Old Poetry Selections
Digging through some old school work buried beneath my feet at the table that I’m currently sitting at, I found some old work. I don’t remember much about these poems, although I presume I created them in 10th or 11th grade. I find my teacher’s comment on the last poem, One Final Catch, kind of funny. She commented on my paper: This is quite good up to here [the end], but what happened? It’s up for interpretation, certainly. I bullshitted it so it’s not like I even remember what originally happened in the end.
The Blacksmith
The Blacksmith is a capable apprentice hammering his way to expertise.
Ding, ding, he feels the beating, striking, pounding.
His job is now complete.
Tough Livin’
I cried for the poorest man’s dollar bill.
Picture a deprived man sitting next to a run down window sill.
When I was a young boy, Mama said:
“Keep trying.”
I, a fool, wish I could follow her command,
But here I sit with absolutely nothing in my hand.
Thermometer
I am exceptionally smart, although my attitude always changes.
Sharpie Marker
It’s like a friend: you can always depend on it.
One Final Catch
His vigorous work schedule meant me seeing him only once a week.
I did not get frustrated.
I knew he would come home and play catch with me.
I never wondered what my uncle did for work.
Our relationship was father-son like; not that it matters now.
I packed my sack with a glove and a ball.
I knew what we were doing.
“All right, sport, show me what you’ve got,”
My uncle’s voice was like none other.
He always gave me that extra wink and smile.
Now I know why.
That Saturday in March, Uncle didn’t say his usual:
“See you next week, sport.”
Instead he said “goodbye.”
Demo Review: Young Adults
Band: Young Adults
Release: ????
Label: ????
1. “Rip It Up” – A-
2. “Annulation” – B
3. “Impression” – B+
4. “Let Us Out” – B+
5. “Bummer Summer” – B
Comments: For a relatively young band, these guys have gotten pretty good press in the independent media. Not quite hardcore, not quite shoegaze, but almost surely some kind of punk, the band’s sound is a little tough to pinpoint exactly. That’s not really necessary, though. “Impression” seems like it could have quite as easily fell out of Fugazi’s catalog. That I will say. Great ending to that song. I’m glad the band has/is making the rounds around the Boston area as an opener for the likes of Pretty & Nice and pretty soon Wavves. It wouldn’t be too surprising to me if they started gaining prominence a la Male Bonding.
Grade: B (86)
Song of the Day
Ahh, doesn’t it just remind of you 4-5 AM,when you can’t go to sleep and there’s nothing on TV, but infomericals trying to sell you shit you don’t need and you have bopped your bishop far more than necessary to the point that your shooting blanks into your invisible mistress of the night. No, just Me?
Chris
Quote of the Day
Mark Sultan:
“I really enjoy the first song [Icicles]. It’s a welcome six minutes for anyone who has ever tripped out or read a book or been hungry. But if you’re having problems with the first song, then I don’t want you listening to the rest of the album anyway.”
VW, BH, DDG Tour
How convenient! Three of my favorite bands will be playing together at the same location on a little tour. The Boston gig will be at the Bank of America Pavilion. Naturally, I’m going to see what I can do to make this. It’s still ways away: September 12. Side note: Dum Dum Girls are hot shit as an opening band, aren’t they? First, King Khan and BBQ then Girls and now this.
Quote of the Day
In the spirit of Hunx:
If you’re going to be crazy, you have to get paid for it or else you’re going to be locked up. – HST
I Am A Girlfriend – MIL!
This may, in fact, be my favorite live song to post:
This is a new one! Brand damn new!
Old Black Lips Interview
From 2007:
Black Lips Interview for Pedestrian.tv from PEDESTRIAN.TV on Vimeo.
CD Review: Expo 86 [2010]
Band: Wolf Parade
Release: 6/2010
Label: Sub Pop
1. “Cloud Shadow on the Mountain” – Krug – A-
2. “Palm Road” – Boeckner – A–
3. “What Did My Lover Say? (It Always Had To Go This Way) – Krug – A-
4. “Little Golden Age” – Boeckner – A-
5. “In the Direction of the Moon” – Krug – B+
6. “Ghost Pressure” – Boeckner – A
7. “Pobody’s Nerfect” – Boeckner – A-
8. “Two Men in New Tuxedos” – Krug – B
9. “Oh You, Old Thing” – Krug – A
10. “Yulia” – Boeckner – B+
11. “Cave-o-sapien” – Krug – B+
Comments: Spencer Krug starts the record off in a manner that I’ll dub uncharacteristic. He does a little spoken-word before singing in his oh-so characteristic way. “Cloud” is (and I hate that I’ll keep referring to it at this) very Sunset Rubdown. Of course, it’s more dynamic and more dance. I like that it’s instantly catchy. It’s the catchiest tune on this LP. The Boeckner-led “Palm Road” is neat. There’s a lot of noticeable instruments going on in the background — some with weird, but cool effects. There’s also the break around the two minute mark that adds some lasting meat to the tune. The upbeat “What Did” contains an array of neat guitar riffs and a constant drum line that insists on you moving around. I absolutely am fascinated by “Little Golden Age.” Hot damn. Krug starts doing his “wa-who-wa-who” deal at the end and then Boeckner kicks back in with the chorus. Just great. “In the Direction” is a bit draggy, I’ll admit, but overall it is pretty consistent in being that, which isn’t bad. There are things I like. As I mentioned in song reviews “Ghost Pressure” features excellent synthesizer notes and a killer bridge/chorus. “Pobody’s Nerfect” has a cool rhythm section. Not breath-taking, but well enough. Too long? It makes the next song, “Two Men,” seem like an extremely short number. Comparatively so. “Oh You, Old Thing” is tight. It’s a very variable tune. It certainly has me not knowing what to expect next. For now, I’ll label it as a grower. Fantastic ending. “Yulia” just keeps getting better and better as it progresses. Matter of fact, that’s how a lot of Dan’s songs are. Cool effects are also present on “Cave.”
Grade: B+ (89)
