Category Archives: pop music

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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12 songs for the new year

Posted on January 6, 2025 by oddmanout215

Swamp Rabbit was nonplussed. “What’s with the playlist, Odd Man? New Year’s was six days ago. And most of these songs ain’t even about New Year’s.” I told him that 2025 was still new, and that it took me a … Continue reading →

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A playlist to celebrate the winter solstice

Posted on December 24, 2024 by oddmanout215

I walked past Swamp Rabbit’s shack yesterday and heard him grumbling about the early darkness as he tried to install a gigantic inflatable Santa Claus out front. “Quit complaining,” I said. “Yesterday was the winter solstice. That means we might … 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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A bigoted Earthling with interplanetary dreams

Posted on September 28, 2023 by oddmanout215

My neighbor Swamp Rabbit and I saw a news report about Elon Musk, who wants to direct the course of wars and launch billionaires to Mars. He owns a big chunk of social media and is in the electric car … 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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Behold! Seven-headed dragons just up ahead.

Posted on July 24, 2023 by oddmanout215

I was telling Swamp Rabbit about former VP Al Gore’s recent comments on global warming, which included this one-liner: “Every night the TV news is like taking a nature hike through the Book of Revelation.” “That’s pretty funny,” Swamp Rabbit … Continue reading →

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A wake-up call, or just an excuse to zone out?

Posted on July 17, 2023 by oddmanout215

I forgot to turn off the radio before I left my shack to go to work. My cats, Thoughts and Prayers, were locked in and had to listen all day to scary weather reports on NPR. No wonder they seemed … Continue reading →

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Somebody give me a ($700) cheeseburger!

Posted on May 28, 2023 by oddmanout215

“My birthday’s comin’ up,” Swamp Rabbit said. “Maybe I’ll go uptown and treat myself to one of them $700 burgers.” He was referring to the beer garden in Philly whose menu reportedly includes “the most expensive burger in America.” Presumably, … Continue reading →

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