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I’m back. It’s a miracle.
Every week Apple Music makes a Friends Mix. I will make off the cuff “reviews” of the songs in this list. As Apple Music likes to put the same bands on the list often, so I will skip some of the tracks.
The Wedding Present “I’m From Further North Than You?” I try and try, nope. Twee, bland and worst of all boring. Listened to a minute and 41 seconds.
The Damned “Strange in Town” This is more like it, Soul punk? whatever it’s killer go listen. Listened to all of it.
Paris Texas “Action Fans! Help Us!” Madison, WI power pop punk. Overlooked and better than most. I do know these guys but don’t think I’d lay off if it sucked. Listened to all of it.
Redd Kross “1976” No one is telling me that it’s not Paul Stanley on backing vocals. FUCKING GREAT. Listened to all of it.
Perfect “Think I call My Life” Decent Replacements like midwest rock, go figure Tommy Stinson is in it. Listened to it all.
The Replacements “Someone Take the Wheel” Go listen to the Perfect song above. Tim or before is all you need. Listened to 34 seconds.
The Posies “Who’s to Blame” This is alright, it’s no “Frosting on the Beater.” Listened to all of it.
The Faint “Glass Dance” Surprised it took this long for this band to show up. People loved this band but my thought is why not listen to Satisfact, they do the post-punk/Gary Numan thing way better. Listened to 28 seconds.
Superchunk “A Small Definition” The Superchunk I don’t like, break-up slow song Superchunk. Listened to 45 seconds.
Pavement “Stop Breathing” Fuck this slacker VU rip off shit. 17 seconds.
Dinosaur Jr. “Puke + Cry” A palate cleanse for that Pavement trash. This rules. Listened to it all.
The Lemonheads “The Door” Not the best song off of “Lovey” but it’s ok, go listen to “Stove” or “Ride With Me.” Listened to it all.
Deep Tunnel Project “When I Hit the Ground” Yup not for me, plodding, dull, unimaginative. Listened to a minute and 13 seconds.
FACS “North America Endless” Weirdo, minimal, angular glory. Go buy all their stuff. Listened to it all.
The Cure “Other Voice” Stop pretending the new Cure is this good. Listened to all of it.
Blur “Battle” On the right day I can do Blur, must be the right day, What is this “I Kinda Like My Friends?”. Listened it all.
Chemical People “All the Best Things” Haven’t heard this since the 80s. Porno-All/Descendents ripping off Husker Du here. Listened to it all.
Jawbreaker “Gutless” Arrggghhh, the voice. I like that album everyone hates. Listened to a minute and 21 seconds.
Hot Snakes “If Credit’s What Matters, I’ll Take Credit” Pitchfork, Drive Like Jehu, Hot Snakes, Rick Froberg, RIP go listen to any/all of it. Listened to it all.
Lung “Sick” US PJ Harvey with a cello? This is much easier when I don’t like something. Listened to it all.
Hum “Step Into It” Huge, heavy, dreamy. I used to say My Bloody Valentine playing Slayer songs. Few bands have made a reunion album this good. Listened to all of it.
Motorhead “The Chase is Better than the Catch” A favorite Motorhead song. Listened to it all.
Chappell Roan “Good Luck, Babe” I’d rather listen to her talk about artist rights. Is all of it a poor Kate Bush rip off? Listened a minute and 4 seconds.