HIP THERAPY MUSIC

The ice-age known as Covid is melting and musicians everywhere are emerging from their pandemic-induced stasis, freeing themselves from quarantine with face-to-face recording sessions, tours and new songs. This sampler demonstrates that, yes, there is new music — and good music — to be enjoyed with just a little digging. THIS is the stuff that you would hear on LA rock radio and if there was a station that played new songs, they would be banging these. Have fun!

Killing Joke

• Lord of Chaos (March 2022): Literally around since The Eighties, these crunching, driving and occasionally arty (gasp!) Londoners are back and strong. LoC is the title track from their new EP. Save it for a warm, late-night drive with the windows down and the volume up. Way up. If you remember these guys from 80s-era KROQ in LA, then you’ll still love them now.

Kula Shaker

• The Once And Future King (May 2022): I love raga-rock, the fusion of straight-ahead rock with Indian and Asian influences, instrumentation and mysticism. When done right, it flies to the stars and back in 3:30. Originated by the Byrds, the Beatles and Donovan, it’s now largely an artifact of the 60s. But a few modern bands — like Kula Shaker, fronted by singer/songwriter Crispian Mills — do carry on the tradition. Initially cohorts of bands like Oasis, Kula Shaker has been off-and-on for years. Recently, though, the band announced a new release, 1st Congregational Church of Eternal Love And Free Hugs, due June 10. TOAFK is the single and it lives up to my highest hopes. I can truly say, “Close your eyes. Open your mind. Trust your ears.” And headphones are suggested!

The Dream Syndicate

• Damian & Where I’ll Stand (April 2022): Groovy and psychedelic, Steve Wynn’s band is back with rocking-horse lyrics and marshmallow charm. Ultraviolet Battle Hymns and True Confessions arrives June 10. These are the two singles. The Paisly Underground has indeed risen again, for instance with the song “Where I’ll Stand,” which has the kaleidoscopic guitars that have defined the Dream Syndicate for years. Though not as edgy — or long — as 2020’s single The Regulator, which clocked in at 20:27 (and every minute mattered). Catch these guys on tour this summer.

The Linda Lindas

• Oh! & Growing Up (April 2022): This Los Angeles-based, all-female, multi-ethnic band is having huge viral success with their performance of Racist, Sexist Boy at the main LA Public Library. Populated something like the Beach Boys, with a combo of sisters, a cousin and a friend, they’ve been on network TV, national newscasts and all over YouTube. These songs back to back put one in the mind of a mash-up between the Go-Go’s and The Fall. They sing their truth and it is gloriously fun.

Le Tigre

• Le Tigre Tour Theme and F.Y.R. (re-released March 2022): Former Bikini Kill member Kathleen Hanna along with Johanna Fateman and JD Samson came together in the early 2000s to craft a poppy version of punk for underground dance floors. These songs originally appeared on their album Feminist Sweepstakes, released in 2001, and they are again seeing the light of day. We are better for it. Le Tigre went on hiatus in 2007 but occasionally regroups for special gigs, for instance, 2022’s “This Ain’t No Picnic Festival.” For extra political-economic fun, try Hot Topic, a mocking jaunt through America’s socio-cultural wasteland.

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

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