February was a wild month. It felt like every studio and streamer dropped every trailer bit and of news they possibly could (Marvel had to do something to counteract Madame Web). We had the “big game” (because we can’t use the name anywhere, which is still silly) come and go, all those silly people got mad about Taylor Swift being on screen less than 10 times over the span of a five-to-seven hour extravaganza. Now, we’re on the precipice of the greatest month for … well me … as it’s March aka Saint Patrick’s Month. If you’re wondering if I’m going to do a special Pop for Saint Pat’s (you’re not probably, hell is anyone even reading this column?) you’d be right. I used to do a column like this back in the day for the High Holy Day, so why not bring it back.
I made a joke a sentence ago about if anyone is reading this column. Well, I’m sure someone is, but quite frankly it feels nice to write from off the cuff about things I enjoy. I try to make my reviews thoughtful and (somewhat) well-written and my podcast appearances of course range from the utmost professional to an absolute joyous disaster. So I hope this is somewhere in the middle. It’s a great bit of fun for me, and hopefully you as well…all two of you.
So, I Read Comics Now: When I was a kid, one of my favorite comics I ever owned was the first issue of The Infinity War. I believe a friend of my dad’s gave it to me and I probably read it from cover-to-cover 50 times. It was a very important comic in my life because it really opened my eyes to my favorite type of event — a big old team up. Whether it be in books, television, wrestling, film, etc. I love when a big old group of heroes gets together to save the day. When I got Marvel Unlimited, I figured I’d revisit this series and The Infinity Gauntlet — two titles I swear I owned as graphic novels that I read a few times. Yeah, I was very, very wrong. I didn’t own or read them, so I made sure I change that with my subscription. Now, if you’re expecting to see a lot of elements from these books that appear in Avengers: Infinity War … well, you’re not. Outside of the snap and people disappearing, there’s not much of a crossover here in terms of “from page to screen.” However, the ideas of struggle, loss, fighting against all odds, self-doubt and fighting till the last breathe to save the world is all here.
These are absolutely fantastic reads for those who may have never picked them up, or haven’t dusted these issues off since you were a kid, you owe it yourself to read these thrilling, breathtakingly illustrated event series.
Oh the Random Things You’ll Hear: This the name of my ever-evolving Spotify playlist that was created back in 2011 (currently at 2,753 songs). Every month I’m going to give you some recent cuts from this list that I’ve added that are in heavy rotation…
“Cabriolet” by Soulive: Soulive is the band that changed everything for me musically. I first heard of the band when they were scheduled to play The Green Room — a live music venue (of sorts, it’s a long story) atop the famed Sawmill Cafe in Seaside Park, New Jersey. I remember seeing the poster for the band and thinking they were just out of this world cool, but I never gave their music a try. Fast forward to 2010, when Pop Break was still in its infancy, and I remember seeing them advertised as playing locally and I decided to reach out for an interview. First, I bought their Beatles tribute record Rubber Soulive, and upon first listen, I was never the same. For 14 years, I’ve traveled through the rabbit hole of bands of jam, funk, soul, reggae, jamtronic, bluegrass, brass and more. Their latest single ‘Cabriolet’ is a beautiful reminder of how amazing Eric Krasno, Alan Evans and Neal Evans are as musicians and how they’ve grown as a trio since I first heard them jam on the tunes of the Fab 4. They’ll be playing at The Blue Note in New York this summer, definitely check them out.
“Wonderland” by JJ Grey & Mofro: One of the band’s that Soulive lead me to discover was JJ Grey & Mofro. Their song “Old Glory” is a constant in playlists for me. His latest single “Wonderland” is a wonderful hybrid of Stevie Wonder and Joe Cocker spiked with a fine aged Southern bourbon. It’s not as bombastic as “Old Glory,” rather it’s a joyous, celebratory, sentimental song that is an undeniable toe-tapper.
“Tell Me Something I Don’t Know” by Low Cut Connie: Philadelphia’s finest delivers another killer blend of piano-driven rock and blues with tinges of Motown. Lead singer Adam Weiner is an absolute savant when it comes to delivering huge vocal hooks that become immediate earworms. While this isn’t an instant classic like “Boozophilia” this one, as the could would’ve said five years ago, absolutely slaps.
“Generator” by Justice: Be you weren’t expecting some mid-aught’s French electronica on this list. Well, then my friend you don’t know me as well as you think you do (cause I reviewed their Audio.Visual.Disco. way back in the day). The band dropped two singles “Generator” and “One Night/All Night” as a dual threat of big bass and synth seduction. However, it’s Generator that is the — if you listen to Socially Distanced — certified banger and bop.
“Burial Ground” by The Decemberists featuring James Mercer of The Shins: For the past few months I’ve been working on the Board of Trustees for my old college newspaper, The Daily Targum. Why does this matter? Well, I’ve been feeling nostalgic for college recent and the new joint (yeah, I know) from The Decemberists and Saint James Mercer of The Shins transports me to the early 2000s walking on the campus of Rutgers University as a much younger, less grey man with a horribly uneven goatee. Maybe it’s the plaintive horns that throw me back to Neutral Milk Hotel’s “Holland, 1945” that was still a staple when I was hitting the books. Jokes aside, this is a really terrific return to form for both artists and this should transition into a nice “spring anthem” for all those old heads like me.
Reeeee-Watch: ShoGun — The Original Mini-series. FX just released their adaptation of James Clavell’s epic 1975 novel about a British sailer John Blackthorne who washes ashore in feudal Japan, and how he becomes involved in the battle between Lords Toranaga’s and Buntaro. You can listen to my thoughts on the FX series here, but this is not the version of the series I’m recommending to you. No, instead it will be the original 1980 version which aired on NBC over five nights in September.
This mini-series, which starred Richard Chamberlain in the role of Blackthorne, Kursawa staple and legendary Japanese actor Toshiro Mifune, and a young John Rhys-Davies (who you’ll know as either Sallah from Indiana Jones or as Gimli from LOTR). This series was a staple in my home growing up. It was my dad’s favorite book and mini-series, as he would watch it any chance he could get (it usually aired on The Family Channel, now FreeForm, in the summer). He was obsessed with Japanese samurai culture and this was a huge part of the series. As for the series itself, it not only cleaned up at awards but broke barriers in regards to sexuality and violence on television. Outside of that, the performances are terrific, the action sequences are epic, and the visuals of Japan are just jaw-dropping. Sadly, this is not streaming anywhere, so you’d have to grab it on Blu-Ray or DVD.
Of Course, Wrestling: The United Empire vs. Bullet Club War Dogs (New Japan Pro Wrestling): There was a time, that like many pro wrestling fans, I was obsessed with New Japan Pro Wrestling. The Bullet Club, Okada vs. Omega, Naito and LIJ — ugh, what a time to be a fan of the graps in Nooj. However, over the recent years, outside of New Japan has grown a bit stale. Now, when you get guys like Okada or Ospreay hitting on all cylinders, you’re getting a classic, no doubt. However, the juice, the excitement for a NJPW show just wasn’t hitting the way it used to, and that happens in the world of pro wrestling.
However, the “Dog Pound Match” aka War Games between Will Ospreay’s United Empire (Ospreay, Aaron Henare, Francesco Akira, Jeff Cobb and TJP/Aswang) against David Finaly’s Bullet Club War Dogs (Finlay, Drilla Moloney, Clark Connors, Gabe Kidd, Alex Coughlin) was the type of violent delight that checked the boxes for fans of bloodbaths, War Games, cage matches, blood feuds, fighting spirit, strong style, and all things good and right in the world. It is an hour-long spectacle that never ceases to hold interest in the audience — something both AEW and WWE have had some degrees of difficulty with when it comes to these type of matches. Credit this to the rare use of cages in New Japan, and the spectacular feud that Gedo and the NJPW creative team crafted here. Run don’t walk to this. Check it on New Japan World.
And Now For Something Completely Different: MLB: The Show 2024 just dropped news about their new Road to the Show variation — Women Pave the Way. This allows players to create a female character for their Road to the Show Create-A-Player/Career Mode game. As the father of a daughter who was very upset to hear that women do not play major league baseball, nor is there a major league for softball (and someone who also loves mashing homers in the Home Run Derby game), this is going to be incredible to do. My hope is one day MLB changes there ways and women will play pro ball. Until that day, it’s going to be awesome to share this game with my daughter.
