This year, Five Iron Frenzy celebrates 30 years as a band, though there is at least one major hiatus in that time. Still, that's an impressive amount of time for a band to be together. Released 4 years ago this week, this is their latest studio album, Until This Shakes Apart. Five Iron Frenzy has always been a member of the punk/ska scene, and in that great tradition, this music has got lots of guitars and at least a bit of horns, although maybe a bit less than their earlier albums. Also, the lyrics are definitely pointing out hypocrisy and corruption in many of today's institutions: capitalism, American government and patriotism, and even Christianity and the music industry as well. I like to listen to music that challenges me in my thinking, at least sometimes, and Five Iron Frenzy delivers on that promise with a lot of style, a bit of humor, and a unique turn of phrase throughout. I'll be honest, I've never really listened to Five iron Frenzy much even though a number of friends were big fans, but maybe I need to listen to them more.

Release Year: 2021
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Recorded on this day 57 years ago, this album is the first ever live recording released by Johnny Cash. Recorded at the state prison in Folsom, California, it's an interesting look into the time period and the early days of Johnny Cash's career. Cash's songs are relatively simple and his band pretty small. Cash performs some stories of blue collar men and convicts, sings some slightly dirty joke songs, and also includes a few songs with religious overtones at the end. Included in the recording are announcements for the men of the prison, which are an interesting slice of life. June Carter sings "Jackson", "Give My Love To Rose" and "Orange Blossom Special" with Cash just months before they got married. It's a time capsule of country music and a fun recording, even though it does not have the polish of a studio recording.

Release Year: 1968
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When I'm reading a book or working on something where I need to concentrate, I sometimes put on albums I'm really familiar with as background music. But other times, I'll put on an instrumental album as sometimes the lyrics may distract me from what I'm doing. This is a more recent instrumental album I've acquired. Ethan Luck has been playing music in studios and on tour for over 25 years and has played guitars, drums, and many other instruments. On this album of original surf rock compositions with no vocals, Ethan Luck plays nearly every instrument and took the photos for the album artwork. It's a really well-done album that is sometimes rollicking and sometimes more laid back, but always a good listen.

Release Year: 2021
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About 20 years ago, I first became aware of the work of Sandra McCracken by listening to this album, Best Laid Plans. It's a beautiful, well-produced folk-rock album and I'm told a few songs even had radio airplay around the UK 20 years ago, even though McCracken is from the United States. It's definitely a bit different than the albums Sandra is most well known for now, which are more often modern hymns or reworking of old hymns and psalms to modern folk/rock. This is original, personal lyrics on relationships, spirituality and life and a bit more of a rock edge than her newer music. I think it's still one of best albums, though I do enjoy listening to her 15+ other albums as well. Thanks, Sandra, for creating such beautiful music for all these years and I hope you keep making music for many years. It was fun to see you play live a month ago in St. Paul, too!

Release Year: 2004
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