Yes, I guess I'm officially back. Drinks all around, and smoke 'em if you got 'em. I was going to have an orange for breakfast, but then I saw the Oranjeboom sitting next to it and thought that might hit the spot better. What I've been trying hasn't worked, so I might as well go back to what was.
That brings me to the first song for the day.
The Replacements - Beer for Breakfast. And lunch and dinner while we're at it. "Honey, well I'm broke, But I'm gonna pay from some rum." Not really much to the song but a couple of cords and a philosophy. Still, it's nice, catchy, and manages to include the line "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas." Why not?
I'll pause for a moment here to finish off the Oranjeboom (reminds me of Amsterdam) and reframe my frame of reference.
...
That one's down and kicking in. Wondering whether it's too early for tequila, I realize that it isn't in Amsterdam. I'll just imagine I'm there today, and presto/chango it's all okay. Tequila it is then. Luckily there are plenty of lemons around the house, and ice to boot.
Next up is my current high rotation band - The Hold Steady.
The Hold Steady - Hot Soft Light. What can I say? I love this band, and if you haven't heard them yet, do so. You can even get a sample for free at their website, www.theholdsteady.com. My favorite album of the moment is "The Hold Steady Almost Killed Me", but today's selection comes from their more recent "Boys and Girls in America." Their sound invokes Thin Lizzy, Bruce Springsteen, et al. I'll admit, however, that I can't stand "The Boss." What sets The Hold Steady apart is the lyrics. For example:
"it started recreational.
it ended kinda medical.
it came on hot and soft and then
it tightened up its tentacles.
the band played screaming for vengance
and we agreed. this world is mostly manacled.
it started ice cream social nice.
it ended up all white and ecumenical."
You know from my previous incomprehensible ramblings that I'm a sucker for a clever rhyme. Besides, aren't we all manacled to our inevitable urge to return to the familiar upon a failure? It's always easier to drift back than push forward, or at least it feels that way.
Time for another beer and shot, I think I'm approaching it.
...
Pass the dust, I think I'm Bowie...yes, on to the next selection.
Black Randy and the Metro Squad - I Slept in an Arcade. It's hard to describe Black Randy and the Metro Squad, and you'll probably never hear them. Although I usually try not to talk about music that is unavailable, it's hard to resist this "band." Sample lyric:
"I wore fine clothes ad drank mixed drinks
I watched the pope fight Leon Spinks
Joe's old nip mama was my maid
Flat Face poured amyl like lemonade."
The album (Pass the Dust, I think I'm Bowie, Dangerhouse Records, 1979) contains such classics as Barefootin' on the Wicked Picket, Down at the Laundrymat, and Marlon Brando) will likely never be released on CD, so your only chance will be to meet someone who still has an old copy on vinyl. And I doubt that will happen, so you should probably just forget this mention.