Album Playthrough Project November 2024

While we have moved into the holiday season, and around here that means Christmas music 24/7, let's reflect back on a good month of album listening in November.  The month of album listening started with Madonna and finished with punk band Amyl and the Sniffers.  The month was heavy with Dave Matthews because I had to get my fix of DMB before I took a month off to listen almost exclusively to Christmas music. 

Last month, I mentioned that I would reveal the next phase of the Album Playthrough Project for 2025.  In 2025, I have decided to do a deep dive into twelve artists albums to examine how their music has changed over a career (or not), and to determine my favorite of each album I examine.  I will look at at least 5 albums from the twelve artists.  Here is a short list of  artists that I am considering in the Musical Artist Album Playthrough 2025: 

John Mellencamp, 10,000 Maniacs, Billy Joel, Taylor Swift, The Killers, Squirrel Nut Zippers, James Taylor, and Cold War Kids

Do you have any suggestions of artists you would like to see me do a Musical Artist Album Playthrough in 2025?  Leave a comment below or on Twitter @draftline

Here is my Album Playthrough List for November 2025

Ray of Light (1998) Madonna 11/2/24
Everyday (2001) Dave Matthews Band 11/3/24
Live in Chicago 12/19/98 at the United Center (2001) Dave Matthews Band 11/4/24
Wonderful Wonderful (2017)The Killers 11/4/24
Eliminator (1983) ZZ Top 11/5/24
It's Hard (1982) The Who 11/6/24
Battle at the Garden's Gate (2021) Great Van Fleet 11/6/24
I See (2019) Cam Cole 11/7/24
Red Bird (2015) Jessie Roper 11/8/24
Slow Lightning (2023) The Bones of J.R. Jones 11/8/24
Live Trax Vol.14: Nissan Pavilion (2009) Dave Matthews Band 11/15/24
Live Trax Vol. 50: Hershey Park Stadium (2019) Dave Matthews Band 11/16/24
Abraxas (1970) Santana 11/16/24
Made in America (1980) Blues Brothers 11/18/24
Uh-huh (1983) John Mellencamp 11/20/24
Human Wheels (2005) John Mellencamp 11/20/24
Keep It Hid (2009) Dan Auerbach 11/21/24
Live Trax Vol. 16 Riverbend Music Center (2009) Dave Matthews Band 11/24/24
How to Re-Assemble an Atomic Bomb (2024) U2 11/30/24
Half Life (2024) Wyatt Flores 11/30/24
Heaven Let them Die (2004) Counterparts 11/30/24
Cartoon Darkness (2024) Amyl and the Sniffers 11/30/24

Best Listen of the Month: Abraxas, Santana

Biggest Surprise: Wonderful Wonderful, The Killers

Biggest Disappointment: Heaven Let Them Die, Counterparts

What?? Did someone say something? Huh?

Still Resonates Today: Eliminator, ZZ Top

Best Concert Memory: Live Trax: Vol. 50: Hershey Park Stadium, Dave Matthews Band

Perfect Moment to Listen: Human Wheels, John Mellencamp

Most Fun: Made in America, Blues Brothers

Jake and Elwood Blues know how to entertain a crowd.

For a description of the Album Playthrough Project, click here

February

March

April  

May

June

July

August

September

October

A Christmas Playlist for 2024

At the end of the holiday season in early January 2024 after the days of 24 hour Christmas music had

gone, I sat down and put together a playlist of my favorite Christmas songs.  I didn't have any criteria other than these are the songs that seemed to fill me with joy during the 2023 Christmas season.  

The playlist is on Spotify and it is a public playlist titled: A Pretty Good Christmas Playlist

Here are the songs that made the cut: 

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year  Andy Williams

Candy Cane Lane  Sia

Santa Clause is Coming to Town - Live at C.W. Post College, Greenvale, NY - December 1975        Bruce Springsteen

What Christmas Means to Me (feat. Stevie Wonder)  John Legend

Winter Wonderland  Ray Charles

Santa Claus Is Coming to Town Frank Sinatra, Cyndi Lauper

This Christmas  CeeLo Green

Christmas Song - Live at Wrigley Field, Chicago September 2010  Dave Matthews Band

Silent Night  Meghan Trainor

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas  James Taylor

Blue Christmas  Elvis Presley

The Christmas Song  The Stephen Kummer Trio, The Chris McDonald Orchestra

Christmas Wrapping (with Iggy Pop)  Kylie Minogue, Iggy Pop

Album Playthrough Project October 2024

I move into the fourth quarter of the year with the Album Playthrough Project's October album list.  I really need to explore more contemporary artists.  I have enjoyed revisiting the albums of my younger years, but I would like to find more new artists.  I am looking for ways to discover new artists, but one complaint I have with Spotify and many streaming services is they keep giving you more of what you listen to.  This algorithm doesn't help when one would like to discover new artists.  Anyway, I am using some podcasts to hunt for new artists so no worries. 

A few months ago, I teased that I have the next evolution of the Album Playthrough Project for 2025.  I am not ready to reveal the new project, but  I will share the new 2025 Album Playthrough Project in November.   Until then, here is October's album list:  

October Road (2000) James Taylor 10/2/24
Sports (1983) Huey Lewis and the News 10/5/24
Fore! (1986) Huey Lewis and the news 10/5/24
Freeze Frame (1981) J. Geils Band 10/5/24
Dare to be Stupid (1985) Weird Al Yankovic 10/6/24
Pretenders (1980) Pretenders 10/9/24
Mighty Like a Rose (1991) Elvis Costello 10/9/24
Blind Man's Zoo (1989) 10,000 Maniacs 10/9/24
Stream (2024) Fergus McCreadie 10/17/24
No Need to Argue (1994) The Cranberries 10/20/24
Sleeper Catcher (1978) Little River Band 10/21/24
Even in the Quietest Moments (1977) Supertramp 10/22/24
In Through the Out Door (1979) Led Zeppelin 10/22/24
Synchronicity (1983) The Police 10/23/24
Left of Cool (1998) Bela Fleck and the Flecktones 10/23/24
Speaking in Tongues (1983) Talking Heads 10/24/24
Everything That Happens Will Happen Today (2008) David Byrne 10/25/24
Rhythm of the Saints (1990) Paul Simon 10/25/24
I Got a Name (1973) Jim Croce 10/25/24
Crosby, Stills, and Nash (1969) Crosby Stills and Nash 10/25/24
Izitso (1977) Yusuf/Cat Stevens 10/26/24
Like a Prayer (1989) Madonna 10/31/24

Best Listen of the Month: Blind Man's Zoo, 10,000 Maniacs

Not much to say other than the 10,000 Maniacs were also on last month's list. I love these guys.

Biggest Surprise: Mighty Like a Rose, Elvis Costello

I didn't realize how many good songs I knew from this album. Very enjoyable listening.

Biggest Disappointment: Let's just say it was a good month of listening!

Still Resonates Today: Dare to Be Stupid, Weird Al Yankovic

Never gets old.

Best Concert Memory: James Taylor, October Road

First concert with my wife in November 2022. Peoria Civic Center

Perfect Moment to Listen: Rhythm of the Saints, Paul Simon

Um, is there a bad time to listen to Paul Simon? I think not.

Most Fun: Sports, Huey Lewis and the News

Yep, you thought it would be Weird Al, didn't you? But, when you know all of the lyrics from 41 years ago...that is fun!

For a description of the Album Playthrough Project, click here

February

March

April  

May

June

July

August

September

Fantasy Football Mid-Season Report

The mid-way point in the NFL has passed and it is time to check in on Fantasy Football.   For

my two teams, it has been feast or famine.

The Kamino Clone Kids started the season at 4-0 and have since gone 2-4 with some tough losses.  For example, in week 9 they scored well over 200 points at 226.35 only to lose to the 6-2 Dathomir Rancors who put down 236.90 points.  The bright spot is that Nico Collins was to return from the IR in week 10 to join an incredible wide receiver corps of Zay Flowers, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Quincy Williams.  He returned, but he did not play in week 10.  DK Metcalf should also return in Week 11.  Things are looking up for the Clone Kids. 

The Coca-Cola Kids stumbled out of the gate with a 1-3 record and not breaking 200 points once in the first four games.  They struggled with inconsistent play in the running back position and Will Levis struggled before Derek Carr replaced him to similar results.  In week 5, Trevor Lawrence joined the team and Denver took over the defense and the Kids have gone 3-3 since game 5.  Still two games under .500 at the mid-way point, the Kids need to figure out if Kyler Murray is their quarterback.  Rookie Bo Nix is on the bench waiting to join Trevor Lawrence in the two QB league.  Steady point getters, Jahmyr Gibbs and Brock Bowers are looking for some help from Cee Dee Lamb and Javonte Williams in key positions.  

If the Coca-Cola Kids want to make a run at back-to-back championships, they need to straighten the ship and start putting some points on the board through the second half of the season.  One thing that brings hope is that last year's championship season was not a perfect one.  The second half of the season is when they picked up steam.  So, this is something to work towards for the Coca-Cola Kids.  

I will continue to update the original posts with the weekly match-ups and records.  Here are the links to those two posts for the Kamino Clone Kids and the Coca-Cola Kids: 

Kamino Clone Kids

Coca-Cola Kids  

A Reflection of the Peanuts Holiday Programs

We have entered the fourth quarter of the year which means the holidays are here!  What that means around our house is the trilogy of Peanuts Holiday DVD's make their appearance.  Perhaps your home has a similar tradition of bringing these programs out on October, November, and December.  

We just finished the first DVD as Halloween has come and gone.  The Great Pumpkin still didn't come
but the nostalgia and smiles did as they do every year.  I think our favorite moment of It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown is when Charlie Brown is just finishing up raking leaves into a pile.  Snoopy encounters a leaf falling to the ground, but keeps it in the air by blowing on it.  He blows that leave over to the pile and Charlie Brown says, "Thanks old pal."  Then Linus with let sucker in hand, runs and jumps into the pile.  Leave go everywhere and Linus is left there with a leaf covered sucker and leaves stuck around his sucker-sticky mouth.  Linus gives the sage advice, "Never jump into a pile of leaves with a wet sucker."  

The Thanksgiving DVD is up next in our house.  There are so many enjoyable moments in the Thanksgiving program.  One of these moments is when Snoopy and Woodstock are tasked with getting the chairs and table set up in the yard.  Snoopy ends up in a scuffle with one the lawn chairs.  This is very relatable if you have ever had to mess around getting the old lawn chairs unfolded, but when the chair takes on human characteristics and boxes with Snoopy, that is when things become quite

humorous.  I think my favorite moment is when Snoopy and Woodstock are dressed in traditional pilgrim outfits and report for cooking duty in the house.  When Charlie Brown opens the door, and Snoopy leads the march into the house, Snoopy is carrying a pop gun rifle as part of his costume.  This pop gun has a cork with string attached to the gun.  Snoopy and Woodstock come to a halt in the kitchen and Snoopy takes the pop gun off his shoulder and places the stock on the ground setting off the pop gun and sending the cork into the air.  The string keeps the cork from getting too far and causing it to bounce about eventually knocking Snoopy silly when it smacks him on top of the head.  Charlie Brown remarks that this is no time to be messing around.  I just find that moment to have lots of character and the slapstick humor just hits home for me.  

When Thanksgiving wraps up, it is time for the final DVD to rise to the top, A Charlie Brown Christmas.  While there are some humorous moments in this program, to me this program is all about the nostalgia

of Christmastime and the message that Linus delivers at the end.  "That is what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown," Linus explains at the end of this speech to the cast of characters.  Charlie Brown is inspired by Linus's speech and takes his weepy little tree home with the thought that no one will ruin the spirit of Christmas for him.  When he decorates his tree with one single ornament, the tree droops over which is the final straw of disappointment for Charlie Brown.  He walks into his house when all of his friends show up to see the droopy tree.  Regardless of all the criticizing the cast has done to Charlie Brown, they build the tree up with decorations.  Charlie Brown comes out and to his astonishment, his little tree is standing proud with Christmas decorations.  Then Charlie Brown and the cast break out into song with Hark the Herald Angels Sing.  It is an amazing display of Christmas and the Christmas Spirit.  While it takes second in my ranking of the shows, A Charlie Brown Christmas definietly does what it sets out to do.  

I know there are many other Peanuts holiday programs, but these original three from the 1960's are by far the best in my mind.  I hope they are a part of your family's tradition, but if they aren't, it is never too late to begin a new tradition.  My kids are both teenagers now, but it is a tradtion still going strong and I have no doubt when they, someday, have families of their own, they will continue the tradition.  I know my wife and I will continue to watch even when my kids are gone from our home.  

My Top 5 Topps Bunt 2024 Base Cards

Ah, collecting the classic Topps baseball cards as a kid in the 1980's.  That was me.  Coming home from the drug store with 3-4 packs in my pocket.  I was looking for Chicago  Cubs players: Ryne Sandberg, Ron Cey, Leon Durham, and others.  My friends and I would trade, but we would always end up with doubles of players we didn't know or care about.  So, we would slap a clothespin on the back forks of our bike, slide that baseball card double in the clip and stick it through the spokes.  We would cruise up and down the street with our bike-cycle buzzing.  Base cards of a set are like that; you end up with a whole bunch.  But they are a great way to get a good look at who these players are.  Some card pictures are staged and profile-like.  Some cards are position players up to bat, and the pitchers often get a mid- throw shot.  All of them are pretty cool when flipping through the cards and checking career stats on the back of the card. 

In Topps Bunt digital card trading app, there are 450 series 1 base cards, and while I haven't checked recently, I would bet I have dupes of most of them if not all.  The other day I decided to flip through the base cards, since I don't really take a good look at them after the initial release.  Who are the names?  Who has had a good season?  Are there any rookie sensation base cards?  It is fun; it's why we collect.  

Here are my Top 5 Bunt 2024 Base Cards with a comment about the style of each one:  

5.  Brandon Lowe, 2024 Bunt Base Series - White

Classic shot of the backswing of a hitter while catching most of his face so fans can recognize him.  Also does a nice job of showing the "battle worn" helmet.  Super cool.  

4.  Andrew Abbott, 2024 Bunt Base Series 1 - White

If I were a pitcher, this mid-pitch action shot is definitely what I would want on my base card!  

3.  Ezequiel Tovar, 2024 Bunt Base Series 1 - White

The action shots get my attention, and what better way to capture a short stop than on a throw over to first base.  This is a great mid-motion shot for Tovar.  

2.  Kyle Hendricks, 2024 Bunt Base Series 1 - White

I love this "in the stretch" position for a pitcher's card.  This card also gives a good sense of background.  A good card will also place you in the game like you are there watching.  This card, blurred, has lots of fan space.  That is a good quality for a card.  

1.  Francisco Alvarez, 2024 BUNT Base Series 1 - White

I love this in-game action of Alvarez lifting his mask and his colorful chest pad popping on this card.  It also has the background factor too.  

I want to take a second to discuss the boarder features.  The boarder has a modern look all the way around with the right side multilayered.  Pretty coo.  I like the team logo in the bottom right.  It is clear, but it doesn't dominate the picture/card.  The name of the players is clearly found at the bottom of the card.  The only criticism is the that the player's position does blend in at the bottom.  I don't mind the placement, but maybe a bit larger font.  Still, I really liked this set.  How about a bonus card?  

Bonus: Austin Gomber, 2024 BUNT Base Series 1 - White

What's up the the bonus?  It is my list and I couldn't leave this one off.  As the top 5, this card has good action in mid pitch, but what I really like about this card is it shows rain falling.  The drops are all around him.  Once again, anything that makes me, the collector, feel like I was there to take the picture myself is awesome.    

My Top 5 Marvel Collect Base Cards

I love opening packs of trading cards.  It makes no difference if they are physical cards that I can hold and flip over or digital cards that I flip on the screen of my device.  The hope of getting something special, an epic card or even a legendary card, is always hiding right behind the package. But the heart of a trading card pack is the base card.  These cards are fun to collect at first, but over time they start to pile up and the value seems to be lost.  However, I believe they all deserve another look because they are the the heart of the set.  

Here are my Top 5 Marvel Collect base cards from the 2024 set.  

5.  War Machine, '24 Base, Series 1 - White - Tier 1- Search Term: 24base

I have a couple of these "in your face" action cards in the Top 5.  This one just kinda catches your eyes.  I like the use of light in this card, quite dramatic. 

4. Old Man Hawkeye, '24 Base, Series 1 - White - Tier 1 Search Term: 24base

The grit and action here really capture the character of Old Man Hawkeye.  You can see the movement, and I'm pretty sure I know what is about to happen.  Somebody's day isn't going to go how they thought it might.  

3. X-23, '24 Base, Series 1 - White - Tier 1 Search Term: 24base

As promised, another "in your face" action card.  X-23 is a super cool character, so I was glad that she got a super cool base card.  Don't blink, she'll get you!  

2.  Spider-Punk, 24 Base - Series 1 - White - Tier 1 Search Term: 24base

Okay, you all know my love for Peter Parker Spider-man, but Spider-Punk has really caught my attention in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.  Spider-Punk is from Earth-138, and let's just say, he's a pretty cool punk.  He definitely has a great look.  

1.  Green Goblin, '24 Base - Series 1 - White Tier 1  Search Term: 24base

He is the only villain on the list, but take a look and you'll see why.  Check out the use of color on this card!  It really pops.  I especially like this card with the Base Tier 6 purple boarder.  It is just a beautiful card with some pretty beautiful awfulness coming Spidey's way.