What I've Been Up To

In a lot of ways, my life hasn't changed that much in the last year. I still have the same problems, but they seem a little less intense now, a little smaller. I think I have a bit more self-confidence than I used to, and that makes a lot of difference in one's life. Anyway, I didn't want to get into anything heavy here, just a recounting of various things I've been doing and observing:

I have piles of books and comics to read--on my floor as I never bought myself a bookshelf when I moved out. I can't find one to match my bedroom furniture, and just figure when I get a house or condo in six months or so, I'll get a bunch of matching furniture then, for an office or living room, wherever I can fit the books. So, anyway, I just kind of pick stuff up to read when I feel like it--sometimes very current, lots of times months after release.

Just read the Comic Book Artist issue about Will Eisner. I didn't read it cover to cover, actually, but I liked what I read a lot. Frankly, I can do without the fawning and stuff about how Eisner was still in his prime at the time of his death, because I don't agree with that. No disrespect meant, as I think he was probably CAPABLE of another great book, but he hadn't done one for a long time. I mean, just because I'm an Eisner Awards judge this year doesn't mean I can't be honest. Besides, I'm not really that concerned with whether old men are producing their "best work yet!" or experiencing "comebacks" and all that; I'm more interested in if they're doing work that's still interesting, still has some life and curiosity and passion to it, and I think despite the flaws, Eisner's work succeeded in that to the end. Neil Young apparently has another fine album done; Ray Davies, too, and I'm happy for them and interested in the music, but I don't expect either to be their best or anything close to it. I remember a quote once, or the gist of a quote, though I don't remember if it was from a book or a film, that Americans are concerned more with the ups and downs of an auteur or author or musician from film to film, novel to novel, album to album, whereas Europeans see the body of work, the continuum. It's a coincidence I used Young and Davies, but certainly they are two of many significant artists who have done some terrible work in their time. I think all significant artists (I'm avoiding the term genius) can and maybe even should be expected to follow their muses down dead end streets (okay, THAT's an intentional Davies reference) now and then, and hopefully they come back, not to the same familiar spot, but to somewhere at least as interesting as that spot.

Music I've Been Listening To:
Arctic Monkeys - Good Scottish band a little punkier and less stylish than Franz Ferdinand, but somewhere in that ballpark. It's a good debut, though I'm surprised it's apparently the fastest-selling cd in British history or something. It's not THAT good.

Godspeed You Black Emperor - Progressive rock, largely instrumental, with really long songs. It's more background or driving music than anything. I like it fine, but haven't been blown away.

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - I've only listened to this once so far. Aside from the opening title track, which uses some old found vocal, I think, I can only remember the lead singer being a bit nasal and not that exciting. My opinion may change with more listens.

The Go! Team - This is fun. Kind of like Fatboy Slim but with live instruments--very active real drums and piano, and a lot of cheerleaderesque vocals.

I'm always playing this alternative stuff in the car with the kids, but they don't seem to respond to much of it yet. The Killers, Green Day, Outkast, U2 and Coldplay they like. And James Kochalka Superstar is always a hit.

Been on a bit of a Squeeze jag since last week. I periodically listen to the cds I have of theirs, but it's not many (I used to have their early stuff but on vinyl, since lost or sold). I ordered an import cd collecting their singles on one disc, b-sides on the other (few of those are essential, but I'm glad I have them). Then I found a site called www.allofmp3.com out of Russia that has a lot of obscure or OOP stuff for cheap (most of the new releases as well). I downloaded an import cd (with bonus tracks) of Squeeze's ARGYBARGY, a great album of theirs from 1980. It was kind of rewarding to play a few tracks for a good friend driving back from lunch yesterday; she's only 26, but she liked it. I also bought SQUEEZE: SONG BY SONG which tells the band's story from start to finish, with commentary on every song by singer/composer/guitarist Glenn Tilbrook and lyricist/occasional singer Chris Difford, as well as the lowdown on their fractious but loving friendship. It's a great book for any fan of the band. Also very good is the dvd documentary GLENN TILBROOK: ONE FOR THE ROAD, which shows the former Squeeze frontman going on a solo acoustic tour across the U.S. a couple years ago in an RV, with only his wife, fan-turned-filmmaker, and his guitar. He's an amazing showman, at times taking the entire audience outside or to an audience member's house, just for fun. Really good spirit the guy has, especially since it must have been quite a comedown going from stadiums and lots of press to this one man show. He sounds great, though, and the dvd also has a bonus interview with Difford about his own career and his relationship with Glenn. I really have something of a soft spot for these troubadour kind of guys, Dave Davies, Richard Thompson--these really skilled veteran artists who can make magic anywhere, with just a guitar.

Also found out-of-print discs from Blancmange and Talk Talk as well, and have finally started getting into the Kinks more than just the hits, starting with SOMETHING ELSE from 1967, which is excellent and has quite a few bonus tracks that were hits, just not originally on albums, like "Susannah's Still Alive." It's been said many times that the sound of "You Really Got Me" basically started what would become hard rock/heavy metal, but in the quieter, quirkier and more English songs you definitely hear the start of Blur and Belle & Sebastian and many other bands. I could imagine The Flaming Lips doing an amazing cover of "Tin Soldier Man."

I was determined this weekend not to spend too much on my kids, as I sometimes spoil them a bit, but mainly the problem has been not having food for them in the house, as I have takeout so often, so I made a big trip to the store ahead of time and we only ate out Friday night at McDonald's (they had their heart set on it, and it's a rarity. I had the yogurt and fruit parfait, so I was pretty healthy). They mainly wanted to play in the Playland, anyway, so they didn't eat that much.

We went to my son's first t-ball game this season, which he did great at, then to Starbucks for a coffee for me, and this one was located next to a Barnes & Noble, so I went in for a couple magazines--MOJO, with a Who interview and tribute cd and DVD UNCUT, which has a piece on Bill Murray in BROKEN FLOWERS and an interview with George Clooney, the scare quotes being about his drug use(?). Ended up spending more than I expected when we went to the Kids section. I did lead the kids to the bargain section and got a storybook about an alligator, a book teaching kids how to play harmonica, with one included (for my daughter, though secretly I'm going to try it), and a cool book about sharks for my son. I also threw in a non-bargain but lovely pop-up edition of PETER RABBIT, which to my mind is now the definitive version.

Anyway, more later. All is well. Possibly in love. Nothing to be concerned or happy about yet :)