10 years ago today, in this blog's first entry, I wrote about the fact that Ryan Adams didn't appear in my top ten for the second year in a row. Of course, this was only notable because Adams (solo and with Whiskeytown) had charted two #1s and a #2 the previous five years. But, the detail that really linked that post to this one was my reference to Adams as a "former alt-country poser/heartthrob."
On that note, I'll begin this 10-day celebration of the blog's tenth anniversary by referencing a good friend's philosophy about guilty pleasures. She doesn't believe in them, because she feels people should embrace the things they love, without reservation. Sorry, I can't find the exact quote, but that about sums it up.
I might otherwise have included Heartthrob in that category. I mean, it's hardly The Best of England Dan & John Ford Coley, but considering it's their first album on which they plunge full-force into the pop mainstream, and the first that really made an impression on me, I really have to remain true to my convictions to include in my top ten.
And let me make one thing clear. By pop mainstream, we're talking Adele and Katy Perry territory here—actually, I know so little about the genre, I'm not really sure if this is the right comparison point—as opposed to Beatles-inspired pop rock.
Rock snobs absolutely hate this album. Well, at least one rock snob—who happens to be my other half in AfroDan Progressive Brewers—I know does. Some folks just don't have it in them to embrace what I might otherwise have called a guilty pleasure.
But, of course, you can decide for yourself by checking out one of my favorite songs of the year:
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2025 Hall of Fame candidates: Vic Harris
6 hours ago
Perfect summation of my guilty pleasures comment! The Internet is a better place with you in it, my friend. :-)
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