Some favorites (under construction).
The “A” is for Adam
After the death of the Beastie Boys’ Adam Yauch, I wrote an Afterword for Pitchfork and a quick post with some stray thoughts.
On Fiona Apple and Bodily Memory
Music about how the body holds memories and a story of a car accident.
On Fishing Boats, Neil Young, and VU
I talk about my experiences working on a fishing boat in Alaska in the 1990s, including life on the boat, Neil Young, and the Velvet Underground.
Follow People if You Like Their Music
Column where I think about the idea of music “sharing” and also instances where I’d rather read about an album than listen to it.
Three Things re Instagram
Some ideas in the wake of that $1 billion sale.
Things I Remember Writing: Animal Collective MPP
Self-explanatory.
A Couple of Thoughts re the Springsteen Keynote
Thinking about Springsteen and “authenticity” after SXSW.
On Cindy Sherman
A thought about her MOMA exhibition and the idea of the female Bohemian.
Things I Remember Writing: Yesterday Once More
On a column about the Flamingos, the Field, Mercury Rev, and the devastating power of “I Only Have Eyes for You”.
Sinead O’Connor Booed of the Stage at the Dylan Tribute
A quick meditation on this strange cultural moment.
The Last American Virgin, Nice Guy Syndrome, and Lana Del Rey
Taking Pictures of Taking Pictures
About Lana Del Rey, David Lynch, Dirty Beaches, and the idea of music-making as re-blog. By some margin the most popular column I’ve ever written in 10 years of doing this. That’s what a piece about Lana Del Rey gets you!
Remembering the Pre-Internet World
On seeing Gummo at a backyard movie party.
The Beach Boys: The Smile Sessions
Had a lot of fun researching and writing this review.
Eleven thoughts on the Grateful Dead’s “The Eleven”
My First Night in New York
Contemplating my move from Chicago to Brooklyn, I look back on my first night in the city many years ago.
Watch the Sound
On rap music, fear, aggression, Swans, and what happens when we feel music but don’t necessarily identify with it. This is conceivably my “Odd Future Piece.”
This Song Changed My Life
Soundgarden’s “My Wave” and a chance encounter that changed something about how I listen to music.
Nine Short Pieces on the Smiths
Pretty self-explanatory.
A Very Brief Guide to Nina Simone
In answer to a question seeking recommendations.
Add to Playlist; Share; Embed
On year-end list-making and the strange power of sharing your favorite music.
Barbara Mortgenstern: Temptation
Wrote about her version, but more broadly what this song meant to me as a kid (New Order’s version) and also how it may have soundtracked some awkward and exciting early experiences on the dancefloor.
Not Magic Yet
On tUnE-yArDs, Christina Aguiliera, “Beautiful”, “Fiya”, self-loathing, and the transformative power of music. My favorite thing I wrote in calendar year 2010.
Michael Jackson R.I.P.
I wrote this the evening that he died. It’s not very long, but it took me a while. Tried to get at the positive and negative feelings I had for him.
