"So, let us not be blind to our differences - but let us also direct attention to our common interests and to the means by which those differences can be resolved. And if we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity. For, in the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children's future. And we are all mortal." JFK, June 10, 1963.
Friday, June 27, 2025
ThisSmallPlanet.com Cool New Music Summer Playlist July & August 2025)
Dropkick Murphys new single "Who'll Stand With Us" from their new album For The People.
BEST NEW ALBUM: FOR THE PEOPLE. DROPKICK MURPHYS (OUT 7/4/25).
It's always satisfying to find out someone Irish, whether from home or in the diaspora, is anti-racist and radical, rather than the racist and reactionary some would have you believe we are. I believe the natural position of The Irish is to support the underdog because of our history as victims of British imperialism, survivors of a great famine, and immigrants in search of. It pains me to see when it is otherwise. But it is wonderful to see people like Dropkick Murphys embrace the Irish tradition of sticking up for the less fortunate. They've mined Woody Guthrie lyrics for several songs, carrying on those traditions as well. They support Ukraine. They have a song on the new album with Billy Bragg. Cries for justice and unity are never far from the hearts and minds of this band and their fans. At the same time, Kneecap, from Belfast, Northern Ireland, have ignited fierce debate regarding their support of Palestinian rights. For many, it is perfectly logical for the Irish to support Palestinian self-determination. Kneecap makes a point of saying they are from "Ireland", not "Northern Ireland" and certainly not "British subjects of The United Kingdom". It reminds us that Ireland is still divided, with the six north-eastern counties "belonging" to the Untied Kingdom. It reminds us that people still dream of a re-united Ireland and that Ireland has a history of oppression and colonialism and that there are STILL British troops in Ulster. In that light, support for Palestine makes perfect sense, especially recalling old links from the 1970s between the IRA and the PLO. The situation in Gaza today is an emergency and needs to be addressed immediately. Mo Chara from Kneecap made a mistake at a show in London in November 2024 when he took a yellow Hezbollah flag someone from the crowd handed him, wore it around his neck and then displayed it on stage, while saying, "Up Hamas! Up Hezbollah!" Voicing support for banned terrorist organizations like Hamas and Hezbollah is illegal in the UK and he is now facing prosecution (next court hearing on August 20). Furthermore, Hamas and Hezbollah have attacked civilians and have many reactionary, medievalist followers. Hezbollah is not even Palestinian. It is an Iranian-funded Shia militia based in Lebanon which intervened in Syria's civil war on behalf of the brutal Assad dictatorship and has also killed civilians in Lebanon, Israel, and Palestine. We can support a Free Palestine without supporting backward groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. Kneecap has said they don't support Hamas, Hezbollah, or attacks on civilians but have also said Mo Chara's prosecution on terrorism charges is retaliation for their political stance, is highly ironic considering British history in Ireland, and that on stage Mo Chara is "playing a character" and not necessarily delivering a peer-reviewed presentation on history and politics (with footnotes). Mo Chara (or his handlers) should have known (or found out) what the British law is regarding these issues and acted accordingly, unless they wished to challenge the British law banning support for Hamas and Hezbollah, which they have given no indication they intended to do. In that case, Mo Chara is "guilty as charged" of the offenses. Kneecap, and the Free Palestine movement in general, need to clarify that their support for Palestine does not mean support for Hamas or Hezbollah, and that their condemnation of Israel is based on the facts of Palestinian suffering, not the blindness of anti-semitic bigotry.
Michael Donnelly arrested at anti-apartheid ship action, San Francisco, CA., 1986
UPDATED: July 9, 2025
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I live in a car and listen to music and world news. I would write more if I had a home.
Chaka Chawasarira. Useza. Zimbabwean master of the matepe. Interesting.
Dropkick Murphys. For The People.BEST NEW ALBUM. Digital out now. CD/LP out October 10, 2025.
Haims. I Quit. I had the lowest of expectations but it's pretty good, actually.
James McMurtry.The Black Dog And The Wandering Boy. Great stories, great songs.
Juan Wauters. Mvd Luv. Nice, gentle songs in Spanish and English.
Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts. Talkin to the Trees. Surprisingly strong album from this vet.
North Mississippi Allstars.Still Shakin'. Worth listening to. Fresh takes on classic blues.
Queens Of The Stone Age. Alive In The Catacombs. Intriguing.
Slick Rick.Victory. The Return Of The Master Storyteller.
Unknown Mortal Orchestra. Curse. Not bad.
Wavves.Spun. They're back and gooder than ever.
Pulp Doing "Common People" at Glastonbury 2025
Archival: Reissues and Randoms
Husker Du.Jan. 30, First Ave Pt.1. The first in a batch of "new" archival releases. Past releases have suffered from poor audio quality, but that's not a problem here. Nice to hear a band at its peak (1985) who would still totally slay today easily.
Highly Anticipated Cool New Releases
Wet Leg.Moisturizer [Domino]. July 11, 2025.
Sly And The Family Stone.The First Family: Live at the Winchester Cathedral 1967 [High Moon]. July 18, 2025.
Paul Weller.Find El Dorado. July 25, 2025.
Kurt Vile. Classic Love EP. July 25, 2025.
Suede. Antidepressants. September 5, 2025.
Shame. Cutthroat [Dead Oceans] September 5, 2025.
Lana Del Rey.Classic (other previously rumored titles: The Right Person Will Stay and Lasso) [Interscope]. Release date: Delayed (To Be Announced)
Michael Donnelly arrested at anti-apartheid ship action, San Francisco, CA., 1986
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