Embrace the Dull

The Hold Steady: Separation Sunday

 Bob Costas said of Jackie Robinson something to the effect of, "were there better ballplayers? Sure. Were there more important ballplayers? Who?"

That kind of captures how I feel about Separation Sunday by the Hold Steady. Are there better records out there? I guess. Are there records out there that I enjoy more than Separation Sunday?

I really don't think so.

I guess I heard about original sin,

I heard the dude blamed the chick,

I heard the chick blamed the snake

See? That's just a great fucking line.

Amy Winehouse has emphysema

You know, the affliction that affects people in their 70s?

She's 24.

Update - apparently all the crack she smokes has exacerbated the problem.

Who knew?

Feeling Stiff

A friend of mine just sent me a copy of Nick Lowe's Jesus of Cool 30th Anniversary edition.

It's an incredible record, perfect power-pop.

The only Nick Lowe I owned prior to this was the Stiff Records 4-Disc set. It's a set I listened to pretty much every day during the summer of 1996.

As such Lowe's voice has a carbon-dating quality. I Love My Label and So It Goes takes me back to working at Pizzeria Uno's in Kenmore Square, getting extremely drunk at Cornwall's and The Last Drop, and spending the rest of the time sweating in an un-air-conditioned, shared room on Marlborough Street.

Inspired by this I'm listening to the other albums I bought that summer: The Harder They Come Soundtrack, The Bends, Live at the El Mocambo (not so much bought as stolen from my rommate) Funhouse and Regretfully Yours.

Fox News somehow stupider today than it was yesterday

Examines Obama's "terrorist fist jab."(!!??)

In 2000 the White Stripes released De Stijl and I thought "ok, that was amazing, they'll never surpass that."

Then in 2001 they released White Blood Cells and I thought, "Crap. That's amazing. That is the height of their ability"

Then in 2003 they released Elephant and I thought, "Fucking hell. That's it, this is incredible and I won't be surprised if they out-perform themselves with their subsequent release."

That's sort of what it's like watching Fox News.

The New Death Cab for Cutie is good

I was short on cash to pay for parking on Wednesday, so I bought the new Death Cab for Cutie record so Amoeba [Records, the store closest to the parking garage] would validate [my parking].

In many ways my expectations were already met (their last record was largely disappointing), so you can imagine my surprise when I discovered that the first three songs kick as much ass as they do.

Seriously, I Will Possess Your Heart, while mawkishly named, is so fucking good. As is No Sunlight .

Trust is my favorite Elvis Costello album

There. I said it.

The Dodos: Visitor

(Reviewed here) is a really, really good album. Perhaps my favorite of 2008.

Here's a song to whet your interest: Fools

Unrelated: Liz and I spent ~7 hours watching the Godfathers this weekend. We agreed that if you take away Sofia Coppola's presence and Pacino's retarded haircut, part 3 isn't all that bad.

Related to unrelated: Lee Strassberg's delivery of "I didn't ask (breath) who gave the order (breath)...because it had nothing...to do...with business!" is my favorite line in the entire trilogy.

I recommend this record

I used to backpack through Central America; I hung out with locals, enjoyed walking tours, I turned the occasional gay-trick for pocket money.

If you want to do the same, this is the album for you.
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1980 Iggy Pop Interview on Tom Snyder

Happy Monday, Here's a rare Oasis track for you

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Yes, I like Oasis. Leave me be, Elijah.