Welcome to the third edition of NMTDS (New Music That Doesn’t Suck). And while we try to be as current and up-to-date as possible, we know that we/you missed out on at least six months of good music.
What to do.
Well, we have a special edition Chevy Silverado outfitted with a flux capacitor for a short ride as we highlight some tunes from those first six months of 2025 that you may have missed.
But first, RIP Ozzy.
A song from the Band’s latest and fifth album “Sol Y Sombra”. Their music has been described as “space age country music”.
The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band: “I’m The Urban Spaceman”
The song (produced by Apollo C. Vermouth, an alias for Paul McCartney and Gus Dudgeon and written/performed by Neil Innes considered to be the seventh Python, as in Monty) is part of a 20-disc retrospective “Still Barking” that chronicles the band’s forays into music hall, jazz, surreal humor and inspired insanity. We had the opportunity to see the band when they opened for Joe Cocker on his first American.
The Waterboys: “Hoppers on Top”
“Life, Death and Dennis Hopper” is the 16th studio album from the Scottish folk rock band and explores the life and times of the actor and director. Contributions by Bruce Springsteen, Fiona Apple and Steve Earle make this album something special.
Kinky Friedman: “See You Down The Highway”
A song from the posthumous album (“The Poet of Motel 6”) of the legendary singer, songwriter, novelist, humorist, politician and satirist. His song “Rapid City, South Dakota” became a standard along with songs like “They Ain’t Makin’ Jews Like Jesus Anymore.”
If you are not familiar or aren’t a fan of the Lovell sisters, you should be. The roots rock duo are one of the mainstays of the festival circuit thanks to their scorching live sets. With seven albums to their credit and an eighth,” Bloom,” just released, they are one of our favorites.
Annarella and Django: “Megaphone”
OK, so “Jouer” was released last November, but I didn’t catch it until January and it is an exceptional album that people need to hear. The principals are Swedish jazz flautist Annarella and Malian ngoni harp master Django. I wasn’t familiar with either artist but when I heard the first notes of “Megaphone,” the Afro-groove immediately got my attention.
Sparks: “Do Things My Own Way”
I have been a Sparks fan since their first album as Halfnelson in 1972. The quirky pop-rock brothers have recorded 28 albums including their latest “Mad!” which entered the UK album charts at #2.
If you were to ask me to name my favorite live bands, Little Feat would be in my top five. A band that can meld blues, rock, country, jazz and funk and make that music uniquely their own, is something truly special. Their latest “Strike Up The Band” has some great songs and here is one of them. And if you don’t have a copy of “Waiting For Columbus,” get one.
The opening track from “Wild And Clear And Blue,” the folk trio of Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O’Donovan and Sara Watkins. Some might call them “a female supergroup” but I doubt they would even allow that in a press release.
Heartworms: “Extraordinary Wings”
So here is a UK artist who has just released her second album “Glutton For Punishment”, loves military aircraft, and decided to ditch her post-punk roots and prove that she could work in just about any genre she chooses. She can.
Till next time, good listening.
David Hersrud is a third-generation South Dakota native. After college and graduate school, he spent more than six years in the music industry working with bands and artists like George Harrison, Eagles, The Beach Boys, Queen, Led Zeppelin, Frank Sinatra and Fleetwood Mac. He stayed active after returning to South Dakota and the family business as a writer, consultant and then the host of CDTV for 12 years. David and his wife Kathy live in Sturgis.
Photo: courtesy David Hersrud
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