48. Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, I Love Rock ‘n Roll (1981) “I feel like I’ve paid a lot of dues,” Joan Jett told an Associated Press reporter when the title cut to her sophomore solo LP — and first … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #48 and #47
For the next two weeks, I’m on vacation. Sometimes in such instances, I still endeavor to keep up with daily updates here. Not this time, friends. Not this time. Normal operations resume on Monday, May 15. The College Countdown is … Continue reading Programming Note
Annie Blackman does indeed sound like what anyone would reasonably expect from a young, Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter. “The Well,” her new single, has a tender, plaintive quality to it, spelling out the challenge of living and loving in the world as … Continue reading This Week’s Model — Annie Blackman, “The Well”
CAROLINE POLACHEK Desire, I Want to Turn Into You (Perpetual Novice) — The first words Caroline Polachek sings on her new album, Desire, I Want to Turn Into You, are “Welcome to my island.” Delivered in a tone that bridges … Continue reading Medium Rotation — Desire, I Want to Turn Into You; in|FLUX
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. Starting with Incredible Hulk #314, John Byrne was officially in charge … Continue reading My Misspent Youth — Marvel Fanfare #29 by John Byrne
Plane (Jean-François Richet, 2023). Although I’m no comprehensive expert on the recent filmography of Gerard Butler, my limited viewing experience suggested he’s carving out a fascinating niche as the star of action thrillers that are simultaneously bonkers and strangely grounded. … Continue reading Then Playing — Plane; M3GAN; Satan Met a Lady
How the Word Is Passed by Clint Smith Nonfiction, 2021 David knows that some visitors to Monticello arrive with an understanding of history that is not only misguided but also harmful. He has a difficult time disentangling this from the … Continue reading Book Report — How the Word Is Passed; It’s Lonely at the Centre of the Earth
50. The Replacements, Pleased to Meet Me (1987) According to bassist Tommy Stinson, the Replacements went to Memphis expecting, maybe even intending, to implode. Arguably, such an outcome wouldn’t have been a surprise to anybody. The Minneapolis band was as … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #50 and #49
Another Trivia Weekend has completed it’s fifty-four hour traipse across the airwaves, and I’m pleased to say that a fine overall job was done by the students and other volunteers at my beloved alma mater WWSP-FM. Considering the higher degree … Continue reading 13
53. New Order, Low-Life (1985) When Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook, and Stephen Morris officially formed New Order together, they knew that the music they made under that moniker was going to be compared to their previous band, Joy Division. If … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #53 to #51
Coffee for Two 