Pleasuresonic [Release date 03.11.23]

It’s only been twenty two years since Semisonic last released a full studio album (we had the EP ‘You’re Not Alone’ in 2020). Mind you, its not as if mainman Dan Wilson has been idle penning hits for the likes of Adele, Taylor Swift and more. As Dan himself explained about making this album

“My approach as an artist has always been to write from where I am now. It’s been two decades since Semisonic made a full record together, so it was interesting to write from the perspective of returning to the band and finding it inspiring but very different. I couldn’t help but think about the early days, about the formative influences that shaped and inspired us, but a lot of the songs are about the present moment in my life.”

Opening with the title track it is so wonderful to have a little bit of Semisonic musical sunshine back in our lives. Back in early 00′s this would have been a hit like ‘Secret Smile’. ‘All The Time’ is another hit single that will never be, complete with a sing-a-long chorus.

Semisonic have always had the knack of writing catchy tunes that straddle country, indie pop and rock with ease. ‘The Rope’ is a prime example and a song that will be on constant repeat and added to many a playlist for sure.

Little bit of country grit on ‘Out of the Dirt’, with Jason Isbell guesting on lead guitar.

‘Beautiful Sky’, with My Morning Jacket’s Jim James co-writer and co-vocalist on a song that sees the album out in fine style.

Bassist John Munson wrote and sings on the melancholic ‘If You Say So’, which looks back at their days of fame, brief as they may have been. Munson has a Tom Petty vibe to his vocals which make this song extra special.

So good to have new music from Semisonic, a definition of underrated music, and let’s hope we don’t have to wait another couple of decades for more music from them. The spirit of Tom Petty (‘Keep Me In Motion’) and classic pop songwriting runs strong through this highly enjoyable album.  ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

---

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

---

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 November 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 29 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

---

Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)

---

---

Popular (last 10 days)

---