Two Weeks Gone

A Watkins Glen gorge trail, on a warm autumn afternoon two weeks gone; and last summer's first hot day: Saturday Morning, in Gloom Cupboard # 63.

Two poems by Read This editor Claire Askew: Christopher’s Wren, at Pomegranate, and Homecoming, at Claire’s poets’ community One Night Stanzas.

Playing: Dave Martone's Clean, with guests Jennifer Batten, Billy Sheehan.

Armageddon Monks

For us, the highlight of September’s Porchfest, an eclectic afternoon of music played on porches throughout Ithaca’s Fall Creek neighborhood, was an acoustic set by Armageddon Monks. First time we’d heard them play, but it won’t be the last. Their self-titled 2007 CD Armageddon Monks, a collection of new recordings of the band’s favorite tracks from earlier releases, is available on their website, at Amazon.com, and other online retailers; each track is also available as a 99¢ MP3 download.

Their website characterizes their sound as metal-influenced rock, blending oldschool metal influences with modern rock melodies and structures–Not always an easy mix, but these guys make it all work, and seamlessly.

Armageddon Monks is a kickass CD–Well-written songs, great performances and production, no filler here. Personal recommends if you’re previewing online: Lines, Long Way Down, Where We Lie, Get Your Fill, Come Inside, No Day Like Tomorrow. Check out the samples, and download City Limits, an EP of five demo tracks for an upcoming CD–It’s available as a free download here.

Links:
http://www.armageddonmonks.com
www.myspace.com/amonks
City Limits EP

Watkins Glen

Watkins Glen, NY. I'm always a little amazed, not only by the beauty of the gorge itself, but by the skill and scope of the stonework that allows the access most of us take for granted now. Regional landscape architect Herbert Blanche said in 1933 that “the best executed project is one that is least apparent in the landscape,” and after the disastrous flood of 1935 washed out most of the existing concrete stairs and metal railings, the gorge trail was reconstructed with native stone. Its striated, flowing walls are an artful extension of the gorge’s own; often, it’s hard to tell where nature’s work ends, masonry begins. I’ve great respect for the masons who built, who continue to maintain and improve the winding steps, bridges, miles of walkways throughout the Fingerlakes gorges and parks.