The Reds, Pinks & Purples - Further Listening Playlist
Glenn Donaldson, aka The Reds, Pinks & Purples, releases his third album of classic wistful jangle pop this week on Tough Love. Uncommon Weather (which is available on limited transparent blue vinyl) is a continuation of the timeless DIY pop from his 2020 album You Might Be Happy Someday and their first proper full length Anxiety Art, a title that might nod to the classic Television Personalities song “Anxiety Block.” Donaldson’s music continuously reckons with the influence of Dan Treacy, whose own forays into drum-machines, echo, and reverb in the early 1990s is an important reference point for The Reds, Pinks and Purples’ musical template, along with The Wake, East River Pipe, The Field Mice, et al.
We asked Glenn to make us a playlist of current favourites for our Further Listening series, scroll down to listen and to read his comments on each
Magnetic Fields -Famous
He was firing off hit after hit in this era. This is my kind of music: simple chords, interesting words, and melodies.
R.E.M. - Ages of You
I was raised on early R.E.M.. This outtake should have been on Chronic Town EP, and I am forever annoyed that it is not.
Blueboy - Meet Johnny Rave
I am often compared to Sarah Records bands. It’s one of the best labels of all time, so I am more than flattered. This is one of my favorite bands and songs from Sarah. Andy Warhol allegedly told Lou Reed to write a song about being “vicious” but like “vicious/hit me with a flower.” This applies to Blue Boy.
Let’s Active - Every Word Means No
I am pretty obsessed with college rock-era REM-adjacent music. This is a childhood favorite.
Agent Orange - A Cry for Help in a World Gone Mad
This band is from my hometown of Fullerton, California. They were way too young for how great they were. I wish I came up with this song title.
Nap Eyes - No Fear of Hellfire
A newer band whose lyrics caught my ear. This song and LP are full of classic post-VU jams.
Love Joys - Let Me Rock You Now
I totally played this album to death. It is pure bliss. Awesome harmonies, lo-fi sounds, string synth…
Destroyer - Goddess of Drought
The first line of this song goes through my head a lot.
He was firing off hit after hit in this era. This is my kind of music: simple chords, interesting words, and melodies.
R.E.M. - Ages of You
I was raised on early R.E.M.. This outtake should have been on Chronic Town EP, and I am forever annoyed that it is not.
Blueboy - Meet Johnny Rave
I am often compared to Sarah Records bands. It’s one of the best labels of all time, so I am more than flattered. This is one of my favorite bands and songs from Sarah. Andy Warhol allegedly told Lou Reed to write a song about being “vicious” but like “vicious/hit me with a flower.” This applies to Blue Boy.
Let’s Active - Every Word Means No
I am pretty obsessed with college rock-era REM-adjacent music. This is a childhood favorite.
Agent Orange - A Cry for Help in a World Gone Mad
This band is from my hometown of Fullerton, California. They were way too young for how great they were. I wish I came up with this song title.
Nap Eyes - No Fear of Hellfire
A newer band whose lyrics caught my ear. This song and LP are full of classic post-VU jams.
Love Joys - Let Me Rock You Now
I totally played this album to death. It is pure bliss. Awesome harmonies, lo-fi sounds, string synth…
Destroyer - Goddess of Drought
The first line of this song goes through my head a lot.
Buy Uncommon Weather HERE