Polvo

Polvo, “The Fighting Kites”

Polvo’s final album from their first run, Shapes, had kind of a cool reception as I recall. I know personally that I felt like it was a step back from the previous couple albums. But now, a couple decades later, I find myself listening to it more than the rest of their records. So, is it just a more subtle, more challenging record that requires more maturity and sophistication to appreciate? Was I just a dumbass back then? The answer is: I am not more sophisticated and I’m still a dumbass, so I suspect it’s just novelty? Relative novelty, anyway.

Polvo, “Bridesmaid Blues”

I just looked and realized that Cor-Crane Secret, the first Polvo album, is missing fromy my library. I’m not sure where it went, I absolutely had the CD back in the day. Lost? Never got ripped? Dropped on the floor during one of the library’s migrations from place to place? Who knows? But thanks to the magic of Bandcamp, I can replace it. And Shapes, which was also missing. It’s Polvo day here!

The Hidden Cameras, “Fear Is On”

This is far, far too twee. I want to knock the books out of this song’s hands and then stuff it into a locker.

Destroyer, “An Actor’s Revenge”

Your Blues is extremely Bowie. There’s always some Bowie in a Destroyer record, of course, but this one has always struck me as the most Bowie. Can it be more Bowie? The answer is none. None more Bowie.

Polvo, “Every Holy Shround”

My current favorite burn for doofy looking middle-aged dudes who look a certain way is to say that they look like they have strong opinions about the best Archers of Loaf EP. (This is mostly a self-burn.) Anyway, I’m now currently considering updating that to the best Polvo EP, but I’m not sure that that’s appropriately controversial enough (it’s this one). And I just continue to burn myself.

Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet, “You Spin Me Round ‘86”

The rare Shadowy Men track with a voice on it! Very little, mind you, but judged on a curve, it’s a ton.

Pond, “Magnifier”

Great stuff so far today! I’ve sung the praises of Pond repeatedly in this space, but seriously: this album (The Practice Of Joy Before Death) totally rules. If you want to listen to more, you can hit up the tag, but just fire up the album.

The Allstonians, “One Day”

The Allstonians produced two fantastic albums in the heart of the third wave, their self-titled record and Allston Beat. Both were fine, tuneful examples of what the third wave did well, horn driven tunes that borrowed liberally from ska history. There were a few moments when the lyrical approach was a little bit on the smug side (a common problem in the third wave), but overall, both are albums I still listen to frequently to this day. After the collapse of Moon Ska records, the Allstonians disappeared for six years, only to come back with a new record. Alas, the shine just isn’t there any more. We don’t get the fun solos, the horn playing is mostly just simple ensemble work, and the songs aren’t especially memorable.

Hooray, Five Songs!

Uncle Tupelo, “Graveyard Shift”

If you type the words “Uncle Tupelo” into a blog twice within an hour of midnight, it summons the band. Or so I’m led to believe by the worst horror story in the world, “Attack Of The Alt-Country Band That Apparently Was Bloodthirsty For Some Reason”.

You know, that dumb joke assumes that anybody read yesterday’s entry, and it occurs to me that that’s quite arrogant. Whatever, that joke owns. As does this song! It’s the opening track of the opening album from Uncle Tupelo, and while it’s a pretty straight ahead rock song, you can hear the lyrical themes that they would develop in their career.

Less talk, more…rock? today.

Negativland, “Seat Bee Sate”

This is another track from an Over The Edge compilation, this time Volume 8: Sex Dirt. Still nonsense, of course.

Weezer, “Butterfly”

Pinkerton really is their best album, y’all. I still don’t know why I have four of their albums.

Broken Social Scene, “Lover’s Spit”

Another good song from Broken Social Scene. I guess I have to pay more attention to them, huh? We’re all learning around here! I’m learning I like bands I already own music to, and you’re all learning that Five Songs is run by a dumbass!

Please listen to these songs. They need love. Or don’t, but if you don’t, I don’t know why you’re here.

Secrets of the Sky, “Eternal Wolves”

Obviously, this is metal. I mean, come on. “Eternal Wolves”? So corny. Anyway, this is doom metal, one of the more theatric branches of the metal family tree, which is all about long build ups. I’m pretty hit or miss on doom in general, as sometimes the payoff isn’t really there for me.

When I started doing this, my only real hope was to find and remember some great music from the dusty corners of my own collection, and maybe help somebody else discover a new favorite. Well, mission accomplished on the second point! Feels pretty good. Here’s today’s stuff, maybe you’ll find a new favorite too?

The Blue Meanies, “Camaro Man”

You know what would make ska punk better? A bar band vibe! At least, that’s the conclusion the Blue Meanies reached before recording this song. Also, note that there’s so very little ska left in this track that coming into it cold, you’d never guess that this is ostensibly a ska punk band. I’m moving on.