tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65038996893333069302024-03-13T20:57:46.316-07:00Saving the World One Story at a TimeBrian Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08547208018232793140noreply@blogger.comBlogger1586125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503899689333306930.post-41370244214271851762021-10-11T05:32:00.001-07:002021-10-11T05:32:00.214-07:00JoJo Rabbit<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://static2.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Jojo-Rabbit-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="800" height="231" src="https://static2.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Jojo-Rabbit-poster.jpg" width="462" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I recently watched <i>JoJo Rabbit, </i>a movie from 2019 that came highly recommended and movie that was not streaming anywhere. Thankfully, my library had it on DVD and I borrowed. I could talk about this movie for days, discussing the many reasons I loved it. But I will simply urge you all to see it and will write this two word review:</p><h1 style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Absolutely Brilliant!</span></i></h1><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://hotcorn-cdn.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2019/12/05104620/jojo-rabbit2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="800" height="245" src="https://hotcorn-cdn.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2019/12/05104620/jojo-rabbit2.jpg" width="445" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Brian Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08547208018232793140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503899689333306930.post-17597940674706921482021-10-09T06:30:00.001-07:002021-10-09T06:30:00.214-07:00Weekend Music Roundup<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6fTgtgu-NT4/YWDg4elOX2I/AAAAAAAARQw/bu1CCQMG-Jk_UikeM7dhVEI94q5sYCQQACPcBGAsYHg/s618/weekend%2Bmusic%2Broundup%2Blogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="463" data-original-width="618" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6fTgtgu-NT4/YWDg4elOX2I/AAAAAAAARQw/bu1CCQMG-Jk_UikeM7dhVEI94q5sYCQQACPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/weekend%2Bmusic%2Broundup%2Blogo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">It's the weekend...and it's a long weekend. For the holiday weekend, I've decided to make this list a jazz list. They say jazz is the only true American art form and as we take time over the next few days to think about the collision of east and west, it might be nice to celebrate something good that came out of that collision that had so many devastating effects on culture. But out of the melting pot that was created, jazz was born.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://img.discogs.com/isgTcSlgi7Z52Btjkj80x8ytdV4=/fit-in/360x360/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-3968722-1350860596-5063.jpeg.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="360" height="320" src="https://img.discogs.com/isgTcSlgi7Z52Btjkj80x8ytdV4=/fit-in/360x360/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-3968722-1350860596-5063.jpeg.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.discogs.com/Stuff-Smith-Sweet-Swingin-Stuff/release/3968722">Stuff Smith - Sweet Swingin' Stuff</a>:
Over the past several years, Stuff has become one of my favorite jazz
artists. A rare jazz artist whose instrument is violin, he plays it in a
way unlike anyone else. He transforms this typically formal instrument
in a tool to create swing music. Released in 1959, this album features a
ton of Stuff vocals that are truly endearing. Of the four Stuff albums I
own, this one is the most traditional. It's a wonderful example of
swing jazz and is just super cool. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/8ed01bfdde5b6dbf3f3294644f16dbbf/2321180" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="503" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/8ed01bfdde5b6dbf3f3294644f16dbbf/2321180" width="318" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/cannonball-adderley/cannonball-enroute/">Cannonball Adderly - Cannonball Enroute</a>:
One of four albums released by saxophonist in '61, and one of dozens
released in the period that covered the seven year period at the height
of his career. Hard Bop has always been my favorite jazz genre, though
in the past few years, I've moved into exploring others, so when I do
pick up a hard bop record, it always grabs me right way, pulling my back
into that joyful space. Sam Jones on bass and Julian Mance on piano are
pretty brilliant on here. "Lover Man (Oh Where Can You Be)" and "A
Foggy Day" are mesmerizingly good. </div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/s/f79504321e9edc307aeadcfea5360874/2127416" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="458" data-original-width="450" height="320" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/s/f79504321e9edc307aeadcfea5360874/2127416" width="314" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/dizzy-gillespie-django-reinhardt/jazz-from-paris-dizzy-and-django/">Dizzy Gillespie and Django Reinhardt - Jazz from Paris</a>:
The Verve label split album was released in '56 and recorded in the
early 50s. By this time Dizzy had already had a blistering career,
playing with all the giants and having made a name for himself as
trumpeter. He was already popular in Paris and he plays here with string
accompaniment. It's mellow fairy tale recording and quite pretty, if
not altogether essential. The Django Reinhardt side was an afterthought
for me, but ended up being the star. The Gypsy guitarist totally swings
on this eerie recording, which was done only months before he died. If
Dizzy captures the romance of Paris, Django captures the underworld of
Paris. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/s/221ba6a4078c9a62e047a99374d83452/2934263" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/s/221ba6a4078c9a62e047a99374d83452/2934263" width="319" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/gerry_mulligan_and_chet_baker/timeless/">Gerry Mulligan/Chet Baker - Timeless</a>:
Though not released until '63, these recordings were made between '52
and '54. There was a lot of improvisation going on in the quartet in
those days, with the two legends of cool jazz playing off of each other
and essentially inventing the genre. There's something magical in these
recordings, like a soundtrack taken from a dreamworld. The version of
"My Funny Valentine" on here is pretty mind-blowing. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/738b39627db098b876810bc60e9a0d0d/4435749" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="476" data-original-width="497" height="309" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/738b39627db098b876810bc60e9a0d0d/4435749" width="323" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/jonah-jones/jumpin-with-jonah/">The Jonah Jones Quartet - Jumpin' With Jonah</a>:
Released in '58, this was the height of the swing jazz trumpeter's
career. Having worked with Stuff Smith and Cab Calloway, Jonah was well
versed and at the top of his game. Often referred to as King Louis II,
Jones has that same riverboat style as Louis Armstrong, and spent a lot
of his career unable to pull out of that shadow. But let's face it,
there are worse shadows to have to live in, and this album proves to me
that he deserved his own spotlight. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/42a0228614bcb35b70145bd54a2f7a60/1850539" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="450" height="290" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/42a0228614bcb35b70145bd54a2f7a60/1850539" width="306" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/comp/charlie-parker/volume-v/">Charlie Parker - Volume V</a>:
I've been coming across these Everest Records Archive of Folk and Jazz
records in the cheap bins for years and always snatch them up. I already
have Charlie Volume 3 and 4 so was pretty excited to add this one to
the mix. Charlie is an icon for a reason. He is a master at the Bop and
swing sound. This compilation features some great recordings, and like
all albums in this series, I recommend picking them up if you come
across them. </p><p style="text-align: left;"><span class="tracklist_title"><span itemprop="name"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="tracklist_title"><span itemprop="name"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pz7aJ5D7uWg/YSROgL7q52I/AAAAAAAARNQ/-P5agn2x4l8elSrFS1twfyEGb16XLaUJgCNcBGAsYHQ/s300/41Wi4T%252BXVXL.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="300" height="319" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pz7aJ5D7uWg/YSROgL7q52I/AAAAAAAARNQ/-P5agn2x4l8elSrFS1twfyEGb16XLaUJgCNcBGAsYHQ/w320-h319/41Wi4T%252BXVXL.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></div><span class="tracklist_title"><span itemprop="name"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/various-artists/pretty-baby/">Pretty Baby Original Motion Picture Soundtrack</a>:
I don't typically go for soundtracks, but this one is basically just a
New Orleans jazz comp featuring some of the great players of the time
doing some of the classic tunes from the earliest days of jazz. There
was promotional copy in the $2 bin and I figured there was nothing
loose. I was right, a pretty fantastic record that contains none of the
usual soundtrack filler that turns me off. </span></span><p></p><p><span class="tracklist_title"><span itemprop="name"> </span></span> <br /></p>Brian Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08547208018232793140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503899689333306930.post-30335596950162644332021-10-08T17:22:00.001-07:002021-10-08T17:22:03.889-07:00Fiction Friday (143)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Bz_5tbPbSc/YWDbqlMtPMI/AAAAAAAARQk/VrmyxuLNjGwq4i7lil3G1XiCAJHpPs3gQCPcBGAsYHg/s1600/goodreading.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Bz_5tbPbSc/YWDbqlMtPMI/AAAAAAAARQk/VrmyxuLNjGwq4i7lil3G1XiCAJHpPs3gQCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/goodreading.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I made the choice several weeks ago to dive into a Middle Grade series that had been on my list for some time. I'm quickly learning that it might have been a mistake because I'm totally hooked and will now be spending the foreseeable future living in the pages of the Lost Cities. On second thought, it's no mistake...I'm totally okay with that. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1365178949l/13260670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="463" data-original-width="318" height="320" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1365178949l/13260670.jpg" width="220" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13260670-exile"><i>Keeper of the Lost Cities: Exile</i></a> by Shannon Messenger</h3><h3 style="text-align: center;">(Aladdin, 2013) </h3><p><br /></p><p>Sophie has safely returned home from her ordeal with the mysterious kidnappers, but that doesn't mean all is well in her new life with the elves. Whoever was behind her abduction is still on the loose, and there are still lots of unanswered questions surrounding the organization that hid her among the humans; The Black Swan. And if that wasn't enough drama for the 13 year old prodigy, she now finds herself saddled with a goblin bodyguard and a newly discovered alicorn who won't stop transmitting her messages. Though these worries trouble Sophie, she soon learns that they pale in comparison to what is to happen next.</p><p>The second book in the bestselling series extends nearly 600 pages and is equally as engrossing as the first. It is one of those rare stories that has characters who are as compelling as the ever-expanding and involved story. The questions continue to grow, but thankfully readers are also given enough answers to satisfy their curiosity and leave them eager for more. </p><p> I can't wait to see Sophie and her friends encounter next. <br /></p><p> <br /></p>Brian Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08547208018232793140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503899689333306930.post-29508675481079393042021-09-25T08:30:00.001-07:002021-09-25T08:30:00.196-07:00Weekend Music Roundup<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zDFLtlKS2f4/YUzluY3SP-I/AAAAAAAARQE/xE0KVpyJCxYzNV7bYhfzM_rxq-bvF4yqgCPcBGAsYHg/s618/weekend%2Bmusic%2Broundup%2Blogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="463" data-original-width="618" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zDFLtlKS2f4/YUzluY3SP-I/AAAAAAAARQE/xE0KVpyJCxYzNV7bYhfzM_rxq-bvF4yqgCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/weekend%2Bmusic%2Broundup%2Blogo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">It's the first weekend of Autumn, and autumn has always been my favorite season for music listening. It usually changes my choose in mood for records, so I'll be pulling out some fall favorites soon. This was a week spent between jobs, recharging the batteries for new challenges, and absorbing music all day long. This week is a list of some of those, along with other relatively recent listens. Enjoy.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/2e764ed4853464094934c3068e7883de/3163270" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="590" height="315" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/2e764ed4853464094934c3068e7883de/3163270" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/patti-dahlstrom/patti-dahlstrom/">Patti Dahlstrom - Patti Dahlstrom</a>:
The Texas native moved to L.A. in her twenties to pursue a music
career, eventually landing a deal with the Uni label and releasing this
debut in 1972. It's a singer songwriter album with folk and soul roots
and reminds me of a more pop rock version of Sandy Hurvitz's work,
somewhere between the debut and her incarnation as Essra Mohawk. There's
a bit too much orchestration on here, designed to give it a more or a
Carol King feel that it doesn't really need. It opens with the brilliant
"Wait Like a Lady" and it grabbed me right away. "This Isn't An
Ordinary Love Song," "I'm Letting Go," and "Ollabelle and Slim" are standouts on this great album.<br /></div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/b26b1703a96d5d2247c8f86d6d48df31/1293456" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="286" height="313" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/b26b1703a96d5d2247c8f86d6d48df31/1293456" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/elevator-to-hell/eerieconsiliation/">Elevator to Hell - Eerieconsiliation</a>:
Released in '97, this was the fourth album from the Canadian lo-fi
band, but their first on Sub-Pop. It was recently remastered and that's
how I stumbled across it. I wasn't aware of this when it came out,
probably because I was kind of exclusively listening to British music in
'97, but I wish I'd heard this. It's a fantastic post-grunge
psychedelic lo-fi record. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/196de002a2a407f15756d5287ccf6ece/5082264" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="790" data-original-width="800" height="316" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/196de002a2a407f15756d5287ccf6ece/5082264" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/traffic/shoot_out_at_the_fantasy_factory/">Traffic - Shoot out at the fantasy factory</a>: Released in '73, two years after Dave Mason final exit from the band after their previous album <i>The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys</i>.
Yes, this is the sound of a band reaching their end, even the 3D album
cover is an attempt to repeat past success. However, this is still a
great album of blues inspired prog rock. You can hear the sound of the
70s really taking root on here, making it sound more like the <i>Eagles </i>than <i>Mr. Fantasy</i>. Even on the decline, this band is exceptional. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/fe913bd938e79e6430f00f82a42eed71/8398559" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/fe913bd938e79e6430f00f82a42eed71/8398559" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/delta-spirit/what-is-there/">Delta Spirit - What is There</a>:
Released last year, this is the fifth album from the Brooklyn (via
California) indie band. This album has a folk pop feel to it, and
reminds me of a ton of bands that makes this kind of music. This is
pretty solid, though not anything that I haven't heard before. Still,
this is a decent record and if indie folk is your thing, you can't
really go wrong with giving this a listen. "Can You Ever Forgive Me,"
"Home Again," "Lover's Heart," and the title track are standouts. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/27818a25a28e12b3d72d505c0dc28b41/8994366" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/27818a25a28e12b3d72d505c0dc28b41/8994366" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/no-kill/gold-chorus/">No Kill - Gold Chorus</a>:
The debut album from the Brooklyn indie duo was released this summer,
though the band has been releasing singles in EPs for a decade. This is
an interesting combination of psychedelic folk and dream pop that comes
off sounding like one of those great summer day albums. "Hallelujah," "A
Place," "Low Times," and the title track are personal favorites. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/4ecdf56412f817f0df859090988eaace/1661737" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="202" data-original-width="200" height="320" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/4ecdf56412f817f0df859090988eaace/1661737" width="317" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/the-ice-mans-band/introducing-the-ice-mans-band/">The Ice Man's Band - Introducing The Ice Man's Band</a>:
The introduction turned out to also be the farewell for this soul band.
This, their only album, was released in '72. They were Jerry Butler's,
"The Ice Man", back up band and went out and made this little record. I
found this album in a free bin, and the record was in good shape. I
couldn't resist checking it out. It's a nice piece of mellow soul that
certainly conjures that early 70s feeling. There's a great cover of
"Come Together" and some other groovy gems. <br /></p><p> </p><p> </p>Brian Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08547208018232793140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503899689333306930.post-24805766386178293722021-09-24T08:01:00.002-07:002021-09-24T08:01:00.200-07:00Fiction Friday (142)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FQ2roE_-OGw/YUtE-_5AOpI/AAAAAAAARP0/7Fi0fbqLyAo2xIjwmPhYlEsBXja1wAL5wCPcBGAsYHg/s1600/goodreading.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FQ2roE_-OGw/YUtE-_5AOpI/AAAAAAAARP0/7Fi0fbqLyAo2xIjwmPhYlEsBXja1wAL5wCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/goodreading.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I'm lucky enough that my child is now album to listen to a novel every now and then at bedtime. Sometimes she amazes me with how well she retains the story. The best part is that I get to read some of the children's novels that I've always wanted to read. Last year we read a few of the <i>Oz </i>books and they are delightful. Recently picked up this Baum book that isn't <i>Oz </i>related, though the characters from this book eventually find their way to <i>Oz</i> and have other adventures outside.<br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1517519660l/38323973._SX318_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="318" height="452" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1517519660l/38323973._SX318_.jpg" width="318" /></a></div><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/358488.The_Sea_Fairies"><i>The Sea Fairies </i></a>by L. Frank Baum</h3><h3 style="text-align: center;">Reilly and Lee, 1911</h3><p style="text-align: justify;">Nobody has ever met a mermaid and lived to tell the tale, or so Cap'n Bill tells his child friend, Trot. She doesn't believe the old sea captain. While the two are on a short boat trip, she is proven correct by when several brightly colored mermaids come to the surface and invite them to visit their underwater kingdom.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The ocean, it turns out, is populated with imaginative beings that one might encounter in Baum's <i>Oz </i>books or in a flooded Wonderland. As with both of those worlds, this one is the kind that takes a resourceful, brave girl to navigate safely through. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">This book is fun for any Baum fan, but unless your a die-hard, or a completist, stick with the first few Oz titles. Trot and Cap'n Bill would eventually star in two other Baum novels, and eventually visit the <i>Oz </i>series with book nine, <i>The Scarecrow of Oz</i>. <br /></p>Brian Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08547208018232793140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503899689333306930.post-69169730377125306672021-09-18T09:04:00.004-07:002021-09-18T09:04:40.596-07:00Weekend Music Roundup<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XwA8PQqTT2s/YUYMIIL4kmI/AAAAAAAARPg/xQiiCESvLXkvSo9bxNlTQAIGPQEy4yKBgCPcBGAsYHg/s618/weekend%2Bmusic%2Broundup%2Blogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="463" data-original-width="618" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XwA8PQqTT2s/YUYMIIL4kmI/AAAAAAAARPg/xQiiCESvLXkvSo9bxNlTQAIGPQEy4yKBgCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/weekend%2Bmusic%2Broundup%2Blogo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The weekend is here once again. I've been between jobs the few days, which has given me some time to catch up on some digital album listens as well as some recent vinyl pick-ups. It's another wide spanning of list of music from 60's through now, featuring mostly rock, but with some folk blues and indietronic thrown in. Happy exploring, everyone. Enjoy.<br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/a301510baf24baf38903165a69796e73/9297013" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/a301510baf24baf38903165a69796e73/9297013" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/the-bevis-frond/little-eden/">The Bevis Frond - Little Eden</a>:
Indie psych icon Nick Saloman's newest album. This guy has been making
great records since the mid-80s, consistently great records that I've
been listening to since the mid-90s. Over the past 35+ years, the sound
hasn't changed much, lots of fuzzy guitar and apathetic vocals that feel
very David Gilmour-esque. This is another fine album in a rich catalog
of fine albums. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/cfa75af20e3a2c5cf9eca46e0e5d7a18/2900294" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="496" height="320" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/cfa75af20e3a2c5cf9eca46e0e5d7a18/2900294" width="319" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/blues-magoos/never-goin-back-to-georgia/">Blues Magoos - Never Going Back to Georgia</a>:
Formed in the early '60s in the Bronx, these guys started out as a
psychedelic garage band. By 1969, and the release of this album, their
fourth, they had developed into a blues rock band, much less garage and
much less psychedelic. For that reason, a lot of people do not like this
album, finding more generic than their earlier albums. I can respect
that, but this is a solid blues rock album that feels more like <i>The Doors </i>than anything else. "The Hunter," and "Getting Off" are my personal favorites. </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/35aa55611a49472a4ae1d5f2d5287c84/8630965" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/35aa55611a49472a4ae1d5f2d5287c84/8630965" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/ep/emma-ruth-rundle-thou/the-helm-of-sorrow/">Thou and Emma Ruth Rundle - The Helm of Sorrow</a>: This 2021 EP is the second collaboration between the sludge metal band <i>Thou</i>
and ERR (one of my favorite artists), following last years full length
album. This EP contains three songs from the sessions that produced the
album, and a cover of the Cranberries' "Hollywood". The combination of
styles on these collaborations are pretty interesting. Emma's voice
highlights the great guitar work and softens the growling vocals of <i>Thou</i>. A nice companion piece to the album. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/9195fda198a56c8dd4b73346474509e0/8976310" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/9195fda198a56c8dd4b73346474509e0/8976310" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/ep/half-moon-run/inwards-and-onwards/">Half Moon Run - Inwards and Onwards</a>: The newest EP from the Montreal indie band whose debut came out back in 2012. This is a mellow folk album that reminds me of <i>New Bums</i>
though a bit less psychedelic inspired. "On and On," "It's True," and
"Tiny" are my person favorites on this fine Sunday kind of album.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/4487de930cd0a3557b19fbd7feac9462/1326344" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="496" height="315" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/4487de930cd0a3557b19fbd7feac9462/1326344" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/styrofoam/nothings-lost/">Styrofoam - Nothing's Lost</a>: The forth album from the inditeronica band from Belgium came out in 2004 and features members of <i>Notwist, Death Cab for Cutie, </i>and
others. This is one of super chill-out albums that borders on ambient
and shoegaze, and is totally something I would have been jamming to in
college. It reminds me a bit of <i>Slowdive </i>meets <i>Boards of Canada</i>, which is a pretty great combination. "Couches in Alleys" is my personal favorite. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/421e9549835acd7cd008ef74ccb8056b/4923470" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="796" data-original-width="800" height="318" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/421e9549835acd7cd008ef74ccb8056b/4923470" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/dave_van_ronk/sings_the_blues_f1/">Dave Van Ronk - Sings the Blues</a>:
Originally released in '61 as Dave Van Ronk Sings Volume 2, this Verve
edition was released in '65. I also have Volume 1 as a re-issue titled
Gambler's Blues. Van Ronk is one of my favorite '60s Village folk
singers because he mixes folk and blues into something spiritual. Along
with Jackson C. Frank, Dave is one of the best, most honestly pained
voices in the 60s folk scene. So glad I was able to pick this up...and
for free, no less. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div><p> </p>Brian Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08547208018232793140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503899689333306930.post-74194674703863684982021-09-17T08:40:00.004-07:002021-09-17T08:40:51.874-07:00Fiction Friday (141)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T0C4CA06zZk/YUSzLBF8ztI/AAAAAAAARPU/vPCXmre0DasHs-eKgcnbMrFzaeQB1QJ4gCPcBGAsYHg/s1600/goodreading.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T0C4CA06zZk/YUSzLBF8ztI/AAAAAAAARPU/vPCXmre0DasHs-eKgcnbMrFzaeQB1QJ4gCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/goodreading.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm the kind of person that always has a fairly extensive list of books that I want to read, some of which linger there for years and others that find ways to leapfrog themselves to the top. After having avoided Middle Grade for the better part of a year, I was swept up again with <i>Hollowpox</i> and since a new Nevermoor book is a ways away, I decided to move into a series that I felt I'd been neglecting...a mistake that has now been corrected. <br /></div><div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1326469854l/12842828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="475" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1326469854l/12842828.jpg" width="317" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12842828-keeper-of-the-lost-cities?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=t08JGrziTt&rank=1"><i>Keeper of the Lost Cities</i></a> by Shannon Messenger</h3><h3 style="text-align: center;">(Aladdin , 2012)</h3><p style="text-align: justify;">Sophie is not like the other kids in school, and not simply because she's 12 years old and a senior in High School. She's always known she's different, but until one fateful field trip that leads to a strange encounter, Sophie has no idea just how different she truly is. And so begins the epic tale that has already spanned nine bestselling novels about a group of friends who inhabit a world that exists within our reach but beyond our understanding.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I had been unaware of this Middle Grade series until rather recently and finally found time to dive in. Though certainly in the <i>Harry Potter </i>realm (a school for talented magical kids, a hidden secret enemy, and a main character of destiny) it doesn't really feel the same, though the same fans are certainly reading it. The key to any great middle grade fantasy is that the characters, while having adventures one could only dream of, still suffer with the same dilemma's that readers can identify with. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">There's a clear reason why these books have been so popular for the last decade and I enjoyed every single one of the 450+ pages of this story...so much so, that I'm moving on to the second book on the same day I finished the first. <br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Brian Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08547208018232793140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503899689333306930.post-60490532104645274522021-09-11T12:18:00.002-07:002021-09-11T12:18:36.995-07:00Weekend Music Roundup<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZlNF6__0jhY/YTz_dJ9pWEI/AAAAAAAAROo/avW0OLt-_5om_B_wOUrQNonUMWhkf-gAQCPcBGAsYHg/s618/weekend%2Bmusic%2Broundup%2Blogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="463" data-original-width="618" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZlNF6__0jhY/YTz_dJ9pWEI/AAAAAAAAROo/avW0OLt-_5om_B_wOUrQNonUMWhkf-gAQCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/weekend%2Bmusic%2Broundup%2Blogo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The weekend has returned. The weather is turning fall-ish and my mood is turning happy-ish. I've put together a a list of albums here that I've acquired in the past several weeks. It's a pretty wide ranging list of time period and musical styles, so there's bound to be something here worth checking out. Enjoy.<br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/55121c9f376d0b52c6d6bdb7d91fdcd6/8972823" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/55121c9f376d0b52c6d6bdb7d91fdcd6/8972823" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/billie-eilish/happier-than-ever/">Billie Eilish - Happier Than Ever</a>:
Two years after the smashing success of her debut, the wunderkind teen
returns with a follow-up. I admit to be being very weary of a sophomore
slump, feeling it to be almost unavoidable when your first album is so
well-loved. Well, I should have had more faith! Billie doesn't attempt
to remake the last album, instead she embraces the brokenhearted
undertones of her debut and expands on the jazz club trip-hop vibe and
emerges as a complex figure. It's a trajectory Lana Del Rey had made
brilliantly, and Eilish seems poised to follow. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/8d6afed3dab25d8464a61ac2de4ed263/7722467" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/8d6afed3dab25d8464a61ac2de4ed263/7722467" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/swans/leaving-meaning/">Swans - Leaving Meaning:</a>
Released in the Fall of 2019, the 17th album from the NYC post-rock
band is their most current release. Though I've appreciated this band
for years, it's one of several bands that I came to absolutely love
during the pandemic. This album, like all of their 21st century records
is atmospheric and dark, and seems to illustrate those corridors of
thought that have always existed in my mind. Some music hits you
physically, some plugs right into you mind. This is <i>Swans </i>music does for me, and this album does as well. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/baa3c50d7b5e3a6a8db0e37eecf0804e/3210671" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/baa3c50d7b5e3a6a8db0e37eecf0804e/3210671" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/jeff-beck/truth/">Jeff Beck - Truth</a>: The '68 debut solo album from the British Guitarist's post-<i>Yardbirds </i>band featured an up and coming singer named Rod Stewart and pre-<i>Rolling Stones </i>Ron
Wood. This is one of those records that it amazes me had never crossed
my path before. Sure, I'd seen it everywhere and knew that it was one of
those albums that everyone loved. And yes, I have been a big fan of
British Blues since my college days, but it took my recent interest in
Rod the Mod to get me to pick this one up and I'm glad I did. Beck's
guitar work is fantastic, and Rod is brilliant. One year later, <i>Led Zeppelin </i>would
release their debut album, it seems fairly clear to me that this was
one of the records that paved the way for their success.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/afbe77e25381d2121e87ad4ac7d3e92a/5540569" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/afbe77e25381d2121e87ad4ac7d3e92a/5540569" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/jackson-5ive/maybe-tomorrow/">Jackson 5ive - Maybe Tomorrow</a>:
Released in '71, this is the iconic Mowtown group's fifth album, just
three years from their debut. Fresh off their hit parade of early
singles, this album's biggest hit is "Never Can Say Goodbye" which is
true gem. Michael still has his childish voice on here, but the older
Jacksons balance it well. Pure soulful pop that still sounds good on a
sunny day.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/f7a02aa051e7550ed6b5a619bb26ac60/2893927" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="476" data-original-width="499" height="283" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/f7a02aa051e7550ed6b5a619bb26ac60/2893927" width="297" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/comp/elmore-james-john-brim/whose-muddy-shoes/">Elmore James / John Brim - Whose Muddy Shoes</a>:
Recorded between '53 and '60, this is a split album released on Chess
in '69 and has tracks by both Chicago blues artists. Elmore James is the
bigger of the two names, but the talents of both are very comparable
and blend nicely. The Chicago blues was a little more jiving than
southern blues and there's clear elements of proto-rock on here. "I See
My Baby," "You Got Me," </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/9c0a7dc25b979faf5b698e124ce59338/1509864" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="443" data-original-width="443" height="322" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/9c0a7dc25b979faf5b698e124ce59338/1509864" width="322" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/arthur-lee/vindicator/">Arthur Lee - Vindicator</a>: Released in '72, two years after <i>Love </i>took
a break, this is Lee's first solo album and is very much a blues rock
album. There's definitely hints of Hendrix on here, with a little of the
whimsy of <i>Love </i>added to it. There's lots of great tunes on this,
including "Sad Song," "Love Jumped Through the Window," and "He Knows a
Lot of Good Women." Certainly not an essential album of the period, but
still a good one and well worth the listen. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>Brian Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08547208018232793140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503899689333306930.post-20934770465937818052021-09-05T08:47:00.002-07:002021-09-05T08:47:13.274-07:00Weekend Music Roundup<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iRrlRKJn15I/YTTkFzg4CZI/AAAAAAAAROQ/aRuFP1gun2Iv3ubqsHWu1zW-3GWq9X3egCPcBGAsYHg/s618/weekend%2Bmusic%2Broundup%2Blogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="463" data-original-width="618" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iRrlRKJn15I/YTTkFzg4CZI/AAAAAAAAROQ/aRuFP1gun2Iv3ubqsHWu1zW-3GWq9X3egCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/weekend%2Bmusic%2Broundup%2Blogo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The last weekend of summer is upon us which means that my musical tastes will start settling into the Fall stylings. With the summer having been so busy, the Roundup has been sparsely released, leading to quite a backlog of albums to ramble about. Here are a few things that I discovered or listened to over the summer months. A little bit of everything, so hopefully there's something you'll want to check out. Enjoy.<br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/4bb1a24ca9b1cafee87c1691eada3ba3/9015420" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/4bb1a24ca9b1cafee87c1691eada3ba3/9015420" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/manic-street-preachers/the-ultra-vivid-lament/">Manic Street Preachers - The Ultra Vivid Lament</a>:
The Welsh band's first album in three years is one of the albums I've
been most looking forward to this year. Having been a favorite band of
mine for years, each new album is an event for me. This one came out on
Friday and these are my thoughts upon the first listen. It opens with
the moody "Still Snowing in Sapporo" and continues on much in the
fashion of their recent work, but there's something softer and more
internal about this album which feels a little inspired by David
Gilmour. "Into the Waves," "Diapause," and "Blank Diary Entry" are my
personal favorites on another beautiful album. Though their sound has
softened, they still speak honesty. </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/abf01795d279687a0fe7909543e23ea9/1376688" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/abf01795d279687a0fe7909543e23ea9/1376688" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/bang/bang/">Bang - Bang</a>:
The 1971 debut from the heavy psych band out of Philly is an album I'd
been hunting for some time. It's terribly rare in the sense that it's
silly expensive, but it's just not one of the albums you see in the
wild. I was first tuned into this Sabbath sounding band a few years back
when I picked up their second album. They are one of the best heavy
psych bands out of America from the time of the genre's infancy. I found
a copy in the local shop recently and it did not disappoint my
expectations, which were high given the genius of the next album.</div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/bf9820fd8f775b19327e1ec8bf537163/1443765" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="467" height="320" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/bf9820fd8f775b19327e1ec8bf537163/1443765" width="319" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/josh_white/the_josh_white_stories_vol__ii/">Josh White - The Josh White Stories Vol II</a>:
Released in '58, this compilation collects work from the soulful
southern blues artists who hit his stride in the 40s. This is different
than a lot of southern blues singers that I've heard before. There is a
clear rhythm and blues sound to his voice and melodies, something that
would certain influence the music of 50s, which is probably why this
record was released when it was, in order to reach the Elvis fans. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/1b150846b70a3a32935ad8d700a742b4/1308842" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="310" height="320" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/1b150846b70a3a32935ad8d700a742b4/1308842" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/hank-williams-jr/habits-old-and-new/">Hank Williams Jr. - Habits Old and New</a>:
This 1980 album was one that I acquired for free and for a free album,
it's pretty damned solid. This is 70's outlaw country at it's finest.
While country music isn't my first choice in genre, when I do listen to
it, I like that old style country. The modern boring FM rock with a
twang in the singer's voice is NOT country, it's just poor rock with a
southern accent. Country music to me is the kind you drown your tears in
at a honky tonk. I prefer Waylon, but Hank Jr. is undeniably an icon of
the genre. </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/c49d6f5824506e2ba58b6c7d491b87f5/8877048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/c49d6f5824506e2ba58b6c7d491b87f5/8877048" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/ep/becca-mancari/juniata/">Becca Mancari - Juniata</a>:
The newly released EP from the Nashville via NYC singer songwriter.
Only four songs, but still such a powerful listen. Primarily acoustic,
these songs showcase her amazing voice and the heartfelt lyrics. I've
been listening to this a lot while working in the art studio and it's
been very inspiring. She has two full length albums that I'm hoping to
check out. </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/4a2c9b2a0b737bf63f3f835c692f5c4a/8645156" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/4a2c9b2a0b737bf63f3f835c692f5c4a/8645156" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/richard-swift">Richard Swift - Even Your Drums Will Die</a>:
This live album was recorded in 2011 and released at the end of last
year. In the first decade of the 2000s, Swift released some of the best
singer songwriter albums, like <i>The Novelist </i>and <i>Dressed Up for the Let Down</i>.
I was excited to hear this live album of material from that time
period. One of the truly honest voices of the 21st century and fans will
enjoy these renditions. He passed away a few years ago, and he is
missed. </div><p> </p><p> </p>Brian Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08547208018232793140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503899689333306930.post-56653866194239503752021-09-03T07:16:00.001-07:002021-09-03T07:16:00.233-07:00Fiction Friday (140)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mK74whc1_wk/YTDdAYWZ7dI/AAAAAAAARN4/phB-25ih4nILIX6hW2byMWPXtBugtM7xACPcBGAsYHg/s1600/goodreading.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mK74whc1_wk/YTDdAYWZ7dI/AAAAAAAARN4/phB-25ih4nILIX6hW2byMWPXtBugtM7xACPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/goodreading.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>In my continuing exploration of contemporary literature, I recently read the National Book Award Winner for 2019. This was the last book that I'll be reading for the Book Club I've been hosting at my current job, as I'm moving to another library at the end of the month. I really appreciated the exposure to the so many compelling current fiction over the course of the year, but am certainly looking forward to getting back to reading books of my own choosing. <br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1544364669l/40164365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="257" height="400" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1544364669l/40164365.jpg" width="257" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40164365-the-friend"><i>The Friend</i></a> by Sigrid Nunez</h3><h3 style="text-align: center;">(Riverhead Books, 2019)</h3><p>When the unnamed narrator of the story loses her longtime friend to suicide, it begins a journey of grief in which she tries to comes to terms with both the actions in her own life and those in his that may have led to this painful incident. The novel is presented in the form of confessional letter written to her dead friend in which she explores their relationship, his relationships with past lovers, and the experience of writers, both herself and the deceased. </p><p>The books is fragmentary, with no real defined narrative or plot. It reads like a diary in that it's a series of thoughts, sometimes connected, sometimes independent. As a writer, I found the insight on the life of a writer, and the publishing world, to be profound and truthful to my own experiences. It's exploration of deep friendship and how it works in waves of intense closeness and periods of distance, are also exceptional and honest.<br /></p><p><br /></p>Brian Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08547208018232793140noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503899689333306930.post-16929370628271712302021-08-27T08:30:00.001-07:002021-08-27T08:30:00.246-07:00Fiction Friday (139)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i7H3eykQ0uc/YSRRlaOq-AI/AAAAAAAARNY/1RF0MG6IV48iV61Z-jT579k2Klpt2hvygCPcBGAsYHg/s1600/goodreading.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i7H3eykQ0uc/YSRRlaOq-AI/AAAAAAAARNY/1RF0MG6IV48iV61Z-jT579k2Klpt2hvygCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/goodreading.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Being the nerd that I am, I'd been waiting anxiously for <i>Hollowpox</i> (the third Nevermoor book) to come out. I'd been waiting since I finished the second book over two years ago. Then, when it finally did come out last October, life got in the way as life will do. I bought the book a few months ago, but had a lot of reading obligations. Also, this was the series that really inspired me to pursue the middle grade novel that I've been working on for two years and I wanted to wait until I was far enough into the manuscript that it wouldn't influence me. Oh, the complications of the reading life of a writer!<br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1568355323l/53152954._SX318_SY475_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="307" height="320" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1568355323l/53152954._SX318_SY475_.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><i>Hollowpox: The Hunt for Morrigan Crow</i> by Jessica Townsend</h3><h3 style="text-align: center;">(Little Brown, 2020)</h3><p style="text-align: justify;">Morrigan Crow has just finished her first year at the Wundrous Society and is finally beginning to feel at home, but being the only Wundersmith in a hundred years, things are bound to get complicated. Her instructors have finally agreed to instruct her the Wundrous Arts, using lessons from the past that have been frozen in time using "ghostly hours." For once, Morrigan believes she just might learn to be a true Wundersmith after all...then a mysterious sickness begins to disrupt life in the Free State of Nevermoor. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">As more and more Wunimals are infected, turning them into regular animals, the city is on the verge of panic. Morrigan soon discovers that she is the only one who can fix it...but she will need the help of the villainous Ezra Squall to do it. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">As with the previous two novels, there is such a careful build-up with scenes that engross the reader in Morrigan's world that you secretly hope the story never ends. It is clear why this book was postponed so often, it was because Townsend was busy weaving together a brilliant tale, while also building the bigger story so perfectly. The expectations for this book were through the roof and she rose to the challenge. Bravo!<br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Brian Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08547208018232793140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503899689333306930.post-52396131091124106912021-08-21T07:51:00.009-07:002021-08-21T07:51:58.176-07:00Weekend Music Roundup<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-USjCgYti0A0/YSER_N8b-EI/AAAAAAAARNE/O3EE0k7EnA063D746WBO0cIW3PT7UTntACPcBGAsYHg/s618/weekend%2Bmusic%2Broundup%2Blogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="463" data-original-width="618" height="311" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-USjCgYti0A0/YSER_N8b-EI/AAAAAAAARNE/O3EE0k7EnA063D746WBO0cIW3PT7UTntACPcBGAsYHg/w415-h311/weekend%2Bmusic%2Broundup%2Blogo.jpg" width="415" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The weekend is here, and the Roundup finally returns! It's been a few weeks since I've posted. The summer just sort of got away from me, the way summer's often do. But the music keeps on playing even if I haven't written about it. This is a bit of an eclectic list, which means there some things to perk some interest. Happy listening. Enjoy. <br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/63f1ddd69a1ea1e900e19576324a0613/8855710" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="365" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/63f1ddd69a1ea1e900e19576324a0613/8855710" width="365" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/current-joys/voyager/">Current Joy - Voyager</a>: The newest album from the indie artist on one of my favorite labels (<i>Secretly Canadian) </i>is
bit of a 80s inspired pop rock, a kind of Ryan Adams record but with
fits of chaotic energy that make it unpredictable and enjoyable
throughout. "Breaking the Waves," "American Honey," "Amateur," and
"Voyager Pt 2" are personal favorites on this solid record. </p><p> <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/0d9adea46cd7ddee697659c16c8ede7e/9045125" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="326" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/0d9adea46cd7ddee697659c16c8ede7e/9045125" width="326" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/elton-john/victim-of-love/">Elton John - Victim of Love</a>:
By '79, Elton was awash in drugs and this disco effort is a prime
example of a coked-up odyssey. If it wasn't clear by the cover, it
instantly becomes clear with the opening track, possibly the longest
version of Johnny B. Goode ever made. Though pretty much panned when it
came out, and still one his most un-loved albums, it's actually pretty
enjoyable and one of those albums that bridges the blues based nature of
70s pop rock and the slicker style of 80s pop rock. </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/e6fe53e14425cdcaeae88d4e05a34554/2142939" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="349" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/e6fe53e14425cdcaeae88d4e05a34554/2142939" width="349" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/rod-stewart/every-picture-tells-a-story/">Rod Stewart - Every Picture Tells a Story</a>:
After leaving the Jeff Beck Group and joining the Faces, Rod also
embarked on his solo career in the early 70s. Released in 1971, the same
year the <i>Faces' </i>"A Nod is as Good as Wink...", this is probably
Rod's most beloved solo record and features "Maggie May" as the opener
for Side B. As followers of the Roundup may have noticed, I've been
really into Rod these days and consider him one of the best true barroom
vocalists. There's a grittiness to his voice that is so soothing and
catchy. You can usually find a copy of this in the cheap bin, and it
will always be worth the few dollars you pay. </p><p> </p><p><span class="tracklist_title"><span itemprop="name"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="tracklist_title"><span itemprop="name"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/f35c78d508fd2bda72f3e68ec2350d79/1220409" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="320" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/f35c78d508fd2bda72f3e68ec2350d79/1220409" width="320" /></a></span></span></div><span class="tracklist_title"><span itemprop="name"><br /></span></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="tracklist_title"><span itemprop="name"><span class="rendered_text"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/royal-trux/pound-for-pound/">Royal Trux - Pound for Pound</a>:
Released in 2000, twelve years after the Chicago noise rock band's
debut. This is one of those bands that's listened to on and off for a
good two decades, but never found an album that I really connected to.
This one, I did. It's a little more garage rock than some of the albums
that came before it, a little easier to get into. I will definitely go
back and explore their CDs that I have in my collection. I often find
that once I connect with something a band does, I can connect with other
albums that I may not have connected with before. </span></span></span></p><p><span class="tracklist_title"><span itemprop="name"><span class="rendered_text"> </span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/c4cc7947e7a899f4060bc73420066536/2958987" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="467" height="330" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/c4cc7947e7a899f4060bc73420066536/2958987" width="330" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/big_mama_thornton/stronger_than_dirt/">Big Mama Thornton - Stronger Than Dirt</a>:
Released in '69, almost 20 years into the southern blues singer's
career, this album is a powerhouse of soulful blues. There are many
classic songs on here, each of them transformed by her captivating
voice. This was one of those albums I picked up for a few dollars and
instantly felt that it was worth 10x what I paid. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/c9657e1a1319dd36e68ed379ae4b79c8/1522642" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="301" height="283" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/c9657e1a1319dd36e68ed379ae4b79c8/1522642" width="284" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/the-cult/electric/">The Cult - Electric</a>:
The third album from the London band was their released in '87 and sees
them move away from their gothic roots and establish themselves as a
hard rock band. Ian Astbury does his best Jim Morrison on here, oozing
an electric vibe over grinding guitar riffs. It was the album that came
after this, <i>Sonic Temple</i> that hooked me when I was a tween, with
the powerhouse "Fire Woman". What I didn't know at the time is that this
album is filled with "Fire Woman" type tracks and a much more solid
album. Great late 80s hard rock that fits in with the sound coming out
of L.A. at the time. <br /></p><p><span class="tracklist_title"><span itemprop="name"><span class="rendered_text"> </span></span></span></p><p> </p>Brian Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08547208018232793140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503899689333306930.post-90856754078681928192021-07-30T09:05:00.001-07:002021-07-30T09:05:00.208-07:00Fiction Friday (138)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qz_JuoljeUQ/YP2P4UB-f1I/AAAAAAAARLw/gEOf8DaY5Rw3yn5kJEZyX73zTEiJXdsGQCPcBGAsYHg/s1600/goodreading.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="283" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qz_JuoljeUQ/YP2P4UB-f1I/AAAAAAAARLw/gEOf8DaY5Rw3yn5kJEZyX73zTEiJXdsGQCPcBGAsYHg/w377-h283/goodreading.jpg" width="377" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">I recently picked up a new(ish) YA novel to read, one that seemed to have some positive buzz, and one that had a premise that intrigued me. It was also a debut novel, and I've been trying to read a few more of those these days, attempting to see what this new generation of writers has to say. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1582090767l/48747246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="265" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1582090767l/48747246.jpg" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48747246-some-kind-of-animal?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=v5YsTV4CA9&rank=1"><i>Some Kind of Animal</i></a> by Maria Romasco-Moore</h3><h3 style="text-align: center;">(Delecorte, 2020)</h3><p style="text-align: justify;">Fifteen old Jolene lives in a dead mining town in the southern Ohio mountains, just waiting for the day she can escape with her twin sister, a sister nobody knows exists except for her. It turns out there are a lot of things that people in this nowhere town don't know, though it doesn't stop them from believing they do. One night, Jo's sister makes herself known, unraveling the threads of Jo's double life and shattering both of their worlds. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">This debut novel's strength is the ability to pull the reader into the world of it's woods, making something that is very real feel very fantastical. Because the setting and constant threat of danger, the reader is pulled into to the story which, when you step back, is completely implausible. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">I enjoyed reading this, and the imagination of it certainly occupied my thoughts, but I did have problems with it. There was a tendency for the main character to consistently repeat her thoughts on a number of subjects, thoughts that never changed and therefore did not bear repeating. The characters were also pretty unlikable, with the exception of the wild child. There was also no attempt to disguise the hatred of males that weaves throughout the book, which I'm sort of okay with because men are generally horrible. One of the male characters (one who actually does nothing wrong) is actually murdered, a murder that is totally brushed aside. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">This is one of those books that I think the author did their job, but the editor did not. <br /></p><p><br /></p>Brian Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08547208018232793140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503899689333306930.post-13398826692264527732021-07-25T08:51:00.001-07:002021-07-25T08:51:05.907-07:00Weekend Music Roundup<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bjU1KokzAiI/YP2GJIkokRI/AAAAAAAARLY/HEtpB8BCuJkksqogojvxkhzf1SM47QPgQCPcBGAsYHg/s618/weekend%2Bmusic%2Broundup%2Blogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="463" data-original-width="618" height="301" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bjU1KokzAiI/YP2GJIkokRI/AAAAAAAARLY/HEtpB8BCuJkksqogojvxkhzf1SM47QPgQCPcBGAsYHg/w401-h301/weekend%2Bmusic%2Broundup%2Blogo.jpg" width="401" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Well, another week has passed where I didn't post anything between Roundups, but that's not going to keep me from posting another roundup. This is a pretty random collection of stuff that I've been jamming to recently. It includes a couple of Record Store Day releases, one from each of the two drops. There's some new, some old, and whatever I've been exploring. Keep exploring, that's my motto. Enjoy.<br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/73dbd08e44fb60b7865664e88cef9a56/8992357" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="314" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/73dbd08e44fb60b7865664e88cef9a56/8992357" width="314" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/czarface/czar-noir/">Czarface - Czar Noir</a>:
These days Record Store Day releases are typically repackaged and
re-issued albums and it's rare that an artist releases new material on
that day anymore. Well, not these guys. The NYC outfit led by Wu's
Inspectah Deck released a new album along with a comic book. This is an
instrumental record with super groovy and interesting beats meant to go
along with the comic, which is also a fun read. This is really something
for collectors more than for casual music listeners.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/7dcb41212d904473fee05d04abb225f9/2683989" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="350" height="302" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/7dcb41212d904473fee05d04abb225f9/2683989" width="302" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/comet-gain/magnetic-poetry/">Comet Gain - Magnetic Poetry</a>:
The second full length album from the 90s Oxford indie band was
released in 1997. It was a little odd for an indie band during that time
to blend so many varying influences. Generally a lo-fi garage band,
clearly inspired by The Jam, as well as northern jangle pop, though far
more punk inspired than the more mainstream contemporaries. I really
wish I had been clued in to this when it came out, it would have been
right up my alley. Still quite enjoyable. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/eef457e7e2923f7bdd88e8c2583014c2/1520795" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="301" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/eef457e7e2923f7bdd88e8c2583014c2/1520795" /></a></div><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/todd-rundgren/todd/">Todd Rundgren - Todd</a>:
By the mid-70s, Rundgren had established himself as one of the leading
progressive psychedelic pop artists with his solo work and with <i>Nazz</i>.
This album was released in '74, a year after his legendary "A Wizard, a
True Star" record. Like that album, he continues to explore
experimental rock on this double album. This takes some solid listening
time to truly see how brilliant it is. It's definitely quirky and
surreal, and has flashes of the kind of Blue-Eyed soul and classic rock
sounds that always creep into his work. I picked up this double LP for a
few dollars to continue my exploration of his work. . "The Last Ride,"
"Everybody's Going to Heaven," "<span class="tracklist_title"><span itemprop="name"><span class="rendered_text">Number 1 Lowest Common Denominator," "Izzat Love," and "Heavy Metal Kids" are standouts.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="tracklist_title"><span itemprop="name"><span class="rendered_text"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/7d58d3ca75e3a7a7f41437435382f3e0/9094998" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="324" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/7d58d3ca75e3a7a7f41437435382f3e0/9094998" width="324" /></a></div><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/ep/andy-bell/all-on-you-ep/">Andy Bell - All on You EP</a>: Released in June, this EP follows the BritPop icon's debut solo album from last year. Andy has been a member of <i>Ride, Hurricane #1, Beady Eye</i> and <i>Oasis</i>
and has been on the forefront of Britpop and British psychedelic pop
since the late 80s. This acoustic EP is more toned back than a lot of
his more recent projects, but falls in line with some dreamy <i>Ride </i>stuff, though far more lo-fi. Very enjoyable and something long time fans like me can appreciate. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="tracklist_title"><span itemprop="name"><span class="rendered_text"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="tracklist_title"><span itemprop="name"><span class="rendered_text"> </span></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://i0.wp.com/truckmusicstore.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Richard-Hell-And-The-Voids-Destiny-Street-Demos.jpg?w=2000&ssl=1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="315" src="https://i0.wp.com/truckmusicstore.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Richard-Hell-And-The-Voids-Destiny-Street-Demos.jpg?w=2000&ssl=1" width="315" /></a></div><p><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/richard-hell-and-the-voidoids/destiny-street/">Richard Hell and the Voidoids - Destiny Street Demos</a>: A Record Store Day release this year, these are the demos for the NYC punk icons' 1982 follow-up to their '77 debut, <i>Blank Generation</i>. They have moved into the art punk on here, but the demos are still a little rougher and have that <i>Television </i>edge
to them. By this time, the music world was moving beyond punk and this
album fell between the cracks and is one of the last true NYC punk
albums from the first wave of punk. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/040f1f140c8d4d8dd3b2b0b3e4c623be/2446458" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="469" data-original-width="450" height="319" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/040f1f140c8d4d8dd3b2b0b3e4c623be/2446458" width="306" /></a></div> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/grim-reaper/see-you-in-hell/">Grim Reaper - See You in Hell</a>: The second album from the UK band came out in '83, right at the peak of the NWOBHM movement dominated by <i>Iron Maiden, Def Leppard, Saxon, </i>and <i>Judas Priest</i>.
These guys made their biggest impact with this album which is a
blistering example of the genre. Shredding guitars, falsetto vocals, and
songs about hell being a winning formula. Certainly not essential, but a
nice addition to the collection from one of the better second tier
bands. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><p><br /></p> </div>Brian Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08547208018232793140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503899689333306930.post-73162997606643571252021-07-18T09:55:00.003-07:002021-07-18T09:55:53.969-07:00Weekend Music Roundup<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nCwU1xNtvSc/YPRbUzh7LGI/AAAAAAAARLA/D5HD3L5JcuE8XCF03g4kN8g1A1mg-U9zACPcBGAsYHg/s618/weekend%2Bmusic%2Broundup%2Blogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="463" data-original-width="618" height="318" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nCwU1xNtvSc/YPRbUzh7LGI/AAAAAAAARLA/D5HD3L5JcuE8XCF03g4kN8g1A1mg-U9zACPcBGAsYHg/w424-h318/weekend%2Bmusic%2Broundup%2Blogo.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">It's that time, and though I've missed a weekend here and there during the sweltering heat of the summer and my desperate attempts to escape to the pool, my music listening hasn't stopped. Yesterday was also the second day of Record Store Day of the year, and I was able to pick up the two releases that I was really looking for. In that spirit, I've included some reviews of items I picked up on the first RSD. Enjoy.<br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/d3ce7ec995f6c6ef242aa29df71878aa/2271626" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="351" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/d3ce7ec995f6c6ef242aa29df71878aa/2271626" width="351" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/the-sword/age-of-winters/">The Sword - Age of Winters</a>: The 2006 debut from the Austin stoner metal band was re-issued on purple wax this year for Record Store Day. This was the one <i>Sword </i>album
missing from my collection and was glad the local shop had it on RSD.
As with most debut albums, there a rawness to this one that becomes more
polished on subsequent albums. That's not a criticism, as I do enjoy a
polished sound, but with stoner metal, there's something special about
the heathenism and energy that comes through with a raw sound. \nn/</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/57bb0a2e33041546c87dbae34ba674fc/2619213" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="350" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/57bb0a2e33041546c87dbae34ba674fc/2619213" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/57bb0a2e33041546c87dbae34ba674fc/2619213">Paice Ashton Lord - Malice in Wonderland</a>:
Released in 1977, this is the only album from the UK group consisting
of members of other bands, most notably Ian Paice the founding drummer
of <i>Deep Purple</i> and early drummer for <i>Whitesnake</i>. I picked
this up for a few bucks, mostly because I'll pick up anything Wonderland
related, but on top of that, this is a great dirty hard rock album from
the age of disco when rock was sleazy and amphetamine groovy. It opens
with the fantastic "Ghost Story" and then just gets more drug soaked and
interesting. "Arabella," "Sneaky Private Eye," "I'm Gonna Stop
Drinking," and the title track are standouts on this solid hard rock
album.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/3ccaaa5fd2ab9f93572d1957b056d51e/8922190" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="771" height="360" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/3ccaaa5fd2ab9f93572d1957b056d51e/8922190" width="347" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/the-flaming-lips/the-soft-bulletin-companion-1/">The Flaming Lips - The Soft Bulletin Companion</a>: Released in '99, <i>The Soft Bulletin </i>was
the breakout album for the Oklahoma neo-psych band. This album of
outtakes and alternate mixes was originally a burned CD that their
manager gave out to friends and fans at the time because they felt there
was just so much great unused music. The album was officially released
on vinyl for Record Store Day and is definitely worthy of the mythical
hype. This is the period where the band perfected their signature sound
and these are definitely quality tracks and I'm really glad they finally
are available to a wider (albeit not so wide) audience. <br /></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/279ca98d0e21a4e374b96db8c46fa43e/2633192" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="597" data-original-width="600" height="329" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/279ca98d0e21a4e374b96db8c46fa43e/2633192" width="331" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/otis-redding/the-soul-album/">Otis Redding - The Soul Album</a>:
The soul legend's fourth album was his fourth in two years. He was on
top of his game. He was the heart and soul of Stax Records. This album
was in a FREE crate because the cover was less than perfect, but the wax
was fine. There's some pops and cracks, but in all the right places for
this kind of record. Songs that make you feel. He would die less than
two years later at the age of 26.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/5b8d2d6aca75e210b19be2647e173d0e/6443621" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="791" height="317" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/5b8d2d6aca75e210b19be2647e173d0e/6443621" width="313" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/supertramp/breakfast-in-america/">Supertramp - Breakfast in America</a>:
The London prog rock band's sixth album was released 1979, and in
edition to being their most popular album, it also has one of the most
iconic album covers of all time. By this time, the band had sort of
abandoned their prog roots in favor of pop rock, which is probably why
this album was so successful. And to be fair, there are a lot of pop
rock classics on here, including "Take the Long Way Home," "Logical
Song," and the title track. A great example of late 70s rock that holds
up and is still an enjoyable listen. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/ee72081bbe83969618d61cb712dd7962/1768677" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="397" data-original-width="400" height="322" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/ee72081bbe83969618d61cb712dd7962/1768677" width="324" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/rod-stewart/an-old-raincoat-wont-ever-let-you-down/">Rod Steward - An Old Raincoat Won't Ever Let You Down</a>: Rod's debut solo album came out in 1970, one month before his first album as a member of <i>Faces</i>.
For the longest time, I was big naysayer on Rod the Mod, but over the
past few years have really grown to appreciate his talent. He makes
music that completely captures the bar room vibe, a blues inspire rock
that goes down easily and makes you smile. There are blistering tracks
on here, including "Blind Prayer," "Handbags and Gladrags," and "Cindy's
Lament." </div><p> </p>Brian Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08547208018232793140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503899689333306930.post-77271284720672293092021-07-09T08:14:00.002-07:002021-07-09T08:14:00.262-07:00Fiction Friday (137)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0d8aUOmNktQ/YORzpPeJDeI/AAAAAAAARKU/kzuceCOm4SoCdJ6NlBKlVPdnyUpURZ0fACPcBGAsYHg/s1600/goodreading.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="314" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0d8aUOmNktQ/YORzpPeJDeI/AAAAAAAARKU/kzuceCOm4SoCdJ6NlBKlVPdnyUpURZ0fACPcBGAsYHg/w419-h314/goodreading.jpg" width="419" /></a></div> <p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Having been stuck in a loop of contemporary literature, both adult and young adult, primarily due to my librarian responsibilities, I wanted to take a break from that to read a couple of short books as a way of recharging. This book was one gifted to me recently. I met Alan in a writer's group I co-host at the library and find him to be a gifted writer and was excited to read this. <br /></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1441446622l/26230278._SY475_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1441446622l/26230278._SY475_.jpg" /></a></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26230278-the-wedge"><i>The Wedge</i></a> by Alan M. Weber</h2><h2 style="text-align: center;">(CreateSpace, 2015)</h2><p style="text-align: justify;">Even the casual observer of American politics would be able to tell you that the political system has been broken for decades, but the more keen observer would be able to present a laundry list of why that is. One of the biggest destroyers in the past 20 years has been the exploitation of wedge issues. Those wedge issues have been hammered so far into the system that they have done their job in splitting everything into two.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">This allegorical novel introduces readers to a political science professor who has has enough and devises a plan to fix this broken system. With the help of his best friend, also a political activist, Steven Wellstone creates a campaign driven only on wedge issues, only to speaking populist soundbites made to appeal to whoever he is speaking to at the moment. In the process, he unites fringe groups to create an agenda that very much predicts what would evolve into Trumpism a year after this book was published. Unlike Trump, Steven's plan is to reveal his entire campaign as a farce as well to teach people of how manipulative the system truly is.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">It's an interesting concept to consider, one that any political junky would enjoying puzzling over.<br /></p><p><br /></p>Brian Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08547208018232793140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503899689333306930.post-63546764431247704242021-07-02T10:36:00.001-07:002021-07-02T10:36:00.221-07:00Fiction Friday (136)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gIT_nOZOmGM/YNi3ZLn1QyI/AAAAAAAARJw/jPjjwVAzYkoexQJsQSQ3iPoZP2fOFRpGQCPcBGAsYHg/s1600/goodreading.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="354" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gIT_nOZOmGM/YNi3ZLn1QyI/AAAAAAAARJw/jPjjwVAzYkoexQJsQSQ3iPoZP2fOFRpGQCPcBGAsYHg/w472-h354/goodreading.jpg" width="472" /></a></div> <p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">My exploration of contemporary literature continues with the latest book by Pulitzer Prize winning author Jane Smiley's new book which came out in December. This was another Book Club book, and one that I was excited to read. It's been a while since I read any "talking animal" literature, probably too long given me affinity for the sub-genre. It's also been awhile since I read a book that so was joyful...something I do actually enjoy every now and then. <br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1585689929l/52578294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="517" height="449" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1585689929l/52578294.jpg" width="290" /></a></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52578294-perestroika-in-paris">Perestroika in Paris</a> </i>by Jane Smiley</h2><h2 style="text-align: center;">(Knopf 2020)</h2><p style="text-align: justify;">When a racehorse named Perestroika (Peres) wanders away from the track one evening after a win, taking with her the purse containing money won on her victory, she is simply following her curiosity and the patches of vegetation that lead her eventually the Champ de Mars in the shadow of the Eiffel tower. The filly's unlikely journey leads to a more unlikely adventure with the unlikeliest of friends; an intelligent stray dog named Frida, a raven, two ducks, and lovable rat named Kurt. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">This delightful novel follows these animal friends over the course of an autumn, winter, and spring as they use the money to purchase food and eventually end up living with an eight year boy and his nearly hundred year great-grandma. Smiley invites into the intimate and fascinating world that exists unnoticed by most, and once you've visited, it's unlikely you'll want to leave.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">A novel that has a classic feel, told with unquestionable skill. <br /></p><p><br /></p>Brian Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08547208018232793140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503899689333306930.post-20949866588473280252021-06-26T08:27:00.001-07:002021-06-26T08:27:00.334-07:00Weekend Music Roundup (Jazz Edition)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DJ36RQHWVgg/YNX2Cnjr24I/AAAAAAAARJk/BI5eJAN8kWIK_LhJrfTQeDnReCtX_wyGgCPcBGAsYHg/s618/weekend%2Bmusic%2Broundup%2Blogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="463" data-original-width="618" height="293" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DJ36RQHWVgg/YNX2Cnjr24I/AAAAAAAARJk/BI5eJAN8kWIK_LhJrfTQeDnReCtX_wyGgCPcBGAsYHg/w391-h293/weekend%2Bmusic%2Broundup%2Blogo.jpg" width="391" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">It's the weekend, and time to roundup some music. Looking over my list, I decided it was about time to do another Jazz themed weekend. So I apologize to all you uncultured non-Jazz fans, but jazz it is. I've written over the past few years about how my interest in jazz has grown way beyond what it had been in my youth. I've delved deeper into the archives of jazz to find new artists, new sounds, and enjoy the different feelings and ideas that they conjure up. Enjoy.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/s/648b03621638962ce884aaabf98324d0/1978447" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="313" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/s/648b03621638962ce884aaabf98324d0/1978447" width="313" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/comp/harlan_leonard/the_chronogical_classics__harlan_leonard_and_his_rockets_1940/">Harlan Leonard - Harlan Leonard and His Rockets 1940</a>:
This compilation features 17 or the 23 tracks ever recorded by the
"forgotten man of Kansas City." After Basie left for NYC, Harlan took
over his slots in K.C. clubs. It is classic swing jazz, and all of the
players talented. There's not many of these records, thankfully though
rare, it's not highly sought after. I stumbled across it during a sale
at the local shop and ended up paying $2 for it, a total steal.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.dibpic.com/uploads/posts/2020-07/1595927854_6166er7s8l.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="372" src="https://www.dibpic.com/uploads/posts/2020-07/1595927854_6166er7s8l.jpg" width="372" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/donald-byrd">Donald Byrd - Platinum Selection</a>: <span itemprop="description">Donald
Byrd is one of the most renowned trumpeters of the hard-bop era,
releasing lots of music in the 50's-60's, mostly for Blue Note. This
newly released digital compilation focuses primarily on that era, rather
than his fusion stuff of the 70s. It's a pretty fantastic collection of
music that highlights the power of the hard bop era and why it remains
one of the most popular sub genres of jazz. There's soul in chaos of
this music and it shines through.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://resources.tidal.com/images/7ac1fbe9/6f97/4dce/bcdb/4c18738671be/320x320.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" height="334" src="https://resources.tidal.com/images/7ac1fbe9/6f97/4dce/bcdb/4c18738671be/320x320.jpg" width="334" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/gerry_mulligan">Gerry Mulligan - The King of Jazz</a>:
A remastered digital compilation from one of the undisputed kings of
Cool Jazz. I've been really into this West Coast late 50s early 60s time
period and the laid back smoothness it captures. L.A. during this time
was the golden age of Hollywood, the glorious simplicity of evolving
consciousness that was taking place in the Beat Generation writers is
present in the cool jazz of Mulligan and Baker and Pepper. It's swinging
stuff, and it's all together <i>cool</i>. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://img.discogs.com/Zn5I26H2D1zrSCDQlBfEaoElQmY=/fit-in/600x605/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-2745955-1431618808-6247.jpeg.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="605" data-original-width="599" height="353" src="https://img.discogs.com/Zn5I26H2D1zrSCDQlBfEaoElQmY=/fit-in/600x605/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-2745955-1431618808-6247.jpeg.jpg" width="350" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.discogs.com/Gertrude-Ma-Rainey-Archive-Of-Jazz-Volume-28/release/2745955">Gertrude "Ma" Rainey - Archive of Jazz Volume 28</a>:
I've picked up a lot of albums in this "Archive of Jazz" series over
the past few years. They usually feature artists whose work isn't widely
available, and wasn't ever widely available on LP. Ma Rainey is one
such artist. She released a lot of singles back in teh '20s and was a
fine vaudeville blues singer with a great voice. This compilation
collects a lot of her recordings and was a nice addition to my
collection.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/s/fe7aff33cfb710f9b40f7d0387b6bf80/3698657" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="372" height="359" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/s/fe7aff33cfb710f9b40f7d0387b6bf80/3698657" width="358" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/comp/bunk-johnson/bunk-johnson-and-his-superior-jazz-band/">Bunk Johnson and His Superior Jazz Band</a>:
This compilation was originally released in in '62, but recorded in
'42. Bunk is one of the New Orleans jazz legends. He blows that sweet
Dixieland jazz that always blows me away because it simply doesn't sound
like anything else in the world. It captures a moment in time, in
specific place, in music. "Ballin' the Jack" and "Make Me a Pallet on
the Floor" were two tracks that stood out to me, but I've always felt
that Dixieland was kind of an experience, with no divide between songs,
it's all just one great ride. </div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/07bf091c3f9eef5a6571dfd192a75309/3450226" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="600" height="375" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/07bf091c3f9eef5a6571dfd192a75309/3450226" width="371" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/fats-navarro/good-bait/">Fats Navarro - Good Bait:</a>
One of the great Be-Bop trumpeters of the early 20th Century, Fats is
one of the musicians whose catalog I've been digging into over the past
few years and will generally snatch up any vinyl that I come across.
This collection was released in '68, eighteen years after his death. I
love the manic energy that comes through in Be-Bop, that cartoon jazz
chaos. The title track is simply amazing. </div><p> </p>Brian Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08547208018232793140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503899689333306930.post-77092333868858499312021-06-18T09:30:00.001-07:002021-06-18T09:30:00.230-07:00Fiction Friday (135)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P-4PeUIYGGM/YMpjQrYtcxI/AAAAAAAARJA/4TsJFDDyMK8QzhGYXeqgcE_V_MhP3h5jACPcBGAsYHg/s1600/goodreading.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="317" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P-4PeUIYGGM/YMpjQrYtcxI/AAAAAAAARJA/4TsJFDDyMK8QzhGYXeqgcE_V_MhP3h5jACPcBGAsYHg/w422-h317/goodreading.jpg" width="422" /></a></div>The cultural revolution of the 60s saw many writers examining things that had been left untouched for a long time. There was a wave of fiction that tried to tell the stories of characters who didn't fit the norms. Recently, my library weeded a large number of books that had fallen out of circulation and this is one of the many that I saved from the dumpster. I was attracted by the old style cover, but was soon taken by the story. The last 20 pages are pure beauty. <br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1599050483l/7710782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="300" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1599050483l/7710782.jpg" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/172100.Tell_Me_That_You_Love_Me_Junie_Moon"><i>Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon</i></a> by Marjorie Kellog</h3><h3 style="text-align: center;">(FSG 1968)</h3><p style="text-align: justify;">Warren, Arthur, and Junie Moon are three tortured souls who meet in the hospital while recovering from ailments. When these "misfits" make a pact to leave the hospital and live together, no one really believes they will make it. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Confined to wheelchair after being shot in the back by the only man he ever admitted his love to, Warren is the unofficial leader of the group and the catalyst for almost everything that happens to them. Arthur suffers from a degenerative disease that doctors cannot identify, but perhaps is more plagued by the hurt of abandonment. Junie is a tragic figure who has had her face and hands disfigured by acid burns from a troubled lover. The are individually damaged, but together seek to heal as they move into a rundown house under a large tree that serves as a kind of protector.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Healing is hard, as they soon discover. Healing hurts. But what they find is a sense of belonging with each other, a sense of family which none has ever truly had. They find love and more importantly, acceptance.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Brian Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08547208018232793140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503899689333306930.post-66971581106409804972021-06-12T08:34:00.004-07:002021-06-12T08:34:26.083-07:00Weekend Music Roundup: Record Store Day!<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fyg7BEsjrG0/TbSFyhCKFgI/AAAAAAAADkw/jszCiIfMHWM/s1600/record%2Bstore%2Bday.jpg" height="375" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fyg7BEsjrG0/TbSFyhCKFgI/AAAAAAAADkw/jszCiIfMHWM/w500-h375/record%2Bstore%2Bday.jpg" width="500" /> </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Today is one of my most favorite days of the year...Record Store Day. I went out early and waited for the local shop to open. This year, they had all of the titles I was looking for, which was great for me, bad for the wallet. I encourage everyone to get out there today and support your local shops which have been hurting over the past year. In the meantime, here's some things you might look for while your out. Enjoy.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSm8n0WtpdnwCh4YJHvmF5-WlXCxeCYsDAK_A&usqp=CAU" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="225" height="331" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSm8n0WtpdnwCh4YJHvmF5-WlXCxeCYsDAK_A&usqp=CAU" width="333" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.discogs.com/The-White-Stripes-Get-Behind-Me-Satan-Alternate-Set/release/1621287">The White Stripes - Get Behind Me Satan (Alternate Set)</a>:
This unofficial release of live/broadcast versions of the album was
released in 2005 on red vinyl. I recently came across a copy, and seeing
as I didn't have this album on vinyl (only CD), I figured it was worth
getting since it was alternate takes, it didn't feel like I was buying
something I already owned. This was the band's fifth album and saw Jack
exploring country influences more and really putting the "garage band"
sound behind them. This is a band that always worked amazing live. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/1caf43e7d76b00097a1aa78bc2c15319/8917736" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="283" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/1caf43e7d76b00097a1aa78bc2c15319/8917736" width="283" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/the-mars-volta/landscape-tantrums/">The Mars Volta - Landscape Tantrums</a>:
This newly released archival album explores unfinished demos from the
band's debut album which was released in 2003. They're not songs that we
don't know. They developed into finished songs eventually. The joy of
this album is hearing a band whose music is so complicated in a bit
looser form. That is one of the signs of the brilliant bands. That said,
this is really an album for fans who know their music.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/e33a270bc3d7fffdf6bc21184efd94b3/5615087" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="791" height="318" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/e33a270bc3d7fffdf6bc21184efd94b3/5615087" width="314" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/the-byrds/sweetheart-of-the-rodeo/">The Byrds - Sweetheart of the Rodeo</a>:
Released in '68, this is the California band's sixth album. This is
also the Gram Parson's dominated album. I'd avoided this record until
now, despite being a big Byrds fan since college. I avoided it because I
knew it was country rock, and knew it would unrecognizable to the Byrds
albums I loved. The odd thing about that flawed logic is that I've been
Gram fan since right around the same time. I picked this up recently
and can't believe I denied myself so long. This is full on country rock
and and foreshadows Gram's solo albums that would come out in the early
'70s. A landmark album of the genre, this was a glaring hole in my
collection. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/e49cbbb325dd6bd2a6a51ca492f91ec4/1613868" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="199" data-original-width="200" height="297" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/e49cbbb325dd6bd2a6a51ca492f91ec4/1613868" width="298" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/gnome/six_hi_surprise_tower/">Gnome - Six-Hi Surprise Tower</a>:
Released in '92, this is the Seattle band's debut album, which would be
followed a year later by their last album "Fiberglass," both on 90s
Seattle label C/Z. I've had their second album on CD since it came out
and recently came across a sealed vinyl copy of this for less than $10.
This is a far superior album. It came with a C/Z catalog, and the
description in that is pretty fitting: "Bubble-grunge pop-core from the
Sub-Pop stable of losers. Early Cheap Trick for the 90's." This is
pretty raw and emblematic of the underground Seattle sound of the time, a
sound that wasn't ever snatched up by the major labels. </div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/s/e7c49da6370dc2f28cc9b35347ef4e28/1795342" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="298" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/s/e7c49da6370dc2f28cc9b35347ef4e28/1795342" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/eddie-money/eddie-money/">Eddie Money - Eddie Money</a>:
The '77 debut from the L.A. icon was the one of his first four that I
was missing and found a copy recently for a few bucks. It opens with
"Two Tickets to Paradise", one of the best side one, track one songs in
pop rock history. It also includes "Baby Hold On", those two tracks
alone are worth the price of admission. The rest of the album is also
solid late '70s rock. This was definitely one that was missing from my
collection.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><h3> (My official RSD purchases)</h3></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Dm0xCFKwoo/YMTT2ImzW_I/AAAAAAAARIs/uZ0H7tyzwFsxA7Dknt0j3Aj9tM0DEMYzQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1440/194689661_10158832565708300_1442994804461209554_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="369" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Dm0xCFKwoo/YMTT2ImzW_I/AAAAAAAARIs/uZ0H7tyzwFsxA7Dknt0j3Aj9tM0DEMYzQCNcBGAsYHQ/w369-h369/194689661_10158832565708300_1442994804461209554_n.jpg" width="369" /></a></div><br /> <br /></div>Brian Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08547208018232793140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503899689333306930.post-51897118546164738322021-06-11T07:30:00.001-07:002021-06-11T07:30:00.220-07:00Fiction Friday (134)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XBQ669wdXfQ/YLqatr0pgdI/AAAAAAAARFc/cXw-9fUEKoAtfVlMIxdfGfEn0PfTfp70wCPcBGAsYHg/s1600/goodreading.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="295" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XBQ669wdXfQ/YLqatr0pgdI/AAAAAAAARFc/cXw-9fUEKoAtfVlMIxdfGfEn0PfTfp70wCPcBGAsYHg/w393-h295/goodreading.jpg" width="393" /></a></div> <p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">My continuing examination of YA books continues with this novel that was released earlier this year. I read as a choice for a Teen Book Club selection after seeing how well-reviewed it was. It was certainly different than most of what I choose to read, and though I didn't love it, I did enjoy it.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1589381478l/53138093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="519" height="514" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1589381478l/53138093.jpg" width="332" /></a></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53138093-the-project"><i>The Project</i></a> by Courtney Summers</h2><h2 style="text-align: center;">(Wednesday Books, 2021)</h2><p style="text-align: justify;">Lo is lost. At 19, she is alone in the world and angry at the circumstances that have brought her to where she is. After her parents died in a car accident, in which she was severely injured, Lo's sister Bea is drawn into a community known as The Unity Project. The Project calls on members to abandon their lives before in order to live the path of God. For Bea, that means leaving her sister.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The hole left in Lo's life manifests in anger and suspicion of The Project. Working for a respected journalist, Lo wants nothing more than to expose The Project as a fraud. After a curious incident in which a member leaps in front of train before her eyes, Lo is more driven than ever to bring down The Project. However, in order to do that, she has to get closer to it than she ever wished to, and potentially falling under the spell The Project's leader Lev tends to have over his followers. She soon discovers that the seeking answers uncovers more mysteries than truth.<br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">This one took me a little while to get into, but by the last half, it was thoroughly compelling. Though labeled YA, I'm not sure I would call this book YA. With the exception of the main character being 19, there is really nothing that links this book to that label. I'm not even sure the themes would be of particular interest to teens, though certainly appeal to a slightly older audience. <br /></p><p><br /></p>Brian Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08547208018232793140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503899689333306930.post-11682041548615268722021-06-05T06:30:00.001-07:002021-06-05T06:30:00.172-07:00Weekend Music Roundup<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OVANdAYHe5E/YLqYZwIJNdI/AAAAAAAARFQ/wT9meS3Q2vEkMQMak_RqL89DOkvdwRV1gCPcBGAsYHg/s618/weekend%2Bmusic%2Broundup%2Blogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="463" data-original-width="618" height="306" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OVANdAYHe5E/YLqYZwIJNdI/AAAAAAAARFQ/wT9meS3Q2vEkMQMak_RqL89DOkvdwRV1gCPcBGAsYHg/w408-h306/weekend%2Bmusic%2Broundup%2Blogo.jpg" width="408" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">It's the weekend once again! Last week, I went to an annual record fair that happens in my corner of the world and picked up a bunch of eclectic vinyl records which I will share over the coming weeks. I've also been listening to plenty of new releases while working in the art studio. This week's list represents a little of both. Hopefully you'll find something of interest. Enjoy. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/8f34ec4103a533110ddd529e566c9037/8731379" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="351" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/8f34ec4103a533110ddd529e566c9037/8731379" width="351" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/royal-blood/typhoons/">Royal Blood - Typhoons</a>: This is the third album from the UK duo who has a mix of blues rock meets alternative dance, much in the vein of another duo, <i>Death from Above</i>.
This is their first album in four years, following one of my favorites
of 2017. Therefore, I was very excited about this one. From the opening
tracks, this album kind of rocks. This is certainly nothing
groundbreaking, but there are few bands out there that do this sound
right and these guys are one of them. A really great high-energy rock
album. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/d93a353a1fab972e81be7a7a7c62f023/8855777" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="351" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/d93a353a1fab972e81be7a7a7c62f023/8855777" width="351" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/coral/spoon/">Coral - Spoon</a>:
The debut album from Swedish dream folk artist Miranda Coral is a
beautiful laid back surprise. When I saw it, I assumed it was <i>The Coral</i>
and was at first disappointed that it was not. However, when I stopped
to listen, I heard something quite enjoyable. She reminds a bit of Holly
Miranda and this is one of those albums that feels like a novel. A very
relaxing ride that I recommend taking. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/5bf9ce898cfcc9fc73aebf3e384e2370/2700214" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="450" height="344" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/5bf9ce898cfcc9fc73aebf3e384e2370/2700214" width="344" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/queen/sheer-heart-attack/">Queen - Sheer Heart Attack</a>: For the longest time, I was convinced I didn't like <i>Queen</i>. It was while watching <i>Bohemian Rhapsody </i>that
I realized a lot of the songs I thought I hated were really just songs
I'd heard too many times. I've since listened to and really loved their
second album, "Queen II". This is their third album and came out in '74
and dynamite glam rock album. "Killer Queen" is probably the best known
song on here, which is fair since it pretty much sums up their sound on
this record. I can certainly hear it's influence of <i>Scorpion's </i>"Virgin Killer" released two years later. A classic for a reason. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/86f1dcde6794ebadec9590560c518461/2137259" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="332" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/86f1dcde6794ebadec9590560c518461/2137259" width="332" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/runt/runt/">Runt - Runt</a>: Todd Rundgren's 1970 solo debut after the departing <i>Nazz</i>. Over the past half-decade or so, I've gotten into <i>Nazz </i>and
Todd in the way I always like to support Philly bands. I found this for
$5 and snatched it up. It's super groovy, blending the <i>Nazz </i>psychedelic
pop with the emerging pop rock sound that would come to dominate the
next several years. "We Got to Get You a Women" is total blue-eyed soul
that Bozz Scags would come to emulate. "Who's that Man" is a Elton piano
jammer. There's a freshness and confidence of youth that blazes up and
and down the track list. A total banger of a record. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/2dd6a3ff4233211145239b74577eae69/8922346" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="570" height="340" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/2dd6a3ff4233211145239b74577eae69/8922346" width="339" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/pearls-before-swine/one-nation-underground/">Pearls Before Swine - One Nation Underground</a>:
The '67 debut from the psychedelic folk band. For years, I've known
their '68 - '70 albums that followed and enjoy them. I was pretty
excited to come across this one for a few dollars. It was a little beat
up, but a good cleaning took care of that. This one might even be more
in my wheelhouse than their later albums, more acoustic <i>Floyd </i>or <i>Velvet Underground </i>demo
style. This is a magical album that blends a lot of different folk and
folk rock styles into a mellow void of a dreamy afternoon of
uncomfortable visions. </div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81C8cyTaZ8L._SS500_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="347" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81C8cyTaZ8L._SS500_.jpg" width="347" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/portugal-the-man/oregon-city-sessions/">Portugal. The Man - Oregon City Sessions</a>:
Recorded in 2008, this live session was just released by the band,
their first release of any kind since 2017's breakout album <i>Woodstock</i>.
This period of the band is one of my favorites, right as they are
reaching their peak and exploding with creativity. The set list features
many of their best songs, and is probably meant as album to reach some
fans that only discovered them shortly after with their <i>Evil Friends</i> album, while also pleasing long time fans. <br /></p><p> </p><p> </p>Brian Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08547208018232793140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503899689333306930.post-5034305219846760952021-06-04T14:16:00.000-07:002021-06-04T14:16:22.278-07:00Fiction Friday (133)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PDAVBg0-kmc/YLqSnBnj7KI/AAAAAAAARFE/K840bL6NlWMDdZ2MTyzsgjwr67esm3EKQCPcBGAsYHg/s1600/goodreading.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="342" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PDAVBg0-kmc/YLqSnBnj7KI/AAAAAAAARFE/K840bL6NlWMDdZ2MTyzsgjwr67esm3EKQCPcBGAsYHg/w456-h342/goodreading.jpg" width="456" /></a></div> <p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">It's the end of the week and I recently finished reading yet another contemporary novel. This was another selection that I read for the library's book club that I lead. I'd heard good things about this one and was excited to read it, whereas many of the others, I am not. Though not a literary tour de force, this novel was well written and quite compelling in the way it dealt with the ideas of racial insensitivity and privilege. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1557181911l/43923951._SY475_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="315" height="372" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1557181911l/43923951._SY475_.jpg" width="247" /></a></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43923951-such-a-fun-age?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=lFA1jh9td4&rank=1"><i>Such a Fun Age</i></a> by Kiley Reid</h2><h2 style="text-align: center;">(Putnam, 2019)</h2><p style="text-align: justify;">In the past couple of years, the market has been flooded with novels that examine race relations in our country. What makes this one special is the subtleties it employs to deal with the topic which mirrors the subtleties in which it often exists. With the exception of a few characters in the opening confrontation scene, none of the characters are racist in any stereotypical way. In fact, both main white characters, Alix and Kelley, would consider themselves anti-racist. They are both too self-centered and self-involved to actually consider their actions, motives, and consequences...and despite both protesting that they have Emira's best interests at heart, neither ever bothers to have a real conversation with her.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I've read reviews, and spoken with people who really didn't like this book, who thought it wasn't in depth enough, or that it breezed over the subject. I disagree. The fact that it didn't beat the reader over the head with the themes is its strength. The fact that it is filled with humor is also a strength. It is not a book that is there to provide answers, it's a book meant for the reader to examine these characters and their actions and really think about their faults.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">It is also not exclusively about race. Emira is not simply "African-American"...she is a 25 year old woman who doesn't know what she wants from life, something that is not a product of ethnicity. The reader sees her as the only true genuine character and as a result, her situation becomes universal and humanizing, something the Alix and Kelley fail to recognize.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I really enjoyed this book, and of course, 3-year-old Briar steals the show with her wonderfully innocent observations. The relationship between her and Emira is the heart of the book, and it's ironic that Alix's company is called "Let Her Speak" when that is exactly what she never allows from her daughter and her daughter's babysitter. <br /></p><p><br /></p>Brian Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08547208018232793140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503899689333306930.post-44084819464605250852021-05-29T11:57:00.001-07:002021-05-29T11:57:08.415-07:00Weekend Music Roundup<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qWGMVaqk-eo/YLKNDhCz3PI/AAAAAAAAREg/F2H60oN4mq0bPMSSt3pUT_2AzSQAlttpQCPcBGAsYHg/s618/weekend%2Bmusic%2Broundup%2Blogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="463" data-original-width="618" height="306" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qWGMVaqk-eo/YLKNDhCz3PI/AAAAAAAAREg/F2H60oN4mq0bPMSSt3pUT_2AzSQAlttpQCPcBGAsYHg/w408-h306/weekend%2Bmusic%2Broundup%2Blogo.jpg" width="408" /></a></div> <p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Welcome to the long weekend. I know the roundup has been occasionally MIA over the past month or so, that because we've been busy with parties and living the vax-life, which I realize is kind of just like 2019, only without all of the Trump-talk. It's like a better version of 2019. This week, I rant about some new releases and some recent pick-ups. Some great stuff on here, so hopefully you have the energy to check out something new. Enjoy.<br /></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/b1d16da3c36bf6e215d385913438f2f3/8835276" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="390" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/b1d16da3c36bf6e215d385913438f2f3/8835276" width="390" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/st-vincent/daddys-home/">St. Vincent - Daddy's Home</a>:
It's been four years since art rock artist's last album and it's been
all over the place. This blends all the sounds she's been doing for
years, which basically amounts psychedelic soul art pop. Though I've
enjoyed her past work, none of it grabbed me the way this one has. This
album taps into something that just makes every song sound so perfect.
There's a confidence that oozes through the tracks, a 70s Fleetwood Mac
sense of decadence mixed with a Trip-Hop coolness. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/0f60ab817261395acb0e56c6085d6ef4/2000474" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="343" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/0f60ab817261395acb0e56c6085d6ef4/2000474" width="343" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/television/adventure/">Television - Adventure</a>: The iconic NYC's first album, 1977's <i>Marquee Moon</i>
is one of my favorite debuts of all time. This, their second album, was
released a year later and has been on my want list for ages. Though
it's been re-issued, I've always been waiting for an original at a
reasonable price, something that isn't an impossible ask. I finally
found one and though, as I expected, it's impossible to live up to the
first album, it's still quite awesome. They've always done something
quite different with the genre than other early art punk bands and
create incredible stories with their sounds. It doesn't have the same
hint of danger as the debut, but still has the eeriness that I love. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/a5fc6eec9f000859125d51f630dfe9c5/8805748" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="333" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/a5fc6eec9f000859125d51f630dfe9c5/8805748" width="333" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/manchester-orchestra/the-million-masks-of-god/">Manchester Orchestra - The Million Masks of God</a>:
This is the seventh album from the Atlanta indie rock band, and their
first since 2017. This is one of those bands that I've been following
for over fifteen years and can say with confidence that this is their
best album in over a decade. It's not that I didn't enjoy the more
recent ones, but this one captures some of that vulnerable magic from
their earlier work that first drew me to them. It opens with the
beautiful "Inaudible," an ethereal hymn to isolation, and then moves
into the classic sounding "Angel of Death" and I was hooked. This album
is the perfect example of why, when an artist makes an album that I
love, I continue to follow their career. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://f4.bcbits.com/img/a0633442115_10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="335" src="https://f4.bcbits.com/img/a0633442115_10.jpg" width="335" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/nervous-dater/call-in-the-mess/">Nervous Dater - Call in the Mess</a>:
This is the second album from NYC indie band and comes four years after
their debut. This has a very 90s indie feel to it, and it opens with
the great track "Middle Child." My enjoyment of it definitely stems from
a nostalgia feeling. Some songs are better than others, and there's a
few that are just too emo pop punk for my taste. "Violent Haiku," "Turn
Them Ourselves in the Grave," along with the opening track are personal
favorites. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/d1ad5e0f47df419fc99a09d2a7b5d3fc/1795420" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="489" data-original-width="488" height="362" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/d1ad5e0f47df419fc99a09d2a7b5d3fc/1795420" width="361" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/richie-havens/mixed-bag/">Richie Havens - Mixed Bag</a>:
Released in '67, this was Haven's second album and his commercial
breakthrough that landed him at Woodstock which propelled soulful folk
artist into the history of rock. I recently picked this up in the 4 for
$10 bin at the local shop because there was gap in my collection which
hadn't included any Havens. There's some amazing covers on here, with
"High Flyin' Bird" and "Eleanor Rigby" being my personal favorites. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/d9bb382a5fd450afd359154c4187022f/8226264" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="310" src="https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/d9bb382a5fd450afd359154c4187022f/8226264" width="310" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/the-raconteurs/live-at-electric-lady/">The Raconteurs - Live at Electric Lady</a>:
Released last spring, this live event hosted by Jim Jarmusch for the
band's top Spotify listeners is a solid set from a band that has always
been super professional, comprised of super-talented artists. Along with
favorites from their three albums, this also includes a cover of
Richard Hell's "Blank Generation" with is pretty phenom. A must have for
fans. <br /></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>Brian Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08547208018232793140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503899689333306930.post-52082268643404649342021-05-21T08:00:00.001-07:002021-05-21T08:00:00.210-07:00Fiction Friday (132)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eJfCrMssjqI/YKK0d0v_5oI/AAAAAAAARAg/19sTEseBgfocEBMsMDWT_J24OJP7Ql3igCPcBGAsYHg/s1600/goodreading.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="331" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eJfCrMssjqI/YKK0d0v_5oI/AAAAAAAARAg/19sTEseBgfocEBMsMDWT_J24OJP7Ql3igCPcBGAsYHg/w441-h331/goodreading.jpg" width="441" /></a></div> <p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I had meant to take a break from reading YA fiction, but recently the library I work out weeded the Teen collection and I went through the DISCARDs and grabbed a few that looked interesting. I started to read this one, mostly because the cover appealed to me, and because it was named after an <i>Iron and Wine </i>album. It turned out to be a very satisfying read. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1407814330l/22825631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="306" height="418" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1407814330l/22825631.jpg" width="269" /></a></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22825631-our-endless-numbered-days"><i>Our Endless Numbered Days</i></a> by Claire Fuller</h2><h2 style="text-align: center;">(Tin House Books, 2015)</h2><p style="text-align: justify;">The world of adults and the world of children are often lived in separate realities that overlap somewhere in the middle like circles on a venn diagram, leaving members of each without a full understanding of how the other half lives. This is very much 8yo Peggy's situation, living on an estate in North London in the mid-70s with her eccentric parents. Her mother is a famous German pianist; her younger father a survivalist dreamer. Both seem to exist outside Peggy's internal world except when their world intrudes into hers.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Peggy's father emerges quickly as an unstable personality, and after a fallout with his wife, begins to fully embrace a split with reality, sweeping his daughter along with her. When the two of them leave their home and hike off into the secluded mountains of Bavaria, Peggy has no idea she will be spending the next nine years of her life alone in a cabin with her father. Terrified of crossing the river, and walled in by mountains, there is nowhere to go. Even if there was, her father has told her that beyond their little section of forest, the rest of the world has vanished.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">This is one of those novels the joins the reader to the main character. The reader is the character's only true friend and confidant. As a result, we get to know Punzel, nee Peggy and she becomes someone we care about. She is a very strong character, yet we lament her losses that she cannot fully comprehend. And as her father's mental grasp on begins to falter, we begin to fear for her safety. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">We are never completely fearful for her however, because the novel alternates between her time in the woods and her time home, which is very effective in creating a sense of mystery and providing clues to keep the reader engaged. There are a few open ended questions at the end, deliberately so, that are meant to engage younger readers to consider options. However adult readers are fairly convinced of what happened. <br /></p><p><br /></p>Brian Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08547208018232793140noreply@blogger.com0