Author: Dakin Hardwick

Single Of The Week: I’ve Got Reason by Mikal Cronin

Mikal Cronin is probably most famous for being Ty Segall’s bassist. Not a ton of people are aware of his solo work, which is a shame because, dare I say it? Cronin is a better songwriter than Segall. Look no further than the epic psych masterwork that Cronin released today, “I’ve Got Reason.” If you are looking for some aural delight to kick off your weekend, this is a lovely place to start. There is an easy going groove that gets cut with the dirtiest, ugliest guitars this side of J Mascis, and it’s making my Friday.

Cronin’s first record in four years, Seeker, is due out October 25th. Just two days before my birthday, so if anyone is looking for the perfect present for me, you can always pre-order the “Peak Vinyl” edition from Bandcamp with a bonus 12″ single, and all of the swirly colors you’d want in a psych record and send it to me. Or you can just buy one for yourself. That’s cool, too.

Single Of The Week: You Got Me (Drum & Bass Mix) by The Roots with Jill Scott

The Roots were far ahead of their time. When they first came out onto the scene, mainstream hip hop was very sample driven. Live hip hop was practically unheard of, and generally relegated to 15 minute sets at radio festivals, performed to a backing track. The Roots, however, are a band, and live musicians making hip hop in front of you didn’t really become the norm for another decade and a half after the release of their groundbreaking record Things Fall Apart.

To honor the 20th Anniversary of this record, The Roots are reissuing the album with a bunch of bonus material from the era, including the original mix of “You Got Me,” their first significant single. The “hit” version featured Erykah Badu, but the song was written with Jill Scott, and really was the heart and soul of the record. Finally, after 20 years, this is the way this song was intended on being heard. There is a TON of other hidden treasures on this release, and the vinyl can be found in stores today, or can be purchased online. It’s also available in all the usual streaming sources.

Also coming out next year will be deluxe reissues of classic Roots records Illadelph Halflife and Do You Want More?!!!??!. Two other groundbreaking hip hop classics that deserve your attention.

Single Of The Week: When I Wasn’t Watching by Mandy Moore

September 2019 may go down as one of the greatest “comeback” months in pop music history. After both Missy Elliot and Tool both released their first records in a decade and a half, out of nowhere comes a brand new single from Mandy Moore. This is her first true single since her ex husband, Ryan Adams, basically manipulated her into quitting music.

And what did she come back with? A stunning, potent song that seems to directly confront Adams’ abuse. It’s also backed by some vibrant electric piano, and some classic Laurel Canyon production that’s “soft rock” but hardly soft at all. Mandy Moore’s comeback single shows signs that she could easily join the league of great LA songwriters like Jenny Lewis and Carole King.

Word on the street is Moore will have a full length out next year. If it’s on par with this track, it’s going to be great.

Single of the Week: Stuff by Sløtface

This week’s single of the week comes from Sweden’s Sløtface. Their latest single, “Stuff,” is a subtle departure from their previous releases, adding some thick, fuzzy bass to the mix. It’s a great pop single, and something nice for the end of Summer blues.

Stuff can be streamed in all the usual places. More new music should be coming soon!

Single Of The Week: What’s The Frequency, Kenneth? (Remix) by R.E.M.

Monster changed my life. It came out right in the middle of high school, and it opened my ears and eyes to exactly what music could sound like. The thick, fuzzy guitar styling of Peter Buck opened me up to so much music that I never thought I’d listen to before, giving me bands like Sonic Youth, Sleater-Kinney, and, weirdly Motorhead. It’s also the REM record you are most likely to find in the dollar bin at a used CD store. Continue reading “Single Of The Week: What’s The Frequency, Kenneth? (Remix) by R.E.M.”

Single Of The Week: Cuts by Wing Defence

Adelaide, South Australia gives us this week’s single of the week, a hyper catchy pop song from Wing Defence. A song so catchy and joyful that it’s easy to miss that there are three different tempo changes in two and a half minutes. We are still waiting for Wing Defence to make their way across the pond to join Courtney Barnett, Tame Impala, Camp Cope, Alex Lahey, and all of the other amazing Australian acts to take over the US in the last few years.

Until they make it over here, you can buy the new single and all of their other singles at Bandcamp! 

Single Of The Week: Throw It Back by Missy Elliott

The last full length release from Missy Elliott was The Cookbook which came out July 4th, 2005. This was 14 years ago. She would occasionally put out a single or do a live show in this time, but she’s been pretty much quiet. It’s been a sad period without one of the most inventive musicians of the 21st century.

That was until midnight this morning, when she quietly released into the world Iconology, an EP of new material that’s classic Missy Elliott- frantic beats under trippy synths and her spitfire delivery that’s practically inimitable. The lead single, “Throw It Back” is catchy as hell, complete with a perfect Missy video, full of memorable moments that would be nightmarish if they weren’t so happy. This is a classic track that’s going to be part of our lives for a long time to come.

Iconology is available for streaming and downloads TODAY in all the usual places.

Album Review: Sleater-Kinney – The Center Won’t Hold

The Center Won’t Hold is possibly the most divisive record of 2019. Months before even a single note was heard outside of the recording studio, when the photo of the band recording with Annie Clark of St. Vincent fame was released, many folks already had their minds made up. I heard declarations from folks that “Annie is going to replace Janet Weiss with a drum machine” and that “it’s just going to be a Carrie solo record.” Other fans were excited about the possible new direction, but those folks seemed to be muted by the naysayers, worried that an outside entity was going to destroy their favorite band. Continue reading “Album Review: Sleater-Kinney — The Center Won’t Hold“

Single Of The Week: Ruthless by The Marias

Since we are still coming off the buzz from Outside Lands last weekend, this week’s Single Of The Week comes from The Marias, possibly the best set we caught while we were in the park. This is the latest single to drop off their 2018 release, Superclean Vol II.

“Ruthless” is a groovy, sexy song that falls somewhere between the pop hooks of The Cardigans and the lounge psychedelia of Stereolab. It’s the perfect song to help chill through the current heat wave that’s melting everything in sight.

Superclean Vol II is available now at all the usual places.

Outside Lands 2019: Instant Gig Reviews

These are the days of miracles and wonder…

It’s been a tough couple of weeks as a nation. Mass shootings in Gilroy, Dayton, and El Paso were not particularly well timed with Outside Lands. In the days leading up to the festival, many people were debating whether or not it was safe to go. Maybe we were next? I had a long talk with my partner about going this year, which included a plan for alerting each other to our safety, and talking about all of the steps that I’ve observed in my years attending this festival that have made me feel safe. In fact, I think I feel safer in Golden Gate Park during Outside Lands than pretty much anywhere else on Earth. 

I’m also a firm believer in “not letting terrorists win.” We can’t let these folks scare us off from living. And, seriously, if you don’t have communing with friends and strangers to appreciate live music, is life really worth living? I’m going to keep going to shows and supporting life music because, well, I really think my life depends on it. Continue reading “Outside Lands 2019: Instant Gig Reviews”