Weekend Music Roundup

The lazy days of winter are fast approaching their end, much to my dismay. Spring will be here soon, and then the dreaded summer season. So for this weekend, I'm taking a look at the kind of albums I like to listen to in the bleakness of winter before the typical flood of new music descends upon us in the coming months. These are albums that I've listened to over the winter, some new and some old, some jazz and some not. Enjoy.

Alexandra Savior - The Archer: The second album from the L.A. indie pop performer is one of the early 2020 releases getting a lot of attention. Her first album, released back in 2017, barely registered, but this one is getting noticed. Perhaps its because this certainly sounds like it could be Lana Del Ray's sister, or Fiona Apple's cousin, or perhaps is simply because it's pretty darned good. Sure, it's has a sound, that washed out California sunshine sadness sound, that loungey Sunset Strip vibe, that beautiful sound that makes us love Lana and Fiona, and now this.

Johnny Hartman - All of Me: Originally released in '57 under the title The Debonair Mr. Hartman, this version was re-released in '78. This is Hartman in his Big Band era. His voice is huge in these recordings. As much as the voices of other standard singers are celebrated, it's always amazed me how little mention Johnny gets. "Tenderly," "Birth of the Blues," and "The End of a Love Affair" are personal favorites on this romantic ballads album that transcends the genre. 

Moana - In the Allure: This is the debut full length album from the Perth heavy psych band, released this past fall. I was attracted to this because of the cover which reminds me of images that I've compiled on a Pinterest Board entitled "Dark Imagination." I was rewarded by taking a chance. This is a chaotic album that is wonderfully menacing noise rock. This has a similar, if not darker, sound as Le Butcherettes, which was one of my favorite albums of last year.

Ten Years After - Ten Years After: The 1967 debut from the London psychedelic blues band is one of those albums I always meant to check out, but just never did. I found a beautiful vinyl copy (with a beat to hell sleeve) a little while back for a few dollars. Even then, I had it over two weeks before listening to it (I'm really not sure what it is about this record). Well, it's fantastic. Like Doors meeting early Floyd. It's that mix of British Blues and early London psych scene. 

That Dog. - that dog.: The debut album from the L.A. band was originally released in 1993, and then re-released in '94 on Geffen. It would be easy to classify this a rrriot grrl band, simply because it's lo-fi indie rock made by three sisters in the time where all bands of that sort were lumped together. But there's a softness to this record that makes it more characteristic of other indie bands like Drop Nineteens and Enormous that separates from the more garage punk sound of bands like Babes in Toyland or Bikini Kill. This was a very nostalgic listen for me, bringing right back to those summers in High School when this would have been an album I clung to.   

Roger Hodgson - In the Eye of the Storm: Released in 1984, this is the solo debut from the Supertramp member. It's more prog-pop than prog-rock and features a lot of synth effects that establish it very much of it's era. At moments it reminds me of The Wall and Hodgson definitely channels his inner Roger Waters on this record. Some great moments on here, and some weaker moments, all of which makes for a decent listen.

Fiction Friday (99)

It's clear that over the past few decades, we've come to live in a world dominated by series, trilogies, and extended universes. I will not deny that I'm a fan of this trend, though I will admit that it has diminished the creative spark in some ways. It seems that it's no longer enough to create a great story, you to create a great story that exists in a world that can be exploited for all its worth. The most recent book I read falls into that category. It takes place in a world I first encountered some 25 years ago, and probably would have ignored if I hadn't been reintroduced to that world through the HBO series. I'm glad I was, because sometimes it's nice to visit familiar places.

The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage by Philip Pullman
(Knopf 2017)

Set several years before The Golden Compass, this book shares the extraordinary circumstances by which a baby Lyra comes to be in the care of Jordan College and under the protection of Scholastic Sancutary.

This isn't really Lyra's story though, it's the story of an 11 year old boy named Malcolm and the bravery he shows in keeping Lyra safe. Malcolm lives with his parents in Oxford, helping them tend to their tavern, The Trout, and taking care of his canoe, La Bell Sauvage. Malcolm's destiny takes a turn one afternoon when he witnesses something shocking. This event will begin an epic journey or rescue, escape, discovery, and friendship.

For those who are familiar with Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy, this story will fascinate, while not really revealing anything new about that saga. It certainly adds to the world, including magical fantasy elements that didn't seem to exist in the original books. While I really liked those scenes, I will admit that they were a bit jarring as the original world didn't include them, as far as the reader knew. I also felt the book dragged a bit in the beginning and didn't really pick up until Malcolm was joined by the fierce Alice on their flight through the flood.

All in all, I really enjoyed this book, but was left unsure of why it had to be attached to those books, other than the obvious sales implications. It easily could have stood alone as something complete different and separate.

Weekend Music Roundup

The weekend is here. There a couple of newer albums on here, a bunch from 2019 that I didn't get to in 2019, as well as some older albums that have been waiting for their moment on the Roundup. This is one of those kitchen sink lists with folk, rock, metal and hip-hop. Something for everyone, so go on and dig in. As always, enjoy.

Big Thief - Two Hands: This is one of those albums that I missed in 2019. Though it's the fourth album in four years from the Brooklyn indie band, they were completely unknown to me until I started seeing it pop up on people's favorites lists. This is an album that is true indie folk in the sense that it blends the two genres. Adrianne's voice is amazing and really delivers these songs right to the soul. "Not" and "Replaced" are two of the best songs I've heard in this genre in a long time. Perfect for fans of Smoke Fairies and First Aid Kit. 

ShitKid - Duo Limbo: This is the third album from the Swedish lo-fi indie band. Naturally, with a band name like that, I was tempted to research them and what I found sounded interesting enough to give it a listen. They mix power pop with indie rock the way the riot grrl movement did in the '90s. They definitely have heroes in bands like Bikini Kill. The result is a fun album that has all songs in English on side A and in Swedish on side B. "Eagles Over America," "Feels like the Movies," and "Anger MGMT" are my personal favorites. 

Violent Femmes - Hotel Last Resort: The iconic Milwaukee folk punk band's second album since re-forming in earnest a few years ago is their 11th studio album to date, coming 35 years after their debut. Now this is one of those bands that has suffered from the pure brilliance of their debut album, an album that they have never truly been able to match. However, it doesn't mean their other material isn't worth a listen. This album is a bit hit or miss, and doesn't stray far from the style they developed so long ago, it just sort of lacks the hunger and passion. "God Bless America," "I'm Not Gonna Cry," and the title track (featuring Tom Verlaine of Television) are standout tracks.  

Zaum - Divination: The fourth album from the Canadian doom metal band came out last spring. This is a band that I'd been meaning to check out for some time and finally got around to it. The album consists of three lengthy tracks that create soundscapes typical of stoner doom metal. It's heavy, eerie, sludgy, and quite well done. Certainly not an album for everyday, but when you feel like escaping into this world, it feels just right. 

Eagles - Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975: This compilation is the best selling album all-time in the U.S., having sold more than 30 million copies since it's release in 1975. Any one who grew up in the 70's and 80's, such as myself, undoubtedly knows every one of these songs. That's kind of always been my problem with this album, just way too familiar. Familiarity breeds contempt. The trick for me this time was that I haven't really heard many of these songs in over twenty years and so listening to it now, it was wonderfully nostalgic. The Eagles managed to blend country and folk rock into tunes that were easy to listen to, yet felt special somehow. 

Knxwledge - Wt.Prt10.8: The L.A. based, NJ born artist has released dozens of albums and mix tapes in the past seven years. This mix tape comes from 2017. He does a lot of experimental hip-hop and glitch hop, which makes for an interesting listen when combined with clearly talented flow. Everything feels very fluid and stream of consciousness, which it has to be in order to be so prolific. Nothing is over thought or over produced and the rawness is what makes it worthwhile. "Sneakin," "Runninsprints," and "eggwhites" are standouts on this brief EP.

The Way Time Goes...

It's been one of those strange weeks, one where the quick passage of time really hits home. It feels like just yesterday when our daughter was just as seed that we were waiting meet. This week, I had to fill out paperwork to register her Kindergarten...and renew her passport. 

The oddest thing about your child getting older, changing from baby to toddler to actual kid, is that they are quickly at the age where your own memories start in earnest. I have so many clear memories of the months leading up the Kindergarten and it's odd to think that these are times she will remember too.

Weekend Music Roundup

The weekend is here, a weekend for celebrating all loser presidents who have nothing on our current would-be king...I'm jesting of course, though I know it's hard to tell sometimes because his cult following might actually say words to the same effect. But let's forget about politics and focus on music. Good music. This week I'm sharing a few great records that truly impressed me, and mostly from artists who were new to me at the time of listening to these albums. It's the spirit of exploration that makes this journey so interesting. Enjoy.

Pink Cigs - Pink Cigs: The debut album from the UK stoner rock band is the first super solid album of 2020 for me. Now I think it's fair to say that there is little to distinguish one stoner rock band from next, and I suppose that's sort of true. It would be hard to find differences between this album and Kadavar for example. It follows the blueprint for good stoner rock, a path of heavy rhythm section and classic 70s heavy rock vocals. It doesn't sound like I'm singing the praises for this, but I am. You could slip this album onto your shelf of classics and it would fit right in, in a way that bands like Wolfmother and Greta Van Fleet try to but fail at in my opinion.

Paul Orwell - Smut: The third album from the London garage rocker came out last summer. My first thought was that it sounds a lot like the early Kills, which makes sense as they were the premier garage rock revival band of the 00s. There's a sleaze rock factor to this that I really love, and it's certainly an album that I would have loved back in the day. That said, I still really like it. "Hot Bitch," "Hot Air - Loud Noise," "Speak of the Devil," "Out of Here," and "Out of Love" are standouts on this solid album. 

The Holy Modal Rounders - The Moray Eels Eat the Holy Modal Rounders: The early mid-60's Village folk scene in NYC produced legends, but it also had a very vibrant "freak folk" or "psychedelic folk" scene. One of the leading bands on that seen was The Fugs. This band is an offshoot of that band. Released in '69, this is their fourth album and its deliciously weird, but the thing about them is that there is enough of a sense of melody and structure that it's a great listen. It reminds me of "Trout Mask Replica" in many ways. "Werewolf," "Dame Fortune," and "Mobile Line" are favorites.  

Supertramp - Crisis? What Crisis?: Released in '75, this is the fourth album from the London pop prog band, right in the teeth of their popularity and creative output. It opens with the fantastic double punch of "Easy Does It" and "Sister Moonshine." This has a strong late era Pink Floyd vibe to it, and feels like a more listenable The Wall. It maintains the eerie elements that would surface in Roger Waters' work, but keeps a groove that keeps it moving, making it a superior album in my opinion. "Ain't Nobody But Me," "Soapbox Opera," and "Lady" are standouts for me on this gem of a record. 

Melvins / Flipper - Hot Fish: This is a new collaboration between two bands from the old school American alt punk scene. The first side of the album consists of the two bands playing together, and the second side is the Melvins covering Flipper. Flipper is a band that's had a revolving door of members that have included Krist Novoselic (Nirvana) and currently includes David Yow (Scratch Acid, Jesus Lizard). Because it's a collaboration, we see the Melvins crew deviate a little from their classic sound, but not too much. An interesting EP, but probably only for fans.

Devil's Kitchen - Devil's Kitchen: Formed in San Fran back in '68, this short-lived band never released an album, until this archival release came out in 2011. This has that classic San Fran blues psych sound from that time and the musicians are totally competent, it's just a matter of chance I suppose that they didn't make it while others did. Certainly not a "lost classic" by any means, but quality stuff that deserved to see the light of day. Most of this album was recorded live in the legendary Family Dog Ballroom, where all the big San Fran bands of the time passed through.

The Story Continues...

It's been some time since I've posted about writing, but I've actually been making real progress on the latest manuscript that I've been working on for nearly a year. I'm currently writing a chapter that I feel is the clear half-way point in the story and as I write it, so much of the story is becoming clearer. Anyone who has ever written a novel knows the joy of that feeling. 

I've always found that story creation contains many phases. There is the initial inspiration where the buds of the story sprout. In that early stage, there is so much excitement as to the possibilities that may arise from the idea you've committed to. There is a first burst of pages that seem to spew out, but after a bit you find yourself in the mire of the story. You're doing a lot of technical work, a lot of map reading trying to figure out where the hell you're going.

For me, I find that by the end of the first third of a story, I'm muddling around a little. I've introduced the elements that will come into play. I've started to weave them together. But then there is that moment where you have to make real choices in order to provide direction. You have to take the lose threads you've left dangling and tie them together And just when it begins to feel hopeless, the clouds part...at least, if you're lucky they do.

The clouds have began to part in my story and the view is clear. It will get muddy again, but for now, I will plow ahead into the daylight.

Weekend Music Roundup

The weekend has arrived. This week I'm sharing with you all a bunch of records that I'd been jamming to of late. Most are not from this year, with the exception of the first one, which was certainly well-timed for release and is quite fantastic. This is a big mix of jazz, rock, and hip-hop, which every list probably should be in my opinion. Hopefully there's something here that you'll want to check out. Enjoy.

Billie Eilish - Live at Third Man Records: Recorded in November, before Billie swept up at the Grammy's and exploded into mainstream fame, this beautiful acoustic show demonstrates a different side of the teen phenom. Anyone who doubted her talent from her incredible album needs to listen to this and it should be undeniable that she is destined for more huge things in the future. Jack White has always had his finger on the pulse and once again scored big by bringing her in to do this show and record it to vinyl. 

Antipop Consortium - Arrhythmia: This was the third album from the NYC hip-hop group, released in 2002 and recently re-issued. This was a time in hip-hop when everything went back to commercial after a period in the '90s when the underground took over. Because of that, I soured a bit on hip hop in those days, the days of Puffy and 50 Cent and the like...but I should have been tuned into these guys who were working hard to keep it real for my hometown at the time. The rhymes are strictly east coast hard rap, and the beats are quirky but grooving. Altogether a really good album made in a really down time for the genre. Definitely should have been bumping this back in the day. But I guess it's never too late. 

The Litter - Wretch: This psychedelic rock band from Minneapolis released three albums from '67 to '69 before disbanding. Having recently re-formed, this archival release of previously rare and unreleased tracks emerged. I'm certain encouraged to search out any of their three albums as this is a fine example of late 60's heavy psych. This was a few years ahead of its time for sure and the kind of band than people like me love to discover and wonder what the hell was wrong with people at the time. 

Miles Davis - My Funny Valentine: Recorded in 1964, at the peak of his popularity, this is one of the best Miles live recordings I've encountered. I picked this up in the $5 jazz bin at the local shop, and it's a bargain and twice the price. This is a tight performance, and though a lot of people like Miles when he wanders, I happen to appreciate the tightness captured in this performance. This finds him on the cusp of his hard bop career before he moves into modal jazz. An excellent record. 

Big Country - Steeltown: Released in 1984, this the UK rock band's second album and my first introduction to them. This could be considered early "alt" rock, along the lines of R.E.M., or early U2, or The Triffads, but this has a bit of a new wave edge to it, though it's clearly rock. There are also obvious Peter Gabriel influences. Very political, and still sounds pretty solid. "East of Eden," "Girl with Grey Eyes," "Where the Rose is Sown," "The Great Divide," title track.

Lower Slaughter - Some Things Take Time: The second album from the British sludge metal band was released this past spring. I'm always interested in hearing heavy music fronted by women and they always bring something different than the usual slew of bands. That said, this album is aptly titled in that I feel there is some development that needs to take place. It has all the right elements, just lacks that spark that is really for it settle in and become more memorable.

Enter the Dragon

I've recently taken the plunge into the world of Dungeons & Dragons. Now, this is a world that interested me back in Middle School, but one which I didn't truly explore until a few months ago, and it began with a project for work. One of the great things about my job is that I get to research and participate in things that I otherwise would avoid. This certainly falls into that category.

After hearing about other libraries having success in creating D&D clubs for teens, I decided to pursue it. I put up a flyer soliciting basic interest and had a few kids add their names. When we held our first meeting to create characters, I was expecting four people...fourteen showed up. Needless to say, having never played, let alone been a Dungeon Master, I felt a bit overwhelmed. But never one to back down from a creative challenge, I went ahead. After all, I figured if children can play it, so can I.

After many YouTube tutorials and extensive reading, I held our first dungeon crawl about a month ago. Although I was winging it, I pretty much nailed it. Tomorrow, I'm holding our first campaign (the group has since been split, so I have a manageable number of players).  I feel prepared, and by that, I feel prepared for the unpreparable as D&D often becomes.

Weekend Music Roundup

It's the Super weekend, but as you are busy stuffing yourself with snack foods and beer, you might want to take a break from the bad music and think about some good music. As promised last week, I've listed some 2020 albums from bands I'd been looking forward to hearing new material from. I've also put some albums that I've recently picked up, mostly new, but one old jazz record. Hopefully there's something that scores with you today. Enjoy.

Wolf Parade - Thin Mind: It seems like just yesterday that these guys released their comeback album, but it has been almost three years. Their fifth album follows the same established sound that they've been pursuing for years, with Dan and Spencer playing off each other's strengths and alternating songs. This has always kept their albums fresh and interesting throughout and this is no different. It's funny though, it clearly has a "00's - '10s" indie sound to it. Strange how that can be pinpointed now. Another solid album by a band that has always been solid. 

Monoski - Pool Party: The second album from the Swiss duo was released in 2015 and was gifted to me from my Mother in-law in Switzerland. She picked this album out with the help of the shop owner in their town, a shop I've visited many times. They did a fantastic job as this is a wonderful noise rock album in the vein of Death From Above.  It's chaotic in ways, but maintains a structure, which is the best kind of noise rock in my opinion. You can listen to some of it on their Bandcamp site (linked above). 

The Frights - Everything Seems Like Yesterday: The fourth album from the San Diego indie band was released early in 2020. I really enjoyed their second record, You're Going to Hate This, but missed their next one that came out in 2018. So I'm not sure what the sound of that one was, but this is a departure from the second record. More introspective, more acoustic, this is feels very different, but not in a bad way. A very solid effort from a band that I will continue to watch.

Myles Kennedy - Year of the Tiger: This is the 2018 solo album from the Alter Bridge singer and Slash collaborator. The Washington native has that Seattle sound to his voice that reminds me of Mark Lanegan. There's a clear blues influence on here that works great, giving the entire album this haunting should. The title track is my favorite, and is one of the best songs of its type that I've heard in a long time.

Johnny Hartman - I Just Dropped By to Say Hello: Released in '64, in the peak of the jazz vocalist's career, this is one of his signature records. He captures the sound of late night loneliness better than anyone. Unlike a lot of the standards singers of the time, Johnny is accompanied by outstanding jazz musicians. "Charade," "In the Wee Small Hours," "Don't Call It Love," and the title track are standouts on a fantastic record.

Czarface and MF DOOM - Czarface Meets Metalface: For the past six years Wu Tang founding member Inspectah Deck has been releasing albums under the Czarface moniker, and collaborated with MF DOOM on this 2018 release. It's kind of a dream team of East Coast Hip Hop and it doesn't disappoint. Typical of the genre, it has incredible beats, hard hitting lyrics and kicks from start to finish. Excellent album for NYC hard core fans.