As Joy in the Journey celebrates its first anniversary, I offer a few reflections and make a writing commitment for 2025. Oh yeah, there's a playlist here too, come inside and give it a listen!!
I super LOVE Aimee Mann!! Love Semisonic and love that another song from your wedding CD is on your list!
Save a Prayer is my second favorite from Rio - second to The Chauffeur. I have this album on vinyl and have been listening to it lately!
Shake the Disease is a great one!! Initially I was commenting that I owned this one on vinyl too, but it’s Black Celebration (also have a few others, but not The Singles 81-85). I played Stripped this past Wednesday at a brewery vinyl night!
Sex & Candy is a great one! Also, love to see Staind on the list again! I will have to give the rest a listen!
Ditto what Kristin said. My only difference is that I'd flip "Save a Prayer" and "The Chauffeur." Only today. It might be the opposite tomorrow. I would put Rio in my top 10 albums of all time. And I got to see them in concert on that tour. Can't say I remember any of it other than girls screaming the entire time! I haven't heard Rammstein's cover, so I am gonna look that up ASAP!
And I'm sure you both know I'm a huge Aimee Mann fan. I'm super psyched to get to see her in concert on Nov. 3! I love all her albums but Bachelor No. 2 is my fave. And her last, Queens of the Summer Hotel, was so good too. I think she's due for a new album.
I’ve just started listening to Rio and honestly can’t remember the last time I listened to the entire album but it’s certainly been at least a few decades. A top ten album is high praise indeed so I’m looking forward to hearing the album in its entirety and The Chauffeur in particular. How amazing that you saw them on that tour!!
I’m super jealous that you’re going to see Aimee Mann in concert. I’d love to see her live one day. Bachelor No. 2 is great but for me it’d be between Mental Illness and Whatever for the top slot with Bachelor third. I didn’t spend much time at all with her last album - need to give that a listen.
I loved your intro so much that I had to come comment before I get distracted by your list!
I too have a “solid track record of starting but not finishing things.” Totally due to my ADHD!! I started my substack back in 2019? I keep intending to make a schedule and stick to it, but still struggle with that! My list of interests sounds a lot like yours! LOL! I’m close to making a scheduled post commitment to myself!! Hahaha!
I too have enjoyed the comment section of so many of the substacks I read!! It’s a pleasure and such a great community!!
I am super excited about your next project of essays on songs!!! This is something I have thought about as well! And I LOVE reading essays like that!! I’m looking forward to reading yours when you start!
I’ll be back after I see what’s on your list this week!
Thanks for your engagement and support Kristin, I appreciate it. While my ADHD has at times been a superpower (hyperfocus when working) it’s also led to a bunch of false starts in life. But that’s okay. The Alphabet Soup series has kinda required me to keep posting weekly because, realistically, if I miss a week the whole thing might be over!
I’m a little nervous but also very much looking forward to these essays as a way to stretch myself and to put more of myself out there. We’ll see how it goes!!
I just listened to "Secret Smile" the other day! I know Semisonic is known for "Closing Time," but there are some pretty great tracks on that album. "Never You Mind" in particular is a standout!
I'm late to the party but congrats on the anniversary! Looking forward to following along!
Congratulations on the anniversary, Mark. As you know, I'm a fellow starter and so understand the accomplishment. I remember when this was just an idea and here you are, showing up, doing it consistently and finding joy in the journey.
Some great memories in the mix here. I clearly remember the Depeche Mode phase. 🥰
Looking forward to what comes next. Thanks for sharing so much of yourself. It's encouragement to those of us still stumbling and stuttering slowly towards the start line. Happy trails!
Happy Stackaversary! Agree 110% with everything you've said about this community-- it really is one of it's superpowers. And I'm glad we've connected on here. I love this project, and and excited to see where your next one takes us!
P.S. I haven't heard "Shake the Disease" in forever! No management in the office yet, so I've got the volume up :)
Thanks Kevin, I very much appreciate your support over the past year and am glad we connected here. Glad you got a chance to blast “Shake the Disease “!
Congratulations, Mark! I love the authenticity of your writing and the beautiful place you’ve crafted out of this space. I’m looking forward to enjoying what you’ve got in store for the future!
LOVE Aimee Mann! Got into her after her I'm With Stupid album and have been a big fan ever since. Other favorites here are Stand Tall, Save a Prayer, and Sex & Candy.
Ditto what you say about the community aspect here on Substack, Mark. It's the single biggest reason I've been doing this for almost 2.5 years. And you've included some of my all-time faves here. Aimee Mann, Duran Duran, Depeche Mode and Liz Phair. Also a big fan of Marcy Playground. I hadn't heard of September 67 or Burton Cummings (though I of course know Guess Who) or The Tea Party. And I'll pretend you didn't include Staind 😂.
I also had Liz Phair in my recent post, so was happy to see our synchronicity on that. She's been in the musical ether for me a lot lately.
I'm sure that if I had a song out there it would have made your list!
Certainly the community keeps me engaged and wanting to come back as well as all the new musical knowledge I get through people’s articles. Glad to see I got some of your faves in the playlist (except for the obligatory nu metal track 😆)
I hadn’t listened to Liz Phair for a long time so it was nice to spend some time with her music over the last couple weeks.
I super LOVE Aimee Mann!! Love Semisonic and love that another song from your wedding CD is on your list!
Save a Prayer is my second favorite from Rio - second to The Chauffeur. I have this album on vinyl and have been listening to it lately!
Shake the Disease is a great one!! Initially I was commenting that I owned this one on vinyl too, but it’s Black Celebration (also have a few others, but not The Singles 81-85). I played Stripped this past Wednesday at a brewery vinyl night!
Sex & Candy is a great one! Also, love to see Staind on the list again! I will have to give the rest a listen!
Aimee Mann is fantastic isn’t she? I don’t remember The Chauffeur from Rio, will have to revisit that album as it’s been a LOOONG time!
Those two DM singles compilations were great and Stripped is such a great song. Have you ever heard Rammstein’s cover?
If you haven’t heard Stand Tall you need to give it a listen. It’s a stone cold classic and Burton Cummings’ voice is amazing.
Also, the video for The Tea Party’s Save Me is worth checking out for the drumming alone. A great song and excellent album.
Ditto what Kristin said. My only difference is that I'd flip "Save a Prayer" and "The Chauffeur." Only today. It might be the opposite tomorrow. I would put Rio in my top 10 albums of all time. And I got to see them in concert on that tour. Can't say I remember any of it other than girls screaming the entire time! I haven't heard Rammstein's cover, so I am gonna look that up ASAP!
And I'm sure you both know I'm a huge Aimee Mann fan. I'm super psyched to get to see her in concert on Nov. 3! I love all her albums but Bachelor No. 2 is my fave. And her last, Queens of the Summer Hotel, was so good too. I think she's due for a new album.
I’ve just started listening to Rio and honestly can’t remember the last time I listened to the entire album but it’s certainly been at least a few decades. A top ten album is high praise indeed so I’m looking forward to hearing the album in its entirety and The Chauffeur in particular. How amazing that you saw them on that tour!!
I’m super jealous that you’re going to see Aimee Mann in concert. I’d love to see her live one day. Bachelor No. 2 is great but for me it’d be between Mental Illness and Whatever for the top slot with Bachelor third. I didn’t spend much time at all with her last album - need to give that a listen.
I loved your intro so much that I had to come comment before I get distracted by your list!
I too have a “solid track record of starting but not finishing things.” Totally due to my ADHD!! I started my substack back in 2019? I keep intending to make a schedule and stick to it, but still struggle with that! My list of interests sounds a lot like yours! LOL! I’m close to making a scheduled post commitment to myself!! Hahaha!
I too have enjoyed the comment section of so many of the substacks I read!! It’s a pleasure and such a great community!!
I am super excited about your next project of essays on songs!!! This is something I have thought about as well! And I LOVE reading essays like that!! I’m looking forward to reading yours when you start!
I’ll be back after I see what’s on your list this week!
Thanks for your engagement and support Kristin, I appreciate it. While my ADHD has at times been a superpower (hyperfocus when working) it’s also led to a bunch of false starts in life. But that’s okay. The Alphabet Soup series has kinda required me to keep posting weekly because, realistically, if I miss a week the whole thing might be over!
I’m a little nervous but also very much looking forward to these essays as a way to stretch myself and to put more of myself out there. We’ll see how it goes!!
As a native of Winnipeg, I am naturally acquainted with Mr. Cummings' song catalogue, and "Stand Tall" stands out as a showcase for his soulful voice.
It certainly does!!
"Shake The Disease" is my favourite Depeche Mode song.
Such a fantastic song!!
I just listened to "Secret Smile" the other day! I know Semisonic is known for "Closing Time," but there are some pretty great tracks on that album. "Never You Mind" in particular is a standout!
I'm late to the party but congrats on the anniversary! Looking forward to following along!
Welcome Matt! It’s definitely an underrated album which is so often the case when an artist/album becomes primarily associated with one track.
Congratulations on the anniversary, Mark. As you know, I'm a fellow starter and so understand the accomplishment. I remember when this was just an idea and here you are, showing up, doing it consistently and finding joy in the journey.
Some great memories in the mix here. I clearly remember the Depeche Mode phase. 🥰
Looking forward to what comes next. Thanks for sharing so much of yourself. It's encouragement to those of us still stumbling and stuttering slowly towards the start line. Happy trails!
Thanks Al, you know I always appreciate your support. xoxo
Happy Stackaversary! Agree 110% with everything you've said about this community-- it really is one of it's superpowers. And I'm glad we've connected on here. I love this project, and and excited to see where your next one takes us!
P.S. I haven't heard "Shake the Disease" in forever! No management in the office yet, so I've got the volume up :)
Thanks Kevin, I very much appreciate your support over the past year and am glad we connected here. Glad you got a chance to blast “Shake the Disease “!
Congratulations, Mark! I love the authenticity of your writing and the beautiful place you’ve crafted out of this space. I’m looking forward to enjoying what you’ve got in store for the future!
Thanks Andres! I really appreciate your support over the past year!
LOVE Aimee Mann! Got into her after her I'm With Stupid album and have been a big fan ever since. Other favorites here are Stand Tall, Save a Prayer, and Sex & Candy.
Ditto what you say about the community aspect here on Substack, Mark. It's the single biggest reason I've been doing this for almost 2.5 years. And you've included some of my all-time faves here. Aimee Mann, Duran Duran, Depeche Mode and Liz Phair. Also a big fan of Marcy Playground. I hadn't heard of September 67 or Burton Cummings (though I of course know Guess Who) or The Tea Party. And I'll pretend you didn't include Staind 😂.
I also had Liz Phair in my recent post, so was happy to see our synchronicity on that. She's been in the musical ether for me a lot lately.
I'm sure that if I had a song out there it would have made your list!
Certainly the community keeps me engaged and wanting to come back as well as all the new musical knowledge I get through people’s articles. Glad to see I got some of your faves in the playlist (except for the obligatory nu metal track 😆)
I hadn’t listened to Liz Phair for a long time so it was nice to spend some time with her music over the last couple weeks.