Category Archives: arts

I do believe in spooks!

Posted on October 31, 2025 by oddmanout215

Swamp Rabbit was concerned about my mental health. He had decorated the front of his shack with jack-‘o-lanterns and plastic tombstones and so on, and he was wondering why my shack looked so dark and uninviting. “You need some skeletons … Continue reading →

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Satire is no match for a mad king and his minions

Posted on October 6, 2025 by oddmanout215

Swamp Rabbit and I were debating the usefulness of satire in a country whose democratic traditions are being subverted by authoritarian forces. Will poking fun at those forces help? Can satirists wake sane Americans to the fact that the norms … Continue reading →

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Snarky Bill Maher can’t take a joke

Posted on April 28, 2025 by oddmanout215

Bill Maher can dish it out, but he can’t take it. The aging king of snark is still whining about “My Dinner with Adolph,” a satiric op-ed by Larry David that indirectly mocked Maher for dining with Donald Trump and … Continue reading →

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What is this thing called love?

Posted on February 14, 2025 by oddmanout215

My friend Swamp Rabbit took a look my Valentine’s Day playlist — almost the same list I used a few years ago — and began naming all the songs I should have included: “Little Walter’s ‘Just Your Fool,’ the Kinks’ … Continue reading →

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Ruling class loves ‘subversive’ Kendrick Lamar

Posted on February 12, 2025 by oddmanout215

The reviews came gushing in on Monday: “…the Most Hip-Hop Halftime Show in Super Bowl History” (Billboard); “Kendrick Lamar’s performance was as Black and subversive as all get-out” (Washington Post); “The best word to describe the rapper’s halftime show is … Continue reading →

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Jingle this: the 2023 alt-Xmas playlist

Posted on December 26, 2023 by oddmanout215

My neighbor Swamp Rabbit looked puzzled when he checked out my Christmas playlist. “What’s up, Odd Man? I ain’t never heard most of them tunes.” “That’s because you only get to hear the standards, and most of them suck, ” … Continue reading →

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Halloween songs (I DO believe in spooks!)

Posted on October 31, 2023 by oddmanout215

Swamp Rabbit wasn’t happy with my new playlist. “You’re a sick pup, Odd Man. Most of these songs ain’t got nothin’ to do with Halloween.” I shook my head and pressed the “Play” button on my phone. “Au contraire, my … Continue reading →

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Jann Wenner’s R&R ‘masters’ are all rich white guys

Posted on September 20, 2023 by oddmanout215

Rolling Stone founder Jann Wenner’s book of interviews he conducted with famous rock ‘n’ roll artists will be published next week. It’s called The Masters, and its subjects are Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Mick Jagger, Jerry Garcia, Pete Townshend, Bono … Continue reading →

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Robbie Robertson (1943-2023) and the rock of ages

Posted on August 16, 2023 by oddmanout215

Swamp Rabbit and I were talking about the death at age 80 of Robbie Robertson, lead guitarist and main songwriter in the Band, one of the most artful and influential acts in rock ‘n’ roll history. I’m tempted to use … Continue reading →

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DeSantis: Let’s look on the bright side of slavery

Posted on August 2, 2023 by oddmanout215

I showed Swamp Rabbit recent articles about Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who backs the state requirement that middle-schoolers in Texas be taught that “slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit.” The requirement, part … Continue reading →

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