Breaking Bad: Seasons One, Two and Three

Breaking Bad: Seasons One, Two and Three (2008-2010)
Towards the end of my first year living in Ypsilanti, my bud Abbott introduced me to a newer AMC drama by the name of Breaking Bad. This was in the late spring of 2009, so, while the second season was airing, I do believe. At that time, we cruised through the first two seasons, and for one reason or another, I got too busy and was never able to finish the second one with him.

Fast forward to the spring of 2012, and I decided to rewatch every Breaking Bad episode I had already seen, and continue all the way through the third season, thanks to Instant Netflix. Now, this show is very popular and very well received, critically, so, I'm not going to spend too much time on this post. If you happen to not be in the know, the series is about an over-qualified high school chemistry teacher (played superbly by Bryan Cranston) who is suffering from a terminal case of cancer and decides to team up with a former student (possibly the most memorable performance of the series thanks to Aaron Paul) to secretly cook and distribute meth to provide finances enough for his family in preparation for the upcoming birth of his second child and his impending death. As half-assed as that description is, you should already be hooked on the idea of watching it. And, don't you worry, the plot gets increasingly complex and the details more and more disturbing as the series goes on.

I have a deep appreciation for the dark subject matter and increasingly intricate plot details that Breaking Bad has to offer. But, I think I have to admit that the top sell for me is extraordinary acting for a non-HBO drama series. I anxiously await the fourth season to be available on Netflix, as my friend Brian boldly (and probably rightfully) claims it is the greatest season of television he has viewed in his life.

Never Let Me Go/As I Lay Dying

Never Let Me Go - Kazuo Ishiguro (2005)
I had very high expectations for Kazuo Ishiguro's very popular, relatively recent novel Never Let Me Go, and unfortunately, they were not quite met. Ishiguro's language is simple in a beautiful way, and typically I love stories that meander like this. However, in spite of its eerie sense of impending doom (which was nicely done though anti-climactic), Never Let Me Go was too vague for my liking. I felt that the characters were shallow, and after some nice, slowly paced build up, the big reveal was handled in an unattractively nonchalant way. Honestly, as I reread what I've just typed, this sounds like my kind of novel, but for some reason, Ishiguro just didn't pull it off for me. A solid read, there's just not anything to get excited about.


As I Lay Dying - William Faulkner (1930)
I assume this sacrilege, but I pretty much hated As I Lay Dying. Criminally, perhaps, I had never read a William Faulkner novel before, and I was under the impression this was as good of a place as any to start. So, I'm going to guess that Faulkner is just not for me. I'm not really a fan of this stream of consciousness style, and call me lazy, but I loathed the novel's horrific grammar and Faulkner's prose as a whole. That prose made it easy to confuse and lose track of the ridiculous number of characters and their narration. I won't deny that the plot in As I Lay Dying, which chronicles a family's journey to bury their wife and mother, and all the messed up details within, is quite brilliant. But, admittedly, that was after I read the Wikipedia article. Whenever I get the itch for a good, dark southern gothic tale, I guess I'll just stick with John Steinbeck and Cormac McCarthy.

Break It Yourself/Giant Orange/Gallery EP

Break It Yourself - Andrew Bird (Bella Union/Mom & Pop, 2012)
Andrew Bird's latest LP, Break It Yourself, is nothing to freak out about, but considering the lack of which I cared about it, I am pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoy it. While I can't deny the dude's obvious talent, I haven't really been into anything Bird has done aside from 2007's Armchair Apocrypha. The 2009 follow-up, Noble Beast, was nice but forgettable, and actually, I feel the same about 2005's critically acclaimed Andrew Bird & the Mysterious Production of Eggs. Anyway, Break It Yourself is a little more energetic than Bird's previous solo outings, but otherwise is more of the same. The album features some gorgeous songs for sure, and maybe Bird's brand of grandiose, artful folk is at its most mature here, but I guess I'm just not nearly as interested in this kind of music as I was back in my Sufjan Stevens days. That being said, Break It Yourself is more than just solid and certainly is a respectable entry in the genre.


Giant Orange - Cheap Girls (Rise, 2012)
I feel like I mention him in almost every single one of my posts, but I must thank Bravender for tipping me off to Cheap Girls a couple years ago. It's stupid that I just now decided to finally listen to them. Giant Orange is  easily one of the best releases of 2012 so far. Their sound is an obvious nod to the alternative rock of 90s lore, most comparable to Dinosaur Jr., Gin Blossoms, and even Weezer at moments. One of the most attractive elements of the album is definitely that feeling of nostalgia that comes with it, but more importantly, these songs are killer. The record is loaded with hooks and memorable melodies, "Gone All Summer," "Manhattan on Mute," and "Pacer" featuring the best. Giant Orange is an early contender for album of the year.


Gallery EP - Craft Spells (Captured Tracks, 2012)
Craft Spells have not changed much since their delightful 2011 LP, Idle Labor, and I am completely fine with that. They're still on the popular New Order/Cure kick, just doing it even better this time around. Idle Labor was arguably excellent, the production and songs on Gallery are just of an even higher quality. Great melodies, synth sounds, etc. "Burst" and "Sun Trails" are JAMS.

Winesburg, Ohio/A Visit From the Goon Squad/Flowers for Algernon

Winesburg, Ohio - Sherwood Anderson (1919)
I'm sure this has a lot to do with the fast paced times we live in today, but I've always assumed that classic late 19th and early 20th century novels are boring. But, I'm trying to fight that notion by forcing myself to read one every now and again. I had high hopes for Sherwood Anderson's kinda/sorta cohesive short story collection, Winesburg, Ohio, and for the most part was let down. It was interesting to read such an early novel that was driven way more by character than plot. This gave the novel a welcome off-kilter feel. The first few stories were slow paced but wonderfully quirky statements on human nature and life in a quiet midwest town. Further into the book, the dragging stories and sleepy characters all started to blur together and I lost interest. I'm going to blame this on myself as opposed to the author, as Anderson does have an attractive way with description. That just wasn't enough to floor me, or anything.


A Visit From the Goon Squad - Jennifer Egan (2010)
It seems as if this 2011 Pulitzer Prize winner for fiction is relatively maligned. Critics seemed to love it, but scrolling through Goodreads reviews of the normal, every day reader, the reviews seem more mixed. This added some appeal to reading A Visit from the Goon Squad, Jennifer Egan's sprawling post-modern epic. One of the good qualities about the novel: each chapter has a completely different feel, keeping things fresh and the flow of the story interesting albeit a little difficult. Sure, most of the book is pretty derivative of the DFW/Franzen/Zadie Smith crew, but those are great inspirations to draw from, and Egan does a good job of not copping TOO much. In both positive and negative ways, a lot is made of the PowerPoint chapter, and I guess I don't really have an opinion about it. It's interesting, but neither mind blowing nor offensive. The timeline is disjointed in a fun but confusing way, but I'm not complaining. I'm more annoyed by the lack of outright likable character, and these characters aren't even unlikable in an artfully depressing, Franzen sort of way. Regardless, I enjoyed A Visit From the Goon Squad thoroughly, and would assume that the majority of my friends would too.


Flowers for Algernon - Daniel Keyes (1966)
I vaguely remember reading this, or at least many excerpts from it, at some point in high school in loving it. Had I read it again earlier on in college as opposed to just recently, it probably would have hit me harder. I assume just about everyone knows the gist of the plot of Flowers for Algernon, Daniel Keyes' most well known novel. It certainly can be described as a tear jerking and heart breaking read. However, I can't shake the feeling that this was just an easy, cheap shot for Keyes. If Flowers for Algernon was just being published now, there's no way it would have the universal effect it did in the mid/late 20th century. Still, I can't deny a good, fascinating character when I read about it, and Charlie is excellent. Every relationship he becomes interweaved with is thrilling in its own way. The increase and then deterioration of his mind is a neat and sad concept, but moves way too quickly. I feel like with every book I like, not love, I list more complaints than things that I like about it. But, in spite of those complaints with Flowers for Algernon, I really did enjoy it. I just think I would have more so at an earlier point in my life.

Emotional Listening #21

Daddy's Highway - The Bats (Flying Nun, 1987)
So, let us again talk about New Zealand jangly indie pop band The Bats. Daddy's Highway is their 1987 debut LP, and it's where I started with them. However, I focused in more on 1991's Fear of God and 1995's Couchmaster until recently, for whatever reason. They're all phenomenal albums that have helped the band to become one of my all-time favorites, but there's good reason why Daddy's Highway is considered their seminal record. It is easily their most consistent, and also, it has the best songs! There are a few slow burning ballads of the highest quality, but what makes this a nearly perfect album is all the bright sounding, upbeat jams. "Treason" is the perfect opener, and you couldn't ask for a better closer than the title track. "Round and Down," "Block of Wood" and "Mid City Team" are all classic jangle pop gems with the latter two owning favorite-songs-of-all-time status. The way "Block of Wood" starts and ends just slays me. If you are as obsessed with chimey and jangly guitars as I am, and can tolerate great melodies, then Daddy's Highway is the album for you.
Top jams: "Treason," "Round and Down," "Take It," "Tragedy," "Block of Wood," "Mid City Team," "Had to be You," "Daddy's Highway"


Telephone Free Landslide Victory - Camper Van Beethoven (Independent Projects, 1985)
Bravender will be stoked that I'm posting about this. A couple of months ago he made me a PERFECT 10-song Camper Van Beethoven best of mix, thus the newfound interest in this incredibly bizarre band.  Telephone Free Landslide Victory is their debut full length, so I figured that would be a good place to start. I will admit that it features songs that I simply do not like. But, there are also some amazing ones, namely "Take the Skinheads Bowling" and "Ambiguity Song." This record is all over the place. There are jangly indie pop songs. There are punk songs. There are several ska instrumentals. There are even Russian-sounding ska instrumentals. Telephone Free Landslide Victory is confusing and disorienting, but wonderfully charming. The insanely funny lyrics certainly help.
Top jams: "Border Ska," "The Day That Lassie Went to the Moon," "Wasted," "Yanqui Go Home," "Oh No!," "Take the Skinheads Bowling," "Mao Reminisces About His Days in Southern China," "I Don't See You," "Ambiguity Song"


Fox Confessor Brings the Flood - Neko Case (Anti-, 2006)
Objectively and technically, Neko Case has got to be one of the absolute greatest female vocalists around, right? Sultry and powerful, it's a pleasure to hear it in any context, whether it's power pop all-stars The New Pornographers or on her own. I didn't even check out any of her solo material until 2009's Middle Cyclone, which is deceivingly good and obviously gorgeous. Now I'm working my way backwards and decided to spend a little time with 2006's Fox Confessor Brings the Flood, which is equally as beautiful, though I prefer its successor. There is more of a variety of sounds on Middle Cyclone, whereas Fox Confessor... is pretty much exclusively country and southern folk. Of course, Case's vocals are beyond being on point, and is accompanied superbly by the subtle instrumentation and rich production. I really like the shimmering guitars and moody groove of "Hold On, Hold On," and the blatant country gospel sound of "John Saw That Number," but opener "Margaret vs. Pauline" is probably the jam of jams.
Top jams: "Margaret vs. Pauline," "Star Witness," "Hold On, Hold On," "That Teenage Feeling," "John Saw That Number," "Maybe Sparrow," "The Needle Has Landed"


Papas Fritas - Papas Fritas (Minty Fresh, 1995)
Now, HERE is a fantastic pop record. Papas Fritas were a power pop band based in Massachusetts predominantly in the 90s. Their self-titled debut LP is LOADED with jams. Their secret weapon here is the way the album's production and the arrangement of the songs work together. The drums and bass frequently have that muted 60s sound, which is a really nice touch when there is so much space in these songs. The melodies are memorable, and while a huge appeal of the album is its subtlety, there are hooks upon hooks. "Wild Life," "Kids Don't Mind" and "Smash This World" are great and clever as all get out, and to me, "Afterall" sounds like an awesome precursor to The Strokes. Opener "Guys Don't Lie" is not only the best song on the record, but also is my favorite song period at the moment.
Top jams: "Guys Don't Lie," "Holiday," "Wild Life," "My Revolution," "Kids Don't Mind," "Smash This World," "Lame to Be," "Afterall"


A Catholic Education - Teenage Fanclub (Paperhouse/Matador, 1990)
Teenage Fanclub's debut LP, A Catholic Education, has come to be another addition to my list of favorite guitar albums. There are certainly moments of outright wailing, but the real draw for me is simply the guitar tones, which are both fuzzy and jangly. Also, the chords and progressions rule. It took me a while to get used to the album's production, as the bass and drums are basically buried underneath the guitars. But, when your guitars sound like this, I'm not going to complain too much. I wouldn't go so far as to say the vocals here are sung well by any means, but, they sure are appropriate for the slacker 90s feel of the album, and the melodies are excellent. As much as I liked the band's latest, Shadows, I most definitely prefer this louder, sloppier version of Teenage Fanclub. "Everything Flows," "Critical Mass," and "Every Picture I Paint" should be in any conversation regarding the greatest songs of the 1990s.
Top jams: "Everything Flows," "Everybody's Fool," "Catholic Education," "Eternal Light," "Critical Mass," "Too Involved," "Every Picture I Paint," "Catholic Education 2"

Bloom/Of All Things I Will Soon Grow Tired/Exton Square EP

Bloom - Beach House (Sub Pop, 2012)
I've LIKED Beach House since the release of their 2008 album Devotion (I DO NOT like their self-titled debut, however), but I am IN LOVE with the girl + dude organ/synth/guitar duo's latest, Bloom. Call the band what you will: dream pop, slowcore, shoegaze, whatever. These songs ARE dreamy. They ARE pretty slow (though more upbeat than previous records, but that's not saying much). There IS more of a shoegaze element to this record. But, who cares? These songs are just damn good, and at least three of them are excellent to perfect. Victoria Legrand's vocals are killer, the production is warm and rich, and most importantly, the chords, progressions and melodies all rule. Album closer "Irene" is as close to bad ass as the group will ever get, and, at the moment, "Other People" is tied with The Shins' "Simple Song" for best song of 2012 so far. Just sayin'.


Of All Things I Will Soon Grow Tired - Joyce Manor (Asian Man, 2012)
Of all the great pop punk records released over the past several months, Joyce Manor's incredibly short (13 minutes!) and sweet Of All Things I Will Soon Grow Tired should probably be at the top of the heap. Everything I look for in good poppy punk music is there: catchy melodies, tight musicianship, solid production and great songs. What sets Of All Things I Will Soon Grow Tired apart, though, is the degree of diversity from song to song. There are nice acoustic tracks, songs with drum machine, and even an awesome cover of "Video Killed the Radio Star." Somehow the band makes each different sound work for them. As subtle and brief as it is, Of All Things I Will Soon Grow Tired is one of the best releases of 2012 yet.


Exton Square EP - Spraynard (Asian Man, 2012)
More well-produced, blatant pop punk from the long running Asian Man Records! Spraynard's Exton Square EP is not all that different from the classic and perhaps embarrassingly lovable albums by Blink-182 and New Found Glory. BUT, screw you if you have a problem with it. There are some good melodies here, and I have been all about new music that brings me back to high school these days. Also, Spraynard is the funniest band name ever. I should have known it was a Tim & Eric reference.

Lazy Eye

"Lazy Eye" by Silversun Pickups, from Carnavas (2006)
After a hang session with my buddy Chris at Herman's in Plymouth, watching tonight's Doug Fister pitching gem turn into the most depressing loss possible for the Detroit Tigers, this song came on over the stereo. I have never liked anything else I've heard from this band, but had forgotten how much this excellent jam sounds like an awesome Smashing Pumpkins song.

Guys Don't Lie

"Guys Don't Lie" by Papas Fritas, from Papas Fritas (1995)
While everything about this song is great, its strongest suit is its subtlety and restraint. SO GOOD.

Sin City

Sin City (1991-2000)
By Frank Miller
I spent the month of April reading all of Frank Miller's Sin City trade collections, and I must say, these books are about as pulpy as you can get.

I've never really been a fan of Miller's artwork, but I do like his post-modern spin in The Dark Knight Returns and appreciate his artful depiction of violence. If you're into graphic novels, I'm sure you've read several if not all of the Sin City books. But, just in case, Sin City is a string of noir tales set in the fictional Basin City featuring insane amounts of murder, blood, guts, nudity, and sexual encounters. The series is pure offensive pulp.

The pulp factor is not a major turnoff to me by any means, as I am a fan of violence and overall messed up-ness in graphic novels. In fact, it is my favorite thing about the series. I surely am not enamored with the books' emotionless and repetitive narration and hit-or-miss minor characters. The main protagonists are solid for the most part, and the heavy hitting villains are usually excellent.

I know I stated earlier that I didn't really like the style of Miller's artwork, however, I do enjoy it in Sin City. The blatant ugliness of some of the protagonists is an interesting move, and the detail and overall style is superior to Miller's visual work with Batman. The lack of color actually makes things look quite stunning, and the subtle inclusion of color later in the series, namely in That Yellow Bastard and Hell and Back, is an awesome touch.

There are most definitely low points in the Sin City story, but they are outweighed by the brilliant moments, and as a whole, it is a high quality comic book series that is equally disturbing and fun.