3 More Underrated Albums of the 90's

I've done a few other posts of my favorite "underrated" albums of the '90s, so it's become a "thing" on this little blog of mine. So, here are three more underrated albums of the 90's.....

World Party - Goodbye Jumbo (1990) 

This album doesn't feel like a 90's album but it doesn't feel like an 80's album either. It's a classic Beatles-esque album (from a British band no less). There are some echoes of Sloan here and that's a good thing.  It's earnest, thoughtful but ultimately, too inconsistent to be considered a stone-cold 90's classic, at least for me personally. Its highs are very high though and it's enough for me to recommend it to you, a random stranger on the internet.  

The album wrestles with worrying about the fate of the world and trying to find what hope is left (for the environment, for relationships, etc.).  As I stated before it's a little uneven but still worth a listen, after all, your mileage may vary.  There's something endearing and tragic when listening to the song, "Put the Message in the Box" in 2021 and knowing how the global community has failed our future. A good depressing chaser might be maybe the best song on the whole album, the Beach Boys-inspired, "God On My Side".  

Stand Out Tracks for the Lazy: "Way Down Now", "Put the Message in the Box", "When the Rainbow Comes", "God On My Side". 

that dog - Retreat from the Sun (1997)

This is the first track, but you can find the whole album on YT. 

I suppose this is one of those albums you either love or hate. From my perspective, I have no idea how this didn't become a huge hit. If you like power pop, you're going to probably like it. that dog is such a unique band.  You have those classic 90's distorted guitars with healthy dollops of violin, all with beautiful voices blending to create memorable melodies (insert chef's kiss).  

Retreat from the Sun is a huge pop album full of sing-along anthems that will have you singing along or drumming on your steering wheel. You might even stop caring that people may see you belting these songs out in your car, at the top of your lungs.   I recommend it for the summer, happy times, good moods, and long drives. There are some missteps on the back half of the album, but hey, just skip to the next track if you don't like it. Fun album, great songs, I come back to every few years and enjoy it all the same. 

Stand Out Tracks for the Lazy: "I'm Gonna See You", "Never Say Never", "Being With You", "Minneapolis", "Long Island"

Built to Spill - There's Nothing Wrong with Love (1994)

If you aren't familiar with Built to Spill, you should be.... and this is a great album to introduce new people into their style and genius. It's easy to try to describe bands by comparing their sound to other bands but I can't really do that with Built to Spill. Their sound, song structure and lyrics are unique. I hope I am building this album up for you, because I am not afraid to do that. You need to listen to this album.

It's energetic, unpredictable, creative and of course, catchy. I recommend listening when you are working on completing boring or thoughtless tasks as it will liven up whatever it is you are doing. I love this album but the first six tracks are probably my favorite section of the album. Please don't stop there though. Embrace the weirdness, embrace this album. 

Stand Out Tracks for the Lazy: Tracks 1-6, in particular, "In the Morning", "Reasons" and "Cleo". 

Art Post: Untitled (Contagion Collage/Acrylic)

I haven't posted an art post in a long time because I haven't done much painting in the last few years. I have all the usual excuses though (email me for the entire list). I have doodled a bit here and there with some paint markers but nothing too formal (I did draw a cool griffin though).  I've also found my artistic efforts centered on writing a YA fantasy novel (yeah, I'm stuck again) and of course from 2016-2019 in acting in community theater. 

This particular piece has a backstory and a direct inspiration. 

I made this painting back in 2019 after a visit to the Art Institute of Chicago. I had recently visited art museums in New Orleans, Philadelphia and DC, so art and art creation had been in my mind at the time.  I love post-modern art and in particular, I am drawn towards bright, expressive, child-like art (begin your psychoanalysis now). 

Anyway,  I was looking at Jackson Pollock's Number 17A.

I love this but David Giffin bought it for $200 million in 1990. Think of the good he could have done with that cash. Capitalism ruins everything.

The exhibit shared a small quote from Pollock that was next to this piece and it had a profound impact on me and how I understand the creation of art:

"When I am in my painting, I'm not aware of what I am doing...I have no fears about making changes, destroying the image, etc., because the painting has a life of its own. I try to let it come through". 

This mindset of trying to exclude that analytical part of your brain from art creation, to tap the reserves of your subconscious (or even chance), appeals to me. The ego part of my brain wants to control how it looks or worries about "ruining" it. This mentality of control often stands in the way of breakthroughs or inspired art. I want to adopt this mindset to my writing, acting, etc.  

I want to let go of my ego and stop worrying about "wasting" the paint or the canvas and just see what happens. 

It was this attitude that I attempted this piece, at least I tried to.  Although I did select what would be in the center of the collage, much of the painting, placement and style came about quite randomly. 

I had a copy of this old children's book from my grandmother's house. It was written by Thorton Burgess and illustrated by Harrison Cady sometime in the 1930's.  I had become fascinated by this book as a child when I discovered it at her "vacation cabin".  Decades later, I found it in her house. I was instantly taken back to my memories of this old worn-out book.   I swiped it as I knew if I didn't it would eventually wind up in the trash or sold in the estate sale. Not sure if that makes me a bad person but I am pretty sure she barely knew it existed. 

In many ways, my fascination with this book was the clue that I would always love old stuff. 

When I began to create this piece I knew I wanted one of these illustrations to be used as the center of the piece. The additional cut-outs including old stamps and advertisements from 1970's comic books were randomly dropped on the canvas and I began to drop paint on the canvas at random. I trusted the moment and stopped worrying. 

A big green glop of paint landed right on the child's face in the illustration. I quickly used a metal tool to make the most of the glop. The random glop became vine-like and as the child was "sick" in the picture, it felt like a spreading virus had come, it became a symbol of disease and contagion. I then worked the glops into plant-like "tumors", each reaching out to grow and connect. I dunno what it means but it gives me a bit of discomfort seeing all the growth surrounding and infecting everything in its path.  

As usual, enjoy if you like. 

Untitled (2019) - Collage and Acryllic 

Untitled (2019) - Close up 

Untitled (2019) - Close up

Pic Dump: Dumping at the End of the Year

It's the end of the year and I am busy posting in December because I had all these half-finished blogs and ideas. Here's what I have been sharing my old buddy via text and DM, or what he's shared with me. Happy Holidays, ya creeps. 

 

Self-Own Level 9.8

It's cute, ain't it?

Seems totally normal. Of course, this is the worst country, so this has become a thing now. 

This was our pumpkin. I made it in 3 minutes. It's not great but it exemplifies 2020-2021. 

Agree 1,000,000%

It's been long enough, right? Right? Right?!?!

If only I knew this in high school. 

Confucius Didn't Say That!: The Dumbest Fake Confucius Quotes Yet Edition

Over the past few years, I have looked at some pretty bad fake Confucius quotes. In my blog series, my goal is to expose fake Confucius quotes floating around on the internet in a fun and (somewhat) academic manner. The hope is that someone will find honest Confucius information while maybe finding a little wisdom in the process. 

Today, I may have found the dumbest fake Confucius quotes, in fact, it's so bad, even dumb people could figure out these are fake quotes. 

These fake quotes come courtesy of a page entitled "100 Confucius Quotes" from "quoteambition.com"

“Anyone can find the switch after the lights are on.” - Confucius 

I suppose you have already found the problem with this one, but just in case you're reading this before you've had your morning coffee, Confucius pre-dates electricity by a couple of thousand years. 

At this point, it might be cliche, but I find this quote to be another stupid proverb. 

The "proverb" implies anyone can find something or learn something when it's obvious, which, is on the nose but, technically, correct. However, if we take this proverb literally, the corollary would be "not many can find the switch after the lights are out"; which is objectively false. While it can be a pain to find a switch in the dark in a new place, switches are pretty easy to find.  Even in a completely dark room, any bozo in a few seconds could find the light switch. 

The quote echoes other proverbial sayings like "every dog has his day"; which I find is a much better quote and definitely more insulting to the subject of your ire.  

Confucius wasn't interested in pointing out obvious zingers to feel better about himself. In fact, on further inspection, the purpose of the proverb is to be used in the form of an insult rather than giving advice or a nugget of wisdom. Confucius might find the person who would employ it, shameful. 

This comes from 5:25 (as always, from AC Muller's translation). 

"The Master said: “Clever words, a pretentious face, and too-perfect courtesy... I am...ashamed of them. Concealing one's resentments and acting friendly to people Zuo Qiuming was ashamed to act this way and so am I. "

Fake Quote # 2 -  “Never give a sword to a man who can’t dance.” - Confucius 

I don't even know where to start on this. In my humble opinion (which I suppose isn't all that humble), this might be an even dumber quote than the first one.  

I can see the connection of the art of sword fighting in the movies and dancing but in an actual battle?. It probably comes down to raw strength, speed, and of course, skill and has little to nothing to do with finesse and or musical rhythm. 

It's true Wesley was a great dancer though. 

Besides the aphorism just being plain stupid we can dismiss this quote from actually being from Confucius as Confucius didn't address soldiers or warfare much at all. In a quick glance at the Analects, there are no mentions of soldiers, swords or, yes, even dancing. 

Although, according to Wikipedia, there was quite a sword dance during the Han Dynasty, 

"In one account, a sword dance was said to have been performed by Xiang Zhuang at a banquet in an attempt to assassinate Liu Bang (the founder of the Han dynasty)...This event forms the basis of the "Gong Mo" Dance (公莫舞) – "Gong Mo", literally "Sir, Don't!", which describes the blocking actions by Xiang Bo during the sword dance to prevent Xiang Zhuang from thrusting his sword towards Liu Bang."

For those of you worried, I checked their source on the story, it seems legit. 

Anyway, I gotta back out of these internet rabbit holes...

The closest approximations (and this is going to be a stretch) are the only quotes that I can find that relate to war or soldiers. 

The first is from 7:13 and the next from 13:29-30: 

"The things with which the Master was cautious, were fasting, war and sickness."

"The Master said: “Only when good men have instructed the people for seven years, may they take up arms. To lead untrained people into battle is the same as throwing them away.”

These quotes show a clear contrast in terms of tone between the fake quote and the actual material from the Analects. While Confucius could make biting, almost sarcastic remarks, I can't recall anything that has such a silly or flippant tone to it. So, I don't think there are any Analects that would even parallel the proverb,. 

Upon reflection, I wondered, could there even be something in this quote that is halfway related to Sun Tzu's The Art of War? 

And the answer is no. I checked that just in case. 

The closest thing I could find there was from chapter VI, in verse 31.

"Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows; the soldier works out his victory in relation to the foe whom he is facing."

There's no relation at all but I liked the quote. 

So, two more fake Confucius quotes taken down, only a few hundred to go. 

My Favorite Albums (just a list)

The other day I was thinking of my favorite albums of all time and I was curious about what my top ten list album list would look like. I quickly typed out my favorites with the intention of trying to whittle it down and.... I just couldn't do it. 

I did the same thing with Weezer's post-Pinkerton songs and it was ultimately a huge time-suck and I don't really know if it was worth it. 

There were some obvious cuts to make on my preliminary list but it was just too painful to make any more cuts. Also, I was dreading writing the blog defending my picks.... I am feeling just that lazy these days. 

A few qualifiers and observations before the list can begin, these are favorite albums...I am not claiming these are the "best" albums of all time.  I have a very limited taste range and when it comes to music,  I am admittedly, pretty close-minded.

I am an old white guy who came of age in the '90s and this list certainly reflects that. Some of these albums are honestly guilty pleasures, I know they aren't great in an objective sense but they are personally important to me due to when I first heard them.  

There seems to be an inordinate amount of debut albums (9) and self-titled albums (9) (seven of those overlap). 

Well, you're as ready as you'll ever be.

Here are all 44 of my favorite albums of all time in alphabetical order: 

Apples in Stereo – Fun Trick Noisemaker

Apples in Stereo – Tone Soul Evolution

Beatles – Revolver

Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band 

Beatles – S/T, aka “White”

Beck – Odelay

Beck – Sea Change

Ben Folds Five – Whatever and Ever Amen

Ben Folds Five – Naked Baby Pictures

Ben Folds – Songs for Silverman

Coward - S/T

Frank Black & The Catholics – S/T

Built to Spill - There's Nothing Wrong with Love

Breeders – Last Splash

Foo Fighters - S/T

Fountains of Wayne – S/T

Fountains of Wayne – Welcome Interstate Managers

Fountains of Wayne – Out of State Plates

Green Day – Dookie

The Kinks - Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One

The Lemonheads – It's a Shame About Ray

Nirvana – Unplugged in New York

Nirvana – Nevermind

Of Montreal – Cherry Peel

Old 97’s – Satellite Rides

The Pulsars – S/T

Radiohead – The Bends

Ramones - S/T

Ramones – Rocket to Russia

Sloan – One Chord to Another

Sloan – Twice Removed

Smashing Pumpkins – Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness

Spoon – Girls Can Tell

Spoon – Gimme Fiction

Spoon – Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga

Sufjan Stevens – Illinois 

Sufjan Stevens – Carrie & Lowell

Superdrag – Headtrip in Every Key

James Taylor – Greatest Hits

that dog – Never Say Never

Travis – The Invisible Band

Weezer – S/T, aka “Blue”

Weezer - Pinkerton

Weezer – S/T, aka “White”

 

Chillin' & Vibin' Fragments

It's been a while, amigos. Here are the latest and greatest fragments. 

I am back on campus after a year and a half of being away. Weird feelings but I am glad to be back. Most students are masking up and the positivity rate is on the downward trend where I am at. Good to see people. I am still doing a Zoom class, and I am doing two more in the spring. I think they will be a fixture from here on out. 

I started writing my fantasy/YA novel again, I had to stop as I am working on an important project at work that involved writing but I was really going at it for about six weeks. Tons of progress and I feel good about starting up again. It's a solid idea, the question is the execution and my talent (which, I wouldn't bet on). I am hopeless it will ever be published but I am ready to fight the good fight to try to finish it and see how I feel about it once I am done. 

The weather is finally changing and I am so happy about it. Even if the afternoons are a little warm (sometimes not even hot), the mornings and evenings have been so nice. At the football game last week, it was downright perfect. 

I think I said I was going to post some pics from our vakay but I dunno, man, too much effort. 

I made a list, but this time it was a playlist

Long-time readers (um, just kidding)...I love lists so when my daughter got Spotify it was only a matter of time, when I would craft the mother-of-all 90's playlists. 

So far it's well over 1,200 songs. I like it, so maybe you will too. My taste would be described as indie/college/alternative rock. With some mainstream rock and pop hits thrown in with some weird stuff because you just can't do a 90's list without "Waterfalls" from TLC,  nor the Kids in the Hall theme song nor a cover of the Moon theme from the DuckTales NES game. 

Ya just can't I tell ya. 

It was fun to build, I would add songs that pop in my head, album by album or by searching through the recommended list and unearthing treasures that I would have played on our Paba Free radio show on our college radio station had I known they existed. 

It was quite a nostalgic trip, I recommend it for any and all old people to do for the particular era they grew up in.  I would spend just an hour scrolling through the 90's. It was lovely. 

I don't think I am completely done with the list...it will likely top out over 1,300 when it's all said and done. Although my guess is, new discoveries await....

 I was blown away by including The Grays (their entire output), Velocity Girl (a bunch of songs) and "Drown" by Sonvolt. 

 

Really surprised how much I love the first Counting Crows album and how many good songs the Gin Blossoms had. 

Yeah, I really am getting lame in my old age. 

FAM Fragments 

C is playing every week in the marching band. It feels like she's burning the candle from both ends but the season can't last forever. She took to the Tuba because they needed Tuba players (she's usually a flute player)...what a leader. She's bringing over the boy she's been talking to this Friday to dinner. Oh boy, yeah, it's happening. I hope he's nervous. 

E is going to ballet what feels like every night but it's only three nights a week. She's growing up more and more each day and it kinda makes me sad. 7th grade is the time you really see them change. She's still a unique person but I am interested to see her in a few more years when she cares less about what people think (having a weird dad will help). 

H is doing great in the 4th grade and we just went camping a few weeks ago with the scouts. The other day he told me he had to write about three people he admired and he picked MLK, Abraham Lincoln and me. 

Wow. just wow. I was honored and it made my day. 

K (the wife) is keeping busy as usual but she was able to go out for a ladies' weekend and I was happy we didn't burn the house down and she had a great time.  

I have enjoyed cooking again, trying my hand at some grilling...trying out some delicious Penang Pork Satay (success) and the even better Ping Gai chicken. I tried out a Toad in a Hole and that also turned out pretty great too (at least the wife was impressed with my bread). I can't recommend Food Wishes channel on YT enough. Chef John, you make me so happy. 

I just have to say I love life. It's not always hearts and flowers, E and H fight or I worry about the van breaking down but I have so much to be thankful for and it feels great to just be here for the ride. Whomever you are and wherever you find yourself, I hope you're doing okay and hanging there too. 

Until next time folks, don't forget to take the trash out and take that extra umbrella with you in the car, just in case. 

Thought of the Day

 I was in a Zoom meeting and had to come up with something pithy and this is what I came up with:

"relationship is the foundation for action".

I quite liked it and I hope it could be of some use to you, some random person on the internet. Maybe if it gives you something to think about, I will be happy. 

Otherwise, it's just a thing and that's still not half bad.

Cheers.