2010 Plans

We here at Not Lame Minus would like to thank everyone who has stopped by, both casual readers and steady followers alike, to see what we have been babbling about, reviewing, or recommending since our debut in early June. And a heartfelt "Aw, shucks, it was nothin'..." to those of you who have found us to be a useful source for local music dates and links to outdoor (and some indoor, during the cold of winter) family fun.

With all of the holiday mayhem, lack of funds, and the dearth of local music performances, there hasn't been much to babble about in the last month or so, but in 2010 we will hit the ground running with some "Best of" columns, more frequent reviews, another contest or three, and hopefully, so much music stuff that you'll want to track us down to receive and/or cash in those wooden nickels!

And from Ken, Brian, Jay and Rob:

Happy New Year
Feliz año nuevo
Bonne année
Hyvää uuttavuotta
كل عام وأنتم بخير
Ευτυχισμένο το νέο έτος
あけましておめでとう

REAL Snow is Coming

Last week's snowstorm was apparently nothing compared to what is in store for the east coast this weekend. As of 2:30 pm EST, there is 16+" on the ground in Maryland (thanks Heather B), Philly and NYC are being hit hard, and Massachusetts has at least a foot coming this evening, with less snow expected the further north and west one lives (New Hampshire and Maine may even escape untouched)...

Let us know how much snow you wound up with, any personal "Tales From the Blizzard" you'd care to share, or even what activities/music/movies got you through your weekend!

Snow 12-09-09

How did the first major storm of 2009's winter treat you? I read, wrapped gifts, and watched movies all day (after getting up early to move my car for the plow). Here are pictures aimed outside of two of my windows:

Web Comics

Over the last decade or so, there has been a slow move to the internet and online comics. The vast variety of writing styles, artwork and subject matter is truly astounding. Personally, I will never relinquish my love for having the story and art in my hands (I still buy around ten comics a month), and being able to take them with me anywhere. That being said, there is a lot of excellent and varied work for all tastes being done online. Below, I have listed a variety of the ones I am currently enjoying for anyone who might like an occasional brainful of amazing illustrated serial entertainment, updated on various semi-regular schedules. The title links should bring you to the first installment of each series.

• If you've ever played a role playing game like Dungeons & Dragons, read sci-fi and/or fantasy novels, or seen movies in either genre, "Order of the Stick" might be your thing. Don't let the seemingly simple illustration style fool you. The story is hilarious, the characters are engaging, and there are tons of in-jokes and references to outside stuff, not limited to the two genres. I've been reading this series the longest to date (several years), and wish it was updated more frequently.
• Skottie Young is a comic book artist of no little talent, having illustrated various X-Men titles for Marvel Comics, as well as the phenomenal "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" graphic novel (which I bought for my 10-year-old niece Ryan, who absolutely loved it). He just began a short series entitled "The Adventures of Bernard the World Destroyer". It's pretty darn funny, turning a few of sci-fi's 'first contact' cliches on their collective ears. He plans to update it daily for at least one month, and longer as whimsy dictates.
• Karl Kerschl, illustrator of The Flash, Teen Titans, and other series from DC Comics has been putting out a weekly snippet of his charming "The Abominable Charles Christopher", a tale of a wandering yeti, and his sometimes humorous, sometimes serious encounters in the forest and beyond. The strip began in June of 2007, and hasn't missed a Wednesday installment since!
• I just today discovered Ramon Perez's twice-weekly (Tuesdays & Thursdays) series "Kukuburi". I've read the first 29 installments (up to late October of '07), and so far it is a trippy tale of a girl and her talking chameleon who wander into a Seussian dimension of wierdness, surrealism and danger. The colors pop, (many of the strips are wall-print worthy), the creatures are imaginative, and each day's vignette makes me want to click "next"!
• And last but not least, another funny strip I discovered today: "Girls With Slingshots", a "slice of life", relationshippy 5-times-weekly comic that has been running since 2004, about two girls, Jamie and Hazel, and their friends in the city (I haven't figured out which city yet, but that may not matter). It is definitely not for kids, and my initial impression is that it reads like a Showtime/HBO version (read: Rated R) of "How I Met Your Mother" or "Friends" (please forgive me longtime readers of "GWS", if this offends your sensibilities - haha!). So far, very funny!
  

Go forth, read on, and please let me (and the creators!) know how you feel about their creations! Some of them even have collected print editions of their work available for purchase (no one told me to say that :Þ) for those of you who might prefer the heft and scent of the printed work.

So Live = SO Good

Thanks to some Mute Math tickets I bought way back in July, and my friend Erik getting two last-minute passes to The Cranberries up at The Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom, I was able to see two of my favorite bands live this past week.

I had three tickets for Mute Math on Thursday the 12th, but only Brian could go (thankfully, he's always down for a trip into Boston!). So I rode the T in to Lansdowne Street, and parked myself at the bar at The Cask N' Flagon to wait for him. After he got there, I had a couple of Sam Adams Octoberfest drafts (always good), and a turkey club (with hand-cut fries), and he got a pizza ("not very good") for dinner. Then it was down the street to The House of Blues for the show.

As Tall As Lions were the openers, which was a nice surprise. I had tickets to see them in San Francisco back in February when I went to visit my brother Jason, but we wound up not going, so it was cool to have a second chance. They were pretty good, if a bit gimicky at times, though every song that featured the trumpet turned out to be a cool jam that should be heard in person.

Then Mute Math came out. They were almost as amazing as they had been in September of '07, when Jay, Gavin & I went to see them for the first time. I say almost, because that first show kicked such ass, that it couldn't be matched for pure enthusiasm and power. That being said, this night's show was fantastic because they had two full albums (and an ep) of material to pull from. The songs were great (sometimes it's better when the live version isn't performed "note for note" to the studio version), their energy was consistently high, and the light show added nicely to the experience. Totally worth the drive, T ride, T ride, and drive (haha).

On Saturday the 14th, I drove up to Hampton Beach in the rain to see one of my all-time favorite bands. I thought I would have to miss them this time around (on their first tour in seven years) due to lack of disposable income, but Erik came through out of the blue with a pair of tickets he got on eBay! I was PSYCHED. The opening act was a dude with his guitar named Griffin House, He was pretty good, and funny (apparently his wife was on tour with him as an extended honeymoon), and made the settling in at our table (with several Longhammer IPAs - great scent, better flavor!) beforehand quite pleasant.

Then it was The Cranberries. I've seen them live on three other occasions (05/03/99, 08/21/99, and 05/14/02), as well as Dolores solo back in July of '07 with Jay, and they are absolutely in my Top 3 Bands of All Time to See Live. Every show has been amazing, and this one was no exception. Dolores had released her second solo album back in August, and was going to embark on a solo tour, but amazingly, she got to talking with her bandmates, and they agreed to do a Cranberries tour instead! They would play a bunch of their greatest hits, and sprinkle in some of her solo tunes. They did not disappoint.

The first few songs included "Animal Instinct" and "Linger" (two of my all-time favorites), and except for a couple of quiet moments (including her solo tune "Lunatic"), the energy never let up. Twenty-two songs flew by, with barely any time to breathe in between the music and banter. Amazing. The playlist was very "No Need to Argue" heavy, which happily took me back to my two years in Boston ('93-'95) and hearing them on the jukebox of every bar Jay & I used to hang out at with friends. There is nothing better than driving home from a kick-ass show, ears still ringing from your favorite songs being blasted at you by the people who created them, and reminiscing about the people & places you first heard them with/at. Well done, Erik, well done. Thanks, buddy, I appreciate the effort you put forth to get these tickets!

ABC's (Alpacas, Beer and Chocolate)

Back in September, I had a Grand Plan to visit brew pubs and microbreweries in each of the other five New England states within a two-week span, just to get out & about for a bit. While that fell by the wayside due to economic circumstances, I kept a couple of the day trips' plans on my desk, and this past Monday, with my list of things to do & a hand-drawn map, I made the drive northwest to Bennington, VT.

After a quick stop at my parents' house to drop off their share of my homemade seafood chowder, I headed down Route 2 West. The 60-mile stretch of highway had little traffic at 11 am, so it was a stress-free drive up and down the hilly highway, and I made it to 91 North in no time at all. Fifteen minutes later (and 18 miles gone), I was on the final leg of the 2-hour drive: Route 9 West (Exit 2 Brattleboro/Bennington) in Vermont. Up and down the mountain roads I drove, with the early afternoon sun shining through the multicolored leaves, and the occasional stream or pond off to the side. I stopped twice, once at a farm where the grass was shockingly green, and also at Hogback Mountain, where the view was too amazing to pass by. I took a few pictures, and headed into town, onto Main Street in Bennington.One of the purposes for this particular destination was the local brewpub, Madison Brewing Company (no website available). I had one of their IPAs (Crowtown Pale Ale) as I waited for my swiss burger. It had that delicious hoppy smell that I love so much, and was above average for the style. The burger was great too, though the roll it came on was frighteningly powdery (haha). I also had one of their signature Old 76 English Strong Ales, which was passably good, but otherwise unremarkable. The best part of the meal though, was being seated in front of the bay windows and being able to watch the town pass by on its daily routine. People of all ages walking by in the sun, chatting each other up, and trucks of all sizes driving by with local business logos and phone numbers on their sides. And there is nothing quite like having a pretty girl flash you a winning smile through the window as you stare off into space... Moments like this enhanced the vista of a quintessential small-town Main Street, with its coffee houses, craft stores and other shops.

Next up was the local bookstore. It had a musty smell, but not the good one you'd expect from a bookstore. More of a 'we rarely clean the carpets' understench. And it was pretty generic in layout and selection. After that entirely underwhelming experience (all five minutes of it), I headed up the street to The Village Chocolate Shoppe. Whooooo! I was so entranced by the immense selection of chocolate and other homemade candies, that I think I lost a half-hour of my life just looking around and drooling. Everything is locally made, and most of it on the spot. I snagged some malted milk balls, chocolate covered blueberries, a white chocolate "Snowman on a Stick", four big homemade jawbreakers, a few peanut butter fudge Santas, and four big chocolate initials (HCHG) for my sister's kids. All for under fifteen bucks! (note: it's Friday as I write this, and all but 2 of the jawbreakers have since left this mortal coil...). I highly recommend this place if you're ever in the area.

Then it was down the street and up a flight of stairs to Now And Then Books, a used bookstore that had the good kind of musty smell: old dry books! Pachelbel's Canon was playing in the background as I searched through the tall stacks of rare, out of print, amazing 1st editions, and just plain old books. I got two lessons in that place: a) old books can be expensive (sometimes inexplicably so); and b) one can lose an ear when being talked at by a lonely clerk. I asked the kid behind the desk (after he finished his loud cell phone conversation) if he had to keep that specific music on all day, and this poor Missouri transplant launched into a fifteen minute 'conversation' (quotes because I was only able to get the occasional "uh-huh" or "wow, really?" in edgewise) about various aspects of his life. I felt bad for the lonely guy, but it made for a quirky (and somewhat charming) shopping experience. I excused myself, headed back to the car, and drove west out of town to my next destination......Shaftsbury Alpacas! I nearly drove right by the farm, as it's located on a left-turn bend in the road on Route 67, but I pulled in, and waited in the gravel drive for someone to notice me. The woman in the far pen saw me, and came over. Sandy Harder has been raising and breeding alpacas (and attending shows) for eight years now. She has 24 alpacas (and a llama!), and I got to hang out with some of them (including one adorable recently newborn boy) as she told me about the business. She is truly passionate about the alpaca wool industry in America. I learned about the various grades of wool, the ups & downs of breeding, pesky recessive traits that pop up unexpectedly (the white-wooled baby was "show perfect", except for a streak of blue in his left brown eye), and I got to pet a few of them. Her lesson was so engrossing and passionate that I didn't have the heart to interrupt at all to ask for a picture or two with the animals! She showed me the shop where she sells the yarn she spins herself, and a wide selection of scarves, blankets, hats, socks, scrunchies and teddy bears. The quality and softness of the processed wool is amazing. I've never felt the like. I thanked her for her time (she needed to finish mucking out the stalls before sundown, and it was already 5 pm), and headed back east into town.

Once back on Main Street, I made a quick dash into the quaint Nova Mae Cafe to get a coffee for the road home. *POW!* The woman behind the glass pastry counter had the face of an angel. I gave her a hearty big-grinned hello, and she pushed her light brown hair back over her ear, poured my coffee, gave me a few blushing smiles, and wished me a good evening. Wow. There is nothing like one of those rare "insignificant except for in the moment" romantic interludes to put a spring into a guy's step. I know I had a stupid grin plastered across my face as I walked back to my car! ☺ Most of the day had a certain dreamlike quality, and the drive home was no different. The full moon loomed humongous above the mountains as I headed out of town at sunset. Seriously, it was so bright, that a few times I thought cars were approaching from the opposite direction just from the moon's reflected light off the guard rails. I even stopped to take a few pictures of it to demonstrate how huge it appeared, but the stupid flash on my camera prevented my obtaining any good shots. Up and down the mountainous roads I drove, the moon appearing and hiding over and over until it set. It was awesome. And the lack of traffic (even at what is normally rush hour everywhere else) made it even better. Beautiful autumn scenery, good coffee, friendly locals, and a long but enjoyable drive all combined into a perfect day.

It was truly a fantastic day. I can't recommend Bennington, VT enough. Someday I want to go back, and spend the night so I can hit more of the local shops, visit the museums and a few of the crafters, and get a picture or two with the alpacas! Plus: more chocolate! ☺

NLM Turns 50!

...Well, not quite. But this is the 50th post!

Here is a breakdown of contributor activity:

• Ken - 40 posts (including this one) = 80%
• Jay - 3 posts (last activity: 9/28) = 6%
• Brian - 3 posts (last activity: 7/11) = 6%
• Rob - 1 post (July 1st) = 2%
• Christopher - 3 guest music reviews (thanks man!) = 6%
• Gavin - 0 posts (he still hasn't even accepted the author invitation!) = 0%

Most of the blogs have focused on music (shocker!), though lately beer and coffee reviews have been popping up, plus the occasional "This Day in NLM History" lookback.

There are several ironies that should be pointed out about the blog to date. Gavin & I are the two who came up with the expression "Not Lame Minus", yet he isn't really a writer, and lately has no time to hang out (he was MIA all summer), let alone scribble things down here. Also, the main point of the blog was for us to post our travel adventures (mini vacations, concerts, pub crawls, etc...), and to look back on past events. But this year we haven't really spent much time together as a group (Brian has a new ladyfriend, and Rob went back to school), the June rain cut down on the LakeFests, and our annual fall road trip fell through for the first time in half a decade. It's been an odd year...

The phenomenal news is that we've had people view our blog from all around the world (15 countries, some with multiple unique visitors!) as well as over 300 unique visitors from the United States alone! To be fair, my brother Jason hit us up on a recent business trip to a few European nations (Sweden, England and Switzerland), but still, Not Lame Minus has circled the globe! ☺ And reader participation in "Beatles Week" was greater than I had hoped (thanks again to all who sent in memories and/or poll responses).

Finally, with all of the fall & winter holidays lined up in a row, plus a trio of MuteMath tickets yet to be put into play (and maybe a Bruins game, if Brian throws a group together), plus the inevitable "cabin fever" once the snow begins to fall in earnest (but not too soon!), and we should reach 100 posts in no time! ☺

Currently listening to:

Who Do You Love - Mojave 3

This Day in NLM History

A year ago today the Not Lame Minus crew (Gavin, Rob, Brian & I) were in the middle of our annual fall trip. We had decided upon Burlington, Vermont for two reasons: 1) it took the others too long to decide where to go (The Chestnut House on Nantucket, one of our favorite "off-season rate" places to stay, had already filled up); and 2) we'd never been there, and felt like going somewhere different than our customary island trips (plus: no ferry cost!).

Since we were coming from two different directions that Friday, and because Brian & Rob had gotten out of work hours earlier than Gavin was able to, they went to the UVM vs UMBC hockey game, had dinner & a few beers, and awaited our arrival at the local RiRa. After a 3-hour drive Gavin & I arrived at the Shelburne Super 8 around ten pm, checked in, then headed out to meet the others. The four of us had a couple more beers, Gavin & I ate, and we headed back to the motel to crash.

Saturday morning we took our time getting started, and then we pigged out at the local Denny's for a cheap breakfast before heading downtown to wander around the cool shops of Church Street Marketplace. The weather was brisk, but clear and sunny, so armed with either sweatshirts or jackets, and coffee from Uncommon Grounds, we walked down the hill to the shore of Lake Champlain. We wandered all over the place: Rob & Brian took many pictures (funny statues, cool rooftop ironworks, fall foliage, lakefront vistas, etc...); we walked through a couple of parks; hung out on the water (the docks); goofed around in a nearby train yard; and I stopped at the Local Motion bicycle shop, where I bought a flying disc for us to throw around (which we didn't), and made a donation to their bike trail preservation cause.Back to Church Street to split a large at Ken's Pizza (we were all mesmerized by our waitress, a spunky athletic brunette who had a husky voice, an angelic face, and charm enough for all four of us!), and then it was back to the motel to chill, change, and (re)charge for the evening.

We walked around downtown to find a place to watch the Red Sox game, and settled on a place called Finnigan's Pub. They were having technical difficulties, but when the game finally came on, we had a few beers, surrendered our table to an older couple looking for a place to sit in the crowded bar, and then headed to The Vermont Pub & Brewery for dinner. Wow! What great food. I had one of their Dogbite Bitter Classic ESB's (fantastic!) with some kick-ass fried oysters, and a humongous fish & chips platter. I was SO stuffed, that I only had one more beer the entire night! Our gorgeous waitress even turned on the restaurant's projection tv especially for us, so we could watch the rest of the Red Sox game ☺ After wandering around fruitlessly to find a promising place for more beer, we finished the night back at RiRa, where it was packed like a sardine can, but a cool Irish band was playing, and it was worth it to see the Red Sox win Game 6 of the ALCS, making the series 3-3 and forcing a Game 7 (they would ultimately lose the series the next day, but hey, it was a good way to cap the evening).Sunday morning we packed and headed out. We had breakfast at The Burlington Bagel Bakery & Cafe, where I've never had such an amazing sausage, egg & cheese bagel in my LIFE. Seriously, I had a dream recently about how delicious that sandwich was, and it's a big part of why I am still kind of sad that we couldn't afford to go back this weekend (haha)... But I digress. The drive back home was so picturesque, I will never forget it: fall foliage in New England at it's best - driving up & down winding mountain roads, multicolored trees on all sides, and that glorious smell of crisp dry autumn air filling my nose and lungs. Sure, it was a 3-hour drive, and there was a 20-minute hold-up during construction at a narrow switchback, but it was the perfect end to a fun weekend in Vermont.

All photos by Brian!

First Snow

Yeah, that's right! I took these just after 7 am this morning (from the window in my apartment's home office). It's not much (check out the van's roof), but it's not a beach day either:

Joe's Coffee House

The fine folks at Groupon had a deal a few weeks ago for $35 of coffee for $15 (plus free shipping for Groupon customers!) at Joe's Coffee House. I couldn't pass it up, so I bought two, one for my mom's birthday gift (today - happy birthday, Ma!), and one for myself. I chose to spend it on one-pound bags of whole-bean Guatemala Antigua ($11.95) and Costa Rican Tarrazu Dota ($11.95), as well as a 2 oz. burlap bag of Jamaica Blue Mountain ($8.95), plus a Wicked Jack Tavern rum cake (caramel - $15.95) that I have yet to taste. Now, for the record, I would never spend twelve bucks for a one-pound bag, and certainly not nine bucks for two measly ounces. But the Groupon made it a very reasonable deal, and a chance to experience several coffee styles for which I might otherwise not feel justified in shelling out the dough...

I had the Jamaican Blue with breakfast. It had a fresh aroma coming out of the bag, and filled the room with a nice scent while it brewed. It was probably the smoothest cup of coffee I have had in years, reminiscent of many of the finer diners I have had breakfast in, and the taste was decent, but overall it was rather boring. There was no character, no uniqueness, or anything to really deserve the write-up on the website: "Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee from Wallenford is known worldwide as one of the most rare and most expensive of all Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffees. This unique Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee presents an intense aroma combined with the perfect balance of acidity and body. This premium Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee is medium roasted. Although the rarity of Blue Mountain has contributed to great mystique surrounding this fine gourmet coffee, it is the rich taste, distinct aroma and consistent quality that produces the truly unique Wallenford Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee experience." Now, I suppose if 'middle of the road' (a medium roast with no remarkable characteristics), and consistency across every pot brewed are what you are looking for, this may be the coffee for you. But at $29.95 for an 8 oz. bag, it is SO not worth the price.

I'm drinking a cup of the Guatemala Antigua as I write this, and let me tell you, what a find! When I broke the seal on the bag, a cloud of deep 'coffeeish' aroma, but with a strong component of chocolate brought my nose to attention. Once I had ground the beans, a sharp smoky tang was evident. And when the pot was done brewing, the coffee was a rich dark brown, with a light brown froth around the rim. It's hard to describe the aroma - almost like some freshly-sawed exotic hardwood. The taste is bold yet smooth, but with no real hint of the chocolate found in the unground beans. A pleasing aftertaste that doesn't coat the tongue finishes the cup. I find it leagues ahead of the Jamaican, and it's nearly 2/3 less in price!

I look forward to trying the Costa Rican tomorrow, as well as hearing what my mom thinks of the ones she eventually tries (shipping takes an eternal two weeks!). Check out Joe's if you get the chance, and Groupon as well (they have fantastic deals in most major metropolitan areas on all kinds of things: restaurants, spas, outdoor activities, etc...). And if any of you would like to review a coffee or beer or wine, please send a note to NotLameMinus@gmail.com - we would love to have a guest reviewer from time to time!

UPDATE 10/15: I had the Costa Rican Tarrazu Dota with breakfast this morning. It had a light woody aroma out of the bag, which was more intense once ground. It brewed to a medium dark color with no froth. I was pretty shocked to discover it to be the most mild coffee I have ever had. It has a pleasant, if unassuming flavor. Quite delicious, but it almost felt like I was drinking a kids' version of what coffee should be. Serviceable, but I'd only recommend it for people who prefer no mystery or exotic 'non-flavored' flavor in their cup, or as an occasional change from the wide variety of bolder beans out there.

Beer Review: Pumpkin Ales

I was at my brother's house Sunday to watch football all day, and I brought with me a trio of pumpkin ales for a taste-test. Now let me say first, neither Kevin nor I care much for pumpkin ale, so you know we were both going into this unbiased. Here are the results:

• Shipyard Pumpkinhead Ale - According to the Shipyard website, their Pumpkinhead Ale has "delightful aromatics and subtle spiced flavor". While the latter is true, the former is not. Poured out of the bottle, the beer is the pale watery color of a cheap mass-marketed US beer (*cough* Bud/Miller/Coors *cough*), and has a not-so-pleasant reek to it. This is unfortunate, for I have had the pleasure of many a snootful direct from the tap (good friend Jen M. is a big fan of this beer), so it may just be the result of being cooped up in glass. The taste is quite good though. The nutmeg is pronounced but not overpowering, and the traces of cinnamon and an almost 'gingersnap cookie' flavor, make for a decent brew.
• Post Road Pumpkin Ale - This beer from the Brooklyn Brewery poured out of the bottle a nice medium-brown color. The trace scent detectable was a bit flowery, and didn't represent the strength of the spices once tasted. A good ale flavor, with a healthy dose of a nutmeg/cinnamon blend (but a surprisingly small amount of pumpkin flavor) made for a very enjoyable experience. Kevin and I both preferred it immensely over the Shipyard's offering on every level (smell, color, taste). It was a fantastic complement to the giant cheesesteak sandwiches he seasoned from his own home recipe. For a couple of guys who don't care much for fruit-flavored beers, it was a nice surprise.
• Gritty's Halloween Ale - Imagine our surprise when we discovered that this beer wasn't a pumpkin ale at all, just another autumn beer that happened to have a Halloween theme (my oversight when I selected a few brands to review). Dark brown out of the bottle, it had little scent, but the flavor was the perfect blend of Newcastle Brown Ale and Sam Adams Octoberfest. A typical October beer, with a dependable taste.

All in all, it was a fun experiment, and it was cool looking for places to photograph the bottles in Kevin's Halloween-themed backyard (he has three small kids). I plan on grabbing a few more brands in the next week or so to add to the list, so please check back for updates, and I hope this has helped you in choosing a decent pumpkin ale.This one is my current wallpaper!

Feeling Low?

Check these guys out. I don't know anything about them, I'd never heard of them before, but I came across this video, and now I'm hooked.


Sir Renegade of the Damned

October Events

October is going to be a busy month here at Not Lame Minus.

☻ After an abortive attempt to participate in Kevin Youkilis' book drive for kids back in June (cancelled due to lack of interest, partly due to our little blog being so new, as well as the relatively short notice), we here at NLM are looking to do something of True Importance - contribute to a charity or cause of worth. We have posted a poll for all of our readers to help select which of several great organizations we will support. Below the poll there is a list of links, so that you can check out each option if you can't decide which you would most like to help. Once the chosen cause is determined (on October 20th), we will be asking that you readers please contribute at least a dollar out of the goodness of your hearts, and a willingness affect positive change in the world, no matter how small it might seem. Details will follow, but each person who sends in at least a dollar will receive a wooden nickel and an NLM magnet just for helping! There will also be a prize (hint: wearable) for the largest donor, and depending on how many readers participate, at least one other random winner.

☻ Also, we are going to have a Halloween Costume Contest! After all of the parties & celebrations have ended, please send a 'fit to print' (nothing x-rated please) photo of you in your costume to NotLameMinus@gmail.com so that we can choose the best (and probably a few other categories like Scariest, Sexiest and Most Original). The winner(s) will get something cool in the mail, and possibly a post about the event(s) at which it was worn. Finally, as a cool link to the charitable project listed above, NLM will donate one dollar per photo we receive!

☻ And lastly, if anyone has the urge to taste-test various fall beers (Octoberfests, pumpkin-based, etc...), feel free to submit a review and/or full-length story for publication to the e-mail address in the previous paragraph. We would love to hear voices other than our own, as well as be directed toward the best autumn grain-based potables!

Thanks in advance to all who dive into the shared fun here at Not Lame Minus. It's turning out to be what we imagined: a place for our friends & families to find local fun stuff easily, promote our friends' bands, and relate the random antics of a few guys most of you know. Let's make October the best month yet, and don't forget to check out the links at the top of NLM for all of your Outdoor Fall Fun searches!

Halloween Countdowns

Album Review: Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson "Break Up"

*sigh*

I really have a problem with actors/actresses who decide they want to put out an album. For example: I enjoyed Zooey Deschanel's singing in the movie "Elf", but the cd she did under the name "She & Him" was uneven at best, and actually not enjoyable to me (I wound up giving the cd away after a few listens). When I found out that Pete Yorn had a new cd coming out on the heels of the recently-released "Back & Fourth", I was elated! Until I heard that it was a shared bill with Scarlett Johansson.

I saw the video for the first song, "Relator", on VH1 a week or so ago, and it validated my suspicions: while the music was good (as Pete's almost always is), the female voice sounded like it was being phoned in to a vanity project. Still, it had a catchy beat.

Break Up - Scarlett Johansson,...

Fast-forward (flash back?) to this past Tuesday: I caved and bought the cd when I found a Newbury Comics coupon in my e-mail ($8.99), figuring that Mr. Yorn's music might outweigh what I imagined would be a car-crash of sorry singing by yet another amateur actress. After ten listens (I played it four times straight through while I was sketching the day I bought it, and at least once a day since), it's actually Not (completely) Lame Minus (I couldn't resist). There are a few good songs, and a few annoying ones. It would be MUCH better if Scarlett hadn't overlain her bored and nasally "yes, I am an actor, but music is my first love" vocal dabblings on Pete's songs. But she is good on a few.

I recommend the disc as a whole for background music at a casual get-together, or as a palate-cleanser between cds you really love (haha), say Pete's other cd's, Mojave 3, or John Mayer. Or if you are a fan of Jack Johnson (I am not), Scarlett's singing is just as bored and lazy, and it would fit right in. My official review:

"Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson's 'Break Up' is a pleasantly bland aural cracker, whose main purpose seems to be to help you enjoy the finer vintages of music you listen to on either side of it. Though there are a few tasty crumbs within."

Now tell me how you liked it! ☺

Sunset at NLM Central

Taken through my open home office window earlier tonight...

The "Big Beatles Poll" Results

After a week's worth of hype, various levels of excitement & participation, and a surprising number of submissions, the results are in! Some people couldn't pick just one album or song, so the only '1-vote-per-person tally' will be for 'Favorite Beatle', while 'Favorite Album' will be the top three vote-getters, and the 'Favorite Song' section has so many ties, I'll just list the ones that appeared in the most submissions, and also had reasons why and/or memories alongside...

Favorite Albums (in order):

1. Rubber Soul
   
2. Abbey Road
3. Let It Be

Favorite Songs (random order):

• "Norwegian Wood"
• "I Wanna Hold Your Hand"
• "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds"
• "She Loves You"
• "Ticket to Ride"
• "Here Comes the Sun"
• "Twist and Shout"

Favorite Band Member:

1. Paul - 14 votes
2. John - 9 votes
3. George - 6 votes
4. Ringo - 4 votes

There you have it! The people have spoken. Worthy choices all. And as a thank you, one lucky contributor chosen at random will receive the remastered cd of his/her choice! Thanks to everyone who took the time to add their votes or send a few words. And a HUMONGOUS thanks to those of you who sent longer pieces, with permission to print them. You folks made this a lot of fun for us here at Not Lame Minus.

And for those of you who didn't get a chance (or opted not) to participate this time, have no fear! There will be a pair of chances to be heard (and seen!) amidst the Not Lame Minus community towards the end of October, when we will have an R.E.M.-based event (smaller than "Beatles Week"), as well as a Halloween costume contest!

"Beatles Week" Unfinished Business

Since I was born in ‘68, I was too young to be a part of Beatlemania. I was never consciously a Beatles fan while I was growing up, even though they were played on the radio or in the car all the time. When I first began recognizing artists as I was getting into music, I’d actually thought of The Beatles as a more serious version of The Monkees, since I’d watched the latters’ tv show religiously, and my mom had several Monkees records sitting in her album stack to mess around with. And the only song of the Fab Four I really knew and liked was "The Beatles Movie Medley” that came out around ‘82. It had a lot going on in it, with many catchy parts. And as bizarre as 'Monkees over Beatles' might sound, as an added bit of irony, my friend Steve L. and I used to buy every John Lennon’s 45 ("[Just Like] Starting Over", "Beautiful Boy [Darling Boy]", "Watching the Wheels", and "Woman") we could get our hands on at the local downtown record store when we had a spare dollar or two. So: The Beatles were ‘too serious’, yet the most serious Beatle of them all had a big place in our record collections! Oh well, what the heck did I know? I wasn’t even a teenager yet… ☺

Once I reached college, my friend Keith B. was a humongous Beatles fan, so I heard a lot of their stuff in his dorm room. However, I was all caught up in the 4AD and Sub Pop record labels, R.E.M., and ‘alternative’ bands with female lead singers, so again, they didn‘t make a very big overt impression on my musical taste or preferences.

Fast-forward to 2009: I spent the last few days listening to the remasters of "Rubber Soul", "Revolver" and "Abbey Road", as well as "Let It Be...Naked" (and the last 3 Wednesday nights watching the "Beatles: Anthology" documentary). Since I'd never really been into The Beatles growing up (as I said above, they were all over the radio, and I enjoyed their songs, but never felt like I needed to own the albums), it was very cool to immerse myself fully into this greatest of rock bands.

I could listen to "Rubber Soul" every day for a long time and not get bored or annoyed. The first three songs are amazing - 8 minutes of nostalgia. However, after several days of repeat listenings, I have had quite enough of "The Word", "Michelle", and "Girl". Perhaps that will change in time, but they are just a little too 'ditty-ish' for me. The rest of the album rocks. I won't bore you with run-downs of the other three discs ("Abbey Road" is my favorite), but to sum up: there are so many great songs scattered throughout that were never released as singles, that I feel like I've discovered an amazing new band, because so much of the music is new to me (over 40 years after they were released!), yet they don't sound dated. Not to mention the fantastic remastering making them fill my home office with a clear and deep sound unmatched by the original cd offerings back in the late 80's. It's been a pleasure spending so much time with The Fab Four this past week or so. I am glad I took the trip. A few of my favorite songs from the four albums I listed above:

• Rubber Soul: "Norwegian Wood" & "Drive My Car"
  
• Revolver: "Tomorrow Never Knows" & "She Said She Said"
  
• Abbey Road: "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" & "Sun King"
• Let It Be...Naked: "Get Back" & "Dig A Pony"
  

Here are some reminisces of other folks my age, children of the Beatlemania generation:

Heather B says: "The Beatles' music is some of the most prominent music I remember from when I was a kid. My parents turned me on to it, and it was music the family could all agree on to listen to in the car. I remember being so excited to get my very own Beatles albums on cassette! I listened to them all the time when I was in grade school. Then I stopped. Of course, I still heard them because they get played all the time. Somehow, whenever I hear a Beatles song, I seem to know all the words - which is saying something because I rarely remember the words to sing along with a song. The Beatles reappeared in my life 3 years ago when my housemate Nan moved in. She had The Beatles on her ipod! We played them really loud when we had chores. Most recently, I listened to their "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" album on repeat for the days & days it took my to redo my front hall walls. I would have to say that over time, my favorite Beatles song is "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds". "Dear Prudence" would have to be second."

Katie A says: "The best part of this Beatles revival is that my 15 year old is finally listening to some great music. His favorite is "Strawberry Fields". I have to go with "All My Loving", because when my son was little we use to sing it together before he went to sleep. "Revolution" is a close second."

Thanks for the words! The results of the poll (favorite album, song and band member) is coming soon...

Remasters

I went to Newbury Comics this morning expecting a mob of sexagenarians pushing and shoving in a long line, waiting to refresh their childhood memories with cds from the newly remastered Beatles catalog. However, when I arrived it took me all of three minutes in the near-empty store to grab copies of "Rubber Soul", "Revolver" and "Abbey Road". Also (and the reason for my being there right after the store opened at 10 am), since I bought more than one album, I received a limited edition black & white lithograph of the Fab Four as a bonus. Say 'hello' to the proud owner of #1935/10000. Now I just need a nice frame to- But I digress...

Anyway, when I got home, I listened to them in chronological order, and had myself a nice 2½-hour musical trip. Since I'd never owned any Beatles albums before this year, it was fantastic to discover many songs that were new to me. And hearing them in stereo is amazing. These don't sound like songs that have been around for over 40 years. They are going right onto my iPod, and will carry me through many weeks of heavy rotation (alongside "Let it Be... Naked", which has been in there for a few weeks now), subtly altering my musical taste along the way, in what I am sure will be interesting ways.

How do you like the new remasters? Are they better than what you expected, or is their very existence sacrilege to your memories? We want to know!

They Were There

I sent out a Beatles survey to as many people as I thought might be interested in participating, and reminiscing a bit about what the Fab Four and their msuic meant to them growing up. There has been a decent turn out so far, and there will be a full tally of sorts at the end of "Beatles Week", but this first story is about The Ones Who Were There...

Michaelene M (my mom) says: "My first memory of the Beatles is hearing their first famous (I think) song playing on the car radio as I was riding to Oakmont. "She Loves You [yeah yeah yeah]". It was so catchy! Or it could have been "I Wanna Hold Your Hand." Then along came the others from their first (U.S.) album. I still have the original album that I bought in 1964. I was so captivated by their music and them, that I would stare at their faces on the album cover and try to decide who was my favorite! It turned out to be George (always), with Paul a close second, though I thought he looked a bit too feminine! John creeped me out for some reason, and poor Ringo was always overlooked..."

"As for how they shaped my music appreciation? I think their lyrics were clean and simple, while the incredible beat set the stage for all other (albums) to come. They are the Elvis of my generation. Even now, when I hear one of those originals, my heart leaps. "

June J says: "I went to one of the Beatles' very first USA concerts (Atlantic City) back in the day, and it was awesome. If you've ever seen clips of their concerts with women fainting, that wasn't fake! I was in the 15th row and had great views, but could hardly hear them playing due to the screaming (yeah, I think I was screaming too). I have loved Ringo ever since (which is why I love drummers). I still love listening to them…"

Jean Marie N's favorites are: (Song) "I Wanna Hold Your Hand"; (Album) "Rubber Soul", especially the song "Norwegian Wood"; and (Band member) George.

Thanks ladies, it's great to get input from the people who experienced Beatlemania first hand, something the rest of us can only imagine (or pretend to know) from all of the footage we've seen over the decades. It's not too late for the rest of you to get in on the survey! Follow this link, and then follow the instructions if you'd like your voice heard during "Beatles Week" on Not Lame Minus. We'll even throw a thank-you pack in the mail for any contributor who wants some goofy stuff, if you include your mailing address.

Just a heads up: all of the remastered albums come out on cd tomorrow, 9/9/09, and many places (including Newbury Comics, Borders, Barnes & Noble, etc...) have cool promotional giveaways if you buy more than one album.

9-9-09 = "Beatles Week" on NLM

In honor of The Fab Four's entire cd catalog of remasters coming out on 9-9-09 (this Wednesday), and because the entire world of entertainment (and a lot of other media) will be focused heavily on this, we have decided to throw our hats into the ring and make this "Beatles Week" on Not Lame Minus.

If anyone would like to contribute stories about how the Beatles affected their lives, or how their songs shaped their musical sensibilities, we would be most grateful if you'd send them to NotLameMinus@gmail , and we will post any quotes you mark 'okay to print' in one of several Beatles-themed blogs over the next week!

Also, for a poll we are doing, please let us know what your all-time favorite Beatles song (or songs, if you can't choose just one) and album are. Results will be posted at the end of the week!

And please become a 'follower' of our blog (see the "Followers" section in the right hand column). If you have Yahoo or GMail it takes a few seconds. If you use any other e-mail provider, it takes only a minute or two. Look around the site (May I recommend the "Links to Fun Outdoor Places for the Whole Family" and "Local Music Dates" sections?), and decide if we are worth the effort! Followers who leave the occasional observation or comment are eligible for freebies and our upcoming contests (with t-shirts, cds and other cool stuff as prizes!). Even if you decide not to become a follower, comments on our writings are always welcome & appreciated. Thanks for your help with the Beatles survey, and for reading all the way through this!

Mt. Wachusett

Mt. Wachusett, located next door to my hometown of Westminster, in Princeton, MA. I drove up the mountain yesterday on my way to the lake for some reading and peace, but instead of a long-winded ramble on the "glory of nature's majesty" (yadda yadda yadda...), I'll just let the views speak for themselves (click on each image to enlarge!)...

Farewell, Number 54

Today Tedy Bruschi, stalwart linebacker for the New England Patriots, retired after 13 years of service to one NFL team.

He was drafted as defensive end in the 3rd round in 1996 out of Arizona, but was switched to linebacker when he became a Patriot. Over his NFL career he tallied 30½ sacks, intercepted 12 passes (running four of them back for touchdowns*), and went to the 2005 Pro Bowl. While he was with the Patriots he helped the team to 8 AFC East titles, 5 AFC titles, and 3 Superbowl wins. Eight months after what should have been a career-ending stroke in February of 2005, Bruschi returned to the field. Not only did he become the 2005 Comeback Player of the Year, but he went on to lead the team in tackles twice ('06 and '07), something he'd never done before the stroke.

He was a leader on the field and off, playing with heart, dignity, and determination. He never took his spot on the roster for granted, and he never complained. He truly knew that there is no "I" in "team", and did his best to motivate and lead by example (with a smile).

Here's to a long and happy retirement with your wife and kids, Mister Bruschi. Thanks for the Superbowl Rings, and thanks for the memories!

*Bruschi is the only player in NFL history to return four consecutive interceptions for touchdowns!

Free Products Overload!

I just received a box of free promotional items that I had made at VistaPrint for our contributors and readers.

The box included a couple of t-shirts (see 'carpenter' image below, and stake your claim!), a bunch of small refrigerator magnets, a pair of window clings, and a notepad for any rambling I care to include into any envelopes getting sent out to deserving contest winners and/or frequent comment-leavers. Plus I made a free cap for myself with "Nantucket '98" on it, because that's when our annual week-long trips began, and thus it's an important date for me.

I am going to mail out the magnets when I get a moment. If you would like one (see 'microphone' image below), so you will always be able to find something fun outdoors to do, or never miss a local live music date, just send your mailing address to NotLameMinus@gmail.com and I will zip it on out to you!

And stay tuned this weekend for a recap of Saturday's "One Night in Cambridge", where most (if not all five) of us will be watching Jay's friends in Air Traffic Controller rock Tommy Doyle's!

Album Review - thenewno2: "You Are Here"

Hello readers. Apologies in advance for the brevity and clumsiness of this review. You see, when Our Fearless Leader asked us all to do an album review, I realized two very important things:

1) I don't know how to write an album review
2) I can't remember the last time I sat down and actually listened to a complete album.

That being said, I have made a couple of musical discoveries recently. One of them has been around for a while, and if you like interesting music that stands the test of time, check out some early Peter Gabriel. He is best known for a couple of catchy tunes, and of course "In Your Eyes", from the boom-box scene in the quintessential "Hey, I can relate to Lloyd Dobler but I'm just not as cool" movie "Say Anything". But to stop there would be an injustice to a fine aural and lyrical artist.

But I digress.

thenewno2 is a duo consisting of Dhani Harrison and Oliver Hecks. The album has a consistent tone throughout, and that tone is moody. A little melancholy, a little rebellious, with maybe a twinge of anger and some hidden uncertainty. It's definitely not going to rock the masses at the next LakeFest, and you shouldn't use it as a conversation starter with the goth girl you've been trying to find an excuse to talk to, but it's good.

No, this album is what you put on when you need to turn the lights down low and get some serious thinking done. It's best enjoyed in a quiet environment. A journal, a pen, and something hot to drink would also be advised. There is the usual social commentary, and in truth, if "You Are Here" were a muffin it would be fair to say that I've removed and eaten the easily consumed top, but haven't digested the spongy, crumbly contents within yet.

The short of this short review is that I like this debut album. Give it a listen and let me know what you think.

You Are Here - Thenewno2

Yours,
DamnRenegade

Tee Shirts

Two t-shirts have been printed!

I have been wearing one of the "King Tiki" tees for a few months now, and I just had a handful of them made up for the Not Lame Minus crew. I also had a womens tee made up with a cute "I ♥ Local Music" logo on the front, and the names of the bands/artists we feature on the back. There are only a few available, so they will go to whoever reads the blog most frequently, and who doesn't mind wearing such a 'busy'-looking tee shirt (haha). If you are a frequent reader (please leave comments on the posts when you stop by!), and would like a pink tee shirt, please send your shirt size and mailing address to NotLameMinus@gmail.com and I will send it out a.s.a.p.!

Thanks again to everyone who stops by to read our rambles. It is much appreciated! And please keep supporting the local bands and artists you love. They help our economy (and enrich our lives) by getting people out, and spreading the fun!

Wachusett "Larry" Imperial IPA

After having been a fan of my hometown's brewery & beer from its founding in 1994, I finally joined the Wachusett Brewery's 'Growler Guild' last Saturday, because I really wanted to try their new double IPA, which is available only on tap. I brought a full growler down to a family gathering at our lot on Wyman's Pond, shared the half-gallon out, and enjoyed my four pints immensely. And on the way down to a small LakeFest yesterday, I stopped by the brewery (located in scenic Westminster, MA) and happily got my jug refilled for $8.50.

It's funny, I sat down to write a serious beer review, but I realize I don't have a proper grasp of the terminology to describe things in the 'official' language of beer. All I know is that if you love the hoppy aroma and taste of a good IPA, the Larry ramps it up a few notches. It has a fruity-bready smell that I can't get enough of. Be warned: the 7.10% ABV (alcohol by volume) sneaks up on you rather quickly though, so make sure you eat as you drink, or at least pace yourself. Due to the weather down at Wyman's Pond being so exceptional, and the beer being so amazingly delicious, I downed that growler pretty rapidly (except for the pint I poured for my friend Jim C)... I also had a few bottles of the Wachusett Nut Brown, a perennial favorite of mine.

If anyone out there has the knack for writing about beer (and/or wine), and a hankerin' to see yourself in print, feel free to submit a beer review to NotLameMinus@gmail.com. If we like what we read, we will publish it with full credit to you, the author, and would consider allowing space for a regular column for you, as Christopher has for his weekly album reviews. Plus, I will personally send you the "NLM Brew Reviewer" cap for you to be photographed in with each beer you write about! ☺

Wachusett Larry Imperial IPA - get it on tap at the Wachusett Brewery while it lasts! Open Wednesday through Saturday, noon to 5pm (6pm on Thu & Fri). 175 State Road East Westminster, MA 01473

Photo: Rob, Brian & his new friend Nikki.

Lots of New Stuff!

It's been a busy week here at Not Lame Minus:

• I've added nationwide links for locating golf courses and miniature golf courses to the SUMMER FUN section.
• Christopher has added this week's album review (see previous post, with Lala music player, below).
• Please welcome The Kreellers to our LOCAL MUSIC DATES and LOCAL BANDS sections! I've known bassist Christopher Wall since high school, and he & his bandmates crank out some fantastic Irish music!
  
• I've been busy this week designing a couple of t-shirts for any 'followers' who would like to show their appreciation for our favorite local musicians (and/or love of this site), and there are other goodies on the way!
• Plus: new live dates for Air Traffic Controller and The Kreellers.
  

And, if you are a 'follower', please send your mailing address to NotLameMinus@gmail.com for a couple of 'we are grateful for your support' items!

Thanks to all of our readers, and especially to our 'followers'. Just by joining the ranks, you are helping us grow, keeping our enthusiasm fueled, and aiding us in assisting our friends & families in finding useful links to outdoor fun & live music! An aside to our frequent readers: why haven't you joined yet? It's easy, and you become eligible for all kinds of cool stuff once we hit 20 'followers'! Yahoo & G-Mail users can sign up in seconds, and other e-mailers need only take a minute or two longer. ☺

See you all at a live show or LakeFest sometime soon, and remember to check out Christopher's weekly album reviews (scroll down, or type 'music review' into our SEARCH PAST POSTS feature). There is some great music in there!