SOUNDTRACK: BILLIE JOE ARMSTRONG-“I Think We’re Alone Now” (2020).
This quarantine has already brought out a ton of creative work from musicians. If not new items, exactly, then certainly a lot of home concerts. And also a lot of cover songs.
Billie Joe Armstrong released the first cover that I heard about that was specifically quarantine themed (even if jokingly).
It includes a homemade video (of what one might do at home with a lot of time on your hands).
So, yes it’s a cover of the song by Tommy James and the Shondells. It’s about 2 minutes long and it’s terrific.
A simple. formulaic Green Day pop punk take on a simple, formulaic pop song. It’s instantly recognizable as Billie Joe. He recorded the song in his bedroom. I feel like it sounds like it’s not the full band (the drums are really simple and the bass isn’t as prominent as usual). But it’s a really short poppy song, so the spareness is understandable.
Whatever the case, it’s a fun cover and one of the, by now, dozens of fun things musicians have done to keep busy.
[READ: March 20, 2020] Comics Squad: Detention!
I really enjoyed the first two Comics Squad books and I was delighted when T. got this third one. I wanted to read it when she brought it home, but I forgot all about it until I saw it the other day.
And what a better time to read a book about detention than during a quarantine.
Like the first collection, this one is edited by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm (Babymouse/Squish) and Jarrett J. Krosoczka (Lunch Lady).
This book has comics from Krosoczka, George O’Connor (the Olympians series), Victoria Jamieson (Rollergirl), Ben Hatke (many many great books), Rafael Rosado & Jorge Aguirre, Lark Pien, Matt Phelan and the Holm siblings.
Like the previous book, the Holms and Krosoczka sprinkle the book with comments and interstitials from Babymouse and Lunch Lady. Like that Babymouse is in detention and Lunch Lady is going to slide her some cookies (no cupcakes?). (more…)