SOUNDTRACK: THE DUDE OF LIFE & PHISH-Crimes of the Mind (1994).
Crimes of the Mind is the debut album from The Dude of Life, Steve Pollak, a childhood friend of Trey Anastasio and a lyrical contributor to many of Phish’s early songs. Phish is the backing band for the entire album.
The album was recorded in 1991 but wasn’t released until 1994. The Dude of Life performed several of these songs in a live setting with Phish on a number of occasions.
Of all of the “Phish” albums, this is the one I listen to the least.
The main riff of “Chalkdust Torture” was used in the song “Self” on this album.
Dude
“Dahlia” is a kind of sloppy rock song—it certainly has a Phish feel to it, but as soon as the vocals come in, you know it’s going to be different. Lyrically, however, it sounds a lot like crazy early Phish—a song about a girl who is a little nuts and a really catchy melody. The song has a weird climax with the sucking Cherry Charms Blow Pops line.
“Family Picture” opens with a watery bass, it has a kind of silly Phish-iness to it—you wouldn’t be surprised if Phish played it but again, although Dude’s voice makes it much sillier. Once again there’s a fun chorus and a rather silly guitar solo. “Self” is a wonderfully selfish song (“I don’t care about anyone but myself”). I also like that he rhymes “bluer” with “sewer.” Once the song starts rocking, it features the main riff as “Chalkdust Torture” and then it really takes off.
“Crimes of the Mind” is a simple song with a catchy chorus. “She’s Bitchin’ Again” has a very cool guitar riff and motif, and while the lyrics are funny, the addition of the woman bitchin’ at him is a bit much (especially since her voice is quite unpleasant and isn’t quite singing). “TV Show” is the first thing that’s close to a ballad. It starts slowly but after the sound of keyboards building and ramping up, the song kicks into high gear with the chorus of “life is a TV show that should have been canceled long ago.” “Trials and Tribulations” is a funny/weird romantic song about the Swiss Miss, Captain Crunch and Mr Clean, with a cute melody for the guitar riff.
“Lucy in the Subway” is of course a kind of follow up/piss take on “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.” It sounds nothing like The Beatles’ song, being a simple, rather than psychedelic song, but that befits the tone about a girl down on her luck–she is “with daffodils” if you were wondering about the D). “Ordinary Day” is the kind of simple song—singing about nothing happening—that makes you wonder how people write them. “Revolution’s Over” is as close to punk as this line up will get—fast drums, fast tinny guitar and a quick riff. The middle has some funky weird jam stuff
“King of Nothing” is a slow, almost ponderous song (except that Dude’s voice is more goofy than deep).
Since Pollak contributed much to Phish’s early silliness it’s not surprising that these songs are rather silly too. But the band plays really well and holds it all together.
[READ: November 14, 2016] Stone Animals
Back in 2014, I ordered all 16 books from Madras Press. believing that I’d been told about a cool gem of a publisher. And I had been. Unfortunately, after publishing the 16 books they seem to have gone out of business or so. They still have a web presence where you can buy remaining copies of books. But what a great business idea this is/was
Madras Press publishes limited-edition short stories and novella-length booklets and distributes the proceeds to a growing list of non-profit organizations chosen by our authors. The format of our books provides readers with the opportunity to experience stories on their own, with no advertisements or miscellaneous stuff surrounding them.
The format is a 5″ x 5″ square books that easily fit into a pocket.
Proceeds from Link’s book go to The Fistula Foundation.
Many of the books from Madras Press have been unusual–some of them downright surreal. And this book, which finished up series 3, is no exception.
I started to read this when I was on a camping trip–I was tired and exhausted from a long day, and I genuinely thought I was having lack of concentration issues because this story didn’t really seem logical. When I read it again in the light of day, it still didn’t exactly seem logical, but I was able to follow it a little better.
The story follows a family–husband and wife and two kids. They are moving from New York City to the suburbs. The house that they are purchasing has two giant stone rabbits on the front porch. The children’s don’t want to leave the city exactly but the adults are pleased with the house. (more…)
Read Full Post »
SOUNDTRACK: The sounds of trump supporters violating our National Buildings in a failed Insurrection plot (2021).
I Just Read About That... 