Steven DeCaluwe

Handmade ticket to a dance show: “8:00 PM S & C On T. V. Be there -Steve”

I have been summoned:

"There were concerns about QB Anthony Richardson ...as the season went on those concerns became Joe Flacco"

I just signed up; you should too!

Time to stop just admiring their work and actually giving them some traffic (or, y'know, wth, some money?)

The parentheticals are the most batshit part.

Wish fulfillment = protagonist has secret powers

I just...

I mean, I do think the market would move on from FF in a time frame shorter than centuries. I would naively guess 50-100y.

But we don’t have that long, either.

I heard about her training regimen. Bonkers.

Bring to mind the story that the dungeon fam used to make a Big Boi and Andre run around the neighborhood doing calisthenics while rapping, to build the necessary stamina to perform.

(+ time frame)

A sign advising that you not walk over the geysers. The illustration—of a bit making an “oh no!” Face as he falls into a thermal—borders in comical.

“Interpretive signs are my passion…”

Parenting: literally inventing a guy to get mad at.

Lol, after concluding “no, not good,” I’ve now listened to this version of the album on repeat for 3 days straight.

Highlights:
1. Front half is damn near perfect.
1a. Back half is weird (complementary).
2. It’s the most Matt Cameron-y of all their records.
3. Guitar tones are phenomenal.

If you want a weird but true fact to talk about:

Dexter Holland, lead singer of The Offspring, was instrumental in this. His doctorial thesis in molecular biology was sequencing mRNA in HIV. The paper was also heavily cited in creating the COVID-19 vaccine.

Beverage container museum, outside of Nashville.

Srsly. I kept waiting … something. Anything!

Kelly Hogan, covering the Hold Steady's "Constructive Summer" for AV Club's Undercover series.

Okay, one more track, then it's time for bed:

Screaming Females covering Sheryl Crowe's "If it Makes You Happy" for AV Club's Undercover series, season 3.

Marisa Paternoster. That's the skeet.

But... DADDY ISSUES!

This idea is still rattling around my noggin:

I mean, I’m a mediocre white guy who got a job despite having zero brilliant theories or papers, so… QED, I guess ?

There were two strong outtakes ("Down" and "Undone", or possibly the Layne Staley eulogy "4/20/02") but none provide the emphatic oomph this album could use.

In the end, could this have been a good album? Idk. Pulling out the clunkers, you have:

Side 1:
Can't Keep
Save You
Love Boat Captain
Cropduster
Thumbing My Way

Side 2:
You Are
Get Right
Green Disease
1/2 Full
Arc
All or None

The back half is sorely lacking a highlight.

YouTube video by Pearl Jam Pearl Jam - All or None (Seattle, 2018).

The album closes with "All or None," which I like.

"To myself I surrender.
To the one I'll never please."

YouTube video by Pearl Jam - Topic Arc

There's not a lot to say about 'Arc.' Pearl Jam's version of a hip hop skit? It's fine. Again, used to good effect on the MSG show they released.

The vocal line intro reminds me too much of the Star Spangled Banner.

back to previous song lyrics. Referencing "Go" in "Save You," "All you need is love" on "Love Boat Captain," and "Porch's" "There ain't gonna be any middle any more" on this song (quipping "it's been said before!" here).

Great live song, for sure.

YouTube video by PearljamVEVO Pearl Jam - 1/2 Full (Live at Chop Suey - Official HD Video)

Okay, now we pick back up. This is a decent song, but for the fact that I really don't like 12-bar blues.

"I don't see some men as half empty... I see them as half full of shit." is a good line, though.

Also an interesting lyrical trend on this record pops up here, which is Eddie calling ...

YouTube video by Pearl Jam - Topic Bu$hleaguer

Miraculously, the choruses almost pull this one off. But the verses...

No melody, too smug by half, and an expiration date that passed before it was even released.

This song cured me of ever thinking "Oh, maybe the election of [terrible person] will at least lead to some good protest music..."

YouTube video by Pearl Jam - Topic Help Help

I don't want to bag on Jeff Ament, who is a good bass player and seems like a good dude. Maybe this would work as a 3 Fish song, or something. Idk. But it's not a vibe that Pearl Jam pulls off.

🧪

The relationship between speed and "weight" is always kind of interesting. They do it again on Terror Twilight with "and Then" and then "The Hexx."

In that case I think I prefer the faster version, but here... I think I agree with you.

Okay, it's bed time.

I'll pick this up tomorrow. Maybe.