Five Things Right Now: Dream Syndicate, Dylan, Costello, Kinks & The Sound

THING 1: The Dream Syndicate — The Days of Wine and Roses (1982)

In last week’s Five Things I mentioned something I’ve started doing in the mornings: listening to a record I don’t know by a band I do. And since coming up with five new “things” on any sort of regular basis isn’t as easy as it sounds (for me, anyways), I figured I’d keep it simple this time—five records I’ve spent time with this week. Some of which I’m guessing you don’t know either. And remember, I ain’t no music critic. I just love music. So—keep that in mind what I ask, do remember The Dream Syndicate? Cause I do. But I’d never actually sat down with any of their records. The Days of Wine and Roses sounds like a lot of records you’re probably familiar with… made long after this one. Which is a good thing.

THING 2:  Bob Dylan & The Band — Before the Flood (1974)

Before the Flood is Dylan’s live album from his ’74 tour with The Band—and here’s what struck me on my first (and only) listen: it’s full of his hits. The last time I saw Dylan, well over a decade ago at the Hollywood Palladium, that was exactly what he avoided playing. So have things changed since 2009? I know he’s still out there, still touring. Imagine that. Part of me thinks Dylan wants to make his exit on the road—which, if I were him, is exactly how I’d want to go too. In the back of a touring bus… somewhere between Cleveland and Nashville.

THING 3: Elvis Costello — All This Useless Beauty (1996)

This one caught me off guard. Quiet, restrained—almost delicate in places. Not the Costello I usually reach for. Which is to say, don’t go into it expecting “Watching the Detectives.” But “Complicated Shadows”—there’s something about it that just settles in. One of those songs that doesn’t demand attention… but ends up holding it anyway. I’m glad I found this record.

THING 4: The Sound — from the lion’s mouth (1981)

I kinda broke my rule here. Up to this listen, I didn’t know anything about The Sound. Couldn’t even tell you where they’re from (I assume England). But I do know Harold Bloom’s idea of “the anxiety of influence”—the notion that artists are always wrestling with what came before them. Sometimes to the point of imitation. Which is a polite way of saying they’re still searching for their own voice. It’s a tough thing to shake. As creatives, we all know that. It’s unavoidable. But listening to this, I kept thinking: if I want to hear The Cure or Joy Division—with U2’s Bono fronting—I’ll just put on The Cure or Joy Division and imagine the rest. Which is a polite way of saying From the Lion’s Mouth is, for me, a one-and-done.

THING 5: The Kinks — Muswell Hillbillies (1971)

Muswell Hillbillies is The Kinks leaning into Ray Davies’ love of character sketches—oddball Londoners, working-class survivors, people who feel like they’ve stepped out of a pub story. It’s funny, a little melancholy, and packed with detail. A strange record, too. It just kind of wanders along, telling stories. Which makes it a pretty great soundtrack for my morning mile with Molly.