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To me, we are in potentially hopeful and potentially perilous days. And, I feel I must offer the disclaimer that I don't always know where the line is between being careless and overly cautious. Although, there are many cases of carelessness that are blatantly obvious...
With COVID, person responsibility takes on a greater and more complex meaning. I strongly believe we could have been in much better shape, much earlier - and that although leadership or lack thereof played a big part - the largest part was in the actions of us as individuals making decisions.
Regardless of what your political beliefs - things like masks should never have become a political issue. Once the airborne nature of the virus was better understood - a strong, consistent message should have been enough. Mandates should not have even been needed - I don't think - but they became needed when people refused to follow recommendations. And where personal responsibility comes in... IF masks were meant to protect the wearer then it would have been fine (stupid but fine) for someone to make a personal decision to not wear a mask. But, since masks are meant to protect others - then it becomes part of the social contract. Unfortunately, one just need drive for a few miles down the highway to see how many people have no respect for the social contract...
So, here we are at a turning point - We have people being extremely cautious and basically still on lock-down, people who are moving back out into the world but trying to do so responsibly and safely, and we have people who are doing whatever they want - as if there was no virus. I find myself caught between the first two groups. And I know, those in the second group will likely make mistakes and unfortunately, with COVID - one mistake can be fatal for someone. But, I still struggle with where the line between group one and two should be for me. And, overall, I think we are doing fine... and then you have those in group 3.... And so, while I have feelings about some of the decisions being made by people in the 2nd group, I am withholding most of my anger toward those in the third group. Those who - despite everything - either believe the virus is a hoax or don't care about their fellow man.
We continue our recap of this week's Featured Friday Playlist with songs 17-22:
17. "Can't Stop Singing the Blues" by Soo Line Loons
First up, we have the first single from the forthcoming eponymous third album from Minneapolis based Soo Line Loons. Guests on the album include Charlie Parr. I really dig this song.
18. "Things That You Do" by Working Class Hussys
Next up, we have the new single from this New Jersey band led by Ian Patrick Gentles.
19. "Kiss Me Like You Mean It" by Bikini Test Failure
Next up, we have a January single from UK band Bikini Test Failure. I have been talking to James Hill who leads Bikini Test Failure. We faced similar challenges and losses early this year, and in all our conversation, I realized I hadn't actually listened to the band's new single. So, I did, and I was very impressed. So, here it is a bit late, but right on time.
20. "Early Morning" by Rude Audio; Dan Wainwright
We first connected with London based collective Rude Audio back in 2018. This is one of two new dubs by Rude Audio and Dan Wainwright. Cool stuff.
21. "Too Far" by Brian Damage
Next up, we have the lead track from Yesterday's Slime - the debut album by this Columbus, Ohio based band led by Brian Baker (Brat Curse, DANA etc.). Great track.
22. "Raised on Rock And Roll" by Cricketbows
And from Columbus to Dayton, Ohio - we close out this segment of music with a recent single and title track from the forthcoming album by this band - who channel straight ahead rock and roll through a decidedly 21st Century filter. A great tune to take us into today's shuffle.
Featured Friday Playlist
"M.T.A." by The Kingston Trio (from The Collection 1958-1961 - 1959)
My long-time DJ partner, Sue - made me aware of this song. It is a cover of a song from a decade or so earlier...
"White Knuckle Ride" by Delta Maid (from Katie - 2020)
Released last summer, Delta Maid - UK artist Katie Foulkes - who first emerged in 2010. This album was a bit of a comeback. Great stuff.
"Bicho De Pe" by Broken Guru (from Violets Exposed to Radiation - 2017)
We first covered NYC band Broken Guru back in 2015 and then we featured this album a couple of years later.
"Abyss of Opinion Pt 1" by Carrus & Kurtz (from The Genius of... Vol. 2 - 2020)
My year-end Spotify statistics were completely overwhelmed by the five volumes of The Genius of Carrus & Kurtz. The quarantine duo's collection of ambient pedal steel and bass instrumentals. By the way, this volume is subtitled: It Is Important That Everything Is Important. Cameron and Adam are two of my favorite people and although I miss seeing them play (and just hang out) in person, it was great to have these albums.
"Men Explain Things to Me" by Tacocat (from Lost Time - 2016)
A track from the Seattle punk band - this came to me on a friend's annual mix CD for 2016.
"Leonard Cohen" by This Frontier Needs Heroes (from Go With the Flow - 2021)
And, we close with Brad Lauretti's moving tribute to Leonard Cohen from the recently released Go With The Flow album from his recording project. I feel fortunately enough to have a friend who knew Cohen personally and who has shared stories of their experience working with him. A poet - who became a songwriter and who almost ended up moving to Nashville to write country songs.
VIDEO PLAYLIST
NEW AND RECENT RELEASES
THIS WEEK
3/12 - Rylan Brooks - If Wishes Were Horses (LP)
3/12 - Peter Case - The Midnight Broadcast (LP)
3/12 - Lee Taylor - Wild Woman (LP)
3/12 - Bhopal’s Flowers - Astroemeria - A Journey On Earth & Beyond (LP)
3/12 - KAKY - Room 404 (EP)
NEXT WEEK
3/17 - John McDonough - Second Chances (LP)
3/19 - American Culture - For My Animals (LP)
UPCOMING
3/26 - Departure Lounge - Transmeridian (LP)
3/26 - Gracious Losers - Six Road Ends (LP)
3/26 - Oliver Beardmore - "Fiesta" (single)
3/26 - Swansea Sound - "Indies of the World" (single)
3/26 - Jack Silverman - Now What (EP)
3/26 - Oliver Beardmore - "Fiesta" (single)
3/26 - Cathal Coughlan - Owl in the Parlor (LP)
3/26 - Sunstroke Rain - "To Greta" (single)
3/26 - Modesty Blaise - The Modesty Blaise (LP)
4/02 - indifferentMonKeY - "God or Machine?" (single)
4/02 - Julez & The Rollerz - "Knocks Me On The Floor" (single)
4/02 - Elizabeth King - Living in the Last Days (LP)
4/02 - Dolour - Televangelist (LP)
4/09 - Dallas Moore - The Rain (LP)
4/16 - The Brother Brothers - Calla Lily (LP)
4/16 - Stephen Flatt - Cumberland Bones (LP)
4/20 - Cricketbows - Raised on Rock And Roll (LP)
4/23 - DL Rossi - Lonesome Kind (LP)
4/23 - The Catenary Wires - "Mirrorball (single)
4/23 - Summer Sleeves - In the Throes of Woes (LP)
4/30 - Hadda Be - Another Life (LP)
4/30 - Nick Hudson - Font of Human Fractures (LP)
4/?? - El No - Nothing is Possible (LP)
5/07 - Manolo Redondo - The Lost and Found (EP)
5/07 - Benjamin Jayne - Theater (LP)
5/07 - The Purrs - We Thought There'd Be More People Here (LP)
5/07 - Ted Russell Kamp - Solitaire (LP)
5/14 - Soo Line Loons - Soo Line Loons (LP)
5/14 - Nature's Neighbor - Otherside (LP)
5/21 - Moon - Shine (EP)
5/21 - Desert Hollow - Thirsty (LP)
5/28 - Sharone - Morbid Illusion (LP)
6/04 - Lanterna - Hidden Drives (LP)
RECENT
2/02 - Chris Donley - Please Agree (LP)
2/04 - Common Sage - Might As Well Eat The Chicken, We Won't Be Here In The Morning (EP)
2/05 - A.J. Croce - By Request (LP)
2/05 - Zadar - The Upstairs Room (LP)
2/05 - Vlaicu Golcea - HIKIKOMORI OST (LP)
2/05 - The Orchestra of Cardboard - The Antidote (LP)
2/05 - Peter Stampfel - 20th Century (Box Set)
2/05 - Ryan Allen - What a Rip (LP)
2/05 - Melting Mallows - Something Sweet (LP)
2/05 - Oh Ok - The Complete Reissue (LP)
2/05 - Emperor Penguin - Corporation Pop! (LP)
2/05 - Modesty Blaise - "Girls Just Wanna Dance" (single)
2/05 - Miguel Rios - Slaughterhouse Road (LP)
2/10 - Arrlo - "WFTWTE"/"LSD" (single)
2/12 - Beth Lee - Waiting on You Tonight (LP)
2/12 - Para Lia - Gone With the Flow (LP)
2/12 - The John Michie Collective - High Vibrations (LP)
2/12 - Joyann Parker - Out of the Dark (LP)
2/12 - Post Profit - "When You Think It's Right"(single)
2/12 - John Dunbar - Oh Wellness (LP)
2/14 - Arsenic Tea Party - The Really Not Good Times (EP)
2/14 - Danielle de Picciotto - The Element of Love (LP)
2/14 - Madeleine Mayi - 2/14 (LP)
2/17 - Alpha Cat - Pearl Harbor 2021 (LP)
2/17 - Distant Voices - Lights of the City (single)
2/18 - Gracious Losers - "Loath to Leave" (single)
2/19 - Grant Hill & M.O.S. - fly (LP)
2/19 - Keith Mosfet - "Now Your Life's Gone" (single)
2/19 - The Boys With The Perpetual Nervousness - Songs From Another Life (LP)
2/19 - Boxteles - "You Can’t Fall in Love for the Sake of it" (single)
2/19 - Witch - Introduction (LP - Reissue)
2/19 - Jon Randall - "Keep On Moving" (single)
2/19 - Miliano - "Runaway" (single)
2/20 - Léanie Kaleido - "All The Things I'm Made Of" (single)
2/22 - My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult -Sleazy Action (LP)
2/24 - Kid Hastings - "Backwards" (single)
2/26 - Lou McMahon - Pockets of Change (LP)
2/26 - The Red Step - The Red Step (LP)
2/26 - The Blue Herons - "Endless Rain" (single)
2/26 - Scott Robert Allen - Scott Robert Allen (LP)
2/26 - The Tummies - 9:30 Girl (LP)
2/26 - Nineteen Thirteen - MCMXIII (LP)
2/26 - Brian Bringelson - Burning Backwards (LP)
2/26 - Chicken Rich - "Hero" (single)
2/26 - Feral Ghost - "Roll the Dice" (single)
2/26 - Guspy - "STEEZ LUÍZ" (single)
2/26 -3/05 - Steve Almaas - Everywhere You've Been (LP)
3/05 - Brian Damage - Yesterday's Slime (LP)
3/05 - Jason Ringenberg - Rhinestoned (LP)
3/05 - Susan Anders - 13 Women (LP)
3/05 - Griffin Winton - "For My Health" (single)
3/05 - Dude Safari - "Bug Hunter" (single)
3/05 - Kristian Montgomery and the Winter Kill Band - Prince in Poverty (LP)
3/05 - Dolour - "The Day Tom Petty Died" (single)
3/05 - Elizabeth and the Catapult - sincerely, e (LP)
3/05 - Nature's Neighbor - "Monday Morning Drive" (single)
3/05 - Megan Lacy - Salvation (EP)
3/05 - Adeem the Artist - Cast-Iron Pansexual (LP)
3/05 - The Sails - Bang!: The Best of The Sails 2006-2020 (LP)
3/05 - Pentral - "Silent Trees" (single)
3/05 - Jacob the Horse - College Party Mixtape, Vol. 1 (LP)
3/05 - Julez & The Rollerz - "In Secure City" (Single)
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