PopTodd

"Culture" is so disposable today, I have a hard time seeing anybody making enough of a lasting impression on a large-enough part of the population to really be considered a "new Dylan" or whatever. But that said, I do think that Jeff Tweedy is about as close as we are going to get to that these days. At least from songwriting/development standpoint. Maybe Jenny Lewis, from a purely artistic POV, without taking any cultural impact into consideration. That woman can write.

Wrote our own vows and in hers, she promised "to go to Big Star and Pavement shows with (me) for as long as (her) hearing allows." Yeah. Good one.

Just have to input here that "the one that broke my heart" -- pretty much everyone has one, I think -- was waaaayyyy into XTC, which almost ruined them for me. Thankfully, the girl that I married, the right one, is also way into XTC, which saved them for me again. She's the right one in so very many ways!

Spotted Cow

http://www.allmusic.com/album/all-shook-down-mw0000315544

John Cale. The true music geeks don't underrate him, I don't think. But he is so very overshadowed by the more-flamboyant, so-very-New Yorker-ly Lou Reed that most "normal" people don't even know that he exists. But, for my money, his solo career has been light years better, and certainly more-interesting than that of his more-famous former bandmate.

Timing. Not necessarily what note is played, but where it's placed. I suppose that this is linked in a way to "silence", but there is a distinction. Listen to the first trumpet solo on the original recording of Art Blakey's "Moanin'". Lee Morgan nails it. And it's not that he is all over the place, but it's exactly WHERE he is. So perfect.

Graham Parker reunites with The Rumour! Brinsley Schwarz and Bob Andrews: two of the most-underrated sidemen in the history of rock. This can only be good! http://www.rollingst...ecades-20120822 Provided, of course, that Graham writes a good batch of tunes.

The Floyd "live" on the BBC in 1967. I guess that this clip was feared lost -- erased from the masters and everything. But somebody (mostly) salvaged it. Cool to see Syd actually (kinda) performing. And I think that the crap video quality actually adds to the psych appeal.

The original Al's is my favorite beef. I love the hint of anise in their spice mix. Plus, in the summertime, you can go across the street to Mario's and get a frozen lemonade. Mr. Beef is good, but the guys behind the counter are assholes. And Portillo's is okay. I have yet to try Johnny's on North Ave. in Franklin Park, but I know people who swear by it. (And here is a perfect example of one of those Chicago native arguments that Louie was talking about.)

I haven't been to many, either. Major League teams: Wrigley Field (Cubs) Comiskey Park (White Sox) US Cellular Field (White Sox) Miller Park (Milkwaukee Brewers) Busch Stadium #1 (St. Louis Cardinals) Minor League teams (team names, only): Kane County Cougars Madison Muskies But yeah, it is fun to check out the local atmosphere.

SHIT! I have Cyrk and am loving it. But I have not gotten the EP, nor was I aware of it. Thanks for lightening my wallet. Thanks a lot.

I know that it's not unfamiliar to you, I was just thinking that I could get you to listen to it with new ears. It happened to me with that song one day. I wasn't a fan of the song either, then it hit me like a bolt of lightning -- "WAIT! This is a pretty damn good song, after all!" And that guitar solo is great. You see, "Octopus's Garden" is like that for me.

Listen to it again. Maybe the chorus is a bit precious/cloying, but the verses totally KILL.