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NEM#158: Dar Williams: Songs as Thought Processes

Dar has released 11 albums on labels since 1993 of highly literate, introspective folk-pop songs. We discuss “Berkeley” (and listen to “Today and Everyday”) from I’ll Meet You Here (2021), “Empty Plane” from Emerald (2015), and ” Are You Out There” from End of the Summer (1997). Intro: “As Cool As I Am” from Mortal City (1996). For info see darwilliams.com.

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NEM#157: DEVO’s Gerald V. Casale: Guises of Social Critique

Jerry is DEVO’s co-frontman and chief philosopher. They’ve released nine albums since 1978. His solo career has been sporadic, with a release as Jihad Jerry & the Evildoers in 2006 and a few singles. We discuss his new song and video “I’m Gonna Pay U Back,” and one of those Jihad Jerry tracks (that album now reissued to include the new track) “The Owl,” and the 1979-recorded Devo track “Fountain of Filth” (released on Hardcore Devo Vol. 2). We conclude by listening to his 2016 single “It’s All Devo.” Intro: “Whip It” by Devo from Freedom of Choice (1980). For more see geraldvcasale.com.

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NEM#156: Emma-Jean Thackray’s Modern Mix of Jazz, R&B, and More

Emma-Jean is a trumpeter, singer, multi-instrumentalist, and techie who runs her own label. She’s had five releases since 2016. We discuss “Say Something” (and listen at the end to “Spectre”  from Yellow (2021), “Open – Remix feat. Blu” (a 2020 single), and “Um” from Um Yang (2020). Intro: “Baro Bop” from Walrus (2016). For more see emmajeanthackray.com.

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NEM#155: Melvin Gibbs Protests w/ Bass, Jazz Composition, Production, Sound Design

Melvin has played bass on over 200 albums since 1980 in the worlds of jazz, rock, and hip-hop, and has numerous songwriting credits, playing with Defunkt, Arto Lindsay, Henry Rollins, Bernie Worrell, Vernon Reid, etc.

We discuss his solo tune featuring Kokayi “Get Some” from 4+1 Equals 5 for May 25 (2021), the title track from The Terror End Of Beauty (2018) by his trio Harriet Tubman, and “Howard Beach Memoirs” by Power Tools (with Bill Frisell and Ronald Shannon Jackson) from Strange Meeting (1987). We end by listening to “Canto por Odudua” by Melvin Gibbs’ Elevated Entity from Ancients Speak (2009) Intro: “Melvin’s Tune” from Defunkt (1980). More at music.melvin-gibbs.com.

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NEM#154: Chris Connelly (ex-Revolting Cocks/Ministry): From Apocalyptic Industrials to Poets in Love

Chris started in the Scottish electronic band Finitribe in the early ’80s and then moved to Chicago in 1988, doing stints in Revolting Cocks, Ministry, Pigface, et al, before embarking on a 23-album solo career.

We discuss “A Phantom Marriage” from The Birthday Poems (2021) feat. Monica Queen, the title track from Bloodhounds (2018), “De Testimony” by Finitribe from Let the Tribe Grow (1986), plus we listen to “God Gets Religion” by Cocksure from Operation C.O.C.K.S.U.R.E. (2020). Intro: “Stowaway” from Whiplash Boychild (1991). For more see chrisconnelly.com and thebirthdaypoems.com.

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Sponsors: Visit HelloFresh.com/examined14 and use code examined14 for up to 14 free meals with free shipping. Get 15% off an annual membership at MasterClass.com/examined.