In this new segment on the blog, I hope to post a monthly update on the R&Rs. Rhythms and Reads. The music I have been listening to recently, the current albums, songs — the stuff on repeat. As well as the books, magazines, articles, I have just finished or currently reading. Outside of just sharing this stuff because I occasionally get questions about this sort of thing, I hope that committing to writing this stuff down will help me learn and digest more about what I’m listening to and reading.

Love is the King

Jeff Tweedy

I’m a huge Wilco fan, therefor by association, a big Jeff Tweedy fan. Tweedy is the lead singer for the band Wilco, known for his songwriting and extensive collection of albums standing the test of time. Across Tweedy's career he has released 20 studio albums, including four with Uncle Tupelo, eleven with Wilco, one with his son Spencer, a solo acoustic album, three solo studio albums, along with numerous collaborations with other musicians, most notably Mermaid Avenue with Billy Bragg.

Love is the King is Tweedy’s newest work and a refreshing hit to the soul. Those classic Tweedy lyrics that make you smile. Putting words together that you would never associate and weaving a catchy melody along the way. Some of my favorite tracks include “Gwendolyn”, “Opaline”, “Even I can see”. I find myself turning to this album when I feel stressed or uncertain. Jeff Tweedy’s voice is calming and his clever songwriting is there to remind you that Love is the King and to smile, close your eyes and dream!

Yes, another piece of work by the talented Jeff Tweedy. How to Write One Song is simply what the title says. A book about how to write a song. I first listened to this book via audiobook and boy was that a treat. I highly recommend finding this book on tape before you read it. On top of Tweedy reading his own words aloud, you are treated with guitar riffs and sung melodies between the chapters.

Even if you don’t know how to sing or play an instrument, this will inspire you to write a song. Just one song! I don’t have a singers voice, but can work my way around the guitar and piano. This book really got me excited to pursue the guitar a bit more so that I can sing a song to a loved one. Tweedy wants the world to do random creative acts, no matter how silly or bad they are. We need more people on this earth breaking out in dance, or song, or reading a poem from their rooftop. Break out of your shell and doing something creative.

I loved reading this book because it gave me a view into how Tweedy begins creating his own songs. I was in the camp that thought songs just magically hit people in a dream like haze. Contrary to that belief, it actually takes work and there are systems that you can use to help you get words down on paper! The way Tweedy explores word choices and association through poetry and exercises was fascinating. After listening to the audiobook, I went to my local store to pick up a copy because it was THAT good. I had to see what the words looked like on paper.

Maybe I will share the song that I write to the blog in the next few weeks. Don’t hold your breath or get too excited haha…

A Beautiful Revolution(Pt 1)

Common

I found out about this album through one of my favorite drummers Questlove. I figured if he was giving it praise, that I would find it to be a great listen. “Politically charged times ask for politically charged music, and Common—who has never been a stranger to socially driven music—answers the call with A Beautiful Revolution (Pt 1).” Common is backed by an all-star list of bandmates, one that stands out to me is producer and pianist Robert Glasper.

Common strikes at it once again proving that he is lyrically always speaking the truth and empowering individuals to continue the momentum to keep fighting the good fight. Continuing his themes in prior albums to point out and attack society’s broken system built on racism and classism, Common proves he is always on top of his game with his latest work. On the anthem track “A Riot in my Mind feat. Lenny Kravitz and Chuck D” listeners are inspired by Common’s fiery flow. Some other great tracks on the album are “Fallin’ (Feat. PJ) and “Say Peace (feat. Black Thought & PJ).

Jonathan Safran Foer is one of my favorite authors. Both “Here I am” and “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close” were both books I pretty much finished the day that I go them. “We are the Weather - saving the planet begins at breakfast” was no different. I read the first 50 pages after dinner one evening and proceeded to binge the rest of the book over coffee the next morning. WOW.

This is the most captivating thing I have read about the climate crisis and what we as humans can do to help make a difference. I care about the climate and sometimes feel like I’m not part of the problem, which is a terrible way to look at things. Just being honest. This book definitely made me realize my blindspots and really hit a home run in making me ACTUALLY care on a whole another level. Almost everything I have read about the climate crisis and steps to solve the impending doom of our planet is dull and lacks any sort of emotional connection. Through first hand accounts and short stories that Foer weaves into the story, the reader feels the raw truth about what is actually going on with our climate and how its affecting people around the world.

The author states that the #1 thing that people can do reduce their carbon footprint and help with the climate crisis is to not eat animal products. More specifically, not eat animal products for breakfast or lunch. On page 100, Foer says “Not eating animal products for breakfast and lunch has a smaller CO2e footprint than the average full-time vegetarian diet”. Reading that quote seemed so shocking, so I investigated this statement by referencing his citations.

Nevertheless, I highly recommend this book to everyone, regardless of diet. In these times we need to find solutions instead of dividing ourselves. Think about perhaps saving meat for those special occasions around the dinner table at night. Just a thought. Looking forward to checking out “Everything is Illuminated” and whatever Foer decided to write next.

Oh Sweet Cafe Racer

Sumbuck

A random stranger sent me a link to this album after seeing that one of the stages in this years Tour de Flatirons included a route called Syzygy. A song on this album is also called Syzygy…so I guess it was fitting for this person to send it along my way. His name is escaping me at the moment. If you are reading this, thank you..this album is great!

My initial reaction when listening to this album is the uniqueness and quirkiness of the lyrics and instrumentals, yet a sound that feels familiar and comforting. Sumbuck is a side project of Taylor Meier, lead singer of folk band CAAMP.

the song Sy*z*y*gy makes me think of racing the light at the end of a blissful Fall day out in the hills. “I'm lost all alone, got me reveling in the moment”. The catchy chorus bleeding into the edgy guitar solo before the 3rd verse is so good! Other favs on the album include Tighershark, Spin, Kid…This album speaks the fall season to me!

I read the Underland by Robert McFarlane some time ago, but figure it was worth refreshing and adding it to this list because is was THAT good. One of my favorite reads of 2020. Readers that are familiar with McFarlane's' work know that reading his books is like embarking on a journey. Buckle up and get ready for the twists and turns that he takes you on. NY times writer Dwight Garner explains that “There’s a bit of John Muir and John McPhee, patient writers and naturalists both, in Macfarlane’s work. Is he a young fogey? Sometimes. He can ladle on that BBC/PBS gently-eat-your-peas earth-show narration.”

Underland explores its very own meaning. Going deep beneath the Earth’s surface to explore the hidden world and ideas buried away out of sight. Follow MacFarlane around the world has he explores the netherworld. By going under, the reader is able to see what is happening above to our ever changing planet and climate. Through MacFarlen’s writing, the reader feels like they are right down there in the catacombs below Pairs, squeezing through holes and popping out into cathedral like spaces hidden away for thousands of years.

Isn’t it strange that we bury things underground? Why is that? Through reading Underland, the reader is faced with some scary realties about what our planet is turning into. This is a terrifying and exhilarating read that I highly recommend.