Diversions
Music Links
There's good music out there. Just don't think you'll hear it on the radio.
Neil Young
If there were an Official Artist of TCFA, Neil Young might be it. His music is the perfect accompaniment to any college football Saturday. The highlights are too numerous to mention, but start with the following: "Harvest Moon," "Old Man," "Helpless," and possibly my favorite, the very underrated, "Out On the Weekend."
Gram Parsons
There was country music. And there was rock n' roll music. And then Gram Parsons introduced them to each other. The world was a better place for it. Then Gram died. It's a tragedy. But we have his beautiful music to enjoy: "Return of the Grievous Angel," "A Song For You," "Love Hurts" and so many more. Hear more of his work here.
Death Cab for Cutie
TCFA adopts a band for each college football season. And in 2008, our adopt-a-band program chose Death Cab for Cutie. The band has since become a favorite here in the Hyland household. Plans has secured a place in Your Editor's all-time Top 10, and Narrow Stairs ain't all that bad, either. If I were to make a Death Cab mix for y'all, it would begin with the following three songs: "Crooked Teeth," "Grapevine Fires," "Soul Meets Body."
The Pogues
Sadly, I cannot assume that all of you are Irish. Too bad for you. Fortunately, I can offfer you The Pogues. Take one listen to some of this legendary band's greatest hits -- "Body of an American," "If I Should Fall From Grace With God," "Streams of Whiskey" -- and you will feel the spirit of the Celtic Tiger. Even if you're English.
http://www.pogues.com/
The Pixies
OK, so these guys aren't quite what you might expect from me. But in the past year or so, I've been converted. Must listen: "Gouge Away," and "Where Is My Mind?" If you don't like 'em after that, give up. At least you'll have tried.
http://www.myspace.com/pixies
Ryan Adams
His 2001 solo debut, Heartbreaker, literally changed my life (or at least my listening habits). He's been doing brilliant (mostly) work ever since, both solo and with a stellar backing band called The Cardinals.
www.ryan-adams.com
Drive-By Truckers
This Athens, Ga.-based band (by way of Tuscumbe, Ala.) has been called by some "The Greatest Band In The World." You scoff. But take one listen to "Zip City," "Sinkhole," "Lookout Mountain," or "Shut Up And Get On The Plane," and you'll know what they mean. Three songwriters. Three guitar players. Rock n' roll is alive and well.
www.drivebytruckers.com
Old 97's
Your Editor's wife has a crush on the lead singer, but that's OK. I have seen these guys twice. There isn't a better live band out there. Plus their classic album Too Far To Care is among my favorite tailgating records.
www.old97s.com
Marah
Is there a better opening track in rock history than "Faraway You," which opens Marah's stellar 2000 effort, Kids In Philly? Answer: No. This is the best band that nobody has ever heard of. And "Sooner or Later" is so awesome that it's on every TCFA Tailgating Mix. Every year. No matter what. As the boys say: "Don't expect much these days buddy / a couple beers and life is so funny / but you'll be coming back sooner or later / and we'll be waiting for you."
www.marah-usa.com
Josh Rouse
He's been putting out great records since 1998, when Dressed Up Like Nebraska introduced us to some of the finest, most lyrical songwriting ever to emerge from the Great Plains. If you put on his 1972 album and don't start feeling happy, you may need Zoloft or something. Also of note: "Directions," "Quiet Town,"
www.joshrouse.com
Whiskeytown
Ryan Adams' first band was a great bunch of fellas from North Carolina who went by the name Whiskeytown. By the time their last record was released, the band basically consisted of just Ryan and a fantastic fiddle player/vocalist/songwriter named Caitlin Cary, but they managed to write and perform songs as utterly perfect as "Easy Hearts." The album they created was called Pneumonia, a moody, powerful record that I still love, years after its delayed release. www.whiskeytownpneumonia.com
Beer Links
Remember to always support your local brewery! And please drink only good beer.
General Lafayette Inn & Brewery
Located just two short miles from TCFA Headquarters, this brewery and restaurant has for the past few years been turning out the very best beer in all of Philadelphia (at least in Your Editor's not-so-humble opinion).
www.generallafayetteinn.com
Victory Brewing Company
Downingtown, Pa.-based brewers of the finest autumnal beer in existence, Victory Hop Devil. It's "menacingly delicious," not to mention the official IPA of TCFA.
www.victorybeer.com
Yuengling
The Oldest Brewery in America. No kidding. Right here in the Great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
www.yuengling.com
Great Lakes Brewing Company
Cleveland-based brewer of some fantastic beers, including the wonderful Dortmunder Gold and extra-hoppy Burning River Pale Ale.
www.greatlakesbrewing.com
Yards Brewing Company
Philadelphia was once the world capital of beermaking, and though only one brewery remains in Philly, it's a great one. Check out a Yards ESA on tap.
www.yardsbrewing.com
Weyerbacher Brewing Company
You have to love a brewery that has the guts to make beers so flavorful that they can live up to names like Old Heathen, Blithering Idiot and Insanity. There isn't a brewery doing more adventurous work than these guys.
www.weyerbacher.com
