2024-12-24 13:00:00
On to bigger and better things in 2025. If you are celebrating something this week, happy holidays! If not, happy Tuesday!
2024-12-12 13:00:00
When was the term mullet first used?
The correct answer is probably 1994. The Decoder Podcast and the Oxford English Dictionary have gone deep down the rabbit hole. The earliest documented reference to using mullet to describe that haircut is 1994, by the Beastie Boys, in the song Mullet Head.
I'm not kidding.
It's documented as being called hockey hair in the 80s, and it was very much a popular haircut in the NHL in the mid to late 80s and into the early 90s. In fact, even though we think of it as an 80s thing, most of famous mullets are from the early 90s. It's possible it was used as slang in some sub-culture earlier and that is where Mike D got it for the song. He declined to be interviewed but several others involved with the Beastie Boys at that time confirm they never heard the term used for a haircut until they heard the band use it.
In fact, it's entirely possible, and maybe even likely, that popular culture did not have an opinion on the haircut until Mike D told us it sucked. In 1994 the style was fading out anyway as it ran its course, as all trends do. Then a bunch of hipsters from NYC write a song ridiculing a hair style, and it becomes the butt of jokes forever.
Language is weird.
Prior to listening to the podcast, I would have sworn on a stack of bibles that we called it a mullet in the 80s. But now, I'm not so sure.
2024-12-02 13:00:00
The election and my job loss made for a pretty shitty November. In lieu of anything particularly insightful to say, let's catch up on what is in my personal playlist. And by playlist, I mean discreet MP3 albums. Algorithms don't pick my music, I do. However, sharing my MP3 albums won't go over well, so I'll share via YouTube Music links.
Susanna Hoffs - The Lost Record
In 1999, Susanna recorded an album in her garage, then got back together with The Bangles and forgot about the album. I'm glad she finally released it, because it's fabulous. It's sounds a lot like what a 1999 Bangles record might have sounded like, with the 80s turned way down and the Byrds influences turned up. Lush harmonies, jangly guitars, and her voice are a can't miss combination.
I will Take Care of You
I'll Always Love You
Juliet Lloyd - Carnival
I discovered Juliet on a date night out in RVA about a year ago. She was playing a listening room that I had wanted to check out. She has played Richmond 3 more times since then. We've been at all the shows. Her new album is a fabulous showcase of her songwriting chops. Her music is hard to pigeonhole into a genre, it's mostly indie-pop, but with soul and folk influences, and even some crunchy guitars on one tune.
Jukebox the Ghost
I haven't actually bought any of their albums yet. The new record budget was cut to zero with my job loss. But I will buy their stuff, soon. We saw them open for Lawrence back in September, and I was blown away. They are an uptempo three piece indie-pop band with deep Queen influences.
Abby Bryant - Glowing
A few years ago we did a weekend road trip to Roanoke. Abby happened to playing the bar next to the hotel in support of her first record. Glowing is her second record. Abby's music dances along the lines between country, soul, and folk, never saying in a lane but instead veering across all three lanes for a sound that is uniquely hers.
Damn, that last sentence sounds like something Pitchfork would write. Sorry about that.
The New Roses - Attracted to Danger
From Germany. Released in 2024, but straight out of 1986. Long live 80s metal!
2024-11-24 13:00:00
Species / Count
Canada Goose - 105
Gadwall - 2
Bufflehead - 2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 1
Great Blue Heron - 1
Black Vulture - 1
Bald Eagle - 1
Downy Woodpecker - 1
Carolina Chickadee - 1
White-breasted Nuthatch - 1
Carolina Wren - 1
Chipping Sparrow - 8
White-throated Sparrow - 16
Song Sparrow - 3
Swamp Sparrow - 2
Northern Cardinal - 1
2024-11-16 13:00:00
22 species observed on a crisp fall morning.
Mourning Dove - 3
Turkey Vulture - 2
Bald Eagle - 2
Red-tailed Hawk - 3
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 1
Northern Flicker - 1
Blue Jay - 2
Carolina Chickadee - 1
Tufted Titmouse - 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 1
White-breasted Nuthatch - 1
Carolina Wren - 2
European Starling - 2
Northern Mockingbird - 2
Eastern Bluebird - 3
House Finch - 3
House/Purple Finch - 2
American Goldfinch - 2
Chipping Sparrow - 3
White-throated Sparrow - 4
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 7
Northern Cardinal - 2
