This was originally posted on the One Band, 5 Songs Patreon on June 12, 2024.

Before last week, I'd never listened to an album by Coldplay. I'd heard of the band and even liked a few of their songs, but that was it. So I decided to change that and give them a go. I created a playlist with their albums and EPs, listened to it all, and recorded my first impressions.

Playlist:

Coldplay (discography): https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7gkjOfmzZPvZrwtk2c1H2q

References:

Wikipedia - Coldplay: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coldplay

Wikipedia - Coldplay discography: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coldplay_discography

Billboard - Coldplay: https://www.billboard.com/artist/coldplay/

Rate Your Music - Coldplay: https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/coldplay

YouTube - Coldplay: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert: https://youtu.be/j82L3pLjb_0

Paul Westerberg’s solo career began in 1992 when his songs “Dyslexic Heart” and “Waiting for Somebody” appeared on the soundtrack to the Cameron Crowe-directed, Gen X masterpiece Singles. In 1993 he released his solo debut 14 Songs. Westerberg has released six full-length solo albums, one EP and two full-length under the moniker Grandpaboy, an album with Julianna Hatfield under the name The I Don’t Cares, along with numerous singles, appearances on soundtracks, and other random things.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Part 1

00:03:54 - “Waiting for Somebody” from Singles [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] (1992)

00:07:11 - Part 2

00:09:28 - “World Class Fad” from 14 Songs (1993)

00:12:52 - Part 3

00:25:05 - “It’s A Wonderful Lie” from Suicaine Gratification (1999)

00:27:51 - Part 4

00:33:15 - “High Time” from Mono by Grandpaboy (2002)

00:36:12 - Part 5

00:43:26 - “As Far As I Know” from Folker (2004)

00:46:25 - Part 6

References and Clip Sources:

Paul Westerberg - Best Thing That Never Happened: https://paulwesterberg.net/

Wikipedia - Paul Westerberg: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Westerberg

AllMusic - Paul Westerberg: https://www.allmusic.com/artist/paul-westerberg-mn0000039258

Discogs - Paul Westerberg: https://www.discogs.com/artist/236256-Paul-Westerberg

Rate Your Music - Paul Westerberg: https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/paul-westerberg

Paul Westerberg World Class Fad (World Premiere Video) MTV 120 Minutes with Lewis Largent 1993.06.13: https://youtu.be/UmdL2Xk3Ago

JBTV Mini Segment #6 - Paul Westerberg and Michael Bland: https://youtu.be/BchooLkL1I4

This was originally posted on the One Band, 5 Songs Patreon on July 31, 2024.

I have vivid memories of seeing the River City Rebels albums Racism, Religion And War and Playin' To Live, Livin' To Play in stores in the early 2000s (and I'm pretty sure I owned a copy of Playin' To Live, Livin' To Play at one time or another). Both albums have distinctive covers that leave an impression. Fast forward to 2024 and I got a message from a friend on Instagram suggesting I cover River City Rebels. He also admitted to being the band's roadie/merch guy, so I did what anyone with an ounce of journalism training would do (I have an AA in Broadcast Journalism btw) and I asked if he could hook me up with an interview/guest for the podcast.

Dan "Bopper" O'Day started River City Rebels in 1997 in Burlington, VT. During their initial run, the band released seven full-length albums and toured all over the world. After calling it a day in 2010, Bopper reformed the band and released their first new music in 13 with 2013's single "Humble Me" and the 2024 EP Pop Culture Baby.

Follow River City Rebels and Bopper

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRiverCityRebels/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rivercityrebels/

YouTube-Rebel Rock Records and more…: https://www.youtube.com/@RebelGamingClub

References:

AllMusic - River City Rebels: https://www.allmusic.com/artist/river-city-rebels-mn0000283518

Discogs - River City Rebels: https://www.discogs.com/artist/742694-River-City-Rebels

Last.fm - River City Rebels: https://www.last.fm/music/River+City+Rebels