Songs You Need To Hear Now #25
It's always a good day when we get to hear new GospelbeacH songs! Plus, the latest from Animal Collective, Nation of Language, Strange Ranger, CHAI, and a cut from Neil Young's fabled 'Chrome Dreams'
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Here are all the highlights from the great new music I’ve been listening to this week. Thanks to everyone who is saving the playlist! Please be sure to follow and “like” the playlist for all of the latest updates 🙏
Listen on Apple Music 🎧
We frequently talk about Curation Records in the newsletter (Uni Boys, Triptides, Those Pretty Wrongs, Freeman DeJongh, Sean Thompson, Farmer Dave and the Wizards of the West, and so many more), but it’s been too long since we’ve heard new tunes from where it all started with GospelbeacH.
“I’ll Close My Eyes” and “York Blvd.” are great reintroductions to the world of Brent Rademaker (Beachwood Sparks/Further), who fronts GospelbeacH and founded the label. The band’s lineup is constantly changing, and so is their sound - they’ve dipped into so many classic American sounds, from a Workingman’s Dead’s era Grateful Dead to Tom Petty, before dipping into a charming EP of glam rock and bubblegum covers in 2021.
Through all eras, though, there’s no denying Rademaker’s Southern California stylings, and these new double singles are his twangiest yet. “I’ll Close My Eyes” is a gorgeous throwback country-rock ballad look at mortality featuring lovely harmonies from Mara Connor. Meanwhile, “York Blvd.” is a lighthearted tribute to Rademaker’s neighborhood - since I heard the song a week ago, I’ve had the chorus of “Chihuahuas, they’re everywhere in sight, chihuahuas, just who is walking who tonight?” running through my head while I continuously encounter the same situation here in Santa Fe.
In addition to Connor’s harmonies, the tracks also feature GospelbeacH now regular Jon Niemann on keys and production duties, Pete Williams on drums, and the above-mentioned Jake Dejongh (hi, it’s me once again asking you to listen to last month’s Dreadful Feelings). We also have two totally tubular appearances from legendary session bassist Bob Glaub (Warren Zevon, Stevie Nicks, Jackson Browne, and what seems like another hundred notable credits) and Generation X’s Derwood Andrews, who lends some steel guitar to “I’ll Close My Eyes.”
Add the homage to The Last Picture Show on the cover, and I’m all in, man.
Hopefully, we’ll hear these songs again on GospelbeacH’s upcoming LP, which is due out later this fall.
I’m a long-time fan of The Clientele and look forward to their new album on Friday. Still, their single, “Blue Over Blue” from I Am Not There Anymore sounds like they may have watched Road Trip during these sessions - this song is pretty dang close to being “Mr. E’s Beautiful Blues” by Eels. Take a listen:
What are you listening to this week? Let me know in the comments!
These songs are also included in the ever-popular Good Ass Songs 2023 playlist. At almost three hundred songs and counting, it’s the best way to catch up on another excellent year of music!
Listen on Apple Music 🎧
Can’t pick something to listen to? Throw on Earwormz!
So excited to hear the new GospelbeacH. I guess EPs and singles are how they’re doing it now. I’ll take what I can get but I do hope there’s more coming down the pike!
That Earwormz playlist is stellar. Thank you!