tmcg

So this guy I know from Krav Maga turns out to be a musician, too. (We find this out when we're supposed to be practicing nasty thumb-destroying shirtfront-grab releases and we're both totally wussing out. "I play the piano!" the guy says in a tone I've never heard even from someone announcing a lack of groin protection. "I play the pennywhistle!" I cry out in reply. The instructor comes over because we're being totally pathetic. Even offering up his own thumb in sacrifice, he has to work for several minutes to get me to do it right. I was too ooked out to hurt the ooky.) So it turns out he's from around here, too, and plays in places I know. So he hands me a copy of his band's CD after class. I think, Cool, a local group, this should be fun, and I'll be supportive no matter what it sounds like. Today I listen to it while I'm walking four miles in the ongoing process of breaking in new hiking boots (and clearing my head from the rush copyedit that's keeping me from the World Fantasy Convention this year, sigh).

It rocks! Billy Joel is a strong influence, which probably explains part of why I liked it so much. (I'm old enough now to admit being a lifelong Billy Joel fan. For years I hid this fact in shame.) But it's also got great guitar, great piano, tight harmony on the vocals, and an appealing mix of pop and rock.

So here's a plug for it, with an Amazon link. And a brief prayer to the patron saint of ookies that we don't break any fingers next time we're doubles partners.