Last weekend, my wife and I went to see one of our favorite local artists, Charlie Parr, at The Dakota Jazz Club in downtown Minneapolis. I opted not to do a concert recap, as he's a folk/Americana artist and thus outside the (admittedly very flexible) conceptual framework of this site. He was very good as he always is, and today I bought ticket to see him again in January. Anyway, on the way back to our car I saw this amazing piece of graffiti, and had to take a picture. 

I thought it was funny at the time. This week, after the assassination of Charlie Kirk and the supremely ugly reaction to his death, it seems more prescient. Is the end near? Some days it feels like it. For me (and likely for you if you bother to read this site), music and workouts remain blessings that help me get through my days. Here are a few things that worked for me this week, to various degrees

First up is Corpse Lights, the new album by Barrens. It's an instrumental post-rock album on the Pelagic label, and I described it on my Metal Dudes Text Thread as "sounding like a band on Pelagic." That's not at all a bad thing, although sometimes when I see that a band is on Pelagic, I kind of hope that I won't like it, because I don't want to fall in love with a super-expensive album from an overseas label. Is international commerce still I think? I don't even know anymore. Anyway, this is good and the most likely release of the week to make it into my regular rotation. 

Next up is Camgirl from the goth rock band Crippling Alcoholism. A very 2025 band name if there ever was one. I don't know that I love this release after one listen, but it is some solid Wax Trax!-esque dark rock. I'll likely give it a few more listens to see if it sticks. 

The final noteworthy release of the week for me is How I Fell in Love with the Void by Intercourse. This is scuzzy, loud fast, noise rock. I am not at all surprised to see that these guys played 2025's Caterwaul Fest, which is a small Minneapolis noise rock festival that looooves bands that sound like this (I couldn't make it this year, but have gone before and plan to go again). Anyway, if you like music that makes you feel like you need to take a shower, here you go!

This week's list is a little shorter than I expected, as there were a lot of new releases that on paper should have been right up my alley. Alas, several of them I found myself actively disliking. I don't feel the need to name them. There's enough negativity in this world. 

One other quick note: As I wrote earlier this week, I reached week 3 of my current exercise plan for the third time. After today's lunchtime workout, week 3 is in the books. Onto week 4! If something derails me again over the weekend, I'll know for sure that I've been cursed by an ancient Sumerian demon or something.
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Stay blessed, y'all.