May 2021 Nuggets - Marmotto

I hope nobody is tired of music. I was worried I might be, briefly, but now I’m back. Here are your monthly nuggets!

Swervedriver – Future Ruins

I don’t think I ever gave this second “reunion” record by Swervedriver its proper due. We’re lucky to have such great late-period records by bands like Slowdive, Hum, and Swervedriver. We’re spoiled in that sense. This Swervedriver record picks up right where they left off in the 90’s. Calling it shoegaze would be doing it a disservice, it has a harder edge and more clarity to it (while still being melodic) which I feel like I need these days.

Johanna Samuels – All Is Fine

The new Johanna Samuels record is excellent. It’s impeccably crafted while still feeling loose and alive. The count-in at the beginning, some missed chords here and there, it really holds your attention as it builds to its conclusion.

Bands Broken Up

There was (maybe still is) this wave of bands taking the best bits of that crunchy Nirvana-style power chord bounce and mixing it with more garage rock or punk or whatever else and it all felt fresh and fun again. Then they inevitably break up. Or at least I think they do. They definitely don’t put out more music.

The Smells took that Nirvana thing and mixed it with New Bomb Turks and it was great. Teen Death took it in a more punk direction and it was great. I guess I’m not asking these bands to stop breaking up, because that’s just how it goes. I’m thankful we got any of this music from them. If you’re in one of these bands or a similar band let me know what you’re doing now.

Richard & Linda Thompson

Yes, I’m listening to Richard & Linda Thompson records again. I Want To See The Bright Lights and Shoot Out The Lights should be required listening. Beautiful records.

See you next time.