Favorite albums released in 2025, in no particular order: The Bats: Corner Coming Up The Beths: Straight Line Was A Lie The Telephone Numbers: Scarecrow II Massage: Coaster

“Corner Coming Up” by The Bats on Flying Nun. Will be on my top albums of the year list, like every album they have put out over the last 40 years.

Among the many revelations in this interview - Dean and Damon’s first band came in last place in every category of their college battle of the bands. Guess there’s a lesson in that…

Recorded in New Jersey by Mike Batlin on a Teac Tascam Series 144 4-track cassette recorder

Halloween tradition. #FreaksandGeeks

Fellow Flying Nun fanatics: if you can get to Wellington, NZ you can now listen to multitrack tapes from the Flying Nun Records and Chris Knox collections — over 200 have now been digitised and are available at the National Library — including the Dunedin Double! natlib.govt.nz/blog/posts/f...

The Bats just released album #11 over a remarkably consistent 40-year career. The new record flows at a slower pace and murkier tone than previous efforts. But fragile rays of harmony and light shine through the cracks. This is the singular brilliance of the band. Long may they thrive.

Fantastic triple bill of @slumberlandrecords.com bands at Comet Ping Pong last night: @jeanines-band.bsky.social, Lightheaded, and Tony Molina.

I still miss Brian Wilson. 🥲

Homestead was my personal gateway to Flying Nun artists such as The Chills, Tall Dwarfs, and The Verlaines. As an American kid in the '80s there was no other way to (affordably) access this exotic jangly pop from NZ. The label will always hold a special place in my heart (and record collection).

Blasting off to the moon with the dreamy new record by @massagetheband.bsky.social

Found out in the wild: my favorite rock ‘n’ roll book. @peoplesbooktakoma.com #FlyingNun

Such a beautiful song named for everyone's least favorite blood-sucking insect. Liz Stokes' songwriting and the band's sonic palette has taken a leap forward in depth and complexity on @thebeths.bsky.social excellent new album "Straight Line Was A Lie."

It's @bandcamp.com Friday! Splashed out on: The Bats, @pickledarling.bsky.social, Massage, The Telephone Numbers, and @heyhumdrum.bsky.social. @slumberlandrecords.com

Happy 30th to one of the best albums of ‘90s. I remember exactly where I was when I first heard Luna’s “Penthouse,” and have forgotten the subsequent 1000s.

Austin City Limits, the longest-running live performance music program in TV history, is in grave danger. And with it will go our ability to document the music of this era for future generations.

Once upon a time a humble man with a message of kindness convinced Congress to fund public media. Those days are now gone. But public media will survive. If you have ever been inspired by PBS programming, please consider donating to your local station today. boundarystones.weta.org/2018/02/27/m...

It was a labor of love to honor the memory of Brian Wilson with Mike Wagner and Patrick Foster during Beach Boys Week on Rockin' the Suburbs. Part 5 covers the post-1967 era. It's mostly tragic, with some small triumphs, and plenty of farce. Listen to all eps here: www.suburbspod.com/tag/beach-bo...

On Part 4 of Beach Boys Week on Rockin' the Suburbs, Mike Wagner and I discuss Brian Wilson's pocket symphony “Good Vibrations,” then pick through the columnated ruins of the cursed "Smile" project. Host Patrick Foster explores Van Dyke Parks' enigmatic "Song Cycle." audioboom.com/posts/874663...

On Part 3 of Beach Boys Week on Rockin' the Suburbs podcast, Mike Wagner and I discuss Brian Wilson's brilliantly emotive sonic masterpiece, "Pet Sounds." And host Patrick Foster highlights some '90s bands who were highly influenced by the "Pet Sounds" sound. Listen: audioboom.com/posts/874602...

On Part 2 of Beach Boys Week on the Rockin' the Suburbs, Mike Wagner and I discuss 1964-65 as Brian Wilson's genius as a composer/arranger/producer blossoms in the studio. Host Patrick Foster chimes in with a fascinating riff on "Help Me Ronda/Rhonda." Listen here: audioboom.com/posts/874488...

I continue to be sad about losing Brian, but worked through it by recording a week of Beach Boys episodes for the Rockin' the Suburbs podcast with my good friend @michaelwagner.bsky.social. Part 1 covers the early years 1961-1963. Listen here: audioboom.com/posts/874466...

(Liz) stoked for @thebeths.bsky.social at #1! Also recommend @fazerdazeofficial.bsky.social, Erny Belle, Tiny Ruins, Aldous Harding, Hans Pucket, Mermaidens, Jazmine Marie, @pickledarling.bsky.social, Reb Fountain, Marlin's Dreaming, Nadia Reid, Wurld Series & more to discover!🥝

Announcing our new album ‘Straight Line Was A Lie', out August 29 via @antirecords.bsky.social, and presenting our brand new single 'No Joy'! Pre-order the album on vinyl or CD, listen to 'No Joy' and watch the music video directed by Frances Carter 💧 thebeths.ffm.to/straightline...

In my teens I thought that The Beach Boys were a bunch of old guys in candy striped shirts singing about surfing, then I heard God Only Knows, Surfs Up & Heroes & Villains & I realised that these are works of genius. Then it dawned on me that so were the ones about surfing and girls. RIP Brian

Too good for these times. #RIP Brian Wilson: maker of magic, curator of beauty, master of chord changes, tortured soul, musical genius.

It’s the time of the season to celebrate the music of The Zombies! Thanks to @michaelwagner.bsky.social for making the “Odessey”out to AFI Silver today.

President Trump is pulling federal funding from PBS. He can’t have a smart, curious, and inspired populace and also get away with his infernal bullshit. His agenda is to destroy American democracy and, in the process, loot all of our resources that he covets. open.substack.com/pub/wkamaube...

Now playing: Dennis Wilson, “Pacific Ocean Blue,” 1977

Here's a special dispatch from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty including messages from Mike & Michael of R.E.M. and Radio Free's Europe's president Stephen Capus on World Press Freedom Day TODAY! More here: ffm.to/remrfe2025 www.youtube.com/watch?v=InfP...

Despite the smoldering ruins of our present hellscape, the unbridled joy of hearing a beautiful new single from your favorite band remains in all its glory. #TheBeths

Whenever The Bats release new music they instantly become my favorite band again. #FlyingNun

Happy birthday Arthur Lee, born March 7, 1945. “Write the rules In the sky But ask your leaders Why? Why?”

Do I have any Verlaines fans here? If so, go to the link below and vote for "Bird Dog," one of the greatest albums of the '80s, if not all time. Vote with a "heart: www.facebook.com/share/p/1VMd...

Excellent selection of 33 1/3 books here: @peoplesbooktakoma.com

I really hope The Beths are working on new music. This world is too much to take right now without it. @thebeths.bsky.social

The collapse of civilization is generating some glorious jangle pop. @slumberlandrecords.bsky.social #LaughingChimes

Still trying to…

Is there any other debut EP where the band’s sound was so perfectly formed and articulated as R.E.M.’s “Chronic Town”? (The correct answer is “No”.)

Not a religious person, but the random coincidences that led to the magical John Cale contributions to Nick Drake’s stunningly beautiful “Northern Sky” makes me wonder sometimes. faroutmagazine.co.uk/nick-drake-c...

You don’t need another best albums of 2024 list, so here goes: Quivers: Oyster Cuts Mt. Misery: Love in Mind Waxahatchee: Tigers Blood Ducks Ltd: Harm’s Way Chime School: The Boy Who Ran The Paisley Hotel

Found an album cover today at the National Gallery of Art, dye imbibition print by William Eggleston, 1973.

One of my favorite Dylan memories was when my college history professor played “Only a Pawn in Their Game” in class. I had heard Dylan songs before but never truly *listened* until that day. Went out the next day and bought this. Then I rode the rails out West and joined the circus.

5 thoughts on “A Complete Unknown”: 1. Stellar musical & acting performances, esp. Norton as Seeger. 2. Fiction is best format for any Dylan story. 3. Props for period appropriate gear. 4. It will get millions of people talking about music who wouldn’t otherwise. 5. Zero drug use on screen?

More Christmas songs should reference ancient cities such as Sevastopol and Adrianapolis.

No sure who made this meme originally, but it's worthy of an annual re-post to start "discussion" again. Must admit I was very much anti- this song for many years, but it has simply grown on me recently. #SHAWC #Macca

No algorithm will ever send you a sweet lunar calendar and a personal thank you. Pre-order the new album from Constant Follower and get on their mailing list for next year: constantfollower.bandcamp.com/album/the-sm... @constantfollower.bsky.social

Happy Birthday to Peter Buck of R.E.M., a tragically underrated guitarist. Here are my top 5 favorite Buck riffs: 1. Green Grow the Rushes 2. Sitting Still 3. I Believe 4. Near Wild Heaven 5. Wolves, Lower

The Chills' final album 😢 to be released Feb. 2025: "Spring Board: The Early Unrecorded Songs is a Martin Phillipps passion project. A dedicated reimagining of his earlier unreleased songs that became his artistic farewell, a lasting legacy, and a reminder of his huge, underappreciated talent."

Gone too soon, 50 years ago today. And time has told me Not to ask for more For some day our ocean Will find its shore #NickDrake