Week In Review: New Songs / Music Videos You Need to Check Out (March 15-21, 2020)

As the world starts to shut down due to COVID-19, one of the things we can take solace in is music. Luckily, in the midst of chaos, there is still new music being put out. This week saw some great new songs and music videos hit the internet, especially when it came to rock and pop music.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves new music. That’s why we’ve once again scoured the internet for the week’s hottest new tracks. Here are 7 (and a few more) that we think are worth revisiting as you socially-distance this weekend.

1.       Alkaline Trio, “Minds Like Minefields”: One of three new songs from Alkaline Trio’s surprise new EP,’E.P.,’ “Minds Like Minefields” is the kind of melodic, fast-paced pop-punk you would expect from the band. Matt Skiba’s haunting vocals add a heaviness to the song’s energetic instrumental melody, though not enough to weigh it down. The ghost-like gang vocals and scattered plunked piano notes during the breakdown add another layer to the track.  (video)

2.       Finneas, “Let’s Fall in Love for the Night”: Originally released in 2018, Finneas has released a video for ‘Blood Harmony’ track “Let’s Fall in Love for the Night.” The one-take video, similar to the ones for “I Lost A Friend” and “Shelter,” finds the singer/producer playing ukulele on a Los Angeles rooftop before getting up to interact with a troop of dancers. But it’s a visual that seems to work for his acoustic, heartfelt vibe. The song starts out acoustic with just the uke and Finneas’ vocals, then quickly picks up with the addition of a sparse, hand-clap-like beat guiding the ramped up pace. It’s very easy to listen and groove along to.  (video)

3.       Ben Gibbard, “Life During Quarantine”: Ben Gibbard has a way about his voice and songwriting that really tugs at the heartstrings. Written for the city of Seattle and performed during his daily live stream this week, “Life During Quarantine” speaks about the lack of being near the ones you love during these uncertain times. The gravity of the song evoked tears on first listen. (video)

4.       The Pretenders, “The Buzz”: The Pretenders announced a new album this week and gave fans a taste of what’s to come with its lead single “The Buzz.” The song sounds fresh and clear, bringing the band’s classic sound into today. Chrissie Hynde’s strong vocals lead the way over the upbeat, clean guitar melody and steady backbone rhythm section. (video)

5.       Devon, “Belong 2 U”: “Belong 2 U” is a feel-good pop-rock jam ready to get you through the isolation blues. Upbeat and catchy, the song bursts with big rock guitars and even bigger energy, making it almost impossible to resist the urge to get up and dance. (video)

6.       Deep Purple, “Throw My Bones”: The first single from Deep Purple’s upcoming ‘Whoosh!’ album, “Throw My Bones” is a heavy, swirling hard rock jam with a weighty bass line and noodle-y guitars. Ian Gillan’s haunting, blues-y vocals loom over it all prophetically, giving the song the call to action message he intends. (video)

7.       The Avalanches feat. Rivers Cuomo & Pink Siifu, “Running Red Lights”: “Running Red Lights” toes the line between melancholy and upbeat in such an easy way. The song is not so upbeat that it’s underlying topic of loss is unimaginable, but it doesn’t feel like a downer either. Cuomo’s voice works effortlessly with the aesthetic the band creates here. When Pink Siifu comes in near the end with a quote from David Berman’s Purple Mountains track “Darkness and Cold,” it all makes sense. There’s a heftiness to the song, but also a lightness to balance it out. (video)

Further Listening:

·         Waxahatchee, “Can’t Do Much”: (video)

·         The Radio Dept., “You Fear the Wrong Thing Baby”: (video)

·         Violent Soho, “Pick It Up Again”: (video)

This week saw a lot of good rock and pop songs and music videos hit the internet amidst the pandemic at our doors. Being cooped up inside, there is no better time to take a look back at the week’s new music. Check out some of our favorites above and let us know what new tunes you’ve been digging this week in the comments below.

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Vinyl Bay 777 is your music outlet, an independent record shop devoted to bringing you a wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in a variety of genres both in-store and on our website, vinylbay777.com. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, we will be closed as of Sunday, March 22. We look forward to returning in the near future to help you with all your music needs. In the meantime, please stay safe and healthy. Rock on!

Seven Music Live Streams to Check Out While “Social Distancing”

COVID-19 has been ravaging the music industry, putting the concert industry at a stand-still as states close venues and artists cancel shows and other large gatherings in exchange for “social distancing.”

In lieu of concert halls with hundreds or thousands of people in attendance, a handful of artists have been making the leap to live streaming. An uptick in the practice started in the last week, with artists such as Code Orange, Cro-Mags, John Legend and more already clocking in time from their own homes. From singular artists “hanging out” with their fans through quiet social media gatherings to large festivals of multiple artists moving online, there is still way more to come.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, has pulled together a list of some of the already announced live streams taking place over the next few weeks. Here are seven to look forward to while stuck at home.

1.       Ben Gibbard: Death Cab For Cutie / The Postal Service frontman Ben Gibbard will be live-streaming intimate sets from his home studio every day at 7PM Eastern on Facebook and YouTube. He started last night, playing a ten-song set of fan favorites and a cover of Radiohead’s “Fake Plastic Trees.” Gibbard announced his plans on Tuesday, saying that fans can even expect special guests to “stop by digitally.” (Daily, 7PM Eastern, Facebook / YouTube)

2.       Christine and the Queens: Similarly to Gibbard, French singer/band Christine and the Queens will be live streaming on Christine’s Instagram at 6PM Eastern every day. According to a post on Twitter, “guests and weird concepts” will be included in the streams. The first stream featured a discussion with Charli XCX. (Daily, 6PM Eastern, Instagram)

3.       Shut In & Sing: Described on StageIt as “a group of songwriters joining forces to stay connected through music and community,” Shut In & Sing is an ongoing concert event launched by Kelly McCartney (‘Hangin’ & Sangin’ podcast) and singer/songwriter Natalia Zukerman featuring music from country, folk and Americana artists on a nightly basis. Artists range from the fairly well-known (such as Jill Sobule [3/21] and Lori McKenna [3/28]) to up-and-comers looking for a break. The first show starts Thursday and more are booked through April 11. All shows are pay-what-you-can. (March 19-April 11[so far], Times Vary, StageIt)

4.       Luck Reunion Festival: Initially slated to begin on Thursday (3/19), Willie Nelson’s Luck Reunion Festival has moved from his backyard to the internet. ‘Luck Presents: ‘Till Further Notice’ will feature performances from Nelson and his sons, Margo Price, Jewel and more, as well as segments with “partners, charities, and makers that make up the cherished “Luck Family.” The show starts at 7PM Eastern on the Luck Reunion website, Twitch and Facebook. It is free, though a tip jar is available for those who want to donate to the artists. (March 19, 7PM Eastern, Luck Reunion/Facebook/Twitch)

5.       The Indigo Girls: After cancelling all of their March and April tour dates (including one right here on Long Island), The Indigo Girls will be taking to Facebook on Thursday for a “low key, home grown set of songs” and a “Q and A.” The stream is to celebrate the band’s upcoming album, ‘Look Long,’ out May 22. (March 19, 6PM Eastern, Facebook)

6.       Ultra Virtual Audio Festival: With Miami’s Ultra Music Festival cancelled, the festival is teaming up with SiriusXM to bring EDM fans a “virtual” alternative. The Ultra Virtual Audio Festival will be presented starting Friday (3/20) on the limited-run station UMF Radio. Artists joining the fest include Armin van Buuren, Afrojack, Martin Garrix and Major Laser, among others. (March 20-23, 5PM Eastern, SiriusXM Channel 52)

7.       Neil Young: Announced on his Neil Young Archives site Monday that he plans to start streaming what he calls “Fireside Sessions” in the near future. Young’s wife Daryl Hannah will be filming the sets, describing it “a down-home production” with “a few songs,” and “a little time together.”

Now, more than ever, we need music to help us deal with the world in crisis.  These are just some of the artists and events who are attempting to bring people together through the power of music amidst the chaos. With the growing amount of restrictions being put in place, it’s only a matter of time before even more artists join the ones above in live streaming sets.

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Find music from many of these artists and more at Vinyl Bay 777. As one of Long Island’s largest independent record shops, we have thousands of titles to choose from in a wide variety of genres. Browse our selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Week In Review: New Songs / Music Videos You Need to Check Out (March 8-14, 2020)

Amidst the talk of COVID-19 and the cancellation of almost every upcoming tour, festival and event, new music continued to be released. Over the last week, a wealth of new songs and music videos has hit the internet, especially when it came to rock and pop music.

With the weekend here and the urge to self-quarantine high, it’s time to take a look at some of the new tracks released this week. Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island's music outlet, has been scouring the internet for some of the best. Here are eight (and a few more) of our favorites that we think are worth another listen.

1.       X Ambassadors, “Everything Sounds Like A Love Song”: A radio-ready pop-rock ballad, “Everything Sounds Like A Love Song” has a catchy melody and heartfelt soul. Starting out with just piano and vocals dominating the mix, the song swells as strings and horns are added. The saxophone bridge is bright and memorable, a highlight of the track. (video)

2.       Palaye Royale, “Lonely”: Approaching the difficult subjects of drugs, depression and suicide, “Lonely” is a haunting track with lyrics that are vivid and direct. The drum clicking is clock-like while the base boom and guitars give the melody a swirling, otherworldly feeling. (video)

3.       Anna Burch, “Tell Me What’s True”: “Tell Me What’s True” is a calming piano-driven track with a simple melody. Burch has a very soothing, clear voice that features strongly in the mix, holding its own against the piano. (video)

4.       Days N Daze, “My Darling Dopamine”: From the moment the horns come blasting in, “My Darling Dopamine” stuns with energy and grit. It’s a unique take on punk, edging somewhere between Celt-punk and oi. (video)

5.       The Fleshtones, “Alex Trebek”: “Alex Trebek,” written about the ‘Jeopardy’ host, gives off these old-school, melodic punk vibes that make it an interesting listen. The lyrics feel a little like Black Flag’s “TV Party,” but also a little like Joey Ramone’s “Maria Bartiromo.” It’s basically a biography of Trebek in a four-minute song and I don’t hate it. (video)

6.       The Killers, “Caution”: The Killers announced a new album this week and have treated fans to a taste of it with its first single, “Caution.” After a bit of a slow start, the song breaks out into this big acoustic-ish rock number, complete with soaring melody and lofty instrumental. (video)

7.       Brian Fallon, “Horses”: Despite being a softer sound than Fallon’s usual Americana rock fare, “Horses” is much more upbeat. His quiet, sincere vocal holds weight against the reserved guitar picking and steady drum beats. The melody picks up as the song progresses, developing into something hopeful and joyous. (video)

8.       Willie Nelson, “Our Song”: A slow country ballad, Nelson sweetly croons about his love on “Our Song.” The guitar has a classic feel, like a mix of old-time country and earnest pop vocalists like Bobby Darin. (video)

Further Listening:

·         Johanna Warren, “Part Of It”: (video)

·         Country Westerns, “Anytime”: (video)

·         Psychedelic Furs, “You’ll Be Mine”: (video)

·         Mundy’s Bay, “Seasons Pass”: (video)

·         Niall Horan, “Heartbreak Weather”: (video)

This week saw a lot of great new rock and pop songs and music videos hit the internet. With the weekend here, now is a great time to take a respite and take a look back at some of the best. Check out some of our favorites above and let us know what new songs you’ve been digging in the comments below.

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Discover music new and old at Vinyl Bay 777. As one of Long Island’s top independent record shops, we have thousands of titles to choose from in a variety of different genres to suit the tastes of most music fans. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. Whether you’re looking for something new to you or to rediscover the classics, we have you covered. And with more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Songs Centered Around Time

This past weekend, much of the US forwarded our clocks by an hour to welcome the longer days of the upcoming spring season.

With the beginning of the year feeling like it was just yesterday and spring weather just around the corner, the switch to standard time has us thinking about time in general and its use in popular music. For many songs, whether wistfully or realistically, the artist recalls the passage of time. In others, it’s the telling of time, either celebrating it or neglecting it.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a look at some of these time-related songs. Here are seven spanning the gambit of time topics.

1.       Rocky Horror Picture Show, “The Time Warp”: Surprisingly, this show tune is pretty apt for talking about turning the clocks forward/back. Written by Richard O’Brien to mock dance songs, the loss of / gaining of an hour can feel like a strange time warp. (video)

2.       Bill Haley, “Rock Around The Clock”: Perhaps sleep isn’t your thing. Back in the 1950s, Bill Hayley’s “Rock Around The Clock” urged people to rock into the wee hours of the morning, neglecting time all together. (video)

3.       Semisonic, “Closing Time”: When Semisonic frontman Dan Wilson wrote “Closing Time,” he wanted it to have multiple meanings. In writing it before the birth of his first child, the “last call at a bar” lyrics took on the meaning of the child leaving the womb. But it’s also about passage of time, stating that when one things ends, something else can begin. (video)

4.       Fiddler on the Roof, “Sunrise, Sunset”: Another show tune, “Sunrise, Sunset” is sung during the wedding of Tevye’s first daughter. The song laments the passing of time with the character wondering how his daughter grew up so fast. (video)

5.       Five For Fighting, “100 Years”: A lot of songs about time are about its passage. Five For Fighting’s “100 Years” looks at time going forward. It’s about how when you’re young, you still you’re your whole life ahead and when you’re nearing the end, you’re just hoping for another moment. (video)

6.       Enya, “Only Time”: Nothing is certain in this world, especially when it comes to affairs of the heart. Such is the premise of Enya’s only hit “Only Time.” Only time can tell what the future holds, you just need to let it happen. (video)

7.       Jim Croce, “Time In A Bottle”: A song about saving time, “Time In A Bottle” finds Croce wishing for more time with his girl. He wants to “bottle” time and save it because there isn’t enough of it. (video)

Time is a big theme in music, with a lot of songs lamenting how little there is and musing about its passing. Of course, there’s more light-hearted fare too, fighting the societal norms of when things can occur to stay up late and dance until you lose sense of time.

What are some of your favorite songs about time? Let us know in the comments below.

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Find your favorite time-related songs and more at Vinyl Bay 777! As one of Long Island’s top independent records shops, we have thousands of titles to choose from in a variety of genres to suit most music fans. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, there’s always something to find during your time at Vinyl Bay 777.

Albums to Watch for in March 2020

March is here, which means a brand new month of new music. This month will see some big releases on the calendar, including long-awaited works from Mandy Moore, Boomtown Rats, Pearl Jam and more.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves new music. That’s why we’re looking ahead at some of March’s most highly anticipated album releases. Here are eight that we think will be worth a listen.

1.       Mandy Moore, ‘Silver Landings’: It’s been 11 years since pop songstress Mandy Moore released her last album, ‘2009’s ‘Amanda Leigh.’ After having a successful acting career in the interim, Moore is back with ‘Silver Landings’ this week. The album is said to be very different than the bubblegum pop she came to prominence for, instead leaning more towards “something that feels sunshiny and airy and natural, something you could listen to driving up and down the PCH with all the windows rolled down on a beautiful weekend day.” (3/6)

2.       Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, ‘Blue Moon Rising EP’: The band’s fourth EP in a little over a year, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds are set to release ‘Blue Moon Rising’ this week. The 5-track EP features three new songs (including one originally written for Oasis back in 2008) and two remixes. (3/6)

3.       Boomtown Rats, ‘Citizens of Boomtown’: Boomtown Rats have reunited and are releasing their first album of new music in 36 years this month. According to Rolling Stone, the album “has the classics Rats sound,” but “with many modern twists,” with frontman Bob Geldof adding, “We made this album for 2020.” That description is apt if you listen to the album’s first single “Trash Glam Baby,” as the song has a gritty rock sound reminiscent of 70s British punk. (3/13)

4.       Deap Lips, ‘Deap Lips’: Deap Vally & The Flaming Lips came together late last year to form Deap Lips with the collaboration releasing its debut self-titled album this month. Spin called the album’s debut single “Hope Hell High” a mix of “Deap Vally’s bombastic, sludgy rock sensibilities softened a bit by Coyne and Drozd’s psychedelic tendencies.” (3/13)

5.       Adam Lambert, ‘Velvet’: Though he has been spending a lot of time with Queen lately, Adam Lambert is moving forward in his solo career with his latest album, ‘Velvet.’ The album heads in a classic rock – funk direction, inspired by his work with the legendary band. Lead single “Roses” has a big feel, blending funk and pop in a warm, full way. (3/20)

6.       Brian and Roger Eno, ‘Mixing Colours’: The first collaborative album between famed producer Brian Eno and his brother, ambient composer Roger Eno, ‘Mixing Colours’ has been a long time coming (According to Pitchfork, some of the works on the album go back to 2005). Brian said of the album’s songs, “These pieces are very Impressionistic and very much to do with sonic quality, sonic colour.”  First single “Celeste” is a piano-driven instrumental piece with a relaxing tone and sunny feel. (3/20)

7.       Pearl Jam, ‘Gigaton’: Pearl Jam return this month with ‘Gigaton,’ their first album in 7 years. The music heads in a more eclectic, experimental direction, with guitarist Mike McCready saying in a statement that making the album “was emotionally dark and confusing at times, but also an exciting and experimental road map to musical redemption.” First single “Dance Of The Clairvoyants” is a different, more electronic sound than the band has opted for in the past, but still manages to rock hard. “Superblood Wolfmoon” changes direction again, this time heading towards garage-rock.  (3/27)

8.       Coriky, ‘Coriky’: Featuring Fuguzi’s Ian MacKaye and Joe Lally and The Evens’ Amy Farina, Coriky will be releasing their debut solo album together this month. First single “Clean Kill” is a laid-back jam with a rough-around-the-edges sound and almost ska-like cadence that breaks off into some chaos towards the end but finds its way back. The song could be forshadowing an album that might be a bit more melodic than what their previous bands are known for, but also just as brash and up-front as you’d expect. (3/27)

There are a lot of highly-anticipated albums heading to shelves in the month of March. From works years in the making to interesting collaborations and beyond, there is much to look forward to. Check out some of our new release picks above and let us know what new albums you’re excited to listen to in March.

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Discover music new and old at Vinyl Bay 777. As one of Long Island’s top independent record shops, we have thousands of titles to choose from in a variety of genres. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. Whether you’re looking for something new to you or to rediscover the classics, we have you covered. And with more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.