3 songs by The Ditty Bops

Ooh La La…Listen on Spotify

Moon Over the Freeway…Listen on Spotify

Get Up ‘N’ Go…Listen on Spotify

Ditty Bops is a super weird or ironic name for a death metal band. You can take comfort in knowing that this here The Ditty Bops is not a metal band. Your instincts for band names and music genre is as accurate as it always has been. What this band offers is tight vocal harmony and highly competent technical skill…at least to my untrained mind. The music is soothing, yet interesting as it tells a story that’s easy to follow. Their music is not all happy, but it is beautiful and entertaining.

Ooh La La begins and ends with crickets. Oddly enough, I think The Ditty Bops use cricket sounds in more of their songs than any other band I know of. Impressive! The song builds tension as vocals overlay an increasingly complex instrument arrangement. Again…I think that’s what’s going on. There’s a synchronization of deeper guitar tones and bass at times that I find ominous and delightful.

Moon Over the Freeway is a wonderful song to listen to on the freeway at night as it captures the sounds and sentiment of open road travel…at night…so well. Bebopping along into whatever lies ahead. It was always a welcome addition to my commute when it would pop up in my random playlist.

You could rot sitting forever waiting for the coast to clear…or you could Get up and go. It’s a jaunty and inpatient song that would be frantic, if it weren’t so well arranged. The tension is well felt. It’s the kind of song that you can’t wait to end so that you can play it again.

The only way you’re going to know if you like these songs is if you listen to them. I don’t want to say too much that would color your opinion of the music…You do you. If you do listen and like what you hear, please consider obtaining more of their stuff from a fair and reputable source. I’d offer you a bootleg CD out of my trunk, but I’m fresh out. Damn…I really could have used the eight dollars.

I don’t make the music, but I believe it is important to support those that do as best we can. They don’t have a website that I can point you to, so I’d start with Google and this…The Ditty Bops – Wikipedia.

3 songs by The Tossers

Movin’ On…Listen on Spotify

Be…Listen on Spotify

Did It All for You…Listen on Spotify

Not all of The Tossers songs are up-tempo or upbeat…good for them! I wasn’t aware of these songs when they were first released. I found out about The Tossers a little later on, when I was going through a certain…phase…in my musical taste development. The phase sort of passed, but the taste remains. Movin’ On opens with slow, contemplative banjo and carries on with a highly relatable inner monologue to the conclusion that no matter what happens…nobody cares, and life goes on. At least, that’s what I think is going on. I like the idea of singing Be to someone that’s uncertain about what to do with their life. I long to tell someone…There’s a horse somewhere waiting for you. Brilliant! Did It All for You…have you ever found yourself in an uncomfortable situation caused by your need to do what was best for someone else? Yeah…

Listen to them, don’t listen to me! The Tossers don’t make songs about reading…nerd…And don’t let my opinions spoil your experience. If you liked it, please consider getting some of their stuff from a fair and legitimate source. They have released quite a few albums, but they don’t have an official website. If you really want to find out what’s going on with The Tossers…well, there’s not much information out there. Here’s probably where I’d start…The Tossers – Wikipedia.

3 songs by The Grates

Sukkafish…Listen on Spotify

Inside Outside…Listen on Spotify

The Biggest and Longest Adventure Ever…Listen on Spotify

Oh, The Grates…playing with texture and tempo. At least that’s how I’d describe it, what with my total lack of musical knowledge. I wasn’t aware of this band when these songs were released, but I have streaming service to thank for finding them. Sukkafish is…is that a banjo?! Meanwhile, The Biggest and Longest Adventure Ever…long name, short song. Thankfully we can always repeat, because it’s got this great cadence to the lyrics. Inside Outside was the first song I’d heard from them and it sent me off looking for similar sounds. The thing is, there’s nothing quite like The Grates. With so many other good songs in their catalog, it was really tough picking just three. Luckly, there’s more The Grates out there to discover!

I don’t want to taint your experience, so I won’t share too many of my opinions. Just…listen to this! If you like it, please consider getting some stuff from a fair and legitimate source. If you really want to find out what’s going on with The Grates, here’s where I’d start…The Grates – Wikipedia.

There’s another band out there that call themselves The Grates. They’re quite different, but…maybe give them a listen, too. No need to dismiss them simply because these aren’t The Grates you’re looking for. Who knows, you might like neither…or both! Wouldn’t that be cool, finding two such contrasting bands in one haul?

Most importantly, make your own damned playlists! Don’t allow a machine or control system to make decisions for you. Such tools can serve a purpose, and so can you! Be the algorithm you wish to see in the world. Okay, that doesn’t make perfect sense. Function as the algorithm you wish to see operating in the world. That’s better, but still not quite right…I’ll keep working on it. Free the Playlists!

3 songs by Three Dog Night

Shambala…Listen on Spotify

Woman…Listen on Spotify

Never Been to Spain…Listen on Spotify

I’m old and Three Dog Night has been playing off and on in the background of my life for years. Okay, I’m not THAT old…I’ve been around older family members who listen to the music of their time. I knew some Three Dog Night, but I’d never really listen closely when it played. I’m easily distracted, probably, and chances are rare to just sit and listen. A few months ago, I got drawn into Shambala. Peaceful, yet rapturous. I played it over and over. This is highly unusual…I was distracted into the song rather than out. Before I knew it, I was playing through their catalog to find some gems that really resonated. Sure, it’s a well-known band and I’d heard it all before. On that day it was new to me, and nothing else matters. I know Never Been to Spain from way back, but I’ve never been to Oklahoma. I hear some family was born there, but I really don’t remember. In Oklahoma, not Arizona…what does it matter? Never Been to Spain and Woman are bluesy, but entirely different flavors. It feels so good!

I don’t want to alter the experience with my ideas. That would remove any potential for surprise. I’m not going to tell you what I think about any of this. I don’t really know anything about music anyway. The proposition is simple…listen to this! If you like it, please consider obtaining more of their stuff from a fair and legitimate source. They’ve been around and have been immensely popular at times. Who knows if anyone associated with Three Dog Night needs the support, but they’ve got a website…threedognight.com. If you like it, do it for you. If you would like to know more about the band, here’s where I’d start…Three Dog Night – Wikipedia. What a time to be alive!

3 songs by Frank Turner

Photosysnthesis…Listen on Spotify

The Way I Tend to Be…Listen on Spotify

Punches…Listen on Spotify

Photosynthesis is like an anthem to rage against society’s notions of maturity. The Way I Tend to Be is a bit gentle and dare-I-say romantic with a nostalgic vibe. Punches is a little loud and rough, and I think it’s put together in a really clever way. So many good songs in the catalog, and this isn’t the only band to feature Frank Turner! Imagine what delights await with just a little bit of typing and a few mouse clicks. Who is this Frank Turner and what has he done with that music?!

I don’t want to taint the experience with my own ideas. That would spoil the potential surprise. I’m not going to analyze or critique the songs or tell you what I think. I’m saying…hey, listen to this! If you like it, please consider supporting Mr. Turner by obtaining some stuff from a fair and legitimate source…music, merch, or tickets to see them. Frank Turner is a talented lad and he’s got a website…frank-turner.com. The nice thing about people who’ve had a long career is that there’s loads of interesting stuff they’ve been a part of. If you really want to start looking into it, here’s where I’d start…Frank Turner – Wikipedia.

3 songs by I Fight Dragons

Oh The Places You’ll Go…Listen on Spotify

Shit’s Gonna Be Okay…Listen on Spotify

The Faster The Treadmill…Listen on Spotify

Oh The Places You’ll Go and Shit’s Gonna Be Okay are kind of sage and inspirational. The Faster The Treadmill is a little angsty. Many more good songs in the catalog for those that appreciate the sound. This could be you! Wouldn’t it be amazing if one of these became your new favorite song? My money’s on Shit’s…

I don’t want to give the milk away for free and spoil the surprise of discovery. Heck, it’s not even my milk to give. So, I’m not going to analyze or critique the songs or tell you what I think. I’m more or less saying…hey, taste this milk! If you like it, please consider supporting this band by obtaining their stuff from a fair and legitimate source…music, merch, or tickets to see them. They’ve got a great website…ifightdragons.com. And if you really want to start geeking-out about them, here’s where I’d start…I Fight Dragons – Wikipedia