#blisters in the pit of my heart review

[calorieworkouts]

71 Resources to Run Better Today

Runners rejoice: We're identifying National Running Day with greater than a jog around the block. Right here are 71 resources to provide motivation, aid prevent injury, and also make us faster. Take a read and afterwards struck the roads!

The Starting Line

1. Ways to Run Your Finest 5K Ever before [Infographic] Wish to run a 5K, but not exactly sure where to begin? Here's your go-to overview of run that perfect very first race!

2. The best ways to Run Your Best Half-Marathon Ever [Infographic] Whether it's your first or your fiftieth half-marathon, why not make it your ideal race? Check out on for everything you require to learn about training, fueling, as well as running right in this best training quick guide from Greatist.

3. The Ultimate Jogger's Guide [Infographic] Looking to strike the roadway (or trail)? Our Ultimate Runner's Guide has all the required info to maintain you going solid, from warm-ups and racing tips to devices and training.

4. 30 Convincing Needs to Begin Running Now We Know: Operating can be harder compared to it appears. Thankfully, we've obtained 30 kick-butt factors to leave that couch and out the door.

5. I Want To… Run a 5K! Running isn't really for everyone, yet with this beginner-friendly program, that 5K goal is well within reach.

6. I Want To ... Run a Half-Marathon Conquered the 5K and searching for a new difficulty? Continue reading for a sure-fire plan to deal with the 13.1-mile range as well as have a good time doing it. Half-marathon, right here we come!

7. How to Take a breath for Every Kind of Exercise Breathing could seem like a piece of cake, however when it comes time for exercise, method is every little thing. Learn the finest method to take a breath for each bodily activity from running to basketball to stamina training.

8. The Runner's Overview of Stop and also Treat Blisters Bad blisters are sufficient to spoil any run and keep even one of the most established joggers from hitting the pavement for some time. Keep reading for the need-to-know on ways to avoid, alleviate, and also stand out those pesky fools-- the risk-free means.

9. Ways to Quit Muscular tissue Pains In Their Tracks Cramps, stitches, as well as spasms-- oh my! They sure hurt, but can we stop the discomfort or stop them from occurring in the first place?

10. Know Before You Go: Mud Runs Moving through mud slicks, jumping over hay bales, and also running for miles? Except the faint of heart, mud runs are a significant full-body workout.

11. Know Prior to You Go: Route Running Ready to breathe of fresh air and damage up the running regimen? Learn all you should know previously hitting the trail!

12. 15 Things You Really did not Understand about Olympic Steeplechase As well as you assumed simple running was hard. Find out about steeplechase, an Olympic race that has athletes hurdling and jumping via water pits!

13. 15 Things You Really did not Understand about Olympic 200 Meter Dash Dashing isn't merely for the seasoning shelf. Inspect our 15 truths on the 200 meter dash-- the middle youngster of Olympic sprinting. We have actually experienced the reduced below Usain Bolt's world record run to the event's origins.

14. Interval Training for Newbies Slow and steady does not constantly win the race. Three Greatist Employee and also among our Professionals signed up with forces to check out programs for interval newbies and also veterans alike.

15. The Ultimate Overview to Running Lingo Every person understand joggers are a little, well, various. It's no surprise they have a language all their very own. Continue reading to learn the distinction in between a Public Relations as well as a BQ, as well as merely what the hell a fartlek is!

16. Poster: I Don't Run, I Run Intend to show the globe your passion for running? Have a look at Greatist's new inspirational poster, readily available for sale on the main Greatist Shop.

Hitting the Road

17. The Full Overview to Interval Educating [Infographic] The total quick guide to interval training: targeting maximum weight loss via high-intensity interval training (HIIT).

18. 25 Ways to Run Faster Now Feeling the need for rate? Below are 25 ways to run quicker this year as well as gain that brand-new PR. Ready, established, go!

19. The A lot of Typical Running Injuries and How you can Avoid Them Are you a runner? Yes. Have you been wounded? Most likely. Learn regarding one of the most typical running injuries and ways to aid stop them in their tracks (or trails).

20. 17 Ways to Experience Even more Out of Cardio Locating the time and power for cardio isn't easy. There are methods to get more out of those mins. Continue reading for easy-to-implement and research-backed workout tips.

21. 5 Tips for a Hassle-free Marathon Marathons are hard, however how you prepare the day-of is just as important as the run itself. Here are 5 ways to make certain you do your best from running trainer Jason Fitzgerald.

22. Alcohol and also Exercise: One Route Jogger's Journey Is it possible to balance a crazy night life (liquor!) with a passion for remaining fit? Greatist spoke to expert mixologist and award-winning path runner Bryan Dayton on how you can live healthy and balanced, regardless of the drink.

23. Lauren Fleshman On Operating, Blogging, as well as Globe Domination When encountered with a difficult injury and a lengthy recuperation period, professional 5K-er Lauren Fleshman experienced hectic. Three years later on, she's still running her must-read blog site, making allergy-friendly protein bars, as well as, that's right, running. Review on for the complete story.

24. The 21 The majority of Astonishing Themed Races There's a perfect race for every person-- competitive eaters, perverts, and wine lovers alike. Look into our top 21 choices that'll actually knock your socks off. On your marks, ready, go!

25. My Minute-by-Minute Interval Workout Greatist's own creator shares his favorite period run exercise, minute-by-minute (or sprint by sprint).

26. Up, Up, and also Away: The 35th Yearly Empire State Structure Run-up Greatist contributing author Emily Milam tested herself (as well as gravity) in the 35th Realm State Structure Run-up. Continue reading for her journey scaling one of the globe's most famous landmarks.

27. 5 Fun Winter season Treadmill Workouts Learn how to enjoy (or at the very least like) the treadmill this winter! We're giving the often-dreaded health club device an additional spin with these fun, certifiably not dull workouts.

28. Christopher Brisley Could Run 100 Miles Challenge hasn't already quit this ex-Royal Navy. From finishing 100-mile go to inspiring thousands to obtain energetic themselves, we talked to Christopher Brisley about his own fitness, wellness, as well as happiness.

29. Stairway to Hell: Competing Up The Empire State Building One individual fitness instructor's account of the hardest race of his life: from all-time low to the top of the Empire State Structure walking (that's 86 tales and also 1,576 steps in much less compared to 15 minutes!).

30. Why All Runners Should Strength Train Exactly what's the crucial to remaining injury-free? Family factor Jason Fitzgerald damages down why strength training is so crucial for joggers today.

31. There's Running, then There's High 5 Running Love to sweat, but hate sweating it alone? Join the High 5 Running Club and get all set to really feel the love from fellow joggers!

32. How you can Come to be a Much better, Stronger Life time Runner Running coach as well as marathoner Jason Fitzgerald shares his tips on making running a long-lasting habit.

33. Just how I Made use of CrossFit to End up being a Much better Runner Fitness instructor Jess Allen speaks about making use of CrossFit to improve her operating efficiency, and also just how viewers can apply the very same lessons to their training.

You Asked, We Answered

34. Can I Be Allergic to Running? Peanuts, pollen, as well as puppy dogs are typical allergic reaction sets off. Can running additionally be create for issue? Continue reading prior to running to the allergist.

35. What's the Ideal Method to Construct Endurance? Dropping flat throughout the final mile? Figured out how to improve endurance to assist feel very solid when crossing the finish line.

36. Can Excessive Cardio Hurt My Heart? When it involves cardio, is going the distance constantly a great point? Figure out if those additional miles might actually be doing even more harm than excellent in the lengthy run.

37. Could Operating at Night Make You Faster? Some points go bump in the night, but is your running pace one of them? Keep reading to discover out if the experience of running much faster during the night is real-- or all in our heads.

38. Can Professional athletes Deal with Even more Pain? Testing on your own on the field, court, or in the weight area is no easy job. When press comes to (actual) push, can athletes really be able to sustain more discomfort?

39. What Are Shin Splints? Running's all fun and online games up until there's shin splints. A general term utilized to describe lower leg pain, shin splints are primarily dued to extreme tension on, well, the shins. The discomfort is normally moderate, yet enough to make a jogger couch-side.

40. Is Walking as Good an Exercise as Running? Sure, lap for lap, running burns more calories compared to strolling, but there are lots of benefits to taking it slow. Review on to figure out which speed is the finest suitable for you.

41. How Usually Need to I Replace My Running Shoes? Those old operating footwears won't last forever. Find out how you can detect the indications that it's time for a brand-new pair.

42. Research: Just what Burns Much more Fat, Aerobic or Strengh Training? A current study suggests aerobic training might be much more energy-efficient compared to toughness training when it pertains to burning fat. However should most of us really sell resistance bands for running shoes?

43. Does the Jogger's High Exist? Running does marvels for the body as well as mind. And for years, runners have actually been claiming a feeling of bliss similar to a real high. Does this mystical sensation actually exist?

44. How Do I Recuperate From a Marathon? It appears like running a marathon is on everyone's bucket list. Yet just how long does it take the body to recuperate, and also are there methods to quicken the process?

45. Is Range Running Great For You? Much less is a lot more, but does that put on running also? Discover out if logging all those miles does more harm than help.

46. Should I Do a Cooldown After Cardio? In contrast to prominent idea, recent research suggests cool-downs after cardio might not help in reducing discomfort or speed recovery. They can still be reliable in maintaining post-workout dizziness in check.

47. How Frequently Should I Do Interval Training? Interval training might reduce time and also burn calories, yet diving right in could not be the finest bet. Discover ways to include interval training right into any workout program, from newbies to physical fitness pros.

48. Ask a Specialist: Which Should I Do First, Cardio or Toughness Training? Does it matter if we struck the squat rack prior to or after the roads? We visited our professional network to discover out!

49. The "Fat-Burning" Zone ... Reality or Fiction? Can reaching our fat-burning zone be as simple as a push of the button?

50. Ask A Professional: Should I Work on an Incline On the Treadmill? That level belt cut may not suffice. Learn if we should place the treadmill on an angle in order to get in a great workout.

51. Do Calorie Monitors Really Work? If the treadmill claims it, it needs to be true, best? Not so quickly. Calorie trackers could not always be as accurate as you 'd think.

Gadgets and Gear

52. Legit Barefoot Running Footwears That Are Made from Middle ages Armor New, chainmail-like PaleoBarefoots case to offer the exact same convenience and also defense as other sorts of minimalist wear while making runners really feel more linked to the ground.

53. Like Crocs? Inspect Out the Crosskix Running Shoe Crosskix is a brand-new running footwear with the same material as well as appearance of a Croc, but takes to the track and path. Find out more regarding just what makes these shoes cool.

54. Tech Spotlight: RunKeeper The Runkeeper smart phone application lets individuals track their exterior workout tasks in even more ways than one.

55. Milestone Capsule Informs You When to Change Your Running Shoes Not sure when to change your running tennis shoes? A brand-new gadget tracks just how lots of miles you have actually run in them, so you don't need to.

56. 11 Finest Mobile Applications to Run Faster as well as Smarter Believe you require an elegant watch to experience the most from your miles? Reconsider. Use your mobile phone and these 11 apps to hit the sidewalk and also obtain the most from your runs.

57. CharityMiles Application Donates For each Action You Take CharityMiles is a new mobile app that transforms your day-to-day run right into a daily donation. Released in the nick of time for National Running Day, will certainly it be a runaway success or stumble out of the gates?

58. Select the Right Athletic Socks, An Instance Against Cotton Do not skimp out on good socks-- they could be more crucial than we believe to stay away from injury and also carry out at our finest.

59. Erica Sara Designs: Utilizing Jewely to Attain Health and fitness Goals Erica Sara crafted a simple piece of running bling and also turned her beauties right into a booming company many thanks to on-line health and fitness communities as well as the love of literally wearing your goals.

60. Can Compression Clothing Make Me a Much better Athlete? Compression equipment might be different compared to typical workout equipment, yet could these skintight losers truly make exercises much better and also reduce post-workout problems?

Killer Videos

61. Appropriate Running Strategy in 30 Seconds Rediscover the joy of proper running method in this tutorial short.

62. Raining? Running Will Keep You Drier Than Walking So it's drizzling and also you do not have an umbrella. You have actually experienced to receive from factor A to factor B and also attempt not to obtain soaked. What do you do? Science says run.

63. Defeating the Clock: Breaking a Running Document At 97 Watch as 97-year-old Ida runs her way to a new 100-meter dash record. As well as you thought your Grandma was trendy.

64. Rick as well as Penis Hoyt Run To Show Life Goes On What encourages Rick and also Dick Hoyt to complete numerous races with each other, regardless of Rick's immobility? Motivation. Attempt you to view this as well as not be entirely as well as extremely relocated.

From Greatist HQ

65. We Did It: The Color Run The Greatist Team added some different colors to the day at The Color Run NYC. See how we did at the so-called "happiest 5K in the world."

66. Barefoot Operating, From Brooklyn to Berkeley Exactly what does it really feel like to ditch the kicks as well as join the barefoot running craze? See exactly how Greatist's fitness editor made out on her initial barefoot adventure.

67. Greatist Hits the trail: Hood to Coastline with Nuun Greatist's outreach supervisor and personnel author, Laura Schwecherl, is running among the largest running relays in the world. Follow along on her journey from Mt. Hood to the Oregon Coastline with a pair of tennis shoes as well as some remarkable teammates!

68. 199 Miles Later: Takeaways From Running Hood to Coast Greatist's team author as well as outreach director merely returned from Hood to Coastline, one of the largest relays on the planet. Read everything about her encounter as well as the lessons she learned along the way!

69. We Did It: NYC Endurance The Greatist Group fulfilled up with the instructors from NYC Endurance to find out the finer factors of running form, with an emphasis on strength over mileage.

70. Practical Evaluation: The AlterG Antigravity Treadmill Not authorized up for area camp? Not a problem. Antigravity treadmills are standing out up at gyms and PT facilities to assist professional athletes train harder, quicker, as well as smarter. Greatist takes the "AlterG" for a spin in this cutting edge review.

71. Eat, Run, Repeat: The New York Hotdog Challenge Greatist's Principal Research study Policeman as well as Health and fitness Editor David Tao informs the tale of contending in the inaugural New York Hotdog Difficulty, a race covering 2.5 miles as well as lots and great deals of hotdogs.

How are you commemorating National Running Day? Inform us below or tweet the writer @lschwech!

[gigsoupmusic]

ArcTanGent 2019 review

‘ArcTan…what?’ ‘ArcTanGent. In Bristol. Same team as 2000trees.' ‘Oh yeah, the chilled punk fest you keep talking about. Same vibe?’ ‘Similar set-up, but different music.’ ‘What kind of music?’ ‘Heavier, more prog and math-rock’ ‘What’s math-rock?’ ‘…..never mind.’ If 2000trees is the UK festival worlds best kept secret, its sister festival ArcTanGent is a fleeting rumor, a prog and math-rock haven known only to insiders. While Trees has, despite its relative obscurity, bolstered something of a ‘little fest that could’ indie-reputation, and a whack of awards, ArcTanGent seems to only be known to those who go to ArcTanGent*.   Seven years in, and Goc O’Callaghan’s Bristol event has expertly carved out its niche, filling that gap between Download and Bloodstocks ‘big arena festival with a general-heavy vibe’  and Damnations ‘niche genre festival that’s too small to justify a full weekend’. With a cap just shy of 10,000, ATG (as she’s known to friends) enjoys a nice-sized crowd while retaining a relaxed ambience, mellower staff and the gratifying ability to manoeuvre the site, check a new stage or run to the car within a 10 minute window.

While it’s categorically a genre festival with no claim to offer ‘variety’ in the Glasto or Leeds sense, it would be remiss to call ATG one-note – there are plenty of flavors within the fairly flexible  boundaries set here. Those looking for ‘fuck my eardrums’ heavy get an atmospheric, highly visual set courtesy of the always-excellent Cult of Luna and tech-metal Scots Frontierer. Bossk are out offering the layered sludge, enigmatic Carpenter Brut does his synth-wizard thing, with Bostonian veterans Caspian providing the bass-laden post-rock. Further afield, affable Taiwanese trio Elephant Gym are a grand discovery.  Matt Calvert makes two appearances this years event, once with Three Trapped Tigers, and again with an orchestral arrangement – only the third time he has performed in this style, and a thoroughly enjoyable change in tone. There’s more experimental and some brass with The Physics House Experiment. And The St Pierre Snake Invasion, swiftly becoming one of the most fun heavy festival staples, bring the hardcore, the cracking stage-irreverence (‘this is a song about being a sad Welsh twat’), and whatever the hell that keyboard-recorder is – if you’ve not seen a St Pierre set, get right with that. Friday night splits the crowd and pits the experimental (official headliner Battles) against the groove-metal (Brutus, packing out the tiny PS3 stage)

Opening night headliners Coheed and Cambria are probably the closest thing to a ‘mainstream’ act on this years bill – one of the few on a major label anyway - and considering they are an indie-prog band whose albums are accompanied by a series of existential graphic novels, that says a lot. Lets talk about that headline set though - their first this side of the Atlantic, and it was a journey – both a display of prog-smithery and a nostalgia bite for those of us who cut our teeth on ‘Good Apollo’. With swirls and eddies of melodic riffs backed by enticing yet unobtrusive visuals, Claudio ‘Cousin It’ Sanchez* and his merry prog-men prove an excellent choice, and a contender for the ongoing ‘next generation of metal headliners’ debate. Setlist-wise, it’s a very ‘festival’ tracklist – aka, heavy on the 00’s ‘hits’* and the latest album. Not a bad thing - Dark Sentancer proves a powerful gig-opener, and we get ‘In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth’, an unexpected ‘The Suffering’, and come the encore, an explosive cheer as the iconic acoustic intro of ‘Welcome Home’ ushers the first night to a close.

The event has been lumped with something of a ‘Friday curse’ – this year is no exception, as the second day was treated to 12 hours of relentless downpour, turning the entire site into a quagmire of Mr. Whippy-consistency. If there’s one negative to throw out about this years Arc, it’s the relative lack of effort from the team to counter-act this apparently recurring problem – the stalls quickly ran out of ponchos and there was enough straw for the main stage, but not for the mud-Baikal that blocked the entrance. It’s a festival of treats, many sets feeling like rewards for the loyal punters here for the music. Northern Irish instrumental colossus And So I Watch You From Afar have garnered a well-earned reputation as one of the most exciting live acts in the genre, and their playthrough of their self titled debut to mark its tin anniversary is an experience – watching the pure intensity on their faces as they carve out an intricate wall of sound is a feeling of watching master craftsmen at work. Its not even the only album play-through, crowd favourites Black Peaks give their last record, ‘All That Divides’ a full run, with Jamie Lenman (‘I don’t have a saxophone and my moustache isn’t as good’ he cheekily warns the sodden crowd) featuring up front.

Speaking of treats, a rare set from elusive Swedish titans Meshugghah finishes the weekend – the crowd gathered before the Medusa columns segue beautifully between a 10k strong sing-a-long of ‘I Want to Know What Love Is’ into a war chant of ‘ME-SHU-GAH!’ as the grizzled quintet emerge on stage for a blistering, relentless hour-and-fifteen onslaught that is both technically complex and phenomenologically overpowering. Its an unassuming festival with no need for bells and whistles – while there are a few fun side activities (axe throwing, a board game café) the crowd are unquestionably here for the music. Still, the team must be commended for the subtle touches – havens of quiet, some intricately designed merch. Food-wise, Arc shares Trees selection of small-time festival stalls with few of the big names from arena events – the Pad Thai stand bringing so many bangers it became a sixth stage. Shoutout to Piggie Smalls and a peanut-butter jelly hot-dog that was transcendental. A selection of local ales, real West Country cider and White Russians grace the bar, while new for 2019 is the Bar Room stage – treated to a number of sets, the apogee of which comes courtesy of No Violets, whose frantic grungey vibe and captivating PJ Harvey-esque front-siren Ellie* mark them as one to keep a serious eye on.

The after-hours entertainment is a fun twist on the norm - ArcTanGent does the typical Silent Disco but with its own take on this festival staple – the Thursday night crowd are treated to a full-on silent gig, with Gost providing an entire set through the headphones. The Disco King revellers for Friday and Saturday get an astute blend of nu-metal classics and 80’s numbers….with the added option of an entire channel dedicated to Mars Volta* ArcTanGent is a strange one to critique – of course its highly recommended for fans of the heavy and the intricate – but it seems a futile recommendation when pretty much anyone whose heart lies in this heady world is likely already an ATG convert. As for casuals looking to explore a new avenue…. Well if you like your riffs complex, your crowd in good spirits, and a place that’s somehow heavy-as-balls while retaining an easy-going atmosphere, well, ArcTanGent has you covered. As long as you can deal with a little mud. *As a metal-fest aficionado but math-rock casual, I was only dimly aware of Arc before my flatmate Nathan, an ATG regular, piqued my curiosity enough to check it. *There was something of a contest going on in the photo pit as to if anyone could get a shot of his face. *I mean, Coheed don’t really have ‘hits’ as such, but the Apollo/Silent Earth tracks that were singles – Suffering and Home here. My wish for Ten Speed wasn’t met and Wake Up would have probably confused the crowd…. *6 seconds of Google did not turn up a last name so……sick vocals, Ellie. *Speaking of bar…. the crowd managed to literally drink both remaining bars dry by the end of Sunday’s disco. I’ve literally never seen this at a festival before, and took weird pride in having the last can of cider at the event. *I’d heard of this beforehand but genuinely wondered if Nathan was going for satire. Nope. Whole channel. Just plays Mars Volta for four hours. Read the full article

[volume11magazine]

Where Owls Know My Name - Rivers of Nihil (Album Review)

Josh Wickins

Let me just start off by saying this: while my music taste and likes are eclectic and diverse, I will always be a metalhead at heart… whether it be early, heavy metal with Black Sabbath, progressive metal with Between the Buried or even hardcore with Code Orange…I love heavy music.

For me, music isn’t just music; it’s a lifestyle. There’s so much feeling, emotion, and passion I feel when I hear the organized chaos that is metal. The blistering guitar, hypnotic blast beats and face melting gutturals, it just seeps into my bones and proves to me again and again just how powerful this music can be. Metal and heavy music flow in my veins and blood, and always will.

All that aside, hearing an album like “Where Owls Know My Name” from Rivers of Nihil, genre-defying yet it still holds true to its metal roots and reignited my passion for metal since I first gave it a spin. Progressive/ Death metal beasts, the similarity in sound from recent tour mates Decapitated, and Revocation, and I’d even say The Contortionist with the way this new album. This album isn’t to be taken lightly and I wouldn’t be surprised to see it win an award for heavy metal within this new year.

Rivers of Nihil offer us a true taste of their musical prowess and willingness to push the boundaries of metal and put out a truly spectacular album that has defied everyone’s expectations as well as, put this band on the radar of metalheads everywhere.

This is the band's third studio album and is by far their best and most cohesive album to date. While holding true to their original sound and metal roots heard on their previous album “Monarchy”, they incorporated a wide variety of new sounds, instruments (most specifically saxophone - which is pulled off masterfully, especially on the track “Subtle Change”), and influences; taking their sound to unimaginable heights.

“Where Owls Know My Name” released March 18, 2018, charted at #57 on the Billboard Top 200 current albums chart, #3 on the Billboard Top New Artist Album chart, and #9 on the Billboard Current Hard Rock Music Albums chart. A truly great and impressive feat for the band, especially in a time where heavy music and metal isn’t as popular, to make it into the Top 200, shows just how amazing this album really is.

Right off the top, in opening track “Cancer / Moonspeak”, you can hear the bands rampant musical progression. Atmospheric, spacey, with captivating clean vocals (Yes, clean vocals on a metal album!), with powerful lyrics such as, “Fear, fear drowns the mind. In this kingdom of mine. And standing in the hall; the faces of them all. Real, like empty space. They know what I became”. This opened the album with a smack in the face and the inclination that this would not be your typical metal album. It leads into the next track “The Silent Life” perfectly. Much like that seamless transition, the whole album flows and blends perfectly into each other. Everything from the instrumentation to the well-crafted lyrics makes this album great. This album takes you from stretches of emotional soundscape experimentation to raw cathartic anger release, which is what music is all about, the feeling you get while listening to it.

Tracks “Terrestria III: Wither” and title track “Where Owls Know My Name” stood out to me the most. Not only for the way my hair stood up on end while listening, or the pit I get in my stomach when I hear something that truly speaks to me musically and emotionally: for the sole fact that this was a metal band taking themselves to entirely new heights, and doing something totally different, and without a doubt pulling it off.

“Terrestria III: Wither”, is just one of those songs that just give you chills, has your head bobbing and ready to go to war. Though all instrumental this track packs a serious punch, it’s what you would imagine being played before a massive spartan battle in the movies: raw, and powerful. River of Nihil has created a sound that is truly their own, while still remaining true to themselves and their genre. They continue to evolve and expand their skill. Rivers of Nihil have put together one the most cohesive and powerful albums I’ve heard in a long time. People always like to claim that metal is just noise and yelling. I’d like these people to play this album and crank it to 11: they will change their mind. Musicianship, talent, and powerful songwriting like this (in my opinion) are what music’s all about.

[eatsliftsandruns]

The Stuff Review

As a newbie runner, I accumulated a lot of STUFF in a hurry.  I never shook the feeling that if I just bought a little bit more gear, running would get just a little bit easier.  While that didn’t end up being true, I definitely found that some of the successories I purchased were worth their weight in gold, and that I could have done without others.  

This post is a rundown of 10 pieces of gear that I purchased, and a bit of a brain dump about what I found to be worth and what I could have passed on.  None of these are sponsored reviews -- just my thoughts on some of the stuff I’ve accumulated in about 6 months of training.

1) Orange Mud hydraquiver

I’ll start with my favorite.  I did ALL the research on hydration packs.  I knew I didn’t want a backpack.  I tried on a few vests at the store, but I hate the hoses.  After a lot of reading, I bought the Orange Mud pack, and I love it.  It really is as easy as they promised to get the bottle in and out.  The pack is comfortable and stays put, and putting the bottle between your shoulder blades makes it feel weightless.  I wore this pack for my half marathon, and it was absolutely worth the money I paid for it.

I will say: this hydration pack doesn’t work for Spartan Races or other mud run type events.  For my Spartan Super, I carried a handheld Nathan Quickshot, but I wasn’t very sad when I lost it in a mud pit because it didn’t really hold enough to be useful.  

2) ProCompression Socks: 

I have a bit of a love/hate with these socks: mostly love, with just a little side of hate.  I love love love their cheery colors and fun designs, and they’re very comfortable.  I found that wearing compression socks all the time when I run has helped to cut way down on the shin splints problem, and ProCompression is ALWAYS running deals and promotions so I was able to get a bunch of these socks for not too much money.  They’re very supportive, and I think they’ve held up well in the wash.

They do give me blisters on longer runs, though.  I wish the feet had a little more padding -- I like the support at the ankles so I don’t want to switch to compression sleeves, but I wish the feet of the ProCompression socks were just a bit comfier.  

I will say: I had a problem with one of my pairs, and the customer service was great -- they quickly sent me a replacement pair without making me return my defective ones.  LOVE that!

3) Body Gilde:

Everyone I talk to swears by this stuff, but I don’t get it.  It makes my thighs feel like they’re sticking together even more.  I keep thinking I must be using it wrong, but there don’t seem to be that many options for how to use it...I’m still running in 3/4 tights and it’s over 90, so I think I need to figure something else out!

4) Rocktape:

Let’s be real: I have no idea what this stuff does. My chiropractor uses it, plus some guy at a race showed me how to tape my shins, and I SWEAR it makes a difference even though I honestly have no idea if I’m doing it right.  Maybe it’s the illusion of taking action, but taping the outsides of my shins and my achilles/inside of calf has also really helped cut down on shin pain.  I feel like maybe if I don’t think too much about it, it’ll keep helping!

5) Balega hidden comfort socks: 

I freaking love these socks.  I don’t wear them much for running now (see above post on compression socks) but they’re the most comfortable socks I own by a long shot.  I wish all things in life could be as comfortable as these socks!

6) Garmin Forerunner 220: 

This watch is an older model, and it didn’t quite cut it. I used if for my training and for my half marathon, which seems to have finally done it in.  The GPS didn’t work very well during my training, and it only recorded about 6 miles of my half marathon.  I’m considering saving up for a nicer watch with a heart rate monitor, so would love suggestions of what people like and use!  

7) Lululemon Swiftly Arm Warmers:

Okay real life problem: as a crossfit girl, I don’t fit into all running clothes.  This was an actual problem when it comes to arm warmers -- I have big girl arms, and I tried a couple of pairs at the sports store and was a bit afraid that arm warmers might not be an option for me.  However, I found these at Lulu -- they use the same stretchy material as Lululemon’s swiftly shirts, and they fit my sizeable arms and stayed up for ten miles without a problem.

That said, I’m not sure that I needed arm warmers.  I hate being cold, and I have a tendency to overdress for runs.  I wore them with a tank on a 55 degree day, and I think I’d have warmed up just fine without them (and if it had been any colder, I’d have wanted actual sleeves).  I only wore them the one time, and it’s hard for me to image they’re going to get a lot of wear.

8) Nike sunglasses

These were my last pre-half marathon purchase; I didn’t end up wearing them on the half (it rained) but I’ve gotten a ton of use out of them.  One of the most frustrating things on my failed attempt at the Cherry Blossom 10-miler was that my cheapo target sunglasses kept fogging -- it was muggy out (it’s DC, after all!) and I could not keep them clear.  I hustled out and bought some actual sports sunglasses after that, and I’m glad I did.  I bought mine at Nordstrom Rack for about $50, and it was $50 well spent -- they’re WAAAY better than what I got at Target!  They don’t fog up, and they’re pretty comfy.  They even ran a Spartan Super with me, and survived the mud!  

9) Momentum Jewelry Motivate Wrap: I’m not going to lie, I got a little sucked into the running social media on this one -- and I can’t say I’m sad I did!  I got a “Nevertheless She Persisted” motivate wrap, and I wore it for my half marathon.  This definitely doesn’t fall into the category of crucial gear, but it was a fun little confidence boost for a tough race.  I keep forgetting to wear it when I go out running, and since I’m not using a GPS watch right now I’m not sure how much I’d see it when I was running anyway, but it’s a fun little motivator.  The bracelet is of good quality -- I’d definitely recommend it for anyone looking for little ways to keep themselves going!

10) Flipbelt: I didn’t hate the Flipbelt.  I’m religious about running with my ID, credit card, and my phone, and the Flipbelt was an okay-enough way of carrying all these things (and more) with me.  I don’t love it -- it’s not very comfortable, and depending on what bottoms I have on it sometimes rides up.  However, I found it way more comfortable than other belts/vests/pocket options.  As long as I’m wearing the Orange Mud vest I don’t need it, and in the winter my running jacket has a great back pocket for all my stuff, but on some of my shorter runs the flipbelt still gets worn.  It’s really not a bad option...I just wish I didn’t need it!

So there it is: a list of some of the multitude of STUFF I bought as a beginner runner!  I must say, running companies have done a magnificent job of marketing through social media -- a lot of the runners I follow on Instagram are “Ambassadors” for various companies, and I sure did buy a lot of stuff thinking it would make running less hard.  None of this stuff did that, though I’d definitely suggest to other beginning runners that they take the time to find a hydration option they like, as well as socks and sunglasses.  

Next up: a rundown of the shoe experience.  It took me 6 tries to find a pair of shoes I liked, but I LOVE the ones I ended up with!

[expertlessopinion]

Back to the Future (Best of 2016)

As a much belated list and a final farewell to this most neglected corner of the internet, I have decided to post my favorite 100 albums of 2016 (or something close to that number) as a segue to my new writing project with the talented Dave P over at heardofthem.com where I will be writing (much more consistently) current reviews of new music, features on the history of pop music and society, interviews, reviews of live shows, and everything in between. For explanation of method: I used aggregated new release websites to update monthly new albums, combined them into a single playlist and play on random. When I heard a track I liked or thought deserved more attention I created a second list. From there I listened to whole albums and made cursory reviews and eventually whittled down this into my list. It’s music I like. You might hate it. It might even be objectively bad, but it’s music I listened to more than once. It will be more or less the same process I use for 2017. I listened to approximately 900 albums, around which 200 made my second list. It’s not perfect, but it’ll work for now. I had originally intended to write reviews for the top ten, but 2017 is fast upon us and I need to focus on that. I will definitely write reviews for the top ten in 2017. Thanks.

For the record, those marked with an asterisk are for noteworthy, surprising, first time albums that shined, something I had a personal affection for, and then the flat out weird. In other words: special.

In short order:

Highly Suspect - The Boy Who Died Wolf

Clams Casino - 32 Levels

Guts Club - Shit Bug

Lisa Hannigan - At Swim

Minor Victories - Minor Victories

Lewis and Leigh - Ghost

The Turtles - All the Singles (Re-issue)

The Radio Dept. - Running Out of Love

The Olympians - The Olympians

 O Terno - O Terno

Nick Ellis - Daylight Ghosts

The Still - The Still

Grace - FMA

Hinds - Leave Me Alone

Courtney Marie Andrews - Honest Life

Young Magic - Still Life

Black Atlass - Haunted Paradise Remixes LP

Rolling Blackouts - Talk Tight

CFCF - On Vacation

Polica - United Crushers

Black Mountain - IV

Marissa Nadler- Strangers

Bibio - A Mineral Love

Solange - A Seat at the Table

Kweku Collins - Nat Love

Maria Usbeck - Amparo

Hoops - Hoops EP

Snowblink - Returning Current

Mexican Institute of Sound - Vibras Tenebrosas

Leonore Boulanger - Feigen Feigen

Laura Mvula - The Dreaming Room

Brendan Canning - Home Wrecking Years

Seculos Apaixonados - O Ministerio de Colocacaou

Gonjasufi - Callus

Lando Chill - For Mark, Your Son

Allah-Lahs - Calico Review

Metronymy- Summer 08′

Bat for Lashes - The Wife

Studio OST- Scenes 2012-2015*

Morly - Something More Holy (EP)

Big Star - Complete Third (Re-issue)

Fat White Family - Songs for Our Mothers

Esperanza Spalding - Emily’s D+ Evolution

Casey Mecija - Psychic Materials

Vomitface - Hooray for Me

Chairlift - Moth

Case/Lang/Veirs - Case/Lang/Veirs

Let’s Eat Grandma - I, Gemini

The She-Devils - She-Devils (EP)

Anohni - Hopelessness

The Body - No One Deserves Happiness

Arc Iris - Moon Saloon*

Arabot - The Gospel

Anna Meredith - Varmint

Beyonce - Lemonade

Serpentwithfeet - Blisters (EP)*

Goat - Requiem

Trembling Bells - The Bonnie Bells of Oxford*

Topaz Jones - Arcade

Wye Oak - Tween

Yumi Zoumi - Yoncalla

Carrie Rodriguez - Lola

Kanye - Life of Pablo

Ian William Craig - Centres

The Avalanches - Wildflower

NAO - For All We Know

Sun Ra - Singles (Reissue)

Dolly Parton - Pure and Simple

Chance the Rapper - Coloring Book

William Tyler - Modern Country

Still Corners - Dead Blue

Luther Dickinson - Blues and Ballads

Wild Beasts - Boy King

NxWorries - Yes Lawd!

Mark Barrot - Sketches from an Island 2*

Jenny Hval - Blood Bitch

M83 - Junk

Terry Allen - Lubbock (On Everything)

Martha - Blisters in the Pit of My Heart

Bahwee - Flavors

Royal Canoe - Something Got Lost Between Here and the Ocean

Racing Glaciers - Caught in the Strange

Nicholar Jaar - Sirens

Highwater - Crush*

Big Thief - Masterpiece

Wire - Utility

Susanna - Triangle

Kevin Morby - Singing Saw

Blood Orange - Freetown Sound

Mica Levi - Remain Calm*

Oranssi Pazuzu - Varahtelija

Anderson .Paak - Malibu

Quilt - Plaza

Kero Kero Bonito - Bonito Generation

John Luther Adams - The Colorado

Khadja Bonet - The Visitor

Billie Marten - Writing of Blues and Yelows

Andy Shauf - The Party

Barro - Miocardio

Nissennenmondai - #N/A

Abi Reimold - Wriggling

Michael Kiwankuka - Love and Hate*

Savages - Adore

J. Cole - 4 Your Eyez Only

Kelsey Lu - Church

Y La Bamba - Ojos Del Sol

Katrynada - 99.9%

Yak - Alas Salvation*

Frank Ocean - Blond

Elza Soares - Mulher do Fin do Mundo

Angel Olsen - My Woman

Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith - Ears

Flock of Dimes - If You See Me, Say Yes*

Margaret Glaspy - Emotions and Math*

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - Nonagon Infinity

Madeline Kenney - Singals* (EP)

Thao and the get Down - A Man Alive*

Danny Brown - Atrocity Exhibition

Kendrick Lamar - Untitled Unmastered

Japanese Breakfast - Psychopomp*

Bon Iver - 22, A Million

Blonde Redhead - Masculin Feminin*

Lydia Loveless- Real*

Noname - Telefone*

Jessy Lanza - Oh No*

[an-elementary-world]

The Blinder - Live Review October 2018

There is a full moon tonight.  It is eerily bright and low in the sky, and on my journey to the venue it seems to be at the end of every street I drive along until I reach the Castle and Falcon.  It feels like a guiding light.  The gig is sold out: no room at the inn.  Having already seen The Blinders play in smaller venues over the last twelve months, there is a sense that the planets are now aligning and this is their time; they have divine right, they have divine right.

This headline tour is on the back of their scorching debut album ‘Columbia’, released last month.  It feels like these performances are for those in the audience who missed the pre-album tour in February, so I didn’t expect there to be any deviation from the previous shows.  What I didn’t fully appreciate is how truly blistering the band have become, and how their energy reserves seem endless.

The set list is almost the same as February, with other reviewers levelling criticism at the band for this, when really it is exactly what is needed right now.  The main change is ‘Swine’ has been moved from the second song to the middle and ‘Brave New World’ moved from the middle to the third song.  From ‘Hate Song’ on to the end of the set, it is the same, except for dropping ‘Murder at the Ballet’ altogether.  I think the slight change helps the flow of the set enormously: there is no let up, no time to catch your breath.  From the opening bass riff the crowd is bouncing and by the middle of that first song, ‘Gotta Get Through’, the mosh pit has exploded, with bodies flying everywhere.  The rampant ‘L’etat C’est Moi’ follows and now the audience are screaming along: “We fuckers, we two bit hookers. I’ve got divine right, I’ve got divine right”.  The overwhelming response sends chills down my spine, as if a year of telling everyone how good this band is, is vindicated.

Hearing the lyrics being sung by the audience throughout the set reminds me of my interview with them in January 2018, when I mention how Arctic Monkeys’ early gigs had everyone singing along despite not having a record out at that time.  There really does feel that same level of excitement at a Blinders gig.  Even the final line of the spoken ‘Free the Slave’ has the room shouting: “Who the fuck would want that?” right on cue.

The tempo only really drops for the glorious ‘Rat In A Cage’ and the pre-album release ‘Ramona Flowers’, but instead of thumping it is pulsating, throbbing… hynotising.  Tom screams, Tom writhes, Tom flexes.  He is magnetic, mesmerising, compelling.  The black make up applied to his eyes at the beginning of the night has all but been removed by the sweat pouring from his brow.  This band doesn’t just get up and play, you feel that they are giving everything of themselves; this is not an occupation, it is essential.

Charlie and Matt are solid throughout as always, with eyes focussed and glaring into the crowd.  The audience reaction lifts them, visibly, and they are tighter and stronger than ever.  I even caught Matty smiling once… but not Charlie, never Charlie.  Even at the end, he just turns and is gone with a wave.

On previous shows Tom comes off the stage during ‘Swine’ or ‘Brutus’ or both, to stand in the crowd; tonight, his feet do not touch the floor because when he moves towards the front row, arms lift him up and carry him off into the heart of the crowd.  Despite him screaming: “There is no hope”, it’s pretty clear, there is.  It might be raw and brutal, but there is hope.  These three young men from Doncaster are inspirational; they give hope to the old punks in the room to show us we weren’t wrong, and they ignite a new young crowd to be passionate and political and pro-active.  Is it obvious yet?  I fucking love this band.

The set ends with both barrels, ‘Et tu’ and ‘Brutus’:  Boom!  Boom!  The mosh pit is in a frenzy.  The whole room is fixated.  I am sober but later I have no memory of those two songs at all.  I either blacked out or went astral travelling, because when I come to, the lights are out and white noise fills the room as Charlie and Matt leave the stage.  The darkness and white noise cut to Tom in a spotlight alone with his telecaster.  The opening chords he plays lead us into ‘Orbit’.  After forty minutes of an assault of pounding ear-splitting decibels there is calm, and everybody listens to the melancholy track that closes the album.  The drop in dynamics and the brave choice of ending on a quiet song, pays off: the calm after the storm… a moment of reflection.  It is a beautiful moment when Tom’s stage persona is removed for a brief moment when he laughs to himself singing the line: “Fuck you” to the adoring fans, before continuing, “…and fuck me, and fuck the salmon of Alaska”.  We collectively hang on every word.  It’s breath-taking.

With each successive Blinders tour there is a feeling that it will be an “I was there moment”.  That takes something really special.. but most of all it takes years of back breaking work and commitment.  This should not be under estimated: The Blinders work harder than anyone to make each show absolutely the most memorable event you will ever see.  It is no accident.  I feel at times that the hard work is starting to take its toll and Tom’s vocals are almost shredded at the end of the night.  I hope someone close to the band are taking note of this, as the stresses on the voice can be highly damaging if not looked after.  Of course, it sounds stunning, screaming guitar and a screaming voice, but seriously do not damage those vocal chords Tom.  It’s not like they can be replaced (like the countless guitar strings that are broken throughout the show)… okay now I sound like a concerned dad, so I’ll wrap this up.

It is a delight to see The Blinders in this bigger venue, with a packed room.  The energy on the floor now reflects the intensity on the stage, but no matter what the venue, and how small the audience, I have never seen The Blinders give anything but their absolute all.  They are the new standard, other bands need to watch and learn.  I’m happy for them and also fucked off that I can’t get close to them anymore.

Oh and now buy their album.  It’s called ‘Columbia’ on Modern Sky.

Setlist:

Gotta Get Through L’etat C’est Moi Brave New World Where No Man Comes Free the Slave I Can’t Breathe Blues Swine Hate Song Rat In a Cage Ramona Flowers Et Tu Brutus Orbit

Reviewer: Alan Neilson

[themusicenthusiast]

Single Review: “Only Us” by Thrice

Thrice’s sound is a perpetually evolving force, Dustin Kensrue, Teppei Teranishi and Eddie and Riley Breckenridge constantly exploring some new territory with each release. Palms (due out on September 14th via Epitaph) seems like it won’t be any different, the structure of the songs having a different flare from those that were featured on their 2016 release. But while they are pursuing something new for them in regards to the sonic stylings, their focus on social (and presumably political) messages seems as if it will be taken to another level, even surpassing what To Be Everywhere Is to Be Nowhere offered. The latest single, “Only Us”, plays out as an impassioned cry for everyone on earth to embrace one another and recognize that we are all the same, all belonging to the only race that matters: the human race. It’s a song about looking past the subtle differences that define one’s individuality and bond over the broader experiences that are all shared, wanting people to realize there is more common ground than not. While never outright saying it, “Only Us” gets at the fact that everything in the world these days is meant to create division, pitting people against one another. The “us verse them” mentality that arises from countless issues. For example, a person is either for or against any politician and how that issue is so black and white to some, people vilifying or respecting someone based on which side of the fence they fall on.

In that sense “Only Us” speaks about the degradation that being hyperpartisan has brought about on society; and while it may not always be as extreme as it is sometimes conveyed, it does still exist. The lyrics aim to adjust any such line of thinking. “…I bless with your hand; you pray on my knees. It's my blood in your veins and your heart is beating in me.” That portion of the first verse is but a small example of the articulate manner in which Kensrue works as he preaches the idea of unity, a vision he sees clearly and hopes to pass on to others. A slight hint of optimism ever present as it works to get people to understand that cultural differences aside everyone is shockingly similar, the track does also venture into the darker realm of humanity, how violent we can be towards one another, which in turn seems to give credit to the concept of isolationism. Mostly focusing on the social circumstances of it all, there is a subtle political message snuck into the back end of the second verse with the lines, “…But the system that terrifies you should terrify me.” Read into what you will, though it seems to attest to the fact that people need to stop being indifferent to some of the things their government is doing (spying on its own citizens, for example) and take a stand against it. Musically, “Only Us” is just as daring as the subject matter, being a hybrid of keys/synthesizers and primal rock. It’s different for Thrice, yet it sounds as if it’s entirely within their wheelhouse, the heavy use of the synth in the first portion emboldening the bass, yielding more of a pulsating sound. It’s almost as if it’s even inspired by some ‘80s era new wave as it builds to an emotional swell, the percussion and guitars growing more noticeable; while Kensrue becomes more assertive with his singing. By the time it reaches the bridge it has morphed into a wall of sound, the four of them not pulling any punches during the blistering onslaught; Kensrue sounding fed up with and even disgusted by peoples’ seeming inability to truly connect with one another. It’s then that the track becomes pure Thrice, albeit an even more explosive side of them then they typically display. And it suits them, the way it’s all so heartfelt bringing out the best of Teranishi, Eddie, Riley and Kensrue. “Only Us” is as riveting as any song could hope to be, possessing several ups and downs that keep the listener wondering what will be coming next; and on repeat listens the way it was executed just becomes more magnificent. It’s teeming with raw feelings, and the emotions that were poured into it are palpable. It also provides a further glimpse at all of the potential that Palms is almost certain to realize. Their hiatus may be old news at this point, though since returning Thrice seems to be in more spectacular form than ever. This track just reaffirms that as they use their talents to call attention to significant and noteworthy issues transpiring in the world, offering up their views on them in a straightforward manner that avoids being preachy. Now, what else will they be addressing on this forthcoming record? “Finally, when will it be enough? To find there's no them, there is only us…” Pre-order Palms on: iTunes | Google Play | Amazon MP3 Visit Thrice’s websites: Official Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

[rocknutsvibe]

The Best Rock Songs of 2016

I’m not quite done with 2016 yet! Though it was by most accounts pretty crappy (although nothing actually terrible happened to me or anyone I love), I’m reluctant to head into a new year. What if 2017 is even worse? I’m sure it’s possible. Maybe this year, the Cincinnati zoo will let two gorillas die instead of one, and throw in a whole mess of peacocks for good measure. Life’s capacity to be terrible is only matched by its creativity and inventiveness. But until we have to mourn the deaths of the most human-like animal and the sexiest bird, respectively, I thought I’d collect a few songs from this past year that made the pain go away, albeit briefly. Always briefly.

By the way, these are in no particular order. I did the quasi-scientific thing with my best albums of the year and it drove me frightfully mad.

1. “Easier Said” – Sunflower BeanH

Catchy, dreamy track that calls to mind the sweetest offerings of Yo La Tengo and Cocteau Twins.

2. “Hello Trust No One – The Julie Ruin

That inimitable voice, which is at once girlish and gravelly? That’s punk legend Kathleen Hanna. Show some goddamn respect.

3. “Asleep in the Heat” – PUP

This track is raucous good fun, and quite possibly my favorite song about a dead lizard since Paul McCartney’s “Jet.”

4. “Chekhov’s Hangnail” – Martha

It’s difficult to pick a favorite track on Martha’s supremely winning album Blisters in the Pit of My Heart, but gun-to-my-head, going with “Chekhov’s Hangnail.” Can’t beat that chorus.

5. “New Friends” – Pinegrove

“Where did all my friends go while I was in this intense relationship? Surely everyone stayed pretty much as they were before, waiting in stasis for me to rejoin the world of the living. They didn’t? Uh-oh.” “New Friends” is the song where you realize the world has moved on without you.

6.  “Goodness Pt. 2” – The Hotelier

Those of you who read my “Best Albums” List may recognize The Hotelier’s Goodness as my number one record of the year. “Goodness Pt. 2” is the first proper song on the album, and lays out the mission statement pretty clearly: Sometimes humans need a shock (whether through physical location change or simple perspective change) to transition from one state to another. Goodness is all about the power of transformation through nature; the wilderness here is a place where unspeakable savagery and nurturing exist side by side. Sadness is always present and real, but it is in juxtaposition to this sadness that we can finally etch out a sort of peace.

7. “Beam” – Cymbals Eat Guitars

Then again, sometimes you just have to break shit. This group’s record Pretty Years is a fantastic ode to the terrible decisions of youth and just narrowly missed my Top Ten. As for “Beam,” you’d be hard pressed to find a more frantic and ballsy punk track in 2016. Singer Joe D’Agostino’s blood-curdling scream at the end is one of the rawest and most intense things I’ve ever heard.

8. “A 1000 Times” – Hamilton Leithauser + Rostam

Though his group The Walkmen is on indefinite hiatus, Hamilton Leithauser has been keeping plenty busy as one of the more interesting vocalists in indie rock. This is the opening track from I Had a Dream That You Were Mine, and though the ensuing album is very good, it isn’t quite this good. Most things aren’t.

9. “2BU” – Wild Beasts

Wild Beasts’ Boy King is a fascinating exploration of white male privilege and gender politics. In a sea of creepily confident, synth-driven boasts, 2BU stands out, and not just because it paraphrases The Dark Knight with “Now I’m the type of man/who wants to watch the world burn.” Though the album is filled with quasi-macho confidence, 2BU is where the real narcissistic psychopath shines through. This narrator doesn’t draw the line at sexual conquest. There’s a lot of imagery here (picking through the bones to find you) that suggests that sexual dominance is just the beginning. As for the end…well I didn’t bring up American Psycho in my initial review of this album for nothing. We just may be witnessing the musical equivalent. Thank God it’s a hell of a lot more artful than the novel American Psycho. The movie is good, though.

10. “The Lamb You Lost” Sam Beam and Jesca Hoop

Lovely, mystic, sexual, Biblical, this might be my favorite song of the year. When Beam (Iron and Wine) and Hoop get together, something magical occurs. It’s hard to pick just one standout moment from their first (and horrifyingly, only) collaboration, but “Lamb” has a way of slinking its way into the subconscious.

  Well, that’s it! Now I’m finally done with 2016. May we elect zero orange demagogues in 2017, and let’s keep our rock stars nice and healthy so we don’t have a Game of Thrones-esque body count. Here’s to a new year of outstanding music!

Photo: Sunflower Bean; By Paul Hudson [CC BY 2.0 (http://ift.tt/o655VX)], via Wikimedia Commons

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