La Fin de la Semaine Essay Question: Special "Moody Black and White Art Direction" Edition

From 2023 (and her forthcoming album Gold Control), please enjoy charmingly monikered singer/songwriter/rocker JEEN and her poetically probing examination of (as she so aptly explains) "trying to get out from under it so we don’t just become casualties of our shittiest days."

Appropriately titled "Just Shadows."

This one crossed my desk unbidden the other day (I was not previously familiar with its young auteuress) and it grabbed me right away, despite a certain chaotic over-production and a vocal that under normal circumstances might have struck me as mannered. But by the time the chorus came roaring out of my newly acquired Klipsch computer speakers, I was convinced; this is a record that really sounds like what it means, which is what you want (and these days don't so often get) from your rock-and-roll.

In any case, you can (and should) find out more about JEEN (inluding where to get her previous releases) over here at her official website.

But now to business: To wit:

...and your favorite or least favorite song referencing light and/or dark (literal or emotional) in its title or lyric is...?

Discuss.

Meanwhile, have a great weekend, everybody!

And try to stay as cool as possible, given the Chinese-hoaxed heat we're currently experiencing!!!

An Early Clue to the New Direction: Special "Suburban Confidential" Edition

From 1955, please enjoy The Ames Brothers -- featuring Teaneck, N.J (my hometown) resident Ed Ames (top right), who used to bring his dog to my veterinarian father back in the day -- and their still amusing tribute to "The Naughty Lady of Shady Lane."

An archtypal scandalous homewrecker who was, hopefully, NOT from Teaneck.

In either case, a coveted PowerPop No-Prize© will be awarded to the first reader who gleans the song's relevance to the theme of tomorrow's Weekend Essay Question.

Tracks I'd Forgotten Existed, Let Alone Loved (An Occasional Series): Special "Con Le Mie Lacrime” Edition

From 1979, and one of the few listenable non-Springsteen performances from the otherwise terminally soporific No Nukes album, please enjoy Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers with a magisterial live take on Solomon Burke's "Cry to Me."

As you are doubtless aware, the 1962 Burke original (written, like so many great r&b/pop songs of its day, by the amazing Bert Berns) is very upbeat cheerful/jaunty; Petty's slow and mournful remake, particularly the wonderful piano/organ gospel stylings of Benmont Tench, seems to use the 1965 Out of Our Heads version by The Rolling Stones as its template instead.

But that, of course, is a subject for another post.

BTW, a coveted PowerPop No-Prize© will be awarded to the first reader who guesses what's my other favorite non-Bruce track on the album.

You guys get this one, and you're good.

Fun City After Dark!

Found this column from December 1979 (which I had completely forgotten) in the SR archive the other day, and it cracked me right up. I'm too lazy to transcribe it, however, but fear not -- just click on the image and it will instantly enlarge into full readibility.

I should add that the hairdo I'm sporting in the accompanying photograph is perhaps my worst ever, so mea culpa. And it's fairly obvious, from my outfit and my expression, that I had been, er, up rather late the night before it was taken, which seems fitting given the column's subject.

I should also add that the names of the bands discussed in the last paragraph will bring back memories (fond or otherwise) to anybody who was a downtown Manhattanite at the time the column appeared. The reason being that, in those days, it was obligatory for crudely lettered xeroxed fliers for each of them to be festooned on telephone poles and street lamps from the Bowery to 23rd street.

Songs I'd Forgotten Existed, Let Alone Loved (An Occasional Series): Special "Sing, O Muse! A Little Louder, Please" Edition

From 1989, and their Steel Wheels album, please enjoy The Rolling Stones and their drop-dead-gorgeous neo-soul ballad "Almost Hear You Sigh."

Uh, hello? Everything about that track is spine-tingling, starting with Charlie's sublimely simple backbeat, and I played it obsessively when it first came out. Hell, I reviewed the album for SR at the time, but until somebody mentioned it in the discussion section of last weekend's essay question (Thanks VR!) it hadn't ventured anywhere near my cerebellum's receptors in at least three decades.

What can I say -- I just don't get it. How can anything so beautiful just whiffle past the canyons of my mind?

Prevagen, with an ingredient originally found in jellyfish. That's gotta be the answer.

Heh.

Anyway, coming Wednesday -- another song which the memory engrams it generated had long ago dribbled out of my frontal cortex.

BTW, and all kidding aside, if I can work up the requisite energy, despite my obvious ancient infirmity, I'm gonna transcribe and post that Steel Wheels review sometime in the next day or two. I hadn't read it since forever, and I was pleased to find that it mostly holds up and is actually quite droll.

La Fin de la Semaine Essay Question: Special "Is That Thing Turned to Eleven?" Edition

From their forthcoming (July 13th) EP Simply, please enjoy The Ape-ettes and their highly pertinent punk-rock public service announcement for "Hearing Protection."

Who are those youngsters? Let's hear what they have to say on that subject!

Emerging from the depths of Sudbury, Ontario, the Ape-ettes came to be, like a tiny musical gem unearthed from a mining town, nestled within a massive crater. This garage-pop trio is comprised of long-time friends, Andrée on bass, Melanie on drums and Julie on guitar and vocals. Formed in the cozy confines of Andrée’s basement, these girls have the gift of pumping out infectious tunes with their spirited less-is-more approach. Their live performances inspire a contagious sense of fun and neighborliness, the kind where when you look around, everyone is smiling and dancing. Their first self-titled album came out in 2017 and charted for a long while on Canadian college radio. Now releasing a four song EP for the first time on vinyl, with Reta Records and Snappy Little Numbers, the Ape-ettes are beyond excited for what is to come!

And god bless them for the wonderful work they're doing.

Meanwhile, you can (and should) find out more about them, including how to get their new (and earlier) releases over HERE.

But now to business. To wit:

...and your favorite (or least favorite) song referencing hearing (or just loud noises) in the title or lyrics is...?

Discuss.

Have a great weekend, everybody! And don't forget to wear your earplugs!!!

Closed for Monkey Business

Too freaking hot to write.

Coming tomorrow -- a fab gear Weekend Essay Question, featuring new music by an all-girl punk band. See ya then!

Boogie Woogie: The Left Hand of God

From 1954, and the syndicated teevee show Showtime at the Apollo, please enjoy Amos Milburn, one of the greatest of the original rock piano men, and a to-die-for live version of "Down the Road Apiece."

And in case you were wondering where Mick and the rest of the Stones got it from, look no further. God, what I wouldn't give to be able to play piano like that.

I should add that Milburn is the subject of one of the best chapters in Nick Tosches' Unsung Heroes of Rock 'n' Roll, still the funniest overview of the earliest years of the music ever penned; you can (and should) order a copy over at Amazon HERE. Trust me.

I should also add that I haven't been able to determine the identity of the show host bantering with Milburn in the clip. Whoever he is, however, he's pretty freaking cool himself.

It's Independence Day in the Time of Twice-Indicted Ex-Presidents!!!

And in its honor -- a PowerPop tradition since 2018 -- please enjoy Bill Pullman, the greatest president of the United States who was never president of the United States (or, to our knowledge, ever indicted for anything.).

And then enjoy the late great Ben E. King and his gorgeous cover of Bruce Springsteen's "4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)."

That simply slays me. And can you imagine how cool it must have been for Bruce to learn that one of the singers he idolized back in his youth had beautifully interpreted a Springsteen song?

I think the word is wow.

In any event, have a great holiday, everybody!

Is It Warm in Here or Is It Just Me?

An all-girl Ramones tribute band?

To quote Christina Applegate in Married With Children -- "The mind wobbles."

Ladies and germs, I gabba-gabba-hey! you -- The Hormones!!!

Or as they describe themselves at their OFFICIAL WEBSITE:

The Hormones are an all girl tribute to legendary rock and roll hall of famers’, the Ramones. Emulating the power, turbulence, rebellion and humor of Joey, Johnny, Dee Dee and Tommy, these hard hitting, ass kicking ladies burn through over twenty songs in under forty-five minutes!

Charged with infectious energy, the Hormones deliver a true Ramones experience...but with curves! [emphasis mine]

I stumbled across these kids online by accident last week, and it was [censored] at first sight; I mean, forgetting the band name, which is genius, I love, nay lurve, everything about them, and if I was anywhere near the vicinity of where they were playing some night, I guarantee I'd be headbanging in the front row like a man two thirds my age. Hey Hormones -- get your adorable behinds over to NYC for a show and pronto!

I should add that long time readers will doubtless be able to guess which band member I have the biggest crush on, so I'm not going to announce it publically. Sorry.

I should also add that I have ordered a Hormones t-shirt, and when it arrives, I plan to post a photo of me wearing it proudly. If you want one for your own wardrobe, e-mail the band at their address over at the website. And tell 'em PowerPop sent you.

But remember -- I saw them first.