Palate Cleanser

After a few days of heavy posts, I thought I’d write something a bit lighter. Basically, this is going to be a collection of music I’ve been enjoying, a few cute animal videos, and a joke at the end. I hope you enjoy it!

First up, I have really been playing the crap out of Eddie Vedder’s new album, Earthling. It’s really good. The first half sounds like vintage Eddie/Pearl Jam. His voice hasn’t been this strong on a recording since the late 90s. The second half plays out more like a tribute album. There’s a song he wrote and performs with Elton John. There’s a Beatlesesque song that Ringo plays on and would be right at home on Sgt. Peppers. My favorite song so far has been “Brother the Cloud”. There’s a lot of debate online regarding what it’s about. For my money, I think the subjects are the deaths of his brother and Chris Cornell, with Cornell being the main interest. The ending is my favorite part and probably the most beautiful/honest sentiment a person could speak about a friend who dies via suicide. Eddie tells him “fuck you” again and again.

The album opens with a fantastic track, “Invincible”. Its message is simple. “When we love, we are invincible.” It’s a beautiful sentiment and frankly, one we could use right now.

The last track I’ll post isn’t one of the strongest on the album but since I mentioned it, I might as well post it so you know what I am referring to. It’s the Beatles one with Ringo.

There are appearances from Stevie Wonder and Benmont Tench (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers) as well. Vedder’s studio band is comprised of current Red Hot Chili Pepper drummer Chad Smith, former RHCP guitarist/multi-instrumentalist Josh Klinghoffer, and producer Andrew Watt on bass. Watt, best known for his work with Adele and Ozzy Osbourne, also produces the album and truly brings out the best of everyone. Give it a listen.

Speaking of the Chili Peppers, they have a new album coming out next week titled Unlimited Love. I am particularly excited for this one because it marks the return of John Frusciante, their on/off guitarist for all their best work. And if the lead single, “Black Summer” is any indication, it would seem we’re going to be getting vintage Peppers.

Don’t ask me what the hell is going with Anthony Kiedis’s voice. Is that an Irish accent he’s using? Why? Who can say? Hopefully, this is the only song he experiments with it. Online, he’s been given a few new nicknames. Anthony O’Kiedis is my favorite. Another song was released last week and again it seems that it’s classic Chili Peppers funk.

The last bit of music I will share with you comes from across the Atlantic. Spain to be specific. I had never heard of this performer before her performance on SNL and I admit I was impressed, even if I didn’t understand a word of it. Rosalia is a very impressive person and after reading up on her I have a great deal of respect for her. Again, I don’t speak Spanish so I’m not sure this song is about (and no, the English translation doesn’t help much).

But I dig the vibe and the beat and just her overall deal.

Shifting gears a bit, here’s a video compilation of funny animals. I can’t imagine how much time I have spent watching cats and dogs and other furry things doing silly stuff but it’s probably a good amount.

Good stuff.

OK, I promised you a joke. So here you go. It’s from Taylor Tomlinson’s new standup special on Netflix. I cannot recommend it enough. It’s brilliant, funny, insightful, and really cuts to the core of people struggling with mental illness. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Happy Thursday!