Oh you are one of the hardcores who like that one eh? While I admit it is not as terrible as it's well-known status of "worst SK book to date," I do find it quite hard to love.
There were some great sections; such as the rant he has at the cocktail party, the dark but honest representations of his drug abuse, and a pretty grotesque (Eraserhead-esque?) alien death scene.
But you have to admit, the book meanders A LOT to the point where it seems like he wrote half of one book, decided to go on a tangent about a pointless crop of far-less-interesting and frankly annoying side characters, and then brings it back to the main characters for a decent, but somewhat disappointing conclusion.
On a positive note, thank you for introducing me to Jason Isbell. His latest record is stellar, and I may check out past work.
Is it ok that I come here more for music recommendations than Coyotes news now? - tom_delonge_ava
Man, the fact that I got someone into Jason Isbell just makes my day. The guy is one of my all-time favorites..I might just have to add one of his I don't have to my Amazon order, now that you bring it up....
As for the Tommyknockers, it gets a bad rap but it's probably my favorite King book, even over IT, the Stand and Salem's Lot - I get the objections to it, but I just love it's almost stream-of-conscience approach to plotting and writing.....I think it's one of the one's he barely remembers writing, plus it's really passionate and has meanings and ideas that go beyond the typical good vs evil nature of a lot of his writing......I don't know, I read it every couple of years and I always like it more and more......plus it's like this book that only King could write, because no else - literally - would ever be allowed to publish a book like that.
You have to remember that King was a titan of the industry - we're talking about a guy with sales numbers of Thriller even though he was writing some hardcore horror/grotesque stuff in the time when books were a major media. If anyone else tried to publish a nearly 1000 page drug-fueled novel that broke basically every rule about writing/publishing/placating your audience, publisher etc. they would have it edited heavily or rejected.
King made it the - I am pretty sure - highest selling book of the 80s. The equivilent of Michael Jackson following Thriller with a Yes inspired prog-rock rocker opera.
That's why it's my favorite.
Here's one for you from the Truckers (Isbell's former band)
Oh and in answer to your question, not only is it OK, it's an honour.
When tool comes out with their next album it will be that much better because they will be that much older. Every album has gotten more complex, and more symbolic since they released undertow. They're a band that's music is built around the structure of the song. If you ever pick apart every single tool song from undertow up until 10,00 days, you find the most genius poop mostly in 10,000 days & lateralus. The time signatures they use, and the time signature changes put emphasis on certain parts of songs, the figurative "climax" of the song if you will, but you really have to search hard to find that "climax". What sounds like the climax, rarely is.
I met maynard one time through my cousin who has a lot of buddies in the music biz. He's the weirdest (frank) I've ever met in my life, cool dude nonetheless.
MJK also went on to tell us about certain tool songs, and mediating a certain way while tripping on 'cid, if you can get to this central state of awareness, your mind opens up new "portals", if you will. My cousin and I did it, i'l be the first to tell you that I haven't been the same person since then (in a good way). There's a lot more to tool than just being a weirdo, heavy metal band. There's a lot of science that goes into their songwriting. Sorry for the essay on tool, if you couldn't tell, im a huge fan lol - benjichronic
I think there's maybe ten celebrities I'd be interested in meeting. Maynard would probably be one of them, but only if you could hang out.....I wouldn't just want to like shake his hand and say hi. Good story. I do anticipate their new album.
I think there's maybe ten celebrities I'd be interested in meeting. Maynard would probably be one of them, but only if you could hang out.....I wouldn't just want to like shake his hand and say hi. Good story. I do anticipate their new album. - James_Tanner
We got to chill with him for a good hour, hour and a half. He was in town promoting his line of really good wine. Like I said, he's a class A weirdo, but for as far out as the man is, he's still super laid back, and down to earth. Sounds like an oxymoron lol He was just one of those people, where he could be talking about what he ate for breakfast and you think, "god, this dudes a (frank)ing genius". Really intelligent dude.
It's a somewhat ballsy move but I think it's the right one. Move the team back to Phoenix proper. Move them in with the Suns. It works just fine for the Avs and decently well for the stars. Screw the glendale drama. Smaller market teams especially struggle if they're in a suburb. I lived in Tampa for 5 years and seeing Rays games in St. Pete was a disaster, meanwhile seeing Bolts games in downtown Tampa was a breeze.
A few of his songs make me think Ryan Adams would be pissed he didn't think of them first. I see some similarities between the two. And RA is one of my fav's.
It's good to hear there are people out there who aren't cynical about King. So many people write him off because he is the best selling author of all time or whatever. But that is the equivalent of writing of MJ because he was popular.
Sometimes a person is successful in spite of success. He is just that damn good of a storyteller. I don't think he has ever tried to pander. And like you say with Tommyknockers, he tried the absolute opposite.
Also people who don't like horror sometimes refuse to read him. But that's just plain silly for a plethora of reasons.
Did you read his book On Writing? It is a very short but rewarding glimpse into his mind.
And Tommyknockers is your absolute fav? Outside of Roland right?
We got to chill with him for a good hour, hour and a half. He was in town promoting his line of really good wine. Like I said, he's a class A weirdo, but for as far out as the man is, he's still super laid back, and down to earth. Sounds like an oxymoron lol He was just one of those people, where he could be talking about what he ate for breakfast and you think, "god, this dudes a (frank)ing genius". Really intelligent dude. - benjichronic
That would be pretty fun. It seems hilarious to me that the guy from Tool has a line of "really good wines."
That actually was a well written song. I've never really listened to much of their stuff before. - benjichronic
Here's another one by the DBT - it's not by Isbell, but by Patterson Hood, the leader of the truckers. If you can listen to this song without almost balling your eyes out, you're a better man than me. Get's me everytime.
A few of his songs make me think Ryan Adams would be pissed he didn't think of them first. I see some similarities between the two. And RA is one of my fav's.
It's good to hear there are people out there who aren't cynical about King. So many people write him off because he is the best selling author of all time or whatever. But that is the equivalent of writing of MJ because he was popular.
Sometimes a person is successful in spite of success. He is just that damn good of a storyteller. I don't think he has ever tried to pander. And like you say with Tommyknockers, he tried the absolute opposite.
Also people who don't like horror sometimes refuse to read him. But that's just plain silly for a plethora of reasons.
Did you read his book On Writing? It is a very short but rewarding glimpse into his mind.
And Tommyknockers is your absolute fav? Outside of Roland right? - tom_delonge_ava
I did read his book on writing. I've read a TON of books on writing, and King's is the best by a ridiculous margin. Yeah, when I was doing my MA my love for King did not go over well with the Jane Smiley crowd.... and yeah, I don't think you can compare his normal books to the DT, but I do probably like Tommyknockers more than any single book in the series.
Here's another one by the DBT - it's not by Isbell, but by Patterson Hood, the leader of the truckers. If you can listen to this song without almost balling your eyes out, you're a better man than me. Get's me everytime.
- James_Tanner
I'll listen to this after I'm done listening to some tool (frank)in thanks james. I'm gonna be on a tool kick for the next 2 months now.
And regarding Maynard's wines, my parents had it a few years ago at this fine fare place, and my pops (he's a major wino) said it was one of the best glasses of wine he's literally ever had. He grows it in northern AZ actually.
Boedker can't be traded because he wouldn't get a lot for him because any team is just gonna look at his stats and not his talent. The Coyotes however, have spent years developing him and can now ice him with some real talent, so I figure he has more value to us than anyone would pay. - James_Tanner
I'll listen to this after I'm done listening to some tool (frank)in thanks james. I'm gonna be on a tool kick for the next 2 months now.
And regarding Maynard's wines, my parents had it a few years ago at this fine fare place, and my pops (he's a major wino) said it was one of the best glasses of wine he's literally ever had. He grows it in northern AZ actually.
https://caduceus.org/ heres the website. Not sure if you're a wine guy or not. - benjichronic
I am not the kind of guy who drinks fancy wine, or who could really tell the difference between wines, but I do enjoy red wine. A lot.
I am not the kind of guy who drinks fancy wine, or who could really tell the difference between wines, but I do enjoy red wine. A lot. - James_Tanner
Lol I'm the same way. I tried a sip of $100/bottle wine from my pops a few months back, I was just like, if anything this tastes worse than a poopty bottle of $12 wine lol Don't throw pearls before swine
And that other song was pretty good too. I like how they infuse country, rock, & hints of jazz together.
Lol I'm the same way. I tried a sip of $100/bottle wine from my pops a few months back, I was just like, if anything this tastes worse than a poopty bottle of $12 wine lol Don't throw pearls before swine
And that other song was pretty good too. I like how they infuse country, rock, & hints of jazz together. - benjichronic
Ever try Ice Wine? That stuff is crazy expensive and really, really good.
Glad you're digging the Truckers, they're probably one of the greatest bands I know.
Ever try Ice Wine? That stuff is crazy expensive and really, really good.
Glad you're digging the Truckers, they're probably one of the greatest bands I know. - James_Tanner
yeah I'm definitely gonna look into them a bunch tonight. That's sort of a sound my band wants to gear towards. Our guitarist/ singer is a huge southern rock/ Americana/ country rock fan, and I'm sure he'd love the sound of them.
yeah I'm definitely gonna look into them a bunch tonight. That's sort of a sound my band wants to gear towards. Our guitarist/ singer is a huge southern rock/ Americana/ country rock fan, and I'm sure he'd love the sound of them.
And nope, never even heard of ice wine. - benjichronic
Ice wine is made from frozen grapes and for whatever reason, it's like a delicacy, you get about a big glass-worth for $50 in Ontario.
If you end up liking the Truckers, here's one more for you. Basically anyone who doesn't like a song about Ronnie Van Zandt and Neil Young is not someone you should trust or hang out with.
(frank)in thanks james. I'm gonna be on a tool kick for the next 2 months now. 
