RIP Joe Kubert

Today I received word that Joe Kubert, legendary comic artist died.  Born in 1926, he had a very long career as an artist on many great books, mostly for DC Comics.  He had a great run doing the art, and occasionally contributing stories and editing Sgt. Rock for thirty years.  He took over art, writing end editing chores for DC's revival of Tarzan.  He worked with the great, prolific writer, Robert Kanigher on many books and characters over the years including Enemy Ace.  He was my favorite comic artist and will be missed.  

It's Been Awhile

I haven't been writing my blog as much as I should.  That will change.  I've been distracted by a few things over the last few months such as sorting out financial issues, a roommate, who left the apartment with a thoroughly disgraceful pile of filth and detriment to what had been his room and the death of my 94-year old grandmother.  I have been working on my book, however, and doing a lot more reading to further my knowledge.

Van Halen's Return

After twenty-eight years the first Van Halen album with David Lee Roth is out, A Different Kind Of Truth. It could have been a complete dud when compared to their glory days decades ago but it turned out to be an excellent return to form. Sure, Roth is in his late fifties and has lost a little of his range and hits some awkward notes when he tries too hard but overall he sounds fine. The songs, some of were, admittedly, demos from thirty-plus years ago, are actually really good, many with nice twists and turns. The first single, "Tattoo" was rather underwhelming and a bit of a cause for concern but it's one of those rare examples of the lead single being the weakest song on the album.

Best Albums of 2011

Another year has passed and its hard to believe that we are in 2012! That means it's time for me to do my annual Best albums list for 2011, a year that turned out to have quite a few good releases.

1. Robbie Robertson-How To Become Clairvoyant (Not that I was expecting a bad album, not at all, but this surpassed my expectations. Very emotional disc)
2. Tom Waits-Bad As Me (another solid, twisted Tom Waits release)
3. Warren Haynes-Man In Motion (great soulful solo disc from the Allman Brothers guitarist)
4. Daryl Hall-Laughing Down Crying
5. Anthrax-Worship Music
6. Duran Duran-All You Need Is Now
7. Gregg Allman-Low Country Blues
8. Chickenfoot-III
9. Allison Krauss And Union Station-Paper Airplane
10. The Cars-Move Like This