If I may, I'd echo your sentiments on 20/20's record. I went in with the worry that nothing here would match Remember the Lightning--and it doesn't. But that's because time (and the band) have moved on and grown. It's not the same record they would've made 40 years ago--and in hindsight, it shouldn't be. It absolutely delivers, though.
Yes, it’s absolutely a weird time right now. As it so happens, I read those same two books, and I, too, didn't go too deep on R.E.M., Dylan, or Seeger afterward. You, however, still made time for new music. I went through a good month or two when I barely listened to any music at all. I've had this overwhelming sense of foreboding—the people in charge don't know what they're doing, and something disastrous is going to happen. What that is, I don't know. There are at least a half-dozen possibilities. So I've been doing a lot of reading, trying to figure out the dangers, looking for glimmers of hope, and trying to make sense of things that seem totally counterproductive. It's been a stressful time.
I've been trying to get myself to a better balance, so I'm thankful for this post giving me something new to listen to. I'm not sure I have a favorite or a standout yet, but I really like these songs: "Seeds of Light," "Dumb It Down," "Left Behind," and "It's a Good Day to Be Alive." Also, I just realized that I skipped over the Elephants and Stars album—will listen to that tomorrow.
Music has been my coping mechanism, even if I found it hard to settle into anything for a while. I've spent far too much time doomscrolling and not enough time reading, but I'm starting to get that balance back.
Glad you found some songs to like from my post and I look forward to your next show whenever you get to it.
If I may, I'd echo your sentiments on 20/20's record. I went in with the worry that nothing here would match Remember the Lightning--and it doesn't. But that's because time (and the band) have moved on and grown. It's not the same record they would've made 40 years ago--and in hindsight, it shouldn't be. It absolutely delivers, though.
It absolutely does and your framing fits perfectly.
Yes, it’s absolutely a weird time right now. As it so happens, I read those same two books, and I, too, didn't go too deep on R.E.M., Dylan, or Seeger afterward. You, however, still made time for new music. I went through a good month or two when I barely listened to any music at all. I've had this overwhelming sense of foreboding—the people in charge don't know what they're doing, and something disastrous is going to happen. What that is, I don't know. There are at least a half-dozen possibilities. So I've been doing a lot of reading, trying to figure out the dangers, looking for glimmers of hope, and trying to make sense of things that seem totally counterproductive. It's been a stressful time.
I've been trying to get myself to a better balance, so I'm thankful for this post giving me something new to listen to. I'm not sure I have a favorite or a standout yet, but I really like these songs: "Seeds of Light," "Dumb It Down," "Left Behind," and "It's a Good Day to Be Alive." Also, I just realized that I skipped over the Elephants and Stars album—will listen to that tomorrow.
Music has been my coping mechanism, even if I found it hard to settle into anything for a while. I've spent far too much time doomscrolling and not enough time reading, but I'm starting to get that balance back.
Glad you found some songs to like from my post and I look forward to your next show whenever you get to it.
Justin, do you listen to much hip-hop or mainly just the "indie" rock band styles?
I don't listen to much hip-hop, but the 80s/early 90s version is where my taste generally lies.