I was never a big fan of The Cure in my younger days but always liked their music from a distance. Their new album Songs of a Lost World is fantastic, feels like they haven’t lost a step and their vibe hasn’t changed. The record is a thoroughly cohesive effort that really is a cover to cover without skips listen. I’ve seen a few videos from their 2023 tour and they sound as good as ever, not like a legacy band doing greatest hit karaoke. They somehow still feel fresh. Robert Smith is killing it in his mid-60s.
Pearl Jam has been crushing it this year touring for their latest album Dark Matter, which has some legitimately good tracks, not just good for an aging grunge-era band. Multiple Grammy nominations. Unlike The Cure they do sound older, gentler, and the content of their songs reflects their age, so it doesn’t feel like the Pearl Jam I grew up with, but the music is damn good for a band that has stood the test of time and success.
Queens of the Stone Age released In Times New Roman last year and sort of threaded the needle of staying true to classic QOTSA (whatever that may be) while aging up in their material. Probably my favorite of these three records, barely edging out Songs, the only I have and will buy on vinyl.
Thanks for the reminder! Their new album slipped past my radar even though I knew it was coming. I fired it up this morning while walking the dogs, so far so good.
There have been a number of albums put out by older bands/artists that are worthy additions to their catalogs and I’m still listening to on a regular basis… off the top of my head…
Rolling Stones - Hackney Diamonds
Iggy Pop - Every Loser
Metallica - 72 Seasons
Foo Fighters - But Here We Are
Bruce Springsteen - Letter to You
Kim Deal released her debut solo on Friday - the Friday before Thanksgiving which always has special meaning for me, doubly so because this year, the date was November 22nd, as that was the same date as the first attempt on my life, and triply so because the (alleged) assailant - my girlfriend- looked a LOT like Kim Deal
It’s REALLY good, and “A Good Time Pushed” is one of the last things Steve Albini worked on before his passing
3/4 of Sex Pistols are touring with Frank Turner singing; if Steve & Frank sit down and write together, we might have something. Not discounting Glen & Cookie, but going with the stronger team to start; plus Matlock is busy working with Blondie, from what I’ve been following
