Side one: Music
Ticket stub memories: sorted, filed and treasured
I received a ticket stub album for Christmas, and had more than a fair amount of fun tracing my concert-going history through little pieces of paper I've refused to throw away.
From Static and Feedback, December 2011
Ryan Adams writes another beautifully sad chapter
In a great week for music — I'd just discovered Wild Flag two days before — Ryan Adams floored me with an amazing record, Ashes & Fire. Somehow, after hundreds of songs, he keeps amazing me.
From Static and Feedback, October 2011
Cameron Crowe delivers the ultimate Pearl Jam mixtape
The thrill of listening to Pearl Jam Twenty for the first time will not be forgotten for some time. This collection is amazing, and I tried to do it justice in a 600-word review.
From Static and Feedback, September 2011
In the moment, Pearl Jam thrives
It was hard reconciling my dislike of the new record with their ability as a live band. As it turns out, that was silly. They rocked. From Static and Feedback, May 2010
The Who are honored, not finished
A long piece reviewing the taping of the VH-1 Rock Honors: The Who special in Los Angeles, as well as a look at the Who's place in rock and roll history. Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, the Flaming Lips, Tenacious D and Incubus are also covered.
From Static and Feedback, July, 2008
All thrills and no frills: Marc Ford tackles his music with no pretense
Interview with guitarist Marc Ford, and a review of his concert in Phoenix.
From Static and Feedback, June, 2007
Return of the madness: A detailed glance at obsession, music and mental health through four Pearl Jam shows in three weeks
A very personal account of following my favorite band on the road, travelling with friends and getting turned on to new music. This one tops 4,000 words, and is one of my favorite pieces of writing.
From Static and Feedback, June 2006
Side two: Sports
With a bang and a whimper
The drama and calamity present in the Red Sox finishing a historic September slide, coupled with the Rays' rise through the standings, was amazing, pathetic and all too much for a diehard to take.
From Saves and Shutouts, Sept. 29, 2011
Thomas responds, Luongo doesn't
After nearly a week of yapping, Roberto Luongo again laid an egg on the TD Garden ice, while Tim Thomas was nearly unbeatable. Two days later, the Bruins won the Stanley Cup for the first time in 39 years.
From The Standard-Times, June 14, 2011
Thomas protects the crease, delivers a shutout
Goalie Tim Thomas responded to criticism for his style of play, stopping 38 shots, starting scraps and backstopping the Bruins to a 4-0 win that tied the Stanley Cup finals at two games apiece.
From The Standard-Times, June 9, 2011
Moss quieted by Giants' 'D,' Super Bowl loss
Randy Moss was seething after the New England Patriots' loss to the Giants. Written on deadline from Super Bowl XLII at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
From The Standard-Times, Feb. 4, 2008
Brown has seen it all
This feature looks at the career and outlook of the then-longest-tenured member of the New England Patriots.
From The Standard-Times, Feb. 2, 2008
Holmstrom finds tender connection to goalie
This was a tough one for me. A local goalkeeper for Dartmouth High School had a terrible car accident, but struck up a friendship with Revolution keeper Matt Reis. I can't imagine having to go through something like this, but she kept her sense of humor and spirits up the whole way. Incredible.
From The Standard-Times, Nov. 12, 2006
Gator sparks steroid shuffle
A look at what would happen if we actually tried to correct every award handed out since 1988. This was one of my most-linked columns at the time, and coincidentally, Rick Reilly wrote practically the same thing in 2008. I'm fairly certain he has no idea who I am.
From The Standard-Times, Feb. 18, 2005
Side three: B-sides
Bases Loaded 3
I was asked to contribute to Baseball-Prose.com as an offseason guest writer, and here, I recalled how I funnelled my early baseball devotion through Bases Loaded 3, a Nintendo game that's been somewhat lost to time.
From Baseball-Prose.com, Dec. 14, 2011
Conan O'Brien says goodbye
Perhaps the only T.V. column I'll ever write, written the day after Conan O'Brien showed some real class following his exit from The Tonight Show after seven months on the job.
From Static and Feedback, Jan. 23, 2010
Too loud: Recent research suggests that even in utero, excessive volume can damage hearing
Written while I worked for Gannett Pacific Publications and published in the Salem (Ore.) Statesman Journal, among other places. Link will open a .pdf in a new window.
Oct. 27, 2007