Greatest Hits

Greatest Hits - banner

Side one: Music

This is the place: Delving into Radiohead's hacked minidiscs
More than 16 hours of demos and outtakes from the OK Computer era arrived, and there is a lot to comb through as a result.
From Static and Feedback, June 2019

Led Zeppelin's first contact, 50 years later
I have to thank a friend for texting me on the morning of Jan. 12, reminding me that Zeppelin's first album came out 50 years ago that day.
From Static and Feedback, January 2019

Pearl Jam teams with Seattle to bring its music home
I made the trip to see Pearl Jam in their home town and it was worth everything.
From Static and Feedback, August 2018

Twisted words and singalongs: Capping four nights and 25 years with Radiohead in New York
It was little more than eight hours in a train, round trip, but Radiohead made it worth it.
From Static and Feedback, July 2018

No chance of escape: 20 years of wrestling with OK Computer
The release of the anniversary OKNOTOK has just reinforced what a blinding wonder the original album was, and remains.
From Static and Feedback, July 2017

Restless Souls: How Pearl Jam fought back and saved themselves with Vitalogy
A longform e-reader that looks into the making of Pearl Jam's third album and all the ridiculous hurdles that the band had to clear circa 1994.
From Static and Feedback, June 2014

Chasing the Sun: How Oasis crossed oceans with Definitely Maybe
A longform look at Oasis' debut album, designed as an e-magazine. This is the third of four longform album pieces I've written.
From Static and Feedback, February 2014

Ticket stub memories: sorted, filed and treasured
I received a ticket stub album for Christmas, and had more than a fair amount of fun tracing my concert-going history through little pieces of paper I've refused to throw away.
From Static and Feedback, December 2011

The Who are honored, not finished
A long piece reviewing the taping of the VH-1 Rock Honors: The Who special in Los Angeles, as well as a look at the Who's place in rock and roll history. Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, the Flaming Lips, Tenacious D and Incubus are also covered.
From Static and Feedback, July, 2008

All thrills and no frills: Marc Ford tackles his music with no pretense
Interview with guitarist Marc Ford, and a review of his concert in Phoenix.
From Static and Feedback, June, 2007

Return of the madness: A detailed glance at obsession, music and mental health through four Pearl Jam shows in three weeks
A very personal account of following my favorite band on the road, travelling with friends and getting turned on to new music. This one tops 4,000 words, and is one of my favorite pieces of writing.
From Static and Feedback, June 2006

45 Side two: Sports

Normand Léveillé and the Greatest Hurrah
Léveillé final skate at Boston Garden was not his final great moment.
From Saves and Shutouts, April 10, 2020

Portugal's win on SouthCoast: One fan's story
I don't know that I had honestly realized what Portugal winning a trophy would mean until it happened.
From The Standard-Times, July 11, 2016

Why my dad roots for the U.S. and frustrates the rest of my family
I have a lot of futbol snobs in my family who all have very loud opinions. My dad has never been one of them.
From The Standard-Times, June 22, 2014

How Brandon Workman wound up with Koji Uehara's World Series loss
The inspiration for this tale of a misappropriated stat goes to my friend Shawn Wright, a postdoctural fellow in Geology at Auburn.
From The Standard-Times, March 9, 2014

With a bang and a whimper
The drama and calamity present in the Red Sox finishing a historic September slide, coupled with the Rays' rise through the standings, was amazing, pathetic and all too much for a diehard to take.
From Saves and Shutouts, Sept. 29, 2011

Thomas responds, Luongo doesn't
After nearly a week of yapping, Roberto Luongo again laid an egg on the TD Garden ice, while Tim Thomas was nearly unbeatable. Two days later, the Bruins won the Stanley Cup for the first time in 39 years.
From The Standard-Times, June 14, 2011

Thomas protects the crease, delivers a shutout
Goalie Tim Thomas responded to criticism for his style of play, stopping 38 shots, starting scraps and backstopping the Bruins to a 4-0 win that tied the Stanley Cup finals at two games apiece.
From The Standard-Times, June 9, 2011

Moss quieted by Giants' 'D,' Super Bowl loss
Randy Moss was seething after the New England Patriots' loss to the Giants. Written on deadline from Super Bowl XLII at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
From The Standard-Times, Feb. 4, 2008

Brown has seen it all
This feature looks at the career and outlook of the then-longest-tenured member of the New England Patriots.
From The Standard-Times, Feb. 2, 2008

Gator sparks steroid shuffle
A look at what would happen if we actually tried to correct every award handed out since 1988. This was one of my most-linked columns at the time, and coincidentally, Rick Reilly wrote practically the same thing in 2008. I'm fairly certain he has no idea who I am.
From The Standard-Times, Feb. 18, 2005