michaeljarmer

#700: (Oops) E is for Exit North

Here’s the problem. I’ve got boxes in which my albums are storedspines-out, alphabetically by artist. In addition, I have what are called “browser bins” up top, where I file my newestacquisitions, also alphabetically, for easy, flip-through access. I have tried to be mindfulof not forgetting any albums in the browser bins, whether they be newrecordsContinue reading “#700: (Oops) E is for Exit North”

#699: F is for The Flaming Lips (08, 09, 10, 12, 16)

I have not seen it in full, but judging only from short clipsI have seen, the first film written by, starred in, with a soundtrack composed byThe Flaming Lips, a thing called ChristmasOn Mars, was an utterly terrible film.Some folks will disagree, claim that it is a classic cult film on par with Eraserhead. TheContinue reading “#699: F is for The Flaming Lips (08, 09, 10, 12, 16)”

#698: F is for The Flaming Lips (95, 99, 02, 06)

In the catalog of musical artists whomake you wonder if there’s somethingwrong with your stereo, sit The Flaming Lips, the band about which I have written mostoften on the blog, and, behind Elbow, aremy favorite band of the 21st century. The Flaming Lips make their debut, actually, in the late 80’s, make music for nearlyContinue reading “#698: F is for The Flaming Lips (95, 99, 02, 06)”

#697: F is for The Fixx

The Fixx stands near the top ofmy list of the greatest 80’s bands, in part because their music doesn’tsound dated–there are no dumbdrum machines, no easily identifiablesynthesizer cliches or sequencers. Their timelessness comes from the key instrumental fact that they were a rock band. They stand outbecause each player, not just oneor two, had aContinue reading “#697: F is for The Fixx”

#696: F is for Finn, Liam and Neil

It seems like it was only a few daysago when I was listening to Crowded House, but it’s been actually about a month and a half. Listening as much as I have been since the start of October, sometimes the experience becomes a bit of a blur. So I went all the way back toContinue reading “#696: F is for Finn, Liam and Neil”

#695: F is for Fine Young Cannibals

I wondered why they buried the single, then I realized that “She Drives Me Crazy”is not on this album. Instead, we’ve got a collection of debut tunes from this Fine Young band of Cannibals, wildly unique in their era, making a kind of soul music featuring one of the most distinctive singers of theday, anContinue reading “#695: F is for Fine Young Cannibals”

#694: F is for Finneas

The brother of Billie Eilish, and the mastermindbehind most of her production choices, one mightthink that this young man would just be a kind of boy-version of his sister. Not even close. Listeningto Finneas, the last record, The Optimist, or this one, For Crying Out Loud, brings into stark contrast the two projects. Oddly, givenContinue reading “#694: F is for Finneas”

#693: F is for Ferry, Bryan

Here’s a super groovy late 80’s album for you. I think I heard Bryan Ferry on the Roxy Music Avalon album and I didn’t even make the connectionbetween this guy and “Love Is The Drug.” And while I loved that Roxy Music album,I have never taken the plunge into Roxy Music’s back catalog, which goesContinue reading “#693: F is for Ferry, Bryan”

#692: F is for Feist

It’s been decades since I participatedin any kind of record club situation. When I was young and poor it was the easiest and cheapest way to accumulate a CD collection, and whenI was a kid, my dad allowed me to orderrecords from his subscription at Columbia House. When I became an adult, I put awayContinue reading “#692: F is for Feist”

#691: F is for Father John Misty (18, 22, 24)

Only one year after Pure Comedy, Father John Misty releases God’s Favorite Customer. A significantly more rocking affair, albeit mid-tempo to slow; it crushes harder, it’s lyrically more personal, confessional,the melodic hooks are stronger, it’s easierand more fun to sing along to these songs,there’s more humor here, but as usual,it’s pretty dark in there: “You’reContinue reading “#691: F is for Father John Misty (18, 22, 24)”