Burning Ambulance (website/newsletter/record label)
@burningambulance.bsky.social
All posts by Phil Freeman, co-founder/co-owner (and author of IN THE BREWING LUMINOUS: THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF CECIL TAYLOR). When in doubt, assume I'm kidding. I'll have forgotten whatever we were arguing about by tomorrow.
Re-watched season 2 of THE WIRE this week and it's still really good, but it has some definite flaws:
1) Jimmy McNulty. Cut him out and you've improved the whole show by like 20-25%.
2) Don't make me listen to an entire goddamn Steve Earle song. Steve Earle sucks.
1) Jimmy McNulty. Cut him out and you've improved the whole show by like 20-25%.
2) Don't make me listen to an entire goddamn Steve Earle song. Steve Earle sucks.
November 17, 2025 at 1:09 AM
Re-watched season 2 of THE WIRE this week and it's still really good, but it has some definite flaws:
1) Jimmy McNulty. Cut him out and you've improved the whole show by like 20-25%.
2) Don't make me listen to an entire goddamn Steve Earle song. Steve Earle sucks.
1) Jimmy McNulty. Cut him out and you've improved the whole show by like 20-25%.
2) Don't make me listen to an entire goddamn Steve Earle song. Steve Earle sucks.
I did not realize non-low-income people ate at McDonald's. Why?
www.latimes.com/business/sto...
www.latimes.com/business/sto...
McDonald's is losing its low-income customers. Economists call it a symptom of the stark wealth divide
These customers are feeling the pressures of higher prices on groceries and apparel and the growing cost of rent and child care, the company's chief executive said in a recent earnings call.
www.latimes.com
November 16, 2025 at 6:50 PM
I did not realize non-low-income people ate at McDonald's. Why?
www.latimes.com/business/sto...
www.latimes.com/business/sto...
I need to listen to Lila Downs more. (@iza3800.bsky.social showed me this clip.)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIis...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIis...
Natalia Jiménez, Lila Downs - La Cigarra
YouTube video by NataliaJimenezVEVO
www.youtube.com
November 16, 2025 at 3:39 AM
I need to listen to Lila Downs more. (@iza3800.bsky.social showed me this clip.)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIis...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIis...
Every time I read something by Packer I think about the description, first applied to Newt Gingrich, "a stupid person's idea of a smart person." And then I think about how very, very stupid so many of our journalistic elites must be, that this schmuck, this lunkhead, could be as revered as he is.
in the actual real world secret police are disappearing americans on behalf of an openly white nationalist government but george packer’s latest is a novel about a world beset by woke totalitarianism
What Happens When an Empire Falls? This Novel Has Some Ideas.
www.nytimes.com
November 15, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Every time I read something by Packer I think about the description, first applied to Newt Gingrich, "a stupid person's idea of a smart person." And then I think about how very, very stupid so many of our journalistic elites must be, that this schmuck, this lunkhead, could be as revered as he is.
Reposted by Burning Ambulance (website/newsletter/record label)
I love that every generation has the same Tom Jones experience. "Oh this guy is corny as hell" to "Okay this guy is corny as hell but it's fun to laugh at him" to "Okay this guy has bangers" to "Okay this guy is a generational talent and a complete fucking genius."
November 15, 2025 at 6:59 PM
I love that every generation has the same Tom Jones experience. "Oh this guy is corny as hell" to "Okay this guy is corny as hell but it's fun to laugh at him" to "Okay this guy has bangers" to "Okay this guy is a generational talent and a complete fucking genius."
Weekend used book score: Three Travis McGee novels, chosen pretty much at random, for $6.
November 15, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Weekend used book score: Three Travis McGee novels, chosen pretty much at random, for $6.
Did you know there are now TWO exorcism-themed movies starring Russell Crowe? And incredibly, they're both good! THE POPE'S EXORCIST is a rollicking spookablast, while THE EXORCISM is much darker (emotionally and literally - half the movie seems to take place in unlit rooms) and scarier.
November 15, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Did you know there are now TWO exorcism-themed movies starring Russell Crowe? And incredibly, they're both good! THE POPE'S EXORCIST is a rollicking spookablast, while THE EXORCISM is much darker (emotionally and literally - half the movie seems to take place in unlit rooms) and scarier.
Your periodic reminder that there's a review archived on Rolling Stone's website that describes "the transitional albums that moved [Metallica] from the pure aggression of Kill ‘Em All to the flawless 'black album'". Yeah, those "transitional" '80s Metallica albums...
November 15, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Your periodic reminder that there's a review archived on Rolling Stone's website that describes "the transitional albums that moved [Metallica] from the pure aggression of Kill ‘Em All to the flawless 'black album'". Yeah, those "transitional" '80s Metallica albums...
If he invented that look he's way more deserving of a statue than most military figures of his era.
sideburns being named after general burnsides sounds like one of those apocryphal folk legends except it's true. They're literally named after this guy
November 14, 2025 at 11:54 PM
If he invented that look he's way more deserving of a statue than most military figures of his era.
The Olivia Nuzzi story in the New York Times is very funny. I mean, the author quotes KARA SWISHER, a woman who's done so many 180s on her interview subjects (You're a genius! Oh, your stock's down? You're an idiot, and I was the first to notice!) her spine must have ball bearings in it.
November 14, 2025 at 11:53 PM
The Olivia Nuzzi story in the New York Times is very funny. I mean, the author quotes KARA SWISHER, a woman who's done so many 180s on her interview subjects (You're a genius! Oh, your stock's down? You're an idiot, and I was the first to notice!) her spine must have ball bearings in it.
The "bad" season of True Detective (2) is better than people say. The "best" season of True Detective (1) isn't as good as people remember. The best season of True Detective is 4. (I haven't seen 3.)
Today's Elliptical Cinema: rewatching Season 1 of True Detective.
I'm trying to remember if this is actually good or not, or if it just points at it. If the nonlinear construction is helping or sleight of hand to make the narrative seem like more than it is.
I'm trying to remember if this is actually good or not, or if it just points at it. If the nonlinear construction is helping or sleight of hand to make the narrative seem like more than it is.
November 14, 2025 at 9:47 PM
The "bad" season of True Detective (2) is better than people say. The "best" season of True Detective (1) isn't as good as people remember. The best season of True Detective is 4. (I haven't seen 3.)
Holy fuck, this list is amazing. "Steely Dan... were a far more commercial force than Gang Starr, but both are now beloved mostly by dads who got into jazz as part of a midlife crisis."
www.passionweiss.com/2025/11/14/t...
www.passionweiss.com/2025/11/14/t...
The 100 Best Rap Albums Of All-Time List – As Rock Albums | Passion of the Weiss
"They'd never have the balls to do this to rock music." Son Raw dissects and inverts the new canon.
www.passionweiss.com
November 14, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Holy fuck, this list is amazing. "Steely Dan... were a far more commercial force than Gang Starr, but both are now beloved mostly by dads who got into jazz as part of a midlife crisis."
www.passionweiss.com/2025/11/14/t...
www.passionweiss.com/2025/11/14/t...
"It's a big club — and you ain't in it!"
November 14, 2025 at 6:07 PM
"It's a big club — and you ain't in it!"
Today's BA newsletter is about some of the most uncanny music I've heard since beginning the Leo Records reissue project: a series of haunted, mind-warping "folk song" albums by Evgeny Masloboev and his daughter, Anastasia Masloboeva:
burningambulance.substack.com/p/evgeny-mas...
burningambulance.substack.com/p/evgeny-mas...
Evgeny Masloboev
Russian folk songs transformed into esoteric sound art
burningambulance.substack.com
November 14, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Today's BA newsletter is about some of the most uncanny music I've heard since beginning the Leo Records reissue project: a series of haunted, mind-warping "folk song" albums by Evgeny Masloboev and his daughter, Anastasia Masloboeva:
burningambulance.substack.com/p/evgeny-mas...
burningambulance.substack.com/p/evgeny-mas...
This is kinda what I expected from a Running Man remake, except that Drew Magary and I do not agree on the appeal of Glen Powell, who is a rain-soaked photocopy of a 1990s US Weekly story on Brad Pitt.
SFGATE columnist Drew Magary critiques Edgar Wright's '80s remake.
Everything 'The Running Man' does wrong
SFGATE columnist Drew Magary critiques Edgar Wright's '80s remake.
bit.ly
November 14, 2025 at 3:22 PM
This is kinda what I expected from a Running Man remake, except that Drew Magary and I do not agree on the appeal of Glen Powell, who is a rain-soaked photocopy of a 1990s US Weekly story on Brad Pitt.
One of the many things I love about death metal: Press releases that tell you who designed the band's logo.
November 14, 2025 at 3:16 PM
One of the many things I love about death metal: Press releases that tell you who designed the band's logo.
A biography of Alice Coltrane, by Andy Beta? Yes please. (Coming from Hachette in March.)
www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/andy-...
www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/andy-...
November 13, 2025 at 11:57 PM
A biography of Alice Coltrane, by Andy Beta? Yes please. (Coming from Hachette in March.)
www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/andy-...
www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/andy-...
Today in FUCK YEAH: Cecil Taylor/Tony Oxley Flashing Spirits CDs are officially SOLD OUT. (We have UK and EU distribution, so I'm sure some sites still have copies left, but I have NONE.) This is the first Burning Ambulance Music title to sell out its print run and I am THRILLED.
November 13, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Today in FUCK YEAH: Cecil Taylor/Tony Oxley Flashing Spirits CDs are officially SOLD OUT. (We have UK and EU distribution, so I'm sure some sites still have copies left, but I have NONE.) This is the first Burning Ambulance Music title to sell out its print run and I am THRILLED.
Wolke, the publishers of my book IN THE BREWING LUMINOUS: THE LIFE & MUSIC OF CECIL TAYLOR, have launched a new website (they take PayPal now!), and to celebrate they're offering free shipping with the code "newwolke2025" until 12/31! Buy my book!
www.wolke-verlag.de/en/shop/in-t...
www.wolke-verlag.de/en/shop/in-t...
In the Brewing Luminous - Wolke Verlag
The Life & Music of Cecil Taylor. By Phil Freeman. In the Brewing Luminous is the first full-length biography of Cecil Taylor.
www.wolke-verlag.de
November 13, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Wolke, the publishers of my book IN THE BREWING LUMINOUS: THE LIFE & MUSIC OF CECIL TAYLOR, have launched a new website (they take PayPal now!), and to celebrate they're offering free shipping with the code "newwolke2025" until 12/31! Buy my book!
www.wolke-verlag.de/en/shop/in-t...
www.wolke-verlag.de/en/shop/in-t...
So about a week ago, this tabby cat showed up at our front door, wanting to come inside. Very vocal, looking up at me and meowing, pressing both front paws against the door. I said no, and it walked away. But it came back around 1:30 AM, meowing loudly and finally leaving again.
November 13, 2025 at 3:27 PM
So about a week ago, this tabby cat showed up at our front door, wanting to come inside. Very vocal, looking up at me and meowing, pressing both front paws against the door. I said no, and it walked away. But it came back around 1:30 AM, meowing loudly and finally leaving again.
Dammit, am I gonna have to watch a SECOND Russell Crowe exorcism movie? (THE POPE'S EXORCIST was a lot of fun.)
Catching up with The Exorcism and...wow. This is a sincere, thoughtful work, closer in feel to an Abel Ferrara film about a broken sinner seeking redemption than a cash-in demon puke-fest. And Crowe is dazzling. He has a genuinely powerful confession booth scene here. Killer supporting cast, too.
November 13, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Dammit, am I gonna have to watch a SECOND Russell Crowe exorcism movie? (THE POPE'S EXORCIST was a lot of fun.)
1) 90s Bowie was traaaaash
2) 21st century Nine Inch Nails > 20th century Nine Inch Nails, and it's not close
3) AUTECHRE
4) Ultimately this is as much about what gets "critically acclaimed" as the actual quality of the music; I mean, Cannibal Corpse are AMAZING right now, but who's gonna say so?
2) 21st century Nine Inch Nails > 20th century Nine Inch Nails, and it's not close
3) AUTECHRE
4) Ultimately this is as much about what gets "critically acclaimed" as the actual quality of the music; I mean, Cannibal Corpse are AMAZING right now, but who's gonna say so?
A depressing thing about contemporary culture is that back in the 90s you had loads of 60s/70s acts making big critically acclaimed returns: Bowie, Dylan, Nelson, Young, Emmylou Harris. And yet you struggle to think of any 90s acts doing the same today.
November 13, 2025 at 1:51 AM
1) 90s Bowie was traaaaash
2) 21st century Nine Inch Nails > 20th century Nine Inch Nails, and it's not close
3) AUTECHRE
4) Ultimately this is as much about what gets "critically acclaimed" as the actual quality of the music; I mean, Cannibal Corpse are AMAZING right now, but who's gonna say so?
2) 21st century Nine Inch Nails > 20th century Nine Inch Nails, and it's not close
3) AUTECHRE
4) Ultimately this is as much about what gets "critically acclaimed" as the actual quality of the music; I mean, Cannibal Corpse are AMAZING right now, but who's gonna say so?
Agree with this 100%. It's not even a good enough joke to have been worth it. There are plenty of other Cash lyrics to pull from; the guy wrote about 5000 songs.
A lot of people are huffing that this is a Johnny Cash reference. So what? It's a shitty thing to say and a 72-hour suspension is nothing. I would just not joke about shooting people I guess (not that it never crosses my mind)
The account owner of @sarahkendzior.bsky.social was suspended for 72 hours for expressing a desire to shoot the author of an article. The post, made 11/10, stated: "I want to shoot the author of this article just to watch him die." 1/2
November 12, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Agree with this 100%. It's not even a good enough joke to have been worth it. There are plenty of other Cash lyrics to pull from; the guy wrote about 5000 songs.
Saw this Joan Mitchell diptych in a Chelsea gallery almost 10 years ago and it's stuck with me ever since. Thanks as always to @iza3800.bsky.social for exposing my dumb ass to the good shit.
November 12, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Saw this Joan Mitchell diptych in a Chelsea gallery almost 10 years ago and it's stuck with me ever since. Thanks as always to @iza3800.bsky.social for exposing my dumb ass to the good shit.
This is a disturbing video.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdWr...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdWr...
ICE Raids Are Only Half The Story
YouTube video by Farm to Taber
www.youtube.com
November 12, 2025 at 5:22 AM
This is a disturbing video.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdWr...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdWr...