mikeymad

I was a big fan of Gallagher (I) back in the day. Not for the smashing, but for word play. RIP Leo Anthony

Cleaning complete, first and second pulls are compete. A Mexican medium roast from local Good Coffee co. The Oracle worked flawlessly and both the espresso pull and the latte were delicious. Now to play with the grind setting, the tamping pressure and time, the shot temp, the pre infusion power and time, the extraction time and/or volume, steamed milk final temp and foam level, etc.. Good thing I got this EZ machine.... 🤯

Many thanks HC team for the wishes. I did have a good day. I don't have the new Breville up and running yet, but I did spend the day picking up a few things that I needed before: Cheers All.. 🥲

Blue Lines (2012 Mix/Master) Massive Attack 1991 https://album.link/i/715864097 Example: Moving forward a few years. Now, I don't know if I ever listened to an entire Massive Attack album. I will be doing more of it from now on. It was way more diverse than I was expecting. I knew Unfinished Symphony and a few tracks from other albums. But I think my life would have been better if I would have known more about them in the 90s. I enjoyed this listen, partially because it sounded good, and also it challenged me from time to time. And then stupid HEOS started to play the Unleash the Archers album (above) again, without being prompted. But I am listening to Britteny sing to me while typing this and I am happy, so I cannot get too mad.

Boomtown David & David 1986 https://album.link/i/1440640550 Example: A little chunk of mid-80s goodness. One hit wonder? Well I am not sure it was a real hit, but Example is a good song.

And now a Tiny Desk. Happy Times

I was going to give it a sad face, but you had a silver lining to it. Those are some good deals. I just don't have enough experience the cans to pull the trigger on any of them.

Abyss Unleash The Archers 2020 https://album.link/i/1513417513 Example: I have been sleeping on this 2020 (most recent release) from Unleash The Archers. I won't let it happen again. I missed two years without having Brittney Slayes sing to me, and being backed by one of the better technical bands out there. I will have to put this into rotation to be able to listen to their lyrics better. This is one of those albums that got caught in the pandemic with no tour to back it up and support it. God bless female metal singers.

Feast PYJÆN 2021 https://album.link/i/1565983153 Example: I liked this modern mix - At first I didn't get it, and what they were trying to be. But then I realized quickly that they were just playing many types of music. "Jazz influences across rock, electronica, Afrobeat, hip-hop and jazz fusion". And once I got that, I was along for a nice ride. There is a handful of vocal tracks as well. I like this sophomore outing and will be interested in how they evolve.

Journey To The Centre Of The Earth Rick Wakeman 2014 https://song.link/i/873134907 Example - well, the entire album: A newer recording of an old prog classic of mine. I like this version, I still prefer the original, but it is a good telling and recording.

I don't know how I missed this a few years ago. Always enjoy a BBC documentary series. And if it is a parody of one even better. A Clip: Diane Morgan is Philomena Cunk

Satchmo Plays King Oliver Louis Armstrong 1960 https://album.link/i/1466704359 <-They only have the link to the mono - seek out the Stereo (worth it) Example: I guess I didn't wait too long to play more music. But it is Satchmo....

Remember That You Will Die Polyphia 2022 https://album.link/i/1651208826 Example: I was wondering if they were going to put something out soon, since they have been releasing a few tracks over the last year. Well here it is, and it does not disappoint. There is much Polyphia goodness here. There are a lot of notes being played in a 40 minute session. A handful of guest artists, so not all instrumentals, including the Steve Via collab (posted before). I still really like the Playing God track, but I am really digging the Example- Chimera track on repeat now. I will have to take a listening break for a bit to recover my note quota, these tracks are rewarding to deep listening.

Another new artist to me - another strong voice. five seconds flat Lizzy McAlpine 2022 https://album.link/i/1604657567 Example: I started to this listen to this a while ago, but it took me three days to get past the first song (above). It hooked me hard. Lyrics, voice, production (soundstage and close mic), and the use of silence was so well done. I had to switch from my daily listening on Bluetooth over to my AT L3000s to dig past the layers. And I was rewarded. Finally getting through the album and there is more of the same. I have not heard the use of pauses and silence so effectively since discovering Chris Thile and ‎Nickel Creek. There is something so captivating about bringing a song completely to a stop, makes me lean in and take notice as to what is next. So much more satisfyingly than throwing a wall of sound at me with all pots maxed. Needless to say this will go into heavy rotation for a while.

I didn't know this existed. Now I do and I am the better for it.

none more svart

Darkroom Sadie Campbell 2021 https://album.link/i/1581693500 Example: New Artist to me. This is just an EP - and looking around she has not released an 'album' yet. So, I listened to all the tracks that she has on Tidal (10 total). The example above caught my interest with her power, gravel, lilt and tone. But this following track really impressed me. Needless to say, I am now following this artist.

"What would happen if the Solar System was filled with soup out to Jupiter?" "I was wondering whether there's a way to use my welder as a defibrillator?" "How much water to you have to drink to become 99 percent water?" ....and many more. I enjoyed the first book enough to jump into the second. Now while I really enjoy the physical/reader version because of all the great cartoons/illustrations by Munroe (of xkcd fame), I could not pass up being read to Wil Wheaton. So, my recommendation (like I did) is to have the audio book in one app as you read along in another. :} And I can never get family guy out of my head.

This. Just finished Katie's book. It was good and I got more out of it than I thought. I didn't know much about 'vacuum decay' and 'big rip' before, so there was new science here for me. She used analogies and humor well, it is written in her voice as I know her.

Sound Affects (Deluxe Edition) The Jam 1980 https://album.link/i/1445856291 Example: Some Sunday morning Jams with The Jam. I liked this penultimate album, it has a nice mix of raw stuff along with more produced stuff, which I am sure they got flack for at the time. but not: (I know the internet is over this one)

Midnights (3am Edition) Taylor Swift 2022 https://album.link/i/1650841512 Example: Seeing what the kids are making these days (kids being long established artists in their 30s). Overall a good listen. Lots of talk-singing and some good singer songwriter moments throughout the album. Kids got some talent.

"Feel Flows" The Sunflower & Surf’s Up Sessions 1969-1971 (Super Deluxe) The Beach Boys 2021 https://album.link/i/1570363167 Example: Now, I have not listened to the entire 6.5 hours of material here (yet). But I am entirely captivated by this monster (133 track) collection. The vocal layering and delicate nature of a lot of the tracks is very appealing. I can easily see this as being my go to for BB in the future. Just put it on shuffle and listen for as long as I like. Of course, Pet Sounds, will always be played regardless.

^^ Just a couple of Americans doing normal American things...

Skylarking XTC 1986 https://album.link/i/1440889477 Example: So many songs I could post so I just gave the opener. It has been a while since I had listened to this 80s classic. But I see it as timeless.