Eli Morland

A surprisingly phenomenal album. Dylan enters a new stage of his mythical artistic career with this one. It’s hypnotic and powerful and somber. For anyone afraid of venturing beyond his 60’s and 70’s stuff, this album is masterful and could not have been made were it not for his decades long career. Dylan’s still got “it”. He’s got to be the best artist of our time.

The only other book I can compare this to is Les Miserables. When I first read Les Miserables, I felt it was kind of a slog. I was just trying to get through it. But then a funny thing happened; at the end of the book it all came together. I understood why it was so long. I understood why all the seemingly inconsequential details were there. It all came together and made the ending so powerful and satisfying. It made me want to read it again immediately. Blood Meridian isn’t insanely long like Les Miserables. But it’s similar in that you may find yourself wondering why it’s paced like it is. Why certain details are included. What’s the point of this? Where is this going? And then you get to the last chapter and you realize this is probably the best American novel ever written. It rewards re-reads. It defies analysis. It might stick in your mind for months. It might make you want to start a book club just to discuss it with other people. And of course McCarthy’s prose is epic, stark, mythic and blunt all at once. It reminds you of what humans are capable of in every way.

A rare album that legitimately improves with time. All time classic. A must-listen for anyone who is interested in music beyond 15 second TikTok clips. The drama and intensity of this record was kind of wasted on 2005. It’s more powerful 19 years later.

Out of left field come Vampire Weekend, returning with their best album easily since Modern Vampires of the City. Like an old friend you kinda forgot about, but then immediately are reminded why they’re one of your oldest friends. The album for our times. Beautiful and cathartic and more cynical than anything they’ve done before, but as always in a legit earnest way. Masterpiece.