The Big Green House

What a resurrection really feels like

I’m listening to The Hold Steady a lot these days. I know I’m kinda late on the bandwagon. I was scared off by all those people saying “Ah, they’re just Springsteen wannabes”. I mean, I checked ‘em out first, of course; unfortunately the track I heard was “Stuck Between Stations”, which is the most Bruce-alicious song on the new(ish) album. So, I passed.

I don’t recall now what it was that made me go back and give ‘em another shot, but I’m glad I did. Yeah, there’s a bit of a Bruce thing going on, but it’s not nearly as pronounced as I was first led to believe. It’s really down to two things: the verbose nature of Craig Finn’s lyrics, and the piano/organ stylings of mustachioed keyboard dude Franz Nicolay, and the anthemic nature of most of their music. OK, that’s three things. Really, though, the Bruce comparisons aren’t really all that accurate. And The Replacements thing… both bands have/had members from Minneapolis, both bands write/wrote about getting loaded. That’s about it. Science Girl says she hears The Jam in there. Me, I just hear a really good rock & roll band.

So anyway, I really dig ‘em. Snagged both Boys and Girls in America and Separation Sunday from eMusic, and both rock like all get out.

Hush, you muskies!

Hey kids! How many times has this happened to you: you find yourself replaying your copy of Nuggets for the umpteenth time and thinking, “Gosh, I sure wish someone would put together another kick-ass compilation like this, but this time featuring Canadian bands”. Well, those days are over, my friends. Feast your ears on Wyld Canada, Volumes 1-4. (Pssst. Here’s Volume 5) The host for the files is a little wonky – it took me something like five or six tries to get Volume 4 – but it’s worth it if you dig the garage-rock sound. And if you don’t, you’re in the wrong place. I haven’t had a chance to listen to all of it yet, but so far I’m liking it a lot.

Any Major Dude Will Tell You

I’ve been spending some time with the Citizen Steely Dan box set lately, and I’m finding myself obsessed with the song “Any Major Dude Will Tell You”. Aside from the typically groovy Dan arrangement (I love the way the guitar and electric piano double each other on the hook), it’s just about the only number in the whole Steely Dan songbook that doesn’t reek of doom:

Goodnight, Sir

It is my sad duty to report that we had to have Martin put down this weekend. He'd just gotten to the point where he couldn't get around anymore, and was obviously Not Well At All.

I've been trying to write up a proper eulogy for him. It's been difficult. It wasn't a surprise that his time had come, but it's still proving difficult to process.

Anyway, if you're so inclined, please raise a glass to a good cat gone. Play some jazz when you do so; he liked jazz. Sonny Rollins, Miles... no free jazz, though. He disapproved of that.