Blue Plate Special: Deep Dives for the New Year

by Christian Buckley · Published December 31, 2022 · Updated April 1, 2024

To close out 2022, I thought I’d use this Blue Plate Special to share not one, but five “deep dive” playlists from Spotify that are in heavy rotation within my home. These are not just the biggest hits — in fact, many of the hits may be missing from these lists, which instead focus on the deep tracks. Check them out, and enjoy the new year!

Duran Duran Hidden Gems

Covering 40+ years of hits and deep tracks, DD remains my all-time favorite band. In fact, later this evening they’ll be ringing in the new year at Times Square with Ryan Seacrest, if you’re interested. These are all of my favorites. Hope you like it.

Budd-Esque

If you’re interested in something more ambient and soothing, check out this list that is inspired by one of my favorite composers and musicians, Harold Budd. The list also includes Cocteau Twins, Brian Eno, This Mortail Coil, Michael Brook, Bethany Curve, Trent Reznor (of Nine Inch Nails fame), David Sylvian, and SharePoint community expert, Keith Ritchie.

Psychedelic Furs

This list includes 41 of my favorite Furs, as well as side project Love Spit Love, with the unique vocals and amazing songwriting of band leader Richard Butler. Another 80s band that is still out there, touring and creating new music. One of the best new wave / alternative rock bands of the 80s, 90s, and 2000s.

Depeche Mode Essentials

While I expect some grief from a couple friends (Alistair, for one) over my selections here, but as with my Duran Duran playlist above, this list does not include every DM single and hit, but focuses more on the deep tracks and remixes. I’m a fan of all of it, but wanted to create a list of the less traveled tunes (by the mainstream, that is).

ThePETEBOX Favorites

And finally, ThePETEBOX is a drummer and award-winning beatboxer with pure musical talent, these songs are largely created using loops and his voice along with his guitar, to create some truly amazing music. I first discovered him when he performed, in a single sitting without edits, the Pixies song Where is My Mind. Worth a look. My son Preston and I caught one of his live shows in Pete’s hometown of Nottingham, England a few years back. I’m also a fan of his former band, led by his brother, called Swimming.