The Useless Critic 2.0

When I say lately I mean in the past day, btw. Song #1 "Amado Mio" as done by Pink Martini DUDE. Pink Martini is one of the best bands I've ever seen live. They have such a stage presence. Here's my review of them at Central Park last year. It's one of my best memories of New York City. It was popularized by the late and incomparable Rita Hayworth in Gilda. Song #2 "Tammy" as done by Jens Lekman And I'm seeing Jens in several months, which is pretty cool I think, since I've wanted to see him since 2006. But the Debbie Reynolds version circa Tammy and the Bachelor is just as lovely. My goodness, what does age do to people? Have you seen her lately? Oh my gawd:  I have vague memories of my mother singing this to me as a child. Very vague and fuzzy memories. Did I mention I apparently just turned 73?

It's that time of year again. I mean, what is today, Yellow Thursday? It's the time for Elf  to be on TV constantly, Wal-Mart to have really annoying commercials and me to stress out about buying my family members things they'll actually use.  Every year, I tend to stick like gum to one holiday album. Last year, it was Pink Martini. The year before that, it was the Antlers BECAUSE I WAS MISERABLE and nothing says miserable like an album about losing your girlfriend to cancer.  This year though, I went out and got the She & Him album. Why? Because Zooey could work for the gestapo and I'd take it?  /shame I didn't have any real high standards for this album (much like the New Girl, which I ended up loving). I mean, a Christmas album is a Christmas album and the only thing I can hold it up to be better than is either the Tori travesty or the NBC 2002 holiday mess, or 2001, whatever it was it sucked balls.  She & Him, however, show those kids ...

Before I devote my attentions to Zooey and her recent social media invasion, I would like to address the free show at Central Park I went to to FINALLY see the jazz/world orchestra, Pink Martini, a band I've liked since (I believe) my sophomore year of college. Each summer I kind of went through a musical phase. There was the French music phase, there was the Scott Walker phase, there was the Lee Hazlewood phase...I won't drone on. But yeah. Pink Martini was a result of my bossanova period and have remained one of my favorite "different" kind of groups since. Their sound is very refreshing, very invigorating. When you look at the span of popular music right now- and I don't mean just the shit they play on the radio, but who honestly listens to the radio anymore?- Pink Martini manage to stand in an unique corner of it. Meaning:  I can't think of many other bands that compare to them.  First things first:  MY GOD IT WAS HOT YESTERDAY. seriously, I always u...

Pink Martini (think this bossanova-like huge orchestra from Portland) released a holiday album. surprisingly, it's good . I don't know why I wrote "surprisingly." it's not like they could do anything bad. they make me want to drink wine and talk about art. they've been to Erie twice and BOTH TIMES I HAVE MISSED THEM :( .... I just downloaded the Josh Groban Christmas album. why? this is why : he is saying "I am better dressed than you." I am tweeting to him until he responds. .... I am reading this biography of John Cheever, famous American short story writer, which has driven me to perfect my Bostonian accent. JOHN, REMEMBAH YOU AH A CHEEVAH my sister said the New Yorker won't take my shit. psssh.