Viva Hate!

Don't Despair Because It's Christmas VIII

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 03:10:25 GMT

I knew REM would have a Christmas song (or five), and they do. They're known for performing odd covers and releasing fan-club only singles. In short, there's a lot of REM stuff out there, probably enough that the diehards would have trouble keeping up. For example, there's "Ghost Reindeer in the Sky", like Ghost Riders, except with more Xmas spirit. Personally, I like :Christmas Griping", which is well... what it sounds like.

Don't Despair Because It's Christmas VII

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 02:42:18 GMT

The thing about the Christams song is that no one gets away without it. Springsteen, U2, Sting, Prince, Green Day, Dylan, Bon Jovi, the Killers- but you don't need to fill arenas- everyone seems to do the Christmas song at one point, whether you're playing to thousands or playing to twelve, whether you're an American Idol or a snotty nosed punk.

It's hard not to thjink of a band that hasn't doesn't something at least vaguely Christmas themed - The Pogues, AC/DC, Ramones, Tom Waits, Twisted Sister, Billy Idol.. I can really only think of two people who haven't broken down and done the Christmas thang.

I don't recall any Christmas themed Morrissey songs. I could be missing something obvious, so feel free me to correct me, but I don't think he delves later into the Calendar than November.

Secondly, I don't know of any Glenn Danzig Christmas songs. It's not that he doesn't like to sing about Holidays (He liked singing about Halloween so much, he made a sequel) or Gods and Angels. C'mon, Glenn. It wouldn't be that hard to change a few lyrics and turn "Bringer of Death" into a paen to Santa, "Bringer of Gifts".

Equally bizarre (and real) is Have a Metal X-Mas which FINALLY gives us Christmas songs from Alice Cooper, Lemmy, Geoff Tate, Tim "Ripper" Owens, and Jeff Scott Soto.

Of course, for here, I have to give the nod to Ronnie James Dio (with Tony Iommi) belting out "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen". "Comfort and Joy" have never sounded so terrifying.

As a side note, in case you missed the news item, Dio has been diagnosed with stomach cancer. If anyone can slay cancer, it's RJD.

Obligatory Fantasy Football post

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:39:02 GMT

You'll have to forgive my indulgence, but I'm going to waste a post here for fantasy football. It was a bad year for me, but, I still might pull out some post-season wins.

I strayed a bit from what is still probably the best strategy- loading up on running backs. Running Backs are going to get more plays, the most chances to score, and more apt to get injured. Wide Receivers are too chancy and even an average quarterback will get you the points you need.

Here is how my teams did.

Team: The All-American Americans (4-10)

Draft Strategy: Pick up some big name WRs to augment a steady team.

What worked: Owen Daniels was a solid pick at TE until he got hurt in week 8.

What didn't work: Everything else. Steven Jackson was steady, but on a team that could only make it into the end zone if they were in a tank. Pierre Thomas split too many carries with Mike Bell and Reggie Bush. Larry Fitzgerald was steady, but Terrell Owens in Buffalo was a bust. Kyle Orton proved a steady qb, but this coach stuck with Trent Edwards too long. Down the line-up, possible breakout stars fizzled (Ahmad Bradshaw, Derrick Ward, Mewelde Moore, Kenny Britt). Anthony Gonzalez was drafted but never played.

What happened: Four wins put me tenth out of 12 teams. I thought I did everything right, but the team never looked good. Maybe, drinking for four hours before the draft isn't a good idea. The constellation bracket awaits.

Team: The Saluki Dawgs (6-7)

Draft Strategy: My old stand-by, load up on rb's.

What worked: Chris Johnson was a 2nd round pick that went off this year (a 50 point game and three 30+ point games). He literally won games on his own. The three rb attack of Johnson, Michael Turner, and Thomas Jones ended up working well. I doubled up on Igles WRs with DeShawn Jackson and Jeremy Maclin, and got consistency. At QB, Ben Rothelisberger and Kurt Warner both put up big points (at least until the last couple of weeks)

What didn't work: Neither Johnson, Turner or Jones really reached their potential until about week 5. The team didn't take off until they did. Also: the schedule. The breaks just didn't go my way, and I ended up losing the close games. Kicker Nick Folk has not been as consistent as expected.

What happened: The team had a losing record, but still made the playoffs (Our league was the definition of parity). It did put up a lot of points- second in the league, only beaten in that category by a team that went 11-2 off the strength of Brett Favre and Adrian Peterson. The Saluki Dawgs won the first round of playoffs, and are guaranteed a spot in the top 4 of this 12-team league.

Team: The Young and the Wasted (8-6)

Draft Strategy: Last year's highest scorer was Drew Brees. I picked up Brees in the first round, and then implemented a rb-heavy strategy in rounds 2-4.

What worked: Brees did everything I hoped he would (a 50 point game in week one, a 46 point game, and four games of 25+ points). The RB's put up consistent numbers. Ray Rice quietly had a great year, and I got good use out of D'Angelo Williams and Steve Slaton, too. WRs weren't as good, but still consistent (Chad Ochocinco, Dwayne Bowe, Kellen Winslow). Kicker David Akers also ended up being the highest scoring kicker.

What happened: The team has made the playoffs. Things could have went better, but as making the playoffs were the goal, I can't complain.

Uncle Oinker's - The Fresh Maker

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:33:43 GMT

When someone offers you a Bacon Mint, you don't turn it down.

So it was when it happened to me.

I don't know that there was a call for the taste of Bacon with a light taste of mint, but who knows? "Your breath smells like... bacon?", i could foresee blind dates everywhere saying.

It is inevitably downhill from the moment you pop the tin. No one buys Bacon Mints for the taste, I suspect.

I expected something strong. I really, truth be told, expected it to taste like a Bac-O imitation bacon bit.

It is not anything like that, but even if it doesn't taste like Bac-Os or Peppered Bacon or the other tastes you would expect, it.. well, tastes like bacon.

Still, as it is Bacon doesn't work well as a mint. I can't imagine sucking on a piece of Bacon (or a Bac-O) for four minutes really would do much for me. So, it is with Bacon Mints, which don't taste bad, but don't really taste much like anything. Not something you would spit out because it tastes bad, but instead because "well, that was fun, but I am done with it now."

Also, hindering Bacon Mints inevitable world domination is the fact that it leaves a lingering not so pleasant aftertaste.

Maybe, i should have sprinkled some Bacon Salt on them first.

Don't Despair Because It's Christmas VI

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 03:03:43 GMT

I don't know if you can do short-lists of the weirdest song ever. Even more when it is hard to tell if a song is being "weird" on purpose.

In any case, Tiny Tim's "Santa Claus has got the AIDS this year" is pretty damn weird. Though Tim reassures us he'll be back next year.

Tiny was in B-movies and frequented Howard Stern, so he knew what he was doing. It doesn't make it any less weird.

Tim lived in Des Moines for a few years, though it was a couple of decades before I got here. Not that I would have ran into him, but I like knowing it would have been a possibility.

Sun, 13 Dec 2009 16:15:33 GMT

For my Carbondale peeps, I still have some of my preferences set from when I lived in Southern Illinois, and occasionally see an article that piques my interest. I lived in C'dale for close to a decade, and am amazed that I have lived in Iowa nearly as long now.

Carbondale was a small university town midway between Chicago and Nashville. I wasn't there in the 80's, but I was told it was the heyday not just for the town, but all the great bands from the indie labels of the day coming through to play.

I would say that I probably caught the end of that scene (Bands like Jawbox and The Didjits became regulars, and the school council brought in some great indie bands). There was a bit of a resurgence in the mid-90s, and there were some very talented local bands for a change. None of them went too far, but I still once in a while see the Bottletones (the most talented of the bunch) referenced on rockabilly blogs.

By the end of the decade, it was an open secret that bar owners were only interested in proven bands (and by proven bands, that meant Grateful Dead jam bands that could draw dozens of neo-hippies). Along the way, a new venue opened up (offering live music and a brew-pub). They did bring some of the best concerts I've seen (Monster Magnet, Rev. Horton Heat) and a variety of interesting acts

I can't complain. I saw a lot of cool bands come to town in my time there, but by the time I left, the music scene had dried up. Ryan Adams' band Whiskeytown, Chicago faves The Smoking Popes, and Th' Legendary Shackshakers were some of the last bands that frequented the town during my last years there.

Anyway, it was sad to see this article. Regulars will recognize the name Robbie Stokes. As is fitting to a small town, Stokes is the local legend, having played on a Mickey Hart album.

It is sad to see that C'dale music scene is being hit doubly by the tornado, and by the City Council (putting a ban on outside music). Though a scene can pop up anywhere, I hate to see C'dale hit like this.

For your old timers, you might appreciate this list of local bands. This will bring a lot of memories. Time to see if Girls With Tools were as good as I remember.

Don't Despair Because It's Christmas V

Sun, 13 Dec 2009 14:11:27 GMT

I wasn't familiar with Lord Buckley until recent years. I can tell why Tom Waits liked the guy.

If you're one of those people who don't feel Christmas Spirit until 5:30pm on December 24, then you can use Buckley's "Scrooge" right now.

Don't Despair Because It's Christmas IV

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 14:56:44 GMT

Most Christmas classics have years of history behind them. It's rare that a song comes out and is an instant classic, but it does happen.

So it is with Grandaddy's "Alan Parsons in a Winter Wonderland", surely already a classic on par with "Deck the Halls" and "Silent Night". It seems a natural fit, Grandaddy and winter. They always sounded like a band from some Northern town with sub-zero weather, not their actual location of Modesto, California.

On The Shelf XXXVI

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 13:56:02 GMT

Because we don't get enough info about the man, let me point out that Luke Haines has a new album out. You can still download his free concert No Dialogue with C*nts at his website. The man has a book that came out awhile back, and probably more albums with The Auteurs, Black Box Recorder, Baader Meinhoff, and solo than you realize.

Uncut calls his new single "21st Century Man" an update of the T Rex song, but instead of Bolan's elfin sexiness, Haines is saddled with intellect. That is probably unfair, but it's pretty descriptive. The album of the same name is out now.

Don't Despair Because It's Christmas III

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 03:11:22 GMT

I could take some potshots at Christmas, but I'll leave it to some ol' punkers.

Here's Captain Sensible (from the Damned) and Charlie Harper (longtime UK Subs frontman) with "'Ere's Yer Christmas".

Granted, it's probably better in concept than execution, but still....

Don't Despair Because It's Christmas II

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 03:24:58 GMT

You know what I hate? When you come up with this really jazzy Hanukkah tune and you realize that you're not Jewish.

This is what the holiday season is about.

Now, on with the countdown.

I'm a Badly Drawn Boy fan, and in 2002, Badly Drawn Damon was one of the most interesting characters in music, releasing the About A Boy Soundtrack (which essentially was his second album). He hasn't made an album as solid as his debut, but he has had some great tunes, and About A Boy has some of his best songs. I was a bit let down at the time, but About A Boy is strong, and I think we could still see Damon scale back to his previous heights.

Anyway, i think this is a Christmas song. At the very least, there's reindeer.

Don't Despair Because It's Christmas I

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 23:56:03 GMT

I haven't done a Christmas video series here in at least a few years. As Stephen Colbert said, "A warning: in the next few weeks, you may hear Paul McCartney's "Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time." Stay calm. It will pass".

As much as a grump I am, I don't particularly have anything against Christmas music. In fact, it is a credit to bands that can pull off the obligatory Christmas song.

So, you get two weeks of this.

Look, Barry, can you call me back? I'm in the middle of something

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 04:01:27 GMT

I find it humorous (and I might be the only one who thinks so) that I get e-mails from President Obama, and I think "Ho Hum" and delete them.

I get probably what you would consider the expected mailing list spam (Best Buy, Borders,Barnes & Noble) and have got on enough Democrat/Liberal mailing lists over the years. At this point, i ignore most of it, unless there is something that grabs me in the Subject Line.

Still, can I be that blasé? You get an email from sender "President Barack Obama", you hate to delete it unopened, right? Am I wrong in this?

Do we need a poll?

View Poll: #1496526

Right? Well, I certainly think you should at least open it.

In "free music news", Jason Lytle has posted a free EP on his website. It is improv instrumental stuff- nothing that will change anybody's lives- but some of you might like it. In any case, it's here, and it's money back guaranteed.

New Music Initiative XXV

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 02:15:07 GMT

One of my favorite new bands of the last five years is Baltimore duo Beach House. I am stuck with how to describe them. I don't keep up on the British music mags that much anymore. Do they still have "Chillout"? I could call it 4AD music and that might evoke the right image -dream pop, neo-shoegaze, lo-fi pop, narco-pop, folk-pop, neo-psychedelica.

Whatever it is, I like it, and am looking forward to their third album which should be released in early 2010.

RIYL: Mazzy Star, Cat Power, Galaxie 500

I waved to my neighbour, My neighbour waved to me

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 01:45:20 GMT

You know when you are driving 35 miles per hour on the interstate and you can't see the lanes on the road in blizzard conditions, it's not much comfort that we ar eliving in the warmest decade evar.

Still, I talked to someone in San Diego today, and things are tough all over. Plus, 20 degree temps doesn't stop me from going out for ice cream when my friends came into town last night. It's never too cold for ice cream.

I think i understand why my dad goes to Texas for four months a year.

I Read Books

Sun, 06 Dec 2009 16:40:43 GMT

Bad Chili by Joe R Lansdale

There used to be a phenomenon about a decade ago -the outlet book store. I suspect you all know about outlet malls. In a 500 mile radius, there used to be a half a dozen of these outlet book stores, where you could find relatively recent hardback novels for four and five dollars.

Though, the internet shows that these are still in existent, all of those around my usual routes have been closed for some time. I don't know what the reason would be. Perhaps the rise of Amazon or the expansion of mega-book stores like Borders and Barnes & Noble.

While, they were in existence, I stocked up on books, and still have a little surplus I haven't got to.

One of the authors I stocked up on was Joe R Lansdale. I had never read his novels (which are generally suspense, western or horror), but I was always a big fan of his comic work. He can tell stories like no other.

So, Bad Chili was my first Lansdale novel, and it hooked me (or at least reaffirmed my liking for Joe). It is as the cover states "A Novel of Suspense", but it is profane, obscene, and gross but also laugh out loud funny and an adrenaline-fueled adventure.

I hear Lansdale compared to Steven King a lot. I haven't read much King, but of what I have, it does seem apt. Lansdale's adult prose reminds me a lot of Garth Ennis, or perhaps the movies of Tarantino and Rodriguez. The other obvious comparison would be that he does for Texas what Carl Hiassen does for Florida. Their styles may differ, but I think if you like one you'd like the other.

Lansdale is quite prolific and he revisits these characters again and again, but this is a good starting point. Recommended for those who like such stories.

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 16:08:30 GMT

I try to never leave the house, but occasionally, even I have to.

I am wondering if anyone has used Priceline's "Name your own price" feature, and if so, what you thought.

I like the idea, but I'm a natural skeptic. Like I might save $30, but I have to sit on the wing or something.

You see, it's not that I don't doubt Bill Shatner with knowing a thing or two about traveling. It's just that I distrust his choice of airline carriers.

RIP Umaga

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 15:04:08 GMT

It has become almost a punchline, but if we have another wrestling death - Umaga at Age 36 of Heart Attack.

garbagecanmusic and I saw him face CM Punk at the WWE PPV Judgment Day in May. He was cut from the WWE three weeks later for breaking the Wellness Policy.

Last month, he was on tour with Hulk Hogan's Australian Hulkamania! tour, wrestling against Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake (Surely, The Barber had to have had better odds in the Death Pool).

Umaga was the exotic foreign heel, and that probably limited his potential. I still have to believe into the 22nd Century, no matter what may happen in terms of political correctness, if there's pro wrestling, there will have to be the exotic foreign heel. Umaga was the latest in a lineage that included "The Sudanese Madman" Abdullah the Butcher, Kamala the Ugandan Headhunter, Konga the Barbarian, The Missing Link, The Wild Samoans (Umaga's uncles in real life) and The Headshrinkers (which included Umaga's brother, Rykishi). Umaga also had a cousin you might have heard of: Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.

My friend R who has made his niche in writing about wrestling thought Umaga had a huge upside. He was like a linebacker - a big man who could move fast. Sadly, two Intercontinental title reigns would be the pinnacle of Umaga's career.

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 13:41:55 GMT

I've sang the praises of the Muppets here before, but after garbagecanmusic 's last three posts, I feel that it's time to bring it up again.

There's a lot of talk about movies and shows that appeal to both parents and kids, but you'd really have a hard time convincing me that anyone has done it better than the gang behind the Muppets.

I was the right age for the Muppet Show growing up, but looking back ,the footage appeals to me now for different reasons. Very few shows could match this for an eclectic guest list- and it was a mainstream kid-friendly show. Vincent Price, Steve Martin, Harvey Korman, Peter Sellers, Spike Milligan, John Cleese, Alice Cooper, Dizzie Gillespie, Debbie Harry, Johnny Cash, and people from all branches of entertainment.

It is held up well, and the characters are well, iconic.

As I reached my teens, there was Muppet Babies, which was again aimed at the younger set, but was just a fun show.

It would be a matter of time before the Muppets would hit the internet in a big way. Of course, as YouTube grew in popularity, we knew everyone would go back and post and watch those classic sketches.

Cynics like me (or at the least, Gen X'ers who have seen everything from their childhood adapted and remade, at this point) might be doubtful of how the Muppets could adapt to the 21st Century.

Then the "Bohemian Rhapsody" video "dropped" (as today's kids would say). and we found out the Muppets could be as good as ever.

Nine million hits means a lot of you have probably already seen it, but if you haven't you must. It is even better than it sounds in concept.

As far as me, you know my favorite muppets.

The Pope still hasn't returned my Throbbing Gristle albums

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 04:23:23 GMT

I imagine you will see this all over the internets, but The Pope has released his playlist.

Sadly, Benny has better taste the average American teenager (and average American twenty-year old, thirty-year old, forty-year old, etc...)

Fleet Foxes? Muse?

Plus, like any scenester putting together a playlist to show how "eclectic" he is, Benny makes sure he namedrops both Tupac and Mozart.

Still, it's a pretty hip list, all things considered. It shows better taste than your average CHR programing director. That is for sure.

In fact, this is probably the hippest list I have seen since they released the Banned in Soviet discos list

December Musings, State Politics edition

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 01:25:00 GMT

I lived in a state (Illinois) that spent all of the 80s with a charismatic Republican (Jim Thompson) as governor. His term was followed by another decade of Republican rule (moderate Jim Edgar who had been Secretary of State under Thompson.

Come to think of it, the United States was that way. Reagan was the charismatic Republican who ruled most of the 80's followed by a term of George Bush (an almost de facto third term).

In Iowa, there was a charismatic governor who was in charge most of the 80s, but was also for all but eleven months of the 90s, too. He was governor for (what I consider, amazing) 16 years. I would have to think that is about as long as any governor's reign in the last 30 years.

Terry Branstad is still a young guy, and after a decade of Democrat rule, is expected to run again. This blows me away (Isn't the GOP the party that likes term limits).

I like the current governor, but he's in bad shape. Fond memories may give Brandstad a double digit lead, but even the fringest of GOP candidates polls to beat Democrat Chet Culver.

Culver's in bad shape, but I think he's getting a raw deal. There have been state job layoffs, but as bad as the economy is nationally, Iowa has done a good job riding out the storm. Housing properties have stayed stable. There has been unemployment, but it's still low in comparison. I realize nobody does well in hard times, but because of my job, I am intimately close on the goings on in other states, and we have it good.

It is probably Culver's Achilles heel, that he gave tax cuts to Hollywood to film in Iowa. This was a program that by most reports, worked well in bringing revenue to the state. However, it ended infamously as it was discovered that there was not a good system of checks and balances. In short, Iowa had written a blank check to Hollywood, and they were spending it as they wanted.

I think I can safely say this one of the things that didn't sit well with Iowans' self-image. Here was "The Left Coast" taking advantage of us, and stealing from us with a wink. Iowans don't take well to being called "Fly over states" and though they might not admit it, it seems to be in the collective Iowan to not trust outsiders.

Surprisingly (to me anyway), Culver's weakness doesn't appear to be gay marriage. A poll recently found that ninety-plus percent of Iowans said gay marriage had not affected them in any way. The veto in Maine may only strengthen Iowan's resolve in keeping gay marriage legal. It is one trademark that Iowans don't like to follow blindly other prevailing winds. I'm not optimistic that it stays in effect (Northwestern Iowa is as Conservative as America gets), but it's hard to say. Polls here generally run 40-40-20 for-against-undecided.

I am not totally confident that Branstad wins either. There's a lot of nostalgia (comparable if Reagan.. err Zombie Reagan ran against Obama in 2012), but Branstad may get bloodied by the Right. He is a moderate, has supported Democrat Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska's past campaign, and opponents argue has a similar voting record as Culver. His biggest mis-step in the Far Right's eyes was choosing a Lieutenant Governor who was Pro-Choice and Pro-Gay Rights. Branstad also raised taxes (in the tough financial climes of the early 90s) during his term. Probably worst for him is that his early public appearances for the 2010 election are notably unexciting.

Still, this looks like a good slugfest. I will be tuned in.

New Music Initiative XXIV

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 02:12:08 GMT

I don't listen to a lot of "heavy" music. Still, I don't like to pigeonhole my tastes, no matter what the genre. So Pelican is a band that my friend J recommends, but I have to say that I like them. They remind me a bit of another "heavy" band that I like, Neurosis. Pelican is a Chicago band that plays instrumental post-rock.

This won't be for everyone, but some of you will really dig it.

RIYL: Neurosis, Melvins, Sonic Youth

I Read Comics

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 01:20:27 GMT

Here's the latest batch:

Chronicles of Wormwood: The Last Battle (Avatar)- written by Garth Ennis - I didn't pick up the original miniseries, and I am regretting it. Ennis doesn't always do it for me, but this one draws you in. It is the story of the Antichrist (a cable tv) exec, his talking rabbit, and a barfly who happens to be Jesus Christ. Like Ennis' best stuff, it's profane, obscene, and also laugh out loud funny. This is more The Boys than Preacher though. More wild fun ride and less grand statement. Still, Ennis fans, you'll want to pick this up. Me? I need to go back and get the original series.

Powers (Icon/Marvel)- written by Brian Michael Bendis - Nothing new to point out, except Powers gets relaunched with a new issue #1. Issue 1 isn't anything extra-special, but Powers has been a pretty consistent read, so if you haven't read it or used to read it, here's a jumping-on point. Bendis (for my money) writes dialogue better than anyone in comics. Powers is a detective story where the crimes are superhero-related. CSI:Metropolis if you will. It sounds like it will eventually hit the small screen, too, so get in on it now. Not to mention, the best letter page in comics.

Stumptown (Oni) - written by Greg Rucka - I've read some of Rucka's novels as well as following his comic work. He's someone you can count on for a good story. A detective is hired to track down a casino owner's granddaughter, but someone doesn't want her to. Rucka says it's inspired by American crime novels and the detective shows of the 70s and 80s he grew up with. It's off to a good start. At four bucks, it's a dollar more than your superhero comics, but there's a lot of material packed inside and no ads. Matthew Southworth's art works well, too.

Supergod (Avatar)- written by Warren Ellis - Ellis is so prolific that it's hard to decide which comics of his to pick up. Short answer: all of it. Still, if that doesn't work for you, I think Supergod makes the list. It is the arms race/space race with superheroes as the weapons. It does as the title suggests, explore the superhero as messiah idea, not unlike Watchmen or Rick Veitch's work. It's Ellis' name on the cover, so I probably don't need to tell you, but this one's pretty promising.

New Music Initiative XXIII

Sun, 29 Nov 2009 16:31:48 GMT

There is a genre of music that is hymnal blues rock that also takes from the likes of Leonard Cohen, Johnny Cash, Marty Robbins, Serge Gainsbourg, Raymond Chandler, Kurt Weil, punk, the beat writers, and others. At the top of the list of people who make this cinematic style of music would be without a doubt, Nick Cave and Tom Waits.

For whatever reason, this is a trail that not too many musicians take (we should probably be thankfully so), as it's hard to put yourself on their level. Woe be to those who try... still, good luck for those with the ambition and talent to pull it off.

British songwriter Michael J Sheehy is someone who seems worthy of that pantheon. His latest album With These Hands is just the next installment in a career of his narrative blues rock (including six previous albums- three solo and three with Dream City Film Club). It is a concept album about a boxer, and if you like your music on the cinematic side, it is worth a listen.

RIYL: Tom Waits, Nick Cave, Tindersticks

Movember

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 21:33:43 GMT

Here is a picture of me with a few days to go. I haven't even made any "Free Moustache Rides" jokes, though I do look kind of skeevy.

Still, I raised $25 for prostate cancer, so there is that.