Reading and Listening

Reading...

Yellow Jack by Josh Russell. A disturbing combination of Nabakov and Poe, Russell explores the seedy underbelly of New Orleans in the 1800s. Very well written.

Hobo by Eddy Joe Cotton. An autobiographical account of riding the rails from a Gen X hobo. Very funny and sad and raw and real.

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood. A first time read for me, and our selection for book club in June. Intensely well written. I can't seem to put it down. For fans of George Orwell. Not for fans of the Moral Majority.

Jim & Casper Go To Church by Jim Henderson and Matt Casper. Pastor Jim Henderson and his atheist friend, Matt Casper, visit churches together and discuss where these churches are succeeding or failing at being true representatives of the Body of Christ. Very readable. Lots of fun. Incredibly insightful.


Listening to...

So Real by Jeff Buckley. I'm not usually a fan of greatest hits collections, but this one succeeds on two counts. 1) Buckley didn't have much of a catalogue to work with, so trying to span an entire career wasn't as difficult. 2) Some version of every track of his defining work, Grace, is featured on this collection. Unless you simply must own every song Buckley ever recorded, this really should be enough.

Ships by Danielson. Daniel Smith's solo recording persona pulls off his best work to date. Joyful and strange, Spirited and jarring. Smith's work as Danielson, Brother Danielson, or with The Danielson Famile is always uplifting and rewarding. I can't stop listening to track four "Did I Step On Your Trumpet?"

All This Could Kill You by Ben + Vesper. Recorded under Daniel Smith's Sounds Familyre label, Ben + Vesper are just as whimsical, but calmer and drier. The vocal stylings of early Leonard Cohen or Nick Drake.

Strange Weirdos by Loudon Wainwright III. Songs contributed to, created for, or inspired by the Judd Apatow film Knocked Up. That may not be a big sell for all of you, but this works the same way that Aimee Mann and PT Anderson did on Magnolia. Even if you didn't enjoy the film, the songs stand alone as career highlights.

Sky Blue Sky by Wilco. You can't visit my house without being made to listen to, at least, one track from this album. I was initially unimpressed with the pre-release copy I received, but this album is fantastic. An incredible mix of influences ranging from Steely Dan to Television. "Impossible Germany" may become my favorite Wilco song ever, and this album is certainly in the running for one of my favorites of their career.