new music weekend / Friday 05-30-25

(New Music Weekend Intro)

Hello. Welcome to the weekend. June’s arriving.

Who’s coming up! Matt Berninger, Miley Cyrus, Ben Kweller, and more

(Countdown Video)

New Music Weekend:

• Back in 2020, Matt Berninger released his debut solo record called: Serpentine Prison (“My Eyes are T-Shirts”) Afterwards, he suffered a depressive slump – some writer’s block. You know what helped him get through this creative block – Frankenstein (“Once Upon a Poolside”) That’s right – the opening passages of Mary Shelley’s classic novel, Berninger claims helped him work through these tough times. Look at the album title from The National’s record release in 2023 – First Two Pages of Frankenstein (“Eucalyptus”) Yes – Matt Berninger is the lead singer of The National. Unfortunately, the sad-dad band does not have a new album out today, but Berninger does (“Times of Difficulty”) The 2nd solo album from Matt Berninger is called – Get Sunk . Some standouts that I’ve enjoyed so far include “Times of Difficulty” – I just just played that one. Then, there’s “Frozen Oranges” – the varied flow of his singing throughout that song – good feelings felt with that ebb and flow. And, of course, I truly enjoyed the album’s first single release “Bonnett of Pins.” (clip) There are 10 songs in all on Get Sunk from Matt Berninger – you should go and listen to each and every one of them. Spotify is pushing track #2 “No Love” (clip)

• Whew – do you think I like The National and Matt Berninger? Just a little bit. Let’s change things up (“Easy Lover”) Not new music there – Phil Collins, Philip Bailey with “Easy Lover.” I thought of that song because I heard Miley Cyrus released a new video for “Easy Lover” (clip) Wow – that is so not the same AND I’m really sorry Phil & Philip, but I think I’d rather see more of the Miley video (clip). Miley’s “Easy Lover” is off her new album, Something Beautiful – 13 tracks in all. Another favorite of mine off that album is the one of her rolling around. I’m sorry that describes the video more than the music, huh (“End of the World”). Song is “End of the World” and I’m fine with that. Here’s something that I read before from Pitchfork’s Jazz Monroe: Miley compared her record to that of Pink Floyd’s The Wall, “but with a better wardrobe and more glamorous and filled with pop culture.” Definitely – a fun album.

• (“On My Way”) Ben Kweller from 2004 – title track song of the album: On My Way. Fast forward to today when we can now enjoy his 7th studio album called Cover the Mirrors. Track #1 “Going Insane” begins with the first audible noise heard being a long, drawn-out sigh from Kweller. Listen closely (clip) Hear it? This is a sad record, but still very much a musical joy to hear. Why so sad? You see back in 2023, Ben lost his 16-year-old son, Dorian, in a car accident (“Oh Dorian”) That one hits me hard – I have a son who turns 16 in a couple weeks. I can’t even imagine and don’t ever want to imagine that. (clip) Ben Kweller’s 12-song project came out on what would’ve been his son’s 19th birthday. Please give it a listen. Probably my most favorite track was the album’s first release, but I’m still listening. Here’s “Dollar Store” (clip)

• Several quick hits of new music: They Might Be Giants (clip) they cracked open their musical vault and put together a batch of B-sides, live tracks, and other fun sounds with The Spine Surfs Alone: Rarities 1998–2005 // Starting back in November, Ben Rector treated us to half of his album along the way its full release. That was 6 songs. Which means with the release of The Richest Man In The World, we can hear these same 6 songs along with 6 other new ones. And that makes me happy. // This one was actually released several weeks ago – Missed Music Monday, anyone – but it’s a fun one to say and play. The band is People R Ugly and the song is DOULOVEME (clip)

Thank you to Spotify, Rolling Stone, Apple Music, uDiscoverMusic, Pigeons & Planes, Pitchfork, Louder, Spill Magazine, Dan Deluca of the Philly Inquirer & I know there’s more.

I put together a Spotify playlist of the songs that I talked about and thought about today for New Music Friday. Click here for that! Anything that I really messed up and missed – well, that’s why I’ll be doing Missed Music Monday on Monday. 

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5K EVERY DAY – Day #150

(“Sea Legs”)

Off their very 1st album from Run the Jewels – that’s “Sea Legs”

(“Sea Legs”)

Great song – go listen to those lyrics. This morning at the gym, I survived leg day and then I ran 5K #150 of the year.

(#150)

Every day, I get up at 4:30am. I’m at the gym by 5:15am. I have a routine lifting workout – Push, Pull, or Leg Day. After that hour of “fun” – that’s when I do my 5K run. And again with leg day today – that was hard.

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Borrowing words from someone else in an attempt to spread happiness everywhere or at the very least – a reasonable range. Hey – go click that video, too!

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Darkness does not truly have sway. I think that it’s weak.” – by El-P

5K EVERY DAY – Day #149

(“Diane Young” – Vampire Weekend)

I need apologize in advance – I’m gonna to see Vampire Weekend this Saturday night in Philly. In turn, I’m listening to them – like a lot.

(“Diane Young” – Vampire Weekend)

They are very top of mind for me. Don’t worry – I still have some fun things to pass along – like sharing my favorite paper clip on National Paperclip Day. Also, I ran again.

(#149)

You know who has all my paperclips – colorful ones too, I might add. TD Bank – I’m sorry to call them out, but every time I make a deposit for my business. I paperclip the checks and money to the deposit form. I get the receipt but no courtesy paper clip attachment. I buy paperclips because of my bank.

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Borrowing words from someone else in an attempt to spread happiness everywhere or at the very least – a reasonable range. Hey – go click that video, too!

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Your life is inherently meaningful, if you allow it to be.” – by Ezra Koenig

5K EVERY DAY – Day #148

(“Disappear” INXS)

Track #2 off the X album from INXS. I always thought it was just X, but instead it stands for the Roman numeral “10” and it represents the band’s tenth year since their debut album was released in 1980. Let’s play more of that song.

(“Disappear” INXS)

I’m trying to make my problems disappear. I have NOT been able to read enough this year. My 5K Every Day has definitely cut into my reading time.

(#148)

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Borrowing words from someone else in an attempt to spread happiness everywhere or at the very least – a reasonable range. Hey – go click that video, too!

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Workaholic – Working more doesn’t mean you care more or get more done. It just means you work more.” – Jason Fried & David Heinemeir Hansson – Rework

5K EVERY DAY – Day #147

(Sugar Ray “Every Morning”)

The long, holiday weekend is over. Routines are trying to regroup. I did make the gym and I did do my run.

(Day #147)

Unfortunately, I still had pizza for breakfast. It was so good.

(“That’s A’more”)

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Borrowing words from someone else in an attempt to spread happiness everywhere or at the very least – a reasonable range. Hey – go click that video, too!

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Doing is better than not doing, and if you do something badly you’ll learn to do it better.” – by Twyla Tharp

5K EVERY DAY – Day #146

(“Let It Ride”)

One year ago on May 24th – Lenny Kravitz released his 12th studio album and it included that song “Let It Ride”

(“Let It Ride” Remix)

Just last week, he released Part 2 of the Remixes for the Song – there are now a total of 15 remixes for the song. That’s a lot. So is 146.

(#146)

“Quote of the Day”

Happy 61st! Lenny Kravitz

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Borrowing words from someone else in an attempt to spread happiness everywhere or at the very least – a reasonable range. Hey – go click that video, too!

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Love , creativity, and opportunity is in the air. Take it in and do your thing.” – Lenny Kravitz

5K EVERY DAY – Day #145

(“Red Red Wine”)

Happy Memorial Day Weekend and, yes, Happy National Wine Day – how convenient.

I have whiskey – neither of which are going to help my run tomorrow. Today’s went well though.

(#145)

“Quote of the Day”

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Borrowing words from someone else in an attempt to spread happiness everywhere or at the very least – a reasonable range. Hey – go click that video, too!

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“The busier you are, the more time you have because you have to be efficient.” – There’s a guy by the name of Guy Raz who does a podcast called “How I Built This?” He didn’t say that quote though – his mom did.

new music weekend / Friday 05-23-25

(New Music Weekend Intro)

Happy Memorial Day Weekend! It’s the weekend where Monday is grouped in with the cool kids for a long weekend celebration. Memorial Day is also the unofficial kick-off to summer. (“Espresso”) 2024’s song of summer was probably “Espresso” from Sabrina Carpenter but it was released back on April 12th. That very same day my chosen song of summer for 2024 was released (“A Bar Song”) Shaboozey “A Bar Song.” I do have some possibilities today for this year’s song of summer to give a listen for.

In the meantime – for New Music Weekend – Who’s coming up! Amble – appearing here again, Young Rising Sons, Benson Boone, The Paradox, and Some Summer Songs

(Countdown Video)

New Music Weekend:

• I’ve been looking forward to this album release ever since hearing their song “Schoolyard Days” (clip) I know I’ve played these guys before – once in March and even this month – a couple weeks ago. They are a three-piece folk group hailing from Ireland and they call themselves: Amble. (“Reverie”) And that’s the title track of the album Reverie. Via an Instagram post from the band, they explain “The word “Reverie” is a dream-like state – being lost in one’s thoughts. We hope this album is an escape for one hour of your day!” All in – go enjoy all 14 songs from Amble (clip) I’m so getting this one on vinyl – you hear that Rainbow Records – get this one in stock.

• The trilogy of EPs from Young Rising Sons is officially complete. Back in January, the Young EP was released with 6 songs – one of which was “Oblivious” (clip). Then, in March, we got another 6 pack of songs with an EP title of Rising. This one included the song “Tomorrow” that I liked (clip) So again the band is Young Rising Sons. January – Young. March – Rising. You see where this is going, right? Today, we have 6 more songs under the EP title of Sons – and not only do I say “Thank you” to Young Rising Sons for all this good music. Let’s play their song “Thank you” (clip)

• Songs of the Summer – This is music that becomes like an earworm and just lives in your head because it’s being played non-stop everywhere. With the recent resurgence of popularity on this song, Charli XCX Fans are pushing for the song “party 4 u” despite the song being released in 2020 (clip) Personally, I don’t know how a 2020 song can become the song of summer for 2025. It’s a good song, but it’s been 5 years. (“luther”) Kendrick and SZA did the song “Luther” together. I like that one – a lot. I just want something more upbeat. I’m holding out hope for Benson Boone (clip) “Mystical Magical” – now that’s upbeat. We’ll have to see though what else he might have in store though when his album drops fully on the 1st day of Summer – June 20th. Another song from that upcoming album – American Heart – was recently released called “Momma” (clip)

• That song is going to played at weddings for the Momma and Groom Dance. Several quick hits of new music // This past week, Bruce Springsteen – The Real Boss (“Born in the USA” ) released a 6 pack of songs under the packaged title – Land of Hope & Dreams – it’s a good listen. Wakes you up – hopefully. // Stereolab – they’re still here – they just haven’t released anything in 15 years until now. Be sure to check out their album release of Instant Holograms on Metal Film // I’ve actually had this song on the Spotify playlist – maybe twice already – but I just never talked about it. Throwback sound to the music heard during the MySpace days like Jimmy Eat World and Sum 41. Here’s The Paradox with “Do Me Like That” (clip)

Thank you to Spotify, Rolling Stone, Apple Music, uDiscoverMusic, Pigeons & Planes, Pitchfork, Louder, Spill Magazine, Dan Deluca of the Philly Inquirer & I know there’s more.

I put together a Spotify playlist of the songs that I talked about and thought about today for New Music Friday. Click here for that! Anything that I really messed up and missed – well, that’s why I’ll be doing Missed Music Monday on Monday. 

Please subscribe on YouTube and spread the Babble wherever you can

5K EVERY DAY – Day #144

(“Vacation” Dirty Heads)

Yeah – Manahawkin, NJ

(#144)

Quote of the Day

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Borrowing words from someone else in an attempt to spread happiness everywhere or at the very least – a reasonable range. Hey – go click that video, too!

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“If you repeated what you did today 365 more times, will you be where you want to be next year?” – by Kevin Kelly

5K EVERY DAY – Day #143

(“Judith” – A Perfect Circle)

On this date, I ran 5K #143, but something else happened, too.

(#143)

Back in 2000, the band – A Perfect Circle release their debut album, Mer de Noms

(“Judith”)

That’s a great album – 12 songs in all. 25 years later, you can still enjoy – A Perfect Circle

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Borrowing words from someone else in an attempt to spread happiness everywhere or at the very least – a reasonable range. Hey – go click that video, too!

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Life is too short not to create something with every breath we draw.” – by Maynard James Keenan – yes, the guy from Tool, but he was also in A Perfect Circle