Episode 47 Recommendation

This week John & Pat are of a single mind. Everyone should watch Veronica Mars. Both the TV show from a few years ago, and the movie that came out this month. If you have been meaning to, check it out now. If you don’t think you’ll like it, give it a try you might be surprised. If you have already seen the show, what are you waiting for? See the movie already!

Episode 47: Bob Mould – Workbook vs. Bob Mould – Silver Age

John continues to force his musical obsessions on Pat with this installment of ex-Husker Du member Bob Mould’s solo work. Pat awaits the day he gets revenge by making John watch Muppet movies for a month straight.

Workbook
Silver Age

Episode 46 Recommendations

As usual, Pat & John each have a recommendation this week. In addition to those it is worth mentioning that they have high praise for both subjects of the episode. Talking Heads’ Fear Of Music, and St. Vincent are both well worth searching out and enjoying.

Pat is raving about the latest CD from Broken Bells called After The Disco. Broken Bells is a collaboration between James Mercer, of the Shins, and Danger Mouse. They are disparate artists who come together to create something that has obvious influences from their previous works. In spite of these influences, the combination of their talents creates something new, different, and wonderful..

John realizes that no one ever finishes Lipstick Traces: A Secret History of the 20th Century by Greil Marcus, but he wishes everyone would try. It’s a book that starts by tracking punk’s failed attempt to change the world, and moves on to talk about various other social and political movements around the world that also failed to make changes they struggled for.

Episode 46: Talking Heads – Fear Of Music vs. St. Vincent – St. Vincent

John & Pat try to delve into art rock without getting lost up their own asses. Unfortunately for them, that’s generally their starting point.

Talking HeadsFear of Music
St. VincentSt. Vincent

Episode 45 Recommendations

This week John & Pat’s guest star Jessica was so afraid that she would never be welcomed back that she offered four recommendations. (That was her mistake. She’ll inevitably be welcomed back, and also be expected to have another four recommendations!) The guys have their usual boring one pick for everyone to check out.

First off Jessica would like you to investigate the art works of Yoko Ono. She is the best living artist representing the Fluxus movement and conceptual art in general.
Next she would like you to investigate the works of Mexican artist and tattooist Dr Lakra.
She also think that you should check out the sadly cancelled HBO series from Laura Dern and Mike White called Enlightened.
Finally, she wants you to watch Dark Horse. An overlooked more mainstream film from director Todd Solondz.

Pat recommends the The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch. It’s a heist novel set in medieval times with fantasy trappings such as magical creatures, and mages. It’s an excellent story with well written characters. The book’s only flaw is an ending that feels rushed.

John thinks you should watch The Friends of Eddie Coyle. A neo-noir film set in New England starring Robert Mitchum, with Peter Boyle.

Episode 45: The Twilight Zone vs. The X-Files with Jessica

John & Pat compare two TV sci-fi legends with the help of podcast fan Jessica, who, against all odds, turns out not to be nutty as a goddamn squirrel.

The Twilight ZoneCome Wander With Me
The X-FilesClyde Bruckman’s Final Repose

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Episode 44 Recommendations

This week John & Pat are both living in the past with their recommendations.

John is going back through the 60s-90s to read Pauline Kael‘s film criticism. Thoughtful film criticism, such as what Kael wrote, has been supplanted by simple thumbs up or down reviews. Her sharp wit and insightful commentary is still relevant 40 years after these pieces were published. They are worth reading even if you have never watched the films being reviewed.

Pat finally went back to 2013 and watched Jenji Kohan’s Netflix series Orange Is the New Black. It is a funny, thought provoking, sad series. It’s filled with believable characters who you feel sympathy for, in spite of their flaws. It is a show that is well worth binge watching.

Episode 44: Nick Drake – Bryter Layter vs. Belle and Sebastian – If You’re Feeling Sinister

Drink some Jack Daniels and blast some tunes out of your car in the 7-11 parking lot in preparation for this episode, in which John & Pat discuss two of the rockin’-est, keg party artists ever: Nick Drake and Belle and Sebastian. Crank this one up to 11.

Nick DrakeBryter Later
Belle and SebastianIf You’re Feeling Sinister

Episode 43 Recommendations

With two guests we had plenty of recommendations this week!

Pat is disregarding all of the changes in late night talk shows, and sending you out to watch Jerry Seinfeld’s web series Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, instead.

Neil doesn’t want to give his initial recommendation, lest he jinx it and never finish reading the book (On an entirely unrelated note. Pat (and the Pulitzer people) think everyone should read The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay). Instead, he wants everyone to watch H. Jon Benjamin in Archer on FX, or catch up on the show on Netflix.

John wants you to give classic crime Jim Thompson a shot and read Pop 1280. His first person narratives of pure evil are always engaging.

1999’s Johnny Depp thriller The Ninth Gate is a film that Laura thinks everyone should watch.