Alap

Like You'd Understand, Anyway: Stories

It’s hard to describe Jim Shepard’s style. I wrote three descriptions, all of which failed to capture what it is that makes him so special. His stories are affected with the tragedies of the modern world: Chernobyl, summer camp, marriage. But his tragedy is imbued with a great sense of humor and, at the same time, so much compassion as to evoke celebration. 

These stories inform us of the lives of others in an extremely personal manner, and the author’s self is utterly transparent in the reading. When Shepard writes a first-person narrative of a high school football player, he could easily satirize the guy, make him look like a fool or whatever, but he doesn’t. Instead, he makes us feel the joys and sorrows and fears and dreams of that person, a person we might not otherwise understand, or even want to, but he makes that person important by acknowledging that they not only exist but are just like everyone else. 

As George Saunders said, “[His work] does what great writing always does: inspires us to look more closely at life, and be more caring.” Many call him a writer’s writer; I don’t necessarily agree with that. Although great authors do like him a lot, he’s not writing for them. Because the most effective thing about Shepard is his lack of pretense – his prose invites all to read and, indeed, to understand.

Pyrite Radio

I'd really like to tell you about the music I put into these mixes; I really would. But honestly, it would take too long, and I'm busy. At some point I'd like to do the mixes like a radio show, where I might talk to you, but it kind of weirds me out: the idea of talking to you. We'll see.

Often, it seems that one must click on this fugger more than once. Or you could right click and download it instead.

Podcast #3: Alap

1. An Albatross // In the Court of the Bear King

2. James Brown // Hell

3. Alexandro Jodorowsky // Psychadelic Weapons

4. The Sonics // Roll Over Beethoven

5. Swell Maps // Harmony in your Bathroom

6. Chysalis // Fitzpatrick Swanson

7.  A to Austr // Prelude to Change for Arthur

8. Bill Fox // Way Way Down

9. The Red River // Real Danger

10. Tullycraft // Wild Bikini

11. Yo La Tengo // Little Honda (Live)

12. The Velvet Underground // The Gift

13. The Clean // Anything Could Happen

14. Mix by Reynard // LaMonte Young, T. Rex, Atlas Sound, Arvo Pärt, Glenn Branca

15. Television Personalities // Whatever Gets You Thru The Night