into a jam session by the end of the song. (Waiting for Stevie clip) That clip of a song that I just played – “Waiting for Stevie” – From interviews that I’ve heard, it seems like it might be a band favorite AND apparently it’s like a tribute song to Soundgarden. Here’s another one that I enjoyed tremendously called “React, Respond” (clip)
1) Jack White – No Name (musical intro of “What’s the Rumpus”)
Jack White has his own record company called Third Man Records. Prior to this album’s official release, it was slipped into the orders of customers to the store. Did I want to head to Nashville and try to become one of those lucky customers – of course I did (“That’s How I’m Feeling” clip) To me, this is a true rock album – just an in your face, guitar ripping, licking and slapping – is that the proper way to say all that. It’s just so damn good. (clip of “Tonight”) If you combined the vinyl spins and the Spotify plays for this No Name album – the numbers would be obnoxious. (Cut of “What’s the Rumpus”) That’s “What’s the Rumpus” which I’m a fan of. BUT – this is my favorite song off the album – “Archbishop Harold Holmes” – (cut) and that was my favorite lyrical line “Hate is trying to take someone else’s love for yourself”
The problem with Cookies for Breakfast week – you feel swollen – in not a good way.
(Another Cut)
(New Music Friday Intro)
Happy Taint Week where it taint Christmas and it taint New Years. Also, it’s amazing how nothing counts this week. Like calories. (Grinch clip) We are smack in the middle of Cookies for Breakfast week and I feel like the Grinch there . . . the problem is that I’m doing it to myself with no assisance needed.
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!
Let’s go to the teaser (clip) That video of Ben Stiller lip syncing along to the new SZA song “Drive” was released last week which got me all ready to talk about this new album dropping last week as well. But then, things got delayed. (“Crybaby” clip) This is SZA’s deluxe version of the Grammy-winning album SOS, now titled and most definitely released SOS Deluxe: LANA (30 For 30) Another new song there called “30 For 30” that features Kendrick Lamar who SZA will hit the road with in 2025 – for the Grand National Tour, a 19-city stadium tour across North America (“Scorsese Baby Daddy”) “Sorsese Baby Daddy” – Of the 15 new songs on this deluxe album – that was one that jumped out to me – only drawback, it’s too short. I’ll tell you what’s not too short – the new album altogether – it has nearly 2 hours of music spread out over 38 songs. I’ll give you another SZA song that I enjoyed “Love Me 4 Me” (clip)
Via Spill Magazine, I read this from their newsletter: “Following a whirlwind year of sold-out Australian and US tours, festival appearances, and international acclaim, pop-punk trailblazer Taylor Acorn is” – let’s pause, I have to adamit I haven’t really listened to this Taylor (“Psycho”) And that’s Taylor Acorn singing her “Psycho” song from 2023. A newer album was dropped this past September called: Survival in Motion (“Greener”) That’s the non-acoustic version of “Greener”. I say that because today we have 2 acoustic songs. One was “Greener” and the other was “People Watching” (clip)
At the very end of November, Jesse Roper gave us an early Christmas gift with the song “Roll this Stone” (clip) Still waiting on details of a new album coming. BUT – we do get one more new song from him before we tell 2024 where to go – nicely, of course. Here’s the song “Turn It Up” (clip)
Since there are slim pickings with new music remaining in 2024, here’s several quick hits of new music coming in 2025: January 5th – new Bad Bunny // January 10th – Franz Ferdinand and Ringo Starr – together again. No actually – separate albums // January 17th – this is one that I have my eye on Mac Miller’s Balloonerism // January 24th is a big album drop day from FKA Twigs, The Wkend, and another one that I’m excited about Benjamin Booker (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. 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: “How others treat me is their path. How I react is mine.” – by SZA (tweeted back in 2018)
I didn’t want to provide another Christmas song countdown with Andy Williams sitting at the top at the end of it all (clip) Because – that’s what it would have been for me – I love that song. So, a Top 6 List of Unique Yuletide Melodies from Brent’s House
(Countdown)
6) “Christmas in Hollis” – Run DMC
This song is off of an album that simply amazed me. It was modern day (80s) artists playing Christmas song covers, but the one favorite is an original from RUN DMC – “Christmas in Hollis”
5) “Christmas Time” – Bryan Adams
This was not an easy song to find back in the day. Nowadays, with the digital platforms, obviously it’s everywhere especially after Mr. Bryan Adams released it again in 2019. BUT – when it first came out back in ’85 – it was simply on a clear, green vinyl with a picture sleeve and called “Christmas Time”
4) “Christmas Tree” – Lady Gaga
At #4, it’s the song I played at the beginning of New Music Friday (clip) Lady Gaga and “Christmas Tree” which is delicious (clip)
3) “The Happiest Christmas Tree” – Nat King Cole
I Love Nat King Cole because of my Dad. Whenever I hear a song from him, I state to my kids – “Pop loves this guy.” Now this song – this is NOT the typical Christmas song you would expect me to play next. “The Happiest Christmas Tree”
2) “Ho Ho Ho” – Sia
Probably my most favorite modern day holiday album is from Sia – Everyday is Christmas – all original songs that I find myself wanting to hear every year at Christmas Time – “Ho Ho Ho”
1) “Ave Maria” – Chris Cornell
I worked with a friend of mine on the road a lot (Larry) and we would always listen to this guy’s band and call the singer: our minister. As for the song – Ave Maria, I never gave it too much thought . . . until this singer did it. Chris Cornell.
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
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
Sometimes, it gets tidied up; other times, not so much.
When all else fails: there’s video!
(“Ahhhh” Fitz and The Tantrums)
I have two Fitz and The Tantrums songs in my wake-up playlist – somehow I missed an entire album from November
(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)
Please subscribe on YouTube and spread the Babble wherever you can – Thank you!
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
