The Sound

I am so awestruck with the talent of ADRIAN BORLAND. This was the first track off the miraculous debut record from THE SOUND and here he was — already writing about his sickness from day one. This incredible bass line, those ragged left-handed guitars and those doubled vocals leave me speechless. And it also has my favorite ending to a song ever.

Lurgee

Lurgee is an ailment if you’re curious. Am I really picking three RADIOHEAD tunes in a row? Yes, I am. It’s not really my fault as I’ve been diving back into PABLO HONEY with nothing held back. I am so appreciating these tunes that have taken on a whole new shine all these years later. With the benefit of hindsight, it’s so easy to recognize this young band as a diamond in the rough. And this song just sounds so great all these years later — a simple electric guitar, bass guitar, drums and Thom Yorke’s falsetto. It’s just perfect rock/pop — radio friendly but still too good for radio if you know what I mean. It’s not CREEP but I sure like it better. There’s a sweet complexity to the lyrics and the band feels loose as they grind out the last minute together, taking us home. And when they, it sure feels like they’re having fun.

Radiohead

I played the brilliant KID A several times yesterday while I was working, and today backtracked to OK COMPUTER — because I just couldn’t help myself. What a band. When I first heard CREEP I wondered (no pun intended) if they were a one hit wonder. But THE BENDS made it clear they absolutely weren’t. In fact THE BENDS is such an amazing sophomore record that it made me revisit PABLO HONEY and realize how good it was. But then in ‘97??? OK COMPUTER came out and this band ascended to legendary status. Easily a Top 5 90’s record for me, OK COMPUTER is masterful, ahead of it’s time and sounds as good today as it did when it came out. After LET DOWN, this is my second fav — so cinematic and haunting. I love the mix and love how it builds.

Radiohead

The idea of disappearing or not being relevant or being displaced or just being gone and forgotten…😳

In a little while
I'll be gone
The moment's already passed
Yeah, it's gone
And I'm not here
This isn't happening
I'm not here

The Wrens

We aren’t in the 90’s anymore with another sprawling 2003 ballad that still blows my mind after all these years. That little high guitar riff that carries us to the final minute? So beautiful and maybe says more than the lyrics — which also carry real damage. THE WRENS might be the most un-prolific band of all time, but if you release a record as good as THE MEADOWLANDS, that might be enough.

Julee Cruis

RIP Julee, your suffering is over. We had one brief, but funny conversation and it was a beautiful. One I will always remember.

Your voice and your work with Angelo Badalamenti and David Lynch are on my mind today. FALLING is the one people know you for, but THIS is the song. It’s the one I’m playing now — the one I first heard watching Jeffery and Sandy slow dance at a high school party so many years ago watching BLUE VELVET.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Found my transition out from the alt-country train I was riding because a new, wonderful YEAH YEAH YEAHS track just made my June playlist. I remember this NYC band’s 2003 debut FEVER TO TELL making me feel like we weren’t in the 90’s anymore — with Karen O’s unique, volatile vocals and unusual song structures. I also remember playing this song on repeat — the steady sprawl and ache of it just kills me. A heavy, emotional song about a doomed relationship in the new millennium. 💔

Don't hold on
Go get strong
Well don't you know
There is no
Modern romance

Ryan Adams

Thought I was done with this little Alt-Country run, but nothing jumped out at me today except this tune from Ryan Adams. And this live version with Neil Finn watching him in awe?? It’s so beautiful and kind of ridiculous. Neil is a LEGEND, but here he is being blown away by this tune and performance. It’s like he’s about to cry. Polarizing figure no doubt, but a what a voice and what a love song. Timeless and sad. Cameron Crowe used it in a film but it is best right here. 💔

Old 97’s

Back from Wyoming, I’m coming up for air after going down this little Alt-Country rabbit hole with a song from one of my favorite records TOO FAR TO CARE. This is one giant record from ‘97 that features 13 great songs — so it was hard to choose just one. Twelve of these songs are carried by Rhet Miller’s terrific vocals and all thirteen are backed by a seasoned band that really can’t be defined by genre. You can hear pop, country, bluegrass and traces of punk rock in these tracks. Even this great song is hard to call Alt-Country — but I think that’s what I’d have to call it and it chose me tonight. It’s just a great ballad that we had Rosie Thomas sing in our film CALVIN MARSHALL and Coach Little falls in love with her as she performs. 😆 ❤️

Wilco

I love the wit in this story song as this couple quarrels and our singer wants to be the one behind the wheel. But the subtext seems to suggest he might not be fit for driving either. A metaphor for life when the road seems long and you’re falling asleep at the wheel. And, not enough money to get where you want to go. 😁

Hey, wake up, your eyes weren't open wide
For the last couple of miles,
you've been swerving from side to side
You're gonna make me spill my beer
If you don't learn how to steer

Passenger side, passenger side
I don't like riding on the passenger side

Uncle Tupelo

Can’t talk great Alternative Country in the 90’s without mentioning Jeff Tweedy. For me, his UNCLE TUPELO songs stood out and still sound fresh thirty years later. He’s the kind of songwriter who easily taps into melancholy — usually in a simple, but profound. way. This beauty has gorgeous pedal steel and heart-breaking lyrics. ANODYNE was UT’s last record before the quarreling members broke up and started new bands. Tweedy took his kind of understated vocals and outsider swagger to WILCO — which obviously worked out really well for him.

Townes Van Zandt

Apparently Townes wrote this in his sleep and it was fully formed when he woke up. I think the best songwriters almost excavate their songs — even while they’re awake writing them, they are still finding them. This beautiful track, with its gentle tempo and major chords is so full of love and devotion that the irony and sadness of it sneaks up on you. Fully formed and also perfect. ❤️ This live performance is masterful and you get a real sense of the kind of person he was — troubled but also beautiful with a great smile.

Big curve ball today — as I’m helping shoot video in Sheridan, Wyoming for a friend who’s live streaming a Buck Brannaman horse training event. The cowboy hats and country music have put me in the mood for some Steve Earle. And this tune is just one of those special songs I remember putting on a hundred playlists in the 90’s during what feels like the heyday of Alternative Country music. From the great record El Corazon, this sad old tune is a classic and was written for Steve’s hero Townes Van Zandt — one of the greatest Texas songwriters of all time.

So many tracks this morning, thinking of Echo — but ALL MY LIFE is the one I seem to love most as I get older. Strange times we live in and the lyrics are profound.

Oh how the times have changes us
Sure and now uncertain
Men not devils have claimed us
Purity deserting
God's one miracle
Lost in circles

All my all my life
Revolves around
Laughter and crying
As my life turns
Round and round

The The

Was so tempted to choose a song from MIND BOMB, but realize now I should encourage people to play that masterpiece straight through. As much as I love KINGDOM OF RAIN and AUGUST & SEPTEMBER…..So my favorite Mat Johnson tune chose me once again instead. From their first release, this track feels like it belongs on a debut album called SOUL MINING. It’s what Mat’s done his whole career. I love the emotional conviction in his vocals and the irony of how difficult it really is to change your life.