Time for the weekly digest thread for my #OPM series! (This is for you folk that don't like clicking off Mastodon, tho I assure you my site is advertising and tracking free!).
Loopy alt-pop from France that tackles some of the big issues of life, from the irreplaceability of time to the contradictions of aging. Musically, the tracks range from simple acoustic guitar and voice arrangements to fully produced electro-pop and rock numbers, all leaning toward the light-hearted. Puts me in mind of XTC and other acts that lean heavily on clever lyrics and sweet #pop hooks, but definitely stakes out its own territory.
Released in 1982, this Celtic-folk inspired pop song became a global phenomenon. Featured on their album "Too-Rye-Ay," it topped charts in multiple countries, winning a Brit Award for Best British Single. Its infectious energy and distinctive sound make it a timeless classic.
"Deutsche Texte mit intellektuellem Anspruch, #Gitarrenrock mit Gesellschaftskritik und eine ganz eigene Coolness: Die Hamburger Schule (...) leistete die Vorarbeit für viele deutschsprachige Pop- und #Indie-Bands und hat darüber hinaus auch Kunst und Popliteratur beeinflusst."
Bowie's album Diamond Dogs was my music of choice when I was gearing up to hit the city (Montreal) for a night of partying. I'll bet I could recite every word of it.
Released in 1986 as the lead single from his fifth studio album, So, "Sledgehammer" is a vibrant celebration of love and desire. Its iconic music video, featuring stop-motion animation, won a record nine MTV Video Music Awards. The song's infectious energy and catchy horn riff helped it reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
Streaming music is a great way to discover new music, but if you want indie artists to have the time, money, & emotional support needed to continue making new music, you need to purchase their music outright.
This is the last check I got from my distributor for all streaming royalties for the past 3 years. It’s “sandwich money” as Weird Al would say.
Ambition can consume a band, and this sprawling, beautiful pop masterpiece ate Tears for Fears (along with four years, four producers, numerous sidemen [including Phil Collins and Pino Palladino] and a lot of money).
It’d be 15 years before Orzabal and Smith would work together again (on the great Everybody Loves a Happy Ending), so no doubt the process was painful.
My initial thoughts trying out Rowdy Energy's "Strawberry Lemonade" - Meh, no thank.
My more detailed thoughts, plus story time - So, I was at the grocery store when I saw this sitting on the shelf on-sale for 60¢. I thought to myself, "Sure, I'll try it, why not. I like Strawberry lemonade flavoring." Put it in the fridge and tried it the next day as my early morning energy drink. The result? Meh.
The flavor was just...well, off. I didn't taste any strawberry lemonade, mostly a very subtle flavor with a green tea-esque aftertaste. It felt more like a lightly strawberry flavored bubbly green tea with such minimal flavor to feel borderline like a seltzer. But the aftertaste was strong, for me at least.
Long story short, yea, I didn't like it. I finished it because I wanted the caffeine (~130 mg) and I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it.