Category: Pop Music

My Sunday Song – “Modern Love” by Matt Nathanson

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For My Sunday Song #219, we are discussing a song called “Modern Love” by Matt Nathanson. The song is the title track on his album ‘Modern Love’ which was released on June 21, 2011. This song was the fourth single off the album and though it didn’t chart it is still a shining light on this album.

What I love about this song is it cynicism. The song seems to be inspired by the “hook-up” culture of the younger generation. This poor girl is tired of “all of these salesmen” who are serving up lie after lie. She is tired of no one wanting to be committed to anything. She is done with it, no more sleeping around, no more bullshit and she is just plain done. I love the line…“Oh this modern love is a taco truck”…Matt stated in an interview that the line is about the fact people stand there and eat the food without actually sitting down and enjoying the meal which is how people are treating relationships. With Tinder and other disappointing apps, it is a fast food world of relationships. I believe he is spot on.

Musically, the song is an upbeat, pop song that is full of life and joy even though the lyrics aren’t truly happy thoughts. That is one of the joys of Matt’s music is that the lyrics and music often contradict themselves. The music is full of bouncy keyboard/horn sounds, a nice danceable groove and some simple guitar playing that all blends together in to a happy musical experience.

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Friday New Releases – October 23, 2020

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Another Friday of new releases and this one is jammed pack full of over 20 new albums. And these are the only the ones I chose to list. I would venture to say there should be at least one thing of interest to you in this list, if not, well…sorry. I have only 2 albums I want and one I actually already have. My choices are in Blue. Let me know what you want to hear and let me know what I might have missed as there usually is. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you all have a wonderful Weekend!!

  • 910I1CR8rML._SX522_  Beastie Boys – Beastie Boys Music – (Capitol Records): I am a casual Beastie Boys fan so a greatest hits album is really perfect for me. I do have License to Ill because everyone should have that one. I don’t have this on order but maybe I will put in on my Christmas List!!
  • 71V3Of3HfyL._SS500_  Smith & Myers – Volume 2 – (Atlantic Recording): The Shinedown boys of Brent Smith and Zach Myers are back with Volume 2 after only 2 weeks since Volume 1. And let me tell you, Volume 1 was great so this should be more of the same. It is usually all acoustic (with an electric thrown in every now and then) and some great covers. I think they are going to put this on vinyl so yes, another Christmas List item!!!
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My Sunday Song – “Used to Be” by Matt Nathanson

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For My Sunday Song #218, we are going to discuss the song “Used to Be” by Matt Nathanson off his album ‘Sings His Sad Heart’ that was released on October 5, 2018 just a couple short years ago. The album is one of my favorites as it is one of the saddest albums you will ever hear, but the music doesn’t necessarily match that sadness. They are a beautiful contradiction.

“Used to Be”, however, is not that contradiction. The music and lyrics are both sad although that sadness is more nostalgia. The singer is looking back about an old flame and he is missing her so much. He is letting her know that if she is starting to forget those memories, he can help her remember. Basically, the person he is jonesing for has completely moved on, but he can’t move forward. He is stuck in the past. There is a line in the song that is so brilliant and one of the coolest lines I’ve ever read…

And if you’re having trouble, baby, holding on to memories
I’ve got a king-sized bed and a Ph.D. in the way it used to be

“King-sized be and a PH.D. in the way it used to be”, I don’t know…it just sounds so perfect. This part of the chorus just sinks in and grabs you and is so memorable, you can’t help but sing along and it starts to feel like an old friend you’ve known forever. Matt has a way of writing that sounds so familiar and comfortable. He writes for the everyday person and although his stuff is so personal to him, it is the same thing everyone else is feeling or have felt at some time in the life.

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Friday New Releases – October 16, 2020

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Each week comes faster and faster which I am thrilled only for the fact that each Friday is new release day for music. And we have another week of some great releases. There are a handful I wanted to grab hold of and listen and they are highlighted in Blue below. Let me know what you are wanting to hear and what I may have missed as there is always something good that usually gets by me and I want everyone to know what is out there. Thanks for stopping by and I do hope you have a great weekend. We will see you next Friday for the next batch of releases.

  • A1FOARuHicL._SX522_  The Struts – Strange Days – (Interscope Records): The Struts are bringing us their 3rd studio album and this one has a few very special guests. Lead off single and title track, “Strange Days”, has Robbie Williams and then “I Hate How Much I Want You” has Joe Elliott and Phil Collen from Def Leppard. If that isn’t enough, “Wild Child” features Tom Morello and “Another Hit of Showmanship” has Albert Hammond, Jr. My only complaint is I haven’t seen where there is a vinyl available. Since I have the first two on vinyl, I would like this one as well.
  • 51a4R9e5RzL._SX522_  Tommy Lee – Andro – (Better Noise Music): Motley Crue drummer, Tommy Lee, brings us a new solo album and this one seems to be hip hop…well…okay. I will give it a listen, but don’t expect much from this at all.
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My Sunday Song – “Last Days of Summer in San Francisco” by Matt Nathanson

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For My Sunday Song #217, we will talk about the song “Last Days of Summer in San Francisco” by Matt Nathanson. The song is off his 2013 album “Last of the Great Pretenders” which went to #16 on the Billboard charts. The song was never released as a single, but most of Matt’s songs aren’t and it is those deep cuts that draw me to his music. Okay that and the incredible song writing.

“Last Days of Summer in San Francisco” is like a lot of songs on this album that seem to be a love letter to San Francisco with shout-outs to locations and landmarks. This particular song seems to be about a powerful Summer love that helped define the person who he became. The person showed them who they were and gave them the strength to do things they didn’t think they could even if some of them were stupid stuff. It sounds like a Summer romance that blew hot and then burned out. But it is that first verse that sums up the song to me perfectly…

We spent July in a Berkeley basement,
Half read books, and bold declarations.
There was so much I didn’t believe in
And then, there was you.
You made me brave,
You made me stupid
Gave me this skin, that I could move in.

It is that kind of writing that makes Matt so special. His word phrasing, his pacing, it is all just brilliance to me. His music connects to the most human of experiences and emotions. He sings of life, love and heartache in ways most people dream they could do.

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Friday New Releases – October 9, 2020

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October started out with a bang last week and no signs of slowing down this week either. This seems to be the week of some massive Deluxe Box Sets with Linking Park, Tears for Fears and John Lennon each issuing one. There is a also a wide variety of artists from metal, to rock, to pop, to classical crossover, to country, to gospel and on and on. I hope there is something for you. My choices are highlighted in Blue as usual. Let me know what you want to hear and what I may have missed. Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!!

  • images-2  Linkin Park – Hybrid Theory 20th Anniversary Edition – (Warner Records): 20 years, that seems crazy. One of my favorite Linkin Park albums so I am anxious to hear all the rarities and anything else they have never released. This looks massive and awesome.
  • 71MEqNhRJhL._SS500_  Smith & Myers – Volume 1 – (Atlantic Recordings): Brent Smith from Shinedown and musician Zach Myers have their first full length acoustic album. It has 5 new songs and 5 covers. As their previous work has been exceptional, I expect no difference here.
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My Sunday Song – “Room at the End of the World” by Matt Nathanson

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For My Sunday Song #216, we are going to explore the song “Room at the End of the World” by Matt Nathanson. The song is off his stellar 2011 album, ‘Modern Love’ and it was the 2nd single off the album. Although I don’t think the song charted, the album did debut at #17 on the Billboard charts. The fact that it didn’t chart is no surprise as Matt has never been a darling of public radio. His songs are way too good for radio as they are well crafted masterpieces and lyrical poems about life and he is pure talent unlike the bozos on radio. No, I am not biased…okay…yes I am. You got me!

I think the song is talking about being with the one you love and nothing to take away that fact. Even if the world was ending, you two would get a room and make the best of what was to come. I love how the song talks about how he was lost and had given up on love until he found “The One”. The One that makes him whole, The One that he will be with until the end of time, The One true love. There is line that says “one heart is never enough alone” and I don’t think it is saying you have to be someone to be whole, I think it is saying that he never felt complete until he found her (or him). His lyrical phrasing is always so eloquent and so beautiful. He doesn’t sing a love song in the same cliched way other songs do.

Musically, the song is an upbeat, feel-good song that dances along with its ups and downs the same way we go through life. The drum beats towards the end are your heart beating as the love builds and the song keeps promising to deliver more and does just that as the final choruses are sung with all his heart and the music is full of life and love.

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Friday New Releases – October 2, 2020

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Welcome to October and this month starts off with a BANG!! There are so many releases this week and a ton I am interested in at the very least, hearing. October has a lot coming so this is only the beginning. Everyone that has been holding off due to Covid is finally being released. This week, I am sure there is something you will find that you like. I am going to highlight my choices in Blue. I want you to let me know what you want to hear and what I may have missed that is coming out. Thank you so much for stopping by and I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

  • 91MiwNRPU3L._SX522_  Queen & Adam Lambert – Live Around the World – (Hollywood Records): This one is on order and I hope it will arrive sometime today as I am dying to hear this one. I took my daughter to see them on their most recent tour and since Adam sounded amazing, it will be nice to have an album with him on vocals.
  • 71NNfjYV4dL._SS500_  Bon Jovi – 2020 – (Captain Kidd / Island Records): Am I excited about this one or what?? Actually, it is or what! I am not excited at all and do not have this on order. I am only interested in hearing it to confirm to myself that Bon Jovi is still not worth a damn anymore. Now, if I find the vinyl in the used section of my local store and less than $10…I might pick it up as the completist in me feels the need to do. I haven’t liked what I’ve heard so far so my hopes aren’t very high.
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My Sunday Song – “Suspended” by Matt Nathanson

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For My Sunday Song #215, we are going to discuss “Suspended” by Matt Nathanson off his 2003 album ‘Beneath the Fireworks’. The album was one of the first I heard by Matt and helped me get on board to become a full-fledged fan. “Suspended” was a single off the album but failed to chart. His first charted single didn’t come until his next album, ‘Some Mad Hope’ in 2007.

The song seems to be about being with someone that that you think is pretending you are the one. You are scared. You are feeling things that you haven’t felt before. You are alive, no longer numb. You feel she might actually be the one, but you are scared that she is. You freak out a little, but you finally suspend disbelief and except her for what this is and it could be beautiful. For me, it is a song about hope in finding your true love. I find it it to be a beautiful and the way he captures the emotions in the lyrics is amazing.

Musically, it is a pop song, plain and simple. Nice beats, good grove, great vocal delivery. There is nothing special about it, no outstanding moment. It perfectly captures the tone of the lyrics and it is catchy, fun and pleasant. Sometimes, the beauty is in the simplicity.

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Friday New Releases – September 25, 2020

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It is the last Friday of the month. Fall is upon or at least starting to feel a little like Fall. And the new releases keep on coming and this week there are a bunch. We have Anniversary celebrations, live albums and yes, even a Christmas album (ughh!!). Is there anything I am going to run out and buy? No, I will stream some, but nothing here that is a must have for me. I am sure there is something for you though as there is such a wide variety of releases. Let me know what you want to hear or what I may have missed as if it isn’t on here, at least it will be in the comments so people will know…all 3 of you (ha!). Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

I will probably stream these…

  • 91MbPUjtlUL._SX522_  The Rolling Stones – Steel Wheels Live (Live from Atlantic City, NJ 1989) – (Eagle Rock Entertainment)
  • 91p3no6AjrL._SX522_  Deftones – Ohms – (Reprise Records)
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