Zappagram #20
PJ Harvey covers Leonard Cohen, How to stream Taylor Hawkins tribute concert online, and a special subscription offer...
Hey friends,
I hope this email finds you well and that you’re enjoying the dwindling days of summer.
Speaking of summer, I am running a special offer through the end of August—20% off the normal subscription price! This offer runs for the next 7 days, so if you are able to, please take advantage and help support my efforts here.
On behalf of myself and my family, thank you for being here. Let’s dive in!
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Inquiring minds want to know
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“Music is the shorthand of emotion.”
―Leo Tolstoy
RECENT ESSAYS
The latest essays by Chris Zappa
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The Worst Album Titles of All Time
Volume one (of many)
HEAVY ROTATION
New weekly playlists highlighting great music
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WEEKLY PLAYLIST #20
Slow Joy • PJ Harvey • Yeah Yeah Yeahs • Peach Pit • Lawrence Rothman • Willis • Ryan Adams • R.E.M. • Them Crooked Vultures • Harvey Danger
MASTER PLAYLIST (ALL WEEKS)
MUSIC NEWS
The latest happenings in the world of music
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Björk Announces Grief-Inspired New Album ‘Fossora’
Björk will release a new album, Fossora, this fall. The Icelandic singer confirmed the LP, her 10th full-length effort, in a new interview with The Guardian, revealing that it was partially inspired by the 2018 death of her mother, Hildur Rúna Hauksdóttir. [via RollingStone]
Michelle Branch Files for Divorce From the Black Keys’ Patrick Carney
Branch is asking for child support and primary custody of their two children. She was arrested for domestic assault, reportedly for slapping Carney, the same day she announced their breakup. [via Pitchfork]
Pink Floyd Finally Moving Forward with Reissue of Animals
At long last, Pink Floyd’s reissue of 1977’s Animals is becoming a reality. The band announced that the album will finally be re-released as Animals 2018 Remix on September 16th after a four-year delay. [via Consequence]
PJ Harvey Offers Lush Cover of Leonard Cohen’s ‘Who by Fire’
PJ Harvey and composer Tim Phillips have released a new cover Leonard Cohen’s “Who by Fire.” The ornately-arranged version was created for Apple TV+ series Bad Sisters, whose executive producer and star Sharon Horgan sought Harvey out for the cover. (Note: This song is included on this week’s playlist. Check it out at the link above.) [via RollingStone]
Jane’s Addiction tease new music and return of bassist Eric Avery
Jane’s Addiction have appeared to announce the return of their original bassist Eric Avery in a new in-the-studio video. [via NME]
INXS Celebrates 45th Anniversary With Reissues, TikTok Streaming Event
The band announced INXS Day and is preparing a slew of physical and digital releases, merch, and a special TikTok streaming party. [via Billboard]
Porno For Pyros Recording First New Music In 25 Years
The Porno For Pyros reunion is moving on from the stage to the studio. According to an Instagram post from guitarist Peter DiStefano, the band is writing and recording their first new music since 1997. [via Stereogum]
Todd Rundgren Drafts The Roots, Rivers Cuomo, Sparks For New Album
First single ‘Puzzle,’ featuring David Bowie/King Crimson guitarist Adrian Belew, is out now. [via Spin]
Queens of the Stone Age’s Dean Fertita Announces Solo Album
The Queens of the Stone Age member will unveil Tropical Gothclub on November 4th via Third Man Records, and as a preview, he’s shared its lead single “Wheels Within Wheels” today. [via Consequence]
NEW RELEASES
Listen to these recently dropped albums
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Cass McCombs: Heartmind [listen]
Charlie Burg: Infinitely Tall [listen]
Hot Chip: Freakout/Release [listen]
Marketa Irglova: LILA [listen]
The Mountain Goats: Bleed Out [listen]
Panic! At The Disco: Viva Las Vengeance [listen]
Röyksopp: Profound Mysteries II [listen]
Ryan Adams: FM [listen]
Silversun Pickups: Physical Thrills [listen]
Watkins Family Hour: Vol. II [listen]
UPCOMING RELEASES
These albums are coming soon
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AUGUST 26
Ezra Furman: All of Us Flames • Julia Jacklin: Pre Pleasure • Muse: Will of the People • Regina Spektor: 11:11 • Stella Donnelly: Flood • William Orbit: The Painter
SEPTEMBER 9
The Afghan Whigs: How Do You Burn? • Built to Spill: When the Wind Forgets Your Name • Charles Stepney: Step on Step • Jockstrap: I Love You Jennifer B • Oliver Sim: Hideous Bastard • Ozzy Osbourne: Patient Number 9 • Preoccupations: Arrangements • Santigold: Spirituals
SEPTEMBER 16
Creedence Clearwater Revival: Creedence Clearwater Revival at the Royal Albert Hall • Dan Wilson: Dancing on the Moon EP • Death Cab For Cutie: Roman Candles • Gogol Bordello: SOLIDARITINE • Joe Strummer: Joe Strummer 002: The Mescaleros Years To Honor • Lou Reed: Words & Music, May 1965 • The London Suede: Autofiction • Marcus Mumford: (self-titled) • The Mars Volta: The Mars Volta • Pink Floyd: Animals 2018 Remix • Ringo Starr: EP3 • Wilco: Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (Super Deluxe Edition)
SEPTEMBER 23
ABBA: ABBA Gold (Reissue) • Alice In Chains: Dirt (30th Anniversary Edition) • Beth Orton: Weather Alive • Billy Idol: The Cage EP • Daniel Lanois: Player, Piano • Joni Mitchell: The Asylum Albums (1972 – 1975) Boxed Set • Khruangbin and Vieux Farka Touré: Ali • Magdalena Bay: Mercurial World (Deluxe) • Nils Frahm: Music For Animals
VIDEO SPOTLIGHT
See it to believe it
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Wilco: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert
Filmed in October 2011, this short set is fantastic. Checking out Glenn Kotche’s desktop percussion unit is reason alone to watch. I’ve never seen anything quite like it. [via YouTube]
ON THIS DATE
Musical happenings of historical significance
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AUGUST 22
Birthdays: John Lee Hooker (1917) • Vernon Reid of Living Colour (1958) • Roland Orzabal of Tears For Fears (1961) • Tori Amos (1963) • Layne Staley (1967) • Al Dvorin, the announcer who popularized the phrase "Elvis has left the building" died in a car crash, on his way home from an Elvis Presley convention in California. (2004)
AUGUST 23
Birthdays: Keith Moon (1946) • Rick Springfield (1949) • Dean DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots (1961) • Cedella Marley (1967) • Julian Casablancas of The Strokes (1978) • The Velvet Underground performed together for the last time at Max's Kansas City in NYC. (1970)
AUGUST 24
The Doors started recording their first album at Sunset Sound Recording Studios in Los Angeles. (1966) • 17-year-old Bruce Springsteen joined a group called Earth. (1967) • Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts died at a London hospital at the age of 80. (2021)
AUGUST 25
Birthdays: Leonard Bernstein (1918) • Wayne Shorter (1933) • Gene Simmons (1949) • Rob Halford of Judas Priest (1951) • Elvis Costello (1954) • Jeff Tweedy (1967) • Two female Beatles fans hired a helicopter to fly over the house The Beatles were renting in Beverly Hills, California and jumped from the helicopter into the swimming pool. (1965) • Bruce Springsteen released Born To Run. (1975)
AUGUST 26
Birthdays: Leon Redbone (1949) • Shirley Manson (1966) • Allen Woody, former bass player with The Allman Brothers Band and co-founder of Gov't Mule, was found dead in New York aged 44. (2000)
AUGUST 27
Birthdays: Alex Lifeson of Rush (1953) • Tony Kanal of No Doubt (1970) • Sarah Neufeld of Arcade Fire (1979) • British music entrepreneur and the manager of The Beatles, Brian Epstein, was found dead, locked in a bedroom at his London home. A coroner's inquest concluded that Epstein died from a sleeping pill overdose. (1967) • Stevie Ray Vaughan was killed when the helicopter he was flying in, hit a man-made ski slope while trying to navigate through dense fog at Alpine Valley Music Theatre, East Troy, Wisconsin. (1990)
AUGUST 28
Birthdays: Mary McCartney & Jack Black (1969) • Florence Welch of Florence and the Machine (1986) • The Beatles started recording “Dear Prudence” at Trident Studios in London. (1968)
OFF TOPIC
May or may not be music-related
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The Worst Songs Ever, From ‘Blurred Lines’ to ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Bitch’
Some songs are truly, undeniably terrible, as Leah Kate's TikTok anti-sensation "Twinkle Twinkle" proves. But in 2022, can we ever be truly confident in naming the worst songs of all time? [via RollingStone]
How to Stream Foo Fighters’ Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert Online
The band will be livestreaming the event from Wembley Stadium on September 3rd, so you don’t have to trek out to London in order to properly celebrate one of the most-loved — and most-loving — drummers in rock music. [via Consquence]
Watch Tenacious D, Beck, and Dave Grohl Cover “Summer Breeze” at Los Angeles Benefit Show
John C. Reilly and Greg Kurstin also joined the stage at Judd Apatow’s concert aiding victims of mass casualties. [via Pitchfork]
Frances Bean Cobain Turns 30 Years Old, Reflects on Near-Death Experience
In an Instagram post reflecting on the milestone, Cobain opened up about how a mid-air incident during a 2017 flight led to a change in her perspective over the past several years. [via Consequence]
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Love, peace, and harmony…
CZ 🤘🏻
Zappagram #20
PJ Harvey covering Leonard Cohen--oh man!!! Lawrence Rothman just made a story i wrote for Rock n'Heavy today. That Todd Rundgren record intrigues me, too!
Can't wait for the new Bjork album!!