50 Years of the Beast, an Alternate Beatles Reality, and Bollywood Gangster Rap
I’m back from San Diego. I’ve got a new tattoo, a lingering case of the “travel crud,” and a foggy head thanks to a brutal Friday night delay in Chicago. Please excuse the voice, I’m struggling a bit, but I wasn’t going to miss this. As soon as I landed, I grabbed a ticket for Burning Ambition, the new Iron Maiden documentary.
If you’ve listened to this show for any length of time, you know I’m a Maiden lifer. They were the first band I ever bought music from back in the mid-80s. I’ve seen all the docs—12 Wasted Years, the YouTube histories, Ed Force One… all of them.
Burning Ambition is the first one made for the big screen, celebrating 50 years. Honestly? If you’re a die-hard, there isn’t much “new” information here. But it’s a great package. It’s an honest look at a band that hit the highest highs in the 80s and then survived the lowest lows of the Blaze Bayley era, playing tiny 500-seat clubs while getting spit on.
I do think they could’ve cut some of the animation interludes to fit in more of the early history—the Ruskin Arms, the Soundhouse Tapes, or the story of the original sign pouring blood on Clive Burr. But that’s just me being greedy. It was a two-day special engagement, so it’s likely out of theaters now, but keep an eye out for a Blu-ray or streaming release soon.
Before the new music, two quick highlights. The Lemon Twigs have a new album out; it’s excellent if you like the stuff I’ve shared from them before. Also, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr just put out a track called “Home to Us.” It made me stop and wonder: what if the Beatles hadn’t broken up? What if John and George were still here? “Home to Us” feels like a glimpse into that alternate reality.
The Sonic Landscape: This Week’s Finds
Diljit Dosanjh – “Morni” Diljit is a massive star in India, but you might recognize him from his viral performance on Jimmy Fallon. This is the track he played. I don’t understand a word, but the groove is undeniable. It’s essentially Bollywood gangster rap—lyrics about a guy getting out of jail, being in love, and leaving Louis Vuitton logos on people’s chests while beating them up. It’s amazing. Check out the EP, The Call of Panjab.
Yee Loi – “Why Ask Why” Think of the energy of the Go-Go’s or The Bangles, but with a punchier, punkier edge. Yee Loi translates to “Two Girls” in Cantonese. It’s two sisters and their brother on bass who discovered their dad’s Ramones records and changed their entire trajectory. It’s catchy, fun, and totally accessible.
Thesaurus Rex – “Buy Your Time” Imagine if Vampire Weekend or Two Door Cinema Club had a baby with Weezer for some nerdy street cred. This is a fast-paced, lyrically tricky track with an infectious guitar riff. The drumming really stands out—lots of syncopation and ghost notes that keep you on your toes.
The Locustz – “When Boy Meets Girl” I mentioned Maiden is an all-timer for me; the other is Jellyfish. This song has Jellyfish DNA all over it. It’s a project from Rick Springfield and the Bissonette brothers, and the instrumental whimsy is just incredible. I was hooked within seconds.
Casey Lowery – “Leave Me Alone” We’re closing with a chill, upbeat indie-rock track. The vocals flip between a gentle delivery and a staccato, almost spoken-word style. It has a very airy feel that reminds me of a song I recorded with Emmet called “Falling.” It’s a great way to wind down the episode.
That’s it for this week. Go out and support these artists. Thanks for listening.
