E2TG 6/4/2020 - Ain't Exactly Clear - Forward On Mix (Find Yourself Remix)

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Over the last couple of days, there does seem to be something happening in this country.  Is it the start of a change? I don't know. I am, I think, I cautious optimist. I like to see the best in situations and in people, but I also tend to question and doubt that optimism.

As I said in my long rant on Tuesday's post, I have observed that people who have been silent are beginning to speak up and speak out. These are concrete anecdotal examples - not a scientific survey. Whether is was the use of tear gas and rubber bullets on peaceful protesters and religious aid workers to clear the way for a craven photo-op, the George Floyd video tape, the many instances of unnecessary, cruel, and violent attacks by law enforcement officers on American citizens, or some combination of all of these and more, I feel like maybe a sleeping and heretofore silent majority is beginning to stir.  But, Americans are fickle people. So, it is important what happens next.

While, I am aware that so-called copaganda (not sure of the spelling since it isn't a real word), being used to divert attention from the many egregious acts, I also know that in some cases, positive actions by law enforcement officers toward protesters are brave acts of defiance to a commander and chief who has blood lust. Discerning the difference is a challenge, but it is important I think to recognize and acknowledge the latter. I know there are some that oppose any mention of positive actions (the National Guard laying down their shields), officers taking a knee or walking beside protesters. But, I tend to disagree. Yes, we need to keep calling out and exposing the violent and unconstitutional actions, but I don't think it is a one or the other situation.

But, yes, I am feeling some hope. And I am happy that at least in some places the protests are growing and the violence is lessening. While I would not consider telling a Black person how to protest, I was concerned about nefarious players trying to control the narrative.

By the way, I also need to remind my readers that the COVID-19 pandemic is NOT over. In Nashville, the number of new cases is trending up, and any impact from the mass gatherings to protest may not have been shown. There seems to be a unstoppable march toward reopening, and what I have observed is my ventures out, seems to be an attitude of acting as if any danger has passed. It has not. So, be safe, wear your masks if in public, socially distance. I am as ready as anyone for things to go back to "normal", but we are not there yet, and it may be a while.


And on we go, time to review the final four songs from this week's Featured Friday Playlist (songs 23-26).

In summary, I am really proud of these weekly playlists, and I hope you are enjoying them, too. The richness and diversity of the music is something I strive for, and by trusting instinct and a process I use, I have been adding some really cool music.  This new process of recapping all week has been working well for me. Time will tell if I can keep it up once I am unleashed back into the world on a regular basis, but for now... on we go!

Tomorrow, we unveil the brand new playlist (follow the Playlist on Spotify)

23. "Three-Fold" by Altar of Eris

The recently released sophomore effort by the Seattle postpunk/darkwave trio Altar of Eris is called Isolation. This is dark, murky, and raw music. 

24. "Stanglehold" by Atomic Bronco

Next up, we have a track from Nightflowers by the London based Atomic Bronco. Atomic Bronco was founded by Kyle Nuss - who is an electrical engineer whose past projects have included NBA arenas and the Super Bowl. He is originally from Kansas and moved to the UK to complete his Masters degree at Oxford. The music has a retro feel, but seems modern. I dig it. 

25. "Someday Maybe" by The Know

LA based husband and wife from their debut EP wearetheknow. The duo mix a diverse set of influences into a densely packed sound.  To me it is like a five feet think, steel-plated wall of sound. Cool stuff. 

26. "Beer Lust" by Party Nails

Closing thingsd out with a track from the sophomore album by LA based Party Nails (Elena Belle Carroll). I am liking the groove of this song - mixing atmospheric synth sounds with a strong beat and lyrics that seem a cut above standard electronica songs. 

    Featured Friday Playlist

Thursday Morning Shuffle

"All Yours" by Charles Hager (from Truth and Love)

We start things off with a track from the most recent album by our friend Charlie Hager. Hager is based in Las Vegas now. His presence in the Nashville music community is still being felt.

"Go Find Yourself" by Bill Bloomer (from Jubilee)

Going back to the album that introduced us to Bill Bloomer. Definitely one of the more colorful stories and characters that we have had the pleasure of getting to know.

"Forward On" by Grant Farm (from Broke in Two)

We next have a track from the 2019 album by Boulder, Colorado based Grant Farm. 

"20th Century Boy" by Beauty in Chaos (ft. Al Jourgensen) (from Finding Beauty in Chaos)

Michael Ciravolo - the creative force behind Beauty in Chaos teams with Al Jourgensen (Ministry) for some dark music for a dark time.

"It Makes No Difference" by Mrs. Henry (from Mrs. Henry Presents The Last Waltz)

We close things out today, with another track from The Last Waltz tribute by California band Mrs. Henry. 

VIDEO PLAYLIST

NEW AND RECENT RELEASES

This Week

5/31 - Debra Power - That's How I Roll (LP)
6/01 - Bessie Smith - Get in Union (LP) (from the Alan Lomax Archives)
6/01 - Darwin - "Dance Alone" (single)

Tomorrow:

6/05 - Nicole Boggs and the Reel - "None of Your Business" (single)

6/05 - People Without Shows and Inkswell - Plasma Platter (LP)

6/05 - Short Haired Domestic - "A Song in Latin... A Song in Hindi..." (single)
6/05 - Turkeyfoot - Promise of Tomorrow (LP)

6/05 - Delta Maid - Katie (LP)

6/05 - KDF - "Innocence" (single)

6/05 - Lacey Williams - "Cut N' Curl" (single)

6/05 - Johnny Irion and Friends - "Inside the Endless OM" (single)

6/05 - Skanger - "Condolences" (single)

6/05 - Ghost Town Remedy - "Therapy" (single)

Last Week

5/25 - The Plastic Pals - "Hangin' in the Louvre" (single)

5/25 - Scarlet Drive - "Not My Problem" (single)

5/29 - Mick Hayes - My Claim to FAME (LP)
5/29 - G.F. Patrick - One Town Over (LP)

5/29 - Jack Stafford - "Background Worry" (single)

5/29 - Ryan Dishen - Whiskey for the Road (LP)

5/29 - Idle Noise - "Ghosts" (single)

5/29 - Altar of Eris - Isolation (EP)

5/19 - Merv Pinny - "I" (single)

Next Week:

6/11 - Luciano Illuminati - Terra Vision 2020 (LP)

6/12 - Sammy Brue - Crash Test Kid (LP)

6/12 - Andrea & Mud - Bad News Darlin' (LP)

6/12 - Teghan Devon - Little Lion (EP)

Upcoming:

6/19 - Darlin' Brando - Also Too... (LP)

6/19 - Dolour - The Royal We (LP)

6/19 - The Microdance - Our Love Noire (LP)

6/19 - Lady Couch - "Foolish and Blue" (single)

6/20 - David Starling - "Cowards" (single)

6/26 - The Special Pillow - World's Finest (EP)

6/26 - Dedicated Men of Zion - Can't Turn Me Around (LP)

6/26 - Serratone - "Groovy Lucy" (single)

6/26 - 8 Floors Up - "Roman Bones Make Good Glue" (single)

6/?? - Mighty Brother - The Rabbit. The Owl (Double LP)

7/03 - Nicole Boggs and the Reel - None of Your Business (EP)

7/03 - Paul Nelson - Birmingham Woman (LP)

7/03 - Matthew Frederick - "Laura Jones" (single)

7/07 - Afton Wolfe - Petronius' Last Meal (EP)

7/10 - Hurricane Ruth - Good Life (LP)

7/10 - Fintan McKahey - "Platinum" (single)

7/10 - Nocona - Los Dos (LP)

7/17 - The Bobby Lees - new album (LP)

7/24 - Tawny Ellis - Love Life (LP)
7/24 - Lee Gallagher - L.A. Yesterday (LP)

7/24 - Even As We Speak - Adelphi (LP)
7/24 - The Wild Blue - Anonymous Future (EP)

7/24 - The Danberrys - Shine (LP)7/31 - The Jason Daniels Band - Downloads from the Universe (LP)

8/07 - The Furious Seasons - La Fonda (LP)

8/07 - Jason Molina - Eight Gates (LP)

8/28 - The Northern Belle - We Wither, We Bloom (LP)

10/16 - Malin Pettersen - Wildhorse (LP)

Recent:

5/01 - BOAT - Tread Lightly (LP)

5/01 - Laura Cortese and the Dance Card - Bitter Better (LP)

5/01 - Cut Beetlez vs Nice Guys - CBNG (LP)

5/01 - Grenon - "Imaginary Friends" (single)

5/01 - Paul Nelson - "Dying to Forget" (single)

5/01 - Felixity - Love Sick (LP)

5/01 - Easy - Radical Innocence (LP)

5/01 - Griffin Winton - "Think of Me" (single)

5/01 - Ender Bender - EQ

5/01 - The Rad Trads - 99 in October (EP)
5/01 - J.R. Wyatt - "I'm Still Here" (LP)

5/01 - Lekan Tellal - "Emptiness" (single)

5/01 - Angela Easterling - "Hero" (single)

5/01 - Miss Rayon - "Small Life" (single)

5/04 - Black Needle Noise with - "Seed of Evil" (single)
5/04 - Killing Kuddles - "Too Cool" (single)
5/06 - I Like Trains - "The Truth" (single) 

5/06 - CLOUDNiNE - "I Know" (single)

5/07 - Julius and Julia - "Why We Are Here?" (single)
5/08 - Brian Wright and the Sneak-Ups - Lapse of Luxury

5/08 - Watch Clark - Backscatter Effect (EP)
5/08 - Scenius - "Held" (single)
5/08 - Filthy Tricks - "Leah" (single)

5/08 - Vision Video - In My Side (single)

5/08 - The Attic Movement - "Truth Be Told" (single)

5/08 - Secret Bad Boy - "It Was Always Too Late" (single)

5/10 - Brett Ryan Stewart - "Let Her Know" (single)

5/11 - Sofia Talvik - "Broken (Steel Guitars in Heaven)" (single)

5/11 - Jonny Polonsky - "Sign in the Window" (single)

5/11 - Scott Howard - The Language of Clouds (LP)

5/12 - Kory Quinn & Co. - The Blueroom (LP)

5/13 - Dru Flecha - "Cama" (single)

5/14 - Anti-Corn League - Love it or Leave it (LP)

5/15 - Special Consensus - Chicago Barn Dance (LP)

5/15 - Zach Aaron - Fill Dirt Wanted (LP)

5/15 - Secret Emchy Society - The Chaser (LP)
5/15  The Room in the Wood - We're the Martians, Now (LP) 
5/15 - Wicked Messenger - "Golden Eyes" (single)
5/15 - Lazerine - "There's Nothing in It" (single)
5/15 - Klashing Black - Thoughts on the Matter (EP)

5/15 - Aimee Steven - "Darling" (single)

5/15 - Wolfhounds - "Can't See the Light" (single)

5/15 - THË FŪÑŻØÑË® - "THË WËŁŁ (W/ MEKAGHOUL)" (single)

5/15 - BYSTS - "Runes" (single)

5/15 - Miss Rayon - "Regional Diction" (single)

5/15 - Party Nails - You Don't Have to Go Home But You Can't Stay Here (LP)

5/16 - The Electric Grandmother - Relaunch (LP)

5/18 - The Know - wearetheknow (EP)

5/20 - Town Meeting - Make Things Better (LP)

5/22 - Victor Wainwright and the Train - Memphis Loud (LP)

5/22 - Lazaris Pit - Conifers (LP) 

5/22 - Beauty in Chaos (feat. Steven Seibold) - "Almost Pure" (single)

5/22 - Beauty in Chaos - The Storm Before the Calm (LP)

5/22 - Ethan Gold - "Not Me. Us" (single)

5/22 - Nichole Wagner - Dance Songs for the Apocalypse (EP)

5/22 - Academy of Sun - Rose Devoid of Form (single)

5/22 - Blue Eyed Christ - World on Fire (LP)

5/22 - Electric High - "Waiting With a Gun" (single)

5/22 - FLEKS - "Mexican Standoff" (single)
5/22 - The Kondoors - "Good Times" (single)
5/22 - 2Square/ Mark Gardner - "Chained" (single)
5/22 - Adam "Ditch" Kurtz - Storms of Steel (LP)