Alone, Jealous and Stoned - The Secret Machines - Ten Silver Drops - 2006

I'd like to talk for a moment about Rollercoasters...rollercoasters are awesome. End of.

Well, no...I'll say a few more words. I went down to the Brooklyn landmark that is The Cyclone on Saturday. I wasn't sure it was still running as the Astroland at Coney Island has been on the way to closing down...but thank the heavens The Cyclone is still going strong.

After an afternoon of sitting in the sun and sand drinking beer on Beer Island (yes, that is a real thing now and not just something I dreamed up...it replaced the putt-putt course, which is an upgrade in my book) I was all ready for some action, and the Cyclone rarely dissapoints. Part of the thrill, of course, is that it is so old and rickety. You could actually die. This could be the one time that the car derails from the track and flies off into the ocean hurtling you to the most fun demise you could imagine...hands in the air and screaming. But fortunately I survived.

My attempt to listen to the iPod on the ride (and thus having an appropriately soundtracked experience) was less succesful though. I managed to keep the headphones on my head and the volume at a sufficient level. The problem was keeping the audio jack in the iPod. Perhaps next time I'll duct tape it in or something. Suggestions are welcome.

All At Once (It's Not Important) - The Secret Machines - Ten Silver Drops - 2006

So an old college buddy and I used to have a discussion about the merits of the "peaks and valleys" album verses the "plateau" album. In the Peak and Valley album you have 3-5 great songs sandwhiched in between some filler...forgetable or even bad songs. Whereas the "Plateau" album stayed consitantly good throughout, but without ever achieving greatness. Jason was of the opinion that consistance was the mark of a great band, and in theory I agree with him.

But it's albums like the second (and final) Secret Machines record that sort of belie that theory. There isn't really a bad song on the second record, this song included, but I never feel compelled to listen to it. The first record on the other had quite a few clunkers on it, but 3-4 really entertaining songs....quite the delima.