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My Summer Lair

Think NPR's Fresh Air meets Kevin Smith: My Summer Lair with host Sammy Younan: interviews & impressions on Pop Culture.

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Category: Hidden Gem

Hidden Gem: Kid Rock “Don’t Tell Me How To Live”

Posted on November 19, 2021 By Sammy Younan No Comments on Hidden Gem: Kid Rock “Don’t Tell Me How To Live”

What else did you expect from a dude whose last few albums were called: Rebel Soul, Rock n Roll Jesus, Cocky and of course Born Free. If you’re outraged that’s straight up clickbait and hamming it up on social media. When Kid Rock tells you who he is…believe him.

Hidden Gem

Hidden Gem: Big Sean “What A Life”

Posted on October 22, 2021 By Sammy Younan No Comments on Hidden Gem: Big Sean “What A Life”

Big Sean Tweeted: “GOOD Music…that’s a forever brotherhood, but business wise, I had to start getting a bigger cut! I worked my way out that deal.” What A Life…

Hidden Gem

Hidden Gem: Sting “Rushing Water”

Posted on October 1, 2021 By Sammy Younan No Comments on Hidden Gem: Sting “Rushing Water”

Sting says, “The song Rushing Water is a fitting start to an album (The Bridge) that seeks to bridge all of the petty differences that can separate us.”

Hidden Gem

Hidden Gem: Elton John & Stevie Wonder “Finish Line”

Posted on September 24, 2021 By Sammy Younan No Comments on Hidden Gem: Elton John & Stevie Wonder “Finish Line”

Elton John says: “I haven’t heard Stevie sound so young since he was about 19, just before he did Talking Book; it’s an “Uptight Stevie.” Welcome to the Finish Line…

Hidden Gem

Hidden Gem: Yebba “Tiny Desk”

Posted on September 10, 2021 By Sammy Younan No Comments on Hidden Gem: Yebba “Tiny Desk”

Memphis singer-songwriter Yebba reworks songs from her debut album, Dawn from a room inside Electric Lady Studios for her Tiny Desk Concert.

Hidden Gem

Hidden Gem: Dani Doucette “Craved”

Posted on May 21, 2021 By Sammy Younan No Comments on Hidden Gem: Dani Doucette “Craved”

Dani says “So, when I talked to my video director Tyler Lorde, we came up with an idea that worked and also gave a little nod to one of my favourite sci-fi films, The Fifth Element.”

Hidden Gem

Hidden Gem: Ellis “Lover”

Posted on July 13, 2020 By Sammy Younan No Comments on Hidden Gem: Ellis “Lover”

Like Britney Spears before him, Drake’s success has created a cottage industry of covers most notably Lights who covered 13 tracks from Drake’s Scorpion album. Highly recommended: better than the originals. Like Drake before her, Taylor Swift’s success has created a cottage industry of covers most notably Ryan Adams who covered 13 tracks from Swift’s…

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Hidden Gem

Hidden Gem: David Byrne & Brian Eno “Strange Overtones”

Posted on July 6, 2020 By Sammy Younan

Yo we should talk! U2’s new SiriusXM Channel debuted on July 1st: U2 X-Radio. There’s mixed results with the dedicated bands channels: Tom Petty who is no longer with us just plays a lot of music. Bruce Springsteen’s channel has some cool moments though not enough of em. However, U2’s channel has actual legit programming:…

READ ON “Hidden Gem: David Byrne & Brian Eno “Strange Overtones”” »

Hidden Gem

Hidden Gem: The Streets “I Wish You Loved You As Much As You Love Him”

Posted on June 8, 2020 By Sammy Younan No Comments on Hidden Gem: The Streets “I Wish You Loved You As Much As You Love Him”

These Streets…yes: fresh new music from Mike Skinner. “This is a summer club song,” Skinner explains. Works for me. Plus it’s got that classic Streets title like Fit But You Know It, Never Went To Church and of course Dry Your Eyes. His album None of Us Are Getting Out of This Life Alive will…

READ ON “Hidden Gem: The Streets “I Wish You Loved You As Much As You Love Him”” »

Hidden Gem

Hidden Gem: Jay Electronica “Fruits Of The Spirit”

Posted on March 16, 2020 By Sammy Younan No Comments on Hidden Gem: Jay Electronica “Fruits Of The Spirit”

Yeezus. Of course, Jay Electronica would drop his Snuffleupagus seen album A Written Testimony on Friday, March 13. In the midst of a pandemic. Though it was a most excellent way to kick off Friday. Ok Jay let’s see what ya got…on Fruits Of The Spirit. One minute and 34 seconds….yet he manages to drop…

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Hidden Gem

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  • #SetTheVCR: May 29 – June 04, 2023
    by Sammy Younan
    Wanna Manifest some excellent TV week? Then #SetTheVVCR we got Tough Love to TLC.
  • #SetTheVCR: May 22 – 28, 2023
    by Sammy Younan
    This week prepare: TV & #SetTheVCR are taking it to the #Max. If you're SmartLess about what to watch - perhaps your week has gone all #FUBAR - then you'll enjoy all these suggestions and puns so much Moore.
  • #SetTheVCR: May 15 – 21, 2023
    by Sammy Younan
    Did you hear the one about a Black Knight and an Ant-Man who were Missing? Why yes it's #SetTheVCR where it's all Love To Love You when it comes to TV.
  • #SetTheVCR: May 08 – 14, 2023
    by Sammy Younan
    A Time Traveler, A Man Who Can Fly, A Shapeshifter plus…lots more. Clearly it can only be #SetTheVCR.
  • #SetTheVCR: May 01 – 07, 2023
    by Sammy Younan
    This week there's Bupkis on TV! So break outta your Silo and lean back in your White House; I'm Sheeran lots of #SetTheVCR recommendations. Guess How Much? Free…love!
  • #SetTheVCR: April 24 – 30, 2023
    by Sammy Younan
    Citadel on the couch as it's a fresh #SetTheVCR where we say goodbye to James Corden and David Bowie but say hello to lots of new TV.
  • #SetTheVCR: April 17 – 23, 2023
    by Sammy Younan
    Anybody who has been Ghosted with enjoy this week's #SetTheVCR: From Tupac to Duran Duran. So Scrap your plans; no need to be a Diplomat and Bring It On!
  • #SetTheVCR: April 10 – 16, 2023
    by Sammy Younan
    It's a TV week of Titans as the NBA Playoffs tip-off. There's Barry good TV recommendations so punch your Ticket to Paradise: It's #SetTheVCR.
  • #SetTheVCR: April 03 – 09, 2023
    by Sammy Younan
    From Beef to Beats to Babies to Boris Becker this week's #SetTheVCR is beautifully bodacious. Believe that!
  • #CouchWorthy: March 2023
    by Sammy Younan
    It’s hard to believe but we’re basically into April. Spring has sprung. However, before we leave March behind here are some TV highlights that are #CouchWorthy. Maybe you missed em or didn’t hear about em. What about something fresh? Or something different? Or fun! Then here ya go!
  • MSL Space Station Oddity: DCEU Is Pee-Ew | Batgirl vs HBO MaxAugust 5, 2022
    Sammy & Rob Gaudette discuss and review the status of the DCEU following the cancellation of Batgirl on HBO Max. Rob still has hope.
  • MSL Space Station Oddity: Contact Photography Festival 2022 | Culture SnapMay 12, 2022
    Sammy is joined by photographer Henry VanderSpek aka Culture Snap to discuss and recommend a happy handful of Contact Photography Festival exhibitions.
  • MSL Space Station Oddity: A Taylor Hawkins MemorialMarch 28, 2022
    Sammy & Stephanie discuss the shocking and sad passing of Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins on March 25, 2022.
  • MSL Space Station Oddity: All The Batmans | Keaton To Nipples to BatfleckMarch 10, 2022
    Sammy & Stephanie discuss All The Batmans: from Michael Keaton to Ben Affleck.
  • MSL Space Station Oddity: 2021 Induction Ceremony | Rock & Roll Hall of FameNovember 25, 2021
    Sammy & Stephanie discuss their happy highlights from the 2021 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.

  • Yaron Weitzman (Tanking to the Top) and Sammy Younan in My Summer Lair 148
    Under-Review: Tanking to the Top: The Philadelphia 76ers
    by Sammy Younan
    Tanking to the Top: The Philadelphia 76ers and the Most Audacious Process in the History of Professional Sportsby Yaron WeitzmanPublished by Grand Central Publishing on March 17, 2020NBA // Non-Fiction // 76ers One of the best lines in Yaron Weitzman’s NBA book: “Hinkie triggered a culture war.” Tanking to the Top: The Philadelphia 76ers and...

    READ ON “Under-Review: Tanking to the Top: The Philadelphia 76ers” »

  • New Book Alert: January 10-14, 2022
    by Sammy Younan

    My weekly collection of new and notable books for your pop culture pleasure and edification: #ReadMoreTweetLess.

  • New Book Alert: January 3-7, 2022
    by Sammy Younan

    My weekly collection of new and notable books for your pop culture pleasure and edification: #ReadMoreTweetLess.

  • New Book Alert: November 8-12, 2021
    by Sammy Younan

    My weekly collection of new and notable books for your pop culture pleasure and edification: #ReadMoreTweetLess.

  • New Book Alert: November 1-5, 2021
    by Sammy Younan

    My weekly collection of new and notable books for your pop culture pleasure and edification: #ReadMoreTweetLess.

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