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watchingspnagain · 1 year ago

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Rewatching It’s a Terrible Life

Welcome to “Sam and Dean are Just Steps on the Bossman’s Ladder: A Supernatural Rewatch Blog” with Lor and Mace!

Up today, s4e17: It’s a Terrible Life

Dean Smith works a middle-management white-collar job at Sandover Bridge and Iron, and Sam Wesson is a grunt in the IT department there. Sam thinks something about this life is wrong, and when he runs into Dean he could swear they’ve met before. But Dean brushes him off until employees start dying real weird in the company. When Dean witnesses an IT tech stab himself in the throat during a panic attack over filling out a form incorrectly, he accepts that Sam might be on to something. The two work together to research the company and the deaths, eventually realizing the ghost of the company’s founder is compelling workers to kill themselves if they don’t give Sandover their all. Smith and Wesson dispatch the ghost (after finding some helpful tips online from the Ghostfacers), and eventually Dean’s boss reveals that he is actually Zachariah, an angel who arranged this little interlude for Dean to help him remember that he is and always will be a hunter at heart. Dean doesn’t take kindly to this interference from the angels and promises that one day he’ll stab Zachariah in his face.

Below is a log of our real-time reactions as we watched. Remember that there may be spoilers for any part of SPN’s 15-season run here. Note also that the nature of our conversation is adult and thus it may contain adult language and themes.

[and we begin:]

Lor: bounces I love this one

Mace:

it is a good one

he looks so ridiculous in that shirt and tie

Lor:

and I love that this show is like "ep 16: torture, hero almost killed by a demon who tortured him in hell for 30 years. ep 17: alternate universe shenanigans"

mmm. someone should maybe take him out of them

Mace:

they like to mess with us

Lor:

yep

Mace:

LOR.

Lor:

wot?

innocent

Mace:

simmer down

Lor:

NEVER

Mace:

omg this guy plays such a hilarious weirdo on Psych

Lor:

Zachariah?

Mace:

yeah

Lor:

omg Dean Smith. you do not need to lose any weight. eat a cookie

kill a ghost

Mace:

Lor:

LOL Sam's face

Mace:

SAM IN THAT POLO

Lor:

YES

even Dean Smith makes "no homo" jokes when no one else brought that up pets him go to therapy, baby

Mace:

it’s crazy to me that Sam is uncomfortable in this fake life but Dean suspects nothing

YEP

Lor:

DID YOU TRY TURNING IT OFF AND THEN ON

yeah it is WEIRD

Mace:

HAHAHA

Lor:

but it fits with his "I can fit in anywhere thing"

Mace:

hm. I wonder if it’s more “I’m so unhappy in the life my daddy forced me into” thing

Lor:

oh definitely

Mace:

my god he FITS in that shirt

Lor:

YAAAS

he should really stop being work buddies with this asshole

Mace:

(omg I am seriously wearing almost EXACTLY that other dude’s outfit right now)

Lor:

HAAAAHAHAHAHA I LOVE IT

poor Sam doesn't fit in his cubicle

Mace:

graphic t with ratty flannel over

Lor:

it is the BEST outfit

Mace:

oh Sammy, sweets, I’ll nap with you

Lor:

MACE

simmer down

Mace:

I love how he does NOT fit into that cubicle

Lor:

YES

Mace:

Dean’s profile. just DAMN, son

Lor:

YAAAAAS

they made him extra pretty this ep and I love that they bothered

Mace:

he cleans up super nice

Lor:

Dean, you know you have some vampire romance novels under your perfectly made bed

Mace:

SNORK

“you overshare”

HAHAHA

Lor:

the tiny montages of the workplace mundanities

Mace:

YEP

“I hope they spank me” this boy is naughty

Lor:

LOL

look, we've all been where he is. no evil ghost needed

Mace:

Lor:

Mace:

oh GROSS

SHOULDERS

Lor:

YAS

omg Dean's pretty pretty face. his LIPS

Mace:

RIGHT?!

Lor:

omg Sam and Dean are both researching it and asking the same questions on their own. i love it

Mace:

YES

“did you shave?!”

Lor:

lol

"the dash-Rs"

Mace:

“hey, guy”

Lor:

omg his back in those suspenders

Mace:

right?

omg EW

Lor:

RIGHT?

i always forget this one has some serious ew horror moments

poor Dean so shook

Mace:

but not as shook as a normal person, which is kind of awesome

Lor:

the way his voice kinda fails on "neck"

YES

I love the way he just totally took charge with Ian (even though it didn't work)

Mace:

why did he bring his bag?

yeah

Lor:

security laptop. it makes him feel safe

Mace:

emotional support laptop

Lor:

YES

"NOT NATURAL"

Mace:

Lor:

"no that would be nuts" HAAAAAHHAHAHAHA poking fun at their own show history

Mace:

SNORK

Lor:

"some skills I happen to have"

Mace:

okay settle down, Taken

Lor:

I admire from afar

Mace:

Dean’s arms in that shirt

Lor:

HEY. SETTLE DOWN

Mace:

“right?!” BOYS

Lor:

"I am dying to check this out." "Right?" YES

Mace:

SNORK! Look, I’m always like this. It’s weirder when you do it

Lor:

LOLOLOLOL

Fair enough

Mace:

your desire to trot at any given moment is, like, lukewarm

Lor:

at best

Mace:

which is, of course, completely cool - PUN INTENDED - I’m just saying that when you bump it up to hot-trotting, it’s just different

Lor:

LOLOLOL

I get it

Mace:

whereas my trotting enthusiasm always runs at toasty, minimum

Lor:

except for the GIANT BOWL OF APPLES

eat a food, Dean, I beg you

Mace:

HAHAHA

Lor:

LOL toasty trots

DON'T BE A SNOB DEAN SMITH

Mace:

right?!

(also, their NAMES)

Lor:

your daddy raised you better'n that

Mace:

did he, though?

I think you mean Bobby raised him better

Lor:

(YES I am kissing whoever decided to give them OTHER gun names platonically on the head)

Mace:

(HA)

Lor:

Bobby is his dad in the universe, that's what I meant

Mace:

omgomgomg

Lor:

HAAAAHAHAHAHA GHOSTFACERS

"instructional videos"

Mace:

GHOSTFACERS

I forgot they were in here!

Lor:

THIS IS LIKE THE BEST JOKE that they learn how from them who they hate who learned it from them

I LOVE IT kicks feet in glee

Mace:

YESYESYES

Lor:

nrrrrrf Dean's dumb buttondown tucked into his dumb dress slacks

Mace:

YES

“yeah now sucks"

Lor:

his portfolio is in the sewer. poor rich baby

Mace:

Lor:

"useless douchebags the Winchesters"

"possibly all states"

Mace:

HAHAHAHA

Lor:

and Dean's face at the idea of digging up bodies

Mace:

YES

omg Dean hiding

Lor:

YES

oh man another super gross bit coming

Mace:

UGH

“…what?” SAM

Lor:

YES

eeeeeeeeew

Mace:

EWEWEWEW

poor Bean

Lor:

poor sammy

"take the stairs"

Mace:

HAHAHA

Lor:

aw Dean's little swallow

Mace:

YES

Lor:

"I have no idea"

Mace:

oh boys

Lor:

hey! stop throwing my Dean around into things!

ooo the teamwork

Mace:

YES

Lor:

I love that Sam immediately clocks that the way to help Dean is not to help him but to dispatch the ghost

Mace:

YES

so smart

“that was amazing!”

Lor:

HE HAS A FIRST AID KIT IN HIS OFFICE

pets him

Mace:

yeah

“how would we live?”

HEALTH INSURANCE

Lor:

"you don't wanna go fighting ghosts without any health insurance" I LOVE HIM

YES

Mace:

I LOVE that Sam instinctively knows who he is

HE WENT TO STANFORD

Lor:

YES

RIGHT?!

And his family is Bobby, Ellen, and Jo

Mace:

well, Bobby at least

“you don’t know me, pal” ooof

Lor:

"you should go" sigh

YAS SAM

Mace:

YAS SAMMY DO IT

Lor:

GOD HIS ARMS

Mace:

YES

he BENT the poker MY GOD

Lor:

YES

Dean, hold out for your own angel

Mace:

Lor:

gross

Mace:

yeah

Lor:

THE WAY THE COLOR DROPS OUT

Mace:

OMG YES

Lor:

"my GOD am I hungry"

Mace:

HAHAHA YES

Lor:

trots in with a bag of cheeseburgers and fries and pie

Mace:

Lor:

"gross. no thank you"

Mace:

“gross” HAHAHAHA

Lor:

lololol Dean

ass clowns in monkey suits

Mace:

how did they not realize how he would respond to this?

Lor:

his idiolect! I cannot

RIGHT?

Cas coulda told them. No way they ran this by him

Mace:

nope

daddy issues

he’s not wrong there

Lor:

"I will stab you in your face" AND HE DOES

Mace:

HAHAHAHA

Lor:

his face journey after "fornicate with women" is something else

look, Dean, I'm here to tell you you can hunt and still have the lattes

Mace:

HAHAHA YES

and fuck all of them for doing all this to Sammy too but not bothering to explain

Lor:

RIGHT?

Mace:

and HE’S THE ONE WHO ACTUALLY PASSED THE STUPID TEST

Lor:

like Sam goes from "my brother is beat to hell in a hospital bed" to being mind fucked and then no one bothers to tell him what's up

RIGHT?

Mace:

so mean. he needs comforting.

Lor:

I think we've talked before about how if they'd given Dean a life HE MIGHT ACTUALLY HAVE HAD, like running his own auto shop, restoring cars, with either Cassie or Cas, he would have STAYED THERE FOREVER

Mace:

YEP

#watchingspnagain #watchingspnagain 4x17 #spn #supernatural #spn meta #spn spoilers #spn 4x17 #watchingspnagain angels #watchingspnagain dean's hedonism #watchingspnagain meta #watchingspnagain normalcy #watchingspnagain color palette

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therecordchanger62279 · 4 months ago

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HOW I SPENT MY SUMMER VACATION

Records, and cassettes are too expensive. Compact discs are getting harder to find, and the packaging is bare bones, with prices too high for those as well. So, I spent the summer on YouTube listening to a very long list of albums I very much wanted to explore. Some I had heard once and never again. Some I’d only read about. I wanted to further my musical education, expand my horizons, and just hear things that were fresh and new – at least to my ears.

The whole thing began when I bought Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology when it was released in the Spring. I was so overwhelmed by how good it is that for the next several weeks I immersed myself in her entire catalog. I bought several of the titles on CD, and listened to the remainder as digital downloads. I plan on writing a separate piece about the experience I had listening to her entire catalog in the space of just a few weeks. For now, I can say I understand why she’s the best selling, most beloved artist in the world. I’m only sorry I waited so long to discover why.

After Taylor, I moved on to another artist who’s been on the scene for more than a decade, and who remains an enigma of sorts to even those who’ve been along for the ride since the beginning. Lana Del Rey, I soon learned, has eight of the best albums anyone has recorded over the past 12 years. Taylor Swift’s albums play like short stories in a literary anthology. Lana Del Rey’s albums are indie films with each song a separate scene. Neither is casual listening. I discovered on the first listen to each that I would need to really invest the time to appreciate the artistry that just overflows from both artists. As I said, more on both soon.

In the meantime, I began to ask myself which records were still out there that I’d also wanted to hear, but never had? Which albums had I heard just once, and made a note to investigate further, and just never did for one reason or another? And in the process of searching these out, I also discovered several new albums that had slipped out this year completely under my radar that were by artists I’ve followed, and enjoyed for years. The music magazine I was reading wasn’t doing a very good job keeping me informed about these because they were too busy rewriting old stories about bands and artists I’d long ago abandoned, or about whom I already knew what I wanted to know. That’s why I let my subscription expire, and decided to do my own digging.

One title at a time began to surface, and thanks to the magic of YouTube, I was able to hear all of these titles as often as I wanted. Below is the list with a few comments about what I heard.

Holly & The Italians – Holly Beth Vincent (1982) This is Holly Vincent’s solo album named after the band she’d recorded her debut record with a year earlier. A terrific Pop/Rock record, but almost impossible to find these days.

Home In the Heart of The Beat – Beat Rodeo (1986) One of those bands working the Roots Rock side of the street. It commands big money from online sellers these days. It’s a solid, if unspectacular effort.

Do You Wanna Ride? – Adina Howard (1995) I first heard this in one of the shops I used to frequent, and though it was an R&B/Hip-Hop record (not usually my thing at all), I liked her voice, and a couple of the songs stayed with me. When I searched it out all these years later, I expected it to be long forgotten, but it seems time has enhanced its appeal, and Howard still has a career in the business even though it was 9 years before she followed it with a second album. It holds up well, and I added it to one of my playlists.

Happy Nightmare Baby – Opal (1987) Long out-of-print, Opal was part of the Paisley Underground movement of the early 80s in Los Angeles. Kendra Smith from The Dream Syndicate, and David Roback crafted a sound that eventually evolved into Mazzy Star when Hope Sandoval replaced Smith. It’s dreamy Pop I find irresistible. I also investigated a few tracks – all I could find – from Kendra’s two solo albums, both also long out-of-print, and both quite worth a reissue.

This Is Big Audio Dynamite – Big Audio Dynamite (1985) Mick Jones put this band together after being sacked by The Clash. I have their second LP, 10 Upping Street from 1986. I like this debut, but I think the follow-up more fully realizes their efforts to meld Punk, Dance, Reggae, and Hip-Hop into one big musical melting pot.

The Longest Day (1984) / Boston, Ma. (1985) – The Del Fuegos Sort of an Americana, or Roots Rock Garage band maybe best remembered for a Miller High Life beer commercial. Like Beat Rodeo, both are pretty strong efforts, but there’s nothing spectacular that would’ve helped them sustain a longer career. Still, both albums merit a reissue.

Sheet Music – 10cc (1974) The band’s second album, and the one most highly regarded by critics. I have their debut, and this one is just as good. I’m happy to have finally heard it.

Your Saving Grace / Rock Love / Recall the Beginning…Journey to Eden / Number 5 – SteveMiller Band (1969-1972) These four early albums were missing from my Steve Miller collection. I’d never owned or even heard any of these, but after picking up Children of the Future, their debut, and Brave New World, their third album earlier this year (Sailor – which I’ve had for years - was the second) I thought it was time to catch up. These are all Psychedelic Rock records with a bit of Pop, and a helping of Blues done in Miller’s laid-back affable style. He would make far more commercial records beginning with 1973’s The Joker, but these are all essential to anyone who loves the sounds of San Francisco in the late 60s.

In an effort to round out my knowledge of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement of the late 70s/early 80s in England, I listened to a half dozen bands and/or records that are considered cornerstones of that movement. Each of the titles listed below had their good points and bad. I didn’t consider any of them to be essential additions to my collection, but I included them all in a playlist of the period, and I can close the book on researching that particular movement now. Angel Witch, Grim Reaper, and Diamond Head were the best of the six.

Angel Witch – Angel Witch (1980)

Lightning To the Nations – Diamond Head (1980)

See You in Hell – Grim Reaper (1983)

Death Penalty – Witchfinder General (1982)

All For One – Raven (1983)

Crusader – Saxon (1984)

Be My Slave – Bitch (1983) The Bitch is Back – Bitch (1987) / Betsy (1989) Bitch was a Los Angeles Heavy Metal band with a sexy lead screamer named Betsy who left to cut a solo album a year after the band’s final LP. She’s still on the road fronting her own band today. These records sound dated today by contemporary standards, but they’re welcome additions to my playlist that chronicles the L.A. Metal scene of that period.

Bent Out of Shape – Rainbow (1983) This is the last Rainbow album I had not heard, and because I’ve always been a fan of both Ritchie Blackmore and Rainbow, I wanted to hear it. It’s not their best album, but if you’re a fan, it’s certainly worth having. I preferred the band with vocalist Joe Lynn Turner rather than Ronnie Dio, but I know that’s a minority opinion. Any record that features Blackmore’s guitar is worth hearing.

Memories Have Faces – The Loons (2024) The latest from San Diego’s premier Garage/Psych band fronted by Ugly Things publisher Mike Stax. This is one of their best records.

Smoke & Fiction – X (2024) A surprise new album from America’s greatest ever Punk band as they embark on their final tour. There are better X albums, but this one is a must for fans.

Ask The Ages – Sonny Sharrock (1991) The final record from the brilliant Jazz guitarist. Great band with Pharoah Sanders, Charnett Moffett, and the legendary Elvin Jones on drums. Bill Laswell produced. I was never able to locate a copy anywhere, but YouTube had it. Great record. If it ever gets a reissue, I’ll pick it up.

Miley Cyrus (20 track career spanning playlist compiled by The Guardian) I only knew of Miley from her Hannah Montana days, and of course I know of the controversy that’s surrounded her since. But I didn’t know the music, and I had no idea where to start. But I found a list on The Guardian website picking her 20 best songs, and that’s where I started. There were four tracks I really loved, and another half-dozen I thought were impressive. The rest weren’t bad by any means, but they weren’t particularly memorable either. I like Miley. I like her strong vocals, and her attitude about controlling her own career, and being who she is. I admire her for breaking free of the Disney graveyard where so many child stars are buried, but she’d have to be more consistent, and develop her songwriting more to keep me interested.

Show Stopper (1983) / Renaissance Man (1984) / Jukebox (1986) – Jamaaladeen Tacuma Tacuma is one of the premier electric bass players of his generation. I heard the first two records here when they were issued, and always intended to add them to my collection. But his label, Gramavision went bust, and I was never able to find them again. He’s putting them out again through Bandcamp, and they’re on YouTube as well. These are excellent albums, and if they’re ever reissued on CD, I’d certainly pick them up.

Steps Ahead (1983) / Modern Times (1984) – Steps Ahead When I was managing an NRM store in the 1980s, I had some musicians working for me who were devoted to Steps Ahead. I heard both of these records in-store quite a few times, and always meant to pick them up. But I waited too long, and they went out of print when the label collapsed. They’re around now as expensive imports, I believe. They still sound good to my ears, and with guys like Mike Manieri, Steve Smith, and Bill Evans in the band, their brand of Jazz Fusion satisfies.

Musicmagic – Return To Forever (1977) The final studio record from the band before they reunited more than a decade later. I never thought their work for Columbia was as good as what they’d done on Polydor, but this one was better than I remembered.

The Verbier Festival Debut Recital 2008 – Yuja Wang (2023) This was released as a download 13 years after the fact. Yuja was the ripe old age of 21 when this was recorded. She was astonishing even then, and has gone on to become the world’s premier pianist – in any genre.

Friends & Strangers – Ronnie Laws (1977) I first heard saxophonist Ronnie Laws when he released his 1976 Fever album. I liked his brand of funky Jazz as well as his tone on the sax. This record, like the other two I’ve heard, is quite good.

The Brecker Brothers (1975) Very highly regarded debut from the Breckers – Michael on sax, and Randy on trumpet. It’s funky, and the playing impeccable. I found it a little slick, and short of great tunes, but it’s worth a listen or two.

Multiplication – Eric Gale (1977) Smooth Jazz from a guitarist who brings a bit of an edge to his work. He’s an excellent player, and I like this one as much as his Ginseng Woman, and Touch of Silk LP’s.

Short N’ Sweet (2024) / E-Mails I Can’t Send (2022) – Sabrina Carpenter I’d never heard of Sabrina Carpenter until I saw a caption on a photo of her with Taylor Swift. She hasn’t got Taylor’s voice or her gift for songwriting, but this is catchy Dance/Pop with hooks everywhere, and attitude to match. I like her use of acoustic guitars on a few tracks. They lend a light, airy, almost Brazilian feel. It’s lightweight, but not aimed at somebody my age. Still, I can understand her popularity. And the newer one is the better of the two.

Back To Black – Amy Winehouse (2006) I figured I was probably the last person on Earth who’d never heard this. I always meant to, but when she died, I figured there was no point. That was a mistake because she was every bit the major talent everyone claimed she was, and in retrospect, it’s easy to feel the loss – even if it is 13 years since she passed.

Hit Me Hard and Soft – Billie Eilish (2024) A simple case of curiosity here. Her appeal is understandable. She obviously connects with her young audience. Her voice is slight, but she’s a good songwriter. Her songs are more melodic than most of what you hear these days. I picked this album because she told the press that it was the most like her of any record she’d made so far. I think she’ll be around awhile.

Ectopia – Oregon (1987) Recorded for ECM, Oregon had more of a New Age sound than the Jazz that label is known for. But whatever you call it, it’s an engaging listen.

Cloud Dance – Collin Walcott (1976) A member of Oregon, Walcott cut this album for ECM more than a decade before Ectopia. It’s similar, and a nice companion to that one as well as the three Codona albums on the label that also featured Walcott.

Spellbinder (1966) / Dreams (1968) – Gabor Szabo I’ve been a Santana fan since their 1969 debut record, but I had never heard Gabor Szabo, Carlos Santana’s biggest influence on guitar. These are two of his 60s albums – likely ones Santana knew well. It’s easy to hear what Santana incorporated into his own style, but I think it’s a case of the student surpassing the teacher.

Warm Leatherette – Grace Jones (1980) I’m a fan of Jones’s Nightclubbing album. This one preceded it, and sounds like the template for that one.

Room of One’s Own (1996) / Under the Milky Way Express (2000) – Rachel Z Rachel Z’s music has been difficult to find, and I’ve been looking since she released her excellent Sensual album this past February. The earlier title is her second album, and it’s impressive. Her stuff is melodic, and she’s got a nice touch on the keyboard. The other album is her fourth, and it’s all Wayne Shorter tunes. That one convinced me she’s a major talent. I’d like to see a reissue program for her catalog.

Faces at the BBC (box) (2024) This is 8 CDs worth of BBC archive recordings from the early 70s. I’ve only heard about a CD’s worth so far, but it’s a must if you loved Faces – and who didn’t? Truly one of the great bands of the period.

Out of the Mist (1977) / Illusion (1978) – Illusion I missed this completely first time around. I only discovered it now thanks to one of the YouTube vinyl community channels I follow by the name of Near Wild Heaven. This band was a branch of the Renaissance tree with members of that band leaving after its debut. They gave the name to a new group of musicians, and formed Illusion. The debut is an excellent Progressive Rock record – truly a lost treasure. The self-titled follow-up is almost as good, and I can only think the reason this band failed to make any real impact was because they were late to the party. By 1977 the music world was laser focused on Disco, Punk, and the kind of corporate Rock where all the bands had logos. Progressive Rock was consigned to the dustbin, and its practitioners were outcasts. Of all the records listed here, Out of the Mist is the one I would most like to see given a proper reissue. I might even overpay for it. It’s that good.

The Lost Record (2024) / Bright Lights (2021) / The Deep End (2019) – Susanna Hoffs Her latest along with her two previous releases. Those last two are albums of covers – something she does well, but more important is her knack for picking great, and lesser-known numbers by very talented songwriters. The Lost Record, an album of originals, was resurrected from the ashes of an aborted 1994 session, and it’s the best of the three. But if you like her work, there’s nothing here you won’t enjoy.

Big Science – Laurie Anderson (1982) This got so much press and so many plaudits from critics when it was released more than 40 years ago, that I think I deliberately avoided hearing it. When every critic is on to something none of my friends are talking about, I generally stay away. So, it was sheer curiosity that made me give it some time all these years later. What did I discover? I was right to avoid it all those years ago. There wasn’t a single track on it I ever want to hear again.

Tori Amos (a YouTube hits compilation playlist) Another artist whose popularity, and cult following always puzzled me. I listened to a few things when she was all the rage, and just didn’t get it. But I figured I’d try again, and see if maybe I was wrong. Though I respect her talents at the piano, and she has some nice melodies, the lyrics are often hard to hear because of her mannered vocals that tend to grate after a while. Just not my thing. But I did try.

Viva – Lone Justice (2024) Thirty-eight years have gone by since their last record, and subsequent breakup. But they’re back, intact, though I’m not sure for how long. They sound the same as they always did. But a new LP with just one original, and a mix of covers is puzzling. It almost sounds like a rehearsal just to test the waters to see if they were comfortable. Not a failure by any means, but I think we all expected more. Still, we can hope there’ll be a follow-up that will blow us all away.

At Home – Shocking Blue (1969) A Pop/Psych gem. They were so much more than just “Venus.” I intend to search out the rest of their catalog. They really had some magic.

Strawberry Alarm Clock – Strawberry Alarm Clock (1967) Sounds like the “Summer of Love.” Lightweight, nice melodies, silly lyrics, but if you were there, irresistible nostalgia.

Evolution – Sheryl Crow (2024) First new album by Sheryl I’ve heard since 2005’s Wildflowers which I bought, and sold back. I think the muse deserted her which led to a Christmas album, a collection of covers, a live record – all things artists do when the well runs dry. This new one is solid, but there’s nothing remarkable here, and I wouldn’t expect to return to it.

TexiCali – Dave Alvin & Jimmie Dale Gilmore (2024) A sequel to their last pairing, Downey to Lubbock, and this one is even better. It will probably land in my Top 5 for 2024.

The Border – Willie Nelson (2024) When this began playing, if I hadn't known going in who it was, I never would've guessed it was Willie Nelson. His voice is much rougher, and deeper than when I'd last heard him on record just a few years ago. Of course, as it continued to play, his old voice surfaced now and again, and there was that old guitar, and his phrasing. Once I got comfortable with the changes in his voice, I was able to hear the songs, and this is as fine a set of songs on one Willie album in some time. Recommended.

Across the River of Stars – Beachwood Sparks (2024) If you've never heard their brand of Southern California hippie pop psych, this isn't the place to start. At under thirty minutes, and without anything definitive here, this feels like a minor effort. Fans will want it, but Tarnished Gold, and Desert Skies are more substantial.

MoonDial – Pat Metheny (2024) All acoustic, very quiet Jazz guitar. Metheny describes it as a late night into morning record, and that's accurate. Not many guitarists can do this, and hold your interest for an hour, but Metheny isn't your average guitarist. Recommended.

Driven’ To Drive – Joe Ely (2024) This is essentially the same record Joe Ely has been making his entire career. If you're a fan, there's nothing here you won't enjoy. If you don't know his work, begin with The Best of Joe Ely, and work backwards. If you get hooked, circle back to this one.

Survivor – Vanessa Williams (2024) I only got through the first five tracks of this before I dismissed it. She's still got that voice, but somebody (maybe her) decided to update, and modernize her approach to appeal to a younger audience. But she's working the same side of the street as artists less than half her age, and it isn't likely she'll convert younger fans with this. All she's managed to do is alienate the older ones. I thought of someone like Tony Bennett who courted a younger audience by working with Lady Gaga. But Tony did what he'd always done as if to say, "This is me, and this is what I do. I hope you like it." That's what I wish Vanessa would've done. Stick with what you do best. But do it better, and maybe use younger songwriters, and fresh arrangements if you want a new audience. Disappointing.

Brasil – Lee Ritenour & Dave Grusin (2024) I've been listening to a lot of Brazilian music recently, so the timing on this couldn't be better. Ritenour and Grusin are masters at making records, and this will put you exactly where you want to be - on a beach, with a drink in hand, and a cool breeze blowing across the sand as you watch the sunset.

Safe at Home - The International Submarine Band (1967) Gram Parsons before he joined The Byrds for Sweetheart of the Rodeo. This is very similar to that album - particularly the original version that featured several Parsons vocals that Roger McGuinn replaced when Parsons left the band due to a dispute over shows booked for South Africa. From the evidence here, Parsons already had in mind what he wanted to do with his brand of Country music, and he would fulfill that promise with The Flying Burrito Brothers. Interesting as a curio, and as a blueprint for the Country-Rock house Parsons would build.

That’s the list so far. What looked to be a dull year musically has suddenly become quite interesting. Stay tuned for more.

#Summer vacation #music reviews

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icedancergirl · 2 years ago

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tagged by angel madeline @sullengirl to list 10 of my favorite songs with names in the title!! thank u🩷

terrence loves you - lana

what sarah said - death cab

next level charli - charli xcx

clementine - elliott smith

angelina - pinegrove

francis forever - mitski

suzanne - hope sandoval & the warm inventions

jonathan - fiona apple

grace - jeff buckley

alina - alex g

tagging @damonsalvatoregf @gothicbohemian @flowyskirt @le-ange-de-amour @chamonamile @alpacinolover @softtpapillon @thomyorkesgf @angelwisps @hauntedwoman @gildedfairy @kafka3sque @m0tel6mxzzy @spicedpersimmon @cobain omg i’m forgetting so many lovely mutuals, if ur a mutual IM TAGGING U AND GIVING U A KISS

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shootinwebs · 7 months ago

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(also based on my hc that angel is transmasc and afab)

headcanon that partly where angel got the inspiration for the name angel dust was how, in his earth life as a cabaret performer, regulars at the club started calling him "angel voice" because of his singing voice. he sounds similar to ethereal singers like elizabeth fraser (cocteau twins) and hope sandoval (mazzy star).

#(these linked songs are both sad af just a warning lol)#hazbin hotel #angel dust #headcanon #trans!angeldust

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dinosaursr66 · 2 years ago

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youtube

My lullaby tonight and every night. Hope Sandoval is an angel.

SONG OF THE DAY/NIGHT - April 7, 2023

#song of the day #youtube #lullaby #mazzy star #hope sandoval #David Roebach

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bandcampsnoop · 1 year ago

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12/6/23.

New West's 11 LP Acetone (Los Angeles, California) behemoth came across my radar a couple of months ago. I listened, liked it, but ultimately set it aside. Then I got an email from Light in the Attic announcing that Acetone's "1992-2001" was on sale. I decided to pull the trigger and have been enjoying this 2 LP for a couple of weeks now.

I noticed that Jason Pierce of Spiritualized and Hope Sandoval of Opal/Mazzy Star have quotes on the hype sticker, and given that I know nearly nothing about this band, I assumed they were slowcore all the way. These songs also remind me of the quieter moments of Yo La Tengo and The Velvet Underground.

But the AllMusic review let me in on an important fact - Acetone could and did rock. The review mentioned four songs in particular - "Pinch", "Final Say", "It's A Lie", and "Border Lord". I'll give them a listen.

#Acetone #Los Angeles #California #Jason Pierce #Spiritualized #Hope Sandoval #Mazzy Star #Opal #Yo La Tengo #The Velvet Underground #Bandcamp

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chaoticgayomens · 1 year ago

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i was just sitting, scrolling thru pinterest with spotify on shuffle when hope sandoval (mazzy star) starts singing “BE MY ANGEL” and i just….. i am STILL WRECKED from the good omens finale. IT’S BEEN SIX MONTHS

#good omens #crowley #aziraphale #ineffable divorce #good omens season two has destroyed me #good omens 2 #good omens season two #good omens season two therapy club

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forrestcas · 2 years ago

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💖 fic recs !! 💖

just sharing my fav fics that i read in the last 6 months :)

where living doesn't feel like falling by februyuri - 39k | E |

The year is 2002 and Castiel is a part-time student, full-time gas station sales associate living in Rexford, Idaho. One day, a handsome young man in a black Chevrolet drops by the Gas-N-Sip and changes his life forever.

Castle on a Cloud by whelvenwings - 122k | E |

Dean Winchester has his whole life planned out. Becoming a warrior is all he’s ever dreamed about, since he was tiny - saving people, hunting monsters; quests and deeds and swords and glory. He’s done his training and he’s ready to become a Savaşçı, a knight of the realm. All that stands in his way is the Vigil, a night-long contemplation of his past and future in the chapel just outside the city walls. The only rules: no eating, no speaking, and no opening the door. Easy, right? Very easy. Until there’s a knocking, and a voice from outside that pleads for his help… So begins Dean’s journey, and his path will take him far - across the desert, through the forests, over the mountains and beyond. But his mysterious blue-eyed companion is keeping secrets, and Dean has a few of his own. Will he be able to let go of his fear before they come to the Castle on a Cloud?

the cheapest room in the house by biggaybenny - 89k | E |

what if instead of a very sincere and earnest love confession dean just found out cas was gay? no confession, no god-jack endgame. just post-s15 stupidity. just dean being deranged. the dean downloads grindr for cas fic

the origin of love by dothraki_shieldmaiden - 121k | E |

Having a soulmate isn't always a good thing. Castiel Novak knew, from the age of four, that he had a soulmate. He could feel every bit of pain that his soulmate experienced--every injury, every hurt, every disappointment his soulmate suffered, he felt. By the time he's eighteen, Castiel has felt the pain beyond his imagining, and he's left with the simple question: why does his soulmate hate him so? Dean Winchester never wanted a soulmate. He grew up watching how the loss of his soulmate destroyed his father. Unfortunately, when he's four years old, he finds himself saddled with one. He spends his teenage years desperate to deny even the smallest comfort from his soulmate. When tragedy strikes, Castiel sets off on a mission of revenge that will send his life crashing into Dean's. Determined to defy fate, the two separate, only to come back together, only to separate again. But when a demon deal threatens not only Dean's life but Castiel's, the two have to connect in order to save each other, themselves, and maybe, while they're at it, the world.

Roll With It by saltnhalo - 73k | E |

For two years, Dean’s been slaving away beneath his boss – many label him a secretary, but he fucking hates that and feels like it only applies to someone wearing a pencil skirt, so he insists on his title of Executive Assistant. And for what? In the vain hope that one day he’ll manage to become an editor for Sandover Publishing, and that he’ll see the manuscript that he’s slaved over since college finally realized in print. That’s the dream, anyway. Right now, he’s fucking late. Dean wants to be an editor. Castiel just wants to stay in the country. ‘The Proposal’ – as you’ve never seen it before.

It's The End of the World (As We Know It) by tiamatv - 139k | M |

The year is 1996, and Dean’s stuck in Kankakee, Illinois while Dad’s on a long-haul hunt. It’s not too bad. He’s even got a friend, now—even if Cas is a weird, gawky loner kid who gets way too intense about his sci-fi novels and doesn’t know how to stop staring. Just business as usual. Until his dad comes back, and it isn’t. The year is 2011, and the shadows known as ‘angels’ and ‘demons’ are falling from cracks in the sky, raining death, destruction, and monsters where they pass. When the Joint Task Force asks for their help in stopping the end of the world—John Winchester, his sons, and a ragtag band of hunters—well, that’s just business as usual, too. Until Dean meets the cold blue eyes of their team liaison—Dr. Castiel Novak.

carving deep blue ripples by dothraki_shieldmaiden - 85k | E |

With his little brother at Stanford and his father searching out leads on the monster that killed his mother, Dean Winchester is left to hunt alone. It's fun, except in the ways that it really blows. Things start to turn around when he meets Castiel Novak, another hunter. Castiel is aloof and maybe a little too sarcastic, but he's good backup (and pretty easy on the eyes. Not that Dean's looking or anything). After a few hunts, Dean is willing to make his and Castiel's partnership permanent (and he's not exactly averse to adding another component to their partnership either. After all, he's caught Castiel looking at him just as many times as Castiel's caught him looking). But Castiel is hiding a secret, and it's so explosive that it threatens to not only tear them apart, but also tear apart everything Dean believes in.

Heavyweight by emmbrancsxx0, valleydean (emmbrancsxx0) - 206k | E |

Brooklyn, 1927. The Golden Age of Boxing. Two years ago, light heavyweight champion Dean Winchester and heavyweight champion Castiel Novak had a secret affair. After a scandal tarnished Cas’ name and stripped him of his title, the two parted ways. Now, with a heavyweight tournament on the horizon, Dean aims to up his weight class so he can compete for the title. He finds unexpected competition when Cas comes out of retirement and returns to New York to fix his reputation. Upon their reunion, the two contenders learn that, outside of the ring, some bruises never really heal.

And This, Your Living Kiss by opal_bullets - 60k | M |

Only a very few people in the world know that the celebrated and reclusive poet Jack Allen is just Kansas mechanic Dean Winchester, a high school dropout with a few bucks to his name. Not that it matters anymore; life has left him so wrung out he never wants to pick up another pen. Until, that is, a string of coincidences leads Dean to auditing a poetry course with one Dr. Castiel Novak. The professor is wildly intelligent, devastatingly handsome...and just so happens to be academia's foremost expert on the poetry of Jack Allen.

Right Where You Left Me by outdean - 93k | E |

Ten years after the empty swallows Cas up, it spits him right back out—but a lot can change in a decade. OR The "Cas comes back from the empty to find that Dean is married" fic.

Hidden Language by chevrolangels - 60k | E |

Las Alas Academy. A formidable-looking place, all brick building and ivy climbing the walls, nestled in the heart of the city. To be accepted is a pipe dream, to succeed is a miracle. When Naomi Alas left the National Ballet, amidst much gossip and whispered rumors, she walked out with her head held high, and started her own school the next year. Within five years it was one of the most prestigious names in the country, hell—any kid with a pair of ballet shoes and a teacher worth their salt instilled in them the hope of one day walking the hallowed halls of Alas. So why was Dean here again? Castiel supposes life could be a lot worse. He’s finally got out of ballet, he hasn’t got kicked out of his apartment yet, and oh, yeah—he’s got a competition coming up that’s his entire future on a plate. The last thing he needs is a distraction.

for the love of a triangle by dothraki_shieldmaiden - 75k | E |

She’s seventeen years old, with the world in the palm of her hands, but she wants more. Cassie Robinson is hungry, the kind of hungry with teeth, the kind of hungry that hunts down life like a pack of wolves, and she won’t stop until she gets everything. OR Dean, Cassie, and Castiel meet at college and fall in love.

#idk if anyone is interested but #fic recs #i need to read more canon fics lmao #destiel

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