McSweeney’s #19 [Old Facts, New Fiction, & a Novella by T.C. Boyle] (2006)

SOUNDTRACK: RICHARD THOMPSON-Across a Crowded Room (1985), Daring Adventures (1986) & Rumor and Sigh (1988).
One thing I have really noticed in my crash course of RT CDs is how completely timeless his work sounds. Aside from a few production values issues, notable on Across a Crowded Room, it’s really hard to know when these songs [...]

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Terry Moore–Strangers in Paradise (1993-2007) (R.I.P)

SOUNDTRACK: RICHARD THOMPSON-Strict Tempo (1981), Amnesia (1988) & Hand of Kindness (1983).

Richard Thompson is probably the best musician that no one has ever heard of. I first heard RT through a funny coincidence. I was working in Boston and I popped into Tower Records one afternoon where RT was signing copies of his then [...]

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What I learned… (7) [ALA]

My wife is away at the ALA conference. One would think that this would afford all kinds of time for reading. And then one would need to factor in two things: a two year old never stops and there are lots of things to be done around the house. How is it possible that she [...]

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McSweeney’s #22 [Three Books Held Within By Magnets] (2007)

SOUNDTRACK: ARCADE FIRE-Neon Bible (2007) [update].
I’ve decided my previous review was a little harsh. There are some tracks that do stand out. In fact, the first four tracks are really great. With “Intervention” being perhaps even better than “No Cars Go.” Then the ending is very solid. The middle tends to meander a bit, I’m [...]

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Joss Whedon–Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8 Issues 1-4 The Long Way Home (2007)

SOUNDTRACK: ARCADE FIRE-Neon Bible (2007).
I was pretty excited when this album came out. I really enjoyed the last Arcade Fire album, especially “No Cars Go.” And then I found out that “No Cars Go” is redone on this one. I have not had quite the visceral reaction to this one as the [...]

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Brian Selznick–The Invention of Hugo Cabret (2007)

SOUNDTRACK: MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE-The Black Parade (2006).
I know that Green Day is derivative. It’s obvious that they aren’t the originators of any kind of punk anything, and yet, they seem to have been the catalyst for a new breed of poppy punk bands, and they make an excellent reference point for these snotty young kids [...]

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What I learned… (6) [Hypocrisy]

I may be a hypocrite. In the short time that I’ve been keeping this blog, I have contradicted, or flip/flopped or undermined myself in almost everything I had originally stated! First I railed against the iPod, and then complained about getting screwned (see What I leaned… (5)) which is all but alleviated by the iPod. [...]

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Daniel Tammet–Born on a Blue Day: Inside the Extraordinary Mind of an Autistic Savant (2006) [updates added 6/19]

SOUNDTRACK: LCD SOUNDSYSTEM-LCD Soundsystem (2005).
What’s a metal/prog guy like myself listening to LCD Soundsystem for? Even though the music of this genre (techno/electronica/ whateveritscalledthesedays) is not very complex…most songs in fact repeat the same motif for the entire 5 minutes of the song, and yet, damn if it’s not catchy. I tend to get excited [...]

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[UPDATE] McSweeney’s #23 (2007)

SOUNDTRACK: WEAKERTHANS-Reconstruction Site (2003) & Watermark (single) (2001).
I heard about the Weakerthans in, I think Esquire, of all places, in their Canadian Bands You Must Listen To article. They were described as more literate than The Decemberists, and even thought I have not actually included a Decemberists album yet, my love for them is pure. [...]

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Maile Meloy–Liars and Saints (2003)

SOUNDTRACK: THE NEW PORNOGRAPHERS-Mass Romantic (2000).
I was introduced to this album via “Letter to an Occupant,” the great sing- along-at-top-volume song that features Neko Case. The title track also features Neko, and her voice is just so dynamic that I really never listened that much to the rest of the album, which features the boys’ [...]

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