Songs You Came Across On Some Streaming Service And Thought Your Head-Case Buds Might Enjoy Too. No Critical Endorsement Implied. Fuck Vevo etc.

[blessingx]

Open Reel Ensemble

 

 

[Hopstretch]

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

 

[Hopstretch]

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

 

[Hopstretch]

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.

 

[Hopstretch]

.

Edited April 7 by Hopstretch

[Dusty Chalk]

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

[Hopstretch]

No reference, just vibes.

 

[robm321]

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

 

[mikeymad]

 

 

[Hopstretch]

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

 

[blessingx]

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 

[aerius]

The style mix I never knew I needed

 

[skullguise]

^^ 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!

 

[Dusty Chalk]

1 hour ago, aerius said:

The style mix I never knew I needed

 

The Hu: exists

[aerius]

17 hours ago, Dusty Chalk said:

The Hu: exists

 

[Hopstretch]

 

[robm321]

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

[Dusty Chalk]

I think the song is better than the video

 

[Hopstretch]

Killer cover IMO.

 

[Knuckledragger]

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.

[dsavitsk]

A lovely cover

[dsavitsk]

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.

[blessingx]

Speaking of covers 

[skullguise]

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.