From the Beat: Back on the Sideline for 2022

 

I returned to the sideline on Friday night, covering a high school football game between Fulton and Galena High Schools in northwestern, Illinois. I covered a couple playoffs games last fall, but this was the first Friday night game that I had been too since 2019. 

Because of the printing schedule, SVM has way earlier deadlines than when I left the Sports Editor position late in 2015. That being said, I asked not to be assigned games that would be included in the paper editions on Saturday morning. I have too many concerns with technology to be relied upon in that manner, which proved prophetic last night, as our internet service was slow and my emails were getting caught in SVM’s spam filter for some reason. 

I’ve come into this season wanting to try some different things each game that I can include as blog posts. I thought last night I would try taking some photos. It turns out that there is a reason I’m a writer. I did get a few OK ones, the best I thought was this silhouette of myself. I had a few others, but I am having an issue getting them to load on our desktop today. 

As far as the game story went, I struggled to come up with a lede. I have always been a strong believer in writing ledes that hook readers, and I couldn’t quite find one last night. I liked a quote one of the Fulton players provided about preparing each week for the team they wanted to be rather than the team they were playing. I wanted to build the story around that since while the Steamers won, they suffered a few stretches where penalties and mental mistakes cost them, including almost letting Galena back into the game during the second quarter. 

As it turns out, I felt much the same about the story I put together. Ultimately, it wasn’t where I wanted it to be. Good thing it was the first week for me, too, and hopefully by the end of the fall, I’ll find my groove again.

Here is a link to my game story: https://www.shawlocal.com/friday-night-drive/news/2022/08/27/good-start-for-fulton-better-to-come/

Try-It Tuesday (8-23-22): American Slang by Gaslight Anthem

 

Note: On Tuesdays I will be reviewing albums that are new or at least new to me.

Album Released: 2010

About Gaslight Anthem: They formed in 2006 in New Brunswick, New Jersey. American Slang was the band’s third album. The band went on hiatus from 2015 until announcing in March 2022 that they were working on a sixth album.

Members: Brian Fallon (Lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Alex Rosamillia (Lead guitar, backing vocals), Alex Levine (bass guitar, backing vocals), Benny Horowitz (drums, percussion).

What I Know: I stumbled upon singles “45” and “Blue Jeans & White T-Shirts” sometime over the last decade. I like their pop-punk sound.

Did You Know? According to stacker.com, Bae is the most popular slang among American youth. It is a term of endearment for a beloved person in your life. … Lead singer is also a part of the duo the “Horrible Crowes.”

Why this album: One of the songs was featured in my Spotify “Discover Weekly” playlist. I had enjoyed previous things I’d heard from this band but have never taken a deep dive into their catalogue.

My thoughts on American Slang: The longest song on this album is 4 minutes, 12 seconds, and it’s clear this a group trying to write catchy, steady beat, guitar-driven rock. I’m fine with that. The vocal and lead guitar tones are distinctive, and they lean into both regularly.

The title track opens the album, it’s the most popular song according to Spotify. It sets the tone and pace I mentioned above.

I think this an album if I listened to it twenty times, I could start to distinguish the individual tracks, but after a first listen it was hard to pinpoint much unique from one song to the next. The exceptions to this are the title track, which I think is just a cut above the rest, and the final track.

The album closer is “We Did It When We Were Young.” The pace is slower, but the layered vocals provide some interesting moments. The rock vocal on top is nearly the same as the rest of the album, but slowed down, and below that is a lower, deeper backing vocal that provides an echo effect. The wall of sound builds as the song crescendos. Just an effective tune.

The Wrap: This has a very 2000s sound, reminiscent of a band like the Ataris. If you are into that, you’ll like this album. Like I said, the standout points are the title track and the final track. Nothing in-between stands out after one listen.

You’re Up: Let me know your thoughts on this album, or anything new to you that you are listening to this week.

Poetry - Ode to Rejection

I have a subscription to "Writer's Digest" and each issue they have a Poetic Aside which showcases a poetic form. I usually try to write one using that form just as a writing exercise. Then, each year I enter one at the Carroll County Fair. Below is a poem I wrote sometime in the last year (I haven't had a chance to go back to clarify the form of poem it is. I'll post a note, if I find it). 

From what I remember is that each line had to be seven syllables. Each stanza is four lines. The second and fourth lines have an end rhyme. The last word of Line 1 rhymes with the third syllable of Line 2, and the last word of Line 3 rhymes with the fifth syllable of Line 4. 

When one submits to magazines, agents, and publishers often, you tend to get used to form letters of rejection. Sometimes more is offered, but often it is a "thanks for sending" and "doesn't fit what we're looking for." type response. Below is a satire of one of those letters. 

By the way, this took the blue ribbon at the fair. :). 

Ode to Rejection

Dear Mr. Writer, Thanks For
Sending your story to us
Though we enjoyed your tight prose
Your plot never rose much fuss.

It circled and circled down
As a clown fumbles a joke
And trips over too big shoes
Best read with cold booze, plus toke.

The characters are well drawn
Like a yawn or a sad song
Played loud when the mood is soft
You misuse words oft, just wrong.

Please don’t suffer denial
No retrial for your book.
We suggest a new vocation
Or hobby for fun. Fry cook?

Try-It Tuesday (8-2-22): The Country by Tennessee Jet

 

Note: On Tuesdays I will be reviewing albums that are new or at least new to me.

Album Released: 2020

About Tennessee Jet: It’s the stage name for singer/songwriter TJ McFarland – note he was raised in Oklahoma.

Members: Just McFarland, although Dwight Yoakam’s touring band play a prominent role on this album.

What I Know: Nothing. Never heard of this fellow, but it came up on Spotify and thought I’d give it a go.

Did You Know? Tennessee Jet’s parents were rodeo performers. …His musical idols are The White Stripes and Kurt Cobain. … This is his third album.

Why this album: See What I Know.

My thoughts on The Country: This has the feel of an alternative country album in the vein of Uncle Tupelo and Son Volt, as it blends old-time country, folk, and rock ‘n roll. It was his goal to showcase the range of country on this album. I hear a little of Steve Earle in his voice.

• The opening tune “Stray Dogs” is a borderline rocker with a nice hook. It’s the most listened to original tune on the album.
• The second tune, “The Raven & the Dove,” has some classic steel guitar and some solid harmonica.
• “Johnny” is the third track, and it is a tribute to Johnny Horton. It features some heavy rock-influenced guitar and drumlines.
• The first of two covers is fourth with Townes Van Zandt’s “Pancho & Lefty.” He gets help on this one from Cody Jinks, Paul Cauthen and Elizabeth Cook, and some nice horns. Just a great song, and a nice take on it.
• “Off to War” is a slower, statement song, followed by a honky-tonk type of tune in “Hands on You.” He then swings into a ballad for a country dance in “Someone to You.”
• The title track delivers the message of the album with the line: “I miss you like the country, radio don’t play anymore.” This is an ode to what should be on country radio rather than the pop drivel country that pollutes the airwaves. This tune is a straightforward acoustic song with vocals, and it’s well done.
• The second cover is the ninth of ten songs in the Black Crowes’ “She Talks to Angels,” and he gives it a bluegrass sound. It’s an interesting take, with banjo, violin, and solid backing female vocals.

The Wrap: I like the experiment of purposefully taking a tour of the various sounds of country music. If you like off-the-beaten path country, this is one for you to check out. If you want songs about drinking and summer and girls in jean shorts, it’s probably not for you.

You’re Up: Let me know your thoughts on this album, or anything new to you that you are listening to this week.