Lost Trees Bring New Enthusiasm

Rode the bike on to the train again. Weather is nice today. Benched 185 again last night in sets of 10, 8, 6, 6.

Today, however, in a good mood this morning because of the news about the Screaming Trees!

I had read somewhere, a time ago, that they had shelved an entire album's worth of material but never thought it was true, nor that I'd ever hear it if it were. So, with a renewed enthusiasm for the band (whom I primarily save for Fall and Winter months -- there's something about listening to Sweet Oblivion and Dust while traveling to a pumpkin or apple farm that makes all the sense in the world), I decided to listen to some more obscure Trees tunes I've amassed over the years. I have been a fan since the 90s. I had acquired Sweet Oblivion in roughly 1995 and then, after seeing the band open for Oasis at Jones Beach in 1996 (and blowing them away, and then sitting right next to Gary Conner afterward) bought Dust and life has been fuller since then.

Here some autobiographical notes, thoughts and anecdotes will accompany the tracks I listened to today.

"Tomorrow's Dream" -- This was a song off the "Dollar Bill" single (the other is "Peace In the Valley"). "Dream" is a Black Sabbath tune and Lanegan has to match Ozzy's pitch. The music itself, while solid, isn't a whole lot different than Sab's other than the tempo may be upped a bit. Mark doesn't often sing so high and I think he had the ability to do back then (1992 -4?) because I reckon he hasn't yet smoked an Empire State Building's worth of cigarettes. He's got more than 15 years of smooth nicotine and tar in his throat now, and he still does great work, but I don't know if he could hit the notes in that key. Still, it's a great "garage band"-sounding cover. The entire 3-song single's concept is quite smart because the title track is truly a middle ground between both the metal and the folk/country covers. It exhibits the range this band possessed -- they truly were peaking at Dust (had another album followed it, I'm confident it would've been just as good, if not better) and this was a taste of things to come.

I think I bought that single in the little CD shop that had a short run in the Flea Market and that was roughly around 1996 or 7. Bought two Jon Spencer Blues Explosion albums there, too, and sold those.

"ESK," "Paperback Bible," "Watchpocket Blues" -- Sometime in '07 or '08 I hit the library and saw Ocean of Confusion. I didn't need it save for these three tracks, which were B-sides/unreleased. Elated, I burned them immediately.

There's certainly a difference in the tone b/w SO and Dust -- I think of SO as an 'earthy' album and the latter a more 'ethereal' -- and these tend to veer toward the former. They rock with a little more rawness and would've been the standouts of Sweet Oblivion, but then I can see how tunes like "Butterfly" would have been lost in the mix. I could even argue that they sound like the period b/w Uncle Anesthesia and SO, and I'd still veer toward SO. I tend to listen to these three in one felt swoop as they rock without being showy or overly heavy. The distortion is a little muted, as I can imagine you don't want to overpower your singer too much.

"Bed of Roses" -- Uncle Anesthesia had eluded me for years after becoming a Trees fan. I'm not entirely sure I had even seen what the album cover had looked like. In all the trips to music stores and used CD places I hadn't seen it in the flesh until I landed in the Haight-Ashbury section of San Francisco in May 2007. It was toward the end of Liz and my California road trip and I was still suffering from allergies, but we would wind up at the greatest music store I'd ever been -- Amoeba Music Outlet.

I had bought music from them via ebay and they weren't originally on the agenda but we were on foot and walking through the district and there was a magnetic pull. I got this album, used, for 5 bucks. There were two copies. The only reason I wish I'd purchased the other is because the liner notes were stuck together. (I picked up the goods that day -- some of it really cheap -- got the Eric Clapton "Johnson" CD+DVD combo for 10 bucks, also.) This was a search mission, however, I'd been on for 10 years without really even knowing it.

The album, overall, is good. It demonstrates the maturity in sound from the prev. lo-fi efforts but there's some quality issues I have with it. Should it ever be remastered, I would probably pick it up b/c it sounds like the band is playing in a hollow apartment building floor. It's not the echo that irks me so much as the limitations of technology (and funding?). I don't "love" the album b/c I don't find the guitar riffs as challenging or interesting as the two later efforts. It's solid for what it is, but it's mostly glorified 4-chord stuff. Had I heard the Trees' catalogue chronologically I might feel different but it's pretty much the same way I feel about the Afghan Whigs regressing from Gentlemen, and I think that all stems from maturity (on their part and now mine) and production quality.

This song, however, might be the catchiest. This has Mark's voice confidently hovers above it all with slow, passionate lyrics. But he's not overpowering the band -- it's truly a complementary, gelling effort here. It's even got its pop influence here but in a Steve Miller sort of way.

I still buy almost everything Lanegan is associated with nowadays. He's got to be one of the most versatile musicians I've ever heard. It's not hard to find a song he's written that can mirror any mood you are in. I've seen him live as a Tree, a Gutter Twin, and with Isobel Campbell. Many have seen him as a Queen of the Stone Age.

As I approach Albany Street (the only light at which I need to stop, thankfully), I realize that Barrett Martin himself is on the Trees' facebook page and I had written a thank-you on the page as a comment. I wonder if he'd be willing to answer some q's for this blog.

This whole month has been on the bike. The days where I wasn't at work are like questions omitted from the SATs as they do not count against you. So this month I was 20-for-20. I'll cap it off with a lunch run.

Thank you for reading.

Rt day #440

Nothing terribly interesting during today's ride.

After yesterday's return ride debacle (chain came off again) I realize that this never happens on the southbound trip because the road is paved and because I'm not in a rush. The northbound trip and even the trip to station in the morning can have those characteristics, so I'll just have to be more efficient. I'm always on the lookout for potholes and such on the return ride but I guess I'll have to be more strategic as to where I exert the most energy -- and it seems like once I get to 4th Street is the ideal spot b/c the ground will be flatter.

Have passed the 2/3 mark of TACN. Covered a lot of pages in the DMV (twice) but it's still a good read. He uses some really wild words. PASSACAGLIA. Part of a chapter title. Use that in a sentence and someone's nose might start bleeding profusely. The prev. chapter was mostly just a good short story and contradicts what he has said about the uselessness of American parks and playgrounds since he has a blast with two kids for a day at a park. I wonder what Miller would've thought about the internet -- he'd probably get really addicted to x-rated material.

I made the 818 and am still on my way very swiftly and I realize it's because I didn't have to wait on one light the entire ride -- not even at Vestry.

Saw "X-Men: First Class" yesterday. It was good -- I think they should've made this before "Wolverine" b/c there are some obvious inconsistencies but it's all entertainment. Hopefully will see GL next week.

Ran 21:14 yesterday -- 2nd best time since it all began (by 2 seconds).

Listened to a nice medley of RHCP and Jane's today. Nothing I haven't tagged before.

Finished this trip in 25 minutes exactly.

Thank you for reading.

Oh come, sweet DMV, one MORE last caress

Note to self: Do not go to the DMV at Herald Square ever again. Having gotten there less than 15 minutes after it had opened, the line for the tickets was out the door.

You look @ that and just feel your eyes involuntarily retreating to the back of your skull. Whilst listening to a familiar list (which started after crossing the Highway) after exiting the Piers' bathroom, I just breezed southbound.

I read a lot of the Miller book yesterday (2 DMV sessions and a 30-minute train delay affords one some time to catch up on literature) and today's section focuses on music, which I enjoy. Must also research and listen to the work of Edgar Varese. One particular line really speaks to me -- shakes me to my core. "Death is one thing and deadness is another." Deadness is something I can feel but do my best to shake off by way of reading and exercising and eating well and being married. I do feel deadness (in small doses, oftentimes) during the course of the mandatory 40-hour week. It comes with the territory in feeling unfulfilled (in this case, with regard to my current desk jockeying.) The best forms of education, literature, entertainment and communication, I realize, exploit this topic. Recently, Daytripper really delved in to it and that's why that book stays with me.

Others: Thin Red Line (book and film), Life: A User's Manual, Farewell to Arms, Death Magnetic, Henry Rollins, RHCP.

I'm not complaining, really, I just want more out of life.

I have made good time getting to the downtown DMV and will try to get everything done there now.

Post Script: I'm finally done! There are forms I can mail in for other things and I will gladly do that. Leaving that place of deadness -- where they intentionally try to keep you subconsciously happy by playing disco tunes, I see through that one -- the truckers looked at me funny as I felt like I just made a huge bowel movement and to my delight, I only needed to wipe once. There's imagery for ya!

Thank you for reading.

Oh come, sweet DMV, one last caress

A recap of what transpired on Friday afternoon:

Didn't run on Friday at all. Was riding as hard as possible, which was difficult weaving through the traffic at the Canal St. light. As I approached the numbered streets, I must've hit some air (a whole 2 inches, perhaps?) and the chain came off. I kept myself calm and fixed it, having the experience of a morning some weeks before fresh in mind. I was now just gunning for the 523. I made it in to Penn, and an underrated sensation is the riotous one I feel having stayed alive after a quick ride and then having to wait on a downward escalator. Dashing to Track 20, I made the 520 as the doors closed on the bike. Afterward nothing mattered.

I realize who the "you" is a lot of the time when I curse in to the wind, and the "you" is sometimes my former self, but mostly just Time. Time is an enemy -- though Time is indiscriminate -- Time is not on my side. I'll never beat Time (I'll beat the Time of my former self) but at best I can only break even in the moment.

On to today:

With our license plates in tow, I made the 749 with plenty of time to ensure that I can get to the Xpress DMV on 34th. Oh wait, the powerlines went on the LB tracks. So I dashed to RVC to make whatever train I could. I don't know what train it is b/c we're a half hour earlier than normal. The answer is that I was about 60 seconds too late for an express Penn train. I pushed pretty hard, too but Time won that one, probably to even the score from Friday. Still, just waited for the next one and it was fine.

What a colossal waste of time the Xpress DMV was -- although it cert. read online that we'd qualify for the services they'd solely provide, I was told to go to a full-service one.

So I dashed down. Hearing THIS internally. Thinking about the special torture awaiting me during my lunch break at the Battery Park DMV.

I found myself starting to have the same old feelings from a year ago as a confrontation with Smithers was pending, but I was able to silence it. Let's just focus the attention elsewhere.

Thank you for reading.

In the Mist.

Made my new early train for my appended Friday schedule.

Just a little tired and I have four turkey tacos sitting in my large intestine so that's what's going on inside me today.

Finished another chapter of TACN -- Miller loves France. The end of that chapter.

I'd like to run today, truly I would. Some of it depends on the weather and the rest depends on me. The trains to LB are at 520 and 523. If I ride the bike at a moderate pace I can do it in under 23 minutes but if I really focus and push I have been known to accomplish the ride in closer to 18. I know from recent experience that the former train leaves departs from track 20, which is tougher to reach in time. If I run today, I will be a little tired but confident in making the 523. Plus, the fact that it's misty gives me a 50/50 outlook on the run b/c if it's just a drizzle then it'll be a nice run but if it's raining then it's unnecessary. I'll play it wisely.

Some of the conductors and ticket takers have these massive guts as they plow through the seating lanes. When I see them coming at me I cringe. I will never look that way, ever. I know I will age, but I will not ingest 10,000 calories a day and do nothing in the process of aging. This is really the one thing I have complete control over and I will exercise that control until I die. Case in point: The one beer I had last night put me under. It takes me almost a month to finish a 12-pack and the circumstances need to be right: Earlier in the day I cannot have hit the gym, nor run, and the beer comes mid- or post-dinner.

It stunk as I approached the Highway crossing at 29th. Raw sewage to the max. (RFTC: "I'm Not Invisible" "Get Down") I knew I'd have to wait so I crossed to the median and hung out there. Though I am against the clock, I don't want to go to 24th today to cross over.

As I pulled up to the crossing at Albany Street, I realized I was a few "furloughs" behind a higher-up at work of whom I'm not very fond. Normally I'd pull right up to the front of the median but I remained as inconspicuously toward the back as I could. Though I have worked for him for 6 years, he's never once even said hello. The one or two times he has spoken to me it's been in a large-scale meeting where I've been asked to accept lousy terms, reneged promises and less money. I don't want to acknowledge nor make small talk with someone of this caliber.

Have to bring the bike inside today, as just after I crossed over it began to rain more zealously. The person from work can get stuck in it -- I'll be covered in the next 20 seconds.

Thank you for reading.

Playlist:
Rolling Stones: "Time Is On My Side"
Pearl Jam: "Once" "Even Flow" "Why Go" "Jeremy"

Plow through

An average day, I suppose. Ran yesterday and did 21:30. Solid #s. Hit the gym last night and was able to do my 30 reps of 185 lbs and the sets are getting closer to what I want them to be. Also hit the bag for a while and there's a major difference between doing it in the open space and in the morbidly humid room.

Finished the 2nd half of chapter 2 of TACN. Wow, when Miller wants to be negative and sarcastic he pulls no punches. The book is written in the late 1930s/early 40s, and he is demonizing Henry Ford and Walt Disney. Not a whole hell of a lot has changed, though we realize now we need Ford's company, not the man himself.

Am listening to Monster Magnet's Mastermind, and not the normal tracks. It's a good one but they peaked at PowerTrip.

There's a lot of traffic on my lane -- cyclists, joggers, skaters.

I'm not going to run today. And the fog is thick. I liked yesterday's mini-shower.

Thank you for reading.

how the title of a Mr. Bungle song made its way in to my reading list

Had my full, uninterrupted sleep and feel quite good today.
Maybe a little tired but that's fine. Had breakfast (bowl of Total, half banana, blueberries, cinnamon) and coffee and it makes a difference.
I started reading Henry Miller's Air Conditioned Nightmare today and I'm almost immediately hooked. Just in his speaking about what bogs us, as Americans, down has me sold. That it was published near the end of WWII is kind of cool, mostly because the message is timeless, so far.
Interesting autobiographical note -- I knew a song called "The Air Conditioned Nightmare" well before I knew it was a (famous) book. It was performed by Mr. Bungle and it was one of the 5 songs that made California a half-way decent album. I say half-way because I look back and really only 5 songs stood out as winners (there's a reason it's not on the IPOD). So imagine my surprise 7 years later when I came across Miller's library in Big Sur and put two and two together. The book is 300 pgs long -- I suspect I'll have it finished quickly b/c I'm in to it. The deal with Miller is that the writing is so dense that it often takes a while to get through it. (Big Sur and the Oranges... was not a quick nor simple read) But since reading Sextet only a couple of months ago (I didn't finish it b/c one long chapter was an in-depth book review for a novel which I haven't read) I feel the style is fresh in my memory.
I'm wearing the famous Al Bundy jersey and am moving pretty quickly. Made the light at the Highway.
It started raining once I hit Pier 40 but I gotta say it felt really good. I just had to rotate the Ipod on my arm underneath it so it'd get less wet and that was all. I am sched'd to run today (which is cool b/c I have End Of Silence in my bag) and I hope it rains then, too. Nothing too hard but just enough so that it feels good.
Thank you for reading.

Playlist:
Megadeth: "Poison Was The Cure" "Lucretia"
Chickenfoot: "Avenida Revolucion" "Soap On a Rope" "Sexy Little Thing"