Posted by Jade

GARBAGE – LET ALL THAT WE IMAGINE BE THE LIGHT

For a band that calls their album, “an exploration of hope and resilience in turbulent times,” Garbage doesn’t stray too far away from the cynicism of their earlier work. Their eighth album, Let All That We Imagine Be The Light, is one that takes on challenges with fists clenched. It runs parallel to frontwoman Shirley Manson‘s own confrontation with her mortality dealing with an arduous recovery from a shattered hip. You’ll find the dark angst of ’90s grunge and distorted synths in “There’s No Future in Optimism.”

Stream • BMG • Connect: @garbageofficial

THE LOVIN’ SPOONFUL – A’s And B’s

Can we consider The Lovin’ Spoonful a local band? Well, drummer, Mike Arturi, has been living in Minnesota and the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer has been helping to build an arts education community in Red Wing for more than a decade. With that in mind, I wanted to highlight a reissue of The Lovin’ Spoonful’s A and B sides from their Karma Sutra Records years. The digitally remastered collection includes “Do You Believe in Magic,” “Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind?” and “Summer in the City.”

Stream • Beat Goes On • Connect: @the_lovin_spoonful

THE MINUS 5 – OAR ON, PENELOPE!

R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck co-founded The Minus 5 with band leader Scott McCaughey (of Young Fresh Fellows) back in 1993. The band was a landing ground for a number of ’90s musicians (Ben Gibbard, Glenn Kotche, and Jeff Tweedy have all spent time in the band among others). The 16th offering from the collective, Oar On, Penelope!, features Bangles drummer Debbi Peterson, Drive-By Truckers‘ Patterson Hood and engineered by Ed Stasium (Ramones, Talking Heads, and the new mix of The Replacements‘ Tim). It’s refreshingly light, breezy, and witty.

Stream • Yep Roc • Connect: @theminus5

SAINT ETIENNE – INTERNATIONAL

The dreamy, dancey British trio of Saint Etienne broke out in the early ’90s right before the big “Brit-pop” explosion that welcomed Blur and Oasis to the US alternative scene. The band recently made the dual announcement that they are releasing a new album (YAY) and that it will be their final album (BOO). International will come out September 5th and with feature a number of ’90s alternative guests, with the song “Glad” including Chemical Brothers‘ Tom Rowlands (co-writer and co-producer) and Doves‘ Jez Williams (guitar).

Stream • Heavenly Recordings • Connect: @saintetienneofficial

Catch Jade weekdays from 3pm-7pm on Minnesota’s 92KQRS