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| Merrill Garbus- the brains behind tUnE-yArDs |
It's a dark and gloomy Sunday. Maybe the best kind in my opinion, on a November day. A few trees are holding the last remnants of life. The colors range from vibrant red to dull beige. Starbucks on the other hand is awash in red. It's like a Christmas blood letting. Thanksgiving is still weeks away. Remember that Holiday? With the food, and football, recollection of all we are thankful for. A kind of excused gluttony is you will. Airing of the grievances. Bull shitting by the fireplace. Coffee and whiskey on a brisk morning.
Do kids still meet up with old high school friends the night before Thanksgiving? Amateur hour, right? And, with the exception of the amateur hour drinking and driving that night, a rollicking good time.
Hell, back at my place the Christmas China is making its way into our display furniture.
If you can't beat them, join them.
It gets bleak pretty soon during the Northeastern winters. Darkness travels with you during the morning commute and guides you home on your way home. Scraping car windows kind of sucks. And if it is anything like last winter, shit's gonna get real cold. Old(er) bones get a little colder, don't they?
I always thought that was baloney. Now I can feel it wasn't.
This will be my last Sunday off for a while. The basketball season starts up next week and will continue through March. That means no more concerts for a while. Time to write and update this blog and Facebook page becomes more scarce.
I know I am not alone. If your town is anything like mine folks have two calendars in their kitchens. They are white boards filled with test schedules, practices, social events, work events. You are well versed in Team Snap and subscribe to more calendars you would care to.
So we are all moving fast, taking less time for ourselves, racing.
Why wouldn't the seasons move fast with us? If you have a free moment you only have to get MORE done. Idle time? What is that?
Essential if you ask me. Buying that new Swavorski Christmas ornament is not going to add value to your life. And it sure ain't helping anyone else either.
Except of course Starbucks.
Here is hoping you all find a little cheer, and chill, during the frantic end of year rush.
It's another year. Another victory. Another reason to be hopeful.
Starting this month and through the end of the year we are counting down our favorite films of all time. Tune in here daily to follow along and join the conversation.
* Editors Note:
So that was last Sunday. It's now this Saturday. The Saturday before Thanksgiving. The first real big one of the Holiday. This morning found me roaming a suburban mall and growing increasingly anxious.
At 9:50 am, 10 minutes prior to the mall's official opening, a 10 store line had begun at the Frozen "Take a picture with Santa" display. Shit got real in a hurry.
Little girls in Disney princess dresses mingled with varying degrees of Real Housewives and their effeminate husbands and kids. Every store was a sea of red. Clerks and sales people were cheery enough and polite. In a few weeks the banter becomes less friendly as the tensions begin to rise.
For now, smiles and salutations. And pity the poor "Take a pic with Santa" workers. We are mostly ungrateful, selfish pricks. Add to that a miserable wait in line and we all teeter close to the edge. Kids screaming- hunger pangs- expectations unfulfilled. All in an effort to get out that perfect card. The one that adequately conveys "things are going just fine, thanks or WE ARE DOING BETTER THAN YOU!"
We actually needed some things. Phones have to be upgraded. Clothes for a growing girl have to be factored in.
I prefer to think of this as an anomaly. In a few days we will all be with loved ones. We will drink and eat without regard for our health. We will all hopefully smile. Not for the latest gadget. Or a new pair of shoes.
We are all on the right side of the dirt.
* Editors Note:
So that was last Sunday. It's now this Saturday. The Saturday before Thanksgiving. The first real big one of the Holiday. This morning found me roaming a suburban mall and growing increasingly anxious.
At 9:50 am, 10 minutes prior to the mall's official opening, a 10 store line had begun at the Frozen "Take a picture with Santa" display. Shit got real in a hurry.
Little girls in Disney princess dresses mingled with varying degrees of Real Housewives and their effeminate husbands and kids. Every store was a sea of red. Clerks and sales people were cheery enough and polite. In a few weeks the banter becomes less friendly as the tensions begin to rise.
For now, smiles and salutations. And pity the poor "Take a pic with Santa" workers. We are mostly ungrateful, selfish pricks. Add to that a miserable wait in line and we all teeter close to the edge. Kids screaming- hunger pangs- expectations unfulfilled. All in an effort to get out that perfect card. The one that adequately conveys "things are going just fine, thanks or WE ARE DOING BETTER THAN YOU!"
We actually needed some things. Phones have to be upgraded. Clothes for a growing girl have to be factored in.
I prefer to think of this as an anomaly. In a few days we will all be with loved ones. We will drink and eat without regard for our health. We will all hopefully smile. Not for the latest gadget. Or a new pair of shoes.
We are all on the right side of the dirt.
In the meantime, here are this months selections for best in song. Take some time to enjoy, maybe with your favorite warm beverage. Or whatever substance you might need to get you through it.
Happy Thanksgiving all.
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| The Decemberists have a new record coming. That will make the winter a little warmer. |
Merrill Garbus project released their record very early in 2014. This first single was inescapable in the spring on the alt dial. After nearly 6 months it finally beat me down. They happened to play one of my favorite shows, Jools Holland, last month and make an impact. After nearly 6 months it finally beat me down. They happened to play one of my favorite shows, Jools Holland, last month and make an impact. When someone likes Robert Plant takes notice, I thought maybe it was time I took a harder listen. Better yet, I WATCHED her perform it, from that program. And it resonated far more than hearing it on the radio as I have for months. I kinda get it now. That has to explain why I catch myself singing it most days.
Posted more for the video, which features Michael Shannon. A more fascinating working actor I dare you find. He is mesmerizing. The song is pretty darn rocking too.
Father John Misty "Bored in the USA"
J. Tillman has an amazing voice. He debuted this song, from his forthcoming record, on the David Letterman show a few weeks back. The laughter as her performs is unusual. In fact, the whole damn thing is awkward. This is a power, piano ballad. Tillman brings a full orchestra. You wait for the slow build to have a thunderous ending. It never does. Sure, Tillman and the strings take flight, and even soar for a bit. Take a look/listen and decide. I am on board, but tentative.
J. Tillman has an amazing voice. He debuted this song, from his forthcoming record, on the David Letterman show a few weeks back. The laughter as her performs is unusual. In fact, the whole damn thing is awkward. This is a power, piano ballad. Tillman brings a full orchestra. You wait for the slow build to have a thunderous ending. It never does. Sure, Tillman and the strings take flight, and even soar for a bit. Take a look/listen and decide. I am on board, but tentative.
The Decemberists "Make You Better"
Colin Meloy, vocalist and brains behind Portland, OR The Decemberists, can be galvanizing. He is the embodiment of geek rock. The "Keep Portland Weird" creed passes through his thick rimmed, Clark Kent looking glasses. Worse, or better if you ask me, is his voice. Too nasally for some, or most- but not me. So it was good news that, not only is keyboardist Jenny Conlee back after a battle with breast cancer, but that Meloy et al are releasing a new album. Here is the first track- and it's wonderful.
Colin Meloy, vocalist and brains behind Portland, OR The Decemberists, can be galvanizing. He is the embodiment of geek rock. The "Keep Portland Weird" creed passes through his thick rimmed, Clark Kent looking glasses. Worse, or better if you ask me, is his voice. Too nasally for some, or most- but not me. So it was good news that, not only is keyboardist Jenny Conlee back after a battle with breast cancer, but that Meloy et al are releasing a new album. Here is the first track- and it's wonderful.
Sleater-Kinney "Bury Our Friends"
Speaking of Portland, Carrie Brownstein has taken a break from IFC's brilliant Portlandia, to get her band, Sleater Kinney, back together. 90s lo-fi rock and roll served up with sass and/or frass. It is just like I remembered.
Speaking of Portland, Carrie Brownstein has taken a break from IFC's brilliant Portlandia, to get her band, Sleater Kinney, back together. 90s lo-fi rock and roll served up with sass and/or frass. It is just like I remembered.
Palace "I Want What You Got"
London rock and roll. I can't find much about these guys or this song. I heard it somewhere. And I keep wanting to hear it. Good enough for me. For fans of Kings of Leon or White Denim.
London rock and roll. I can't find much about these guys or this song. I heard it somewhere. And I keep wanting to hear it. Good enough for me. For fans of Kings of Leon or White Denim.
Grouper "Call Across Rooms"
Seriously! Another Portland, OR artist. Liz Harris is the one woman "ambient" project, Grouper. Nuff said.
Parkay Quartz "Content Nausea"
They changed their names and put out another record all within 6 months or so. Parquet Courts is, for now, Parkay Quartz. Who cares about the name. Its still post punk noise with a beat you can stomp too. No friggin frills fun.
Chet Faker "Gold"
Australian Nicholas James Murphy is Chet Faker. He is riding the George Ezra, Passenger, Vance Joy folk thing that has mesmerized many of us. Soulful voice, charisma and a little tongue in cheek on your next ride to the wall. Or, if your lucky, headphones on your easy chair in front of a warm fire. Smoking jacket and dog at your feet optional.
Foo Fighters "Outside"
The Dave Grohl show Sonic Highways on HBO is the best thing to happen to television this year. The album that the show supports I cannot tell you much about. I appreciate and understand Grohl and his band have on the rock and roll landscape. I was never, and probably will never, be a huge Foo Fighters fan. Maybe it's Grohl's voice, or how many of the songs sound alike, or the fact I was never into ALL those guitars. Who knows? But I do know I like and respect Joe Walsh, who is on display here. Grohl's legacy is intact, and his documentary series about the
Seriously! Another Portland, OR artist. Liz Harris is the one woman "ambient" project, Grouper. Nuff said.
Parkay Quartz "Content Nausea"
They changed their names and put out another record all within 6 months or so. Parquet Courts is, for now, Parkay Quartz. Who cares about the name. Its still post punk noise with a beat you can stomp too. No friggin frills fun.
Chet Faker "Gold"
Australian Nicholas James Murphy is Chet Faker. He is riding the George Ezra, Passenger, Vance Joy folk thing that has mesmerized many of us. Soulful voice, charisma and a little tongue in cheek on your next ride to the wall. Or, if your lucky, headphones on your easy chair in front of a warm fire. Smoking jacket and dog at your feet optional.
Foo Fighters "Outside"
The Dave Grohl show Sonic Highways on HBO is the best thing to happen to television this year. The album that the show supports I cannot tell you much about. I appreciate and understand Grohl and his band have on the rock and roll landscape. I was never, and probably will never, be a huge Foo Fighters fan. Maybe it's Grohl's voice, or how many of the songs sound alike, or the fact I was never into ALL those guitars. Who knows? But I do know I like and respect Joe Walsh, who is on display here. Grohl's legacy is intact, and his documentary series about the
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