Open Reel Ensemble

 

 

Lot of hate for these guys back in the day as grunge pretenders, but I enjoyed the throwback.

 

Peak of mid-80s South African new romanticism. I realize that's quite specific.

 

Alec's International Relations professor dug this up as the last time they had any good musical protests at SMU (not exactly UC Berkeley being in Texas and all) over a stupid war. Pity we have one.

 

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Edited April 7Apr 7 by Hopstretch

I just really love this song so much.  I was actually working on translating it to guitar, back when I played.

No reference, just vibes.

 

A reminder that I need to listen to that album again. Early 1980's vibes are always appreciated. 

 

 

 

Middle Eastern wars just sounded ... better in the 80s.

 

Speaking of wars… Massive Attack & Tom Waits - Boots on the Ground

 https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/apr/16/massive-attack-boots-on-the-ground-ft-tom-waits-review-first-single-in-a-decade-is-a-dark-hymn-for-our-times 

The style mix I never knew I needed

 

^^ That's awesome!

Made me think of this song, mixing a tiny bit of Tuvan throat singing with Gaelic Mouth Music (and American? beats).  I listened to this album last week, she is amazing!

 

1 hour ago, aerius said:

The style mix I never knew I needed

 

The Hu: exists

17 hours ago, Dusty Chalk said:

The Hu: exists

 

 

Beck will depress you and make it feel so damn good. 

I think the song is better than the video

 

Killer cover IMO.

 

April 23, 1976, the Ramones released their debut album. Hey, ho, 50 years ago(!) As I snarked in 2016, "Sheee-it, some tiny insignificant punk rock album by a band you've never heard of dropped 40 years ago today. It sold poorly, probably because it didn't have any good songs on it." I know I don't have to explain the significance of the Ramones to the crowd of codgers that is head case.  I will be lecturing some mostly uninterested zoomers on the subject.

A lovely cover

On 4/6/2026 at 9:01 PM, Hopstretch said:

Alec's International Relations professor dug this up as the last time they had any good musical protests at SMU (not exactly UC Berkeley being in Texas and all) over a stupid war. Pity we have one.

 

The best version of one of the best songs by one of the bet bands. Good stuff.

Speaking of covers 

11 hours ago, dsavitsk said:

A lovely cover

VERY lovely, thanks!  Amelia sounds wonderful and I had never heard Gregory before; they sound very good together.  Downloaded a 24-bit version to try on one of my systems, a fair bit of Sylvan Esso's stuff sounds pretty good.

Once in a while I come across AI slop:
 

 

Edited April 25Apr 25 by HiWire