There was never no such thing as an ugly Ernie Banks card...
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
MUSICIANSHIP
Just out of nowhere, I’ve started listening to Ships by Danielson.
I let this one go by a couple of years back. I thought Ship the Majestic Suffix was Schoolhouse Rock for cool kids, but when I hit the line “When life's got your goat now/By his tail or by his goat throat” in track 2, I cut bait and never looked back.
But now I’ve been listening to the first four or five songs every night before I go to sleep. And that line is still absurd, but it matters less…
Just out of nowhere, I’ve started listening to Ships by Danielson.
I let this one go by a couple of years back. I thought Ship the Majestic Suffix was Schoolhouse Rock for cool kids, but when I hit the line “When life's got your goat now/By his tail or by his goat throat” in track 2, I cut bait and never looked back.
But now I’ve been listening to the first four or five songs every night before I go to sleep. And that line is still absurd, but it matters less…
Friday, July 18, 2008
MAC LOVING
So yeah, I picked up a copy of Rumours when I was in Charlottesville. Figured it was about time.
The frisson of the various mangled relationships is right on the surface, but what really stands out is the pure strength of You Make Loving Fun. This song got me through as much pre-adolescent shit as the ice cream man, and I can still feel its gravitational pull...
So yeah, I picked up a copy of Rumours when I was in Charlottesville. Figured it was about time.
The frisson of the various mangled relationships is right on the surface, but what really stands out is the pure strength of You Make Loving Fun. This song got me through as much pre-adolescent shit as the ice cream man, and I can still feel its gravitational pull...
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Monday, July 14, 2008
HALO
It wasn’t there.
You might have seen me if you were in the Albemarle Square Plan 9 on Saturday afternoon.
I was the one in a blue t-shirt and tan shorts, with black Mets Crocs. I was rocking a nascent goatee, brown under the nose and gray on the chin.
I spent several minutes in the V used rock CD section, a few minutes more than you’d rightly think anyone would need.
But it wasn’t there. And I couldn’t believe it wasn’t there.
It appears that somehow, the last used copy of Teenage Symphonies to God by Velvet Crush has left the building.
Now I won’t go so far as to say that the point of my two-hour drive down to Charlottesville was to confirm the continued presence of the disc. That would be kind of nuts. But let’s just say it was a side attraction.
My breath quickened a bit when I realized it was gone. I was disequilibrated.
And just as suddenly, I felt a sense of calm. I might have even grinned.
Because I realized at that moment what it is that I left in Charlottesville. And I realized as well that it’s waiting there for me.
I’ll let you know someday if I have the sense to pick it up…
It wasn’t there.
You might have seen me if you were in the Albemarle Square Plan 9 on Saturday afternoon.
I was the one in a blue t-shirt and tan shorts, with black Mets Crocs. I was rocking a nascent goatee, brown under the nose and gray on the chin.
I spent several minutes in the V used rock CD section, a few minutes more than you’d rightly think anyone would need.
But it wasn’t there. And I couldn’t believe it wasn’t there.
It appears that somehow, the last used copy of Teenage Symphonies to God by Velvet Crush has left the building.
Now I won’t go so far as to say that the point of my two-hour drive down to Charlottesville was to confirm the continued presence of the disc. That would be kind of nuts. But let’s just say it was a side attraction.
My breath quickened a bit when I realized it was gone. I was disequilibrated.
And just as suddenly, I felt a sense of calm. I might have even grinned.
Because I realized at that moment what it is that I left in Charlottesville. And I realized as well that it’s waiting there for me.
I’ll let you know someday if I have the sense to pick it up…
Friday, July 11, 2008
BRAFF BAG
The other night on National Geographic they were showing Aftermath: Population Zero, which the program guide describes thusly:
“Envisioning what Earth would be like if all 6.6 billion humans disappeared.”
When I flipped by, an unfortunate theoretical poodle was getting owned by a pack of theoretical German shepherds. I hit the FAV button on the remote to move on to the next channel, which was IFC. Garden State was on.
This led me to envision what Earth would be like if all 6.6 billion humans disappeared.
Because, hey, no Garden State...
The other night on National Geographic they were showing Aftermath: Population Zero, which the program guide describes thusly:
“Envisioning what Earth would be like if all 6.6 billion humans disappeared.”
When I flipped by, an unfortunate theoretical poodle was getting owned by a pack of theoretical German shepherds. I hit the FAV button on the remote to move on to the next channel, which was IFC. Garden State was on.
This led me to envision what Earth would be like if all 6.6 billion humans disappeared.
Because, hey, no Garden State...
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Monday, July 07, 2008
NMEeek
I went to Neiman Marcus for the first time in my life yesterday.
I was looking through a rack of t-shirts when a salesman popped up right in my line of sight. He was holding a $70 Juicy Couture tee with shiny silver accents on the front.
“This is a nice shirt. I had someone come in last week and buy this shirt. He went out to nightclub and the, how do you call it, was, was catching...” Here he made a motion with his free hand, outlining the silver design with his index finger.
“Disco ball,” I said.
“Yes, the disco ball. It was catching the silver and lighting up. His friend, he liked it so much, he brought his friend in the next day and he got same shirt.”
“That is quite a shirt,” I acknowledged. “Quite... a... shirt.”
I went to Neiman Marcus for the first time in my life yesterday.
I was looking through a rack of t-shirts when a salesman popped up right in my line of sight. He was holding a $70 Juicy Couture tee with shiny silver accents on the front.
“This is a nice shirt. I had someone come in last week and buy this shirt. He went out to nightclub and the, how do you call it, was, was catching...” Here he made a motion with his free hand, outlining the silver design with his index finger.
“Disco ball,” I said.
“Yes, the disco ball. It was catching the silver and lighting up. His friend, he liked it so much, he brought his friend in the next day and he got same shirt.”
“That is quite a shirt,” I acknowledged. “Quite... a... shirt.”
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
BRIGHT AND SHINY PLATTERS
There are very few discs among my all-time favorites that I’d suggest are essential to you.
Sure, I could point out why I think you should like Dots and Loops or Haha Sound or Wild Gift, and you might very well be nonplussed. That’s fine.
But there are three that I think you ignore at your own peril.
I’ve prattled on enough about In the Aeroplane Over the Sea. Just live with it for a while, and your soul will be a better place.
Another one is Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space. It’s a bit harder for me to articulate the reasons why I think this is so essential. It’s visceral. That’ll do.
The third is Exile in Guyville.
Now, there was every chance that this one would not age well, that 15 years on it would feel like a relic of indie days gone by. But it still holds up.
It’s profane, and sometimes gratuitous. But so are you.
It’s sprawling and confused. But so are you.
It’s righteously pissed. But so are you.
It’s really kind of beautiful. But so are you...
There are very few discs among my all-time favorites that I’d suggest are essential to you.
Sure, I could point out why I think you should like Dots and Loops or Haha Sound or Wild Gift, and you might very well be nonplussed. That’s fine.
But there are three that I think you ignore at your own peril.
I’ve prattled on enough about In the Aeroplane Over the Sea. Just live with it for a while, and your soul will be a better place.
Another one is Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space. It’s a bit harder for me to articulate the reasons why I think this is so essential. It’s visceral. That’ll do.
The third is Exile in Guyville.
Now, there was every chance that this one would not age well, that 15 years on it would feel like a relic of indie days gone by. But it still holds up.
It’s profane, and sometimes gratuitous. But so are you.
It’s sprawling and confused. But so are you.
It’s righteously pissed. But so are you.
It’s really kind of beautiful. But so are you...
Friday, June 27, 2008
ISM-SKISM GAME
Got cut off this morning by a black Prius with the following bumper sticker:
Relax; God’s in Control
Expect Miracles
First I was moderately pissed about being cut off.
Next I was angered more intensely by the shoddy application of the semi-colon. Forgive me, but it’s who I am.
Finally I was damn near enraged by the sentiment, which is pernicious bullshit...
Got cut off this morning by a black Prius with the following bumper sticker:
Relax; God’s in Control
Expect Miracles
First I was moderately pissed about being cut off.
Next I was angered more intensely by the shoddy application of the semi-colon. Forgive me, but it’s who I am.
Finally I was damn near enraged by the sentiment, which is pernicious bullshit...
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
CATAPULT
One day years ago I was playing stickball at my old grammar school. It was a nondescript summer afternoon, but for some reason a side door was open. I went inside.
I walked the hallways in a bit of a daze, as recollections both sharp and dim pinged my brain.
Of course, everything was smaller than I remembered. I stooped to get a drink from the water fountain.
Last night I was listening to “Is This It?” and, well, let’s just say I had to stoop to drink from the fountain…
One day years ago I was playing stickball at my old grammar school. It was a nondescript summer afternoon, but for some reason a side door was open. I went inside.
I walked the hallways in a bit of a daze, as recollections both sharp and dim pinged my brain.
Of course, everything was smaller than I remembered. I stooped to get a drink from the water fountain.
Last night I was listening to “Is This It?” and, well, let’s just say I had to stoop to drink from the fountain…
Monday, June 23, 2008
HORNS
OK Rocknoceros, just stay the living fuck away from my kids. I swear, one step closer and I will give you a beat down you'll not soon forget...
OK Rocknoceros, just stay the living fuck away from my kids. I swear, one step closer and I will give you a beat down you'll not soon forget...
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
BANDSTAND
Had a little listening party here at the ranch the other night, featuring Nouns by No Age and the Sun Giant EP from Fleet Foxes.
First impression: the difference between the respective discs is kind of like the difference between wanting to be like your cool uncle and dressing up in your daddy’s clothes.
Don’t get me wrong—the Fleet Foxes disc seems perfectly pleasant. I could imagine my good friend Tom the Classic Rock Fan (TCRF) digging it. But for now I'm with No Age.
Of course, my initial thoughts on OK Computer were that it was for TCRF only too, so you never can tell…
Had a little listening party here at the ranch the other night, featuring Nouns by No Age and the Sun Giant EP from Fleet Foxes.
First impression: the difference between the respective discs is kind of like the difference between wanting to be like your cool uncle and dressing up in your daddy’s clothes.
Don’t get me wrong—the Fleet Foxes disc seems perfectly pleasant. I could imagine my good friend Tom the Classic Rock Fan (TCRF) digging it. But for now I'm with No Age.
Of course, my initial thoughts on OK Computer were that it was for TCRF only too, so you never can tell…
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
L-O-V-E LOVE, IT'S COMING BACK, IT'S COMING BACK
I bought this shirt a couple of weeks ago.
Now, as a teenage punk, I developed a considerable disdain for hippies. Not so much due to their blinkered idealism, but more for the way in which their attachment to sex and drugs overwhelmed their attachment to radicalism, and led in a straight line to discos, coke spoons, and The Love Boat.
But given the tenor of our times, I find myself in sympathy with the idea of a politicized youth movement.
The one peril that goes with the shirt? Conversations with real hippies, as I learned on a weekend walk through Georgetown...
I bought this shirt a couple of weeks ago.
Now, as a teenage punk, I developed a considerable disdain for hippies. Not so much due to their blinkered idealism, but more for the way in which their attachment to sex and drugs overwhelmed their attachment to radicalism, and led in a straight line to discos, coke spoons, and The Love Boat.
But given the tenor of our times, I find myself in sympathy with the idea of a politicized youth movement.
The one peril that goes with the shirt? Conversations with real hippies, as I learned on a weekend walk through Georgetown...
Friday, June 13, 2008
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
PUNCTUATION ROCK
So the book itself was nothing to fear.
It was a fairly nuts-and-bolts description of the genesis of Neutral Milk Hotel, and the recording of “In the Aeroplane Over the Sea.”
There was one small interpretive section, for which the author nearly apologized.
The only thing that grated a little was an “alternative” reading of the opening to King of Carrot Flowers Parts 2 & 3. In case you’re not familiar, the song starts with a naked display of faith: “I love you Jesus Christ/Jesus Christ I love you, yes I do.”
The author offers a couple of commas to the atheists for whom this statement might present a barrier to engagement with the album, and turns Jesus Christ into an exclamation: “I love you, Jesus Christ/Jesus Christ, I love you, yes I do.”
Well, as an atheist myself, bear with me as I cozy up to my fellow atheists here for a second.
Hi, fellow atheists. So, um, how’s your atheism going? Been a while since we’ve spoken. How was your Generic Winter Holiday Celebration? Good, good to hear. So, anyway, about this King of Carrot Flowers Parts 2 & 3 thing. Yeah, uh, if listening to someone express their faith is a problem for you, I have a suggestion: Fuck off. Now I realize that’s not a particularly productive suggestion, but seriously, if hearing Jeff Mangum sing “I love you Jesus Christ” bars the door to your potential enjoyment of the album, then the album does not need you. You need it for certain, but I guess you’re kind of screwed there, huh? Well, take care, y’all.
So the book itself was nothing to fear.
It was a fairly nuts-and-bolts description of the genesis of Neutral Milk Hotel, and the recording of “In the Aeroplane Over the Sea.”
There was one small interpretive section, for which the author nearly apologized.
The only thing that grated a little was an “alternative” reading of the opening to King of Carrot Flowers Parts 2 & 3. In case you’re not familiar, the song starts with a naked display of faith: “I love you Jesus Christ/Jesus Christ I love you, yes I do.”
The author offers a couple of commas to the atheists for whom this statement might present a barrier to engagement with the album, and turns Jesus Christ into an exclamation: “I love you, Jesus Christ/Jesus Christ, I love you, yes I do.”
Well, as an atheist myself, bear with me as I cozy up to my fellow atheists here for a second.
Hi, fellow atheists. So, um, how’s your atheism going? Been a while since we’ve spoken. How was your Generic Winter Holiday Celebration? Good, good to hear. So, anyway, about this King of Carrot Flowers Parts 2 & 3 thing. Yeah, uh, if listening to someone express their faith is a problem for you, I have a suggestion: Fuck off. Now I realize that’s not a particularly productive suggestion, but seriously, if hearing Jeff Mangum sing “I love you Jesus Christ” bars the door to your potential enjoyment of the album, then the album does not need you. You need it for certain, but I guess you’re kind of screwed there, huh? Well, take care, y’all.
Monday, June 09, 2008
EMPTY RINGS AROUND YOUR HEART
For my birthday back in January, I picked up a copy of the “In the Aeroplane Over the Sea” book from the 33 1/3 series.
And that, strictly speaking, was the last time I picked it up until this past weekend.
You see, I was a bit scared of the book. As much as I wanted to know more about “In the Aeroplane” I also didn't want to know any more than I already did.
It's kind of like how I felt about biology back in high school. I thought that to be alive is a startling and magical thing, and I didn't want that sensation to be corrupted by too detailed an understanding of taxonomies and nomenclatures.
But we grow older and recognize that willful ignorance has little to recommend it either, I suppose...
For my birthday back in January, I picked up a copy of the “In the Aeroplane Over the Sea” book from the 33 1/3 series.
And that, strictly speaking, was the last time I picked it up until this past weekend.
You see, I was a bit scared of the book. As much as I wanted to know more about “In the Aeroplane” I also didn't want to know any more than I already did.
It's kind of like how I felt about biology back in high school. I thought that to be alive is a startling and magical thing, and I didn't want that sensation to be corrupted by too detailed an understanding of taxonomies and nomenclatures.
But we grow older and recognize that willful ignorance has little to recommend it either, I suppose...
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