IT’S THE DAY after New Year’s. You’re dazed, bleary, and fearful of the future. An ugly 2013 is finally over–a year best remembered for rampant obstructionism, insane weather, corporate malfeasance, judicial constipation, economic collapse, and cultural homogeneity. The stench of it lingers like a smoldering tire pile.
Also, now you have at least two unattainable resolutions to live up to, plus that incident at the office Christmas party to either explain or litigate away.
With this in mind I’ve chosen a dozen albums that will save your January, if not your life, pairing each with a perfectly suited novel. That alone should assuage even the most frayed of nerves or loneliest heart. I then added a very specific craft cocktail, curating the perfect tripod of diversionary bliss.
My advice? Turn it up very, very loud, crack a paperback spine, and pour yourself some refreshment.
Enjoy.
1. What you’re listening to: Jobriath “Take Me I’m Yours.” Jobriath, 1974.
What you’re reading: Battleborn by Claire Vaye Watkins
What you’re drinking: a Picos Punch
2. What you’re listening to: The Replacements “Lay it Down Clown.” Tim, 1990.
What you’re reading: The Member of the Wedding by Carson McCullers
What you’re drinking: 20 yr old diesel
3. What you’re listening to: Mastodon “Iron Tusk.” Leviathan, 2004.
What you’re reading: Elect H. Mouse State Judge by Nelly Reifler
What you’re drinking: a diet Pepsi spiked with Captain Morgan’s
4. What you’re listening to: Fishbone “Freddie’s Dead.” Truth and Soul, 1988
What you’re reading: Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
What you’re drinking: black-market plasma
5. What you’re listening to: T. Rex “The Soul of my Suit.” Dandy in the Underworld, 1973.
What you’re reading: Twilight of the Idols by Deborah Eisenberg
What you’re drinking: a can of Lone Star
6. What you’re listening to: Yma Sumac “Chuncho.” Voice of the Xtabay, 1950.
What you’re reading: Zazen by Vanessa Veselka.
What you’re drinking: a last desperate sip of Southern Comfort trapped in the wax seam of a Dixie Cup
7. What you’re listening to: Lizzie Mercier Desclaux. “Hard-Boiled Babe.” Best Off, 1996.
What you’re reading: Reasons to Live by Amy Hempel
What you’re drinking: Fernet with a ginger back.
8. What you’re listening to: Pucho and the Latin Soul Brothers “Vietnam Mambo.” Tough, 1974.
What you’re reading: We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver
What you’re drinking: a 1875 Chateau d’Yquem
9. What you’re listening to: Sparks “Here in Heaven.” Kimono my House, 1974.
What you’re reading: Under the Net by Iris Murdoch
What you’re drinking: a warm swig of someone else’s gym Evian.
10. What you’re listening to: Death Grips “Hustle Bones.” Money Store, 2012.
What you’re reading: On Revolution by Hannah Arendt
What you’re drinking: A six-pack of Zima, pure liquid release
Listening to Motorhead’s “One Track Mind”
reading from a passel of Sgt. Rock comics
I found at mom’s over Christmas.
I should probably be drinking a suicide Slurpee.
I would give anything for a passel of Sgt. Rock comics.
Hello Sean,
Speaking of which, It was pretty good introduction to see yours blog. I actually enjoyed it. good job keep it up bye dude tc
Keep up the good work
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and you will see remarkable changes in your overall bodily functions.
You MUST be prepared to fight by ANY and ALL
means necessary, including eye gouges, throat strikes, groin kicks, and even biting.
Yeh (Courtesy) Chung (Loyalty) .