What a crazy year of Donald Trump, #me too, and just about every other strange thing that could happen in the world.  At least one person in this world tries to stay relatively normal....me!!! Keyword: relatively!

It's almost the end of the year, so people are going to ask me about some of my favorite albums of the year.  So I've got a couple, not really set in stone or anything....

1      LCD Soundsystem

2      Mac DeMarco

3      War On Drugs

4      Big Thief

5      The XX

6      Lorde

7      Grizzly Bear

8      Haim

9      Broken Social Scene

10   Slowdive

I finally saw the movie Kingpin.  Great appearances by Urge Overkill, Jonathan Richman, and Blues Traveler.  

Every day, someone is being accused of sexual harassment or misconduct.  It seems like the Weinstein effect is really causing everyone to finally talk about it.  I once messaged just about every girl I knew on my instant messenger buddy-list with the song lyrics "when I get this feeling, I need sexual healing" and then posted all the responses (most of which were actually very positive believe it or not)  on my online journal when I was fifteen or sixteen, but my intentions were always the best, and that was just me being silly so I deserve a pass on that.  Other than that, I don't think anything is going to come up on me.  

Happy Halloween 2017

Fats Domino is gone.  What a name.  I don't know about that nickname.  I guess he had it for a while.  Must have happened before anyone knew what fat shaming was. 

Very NSFW and creepy but it is a return.

I recently found out about the loss of my sixth grade teacher.  I will never forget the time I ate your donut.  I just went up to your desk and ate your donut because I really wanted it.  Mrs. Podolak is always in my heart.  She meant so much to so many people.     

Bush is still making music.  My brother talked to me on the phone last night to ask me if I still endorse Bush and to tell me about their new album, and I still do endorse Bush.  

It is the 20th anniversary of Selena's first release.  I (almost) just picked up the movie about her, but decided to wait on it due to the amount of traffic I was encountering.  Google is doing a lot to celebrate.  I still remember the first time I heard this song back in elementary school.


As far as all the stuff in the news this week about people saying stuff about how they were sexually harassed, I'd have to say #me too.  Probably not as much as some people, but guys get harassed too.

What a horrible day, with the worst mass shooting in U.S. history, and Tom Petty going into cardiac arrest. 



Well, there's a new video from Haim.  Not much can brighten my day, but I must march on. 

So, this guy went to my high school, and to my elementary school.  He was in my brother's grade.  I think his tweet was a really bad idea, but I think he's smart and maybe should get another chance.  In general, people really need to watch their tweets and posts everywhere.

Big score for Maroon 5 with this one.

I am friends with a Juggalo now.  How unhipster-y is that?

Rest in peace Husker Du's Grant Hart.  

Apparently, Radiohead has some new video from stuff off of OK Computer's reissued version.

New music from LCD Soundsystem!

As a Jewish American, I am completely taken aback by the fact that our president thinks that people who were trying to stop neo-nazi demonstrations are equally at fault for the clashes in Charlottesville, Virginia as the alt-right groups themselves.  We can only wait and see what will happen next. 

Jimmy Fallon's response to the events was really good.


    

New stuff coming this year from these guys.

More really sad music news, with the passing of Linkin Park's Chester Bennington.  

I respect his talent, but I don't really want Linkin Park played at my wedding or anything...

Wolf Parade was one of those bands that changed lives.  Now they're back for the first time in a while.

An amazing track.  

I remember when this song first came out.  I thought I was so cool because I knew about it.  What a find.  

Best cover I've seen in a while, and best pants.  

I'm excited about this movie, but from the trailer, I'm not sure if it is how I would imagine a young Morrissey.

I think this kid is right.  Education should be empowering.  

The view from the balcony before Diana Krall came on, and I put my phone away.   I especially enjoyed the "Almost Blue" cover of her husband Elvis Costello's song.  

 

Un-released Radiohead song from OK Computer era.

I think I need a fidget spinner.

I am so disheartened by the latest terror attack, this time in Manchester.  I am trying to not live in fear, but it is really hard.

So, more speculations have been coming on what happened with Chris Cornell.  

He definitely left an impact on me.  I saw him perform with Audioslave once, and I've had numerous sing-alongs to "Black Hole Sun" in friends' cars throughout the years. 

First new music in quite a few years!

Got a (minor) promotion at work.  At least it's something.  

I had a good experience seeing the Philadelphia Orchestra the other day.  

I'm excited about new music from this guy.  

I somehow missed out on this song until now.

Apparently Gorillaz is releasing a new album this year.

In the last week, we lost Chuck Berry, and...I got another interview.

Great new video from a great new album.

Looking forward to another full length from them.

There will always be a place in my life for Depeche Mode!

I'm taking a class right now and my mother seems to be happy about it because it is a class that involves formulas!

Good stuff good stuff.

I think I've reached the point where I just don't really like me job any more.  I liked it for a while, but not as much in the past couple of months.


I reviewed a Japandroids show quite a few years ago.  They've done a lot since then, including releasing their latest album, which is actually decent, despite the middling Pitchfork review.

Missy Elliot is releasing new music too.

First new stuff from Jamiroquai in many years.

New stuff.  Already 3 great albums from these guys in the past couple of years.

So, we just lost William Onyeabor.  When I talk about albums that are "finds," the one that Jimmy Fallon is holding is one of those.  So, David Byrne covers him in this performance.

One of my favorite bands are back.

New President, new Gorillaz.  

Slowdive is back, 22 years since their last release.

The return on the man who makes some of the sweetest sounds in music.

11 million views and the album isn't even out yet!

One of my favorite bands.  I've been listening to these guys since Rise Above happened.

Have you ever had that fear that something that you always held dear for a really long time will suddenly become irrelevant to you?

 I'm still trying to remember the first time I discovered the Smiths.  It's been quite a tumultuous relationship, even though people would think it isn't.  Some days I actually just can't listen to it. 

 I just tried to recommend it to a first-timer and I'm not really sure if I want to see his reaction to a man being fragile, squawking, twirling, and swinging flowers around.