#heartbreak weather is truly underrated

[sinceileftyoublog]

Out Of Space 2022: 8/5-8/6, Canal Shores Golf Course, Evanston

BY JORDAN MAINZER

Second to good weather (unlike last year), the impeccable curation of Friday and Saturday at Out of Space was the festival’s ultimate draw and highlight. Friday, you had Elvis Costello (with The Imposters) and Nick Lowe (with Los Straitjackets), the two forever intertwined in song and in scene. Opening for them was Nicole Atkins, who appears on Costello’s latest album with The Imposters, The Boy Named If (Capitol/EMI), and whose music toes the same line as does Costello, one between romanticism and realism. Saturday, you had two of the finest Americana singer-songwriters around: the legendary Lucinda Williams, and Waxahatchee, the ever-evolving project of Katie Crutchfield that takes influence from Williams more than it does from any other songwriter. Throughout the weekend, tributes abound, to artists there and not there, to the point I kept forgetting who idolized who.

Costello’s venerable band can do no wrong, even if they play tunes whose studio versions were billed to a different backing band. Sure, it helps that, for instance, The Imposters and The Attractions share a couple members (keyboardist Steve Nieve and drummer Pete Thomas), but each musician offers their own limber backing to Costello’s crooning, ranting, and raving. Friday, Charlie Sexton’s swirling riffs built up “Green Shirt” beside Nieve’s arpeggiated keys, while Thomas’ and bassist Davey Faragher steadied the distorted barroom jaunt “Hetty O’Hara Confidential”, a standout from Costello’s underrated 2020 record Hey Clockface. “A song about scandal and shame”, it almost has a murder ballad, circus feel. 

While The Boy Named If also sports some truly weird tunes, like “The Man You Love To Hate” and the slinky “Trick Out The Truth”, it’s a purely earnest record. Its best songs are about growing up and learning what matters. A song like “Paint the Red Rose Blue” imagines people who wallow in sadness, a sort of fetish of morose theatricality, but then ultimately realize--well--it feels good to feel good. “My Most Beautiful Mistake”, which features Atkins and saw her join the band on Friday (the first of a few songs she sang alongside The Imposters), is about a screenwriter who wants to write about working people in Hollywood but instead becomes obsessed with a waitress. “It’s not your reputation I’m trying to besmirch / I’m here undercover, writing this screenplay / You might be my inspiration, it’s beyond my control,” Costello sings. But it’s Atkins who gets the last laugh. As the two sing, “I’ve seen your kind before,” Atkins alone completes the sentence: “in courtroom sketches.” It’s a rail against self-importance, the type of “I can’t help it” toxic masculinity that Costello embodies in the song. 

The songs The Imposters chose to play from The Boy Named If on Friday embodied the same ethos as “My Most Beautiful Mistake”. “Penelope Halfpenny”, a boyhood fascination with a teacher with a past life in espionage, played off of “The Death Of Magic Thinking”, with its childlike “I Want Candy” drum thump. And “What If I Can’t Give You Anything But Love?” and “Magnificent Hurt” represented the more mature side of the record. The Imposters’ performance of the former all but ditched the raw blues of the studio version in favor of letting Costello’s words shine through. The latter proved itself to be an instant classic, quintessential Costello in title, exaggerated delivery, and the queasy keyboard line it’s built around. It was sandwiched between “(I Don’t Want to Go to) Chelsea” and “Pump It Up”, and I got the sense some casual fans assumed “Magnificent Hurt” was not a new song but canon heartbreak fodder.

Nick Lowe is of course connected to Costello through his writing of “(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding”, but his set mirrored the ebbs and flows of Costello’s very well, from the wistful “Lately I’ve Let Things Slide” (from 2001′s terrific The Convincer) to the jangly “Tokyo Bay”. And it’s easy to see where Atkins’ latest records fit with The Boy Named If. 2018′s Goodnight Rhonda Lee saw Atkins turn towards old styles of music like soul in order to help conquer parts of her past. 2020′s Italian Ice (Single Lock) expanded outward, trying to recreate the magic of the Jersey Shore with a murderer’s row of a backing band. Between self-evaluation and imagination, Atkins’ previous two albums capture the spirit of The Boy Named If, and she and her band burned through selections from the two records. The funk of “Domino” contrasted the languid “A Little Crazy”, while Atkins’ soulful vocals carried the weight no matter what the song was about, whether the nostalgia of “AM Gold” or the powerful reflection of “Goodnight Rhonda Lee”.

Saturday night, Lucinda Williams was just happy to be there. The masterful vocalist and guitar player suffered a stroke in November 2020, mere months after releasing the great Good Souls Better Angels (Highway 20/Thirty Tigers). While she’s unfortunately still unable to play guitar, she sang her heart out, her quintessentially lackadaisical drawl dominating “Steal Your Love”, “Can’t Let Go”, and two songs written about “dead misfits,” “Drunken Angel” and “Lake Charles”. Her band, Buick 6--guitarist Stuart Mathis, bassist David Sutton, and drummer Butch Norton--perfectly backed her up, whether the bluesy vamps of “Can’t Let Go” or the country crunch of “Changed The Locks”. The set was full of stories, how Williams sang her own song “Righteously” at a karaoke bar, how “Stolen Moments” was written after Tom Petty passed away, how her version of Memphis Minnie’s perennially relevant “You Can’t Rule Me” was, this time around, a direct shot at SCOTUS. By the time she and her band finished a ripping version of Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World”--wonderfully, facetiously dedicated to corporate America--Williams didn’t want to leave the stage, opting to bask in the cheers.

As for Waxahatchee, well, they had to do something a little different this time: not cover a Lucinda Williams song, because they were opening for the real thing. “I consider tonight one of the great honors of my life,” Crutchfield said; the billing was an acknowledgement that she should carry the torch from Williams when the time comes. Songs from 2020′s Saint Cloud (Merge) shimmered like a hazy fire, including slow opener “Oxbow”, the rolling “War”, and the forlorn-sounding, yet determined “Can’t Do Much”. Crutchfield dedicated what might be her best song to date, “Lilacs”, an ode to self-sufficiency, to Williams. Hearing her sing, “I’ll fill myself back up like I used to do,” I couldn’t help but think that all of the weekend’s songwriters follow Crutchfield’s lead, creatively finding ways to explore new territories within themselves.

#live music #out of space #canal shores golf course #elvis costello & the imposters #nick lowe #los straitjackets #nicole atkins #lucinda williams #waxahatchee #steve nieve #charlie sexton #eddie angel #single lock #merge records #the boy named if #elvis costello #the imposters #capitol records #emi #katie crutchfield #the attractions #pete thomas #davey faragher #hey clockface #the convincer #goodnight rhonda lee #italian ice #single lock records #good souls better angels #highway 20

[caramello-styles]

Heartbreak weather. Go.

ahsshshsh heLP—

favourite track: a tie between still and dear patience 😩✨

least favourite track: bend the rules pls forgive me

underrated track: san jose francisco 😤

overrated track: I genuinely feel there’s no overrated track in hbw asbkvzba TRULY

#ngl the fav track will always change based on my mood #that applies to any album I’ve listened #but that was what caught my ear from the first listen of hbw #also lowkey wanna say wasted for the underrated one until I remember that was an unreleased song AHAHAJDKLS #dani lovie

[bayrut]

thoughts on me 😌 jk Okay, thoughts on every solo album from each former member of one direction (but just the ones you wanna do, don’t do anything that makes you uncomfortable 👉🏽👈🏽)

thoughts on ceci: truly iconic i love her. best gifs, edits. funniest person. sweatest heart ever. deserves better. underrated.

i put my thoughts on each solo album under a cut because it got very long (took me 30 mins to write) and sorry i did not proof read i wanna go shower

okay let’s gooo

mind of mine-zayn: i’m gonna be honest, back when it came out i didn’t love it because it wasn’t my music style at all (still isn’t) but i knew it was good. like music can be good even if it’s not my style you know? but i had a few tracks i really loved a lot (for example, it’s you, she, intermission:flower, truth) that i loved a lot. but i have been relistening to the album for the last year and i think it’s really growing on me. but i still dislike pillowtalk, haven’t heard it since it came out, and probably never will again sorry i do not like it

hs1-h: when it came out i listened to it like 1 time, some songs i couldn’t finish, and i honestly don’t remember what they sound like (meet me in the hallway, carolina, only angel, kiwi, ever since new york, woman), the rest (sign of the times, two ghosts, sweet creature, from the dining table) i was like okay, maybe they’ll grow on me, so i listened to them for a while, maybe a month or two, still, they did not grow on me. some of the lyrics are quite sexist imo and make me uncomfortable. then i didn’t listen to them at all, apart for sott since it was played on radios etc. i heard hs1 one last time (not completely, only partly) around july 2018 because i watched a livestream of his last show? but i got bored halfway so didn’t watch it all. it was his only live show i’ve seen videos off. i’ve never heard those two unreleased songs he used to sing live ever (medecine, anna)

flicker-niall: i would like to send a kiss to mr niall james horan i love this album so much!! okay not all songs, but the majority make me feel so warm and i love them!! shout out to this town, seeing blind, paper houses, since we’re alone, flicker, and on my own. i don’t really like on the loose and slow hands, but not because they’re bad, i just can’t relate to them oops. also the orchestra version? amazing, probably the best decision niall has ever done his entire life!!! in conclusion, i love it, what a great opening for his career, iconic, i knew niall would deliver, but, it deserved better.

icarus falls-zayn: thank you king for all this good food i love it. no but really, zayn was like here’s 30 songs enjoy! like wow awesome. ok i don’t love the collabs on it, tbh i don’t listen to them. i like the vibe of the album, the story, the visual videos, etc a lot. it’s a very different feel from mind of mind, very refreshing, i love it a lot. although it’s thirty!!! songs, it leaves me at the edge of my seat asking for more, i can’t wait for his third album. my faves are definitely: let me, natural, common, stand still, flight of the stars, there you are, i don’t mind, satisfaction, entertainer, good years. it has a feel of a 3am drive with a friend, but you’re both not talking and you’re both going nowhere. that sad summer nostalgia. love it, makes me wanna cry.

lp1-liam: i honestly liked liam’s ep, and his singles, a lot better than his album. but he didnt write too many songs on them, it’s a bit weird because i can’t really judge liam’s music from it, since i don’t think it’s completely him. remember and heart meet break are probably my two faves from it.

fine line-h: thank God i have not heard any of those songs, and i hope i never will. i’ve read lyrics of it. very sexist i hate it thanks and can he stop singing about fruit? i like eating fruit he’s ruining it for me

heartbreak weather-niall: okay tbh the teasers were so cute and i was very excited for this album, the whole story concept etc, the colours etc. still to this day idk if i prefer flicker or HW because they’re both really good!! i think in terms of music, you can see a clear evolution from flicker to HW, he improved a lot. but still i love flicker because the songs make me wanna cry. some songs i can’t relate to at all: small talk, arms of a stranger, new angel, etc because niall is horny (which is valid but i’m asexual). but surprisingly i’m addicted to small talk from his live performance... makes me wanna scream i love it. my faves are heartbreak weather, dear patience, everywhere, still. i think still is the best song niall has ever written ever he can’t possibly outshine it it’s too good. 

walls-louis: ok i did them all in chronological order but left walls for the end because i just!!!! love it so much i will cry. there are only 2 artists for which i can not skip any songs at all and louis is one of them i’m not exaggerating. any other artists i like (even like, mika) have made some song-mistakes. louis no. never. never has and never will i know it in my heart. walls means so much to me but before i get into that can i just say i love the 4 pre walls songs???? they deserved better rest in peace 2017!lt1. ok so now walls. it is so personal, the lyrics are so so clever, the music is beautiful. my faves are kill my mind, don’t let it break your heart, two of us, we made it, too young, walls, habit, always you, fearless, perfect now, defenceless, only the brave, (and yes i am adding the japan bonus tracks because i am BITTER), just hold on, miss you. yes i did just list the whole album no i do not care you are not allowed to complain about that. this summer at work i was so bored i’d just sit in the sun and sing all of louis’ discography in my head on loop. and i’d listen to walls 1/2 on my way to work and 1/2 on my way back home. the album is so beautiful ceci sorry i am not making sense i am not eloquent at all but it means so much to me i can’t believe his album was delayed so long. i think because it was delayed, maybe the songs aren’t as coherent as in other albums. so let’s think about that for a second. if it’s a bit patchy and this good, what about lt2? it’s gonna be amazing so good he’s gonna kill it he’s just gonna get better and better and better i can’t wait to see it. i’m so thankful that we are allowed to experience louis as an artist, and louis growing as an artist over the years, because he will, and it’s gonna be so beautiful and i’m gonna cry a lot. my description did not do walls justice but know that i love it a lot okay

ask me about my thoughts on stuff 👀

#asks #1d solo albums #tomlinsonn #skylesbian

[living-in-the-state-of-dreaming]

I wanted to get this in before the end of the night because it was Tsubaki’s birthday. ^~^ So I hope you all enjoy it, I really hope it’s not garbage because I feel like it may be. x_x Happy birthday you beautiful, underrated dork. ^~^

The ending of the year had arrived, bringing with it the festivities of new years as fireworks lit up the sky and festivals were held for the occasion. Such festivities were ones that you would often find yourself enjoying with your friends; including one celery haired vampire. However, there was another reason why the coming of the new year was so important to you and that was because of the date that fell right at the beginning of every year. 

Tsubaki’s birthday. 

For the entire month of December, your thoughts had been filled with nothing but ideas of how you all could celebrate, or simply how you could make the day special for him, which included pulling ideas from things that you knew he enjoyed to the places that he would often frequent. You had discussed your plans with Sakuya and the others but did so only while Tsubaki was not present; as you had insisted that they keep what you all were planning a secret as to not ruin the surprise. Shamrock, Otogiri, Hegan, Sakuya; even Belkia had all agreed to your request, including the other subclasses; and it had all been going well, aside from a single and brief slip of the tongue that had nearly caused your entire plans to be revealed, but other than that, the plan was still going accordingly as you all worked together secretly to get all of the preparations in order. 

“ Where exactly are we going s/o? “ 

Glancing up at the small black twin-tailed fox that was currently perched on your shoulder, his soft twin tails gently coiled around your neck, you offered a reassuring smile 

“ You’ll see. Don’t worry we’re almost there. “ 

You wanted to tell him, but you felt that if you did then the surprise would be ruined, which would put all of yours and the others efforts to waste. 

That same morning you had dressed into a Yukata which matching sandals, after showering and freshening up; the beautiful delicate floral patterns and the soft pink of the fabric complimented your complexion as well as your long silver tresses, which were now done up in a traditional bun and when Tsubaki had come out of his room, you were quick to greet him that morning with a smile and a happy birthday, causing a soft and genuine smile to cross Tsubaki’s expression as he took in the sight of you dressed as you were; while offering a genuine thank you in response.

Come late morning you had taken Tsubaki to the usual place where he would usually go and shouted him the entire meal; while the amount that you had saved up just for this day easily allowed you to do so with plenty to spare. When he had looked surprised before thanking you, only to state that you didn’t need to do such a thing, you had only brushed it off with a smile and insisted upon it. With part one of what you had planned over; by the afternoon, phase two was put into effect, which was what you both were currently making your way too right now. After catching a train with the fox still on your shoulders you got off at your stop and began making your way up the path which was surrounded by vermillion tori while quietly and contentedly enjoying the sight as Tsubaki’s interest seemed to instantly pique upon noticing them. However regardless of how you weren’t a stranger to wearing a Yukata; walking up the path in the Yukata and sandals combined with the heat that the summer weather had decided to give you wasn’t the most pleasant of experiences, but you knew it would be worth it when you both got to your destination.

As your sandals met the white tiled concrete, you found yourself glancing at Tsubaki from the corner of your eye again when you felt one of his twin tails brush against the skin of your neck in silent and wrapped interest and curiosity; while you found yourself to be unable to keep the smile from your expression while allowing Tsubaki to climb down from your shoulder onto your arm before jumping down onto the ground beside you. This was your first time at the shrine as well, but after being recommended to it by Sakuya and Hegan you couldn’t help but take Tsubaki there especially after hearing how they described it during your discussions the previous nights. And as your eyes took in the beautiful and seemingly ancient structures before you, you found yourself making a note to thank both Sakuya and Hegan yet again for mentioning this place when you both returned home. 

It was stunning, from the beautiful vermillion tori and eerie kitsune statues that decorated the shrine as if they were its silent eternal protectors; to just the overall air ancient atmosphere that the entire place gave off, the sheer brilliance of the place had you silently marveling at the view and as you looked over to Tsubaki, who was still taking the form of a fox, your smile grew at noting the way he seemed to marvel at the scenery around him as well, especially at the tori and Kitsune statues. 

Rather than look to the shrine, your attention was fixated on him as you smiled to yourself, happy that he seemed to be enjoying this little trip, you didn’t interrupt him though and instead, you allowed him to wander around the shrine on his accord fully knowing that he could take care of himself, as you wandered around while enjoying and taking in both the atmosphere and scenery. 

As you wandered, so did your mind to the thought of bringing Tsubaki here at night and the idea of just sitting here, enjoying each others company as you sat in such a beautiful place lit only by the light of the moon was enough to set your heart aflutter as your cheeks heated up with a faint rosy hue that complimented the complexion of your skin. As the blush remained, your smile did also even if the idea did fill you with a shy embarrassment. Maybe you would bring up the idea later, but for now, you were just content with Tsubaki enjoying himself. His enjoyment and happiness were what this day was all about after all, or at least, it was in your mind.

Maybe you were just naive, too soft and innocent but...Tsubaki had been given so much pain and heartbreak in life, so much loneliness and there were so many moments where you wanted to make him smile, to do something- anything- to erase all of that heartbreak that you knew he held within him beneath the smiles and demeanors he would show; even though you knew, in reality, you would likely never be able to fully erase it; and so when you had heard that his birthday fell on the beginning of every year, it had given you the perfect opportunity to do just that. To give Tsubaki a day that was entirely about him and only him and you truly and sincerely hoped that you had been able to do exactly that.

When you both returned home in the evening you were left exhausted and in your half asleep and dreary state you couldn’t help but be disappointed in yourself for not being able to do everything that you wanted to do; including the party that the others had decided to postpone until the following night when they noticed how tired and worn out you seemed; causing a small frown to come to your expression as you laid down on your bed.

“ s/o? What’s wrong? You look upset about something. “ feeling his hand gently cup your cheek, your eyes lifted to meet his own crimson hues as he lay beside you, but it wasn’t long before your self-disappointment led you to lower your gaze from his own once more, and as you spoke that same self-disappointment seeped into your voice.

“ It’s not that I’m upset I’m just..I’m just disappointed in myself that I wasn’t able to do more with you on your birthday. “ 

“ Oh I see, so that’s what it’s about, and I was wondering why you seemed so busy all of a sudden, “

As his words seeped with the realization, even though you knew he must’ve realized it long before now and during the entire course of the day, you could feel your cheeks heat up in the same familiar blush.

“ I just..I just wanted today to be special for you, you’ve had so much sadness in life...All I want is for you to be happy. “ as you heard the silence come from Tsubaki, embarrassment caused your blush to darken on your cheeks and you instantly found yourself regretting saying those words; causing you to look to him again while parting your lips to correct yourself, but the look that was now on Tsubaki’s face stopped you in your tracks. it wasn’t annoyance or anything else your thoughts had assumed, but instead it was one of surprised awe as his red eyes were soft with a flurry of emotions. When it faded, the same soft smile came to his lips as he allowed his fingers to softly splay across your cheek, before placing a gentle kiss to your forehead, his cool breath softly brushing against your skin; as the next words that he spoke made your heart sore with relief and happiness, along with the content that could easily be heard within them. 

“ Don’t worry, I promise, you’ve already done more than enough. “

#Servamp #Tsubaki #Who Is Coming #servamp of melancholy #Birthday Special #Tsubaki x Reader #Reader x Tsubaki

[clumsyclifford]

I really liked heartbreak weather! Small talk is fun! I like the two target exclusives alot! Im getting into the vibe of it! HS1 is on my list of things to listen to lol. I LOVE parachute my bff&I were obsessed I think we saw them @ a free live concert once they’re underrated for real. I love the Maine pls give me ur thoughts when you listen to them lol. I will tag u in some floral button down photos of shirts I want (1/2)

oh BITCH i havent heard the target exclusives also the concept of target exclusives is so fucked up like nobody fucking listens to CDs anymore just stop being a little bitch and put them on spotify yes this is a direct shot at one direction for magic, irresistible, and truly madly deeply

well let me know what you think of hs1 when you do listen!! and yes parachute cracks they are extremely underrated also tho kinda dope to love an underrated band cos then tickets are cheaper....yknow oh my god you saw them FREE live that’s incredible bruh what i wouldnt give to see parachute ahfdhfghgfnb

i will update you on my thoughts when i finally get a chance to listen do not hold your breath tho it probs won’t be for some time or maybe it’ll be literally tomorrow who’s to say? really who? not me idk anything about anything, ever

yes good i want to see the floral shirts

#im so nervous for this guitar lesson #i know im overthinking it but thats just how my brain is babes!!! #hate it for me #it's at 3pm which means i cant even force myself to go to bed early tonight #ughghghhfjdlgj #i want to like. post fic. to get my mind off it #but i dont know if it's like. the right time to post fic. i dont know i dont knowwwww #my brain said youve had too many good days in a row.....time to spiral ! #just call me noah kahan cuz i catastrophize :) #pixiegrl #ask #answered

[nytwhadestown]

Hadestown Broadway Reflection

Woo! Saw the show last Saturday and I have been Processing. Love love love and lots of thoughts. Like lots lots so under the cut:

"I don't know how I feel about Andre just because I'm so used to Chris' Hermes and they're so different and I think the adjustment will be hard-- MY MAN. JE VOUS

AIME." Andre really commands a stage. He is cool and suave and brings the audience right in. You're on Hermes' side right away. WOOT TWooT Shout out to the trombone player. It wasn't the usual guy but he was so good.

Loved the changes to Any Way The Wind Blows to make it abt specific climate issues. Loved how it introduced Eurydice, and the conflict of the world being out of tune.

I kind of miss the NYTW version because the fates play it so eerie. My ideal Hadestown has two versions of Any Way The Wind Blows just so I can get the best of both worlds I love this song.

"I know I'm not being fair at all, but I loved Damon Daunno's Orpheus so much that Reeve is going to have to work twice as hard to win me over" (leans over to my mom the second Orpheus and Eurydice see each other) "he won me over." He played such a sweet, honest and hopeful Orpheus. Really loved his portrayal. He's a good boy.

Honestly if it comes down to it I still prefer Damon (esp as a singer, his falsetto is stronger and his voice is clearer) but this isn’t a one or the other situation-

I just really love any and all Orpheuses. 10/10. He went SO goddamn heart eyes over her.

So did I!! Eva’s voice, her power.

When he gets everyone into the Epics, I would just get chills every time.

One thing I missed was the power behind Orpheus' idealism. 

I did see a bit of it in "If It's True" when he started examining the corruption of the underworld, but I liked it better when he had something to say about it all along. 

I think he still could have been a sweeter, more guileless Orpheus and kept the power of his idealism.

Ex. NYTW Orpheus had a few lines speaking out against Hades/capitalism/etc. which was fitting because he loves life, and therefore is a natural mouthpiece against Hades (=Death). I guess it makes sense that most of the complaints about Hadestown come from those who have been there, but I think Orpheus as a leader of the workers would have worked better if he still had a *little* bite to him.

Way Down slaps so much. Just a ton of fun. Always a favorite and I was just boppin in my seat. GHOD this show gives me so much joy.

I really liked it when they attributed the changes in weather and the coming of hard times to "the world being out of tune." Now, Orpheus isn't sitting on his ass rather than helping Eurydice. Instead, he is doing all he can think of- trying to get the whole world back in tune for her. It's a naive ideal, still, but he is doing everything he can to give her a better world. The whole world. So much better, this boy is trying so hard for her.

Hey Little Songbird was somehow terrifying and thrilling and a little hot.

When the Chips Are Down was a jam but also Eurydice's choice was so sad to watch. And how they kicked her into the choice. Interesting detail: the "ticket" to the Underworld is two silver coins. It occured to me when Eurydice held them in front of her eyes that they were a reference to the two silver coins the ancient greeks would place over the eyes of the dead to pay passage to the underworld. Loved the details in this show.

Don't want to give too much away but the set during Wait For Me is my favorite character.

...except for Persephone during Why We Build the Wall. My eyes were on her the whole time. Her soul looked so crushed it was heartbreaking. Truly Tony-Worthy. 

WHICH BRINGS ME TO ACT TWO: Our Lady of the Underground. WEEEEEHAW. 

Persephone gives Hermes a kiss on the cheek and I just gasped "god I wish that were me." 

Way Down 2 as usual, underrated fave.

I liked the development of what I'd picked up on of the worker's souls and individual personalities fading away under the dehumanization of their labor. It was possibly my favorite blend of myth and anti-capitalist themes: the River Lethe/Loss of Identity.

It made Flowers clearer and without Flowers changing much if at all. And all the more heartbreaking for it.

EVA NOBLEZADA the emotion....the power. she really ripped my heart out.

Come Home With Me II was so :,( but I loved the immediate reconciliation of just clear and simple love and forgiveness.

Poor Orpheus was so roughed up it was hard to watch. Reeve acted through that really well.

I did like the call to arms that Orpheus did and how it roused the workers to action and to his side, but it felt sort of impersonal. I think his grief is too

important to his motivation. I almost wish it were more of a two parter- the grief and pain and then in another song maybe, the call to arms.

Amber Gray and Patrick Page acted the HELL out of How Long, which I've always loved for its subtle power and man did it hit me.

RIP Persephone's Verse in Chant

RIP me watching Patrick's expressions in Epic III and how he and Amber looked at each other in pain and dismay.

Honestly I was distraught and in an emotional puddle for the rest of the show so not many more specifics.

I love this show and all the joy and sorrow it has woven into it so well. Bravo Miss Mitchell, Bravo!

#long post #hadestown #broadway

[amorymordecai-blog]

Character Questionnaire | Writing Prompt 01

How tall are you?

5′1″

5 things you spend the most time doing, in order.

Family - In a world of wealth, power, and influence, there’s nothing more important to Amory than her family. Everything else can be replaced, rebuilt, and reclaimed. But family? She’ll do anything for those she treasures most, and spends a great deal of time fussing over them. They will always come first. Always. 

Sex - Amory’s appetite for carnality and intimacy has no end. She is the very definition of insatiable. 1500 years hasn’t attenuated her desire to be constantly entangled with Hadrian, ridden hard and put up wet. Physical attraction aside, the connection she shares with him is gravity itself. It’s oxygen, nutrients, a swaddling comfort. He is stability and consistency, her greatest champion, and Amory’s need to give that connection physicality leaves time for little else on their busy schedules. 

Fruits of Eden - It’s her baby. The establishment is elegant and classy, while still encouraging its patrons’ more hedonistic nature with an air of indulgent sin. Its burlesque and speakeasy atmosphere is electric, creating a kind of sensual energy in which she thrives. A stickler for details and a perfectionist, she manages everything from the drink selection at the bar, the dance numbers, the music, and entertainers and feeders in their employ. She runs a tight ship, but she takes exceptional care of everyone that comes through the feeding den, clients and staff alike.

Dōjō - In Amory’s opinion, martial arts is a truly underrated art form; being that it’s not one regularly thought of when on the topic. Some of the core elements of art can be found in all kinds and styles of combat. Grace, elegance, attention to detail, and, most importantly practice, practice, practice. The hours she’s spent within the dōjō, training both mind and body, are innumerable. There’s discipline in fighting, peace, a kind of power that has almost nothing to do with her supernatural strength and speed. For over a thousand years she’s learned all manner of combat styles, and trains regularly for both exercise and the pure enjoyment of testing the limits of what she can do. So far, there are none.

Temple - She might be one of the most powerful beings walking the face of the planet, but Amory knows there are forces greater than even herself at work. Though not a daily practice, she consults with the gods regularly, often simply to kneel in their presence and meditate on surrendering her desire to control things that are not and never were within her control. Her non-denominational chapel is a place to center herself, to bargain with the gods, commune with higher powers, and make peace with the world and her place in it. 

Favorite weather and why?

Windy - there’s something energizing about the wind, how it whips her hair around, ruffles her clothes, sends loose paper careening into the world. Its such a temperamental thing, the wind. A gentle, comforting caress one day, a punishing, uprooting roar the next. It has moods, a mind of its own, and the superstitious part of her listens for the gods in those ever changing winds. 

Favorite season(s) and why?

Summer - the wildest of seasons. Summer is alive with adventure. The stars seem closer during the summer, like she can reach out into the skies and touch them with her fingers. It’s a time of year for loose, light clothing. Or, better yet, no clothing at all. Its heat and sweat, water and wind and glorious opportunity. It’s the last burst of brilliant and wild life before autumn brings death in its wake.

Favourite comfort foods?

Fruit - primarily strawberries, but she enjoys all kinds. They’re seasonal delicacies and she remembers a time in which it wasn’t so simple a thing to load a silver platter up with fruit in the middle of November. The sweet, acrid, tangy flavors have always filled her with a vibrant kind of energy, and they’re a go-to when her spirits need a quick uplifting. Plus feeding Hadrian succulent fruits is always the precursor to a favorite past time of hers. 

Are you religious/spiritual? Elaborate on this.

Sometimes Amory thinks that she might be one of the most spiritual vampires in GreyShadow Coven. Its not a thought made in pride, boasting, or even criticism. Just an observation of time spent in conference with the gods. She’s far from a spiritual leader to the coven, would never desire such a role, but regardless finds herself helming ceremonies and rituals for her people. If for no other reason than the comfort of relinquishing control and fate unto another.

What is your greatest fear? What is your greatest desire?

Losing her babies - Arran and Eva are Amory’s entire world. She would happily die for either of her children, without thought or hesitation. If it meant their safety, she’d meet the noonday sun with open arms. If anything were to happen to either of them it would destroy her. Nothing would break her more. Except, perhaps, something happening to Hadrian.

For her children to be happy - Its her only wish in all of the world. She wants them to thrive, to continue to grow, to become strong, independent leaders to their people. And to someday also have families of their own. Nothing brings Amory greater joy than her family, and it’s a joy she’d love for her children to feel as well.

Describe one or more high points in your life.

Marrying Hadrian - She is not a subtle woman, and never has been. Amory’s wedding was always meant to be a stirring event, exuberant and illustrious, drawing vampires from far and wide to bear witness. Though she got the ceremony of her dreams, that public exchange of vows is not the memory that comes to mind. A quiet muttering of promises on a night darkened beach not far from her birthplace, of longing stares, and a heart so full it could burst in her chest, that was the moment that changed her life. It’s a moment she holds close to her heart, as it belongs solely to her and the male who’d laid claim to it so long ago.

Arran’s transition - Amory knew the moment she laid eyes on him, that he would change her life forever. The youngest son to so many siblings, the world might have overlooked him entirely but Amory never had. When he stood center in the dining hall and belted a voice so resounding and heartbreaking, she knew that he was hers. That young face, that brilliant mind, he wasn’t her flesh but he was her like. A perfect balance of her and Hadrian, created by the gods and presented so ceremoniously before them. She knew, at first glance she knew. Arran was fated to be her son.

Eva’s birth - Many mothers claim that they would die for their children. Amory is one who actually has. Her pregnancy hadn’t been an easy one. There were scares and complications throughout and, having miscarried before, she’d made that bargain with the gods well before her belly was round and heavy with Eva. Take me instead, she had prayed to them, all of them, any of them, to which ever gods or spirits deigned to listen. Amory had wanted Eva more than she had wanted her own life, and at the shrill sound of her first cry she knew that if she died she’d die the happiest she’d ever been. Though, thankfully, the gods were not ready for her quite yet.

Do you believe in love? What about love at first sight? Why/why not?

Yes, absolutely - love in all its variants. Though her rational mind refers to it as “attraction at first sight,” Amory has never been one to argue its power. When her eyes first locked with Hadrian’s, Amory had known in her bones and in her blood that he was the first and last, the beginning and the end. What she felt then was a kernel, a sapling that would grow into a redwood in the millennia to come. The love she has for Hades is different to what she has for her children, and that love different still to how she loves Aurelius, which isn’t reflective of how she loves her coven. Love is diverse, its everything, and she believes in it above all else.

What is your biggest regret?

None - Life is too long to live in regret. Fix what can be fixed, learn from what can’t. Her life is not without mistakes, but Amory will never be held prisoner to the past. 

#rrp:writingprompt #writing prompt #surprise surprise #another long post #because i'm fucking obnoxious

[musicmixtapes]

September 12, 2018 Mix

Spotify Playlist 1. I Wish I Missed My Ex by Mahalia - This song is so uplifting and catchy and about something that is so empowering to listen to, especially after someone important comes in and out of your life, and for some reason, you just don't feel so strongly about it. The large vocal ensemble that is incorporated in the beginning as well as the choruses really magnifies the backbeat and the strength behind the words. From the artist about the song, she says, "...the inspiration came from the fact that I was like, “Why don’t I miss that person?” Like, “What is it about that person, and what is it about me that is making me really not want that lovely person over there?” which I think can be a very relatable feeling to the younger generations where things falling apart is not given the time of day as it used to. Also a great song to sing along and dance to. 2. Hair Slick Back by The Sneaks - One of my best friends Maeve showed me this awesome, totally underrated jam which has one of my favorite, cool bass lines ever. It basically drives the whole song and makes the eerie layered vocals stand out so much. It basically is comprised of a basically drumbeat, the vocals and the bass which is so low maintenance in theory, but when put together creates such an old school low fi punk vibe that new music generally misses out on. Personally, I love to listen to this song when I'm needing an extra boost of confidence and reassurance whilst walking down the streets of the city. It gives that perfect amount of "I don't give a fuck" and also "I care very very much about everything to the point of anxiety" which is a good aesthetic to try to harvest. 3. Consideration by Rihanna & SZA - The ANTI album is iconic and become a staple of many people's lives since it's release in 2016, but some of the songs become an integral part of life at various times and flow in and out based on the mood of life at a current position and time. As of late, I have been deeply reflecting on the emphasis other people put on one's own career and how other people's judgments tend to weigh one down and maybe do things a different way because it seems like the appropriate thing to do. But Rihanna and SZA negate the notion of fitting to people's expectations and sizing down in order to make other's happy. Instead they tell us to "do things my own way, darling" and not to take opinions of other's into too much consideration, to go against the grain and succeed in spite of and because of other's wanting you not to do so. Very empowering. 4. Swoon by Beach Weather - Being a picky snob with music selections is really difficult because it means that in social settings, you automatically judge what music someone else decides to recommend or chooses to play, right? But in a school where so many people have eclectic indie tastes of music, it is also a great things because it means connecting through cool, under appreciated artists and music, such as this song. Someone I'd never met before told me to put this song on when I had people over and I instantly loved it. It is essentially about a person falling for a woman who is both a horrible and wonderful person at the same time, because she has great qualities but causes so much pain and heartbreak to the speaker of the song. The beat behind it is also just super awesome to chill out to, which is always a plus. 5. I'm Not Crying. You're Not Crying, Are You? by Deer and the Headlights - This song is like... 10 years old, which is crazy because it's so awesome and I've definitely never heard it before, but am so happy I'm able to appreciate it now. My favorite line from this is definitely when he sings, "agressively mediocre in every single way" because it totally sums up how most of the world sees themselves and the difficulty in believing in oneself that one is talented and deserves to be where they are. Specifically, this track is about the struggles of being in a band and performing, but I see it as going much, much deeper than that. It's about things not turning out the way they had been pictured or painted out to be and having to deal with the effects of life's way of making things dull after a period of time, even if at one point, we really enjoyed these things/activities. Also the singer's voice is just so quintessential of modern alternative rock and is very along the lines of The Killers, The Strokes, etc... 6. Disorder by Joy Division - Well, I'm not sure that I can really explain this song any better than someone else already has, because it is one of the most popular tracks that Joy Division has released, with good reason (it is SUCH a jam!) As generously described by someone else, this song is about going through a cycle of depression as artists often do and, "This is the struggle of an artist, an unhinged and disconnected artist: how to take pleasure from the things around him, how to use them to make and create, instead of growing bored and detached from them and living solely inside his own head; the protagonist has an artist’s spirit but he can’t live in the normal world, he can’t take the banality of day to day existence as it wears him down and dilutes his artistic purity (spirit) and makes him lose his feeling." As a writer myself, I can totally understand the underpinnings of this song and how the spirit of sensation is so necessary within an artist's life. 7. (I'd Rather Be) Anywhere But Here by Honeyblood - Basically perfect for a person who feels like they are stuck in a relationship that is just unhealthy, boring, toxic, etc and would want to go away, but feels very tethered and then, finally, the other person detaches and the emotional struggle with knowing something is truly gone. On another layer, it also depicts being in an actual place, (city, town, suburb) that is just bland and dull and uninspiring and wanting to escape to somewhere new and seeing someone else being able to do that and the feelings that go behind that as well. The singer's voice is really modern indie style which we always love to hear because it paves the way for women not always needing to belt their entire throat out to sound good and get the attention they deserve. Oftentimes, I feel that this song is important to recall what it is like to be in a liminal space with another person where there is lots of tension, but not the good kind. 8. Copper Mines by Mothers - I think a lot of the songs I have been choosing lately I would enjoy just as much if they were poems instead of songs, which is very interesting because they don't follow the everyday format of a song as one would typically expect. This one is chock full of really intriguing and weird metaphors that don't usually come to mind when describing a person that you would care about or have mixed feelings for. The whole basis behind the "copper" part of the song comes out of the first verse when the singer sings that the person is like when you stick a penny under your tongue and how strange the sensation of that taste is. Just thinking of that mental image is really sour and stinging, which is probably the intended meaning and general emotion of the song. Musically, I really enjoyed hearing the strange melodies that the guitar took on in this piece and how it kind of ended up discordant with the vocals which is very connected to the meaning of the song. 9. Is There A Place I Can Go by Trudy and the Romance - People have discarded songs that are just generally "sweet and cute" themed as of late, because they are not cool and fresh, but why can't they be? I think this track perfectly proves my point because it doesn't do anything so extra and post modern, but just puts a sweet message in a very low fi jazzy kind of way. This is part of a kind of music where it can be regarded as a return to love songs, not because they are copying anything that old love songs used to do, but instead reinventing them and adding freshness to the genre and making love okay again. Just like the revival that many forms of art often has, love is one of them and we should appreciate that in a world that is so twisted in so many ways; in essence, we need love songs again, we need to see that sometimes darkness is okay to dwell in, but so is the light and so are the rose colored shades that those in love look through with such pleasure. 10. Bloody Mother Fucking Asshole by Martha Wainwright - On the other hand, this song is basically the anthem of the opposite of a love song. It's an anger song, a revolution song, a self message song, a song to say FUCK YOU to someone that really deserves it because they have made you feel down trodden and unwanted and unworthy. Very important as well in this day in age when people don't pick their words carefully and basically feel like they can say anything to you without any sensitivity training before it. "I will not pretend, I will not put on a smile, I will not say I'm alright for you, when all I wanted to be was good" is such a mantra that hits way too close to home for anyone who has every dealt with feeling inferior at the hands of a bloody mother fucking asshole who has made you feel that way. Wainwright's passionate and angry tone in her voice with only really an acoustic guitar playing behind really makes the meaning of the song slap you in the face with straight up truth. 11. Anthems For A Seventeen Year Old Girl by Broken Social Scene - Please don't be automatically creeped out by the muffled, alien sounding layered voices that appear in this ever cool and futuristic sounding monotonal song. It describes an insight into the life of a reckless teenage girl who wants love and wants to fit in and how she acts in order to have those things. This is taking that mantra of what being seventeen is like from an older perspective and grieving the loss of youth and innocence. It is described by another reviewer of the song as, “Anthems For A Seventeen Year-Old Girl” is sung from the perspective of a woman looking back on her days as a fresh faced seventeen year-old. A melancholy nostalgic chant pervades the song as the speaker comes to the realization that her present self is a far cry from the girl she used to be." The repetition of the lyrics are important because it portrays nostalgia as a time cycle that one keeps going back to. 12. Eulogy For You And Me by Tanya Davis - I don't know that I would necessarily regard this piece as even a song so much as a performative art piece because it is all spoken word except for the last two lines of it, which is sung very simply but aptly. Hearing these words ring through your ears is very important during a period in your life where you are trying to rebuild yourself when you have been torn down by any number of things (a love, a friend, time, a loss, family, depression, illness, etc it goes on forever) The metaphor of having a clock in your life at all times and having to deal with moving on and starting new and how to get on without a person who was a constant in your life for a long time. The thing to remember which definitely reminded me of this song is that people are not always going to be constants, like a math equation, they will be undefinable variables who sometimes float in and out and sometimes that has to be accepted. 13. Painter In Your Pocket by Destroyer - I'm sorry that I'm unoriginal but this song definitely isn't because of the whirlwind of metaphorical language and sensory images we get to have. But the song is told as being, “'Painter In Your Pocket”’s protagonist drunkenly confesses his love to a woman with which he has become infatuated. He’s admired her for years, and although he finds many of her behaviors and dispositions to be abhorrent, he is still fascinated with her. The song’s subject matter is examined through Dan Bejar’s characteristically charismatic and erudite lens." The trope of the woman described in this song is one that would typically be seen in movies as the woman who takes people for granted and thinks the world revolves around her but then still relies on one person to fall back upon because she knows he will be there to pick her up if something goes wrong. 14. Give It All To Me by Black Pool - The chords at the beginning of this song are literally identical to the ones at the beginning of Hallelujah and has the doo wop style of rhythm too which was automatically very pleasing to the ears to hear. Black Pool always has the ability to make a really simple tune very deep and emotional because of the passion and intellect behind the crafting of the words and the innate ability to create a short story out of something very basic. I think this song really points out the regular desire that all humans experience at one point or another where they want someone to devote themselves entirely to them and be the most important thing in someone's life, even if that is kind of an overbearing or ridiculous notion. But honestly, the notalgic 50s doo wop vibe of this really creates the going back to the ways of going steady in a relationship and caring about someone fully and truly and deeply. 15. Life Is Confusing by Langhorne Slim - Since I found this song last week, it has been constantly running through my head and on my brain pretty much all the time. I haven't felt so akin to a song in such a long time, but damn it if I don't feel every part of my soul in this short diddy about life being confusing and people being insane and having to accept that as something that will always be. It is also about the feeling of becoming super busy with all of these confusing nuances of life and having to see someone you care about less and less because of this hectic way of life. I think especially now I relate to this song because being in New York City means that you are constantly moving at the speed of light and even faster most of the time and that means that seeing people you care about becomes really difficult and forging close relationships can be seen as a challenge of sorts. The very folky acoustic sound of this meaningful tune is a really nice transition from summer carefree to fall chaos and all that a new start entails. 16. Shrike by Hozier - Ok so for anyone who doesn't know what the title means (neither did I when I first saw this come out the other day) it is defined as: "a songbird with a strong sharply hooked bill, often impaling its prey of small birds, lizards, and insects on thorns." This ended up making so much more sense in context paired with the lyrics of the song, which is such a Hozier thing to do, thus putting in a lot of thought to a title in order to make the holistic approach to the song that much more in depth. In terms of the song itself, I felt an instant connection while listening, not just because he returned to his roots of soulful guitar and singing, but also because the song's poetic flow is so strong and sparks the writer's mind within all who listen and appreciate writing. In terms of the EP as a whole, "Nina Cried Power" which was released just a few days ago, I cannot stress enough how amazing all of the songs are on their own as well as a collective whole and how much everyone NEEDS to go and listen to it at least once full through. I guarantee you will love it... I love it. 17. Sixty Charisma Scented Candles by Gabriel Meyers - This song kind of sums up all of the other songs that I have previously put in this mix, mostly because it talks about feeling lost, confused, searching for love and not knowing how to find it, trying to decipher where one is in time and space in the grand scheme of things and also just trying to make someone else proud and how others especially close to you perceive you and all the things you try to do. Honestly though, the title of the song drew me in which usually happens to me because of my incessant pension for lyrical greatness. Meyers crooning and soulful voice while he sings about the topics that most people can't fathom to pen down, let alone perform on a track, becomes such a visceral experience even just by listening to it. The repetition of the phrase "When time and space collide I hope I'm by your side" is so intense to hear especially in a musical form. I think this notion is pretty philosophical and music, in a way, can be pretty much a modern form of philosophy that we can understand. 18. This House by Japanese Breakfast - Off of her album, Soft Sounds From Another Planet, comes this beautiful ballad/indie piece that is a slow understanding of what it's like to return back to a place where there is a mixture of trauma and love and how it takes time to try to recollect all of the memories of a place that you once lived and how it can be painful to go back and restart while retaining a sense of who you used to be. Zauner, who is the main singer/songwriter of Japanese Breakfast, told that the song is about, "This was the last song I wrote for the album. A ballad about returning home after a long tour, waiting for your someone to come home. It’s also about the confused desires you feel for someone you once loved, and coming to the realization that it’s not actually the person you miss, but who you were before. A time when you were younger and felt more and didn’t think so much about death all the time." I feel such a deep connection to this song because I love where I am from (suburban NJ) and I have always felt a mixture of sadness and love returning home for a variety of reasons and how pain mixed with nostalgia is very important to feel. 19. Forget Me by Born Ruffians - The first song I found by this artist I included on an older mix and it was the track "Fuck Feelings" which I think should be listened to in tandem with this song because they kind of work as a venn diagram in the sense that there are a lot of shared themes and feelings within both songs, but they depart in the way of that this song is about staying with someone through really difficult times and having a stronger sense of love because of those hard times. A phrase from this song which is central to the theme is "you'll face the light with me". I think this goes to say that two people, when faced with something as intense and scary as death, if they really care about each other, will make it through to the other side and still survive in an afterlife or space of some sort with one another. I would categorize this kind of genre as a soft alternative rock because of the light feeling mixed with a still present rock vibe. 20. Upper West Side by King Princess - Finally, rounding off this week's mix is a Brooklyn native young and fresh artist new to the indie pop scene, who is amazing for incorporating feelings of acceptance, empowerment, equality and queer love as well as general feelings of love and light. This particular track is about being apart of a so called privileged generation of young people who try to portray themselves a certain way in order to feel accepted by the general public society. In an interview with Coup De Main magazine, King Princess commented, "The song is about somebody who is wealthy and all that, and interested in this concept of disguising their wealth to be cool…I think especially in our culture, a huge part of the way that we present ourselves to the world is edited, and it’s digital. You have the luxury of touching things up and editing them and changing them before they hit the real world, and the reality is that a lot of the parts that we show isn’t the core and isn’t the heart of the matter. I talk about that a lot as well in the music because I am definitely a product of that generation" which I think sums the song up perfectly.

Thanks for listening with open ears and hearts

Much love,

Julia

#vintage #indie #indierock #instrumental #electronic #rock #rocknroll #alternative #Alt #nostaliga #piano music #altrock #classic #classicrock #pop #dreampop #beats #good vibes #goodmusic #music #newmusic #acoustic #Mixtape #playlist #vibes

[childofthecornmusicreview]

Fresh Track Friday

John Mayer – New Light

As the weather continues to get warmer and people gravitate towards water related activities, it is the perfect time of year to put on some nice yacht rock sounds of the 60s and 70s. Therefore, this new single “New Light” by John Mayer is perfect song for night time relaxing on the beach.  Using this laid back soft rock/blues sound, Mayer coons over as he purses to convince a love interest to give him one night to prove his affection and hopefully convince the person to see the singer in a new light.  Clearly there is some true fondness for this woman, as Mayer confess his feelings that he is willing to take the next step in the relationship while waiting to either receive heartbreak or the dreaded “Friend Zone.”  Mayer is truly I believe, one of the most underrated singer songwriters of this generation as he is able to continue to find new grooves with his work by jumping back and forth between acoustic and pop sounds while sticking to his roots with his love for the blues which is clearly used in this track. Lyrically he is relevant to audiences because he has a talent to describe his feelings in a modern way that is relatable to numerous people.  Proving that for as big of a star as he is, he too still hasn’t figured everything when it comes to his love life.  Last year he released the wonderful album The Search for Everything, and is touring with Dead and Company this summer.  So I am not sure if this is just a little taste of possibly a new album, or something to tie us over until the end of the year?  Either way, it will certainly be something I will be listening to the rest of 2018.

#fresh track friday #john mayer #new light #new music #yacht rock

[christianneportfolio]

The Ultimate 2018 Spring Break Playlist

Whether you are going to the beach with some friends or are going home to embark on less high-energy activities, having the perfect playlist to accompany every mood during this spring break is everything.

As flowers start to bloom and the weather starts to get warmer, I kept in mind in curating my spring break playlist based on the typical moods one might feel during this time. Spotify Insights helped me learn the correlations between seasons, music and mood.

“Sunnier days bring higher-energy, happier-sounding music,” Spotify data researcher Ian Anderson said. “Rainy day tracks were much more acoustic than electronic and exhibited higher levels of organism, a measure of how “human” a track sounds (i.e. a live drummer instead of a drum machine).”

Selling the hottest records in store for this spring, I spoke to owner Blake Gederberg of Speakertree , a record store downtown Lynchburg, Virginia.

Gederberg said some of the perfect spring artists were LANY, a west coast alternative pop band and listening to laid-back hip-hop music like artist Post Malone.

“It is getting to the point where you are in a T-shirt instead of having to wear a sweatshirt or jacket,” Gederberg said. “I am starting to listen to (Post Malone again) now that the weather is getting nicer. It’s definitely a spring album.”

Without further ado, featuring university students I have interviewed who have reviewed my playlist, here are my current favorite artists on the rise that could set the tone the breeziest spring break I have been anticipating for.

Bazzi

“Bazzi, has got to be one of my favorites hands down,” Sara Choque, student from La Paz, Bolivia, said. “As one of today’s rising artist, he definitely brings a different and fresh sound to R&B and pop music.”

Like Choque said, Bazzi’s sound is the perfect balance of electronic synth and rhythm and blues.

If you are a social media fiend like myself, you have probably heard of Bazzi’s song, “Mine,” in a meme edit or on a YouTube favorites video.

According to his bio on Spotify, Bazzi is a rhythm and blues influenced pop artist, who went viral after hitting Billboard’s top 100, with his song, “Mine” in January.

From Dearborn, Michigan, the Lebanese-American artist started his online audience after being featured in one of Fancy Cars’ singles, “Fun” in 2016. Since his breakthrough, “Mine” had received about 90 million streams on Spotify.

Listening to “Mine,” I was hooked. And was curious enough to come across the rest of Bazzi’s music – including his latest single, “Gone” released on Feb. 20.

His “feels” driven music fits the entire energy that simply makes me feel like the cutest and happiest person in the world – a great pick-me-up just in time for the season.

Amber Olivier

“1990s babies who enjoyed the sounds of their childhood, would not only appreciate, but relate to the soulful singer Amber Olivier in this day in age,” student Taii Teasley from Milford, Connecticut, said. “The instruments complimenting her vocals are just as truthful as the lyrics she sings.”

Growing up listening to Destiny’s Child, Monica and Brandy, Amber Olivier stole my heart when I heard her nostalgic twist that Teasley mentioned in modern R&B.

According to Olivier’s bio on Spotify, she was born and raised in North London, United Kingdom and was signed to work with Sonder, a producer who had produced music for fellow R&B collegue, Brent Faiyaz.

Olivier released her sultry, smooth debut EP, “Amber Olivier” on Feb. 16. In an interview with music and culture website The 405, she said her EP expresses a personal diary of “heartbreak, trust, the past, and discovery.”

Currently she is touring with fellow R&B artists Faiyaz and Diane Gordon.

The uniqueness of her sound and introduction to nostalgic R&B in 2018 truly caught my attention. Her voice in “Hey” puts me a trance – perfect to complement those chilled, wind down, spring break nights.

Kiana Valenciano

“Kiana creates a fresh concept that strays away from the social norm when it comes to pop music,” student Chris Norcross from Atlanta, Georgia, said. “I could see her floating in the realm DVSN is in right now before blowing up (in America).”

Daughter to legendary, Filipino-Puerto Rican singer, Gary Valenciano, pop artist Kiana Valenciano has been in the music scene in the Philippines for a minute.

Making her first appearances in The X Factor: Philippines in 2012, her music career escalated at her release of her single, “Does She Know” featuring Filipino rapper, Curtismith last year.

On Feb. 9, she released her first EP, “Grey” under Tarsier records. The EP features lucid vocals with a mixture of alternative R&B and pop. And the quality of her music calls for more recognition.

First finding out about Valenciano on my Discover Weekly playlist, I was attracted towards the individualism that Norcross mentioned as well as the girl-power angst she induced into her single, “Does She Know.” Her music evokes this confidence that would set the mood for a perfect girls night out with friends.

The Wldlfe

“The Wldlfe features catchy and uniquely melancholy sounds that’s perfect for singing along with on long drives and remembering those most important to you" college student Shelby Loveday from Clinton, Tennessee, said.

For the ideal, wind-in-my-hair drives down the highway mentioned by Loveday, Indianan indie pop band, The Wldlfe, puts me into a daytime high of feeling alive.

In 2016 in Indianapolis, main singer Jansen Hogan, guitarist Jason Boucouras, bass player Jack Crane, drummer Geoff Jones and music producer Carson Hogan formed The Wldlfe.

Influenced by indie rock/alternative pop bands such as COIN and The 1975, the band introduces a fresh take in pop music with its simplistic, honest lyrics and catchy riffs.

Since 2016, The Wldlfe has released their EP’s “New” and “I.L.Y.” along with its latest single, “I Don’t Mind” on Feb. 13.

At almost a million streams on Spotify with its song, “Waterfalls,” this song entails youthful lyrics to a spring breakup making me want to dance and cry at the same time.

Cavetown

“(Cavetown) is an underrated artist whose music is bomb.com,” student Jared Lubaton, student from Little Rock, Arkansas said. “I love his style and overall vibe. He is also a very young artist who has (so much) potential.”

Cavetown’s quirky artwork, a combination of acoustic and lofi, video game hinted notes in his song “Fool” on his latest album, “Lemon Boy” that was released on New Year’s Day make his music a unique genre of its own that Lubaton mentioned.

Robin Skinner aka Cavetown is 19-year-old artist from Cambridge, England, who was discovered playing covers and originals from his bedroom onto YouTube.

With close to 300,000 subscribers and over 2.6 million hits on his rendition of Twenty-One Pilots’ “The Judge,” Cavetown had released six albums since debuting in 2015.

Picturing a spring romance staring at the waves or staring at the ceiling for the third day alone from my bed, Cavetown puts me in a mood that resonates with both feelings.

For fans of YouTube music artists, Conor Gray and Christian Akridge, Cavetown is the songwriter that gives a refreshed feeling for my return back on campus after break.

Honorable mentions

More breakthrough artists that I will be jamming out to this spring break are NIKI, Jorja Smith, Tinashe, Tyler the Creator and Kali Uchis and Rich Brian who Gederberg also agrees that his music is a great transition from winter.

“(Rich Brian’s album) is a more chill rap album so it’s got good springtime vibes,” Gederberg said. “I love that he is a self-made YouTube rapper and works hard to create his own beats. He has a unique style and has really come into his own and has evolved a lot since his hit single “Dat Stick.”

Aside from the springtime vibes these artists portray in their new music, Gederberg mentioned the impact that goes beyond the moods we have listening to music at any time of the year.

“I believe that albums specifically have seasons based on when they come out and when you most heavily listen to them,” Gederberg said. “I can think back to a few albums, that I feel like always will have a tie to a season of my life.”

Reminiscing through music to re-experience different moments in my life, I can look back or hear a song on my playlist and remember the memories I had made during this spring break.

Like Gederberg and the other university students who have reviewed my playlist, I am excited for what these upcoming artists have in store for this year. And look forward to having their music as the ultimate soundtrack for a spring break to remember.

#music #music journalism #rich brian #jorja smith #kiana valenciano #The Ultimate 2018 Spring Break Playlist #spring break #wldlfe #amber olivier #cavetown #bazzi #music editorials

[wiersema1]

The day is finally here. I’m not just talking about the debut of the 2017 college football season. I’m talking about the publishing of my own “College Football Spectacular” Preview, which has been a dream of mine since 2004. Seriously. Way back in another life in which I was a corporate salesman, I hated it so much that I was looking for a new career. I had a passion. I knew what that passion was, college football…….and publishing. So I set a goal of one day publishing a college football preview magazine. Now that the “Dutch Lion Sports” website is up and running, the day has finally arrived to unveil (at least in digital format) the “College Football Spectacular”!!!!

The main inspiration for my College Football Spectacular was this iconic magazine cover with two of my favorites, Jim McMahon and the Boz.

Inspired by the Sports Illustrated series of “College and Pro Football Spectacular” preview issues that they pumped out between 1982 and 1986, I’m bringing back this concept. Call it a retro magazine. Call it whatever you like. The Dutch Lion is pumped!

Someday this will become a hard copy printed magazine to be sold on the newsstands right next to Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, Street & Smith’s, Athlon’s, Lindy’s, and of course, Phil Steele’s. But for now this will tide us over online. So what’s got you pumped about college football this year? Let’s dive in and find out what the “Dutch Lion” has in store!

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  Dutch Lion’s Top 25 College Football rankings:

Georgia – That’s right! Georgia is #1! We’re picking the Georgia Bulldogs to win this year’s National Championship. UGA……Between the Hedges…….I know it’s crazy but you’ll remember this prediction, right or wrong. I’m not just doing this to make noise. I truly believe in what Georgia is doing. I watched A LOT of Georgia tape this Summer and I truly believe in them. Their schedule is easier than you’d think. The biggest obstacles are at Notre Dame in Week 2, Florida in the “World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party” in Week 9, at Auburn in Week 11, and of course the SEC West Champion in the SEC Championship, presumably Alabama, on December 2. Phil Steele has them at #22 but acknowledges that they have a “solid opportunity” to get back to the SEC Championship for the first time since 2012. They have the 2nd most experienced team in the SEC (#13 in the nation) and are in Coach Kirby Smart’s 2nd year. I know this is a longshot but trust me. Their recruiting has been outrageous the last couple of years. With Coach Kirby Smart bringing his Alabama style defense to Athens, the Bulldogs will thrive like they have in Tuscaloosa. Uber recruit Jacob Eason enters his Sophomore year at QB. They return both Senior RB’s Nick Chubb and Sony Michel. They have Uber recruit Isaac Nauta at TE. Over on defense, this swarming unit has 10 returning starters! Now that they’re in the 2nd year of Smart’s system, they should improve dramatically. Georgia will win the National Championship within the next 3 seasons, so why not this year? Go Dawgs! “Glory, Glory, Hallelujah…….!” 

Florida St. – Clemson may not be FSU’s biggest competition in the ACC this year. It might be Louisville, Miami, Virginia Tech, or even N.C. State.

Oklahoma St. – This team is rock solid. Big break with Bob Stoops retiring. The Cowboys should win the Big 12.

USC – This team will be Pac 12 Champions. Sam Darnold, Ronald Jones, Deontay Burnett on offense. Cameron Smith, Iman Marshall, and Porter Gustin on defense. They are defending Rose Bowl Champions. They beat Pac 12 Champion Washington last year in Seattle. They have a hard schedule but no Washington until maybe the Pac 12 Championship game. Their toughest test might be Stanford in Week 2.

Alabama – I’ll give the Crimson Tide two losses (at least) this year: the opener vs FSU and the SEC Championship vs Georgia.

Auburn – How far can new QB Jarrett Stidham and their excellent running game take them? Once again Auburn has a difficult SEC schedule including games at LSU, at Arkansas, and at Texas A&M. Throw in home games vs Georgia and Alabama. Top it off with a non-con at Clemson and we’re looking at plenty of opportunities for the Tigers………but also plenty of potential landmines.

Notre Dame – ND has talent but is Coach Kelly’s time running out? I’m mad at him because of last year’s disaster in which he admittedly took a year off. Time for a change in South Bend.

Michigan – Coach Harbaugh has brought in tons of top talent. He’ll take down Urban Meyer for the first time but will probably slip up elsewhere.

LSU – They’re always good. I think Coach Orgeron might be an excellent choice to succeed Les Miles. Derrius Guice will win a lot of games for the Tigers. Geaux Tigers!

Washington – The Huskies won the Pac 12 and went all the way to the Playoffs where they lost to Alabama in the Semifinals 24-7. They have to replace a lot of NFL draftees but return plenty of firepower in QB Jake Browning, RB Myles Gaskin, and WR Dante Pettis. On defense, they have DT Vita Vea, LB Azeem Victor, LB Keishawn Bierria, and don’t forget about super Soph safety Taylor Rapp. Overall, the culture that Coach Chris Petersen has installed in Seattle has taken hold. The Huskies are now rolling like they haven’t since the Don James days. Watch out for a long run of success up in the Great Northwest.

Ohio St. – Hard to tell with this OSU team this year. They lost so much talent to the NFL again, but they keep recruiting replacements. However, their secondary is so inexperienced. Here’s betting it will keep them from winning the Big Ten.

Stanford – Sleeper!

Penn St.

Louisville

Boise St.

TCU

Oklahoma

Wisconsin – They have a really easy schedule (70th in the nation). But are they that good? I like Coach Paul Chryst. I think QB Hornibrook is overrated. Their recent injuries to LB’s must have them worried.

West Virginia – I love what Dana Holgorsen is building in Morgantown. He’s known for his offense but quietly his defense is building into a solid, respectable unit. In the Big 12, that means something. They can actually stop some of these high-octane offenses built to outscore teams 50-49. WVU only allowed 24.0 ppg last season, which is quite an accomplishment when you’re facing Baylor, Texas Tech, etc. on a weekly basis. They held Baylor to 21. They held Texas Tech to 17. They held Texas to 20, Kansas St. to 16, TCU to 10, Iowa St. to 19, Kansas to 21. They only had two bad defensive performances, allowing 37 at Oklahoma St. and allowing 56 in that horrid, snowy weather at home in November vs Oklahoma. Other than those two games, they had an incredible defensive year, finishing at 10-3. This year they have a new QB in Will Grier but he might be better than last year’s starter Skyler Howard. Howard wasn’t that skilled but boy he had moxie. WVU goes into my Sleeper category too.

Virginia Tech

Clemson

Nebraska! – Sleeper!

Kansas St. – Sleeper!

Michigan St.

Washington St. – Wazzu loves the Palouse! They have 7 home games and 5 road games this year. That’s pretty normal. The strange part is they don’t leave the Palouse until Week 6 when they travel to Oregon. That means 5 of their last 7 are on the road. You know what, I’m starting to wonder why I put the Cougars at #25. Scratch this prediction. I love Mike Leach but looking at their schedule, they’re going 7-5 or 6-6 (I’m not sure they’ll win at Utah). That’s not Top 25 worthy. Scratch the Cougs.

The REAL #25 – N.C. State – Sleeper!

2017 Playoff Predictions:

Sugar Bowl: #1 Georgia over #4 USC

Rose Bowl: #2 Florida St. over #3 Oklahoma St.

2017 National Championship Prediction:

Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta): #1 Georgia over #2 Florida St.

Top 5 Most Anticipated Games

Ohio St. at Michigan in Week 13 (November 25): “The Game” is now in Year 3 of the Second Ten Year War between Urban “Oscar” Meyer and Jim Harbaugh. I expect Harbaugh to get his 1st victory in this series.

Florida vs Georgia in Week 9 (October 28): The “World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party” will determine the SEC East Champion.

Georgia at Notre Dame in Week 2 (September 9): The South invades the North, which is so rare it hurts. Look it up. How many SEC teams travel North…..ever! If they challenged themselves more often, we wouldn’t have such an ‘SEC dominates’ bias in the national media.

Wisconsin at Nebraska in Week 6 (October 7): Huskers need to start a winning streak over Wisconsin to prove dominance in the B1G West. Last year’s heartbreaking OT loss in Madison was tough to take but I think it gave the program some confidence in what they’re trying to do. And that BS (non) call in OT on the 3rd down pass interference against Jordan Westerkamp? That was complete bogus. We had that game and the Badgers got lucky.

Penn St. at Ohio St. in Week 9 (October 28): After what happened last year, this one should be fun. It might determine the B1G East crown.

Top 5 Sleepers (Underrated teams)

Stanford – You know how sometimes teams struggle when they have one superstar? That’s what happened to Stanford last year with RB Christian McCaffrey. We’ve seen this before. 1997-98 Tennessee comes to mind. In ’97 the Vols relied on Peyton Manning so much that they faltered. When they replaced Manning with Tee Martin in ’98, the rest of the team stepped up to account for that major loss. They ended up winning the National Championship. Last year Stanford went 10-3 with crazy upset losses to Washington, Washington St., and Colorado. It seemed like they relied on McCaffrey to do everything. Now that he’s gone, the rest of the Cardinal might step up in his stead. I’m not saying National Champs, but I think they’ll give USC and Washington a run for their money in the Pac 12.

Kansas St. – Always solid, this year K-State returns a senior QB in “Jami Gertz?” Jesse Ertz. (I know, the nickname isn’t for everybody). Last year they finished with a 4 game winning streak to end up at 9-4.  They have 14 returning starters and this might be, could be Coach Bill Snyder’s swan song. KSU = sleeper.

West Virginia – Sometimes teams get forgotten about by the national media because they don’t have anything “new” to report. Now that Dana Holgorsen is going into his 7th year, the media gets a bit stale on a regime. Quietly, Holgorsen is building his program the proper way. They went 8-5 in ’15, then 10-3 last year. They have one of the best defenses in the Big 12. It all adds up to a Big 12 sleeper team.

Nebraska – As a huge Huskers fan I’m obviously biased. However, nobody is giving Coach Mike Riley any love. All they talk about is his past and the depleted Huskers recruiting ground, etc. I for one think this team might be pretty good. All the momentum is rolling the right way. The recruiting is picking up. The offense is changing to accommodate the coaches specialty, the pro style passing game. The defense is transitioning to the 3-4 by bringing in new DC Bobby Diaco. I love what’s going on in Lincoln. Phil Steele is picking Neb to finish 3rd in the B1G West behind Northwestern. Oh please! In the words of Kirk Herbstreit, “Never underestimate the power of a program like Nebraska”. I’m with you Kirk. The Huskers might surprise this year with underrated QB Tanner Lee guiding us to victory.

N.C. State – In the words of Phil, “N.C. State is a surprise contender in the rugged ACC Atlantic division.” I agree. They get Clemson and Louisville at home. Their toughest games are at Florida St. and at Notre Dame. The Wolfpack might finish 3rd or 4th in their division, but they are a solid team with 17 returning starters from a 7-6 squad. Beware of the Wolfpack!

Top 5 Paper Champions (Overrated)

Tennessee – How are these guys ranked? They were good/not great last season and lost QB Josh Dobbs, RB Jalen Hurd, RB Alvin Kamara, WR Josh Malone, DE Derek Barnett, DE Corey Vereen, etc. from last season’s 9-4 team

Clemson – I loved your National Championship last year but without QB DeShaun Watson, RB Wayne Gallman, WR Mike Williams, WR Artavis Scott, TE Jordan Leggett, MLB Ben Boulware, DT Carlos Watkins, CB Cordrea Tankersley, S Jadar Johnson, etc. I can’t argue for you guys to be #5 in the rankings. I love respecting teams for what they’ve done but they have no chance at finishing in the top 5 this year.

Florida – As usual, they are getting hype, but their offense stinks. They will lose AT LEAST 4 games again this year, and probably more.

Texas – As usual, they are getting hype, but they were only 5-7 last year and now they have a new coach. Tom Herman might be the answer, but first they must figure out what’s been broken since Colt McCoy left after 2009. Please AP voters, don’t rank these guys yet. They stink!

Northwestern – What is it about Northwestern that makes me nervous? As a Nebraska fan, I’m not nervous about losing to them. I’m nervous FOR them every year the local Chicago media starts hyping them up. This year they return some key pieces from a 7-6 team and therefore the locals are all jacked up. When I look at their schedule, I see a 7-5 record with losses at Duke, at Wisconsin, vs Penn St., vs Michigan St., and at Nebraska……at least! They could blow a game vs Iowa or at Maryland or Minnesota too. Bottom line is Coach Fitzgerald gets a free pass around here. They think he is such a great coach but his career record is 77-62. Sure they have recruiting problems in Evanston. I get it, but you need to do more than your career-best 10-3 record at least once when you’ve been there for 11 years already. If you were so good last year, then you shouldn’t have lost 9-7 to Illinois St……at home. Prove it!

“Dutch Lion’s” Favorite Players

Washington QB #3 Jake Browning

USC RB #25 Ronald “RoJo II” Jones

West Virginia RB #25 Justin “Taco Bell” Crawford

Georgia RB #1 Sony “Playstation” Michel 

Houston DT #10 Ed Oliver

Georgia OLB #7 Lorenzo Carter – Is he Leonard Floyd all over again?

Auburn RB #36 Kamryn Pettway – I love big backs that weigh 237 pounds but run like freight trains. “Bubba” reminds some of the “Brahma Bull” Alley Broussard from LSU.

Ohio St. OLB #17 Jerome Baker

Michigan St. RB #3 L.J. Scott – Runs like Lawrence Phillips

Nebraska RB #18 Tre Bryant

Illinois WR #18 Mike Dudek – Let’s hope he’s healthy again after tearing his knees up two years in a row.

Notre Dame MLB #5 Nyles Morgan

Oregon RB Royce Freeman

Georgia LB Natrez Patrick

Washington WR Dante Pettis

Special Shout-Outs to former Stevenson HS stars (many of them on our 2014 Illinois State Champions team) now toiling away at these random schools until they become stars:

Michigan St. starting FS #10 Matt Morrissey

Northwestern backup TE/Superback #84 Cameron Green

Miami (OH) WR #8 Jack Sorenson

Wheaton College DL #47 Pat O’Connell

Purdue QB #13 Aidan O’Connell

Albany DL #54 Nick Dillon

Wisconsin LB Mike Maskalunas

Western Michigan RT #75 Zach Novoselsky

Iowa WR #13 Henry Marchese

Illinois LB #41 Jimmy Marchese

Illinois DB #42 Michael Marchese

Columbia LB #55 Jason Vravick

Is that all? I’m sure I’m forgetting some guys. Please forgive me.

2017 All-America Team

QB1/Pocket Passer Jake Browning/Washington/#3/JR/6’2″ 205 – 3430 passing yards, 43 TD, 9 INT, 4 rushing TD

QB2/Dual Threat Lamar Jackson/Louisville/#8/JR/6’3″ 200 – 3543 passing yards, 30 TD, 9 INT, 1571 rushing yards, 21 rushing TD

RB Ronald “RoJo II” Jones/USC/#25/JR/6’1″ 195 – 1082 rushing yards, 12 TD

RB Saquon Barkley/Penn St./#26/JR/5’11” 228 – 1496 rushing yards, 18 TD, 402 receiving yards, 4 TD

WR James Washington/Oklahoma St./#28/SR/6’0″ 205 – 71 catches, 1380 yards, 10 TD

WR Dante Pettis/Washington/#8/SR/6’1″ 192 – 53 catches, 822 yards, 15 TD

TE Mike Gesicki/Penn St./#88/SR/6’6″ 253 – 48 catches, 679 yards, 5 TD

FB/TE/H-Back Jaylen Samuels/N.C. State/#1/SR/5’11” 223 – 33-189-6-5.7 rushing, 55-565-7 receiving

OT Mitch Hyatt/Clemson/#75/JR/6’5″ 295

OT Mike McGlinchey/Notre Dame/#68/SR/6’8″ 312

OG Cody O’Connell/Washington St./#76/SR/6’8″ 354 – A mountain of a man

OG Quenton Nelson/Notre Dame/#56/JR/6’5″ 329

C Frank Ragnow/Arkansas/#72/SR/6’6″ 319

DE Sam Hubbard/Ohio St./#6/JR/6’5″ 265 – 46 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 2 PBU, 4 hurries

DT Christian Wilkins/Clemson/#42/JR/6’4″ 310 – 56 tackles, 9.5 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 10 PBU, 5 hurries

DT Vita Vea/Washington/#50/JR/6’5″ 344 – OMG SIZE! 39 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 5 sacks, 2 PBU, 2 hurries

DT Trent Thompson/Georgia/#78/JR/6’4″ 295 – Beast! 56 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 5 sacks, 7 hurries

DE Bradley Chubb/N.C. State/#9/SR/6’4″ 275 – 58 tackles, 11.5 TFL, 10.5 sacks, 7 hurries

OLB Jerome Baker/Ohio St./#17/JR/6’1″ 225 – 83 tackles, 6 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 2 INT

ILB Cameron Smith/USC/#35/JR/6’2″ 245 – 83 tackles, 6 TFL, 1 sack, 4 PBU

ILB Nyles Morgan/Notre Dame/#5/SR/6’1″ 238 – 94 tackles, 2 TFL, 4 sacks, 3 PBU

OLB Roquan Smith/Georgia/#3/JR/6’1″ 225 – 95 tackles, 5 TFL, 1 PBU, 5 hurries

CB D.J. Reed/Kansas St./#2/JR/5’9″ 188 – Amazing numbers for a CB! 75 tackles, 16 PBU! 3 INT! 1 hurry.

CB Aaron Davis/Georgia/#35/SR/6’1″ 189 – Great at run support (54 tackles, 2 INT). Did you see his stuff of Alvin Kamara in last year’s game? Impressive technique.

SS Minkah Fitzpatrick/Alabama/#29/JR/6’1″ 201 – 66 tackles, 4 TFL, 1 sack, 7 PBU, 6 INT!, 4 TD on 8 INT over last 2 years!

FS Derwin James/Florida St./#3/SO/6’3″ 211 – “Looks the Part” Herbie Award winner. I couldn’t agree more. Only had 2 starts last year prior to injury; 2015 stats: 91 tackles, 5 PBU in 8 starts

KR Quadree Henderson/Pitt/#10/JR/5’8″ 190 – 30 KR, 914 yards, 30.5 avg, 3 TD, 100 Long

PR De’Mornay Pierson-El/Nebraska/#15/SR/5’9″ 195 – 23 PR, 168 yards, 7.3 avg, 0 TD last year. Can he regain his pre-injury form from 2014?

K Daniel Carlson/Auburn/#38/SR/6’4″ 218 – 44-44 PAT, 28-32 FG, 53 Long, 4-7 from 50+, only 1 missed FG out of 25 attempts under 50 yards!

P Mitch Wishnowsky/Utah/#33/JR/6’2″ 220 – 64 punts, 47.7 avg, 44.6 net avg, 1st Team AA and Ray Guy Award Winner

Best Names in all the Land, AKA “The Chris Blewitt Award” (Blewitt was a kicker who blew 3 PAT’s and missed 7 of 10 FG’s last year for Pitt)

Arkansas St. DL Dee Liner – is this for real? (His twin brother is named “O”……just kidding)

Arizona St. DE JoJo Wicker

Arizona OT Gerhard de Beer

Washington WR Chico McClatcher

Oklahoma St. DE Cole Walterscheid

Minnesota DE Winston DeLattiboudere

Nebraska DE Freedom Akinmoladun

Northwestern S Godwin Igwebuike

Wisconsin WR Jazz Peavy

Indiana LB Tegray Scales

Kentucky C Jervontius “Bunchy” Stallings

Eastern Michigan DL Lion King

Best stadiums

Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, TN – Drove by the other day……WOW! Sailing up to Neyland on the Tennessee river is so cool that even Jim Nantz had to try it, way back in 1990.

Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, NE – A special place. There’s nothing quite like it. “There is No Place Like Nebraska” as “The Good Life” reigns in the Heartland.

Autzen Stadium, Eugene, OR – How does a place that small make that much noise? It’s the acoustics. They love the reverberating roofs in the Pacific Northwest.

Husky Stadium, Seattle, WA – On the shores of Lake Washington, the Huskies play to crowds that tend to make the TV cameras shake during big moments. I love it!

Memorial Stadium, Clemson, SC – One of the most raucous crowds I’ve ever seen was at Clemson for last year’s ABC Primetime matchup with Lamar Jackson and Louisville. What a scene in Death Valley!! Shivers.

Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, LA – The “Eye of the Tiger” at midfield intimidates visiting teams. LSU has had 3 undefeated home seasons since 2010.

Sanford Stadium, Athens, GA – Between the Hedges is a must see for the serious college fan. They just do it better in the South. Doesn’t it just seem a little brighter during day games in Athens?

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, FL – The Swamp used to be so intimidating during the old Steve Spurrier Era. Now……not so much. Still, the stadium is amazing and a bucket list item for many.

Beaver Stadium, State College, PA – Penn St.’s Happy Valley isn’t as happy as it used to be. Some of the mystique is gone now that Joe Paterno has left the building. I don’t care for this stadium that much during the day, never did. But when the lights go out and the crowd goes “WHITE OUT!”……yeah, it’s right up there with the best venues in all the land. Is that a sack by PSU? I can hear the Nittany Lion roaring from hundreds of miles away.

Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL – This stadium is an underrated monument to those Illinoisans that fell in World War I. The columns, the history, and the layout all inspire modern stadium constructions. With the new Red Grange statue outside on the West end for all tailgaters to view, it would be nice if the Illini could up their game INSIDE the stadium so Fighting Illini fans could fully appreciate a beautiful fall Saturday game day. I’ve been there when the place was rocking and it was magical.

And one more all-timer – Miami’s original Orange Bowl Stadium – Did they have to close this place? What a shame. This place was one of the greatest stadiums in the world, with more history of both college and pro football than almost anywhere else. Think of all the Dolphins playoff games, Super Bowls, Hurricanes games, and of course the classic Orange Bowls that often capped National Championships on New Year’s night. It was an old dump when they replaced it but it will live as the heart of the game forever. “THE CITY OF MIAMI WELCOMES YOU TO THE ORANGE BOWL” while the palm trees waved and the ‘Canes ran out of the tunnel with the smoke blasting. And then to hear Don Criqui welcoming the NBC audience…………breathtaking and unforgettable.

Top 3 Games I’ve seen in person (in countdown order) –

#3 Michigan St. at Northwestern, September 29, 2001 – This one turned out to be very exciting as several big name players had big games on this beautiful Indian Summer day in Evanston. MSU WR Charles Rogers showed off his athleticism. Northwestern QB Zak Kustok (one of my favorite players ever) was spectacular. If there were a greatest games list of 2001, this would surely make the top 10. Three lead changes in the last 30 seconds were capped by a Kustok to Jon Schweighardt Hail Mary to get into field goal range where David Wasielewski won it for the Wildcats with a 47 yarder as time expired. Final score: Northwestern 27, Michigan St. 26. Wo wo wo! It was definitely one of the greatest days I’ve ever spent in Evanston along with my wife, brother-in-law Jay, and sister-in-law Rachel.

#2 Northwestern at Nebraska, November 2, 2013 – I took my son Trev to his first Nebraska game on his 7th birthday. To make a long story short, I was shocked and saddened that it looked to be a loss for the Huskers. But then something amazing happened. Ameer Abdullah converted a 4th and 15 reception into an incredible 16 yard gain. Then Ron Kellogg III launched a Hail Mary and guess who snooped in to grab the touchdown? None other than local legend #1 Jordan Westerkamp. A new hero was born that day and my son was ecstatic. Then a Nebraska magazine “Hail Varsity” wrote an article about Trev’s first game experience. Final score: Nebraska 27, Northwestern 24. As we refer to it now, it was a special day.

#1 Penn St. at Illinois November 12, 1994 – We were literally pumped for this game ALL WEEK on campus as #2 Penn St. came rolling into town. Illinois had an excellent defense but lackluster offense in the mid-90s. With cold, windy weather in the forecast, we could not WAIT to get those Nittany Lions in our House of ‘Paign. So what happened? College kids got saucy, the Fighting Illini roared to a 21-0 lead, and the crowd went bonkers. Then QB Kerry Collins, RB Ki-Jana Carter, WR Bobby Engram, and TE Kyle Brady started their comeback. Typical Illini heartbreak as PSU drove the field to win. Final score: Penn St. 35, Illinois 31. This game typifies most what it means to be an Illini fan. It can rip your heart out. Nonetheless, it remains the greatest game I’ve ever attended.

Turn Back the Clock Two Decades – 20 Years Ago (1997)

For the Dutch Lion’s final feature in this year’s “College Football Spectacular”, let’s turn back the clock two decades to…….1997. The ’97 Nebraska Cornhuskers were one of my favorite Huskers groups ever. QB Scott Frost overcame the fan hostility from 1996 to make Head Coach Tom Osborne’s final season a Championship season. Frost is one of my all-time favorites. Watch the way he runs with physical determination. Watch the “never say die” attitude. Sure he was limited as a passer. His throwing shoulder probably ached from all the pounding of 176 carries. Think Tim Tebow. That’s what Frost was like a decade before Tebow. With RB Ahman Green churning out yardage as the OL Pipeline paved the way, these Cornhuskers mashed opponents into submission. When they faced QB Peyton Manning and Tennessee in the Orange Bowl, the Blackshirts took out their aggression on the Volunteers. Final score: Nebraska 42, Tennessee 17. Frost pleaded with the media to give “that great man” Tom Osborne the respect he deserved. Sure enough, the Huskers split the National Championship with Michigan, Rose Bowl winners over Washington St. 21-16. Michigan had Heisman Trophy winner CB Charles Woodson. Many people think Manning should’ve won the Heisman that year. How about Scott Frost or Ahman Green? Frost rushed for 1095 yards (6.2 ypc) and 19 TD. Green rushed for 1877 yards (6.8 ypc) with 22 TD. The Heisman is a media driven stat and frankly, the national media were tired of the Cornhuskers. That’s why it went Woodson’s way. That’s ok. Woodson was a truly great player that I predicted would become an NFL Hall of Famer. The true fans know what’s up.

To recap, the “Dutch Lion” has wisely learned from 30+ years of fandom that you never know what might happen in college football. You never know when you’ll attend a historic game. If you’re lucky, you’ll make it to a few of them along the way. If you’re passionate about a team, you’ll enjoy the entire national scene. So enjoy it all. Don’t assume anything. Use that advice and you too will learn that college football is truly spectacular! Enjoy the games this 2017 season! And remember……Georgia is #1!

Dutch Lion’s 2017 College Football Spectacular! The day is finally here. I'm not just talking about the debut of the 2017 college football season.

#Ahman Green #Alabama Crimson Tide #Auburn Tigers #Autzen Stadium #Beaver Stadium #Ben Hill Griffin Stadium #Boise St. Broncos #Brian Bosworth #CFB Playoff #Charles Woodson #Clemson Tigers #college football #Florida Gators #Florida St. Seminoles #Georgia Bulldogs #Heisman Trophy #Husky Stadium #Illinois Fighting Illini #Jim McMahon #Kansas St. Wildcats #Louisville Cardinals #LSU Tigers #Memorial Stadium #Miami Hurricanes #Michigan St. Spartans #Michigan Wolverines #N.C. State Wolfpack #National Championship #NCAA #Nebraska Cornhuskers

[mariellemichelle-blog]

Mighty Mighty And The Ten Best Twee Songs Ever!

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Mighty Mighty And The Ten Best Twee Songs Ever!

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Those of us who spent our adolescent years poring over coffee stained copies of The Catcher In The Rye or Tess of the d’Ubervilles whilst bitterly rueing the fact that not a single girl in our school, college or workplace had the good sense to notice the painfully shy bookworm sitting tongue tied beside them, often took refuge in a particular form of popular music. Spurned and tormented, we squandered our teenage years in the self-imposed exile of our back bedrooms, consoling ourselves there by listening to a flutter of indie bands that had somehow cornered the market in self-pitying heartbreak and juvenile angst. We took a perverse pleasure in the confessions of these kindred spirits, as they meekly extolled the trials and tribulations of loveless lives that mirrored our own lachrymose existence.

The Smiths, in this respect, were beyond comparison, and in Morrissey they possessed a songwriter without equal in the miserablist pop pantheon. There were other bands, though, that had plenty to say on the subject of unrequited love. A whole genre of indie-pop, whether you call it twee, shambling or C-86, after the NME’s legendary mix-tape, was absolutely mired in it. Whilst bands like The Wedding Present (and for me David Gedge was the unofficial spokesman for the legion of shy-hearted boys who couldn’t summon the courage to front-up at the Friday night disco) enjoyed a lengthy spell in the limelight, many of their C-86 compatriots simply faded into obscurity. In some cases, no doubt, this was a blessing in disguise. However, bands like The Servants and Birmingham’s Mighty Mighty surely deserved to be more than a footnote in indie-pop history.

Pop Can: The Definitive Collection 1986-1988, on Cherry Red, attempts to set the record straight. Comprising all of Mighty Mighty’s excellent singles, B-sides and EPs alongside a few choice cuts from their debut album, the otherwise underwhelming Sharks, with a handful of tracks from the ‘lost’ second album The Betamax Tapes (finally released in 2013), Pop Can certainly does what it says on the tin, gathering together the best moments of this short-lived combo.

The album, whilst not arranged in chronological order, does kick off with debut single “Everybody Knows the Monkey” a jittery affair that sets the tone (Orange Juice and a dash of vox organ), for the frothy content of Pop Can. Other highlights of side one include the souped up single “Built Like a Car”, which reached no. 6 in the Independent Chart, their highest ranking effort, and the supremely catchy follow up, “Law”. Thankfully it’s the C-86 version that appears here, rather than the inferior “dance remix” that Chapter released on 12inch in late 1987

Side two commences with “Is There Anyone Out There for Me”, which probably remains the band’s best known song, reaching no. 44 in John Peel’s hallowed festive fifty of 1986. This is also the Mighty Mighty song that unsurprisingly appears on Cherry Red’s definitive compilation, Scared To Get Happy, The Story of Indie Music 1980-1989. The song boasts a terrifically effervescent chorus that also captures the brutality of adolescent loneliness, with Hugh McGuinness haplessly pleading for true love to come his way-

‘Is there anyone out there for me, is anyone else lonely / I can’t stand another summer of if only’.

Other stand-outs on side two are “Let’s Call It Love”, and a pair of tracks from The Betamax Tapes; “Touch of the Sun” and particularly “Unsteady” which brings to mind the literate/sophisticated pop of Lloyd Cole or Prefab Sprout. Whilst lyricist Mick Geoghegan may not quite rank alongside Cole or Paddy McAloon, “Unsteady” does signpost the more mature direction the band would surely have travelled in, had they continued –

‘Do you remember that letter of mine / When I changed my mind every other line / Now that I’m sure, will you condescend / to be introduced, as my unsteady girlfriend’.

Rather strangely, Mighty Mighty went on to noticeable posthumous success in Japan, whilst remaining prophets without honour in their own land.

Well, we’re all big boys now! Decades separate us from our former, self-pitying selves. Long gone are the days when David Gedge’s plaintive ‘aaaaaargh’ of despair reverberated through Leeds city centre streets at closing time. Even when taken out of its original context, though, the music still stands the test of time. Pop Can is full to brimming with sweet-toothed vignettes, fizzing over with tales of lost love that you can sing along to. Ultimately, this is a truly worthwhile trip down memory lane and a fitting tribute to one of the genre’s lesser known practitioners.

While we’re on the subject of the genre that dare not speak its name, here are my top ten twee related songs.

1. The Sun a Small Star: The Servants

The distrait, dreamy vocal, the sepia-tinted harmonies, the golden splashes of guitar that rained down on verse and chorus alike should all have ensured that “The Sun a Small Star” became a staple of mainstream radio for decades to come much in the manner of The La’s “There She Goes”. However, the track, which was taken from the sublime E.P of the same name, flatlined on release, managing just a solitary week on the Indie Charts reaching no. 47 in November 1986.

2. Is There Anyone Out There for Me: Mighty Mighty

The song that sound-tracked a succession of lovesick summers in rain-swept South Wales as Thatcher battered the valleys into submission. The dry humour, the self-pitying sixth-form poetry, and a star-spangled tune that still manages to send shivers scuttling down the spine, as well as bringing a tear to the weary eye!

3. Almost Prayed: The Weather Prophets

The sun-dappled guitar licks, alone, were enough to give many of the fair-skinned wallflowers who bought this, The Weather Prophets’ debut single, a serious case of sunburn and the passing decades have done little to diminish its luminescent beauty.

The group, formed by Peter Astor and Dave Morgan, after The Loft had raised the roof for the last time, went on to achieve minor chart success when “She Comes from the Rain” peaked at no. 62 in March ’87. Their second album, Mayflower, from which this track is lifted, is arguably the best album of a sub-genre that (Wedding Present aside) can’t be said to have produced anything approaching a classic 33rpm record.

4. The Word around Town: Westlake*

Having dismissed his Servants, David Westlake released one eponymous Mini-LP, through Creation records, before decamping for a career in academia. “The Word around Town” is the record which reserves Westlake’s place on the shortlist of best British lyricists of the decade, alongside the likes of David Gedge, Robert Lloyd, Elvis Costello and Morrissey. A masterpiece of literate pop which includes this wry piece of self-analysis:

“The word around town among those for whom nothing is sacred / Is that the Emperor’s clothes don’t exist but he’s beautiful naked”.

* Be careful to avoid the demo version which is currently doing the rounds on the Small Time compilation.

5. My Favourite Dress: The Wedding Present

“Some rare delight in Manchester town / It took six hours before you let me down / to see it all in a drunken kiss / A strangers hand on my favourite dress”.

David Gedge, the George Clooney of Indie pop, may baulk at the company he is asked to keep here. There was always something fundamentally more muscular and unwholesome about this angry young man’s amatory musings, allied to the bellicose guitar bursts that characterised songs like “Brassneck”, that put their C-86 compatriots to shame. For a start, there was the sense that Gedge’s dysfunctional relationships were actually with real women, rather than the imaginary girlfriends his fey counterparts and more often than not, his devoted followers were unhealthily fantasising over.

The band released two classic albums, George Best and Bizarro, before the law of diminishing returns took over. Nevertheless, they enjoyed spectacular chart success, racking up a half-century of hit singles between 1988 and 2005.

6. Pristine Christine: The Sea Urchins

This jubilantly jaunty single was the debut release on Sarah records (unofficial home of twee) and spent six weeks on the Indie charts. Their love affair with Sarah was short lived, though, and they sought solace in the enticing arms of Cheree records in the fleshpots of London, before splitting up for good in the summer of 1991.

7. She’s Always Hiding: The Servants

A passively beautiful pop song, posited somewhere between Galaxie 500 and Real Estate, with a closing guitar solo that drifts along languorously, like an Indian Summer, before dissolving in the shimmering haze of our subconscious. Why David Westlake traded in the sublimely graceful sound of these early Servants singles for the more claustrophobic tones of their dowdy albums will forever remain one of pops most puzzling career moves.

8. Untidy Towns: The Lucksmiths

Although latecomers to the “anorak” scene (the Melbourne based combo were only formed in 1993), the group can lay claim to having produced the most consistent body of work the genre yielded on either side of the world. These bashful boys chalked up eleven, mostly fine, albums before parting company in 2009. Influenced by all the usual suspects (The Smiths, Orange Juice and The Go-Betweens) they also acknowledged a debt to the bittersweet love songs of Britain’s most underrated wordsmith, Billy Bragg. “Untidy Towns” is a random selection, there are over a hundred genteel vignettes as heart-warming as this one tucked away in their backpack.

9. Fabulous Friend: The Field Mice

If New Order hadn’t discovered Arthur Baker and the New York club scene, as they struggled to come to terms with the death of Ian Curtis and Joy Division, they would have been forever frozen in time as The Field Mice! Dinky little tunes like “Sensitive” and “Emma’s House” couldn’t knock the froth off a pint of bitter, but that’s all part of the band’s frangible charm.

10. I’m In Love with a Girl Who Doesn’t Know I Exist: Another Sunny Day

The title alone merits its inclusion on this list, managing as it does to sum up the whole raison d’etre of the genre in one indisputably sorrowful sentence. Harvey Williams, the young Werther of twee, deserves recognition, though, for his work as ASD and as a guitarist with their Sarah records’ stable mates The Field Mice.

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