Thursday, February 12, 2026

Modern Life Dept. - Amazon Warehouse Workers "Paid In John Zorn CDs"

Global spunk-bucket takes selfie at flagship facility, Almas Perdidas, Mexico
 

You'll know art-jazzer John Zorn [below - Ed.] for releasing more recordings than the rest of the music industry put together. "I try to issue a new CD every ten minutes or so," says Zorn from his basement duplex in leafy Hackensack, "but occasionally they can take up to a couple of hours to write and perform."

But what you won't know is that his prodigious output has now filled the purpose-built Amazon warehouse at Almas Perdidas, Mexico. Zorn again: "Jeff is, like, a huge fan of my work, so I was flattered when he literally razed like an entire town to store and distribute my music, but apparently it's at capacity already! You can't even slide in a single disc without its jewel case." 

John Zorn, yesterday

 

Zorn [left - Ed.] blames the economy for the stockpile of billions of unsold recordings. "Jeff tells me sales of his signature anal beads and weighted cat blankets, once the mainstay of the business, are at an all-time low. When people can't afford the essentials, luxuries like food and healthcare take a hammering."

The solution? Online crapfest cockroach Jeff Bezos now pays his workers in John Zorn CDs! "It's a win-win situation," smiles Bezos at the olympic-grade ski run on his diamond-studded mile-long ocean liner. "Everyone benefits, from me down to the shareholders!"




Intergalactic dump-humper on motivational tour of workers' lodgings, Almas Perdidas
 


Jesus Iglesias, Executive Logistics Officer at Almas Perdidas [left- Ed.], concurs. "Mister Bezos, he is the great man! I build the new home for my family with the John Zorn box sets! And my wife Conchita, she make the tortillas from the inserts and from the booklets! We are so happy! Please, Mister Zorn, make many new wonderful CDs! Five stars!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the second of our Pulitzer Prize-nom investigative journalism op-eds covering Modern Life. Read the first here.

Tuesday, February 10, 2026

Get Goosed!

Oh come on! We've all been there!


Last year, Goose's Everything Must Go was unanimously voted [by you - Ed.] Album O' Th' Year! Since then it's been a real and rare pleasure to work back through their catalog. If you "dig" the now sounds of uptempo rock, pop, and roll, these swingin' long-playing elpee records will get yer arthritic old toes a-tappin'!

Those oh-so-musical qualities that put them ahead of everyday, lackluster beat combos? Why, here they are in full!



Likeable vocals from folks who can actually carry a tune. So important.

 

 

Tunes. Goose is often likened to Humphrey McGee And His Phishes, but these guys hang their chops on actual songs. Songs you can remember. Even you. Chord changes that don't leave a chalky aftertaste!

 

 

Did I hear you say technical proficiency? No, on account which you don't use that-type langwidge. But, oboy, do these chaps got chops! Out th' ass!

 

 

 

"G-String Gussie" Gooselips [left - Ed.] sez: "I am literally like so up for getting Goosed by these fellows!"

 

Monday, February 9, 2026

Shirley & Dolly Collins Dept. - Rasta Sistas!

Cover art by Family Man Dave© at Kingstown Kinko


Soon after their ahead-of-its-time Gangsta Sistahs album got canned by the neckbeards at Topic, Shirley & Dolly Collins took a much-needed vacation in sunny Jamaica! Let's let the sisters take up the story:

Shirl: The first thing we noticed was how attentive the dark-skinned native gentlemen were!

Doll: Courteous to a fault! They never really left our side. Found us free accommodation!

Shirl:  Charming little beach hut miles from anywhere! Irie!

Doll: And they introduced us to their fascinating religious ceremonies.

Shirl: A lot of herbal remedies, an' t'ing! My goodness!

Doll: We reveled in or new-found freedom!

Shirl: (laughs) Not too many clothes required, as I remember!

Doll: It was too hot! Anyway, we couldn't find them.

Shirl: Musically, it was a life-changing experience. We soon adopted their riddims, and recorded some dub-wise plates in honour of Hailie Selassie's return.

Doll: Irie!

Shirl: Chris Blackwell found us and called the police, the big spoilsport. And no, he didn't even release the album.

(The sisters gather at the harmonium)

 

O as I was going to Kingston Town 

Irie-down, natty-down, pass the dutchie to the left hand side

'Twas heavy manners going down

Irie-down, natty-down, pass the dutchie to the left hand side

My love he was the fairest of the fair

Irie-down, dilly-down, pass the dutchie to the left hand side

With his ebony skin and dreadlock hair

Irie-down, natty-down, pass the dutchie to the left hand side

He promised I would be his bride

Irie-down, natty-down, pass the dutchie to the left hand side

On the Black Star Liner we would ride

Irie-down, natty-down, pass the dutchie to the left hand side

But the ticket came at such a cost

Irie-down, natty-down, pass the dutchie to the left hand side

My maidenhood I willingly lost 

Irie-down, natty-down, pass the dutchie to the left hand side


This post funded by Black Star Eyeliner™ from Maybelline®

 

Sunday, January 25, 2026

Core Four Dept. - Th' Doobies

One a year, 72-75. Business as usual back then, unbelievable now.


 
The Warner Bros. label back then was a guarantee of swell entertainment, recording-wise. Quality all down the line - sharp A&R men picking up exciting talent, great bands making great records in beautiful sleeves. I mean, gee whiz! The Doobies were rightly seen as essential investments, albums you'd spend a lot of time with, get a lot out of. I still do, over fifty freaking years later. Although they did some other good stuff, these four are the core. The band was always more concerned with making you feel as good as they did, rather than being cool. They were right. 
 

 


(I just wanted to see something great at the top of the blog, as I'll be stepping back a little, again, again!)

Saturday, January 24, 2026

Albums What Never Was But Should Of Dept. - Shirley And Dolly Collins

Sleeve reconstruction incorporates RI Technology (Real Ignorance™)


Back in 1979, the Collins Sisters career was at a crossroads. Their first two albums on Harvest garnered mildly enthusiastic reviews, but sales were disappointing. Sales figures went into the red after thousands of disappointed prog fans returned their copies. Their third album on the trend-setting Topic label suffered from poor promotion (a postcard in the window of their local Post Office) and led to a long hiatus.

SC Dolly had substance issues, basically.

DC (laughs) Substance issues! My goodness!

SC And we got a "bad rep" for leaving hotel rooms a little untidy.

DC Shirl threw her zither into the pool! (does rock and roll "horns" gesture)

SC Happy days! 

FT3 So you decided to up your game?

SC We heard Grandmaster Flash and his Wheels Of Steel on the wireless, and it was like a revelation!

DC It was the new folk music! Music of the common man!

SC We decided there and then to record our own "rap gangster" long-player!

FT3 Apparently it was a step in the wrong direction for the neckbeards at Topic?

DC They refused to release it. It was a bitter disappointment.

FT3 Could you still perform the material today?

(The ladies gather around the harmonium)

It was on September morning my love he did make bold

Arrayed in costly pantaloons and rings of solid gold

He gaily threw me in the boot of his German limousine

O shut the fuck up bitch you my ho now I gonna treat you mean

With a hey nonny nonny ho and a rilly down dilly-o

Shoot this shit and swallow this pilly-o

Smack up my bitch-o gonna get rich-o

With a rilly-dilly-dillyo I'm yo ho




This post blessed by the pontifical intercession of Pope Prius IX