#PeoplesPop25 2/7 CMAT: Jamie Oliver Petrol Station “Okay, don’t be a bitch” has been stuck in my head from the moment I first heard this song. youtu.be/BTWg-Ky6VZU?...

Considering FL Studio as a Xmas gift for my 12yo kid who has no prior experience but is interested in learning how to make music. Is that insane? (If I am insane, is there a better “starter” program?)

#PeoplesPop25 1/7 Kathleen Edwards: Say Goodbye, Tell No One I have many reservations about Edwards this year which I’ve posted about before, but I can’t deny this song. youtu.be/RyzxnYjk6AY?...

TFW surprised me because I didn’t connect with their last album and I’d wondered if my love for them was on the wane, but this is up there with their debut as their best - not least because Fiona and Erica’s songs are neck-and-neck highlights with Gareth’s which wasn’t always the case.

Tobacco City and Hannah Cohen both late breaking additions. Ask me again in a couple months if they’ve moved up or down in my estimation. Justin Walter is the only ambient album on the list - a big change from past years but I guess i wasn’t feeling that genre as much this year.

My 10 favorite albums of 2025: 10. Tobacco City: Horses 9. Justin Walter: Bird Higher Than Cloud 8. Hannah Cohen: Earthstar Mountain 7. Thanya Iyer; Tide/Tied 6. The Beths: Straight Line Was a Lie 5. CMAT: Euro-Country 4. Snocaps: Snocaps 3. Rose City Band: Sol y Sombra

I don’t usually watch horror movies, but I watched WEAPONS tonight. It was tense and compelling and, at the same time, super goofy and stupid - but it was entertaining the whole time!

I think if I’d heard Geese when I was in college (25+ years ago) I’d be floored by them. As it stands, the first song really bothers me and then I lose steam by the third song. I’ve tried three or four times to listen to the album and I’ve never gotten to the fourth track.

My 10 favorite tv shows of the year: 10. The Diplomat (Netflix) 9. Common Side Effects (HBO Max) 8. The Eternaut (Netflix) 7. The Lowdown (Hulu) 6. The Studio (AppleTV) 5. Adolescence (Netflix) 4. Severance (AppleTV) 3. Task (HBO Max) 2. The Pitt (HBO Max) 1. Andor (Disney+)

Just watched TRAIN DREAMS, a quiet and good-hearted movie.

Catching up on various EOY albums lists. I'm surprised Big Thief seems to be missing from all the major indie-leaning lists I've seen - it's my favorite album of the year! My close runner-up is Tropical Fuck Storm though I'm less surprised to see that is also missing from various lists.

Birthday indulgence: went alone to High Fidelity Records in West Adams, allowing myself time to go through every bin.

I watched RASHOMON for the first time yesterday. Its central conceit has been ripped off so many times it was hard to fully appreciate its innovation. Also, one of the stories is narrated from beyond the grave? And in all the stories, one consistent thread is that sexual assault is the woman’s fault

And my favorite shows of November: Pluribus Stranger Things Solid: Death By Lightning OK: St Denis Medical, The Beast in Me Not great but I watched anyway: A Man on the Inside Gave up: I Love LA

Catching up - forgot to name my favorite shows of October: The Diplomat Down Cemetery Road Abbott Elementary Nobody Wants This Solid: Loot, The Chair, SNL Not great but I still watched: DMV, Boots

Saw WICKED FOR GOOD today. My son, who loves all movies, loved this movie. I, who did not know the plot details of this movie/play/book, was very upset by all the ways it tries to deepen the lore of The Wizard of Oz. I’m sorry but that is not the origin of Tin Man or Scarecrow. Just no.

Wait did they really make TEENJUS

As is my compulsion I made quite a long list of films to see—or rather combined multiple long lists. Sight & Sound 2022, AFI’s 100 best American films, NYT’s best films of the 21st century, and all the Best Picture winners. Once I crossed out all the ones I’ve seen, I was left with around 300 films.

I watched Back to the Future yesterday for the first time in forever and it occurred to me that Biff’s past and present looks seemed inspired by George Jones

I watched Back to the Future yesterday for the first time in forever and it occurred to me that Biff’s past and present looks seemed inspired by George Jones

I went into PLURIBUS extremely excited and spoiler-free. After two episodes I’m cautiously optimistic for the rest of the season. Love Gilligan and Seehorn but I’m not convinced yet that this Twilight Zone concept can sustain a whole season (let alone series).

Man, The Lowdown was excellent. I can’t remember the last show I watched that had a finale that patient and satisfying. Really well done.

Ideally played in order!

Last night I had “Can You Get To That” stuck in my head so I put on my mix of favorite songs from 1971. Still jamming to it today and it’s making my morning. open.spotify.com/playlist/1sx...

RIP, Joe Byrd, mastermind behind two mind-bending classics: The United States Of America (1968) + Joe Byrd And The Field Hippies' The American Metaphysical Circus (1969). Get 'em both in all formats. He was true one-off, loved by Broadcast, Portishead, & many others. www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYAk...

I was waiting for this

Let’s fucking go Dodgers

This game! This series!

It’s a miracle Toronto did not score in that inning

First time visiting Record Safari in Atwater Village - terrific store. I had a stack of about 10 great records within 15 minutes, didn’t even get to browse the whole store. Narrowed down to these four which I’m very happy with.

God I fuckin love Kiké

!!

THIS game sucks

I will *slightly* revise my assessment to say the first hour is very dumb, and the second hour is also very dumb but at least manages to become exciting in spots.

I am watching INCEPTION for the first time ever. Maybe I wasn’t paying attention when it first came out, but… everyone regards this as a super dumb movie, right?

I dreamt last night that had to swim to each and every one of my many underwater toilets to confirm they were all sufficiently stocked with toilet paper.

I went back to WINGS, muted it, and put on Gunn-Truscinski Duo’s “Soundkeeper” and movie is now 100% better.

lol nevermind he is Jesus

Reminds me of the way people would talk about Roger Federer, who seemed like a miracle during his heyday—he was!—but who also had at least two guys chasing all his records before he even retired.

Shohei is having an amazing night for sure but I do get really tired of the announcers always talking like we are in the presence of Jesus Christ.

Damn, Kiké !

I can only watch this movie in like 20 minute increments (which is fine because the Dodger game is starting shortly anyway). I guess I could also watch it on mute - but why bother including the music at all??

I’ve been watching a lot of silent films lately (filling gaps in my film knowledge), and the scores can be perplexing. Most seem to have been added long after the fact (during the restoration process?) and don’t always seem to sync up with what’s on screen—ominous arrangements over happy scenes, etc

It was hard to watch Jared Leto in Tron Ares, with his slicked back long hair, without also thinking of the Wet Hair Guy from the Phillies.

Forgot my monthly check in! Favorite shows of September: Task Slow Horses The Paper Survivor Great British Baking Show Bob’s Burgers Solid: Simpsons, English Teacher Really not great, yet I watched anyway: Reunion, Morning Show, Black Rabbit

The main thing about Tron is that you want to see the characters doing battle in the grid. That’s why doing things like going to a bar in LEGACY and visiting the actual real world in ARES don’t work. Respect the grid!

His verdict: better than Legacy! I…. don’t agree

My son is *so hyped* for TRON ARES. We are 7 minutes away from seeing it in imax so stay tuned for the reaction… wish us luck.

Chapelle will absolutely make a Netflix special about this, and he will make a boatload of cash from it and will be nominated for an Emmy.