Associate Editor Ruby Risch
Nina Simone
"I Think It's Going to Rain Today"
Simone's cover of Randy Newman's track is a poignant and introspective interpretation of the song's themes of isolation, despair, and conditional hope. The minimalist piano arrangement, combined with Simone’s unmistakable soulful delivery, evokes a melancholic atmosphere, but that isn’t to say that the song is devoid of hope—rather, it glimmers with a quiet resilience. In a world that so often feels parched of compassion, Simone reminds us of the vital need for an overflow of human kindness. Listen to her.
Senior Editor Brett Callwood
Toy Dolls
"Nellie the Elephant"
Inspired by a recent Cockney Rejects show where we learned that Toy Dolls man Olga is now a member of the infamous Oi! troupe, we revisited the TD's one hit. The 1956 children's song, originally performed by child actress Mandy Miller, was given the full punk treatment by the Toy Dolls in 1982, reaching No. 4 on the U.K. charts. "Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh......."
Editorial Intern Anna Jordan
Junior Varsity
"Cross the Street"
I have a feeling that Junior Varsity won’t be very underground for too long because of songs like “Cross the Street,” a perfect summer earworm with moody guitar and their signature playful vocals off of the group’s latest EP (which is also worth a listen).
Operations Manager Robin Rose
Karen Taylor Good
"Precious Child - Gone Too Soon"
To my dear Karis & family whose son we lost last week.
May his memory be a blessing.
RIP young cousin Cassidy Lynch.
Nina Simone photo by Roland Godefroy is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
