Tag: Playlists

Weekly playlists culled from my physical collection

Playlists

(Un)Focused Definition Ep. 72: Aggressive Rise

I’ve been head down for so long with my deep dive into the Grateful Dead that a random pop-up of the latest Ghost (not the heaviest album by any and every definition of the word) triggered my brain to seek out some aggression to get in my ears. That and the latest reissues from Boris appearing at my door when I returned from a couple days of travel were the impetus for today’s title: aggression is rising, but it can’t completely stem the tide of obscure 70s rock gems from making their way to my ears. What do I mean? Let’s dig in below the jump.

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Playlists

(Un)Focused Definition Ep. 71: Collection Woes

I think I have a problem. I don’t know if it’s some kind of coping mechanism (uh, its DEFINITELY a coping mechanism) for the stress and anxiety of work and my son and my own fears and depression, but I am amassing CDs and records like it’s the end of the world and I have to preserve our collective artistic accomplishments for future generations. As as I read back that last sentence I realized it might very well be that if we keep moving in the abysmal direction our government, AI, and the vacuous hole of social media seem to be leading us. Anyway, here’s a rough hour of some of the new music that’s come into the house over the last week.

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Playlists

(Un)Focused Definition Ep. 70: Reunions

I’m writing this Thursday instead of my usual Saturday morning. Today I’m leaving for a wedding on my side of the family, a group I see very rarely. Then it’s a trip across two states to visit my son for Parent’s Weekend at his college. We haven’t seen other since August, and both my wife and are looking forward to that more than a night of drinking and dancing – especially since I no longer drink. So this will be some of the soundtrack for all the driving, the expectations, and the reality of my various reunions over the next few days.

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Playlists

(Un)Focused Definition Ep. 69: Grateful, (Not) Dead

It may have kicked off with a text thread from my friends over my lack of any experience with the Grateful Dead studio albums, but it’s since turned into a full-scale obsession. I have fallen hard for the band in a way I didn’t when I first discovered Live/Dead and the Dick’s Picks series back in my early 30s. We’re talking 11 CDs, 2 biographies, 2 guitar books, a podcast and the Amazon documentary series all devoured or at least obtained in the last few weeks. I know there’s a part of me using this as my way to connect to Ross; I’m constantly telling him how much it sucks he’s no longer here now that I’m obsessed. I do this even though I’m pretty firmly on the side of “dead is dead” and that’s the end. Trying to not over-analyze and just let this love(light) shine for the time being.

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(Un)Focused Definition Ep. 68: Mini Humbuckers

I honestly meant to get a review up this week (it was going to be either the self-titled debut from Starcastle or Miles Davis’s Agharta), but the fates intervened and I instead became completely obsessed with my latest acquisition: a Gibson Les Paul Deluxe 70s with a gold top finish. This beautiful beast. I’ve always wanted a gold top, but never thought I deserved one. Trying to think better of myself, and I have to say, it’s the most buttery smooth playing experience I’ve ever had. I waffled between this and a 50s Standard with P90s, but in the end I love the chime and clarity the mini humbuckers bring. Anyway, that was my week. Let’s get on to the playlist.

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(Un)Focused Definition Ep. 67: Breaks and Such

Second verse, same as the first? Once again, I was really hoping to get more (well, any) reviews out this week, but the continued search for a rhythm without my son combined with the impending arrival of Hooptober and work insanity made it impossible. I’m going to try and get at least one in a week during the next month and a half as I dive into the horror reviews, but – fingers crossed – the weekly playlists will continue. This week focuses on new releases and my re-engagment with the Grateful Dead, so enjoy and I’ll see you on the other side of Hooptober.

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