This week, it's part 3 of my discussion with Brian Salvatore about musical blindspots. Brian will learn about Iron Maiden while I dig into Frank Zappa. Listen to the episode below or download directly.
Show notes:
- Brian listened to Somewhere in Time, Jay listened to Sheik Yerbouti
- Deja vu all over again
- Brian: Somewhere in Time is the most dated, least raw of the three albums I listened to
- Band didn't play to its strengths
- Victim of mid-'80s production
- Dickinson vs. Di'anno
- The disappearance of metal in the '90s
- Bon Jovi has thrived over the decades
- Not their best, but some Maiden classics
- Jay: Saw Maiden live a few months ago
- Zappa's Sheik Yerbouti finds him exploring the wackier subject matter in depth
- Released three albums in '79 alone
- Musicianship is incredible, feat. Adrian Belew on rhythm guitar
- Zappa released a ridiculous number of albums
- Xenochrony technique took parts from different songs and spliced them together
- Brian: Not in his top 10 albums, but close
- Went even more off the rails on Joe's Garage
- Next, Brian will listen to Living Colour while Jay will explore solo Beatle albums
Completely Conspicuous is available through the iTunes podcast directory. Subscribe and write a review!
The opening and closing theme of Completely Conspicuous is "Theme to Big F'in Pants" by Jay Breitling. Voiceover work is courtesy of James Gralian.
Tuesday, October 17, 2017
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
Completely Conspicuous 475: Ignorance is Bliss
Part 2 of my conversation with guest Matt Phillion as we discuss our uncertain world. Listen to the episode below or download directly.
Show notes:
- Check out Matt's book Echo and the Sea
- Escapism is tempting
- Shopping by alcohol content
- Is ignorance bliss?
- Dumb and happy
- Cynical about politics at all levels
- Corruption is rampant
- Appearances count
- Politics have never been this divisive...or have they?
- Internet comments are the worst
- Social media enables morons to spout off
- Journalism burnout
- Shooting a guy in the face is quaint now
- Does uncertainty = depression?
- We haven't given up yet
- We solved nothing
Completely Conspicuous is available through the iTunes podcast directory. Subscribe and write a review!
The opening and closing theme of Completely Conspicuous is "Theme to Big F'in Pants" by Jay Breitling. Find out more about Senor Breitling at his fine music blog Clicky Clicky. Voiceover work is courtesy of James Gralian.
Show notes:
- Check out Matt's book Echo and the Sea
- Escapism is tempting
- Shopping by alcohol content
- Is ignorance bliss?
- Dumb and happy
- Cynical about politics at all levels
- Corruption is rampant
- Appearances count
- Politics have never been this divisive...or have they?
- Internet comments are the worst
- Social media enables morons to spout off
- Journalism burnout
- Shooting a guy in the face is quaint now
- Does uncertainty = depression?
- We haven't given up yet
- We solved nothing
Completely Conspicuous is available through the iTunes podcast directory. Subscribe and write a review!
The opening and closing theme of Completely Conspicuous is "Theme to Big F'in Pants" by Jay Breitling. Find out more about Senor Breitling at his fine music blog Clicky Clicky. Voiceover work is courtesy of James Gralian.
Tuesday, October 3, 2017
Completely Conspicuous 474: Age of Uncertainty
Part 1 of my conversation with guest Matt Phillion as we discuss our uncertain world. Listen to the episode below or download directly.
Show notes:
- Check out Matt's book Echo and the Sea
- Recorded before the Las Vegas incident and Trump's visit to PR
- Everything's uncertain
- Don't know what to expect from the news
- Trump: Savvy or master of chaos?
- Twitter as distraction
- Social media amps up the anxiety
- FB as the center of vitriol over every conceivable public issue
- The weather is slamming us with unpredictable events
- Selling the BS
- Clickbait's gonna get ya
- Much ado about kneeling
- Scandal recovery
- Controversy du jour
- Punisher fans can be scary
- Twitter roulette
- Ah, the threat of impending nuclear war
- The relentless news cycle
- The difficulty of just enjoying life
- To be continued
Completely Conspicuous is available through the iTunes podcast directory. Subscribe and write a review!
The opening and closing theme of Completely Conspicuous is "Theme to Big F'in Pants" by Jay Breitling. Find out more about Senor Breitling at his fine music blog Clicky Clicky. Voiceover work is courtesy of James Gralian.
Show notes:
- Check out Matt's book Echo and the Sea
- Recorded before the Las Vegas incident and Trump's visit to PR
- Everything's uncertain
- Don't know what to expect from the news
- Trump: Savvy or master of chaos?
- Twitter as distraction
- Social media amps up the anxiety
- FB as the center of vitriol over every conceivable public issue
- The weather is slamming us with unpredictable events
- Selling the BS
- Clickbait's gonna get ya
- Much ado about kneeling
- Scandal recovery
- Controversy du jour
- Punisher fans can be scary
- Twitter roulette
- Ah, the threat of impending nuclear war
- The relentless news cycle
- The difficulty of just enjoying life
- To be continued
Completely Conspicuous is available through the iTunes podcast directory. Subscribe and write a review!
The opening and closing theme of Completely Conspicuous is "Theme to Big F'in Pants" by Jay Breitling. Find out more about Senor Breitling at his fine music blog Clicky Clicky. Voiceover work is courtesy of James Gralian.
Monday, August 21, 2017
Completely Conspicuous 473: Dig for Fire (Maiden-Zappa, Part 2)
This week, Brian Salvatore and I discuss more musical blindspots. Brian is learning about Iron Maiden while I dig into Frank Zappa. Listen to the episode below or download directly.
Show notes:
- Brian listened to Number of the Beast, Jay listened to Apostrophe
- Brian: No surprises on Number of the Beast
- Familiar with half the album
- Liked the fast and heavy stuff, not the slower songs
- Jay: This was my introduction to Maiden
- The transition to more epic material
- Ozzy transcended the metal downturn of the '90s
- The power of album covers, good and bad
- The beginning of Maiden's prime
- Jay: Apostrophe was Zappa's 18th album
- "Don't Eat the Yellow Snow" was a hit
- More straightahead rock than jazz fusion
- Memorable songs: "Cosmik Debris," "Uncle Remus," "St. Alfonzo's Pancake Breakfast"
- Zappa live albums are different experiences
- High-level playing countered by sometimes dumb lyrics
- Zappa pioneered sampling and recording techniques
- Next up: Sheik Yerbouti for Jay, Somewhere in Time for Brian
Completely Conspicuous is available through the iTunes podcast directory. Subscribe and write a review!
The opening and closing theme of Completely Conspicuous is "Theme to Big F'in Pants" by Jay Breitling. Voiceover work is courtesy of James Gralian.
Show notes:
- Brian listened to Number of the Beast, Jay listened to Apostrophe
- Brian: No surprises on Number of the Beast
- Familiar with half the album
- Liked the fast and heavy stuff, not the slower songs
- Jay: This was my introduction to Maiden
- The transition to more epic material
- Ozzy transcended the metal downturn of the '90s
- The power of album covers, good and bad
- The beginning of Maiden's prime
- Jay: Apostrophe was Zappa's 18th album
- "Don't Eat the Yellow Snow" was a hit
- More straightahead rock than jazz fusion
- Memorable songs: "Cosmik Debris," "Uncle Remus," "St. Alfonzo's Pancake Breakfast"
- Zappa live albums are different experiences
- High-level playing countered by sometimes dumb lyrics
- Zappa pioneered sampling and recording techniques
- Next up: Sheik Yerbouti for Jay, Somewhere in Time for Brian
Completely Conspicuous is available through the iTunes podcast directory. Subscribe and write a review!
The opening and closing theme of Completely Conspicuous is "Theme to Big F'in Pants" by Jay Breitling. Voiceover work is courtesy of James Gralian.
Friday, August 4, 2017
Completely Conspicuous 472: Dig for Fire (Maiden-Zappa, Part 1)
- This week, Brian Salvatore and I discuss more musical blindspots. Brian will learn about Iron Maiden while I dig into Frank Zappa. Listen to the episode below or download directly.
Show notes:
- Jay: Somewhat familiar with Zappa's hits and guitar work
- Intimidating catalog; more than 100 albums released
- Brian: Knew a few Maiden songs but never a fan
- Listened to 1980 self-titled debut
- Liked the faster songs and Paul Di'Anno's vocals
- Enjoyed punk-inspired energy and Steve Harris' bass
- Production sounds good
- Maiden's sound has evolved over the years
- Jay listened to Zappa's 1969 album Hot Rats
- Only one song with vocals, and those are by Captain Beefheart
- Ian Underwood is major contributor, playing all keyboards and horns
- Very different sound than Zappa had in mid- to late- '70s
- Next up: Apostrophe for Jay, The Number of the Beast for Brian
Completely Conspicuous is available through the iTunes podcast directory. Subscribe and write a review!
The opening and closing theme of Completely Conspicuous is "Theme to Big F'in Pants" by Jay Breitling. Voiceover work is courtesy of James Gralian.
Tuesday, July 18, 2017
Completely Conspicuous 471: Continental Divide
Another installment of Driving With Kumar as I discuss my recent European vacation. Listen to the episode below or download directly.
Show notes:
- Spent over two weeks in London, Paris, Belfast and Dublin
- Went to London in '96
- Less drinking on a family vacation
- Elderly passenger in distress
- Hotel room in London was tiny
- Walked nearly 100 miles the entire trip
- Ran along rivers in the four cities we visited
- Ate a lot of pub food
- London has a lot of great history and architecture
- Paris was beautiful
- Hit the Eiffel Tower on the first night
- Major military/police presence at tourist attractions
- Several terrorist incidents before we went, but nothing happened while we were there
- Only three days of sun the whole vacation
- More daylight
- Out of the U.S. news cycle
- Being aware of your surroundings
- Wary while running in Paris and Dublin
- Missed American beer
- Visited my brother in Belfast
- Explored Northern Ireland scenic sites
- Saw several Game of Thrones filming locations
- Went to the Guinness brewery
- Wifi was at a premium
- Good to be back home
Completely Conspicuous is available through the iTunes podcast directory. Subscribe and write a review!
Show notes:
- Spent over two weeks in London, Paris, Belfast and Dublin
- Went to London in '96
- Less drinking on a family vacation
- Elderly passenger in distress
- Hotel room in London was tiny
- Walked nearly 100 miles the entire trip
- Ran along rivers in the four cities we visited
- Ate a lot of pub food
- London has a lot of great history and architecture
- Paris was beautiful
- Hit the Eiffel Tower on the first night
- Major military/police presence at tourist attractions
- Several terrorist incidents before we went, but nothing happened while we were there
- Only three days of sun the whole vacation
- More daylight
- Out of the U.S. news cycle
- Being aware of your surroundings
- Wary while running in Paris and Dublin
- Missed American beer
- Visited my brother in Belfast
- Explored Northern Ireland scenic sites
- Saw several Game of Thrones filming locations
- Went to the Guinness brewery
- Wifi was at a premium
- Good to be back home
Completely Conspicuous is available through the iTunes podcast directory. Subscribe and write a review!
The opening and closing theme of Completely Conspicuous is "Theme to Big F'in Pants" by Jay Breitling. Voiceover work is courtesy of James Gralian.
Friday, June 23, 2017
Completely Conspicuous 470: First and Foremost
Part 2 of my conversation with guest Jay Breitling about our favorite music of the year so far. Listen to the episode below or download directly.
Show notes:
- Recorded at Clicky Clicky world HQ
- JB: The Orb released a remix EP
- JK: The prolific Ty Segall does it again
- JB: Vagabon brings fresh take to indie rock
- JK: Boss Hog's first album in 17 years
- JB: The evolving sound of Spoon
- JK: The consistently excellent New Pornographers back with another winner
- JB: Juana Molina returns with a strong, out there release
- JK: Mark Lanegan incorporates electronic music into his sound
- JB: Snowball II with a release that recalls The Lilys
- JK: Afghan Whigs release their best record since reuniting
- JB: Tommy Stinson brings back Bash & Pop with hooks galore
- JB: Slowdive's reunion album gives the people what they want
Completely Conspicuous is available through the iTunes podcast directory. Subscribe and write a review!
Show notes:
- Recorded at Clicky Clicky world HQ
- JB: The Orb released a remix EP
- JK: The prolific Ty Segall does it again
- JB: Vagabon brings fresh take to indie rock
- JK: Boss Hog's first album in 17 years
- JB: The evolving sound of Spoon
- JK: The consistently excellent New Pornographers back with another winner
- JB: Juana Molina returns with a strong, out there release
- JK: Mark Lanegan incorporates electronic music into his sound
- JB: Snowball II with a release that recalls The Lilys
- JK: Afghan Whigs release their best record since reuniting
- JB: Tommy Stinson brings back Bash & Pop with hooks galore
- JB: Slowdive's reunion album gives the people what they want
Completely Conspicuous is available through the iTunes podcast directory. Subscribe and write a review!
The opening and closing theme of Completely Conspicuous is "Theme to Big F'in Pants" by Jay Breitling. Voiceover work is courtesy of James Gralian.
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