RIP Ric Ocasek

An influence of mine died last week. Ric was 75. There have been tributes all over the place. I'm glad the Cars got into the RRHOF before he passed. This morning DKFM played the title track from the Cars last major charting album Heartbeat City. I've always loved that song for its atmosphere, even dreamed up some storylines that could take place in that setting, but had not associated it with Shoegaze, since it came about half a decade before the Shoegaze era. But it kind of fits.

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Montone - Bertoia

The greatness of Bertoia in capturing the essence of shoegaze cannot be overstated. They so completely get it and are able to transmit the feeling that is this genre. I am sad that they have not released anything recently.

the CMYK of Shoegaze

My Bloody Valentine, Cocteau Twins, Lush, Jesus & Mary Chain. These four could define a coordinate system on which most Shoegaze artists that came after could be placed (even though J&MC and some would argue CT are not Shoegaze artists).

Canyons - Barrie

I'll say a lot about Barrie in future posts. I actually don't know much about the band. But they changed my life with this song. It's down-tempo with a mind blowing synergy between the groove and the vocal. And the bass line I've never heard the like of before and may never hear again. A revelation. The best piece of pop music I've heard in at least 30 years, possibly my whole life. I would love to kick back to it with a drink in my hand in perpetuity at the Restaurant at the End of the Universe.

Hold On - Roosevelt

These guys perfect the funk/disco-rooted dance rhythm track almost too well. Every ingredient for an amazing groove is right here, expertly packaged and delivered.

Walking With a Ghost - Tegan and Sara

From 2004. This song is a terrific, hooky piece of simple, tight rock (written by them, mostly Sara, according to Wikipedia). The guitar and keyboard lines sounds strikingly Cars like. Perfectly produced. I assume it is self-produced b/c I couldn't find a production credit.