brownie

Teenage Fanclub

A few weeks ago I saw a Queen tribute band called Almost Queen who were surprisingly good. In fact, there is a quote from Howard Stern on Almost Queen's website that says the Almost Queen show is better than the current Queen (+ Adam Lambert) that's touring now. In the past week I've seen Matthew Sweet (great) and NRBQ (first time I've seen them since it's become Terry Adams and 3 Guys I Don't Know - not sure what to make of that show, actually).

Too funny! I've lived in NJ my entire life, so I guess I have to respond to this one. To live in NJ you should * Love Springsteen, Sinatra or Bon Jovi Never a big fan of either Springsteen or Bon Jovi, but I do love a lot of Sinatra. (Although never a "huge" fan.) * Know the best hole in the wall pizza joints Reservoir Tavern in Boonton * Know what exit you live off of on the Parkway (135/137) or Turnpike (14 A) I don't live anywhere near either of those highways, but if I had to choose, I'd say Exit 145 off the Parkway and 15W off the Turnpike. And then add about a half

No. I don't think I have a favorite band any more. My favorite band is whichever one is knocking me out at the moment. And that seems to fluctuate between at least 10 different bands/artists these days, and almost seems to depend on which one I last listened to with any purpose and intensity. Wilco is definitely among my favorites, but I can't pick one. The last time I could zoom in on one favorite was almost 10 years ago.

Or why not just have the deluxe edition option when the album is initially released? I love Yo La Tengo, and I love this album. I would have gone for a deluxe edition on the first go around. But I'm not buying it again.

I was at Neil's showcase in NYC on Thursday promoting this album. He had a 9 piece string section, a drummer, a keyboardist (the arranger), and Neil mostly played grand piano. The show was phenomenal, and the new songs were unlike anything I've heard from Neil before. Almost jazzy, very late night vibe. Fabulous.

Agreed. I loved the last one, but can't seem to get any excitement going for this one.

Well, I guess if the only thing that puts a place to work in the top twenty is salary, then people might think this is okay. Honestly, salary has become almost secondary in this job. The harrassment from both students and administration outweighs any salary for me.

Really? You think he could be President? I don't see it. He just seems too "in your face" to me. Mind you, Chris Christie was born and raised, and still lives, within 25 miles of where I have lived my entire life. If anyone here is from NJ, it has been offered up to me by others who were born and raised here, that he is trying to be "Nicky Newark." *laughs* Those from northern NJ know exactly what I"m talking about. Others, sorry, I honestly can't explain it, you'd have to have grown up in northern NJ.

Okay, I admit that I saw red when I'd read that statement and responded rashly. More reasoned response: Your statement implies that more teachers are skating by than not. I just don't see it. Not in my school, anyway (a public school of about 1300 students), nor in the other high school in my town which is about the same size. We all work like dogs. Math, science, English, social studies, etc. Maybe there are a few who skate by, they are a few. I would have to think hard to actually name one. What a lot of people don't seem to realize is that for a teacher to be all things to al

How dare you. Really. How dare you. I have been teaching high school science for 10 years. Before that, I spent nearly 20 years in industry, as an actual practicing scientist. I have never worked as hard in my life as I have as a teacher. But that amount of work is not sustainable. I think people who think teachers are "skating by" don't want teachers, they want robots.

I will do so! Thanks.

Yup, bad assumption! I'm in NJ. But no harm done, and I will look out for those wines at my local places. Thanks for the recommendations.

Well, one's taste in wine is such an individual thing. I remember taking a wine course many years ago, and the gist of the course was to taste a lot of different wines to find out what you like. I love chardonnays that are buttery. Chateau Ste. Michelle's chardonnay fits that bill perfectly. Hence, I would naturally love it.

This is a weird thread. Weird in that it is centered around beer. I hate beer. I had enough teenage run-ins with beer that I can't even stomach the stuff any more. I have been drinking, and enjoying, a chardonnay from Chateau Ste Michelle in Washington state, USA. I also love a good gin martini, usually with Tanqueray. Beer? Ick. I don't get it.

Why are the Eagles dreaded? I'm sincerely curious. Despite all the indie bands that I've loved over the last 25 years, I could never figure out why I'm supposed to hate the Eagles. They have many songs that I love to this day, particularly those sung by Don Henley. He has a fabulous voice, and I've always loved his drumming, particularly on the One of These Nights album. I can't say I've loved everything the Eagles have done, but I honestly don't see why they are so often put down. Go on, tell me. I can take it. *laughs*

The song that has really jumped out at me is Calling Cards. It jumped out at me on my third listen through the album, and now I've repeated it five times in a row. Love the subtle trumpet bits, and the drumming. That has to be Jacob Valenzuela and John Convertino on that track.

This film has finally been released. I watched it twice in two days (cable TV On Demand). Has anyone else seen it? Thoughts: I loved it, although I'm not exactly sure why. *laughs* It is very much a documentary without a lot of source material for its subject. It is mostly interviews with people "around" the band, and musicians who are fans. There is very little film of the band. Mostly still photos, etc, but it is very creatively done. I did not learn much that I did not already know. However, the enthusiasm of those who were interviewed, from musicians (e.g. Chris Stamey, Mitch Eas

I would hate to see remphish leave. I also do not think the posts he(?) is offended by warrant such an extreme reaction (i.e. leaving the forum). Remphish, most of those posts were just questioning you, not dissing you! (spoken by someone who has literally thrown up from what people have posted about what she said...and I'm still posting on the internet! )

Great shows I remember at Maxwells: Multiple Feelies shows a million years ago... Alex Chilton, several times.... sigh.... RIP beloved Alex... NRBQ, several times.... Nick Lowe.... Most recently, the great Joseph Arthur.... I even remember the very first time I went to Maxwells...it wasn't even for a show, but I ran into members of REM there. Those were the days... Husker Du.. the only show I ever *left* at Maxwells because it was too loud! LOL ...discovering Yo La Tengo as everyone's opening act. Many other very personal memories...I practically lived at that place eve

Yes, I just saw that. I nearly cried. There will never be any place like Maxwells. I think the first show I saw there was in 1985. (Holy cow, nearly 30 years ago!) It seems like all good music in the NY/NJ area has moved to Brooklyn...and that is just too far and too much hassle of a trek for me to make. Ah well...I'll always have memories of Maxwells.

To be honest, Peter's set wasn't really my cup of tea. He was having a grand old time, but it was a bit too loud and garagy for me. I couldn't really hear his singing voice that well, whether this was due to a poor sound mix or me being too close to the guitar amps and that drowning him out. But what I did hear sounded more like a gutteral growl than a singing voice. Robyn Hitchcock's set though - wow, I was blown away. One of the best shows i've seen in a long long time. Peter was born to play guitar on Airscape! My head completely exploded during that one.

I saw a 2/3 of R.E.M. mini-reuinion last night. Peter Buck and his band were opening for Robyn Hitchcock in NYC, and Mike Mills came out and they all played Near Wild Heaven. It was wonderful!

1) My birthday is also in January. 2) The days are getting longer now!

I have lived in NJ my entire life, and I have always been indifferent to Bruce. However, since every establishment I have ever patronized at the Jersey shore (in various shore towns) has been completely obliterated by Hurricane Sandy, I found myself enjoying Bruce's performance last night more than I ever have, and more than I ever expected I would. His "Jersey Shore" shtick, which I have always sort of poo-pooed, seemed incredibly poignant to me last night. Truly, you don't know what you've got till it's gone.