404. Howard Devoto, Jerky Versions of the Dream (1983) After folding his band Magazine, Howard Devoto wasn’t sure what he’d do next. He started working on one project with guitarist Alan St. Clair and another with Barry Adamson, Magazine’s bassist. … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #404 to #402
‘Stop the Steal’ Didn’t Start With Trump by Jamelle Bouie As Jamelle Bouie forcefully, smartly argues in this editorial, published by The New York Times, there’s nothing new about the Republican rhetoric that led directly to lawless storming of the … Continue reading Outside Reading — See Who They Are edition
Start asking for forgiveness in advanceFor all the future things I will destroyThat way I can ruin everythingWhen I do, you don’t get to act surprised I’m in a real dancing-about-architecture place with this new Julien Baker tracks. I’m not … Continue reading This Week’s Model — Julien Baker, “Hardline”
I read a lot of comic books as a kid. This series of posts is about the comics I read, and, occasionally, the comics that I should have read. In the late nineteen-eighties, John Byrne came back to Marvel. A … Continue reading My Misspent Youth — West Coast Avengers by John Byrne
As Marvel took over the movies, their concurrent attempts to expand their universe into television largely floundered. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., the much vaunted series co-created by Avengers helmer Joss Whedon, went from an official, canonical extension of the Marvel Cinematic … Continue reading That Championship Season: Legion, Season One
This series of posts is dedicated to the many, many six packs, pony kegs and pints that have sauntered into my life at one point or another. Back in the days when it was reasonable to move about the country, … Continue reading Beers I Have Known — pFriem Bourbon Barrel Imperial Stout
Driveways (Andrew Ahn, 2020). There are few stories of bonding more cliched than the sad, lonely child who befriends a crusty elderly fellow, both growing in charming and moving ways because of the relationship. That makes it borderline miraculous that … Continue reading Then Playing — Driveways; Babyteeth; Collective
407. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Southern Accents (1985) Tom Petty thought it was time for a concept album. With his backing band, the Heartbreakers, Petty had made five albums of solid rock ‘n’ roll with a slew of radio … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #407 to #405
Black Voters Understood What the Stakes Were by Clint Smith In part because of the damage wrought by the pliant disciples of the psychopathic blowhard who has commanded too much of our collective intellectual, emotional, and spiritual energy the last … Continue reading Outside Reading — The Road Leads Back to You edition
For at least the two hundred and sixth week in a row, it’s been a rough week. To meet the intense desire to find something to sooth my anguished inner, Vagabon comes to the rescue. Making it all the more … Continue reading This Week’s Model — Vagabon featuring Courtney Barnett, “Reason to Believe”
Coffee for Two 