Matt Blake's blog

You're gonna love this album! Join me as we explore Black Belt Eagle Scout's debut "Mother of My Children," and, if there's time, we'll listen to the brand new EP - "Loss & Relax b/w Half Colored Hair." This band is coming to Veteran's Memorial Theatre on Monday, May 20, 2019; tune in here for your introduction, then go see 'em LIVE!

This week, we are exploring "The Wall" ... with Paul. That's right, my father-in-law is hitting the KDRT studios to talk about this album, his interactions with Roger Waters, and his love of rock n' roll. Others may be joining us as well. There is no way we are getting through all 1 hour and 23 minutes of this album in our hour-long show, so we'll do what we can. It's going to be... something. Join us!

I am almost 100% certain that you have not heard Mike Viola's latest album "The American Egypt." But you need to hear it. It's great, it just came out on July 17th - streaming only, nothing physical until the Fall - and it really showcases this songwriter's talents. Join me on August 1 as I play the whole album and we discuss what a middle-aged man can do with his wardrobe to be described as a mutant ninja turtle. Hint: skinny black jeans.

Listen: of all the things you're about to lose, this will be the most painful.

And so begins Typhoon's "Offerings," a sprawling 2-LP journey into a man's loss of memory, self, and indentity. It's dense. It's dark. I like it and I hope you will, too. My only current issue is that it's just over an hour, so I'm either going to have to skip a track or talk over it or something similar. Tune in to find out how I handle this very real problem as I spin "Offerings" in its entirety... even though such a feat is literally impossible. 

Soaked dropped last Friday and is the sophmore album by Davis favorites Hot Flash Heat Wave. It's 38 minutes of awesome. HFHW will be closing out Davis Music Fest (June 16-18) on Father's Day, playing the final set at 9pm at G St Wunderbar. By the time they hit the stage, downtown Davis will have seen 39 other bands across three days and eight venues. We'll probably all feel, well, soaked.

The conversation went like this:

Me: What do you guys want to play on Album of the Week this week?

C&D: (always the first request) Taylor Swift?

Me: No.

C&D: Can we do Lily and Madeline again, or do they have anything new?

Me: No. (Without checking. They had an album come out in February 2016 that flew way, way under my radar. I only checked after the rest of this post already happened) Would you be willing to do something by Neil Diamond?

C&D: No. We want some melodies. How about First Aid Kit?

Me: Done.

Songs of Leonard Cohen was Leonard Cohen's debut album in 1967. Join me and my mother-in-law as we listen to it and remember the life and career of the poet, singer, novelist, songwriter who died last Monday. If you've never listened to the whole album, you are in for a treat... so many greatest hits compilations are available for Leonard Cohen's work that you can go a long time without revisiting the source. Join us on Thursday!