1 – Sunshine On My Back – The National – I had written that sometimes bands move forward and sometimes they stay in place and this stays in place and then I noticed it was recorded two years ago. Still, damn good, with Sharon Van Etten on backup vocals and sunshine nowhere near anyones shoulders – B+
2 – Sunshine On My Shoulders – John Denver – One of my big regrets is not getting to see this guy on stage, nothing sweeter than this suburban landscape dream – A
3 – Shame – Young Fathers – Now I’ve finally heard the entire album, I think we will all agree these guys are one to beat. This track is great everywhere and absolutely awesome in context. Nice dance beat with soul and smarts and a terrific hook – A
4 – Hit ‘Em Up Style – Carolina Chocolate Drops – another triumph from a band I simply spaced out on, the fiddle is incredible, it is Rhiannon at her best, that’s all – B+
5 – Inside – Earl Sweatshirt – ANOTHER great track off this fabulous sophomore, it sometimes sounds like one long song, one long great song – A-
6 – Call Ya Bluff – I love this guys flow, he can really rap and he seems to fly through the verses and yet with an edge to it… not as sure about the songs – B
7 – You Can’t Judge A Book By Looking AT Its Cover – The Sonics – Nice rocking version with swing feel – B+
8 – Vagabond Moon – Willie Nile – Really digging this song all over again – A
9 – We Stand Tall – David Miscavige – Cmon guys, yr worth 5 billion bucks, you couldn’t find a decent song??? “From clear to eternity is one thing, “hey la le la” not quite as much – D
10 – The Need To Know – Wale And SZA – This is a lovely ballad about a love moving from platonic to, well, other – B+
