HIP THERAPY MUSIC

If you listened to rock radio in the 70s, 80s or 90s, give these songs a listen. They rock but not too hard and would fit right in if there were a “decent” FM station around today.

I’m betting you don’t know ANY of these but take a little risk and spend a few minutes. I guarantee there’s at least one song here you’ll love. Probably A LOT. Only one song here was released prior to 2019 – proof that there is still great current music for “established” rockers like us.

Close your eyes. Open you mind. Trust your ears.

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MOON GOOSE

“The Sex Bots Trilogy” from La Nuit

This quintet from Hay-on-Wye, Wales, lets their music do virtually all the talking. With only occasional spoken-word segments done for effect, this neo-prog band’s bread-and-butter is instrumentals… ROCKING instrumentals. They are building a meaningful catalog and, hopefully, it will find a big enough audience to warrant a tour of the States. I, for one, am absolutely on board, especially for their latest, and have been for a while.

Moon Goose is a surprising combination of prog, surf, balls-out rock, jazz and plain old spaciness. They are hard to categorize but it all works. Songs have almost a classical-music structure, with two and sometimes three movements. As would be expected with the prog leanings, their songs tend towards long-ish, perfect for mid-day mental “desk vacationing” as necessary.

For now, local Wales gigs and festivals throughout southern England must suffice. “The Sex Bots Trilogy” was the first single released from their upcoming album LA NUIT. Hard copies will ship October 14 but download it via Bandcamp right now and fly with these Geese ASAP.

This is a band for whom it is absolutely true: Close your eyes. Open your mind. Trust your ears.

Headphones and high volume joyously encouraged!

New Music – Summer 2022 x5 – #1: Moon Goose

Broken Peach

“Tainted Love” from The Halloween Special

Besides having a unique take on song choice and production values, this Spanish band is turning the traditional business model for performers on its ear. Their music exists almost exclusively on the internet – no vinyl or CDs. They have a ton of merch. Their YouTube channel is filled with vastly creative, smartly conceived and rocking videos with a special-event subscription channel available. This is more than just a “singles” band. They are a “videos” band for the new millenium and they’re making it work.

Their specialty is cover songs. Initially I thought their “angle” was simply the audacious nature of their choices – softer songs performed in a rocking style that involves a metalish (but not overpowering) trio of guys playing instruments and four choreographed and costumed female singers. What? Yep. It was my wife, who hates metal and anything associated with it, that first turned me on to Broken Peach. The more videos I saw, though, the more it seemed they had a true, theatrical and original creative vision. For me, the only reason to do a cover song it to utterly own it in your own distinct style. Think Devo covering the Stones’ “Satisfaction.” Broken Peach does exactly that.

Start with the video below. At the very least, it’s perfect for the season. If you think you know “Tainted Love,” whether via Motown or Soft Cell, guess again. Don’t let the costumes, make-up or choreography fool you – though they are impressive. This is a rocking cover, with its own substance and style, similar to when Disturbed covered Simon and Garfunkel’s “Sounds of Silence.”

After this video, check out their YouTube page. Similar treasures await. Almost 40 million views can’t be wrong.

As always: close your eyes, open your mind, trust your ears.

New Music – Summer 2022 x5 – #2: Broken Peach

GOAT

“Under No Nation” from Oh, Death

Wearing masks, costumes and occasionally makeup (there’s a lot of that lately), this Swedish band puts one in the mind of the Talking Heads crossed with GWAR and a liberal dose of San Francisco psychedelia. That sounds crazy but bear with me. This is an amazing and fun combination of world music, rock and magical weirdness that could only come from the land of Odin, Thor and Loki.

Recording sporadically since 1998, GOAT came together as children playing songs for fun on neighborhood doorsteps. Over the years and with growing acclaim, they’ve developed a reputation for originality and tremendous stage shows in their (rare) festival appearances. Three original members remain and four others support when performing live. Their home base, the Swedish town of Korpilombolo, is allegedly cursed, which their bio says has positively affected their music. Those in the know have been anxiously awaiting their new album, due October 21 on Rocket Records.

Grooves abound, with intertwining vocals and a wonderful sense of worldly fun that permeates this track. Try NOT to dance to it and let me know how it goes. Headphones recommended.

Close your eyes, open your mind, trust your ears.

New Music – Summer 2022 x5 – #3: GOAT

The Dead South

“In Hell I’ll Be Good Company” from Good Company

In the unique tradition of Bill Monroe, who virtually created his own genre, The Dead South take his lead and proclaim themselves a bluegrass/punk band, emphasis on bluegrass. The punk attitude, however, is never far below the surface. Based in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, this band of highly successful road dogs has built a following and reputation mile by rugged mile. With 3 EPs and 3 LPs to their credit, The Dead South completely own their little corner of the music universe.

At first glance, they appear to be a Mumford and Sons knock-off, but their attitude is tougher and decidedly darker. When it comes to any “weird-instruments-and-country-twang-equal-rock-and-roll” approach, I’m usually completely offended: “Have a banjo in your group? Sorry… you’re disqualified. Can’t be a rock band. That’s the rules.” However, since this song has ONLY a banjo (and a cello played intriguingly like a guitar), I’ll allow the definition, for now, on a creativity variance.

Released musically in 2014 and as a surprisingly successful come-back video in 2016, “In Hell I’ll Be Good Company” has murder-ballad swagger and a punk vibe. Think Dropkick Murphys and “Walk Away.” It’s different. It’s wonderful! Plus, the video really is beautiful.

As always: close your eyes, open your mind, trust your ears.

New Music – Summer 2022 x5 – #4: The Dead South

The Sweet Things

“Liquor Lightning” from In Borrowed Shoes, On Borrowed Time

Start with the New York Dolls, add a healthy dose of Lynyrd Skynyrd, a dollop of Sticky Fingers-era Stones and for heat some Uptown Horns, and you’ll get what this band is about. “Liquor Lightning” stands out for its Richards-esque swagger, exuberance and big, ballsy, swanging vibe.

Out of New York City, Dave Tierney, Sam Hariss and Tobin Dale initially formed the band at a Catskills resort Bar Mitzvah (!!!). In the most insanely simple terms, these guys kick ass and take names. Coming from 2019, this, the band’s initial single from their first album, got a teeeeeeny bit of radio play (thanks Rodney Bingenheimer!), but it never again made it back to the desperate land of corporate radio airplay. Pity. This song could be bottled and sold on street corners as speed.

Enjoy. Enjoy enjoy enjoy. it’s worth your time, and listen loud. REALLY LOUD.

Close your eyes. Open your mind. Trust your ears.

New Music – Summer 2022 x5 – #5: The Sweet Things

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Close your eyes. Open your mind. Trust your ears.

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