40. Love Is Like An Itching In My Heart - the Supremes.
Much of Motown lived on the bottom, and this did too, but had lots of other elements, including a great vocal.
39. Got to Get You into My Life - the Beatles.
The Fabs get soulful. I'd play the (US) Revolver album once through this song, then, if my parents weren't home, play the song again very loudly. This made Tomorrow Never Knows particularly noisy.
Feeling: hopeful.
38. Barabajagal - Donovan (With The Jeff Beck Group)
It's jazzy, it rocks, it has those sexy female vocals.
Feeling: love IS hot.
HERE.
37. Hurt-Johnny Cash
If I included my feelings about the video, this would be even higher, maybe even Top 10. Still that insistent keyboard is quite affecting.
Feeling: sadness.
HERE or
36. Season Of Hollow Soul - k.d. lang.
Very sad, very autumnal song from her pop breakthrough album, Ingenue. Unfortunately, this anime video cuts off.
Feeling: hollow.
35. Church-Lyle Lovett.
I feel like I've BEEN to church after this. The second song from the CD named after the sixth, seventh, and eighth books of the Bible, Joshua Judges Ruth.
Feeling: righteous.
HERE.
34. Maybe I'm Amazed-Paul McCartney.
A song on the first solo LP as good as anything his old group did. the bridge and the end are especially strong.
Feeling: joyful.
33. Sunshine of Your Love - Cream
Of course, there's that quintessential opening hook. But it's also the shared lead vocals, the oddly effective harmony, and the Blue Moon bridge.
Feeling: good.
32. ‘Til I Die - Beach Boys
While the verse and chorus structure is evocative, it's the end part stating the title, and the vocals wrapped around it that is most moving.
Feeling: reflective.
HERE.
31. Can’t Get Next to You - the Temptations
After David Ruffin left the group, it was the wisdom of producer Norman Whitfield to cop the shared vocals motif from Sly Stone, to great effect.
Feeling: mind-blowing.
ROG
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Friday, July 18, 2008
Roger (Finally) Answers Your Other Questions, Eddie
Answering Eddie, lest he slap me down:
You’ve done some writing about biking, including a really good post a while back with tips and such. As someone very new to biking, I had some additional queries I wanted to bounce off you. I started riding again last year, and currently ride just about every day, usually to work and back, if nothing else. I’ve started doing lots of my errands and running around on the bike as well. Anyway, I’ve had some questions related to things that come up when I ride. So, here goes:
1. Distance-wise, how much do you ride on an average day? What is the most you’ve ever ridden in one day? (Either all in one stretch or in smaller increments with stops in between?) When you ride a lot in one day, how tired are you the next day?
First, less since the child. Used to just go around town. Occasionally, a trek to the neighboring towns (Troy, Delmar, Colonie). I'd start in March or April and get really exhausted, but as I rode more and more, not so much a greater amount, but just the repetitions, it was easier in October/November. Of course, this has been bollocked by the accident. Doubt I ever went more than 20 miles in a day. Well, maybe in rural Jamestown when I was on country roads.
6. Does Carol ride too? Keith and I have a lot of fun riding together.
She did a few times. But she had this big, heavy bike that she hated. When my last bike died (or was stolen; I've had enough in each category, I don't remember), I purloined hers, with her blessing. She keeps threatening to get another bike. Maybe when Lydia starts to ride.
2. Speed-wise, how fast do you go, on average? Do you feel pressured to try and go faster than you are able to or than you feel is safe when you are riding in traffic?
Again, much slower on her old bike than my previous vehicles. I used to go on Albany's bike path and pass about four times the number of bikers that passed me; now the numbers are reversed. No, I don't feel pressured. That's the kind of thinking that would just lead me to road rage. And you know what Bruce Banner says about anger.
3. How do you deal with nerves when you’re riding in traffic? Do you ride on streets that are typically very busy? Do you try to plan routes around heavy traffic areas?
I avoid crossing highway entrances (Everett Road in Albany), though I have walked through there with the bike occasionally. I don't feel nervous unless I don't have a helmet for some reason. Generally, I look for roads with shoulders. From experience, drivers are more aggressive on four-lane roads than two, so, unless they have shoulders, I tend to avoid the latter when possible. (Heading to my house, Western Avenue is generally safer than Washington, for that very reason.) I've been know to zigzag through residential neighborhoods, which tend to be saner.
4. Do you look at weenies like me, who will ride on some streets but not the ones that are really busy, with contempt?
Well, I never could think ill of you, Eddie, but no. The southern end of Lark Street in Albany is narrow, yet has parking on both sides; I work hard to avoid it.
5. I have a hard time keeping a steady course when I have to look over my shoulder to check traffic and sometimes when I signal turns. It’s gotten better the more I ride, but do you have any advice? I’m afraid of drifting into a parked car or into the other lane on narrow streets due to this.
Unless you buy a mirror, which I have never used, you may have to stop pedaling when you look. I seem to have pretty good peripheral vision, so I'm usually only looking at about 20 degrees off center. Someone told me you can "train" your peripheral vision, but I've never done it. You may need to practice this, but I lean ever so slightly to the right when I put out my left hand.
7. Why is it on windy days, that no matter which way I turn, I'm always riding directly into the wind?
God has a sense of humor. At least I think She does.
ROG
You’ve done some writing about biking, including a really good post a while back with tips and such. As someone very new to biking, I had some additional queries I wanted to bounce off you. I started riding again last year, and currently ride just about every day, usually to work and back, if nothing else. I’ve started doing lots of my errands and running around on the bike as well. Anyway, I’ve had some questions related to things that come up when I ride. So, here goes:
1. Distance-wise, how much do you ride on an average day? What is the most you’ve ever ridden in one day? (Either all in one stretch or in smaller increments with stops in between?) When you ride a lot in one day, how tired are you the next day?
First, less since the child. Used to just go around town. Occasionally, a trek to the neighboring towns (Troy, Delmar, Colonie). I'd start in March or April and get really exhausted, but as I rode more and more, not so much a greater amount, but just the repetitions, it was easier in October/November. Of course, this has been bollocked by the accident. Doubt I ever went more than 20 miles in a day. Well, maybe in rural Jamestown when I was on country roads.
6. Does Carol ride too? Keith and I have a lot of fun riding together.
She did a few times. But she had this big, heavy bike that she hated. When my last bike died (or was stolen; I've had enough in each category, I don't remember), I purloined hers, with her blessing. She keeps threatening to get another bike. Maybe when Lydia starts to ride.
2. Speed-wise, how fast do you go, on average? Do you feel pressured to try and go faster than you are able to or than you feel is safe when you are riding in traffic?
Again, much slower on her old bike than my previous vehicles. I used to go on Albany's bike path and pass about four times the number of bikers that passed me; now the numbers are reversed. No, I don't feel pressured. That's the kind of thinking that would just lead me to road rage. And you know what Bruce Banner says about anger.
3. How do you deal with nerves when you’re riding in traffic? Do you ride on streets that are typically very busy? Do you try to plan routes around heavy traffic areas?
I avoid crossing highway entrances (Everett Road in Albany), though I have walked through there with the bike occasionally. I don't feel nervous unless I don't have a helmet for some reason. Generally, I look for roads with shoulders. From experience, drivers are more aggressive on four-lane roads than two, so, unless they have shoulders, I tend to avoid the latter when possible. (Heading to my house, Western Avenue is generally safer than Washington, for that very reason.) I've been know to zigzag through residential neighborhoods, which tend to be saner.
4. Do you look at weenies like me, who will ride on some streets but not the ones that are really busy, with contempt?
Well, I never could think ill of you, Eddie, but no. The southern end of Lark Street in Albany is narrow, yet has parking on both sides; I work hard to avoid it.
5. I have a hard time keeping a steady course when I have to look over my shoulder to check traffic and sometimes when I signal turns. It’s gotten better the more I ride, but do you have any advice? I’m afraid of drifting into a parked car or into the other lane on narrow streets due to this.
Unless you buy a mirror, which I have never used, you may have to stop pedaling when you look. I seem to have pretty good peripheral vision, so I'm usually only looking at about 20 degrees off center. Someone told me you can "train" your peripheral vision, but I've never done it. You may need to practice this, but I lean ever so slightly to the right when I put out my left hand.
7. Why is it on windy days, that no matter which way I turn, I'm always riding directly into the wind?
God has a sense of humor. At least I think She does.
ROG
Thursday, July 17, 2008
My life in music
I am going to pick my favorite album from each year of my life, selecting them from Wikipedia's "year in music" because I don't have them all in iTunes, especially the stuff I have only in vinyl. If the years are wrong, blame the wiki people. I did have to add the 1996 item, because it wasn't listed - for shame!
Rules say that I have to own it or would most likely have owned it, as I understand them.
1953 - Jazz at Massey Hall - The Quintet. Own on CD.
1954 - Songs For Young Lovers - Frank Sinatra. Don't own, but have Capitol Singles box set.
1955 - Oklahoma! - Original Broadway Cast. Own a later iteration of this.
1956 - Ella and Louis - Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong. Own on CD.
1957 - Ella and Louis Again - Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong. Own on CD.
1958 - South Pacific - Original Soundtrack. My mother owned it on LP.
1959 - Kind of Blue - Miles Davis. Own on CD. Adore.
1960 - Joan Baez - Joan Baez. My father owned, and I own her LP from the previous year.
1961 - Judy at Carnegie Hall - Judy Garland. I think my mother owned LP; in any case, saw the TV special.
1962 - West Side Story - Original Soundtrack. Mom owned on vinyl; I own on CD.
1963 - With the Beatles - The Beatles. Own on CD.
1964 - A Hard Day's Night - The Beatles. Own both US and UK versions on CD.
1965 - The Sound of Music - Original Soundtrack. Owned on vinyl, own on CD.
1966 - Daydream - The Lovin' Spoonful. Owned on vinyl, own on CD. Sure I could pick Beatles for every year the rest of this decade (this year, Revolver), but what's the fun in that?
1967 - The Supremes Sing Holland-Dozier-Holland - The Supremes. Own on LP.
1968 - Bookends - Simon and Garfunkel. Own on LP.
1969 - The Band - The Band. Own on CD.
1970 - After the Gold Rush - Neil Young. Own on CD.
1971 - Jesus Christ Superstar - Various Artists. Own on LP.
1972 - Fragile - Yes. Own on CD.
1973 - Piano Man - Billy Joel. Own on LP, saw him on tour in New Paltz.
1974 - Endless Summer - Beach Boys. Own on vinyl. Actually really discovered early Beach Boys then; my first Beach boys album was Pet Sounds.
1975 - Still Crazy After All These Years - Paul Simon. Own on LP and CD. Defines old relationship.
1976 - Songs in the Key of Life - Stevie Wonder. Own on LP and CD. My old record player would automatically return before the 45 that comes with the LP was over.
1977 - "Heroes" - David Bowie. Own on LP.
1978 - Saturday Night Fever - Original Soundtrack. It is what it is. Own on vinyl.
1979 - Squeezing Out Sparks - Graham Parker & the Rumour. Own on vinyl.
1980 - Peter Gabriel ("melt", the 3rd album with Biko) - Peter Gabriel. Own on LP in German and in English, and on CD in English. A MOST prodigious year! I had to pass on Empty Glass - Pete Townshend and London Calling - The Clash, among MANY others.
1981 - Discipline - King Crimson. Own on vinyl.
1982 - Night and Day - Joe Jackson. Own on vinyl.
1983 - Genesis (the one with "Mama")- Genesis. Own on vinyl.
1984 - Purple Rain - Prince and the Revolution. Own on LP and CD.
1985 - Soul to Soul - Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble. Own on vinyl.
1986 - Bring On the Night - Sting. Own on vinyl.
1987 - The Joshua Tree - U2. Own on LP and CD.
1988 - Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1 - Traveling Wilburys. Own on CD.
1989 - Spike - Elvis Costello. Own on CD. My favorite Costello.
1990 - Shooting Straight in the Dark - Mary Chapin Carpenter. Own on CD.
1991 - Out of Time - R.E.M. Own on CD.
1992 - Ingénue - k.d. lang. Own on CD. Also tied to a relationship.
1993 - I'm Alive - Jackson Browne. Own on CD. A thin year.
1994 - Wildflowers - Tom Petty. Own on CD.
1995 - Now That I've Found You: A Collection - Alison Krauss. Own on CD.
1996 - Unchained - Johnny Cash. Own on CD.
1997 - Time Out of Mind - Bob Dylan. Own on CD.
1998 - Mermaid Avenue - Billy Bragg and Wilco. Own on CD.
1999 - Play - Moby. Yeah, I know everyone tired of it. Own on CD.
2000 - American III: Solitary Man - Johnny Cash. Own on CD.
2001 - Love and Theft - Bob Dylan. Bought on September 11. Own on CD.
2002 - American IV: The Man Comes Around - Johnny Cash. Own on CD.
2003 - Unearthed - Johnny Cash (Box Set). Lots of songs my father used to sing. Own on CD.
2004 - Van Lear Rose - Loretta Lynn. Own on CD.
2005 - Chaos and Creation in the Backyard - Paul McCartney. Own on CD. By this point, Lydia is 1 and I'm hardly getting ANYTHING.
2006 - We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions - Bruce Springsteen. Own on CD. Out of the fog of new parenthood.
2007 - Raising Sand - Robert Plant and Alison Krauss. Gave to my wife on CD.
2008 - Liverpool 8 - Ringo Starr. By default. Own on CD. i tend to buy more in the second half of the year. I have at least $50 in gift cards, so Costello, Hiatt, E. Harris and Mudcrutch are among the possibilities for purchase in the near future.
This took at least 67% longer than it did Tosy.
ROG
Rules say that I have to own it or would most likely have owned it, as I understand them.
1953 - Jazz at Massey Hall - The Quintet. Own on CD.
1954 - Songs For Young Lovers - Frank Sinatra. Don't own, but have Capitol Singles box set.
1955 - Oklahoma! - Original Broadway Cast. Own a later iteration of this.
1956 - Ella and Louis - Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong. Own on CD.
1957 - Ella and Louis Again - Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong. Own on CD.
1958 - South Pacific - Original Soundtrack. My mother owned it on LP.
1959 - Kind of Blue - Miles Davis. Own on CD. Adore.
1960 - Joan Baez - Joan Baez. My father owned, and I own her LP from the previous year.
1961 - Judy at Carnegie Hall - Judy Garland. I think my mother owned LP; in any case, saw the TV special.
1962 - West Side Story - Original Soundtrack. Mom owned on vinyl; I own on CD.
1963 - With the Beatles - The Beatles. Own on CD.
1964 - A Hard Day's Night - The Beatles. Own both US and UK versions on CD.
1965 - The Sound of Music - Original Soundtrack. Owned on vinyl, own on CD.
1966 - Daydream - The Lovin' Spoonful. Owned on vinyl, own on CD. Sure I could pick Beatles for every year the rest of this decade (this year, Revolver), but what's the fun in that?
1967 - The Supremes Sing Holland-Dozier-Holland - The Supremes. Own on LP.
1968 - Bookends - Simon and Garfunkel. Own on LP.
1969 - The Band - The Band. Own on CD.
1970 - After the Gold Rush - Neil Young. Own on CD.
1971 - Jesus Christ Superstar - Various Artists. Own on LP.
1972 - Fragile - Yes. Own on CD.
1973 - Piano Man - Billy Joel. Own on LP, saw him on tour in New Paltz.
1974 - Endless Summer - Beach Boys. Own on vinyl. Actually really discovered early Beach Boys then; my first Beach boys album was Pet Sounds.
1975 - Still Crazy After All These Years - Paul Simon. Own on LP and CD. Defines old relationship.
1976 - Songs in the Key of Life - Stevie Wonder. Own on LP and CD. My old record player would automatically return before the 45 that comes with the LP was over.
1977 - "Heroes" - David Bowie. Own on LP.
1978 - Saturday Night Fever - Original Soundtrack. It is what it is. Own on vinyl.
1979 - Squeezing Out Sparks - Graham Parker & the Rumour. Own on vinyl.
1980 - Peter Gabriel ("melt", the 3rd album with Biko) - Peter Gabriel. Own on LP in German and in English, and on CD in English. A MOST prodigious year! I had to pass on Empty Glass - Pete Townshend and London Calling - The Clash, among MANY others.
1981 - Discipline - King Crimson. Own on vinyl.
1982 - Night and Day - Joe Jackson. Own on vinyl.
1983 - Genesis (the one with "Mama")- Genesis. Own on vinyl.
1984 - Purple Rain - Prince and the Revolution. Own on LP and CD.
1985 - Soul to Soul - Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble. Own on vinyl.
1986 - Bring On the Night - Sting. Own on vinyl.
1987 - The Joshua Tree - U2. Own on LP and CD.
1988 - Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1 - Traveling Wilburys. Own on CD.
1989 - Spike - Elvis Costello. Own on CD. My favorite Costello.
1990 - Shooting Straight in the Dark - Mary Chapin Carpenter. Own on CD.
1991 - Out of Time - R.E.M. Own on CD.
1992 - Ingénue - k.d. lang. Own on CD. Also tied to a relationship.
1993 - I'm Alive - Jackson Browne. Own on CD. A thin year.
1994 - Wildflowers - Tom Petty. Own on CD.
1995 - Now That I've Found You: A Collection - Alison Krauss. Own on CD.
1996 - Unchained - Johnny Cash. Own on CD.
1997 - Time Out of Mind - Bob Dylan. Own on CD.
1998 - Mermaid Avenue - Billy Bragg and Wilco. Own on CD.
1999 - Play - Moby. Yeah, I know everyone tired of it. Own on CD.
2000 - American III: Solitary Man - Johnny Cash. Own on CD.
2001 - Love and Theft - Bob Dylan. Bought on September 11. Own on CD.
2002 - American IV: The Man Comes Around - Johnny Cash. Own on CD.
2003 - Unearthed - Johnny Cash (Box Set). Lots of songs my father used to sing. Own on CD.
2004 - Van Lear Rose - Loretta Lynn. Own on CD.
2005 - Chaos and Creation in the Backyard - Paul McCartney. Own on CD. By this point, Lydia is 1 and I'm hardly getting ANYTHING.
2006 - We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions - Bruce Springsteen. Own on CD. Out of the fog of new parenthood.
2007 - Raising Sand - Robert Plant and Alison Krauss. Gave to my wife on CD.
2008 - Liverpool 8 - Ringo Starr. By default. Own on CD. i tend to buy more in the second half of the year. I have at least $50 in gift cards, so Costello, Hiatt, E. Harris and Mudcrutch are among the possibilities for purchase in the near future.
This took at least 67% longer than it did Tosy.
ROG
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
After 2009/1/20
Something I got from a United Methodist listserv, even though I'm no longer a UM; the date of the originating post is after May 2: Methodist Ministers Launch PR Campaign To Stop Bush Library At SMU»
Earlier this month, at the United Methodist Church’s (UMC) Quadrennial General Conference, the UMC’s governing body, voted overwhelmingly — 844 to 20 — to refer a petition to its South Central Jurisdiction. The petition urges the rejection of President Bush’s presidential library which is set to be housed at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. The library has received significant criticism from SMU faculty, Methodist ministers and the public because of an attached institute —
independent of the university — that will sponsor programs designed to "promote the vision of the president” and "celebrate" Bush’s presidency. The South Central Jurisdiction, which owns the university property where the library is set to be built, will vote on the petition this July. In anticipation of the vote, some Methodist ministers have launched a public relations campaign to highlight the partisan nature of the library: [T]he opponents have hired a Maine public relations firm to design ads for Methodist publications and do other strategies, said the Rev. Andrew Weaver of Brooklyn, N.Y. He said the goal is informing people about the partisan think tank, which won’t be under SMU’s control and will promote the Bush administration’s policies — such as the war with Iraq and harsh interrogation techniques of military prisoners — that some Methodists feel conflict with church
teachings.
Which begs the question, where does one get to sign up?
Actually, though, it seems as though we can be out of Iraq in practically no time. Maliki wants a timetable, Bush seems to want a drawdown, so we can just declare victory and leave.
Meanwhile, Dennis Kucinich is trying to get Bush impeached. A quixotic, though understandable, effort, but all I really want is this:
ROG
Earlier this month, at the United Methodist Church’s (UMC) Quadrennial General Conference, the UMC’s governing body, voted overwhelmingly — 844 to 20 — to refer a petition to its South Central Jurisdiction. The petition urges the rejection of President Bush’s presidential library which is set to be housed at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. The library has received significant criticism from SMU faculty, Methodist ministers and the public because of an attached institute —
independent of the university — that will sponsor programs designed to "promote the vision of the president” and "celebrate" Bush’s presidency. The South Central Jurisdiction, which owns the university property where the library is set to be built, will vote on the petition this July. In anticipation of the vote, some Methodist ministers have launched a public relations campaign to highlight the partisan nature of the library: [T]he opponents have hired a Maine public relations firm to design ads for Methodist publications and do other strategies, said the Rev. Andrew Weaver of Brooklyn, N.Y. He said the goal is informing people about the partisan think tank, which won’t be under SMU’s control and will promote the Bush administration’s policies — such as the war with Iraq and harsh interrogation techniques of military prisoners — that some Methodists feel conflict with church
teachings.
Which begs the question, where does one get to sign up?
Actually, though, it seems as though we can be out of Iraq in practically no time. Maliki wants a timetable, Bush seems to want a drawdown, so we can just declare victory and leave.
Meanwhile, Dennis Kucinich is trying to get Bush impeached. A quixotic, though understandable, effort, but all I really want is this:
ROG
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
She'll Be Home for Birthday
I’ve missed my wife.
Carol has been attending the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams, MA for the past two weeks. She is seeking an Advanced Certificate in Educational Administration. Carol has no interest in being a school principal, but would like to be able to help mold the curriculum for English as a Second Language. She left on Sunday, June 29 and returned home only yesterday. And it’s not as though she just took a couple of classes a day for two weeks. Prior to her arrival there, she had to read seven books and write three short papers based on the material in those books.
Her typical day started with breakfast at 7 a.m., classes that began at 8 a.m., and various activities that could run up to 9 p.m., including weekends and the Fourth of July. This coming school year, Carol will be doing an internship of 300 hours, and then next summer she will repeat the two-week marathon. The internship means that she will be working at only an 80% teaching capacity, which will put a bit of a crimp on our budget, but I’m very happy that she has decided to take on this educational process because 1) she has a great passion for it, and 2) I believe she will be very good at it.
So she’s made it back home, just in time for her birthday, taking her parents, Lydia and me out to dinner to celebrate. Happy Birthday, sweetie, and welcome home.
ROG
Carol has been attending the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams, MA for the past two weeks. She is seeking an Advanced Certificate in Educational Administration. Carol has no interest in being a school principal, but would like to be able to help mold the curriculum for English as a Second Language. She left on Sunday, June 29 and returned home only yesterday. And it’s not as though she just took a couple of classes a day for two weeks. Prior to her arrival there, she had to read seven books and write three short papers based on the material in those books.
Her typical day started with breakfast at 7 a.m., classes that began at 8 a.m., and various activities that could run up to 9 p.m., including weekends and the Fourth of July. This coming school year, Carol will be doing an internship of 300 hours, and then next summer she will repeat the two-week marathon. The internship means that she will be working at only an 80% teaching capacity, which will put a bit of a crimp on our budget, but I’m very happy that she has decided to take on this educational process because 1) she has a great passion for it, and 2) I believe she will be very good at it.
So she’s made it back home, just in time for her birthday, taking her parents, Lydia and me out to dinner to celebrate. Happy Birthday, sweetie, and welcome home.
ROG
Monday, July 14, 2008
ROG on EW on TV
"The 100 best shows from 1983 to 2008", which I assume explains the absence of St. Elsewhere (1982-1988) and Cheers (1982-1993).
1. The Simpsons, Fox, 1989-present: I watched religiously for nine or ten years. Spotty since then. Have the soundtrack, saw, and liked, but didn't love, the movie.
2 The Sopranos, HBO (1999-2007): saw the last four minutes on YouTube. Unless you count all the clips shown at the Emmys. For a show I've never watched, I know an awful lot about it. I could be watching it now on non-pay cable, but didn't.
3 Seinfeld, NBC (1989-98): See, I liked it when it really WAS about nothing, getting lost in a parking lot and whatnot. I did enjoy the TV pitch about the show about nothing and the second spitter. But George and the Yankees? Eh. Susan's death? Hated. Went from must see from the get-go to catch in reruns the last three seasons.
4 The X-Files, Fox (1993-2002): saw maybe four times, including a two-parter. Liked it when I saw it.
5 Sex and the City, HBO (1998-2004): whereas when this went from HBO to TBS, my wife and I DID watch it. Mostly liked it, though the first half of the first season, it struggled to find is voice.
6 Survivor, CBS (2000-present): watched the first season, which I enjoyed, and the second, which largely bored me. Then started watching the first episode and the finale for a few seasons. Last couple years, haven't even bothered.
7 The Cosby Show, NBC (1984-92): watched religiously, even though it started losing its mojo at the end.
8 Lost, ABC (2004-present): have seen maybe five minutes of it. At this point, I can't commit to a serial with such a complex back story.
9 Friends, NBC (1994-2004): watched it in the beginning and at the end. Periodically, it'd irritate me as too cute and I'd bail, but a storyline would pull me back in.
10 Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The WB (1997-2001); UPN (2001-03): saw one musical episode.
11 The Wire, HBO (2002-08): another HBO show I've not seen.
12 South Park, Comedy Central (1997-present). Saw a few episodes to see what the fuss was, bailed.
13 Freaks and Geeks, NBC (1999-2000): watched every episode. Loved.
14 The Daily Show, Comedy Central (1996-present): usually see in clips on someone or other's blog.
15 The Oprah Winfrey Show, Syndicated (1986-present): See infrequently. I remember one episode when she brought together the black kids who integrated the high school in Little Rock in 1957 and those who jeered them; great show. Probably watch thrice a year, such as when she had Paul McCartney on.
16 Arrested Development, Fox (2003-06): didn't much like when I watched the first season and gave up. Fellow bloggers sang its praise and I tried again at the beginning of Season 2 and watched to the end.
17 The Office (U.K. version), BBC2 (2001-03) - never saw.
18 American Idol, Fox (2002-present)- watched it from the third to the last episode in Season 1, through all of Seasons 2 and 3. Watched just the Top 24 in season 4, top 12 in season 5, and not at all since.
19 ER, NBC (1994-present) - watched the first six or eight seasons before I bailed.
20 Beverly Hills, 90210, Fox (1990-2000) - didn't watch.
21 Roseanne, ABC (1988-97) - watched the first six or seven seasons before it lost me.
22 The Real World, MTV (1992-present) - saw the first three or four seasons. Since then, watched the first episode of the season a half dozen times, but that was all.
23 The West Wing, NBC (1999-2006) - watched the first five seasons, gave up, watched most of the last season.
24 Star Trek: The Next Generation, Syndication (1987-94) - saw every episode.
25 Miami Vice, NBC (1984-89) - saw a lot of it early; may have given up after three or four seasons.
26 Chappelle's Show, Comedy Central (2003-06) - saw a couple episodes.
27 Law & Order, NBC (1990-present) - watched religiously from the middle of the first season until Jerry Orbach left, almost not at all since then.
28 The Larry Sanders Show, HBO (1992-98): had HBO for the first couple seasons and watched, but then I didn't so I didn't, though I did see the last episode in a hotel room in Boston.
29 The Shield, FX (2002-present): saw a season or two.
30 Late Show With David Letterman, CBS (1993-present): occasionally.
31 The Civil War, PBS (1990): watched it all.
32 Gilmore Girls, The WB (2000-06), The CW (2006-07): caught in reruns the first season, saw the rest. Almost lost me with the Rory/married Dean affair.
33 My So-Called Life, ABC (1994-95): saw it all.
34 24, Fox (2001-present): saw the first season, which was 13 great episodes, followed by WTF. The last episode, though, really got to me. The beginning of the second season turned me off, though I did see parts of that and the next season. Not only gave it up but have railed against it in this blog almost from its inception.
35 CSI, CBS (2000-present): saw one episode, hated it.
36 thirtysomething, ABC (1987-91): watched most episodes.
38 Beavis and Butt-head, MTV (1993-97): watched once, hated.
39 Six Feet Under, HBO (2001-05): never saw; probably would have watched.
40 Mr. Show, (HBO, 1995-98): don't know what this is.
41 Frasier, NBC (1993-2004): watched every episode.
42 L.A. Law, NBC (1986-94): watched most episodes.
43 Late Night With Conan O'Brien, NBC (1993-present): rarely.
44 Jeopardy!, Syndicated (1984-present): since I owned a VCR, almost never miss.
45 Curb Your Enthusiasm, HBO (2000-present): haven't seen; probably would if I could.
46 Homicide: Life on the Street, NBC (1993-99): favorite show of the decade.
47 30 Rock, NBC (2006-present): tried it early, didn't like.
48 Ally McBeal, Fox (1997-2002): one of those shows I watched whether it was good (Robert Downey Jr.) or not (Hayden Pantitierre as Ally's daughter).
49 Twin Peaks, ABC (1990-91): watched the first season but lost interest.
50 Baywatch, NBC (1989-90), Syndicated (1991-2001): never saw a complete episode.
51. Melrose Place, Fox (1992-99): ditto.
52. Felicity, The WB (1998-2002): ditto.
53. Will & Grace, NBC (1998-2006): watched sporadically, such as Gene Wilder's first appearance.
54. Moonlighting, ABC (1985-89): another show I watched from its great beginning to its lousy post-"Maddie-and-David succumb" end.
55. Pee-wee's Playhouse, CBS (1986-90): saw a couple times.
56. Desperate Housewives, ABC (2004-present): never saw a full episode.
57. The Amazing Race, CBS (2001-present): ditto.
58. The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, NBC (1992-present): generally not.
59. Battlestar Galactica, Sci Fi (2003-2008): never saw.
60. Xena: Warrior Princess, Syndicated (1995-2001): never saw a full episode.
61. The Office (U.S.), NBC (2005-present): watched from the beginning.
62. House, Fox (2004-present): watched once or twice.
63. Mystery Science Theater 3000, Comedy Central (1989-96), Sci Fi (1997-99): tried it, bored me.
64. The Osbournes, MTV (2002-05): watched two or three episodes before giving up.
65. Family Guy, Fox (1999-2002, 2005-present): watched about a season in its first incarnation, quit.
66. Grey’s Anatomy, ABC (2005-present: have watched far too many episodes.
67. Planet Earth, Discovery Channel (2007): don't think I have.
68. Jackass, MTV (2000-02): never saw.
69. The Colbert Report, Comedy Central (2005-present): rarely.
70. Everybody Loves Raymond, CBS (1996-2005): one episode.
71. Friday Night Lights, NBC (2006-present): never saw a full episode; I'm sure it's very good, and I'd like it, but it was a matter of time.
72. NewsRadio, NBC (1995-99): watched maybe a half dozen episodes when Phil Hartman was on.
73. Oz, HBO (1997-2003)" another HBO casualty.
74. Wiseguy, CBS (1987-90): watched religiously.
75. Project Runway, Bravo (2004-present): never saw.
76. In Living Color, Fox (1990-94): watched for most of a season.
77. The Golden Girls, NBC (1985-92): probably saw 75% of the episodes; hey, it had Betty White!
78. I'll Fly Away, NBC (1991-93): watched religiously.
79. The Comeback, HBO (2005): don't know this.
80. King of the Hill, Fox (1997-present): watched it religiously, for about three seasons, then stopped. Don't know why.
81. Murphy Brown, CBS (1988-98): probably saw every episode.
82. The Hills, MTV (2006-present): actively not interested.
83. Absolutely Fabulous, BBC2 (1992), BBC1 (1994-2004): saw a run of this somewhere (PBS?)
84. Northern Exposure, CBS (1990-95): watched religiously.
85. The Kids in the Hall, HBO (1989-92), CBS (1992-95): saw a few episodes, almost certainly on CBS.
86. Prime Suspect, ITV (1991-2006): watched most seasons in the 1990s, but sorta forgot about it.
87. Deadwood, HBO (2004-06): another HBO no-show.
88. Malcolm in the Middle, Fox (2000-06): a handful of times.
89. SpongeBob SquarePants, Nickelodeon (1999-present): watched for maybe a couple seasons BEFORE Lydia was born, seldom since.
90. Dawson's Creek, The WB (1998-2003): saw the last episode, maybe one or two others.
91. Mad Men, AMC (2007-present): until it got Emmy love, off my radar.
92. The Ben Stiller Show, Fox (1992-93): probably saw most of it.
93. Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, Bravo (2003-07): watched a couple seasons with my wife.
94. Married...With Children, Fox (1987-97): saw once; hated.
95. Designing Women, CBS (1986-93): one of those shows that followed something I was watching and ended up seeing occasionally.
96. The Arsenio Hall Show, Syndicated (1989-94): saw much of one season, not much more, though I did watch Bill Clinton.
97. Party of Five, Fox (1994-2000): saw the pilot, little else.
98. MacGyver, ABC (1985-92): once in a great while.
99. The Bachelor, ABC (2002-present): never a whole episode.
100. Saved by the Bell, NBC (1989-93): never a whole episode. And what I did see was really bad.
MIA: Once and Again (saw every episode EXCEPT THE PILOT!); NYPD Blue (yes, really).
ROG
1. The Simpsons, Fox, 1989-present: I watched religiously for nine or ten years. Spotty since then. Have the soundtrack, saw, and liked, but didn't love, the movie.
2 The Sopranos, HBO (1999-2007): saw the last four minutes on YouTube. Unless you count all the clips shown at the Emmys. For a show I've never watched, I know an awful lot about it. I could be watching it now on non-pay cable, but didn't.
3 Seinfeld, NBC (1989-98): See, I liked it when it really WAS about nothing, getting lost in a parking lot and whatnot. I did enjoy the TV pitch about the show about nothing and the second spitter. But George and the Yankees? Eh. Susan's death? Hated. Went from must see from the get-go to catch in reruns the last three seasons.
4 The X-Files, Fox (1993-2002): saw maybe four times, including a two-parter. Liked it when I saw it.
5 Sex and the City, HBO (1998-2004): whereas when this went from HBO to TBS, my wife and I DID watch it. Mostly liked it, though the first half of the first season, it struggled to find is voice.
6 Survivor, CBS (2000-present): watched the first season, which I enjoyed, and the second, which largely bored me. Then started watching the first episode and the finale for a few seasons. Last couple years, haven't even bothered.
7 The Cosby Show, NBC (1984-92): watched religiously, even though it started losing its mojo at the end.
8 Lost, ABC (2004-present): have seen maybe five minutes of it. At this point, I can't commit to a serial with such a complex back story.
9 Friends, NBC (1994-2004): watched it in the beginning and at the end. Periodically, it'd irritate me as too cute and I'd bail, but a storyline would pull me back in.
10 Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The WB (1997-2001); UPN (2001-03): saw one musical episode.
11 The Wire, HBO (2002-08): another HBO show I've not seen.
12 South Park, Comedy Central (1997-present). Saw a few episodes to see what the fuss was, bailed.
13 Freaks and Geeks, NBC (1999-2000): watched every episode. Loved.
14 The Daily Show, Comedy Central (1996-present): usually see in clips on someone or other's blog.
15 The Oprah Winfrey Show, Syndicated (1986-present): See infrequently. I remember one episode when she brought together the black kids who integrated the high school in Little Rock in 1957 and those who jeered them; great show. Probably watch thrice a year, such as when she had Paul McCartney on.
16 Arrested Development, Fox (2003-06): didn't much like when I watched the first season and gave up. Fellow bloggers sang its praise and I tried again at the beginning of Season 2 and watched to the end.
17 The Office (U.K. version), BBC2 (2001-03) - never saw.
18 American Idol, Fox (2002-present)- watched it from the third to the last episode in Season 1, through all of Seasons 2 and 3. Watched just the Top 24 in season 4, top 12 in season 5, and not at all since.
19 ER, NBC (1994-present) - watched the first six or eight seasons before I bailed.
20 Beverly Hills, 90210, Fox (1990-2000) - didn't watch.
21 Roseanne, ABC (1988-97) - watched the first six or seven seasons before it lost me.
22 The Real World, MTV (1992-present) - saw the first three or four seasons. Since then, watched the first episode of the season a half dozen times, but that was all.
23 The West Wing, NBC (1999-2006) - watched the first five seasons, gave up, watched most of the last season.
24 Star Trek: The Next Generation, Syndication (1987-94) - saw every episode.
25 Miami Vice, NBC (1984-89) - saw a lot of it early; may have given up after three or four seasons.
26 Chappelle's Show, Comedy Central (2003-06) - saw a couple episodes.
27 Law & Order, NBC (1990-present) - watched religiously from the middle of the first season until Jerry Orbach left, almost not at all since then.
28 The Larry Sanders Show, HBO (1992-98): had HBO for the first couple seasons and watched, but then I didn't so I didn't, though I did see the last episode in a hotel room in Boston.
29 The Shield, FX (2002-present): saw a season or two.
30 Late Show With David Letterman, CBS (1993-present): occasionally.
31 The Civil War, PBS (1990): watched it all.
32 Gilmore Girls, The WB (2000-06), The CW (2006-07): caught in reruns the first season, saw the rest. Almost lost me with the Rory/married Dean affair.
33 My So-Called Life, ABC (1994-95): saw it all.
34 24, Fox (2001-present): saw the first season, which was 13 great episodes, followed by WTF. The last episode, though, really got to me. The beginning of the second season turned me off, though I did see parts of that and the next season. Not only gave it up but have railed against it in this blog almost from its inception.
35 CSI, CBS (2000-present): saw one episode, hated it.
36 thirtysomething, ABC (1987-91): watched most episodes.
38 Beavis and Butt-head, MTV (1993-97): watched once, hated.
39 Six Feet Under, HBO (2001-05): never saw; probably would have watched.
40 Mr. Show, (HBO, 1995-98): don't know what this is.
41 Frasier, NBC (1993-2004): watched every episode.
42 L.A. Law, NBC (1986-94): watched most episodes.
43 Late Night With Conan O'Brien, NBC (1993-present): rarely.
44 Jeopardy!, Syndicated (1984-present): since I owned a VCR, almost never miss.
45 Curb Your Enthusiasm, HBO (2000-present): haven't seen; probably would if I could.
46 Homicide: Life on the Street, NBC (1993-99): favorite show of the decade.
47 30 Rock, NBC (2006-present): tried it early, didn't like.
48 Ally McBeal, Fox (1997-2002): one of those shows I watched whether it was good (Robert Downey Jr.) or not (Hayden Pantitierre as Ally's daughter).
49 Twin Peaks, ABC (1990-91): watched the first season but lost interest.
50 Baywatch, NBC (1989-90), Syndicated (1991-2001): never saw a complete episode.
51. Melrose Place, Fox (1992-99): ditto.
52. Felicity, The WB (1998-2002): ditto.
53. Will & Grace, NBC (1998-2006): watched sporadically, such as Gene Wilder's first appearance.
54. Moonlighting, ABC (1985-89): another show I watched from its great beginning to its lousy post-"Maddie-and-David succumb" end.
55. Pee-wee's Playhouse, CBS (1986-90): saw a couple times.
56. Desperate Housewives, ABC (2004-present): never saw a full episode.
57. The Amazing Race, CBS (2001-present): ditto.
58. The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, NBC (1992-present): generally not.
59. Battlestar Galactica, Sci Fi (2003-2008): never saw.
60. Xena: Warrior Princess, Syndicated (1995-2001): never saw a full episode.
61. The Office (U.S.), NBC (2005-present): watched from the beginning.
62. House, Fox (2004-present): watched once or twice.
63. Mystery Science Theater 3000, Comedy Central (1989-96), Sci Fi (1997-99): tried it, bored me.
64. The Osbournes, MTV (2002-05): watched two or three episodes before giving up.
65. Family Guy, Fox (1999-2002, 2005-present): watched about a season in its first incarnation, quit.
66. Grey’s Anatomy, ABC (2005-present: have watched far too many episodes.
67. Planet Earth, Discovery Channel (2007): don't think I have.
68. Jackass, MTV (2000-02): never saw.
69. The Colbert Report, Comedy Central (2005-present): rarely.
70. Everybody Loves Raymond, CBS (1996-2005): one episode.
71. Friday Night Lights, NBC (2006-present): never saw a full episode; I'm sure it's very good, and I'd like it, but it was a matter of time.
72. NewsRadio, NBC (1995-99): watched maybe a half dozen episodes when Phil Hartman was on.
73. Oz, HBO (1997-2003)" another HBO casualty.
74. Wiseguy, CBS (1987-90): watched religiously.
75. Project Runway, Bravo (2004-present): never saw.
76. In Living Color, Fox (1990-94): watched for most of a season.
77. The Golden Girls, NBC (1985-92): probably saw 75% of the episodes; hey, it had Betty White!
78. I'll Fly Away, NBC (1991-93): watched religiously.
79. The Comeback, HBO (2005): don't know this.
80. King of the Hill, Fox (1997-present): watched it religiously, for about three seasons, then stopped. Don't know why.
81. Murphy Brown, CBS (1988-98): probably saw every episode.
82. The Hills, MTV (2006-present): actively not interested.
83. Absolutely Fabulous, BBC2 (1992), BBC1 (1994-2004): saw a run of this somewhere (PBS?)
84. Northern Exposure, CBS (1990-95): watched religiously.
85. The Kids in the Hall, HBO (1989-92), CBS (1992-95): saw a few episodes, almost certainly on CBS.
86. Prime Suspect, ITV (1991-2006): watched most seasons in the 1990s, but sorta forgot about it.
87. Deadwood, HBO (2004-06): another HBO no-show.
88. Malcolm in the Middle, Fox (2000-06): a handful of times.
89. SpongeBob SquarePants, Nickelodeon (1999-present): watched for maybe a couple seasons BEFORE Lydia was born, seldom since.
90. Dawson's Creek, The WB (1998-2003): saw the last episode, maybe one or two others.
91. Mad Men, AMC (2007-present): until it got Emmy love, off my radar.
92. The Ben Stiller Show, Fox (1992-93): probably saw most of it.
93. Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, Bravo (2003-07): watched a couple seasons with my wife.
94. Married...With Children, Fox (1987-97): saw once; hated.
95. Designing Women, CBS (1986-93): one of those shows that followed something I was watching and ended up seeing occasionally.
96. The Arsenio Hall Show, Syndicated (1989-94): saw much of one season, not much more, though I did watch Bill Clinton.
97. Party of Five, Fox (1994-2000): saw the pilot, little else.
98. MacGyver, ABC (1985-92): once in a great while.
99. The Bachelor, ABC (2002-present): never a whole episode.
100. Saved by the Bell, NBC (1989-93): never a whole episode. And what I did see was really bad.
MIA: Once and Again (saw every episode EXCEPT THE PILOT!); NYPD Blue (yes, really).
ROG
Sunday, July 13, 2008
FantaCo 1987
In looking for more FantaCo-specific material, I started leafing through a my journal from 1987. Ah, John Hebert comes over to my house a couple times to work on Sold Out #2 in March. Let's see, what else?
May 1987: A friend of a friend of mine (more like an acquaintance of a friend of mine) came into the store looking for a job. Let's call him Jacques. Apparently, I had met him before at a party, but he didn't leave much of an impression. He shows up without calling first and is ticked off that I'm at lunch when he arrives. He uses the phrase "Oh great, boychik" a lot. Jacques gave me a bad-looking copy of his resume. He criticized the Atari we had in the store (HE had a Commodore) and says he knows "more about comic books than anyone" because he's been reading them for years - as though I'd never heard THAT before. Jacques tells me the other places he's already applied today - doesn't THAT make us feel special, if we even hiring! He then told me FantaCo was owned by Fantagraphics and that Matt, the guy behind the counter, was "stupid" for not knowing that the store was owned by the people who put out Amazing Heroes. (For the record, FantaCo was not owned by Fantagraphics, Fangoria or any other entity). I wish we had had a job to offer so I could have turned him down.
July 30, 1987: There was a boy of about 12 patiently waiting outside the door of the store at about 10 a.m. The sign clearly noted that the store didn't open until 11, and that early morning is when I did mail order, stocked the shelves, organized the bank deposit, etc. As it turns out, the boy had come from Belfast, Northern Ireland to buy a set of Fangoria magazines ($249) plus $225 of other horror-related merchandise. His mother, who I hadn't seen waiting - worried that he was spending so much money and wondered whether the material would even get through Customs. The boy said something to the effect that at least you don't have to worry about getting shot all the time. I had the sense that, based on the wide range of products offered in the Fangoria ads, the store would be physically larger, but still I sensed that he felt as though he had come to Mecca. Had I known how far he had traveled to be there, I might have let him in earlier.
We sold four Fangoria sets in two days, two in the store, two in the mail.
ROG
May 1987: A friend of a friend of mine (more like an acquaintance of a friend of mine) came into the store looking for a job. Let's call him Jacques. Apparently, I had met him before at a party, but he didn't leave much of an impression. He shows up without calling first and is ticked off that I'm at lunch when he arrives. He uses the phrase "Oh great, boychik" a lot. Jacques gave me a bad-looking copy of his resume. He criticized the Atari we had in the store (HE had a Commodore) and says he knows "more about comic books than anyone" because he's been reading them for years - as though I'd never heard THAT before. Jacques tells me the other places he's already applied today - doesn't THAT make us feel special, if we even hiring! He then told me FantaCo was owned by Fantagraphics and that Matt, the guy behind the counter, was "stupid" for not knowing that the store was owned by the people who put out Amazing Heroes. (For the record, FantaCo was not owned by Fantagraphics, Fangoria or any other entity). I wish we had had a job to offer so I could have turned him down.
July 30, 1987: There was a boy of about 12 patiently waiting outside the door of the store at about 10 a.m. The sign clearly noted that the store didn't open until 11, and that early morning is when I did mail order, stocked the shelves, organized the bank deposit, etc. As it turns out, the boy had come from Belfast, Northern Ireland to buy a set of Fangoria magazines ($249) plus $225 of other horror-related merchandise. His mother, who I hadn't seen waiting - worried that he was spending so much money and wondered whether the material would even get through Customs. The boy said something to the effect that at least you don't have to worry about getting shot all the time. I had the sense that, based on the wide range of products offered in the Fangoria ads, the store would be physically larger, but still I sensed that he felt as though he had come to Mecca. Had I known how far he had traveled to be there, I might have let him in earlier.
We sold four Fangoria sets in two days, two in the store, two in the mail.
ROG
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Songs That Move Me, 50-41
50. Indiscipline - King Crimson.
"I repeat myself when under stress, I repeat myself when under stress..." Tom, my boss at FantaCo, described this song as his description of the store. Last song on the first side of the Discipline LP.
Feeling: feeling: feeling: feeling:
49. Would I Lie To You - Eurythmics.
There's the insistent beat, the horns, the vocals, the guitar line, specially on the bridge.
Feeling: truthful.
It's HERE.
48. High School- MC5.
A decade before the Ramones, the MC5 from Detroit, a three-chord band. This live version doesn't exude the sheer raw energy of the original.
Feeling: you better get out of the way.
47. Tell Me Something Good - Rufus.
Chaka Khan! Has that wonderful descending chromatic scale. Stevie Wonder-penned funk. Love the Bob Hope intro.
Feeling: good.
46. Logical Song – Supertramp.
I love the way the sound gets fuller on the verse before the break, the doubling of the vocal on "a vegetable" and the sax solo.
Feeling: paranoid.
A better video but lesser sound here.
45. Uptight - Stevie Wonder.
My first all-time favorite Motown song. First that bass line with drums, then the horns. I'm also fond of the background vocals, and that machine gun-like drunm fills. So good that Bill Cosby, long before Weird Al, copped it for "Little Old Man".
Feeling- joy.
44. Tomorrow Never Knows - the Beatles.
Insistent bottom, weird tape loop sounds, odd vocal, strange bridge. Oh, I love it.
Feeling: floating.
It's here.
43. Our Prayer – Beach Boys.
About 68 seconds of stunning vocalese.
Feeling: reflective.
A snippet here.
42. Satisfaction - Rolling Stones.
Anthemic, copped by lots of other bands.
Feeling: as though I tried and I tried.
41. (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace Love and Understanding?-Elvis Costello.
I STILL hear this both as the driving anthem it is and as an a cappella doowop. From a greatest hits CD.
Feeling: like begging for peace.
ROG
"I repeat myself when under stress, I repeat myself when under stress..." Tom, my boss at FantaCo, described this song as his description of the store. Last song on the first side of the Discipline LP.
Feeling: feeling: feeling: feeling:
49. Would I Lie To You - Eurythmics.
There's the insistent beat, the horns, the vocals, the guitar line, specially on the bridge.
Feeling: truthful.
It's HERE.
48. High School- MC5.
A decade before the Ramones, the MC5 from Detroit, a three-chord band. This live version doesn't exude the sheer raw energy of the original.
Feeling: you better get out of the way.
47. Tell Me Something Good - Rufus.
Chaka Khan! Has that wonderful descending chromatic scale. Stevie Wonder-penned funk. Love the Bob Hope intro.
Feeling: good.
46. Logical Song – Supertramp.
I love the way the sound gets fuller on the verse before the break, the doubling of the vocal on "a vegetable" and the sax solo.
Feeling: paranoid.
A better video but lesser sound here.
45. Uptight - Stevie Wonder.
My first all-time favorite Motown song. First that bass line with drums, then the horns. I'm also fond of the background vocals, and that machine gun-like drunm fills. So good that Bill Cosby, long before Weird Al, copped it for "Little Old Man".
Feeling- joy.
44. Tomorrow Never Knows - the Beatles.
Insistent bottom, weird tape loop sounds, odd vocal, strange bridge. Oh, I love it.
Feeling: floating.
It's here.
43. Our Prayer – Beach Boys.
About 68 seconds of stunning vocalese.
Feeling: reflective.
A snippet here.
42. Satisfaction - Rolling Stones.
Anthemic, copped by lots of other bands.
Feeling: as though I tried and I tried.
41. (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace Love and Understanding?-Elvis Costello.
I STILL hear this both as the driving anthem it is and as an a cappella doowop. From a greatest hits CD.
Feeling: like begging for peace.
ROG
Friday, July 11, 2008
Condolences
...to the family of Muriel Kubert, who died this week on her 57th wedding anniversary to Joe. Steve Bissette, who attended the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon & Graphic Art, gives his take here. ROG
Eddie Mitchell Makes Me Go Country
Eddie called me out to comment on EW’s top 25 country albums you have to hear, even if you don't like country music. Since I pretty much do whatever Eddie requests - he asks so nicely - I could do naught but respond, albeit reluctantly. I am not what I'd call a big country fan; I don't dislike it, just don't follow it much.
Once, though, I did. Back in the days when AM radio was king, there were many stations that operated pretty much from sunrise to sundown. Then there were these mega "clear channel" stations that one could hear from a great distance at night. From my home in Binghamton, NY, I could hear stations in New York City and Cleveland. I could also get WWVA, Wheeling, West Virginia, a country station.
Also, my grandfather brought home this album "50 Stars, 50 Hits" on "two long-playing albums", as the pitchman said it.
Now to the list:
*means I Have It
*1. Johnny Cash At Folsom Prison, Johnny Cash
Maybe it's because I heard it first, but I prefer San Quentin. Not that this is a bad album. I also liked the American Recordings John R. did later in his life. In fact, if you considered that best of American Recordings album that came in the posthumous box set, I might pick that.
*2. Home, Dixie Chicks
As I mentioned recently, bought this to protest the protest of the Dixie Chicks. Ironically, this album has one mighty patriotic tune in particular that was on the charts when the controversy developed. I like it, but it seems terribly high in the pantheon of all country music.
3. Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc., Dwight Yoakam
I like him when I see him on TV or when he appears on a compilation album I have, but have none of his albums.
*4. Van Lear Rose, Loretta Lynn
I'm quite fond of this Jack White-produced disc.
5. Red Headed Stranger, Willie Nelson
Have some Willie, not this.
6. Carnegie Hall Concert, Buck Owens and His Buckaroos
No Buck except on 50 Stars.
7. Modern Day Drifter, Dierks Bentley
Don't know him. See he already has a greatest hits album.
8. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Miranda Lambert
I heard her name mentioned in a positive review on CBS Sunday Morning, I believe.
9. The Complete Reprise Sessions, Gram Parsons
The only Gram I have is on the expanded version of the Byrds' Sweetheart of the Rodeo CD.
10. Time Well Wasted, Brad Paisley
Know the name. He's playing around here soon.
11. Coat of Many Colors, Dolly Parton
Eddie will probably hate me, but I own no solo Dolly.
*12. Elite Hotel, Emmylou Harris
Own it on LP, haven't played it in years. Prefer Blue Kentucky Girl from that era.
13. Georgia Hard, Robbie Fulks
Don't know.
*14. Trio, Dolly Parton/Linda Ronstadt/Emmylou Harris
Bought unheard based on all those great Emmylou harmonies on Linda's albums, and Dolly's harmony on Linda's "I'll Never Be Married". Very fond of this album.
15. Gold, Hank Williams
For all the covers of Hank Williams songs I own and songs referring to Hank, from Johnny Cash to Neil Young that I have, unless I got one in the end days of my LP collecting, I just don't have any collections.
16. Hag — The Best of Merle Haggard, Merle Haggard
I think that I didn't get the parody that was "Okie from Muskogee" and dismissed him out of hand. Know better now, but haven't rectified the void in my collection.
17. Come On Over, Shania Twain
I do remember some sultry video from this, which I did hear as country particularly. And that "Man, I'm a Woman" song's from here, too. The album sold 20 bajillion copies. My feeling: meh.
*18. Guitar Town, Steve Earle
My first Steve Earle was a live album I didn't much like. The second was I Feel Alright, which just love. Guitar Town is a really good album, but it was so hyped in my circle of friends, it couldn't bear the weight.
19. These Days, Vince Gill
Own none Like to watch him on TV occasionally.
*20. Almost Blue, Elvis Costello
It was an acquired taste for me. Grew to like and respect it, rather than embrace it.
21. Here for the Party, Gretchen Wilson
I know who she is, but not this album.
22. The Definitive Collection, the Flying Burrito Brothers
Know them, have heard them on FM radio, but own none.
23. Revival, Gillian Welch
If there's one artist on this list I'm mostly likely to purchase, it's Gillian Welch. I've heard her music at other people's houses.
24. Horse of a Different Color, Big & Rich
Know them only by reputation, not all good.
*25. Raising Sand, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
My wife loves Alison Krauss, and we saw her in April 2003 at the Palace Theater in Albany. There are tracks of hers on albums I like but I haven't loved a whole album since that greatest hits album she put out back c. 1994 when she was still brunette and more zaftig, until this one. But is it country?
I have eight out of 25.
What, no Patsy Cline? I would also found room for Lyle Lovett, Mary Chapin Carpenter and maybe Rosanne Cash.
Your turn, Eddie.
ROG
Once, though, I did. Back in the days when AM radio was king, there were many stations that operated pretty much from sunrise to sundown. Then there were these mega "clear channel" stations that one could hear from a great distance at night. From my home in Binghamton, NY, I could hear stations in New York City and Cleveland. I could also get WWVA, Wheeling, West Virginia, a country station.
Also, my grandfather brought home this album "50 Stars, 50 Hits" on "two long-playing albums", as the pitchman said it.
Now to the list:
*means I Have It
*1. Johnny Cash At Folsom Prison, Johnny Cash
Maybe it's because I heard it first, but I prefer San Quentin. Not that this is a bad album. I also liked the American Recordings John R. did later in his life. In fact, if you considered that best of American Recordings album that came in the posthumous box set, I might pick that.
*2. Home, Dixie Chicks
As I mentioned recently, bought this to protest the protest of the Dixie Chicks. Ironically, this album has one mighty patriotic tune in particular that was on the charts when the controversy developed. I like it, but it seems terribly high in the pantheon of all country music.
3. Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc., Dwight Yoakam
I like him when I see him on TV or when he appears on a compilation album I have, but have none of his albums.
*4. Van Lear Rose, Loretta Lynn
I'm quite fond of this Jack White-produced disc.
5. Red Headed Stranger, Willie Nelson
Have some Willie, not this.
6. Carnegie Hall Concert, Buck Owens and His Buckaroos
No Buck except on 50 Stars.
7. Modern Day Drifter, Dierks Bentley
Don't know him. See he already has a greatest hits album.
8. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Miranda Lambert
I heard her name mentioned in a positive review on CBS Sunday Morning, I believe.
9. The Complete Reprise Sessions, Gram Parsons
The only Gram I have is on the expanded version of the Byrds' Sweetheart of the Rodeo CD.
10. Time Well Wasted, Brad Paisley
Know the name. He's playing around here soon.
11. Coat of Many Colors, Dolly Parton
Eddie will probably hate me, but I own no solo Dolly.
*12. Elite Hotel, Emmylou Harris
Own it on LP, haven't played it in years. Prefer Blue Kentucky Girl from that era.
13. Georgia Hard, Robbie Fulks
Don't know.
*14. Trio, Dolly Parton/Linda Ronstadt/Emmylou Harris
Bought unheard based on all those great Emmylou harmonies on Linda's albums, and Dolly's harmony on Linda's "I'll Never Be Married". Very fond of this album.
15. Gold, Hank Williams
For all the covers of Hank Williams songs I own and songs referring to Hank, from Johnny Cash to Neil Young that I have, unless I got one in the end days of my LP collecting, I just don't have any collections.
16. Hag — The Best of Merle Haggard, Merle Haggard
I think that I didn't get the parody that was "Okie from Muskogee" and dismissed him out of hand. Know better now, but haven't rectified the void in my collection.
17. Come On Over, Shania Twain
I do remember some sultry video from this, which I did hear as country particularly. And that "Man, I'm a Woman" song's from here, too. The album sold 20 bajillion copies. My feeling: meh.
*18. Guitar Town, Steve Earle
My first Steve Earle was a live album I didn't much like. The second was I Feel Alright, which just love. Guitar Town is a really good album, but it was so hyped in my circle of friends, it couldn't bear the weight.
19. These Days, Vince Gill
Own none Like to watch him on TV occasionally.
*20. Almost Blue, Elvis Costello
It was an acquired taste for me. Grew to like and respect it, rather than embrace it.
21. Here for the Party, Gretchen Wilson
I know who she is, but not this album.
22. The Definitive Collection, the Flying Burrito Brothers
Know them, have heard them on FM radio, but own none.
23. Revival, Gillian Welch
If there's one artist on this list I'm mostly likely to purchase, it's Gillian Welch. I've heard her music at other people's houses.
24. Horse of a Different Color, Big & Rich
Know them only by reputation, not all good.
*25. Raising Sand, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
My wife loves Alison Krauss, and we saw her in April 2003 at the Palace Theater in Albany. There are tracks of hers on albums I like but I haven't loved a whole album since that greatest hits album she put out back c. 1994 when she was still brunette and more zaftig, until this one. But is it country?
I have eight out of 25.
What, no Patsy Cline? I would also found room for Lyle Lovett, Mary Chapin Carpenter and maybe Rosanne Cash.
Your turn, Eddie.
ROG
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Art jam
There is a gentleman named Jeff Kapalka, who sent his newspaper review of Fred Hembeck's new book to Fred recently. With Jeff's permission, Fred forwarded it to me.
Jeff also attached this item, forwarded by Fred:
Jeff describes it to Fred: "I’m also sending along a scan of a piece you participated in about two decades or so ago. Remember when we’d meet up at conventions, and I’d be toting my big-ass piece of poster board around, getting all and sundry to contribute to a mammoth character jam? Well, it finally got filled up in the mid 1980s, Karl Kesel got roped into inking any penciled characters, and I’ve kept it ever since.
"In the bit I was able to cram into my scanner, we’ve got Cartoon Fred interviewing an Al Milgrom Firestorm (who for some reason is wearing a Clyde Caldwell clown puppet on his hand). Meanwhile, CF is being crept up upon by a Steve Bissette Swamp Thing ("Let’s see if you can grow YOUR arm back.") with Vince Giarrano’s Haywire lurking in the background. Just out of shot, a Paul Smith Storm is forming a little storm cloud over Firestorm. He doesn’t notice, as he’s busy trying to pal around with a rather disinterested Jughead, a la Stan Goldberg. That’s Brent Anderson’s Shanna in front of a Ron Frenz Spidey, and you can just about see E-Man’s outstretched hand, courtesy of Joe Staton. Can’t remember for the life of me which character from Arion, Lord of Atlantis Jan Duursema sketched, but there’s no mistaking Raoul Vezina’s Smilin’ Ed."
"Ahh...those were the days."
Yes, they were. It's interesting that three people who did work for FantaCo appear in this panel:
Steve Bissette, who was in Alien Encounters, Gore Shriek, Deep Red and other horror projects.
Fred Hembeck, who, in addition to his eponymous series, also contributed to Smilin' Ed, the Chronicles series, Gates of Eden and Alien Encounters.
And of course, the late Raoul Vezina, who, in addition to Smilin' Ed, worked on the Chronicles and had stuff in the first four FantaCon programs.
Jeff notes to me: "I loved Smilin' Ed. (The issue where he heads off to Hollywood, obsessed with cinematic cheese, spoke volumes to me. Even today, when I think of the poster for Angry Red Rabbit, or poor Ray Merrymausen working on his stop-motion project, I smile.)
"We probably have already met, of course. My cohorts and I made many a trip to FantaCo back in the 1980s, and we were always treated right. The feeling there was like the Cheers bar, but with comics. It was there I first found out about the redoubtable Mr. V and his critter creations. Sadly, I have no real memory of any conversations with either him or you, but I do have the sense of having talked comics with fellow fans.
"FantaCo also introduced me to the awe and mystery that is Blotto, but that's going off on a tangent." Not really. The FantaCo folks were big Blotto fans, too. I was singing 'Metalhead' in the shower just yesterday.
"The piece also features a Dave Sim Cerebus, Wendy Pini's Skywise, Iron Man by Bob Layton, John Byrne's Rog-2000, Mike Grell's Warlord, Walt Simonson's Manhunter flanked by George Perez' Starfire and Mary Wilshire's Firestar, a Totleben Demon squaring off against a Simons Ghost Rider, and an Incredible Vampire Balloon. (The last is a critter from my Cranberry: Certified Public Avenger series. Never heard of it? You're not alone...) And there's still more!"
Jeff indicated that if he gets a chance to scan some more, I might be able to share more with you fine folks. Thanks, Jeff.
ROG
Jeff also attached this item, forwarded by Fred:
Jeff describes it to Fred: "I’m also sending along a scan of a piece you participated in about two decades or so ago. Remember when we’d meet up at conventions, and I’d be toting my big-ass piece of poster board around, getting all and sundry to contribute to a mammoth character jam? Well, it finally got filled up in the mid 1980s, Karl Kesel got roped into inking any penciled characters, and I’ve kept it ever since.
"In the bit I was able to cram into my scanner, we’ve got Cartoon Fred interviewing an Al Milgrom Firestorm (who for some reason is wearing a Clyde Caldwell clown puppet on his hand). Meanwhile, CF is being crept up upon by a Steve Bissette Swamp Thing ("Let’s see if you can grow YOUR arm back.") with Vince Giarrano’s Haywire lurking in the background. Just out of shot, a Paul Smith Storm is forming a little storm cloud over Firestorm. He doesn’t notice, as he’s busy trying to pal around with a rather disinterested Jughead, a la Stan Goldberg. That’s Brent Anderson’s Shanna in front of a Ron Frenz Spidey, and you can just about see E-Man’s outstretched hand, courtesy of Joe Staton. Can’t remember for the life of me which character from Arion, Lord of Atlantis Jan Duursema sketched, but there’s no mistaking Raoul Vezina’s Smilin’ Ed."
"Ahh...those were the days."
Yes, they were. It's interesting that three people who did work for FantaCo appear in this panel:
Steve Bissette, who was in Alien Encounters, Gore Shriek, Deep Red and other horror projects.
Fred Hembeck, who, in addition to his eponymous series, also contributed to Smilin' Ed, the Chronicles series, Gates of Eden and Alien Encounters.
And of course, the late Raoul Vezina, who, in addition to Smilin' Ed, worked on the Chronicles and had stuff in the first four FantaCon programs.
Jeff notes to me: "I loved Smilin' Ed. (The issue where he heads off to Hollywood, obsessed with cinematic cheese, spoke volumes to me. Even today, when I think of the poster for Angry Red Rabbit, or poor Ray Merrymausen working on his stop-motion project, I smile.)
"We probably have already met, of course. My cohorts and I made many a trip to FantaCo back in the 1980s, and we were always treated right. The feeling there was like the Cheers bar, but with comics. It was there I first found out about the redoubtable Mr. V and his critter creations. Sadly, I have no real memory of any conversations with either him or you, but I do have the sense of having talked comics with fellow fans.
"FantaCo also introduced me to the awe and mystery that is Blotto, but that's going off on a tangent." Not really. The FantaCo folks were big Blotto fans, too. I was singing 'Metalhead' in the shower just yesterday.
"The piece also features a Dave Sim Cerebus, Wendy Pini's Skywise, Iron Man by Bob Layton, John Byrne's Rog-2000, Mike Grell's Warlord, Walt Simonson's Manhunter flanked by George Perez' Starfire and Mary Wilshire's Firestar, a Totleben Demon squaring off against a Simons Ghost Rider, and an Incredible Vampire Balloon. (The last is a critter from my Cranberry: Certified Public Avenger series. Never heard of it? You're not alone...) And there's still more!"
Jeff indicated that if he gets a chance to scan some more, I might be able to share more with you fine folks. Thanks, Jeff.
ROG
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
EW's best 100 albums of the last 25 years.
I find myself sucked into these things. Back in 1987, rolling stone magazine put out a list of the best LPs of the prior 20 years and I had 56 of 100.
*1. Purple Rain - Prince and the Revolution (1984): Tosy wrote: "I have a hunch this is going to be one of those albums where I know most of the songs without realizing it." Yes, Tosy, I'm sure it is.
*2. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill - Lauryn Hill (1998): I like, not love it.
*3. Achtung Baby - U2 (1991): only my 2nd favorite U2 album.
4. The College Dropout - Kanye West (2004): Not a big rap fan.
5. Madonna - Madonna (1983): Only have her greatest hits
*6. American Idiot - Green Day (2004): the problem with individual downloads is that one loses the sense of the album. This is an ALBUM, which I got from ADD.
7. The Blueprint- Jay-Z: (2001)
*8. Graceland - Paul Simon (1986): one of those albums I own both in vinyl and CD. Not always happy memories of two relationships, but that's not the album's fault.
*9. Back to Black - Amy Winehouse (2007): Someone gave it to me, listened a couple times, not bad. But her personal drama, I think, overwhelms an objective listen.
Curious.
10. In Rainbows - Radiohead (2007)
*11. MTV Unplugged in New York - Nirvana (1994): the Nirvana I used to play at work, before Cubicleland.
12. Stankonia - OutKast (2000): I actually have had this on my Amazon want list for a while. (Note to self: update Amazon want list with new releases by Elvis Costello, Emmylou Harris, and others.) I have "Hey Ya" on a mixed CD from Fred Hembeck.
13. You Are Free - Cat Power (2003)
14. Disintegration - The Cure (1989). I have one Cure album, not this one.
15. The Marshall Mathers LP - Eminem (2000)
16. Rain Dogs - Tom Waits (1985)
17. Odelay - Beck (1996). I have a mixed Beck album, which I like.
18. People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm - A Tribe Called Quest (1990)
19. Dangerously in Love - Beyoncé (2003)
*20. Tidal - Fiona Apple (1996): have to be in the mood.
21. The Emancipation of Mimi - Mariah Carey (2005)
22. 3 Feet High and Rising - De La Soul (1989): have some De La soul, not this.
23. The Soft Bulletin - The Flaming Lips (1999)
24. Come On Over - Shania Twain (1997)
25. Turn On the Bright Lights - Interpol (2002)
*26. Time Out of Mind - Bob Dylan (1997). Only my 2nd favorite late Dylan album.
27. Funeral - Arcade Fire (2004)
28. Illmatic - Nas (1994)
29. Breakaway - Kelly Clarkson (2004). Bought her debut album for my wife.
30. Appetite for Destruction - Guns N' Roses (1987). Only have the double CD, which I listen to about 60% of.
*31. FutureSex/LoveSounds - Justin Timberlake (2006): given to me. Wouldn't have bought for myself, but more enjoyable than I would have thought. Still, don't play it much.
*32. Life's Rich Pageant - R.E.M. (1985). Better than I had remembered.
33. As I Am - Alicia Keys (2007)
34. Is This It - The Strokes (2001)
*35. Jagged Little Pill - Alanis Morissette (1995): by this point, I'd stopped listening to much radio and STILL heard three of these songs quite a bit.
*36. CrazySexyCool - TLC (1994)
37. The Moon & Antarctica - Modest Mouse (2000)
38. Raising Hell - Run DMC (1986)
*39. Sheryl Crow - Sheryl Crow (1996): probably haven't listened to for a while.
40. Ready to Die - The Notorious B.I.G. (1994)
*41. Legend - Bob Marley and the Wailers (1984): it's a very fine greatest hits album.
42. Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)- Wu-Tang Clan (1993)
43. Paul's Boutique - Beastie Boys (1989)
*44. Car Wheels on a Gravel Road - Lucinda Williams (1998) - Top 5 album of the 1990s for me
45. If You're Feeling Sinister - Belle and Sebastian (1996)
46. Homogenic - Björk (1997): no Björk, though I do have a Sugarcubes aklbum
*47. Exile in Guyville - Liz Phair (1993): listened to this in the car ride to Virginia in April. Still like it.
*48. American IV: The Man Comes Around - Johnny Cash (2002). Have all five John R. albums; which one of the first four I favor tends to be changeable.
49. A Rush of Blood to the Head - Coldplay (2002)
*50. Sounds of Silver - LCD Soundsystem (2007): bought this solely on the basis of bloggers I respect. Like it, but haven't played it enough to have imprinted into my soul.
*51. The Score - Fugees (1996). Love and hate in equal measure.
52. Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga - Spoon (2007)
*53. King of America - Elvis Costello (1986). Have on vinyl. Not the first EC I would have thought of.
*54. Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 - Janet Jackson (1989): in spite of those perhaps silly attempts to be "relevant", I really like this album.
55. It Takes a Nation of Millions... - Public Enemy (1988)
56. Yankee Hotel Foxtrot - Wilco (2002): still on my Amazon wish list. Have earlier Wilco.
*57. Harvest Moon - Neil Young (1992). at least Top 10 album of the 1990s.
58. Surfer Rosa - The Pixies (1988). I have Pixies on vinyl; will have to pull out.
59. Ray of Light - Madonna (1998)
60. Crooked Rain Crooked Rain - Pavement (1994)
61. Paid in Full - Eric B. & Rakim (1987)
*62. OK Computer - Radiohead (1997): don't love it.
*63. The Joshua Tree - U2 (1987). I put this on my desert album list in 1988 and it remains.
64. Mama's Gun - Erykah Badu (2000): have her first album.
65. Elephant - The White Stripes (2003): have White Blood Cells.
66. The Chronic - Dr. Dre (1992)
67. Metallica - Metallica (1991)
*68. Wrecking Ball - Emmylou Harris (1995): I have this friend who loved Emmylou, but hated this Daniel Lanois-produced album. I have a lot of Emmylou on vinyl, but this, my first Emmylou on CD, I quite enjoyed.
69. Give Up - The Postal Service (2003)
70. My Life - Mary J. Blige (1994)
71. Rock Steady - No Doubt (2001): have an earlier album.
72. 1984 - Van Halen (1984): have some VH, not this.
73. The Queen is Dead - Smiths (1986). No Smiths but I do have a Morissey.
*74. Play - Moby (1999). Could have seen him live in 1998 for free, but I had never heard of him. My loss.
*75. Born in the U.S.A. - Bruce Springsteen (1984): my late brother-in-law bought me about six Springsteen CDs for Christmas in 2000, so I have this in two forms.
76. Heartbreaker - Ryan Adams (2000)
77. Dummy - Portishead (1994)
*78. Vs. - Pearl Jam (1991): have four Pearl Jam albums, but this is my favorite.
79. Let It Be - The Replacements (1984). Like the Don't Tell a Soul album; should get this.
80. Back to Basics - Christina Aguilera (2006)
81. The Downward Spiral - Nine Inch Nails (1994)
82. Grace - Jeff Buckley (1994)
*83. Learning to Crawl - The Pretenders (1984): at some level, I suppose I like this album because the band managed to survive the loss of two of its members.
84. Low-Life - New Order (1985): have some earlier remix.
*85. Home - Dixie Chicks (2002): about a week after the political controversy, I was so annoyed with the backlash that I went out to the Rite Aid at lunch and bought this CD. I probably would have eventually - I had the first two Natalie Maines-led discs - but I was prompted to buy it right away. That I liked it was a bonus.
86. Loveless - My Bloody Valentine (1991)
87. All Eyez on Me - 2Pac (1996)
*88. So - Peter Gabriel (1986): one of those annoying things record companies did to promote the new CD technology was to put an extra song on the CD. Since I didn't have a CD player, I bought the vinyl, but was annoyed. Years later, bought the CD. Ditto on this with #94.
89. Bachelor No. 2 - Aimee Mann (2000)
90. Toxicity - System of a Down (2001). Have their debut album.
91. Siamese Dream - Smashing Pumpkins (1993)
92. The Writing's on the Wall - Destiny’s Child (1999). Have the follow-up, Survivor.
93. Either/Or - Elliott Smith (1997)
*94. Synchronicity - The Police (1983): Tosy wrote: "Easily their best, even with 'Mother'." Sounds right.
95. Trap Muzik T.I. (2003)
96. Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea - PJ Harvey (2000)
97. Britney - Britney Spears (2001)
98. Transatlanticism - Death Cab for Cutie (2003)
99. Live Through This - Hole (1994)
100. Faith - George Michael (1987)
33 out of 100 this time, if I counted correctly.
ROG
*1. Purple Rain - Prince and the Revolution (1984): Tosy wrote: "I have a hunch this is going to be one of those albums where I know most of the songs without realizing it." Yes, Tosy, I'm sure it is.
*2. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill - Lauryn Hill (1998): I like, not love it.
*3. Achtung Baby - U2 (1991): only my 2nd favorite U2 album.
4. The College Dropout - Kanye West (2004): Not a big rap fan.
5. Madonna - Madonna (1983): Only have her greatest hits
*6. American Idiot - Green Day (2004): the problem with individual downloads is that one loses the sense of the album. This is an ALBUM, which I got from ADD.
7. The Blueprint- Jay-Z: (2001)
*8. Graceland - Paul Simon (1986): one of those albums I own both in vinyl and CD. Not always happy memories of two relationships, but that's not the album's fault.
*9. Back to Black - Amy Winehouse (2007): Someone gave it to me, listened a couple times, not bad. But her personal drama, I think, overwhelms an objective listen.
Curious.
10. In Rainbows - Radiohead (2007)
*11. MTV Unplugged in New York - Nirvana (1994): the Nirvana I used to play at work, before Cubicleland.
12. Stankonia - OutKast (2000): I actually have had this on my Amazon want list for a while. (Note to self: update Amazon want list with new releases by Elvis Costello, Emmylou Harris, and others.) I have "Hey Ya" on a mixed CD from Fred Hembeck.
13. You Are Free - Cat Power (2003)
14. Disintegration - The Cure (1989). I have one Cure album, not this one.
15. The Marshall Mathers LP - Eminem (2000)
16. Rain Dogs - Tom Waits (1985)
17. Odelay - Beck (1996). I have a mixed Beck album, which I like.
18. People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm - A Tribe Called Quest (1990)
19. Dangerously in Love - Beyoncé (2003)
*20. Tidal - Fiona Apple (1996): have to be in the mood.
21. The Emancipation of Mimi - Mariah Carey (2005)
22. 3 Feet High and Rising - De La Soul (1989): have some De La soul, not this.
23. The Soft Bulletin - The Flaming Lips (1999)
24. Come On Over - Shania Twain (1997)
25. Turn On the Bright Lights - Interpol (2002)
*26. Time Out of Mind - Bob Dylan (1997). Only my 2nd favorite late Dylan album.
27. Funeral - Arcade Fire (2004)
28. Illmatic - Nas (1994)
29. Breakaway - Kelly Clarkson (2004). Bought her debut album for my wife.
30. Appetite for Destruction - Guns N' Roses (1987). Only have the double CD, which I listen to about 60% of.
*31. FutureSex/LoveSounds - Justin Timberlake (2006): given to me. Wouldn't have bought for myself, but more enjoyable than I would have thought. Still, don't play it much.
*32. Life's Rich Pageant - R.E.M. (1985). Better than I had remembered.
33. As I Am - Alicia Keys (2007)
34. Is This It - The Strokes (2001)
*35. Jagged Little Pill - Alanis Morissette (1995): by this point, I'd stopped listening to much radio and STILL heard three of these songs quite a bit.
*36. CrazySexyCool - TLC (1994)
37. The Moon & Antarctica - Modest Mouse (2000)
38. Raising Hell - Run DMC (1986)
*39. Sheryl Crow - Sheryl Crow (1996): probably haven't listened to for a while.
40. Ready to Die - The Notorious B.I.G. (1994)
*41. Legend - Bob Marley and the Wailers (1984): it's a very fine greatest hits album.
42. Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)- Wu-Tang Clan (1993)
43. Paul's Boutique - Beastie Boys (1989)
*44. Car Wheels on a Gravel Road - Lucinda Williams (1998) - Top 5 album of the 1990s for me
45. If You're Feeling Sinister - Belle and Sebastian (1996)
46. Homogenic - Björk (1997): no Björk, though I do have a Sugarcubes aklbum
*47. Exile in Guyville - Liz Phair (1993): listened to this in the car ride to Virginia in April. Still like it.
*48. American IV: The Man Comes Around - Johnny Cash (2002). Have all five John R. albums; which one of the first four I favor tends to be changeable.
49. A Rush of Blood to the Head - Coldplay (2002)
*50. Sounds of Silver - LCD Soundsystem (2007): bought this solely on the basis of bloggers I respect. Like it, but haven't played it enough to have imprinted into my soul.
*51. The Score - Fugees (1996). Love and hate in equal measure.
52. Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga - Spoon (2007)
*53. King of America - Elvis Costello (1986). Have on vinyl. Not the first EC I would have thought of.
*54. Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 - Janet Jackson (1989): in spite of those perhaps silly attempts to be "relevant", I really like this album.
55. It Takes a Nation of Millions... - Public Enemy (1988)
56. Yankee Hotel Foxtrot - Wilco (2002): still on my Amazon wish list. Have earlier Wilco.
*57. Harvest Moon - Neil Young (1992). at least Top 10 album of the 1990s.
58. Surfer Rosa - The Pixies (1988). I have Pixies on vinyl; will have to pull out.
59. Ray of Light - Madonna (1998)
60. Crooked Rain Crooked Rain - Pavement (1994)
61. Paid in Full - Eric B. & Rakim (1987)
*62. OK Computer - Radiohead (1997): don't love it.
*63. The Joshua Tree - U2 (1987). I put this on my desert album list in 1988 and it remains.
64. Mama's Gun - Erykah Badu (2000): have her first album.
65. Elephant - The White Stripes (2003): have White Blood Cells.
66. The Chronic - Dr. Dre (1992)
67. Metallica - Metallica (1991)
*68. Wrecking Ball - Emmylou Harris (1995): I have this friend who loved Emmylou, but hated this Daniel Lanois-produced album. I have a lot of Emmylou on vinyl, but this, my first Emmylou on CD, I quite enjoyed.
69. Give Up - The Postal Service (2003)
70. My Life - Mary J. Blige (1994)
71. Rock Steady - No Doubt (2001): have an earlier album.
72. 1984 - Van Halen (1984): have some VH, not this.
73. The Queen is Dead - Smiths (1986). No Smiths but I do have a Morissey.
*74. Play - Moby (1999). Could have seen him live in 1998 for free, but I had never heard of him. My loss.
*75. Born in the U.S.A. - Bruce Springsteen (1984): my late brother-in-law bought me about six Springsteen CDs for Christmas in 2000, so I have this in two forms.
76. Heartbreaker - Ryan Adams (2000)
77. Dummy - Portishead (1994)
*78. Vs. - Pearl Jam (1991): have four Pearl Jam albums, but this is my favorite.
79. Let It Be - The Replacements (1984). Like the Don't Tell a Soul album; should get this.
80. Back to Basics - Christina Aguilera (2006)
81. The Downward Spiral - Nine Inch Nails (1994)
82. Grace - Jeff Buckley (1994)
*83. Learning to Crawl - The Pretenders (1984): at some level, I suppose I like this album because the band managed to survive the loss of two of its members.
84. Low-Life - New Order (1985): have some earlier remix.
*85. Home - Dixie Chicks (2002): about a week after the political controversy, I was so annoyed with the backlash that I went out to the Rite Aid at lunch and bought this CD. I probably would have eventually - I had the first two Natalie Maines-led discs - but I was prompted to buy it right away. That I liked it was a bonus.
86. Loveless - My Bloody Valentine (1991)
87. All Eyez on Me - 2Pac (1996)
*88. So - Peter Gabriel (1986): one of those annoying things record companies did to promote the new CD technology was to put an extra song on the CD. Since I didn't have a CD player, I bought the vinyl, but was annoyed. Years later, bought the CD. Ditto on this with #94.
89. Bachelor No. 2 - Aimee Mann (2000)
90. Toxicity - System of a Down (2001). Have their debut album.
91. Siamese Dream - Smashing Pumpkins (1993)
92. The Writing's on the Wall - Destiny’s Child (1999). Have the follow-up, Survivor.
93. Either/Or - Elliott Smith (1997)
*94. Synchronicity - The Police (1983): Tosy wrote: "Easily their best, even with 'Mother'." Sounds right.
95. Trap Muzik T.I. (2003)
96. Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea - PJ Harvey (2000)
97. Britney - Britney Spears (2001)
98. Transatlanticism - Death Cab for Cutie (2003)
99. Live Through This - Hole (1994)
100. Faith - George Michael (1987)
33 out of 100 this time, if I counted correctly.
ROG
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