March 24, 1984

Dear Mr. Vernon,

We accept the fact that we had to sacrifice a whole Saturday in detention for whatever it was we did wrong, but we think you’re crazy to make us write an essay telling you who we think we are. You see us as you want to see us — in the simplest terms and the most convenient definitions. But what we found out is that each one of us is a brain and an athlete, and a basket case, a princess, and a criminal.

Does that answer your question?

Sincerely yours,
The Breakfast Club

Blame it on the Youts

By the time Tigg the Author’s Blame it on the Youts gets to track 8, it’s as stupid-smart as K.C. and the Sunshine Band. The song is “Brand New,” and if it doesn’t make you put on your boogie shoes and shake your groove thing and sound your funky horn, you ain’t breathing. And that it’s nearly as vapid as Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines ft. T.I., Pharrell,” but not nearly as exploitive and more derivative of the previously mentioned Junkanoo evangelist than anyone else. But by the time you get to this track, you don’t mind that it’s a bit of just-fun. Because Tigg has given you a big mouthful of cultural, philosophical, and eclectic joys and smarts by then to get to have a bit of fun.

Dude starts with super-speed calypso moves that will send you to the ceiling on “Enough.” If you’re more of a skanker, wait for track #2, “Zulu Gang,” which delivers a dub / ska beat that will cause you to dig holes in your rug. I know this personally, I did this. Look at my fucking rug. It’s a disaster. And that’s on YOU, Tigg the Author. Your fault. You magnificent artist. Dig.

Until you get to “We Ain’t Scared,” which is a dance obligation. Do I need to keep saying this is a dance record? It just is, and it sounds like ska and it sounds like dance, and it sounds Caribbean, and it sounds a little like Prince, Hit-N-Run something.

The Guardian describes this guy as a “Tanzanian-born, London-raised vocalist.” That makes sense. This guy is eclectic and beautiful and all around the world. If you, like me, were addicted to Introducing the Hardline According to Terence Trent D’Arby in 1987, you are going to going to nut over Blame It on the Youts. This comparison is not obvious. Until it is.

Go get some headphones and listen to this. It is beautiful.

Shot & Taxes

    The Good Things
  • Saw a sublime film this weekend, Pete Davidson’s The King of Staten Island
  • New York is expanding vaccine eligibility to 50+
  • Taxes are done. Thanks, Mom!
  • I don’t make enough time to read, but I’m nearly done (75 percent through) with the current book, A Libertarian Walks Into a Bear
  • It’s 66° and sunny

Since I’m making unordered lists, I might as well share my updated 2021 favorite releases:
  • Revolutionary Love — Ani DiFranco
  • Welfare Jazz — Viagra Boys
  • OK Human — Weezer
  • Human — Shai Maestro
  • I Told You So — Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio
  • Glowing in the Dark — Django Django
  • Debussy, Chopin, Mussorgsky — Behzod Abduraimov
  • Notes With Attachments — Pino Palladino & Blake Mills
  • Blame It On The Youts — Tiggs Da Author
  • We Are — Jon Batiste
  • Daddy’s Country Gold – Melissa Carper