Vinylville, USA
Ella (1969)
Those cheeky upstart kids from England ain’t got nothing on the First Lady of Song
March 31, 2026
HAVING SOME FUN WITH THE RECORDS WE LOVE
Blog posts from Sandbar Sounds that trip the light fantastic.
Vinylville, USA
In Memoriam 2025
In 2025, we lost artists whose work left a deep impression in the mindset and soul of us here at Sandbar Sounds. oday, we pay tribute to Sly Stone, Brian Wilson and David Lynch.
December 29, 2025
Vinylville, USA
Psychedelic Haunted Beach Party
Psychedelic Haunted Beach Party mixes summer surfing sounds with something slightly more sinister — heavy on creepside organ, twangy surf guitar and flam-bam, thank you ma’am Rockin’ McDrumming.
September 4, 2025
Vinylville, USA
The Little Old Lady (From Pasadena) (1964)
She’s spunky, edgy and old . . . and a character rarely if ever appearing in a rock ‘n’ roll song.
August 28, 2025
Streamboat Willies
Wondermints 2: Disappearing Act
When the band began working with Brian Wilson in earnest, it meant the end of their run putting out their own records. They were still around and not around. This is how Wondermints disappeared in plain sight.
August 13, 2025
Streamboat Willies
Until the End of the World (1991)
How a number of bands and artists came together to envision their future sound for a movie soundtrack in the early 1990s. The result: A timeless album that became a classic.
August 7, 2025
Vinylville, USA
Waterloo Sunset (1967)
Like chocolate, Waterloo Sunset has a calming effect. It’s the feeling of being in love, though with no one in particular. It’s a rare love song that’s about other people. Its sense of loss is impossible to separate from its lift.
July 31, 2025
Vinylville, USA
Imperial Bedroom (1982)
“Beyond Belief” is beyond belief, as is the rest of this Elvis Costello & the Attractions masterpiece.
July 30, 2025
Vinylville, USA
There’s a Riot Going On (1971)
Is there a riot going on in this classic from Sly & the Family Stone or is the conflict all on the inside?
July 29, 2025
Vinylville, USA
Everything That Touches You (1968)
When 1968 rolled around, the Association could have tried to become more heavy, more trippy, more in touch with the times. Rather than do just that, they doubled down on the distinctive sound that made them the Association.
July 28, 2025
Streamboat Willies
Wondermints 1: The Swimming Pool
The Wondermints listening experience creates a sensation of warm sun, cool water, and at times strangely enough, outer space and multiple dimensions.
July 28, 2025
Vinylville, USA
The Modern Lovers (1976)
How proto-punk legend Jonathan Richman’s decision to give up electricity and play soft-volume gigs at nursing homes broke up an iconic band.
July 23, 2025
Streamboat Willies
Andy Fell (1981)
A college kid falls out of his dormitory building in this cut from Human Sexual Response, but what actually went down during his descent?
July 23, 2025
Outlandish D'Amour
Sitting Still (1983)
This interpretation of a schoolboy drama between a deaf kid and his bully is a stretch, but when I hear the song, it’s what I hear.
July 22, 2025
Outlandish D'Amour
30 Century Man (1969)
Scott Walker has a suggestion for people wanting to experience life a thousand years from now. Internet listeners somehow miss the point.
July 22, 2025
Streamboat Willies
Ascension to Virginity (1968)
How a wordless song from the 1968 Candy movie soundtrack by a band that wasn’t a band may have spelled the end of an era of 60s sunshine pop.
July 22, 2025
Outlandish D'Amour
Arnold Layne (1967)
Why can’t you see what’s really happening in this Syd Barrett Pink Floyd classic?
June 30, 2025
Streamboat Willies
Harvest Festival (1997)
Heartfelt desire spelled out by a longing look on the English countryside as autumn retreats into winter in a spellbinding song by XTC.
June 30, 2025
Dreaming, Not Streaming
Your next favorite songs. Not available on streaming services.
Outlandish D’Amour
Gonzo interpretations of song lyrics and meanings that are often quite awesome.
Vibrationland
Happy vignettes on songs and albums and songs that sound great on vinyl.