Gracie Abrams – Good Riddance: When I choose to listen to an album slowly, I always face the conflict of when to move ahead. Do I keep bathing in side A as if these four songs are the only songs available, knowing I might lose interest at any moment? Or do I dive into side B and shift my focus when I’m about to bear the rewards that come from intimately learning songs? This week, I opted for the latter. I already miss “Where Do We Go Now” but I’m enchanted by “Amelie.”
Laraaji – Ambient 3: Day of Radiance: I’ve owned this for at least a decade, and maybe a few. Much in the way I was hesitant to enter side B of Good Riddance, I’ve been afraid to delve into Day of Radiance because it is the only remaining album in the Ambient series that I haven’t heard, and once I’ve heard it, well… what’s left? It’s a silly question now that I listen, because obviously what’s left is to dig deeper and find this record’s secrets. And there are some secrets here. I don’t even know what a zither is, let alone how to discern how Brian Eno’s production trickery is pushing it in unnatural ways.
Lynyrd Skynyrd – Pronounced Leh-nerd Skin-nerd: I also just made it to side 2 this week. It’s fun to go back to “Free Bird” and really listen to it when I’m focused with my eyes closed and nothing happening in the background. It deserves all the acclaim it’s received. “Things Goin’ On” was my side 2 surprise. I’ve been revisiting Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On” and the classic Sly & The Family Stone records lately, and I didn’t expect to hear something on this album that complements those so well. “Mississippi Kid” and “Poison Whiskey” were underwhelming though, the only two songs on the record that feel like filler.
Maribou State – Hallucinating Love: I brought this back onto my playlist after having a couple of songs playing in my dreams. This album has a sense of positivity and community that I appreciate right now, and it reminds me why I like DJ music so much.
Grateful Dead –10/18/72 (St. Louis, MO): I didn’t get much time with this show this week but I did listen to the first half of the first set again, and I’m still amazed at how quickly and easily it flies by.
Old friends who made it into rotation this week: Taylor Swift: Folklore