See the rest of the exit surveys HERE.
1. Were you happy with the reviews that were published? How do you feel about your week as Record Club captain?
Overall, yes, I was happy with the reviews. In terms of quality, I thought Joe, Sunny, and Nate gave us very well-written, thoughtful feedback. If I'm being extremely honest, I thought my review was probably the weakest of the group in terms of useful critical analysis. My youngest was sick over the weekend and most of this week, so I was very, very sleep deprived as I was listening and writing. I'm not saying I did a bad job, but my writing tends to get really weird when I'm that tired. I've written whole sketches at 2:00 AM in my son's room that, God willing, will never see the light of day.
In terms of quantity, I was hoping more people would come out for RC. I really enjoy reading the entries for SSC every morning and wanted to see what my compatriots thought of Steve Earle. But people are busy. I get that. I probably would've blown it off too if I hadn't been captain.
2. How was the variety of opinions? A wide range, kinda samey, or somewhere in the middle?
It seemed like everyone enjoyed the album. I had to read Nate's review twice to be sure. He truly is the H.L. Mencken of Puke on Your Birthday.
3. Were there any differing opinions that made you view the album in a different light?
Not differing, but Sunny and Nate both pointed out that this album sounds like it came from the '90s. I did not pick up on that. It sounds more stripped down than today's pop country, which I probably why I liked it. But I couldn't have told you what decade it was produced based on the sound alone.
4. Was there anything about this album or this artist that you wished that people would've written about more?
I meant to write about this, but I really enjoyed Earle's over-the-top gruffness on "CCKMP." It took me a second, but he lays it on so thick because a he's singing as if he's getting drunker and higher and more fucked up as the song goes on. I thought that was a nice touch. Really brought the song to life for me. I wish someone more competent than myself had put that in their review.
5. How do you feel about your album choice now that the week is over? A success? Any regrets?
I stand by my album choice. Like I said in the prompt, I've developed a new appreciation for country music and I Feel Alright did not let me down.
I'm also proud I did not mention The Wire in my review. This is not to say Sunny and Joe were wrong to do so. Let me explain. I love The Wire. I love Steve Earle as Waylon. I agree Season 2 is criminally underrated. I think about the tragedy of the Sobotkas all the time. But as someone whose whole extended family is from Baltimore and has himself spent a lot of time there, I sort of cringe when I talk about The Wire at length. I feel as though the image of Baltimore in pop culture has been cornered (pun intended) by that show and I don't want to contribute to that. There's lots of great stuff about Baltimore that isn't crime-related. Go to the Cat's Eye Pub. Get a pit beef sandwich or some Berger cookies. Hell, check out the aquarium. Go to the Lexington Market. Actually, you may want to avoid it. It's like Reading Terminal Market if people were openly selling pills.
6. Any other takeaways from the reviews? Or from this experience in general?
I'm going to stop qualifying that I like country music. A lot of great art is getting missed because the genre is associated with regressive politics. I was talking about this with my good friend Mike (you know the one) and we decided we're taking it back from the chuds. The stigma that exists will only weaken if we're open about our fandom. Capitol stormers shouldn't get a monopoly on harmonica.
7. What is an improvement that Record Club can make that would enhance everyone's experience, either as a captain or as a listener.
I take cash or Venmo.
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