Tosh's Journal: August 2, 2023

Buying things through mail order can be convenient, but it is also a nail-tearing time to wait for the stuff to come through the mail. I never got burned by buying records or books and having them sent to me, but unless one is wealthy, I can only afford to have things sent to me by media mail. It would be much easier to go to a record store and buy the damn album. But for most of the music I like, a regular store doesn’t carry my type of music. Record Safari is an exception because they have an excellent curator who ensures fantastic music in his shop. But I’m also a cranky, overly-opinionated snob who likes a specific type of music. I can’t tell you how many times I have to paste a smile on my face when someone mentions a band or artist they like, and I tend to say something like oh yeah, they’re interesting. The fact is, they are never interesting. I lie to them because I want to be seen as a nice guy. But the truth is I’m a horrible person.

As one can gather by reading through my Substack posts, I have only one interest: the World of Me. The You part is a problem. As a writer, one thinks one should be aware of the world and its various characters, but honestly, I don’t care. I only care, for example, that there is a new reissue on vinyl of The British Electronic Foundation (B.E.F.) album Music For Stowaways. A record that was recorded in 1980/1981 and put out as a cassette release. Ian Craig Marsh and Martyn Ware were in the original line-up of Human League. They left to start up the B.E.F., which is also Heaven 17. The other big B.E.F. projects are these albums which they do covers and have guest singers on them. They’re good as well, but Music For Stowaways is something special.

One feels like they are listening into a laboratory where these scientists (artists) are experimenting and laying out plans for their future. One hears traces or hints of their next album, Heaven 17’s Penthouse and Pavement, but their ideas' roughness is very pleasing. There’s beauty here and electro-dance workouts, a really superb album. Not a masterpiece like Penthouse and Pavement, but on a pleasurable level, just as enjoyable.

Meanwhile, I’m battling the endless battle between good and evil, which means my weight. The days I do gain weight are the viewings of the entrance to Hell. I should sell tickets to my destiny. For sure, a new side-show Amusement carnival ride.