Comments on: Studies in Contrast

By: KoE

KoE — Mon, 22 Aug 2005 20:58:21 +0000

Heh. Prof, I get stuff like that too, and it’s amazing how turgid students become when making their case. Your second example is a laugh-riot but not much more hyperbolic than how some students approach the process.

And I just got one of those magic music machines too. It is wondrous to behold.

By: Grampy

Grampy — Mon, 22 Aug 2005 14:26:43 +0000

The best that can be said of REM these days is that they provide some steady roadwork for overlooked musicians like Peter Holsapple and the Posies guy. The righteousness of Bill Berry (as the one who knew when to quit) continues to grow.

By: Professor Fury

Professor Fury — Sun, 21 Aug 2005 22:52:35 +0000

Ha! I would be so fired, and from my dream job to boot. Methinks not.

By: Polly

Polly — Sun, 21 Aug 2005 20:43:12 +0000

you can always auction off the seat on ebay. with proceeds going to support the local comic shop, of course.

By: Professor Fury

Professor Fury — Sun, 21 Aug 2005 19:08:29 +0000

Nobody yet, Pol—I’m holding the line, putting on my stone face, battening down the hatches. Because of some recent resignations and retirements, we don’t have enough folks to teach that particular class this semester, so the cap is already set too high. But you know, I’m sure I’ll crumble sometime this week and let a few fish slip through the nets.

By: Polly

Polly — Sun, 21 Aug 2005 18:21:03 +0000

oh yeah, who (if any) got in the class?

By: gorjus

gorjus — Sun, 21 Aug 2005 15:39:36 +0000

And I think the Posies’ Amazing Disgrace is an overlooked powerpop gem, partially because of the time period it came out in.

I agree with Doc Wagner about REM—I so, so want them to be fantastic again. And, I’ll defend Monster, too (available in used bins everywhere for $2.99!)—”Strange Currencies” is one of the most beautiful songs, ever. It’s the perfect postmodern blues lament, screened through sugar, sweet and clean:

“You know with love comes strange currencies
And here is my appeal:

I need a chance, a second chance, a third chance, a fourth chance,
A word, a signal, a nod, a little breath
Just to fool myself, to catch myself, to make it real, real.”

That’s just as good as it gets! I also really like late-period gems “The Great Beyond” and “Imitation of Life.”

By: gbs

gbs — Sat, 20 Aug 2005 14:38:26 +0000

I had exactly the same experience with my new magic music machine, and since you brought up Ken Stringfellow, has anyone listened to The Posies' Frosting on the Beater lately? More fun than Dear 23 or actually eating frosting out of the bowl!

By: Dr. Wagner

Dr. Wagner — Sat, 20 Aug 2005 06:05:12 +0000

I have a brick from the church where REM played their first show. I know from REM and I have totally tuned out. Reveal was boring and I haven’t even tried to listen to the newest one. But I liked a fair amount of Up. I’m totally with you. Which is a shame considering I have somewhere near 80 REM cds what with all the guest spots and covers and such.

By: Polly

Polly — Sat, 20 Aug 2005 04:31:23 +0000

REM’s Monster has got the be THE most readily available used CD of my adult life. Spice Girls? not so much so.