JonMichael is Neither Jon nor Michael

Atlantic Puzzler Reviews 2004

Dec 2004 -- Cryptic Buffet A-
Nov 2004 -- Leapfrog A-
Oct 2004 -- Cryptic Journey A
Sep 2004 -- Chain Links A
Jul/Aug 2004 -- Room With a View A-
Jun 2004 -- Graphic Arts A
May 2004 -- Magic Rings A-
Apr 2004 -- Help Wanted A
Mar 2004 -- Radio Daze A
Jan/Feb 2004 -- Eights B+

And that, as they say, is that.

Bloglines 11/04

Top 50 RSS feeds of those over 5,000 subscribers on Bloglines
November 2004
1. Slashdot
2. Wired News
3. Boing Boing
4. Dilbert
5. Gizmodo
6. Google's Blog
7. The New York Times (Main Page)
8. The Register
9. Quote of the Day
10. CNet News
11. Joel on Software
12. Scientific American
13. Salon
14. A List Apart
15. Kuro5hin
16. BBC News (Technology)
17. Techdirt
18. BBC News (World Edition)
19. The New York Times (Technology)

Biggest Gainer: Joel on Software rose from #11 to #12
Biggest Faller: Scientific American fell from #12 to #11
Top Ten Trends: Static
Biggest Debut: None

Engadget seems to have disappeared from this list.

Mr. Lee by The Bobbettes (#7 in 1957)

More good female doo wop. The Bobbettes were probably trying to sound the Chordettes and succeeded if not surpassed them. This is another hit that just gets in your head and won't leave. Mr. Lee was apparently a teacher of the girls (although why they later recorded "I Shot Mr. Lee" is a little weird). The instrumentation is not really noticeable but that's probably a good thing. A great little tune by a great minor group. Giving rock and roll a few more options before the great white male takes the stage yet again. "One, two, three, hep."

Honeycomb by Jimmie Rodgers (#1 in 1957)

Love songs like this always make me queasy; and it went to number one no less. Jimmie Rodgers sees his girl as the Creator would have constructed her. Except nowhere in scripture can I find a "hank o' hair" (the "piece o' bone" is in Ezekiel 37). So why does Jimmie channel God via Frankenstein? In an effort to pander the broadest and least interesting country/rock arrangement of his time. The only good I can say is that, for quirky little novelty number, Jimmie's vocals are perfect; he really thinks its "kinda funny". Poor, poor man.

Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On by Jerry Lee Lewis (#3 in 1957)

Elvis is such an awesome presence in the rear-view that artists like Little Richard and Chuck Berry who were truly revolutionary get marginalized.  Jerry Lee Lewis is probably the greatest innovator that is most often confused with Elvis, and that’s a shame.  A southern boy that sounds like it; Lewis wrote his songs and played that piano standing up and truly sang country and rock at the same time. This song is a classic where shakin’, dancin’ and makin’ love are only shades of meaning away.  It raucous, rocking and just plain great. Take that, Elvis.

Atlantic Puzzler Reviews 2003

Dec 2003 -- Gift Array A-
Nov 2003 -- Floor Plan A
Oct 2003 -- Mystery Theater A
Sep 2003 -- Spoonerfest A-
Jul/Aug 2003 -- Word Magic A
Jun 2003 -- Standouts A
May 2003 -- Treasure Island A-
Apr 2003 -- Circular Reasoning A-
Mar 2003 -- Games A
Jan/Feb 2003 -- Target Practice A-

That'll Be The Day by The Crickets (#1 in 1957)

Where do you start on a song as perfect as "That'll Be The Day"? The Crickets playing is clean (the drumming especially) and Buddy's voice is playful even as he tells his girl that she'll never leave. His confidence is so alarming yet, when wrapped in this easygoing package, no one is put off. The song moves, sways, dips but never loses its swagger. Even the Rolling Stones, at the peak, could not pull off the smile and the smirk the way Buddy Holley does here. Rock began with the Beatles? Are you deaf, snobby or stupid?

White Silver Sands by Don Rondo (#9 in 1957)

Not great but not bad. Don Rondo leads us into the world of "White Silver Sands" which has a decent beat but doesn't really rock or swing. The story: Don's in love with a girl and they kiss on the beach in Argentina. The end. How is this even a song? Don' voice is a little overproduced but it was a nine, so I won't complain.

Rainbow by Russ Hamilton (#7 in 1957)

At this moment, I cannot imagine a lamer 50s song than Russ Hamilton's "Rainbow". Maybe, that's why it's his only rock era top ten. The rainbow in the song is a metonymy for a diamond ring. Aww, isn’t it sweet? He wants to propose to his ladylove and "put a rainbow on her finger." Neither romantic nor interesting. Russ' voice sounds like it was recorded at a different speed than the "instruments". The shrill chorus is back. It's like we were just standing around, waiting for the next Elvis single.

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