Random Notes from a Crank

I found an image on a social media site. 

It says, "A straw man walking a red herring up a slippery slope on his way to the comment section." 

It's true. Reading the comments on a newspaper's site will make you understand how stupid the average person is, which reminds me about what George Carlin said.  

In areas that are likely to be hit hard by tariffs, the Canadian government has an ad campaign that is trying to educate dumb Americans. The New York Times has an interesting article about this move: "Canada Drops the Gloves in the Tariff Spat, Makes Its Case on U.S. Billboards." 

I hope the Democratic Party does something similar. 

Regardless, the last paragraph of that article is hilarious: "'Normally, Canadian fans come down on buses,' she said. 'I hope they know we like to have them. They sure are nicer than Philadelphia fans.'" 

Oh lady, travel and tourism to the U.S. is definitely taking a hit.

I saw that Soundgarden has been nominated three times for the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame and has not gotten in. That's a travesty. 

Vote for Soundgarden.

When we visited the Hall of Fame years ago, I think that was the year after Pearl Jam got in. And I remember this video playing "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" in which Prince just totally shreds. It's a great solo. 

Prince was a genius and an underrated guitar player. 

And then there's this. He brings the funk even better than the original. 

When we lived in St. Louis, Mrs. Nasty went to one of his concerts. I should have gone too. 

I need to reacquire Sign O' The Times. That's a great album. 

Happy National Beer Day. 

Music Friday: "Fell on Black Days"

One of my FB friends did a post asking about what were people's favorite songs with a color in its name. I automatically went to this one. 

It's not one of my top-10 songs by Soundgarden, but I identify with it. 

I'm prone to grouchiness, depression, and disappointment. In some ways one's life is going great, and in other parts of one's life, it's not. It's just constant disappointment. 

Music Friday: "Mind Riot"

While working on Wednesday, I listened to a lot Soundgarden. 

Here's a song in their catalog that is underrated. 

Music Friday: "Overfloater"

I've listened to a lot of Soundgarden this week. 

One of the underrated songs on Down On the Upside is "Overfloater." It's a great tune that I think most people don't think of when they think about great Soundgarden songs. 

So here you go. 

Music Friday: "Fell on Black Days"

This song fits my general mood these days. I haven't been posting much, but I plan to get better. I'm kind of in a blogging mini-slump because of a number of factors. 

Regardless, here's a song from one of my favorite bands. 

Music Friday: "Fourth of July"

With the recent stupid rulings from the Supreme Court, I'm not feeling too pro-America. 

Nonetheless, here's a great song from Soundgarden. 

Enjoy the holiday if you can. 

Music Friday: "Non-State Actor"

It's a shame that Chris Cornell is no longer with us. 

King Animal is a great album. 

Music Friday: "Fell on Black Days"

I am way late with this. I guess I took a weekend hiatus from my regular blogging duties. 

This past week had its share of crappy moments, so I'm in a bit of funk. 

As an example, this past Tuesday I went into the doctor to have my elbow bursitis taken care of. When Mrs. Nasty learned that I was at the doctor, she didn't know why I was there. I told her this reason: "depression." 

I wasn't there for that. It's just my dark sense of humor because the nurse who checked me in had to ask about depression. I could think of plenty of issues to be plenty depressed about, however. 

As the doctor appointment progressed, they used a procedure to drain the fluid in my elbow. As the doctor was using the needle to drain it (it wasn't draining), he hit a nerve of some sort, and it made me pass out. 

Twice. 

I only remember waking up twice. 

After that inglorious moment, they did an EKG on me, and thankfully everything is fine. But I was nauseous as hell, and my wife had to drive me home. I upchucked on the ride home, and I slept the whole afternoon. 

It was a black day. 

Music Friday: "Fourth of July"

I am late to posting my regular Music Friday post because the Nasty family had to drive to Springfield because my daughter was dancing her solo at a dance competition on the UIS campus. 

On our way back in the middle of the night, the Sirius XM Lithium channel had an "artist confidential" feature that had Chris Cornell singing a number of songs acoustically. It was part of a tour I guess he did years ago. 

One of the questions he was asked was about how certain songs just didn't work right with an acoustic arrangement. The song he directly mentioned was "Fourth of July," one of my favorite Soundgarden tunes and a fitting song this week since Superunknown was released 25 years ago. 

Cornell also mentioned that this song is one of the best lyrics he ever wrote. 

So I happily present to you "Fourth of July."

Music Friday: "Outshined"

It's been a long damn day. I'm feeling outshined.

Btw, this tune is probably one of my top ten favorite Soundgarden songs. 

Music Friday: "Birth Ritual"

Man, I wish Chris Cornell was still alive and making great music. He is easily one of top five favorite lead singers. 

Here's "Birth Ritual" from the Singles soundtrack. 

Stay Positive: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Last summer when we were in Ohio for my daughter's national dance competition in Sandusky, Ohio, we took a trip to Cleveland and had the pleasure of touring the Rock and Roll Hall of Hame. 

It was a fun experience. In fact, if I'm ever in the area again, I'd like to tour that place again. What follows are some photos/highlights from the trip. 

The front entry when we were there featured recent inductees, of which was Pearl Jam, one of my favorite bands. 

Next is Vedder's notebook, which shows a draft of "Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town," aka "Small Town," from Vs.

And here's Vedder's vintage typewriter. 

The museum also had a feature exhibit on Mellencamp. Here's a draft of one of my favorite songs of his, "Longest Days."

Of course, they also like to feature the famous attire of the stars. Below of two of Hendrix's fly outfits. 

And what we have here is a draft of the famous "Purple Haze." 

Of course, guitars are going to be featured. It is the rock and roll hall of fame after all. 

Here is the late Chris Cornell's Les Paul. 

That one above and the one below, Cobain's,was in the case featuring Grunge. 

 

Here's one of Marvin Gaye's smooth-ass jackets.

And of course, the Beatles were featured prominently later in the museum. Here's McCartney's jacket from the early days of the band and Lennon's famous t-shirt. 

It was also awesome to see Muddy Waters's guitar and Bootsy Collins's bad-ass bass. 

Ringo's drum kit was one of the few kits featured when we were there. 

At the very end the Hall of Fame featured bands from the Midwest, which there were a lot. One of the highlights of that display for me was the demo tape from The Replacements. Lay it down, Clowns. 

Music Friday: "Before We Disappear" & "Rowing"

Chris Cornell died yesterday. 

He is one of my favorite singers and frontmen. Such a distinctive voice. 

A loss to music. 

Music Friday: "Fell on Black Days"

It's been a rough spring here in east central Illinois and other parts of the state whose economies are tied to state universities. Yet the Governor and the rest of the dunces in Springfield twiddle their beans and use higher ed appropriations as a political pawn. 

So I offer you an appropriate song. 

Music Friday: "Fell on Black Days"

A Soundgarden song relates my general disposition today (see the previous post for easy reference). 

In addition to the Crimson Tide playing like crap last night, after Mrs. Nasty took a shower Wednesday morning, the sinks started gurgling, and the toilets and shower were gurgling up crapwater. After calling a plumber and them spending hours snaking the line, they determined that the sewer pipe had collapsed right outside the foundation. 

So we've spent the past couple of nights at a hotel. Today, thankfully, the same company had guys bring out a backhoe, dig up our backyard, and put in a new pipe. On a more positive note, it's now fixed, and we can run water again. 

But this song still sums up my attitude right now. 

Top Ten/Twenty Albums of 2012

It's that time of the year again. 

As I did in 2010 and 2011, I'm providing my top twenty albums that came out this year. In contrast to the other two lists, I've changed the honorable mention category to come after the twentieth album. 

If there are any albums that you feel are worthy of my top ten/twenty list, feel free to provide 'em in the comments section. I look forward to your recommendations. 

1. Soundgarden, King Animal

It's only been, what, sixteen years since the these fine fellows from Seattle put out their last album. They're back, and now the drummer has to split his time between two hard rock icons, Soundgarden and Pearl Jam. This album reminds me of Superunknown though it seems a bit harder. King Animal is forcefully consistent as though the years between albums never happened. And that, for this listener is a very good thing. Favorite songs: "Non-State Actor," "Blood on the Valley Floor," "Attrition," and "Rowing." 


2. Langhorne Slim & the Law, The Way We Move

Though I don't have any of his other albums, I was a little familiar with Mr. Slim before I bought The Way We Move this year. The album is certainly one I've listened to a lot, which is how I pretty much rank these albums. If you're not familiar with this guy's work, he plays what I would describe as garage folk, and he has a distinctive voice. The album puts me in a good mood, its fare is mainly uptempo songs with interesting lyrics. Favorite songs: "Fire," "Great Divide," "Wild Soul," and "Coffee Cups." 


3. Jay Farrar (Son Volt), Anders Parker, Will Johnson (Centro-matic), and Yim Yames (My Morning Jacket), New Multitudes

I highly recommend purchasing the deluxe edition because the two albums are worth it. The first disc features all four of those dudes, but the second disc only has Farrar and Parker singing. The story of the project is that Farrar spent some time researching Woody Guthrie's notebooks and sketchbooks, and other artists became interested. So what the album provides is a group of talented musicians playing 23 previously unrecorded songs by Guthrie. It's wonderful stuff, and the album inspired me to read Joe Klein's Woody Guthrie: A Life, which is the definitive biography of the man. Favorite songs: "My Revolutionary Mind," "V.D. City," "Angel's Blues," "No Fear," "Whereabouts Can I Hide," "I Was a Goner," and "San Antone Meat House." 


4. Punch Brothers, Who's Feeling Young Now?

It's clear as I survey the first four albums and the one that's coming next, the first five could be ranked in any order really. What I'm saying is that any of the top five albums could be number one depending on my mood. 

Regardless, this release by the Brothers de Punch is outstanding because it provides a balance of uptempo, midtempo, and slower tunes that range from traditional bluegrass to "alternative," however that may be defined. There are a couple of solid instrumentals, "Flippen (The Flip)" and "Kid A" (a cover), and the other offerings are excellent all around. I might like this even better than Antifogmatic, and I'm looking forward to going to their show in St. Louis in late January. Favorite songs: "Who's Feeling Young Now?," "Clara," "New York City," and "Don't Get Married Without Me." 


 5. Todd Snider, Agnostic Hymns & Stoner Fables

Mr. Snider got all kinds of love in the music press for this release, and it's warranted. This album provides some of the best lines of the year. The chorus of "New Yorker Banker is "Good things happen to bad people." In "Too Soon to Tell," Snider opines, "They say that 'living well is the best revenge.' I say, bullshit. The best revenge is revenge." And in the middle of "Big Finish" there's this darkly humorous nugget: "It ain't the despair that'll get you. It's the hope." Snider explores the invention of religion, takes on the bank bailout, gives you the perspective of an unemployed person, among other personas, topics, and issues. In addition, the incredibly talented Amanda Shires plays fiddle and provides backing vocals on most of the tunes. Favorite songs: "In the Beginning," "New York Banker," "In Between Jobs," and "Too Soon to Tell." 


6. Patterson Hood, Heat Lightning Rumbles in the Distance

The frontman of the Drive-By Truckers created a fabulous solo album this year. It's thematically consistent. Listeners used to his DBT tunes will find a different m.o. on this album. I mean, there's a cello on some songs, so it's not your in-your-face rock-n-roll. The lyrics are reflective and personal -- like confessional poetry. Favorite Songs: "Disappear," "Better Off Without," "After the Damage," and "Depression Era." 


7. Bela Fleck & The Marcus Roberts Trio, Across the Imaginary Divide

I suppose the "imaginary divide" the title refers to is the perception that the banjo shouldn't be used in jazz music. If that's the case, this collaboration between the best banjo player on the planet and one of the best jazz trios out there destroys that perception. It works, and the album is fine music. Favorite songs: "Some Roads Lead Home," "Across the Imaginary Divide," "Petunia," and "That Ragtime Feeling." 

8. Craig Finn, Clear Heart Full Eyes

Like Hood of DBT, the frontman of The Hold Steady decided to make a solo record this year. The album is not the guitar-oriented fare of THS; Finn's vocals are the focal point. Songs explicate the tactics of womanizer, contemplate mortality, recount hard living, and other interesting narratives. "No Future," in particular, has a great line about the persona seeing the devil at the "riverside Perkins." Favorite songs: "When No One's Watching," "No Future," "Jackson," and "Balcony." 

9. Joe Pug, The Great Despiser

This fellow, who at one time was going to school to be a playwright if I remember right, has his stuff together. He's probably a guy who gets labeled with the singer-songwriter moniker. He writes damn fine songs and arrangements. The title track for this album is probably one of my favorite songs of the year. It's a fairly simple song lyrically speaking, but the affective dimension is just right. Then there is "Ours": "So we took what we inherited,/ and we dug a hole to bury it,/ all our property and marriages./ All we wanted was a narrative/ that was ours." Favorite songs: "The Great Despiser," "Ours," "Neither Do I Need a Witness," and "Deep Dark Wells." 


10. Brandi Carlile, Bear Creek

Where the hell have I been that I didn't know about Brandi Carlile? What's wrong with me? If last year was the year I discovered the wonderful Amanda Shires, one of the discoveries of 2012 was Ms. Carlile. A mix of folk and rock supported by an incredible voice, I'm hooked. Favorite songs: "Long Way Home," "Raise Hell," "Keep Your Heart Young," and "Rise Again." 


11. Gary Clark Jr., Blak and Blu

On the opening track of the album, "Ain't Messin' Around," Clark sings, "I don't believe in competition./ Ain't nobody else like me around." This year marked his first major full length album, which includes revised versions of a few songs he had on his EP last year. And there aren't many people like Gary Clark Jr. around these parts. While there are a couple of songs I skip over on the album when listening to it, he shows his range on his debut. From a old school blues number of "When My Train Pulls In" to the R&B "Blak and Blu," from the Chuck Berry-like "Travis County" to the Hendrix homage of "Third Stone from the Sun/If You Love Me Like You Say," Clark delivers. I prefer the bluesier and rock-focused affairs, but this album is a solid effort, one that makes me want much more. Favorite songs: "When My Train Pulls In," "Glitter Ain't Gold," "Ain't Messin' Around," and "Next Door Neighbor Blues." 

12. Bruce Springsteen, Wrecking Ball

Springsteen's sparse albums seem to get all kinds of critical acclaim -- Nebraska, The Ghost of Tom Joad, and Devils & Dust. I like those albums, don't get me wrong, but I tend to be a bigger fan of albums like Born to Run, Darkness on the Edge of Town, and The Rising. So Wrecking Ball works well for me: anthem rock. I played this album a lot in my car because my kids enjoy the Celtic-inflected tunes on the disc. "American Land" is tattooed on my brain. Favorite songs: "Jack of All Trades," "Death to My Hometown," "Wrecking Ball," and "You've Got It." 

13. Shovels & Rope, O' Be Joyful

I read about the duo of Carrie Ann Hearst and Micheal Trent on Hear*Ya this year, listened to some videos on YouTube, and promptly bought this album. As far as a genre of music, I guess it's Americana because it's a mix of country and rock with a folk do-it-yourself sensibility. I bet they're a lot of fun watching live -- just those two having fun and playing tunes. Favorite songs: "Birmingham," "O' Be Joyful," "Hail Hail," and "Shank Hill Street." 

14. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Live from Alabama

  

It was really difficult for me to not put this album in the top ten because I'm a huge fan of Isbell & the 400 Unit. This release distills songs from performances in the Birmingham and the Shoals this year. It's a great album, but because I'm a connoisseur of  his work, I'm thinking about the songs I want on Live from Alabama Part II. I want more, so I might as well get it out of my system. Here's my fantasy Live from Alabama Part II track list: 

• "The Day John Henry Died"
• "Never Gonna Change"
• "Chicago Promenade"
• "Grown"
• "Seven-Mile Island"
• "Good"
• "However Long"
• "Soliders Get Strange"
• "Streetlights"
• "We've Met"
• "Codeine"
• "Stopping By"
• "Never Could Believe"
• "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay" (cover)

Favorite songs on Part I: "Goddamn Lonely Love," "In a Razor Town," "Outfit," "TVA," and "The Blue."

15. Heartless Bastards, Arrow 

What a great name for a band. And what a distinctive voice the lead singer has with a fully charged band. Just wonderful. When you listen to "Marathon," you're bound to get reflective when you hear the lead singer say, "on this long road home..." I got intrigued about the band when I saw them play "Gotta Have Rock and Roll" on Letterman. Indeed, mofos. Favorite songs: "Parted Ways," "Only For You," "Skin and Bone," and "Late in the Night." 


16. Regina Spektor, What We Saw from the Cheap Seats

I like an excellent pianist. Regina Spektor fills that role, and she's a damn fine singer.  "Firewood," in particular, provides a powerful bundle of pathos, especially if you've ever visited someone in a hospital.  And she's gets all wonderfully beat-boxy and surreal on "All The Rowboats." Then there's the lyric of "Work it. Work it, baby. Work it round that room." on "Ballad of a Politician." Brilliant work. Favorite songs: "All The Rowboats," "Firewood," "Ballad of a Politician," and "The Party." 


17. Bob Mould, Silver Age

This year Mould got back to voicing his barbaric yawp over the rooftops of the world. If you're looking for ballads, look elsewhere. Easy listening? Move along. This album reminds me more of his work in Husker Du than Workbook and Black Sheets of Rain, which are two very fine albums by the way. It's a great album to listen to when you're working out. Favorite songs: "Star Machine," "Fugue State," "Keep Believing," and "Silver Age."


18. The Lumineers, self-titled

Most people will recognize these folks by "Hey Ho" because it was used for some commercial, but overall it's a solid debut album. Whether they're part of this "roots revival" or whatever, this is a fun listen. Favorite songs: "Classy Girls," "Submarine," "Big Parade," and "Flapper Girl."


19. Truckstop Darlin', Hope & the Heart It Breaks

These fine fellows churned out a second album quickly. At least it doesn't seem that long ago that their debut came out. They do seem like an unlikely band to come out of Portland though. TD is pure alt-country, like the early albums from Lucero. I would imagine the best venue to hear this band's music is in a bar after a few good whiskey drinks. Favorite songs: "Southern Ghosts," "Sad Sweet Songs," "Dead Roses," and "They Don't Mind." 


20. Trampled By Turtles, Stars and Satellites

TbT albums have a tendency to grow on me. I'll listen to one a couple of times, and I'll think, "Eh, it's all right." Then I listen to it a few more times, and I think, "I'm liking this more for some reason." And so on. The same goes for Stars and Satellites. Favorite songs: "Alone," "Risk," "Beautiful," and "The Calm and the Crying Wind." 


Below is the Honorable Mention category. I've provided an extra ten albums (in alpha iTunes order) that I enjoyed quite a bit, but they didn't make the top twenty. I only provided the albums with image -- no commentary. 

Honorable Mention: 

Avett Brothers, The Carpenter

The Bad Plus, Made Possible

Baroness, Yellow & Green

The Barr Brothers, self-titled

Calexico, Algiers

Caroline Herring, Camilla

Gaslight Anthem, Handwritten

Horse Feathers, Cynic's New Year

Justin Townes Earle, Nothing's Gonna Change the Way You Feel About Me Now

Sara Watkins, Sun Midnight Sun

Music Friday: "Been Away Too Long" & "Rowing"

I finally was able to listen to a couple of new CDs after we got back from our Thanksgiving trip and picked up the mail. 

One of those new CDs was Soundgarden's King Animal. I've been waiting for an album from those dudes for over a decade. 

This album is definitely making it into the top ten of my Top Ten/Twenty Albums of 2012 post that will happen in late December. In fact, the album will probably be placed somewhere in the top five. 

Today I offer the first and last song off of King Animal: "Been Away Too Long" and "Rowing." 

Music Friday: "Cochise" & "Show Me How to Live"

I was a little late to the Audioslave listening party since I started really enjoying their tunes after they broke up. But it was a good amalgam: Chris Cornell from Soundgarden and Rage Against the Machine sans Zach de la Rocha.

So here are the first two songs from the band's self-titled and first album. Rock on, people.

Music Friday: "Outshined"

Just when I think I might have a chance, I have a week where my hopes shatter and cascade about my head.

My fantasy baseball team is stinking right now. Of course, just skip to the Soundgarden video if you don't have any interest in the subject.

My mighty Schlitzophrenics have been hanging among the top three or four spots in my league for quite some time now. But my squad has had a pathetic week and has lost all kinds of points.

Sunday, the bums had a combined .182 OBP while my ERA and WHIP numbers ballooned. Monday provided another bad day of stats. Tuesday's pitching numbers righted the ship, but the offensive stats were pedestrian. Though I collected some saves, Wednesday's pitching performances fattened my ERA. And another crappy day yesterday.

I'm currently fourth. The way it's going, I may not even win freaking third.

I'm feeling outshined.

Music Friday: "Rusty Cage"

Click HERE for the Man in Black covering "Rusty Cage."

"I'm gonna break,

I'm gonna break my,

Gonna break my rusty cage and run."