I think it is those background female vocals that make the song.  

Loving new Kali Uchis.  It always seems that as soon as I start trying to figure out my favorite songs/albums of the year, another starts jumping into the mix.  

Good news with my life: My employer is now doing on-site testing for Covid, and I went ahead and got mine.  I wasn't feeling any symptoms, but I decided to go ahead and get tested, and it wasn't that bad.  

More good news: Tampons and pads are now free in Scotland!! I'd better go get myself some of those over there!

 I feel compelled to write something in memory of a teacher I worked with, Mr.  Jay Cohen, who I recently found out has passed.  I remember working closely with him, as he was my director for two high school pit orchestras that I played in.  He also worked with the marching band, and chaperoned choir trips that I went on.  He was a fantastic man, and I was so honored to have worked with him.  His style of directing was just incredible.  I wasn't even that good, but I somehow performed the lead trumpet parts for Les Miserables and Sound Of Music, and whatever he did to direct me worked, because I kept getting better and better!     

An early look at some of my year-end favorites, not necessarily what I think is the best because trying to do that is like comparing apples to oranges, two things that are really great, but in different ways.  More in depth stuff to come and maybe more analysis...

I think basically no one checked out that Cut Worms album, but one of the nice finds I've heard lately.   

• 1. What are the 10 best albums of 2020?

  • #1 : Tame Impala: The Slow Rush
  • #2 : Bill Callahan: Gold Record
  • #3 : Bob Dylan: Rough and Rowdy Ways
  • #4 : Oneohtrix Point Never: Magic Oneohtrix Point Never
  • #5 : Dogleg: Melee
  • #6 : Blake Mills: Mutable Set
  • #7 : Perfume Genius: Set My Heart on Fire Immediately
  • #8 : The Mountain Goats: Getting Into Knives
  • #9 : HAIM: Women in Music Pt. III
  • #10 : Cut Worms: Nobody Lives Here Anymore
• 2. What are the 10 best songs of 2020?

  • #1 : Tame Impala: Lost in Yesterday
  • #2 : Haim: The Steps
  • #3 : The 1975: If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know)
  • #4 : Grimes: Delete Forever
  • #5 : BTS: Dynamite
  • #6 : Blackpink: Lovesick Girls
  • #7 : The Strokes: Bad Decisions
  • #8 : Phoebe Bridgers: Kyoto
  • #9 : Dua Lipa: Physical
  • #10 : Shamir: On My Own

Deni Avdija became the highest drafted Israeli player in NBA history last night.  The commentators really liked the (possibly) Manischewitz wine in the background.  Hopefully he becomes a star and doesn't throw any gang signs with John Wall.  I already like the pairing of Avdija and Rui Hachimura (Japanese player), since both of those players are doing big things for their countries, and international basketball in general. 

 

I got called "big guy" by two different people this week.  

Billlie Eilish isn't like all the other girls and has no desire to be, which is why she became such an endearing star. New stuff.

So I am really feeling the new album from Oneohtrix Point Never (Daniel Lopatin's nom de plume), and they have a knew video, though they are best experienced in the full album format.  They did the soundtrack for Uncut Gems.  

 

So it has come to my attention, through the lens of 2020, that certain brands and things seem to be changing logos and brand names a lot lately.  So obviously, I hate the first word in this brand, but a lot of people know what it means....  

It is hard to stamp out every single ounce of things that are screwed up, but you see these things and you just wonder....

My friend Jaya from work makes some most excellent music.

So, years later, the Strokes still are playing quality Strokes songs.  

Ok, so they released what is possibly my favorite album of this year so far, and covered maybe one of the most hooky and catchy songs of the past 15 years.

Dave Chappelle showcase on SNL.

 

“Let this grim era of demonization in America begin to end”

-President elect, Joe Biden

 I woke up today just trembling in fear.  I don't know who amongst my friends and family are on which side, which is the eeriest thing about election time.

I'm with Biden.  There is hope.  

 Okay, so I did my part.  I voted.  This has been one of the harder weeks I've had in a while.  Between the physical pains I feel and the fear of what is to come with this country.  

A Jewish graveyard was desecrated with pro-Trump messages in Michigan.  Is this a preview of what is to come for America if he wins? 

Scarier than anything Halloween-related is the prospect of four more years of Trump.  I encourage my friends to go ahead and vote.

Today I found out that two people I work closely with probably believe in far right QAnon conspiracy theories.