Please note that the zip file has a password: QCOMPS.BLOGSPOT
Download mix from https://www.mediafire.com/file/htw1gr33t1nhsai/Q%23131.zip/file
Now with added Spotify playlist at end of notes - NOTE that METZ, Bailter Space and Del Amitri are not on spotify.
Q's Compilations
Vol #131 – April to
May 2020
I’m
not going to be able to say anything profound about the pandemic that is still
a worldwide problem, I think I’m writing these at the start of week 11 of our
“quarantine” in New York City, although I have been getting out for exercise, I
think many of us here (and in the UK) forget that a lot of countries put down
much tough restrictions. So many have suffered and are continuing to do so
01)
METZ – Slow Decay: To help musicians out during the Covid-19 crisis, Bandcamp
are doing a very nice thing by waving their revenue share on three days (1st
of May, 5th of June and 3rd of July), while scouring for
some things I wanted to buy, it dawned on me that METZ had a record that I did
not own a physical copy of (albeit Automat is a compilation of non-album
tracks), and while I was at it I purchased their new 2-song release digitally,
and it’s hard not to open with it.
02)
The Reflectors – Act a Fool: LA powerpop act The Reflectors might sound like
they’re from the 70s but debut album First Impression is a hoot. Bright
and shiny melodies with breezy vocals, it’s hard not to love. You can get this
on Burger Records in the US.
03)
Savak – Vis-à-vis: During the lockdown I’ve been doing some “On this Day” posts
on Facebook since I’m a bit of a saddo and have kept a spreadsheet of all the
shows I’ve been to (which will have an impact on other songs on this mix), I
was actually at Savak’s first ever show on the 20th of May 2015 at
Cake Shop (I do miss that place). The band have just released their fourth
album Rotting Teeth in the Horse’s Mouth and it’s another fine record,
and they’ve probably got one of the low-key best local discography’s in the
last four years or so, although they’ve all played in some excellent bands over
the years, so you’d expect it!
04)
Virginia Trance – High: I had forgotten that I used a Virginia Trance track
last time around (Hello Lou Reed), but this one has a bit more BPM to it, the
record Vincent’s Playlist is well worth your time.
05)
Mike Polizze – Revelation: Purling Hiss mainman Mike Polizze is due to release
his debut solo record, Long Lost Solace Find, on the 31st of
July, and it’s the kind of solo shift you want to see, being fairly far removed
from the shredding and feedback heavy solos of Purling Hiss. If this tune is
indicative of the rest of the album then I’m excited to hear it.
06)
Harkin – Mist on Glass: Harkin’s self-titled debut came out at the end of April
via Hand Mirror Records. She has played an excellent supporting role over the
years, playing as a touring member of Sleater-Kinney, Kurt Vile and Courtney
Barnett to name a few. The album doesn’t invoke any of those artists, having
more of an 80s goth-pop tinge to it with enough modernity for it to be it’s own
thing.
07)
Field Music – Money is a Memory: Another recent bandcamp purchase was Field
Music’s latest record, Making a New World, which is their seventh album
and was released in January. It’s their first concept record and is about the
after-effects of world war one. It’s a pretty coherent piece and rattles
through pretty quickly with 19 tracks only taking 42-mintues in total. This
tune is classic Field Music, with that XTC snap in full effect.
08)
Madness – Embarrassment: I had tickets to see Madness in May which was
obviously postponed (until 2021), so I thought I’d just throw this classic on
the mix.
09)
Gum Country – Somewhere: Kean ears may notice the sound of The Courtneys in
this tune, that’s because ½ of Gum Country is Courtney Garvin of The Courtneys,
the other half being multi-instrumentalist Connor Mayer. Their new album, Somewhere,
is coming out on the 19th of June.
10)
Pure X – Fantasy: Austin, Texas band Pure X return with their first album in
six years, and their self-titled comeback is the sort of easy-going, desert
breeze that we could all probably use, filled with tunes that feel like a weed
halo is above you.
11)
Bailterspace – Concrete Square 3: Speaking of comebacks, New Zealand greats
low-key threw up some new tracks (their first in seven years?) on bandcamp,
hopefully there’ll be a new record!
12)
Mint Field – Ella Se Queda: Another recent bandcamp purchase, I loved their
2018 full-length Pasar de las Luces and wanted to support them further
so purchased their latest EP, 2019’s Mientras Esperas, which has a bit
more drive to it. They put out a single in April so hopefully a new album
beckons. Having previously been based in Tijuana, they now reside in Mexico
City.
13)
Adelaida – Mundo: You should all know I love Chilean bands, this act appeared
back on Q#103 (August/September 2015), hailing from Valparaíso, which is a
coastal city about 75 miles north-west of Santiago. Their latest album, Animita,
was released in April.
14)
Flores Silvestres – Born From Dawn: Another Chilean band, this time from
Santiago, “Silver Flowers” just released their first album in April and it hits
that classic (I think the scene has been going long enough to call it classic)
Chilean psych rock sound. The record is called How the Story Goes.
15)
The Men – Children All Over the World: One of New York’s finest, The Men
released their eighth album, Mercy, this year, and it generally mixes
between rockers and delicate folk tunes, basically doing whatever they want,
like they always have. This tune has a big 80s feel to it for sure.
16)
Red Lorry Yellow Lorry – Talk About the Weather: During my “on this day”
flashbacks I was reminded that I hadn’t really thought of Red Lorry Yellow
Lorry much since I saw them back in April 2008, their music still holds up and
I just had an urge to throw this song on.
17)
Counting Crows – Children in Bloom: Another OTD-inspired song, I saw Counting
Crows on the 15th of May 1997 and it was a really spectacular show
that still seems very vivid. For those first two records they couldn’t really
do much wrong, I remember this song in particular from the show and it always
stuck with me.
18)
Sleater Kinney – The Swimmer: All Hands on the Bad One turned 20 on the
2nd of May. What a great record, again, just something I felt like
throwing on.
19)
Aimee Mann – Deathly: Another record that just turned 20 (also on the 2nd
of May) is Bachelor No. 2, so naturally I just felt compelled to use a
track.
20)
Del Amitri – Just Getting’ By: Probably the best news in a very trying year so
far is that Del Amitri have just recorded a new album that will be released in
January 2021, it will be their first album since 2002’s Can You Do Me Good,
which this song closes, so I just felt like using it.
As
always, Peace and Love - Q
NOTE NOT ALL THE SONGS ARE ON SPOTIFY!!!!
