Liner Notes (January 18th, 2025)
Quick one this week, but some early thoughts on the new Coheed and Cambria record and surprise release from The Maine. This week's supporter Q&A post can be found here.
A Few Things
Last week I wrote about popcorn coconut oil, and everyone reached out with all kinds of fun popcorn tips and tricks. Many recommended Flavacol popcorn salt, and I can confirm it's a very nice addition to our popcorn routine.
I've been trying to spend far less time on social networks over the past few years. I kicked all the apps off my first home screen and have been trying to replace my previous aimless social media scrolling time with catching up on my RSS feed time. By and large, it's worked. I've basically stopped reading any text-based social media, except for a few occasions when I'll flip through a few things. I have stayed relatively active on Instagram because it's been the one I find the most value out of (not only seeing what my real-life friends are up to but also seeing a lot of cat and nerdy memes and photos). I also enjoy posting a monthly collection of pictures from the past month to remember what I did, a mini photo diary of sorts, and sharing photographs of vinyl records and writing a little about them has been great too. But all the latest bullshit from Meta has me once again thinking about just how much time, content, and attention I want to give any of their platforms. I've also been thinking a lot about the Ev Williams piece about the difference between social media and social networking, and I don't know how much I need the media part in my life these days. It's something I will keep thinking about this year, but I know I feel better when I am reading blogs from people I like or writing myself or making stuff on my own.
In Case You Missed It
Music Thoughts
The Maine surprised released a fun project this week where they took old ideas from past album eras, cleaned them up with a modern touch and production, and released them to the world. The whole thing is pretty great, but the songs starting at the American Candy era onward are particularly impressive. I don't find that shocking, given that's where the band stepped up to the next level of songwriting/creation-wise in their career. I used to say the most significant musical surprise in my life was Hellogoodbye releasing Would it Kill You? But, given the catalog depth, and we're five (six including this one) albums in now, I need to re-think my answer. The Maine going from a band that didn't seem for me to being one of my favorites, and not just a favorite, but actively being one of the more interesting bands making music! That is one helluva turnaround. And Lovely Little Lonely and their self-titled album are both up there with my favorite albums of the last decade. That's a special band on a special run.
Spitalfield released their first new music in years with the new single "Remembering Right Now." A perfect mix of nostalgia meets the classic Spitalfield sound — an immediate smile. I hear more is on the way, and I can't wait.
Coheed and Cambria released what might be my favorite song from their new album. In many ways, the upcoming release piggybacks on what they did on Vaxis II. It has a similar production sheen, similar sound profile, and works very well as a sequel to that album. And that album was the one that re-kicked my interest in that band up again, so I couldn't be happier. I need more time to pin down where it ranks in the band's catalog, but it's about everything I could ask for in a Coheed album. Lots of great guitar work, lots of awesome melodies, and over these last three albums the band has felt reinvigorated and reenergized. And it shows. Now if only they'd put the damn thing up for pre-order on vinyl!
The Stats: Over the past week, I listened to 24 different artists, 48 different albums, and 433 different tracks (518 scrobbles). Here is my Top 9 from last week, and you can follow me on Apple Music and/or Last.fm.
Entertainment Thoughts
A Real Pain is a small story about big things. Touching, at times uncomfortable, but a film that hung with me long after it ended. Props to Jesse Eisenberg for the writing/directing credits on this one.
The third season of Welcome to Wrexham is another winner.
Random and Personal Stuff
Not much here this week. I have some errands to go do around the house, and I'm feeling a late, lazy Saturday nap in the future.
Ten Songs
Here are ten songs that I listened to and loved this week. Some may be new, some may be old, but they all found their way into my life during the past seven days.
The Maine - Colored in Blue
Coheed and Cambria - Someone Who Can
Spitalfield - Remembering Right Now
Michigander - Peace of Mind
John the Ghost - Drive
The Living End - Hey Hey Disbeliever
Gob - I've Been Up These Steps
Hot Water Music - Touch the Sun
Taylor Acorn - People Watching (Acoustic)
Mutemath - War
This playlist is available on Spotify and Apple Music.
Community Watch
The trending and popular threads in our community this week include:
The most liked post in our forums last week was this one by Sean Murphy in the "Jesse Lacey Playing Benefit Solo Show" thread.
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Previous editions of Liner Notes can be found here.