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)
Tag: 80s
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
Sunday Music: Hold Me Now
It was a note in my phone for a Sunday Music post. It said, "Sunday music, hold me now by Thompson Twins, god it hurts." When's the last time you really listened to this one? https://youtu.be/H9694K85Xc8 https://youtu.be/JTaKMU_JuIc
We’re All Telling A Story
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”
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 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