Medicine

I probably heard LA alt-rock/shoegaze band Medicine for the first time on "The Crow" soundtrack way, way back in 1994.  And though the lineup has evolved, the band has continued making music all these years.  August sees the release of "We'll Run Away," a collection of material originally released digitally by the band's Brad Laner, but getting a proper vinyl pressing this time around.  The album's opening track, "Keep an Eye on Summer," has me sold.  An instant, dreamy summer jam that feels old and new at the same time (being that it's one of a baker's dozen of Beach Boys covers, i guess that makes sense).  This one's going to be on repeat here for awhile as the season rolls on.  Check it out below and pre-order the LP here from Painted Air.

Daily Jam - Don't Talk (Put Your Head on My Shoulder)

It's still a damn shame i never got to see Brian Wilson perform live.  And that all the Wilson brothers were outlived by Mike fucking Love.  Anyway, here's a wonderful track from "Pet Sounds."  Listen to "Don't Talk (Put Your Head on My Shoulder)" below, our Daily Jam.

RIP Brian Wilson

Absolutely devastated by the news that Beach Boys founder Brian Wilson passed away today.  When i was a kid the first three cassettes i ever bought were a collection of James Bond theme songs, a pop compilation called "Rock '85," and a greatest hits tape by The Beach Boys.  Wilson's music has been a part of my life for as far back as i can remember, and "God Only Knows" might just be the best pop song ever recorded.  Here's a quote from Bob Dylan about Wilson:

He made all his records with four tracks, but you couldn't make his records if you had a hundred tracks today.

Damn right.  I'm going to have to listen to some surf vibrations this evening, but i may as well begin with the aforementioned "God Only Knows."  RIP Brian Wilson.

Daily Jam - Moonshine

It's been over a hundred degrees here everyday for weeks now and weeks to come.  It makes me want to get back to the Pacific coast.  Here's some Dennis Wilson to put me in the appropriate mood.  Listen to "Moonshine" below, our Daily Jam.

Daily Jam - Heroes and Villains

When i was a kid, i could never really get into The Beach Boys' later era stuff, preferring all the surf vibes from the early '60s.  That later stuff is my bread and butter now.  Here's a track from the troubled production "Smiley Smile."  Listen to "Heroes and Villains" below, our Daily Jam.

Daily Jam - Carry Me Home

It looks like a hurricane blew over my house, tree limbs and debris everywhere.  I don't know when i'm going to have the time to clear it out either.  Ugh.  So, until the sawing starts, here's Primal Scream covering a kinda obscure Dennis Wilson penned Beach Boys song to soothe my soul.  Listen to "Carry Me Home" below, our Daily Jam.

Daily Jam - Time

Kinda wild that probably my favorite album of the last 20 years is one that came out before i was born.  It really was just a right time/right place moment when i heard Dennis Wilson's "Pacific Ocean Blue" for the first time.  I've been a devotee ever since.  Here's a track from it.  Listen to "Time" below, our Daily Jam.

Daily Jam - A Day in the Life of a Tree

The late '60s / early '70s era of The Beach Boys is kind of fascinating.  Interpersonal fractures within the band, Brian Wilson's mental health, Dennis Wilson's brief association with Charlie Manson and the family, the realization that Mike Love is garbage...just a fascinating time.  And it's all reflected in the music.  Things got a little weird.  Here's "A Day in the Life of a Tree," our Daily Jam.

White Flowers Cover The Beach Boys

UK dreampop/shoegaze act White Flowers just released their new "Underwater" single yesterday, and the B-side is a cover of The Beach Boys' classic "'Til I Die."  Check out their trippy, ethereal take on the track below and download both new tunes here via Tough Love.

Daily Jam - Thoughts of You

I probably come back to Dennis Wilson's "Pacific Ocean Blue" at least once every couple weeks or so, and have been doing so since i was introduced to it over a decade ago.  It's in there deep.  Here's "Thoughts of You," our Daily Jam.

Daily Jam - Hang on to Your Ego

It ended up being "I Know There's an Answer" by the time The Beach Boys' "Pet Sounds" was released, but i'm partial to the alternate title, "Hang on to Your Ego."  Check it out below, our Daily Jam.

Daily Jam - River Song

A little over 10 years ago, i finally got around to listening to Beach Boy Dennis Wilson's 1977 solo album "Pacific Ocean Blue" when it received the deluxe reissue treatment.  It soon became one of my favorite records.  And still is.  I even wrote about it once.  Anyway, here's the wonderful album opener "River Song," our Daily Jam.

Daily Jam - 'Til I Die

We're leaving the beach today, headed back to reality, jobs, and all of that other stuff we go to the beach to forget about anyway.  So here's The Beach Boys to play us off.  From their excellent 1971 album "Surf's Up," listen to "'Til I Die" below, our Daily Jam.  Until we meet again ocean waves, until we meet again.