synth pop

256. AHORA by Melenas

Does one need to dust off their Spanish to English dictionary to enjoy this 2023 record from Pamplona, Spain's Melenas? While it couldn't hurt, I don't think it's really necessary. Heck, I took 6 years of Spanish through junior high and high school but all I really remember is that

pop rock

255. ABACAB by Genesis

This 1981 record was really my first introduction to Genesis which, by this time, was three albums in with the core trio of Phil Collins (previously covered here), Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford - Peter Gabriel was long gone at this point. So, I never really got into the more

indie pop

254. SUCKER by IAN SWEET

So I'm covering this just released 2023 record after just one day of listening because there's something about it that has captivated me. IAN SWEET (yes, what's up with these stylized band names?) is what Jillian Medford (essentially the only member of this 'band') goes by. So, yeah, it's kind

folk rock

253. SOLITUDE STANDING by Suzanne Vega

1987 brought us American singer songwriter Suzanne Vega's second (and most popular) record, owing to the inclusion of the upbeat sounding but downright depressing track, 'Luka,' which deals with the topic of child abuse. However, the song that made more of an impression on me when the album first

rock

252. BRAVE AND CRAZY by Melissa Etheridge

I recently listened to a podcast interview with Melissa Etheridge and was reminded how much I used to listen to her first two records in college, especially Brave and Crazy, her second album, released in 1989. Having the perfect combination of rootsy, American(a) rock and ballads, to say that

dream pop

251. SO TONIGHT THAT I MIGHT SEE by Mazzy Star

I previously covered Mazzy Star's third album here and now it's time to circle back and highlight this 1993 record, their sophomore effort. It's this album that people will most likely be familiar with as it contains their most famous song, 'Fade Into You.' But, there's so much more

synth pop

250. STRANGE DISCIPLE by Nation of Language

Everything I said about this American band's debut record back in 2020 still holds true for their recently released third outing. If you long for the days of 80's synth pop you need to be following this band. This trio has a knack for combining the synth beats of years

indie rock

249. SOMETIMES I SIT AND THINK, AND SOMETIMES I JUST SIT by Courtney Barnett

Courtney Barnett is an Australian singer and guitarist known for her witty, deadpan lyrics, playing left-handed and singing with her native accent. When I first heard of her and heard her, I was immediately captured by her quirky (yet tuneful) guitar playing and, again, her smart lyrics and how she

indie rock

248. THE WINDOW by Ratboys

Following in a long line (okay, probably not so long) of questionable band names (see also Mediocre), this 2023 record by the Chicago-based indie rockers is worth your time, and multiple listens. Mixing up the aforementioned indie rock with touches of folk, country, grunge and even good old classic rock

college rock

247. GREEN by R.E.M.

Having just dropped off my older son to college, I've been thinking a lot about the bands and records that meant a lot to me during my freshman year at university. And, of course, one of the first albums to come to mind was 1988's Green. I can still picture

folk rock

246. LET THERE BE MUSIC by Bonny Doon

I recently came across this Detroit, Michigan band when it was mentioned in one of the 'Buried Treasures' episodes of the great Sound Opinions podcast. Turns out I had actually heard them before and didn't realize it - they served as the backing band on Waxahatchee's most excellent record from

blues rock

245. LAYLA AND OTHER ASSORTED LOVE SONGS by Derek and the Dominos

This 1970 record by Eric Clapton, Duane Allman (of the Allman Brothers Band) and others, together comprising Derek and the Dominos, is another that had a profound effect on me during my formative years, especially two tracks - 'Bell Bottom Blues' and 'Layla' (more the former rather than the latter)

indie pop

244. PRESTIGE by Girl Ray

This just released 2023 record by UK trio Girl Ray is the feel good album to get you ready for the weekend. If you don't have plans to hit the disco tonight (I know, I'm aging myself), don't worry - just whip out the old mirrorball, hang it from a

soul

243. YOU GOT MY MIND MESSED UP by James Carr

So a couple of nights ago we were watching the final episode of the TV show Hijack. During the final scene and while the end credits were rolling I was introduced to one of the finest soul singers of our time. James? No. Aretha? No. Otis? No. It was James

blues

242. TEXAS FLOOD by Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble

I previously covered Stevie Ray Vaughan when I discussed a record he made with his brother Jimmie here as well as the live album he recorded with Albert King here. However, up to this point I neglected to pay homage to SRV and his band Double Trouble. That ends today.

rock

241. RECKLESS by Bryan Adams

It's hard to believe that this landmark record by Canadian rocker Bryan Adams was released way back in 1984. Every time I hear 'Heaven' I get brought back to junior high and think about that crush I wanted to slow dance with ('Heaven' actually came out a year earlier as

disco

240. PART 3 by KC and the Sunshine Band

For any child of the 70's and early 80's that iconic logo with the buzz saw-looking sun meant only one thing - time to put on your boogie shoes so that you can shake your booty to 'I'm Your Boogie Man.' You see where I'm going with this, right?

dream pop

239. THE BLUE MOODS OF SPAIN by Spain

This 1995 record is by a band called Spain that hails from, well, not Spain but Los Angeles, California. Band leader Josh Haden's name may ring a bell, as he is the son of jazz great Charlie Haden and the brother of the three sisters who make up the band

disco

238. FLOWING RIVERS by Andy Gibb

Continuing my trip down nostalgia lane I present this 1977 debut record by one of the Brothers Gibb - Andy. You may recognize that last name as belonging to his three other siblings - The Bee Gees. Andy was never part of his older brothers' band but had a successful,

alternative

237. A RUSH OF BLOOD TO THE HEAD by Coldplay

I hadn't realized until recently that I haven't discussed a Coldplay record here. Thinking about why I came to the conclusion that I just don't listen to them much anymore - at least not much after their Viva La Vida album. I guess they went in one direction and I

rock

236. SPORTS by Huey Lewis and the News

This 1983 record reached second in sales at the end of 1984, only beat out by Michael Jackson's Thriller. So that should give you an idea of just how big this album was, spawning hit single after hit single. In fact that was Huey Lewis's plan all along - according

indie folk

235. BIG PICTURE by Fenne Lily

Sometimes you just need or want to mellow out and put on some music that's soothing for the soul. That's what this recently released 2023 record by Brit Fenne Lily is all about. Lily's vocals and arrangements have an airy feel to them with some nice guitar picking thrown in,

singer songwriter

234. SPECTRAL LINES by Josh Ritter

One of my favorite contemporary singer songwriters (previously covered here and here) is out with a new record for 2023, though I hesitate to call it a record - it's more of a meditation. The pandemic changed him (as, I'm sure, it did all of us) as did the death

pop punk

233. ENEMA OF THE STATE by blink-182

In honor of pop / skate-punk band blink-182 reuniting their classic lineup for the first time since 2014 at Coachella this past weekend (and this upcoming weekend, thanks Frank Ocean...) I thought I'd revisit this classic 1999 record. It's with this album that co-vocalists Tom DeLonge (guitar) and Mark Hoppus (bass)

goth rock

232. A COMFORTING NOTION - EP by Heartworms

So I'm going to recommend you stop what you're doing (including reading this post!) and queue up this just released 2023 EP by UK musician Jojo Orme, who plays under the moniker Heartworms. This is one of those 'stumble upon' posts - that is I just stumbled upon this record