The daily open thread which operates between 11 AM and 11 PM where you can talk about whatever besides politics and Minions
The header photo is a promotional pic from the British cop show Line of Duty. It continues the long tradition of promotional materials for British crime procedurals which have a house style: members of the cast put Very Serious Expressions … Continue reading The Day Thread Puts On Its Game Face And Looks Directly Into the Camera (11/13)
This is part of a series of mini-reviews of Paul McCartney’s studio albums, ranked worst to best. (Don’t worry; I’ll keep them short.) Next in line: Flowers In The Dirt WHY IT’S GREAT: Strong songs, good production, good band. May be too polished for some. Not me. Paul’s collaboration with Elvis Costello on four numbers also helps a lot. BEST SONGS: My Brave Face; You Want Her Too (duet with Elvis); Put It There; This One; Motor of Love (which Spouse and I danced to at our wedding). WORST SONGS: Où Est Le Soleil is a dumb dance tune. WHY … Continue reading The Day Thread Ranks Paul McCartney’s Albums: #6
Today is a little difficult! But it’s okay. Because I have the Day Thread! And &TEAM! And SHINee! And, most recently, TOMORROW X TOGETHER! So, that gives me a lot of joy and love, making even difficult days better. It … Continue reading The 8/11 Day Thread is Okay
Sometimes an album doesn’t really do anything for me the first time I listen to it. And then I listen again, and it suddenly clicks. SHINee’s Atmos is not one of those albums. The first time I heard it, I … Continue reading The 8/10 Day Thread is an Anti Believer
This is part of a series of mini-reviews of Paul McCartney’s studio albums, ranked worst to best. (Don’t worry; I’ll keep them short.) Next in line: McCartney II. WHY IT’S GREAT: It’s an album made almost entirely of Paul solo (Linda’s on two tracks) and almost entirely at home. Highly experimental and ahead of its time. BEST SONGS: Coming Up; Temporary Secretary; Waterfalls; Darkroom. WORST SONGS: The two instrumentals are dispensable. WHY YOU SHOULD TRY IT: See my lengthy review on the Avocado: https://the-avocado.org/2017/11/05/music-album-review-mccartney-ii/ Continue reading The Day Thread Ranks Paul McCartney’s Albums: #8
I wouldn’t want to face him in a 90s rap battle, let me tell ya… Continue reading It’s Buddy’s Day Thread!
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Pedro Almodóvar classic, Volver. It was a international arthouse success and Penelope Cruz gained her first Oscar nomination for her performance (Best Actress; she lost to Helen Mirren for The Queen). Pedro … Continue reading The Day Thread Celebrates “Volver” at 20
Actor Ella Raines was born on this day in 1920. She starred in several film noirs, such as Phantom Lady and Impact, but also worked in other genres, including comedies (notably Preston Sturges’ Hail the Conquering Hero), westerns and thrillers. … Continue reading The 8/6 Day Thread of Ella Raines
Key is super cool. I love his music. I love his style. I love his attitude. I just think he’s cool. Maybe you’ll like him too! If you’re interested in some awesome 80’s synth pop I recommend you check him … Continue reading The 8/5 Day Thread is Killer
This is part of a series of mini-reviews of Paul McCartney’s studio albums, ranked worst to best. (Don’t worry; I’ll keep them short.) Next in line: Press To Play. WHY IT’S GREAT: Hear me out! A lot of fans hate this album, but I love it, although I recognize it’s got an Eighties production which feels dated to many fans. But here Paul decided to take some chances, and produced some of his most experimental material, cowriting many of the tracks with Eric Stewart of 10cc fame. I love the adventurousness, the sound, the songs. It’s probably my favorite McCartney … Continue reading The Day Thread Ranks Paul McCartney’s Albums: #10
Bom dia, boa tarde, e boa noite, meus ‘Cados! This is the Brazilian Gringo (aka Ice Cream Planet) and today, I wanted to discuss Língua Brasileira de Sinais (aka Libras), otherwise known as Brazilian Sign Language. the origins of Libras … Continue reading The Day Thread Learns Libras (Brazilian Sign Language)
This is part of a series of mini-reviews of Paul McCartney’s studio albums, ranked worst to best. (Don’t worry; I’ll keep them short.) Next in line: Red Rose Speedway, Paul McCartney and Wings. This is where we begin getting into great albums. WHY IT’S GOOD: Wings had become practiced and successful enough for Paul to gain confidence and produce a really good record. Originally it was a double album, but he wisely cut it down to a single. It’s not world-changing rock, but it’s a batch of top-notch silly love songs. And what’s wrong with that? BEST SONGS: Big Barn … Continue reading The Day Thread Ranks Paul McCartney’s Albums: #12
I actually woke up prepared to apologize for missing the 7/30 Open Thread I signed up for, but it turns out I signed up for 7/31, so go me! But also, I’ve got nothing. So here you go, a brief … Continue reading A Purrrrrfect Day Thread (7/31/26)
“Shhhhhh!!!!” Continue reading The Day Thread has “the plan”
This is part of a series of mini-reviews of Paul McCartney’s studio albums, ranked worst to best. (Don’t worry; I’ll keep them short.) Next in line: Back To The Egg, Wings. WHY IT’S AVERAGE: One of my favorites because it’s mostly rock and roll. But it has some really weak songs on Side Two. BEST SONGS: Getting Closer; We’re Open Tonight; Spin It On; Old Siam, Sir; Arrow Through Me; So Glad To See You Here. WORST SONGS: After The Ball/Million Miles; Winter Rose/Love Awake; The Broadcast; Baby’s Request. WHY YOU SHOULD TRY IT: Chris Thomas’s production makes the rockers … Continue reading The Day Thread Ranks Paul McCartney’s Albums: #14
This is part of a series of mini-reviews of Paul McCartney’s studio albums, ranked worst to best. (Don’t worry; I’ll keep them short.) Next in line: Venus and Mars, Wings. WHY IT’S AVERAGE: It followed Band on the Run and suffers by comparison. Only one or two songs really stand out from the pack. BEST SONGS: The title medley Venus And Mars/Rock Show; Listen To What The Man Said. WORST SONGS: Letting Go; Call Me Back Again; Treat Her Gently/Lonely Old People; Crossroads, an instrumental. WHY YOU SHOULD TRY IT: It’s a nice listen. It’s just not a worldbeater. Again, … Continue reading The Day Thread Ranks Paul McCartney’s Albums: #16
“As long as you remember it, things will be okay.” Continue reading Day Thread
“And…I don’t have any flowers.” Continue reading Day Thread
Interrupting my ranking of Paul McCartney’s albums to insert a quick review of all his singles which didn’t make it onto albums. These have letter grades and are in chronological order instead of being ranked from worst to best. (Just the major singles; I didn’t include every “lost” track.) Another Day/Oh Woman Oh Why: A sad story of a lonely working woman backed with a kinky masochistic rocker. In other words, something for everyone. B/A+ Give Ireland Back To The Irish: Inspired by Bloody Sunday. A for intentions, C for execution. Mary Had A Little Lamb/Little Woman Love: A new … Continue reading The Day Thread Reviews Paul McCartney’s Singles: Special Edition
This is part of a series of mini-reviews of Paul McCartney’s studio albums, ranked worst to best. (Don’t worry; I’ll keep them short.) Next in line: Flaming Pie WHY IT’S AVERAGE: I think Paul leans too hard into the Beatles nostalgia. Plus, a lot of the songs just aren’t strong. But the good ones are classics. BEST SONGS: The World Tonight; Somedays; Calico Skies, an acoustic number right up there with Blackbird or Yesterday; Heaven On A Sunday; Little Willow, about Maureen Starkey’s death from leukemia; Beautiful Night, with Ringo on vocals and drums. WORST SONGS: The title track, which … Continue reading The Day Thread Ranks Paul McCartney’s Albums: #17
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