Punk Syndrome

All I can say is, they are hella punk.  Their sound is tight and their band has a quality that is kinda transgressive.   The trailer to the film shows what the road is like. And I think what they are doing is pretty cool. Hearing about them makes me want to hear more.

OK--Hozier & Annie Lennox

I do not know how many awkward intersections I've been at where I've been singing my ass off to this song in the car with the radio cranked.  Don't judge me. But hearing his pipes up against Annie Lennox was so cool.

Probs because I was singing my ass off to Eurythmics songs on the radio 20-something years ago...

Beyonce Takes Us to Church

You know, there was this weird poll out of Iowa that 40% of likely GOP caucus participants thought that Beyoncé was "mental poison" following 2016 hopeful Mike Huckabee's very tacky slams of her relationship with her husband and her performing persona. I'm not sure what they'd make of that performance. Beyoncé is one of the most nominated and winning performers in Grammy history. It's true part of her stage persona is her sensuality. But I'd compare her to Elvis Presley in some ways--he "scandalized" America with his performances. But I'd say his gospel work was every bit as real. (And yes, it is very bizarre that I am talking 1950's folks shaming "the Pelvis" for his gyrations when talking about Mrs. Carter--which is I think more about how far some people have not, actually, come.) Artists are complicated. Maybe they don't appeal to all audiences--but "mental poison"?

So here's Elvis.

Except she nails it for me where Elvis seems tame.  I dunno. Comparisons are odious. But I don't like people putting down Beyoncé, that's all.