Tuesday, October 8, 2024: TWOfer Tuesday - "Hacks" Edition

I'm obsessed with the TV show "Hacks." 

If you've been living in a cave, or if you don't have HBO, Hacks is a recent comedy-drama series that follows the relationship between legendary Las Vegas stand-up comedian Deborah Vance, played by Jean Smart, and a young comedy writer, Ava Daniels, played by Hannah Einbinder.  

It works a lot of familiar tropes about the generational and personal differences between the two; isn't the young person so entitled and out of touch, isn't the old person so closed minded and out of touch, etc.

However, the joy comes from how brilliantly the writers bring nuance and complexity to those tropes, and how Smart and Einbinder, along with a supporting cast that has no visible weak links, take that material and create real, fleshed out human beings.  Their standout performances shine and make all the comedy and all the pathos a amazing experience to watch.

The bonus element is that the soundtrack is a pitch-perfect blend of old school classics and new, insightful music that is the sublime compliment to Deborah's and Ava's clashing personalities and perspectives on life and comedy.

I'd sling Bang Bang Chicken and Shrimp all day if it meant I could come home to watch this series again and again.  Enjoy.

 

Monday, October 7, 2024: Cypress Hill - Insane In The Brain

 

It's Monday.  I've wasted so much of my life sitting behind a desk accomplishing nothing but pushing around paperwork.

That's.....insane.

Sunday, October 6, 2024

No blogging on a Sunday.

See you Monday!

Saturday, October 5, 2024: The Rolling Stones - Waiting On A Friend

 

I remember a guitar player I once knew told me, "The Rolling Stones aren't the greatest band in the world.  They are, however, the greatest bar band in the world.'

I've never forgotten that.  I might just be true.

All I know is that, damn, do I miss songs with saxophone solos.

Friday, October 4, 2024: Diana Ross - I'm Coming Out

 

Me, after staying inside all Summer because the temperature outside was 115+ degrees, but now the temps are going back down into the 90s.

Thursday, October 3, 2024: Nazareth - Love Hurts

 

Straight outta Dunfermline, Scotland, Nazareth is one of those bands that played a key role in shaping the hard rock scene of the 1970s, but never really got the recognition they deserved.  The rasp of Dan McCafferty, the band's original lead singer, combined with Manny Charlton's fiery guitar playing defined much of Nazareth’s sound, especially on their early albums.

Their breakout disc was 1975's Hair Of The Dog, a powerhouse mix of heavy guitar riffs and melodic elements, which featured such hits as the title track, and this inspired rock and roll cover of this Everly Brothers' track.

If you can, go and get your hands on a copy of Hair Of The Dog for some amazing, truly old school rock and roll.

Wednesday, October 2, 2024: King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - Mirage City

 

Mirage City is the opening track of the album Flight b741 by, wait for it, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard.  

Yes, friends, that's the name of the band.  Cool, isn't it?

KGATLW are an Australian psychedelic rock band known for their prolific output and eclectic musical style, which spans genres like psychedelic rock, progressive rock, jazz fusion, heavy metal, and microtonal music. 

The band formed in Melbourne in 2010, initially as a garage rock group, but quickly evolved to explore a wide array of sonic landscapes.  However, they actually might be known best for releasing a large number of albums, sometimes several in a single year. Their prolific output is a key characteristic, with a staggering number of albums out there already.

Check out this track, then check out this album, then start checking out their whole discography.  It will brighten up your week, I promise you.