SUNDAY SHUFFLE #57
I had plans to post this week but things got crazy at work as my boss was out sick. I also had to get back in the water when I went back in the evening. Anyway, I hope to get at least a couple posts up this week but we'll see what happens.
1. Rain/Bishop Allen (5) - also on the iPod
2. Pick Me Up/Dinosaur Jr. (6) - also on the iPod
3. Miss Misery (Early Version)/Elliott Smith (7) - also on the iPod
4. Milkcrate Mosh/The Hold Steady (8)
5. El Otro Lado/Josh Rouse (11)
6. Cardinal Points/The Essex Green (15)
7. Wonderous Life/The Drams (11)
8. 5 Years/Kathleen Edwards (8)
9. Introduction/Voxtrot (2) - also on the iPod
10. Nice To Fit In/Josh Rouse (3) - also on the iPod
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Sunday, September 23, 2007
SUNDAY SHUFFLE #56
A very late entry to the "Sunday Shuffle" this week for a variety of reasons, which I may or may not get into in the next few days. Also, a note before I start - I deleted several downloaded albums from iTunes the other day to try and clear some space and jettison the stuff I only ever listened to if it came up on shuffle. No more songs from The Format, for example. And now, what's left...
1. And She Would Darken The Memory of Youth/The Twilight Sad (3) - also likely to be jettisoned in the near future
2. Web in Front/Archers of Loaf (13)
3. How Can You Be Sure/Radiohead (9)
4. September's High/The Drams (13)
5. Beautiful Car/M. Ward (4)
6. Murder Me Rachael/The National (7)
7. Lie To Me/Tom Waits (6) - never got the other discs in this set, so maybe this will be deleted
8. Tallahassee/The Mountain Goats (8)
9. Stitch In Time/Mary Weiss (3) - this may go too
10. Dignity/The Broken West (14)
A very late entry to the "Sunday Shuffle" this week for a variety of reasons, which I may or may not get into in the next few days. Also, a note before I start - I deleted several downloaded albums from iTunes the other day to try and clear some space and jettison the stuff I only ever listened to if it came up on shuffle. No more songs from The Format, for example. And now, what's left...
1. And She Would Darken The Memory of Youth/The Twilight Sad (3) - also likely to be jettisoned in the near future
2. Web in Front/Archers of Loaf (13)
3. How Can You Be Sure/Radiohead (9)
4. September's High/The Drams (13)
5. Beautiful Car/M. Ward (4)
6. Murder Me Rachael/The National (7)
7. Lie To Me/Tom Waits (6) - never got the other discs in this set, so maybe this will be deleted
8. Tallahassee/The Mountain Goats (8)
9. Stitch In Time/Mary Weiss (3) - this may go too
10. Dignity/The Broken West (14)
Monday, September 17, 2007
DON'T BLINK
Over the weekend I remembered to DVR an episode of Doctor Who. I've been hearing good things about this latest series but have never managed to catch it. It's not like I've been a longstanding fan of the series as a whole either, though I did watch a bit of it with my father back in the 80s on PBS. It was fun stuff but I never made a long-term commitment and certainly couldn't debate the merits of the different actors who have played the Doctor over the years. But I know the general idea of the series and about the Tardis and the Daleks and that's enough to pick a random episode to watch.
This particular episode, "Blink," started with a woman going into an abandoned house and taking pictures. While there, she discovers some writing behind some wallpaper that contains a message to her from the Doctor advising her to duck. And that sends Sally Sparrow on a rather interesting journey. We get time travel. We get DVD Easter eggs featuring the Doctor that reproduce his half of a conversation he has with Sally in the future (sounds confusing but makes perfect sense in the episode and is extremely cool and funny). The villains seems really stupid at first - stone angels that move when you're not looking - but turn into something very creepy and cool by the end of the episode. Time is a wobbly ball, we learn. And I learned that I need to keep watching Doctor Who.
Over the weekend I remembered to DVR an episode of Doctor Who. I've been hearing good things about this latest series but have never managed to catch it. It's not like I've been a longstanding fan of the series as a whole either, though I did watch a bit of it with my father back in the 80s on PBS. It was fun stuff but I never made a long-term commitment and certainly couldn't debate the merits of the different actors who have played the Doctor over the years. But I know the general idea of the series and about the Tardis and the Daleks and that's enough to pick a random episode to watch.
This particular episode, "Blink," started with a woman going into an abandoned house and taking pictures. While there, she discovers some writing behind some wallpaper that contains a message to her from the Doctor advising her to duck. And that sends Sally Sparrow on a rather interesting journey. We get time travel. We get DVD Easter eggs featuring the Doctor that reproduce his half of a conversation he has with Sally in the future (sounds confusing but makes perfect sense in the episode and is extremely cool and funny). The villains seems really stupid at first - stone angels that move when you're not looking - but turn into something very creepy and cool by the end of the episode. Time is a wobbly ball, we learn. And I learned that I need to keep watching Doctor Who.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
F&SF SEPT. 2007
The Sept. issue of F&SF starts of with a story from Alexander Jablokov, "Wrong Number." Normally, I enjoy his work but this story took too long getting to the heart and too much time trying to be cute about what was going on. I just didn't have patience and abandoned it, the first time that's happened with F&SF this year.
After two books columns (by Charles DeLint and James Sallis) covering (among other things) Jonathan Lethem's You Don't Love Me Yet and the Lou Anders-edited Fast Forward 1 (both of which I read this year), came "Envoy Extraordinary" by Albert E. Cowdrey. It's a humorous tale of a pompous diplomat sent to defuse a situation with the tyrant of a backwards planet. Naturally, things don't turn out quite so well. It's a solid story.
Another humorous story follows - "Atalanta Loses at the Interpantheonic Trivia Bee" by Heather Lindsley. It's the story of how Hippomenes woos Atalanta in the midst of, well, a trivia. Atalanta is on a team with Aphrodite, Athena, and Artemis; Hippomenes is teamed with Zues, Apollo, and Hermes. It's a fun story.
John Langan delivers a much more serious story with "Episode Seven: Last Stand Against the Pack In the Kingdom of the Purple Flowers." It's the story of Wayne and Jackie, two friends on the run from the horrors of the Pack in an apocalyptic world. Oh, and Jackie is 8 months pregnant. It's told as a very short story (in bold) but also as a very detailed story (after every bold entry is a longer explanation in regular typeface). The story is very gripping and well-written and you're not sure what to make of it. Are these things really happening? Or is one of them hallucinating the whole thing? This is fiction at its highest quality.
More mythology and humor arrive in the form of a very short story that is formatted as a list in "Requirements for the Mythology Merit Badge" by Kevin N. Haw. Pretty much what you get and it's enjoyable.
You know, I usually glide over Lucius Shepard's movie reviews without comment but I had a thought as I was reading his put-down of Next. He may rip a movie but I always get the sense that he is disappointed with each and every movie that doesn't do its job. Some critics you think are writing negative reviews just because they can. Shepard writes negative reviews with anger that they weren't better than they were. That's a rare skill. Of course, he is one of the best writers we have today across all genres and mediums, so that shouldn't be surprising. And it isn't, really. I just thought it should be said.
Robert Reed is up next with the sixth story I've read by him this year, "If We Can Save Just One Child..." It's a future where illegal cloning of children is being done for nefarious purposes and has multiple viewpoints that shift around each other. At the center of most of those vignettes is Gary Olsen, who may or may not be participating in those illegal activities. It's a solid story with a quite a bit to think about as you read it. Not Reed's best but they can't all be.
The final story in the issue (after a Science column) is Ted Chiang's "The Merchant and the Alchemist's Gate" and it is a fantastic story. It is a tale told by Fuwaad ibn Abbas to the Caliph and is set in Baghdad and Cairo is some unnamed past. The story is very much concerned with the past and the future and how neither can be changed. Fuwaad tells of his meeting with an alchemist, Bashaarat, who has built a Gate of Years, through which one can go 20 years into the past or future. Bashaarat tells Fuwaad several tales of people who have used the Gate both ways and that leads to Fuwaad also going through the Gate. The stories within the story are very well told and full of interesting implications. This is one of the best time travel stories I've ever read and I have a particular love for the genre. It is also one of the best stories of the year, if not the best, and I predict it will be winning awards next year and will appear in all the year's best anthologies.
The presence of the Langan and Chiang stories make this already solid issue of F&SF into a great issue.
The Sept. issue of F&SF starts of with a story from Alexander Jablokov, "Wrong Number." Normally, I enjoy his work but this story took too long getting to the heart and too much time trying to be cute about what was going on. I just didn't have patience and abandoned it, the first time that's happened with F&SF this year.
After two books columns (by Charles DeLint and James Sallis) covering (among other things) Jonathan Lethem's You Don't Love Me Yet and the Lou Anders-edited Fast Forward 1 (both of which I read this year), came "Envoy Extraordinary" by Albert E. Cowdrey. It's a humorous tale of a pompous diplomat sent to defuse a situation with the tyrant of a backwards planet. Naturally, things don't turn out quite so well. It's a solid story.
Another humorous story follows - "Atalanta Loses at the Interpantheonic Trivia Bee" by Heather Lindsley. It's the story of how Hippomenes woos Atalanta in the midst of, well, a trivia. Atalanta is on a team with Aphrodite, Athena, and Artemis; Hippomenes is teamed with Zues, Apollo, and Hermes. It's a fun story.
John Langan delivers a much more serious story with "Episode Seven: Last Stand Against the Pack In the Kingdom of the Purple Flowers." It's the story of Wayne and Jackie, two friends on the run from the horrors of the Pack in an apocalyptic world. Oh, and Jackie is 8 months pregnant. It's told as a very short story (in bold) but also as a very detailed story (after every bold entry is a longer explanation in regular typeface). The story is very gripping and well-written and you're not sure what to make of it. Are these things really happening? Or is one of them hallucinating the whole thing? This is fiction at its highest quality.
More mythology and humor arrive in the form of a very short story that is formatted as a list in "Requirements for the Mythology Merit Badge" by Kevin N. Haw. Pretty much what you get and it's enjoyable.
You know, I usually glide over Lucius Shepard's movie reviews without comment but I had a thought as I was reading his put-down of Next. He may rip a movie but I always get the sense that he is disappointed with each and every movie that doesn't do its job. Some critics you think are writing negative reviews just because they can. Shepard writes negative reviews with anger that they weren't better than they were. That's a rare skill. Of course, he is one of the best writers we have today across all genres and mediums, so that shouldn't be surprising. And it isn't, really. I just thought it should be said.
Robert Reed is up next with the sixth story I've read by him this year, "If We Can Save Just One Child..." It's a future where illegal cloning of children is being done for nefarious purposes and has multiple viewpoints that shift around each other. At the center of most of those vignettes is Gary Olsen, who may or may not be participating in those illegal activities. It's a solid story with a quite a bit to think about as you read it. Not Reed's best but they can't all be.
The final story in the issue (after a Science column) is Ted Chiang's "The Merchant and the Alchemist's Gate" and it is a fantastic story. It is a tale told by Fuwaad ibn Abbas to the Caliph and is set in Baghdad and Cairo is some unnamed past. The story is very much concerned with the past and the future and how neither can be changed. Fuwaad tells of his meeting with an alchemist, Bashaarat, who has built a Gate of Years, through which one can go 20 years into the past or future. Bashaarat tells Fuwaad several tales of people who have used the Gate both ways and that leads to Fuwaad also going through the Gate. The stories within the story are very well told and full of interesting implications. This is one of the best time travel stories I've ever read and I have a particular love for the genre. It is also one of the best stories of the year, if not the best, and I predict it will be winning awards next year and will appear in all the year's best anthologies.
The presence of the Langan and Chiang stories make this already solid issue of F&SF into a great issue.
SUNDAY SHUFFLE #55
Well, so much for my optimism. I was a pretty good week and I adjusted to the job and the expanded hours as the week went along. The kicker is have to be at work 6 days a week, though Fridays it will only be an hour or so (I picked up an open guard shift for 2 hours before I taught this week). Anyway, I'm still optimistic that I can do all that I want to. And God help me, I'm thinking of launching a second blog...more on that later. Maybe.
1. Stars Fell on Alabama/The Mountain Goats (18)
2. eterna (concerning the end of the world) (ps 30:9)/The Prayers and Tears of Arthur Digby Sellers (21)
3. Black Wave/Bad Vibrations/Acrade Fire (9)
4. Getting Saved/Portastatic (15)
5. White Waves/Shearwater (6)
6. Magazine Called Sunset (Alt. Version)/Wilco (7)
7. The Loss Adjuster (Excerpt 1)/Jarvis Cocker (4)
8. Rubidoux/Cold War Kids (7) - with another "hidden" track
9. Raised By Wolves/Voxtrot (3)
10. We Were Patriots/The Mountain Goats (5)
Well, so much for my optimism. I was a pretty good week and I adjusted to the job and the expanded hours as the week went along. The kicker is have to be at work 6 days a week, though Fridays it will only be an hour or so (I picked up an open guard shift for 2 hours before I taught this week). Anyway, I'm still optimistic that I can do all that I want to. And God help me, I'm thinking of launching a second blog...more on that later. Maybe.
1. Stars Fell on Alabama/The Mountain Goats (18)
2. eterna (concerning the end of the world) (ps 30:9)/The Prayers and Tears of Arthur Digby Sellers (21)
3. Black Wave/Bad Vibrations/Acrade Fire (9)
4. Getting Saved/Portastatic (15)
5. White Waves/Shearwater (6)
6. Magazine Called Sunset (Alt. Version)/Wilco (7)
7. The Loss Adjuster (Excerpt 1)/Jarvis Cocker (4)
8. Rubidoux/Cold War Kids (7) - with another "hidden" track
9. Raised By Wolves/Voxtrot (3)
10. We Were Patriots/The Mountain Goats (5)
Sunday, September 09, 2007
OPTIMISTIC
Tomorrow brings a bunch of change to the Steiner household. I've mentioned bits and pieces of what's been going on but I thought I'd cover things a little more clearly.
I received a promotion a few weeks ago and am now the supervisor of all swimming lessons at the YMCA. I will still be teaching all the classes I have been during the daytime and then will come back at around 4:00 Monday through Thursday evenings for a few hours to make sure things are running smoothly, as well as Saturday mornings. If people don't show up, I'll jump in and teach. If a teacher needs some guidance or extra help, I'll jump in. The idea is for me to not only make sure our lesson quality is high overall but to have a sense of where all the kids in the program are and communicate with they and their parents. I will be doing some administrative duties. I have also just been recertified as a lifeguard after about 18 years; that's not a position I'd ever thought I'd be in again but I am commited to doing the job and feel comfortable that I could rescue someone from the water. I will be on call certain nights of the week and on some weekends and it's necessary that I can fill in when the need arises (we also have a new supervisor for all lifeguards); additionally, we are short-staffed at certain times and I have a lifeguard shift to cover for an hour or so before I teach on Tuesday and Thursdays. Of course, it all means more money and more hours and more responsibilities. I'm not saying it will be easy but I am looking forward to the challenge and plan on doing the best job I can.
Jill is currently in rehearsals after school; they are doing a murder mystery this fall. This means Grant will have to come to the Y many evenings, a definite change for him. He also starts Spell Bowl practice this week and has to be at school at 7:45 on Mondays and Fridays and stay after school on Wednesdays. We're also planning on getting him back into guitar lessons with Graham.
Another change is in how we are spending money. We are in a period where we are trying to reign in our spending, especially in the entertainment and food areas. To that end, I got a library card a few weeks ago and am currently reading the third book I've checked out of the library in about 15 years, maybe more. It's weird going back to reading books other people have handled, an anal retentive quality I've developed over that same time period. On the other hand, it's freeing to think that I can read as much of the new stuff as I can since I was never able to afford all the books I wanted anyway (and don't have space to keep them either).
I'm still not sure how I'm going to handle comics. I want to stay current but with most books at $3 a pop, it's going to be really hard. My way of dealing with it so far has been to stay away from the comics shop for three weeks but I know that's not an option. I love comics and I have to keep my hand in somehow. I'll get it worked out. For now, though, "Catching Up With Countdown" is no longer active. Someday, perhaps.
So, time and money are going to be factors in my consumption of pop culture but I know I need to keep myself involved. It's what I love and is a good stress relief. I'm going to intake as much as I can. I still want to work on my music and get out to play open mics and shows. I still need to follow through on goals I set out for myself last year, in regards to creative writing. And I still need to do this blog. I don't know how often I'll post but I'm commited to it. Maybe the tighter schedule will help me all around.
It's an exciting time right now and I'm optimistic that these will be good days for the Steiner family.
Tomorrow brings a bunch of change to the Steiner household. I've mentioned bits and pieces of what's been going on but I thought I'd cover things a little more clearly.
I received a promotion a few weeks ago and am now the supervisor of all swimming lessons at the YMCA. I will still be teaching all the classes I have been during the daytime and then will come back at around 4:00 Monday through Thursday evenings for a few hours to make sure things are running smoothly, as well as Saturday mornings. If people don't show up, I'll jump in and teach. If a teacher needs some guidance or extra help, I'll jump in. The idea is for me to not only make sure our lesson quality is high overall but to have a sense of where all the kids in the program are and communicate with they and their parents. I will be doing some administrative duties. I have also just been recertified as a lifeguard after about 18 years; that's not a position I'd ever thought I'd be in again but I am commited to doing the job and feel comfortable that I could rescue someone from the water. I will be on call certain nights of the week and on some weekends and it's necessary that I can fill in when the need arises (we also have a new supervisor for all lifeguards); additionally, we are short-staffed at certain times and I have a lifeguard shift to cover for an hour or so before I teach on Tuesday and Thursdays. Of course, it all means more money and more hours and more responsibilities. I'm not saying it will be easy but I am looking forward to the challenge and plan on doing the best job I can.
Jill is currently in rehearsals after school; they are doing a murder mystery this fall. This means Grant will have to come to the Y many evenings, a definite change for him. He also starts Spell Bowl practice this week and has to be at school at 7:45 on Mondays and Fridays and stay after school on Wednesdays. We're also planning on getting him back into guitar lessons with Graham.
Another change is in how we are spending money. We are in a period where we are trying to reign in our spending, especially in the entertainment and food areas. To that end, I got a library card a few weeks ago and am currently reading the third book I've checked out of the library in about 15 years, maybe more. It's weird going back to reading books other people have handled, an anal retentive quality I've developed over that same time period. On the other hand, it's freeing to think that I can read as much of the new stuff as I can since I was never able to afford all the books I wanted anyway (and don't have space to keep them either).
I'm still not sure how I'm going to handle comics. I want to stay current but with most books at $3 a pop, it's going to be really hard. My way of dealing with it so far has been to stay away from the comics shop for three weeks but I know that's not an option. I love comics and I have to keep my hand in somehow. I'll get it worked out. For now, though, "Catching Up With Countdown" is no longer active. Someday, perhaps.
So, time and money are going to be factors in my consumption of pop culture but I know I need to keep myself involved. It's what I love and is a good stress relief. I'm going to intake as much as I can. I still want to work on my music and get out to play open mics and shows. I still need to follow through on goals I set out for myself last year, in regards to creative writing. And I still need to do this blog. I don't know how often I'll post but I'm commited to it. Maybe the tighter schedule will help me all around.
It's an exciting time right now and I'm optimistic that these will be good days for the Steiner family.
eMUSIC ROUND NINETEEN
I'm anticipating downloading two albums on Tuesday to start off my next round of 65, so it's time to talk about the latest round. I spent part of this past download period waiting for the new New Pornographers to show up but I was saved by my brother; he bought Challengers on vinyl and it came with a download coupon which he gave to me since he doesn't do mp3s. I am still waiting for Jason Isbell's solo album and the newest Buffalo Tom to make their appearance at the site, two months after they came out. Soon, I hope.
Okkervil River/The Stage Names - This is a good album and a worthy follow-up to Black Sheep Boy. eMusic also had a bonus track attached to the record. I've still only listened a couple of times and am looking forward to learning the songs inside and out.
Imperial Teen/The Hair the TV the Baby and the Band - Solid pop music from a band that's been on the shelf for a few years. Again, I've only listened a couple times so far.
Stars/In Our Bedroom After the War - The follow-up to Set Yourself On Fire, which I grew to love when it came out a few years ago. I'm still trying to grow into this one but there are some really good songs on here.
Pela/Anytown Graffiti - I liked this the first time I heard it...liked it more the second time...and now I'm close to wanting to listen to it constantly for a week or two. It's a rock record with a lot to like.
Aesop Rock/None Shall Pass - This is the very first hip-hop/rap album I've ever bought. Kinda sad that it took me until the age of 36 to do it. I'm still trying feeling my way through it but there are some songs that I've taken an immediate liking to.
Voxtrot/Raised By Wolves - And here's the third of the Voxtrot EPs. Guess the full-length will be next.
I'm anticipating downloading two albums on Tuesday to start off my next round of 65, so it's time to talk about the latest round. I spent part of this past download period waiting for the new New Pornographers to show up but I was saved by my brother; he bought Challengers on vinyl and it came with a download coupon which he gave to me since he doesn't do mp3s. I am still waiting for Jason Isbell's solo album and the newest Buffalo Tom to make their appearance at the site, two months after they came out. Soon, I hope.
Okkervil River/The Stage Names - This is a good album and a worthy follow-up to Black Sheep Boy. eMusic also had a bonus track attached to the record. I've still only listened a couple of times and am looking forward to learning the songs inside and out.
Imperial Teen/The Hair the TV the Baby and the Band - Solid pop music from a band that's been on the shelf for a few years. Again, I've only listened a couple times so far.
Stars/In Our Bedroom After the War - The follow-up to Set Yourself On Fire, which I grew to love when it came out a few years ago. I'm still trying to grow into this one but there are some really good songs on here.
Pela/Anytown Graffiti - I liked this the first time I heard it...liked it more the second time...and now I'm close to wanting to listen to it constantly for a week or two. It's a rock record with a lot to like.
Aesop Rock/None Shall Pass - This is the very first hip-hop/rap album I've ever bought. Kinda sad that it took me until the age of 36 to do it. I'm still trying feeling my way through it but there are some songs that I've taken an immediate liking to.
Voxtrot/Raised By Wolves - And here's the third of the Voxtrot EPs. Guess the full-length will be next.
SUNDAY SHUFFLE #54
I can't quit you, Sunday Shuffle...
1. Peacocks/The Mountain Goats (8)
2. Somebody Changed/The Clientele (4)
3. Beautiful Machine Parts 3-4/Apples In Stereo (5)
4. So Blind/The Ladybug Transistor (4)
5. Insurance Fraud #2/The Mountain Goats (6)
6. Moral Centralia (demo)/Harvey Danger (9)
7. Gimme One More Chance/Cracker (8)
8. Get To The Table On Time/M. Ward (9)
9. Letter From Belgium/The Mountain Goats (15)
10. Beanbag Chair/Yo La Tengo (7)
I can't quit you, Sunday Shuffle...
1. Peacocks/The Mountain Goats (8)
2. Somebody Changed/The Clientele (4)
3. Beautiful Machine Parts 3-4/Apples In Stereo (5)
4. So Blind/The Ladybug Transistor (4)
5. Insurance Fraud #2/The Mountain Goats (6)
6. Moral Centralia (demo)/Harvey Danger (9)
7. Gimme One More Chance/Cracker (8)
8. Get To The Table On Time/M. Ward (9)
9. Letter From Belgium/The Mountain Goats (15)
10. Beanbag Chair/Yo La Tengo (7)
Monday, September 03, 2007
HIATUS
As I've mentioned before, life is changing around the Steiner household. Those changes don't take full effect until next week, when we start up swimming lessons for the fall. Once that happens, I'll be at the Y around 5 hours a day. Between those hours, household chores, keeping Grant on task for school, quality time with the whole family, songwriting and other creative endeavors, pop culture ingestion, food ingestion, and sleep, I won't have a whole lot of time to devote to blogging (especially as I get acclimated to the new job and schedule). So, for the forseeable future, I will be going on a hiatus. Not sure when I'll be back to blogging on a semi-regular basis, but it will be a few weeks at least. So, take care of yourselves and I'll see you down the road.
As I've mentioned before, life is changing around the Steiner household. Those changes don't take full effect until next week, when we start up swimming lessons for the fall. Once that happens, I'll be at the Y around 5 hours a day. Between those hours, household chores, keeping Grant on task for school, quality time with the whole family, songwriting and other creative endeavors, pop culture ingestion, food ingestion, and sleep, I won't have a whole lot of time to devote to blogging (especially as I get acclimated to the new job and schedule). So, for the forseeable future, I will be going on a hiatus. Not sure when I'll be back to blogging on a semi-regular basis, but it will be a few weeks at least. So, take care of yourselves and I'll see you down the road.
Sunday, September 02, 2007
SUNDAY SHUFFLE #53
Back to the usual number today, as we clean up from yesterday's party and I have to start reading the lifeguarding book in preparation for Tuesday...
1. Last Time in Love/Sloan (11)
2. Everything You've Done Wrong/Sloan (7)
3. The Sons Of Cain/Ted Leo + Pharmacists (5)
4. Green River/M. Ward (4)
5. Always on the Telephone/The Ladybug Transistor (4)
6. Cruelty To Animals/Pernice Brothers (16)
7. Endless Supply/Pernice Brothers (11)
8. Red Right Ankle/The Decemberists (6)
9. Toast/Archers of Loaf (9)
10. Pittsburgh/The Lemonheads (10)
Back to the usual number today, as we clean up from yesterday's party and I have to start reading the lifeguarding book in preparation for Tuesday...
1. Last Time in Love/Sloan (11)
2. Everything You've Done Wrong/Sloan (7)
3. The Sons Of Cain/Ted Leo + Pharmacists (5)
4. Green River/M. Ward (4)
5. Always on the Telephone/The Ladybug Transistor (4)
6. Cruelty To Animals/Pernice Brothers (16)
7. Endless Supply/Pernice Brothers (11)
8. Red Right Ankle/The Decemberists (6)
9. Toast/Archers of Loaf (9)
10. Pittsburgh/The Lemonheads (10)
Saturday, September 01, 2007
AUGUST ROUNDUP
Two-thirds of 2007 is gone already. School is back in session; I am in a new position at work. Lots of changes going on at the Steiner house but they are positive ones. I have a feeling my pop culture intake will be shrinking from here through the rest of the year.
I read 3 books in August - Thursday Next: First Among Sequels, Spook Country, and Bad Monkeys. That brings my 2007 total to 25, still one book behind a pace of 40 books on the year. I need to read 5 books in Sept. in order to get back on pace and I have serious doubts that will occur. Still, I'm going to keep reading (and I won't count the book on lifeguarding I need to start studying).
I read 10 stories in August, coming back down to more normal numbers for me. These stories comprised the whole of two issues of F&SF; I have 4 issues of my SF mags stacked up to be read. The year's total of stories read is at 125.
I read 12 comics in August and they were all single issues, which is the first time that's happened all year. It also brings the comics total to 107 on the year with still only 23 trades read (the books are back ahead). These numbers will fall drastically as we go through the rest of the year, since we are watching our spending and I'm going to have to cut down on my comics habit considerably.
Once again I got 6 CDs in August, all downloads but one (I received Kelley Stoltz's Below the Branches from my brother). My total for the year is now 72.
I didn't see any movies in the theater in August, though I did want to see Superbad and Stardust. They may end up being ones I catch on DVD. The year's total stays at 14.
DVD viewing is a bit more complicated. I watched 4 full movies on DVD - Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle, 300, Wet Hot American Summer, and Blades of Glory (which I also saw in the theater). Grant and I watched 8 episodes, listened to 2 commentaries, and watched 1 feature on Batman: The Animated Series Vol. 2 to finish off that set. We also watched 6 episodes, did 3 commentaries, and 1 feature from The Simpsons Season 9. I also watched one episode each for The Wire Season 3, Entourage Season 1, and Futurama Season 3. Whew.
Two-thirds of 2007 is gone already. School is back in session; I am in a new position at work. Lots of changes going on at the Steiner house but they are positive ones. I have a feeling my pop culture intake will be shrinking from here through the rest of the year.
I read 3 books in August - Thursday Next: First Among Sequels, Spook Country, and Bad Monkeys. That brings my 2007 total to 25, still one book behind a pace of 40 books on the year. I need to read 5 books in Sept. in order to get back on pace and I have serious doubts that will occur. Still, I'm going to keep reading (and I won't count the book on lifeguarding I need to start studying).
I read 10 stories in August, coming back down to more normal numbers for me. These stories comprised the whole of two issues of F&SF; I have 4 issues of my SF mags stacked up to be read. The year's total of stories read is at 125.
I read 12 comics in August and they were all single issues, which is the first time that's happened all year. It also brings the comics total to 107 on the year with still only 23 trades read (the books are back ahead). These numbers will fall drastically as we go through the rest of the year, since we are watching our spending and I'm going to have to cut down on my comics habit considerably.
Once again I got 6 CDs in August, all downloads but one (I received Kelley Stoltz's Below the Branches from my brother). My total for the year is now 72.
I didn't see any movies in the theater in August, though I did want to see Superbad and Stardust. They may end up being ones I catch on DVD. The year's total stays at 14.
DVD viewing is a bit more complicated. I watched 4 full movies on DVD - Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle, 300, Wet Hot American Summer, and Blades of Glory (which I also saw in the theater). Grant and I watched 8 episodes, listened to 2 commentaries, and watched 1 feature on Batman: The Animated Series Vol. 2 to finish off that set. We also watched 6 episodes, did 3 commentaries, and 1 feature from The Simpsons Season 9. I also watched one episode each for The Wire Season 3, Entourage Season 1, and Futurama Season 3. Whew.
PERFORMANCE LOG: AUG. 2007
I actually played a show in August, as one of the opening acts for Graham. It was a fun night and I made $10. Other than that, I played open mics at three different venues...however, I only played six times total. I did play piano when Graham performed "Bag of Bones" last week. The big news is that I debuted 4 songs in August and wrote another that I have not yet played out (and may not ever). Here's the songs and how many times I played them...
Bitter Pill (debuted Aug. 2) - 4
That's Okay - 3
Dear Propsective Employer - 3
Could Have Been - 2
Decoder Ring - 1
What Will We Do When the Party's Done? - 1
Let's Get Married Tonight - 1
Toll Booth Operator (debuted Aug. 23) - 2
Play Pretend (debuted Aug. 23) - 3
Nothing You Can Say (debuted Aug. 27) - 1
I actually played a show in August, as one of the opening acts for Graham. It was a fun night and I made $10. Other than that, I played open mics at three different venues...however, I only played six times total. I did play piano when Graham performed "Bag of Bones" last week. The big news is that I debuted 4 songs in August and wrote another that I have not yet played out (and may not ever). Here's the songs and how many times I played them...
Bitter Pill (debuted Aug. 2) - 4
That's Okay - 3
Dear Propsective Employer - 3
Could Have Been - 2
Decoder Ring - 1
What Will We Do When the Party's Done? - 1
Let's Get Married Tonight - 1
Toll Booth Operator (debuted Aug. 23) - 2
Play Pretend (debuted Aug. 23) - 3
Nothing You Can Say (debuted Aug. 27) - 1
Sunday, August 26, 2007
SUNDAY SHUFFLE #51/52
This is the real anniversary issue of "Sunday Shuffle." I did the first one on Aug. 27, 2006 and called it "Shuffle Off," since I felt I'd ben using the iTunes shuffle feature way too much. Then I came back the next week and did it again and it's become a tradition ever since, though I thought about stopping it along the way. Think I did manage to skip a week or two but I caught up somewhat with double issues.
I listen to my downloaded music differently these days - a lot of the play counts would be higher if I could sync my iPod with iTunes but that's okay. I have so much downloaded music that I don't get to things as quickly either. I do love my iPod and I love my eMusic and I enjoy doing the shuffle.
I've decided to make this a real double issue by giving you even more than two issues worth. And while the music is going, I'm going to wander around the A.V. Club, something I've been meaning to do for months and months. So sit back and enjoy!
1. Seashell Tale/M. Ward (6)
2. How Can You Be Sure/Radiohead (8)
3. Insurance Fraud #2/The Mountain Goats (5)
4. Country Mile/Camera Obscura (14)
5. Down In The Valley (acoustic)/The Broken West (3)
6. This Better Be Good/Fountains of Wayne (4)
7. Darling We're Out of Time/Cracker (11)
8. Stickman/Elliott Smith (24)
9. Tell Me What You Want Me To Do/Mary Weiss (4)
10. Silver Plate Complaints/Cento-Matic (13)
11. Against Pollution/The Mountain Goats (16)
12. Constantinople/The Decemberists (5)
13. I Was Meant for the Stage/The Decemberists (6)
14. She's Not Shy/Irving (3)
15. Young Bride/Midlake (5)
16. Sweetie/Josh Rouse (2)
17. New Disaster/Elliott Smith (7)
18. Going Away/M. Ward (8)
19. A Voice At The End Of The Line/M. Ward (10)
20. Don't Talk Anymore/The Whigs (10)
21. I See The Rain/Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs (4)
22. My Very Best/Elbow (10)
23. Lord I've Been Changed/Tom Waits (6)
24. Zero Refills/Pernice Brothers (13)
25. Snails/The Format (6)
26. Yawny at the Apocalypse/Andrew Bird (3)
27. The Story Of Yo La Tengo/Yo La Tengo (6)
28. Automatic Situation/Joseph Arthur (12)
29. Act Surprised/Superchunk (10)
30. Wasp Nest/The National (7)
31. I'm Actual/The Format (9)
32. Kamera/Wilco (4)
33. Sketchy Metal/The Hold Steady (13)
34. Just a Star/Canasta (6)
35. You Won't Forget/The Drams (9)
36. Underneath The Waves/The Twilight Singers (10)
37. Baboon/The Mountain Goats (6)
38. Sad, Sad Song/M. Ward (12)
39. Change My Life/Spoon (11)
40. Midnight Coward/Stars (2)
41. Cherries In the Snow/Elk City (5)
42. Rhythm (demo)/Wilco (8)
43. June Showers/Superchunk (5)
44. La Ferrassie/Tokyo Police Club (9)
45. Nobody But You/The Black Keys (10)
46. A Hand to Take Hold of the Scene/Okkervil River (4)
47. Shot in the Arm (live)/Jeff Tweedy (7)
48. Missing Children/Okkervil River (4)
49. Picture, Picture/Harvey Danger (10)
50. Abigail/The Broken West (10)
This is the real anniversary issue of "Sunday Shuffle." I did the first one on Aug. 27, 2006 and called it "Shuffle Off," since I felt I'd ben using the iTunes shuffle feature way too much. Then I came back the next week and did it again and it's become a tradition ever since, though I thought about stopping it along the way. Think I did manage to skip a week or two but I caught up somewhat with double issues.
I listen to my downloaded music differently these days - a lot of the play counts would be higher if I could sync my iPod with iTunes but that's okay. I have so much downloaded music that I don't get to things as quickly either. I do love my iPod and I love my eMusic and I enjoy doing the shuffle.
I've decided to make this a real double issue by giving you even more than two issues worth. And while the music is going, I'm going to wander around the A.V. Club, something I've been meaning to do for months and months. So sit back and enjoy!
1. Seashell Tale/M. Ward (6)
2. How Can You Be Sure/Radiohead (8)
3. Insurance Fraud #2/The Mountain Goats (5)
4. Country Mile/Camera Obscura (14)
5. Down In The Valley (acoustic)/The Broken West (3)
6. This Better Be Good/Fountains of Wayne (4)
7. Darling We're Out of Time/Cracker (11)
8. Stickman/Elliott Smith (24)
9. Tell Me What You Want Me To Do/Mary Weiss (4)
10. Silver Plate Complaints/Cento-Matic (13)
11. Against Pollution/The Mountain Goats (16)
12. Constantinople/The Decemberists (5)
13. I Was Meant for the Stage/The Decemberists (6)
14. She's Not Shy/Irving (3)
15. Young Bride/Midlake (5)
16. Sweetie/Josh Rouse (2)
17. New Disaster/Elliott Smith (7)
18. Going Away/M. Ward (8)
19. A Voice At The End Of The Line/M. Ward (10)
20. Don't Talk Anymore/The Whigs (10)
21. I See The Rain/Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs (4)
22. My Very Best/Elbow (10)
23. Lord I've Been Changed/Tom Waits (6)
24. Zero Refills/Pernice Brothers (13)
25. Snails/The Format (6)
26. Yawny at the Apocalypse/Andrew Bird (3)
27. The Story Of Yo La Tengo/Yo La Tengo (6)
28. Automatic Situation/Joseph Arthur (12)
29. Act Surprised/Superchunk (10)
30. Wasp Nest/The National (7)
31. I'm Actual/The Format (9)
32. Kamera/Wilco (4)
33. Sketchy Metal/The Hold Steady (13)
34. Just a Star/Canasta (6)
35. You Won't Forget/The Drams (9)
36. Underneath The Waves/The Twilight Singers (10)
37. Baboon/The Mountain Goats (6)
38. Sad, Sad Song/M. Ward (12)
39. Change My Life/Spoon (11)
40. Midnight Coward/Stars (2)
41. Cherries In the Snow/Elk City (5)
42. Rhythm (demo)/Wilco (8)
43. June Showers/Superchunk (5)
44. La Ferrassie/Tokyo Police Club (9)
45. Nobody But You/The Black Keys (10)
46. A Hand to Take Hold of the Scene/Okkervil River (4)
47. Shot in the Arm (live)/Jeff Tweedy (7)
48. Missing Children/Okkervil River (4)
49. Picture, Picture/Harvey Danger (10)
50. Abigail/The Broken West (10)
Saturday, August 25, 2007
WET DAYS AND OTHER STORIES
Lots and lots of rain over the last week - severe thunderstorms with high winds, tornadic activity, sirens going off in the night. It's not been fun but we've certainly had a better time of it here in Valpo than many other towns in the Midwest. It looks like the rain has finally stopped this morning and we're not supposed to get anymore for a few days. Good news.
Speaking of good news, I got a promotion at work. I am now going to be the swimming lesson supervisor, which means I will be working more hours (and at more pay). It also means that I am going to have to bring my lifeguarding skills into the 21st century (I was a lifeguard in the late 80s) for those days when I'm on call or when problems crop up. I can handle that. Grant is going to end up being at the Y for a couple hours many nights, since Jill is on a schedule where she won't get home until 6:00 or so most of the year. But he's 10 now and it's not as big of a deal. I'm looking forward to the challenges and while it feels a bit odd to be embarking on something that is career-like, it also feels good.
I've been off of work this week, the first of three where there are no swimming lessons going on (though with the new position, I'll actually be in having meetings and learning duties and the like). Jill went back to school on Aug. 15 and Grant went on Wednesday, so I've been at home alone for a couple days. I've been doing the usual errands and household chores but I've also had more time for pop culture and my own creative work...
Last night I finished Spook Country, the latest novel from William Gibson. I am a big fan of Gibson's work and I really liked his last novel, Pattern Recognition, which was his first set in the present day. The new novel follows that same path and even features a character from that previous novel, Hubertus Bigend. He is funding a new magazine called "Node" (that no one in the industry has heard of) for which Hollis Henry is writing. Hollis was the singer in a band called The Curfew that once enjoyed success but is no more. She is sent down a path that brings her in contact with strange people doing strange things. The novel has two other viewpoints and eventually all the characters are brought together in Vancouver. I didn't care too much for one of the characters but another of Chinese-Cuban descent and part of a shadowy family is very interesting. In the end, I didn't like this book as much as some of Gibson's other work but it is still a good read and worth the time.
I got two DVDs through Netflix this week. The first was Hellboy. Readers of this blog know how much I enjoy the comic book series and I was prepared to enjoy the movie as well. However, I abandoned it just under an hour into it. Why? I could not stand the portrayal of Abe Sapien, who in the comic books is cool and mysterious and was played onscreen as a freaky fussbudget by David Hyde Pierce. No thank you.
Ironically, David Hyde Pierce plays an odd associate professor of astrophsyics in the other movie I watched this week, Wet Hot American Summer. It's from the gang behind Stella, one of my recent favorite oddball shows on Comedy Central, and it's a sendup of movies about summer camp and is set in 1981. It doesn't make a lot of sense at all and not every joke works but if you like that type of humor, there'a a lot to enjoy. And I did enjoy it.
I was in a unique position when I played the open mic at Front Porch on Thursday...I had three new songs since the last time I'd performed (which was two weeks ago tonight). Last weekend I wrote a new song very quickly about some of the stuff that's been happening with a very tense musical bed and surreal and yearning lyrics. It's called "All These Questions." However, I chose to set that aside the other night and I'm not sure I'll ever perform it as it feels like too much of me. We'll see.
Anyway, I had no such problems with the other two new songs, both of which I finished writing the last lyrics for that afternoon. Both were songs that have been gestating for a while. "Toll Booth Operator" had music for a while and then part of a first verse and then part of a third verse and it eventually came together. I didn't play it to the best of my ability at the Porch but I did it well enough.
The other song is a radically different version of a song I wrote early this year, "The Only Thing." I only played it a few times before abandoning it. In recent months I experimented with speeding up the music and changing it around just slightly; I really liked how it sounded but didn't have any lyrics that I liked. Last week I had a small lyrical idea that I jotted down and liked - "Sugar on the spoon/Honey in the jar/You're trying to make yourself sweeter than what you really are." A couple days ago I realized it would fit the music and the rest of the words came fairly quickly. It's now called "Play Pretend" and it got a very nice response the other night, with some friends and fellow songwriters giving me very specific compliments on it. I think it's easily one of the best songs I've written, which is a nice feeling. I'm now over 20 songs written, though 5 or 6 are ones that I don't play. Still, that's pretty good for 16 months of being a musician.
I also got to sit in on one of Graham's songs (he was the host), "Bag of Bones." I've been telling him for months that I'd love to try and play some piano with it and we gave it a try the other night. We did a quick test run of about two minutes and figured it was good enough. When the time came, I sat at the piano and just let it flow. Graham told me afterwards that he liked what I was doing and another friend said he though it worked very well with the song. Collaborating with Graham is fun and I'm feeling so much more comfortable with my musical ability these days.
And that's the last week or so.
Lots and lots of rain over the last week - severe thunderstorms with high winds, tornadic activity, sirens going off in the night. It's not been fun but we've certainly had a better time of it here in Valpo than many other towns in the Midwest. It looks like the rain has finally stopped this morning and we're not supposed to get anymore for a few days. Good news.
Speaking of good news, I got a promotion at work. I am now going to be the swimming lesson supervisor, which means I will be working more hours (and at more pay). It also means that I am going to have to bring my lifeguarding skills into the 21st century (I was a lifeguard in the late 80s) for those days when I'm on call or when problems crop up. I can handle that. Grant is going to end up being at the Y for a couple hours many nights, since Jill is on a schedule where she won't get home until 6:00 or so most of the year. But he's 10 now and it's not as big of a deal. I'm looking forward to the challenges and while it feels a bit odd to be embarking on something that is career-like, it also feels good.
I've been off of work this week, the first of three where there are no swimming lessons going on (though with the new position, I'll actually be in having meetings and learning duties and the like). Jill went back to school on Aug. 15 and Grant went on Wednesday, so I've been at home alone for a couple days. I've been doing the usual errands and household chores but I've also had more time for pop culture and my own creative work...
Last night I finished Spook Country, the latest novel from William Gibson. I am a big fan of Gibson's work and I really liked his last novel, Pattern Recognition, which was his first set in the present day. The new novel follows that same path and even features a character from that previous novel, Hubertus Bigend. He is funding a new magazine called "Node" (that no one in the industry has heard of) for which Hollis Henry is writing. Hollis was the singer in a band called The Curfew that once enjoyed success but is no more. She is sent down a path that brings her in contact with strange people doing strange things. The novel has two other viewpoints and eventually all the characters are brought together in Vancouver. I didn't care too much for one of the characters but another of Chinese-Cuban descent and part of a shadowy family is very interesting. In the end, I didn't like this book as much as some of Gibson's other work but it is still a good read and worth the time.
I got two DVDs through Netflix this week. The first was Hellboy. Readers of this blog know how much I enjoy the comic book series and I was prepared to enjoy the movie as well. However, I abandoned it just under an hour into it. Why? I could not stand the portrayal of Abe Sapien, who in the comic books is cool and mysterious and was played onscreen as a freaky fussbudget by David Hyde Pierce. No thank you.
Ironically, David Hyde Pierce plays an odd associate professor of astrophsyics in the other movie I watched this week, Wet Hot American Summer. It's from the gang behind Stella, one of my recent favorite oddball shows on Comedy Central, and it's a sendup of movies about summer camp and is set in 1981. It doesn't make a lot of sense at all and not every joke works but if you like that type of humor, there'a a lot to enjoy. And I did enjoy it.
I was in a unique position when I played the open mic at Front Porch on Thursday...I had three new songs since the last time I'd performed (which was two weeks ago tonight). Last weekend I wrote a new song very quickly about some of the stuff that's been happening with a very tense musical bed and surreal and yearning lyrics. It's called "All These Questions." However, I chose to set that aside the other night and I'm not sure I'll ever perform it as it feels like too much of me. We'll see.
Anyway, I had no such problems with the other two new songs, both of which I finished writing the last lyrics for that afternoon. Both were songs that have been gestating for a while. "Toll Booth Operator" had music for a while and then part of a first verse and then part of a third verse and it eventually came together. I didn't play it to the best of my ability at the Porch but I did it well enough.
The other song is a radically different version of a song I wrote early this year, "The Only Thing." I only played it a few times before abandoning it. In recent months I experimented with speeding up the music and changing it around just slightly; I really liked how it sounded but didn't have any lyrics that I liked. Last week I had a small lyrical idea that I jotted down and liked - "Sugar on the spoon/Honey in the jar/You're trying to make yourself sweeter than what you really are." A couple days ago I realized it would fit the music and the rest of the words came fairly quickly. It's now called "Play Pretend" and it got a very nice response the other night, with some friends and fellow songwriters giving me very specific compliments on it. I think it's easily one of the best songs I've written, which is a nice feeling. I'm now over 20 songs written, though 5 or 6 are ones that I don't play. Still, that's pretty good for 16 months of being a musician.
I also got to sit in on one of Graham's songs (he was the host), "Bag of Bones." I've been telling him for months that I'd love to try and play some piano with it and we gave it a try the other night. We did a quick test run of about two minutes and figured it was good enough. When the time came, I sat at the piano and just let it flow. Graham told me afterwards that he liked what I was doing and another friend said he though it worked very well with the song. Collaborating with Graham is fun and I'm feeling so much more comfortable with my musical ability these days.
And that's the last week or so.
Monday, August 20, 2007
STREAMY
I love being able to stream upcoming albums. Who doesn't? In the last few days, I've listened to four of them that way...
Merge Records is an example of how to market music the right way. Not only do they stream upcoming albums, they continue to stream them once they are released. They make their music available at eMusic and other online retailers and they will add bonus discs as an incentive for the actual CDs. The fact they have a fanstastic lineup of bands helps too. Over the weekend I listened to new Imperial Teen, Oakley Hall, and Shout Out Louds. All of them are really good records and the last two could end up in the running for the best album of the year when it's all said and done. Imperial Teen's The Hair the TV the Baby & the Band comes out tomorrow; the other two will be released on Sept. 11. Go the the website and give them a listen; I will soon be downloading them.
You can also hear the new Rilo Kiley album, Under the Blacklight, at their MySpace. It comes out tomorrow as well. It's a different sound for them and I need to listen to it a few more times to get a handle on it. Chances are I won't be picking it up anytime soon, for a number of reasons. But it's still worth checking out.
I love being able to stream upcoming albums. Who doesn't? In the last few days, I've listened to four of them that way...
Merge Records is an example of how to market music the right way. Not only do they stream upcoming albums, they continue to stream them once they are released. They make their music available at eMusic and other online retailers and they will add bonus discs as an incentive for the actual CDs. The fact they have a fanstastic lineup of bands helps too. Over the weekend I listened to new Imperial Teen, Oakley Hall, and Shout Out Louds. All of them are really good records and the last two could end up in the running for the best album of the year when it's all said and done. Imperial Teen's The Hair the TV the Baby & the Band comes out tomorrow; the other two will be released on Sept. 11. Go the the website and give them a listen; I will soon be downloading them.
You can also hear the new Rilo Kiley album, Under the Blacklight, at their MySpace. It comes out tomorrow as well. It's a different sound for them and I need to listen to it a few more times to get a handle on it. Chances are I won't be picking it up anytime soon, for a number of reasons. But it's still worth checking out.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
SUNDAY SHUFFLE #50
When a comic book hits issue #50, it's usually cause for celebration. In this case, it means I'm just shy of a year of doing these posts. But still, 50 is pretty cool.
1. Another Way I Could Do It/Sloan (10)
2. Underneath The Waves/The Twilight Singers (9)
3. Sweetness and Life/Portastatic (16)
4. Hymns For The Heathen/Cursive (2)
5. Beautiful Machine Parts 1-2/Apples in Stereo (7)
6. So Long, Lonesome/Explosions In The Sky (5)
7. Des Moines/The Drams (6)
8. Horseradish Road/The Mountain Goats (6)
9. Almost Ready/Dinosaur Jr. (5)
10. Nuclear Daydream/Joseph Arthur (8)
When a comic book hits issue #50, it's usually cause for celebration. In this case, it means I'm just shy of a year of doing these posts. But still, 50 is pretty cool.
1. Another Way I Could Do It/Sloan (10)
2. Underneath The Waves/The Twilight Singers (9)
3. Sweetness and Life/Portastatic (16)
4. Hymns For The Heathen/Cursive (2)
5. Beautiful Machine Parts 1-2/Apples in Stereo (7)
6. So Long, Lonesome/Explosions In The Sky (5)
7. Des Moines/The Drams (6)
8. Horseradish Road/The Mountain Goats (6)
9. Almost Ready/Dinosaur Jr. (5)
10. Nuclear Daydream/Joseph Arthur (8)
Friday, August 17, 2007
THE WEEK IN COMICS: AUG. 15
This is the biggest week of comics I've had in quite a while. I will cover the two Countdown comics in another post, so here's some thoughts on the rest of them...
Booster Gold #1 - Confession time: I've always been a big fan of Booster Gold. The original series started back in 1986 and I bought it from the first issue; I even used the cover to #3 as an example of dynamic art during my freshman English class. Dan Jurgens did a great job writing and illustrating the series and I was sad to see it disappear after two years. Since that time, he's kicked around the DCU and has been a joke for much of that time period, something I've never been a fan of. The writers of 52 resuscitated him to the point where he played a huge role in the return of the Multiverse. This new first issue (written by Geoff Johns and Jeff Katz with art by Jurgens and inker Norm Rapmund) sees Booster trying to reclaim a big role by joining up with the newly-reformed Justice League. He gets the offer and ends up turning it down. Why? Rip Hunter (a master of time) has come to him and told him only he can help save the time stream from someone trying to exploit wormholes within time. Booster agrees to play the fool while working to save heroes throughout time. Time travel and all sorts of corners of the DCU? Sign me up. Johns (and Katz) repeats his trick from the first issue of Justice Society of America by giving us a teaser page of what's coming up in the first year of the title. Brainiac 5 trying to take back his Legion flight ring? Multiple Blue Beetles and Booster fighting Maxwell Lord? Yes, please!
The Flash #231 - Here's a different Flash book - Wally and Linda are parents! And, of course, their kids have super-powers (and have grown at a very fast rate). We see fun interaction between the kids and their parents, touching moments, a glimpse of where the Wests have been, and a weird mystery at the end. Mark Waid knows what he's doing. I also have to mention the art by Daniel Acuna, which is cartoony and sleek and very appealing.
Justice League of America #12 - This is Brad Meltzer's last issue, capping off his relaunch of this longstanding title. We get glimpses of all the members as they shuffle in and out of monitor duty and we learn some secrets and see some plot developments and it's all framed by two characters who aren't revealed until the end (though you can figure out who they are). It's a good issue. I am interested to see where Dwayne McDuffie goes from here; he takes over next issue.
Clash #1 - This is the first book from Moonstone I've ever bought and I probably wouldn't have bought it in the first place except for the fact it's written by my friend and local comics shop owner, Greg Karras. It's drawn by Cory Hamscher, who lives in the area and whom I've known for a long time as well. They turn in a solid story about a grim future where some super-powered people are trying to overthrow other super-powered people. There is a lot going on but you can follow it and the last page has me interested to see what else he's going to throw in there.
This is the biggest week of comics I've had in quite a while. I will cover the two Countdown comics in another post, so here's some thoughts on the rest of them...
Booster Gold #1 - Confession time: I've always been a big fan of Booster Gold. The original series started back in 1986 and I bought it from the first issue; I even used the cover to #3 as an example of dynamic art during my freshman English class. Dan Jurgens did a great job writing and illustrating the series and I was sad to see it disappear after two years. Since that time, he's kicked around the DCU and has been a joke for much of that time period, something I've never been a fan of. The writers of 52 resuscitated him to the point where he played a huge role in the return of the Multiverse. This new first issue (written by Geoff Johns and Jeff Katz with art by Jurgens and inker Norm Rapmund) sees Booster trying to reclaim a big role by joining up with the newly-reformed Justice League. He gets the offer and ends up turning it down. Why? Rip Hunter (a master of time) has come to him and told him only he can help save the time stream from someone trying to exploit wormholes within time. Booster agrees to play the fool while working to save heroes throughout time. Time travel and all sorts of corners of the DCU? Sign me up. Johns (and Katz) repeats his trick from the first issue of Justice Society of America by giving us a teaser page of what's coming up in the first year of the title. Brainiac 5 trying to take back his Legion flight ring? Multiple Blue Beetles and Booster fighting Maxwell Lord? Yes, please!
The Flash #231 - Here's a different Flash book - Wally and Linda are parents! And, of course, their kids have super-powers (and have grown at a very fast rate). We see fun interaction between the kids and their parents, touching moments, a glimpse of where the Wests have been, and a weird mystery at the end. Mark Waid knows what he's doing. I also have to mention the art by Daniel Acuna, which is cartoony and sleek and very appealing.
Justice League of America #12 - This is Brad Meltzer's last issue, capping off his relaunch of this longstanding title. We get glimpses of all the members as they shuffle in and out of monitor duty and we learn some secrets and see some plot developments and it's all framed by two characters who aren't revealed until the end (though you can figure out who they are). It's a good issue. I am interested to see where Dwayne McDuffie goes from here; he takes over next issue.
Clash #1 - This is the first book from Moonstone I've ever bought and I probably wouldn't have bought it in the first place except for the fact it's written by my friend and local comics shop owner, Greg Karras. It's drawn by Cory Hamscher, who lives in the area and whom I've known for a long time as well. They turn in a solid story about a grim future where some super-powered people are trying to overthrow other super-powered people. There is a lot going on but you can follow it and the last page has me interested to see what else he's going to throw in there.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
F&SF JULY 2007
Only 5 stories this time around because almost half of the issue is taken up with a Lucius Shepard novella, "Stars Seen Through Stone." It's about people in the town of Black William, PA, many of whom seem to gain in intelligence after an unexplained event takes place. We see all these events through the eyes of Vernon, a music producer. He brings a talented (and worthless) musician to live with him and the story plays out during the course of their interaction. You know, I'm not explaining it very well. It's about how people interact with each other and the ties between creativity and what kind of person someone is. It's about love. Really, it's a Lucius Shepard story and that's all you need to know in the end. He's one of the best writers we have, genre or no genre.
The other stories in the issue all have their pleasures as well. My favorite of those is "Car 17" by P.E. Cunningham, in which we hear the tale of a sentient police car and a feral car that terrorizes a town. Ray Vukcevich is back after a long absence with "Cold Comfort," which is an odd and chilling tale about machines and/or humans interacting by passing the Turing Test. Lawrence C. Connolly has a classic SF tale of observers of an alien species ending up getting directly involved in "Daughters of Prime" and M.K. Hobson's "PowerSuit" is the tale of how personal AIgents make the business world of the future into something different and the same all at once.
On top of all that, we get a Lucius Shepard film column and the usual book columns (Charles DeLint and Elizabeth Hand, who covers that final book of John Crowley's Aegypt series and gives the good news that the books will be reprinted starting in the near future. Since I only ever read the second book in the series - without knowing it was a series - this is good news). And that all means another good issue of F&SF.
Only 5 stories this time around because almost half of the issue is taken up with a Lucius Shepard novella, "Stars Seen Through Stone." It's about people in the town of Black William, PA, many of whom seem to gain in intelligence after an unexplained event takes place. We see all these events through the eyes of Vernon, a music producer. He brings a talented (and worthless) musician to live with him and the story plays out during the course of their interaction. You know, I'm not explaining it very well. It's about how people interact with each other and the ties between creativity and what kind of person someone is. It's about love. Really, it's a Lucius Shepard story and that's all you need to know in the end. He's one of the best writers we have, genre or no genre.
The other stories in the issue all have their pleasures as well. My favorite of those is "Car 17" by P.E. Cunningham, in which we hear the tale of a sentient police car and a feral car that terrorizes a town. Ray Vukcevich is back after a long absence with "Cold Comfort," which is an odd and chilling tale about machines and/or humans interacting by passing the Turing Test. Lawrence C. Connolly has a classic SF tale of observers of an alien species ending up getting directly involved in "Daughters of Prime" and M.K. Hobson's "PowerSuit" is the tale of how personal AIgents make the business world of the future into something different and the same all at once.
On top of all that, we get a Lucius Shepard film column and the usual book columns (Charles DeLint and Elizabeth Hand, who covers that final book of John Crowley's Aegypt series and gives the good news that the books will be reprinted starting in the near future. Since I only ever read the second book in the series - without knowing it was a series - this is good news). And that all means another good issue of F&SF.
Monday, August 13, 2007
DVD DUO
Over the weekend Grant and I finally finished our run through Batman: The Animated Series Vol. 2. It took us at least two months to watch all 28 episodes, maybe more. Of course, we also watched all the features and commentaries available...no skimping on the DVD experience for us.
I think it's one of the best cartoons ever and this volume has a number of the very best episodes of the series - the adaptation of the classic "The Laughing Fish"; the villains trading stories of how they "Almost Got 'Im"; Batman meeting up with an old friend in "Zatanna"; and the team-up of "Harley and Ivy." Watch any one of them and you'll be hooked on the series. Of course, not every episode is as high quality as those but most are still very very good. The best part? We still have two more volumes to watch!
Jill and I just took two nights to watch 300 (sometimes life gets in the way of DVDs). I had wanted to see it in theaters but it just never worked out. I'd read some mixed reviews but wanted to make up my own mind, as I read the Frank Miller comic books series as it came out a number of years ago. I liked it quite a bit back then. And I liked this movie quite a bit too.
First of all, the movie is visually stunning. Yes, much of it looks like it came off the pages of the comic but that's not a bad thing in this case. It is highly stylized and wonderfully colored and is a feast for the eyes. I thought the performances complemented those visuals very well. It was a different time and a different people and an epic tale - the acting should be heightened and can be done so without scenery chewing. I believed that's what Spartans were like, even with the pounding rock soundtrack. Gerard Butler was great as King Leonidas and David Wenham was perfect as the narrator (I forget his character name). Dominic West and Lena Headey and all the rest...it just worked very well.
After seeing this movie, I have hopes that Zack Snyder will pull off Watchmen, which he is going to start shooting soon. His visuals will definitely be up to the task. Now, Watchmen is a much different story so a lot will come down to the script; his cast looks like it will be up to the task. I'll be there opening weekend without a doubt.
Over the weekend Grant and I finally finished our run through Batman: The Animated Series Vol. 2. It took us at least two months to watch all 28 episodes, maybe more. Of course, we also watched all the features and commentaries available...no skimping on the DVD experience for us.
I think it's one of the best cartoons ever and this volume has a number of the very best episodes of the series - the adaptation of the classic "The Laughing Fish"; the villains trading stories of how they "Almost Got 'Im"; Batman meeting up with an old friend in "Zatanna"; and the team-up of "Harley and Ivy." Watch any one of them and you'll be hooked on the series. Of course, not every episode is as high quality as those but most are still very very good. The best part? We still have two more volumes to watch!
Jill and I just took two nights to watch 300 (sometimes life gets in the way of DVDs). I had wanted to see it in theaters but it just never worked out. I'd read some mixed reviews but wanted to make up my own mind, as I read the Frank Miller comic books series as it came out a number of years ago. I liked it quite a bit back then. And I liked this movie quite a bit too.
First of all, the movie is visually stunning. Yes, much of it looks like it came off the pages of the comic but that's not a bad thing in this case. It is highly stylized and wonderfully colored and is a feast for the eyes. I thought the performances complemented those visuals very well. It was a different time and a different people and an epic tale - the acting should be heightened and can be done so without scenery chewing. I believed that's what Spartans were like, even with the pounding rock soundtrack. Gerard Butler was great as King Leonidas and David Wenham was perfect as the narrator (I forget his character name). Dominic West and Lena Headey and all the rest...it just worked very well.
After seeing this movie, I have hopes that Zack Snyder will pull off Watchmen, which he is going to start shooting soon. His visuals will definitely be up to the task. Now, Watchmen is a much different story so a lot will come down to the script; his cast looks like it will be up to the task. I'll be there opening weekend without a doubt.
MORE COMICS CHATTER
When we were in Columbus a couple weeks ago, we went to The Laughing Ogre, which is one of the most-known comic book stores in the country. It can be overwhelming when you walk in there, as they have rows and rows of single issues and trade paperbacks and so much more. I wandered around and looked at all the possibilities...and ended up buying just one comic. Eh, I'll be there again.
The comic I bought that day was Nexus #99, the first new issue of the series in 10 years. Obviously, it's been a while since I read those last issues and I no longer own them, of course. But Nexus has always been one of my favorites and it wasn't hard to get back in the groove. Mike Baron and Steve Rude are back in their groove with this issue - a plot against Nexus, the Elvonics and Alvinites are at each other's throats, and Sundra is about to give birth to their son. All that and a letter column to boot. One of the best comic books ever is back and here to stay for what I hope is a long, long time.
I also brought a trade along on our vacation and managed to get it read. The All-New Atom: My Life in Miniature collects the first six issues of the recently-relaunched series, this time with a new Atom at the helm. Dr. Ryan Choi comes to Ivy Town to take Ray Palmer's (the previous and longstanding Atom) place on the faculty and ends up taking his place as the hero as well. The series is full of weirdness and humor with a scientist support group, a new villain who shares the same powers, intergalactic war, a cancer god, and a man trying to adjust to his new powers. Gail Simone does a great job in writing the series and the art (by John Byrne and Eddy Barrows and Trevor Scott) is super-hero solid. I will definitely pick up the next volume in the series.
The week I bought the first two issues of Countdown I also picked up Justice Society of America #8. It foucses on Jesse Quick, the daughter of Golden Age heroes Johnny Quick and Liberty Belle (who starred in one of my favorite series of the 80s, All-Star Squadron). I've always had a fondess for the character and the mixture of her history and the present day (where she is married to Hourman) works very well. The issue also deals with some redemption for Damage and Jesse learns even more about herself. This is how done-in-one comics are supposed to be. Thanks Geoff Johns and the solid fill-in art by Fernando Pasarin (and Rodney Ramos) for that.
Finally, I picked up Batman #667 last week. It teams Grant Morrison with J.H. Williams once again and that's a great thing - Williams is easily one of my favorite artists. This is the first issue of the three-part story which features "Batmen" from around the world. It's funny and twisted and features Batman the way you want him to be. Can't wait to see where the story goes from here...
When we were in Columbus a couple weeks ago, we went to The Laughing Ogre, which is one of the most-known comic book stores in the country. It can be overwhelming when you walk in there, as they have rows and rows of single issues and trade paperbacks and so much more. I wandered around and looked at all the possibilities...and ended up buying just one comic. Eh, I'll be there again.
The comic I bought that day was Nexus #99, the first new issue of the series in 10 years. Obviously, it's been a while since I read those last issues and I no longer own them, of course. But Nexus has always been one of my favorites and it wasn't hard to get back in the groove. Mike Baron and Steve Rude are back in their groove with this issue - a plot against Nexus, the Elvonics and Alvinites are at each other's throats, and Sundra is about to give birth to their son. All that and a letter column to boot. One of the best comic books ever is back and here to stay for what I hope is a long, long time.
I also brought a trade along on our vacation and managed to get it read. The All-New Atom: My Life in Miniature collects the first six issues of the recently-relaunched series, this time with a new Atom at the helm. Dr. Ryan Choi comes to Ivy Town to take Ray Palmer's (the previous and longstanding Atom) place on the faculty and ends up taking his place as the hero as well. The series is full of weirdness and humor with a scientist support group, a new villain who shares the same powers, intergalactic war, a cancer god, and a man trying to adjust to his new powers. Gail Simone does a great job in writing the series and the art (by John Byrne and Eddy Barrows and Trevor Scott) is super-hero solid. I will definitely pick up the next volume in the series.
The week I bought the first two issues of Countdown I also picked up Justice Society of America #8. It foucses on Jesse Quick, the daughter of Golden Age heroes Johnny Quick and Liberty Belle (who starred in one of my favorite series of the 80s, All-Star Squadron). I've always had a fondess for the character and the mixture of her history and the present day (where she is married to Hourman) works very well. The issue also deals with some redemption for Damage and Jesse learns even more about herself. This is how done-in-one comics are supposed to be. Thanks Geoff Johns and the solid fill-in art by Fernando Pasarin (and Rodney Ramos) for that.
Finally, I picked up Batman #667 last week. It teams Grant Morrison with J.H. Williams once again and that's a great thing - Williams is easily one of my favorite artists. This is the first issue of the three-part story which features "Batmen" from around the world. It's funny and twisted and features Batman the way you want him to be. Can't wait to see where the story goes from here...
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