The Friday Refrain: Saturday Edition!
Happy Valentine's weekend all! I know, what an inconsistent Friday Refrain this has been. Well, I'm hoping to change that by redoing my life schedule a bit. You see, I usually procrastinate. I'm excellent at that. However, with the addition of The Boy, and especially on Fridays when The Boy decides not to take a nap, I no longer have the time to put together my weekly ramblings. Which means i have to stop waiting until Friday morning to jot the ramblings down. I'm hoping next week will be different and better. I mean, I've been saving up love and lovelorn songs and albums ALL LAST YEAR. A whole YEAR of them. (When I'd remember at least...) And I was super excited to put together a few playlists... Made a spotify account... Etc. Etc. But it didn't get together. I suck. I'm sorry.
As for releases, Josh and I talk about 8 great new ones on this week's episode of Half Pints, Whole Notes. Head over there for that if you would want. Plus you can hit us up on Twitter to play a new game guessing who picked which band! (I bet you can guess who made up the game...)
And Friday's releases - Did Kanye West actually drop his album yet? I don't really want to find out, but The Life of Pablo was supposed to come out yesterday but then in the morning he said he was still mastering and it woudl be out later that day. I feel strange to empathize with Kanye. I totally get that. He and I... have something in common? I don't know how that makes me feel. In other news, it seems that the big shots of country have banded together to create some sort of Megazoid to defeat Mr. West because we've got: Wynonna & The Big Noise with Wynonna & The Big Noise; Vince Gill and Down To My Last Bad Habit; Joey + Rory Hymns; and comedy country, that's a thing? Wheeler Walker Jr, Redneck Shit. There's a couple other things too but they're not very big big. Or moderate big. Maybe Lissie with My Wild West. She's pretty awesome, loved her first album and this album is pretty good upon first listen as well.
So that's the gist of yesterday. I'll dig in this week and report back next week with some more recommendations. In the meantime, this and this are the last two weeks of releases in case you care to see my Lists. While I haven't been writing, I've done a pretty fair amount of listening. And now...
For The Lovers
Let's hit up the pop first:
Charlie Puth, "One Call Away"
Walking on Cars, "Catch Me If You Can"
Sonya Kitchell, "Follow Me In"
Rachel Platten, Wildfire
Nick Gibson, Paradise
Austin Plaine, "Your Love" - Oh if your interest is into poppy indie singer-songwriter type music, this is it. Gold mine. Get ready to whisk off the feet.
Singer-songwriter Love
Ben Lee, "The Body of Love"
Indie Rock Love:
Sam Means, 10 Songs - pretty sure you can do the whole album
Francis, "Turning A Hand"
Country Love:
Robyn & Raleigh, "By Heart"
Tom Gourlay, "Love Letter"
K.T. Oslin, "Hold Me" - but it's kinda sad at the same time.
Powerful Love Ballad Singing Style:
Regina Belle, The Day Life Begun
Brenna Whitaker, Brenna Whitaker
Kenny Lattimore, Anatomy of A Love Song - R&B bedroom music
Trying to get back that fish that got away or cheated
Richard Hawley, "I Still Want You"
Shayne Ward, "My Heart Would Take You Back"
Let's bridge the gap now - I can't decide on this one. Gold Sounds, "You Were Made For Each Other." Is it happily talking about two people being perfect together, or is the singer sad that these two people are made for each other and wishes the one was made for him? I don't know. I think you could interpret it either way. So lovers, lovelorn - Unite. This song was made for you all. (At least that's what I think) Also Jeffrey Lewis, "Outta Town" might be an either. Like if you're sad someone left you and want an upbeat song talking bout how you can't do anything without that person, that'd work. Or it's a lovely song to say to your love because you're unable to function without that one. Get ready to kick up heels to this. Probably more on the love side, but I do think in the right situation, it works both ways.
And For The Lovelorn:
Sad Pop
Seal, 7
Wet, "Don't Wanna Be"
Austin Plaine, Austin Plaine- popular style of indie singer-songwriter. Like Of Monsters And Men or Mumford & Sons style.
Alyssa Reid, "Suffocating" - maybe even the whole album. I didn't get a good full listen though.
Brittany Smooch, "Tired Of Love"
Shayne Ward, "My Heart Would Take You Back"
Sad Rap
Joe Budden, All Love Lost
Sad Indie
Falls, Omaha
Allison Weiss, New Love - This is a woman scorned. If your ex is with someone new, you should probably just put the title song, "New Love," on repeat and turn. up. the. volume.
Tom Gourlay, "Sad Situation"
Malin Kojola, Malin Kojola - anytime somebody covers "Skinny Love" it's pretty safe to say there will be some lovelorn going on there...
The Catenary Wires, "Throw Another Love Song On The Fire" - If you like The Magnetic Fields, turn on this one. The lower registered singer is pretty similar. And it is a nice counter to the sweet upper voice. Also, it's kinda funny. In a sad way.
Hayden, Hey Love - I'm running out of time and guessing this is sad. Or it's sad love songs. But it sounds like a good cry hard album.
Perk up, let's kick love in the balls
Debbie Davies, Love Spin - Bluesy love won't get me down style.
Wigelius, "These Tears I Cry" - 80s throwback style
There you go. Next year, easily usable playlists. And tune in next week for more of my ramblings about new music, good music, weird music and the like. Until then, Happy Listening!