New Music for Old People

Pretend as we might to try to and keep up with new music we may as well also surrender to the notion that there's really no escaping our formative frames of reference. So when I come across New Music By Old People (politely called "Legacy" or "Heritage" I have learned) it's often a cool compromise, even if nobody buys it or hears it.

Following are a few unpopular comebacks from 2020 you may have missed. Thanks to my friends out there in space for the tips 

THE VAPORS

The Vapors were short-lived British new-wavers remembered for--and doomed by--"Turning Japanese," a semi-novelty hit that may not have aged particularly well. But the debut album that spawned it 1980's NEW CLEAR DAYS is loaded with similarly tuneful and frenetic pop with the same forgotten nervous energy. Thirty-nine years after the 1981 followup MAGNETS, three-fourths of the original quartet--singer David Fenton, guitarist Edward Bazalgette and drummer Steve Smith--reunited for TOGETHER and it's like stepping into a time machine.

THE PRETENDERS

Chrissie Hynde never really went away but the last thing I can remember streaming were goopy Cougar love duets with JP Jones. When I heard "I Didn't Want to Be This Lonely" for the first time this spring I could barely believe it wasn't a leftover from 30 years ago. Maybe it was. If you're a sucker for the Bo Diddley beat, and who isn't, good stuff. 

MIDNIGHT OIL

For their first new music since CAPRICORNIA in 2002 sees the Oils doing a guest-laden EP to support aboriginal rights in Australia. "Gadigal Land" is like the Oilest thing ever--righteous fury, a little guitar jangle, gigantic drums and a brassy arrangement, even brings back the breakdown technique of "Jimmy Sharman's Boxers" and their repeated phrases. Klabamm.

THE EMPTY HEARTS

This is the second effort from a new wave era supergroup that plays 60s style garage rock (Romantics singer Wally Palmar, the Cars' Elliot Easton, Blondie's terrific drummer Clem Burke). I'm taking their advice and telling two people.

TODD RUNDGREN & RIVERS CUOMO

I don't know what I thought a combo of the unpredictable duo of Todd Rundgren and Weezer's Rivers Cuomo would sound like but it turns out, this. Not sure that accent is going to over well in today's sensitive environment but the message sure did. This one goes out to my Trump-addled Facebook polluters.

DAVID JOHANSEN

He had the very same idea. This song is probably three minutes too long.

WILLIE NILE

This probably wasn't the right year to introduce a shout-out-to-every-demographic love-letter to NYC Nightlife but I admire Willie Nile's spirit and old-school directness and he's really become the elder statesman of NYC Dad Rock.