Sunday Music: Learning To Speak And Spell (Depeche Goats)

John Darnielle, author/columnist/founding member of The Mountain Goats, told Jesse Thorn that the thing he most wishes he had made, was Depeche Mode’s debut album, Speak and Spell. Wat? The Mountain Goats are a hyper-poetic, folkish, alt-rock band. I always suspected Darnielle had a broad range of things he loved, but I didn’t see this … Continue reading Sunday Music: Learning To Speak And Spell (Depeche Goats)

Sunday Music: Take On Me, Take Me On

Hey! Sundays are for music. As a music-maker working in a less-than-musically focused world, this is my way to connect what I’m doing, thinking, and feeling with my favorite mode of expression This week I’ve been listening to… "Take On Me." You know the song. You know the video. BUT, here's how an Unplugged performance … Continue reading Sunday Music: Take On Me, Take Me On

We’re All Telling A Story

cobra kai's logo from the reboot

One of the smartest things about Cobra Kai is how it explores different perspectives on the shared events between families, friends, and enemies. The whole show is a reminder that everybody comes to every interaction with their own baggage. In a different medium, Nora Ephron put it like this in Heartburn (Vera is her therapist): … Continue reading We’re All Telling A Story

Sunday Music: Angel Olsen’s Hot Take on “Gloria”

angel olsen aisles album cover

I have to be in a certain mood for Angel Olsen's synthy-orchestral stuff, but when I am, the production, arranging, and the performance is nothing short of impeccable. Olsen has a new EP of all 80s covers coming out mid-August. Here's her take on "Gloria" by Laura Branigan. If you don't know the original, I'm … Continue reading Sunday Music: Angel Olsen’s Hot Take on “Gloria”

Sunday Music: Stop Making This Hurt

Jack Antonoff in the Stop Making This Hurt video by Bleachers looking out of place and time in a Jersey diner

Jack Antonoff and Bleachers are back. This one is just a rising well of emotions, full of 80s Jersey nostalgia, production tricks, and evocative lyrics. Three of those things to point out (in reverse order): Evocative lyrics: I’m not sure I can tell you what this song is about (the video won’t help), but it … Continue reading Sunday Music: Stop Making This Hurt

Podcast Of The Week: Remembering MF DOOM

What do you do when a murderers’ row of critics, curators, and artist representatives all talk about the beginnings of one of your favorite artist’s careers? You listen twice. This isn’t for everyone, but there’s an MBA in here somewhere for those that care. MF DOOM passed away on Halloween at the age of 49, … Continue reading Podcast Of The Week: Remembering MF DOOM

Leadership Lessons From Ms. Frizzle

In the 80s and 90s, Ms. Frizzle and her Magic School Bus were impossible for a kid to avoid. There were books, TV shows, and even video games, all with the parent/teacher/Presidential blessing of being labeled “educational!” And, to be honest - they were actually pretty great. With author Joanna Cole‘s passing, I was looking … Continue reading Leadership Lessons From Ms. Frizzle

Rick Rubin, Beastie Boys, And The Power Of Confidence

They were just a bunch of high school kids cutting class. He was the inexplicably connected college kid with a sound system, two turntables, and a vinyl library* in his dorm room where they would all hang out. When they started to make music as Beastie Boys, they remembered Rick Rubin making them feel like … Continue reading Rick Rubin, Beastie Boys, And The Power Of Confidence

Sunday Music: Beastie Boys

The Spike Jonze documentary... beautiful. It’s a piece of history, if you’re interested, don’t miss it. Paul’s Boutique will always be one of my top albums. “Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego” is an outright anthem. The smartness, the humor, the technical brilliance, it’s all here. And they even made a hand-painted video. All hail. Riddle me this, … Continue reading Sunday Music: Beastie Boys