The Goodness Vol. 1

September 25, 2018

Hi friends, to combat the orange miasma pervading our country’s soul I’ve started a weekly newsletter highlighting some of the many wonderful things we can still embrace like music, art, books, nonsense and my new dogs (pictured above).

So here it is (drum intro from Jawbreaker’s “Shield Your Eyes”)… The Goodness Vol. 1!

“The Echo Of The World” by Cloud Nothings

Just when I thought this band could not get any better they proved me wrong. How dare they! I am 100% all in on this aggressive shoegaze burner. New record drops October 19th.

6 Breathtaking Zaha Hadid Designs in Faraway Places – “There are three hundred and fifty-nine other degrees,” she was known to say. “Why limit yourself to one?”

Guy Who Likes Music – I really like this guy who likes music. Check out more likable things from @gabegundacker.

Lodge 49 airs Mondays 10/9c on AMC

Kick back with this hypnotic, funny and empathetic tale of lost souls finding companionship and mystery. You should also follow show creator @jimatdeltaco on twitter because he is the goddamn best.

https://youtu.be/zefUMaa5W7w

“The Dragon Prince” on Netflix

If you are a fan of “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” the greatest animated series ever IMHO, check out this new offering from their creative team. Like “Avatar,” it’s packed with humor, heart and top-notch writing.

News You Can Use

The Themis Files by Sylvain Neuvel

Get ready to pick up and not put down Sleeping Giants, Waking Gods, and Only Human — a riveting trilogy about of a group of scientists tracking down and assembling a giant mysterious robot. Think “Pacific Rim” meets “Arrival.”

Willie Nelson and Alison Krauss Show Poster by Aren Vandenburgh

May 22, 2018 – Champaign IL – Official Gig Poster – 18×24 – $30.00

Built To Spill Show Poster by Aren Vandenburgh

May 15 & 16, 2018 – Seattle, Washington – Official Gig Poster – 18×24 – $30.00

What’s in My Bag – I get a lot of stellar music recommendations from this informative and fun series brought to you by Amoeba Records. Here are two of my favorite episodes with Philly legend King Britt and Danish black metal vocalist/composer Myrkur.

Eliud Kipchoge Breaks Marathon World Record

Unlike this showoff, I run marathons slowly because I like to take in the scenery at a pace where one can really appreciate nature and… I kid, I run slowly because I am old and my body is falling apart.  I recently watched the Berlin Marathon while destroying a bag of chips and was utterly amazed at the pace Kipchoge was running. “Surely he will slow up in the last 6,” I thought as I washed down a fistful of said chips with a Tröegs Solid Sender. He did not. He crushed it in epic fashion: “Kipchoge’s average pace for the marathon is faster than any other human being has ever run for either half of a full marathon.”

“Magic Camp” – Teen and pre-teen prestidigitators hone their tricks of the trade at a spellbinding summer camp.

Grow into a Ghost by Swearin’

“Fall into the Sun” drops October 5, 2018. Pre-Order here. Go Philly!

‘LP5000’ by Restorations

Stream the new record by Restorations on NPR and then order this beautiful slab of vinyl. Every. Track. is. Gold. Again, Go Philly!

ALL THE ANSWERS: A Graphic Memoir by Michael Kupperman

Cartoonist and illustrator Michael Kupperman tells the true story of his ‘Quiz Kid’ father in this fascinating and affecting graphic novel. Make sure to follow @MKupperman on Twitter, he’s very funny.

My Favorite Albums Made by Canadians

I am an American but many people confuse me for Canadian because I am very polite and I’m always wearing a D.O.A. t-shirt. Not bragging but I’ve been to Montreal once and I do enjoy many Canadian things like that part of the country where they filmed the first five seasons of the X-Files, Martin Short, three April Wine videos from the 80s, and of course the national animal of Canada (I’m guessing), the majestic Moose. Here is a hastily assembled list of my favorite albums made by the fine people of The Great White North. Feel free to yell at me about what I’m missing. And no, I’ve never heard a Tragically Hip song, I’m very busy.

Neil Young – “After The Gold Rush” – 1970

Propagandhi – “Supporting Caste” – 2009

The Nils – “The Nils” – 1987

The Weakerthans – “Reconstruction Site” – 2003

Fucked Up – “David Comes to Life” – 2011

Doughboys – “Whatever” – 1987

Rush – “Moving Pictures” – 1981

Stars – “Set Yourself On Fire” – 2004

SNFU – “Better Than A Stick In The Eye” – 1988

The New Pornographers – “Electric Version” – 2003

The Haunter (Sam the Spectator Book 1) by Kendra Alvey

You had me at “teen goth attempts to use her secret ghost-seeing powers.” Follow @Kendragarden for latest goth goodness.

My Favorite New York Accent Ever

Podcast Recommendation: Volcano Vinyl – I really enjoy kicking back with the two Brians and listening to them spin an entire vinyl record and discuss what they like and what they do not. They’re both musicians so they have some legit music geek insights and they respectfully tackle a wide array of genres.  Here’s a very special episode with a slightly annoying Evan Dando fan boy who dropped by Potato’s House on Baloney Avenue last spring…

Some Tweet Goodness

See ya next time!

Jeff Lyons

Author: Jeff Lyons

I am the proprietor of this dumb site and Philly Trail Runners. I also co-host Junk Miles with Chip & Jeff. You can follow my daily nonsense on Twitter and Bluesky .