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dustedmagazine · 11 months ago

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Dust Volume 10, Number 5

Arab Strap

It’s lovely out. The lilacs are in bloom. The weather is warm enough to make a sweater/sweatshirt/coat redundant, and the bugs are swarming happily all over the garden. And yet, here we are, inside, ear buds in place, music on high, because however nice the weather, what if we missed something? What if, you, our readers missed something? Well, fear not, because we’re back with another set of short, impassioned reviews. Scottish lifers obsessed with their phones, South African jazzmen nearly forgotten, mumbling rappers, untethered improvisers—it’s all here for you. What, you were going out? Too nice to stay inside? Well, okay, it’ll be here when you get back.

Contributors include Ian Mathers, Justin Cober-Lake, Ray Garraty, Bill Meyer, Bryon Hayes, Jonathan Shaw, Andrew Forell, Christian Carey, Alex Johnson and Jennifer Kelly.

Arab Strap — I'm totally fine with it 👍 don't give a fuck anymore 👍 (Rock Action)

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Even more surprising than this Scottish duo’s perversely triumphant return a few years ago is that in 2024 Aidan Moffat is writing more about the internet than about cheating and booze. (He’s still writing about those things too though, don’t worry.) Less shocking is that his laceratingly keen eye is no less effective when turned on his own relationship with his phone, or the way women are treated by the “fathers, husbands, sons and brothers” around them as soon as the deniability of a screen is in place, or the psychology of someone who turns to QAnon. And not just technology; with songs addressing those who’ve never recovered from the early-pandemic hit to their ability to go outside and those capitalism leaves to die in solitude, this might be the least relationship-y Arab Strap LP to date. Malcolm Middleton roughs up their sound again to match the bruised, heartfelt brutality of Moffat’s subject matter and the result is one of the most simultaneously empathetic and unsettling records from a band who’ve never been short on either quality.

Ian Mathers

Bad Nerves — Still Nervous (Suburban)

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For their second album Still Nervous, punk rockers Bad Nerves take their ready-made formula and just amp everything up. Everything's loud and fast; the band clearly descends from the Ramones, but they've gone more manic. They secretly mix in flourishes of power pop. Underneath all the ruckus, they have a knack for catchy melodies, guitar solos and even vocal harmonies. Then Bad Nerves rough up the pop elements to make sure their disaffection comes through with enough spite to keep everything properly punk. The record does little to vary mood or tempo, but it doesn't need to. The band does one thing, but they excel at it. The Strokes comparisons the band's received mostly work, but the lo-fi production keeps everything sounding as if it's in an actual garage. “Plastic Rebel” offers a youthful rampage, bubble gummy enough to touch on Cheap Trick, but continually plowing forward. The Essex quintet closes the album with “The Kids Will Never Have Their Say,” an evergreen sentiment for the young and irritable. The point doesn't break new ground, but it's beside the point. Bad Nerves tap into something long running and rush the tradition on with plenty of verve and a hint of bile.

Justin Cober-Lake

Conway the Machine — Slant Face Killah (Drumwork \ EMPIRE)

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If it wasn’t for Conway’s name on the copy to the album you’d think this was a long solo producer tapes with 40 guests on it, each mumbling about something nobody’s interested in except for the mumbler himself. It is not an exaggeration: it really lasts more than an hour, has close to 20 guests (depends on how you count) and even though Slant Face Killah is produced by a dozen of people the beats all sound the same. If it already sounds awful even for the diehard Conway fans, grip for the worst part of it. It ain’t even worth the trouble to skip all the tiring guest verses for the Conway verses because they are not good anyway. A total failure.

Ray Garraty

Alex Cunningham — Rivaled (Storm Cellar)

Remember October 2020? The time of still-subdued traffic, no shows and a looming election? Rivaled is an artifact of that moment. Nowadays, Alex Cunningham is an intensely active improviser, based in St. Louis but active all around the middle of the USA. Back then he was stuck at home and moved to make some noise. “Faith” and “Void” offer two paths to obliteration. The former is pretty plugged in, with electronic effects and appropriated radio noise turning Cunningham’s violin into a full-on electrical storm. The latter is unreliant upon electricity, but maybe even more dogged and savage. Originally released as an edition of 20 cassette, Rivaled is now a CD with a bonus remix that mashes both tracks together, both vertically and temporally, like a piggybacked highlights reel. Of noise relaxes you, you’ll want this close at hand when the next election rolls around.

Bill Meyer

Dun-Dun Band — Pita Parka Pt. 1: Xam Egdub (Ansible Editions)

Dun-Dun Band is an all-star cast of characters comprising some of Toronto’s most creative musicians and led by musical polymath Craig Dunsmuir. Dunsmuir is a shape shifter, trading guises and styles for decades: a guitar loop conjuror known as Guitarkestra, a purveyor of mutant disco vibes alongside Sandro Perri in Glissandro 70, a welder of minimalism, dub, and avant-garde weirdness as Kanada 70. His Dun-Dun Band collects members of Eucalyptus and Badge Époque Ensemble along with stalwarts Colin Fisher, Karen Ng, Josh Cole and Ted Crosby. Pita Parka is the group’s debut on vinyl and features three extended cosmic jazz jams that fuse multi-horn interplay to African-inspired polyrhythm. The music slyly winks at 1970s fusion but is more akin to that of modern ensembles such as Natural Information Society. The extended nature of the pieces allows the reedists to stretch their lungs and roam around, and for the rest of the ensemble to engage in creative interplay. Pita Parka is a stellar offering from some of Toronto’s finest players and one of the city’s most inquisitive and inventive minds.

Bryon Hayes

Roby Glod / Christian Ramond / Klaus Kugel—No ToXic (Nemu)

The three participants in this session are all veterans of middle European jazz that’s free in spirit, if not always in form. Bassist Christian Ramond and Klaus Kugel are from Germany, and soprano/alto saxophonist Roby Glod is from Luxembourg; their collective cv includes work with Kenny Wheeler, Ken Vandermark and Michael Formanek. Online evidence suggests that they’ve played together as a trio since 2015, which explains their easy rapport and nuanced interaction, but this is their first CD. Freedom for these folks means having the latitude to linger over a tune or to settle into nuanced timbral exchanges, but if you carded them, they’d all have jazz driver’s licenses. This music swings, often at speed, which is a very important aspect of their shared aesthetic; the excitement often comes from hearing Glod invent intricate, evolving lines that are lifted off by fast walking bass lines and kept in the air with light but insistent cymbal play. While the album is named No ToXic, the sheer pleasure of hearing these guys lock in could truthfully be labeled counter-toxic.

Bill Meyer

Göden — Veil of the Fallen (Svart)

Longtime listeners of death doom will recognize the name Stephen Flam, guitarist and co-founder of storied band Winter whose Into Darkness (1990) concretized the subgenre in the US; the record was great, and still is. For his recent work with Göden, Flam has dubbed himself “Spacewinds,” and his bandmates follow suit, with stage names that are equal parts risible and ridiculously gravid: vocalist Vas Kallas performs as “Nyxta (Goddess of Night)” (those parens seem to be her idea…) and keyboardist Tony Pinnisi appears as “The Prophet of Göden.” Okay. This reviewer’s inexhaustible appetite for Winter’s slim output disposes him to think kindly of Flam, and there’s nothing especially terrible about Veil of the Fallen — but that’s only because there’s nothing all that special about the record. The sound of the title track is appealingly austere, and the NyQuil-chugging riffs of “Death Magus” are sort of fun. But any listeners hoping for flashes of the inimitable, awesome awfulness of Winter would be well advised to recall the meaning of inimitable. Not even Flam, it seems, can provide a convincing replica of those energies and textures.

Jonathan Shaw

Mick Harvey — Five Ways to Say Goodbye (Mute)

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Former Birthday Party and Bad Seeds member Mick Harvey looks back at his life on his autumnal new album “Five Ways to Say Goodbye.” Although he contributes only four original songs, his skill as an arranger and interpreter reaches its zenith. Harvey imbues his own and others’ songs with intense emotion that never tips into melodrama or histrionics. Augmenting his acoustic guitar with evocative string arrangements which provide counterpoint and color to his lyrics “When We Were Young and Beautiful” may be the finest song he has written; poetic in structure, elegiac in feeling, Harvey faces his past with dispassionate empathy for lost friends and acceptance of where he is now. His version of David McComb’s “Setting You Free” locates a Faustian menace in the song, using the strings to carry the dynamic thrust and emphasize the turbulent ambivalence of the original. “Like A Hurricane” becomes an intimate, piano ballad. By changing the tense from present to past and stripping the song of its rock roots, Harvey creates an emotional impact missing from Neil Young’s original. On “Demolition” Harvey replaces Ed Kuepper’s funereal drums with an off-kilter drum machine that clatters like an old projector to evokes the disconnections inherent in the lyrics. Harvey’s treatment of songs from The Saints, Lee Hazelwood, Lo Carmen and Marlene Dietrich are beautifully rendered. A wonderful summation of Harvey’s often underrated talent and an album that deserves a wider audience.

Andrew Forell

I Like To Sleep — Bedmonster’s Groove (All Good Clean Records)

This combo from Trondheim, Norway started out bridging the sound worlds of Gary Burton and Sleep. That’s a canny move if you’re looking for relatively untrodden ground, and as it turns out, a successful one. On Bedmonster’s Groove, which is album number four, the trio has dialed back the heaviness; you won’t hear a power chord until the beginning of side two. Instead, they have taken a turn towards experimentation. The microscopic applications of filters and effects give confer a variable glitter to Amund Storløkken Åse’s vibraphone, squeezable padding to Nicolas Leirtrø’s six-string bass, and some texturable variety to Øyvind Leite’s drums, which are all shown to good effect by some lean grooves and uncluttered melodies. Åse has also added some instrumentation; synths flicker and swirl in the empty spaces, and a mellotron heads a deliberate charge towards prog territory.

Bill Meyer

Kriegshög—Love & Revenge (La Vida Es un Mus)

Throughout the long existence of Kriegshög, it’s been customary to identify the band as a d-beat act. Love & Revenge is Kriegshög’s first release since 2019 and only its second LP in their (at least) 16 years of playing in and around Tokyo. Prolific, they ain’t, but the music is always worth waiting for. On this new record, the band rolls back the pace a bit and amps up the crusty, metal textures. Less squall and rampant chaos, more muscle and riffs that roll up in well-worn biker leathers — but all those qualifiers are relative. There’s still a raw edge to the production (if that’s the term we want…); the bass is laced with so much fat crackle that you’ll want to fry it and eat it. Sort of fun that one of the most volatile tunes on Love & Revenge is titled “Serenity.” Make of that what you will, but don’t spend too much time thinking about it. You’ll miss the next couple songs.

Jonathan Shaw

Niels Lyhne Løkkegaard and Quatuor Bozzini — Colliding Bubbles: Surface Tension and Release (Important)

Niels Lyhne Løkkegaard is a composer based in Copenhagen. On his latest EP he joins forces with the premiere Canadian string quartet for new music, Quatuor Bozzini, to create a piece that deals with the perception of bubbles replicating the human experience. In addition to the harmonics played by the strings, the players are required to play harmonicas at the same time. At first blush, this might sound like a gimmick, but the conception of the piece as instability and friction emerging from continuous sound, like bubbles colliding in space and, concurrently, the often tense unpredictability of the human experience, makes these choices instead seem organic and well-considered. As the piece unfolds, the register of the pitch material makes a slow decline from the stratosphere to the ground floor with a simultaneous long decrescendo. The quartet are masterful musicians, unfazed by the challenge of playing long bowings and long-breathed harmonica chords simultaneously. The resulting sound world is shimmering, liquescent, and, surprising in its occasional metaphoric bubbles popping.

Christian Carey

The Ophelias — Ribbon EP (self-released)

Ribbon is stormy, scathing and often quite beautiful. “Soft and Tame,” the EP’s emotional center, is all three. It begins wistfully: easy acoustic guitar strums and Andrea Gutmann Fuentes’ layered violin, nostalgic and close to sweet. Vocalist Spencer Peppet also starts slow, talking us through the aimless sensory motions of missing someone – “the sun on my cheek/as I walk around/I pick up a pear/I put it down/the radio plays a song we loved.” It doesn’t take long, however, for the skies to darken and the scene to become bleaker. By the line “the hollow sound/my jugular makes as it rolls around,” Mic Adams’s foreboding drums and a percussive creep of electric guitar have stalked in. And by the time Peppet has shown us “an overturned bus on the highway,” heard a“tornado warning” and told her subject to “stay the fuck away” for the second time, the band has built to a blown-out, climactic frenzy, the violin finding operatic heights over mammoth cymbal crashes.

In her review of The Ophelias’ last album, Crocus, Jennifer Kelly described Peppet as sounding “like she’s tilting her chin up and squaring her shoulders.” Likewise on Ribbon, where the band seems resigned to but also quite prepared for a fight. If “Soft and Tame” is aimed to knock “love in southern Ohio” down for good, then “Rind,” the final song, may tell us why they’re in the ring at all. At a brief break in the dynamic, flowering arrangement — it could be a particularly bucolic Magnetic Fields instrumental, especially in Gutmann Fuentes’ spry riffs — Peppet bursts out, “There you go!/On tour with my hometown friends/fucking score/they must have all forgotten!/Look back at what I tolerated.” There’s more to the story, but Peppet pulls back from the fray, settling things ominously: “to name it/makes your life/a little complicated.” Whatever “it” is, The Ophelias seem to have landed their punch. I don’t think I’ve heard more cutting, triumphant “Oohs” than those that end the song and Ribbon’s multifaceted fury with it.

Alex Johnson

Paperniks — Oxygen Tank Flipper 7-inch (Market Square)

Jason Henn is a master of catchy psychedelic punk. Honey Radar, his highest profile outfit, has unfurled a constant stream of hook-laden gems for well over a decade. Paperniks is his newest guise, a solo home recording project that amplifies the Guided by Voices meets Syd Barrett vibe of Honey Radar and doses it with nuggets of guitar noise. This tiny slab of wax is the sophomore Paperniks outing, following a single-sided lathe cut that strayed toward the clamorous edge of the octopus’s garden. On display are a pair of tunes that bear a striking resemblance to Honey Radar. “Oxygen Tank Flipper” is a groovy dose of psych replete with a catchy riff and a roller coaster bassline. Handclaps up the catchiness factor, as does Henn’s honey sweet sigh. “Essex Poem Dial” is a punky, garage-inspired tune. Henn’s reverb-soaked vocal hides inside the propulsive guitar chime. A noise interlude leads to a mellow vignette that slowly fades away. Paperniks showcases Henn’s boisterous side, and the music is certainly engaging, so hopefully there are more songs on the way soon.

Bryon Hayes

Ribbon Stage — Hit with the Most (Perennial/K)

Ribbon Stages hits the giddy sweet spot between punk and pop, their raucous guitar-drums-bass racket pounding on sweet, wistful little songs. The mixture varies with some cuts veering into the snaggle-toothed dream pop of, say, the Jeanines, while others rage harder and more dissonantly. “Stone Heart Blue,” the single, pulls the drums way up in the mix and lets distorted guitars and murmured vocals do battle attention behind them. The result is an uncanny balance of urgency, angst and solace, which is exactly what you want from pop-leaning punk. “Hearst” pushes slashing tangling guitar racket up to the foreground, letting a billowing squall spill over crisp drums and shout-sung vocals, while “Sulfate” lets a sighing romantic croon loose over boiling lavas of rock mayhem. Nice.

Jennifer Kelly

Rio Da Yung OG — Rio Circa 2020 (Boyz Ent)

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This is exactly what the title says: a compilation of Rio songs stashed on the label’s HDD, no more, no less. No filler but no hits either. The tape has a “Circa 2020” feel to it, reminding us of when Rio did what he wanted with no shades of doom hanging over the songs. It’s unlike the music he wrote after the trial when he knew he had to do some time. There’s a little bit of everything in here: three songs with RMC Mike, two tracks featuring Louie Ray, a song on a Sav beat, a song on an Enrgy beat and a song on a Primo beat. Yet it’s hardly enough to last us until Rio is free.

Ray Garraty

Spirits Rejoice—S-T (Fredriksberg)

Spirits Rejoice! by Spirits Rejoice

A remastered reissue of a 1978 recording, Spirits Rejoice captures boundary-crossing South African jazz scene, which touches on fusion, rock, funk, soul, disco Latin and African sounds. The ensemble includes some of that time and place’s pre-eminent jazz musicians, Sipho Gumede of the fluid, loping bass lines, breezy, insouciant reeds-man Robbie Jansen, South African pioneering percussionist Gilbert Matthews, keyboardist Mervyn Africa and a very young Paul Peterson on electric guitar. The music is ebullient and clearly tilted towards pop accessibility, and the gleaming sheen of 1970s often dilutes its heat and fury. This is especially true on “Happy and in Love” which could double as a lost Earth Wind and Fire cut. Elsewhere, though, as in “Woza Uzo Kudanisa Nathi,” fervid polyrhythms, tight squalls of sax and an exhilarating call and response light up the groove, fusing African chants with a swaggering samba rhythm. And “Papa’s Funk,” is just what it sounds like—a slithery, stuttery, visceral bass-led swagger that bubbles and smolders and twitches in a universal funk.

Jennifer Kelly

Various Artists — GmBH: An Anthology of Music for Fashion Shows 2016 – 2023, Volume 1 (Studio LABOUR)

GmbH: An Anthology of Music for Fashion Shows 2016-2023 Vol. 1 by Various Artists

LABOUR is a multimedia project of Iranian musician Farahnaz Hatam and American percussionist/composer Colin Hacklander. Based in Berlin, the duo has collaborated widely and eclectically to produce soundtracks for sustainable, underground fashion house GmBH. This compilation collates 12 examples and showcases a variety of work from an international roster of artists including Iraqi-British oud player Khyam Allami, Turkish born DJ Nene H, Kuwaiti musician Fatimi Al Qadiri, American performance artist MJ Harper and Indonesian noise duo Gabber Modus Operandi. The thread that runs through all this is cross pollinations between genre, geography, and chronology. Allami’s oud plays against LABOUR’s electronic washes and synthetic percussion with each element emphasizing and interrogating differences in modality and structure. On “White Noise” LABOUR contrast a 16th century harpsichord piece with static and effects dissolving into a robotic club beat which ends up evoking a cyborg Hooked on Classics. Their collaboration with Harper on the spoken word “ablution” is a reflection on love, religion, and abnegation with elements of gospel, eastern and creeping doom ambience. The Anthology has much of interest but is essential for Belgian composer Billy Bultheel’s “YLEM” featuring German countertenor Steve Katona who soars incandescent from a backdrop of industrial grind. The contrast between earthly weight of the music and radiant purity of the voice is breathtaking.

Andrew Forell

Vertonen — taif’ shel (Oxidation)

taif' shel by Vertonen

Give the Oxidation label credit for radical truthfulness. One of the bummers of our time is the frequency with which folks on BandCamp and elsewhere will call a short-run, blue or green-faced disc a CD when they are selling you a CD-R. Oxidation, on the other hand, is named after the process that will eventually render its products unplayable. On to the sounds. Vertonen is Blake Edwards, who has been working around the edges of sound for over 30 years. On taif’ shel, he displays absolute mastery over the combination of collected, electronically generated and carefully edited sounds. His skill rests on three qualities; knowing where to place sounds, knowing how long to let them carry on and having some pretty good ideas about which ones to use in the first place. He can make a drone of infinite (but never unnecessary) complexity, or punctuate flipping film-ends with a precisely situated, never repeated sequence of chops and splices, to name just two examples found on this impermanent but thoroughly rewarding disc.

Bill Meyer

Villagers — That Golden Time (Domino)

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That Golden Time is Villagers’ sixth album. The Conor O’Brien led project presents its most eclectic outing to date. A number of the songs are afforded pop treatment, consisting of memorable tunes and gentle, polished arrangements. The double-tracked vocals on “First Responder” is a case in point, about a relationship fragmenting while the singing coalesces, an interesting tension. “No Drama,” initially pared down to piano and O’Brien’s laconic vocals, eventually adds a coterie of Irish traditional instruments. “Keepsake” veers closer to mid-tempo electronica, with overlaid synth repetitions and treated vocals. The title track employs sustained violin lines, played by Peter Broderick, and an intricate form with supple harmonic shifts. “Brother Hen,” on the other hand, recalls the folk influences present from Villagers’ beginning. The diversity is diverting, even though That Golden Time feels like a collection of singles instead of an album statement.

Christian Carey

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roseofithaca · 11 months ago

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Ten Questions For Silver

(Transcript of Alison interviewing my ghost oc for the Button House Archives)

Alison, recording/writing: Ten Questions For Silver. Okay, this isn't officially the first one but, I gotta ask it anyway, why the name change?

Silver: Two reasons. One, I always hated the name Louise. Bullies at school used to call me Louis or Lewis or, my favourite, Loo Face.

Alison: Fair enough.

Silver: Second reason, when I got into Wicca all the books said it was common to choose a more 'witchy name'. Silver is my favourite metal and corresponds with the moon. Robyn - with a y - because Robin Hood was always my favourite Disney hero as a kid.

Alison: Did you fancy the fox?

Silver: I might have fancied the fox, I think we can all admit to that.

Alison: No comment.

Silver: Plus the birds are pretty. No relation to a certain annoying caveman, just a coincidence. And Ravenstar because...it honestly just sounded cool.

Alison: Gotcha. Okay, onto the real questions. Where were you born?

Silver: Under the sign of Pisces, on a waxing moon evening-

Alison: I meant, like, geographically.

Silver: Oh. Colchester General, Essex.

Alison: And how did you die?

Silver: Julian keeps telling everyone I O.D'd on magic mushrooms, which is obviously a lie! It was a brain aneurism. Honestly, I just think he likes to make it clear he wasn't the only ghost who was high as a kite when he croaked.

Alison: *snigger*

Alison: Favourite food?

Silver: I was a bit of a chocoholic in life. Galaxy, Thorntons, Milky Bars, Munchies! Thank the gods my uncle was a dentist.

Alison: Hmm.

Silver: Ooh, if I had to pick one, it would be Echo bars!

Alison: I remember them. They got discontinued!

Silver: Noooooo! That's the saddest thing I've ever heard!

Alison: Sorry! Moving on then, favourite drink?

Silver: White Russian vodka. It was my first proper cocktail on my sweet sixteenth.

Alison: Nice. Favourite song?

Silver: Bring Me To Life by Evanescence. Which is kinda ironic, the more I think about it. Do you remember them?

Alison: Yeah, I was more a Girls Aloud sort of kid.

Silver: Oh. Plastic.

Alison: Sorry?

Silver: Nothing!

Alison: Uh huh. Favourite sport?

Silver: *long, drawn out groan* I guess...telling my teacher I was on my period to get out of P.E.

Alison: *snigger* I did that too.

Silver: Unless it was trampolining! That was pretty cool. And really hard to lose at.

Alison: Biggest regret?

Silver: Never getting to kiss a girl.

Alison: Aww, you died before your first kiss?

Silver: Oh no, I kissed loads, but they were all boys and...it was like 'meh'? I started realising I was more into girls but...never got the chance to 'test drive' if you get me. Fuck, that sounded misogynistic. I need to spend less time with Julian.

Alison: Well, you never know. It could still happen in your afterlife.

Silver: That's what Mary said. Don't suppose you happen to know any fit queer girls you could bring here and...?

Alison: What? Murder?

Silver: In a nice way! Painless and all that.

Alison: Is that not against your whole Wiccan code of not harming anyone?

Silver: Not if you do it.

Alison: Right. Well let's just stick in a pin that idea for now and I'll think about it, okay.

Alison: Fondest memory?

Silver: Oh, that's hard. There's a few from when I was alive, visiting Stone Henge with my dad, the first time we brought home my dog Jess when she was a puppy. But I guess I'd have to go with Winter Solstice 2009.

Alison: What happened there?

Silver: Well because of the whole, y'know, sleeping curse thing, I often miss out on major events, including holidays. Even the Sabbats, my pagan festivals. But that Yule fell on a full moon so I got to be awake. Even better, the guys all joined in with me and Robin to do our ritual! Even Mary got involved. She made herself to penance for weeks after but she joined in that night for me and...shit, I'm getting a bit teary now. I just never imagined I'd have friends like this, you know?

Alison: Aww! That is really sweet. Maybe I can join you guys on the next one?

Silver: That'd be cool. Fanny did the math and said the next full moon on the Solstice is...I think she said, 2038?

Alison: ....I'll set a reminder. And until then we can just have a little mini Christmas when you wake up around that time.

Silver: Yule. Not Christmas. Though it's basically the same, the Christians stole everything that's fun from pagan traditions. The tree, the wreath, even Father Christmas, they're all from Norse and Celtic culture, did you know that?

Alison: Yes, both you and Robin went on a very long rant about it when I was putting up the mistletoe.

Silver: That was mainly to keep Thomas away from you.

Alison: Oh! Then thanks for that.

Alison: Worst Trait?

Silver: I've been told that I can be too opinionated and that I also 'infodump' my interests to people when they're not interested, but I honestly think people just need to try to have more of an open mind, if they just tried to look outside their own bubble they'd be surprised what they could learn, I mean look at Mary, when she first met me she had all these preconceived judgements and misinformation about witchcraft but when she took the time to listen I went into all the history-

Alison: (Author's Note: my wrist began to cramp from attempting to write this answer down so I let Silver continue talking while I quickly washed the dishes, did the ironing and sorted mine and Mike's dinner for the evening before sitting back down with her).

Silver: -and now she understands that the devil of her religion and the Horned God of my practice are two separate entities, and that was just another lie spread by the church to make us seem evil when we're not.

Silver: Sorry, what was the question?

Alison: Oh you already answered it, it's fine.

Alison: Final question. Do you have any words of advice?

Silver: Don't do drugs.

Alison: That....makes sense.

Silver: Nah, I'm just kidding. Uh, to quote my favourite other dead person; "speak as you finds and don't lets any man-one take away thy voice."

Alison: Wow. She really was special, wasn't she.

Silver: (a/n: she nods, suddenly quiet and staring at her hands)

Alison: You okay?

Silver, smiling: Yeah, I'm just...still really bummed about those Echo bars, you know?

Alison: Yeah, I miss them too. Thank you, Silver.

Silver: Thank you. Blessed Be and Merry Part.

Alison: ....Indeed.

#bbc ghosts #bbc ghosts fanfic #the button house archives #oc: silver #ghosts oc #alison cooper #mary guppy #robin the caveman

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dhmisfour · 3 months ago

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Do you have any current hyper fixation songs right now?

GODDDDD IM SO GLAD U ASKED BECAUSE I LOVE!!!! BANDS!!! here r my top 3 current all time favourite songs (and a few extra if I feel strongly) from my top 6 current bands

Long list incoming click read more!

The Masterplan - Oasis

Live Forever - Oasis

Acquiesce - Oasis

(and I have to mention Talk Tonight, Guess God Thinks Im Abel, Im Outta Time and Champagne Supernova. Can u tell I RLLY love Oasis B sides. I love oasis so bad I LOVE OASIS I LOVE OASIS I LOVE OA)

Charmless Man - blur

For Tomorrow - blur

To the End - blur

(Bonus Stereotypes, The Universal, Essex Dogs. yes my favourite blur album is The Great Escape yes I'll defend it with my life)

Spring and a Storm - Tally Hall

Fate of the Stars - Tally Hall

Greener - Tally Hall

(bonus The Whole World and You, Misery Fell, You. Tally Hall will always be my favourite band. Please listen to their full album when you have the chance. Good & Evil is an out of body experience)

Starburster - Fontaines DC

Death Kink - Fontaines DC

You Said - Fontaines DC

(Bonus Televised Mind, In ar gCroithe go deo, Skinty Fia. A Heros Death is a wonderful album and I have replayed Starburster 50 times this week)

Every Planet We Reach is Dead - Gorillaz

Plastic Beach - Gorillaz

Ticker Tape - Gorillaz

(bonus Souk Eye, The Valley of Pagans, Momentary Bliss. Gorillaz is so good choosing only 6 songs killed me inside. I own all their albums on CD and its my best purchase ever)

If I Had a Gun... - Noel Gallaghers High Flying Birds

Lock All The Doors - Noel Gallaghers High Flying Birds

Council Skies - Noel Gallaghers High Flying Birds

(bonus Dead in the Water, AKA... What A Life!. Noel Gallaghers songs make me cry)

and some bonus songs that I really like right now, The Heretic (Woe is Me) - Vylet Pony, Summer 2000 Baby - TV girl, She's Hearing Voices - Bloc Party, Tightrope - The Stone Roses)

#thanks for the question!#dhmisfour answer

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yourlocalviolet · 2 years ago

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First of all I love you for writing Johnny ff!! So if its alright I have a request :) The reader, posing as a new recruit for the Last Men, is tasked with infiltrating The Preserve to gather information on the group. They meet Johnny, and the two form an unlikely bond. Johnny begins to question his loyalty to the Last Men, while the reader struggles to balance their mission and newfound interest

(Gif not mine, All credits to original creator!)

Thank you so much, im glad you enjoy it! Also, thank you for the request! im thinking of writing another part to this, so look out for that!

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Getting into the Essex Zoo compound was much easier than you thought it would be. When Dolly had first asked you to go undercover, you were skeptical. Hell, you flew airplanes for a living, and even the tasks you had done in the past were nothing compared to what she was asking you to do now. Challenging a group such as the Last Men was a risk, one you weren't sure if you were willing to take at the time.

You didn't want to imagine what they would do to you if they found out what you were doing.

Pushing that thought out of your head, you continue taking steps through the entrance of the zoo. Now, you were standing in a small area, with plastic coverings around the wall. “Stick your finger out.” the man says to you. As you do so, you take a second to take in his appearance. He’s tall, and dressed in a large orange hazmat suit. The man pauses for a second longer than he should. “Do you have your ID card?” He finally says, and you feel your heart drop down to your toes. “Yes, uh, of course!” You force out, perhaps too quickly. Swiftly, you feel around in the pockets of your green jacket, until your hands hit the cold plastic card. “Here it is,” you say, as he takes the card from your hands. Silently, you pray that he cannot tell that it's a fake. “Huh.” He states, and the tone in his voice makes him seem surprised. “Shit, am I that bad of a liar?” you can't help but think. “Okay. Go on in.” As he says that, you hope that your face doesn't show how surprised you are. Briskly, you take the card back and turn from the man, your heart almost beating out of your chest.

As you walk out of the plastic coated area, you can't help but silently gawk at how well taken care of the preserve is. From the plants to the people, everything seems like it has a certain place it belongs. However, from what you've heard about the general, you couldn't say you were surprised. People say he is a man with a charismatic personality at first, but truly sadistic tendencies when examined closer. You knew he would do close to anything to ‘save humanity’ or whatever that meant. This included torturing innocent children, so you had a slight feeling you wouldn't get along that worked under him. As much as you would like to stay as far away from the man himself as possible, you knew at some point you needed to be given directions from him. However, General Abbot didn't seem to be anywhere nearby. You cursed yourself for your bad luck as you looked around for someone that you could ask for help. You knew you needed someone who seemed small, and not like a threat. As you are scanning, you spot a young gardener, tending to some plants nearby. “Uh, Hello” you say, attempting to get her attention. “Do you know where I should go to get another chore?” She looks up at you, and you try to seem nervous. “I finished mine already, and I'm new so I don't really know-” she cuts you off before you can ramble on. “Relax, it's fine. All you need to do is go to the tall man standing on the podium. The boss is out right now so he's in charge.” You turn your body to see where shes pointing. “Oh, okay, Thank you” you say, and you begin making your way to where she directed.

As you walk, you can slowly see the features of the man she pointed to. He was tall, rather skinny with glasses, and seemed fairly nervous himself. It surprised you that he was the one in charge, as you wouldn't have deemed him as a threat in any other situation. “Hi, um, I came to ask for a new task?” you say when you reach one of the ends of the podium, as the man looks down on you. “Oh, okay!” He states, and he seems unsure of what to say. “Well, did the General not give you a list?” You begin to panic. Did the others get lists and you didn't know? Would this blow your cover completely? Or could you possibly play it off to the man that didn't seem to know what he was doing? “Oh, uh, funny story actually..” you mumble out, attempting to come up with anything that would get you out of this situation. “I lost it! I may have thrown it away or something.” You say, and he nods his head at you, seemingly thinking of what to do. Suddenly, he begins moving down the stairs towards you. “Right, uh, okay.” he says, and you begin to think he could see through your lie. As he reaches the ground next to you, his eyes visibly trail down your body. For a second, you are skeptical if he really was that obvious about it. “Um, how about you, uh…” He pauses, obviously unsure of what to say. “Clean the windows?” he finally says, seemingly more nervous than you. Did he really believe you? Or was it just because he found you attractive? You pause for a second before you respond. “Okay. I hate to ask, but could you show me where to get the supplies?” As bad as you may feel later, you know that if he is charmed by your looks, he would be an easy way to rise in the ranks.

He seems to fidget more by the second after you respond. “Right, yes, i'll lead the way…” he trails off while walking towards a hallway. “Sooo, what's your name?” You ask, attempting to sound interested in him. “Im Johnny,” He says, turning his head slightly to look at you behind him. “You must be new? Most workers know me by now.” If he hadn't been turned away from you, you're sure his face would be red, just from the way his voice slightly cracked near the end of his sentence.

However, you couldn't lie to yourself, the man was attractive. Not necessarily in a lustful way, but more of a cute puppy love way. His haircut, an odd mixture of a mullet and a shaggy looking bowl cut framed his face nicely, and his glasses mixed in with it made him seem unthreatening. You are snapped out of your thoughts when he clears his throat and turns to you. “Well, this closet should have everything you need. You can probably just clean the windows in the back, so it shouldn't take you long.” He says, obviously avoiding eye contact. “Great. Thank you.” you tell him, and he begins walking back down the hallway, before he abruptly turns back towards you. “Also, uh, don't be afraid to ask if you need anything. I'm not very busy here so… y’know.” You're about to thank him again when he seems to remember something. “Have you gotten a room yet? Not that I'm asking in a weird way! I just want to make sure you know where you're going…” He trails off at the end nervously. You smile at him softly, attempting to comfort him. “No, I haven't actually…that would be great, if you could show me after I'm done here.” You softly reply. “Great, yeah, okay” He says softly, more to himself than you. Almost stumbling, he turns around quickly and walks away, obviously happy with himself. And although you know that Johnny himself is working for the same army you're against, you can't help but feel excited knowing you will get the chance to see him again.

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Around three hours later, you had finished cleaning the windows. By now, your fingers were pruned and your wrists aching from the continuous motion you were making. All the while, there was one person you couldn't get off your mind. Johnny. The man that had seemed so nervous was infecting your thoughts little by little. You weren't exactly sure why, but as much as you denied it, you couldn't really bring yourself to care. Snapping out of your thoughts of Johnny, you begin to wonder where you should go from here. Would staying here and waiting for him be easier? Or should you go and search for him yourself. Right now, you silently decided that the latter was the better option, and you wouldn't mind getting a better look at the place you would be staying in. As quietly as you can, you begin walking up the large stairwell, making an effort to seem like you knew where you were going. As you turn to the left, you are met by another staircase, and a small kitchen. Behind you seemed to be much more intimidating, as you could see a large chain wire fence linked between the walls. As much as you would have liked to ignore that section of the zoo, you knew that your mission depended on the information behind that fence. However, the real question was was it a better idea to wait until you have more authority? Or would it be better to go quickly now, and get the mission over with? As you were caught in your head, you failed to hear the footsteps on the staircase. “Oh, What are you doing here?” A voice says, bringing you back to reality. For a second, you swear you can feel your heart stop. You don't want to look up at the man, fearful of what soldier may be there to take you away. Forcefully you turn your body towards the man, and relief washes over you. “Oh, Johnny, funny seeing you here.” You say towards the brown haired man. “I was actually just looking for you!” You internally note that his head seems to raise when you said that. “That's great actually, I was just finishing up here and was going to come look for you. Do you, uh, wanna come with me?” He says, seemingly unsure if he's allowed to bring you with. Now, it seems like you have the perfect excuse to explore the places of the reserve you once couldn't. Knowing you shouldn't let your anticipation show however, you try to make your response as relaxed as possible. “Sure! I don't mind at all!” Johnny nods at you, then turns his body towards the kitchen. He then grabs a plate of what seems to be beans, on top of an oven crisped slice of toast. While you couldn't say that it seemed very appetizing, you continued your steps as he walked around the small space. As you follow him closely to and up the stairs, you are met with what seems to be a small living space. One thing that would be impossible to miss is the woman standing in the middle of the room. She's incredibly pretty, and you wonder what someone like her is doing in an awful place like this. Everyone seems awkwardly quiet until Johnny breaks the silence. “Beans on toast! Yknow, since your british…” He says, as he mocks her accent at the end of her sentence nervously. Neither of you laugh at his joke, the two of you seemingly much more tense than he is. However, he doesn't seem to realize this, or if he does he plays it off well. He sets the plate down on a table, and there seems to be a light bulb going off in his head. “Oh, right, introductions!” He nervously laughs. “Uh Rani, this is (y/n), (y/n), Rani…” It takes you both a second to process what is going on, and there's a pause before either of you speak up. Quick words of greetings are mumbled out, before you move closer in attempts to shake the woman's

hand. However before you can get closer, she quickly backs a few steps away. “Sorry, I don't like germs…” She says after obviously seeing your slightly taken aback face. In attempts to stay polite you assure her it's no big deal. And while your response was civil, you could easily see that she was lying. Johnny seems to notice the tense atmosphere, and quickly tries to brush it off. “Well, we better get going. Work stuff, yknow.” He seems to state this more than ask. You give Rani a short wave before you disappear with Johnny back down the staircase, and you question if you want to ask Johnny about her. When the two of you hit the last stair, it seems that Johnny has read your mind. “I'm sure you're probably wondering about why she's up there. Ill tell you, but you have to be quiet about it, alright?” He says in a playful tone, and you nod your head in return. “Don't freak out but… She has the virus.” His voice is hushed as he says this. You turn to him in surprise. “Wow, I thought a lot of things, but definitely not that.” You say to him. “Yeah well, thats not even the full story. Her husbands a worker here too, and hes trying to-'' he seems to be caught in his thoughts before he cuts himself off. “I probably shouldn't be telling you that.” He says, adjusting his glasses nervously. “Oh, don't worry, I won't tell anyone.” you say in a small attempt to comfort him. Abruptly he stops at a doorway, like he just remembered what he was supposed to be doing. “This is your room! It's small, but it should work fine.” He says, and your surprised with how quickly you got here. As the two of you exchange goodbyes, you let yourself relax in the small room you were given. While it seemed more of a prison cell than a room, you were thankful for the privacy that came with it. As you laid on the small cot, you couldn't help but think of the man you met today. Already, he seemed to have a hard time keeping secrets. While this would be helpful for your mission, you found the trait quite charming. Also, the woman with the disease filled your thoughts. Well, not exactly her, more so her husband. What was he trying to do? And how hard would it be for you to get Johnny to tell you? While you weren't sure how long you were going to be at the Zoo, you did know that the information you needed was under hard locks. But maybe, the key you need is Johnny, who seems more than happy to talk.

You struggle to fall asleep as thoughts run across your brain. Unnervingly however, most of them are not about the mission. Instead they are invaded by a tall, brown haired man with odd looking glasses. All the while, you pretend that your interest in him is because of the mission, telling yourself there is no other reason.

Deep down however, you fear that this awkward man you met may be one you won't be able to leave behind.

#johnny abbot headcanons #johnny abbot x reader #johnny abbot #sweet tooth

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noloveforned · 1 year ago

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welcome to 2024! no love for ned is still here and still on wlur every friday night from 8pm until midnight! i was hoping to have a new theme set to go this week but we're going to stick with our fall 'food songs' for another week.

our last show of the year was the annual look back twenty years ago for our best of 2003 show (now streaming on mixcloud). if you enjoyed the show, you can also check out the previous nine retrospective shows spotlighting 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995 and 1993 (1994 will be produced later this year as a special a 30th anniversary show).

no love for ned on wlur – december 29th, 2023 from 8pm-midnight

artist // track // album // label the aislers set // languor in the balcony // how i learned to write backwards // slumberland shout out louds // the comeback // howl howl gaff gaff // bud fox matt suggs // calm down // amigo row // merge belle and sebastian // i'm a cuckoo // dear catastrophe waitress // rough trade the rosebuds // kicks in the schoolyard // make out // merge the lucksmiths // midweek midmorning // naturaliste // drive-in sprites // do it yourself // starling, spiders, tiger and sprites // march camera obscura // suspended from class // underachievers please try harder // elefant st. thomas // a long long time // hey harmony // racing junior bishop allen // little black ache // charm school // champagne school herman düne // why would that hurt? (if you never loved me) // mash concrete metal mushroom // shrimper bearsuit // itsuko got married // itsuko got married 7" // bearslut dressy bessy // baby six string // dressy bessy // kindercore the new pornographers // testament to youth in verse // electric version // matador all girl summer fun band // dear mr. and mrs. troublemaker // 2 // k david and the citizens // graycoated morning // until the sadness is gone // adrian saturday looks good to me // alcohol // all your summer songs // polyvinyl the essex green // the late great cassiopia // the long goodbye // merge beulah // landslide baby // yoko // velocette reclinerland // give up your film career (lenny's theme) // the ideal home music library // hush blanket music // hyper-ballad // read: interpreting bjork tribute // hush tobin sprout // doctor #8 // lost planets and phantom voices // mr. whiggs plastic mastery // i fell in love on the way to a funeral // sverige ep // 555 the thermals // no culture icons // more parts per million // sub pop rainer maria // mystery and misery // long knives drawn // polyvinyl joel plaskett emergency // extraordinary // truthfully truthfully // maple music sloan // false alarm // action pact // vik guided by voices // useless inventions // earthquake glue // matador deerhoof // dummy discards a heart // apple o' // kill rock stars lil' hospital // there could be girlfriend // i wanna be well // best friends the national splits // she's my baby and she's alright // fontana // mr. whiggs murder beach // eight great ways // first string teenage high- songs of tullycraft played by people who aren't tribute // bumblebear casiotone for the painfully alone // jeane, if you're ever in portland // twinkle echo // tomlab bobby birdman // i will come again // heart caves ep // states rights

erykah badu // back in the day // worldwide underground // motown the books // take time // the lemon of pink // tomlab nanang tatang // bunny hop hop // muki // tiger style so // a // so // thrill jockey piana // hide and seek // snow bird // happy broken social scene // anthems for a seventeen-year-old girl // you forgot it in people // arts and crafts califone // michigan girls // quicksand/cradlesnakes // thrill jockey the strugglers // the new room // the new room // tract magnolia electric co. // just be simple // the magnolia electric co. // secretly canadian crooked fingers // big darkness // red devil dawn // merge the trouble with sweeney // the break up // i know you destroy // burnt toast vinyl barzin // past all concerns // barzin // where are my azure ray // hold on love // hold on love // saddle creek seekonk // move // for barbara lee // kimchee sun kill moon // carry me ohio // ghosts of the great highway // jetset the american analog set // come home baby julie, come home // promise of love // tiger style the twilight singers // teenage wristband // blackberry belle // birdman spiritualized // she kissed me (it felt like a hit) // amazing grace // sanctuary the postal service // the district sleeps alone tonight // give up // sub pop her space holiday // my girlfriend's boyfriend // the young machines // mush styrofoam // a heart without a mind // i'm what's there to show that something's missing // morr music howard hello // my friend / the parasite // don't drink his blood // temporary residence pernice brothers // one foot in the grave // yours, mine and ours // ashmont the salteens // damn you // let go of your bad days // drive-in the unicorns // i was born (a unicorn) // who will cut our hair when we're gone? // alien8 the hidden cameras // ban marriage // the smell of our own // rough trade yo la tengo // today is the day // today is the day ep // matador

#wlur #radio shows

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brookstonalmanac · 9 days ago

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Beer Events 4.15

Events

Bottle opener invented (1735 or 38)

San Francisco incorporated (1850)

Screw-Top Bottles patented (France; 1852)

Charles Chinnock patented a Beer-Measure (1862)

Anheuser-Busch Brewing Association first used "Michelob" name (1896)

Pabst Harlem Beer Hall opened (NYC; 1906)

Titanic sank with 500 cases of Bass Ale (1912)

Leopold Nathan patented a Process and Apparatus for the Filtration of Beer Wort for Further Treatment, and for the Filtration of Beer (1930)

Beer became legal in Iowa after Prohibition (1933)

1st McDonald's opened (Des Plaines, IL; 1955)

Harry Stelma patented a Container Tapping Device (1958)

Coors patented a Plastic Bung for a Beer Barrel (1969)

Crown Cork & Seal patented a Plastic Closure with Outside Ring and Inside Tube for Beer and Beverages (1969)

Mack Johnston patented a Tapping Device for Beer Kegs (1969)

Beer cans Collectors of America (BCCA) founded (1970)

Reading Brewing closed (Pennsylvania; 1976)

Samuel Adams Boston Lager 1st for sale (1985)

Truck crash caused 24,000 beer bottles to sink into the Tweed River, where local residents scuba dived for the beer until Police advised they could be charged with theft (New South Wales; 2001)

Pabst announced it would stop brewing Falstaff (2005)

Coors patented a Beverage Holder (2008)

Raul Cano and Fossil Fuels Brewing Co. patented a Novel Yeast Strain (2010)

Brewery Openings

Budejovicky Budvar (Czech Republic; 1895)

Creemore Springs Brewery (Ontario, Canada; 1987)

Dubuque Brewing & Bottling (Iowa; 1991)

Santa Rosa Brewing (California; 1993)

Duster's Microbrewery (Michigan; 1994)

Essex Brewing (Massachusetts; 1994)

Taylor Brewing (Illinois; 1994)

Village Brewing (Texas; 1994)

Black Hills Brewing (South Dakota; 1995)

Jamestown Brewing (Colorado; 1995)

Mad Monk Brewing (Ohio; 1995)

Ruby Mountain Brewing (Nevada; 1995)

Chelsea Brewing (New York; 1996)

Hyde Park Brewing (New York; 1996)

McFarlane Brewing (Arizona; 1996)

Tunbridge Quality Ales / Jigger Hill Brewery (Vermont; 1996)

Yamhill Brewing (Oregon; 1996)

Barbary Coast Brewing (California; 1997)

Southport Brewing (Connecticut; 1997)

Two Brothers Brewing (Illinois; 1997)

Hampden Brewing (Massachusetts; 2010)

#Events

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nisam78 · 9 days ago

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The Rise of Farm-Fresh Milk and Milk Vending Machines: A Modern Take on Traditional Dairy

In recent years, consumers have grown increasingly conscious about the origins of their food, and dairy is no exception. The age-old practice of enjoying farm-fresh milk—directly sourced from local dairy farms—is making a strong comeback, but with a modern twist: the milk vending machine. At the heart of this movement are small to medium-sized farms like Whole Moo World, which are combining ethical farming with cutting-edge technology to deliver quality milk with minimal processing and maximum freshness.

Let's dive deep into why farm-fresh milk and the milk vending machine transform how we consume dairy and why it matters to your health, community, and environment.

What is Farm-Fresh Milk?

Farm-fresh milk refers to milk that comes directly from the farm with minimal processing. Typically, this milk is pasteurized to ensure safety but isn't subjected to the extensive homogenization or long storage processes that characterize supermarket milk.

This approach retains more of the natural enzymes and nutrients in the milk, offering a product that many find creamier, tastier, and more nutritious. It's also typically free from artificial preservatives, additives, and unnecessary packaging.

In places like Essex and the West Midlands, dairy farms such as Whole Moo World take this concept to the next level by implementing robotic milking systems and self-service vending stations. These innovations are making farm-fresh milk more accessible than ever before.

The Technology Behind Milk Vending Machines

A milk vending machine is precisely what it sounds like—a self-service dispenser for milk. Think of it as a modern-day milkman but without the delivery schedule.

Here's how it works:

Fresh Milk Daily: The farm produces and pasteurizes the milk on-site daily.

Refilling the Vending Machine: The milk is transferred into the vending unit, usually at the farm entrance or in a nearby community.

Bring Your Bottle (or Buy One There): Customers either bring reusable bottles or purchase one at the site.

Dispense and Go: You insert coins or a contactless card, select your quantity (typically 1 litre), and fill up. It's quick, convenient, and eco-friendly.

The best part? You're supporting local agriculture while enjoying the freshest milk possible.

Why Consumers Are Making the Switch

1. Better Taste and Nutrition

Ask anyone who's tried farm-fresh milk, and they'll likely rave about its flavour. Unlike store-bought milk that may sit in transit and on shelves for days or weeks, fresh milk from a vending machine is usually consumed within 24-48 hours of milking. The result is a creamier texture and richer taste.

Moreover, fresh milk tends to retain more natural nutrients such as:

Vitamin B12

Calcium

Riboflavin

Potassium

2. Reduced Environmental Impact

Buying from a milk vending machine eliminates the need for single-use plastic bottles and cartons. Many vending machines encourage reusable glass bottles, which reduces landfill waste and supports a circular, sustainable economy.

3. Local Economic Support

When you buy farm-fresh milk, you're putting money directly into the hands of local farmers. This not only sustains agricultural livelihoods but also keeps rural economies alive.

4. Transparency and Traceability

When you get your milk straight from a farm like Whole Moo World, you know exactly where it came from and how the cows are treated. This kind of transparency is hard to find in the industrial food system.

How Whole Moo World is Leading the Way

Whole Moo World, based in the West Midlands, is a shining example of a farm that has embraced modern dairy practices while holding onto traditional values. Their robotic milking technology ensures animal welfare by allowing cows to be milked when they choose. This leads to less stress and more consistent yields.

However, the real game-changer is their implementation of milk vending machines, which allow customers to access farm-fresh milk around the clock. With vending stations open 24/7, families can grab milk at their convenience—before work, after school, or even late at night.

Whole Moo World also ensures that milk is pasteurized on-site for safety without stripping it of its natural goodness.

Is It Safe to Drink Farm-Fresh Milk?

Yes, absolutely—especially from reputable sources like Whole Moo World. Their milk is pasteurized, eliminating harmful bacteria without affecting its quality or taste.

This is a crucial point: farm-fresh milk doesn't mean unpasteurized or raw (which is illegal to sell in some areas). Instead, it means the milk is processed minimally and delivered directly from the farm to the consumer without intermediaries, warehouses, or long transport times.

Milk Vending Machines: The Future of Local Dairy?

In a fast-paced world, convenience often trumps quality. But milk vending machines are changing that narrative. They blend modern technology's ease with traditional dairy farming's nutritional integrity.

Imagine pulling into a local farm shop, tapping your card, and walking away with a litre of creamy, chilled farm-fresh milk—all within a minute or two. No queues, no overly processed cartons, and no guesswork about where your milk came from.

Tips for Getting the Best Experience

Use Clean, Reusable Bottles: Always clean your bottle before each refill to maintain hygiene and taste.

Consume Quickly: Since farm-fresh milk doesn't have long shelf-life preservatives, aim to drink it within 3-5 days.

Store Properly: Always refrigerate immediately and keep it between 1–4°C.

Try It with Breakfast: You'll notice the creaminess whether pouring it on cereal, in coffee, or just drinking it straight.

FAQs About Farm-Fresh Milk and Milk Vending Machines

Q1: Is farm-fresh milk safe for children and older adults?

A: Yes, as long as it is pasteurized. Whole Moo World pasteurizes all milk before it's dispensed via vending machines, making it safe and nutritious for all age groups.

Q2: How long does farm-fresh milk last?

A: Typically, it lasts 3–5 days in the fridge. Because it's not ultra-processed, it doesn't have an extended shelf life, which is a sign of freshness.

Q3: Can I use my bottle at a milk vending machine?

A: Absolutely! It's encouraged to reduce plastic waste. Just make sure your bottle is thoroughly cleaned before each refill.

Q4: Is there a difference in taste between vending machine milk and store-bought milk?

A: Yes, most people find farm-fresh milk creamier, richer, and more flavorful due to its minimal processing and shorter time from cow to consumer.

Q5: Do milk vending machines accept contactless payments?

A: Yes, most modern vending machines—including those at Whole Moo World—accept cards and contactless payments for convenience.

Final Thoughts

The re-emergence of farm-fresh milk and the introduction of milk vending machines signal a new era in dairy consumption that values freshness, transparency, and sustainability. It's a welcome shift for families looking to nourish themselves with wholesome food while supporting local farms and reducing their environmental impact.

Whole Moo World is more than just a dairy farm—it's a hub for ethical farming and community-based food solutions. With 24/7 vending access and high-welfare dairy practices, they set the standard for modern, conscious dairy consumption.

So the next time you reach for a carton at the supermarket, ask yourself: why not go straight to the source?

#farm-fresh milk #milk vending machine

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fencecompanynj · 13 days ago

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Fence Nutley: Top Choices for Every Property

Emphasize the importance of choosing the right fence for privacy, security, and curb appeal.

Your fence choice would, to a large extent, represent the privacy and security of your property and the very look of it. Nutley, New Jersey, offers quite a few choices for homeowners to consider. In Essex County, Nutley has lovely homes, well-kept yards, and an excellent sense of community. Whether windows are being upgraded in an existing structure or for a new construction entirely, the fencing selection best fence in Nutley is not just a matter of what feels right aesthetically, but it affects the future of your house.

When it comes to choosing a fence, the best fit for your property depends on the budget, style preference, maintenance level you want, and the function it has to serve. For some, it is about keeping kids and pets safe in the yard; others value privacy or the addition of curb appeal. Fortunately, the Nutley area has reputable contractors who stock quality materials and design and installation services tailored to your every need.

Vinyl fencing is one of the favorite choices among the people of Nutley within all the available options. They have become very popular due to their durability, minimal maintenance, as well as clean look, which provides a very appealing feature to homeowners who want everything to be neat and tidy, Without demanding huge time requirements for upkeep. Vinyl would not warp, rot, nor repaint itself, as would wood. Vinyl is available in a diversity of colors and designs, from the classic white picket to styles that provide more full privacy panels blocking anything viewable and audible from neighbors.

Unless you have developed very specific ideas about your fencing, vinyl, for all its variety of styles and colors, will probably work. From colonial white pickets for the good old days of picket fencing to tall privacy walls that shield every inch of sight and sound from the neighbor's yard, vinyl has it all: probably the most common residential installation material in Nutley. Extremely popular because of durability and low maintenance, and just around fancy clean looks, it best suits homeowners who appreciate neat and tidy appearances without time-consuming upkeep. It has none of the problems of warping, rotting, or repainting.

Another very popular choice for the traditional or rustic appeal would be wood fencing. The best thing with wood fences is that it could be stained or painted to match your house and still retain great privacy. However, wood needs to be maintained once in a while, as in sealing or staining, to protect from moisture and insects. Cedar and redwood are some of the best preferences in Nutley due to their rot and insect resistance by nature.

Aluminum or wrought iron fencing is a choice of maximum security for homeowners. These fences are highly sturdy, durable, and greatly enhance any property with their elegance. Their design is not as private as that offered by solid-panel fences but adds a character that cannot be discounted. They are well suited for front yards or properties in which visibility is an asset, such as corner lots or homes with a lovely landscape.

Chain link fencing is another practical and economical option for Nutley residential properties, although it tends to be more reminiscent of commercial property or sports fields. With privacy slats or climbing plants, a chain link fence can offer a good balance of security and privacy that will not break the bank. Plus, it is one of the fastest fencing options to install and requires very low maintenance.

Composite fencing is another major trend that is making its way into Nutley. Composite fences made from a blend of recycled wood fibers and plastic are eco-friendly, very durable, and available in a myriad of finishes, resembling natural wood. These fences are the best of both worlds: style and sustainability for the modern homeowner who wants something low on maintenance.

Once you have decided on a material, it is equally important to work with a reliable installer. The best fence companies in Nutley will assist you in the selection process but will also ensure compliance with local building and HOA regulations. A professional installer will evaluate the layout of your property, recommend the best height and placement, and even undertake the permitting process as necessary.

With your decision pending, consider the characteristics of the neighborhood, property lines, and whether the fence fits well with the architecture of your home. Do you want a fence to keep out prying eyes, or is an airy feel more to your liking? Do you want to keep pets in the yard, or is it just a delineation of property boundaries? Thinking through this sets the stage for considering the topmost fencing choices for your Nutley residence.

More than just enclosing a space, an appropriate fence in a town like Nutley, where homeowners are prideful and curb appeal is pursued, stands as a statement. Whether you go the ever-popular wood route, the wining sophistication of vinyl, rugged iron, or eco-friendly composite, the top fence for your property is one that complements your lifestyle and ultimately enhances its value in years to come.

So, when you're ready to beautify your outdoor space, begin with an outlook on the top fencing choices in Nutley. From privacy to personality, the right option is waiting for your pick!Continue the journey in our next article: Best Fence Nutley – Transforming Yards One Fence at a Time

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