Ready To Rock (weekly playlists)

Minimal change this week, just two songs in & two songs out, still four  songs that belong on the list currently missing from Spotify.  That can happen sometimes when you have several songs soar up the charts quickly, other songs get stuck behind them but aren’t ready to drop out completely.

Missing songs this week:
Mechanical – Moist, Dirty Penny – Flash Lightnin, Out Of My Mind – Mushroomhead, Eleanor Rigby – Letters From The Fire

New to the Spotify list this week:
World On Fire – Slash, Picture Perfect – Escape The Fate

Dropping off the Spotify list this week
Electric Halo – Kyng, I’m No Angel – Winery Dogs

For the larger (nearly 200 songs) YouTube version there’s over a half dozen new songs added including a good new one from The Lovehammers, a new Dragonforce track featuring Matt Heafy (Trivium) on growls & backing vocals, Christian rockers Pillar and more.  You can find it at this link

Also, if you’re wondering exactly how all of this gets put together – the hows & whys of it – this recent blog entry probably explains more than you ever wanted to know.

Ready To Rock (weekly playlists)

Four songs in (including an enormous hit out of the box) four songs out, now four  songs that belong on the list currently missing from Spotify.

Missing songs this week:
Mechanical – Moist, Dirty Penny – Flash Lightnin, Out Of My Mind – Mushroomhead, Eleanor Rigby – Letters From The Fire

New to the Spotify list this week:
1000 hp – Godsmack,   I Don’t Want To Be Here Anymore – Rise Against, Hunter Eats Hunter – Chevelle,  Paranoia Kills – Guardian

Dropping off the Spotify list this week
Would You Still Be There – Of Mice & Men, Love The Way You Hate Me – Like A Storm, Old Train – Monster Truck, E – Emmure

For the larger (nearly 200 songs) YouTube version there’s nearly a dozen new songs added including the aforementioned songs from Rise Against and Guardian, a blistering new single from Slash f. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators, something new from Starset, the debut of NYC newcomers Tempt, and more.  You can find it at this link

Also, if you’re wondering exactly how all of this gets put together – the hows & whys of it – this recent blog entry probably explains more than you ever wanted to know.

Three Things (Father’s Day 2014)

A couple of years ago in this space I shared some thoughts about Father’s Day and, just to be honest, I don’t know that I’m up to the task of topping what I wrote then.   I do, however, have just enough in the tank to maybe knock out another irregular edition of Three Things.

1) As I’ve noted before, I suck at holidays.   Cards are an irregular sight at best, making a rare personal appearance is even more out of the ordinary.  Doesn’t mean I’m entirely unconscious of them and this year in particular I’m reminded of how lucky I am that my own father is still around and still a valuable and treasured part of my life.   I count my blessings about that, so many others haven’t been so lucky & my heart goes out to all of them even as I celebrate my own good fortune.  Happy Father’s Day Dad, love you.

2) While thinking of your own father on this particular holiday is the obvious thing to do, for those of us who are also fathers ourselves it seems hard not to do some introspection as well.  My wife’s kind words this morning aside, I’m not inclined to believe I’m much better at the role than I am at properly honoring holidays.   That said, I will allow myself credit for one thing:  I’ve tried.   Imperfect results but not for lack of effort.  Maybe that counts for something.

3) I was 31 when my son was born.  He’s now 16.  If he follows even the same later-than-average path I did then he’s closer to having a child of his own than he is to being born.   Not quite sure who that ought to scare more, me or him.   He’s almost certainly better suited for the task than I was — a more empathetic person than me, a stronger work ethic — but it’s not something than anyone goes through without challenges either.   If I were to pick something to make sure he remembers throughout his journey, whenever it comes along, it might be what I mentioned in Thought #2 … TRY.   You will not be perfect, you will make mistakes, you will learn (A LOT) as you go, but you keep trying.  The results can be quite rewarding.

Happy Father’s Day to one and all.

Ready To Rock (weekly playlists)

Crazy busy week with six songs entering my Top 40, six songs leaving and still three songs that belong on the list currently missing from Spotify.

Missing songs this week:
Mechanical – Moist, Dirty Penny – Flash Lightnin, Eleanor Rigby – Letters From The Fire

New to the Spotify list this week:
So Divine – Tesla, End Of Me – A Day To Remember (re-entry) , Angel Of Mercy – Black Label Society, Run & Escape – Red, Lights Go Out – Fozzy

Dropping off the Spotify list this week
Torn To Pieces – Pop Evil, Break Down The Walls – Asking Alexandria, We Are The Brave – Veridia, Dancing With The Moonlight – Scorpions, Just A Ride – The Virginmarys, I’m Glad You’re Dead – Bobaflex

For the larger (nearly 200 songs) YouTube version there’s over a dozen new songs added including the aforementioned song from Bring Me The Horizon as well as the first new song from Godsmack in over four years, a great new single from Fuel, another good one from Sinbreed, an album cut from Chevelle  and more.  You can find it at this link

Also, if you’re wondering exactly how all of this gets put together – the hows & whys of it – this recent blog entry probably explains more than you ever wanted to know.

Ready To Rock (weekly playlists)

Another four in, another four out, stillthree songs that belong on the list currently missing from Spotify.  A pretty normal week all in all.

Missing songs this week:
So Divine – Tesla, Dirty Penny – Flash Lightnin, Eleanor Rigby – Letters From The Fire

New to the Spotify list this week:
Nowhere To Hide – Crobot,  I’m No Angel – The Winery Dogs, Messed Up World – The Pretty Reckless, E – Emmure

Dropping off the Spotify list this week
Dead But Rising, Volbeat, Come Home – Relentless Flood, Cry – The Used, Hungry – Three Years Hollow

For the larger (nearly 200 songs) YouTube version there’s a dozen new songs added including the latest single from Black Label Society, the debut of We Are Harlot (side project for Asking Alexandria frontman Danny Worsnop), something new from Canadian alt-rockers Moist, a new track from Brand New Machine  and more.  You can find it at this link

Also, if you’re wondering exactly how all of this gets put together – the hows & whys of it – this recent blog entry probably explains more than you ever wanted to know.