Bookended by Cats: July 2022

Friday, July 29, 2022

Friday 80s Flashback for July 29, 2022

[Emotions in Motion] -- Forty years ago this month, Billy Squier released his third solo studio album, Emotions in Motion (July 23, 1982). It is probably fair to say that Squier was at the peak of his hit-making powers. Emotions in Motion built on the success of his second LP, Don't Say No (1981), which spawned three hit singles, two of which reached the top 40. This 1982 album released five singles, two of which had more than moderate chart success. The title track, which was released with the album launch, peaked at #13 on the Canada RPM Top Singles, #68 on the US Billboard Hot 100, #20 on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs, and #61 on the US Cash Box Top 100. Meanwhile, the second single, "Everybody Wants You," peaked at #1 US Billboard Top Rock Tracks as well as #32 and #26 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and the Canadian RPM Top Singles respectively.

The success of those singles was enough to propel Emotions in Motion into the top five of Billboard's albums chart, making it Squier's second consecutive record to do so. One of my favorite tracks, "Learn How to Live," got considerable radio play even though it was never released as a single ... at least not in the U.S. I would say that Jeff Golub (April 15, 1955 – January 1, 2015), a jazz guitarist who worked with many rock musicians, was instrumental (heh) in Squier's rock radio success. Golub recorded six records with Billy Squier. Also of note: Queen's Freddie Mercury and Roger Taylor sang backing vocals on "Emotions in Motion."

Flashback: Emotions In Motion (July 1982)

And that's all till next week. Dedicated 80s-philes can find more flashbacks in the Prophet or Madman archives or via Bookended's 80s Flashback tag. As always, your comments are welcome on today's, or any other, flashback post. And if you like what I'm doing here, please share the link with your friends. If, however, you don't like the flashback, feel free to share it with your enemies.

I'll see you in seven!

Tuesday, July 26, 2022

The Book of Boba Fett

Dangrdafne review

I truly love the world of this show and The Mandalorian. They are intrinsically tied together and they use each other well. Jon Favreau knows his way around this world and is a great story teller. He puts so much life into faceless characters and droids and makes you care for each character.

I will say I did not love this show as much as The Mandalorian BUT since I adored The Mandalorian more than I could have imagined, that leaves a lot of love to still be shared with Boba Fett :)

The story telling was verrrrry different and I had trouble sometimes remembering where we were in the time line but I had faith it would all shake out in the end and it certainly did and in retrospect I liked the way the story was told. I think if it were told traditionally it would have been too plain and boring for the story and would have been a disservice to the characters.

And of course, I don't think this is a spoiler and sorry if it is, I extra loved the episodes with The Mandalorian in them. I was grateful that I didn't have to wait for season 3 to see him again.

Ming-Na is incredible as Fennec Shand in this series and is a perfect match for Boba Fett. She is strong and powerful and a great leader. I believe I would still like the Fennec Shand character even without Ming-Na BUT it is definitely enhanced because of her. She just brings such power to her roles and I appreciate how hard she works to be true the characters.

Again the music was incredible. It was a whole other character in the show and I love everything about it. I love that the characters have their music and then how it is used in the episodes to enhance scenes and the story. I am in awe of the creativity and talent required to create the music and add it to each show.

I loved how much we laughed, cheered, yelled and cried, oh yes we cried... so much. I am 100% invested in this world, the characters, the music, the stories, and every aspect of these shows. Making family from non-related characters is my favorite and Boba Fett brings it all!!

I remember being in Star Wars Land in Disney World in Orlando FL in February 2020 for the first (and only) time and falling in love with it. I don't really know why overall but I just loved it. It was immersive and amazing and it played to all my senses. I get that same feeling watching The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett. I am all in and I can't wait to see more.

4 paws and a tail

and an extra 4 paws and a tail for the episodes with The Mandalorian in them ;)

Friday, July 22, 2022

Friday 80s Flashback for July 22, 2022

[Comics and SDCC!] -- Instead of celebrating another album that turned 40 in 2022, this week I'm honoring the return of SDCC, the San Diego Comic Con! This also continues a Comic-Con theme I've used over the past several years. This week's selections are 80s tunes inspired by, about, or somehow related to comic books. So, even though I unfortunately am not at SDCC this year (insert weeping and gnashing of teeth here), I'm still providing some Comic-Con related content.

Flashback #1: "Sgt. Rock (Is Going to Help Me)" – XTC (1981)

This track was so inspired by the DC Comics character, Sgt. Rock, that the 7" single included a poster that showed a Sgt. Rock comic. Well, the song isn't so much about the character as it is about a comic fan daydreaming that the character can help him win over his love interest.

Flashback #2: "I Am The Law" – Anthrax (1987)

A heavy metal / thrash tribute to UK comic 2000 AD’s most famous character, Judge Dredd.

Flashback #3: "Precious" – The Pretenders (1980)

This track includes the line "Now Howard the Duck and Mr. Stress both stayed/trapped in a world he never made." It's a tenuous connection, but I'll take it!

Well, those tracks are my three offerings, so that's all till next week. Dedicated 80s-philes can find more flashbacks in the Prophet or Madman archives or via Bookended's 80s Flashback tag.

For reference, here are some of my previous SDCC-related Flashbacks:

As always, your comments are welcome on today's, or any other, flashback post. And if you like what I'm doing here, please share the link with your friends. If, however, you don't like the flashback, feel free to share it with your enemies.

I'll see you in seven!

Tuesday, July 19, 2022

The Mandalorian - Season 2

You knew I wouldn’t/couldn’t wait to watch season two!

Everything I raved about in season one, stands true for season two. I.love.this.show.

The episode where we learn the Child’s name is just precious and stupendous. I could watch Mando and Grogu interact on the Razor Crest over and over.

I am still blown away with how I know exactly how the Mandalorian feels without ever seeing his face. The Tragedy episode was truly tragic and not in any way that I expected.

I can’t believe I wasn’t spoiled too on a huge reveal in the last episode. And I was in heaven with one scene that included one of my favorite Star Wars characters of all the stories. Those who know me well might be spoiled now :)

I loved the addition of the other characters this season: Ashoka, Boba Fett, Bo Katan, continued Fennec, etc. All perfectly cast and wonderfully portrayed.

One of my favorite parts of this season was watching the women go off to fight and protect and the man go off to save the Child. Refreshing and so well done.

I’m curious where season 3 will take us and I hope there is more Grogu. In the meantime,

This is the way … to the Book of Boba Fett … which I’m excited to watch now that I understand more about it from this series. And more Ming-Na, yes please!

4 paws plus a tail

Friday, July 15, 2022

Friday 80s Flashback for July 15, 2022

[Talking to Australian Strangers] -- In 1981, Mark Seymour, a singer-songwriter and guitarist based in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, formed Hunters & Collectors. He fronted the band for all nine of their albums, six of which were released in the 1980s. And in July of 1982, forty years ago, Hunters & Collectors released their eponymous debut. Depending on the source, Hunters & Collectors (1982) was released on either July 16 or July 26 ... or maybe even some other date. Well, July 1982 is when the album was released in Australia and New Zealand. It looks like the album didn't reach the US (or Canada, the UK, or the rest of Europe) until 1983.

Hunters & Collectors brought together post-punk and art-funk in a marriage blessed, or at least grounded, by John Archer on bass. This debut record shows a band very much in progress, and it's good progress. Maybe some of the lyrics fall flat, but the band's musicality cannot be denied, at least not in my opinion. The entire record – particularly the the lone single, "Talking to a Stranger," which was released ahead of the album on July 12, 1982 – just seethes with anguished alienation and dark despondency. Moods that are still very relevant today, four decades after these songs were recorded. Yet I find the merest tinge of potential and hope hidden beneath the rants. We could use that hope, too.

My favorite tracks:

"Talking to a Stranger"
"Skin of Our Teeth"
"Boo Boo Kiss"
"Run Run Run"

This week's embedded playlist is a mashup of the original Australian and the later US releases. The first eight videos reflect the original Australian release of 1982. The US release removed "Alligator Engine," "Skin of Our Teeth," "Junket Head," "Boo Boo Kiss," and "Tender Kinder Baby," and replaced them with four other tracks: "Tow Truck," "Drop Tank," "Mouthtrap," and "Lumps of Lead." Those four songs are at the end of my YouTube playlist.

Flashback: Hunters & Collectors (1982)

That's all till next week. Dedicated 80s-philes can find more flashbacks in the Prophet or Madman archives or via Bookended's 80s Flashback tag. As always, your comments are welcome on today's, or any other, flashback post. And if you like what I'm doing here, please share the link with your friends. If, however, you don't like the flashback, feel free to share it with your enemies.

I'll see you in seven!

Tuesday, July 12, 2022

The Mandalorian - Season One

I am in love

The Child could get whatever it wants from me. Those eyes, the little hands, the ears, the cooing. I am simply in love.

And the show overall is absolutely incredible. Seriously just perfect to me. I love the music, the cinematography, the cast, the visual effects, the droids, the stories, the everything. I don't think there is anything I didn't like. Seriously, this was everything I love in a show. Perfectly put together.

I was completely invested in all the characters and their stories. I laughed, I cried, I yelled, I cheered. We watched the first 4 episodes one night and it made me sad that we had to stop and not watch them all. I was grateful we were able to watch the next 4 the next night. I don't think I could have waited longer. I had to know what else would happen.

I am in awe of Pedro Pascal as The Mandalorian in that we never see him but he sells everything about the character. It never bothered me that we didn't see him, in fact it added to my love of the series.

I love the quietness of the series. I know that might sound odd but it was so easy to watch and easy to hear and follow. It was very much like an old western. I loved so many of the scenes during the episodes - the traditional Star Wars scenes of character outlines against a large scenic back drop. I loved that the music never overpowered the scenes and in most cases it felt like another character.

Be sure to watch the credits each episode to see the concept art they show. It’s incredible!

I also got bonus Ming-Na! This is the way.

I am ready to start Season 2!!

4 paws and a tail

Friday, July 8, 2022

Friday 80s Flashback for July 8, 2022

[Earth Below Us] -- Forty years ago this week, German synthpop artist Peter Schilling released his first studio album, Fehler Im System (July 3, 1982). The English language version, Error in the System, was released in March 1983. Since then, both versions have been combined into a box set which is available around the world. Now, you might not immediately recognize Shilling's name... unless you are a fan of the only other hit song, that is not by David Bowie, about an astronaut named Tom. Yes, Shilling is the artist behind "Major Tom (Völig losgelöst)" ... or, in its English version, "Major Tom (Coming Home)."

Shilling is known for using aliens, astronauts and science fiction catastrophes in his lyrics. Two out of the three were present on this debut album, with politics taking the place of aliens:

Astronauts – In "Major Tom (Coming Home)," our titular hero is an astronaut who is launched into space where an accident happens and he loses contact with Ground Control.
Science Fiction Catastrophes – In "The Noah Plan," the atmosphere is hotter, seismographs are erratic, and all Hell is breaking loose so ... it is time to abandon the Earth.
Politics – Refer to either (or both) "(Let's Play) U.S.A." -- which can still be applicable today -- and "Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht" with its cold war lyrics referencing bombings.

Shilling released 21 albums and 36 singles between 1976 and 2021. However, "Major Tom (Coming Home)" was his sole entry in the US Top 40, as well as his only international hit, so he is largely considered a one-hit wonder. But what a hit!

I do have a few notes for this week's embedded playlist. First, I was unable to find German versions for all the tracks on this album. So, this playlist has the English version of the title track -- "Error in the System" rather than "Fehler Im System" -- and "(Let's Play) U.S.A." from the English release instead of the German language version which was simply titled "U.S.A." Also, as best I can tell, the sixth track (or the first track on the B-side) of the German release was an instrumental titled "Major Tom," but I can find only the English release which was titled "Major Tom, Part II."

And now, with those caveats out of the way, I hope you enjoy ... Fehler Im System!

Flashback: Fehler Im System (July 3, 1982)

I'll see you in seven!

Tuesday, July 5, 2022

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

Dangrdafne review

Hmmm I liked it but it wasn’t amazing or anything. In fact I really want to watch it again already to see what it was about it that was just ok or if it can be elevated.

All the actors were great and overall the story was interesting. The cinematography of course was incredible. I was worried about the horror aspects but I think watching it on our TV and not a huge movie screen help temper the scenes for me. It is definitely violent and there is definitely horror aspects throughout, it is Sam Raimi after all. But I had no issue overall.

I did feel like I was thrown into the middle of the story when the movie started and I don’t mean because this is the middle movie. I mean it felt like I was missing information to start the movie. But apparently it didn’t matter overall as I managed to figure it all out and watch the movie.

I am sad that Scarlet Witch was a villain but it is important to distinguish the difference between Scarlet Witch and Wanda in this case. I’m curious where we go from here and I will definitely stick around to find out.

3 paws

Friday, July 1, 2022

Friday 80s Flashback for July 1, 2022

[The Punk Heart of Americana] -- Hailing from the West Coast hard-core-punk scene, X drew upon multiple musical elements and swirled them into a unique sound. That sound included the vocal harmonies of John Doe and Exene Cervenka, which were hauntingly aggressive, clashing in a marvel of minor keys. And forty years ago this week, X released their third studio album, Under The Big Black Sun. This was the band's first outing on a major-label (Elektra), so there was some chatter that X had sold out with this record. However, I would argue that, just as X was leveling up musically, the new contract likewise leveled up their potential audience.

This quartet's playing on Under The Big Black Sun is just as strong, if not stronger, than what they laid down on either Los Angeles (1980) or Wild Gift (1981). And lyrically, well, these tracks are peppered with existential humor and mortal peril. Cervenka, in particular, is using her songs to grapple with the devastating death of her sister by a drunk driver ("Riding With Mary" and "Come Back to Me"). This is an extremely personal and poetic album, wrapped in blistering guitar licks and a furious rhythm section. And I don't think it's too much to claim that Under The Big Black Sun may well be one of the best records of 1982, perhaps even the entire decade.

I look forward to hearing what your favorite tracks are from this album.

Flashback: Under The Big Black Sun (July 1982)

And ... that's all till next week. Dedicated 80s-philes can find more flashbacks in the Prophet or Madman archives or via Bookended's 80s Flashback tag. As always, your comments are welcome on today's, or any other, flashback post. And if you like what I'm doing here, please share the link with your friends. If, however, you don't like the flashback, feel free to share it with your enemies.

I'll see you in seven!