I’m in love with the organs on this album.
I’m in love with the organs on this album.
The calculus behind a company’s decision: http://nj-ne.ws/PnIwi
“Everyone’s got stuff. Mine’s worse than most, but it’s the only life I have. I may as well make the best of it.” Read Ron Gold’s story here: http://nj-ne.ws/PhfD9
It was recently pointed out to me that Sufjan Stevens’ “Illinois” is now 10 years old. Illinois came out just after I had graduated high school. I have never been to Illinois. I didn’t understand many of the references. But the lush arrangements, the depth of the lyrics and the vulnerability in Stevens’ delivery struck me and stuck with me, and have for a decade.
I’ve pointed this out before, but I’m acutely aware that all the music I loved in high school is now aging. I can remember the feeling of time fading away when I first heard Pearl Jam on the classic rock station, but I was never a Pearl Jam fan; it was just like seeing a Buzzfeed post about Tamagotchis; a moment of remembrance, nothing more. But now it’s happening with art I felt a connection with, that moved depressed teenage Myles.
Illinois, unlike some of the other music I was listening to 10 years ago, has deeepened for me over the years. Whereas in my first year of college I gravitated toward the raw hurt of Casimir Pulaski Day, a story about a seemingly random loss, now my favorite might be The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades Is Out to Get Us. People have been arguing about the song for years on songmeanings.com. The prevailing theory seems to be that the narrator is a boy whose romantic feelings for his friend drives a wedge between them. Whatever the reason, it too, is a story of loss, not because of “cancer of the bone,” but because of love, and how that loss can linger.
Anyway, they’re all great songs, and they’ve all stood the test of time. I should note—I’m visiting Illinois later this month. Luckily, I’ve had my travel music picked out for a decade now.
And yes, I realize I haven’t written here for months. I’ll try harder.
The list format was not my idea, but I agree with it. Much of our traffic comes from mobile devices and that means content must be easy to read. I don’t think I sacrificed depth, either. See what you think: nj-ne.ws/BryO4
Don’t have much time these days because of work training things, but I worked pretty hard on this story about an Englewood neighborhood clamoring for more bus service after a private operator stopped running in the area earlier this year: nj-ne.ws/BkcMX
Roman Oben, Children’s Cardiomyopathy Foundation President Lisa Yue, Rep. Bill Pascrell, Sen. Bob Menendez and Englewood Mayor Frank Huttle listen to Eagles defensive back Malcolm Jenkins during a press conference on the Safe Play Act, Sept. 8, 2014.
Covered a press conference on the SAFE PLAY act, which stands for a lot of words. It tackles concussions, cardiac arrest, heat-related illness and energy drinks. That’s a lot. There were some former NFL players there and current Eagles DB Malcolm Jenkins, whom I did not boo. Here’s the story: http://nj-ne.ws/BhcoY
I covered a talk on bringing casinos to the Meadowlands. This headline is very New York Times, I think. I wish the woman in the picture wasn’t frowning, but she wouldn’t stop frowning. Read more here: nj-ne.ws/AKmI9
Celebrities at the game ranked by crowd reaction, smallest to largest: Andy Murray, Carmelo Anthony, Rory McIlroy, J.R. Smith. Chris Smith is to the left. I like the Jets hat, but you still can’t be on the Knicks.
I went to Madison Square Garden (for the first time!) and saw USA Basketball crush Puerto Rico. I also took some pictures and wrote some words for Hardwood Paroxysm. The pictures are OK. The game was fun. Here’s more: http://hardwoodparoxysm.com/2014/08/23/usa-vs-puerto-rico-fans-eye-view/