Alby's Latest Posts
DL Open Thread Monday, Feb. 19, 2024
It’s Presidents Day, so let’s start with the formerly anodyne holiday exercise of Historians Rankiing the Presidents. Let’s see here: Top 5 is Lincoln, FDR, Washington, Teddy, TJeff. Obama No. 7, Biden No. 14, I’m sure Trump is in here somewhere, scrolling, scrolling, scrolling … Here he is, No. 45. Last place. But that’s not […]
Song of the Day 2/18: Elvis Costello, “Pay It Back”
Let’s say you lend Donald Trump $5. Would you trust him to pay it back? Silly question. Of course not. Yet banks have lent him billions, and he’s paid them back – except for all those businesses that have gone bankrupt, of course. But now he’s on the hook for hundreds of millions. Stop, thief, […]
Song of the Day 2/16: The Wailing Wailers, “Simmer Down”
The new Bob Marley biopic, “One Love,” is getting slagged by movie critics, which probably won’t make much difference to audiences, who gave it high scores regardless. Only a few of the reviews complained about the music, though Jack Hamilton’s review in Slate dinged it for presenting a “dorm-room poster” version of his oeuvre. The […]
Song of the Day 2/15: Bad Company, “Young Blood”
The competition for scummiest asshole in Florida is so crowded it has to be held in categories, like drag races. In the congressional class, while Anna Paulina Luna is giving him a run for his money, Matt Gaetz still reigns supreme. While the Department of Justice has dropped its sex-trafficking investigation against him, former Rep. […]
Song of the Day 2/14: Penny and the Quarters, “You and Me”
It’s almost a miracle that “You and Me” ever reached our ears. The demo tape was recorded sometime in the early ’70s in Columbus, Ohio, for a tiny soul label, Prix, but was never released. It was rediscovered only in 2005, after the death of a man named Clem Price, who owned the studio where […]
DL Open Thread Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024
The special election to replace the Lyin’ King, George Santos, as representative in New York’s 3rd congressional district wasn’t the squeaker predicted by polling. Democrat Tom Suozzi defeated his Republican rival by eight percentage points, 54-46. As is traditionally the case, reporters are falling all over themselves to explain why this isn’t good news for […]
Song of the Day 2/13: Professor Longhair, “Go to the Mardi Gras”
Happy Fat Tuesday! Legendary pianist Professor Longhair recorded this tune in 1949, but the 1959 version he did for Ron Records is the one that everybody has played ever since.
Who Should Replace Biden?
Since so many people think Joe Biden is dragging down the chances of defeating Donald Trump in November, whom do you think should top the ticket instead? Take the poll and tell us. Use the comments to explain your choice, or to add others who aren’t on the list.
DL Open Thread Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024
Today’s top story: Joe Biden turned one day older yesterday, continuing his troubling tendency to age. Worse, he refuses to do anything about it, despite the throngs demanding he step aside so Jane or Johnny Unbeatable could run in his place. That hit job report slagging his memory is being kept alive not by MAGAts, […]
Song of the Day 2/12: Oasis, “Don’t Look Back in Anger”
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced this year’s nominees for induction and, as usual, the list shows the institution has all but lost interest in rock music. Acts become eligible 25 years after their first commercial release, meaning everyone who debuted before Prince’s party date qualifies. Unfortunately for those who like actual rock, […]
DL Open Thread Monday, Feb. 12, 2024
Joe Biden might be old, but he still has enough juice to rig the Super Bowl. He even got within half a point of nailing the over/under. A PAC supporting Robert F. Kennedy Jr., on the other hand, pissed away $7 million on a 30-second ad – a rerun of a 1960 JFK ad with […]
Song of the Day 2/11: Thee Sinseers, “What’s His Name”
Guest post by Nathan Arizona An old music genre never really dies. Something’s always there to revive it. In the case of Chicano soul, sometimes called lowrider soul, streets and garages are still filled with souped-up, been-around cars. Folks still barbecue and drink beers on hot Sunday afternoons with the soundtrack of their summer playing […]
Who Will Win the Super Bowl? Let the Mascots Decide
Guest post by publisher emeritus Jason 330 When practicing the science of mascot matchups, it’s essential to filter out all football chatter and analysis, allowing the mascots to take center stage. This year, that’s a breeze because frankly, I don’t give a fuck about this Super Bowl. If I was Gitmo’ed into choosing a side, […]
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