Volume 2. Number 31. Like this newsletter? If the answer is yes — and you wouldn't mind taking a minute to forward this edition to a friend and encouraging them to subscribe— we would greatly appreciate it. Or you could just send them this link! Thanks!
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The Week That Was: All of the Listener Correspondence
Well, some of it, anyway. And Jeff and Diane!
Mon. July 27 - Monday's show was a special and super cool chronicle of a musical road trip taken by Jeff Niebuhr and his girlfriend, Diane. What made it so super cool? Well, Jeff and Diane recorded songs related to the places they visited along the way, for starters. But don't take our word for it. If you haven't already, Hit play right now and experience it for yourself.
Tue. July 28 - We started the ginormous task of catching up on our listener correspondence (aka fan mail) on Tuesday. We began by doing a little best-of-the-year-so-far roundup. Adam Coop and Walt Falconer started off by dropping some picks for us.
Wed. July 29 - We opened up the letters, calls and faxes about the passing of musical giant John Prine. Jason Goebel, Nick Arndt, Phil Ingrassia and Niklas Nygårds all came through with thoughts and memories. Hit play, if you haven't already.
Thurs. July 30 - On Thursday we waded in deeper into the listener correspondence, addressing some calls, letters, emails and faxes on the subject of The Who. As a bonus, we served up a great Who tribute song and included a Pete Townshend solo countdown — straight outta Kenosha!
Fri. July 31 - We continued on the listener correspondence train today — which really is a fun ride — with some very tasty recent musical discoveries. Hit play and hear from Mark Neese, Jimmy Lonetti, Marios Kritiotis, Scott Oliver and Stephen Yonce. If you haven't already, dig?
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Suburbs Nation, we are unable to see music in person due to the ongoing pandemic. So we’re bringing it to you. Our Friday Night Hootenanny is ON for tonight (July 31) !
Performing isn't required, just log on, watch and listen. Members of the Community — and perhaps a few special guests — will perform songs in a big, rollicking Zoom session.
And if you dare, stick around for The Third Hour.
"Doors" open at 7.30 ET and the music starts at 8 ET. Come and let your spirit be lifted by the power of music.
JOIN HERE: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/174554732
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On Deck: Correspondence Marches On!
And you want new music from July? We got new music from July
Mon. Aug. 3 - We welcome the month of August with sweaty arms and a fresh batch of listener correspondence. Specifically, we're going to discuss tribute songs.
Tue. Aug. 4 - Tuesday brings us a cool mix of listener correspondence: concert ruiners, follow-up albums and a very interesting offer regarding New Zealand music. Paging Nick Scalera!
Wed. Aug. 5 - A very special episode is on tap for Wednesday: A Mike Snider taste test. Get ready to be jealous.
Thurs. Aug. 6 - Patrick grabs the new music reins and delivers his July picks.
Fri. Aug. 7 - Jim wraps up the week with his July new tunes. You're gonna get some good stuff and maybe a new cover as well.
Note: Due to the ongoing pandemic, topics and dates are subject to change.
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LISTENER OF THE WEEK: KATE FERREL
Good things come to those who show up!
 I live in … Rhinelander WI.
I work as … executive vice president of academic and student affairs at Nicolet College.
I discovered “Rockin’ the Suburbs” because … I am married to a MAJOR fan of yours (Captain Doug).
My favorite episodes are … the ones that feature that dude that calls in from Cali—those are pretty damn entertaining.
The first record I ever bought was … Dr. Hook’s “Only Sixteen” (A side) | “Let Me be Your Lover” (B side) – which come to think of it, that song combo is pretty damn creepy!
The first concert I saw was … Rick Springfield – Dane County Coliseum, with The Rockets – July 18, 1982.
The last concert I saw was … The Struts – Mississippi Moon Bar @ Diamond Jo in Dubuque IA – September 13, 2019.
I played … first-chair flute and piccolo – back in da day!
I have met rock stars … Rick Springfield and Eddie Money (Eddie smelled really good, but was a little tipsy).
I am drinking … Michelob Ultra Prickly Pear Infusion (it’s OK; I prefer darker brews, but we women of a certain age need to watch that calorie intake!)
My philosophy of life is … Good things come to those who show up.
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Official Sponsor of the Suburbs Pod Friday Night Hootenanny Jamboree™
SPS: Suburbs Pod Swag
We've got 8-track logo t-shirts, bottle openers, pint glasses and stickers! Get 'em while they last at the Suburbs Pod Team Store!
Recently, a satisfied Suburbs Pod merch purchaser was heard to exclaim: "Awesome!!! You gotta order some!!! The packing job alone is worth the price!!!!!"
And if you are a Patron of the Pod, you get 20% off all products. And no matter how many items you buy, shipping is only five (count 'em) 5 bucks.
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March seems like 10 years ago, but it really was only about five months back that we did a special live show counting down the top 15 songs by The Who. That night — which turned out to be the last time many of us were out in a social situation — the pre-show music came from a very excellent playlist that Jim put together.
In honor of Thursday's episode, in which we discussed some listener correspondence about the show and the band, it seemed like a good time to roll that playlist back out.
You won't get to see a guitar being smashed, but if you close your eyes and turn this up load enough, you'll definitely be feeling like you stepped aboard a magic bus. Go!
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What We're Listening To:
Jim: David Bowie - Aladdin Sane
Mary: Ellie Goulding - Brightest Blue
Matt: Taylor Swift - folklore
Patrick: Draco Rosa - Mad Love
Sam: Original Soundtrack from Drake & Josh - "I Found A Way"
Sami: Chemtrails - The Peculiar Smell of the Inevitable
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Friday New Releases: Record Buying Time is Here
Yeah, it's Friday again. It's new release roundup and it's hoot night and you better believe we're ready to pile on some platters and hear our community sing out. Let the weekend begin!
Brandy - B7 (eOne)
On her first album in eight years, the one-time sitcom star displays maturity and heart in these 15 silky jams.
Colorama - Chaos Wonderland (Banana & Louie)
Welsh singer-songwriter Carwyn Ellis will take you on a journey of many experiences, as his band name may imply. This is the band’s seventh album, and it feels so out of time (in a good way) that you can forget, for 34 minutes, that you live in 2020.
Fontaines D.C. - A Hero’s Death (Partisan)
This Dublin band’s debut was one of the more exciting albums of 2019. The follow-up contains a couple of rockers but is mostly filled with slow jams, the kind of stuff that seeps into your brain rather than bashing you over the head.
Ganser - Just Look at That Sky (Felte)
If you miss Sonic Youth (we all do), you can seek solace in the disharmony of this Chicago indie band’s second album.
Steve Howe - Love Is (BMG)
The Yes and Asia guitarist is something of prog-rock royalty. On his 12th solo album, he plays most of the instruments (son Dylan kicks in on the drums). And, because you want it-you need it, prog-rock fans, half of the tracks are instrumentals.
Land of Talk - Indistinct Conversations (Saddle Creek)
One published review of this new album by this Canadian indie band uses the term “gauzy.” That’s the kind of word you see in rock criticism when the writer has overused all the other musical descriptors for the sort of chill slacker rock that Elizabeth Powell and company create. Think about it too long and it makes little sense, and yet also perfect sense.
Alanis Morissette - Such Pretty Forks in the Road (Epiphany/Thirty Tigers)
The once-fiery young singer has eased into mid-life crisis themes on her ninth album. Isn’t it ironic? Don’t cha think?
Psychedelic Furs - Made of Rain (Cooking Vinyl)
This band may be one of the more overlooked “alternative” acts of the ‘80s. Maybe the John Hughes movie connection killed some of their cred? But go back and listen to those old albums, and you’ll find a band with a sound as urgent and vital as just about any of the darlings of college radio. Anyway, they are back with their first album since way back then, and amazingly, it also sounds pretty urgent and vital.
Wye Oak - No Horizon (Merge)
This eclectic duo is difficult to pin down. In fact, Jean Wasner and Andy Stack refuse to be pinned down. Fresh evidence emerges in this five-song EP they recorded with the Brooklyn Youth Chorus. Just listen.
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Fine Printz
Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this newsletter, please forward it to a music-fan friend. If someone forwarded it to you, sign up for your own free subscription right here.
Suburbs Pod Fresh and Funky Team: Mary Edelberg, Patrick Foster, Jim Lenahan Sam Lisker, Sami Reed, Matt Windeler.
Support the Pod on Patreon and it's possible that Jim and Patrick will go record shopping for you. It might take them forever to actually send you the records but they will. And they will go shopping for you.
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"I'm intimidated by the fear of being average." - Taylor Swift
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