They come from a town not unlike yours. Predictable and unremarkable. They hit a certain age and moved to the city. Most things fit. Some didn’t. We get that, Tokyo Police Club.

We like listening to this when we hit the Wine Rack in the summer. In the car on the road to somewhere new. But it’s when we go home and see the snow falling that we yearn for this sound. It’s being in those familiar spaces. Feeling that ground under foot. Remembering the girls, happy and married now. The nerve we never had. The friends we’ll never talk to again.

The more uncertain the world you choose, the more clarity you pull from the places you never understood when you were in them. That’s our elephant shell. Learning too well the shortcomings of your own heart. Understanding your romance may never be pearly white. And feeling so grateful for that. Knowing that, some nights, you’ll never be a gentleman.

Tokyo Police Club’s best album has one song over three minutes. How they crystallize their many moving parts in such short bursts is an act of impressive alchemy. They aim for the heart and burrow inside. You go back to them for the science. You stay for the decimals.

Lars Anderson should provide quality depth for the Toronto Blue Jays as he works to finally establish himself in the majors. (J. Meric/Getty Images)

Lars Anderson is the newest member of the Toronto Blue Jays organization, arriving on a waiver claim in late February. He’s a former top prospect who’s stalled out in the upper minors. But with David Cooper injured and Adam Lind’s effectiveness hardly guaranteed, there’s a chance Anderson could work his way back to the bigs this year. He’s still only 25.

PROFILE

Lars Anderson was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 18^th round, 553^rd overall, of the 2006 amateur draft out of Jesuit High School in Carmichael, California. He’d played for the U.S. junior national team and was considered an early round talent. But most teams passed on him due to signability concerns stemming from an early commitment to the University of California (Berkeley). Under Theo Epstein’s ambitious draft management, the Red Sox managed to get Anderson under contract for sandwich-round money ($825,000), augmenting a successful class that also yielded Daniel Bard, Justin Masterson and Josh Reddick.

Anderson began his pro career the following season with the full-season Greenville Drive of the South Atlantic League. He attacked fastballs well and showed precocious pitch recognition skills as well as excellent patience. He played 124 games, hitting .288/.385/.443 with an impressive 35 doubles, 10 home runs, 69 RBI and a striking 112/71 SO/BB ratio. He was still a teenager but one demonstrating skills well beyond his years. He also received a brief taste of high-A with the California League’s Lancaster JetHawks and tore the cover off the ball (.343/.489/.486) in the circuit’s cushy hitting environs. He was surging up prospect charts and looked to be worth every penny of his draft bonus.

He began 2008 back in Lancaster but the league couldn’t hold him for long. In 77 games, he slugged .317/.408/.513 with 19 doubles and 13 home runs, driving in 50 and registering a strong 64/46 SO/BB. Promoted to the Eastern League’s Portland Sea Dogs in July, Anderson obliterated his first taste of AA, swatting .316/.436/.526 with 13 doubles, 5 home runs, 30 RBI and incredible patience (43/29 SO/BB) over a 41-game trial. All told, he’d put up a .317/.417/.517 slash line with 32 doubles and 18 home runs and extraordinary control (107/75 SO/BB) for a developing power bat. He reached base in 36 of his 41 AA games, producing a .926 OPS at the level as a 20-year old. His strikeout rate (26.4%) rose after the promotion but so, too, did his walks (17.8%). It looked like he was on the fast-track to stardom. The only real caveat in his profile lurked in his unbelievable BABIPs. He’d registered crazy numbers in the category at every stop of his career – but his .430 AA mark was never going to hold up over a full season. Still, Anderson had done more than enough to earn Red Sox Minor League Offensive Player of the Year honours and clearly rated as one of the truly elite prospects in baseball. His luck only looked like something to keep an eye on.

Boston hoped Anderson could build upon his AA success by spending all of 2009 back in Portland and he got off to a solid, if not spectacular, start as the league adjusted to him. But in the second half, Anderson regressed to an almost unbelievable level, hitting just .154 with one home run and 9 RBI over his last 40 games. It was an unconscionable collapse. Many wondered if he was playing hurt and, indeed, his season ended early due to back soreness and hamstring problems. But were they the sole cause of such prolonged misery? In 119 total games, Anderson was left with a line of just .233/.328/.345, 23 doubles, 9 home runs, 51 RBI and a souring 114/63 SO/BB rate. His line drive rate sunk from 19.9% to just 13%. And, indeed, his luck completely ran out, sending his BABIP plunging from .430 to a more credible .292. Had playing hurt cost him half a season of development time? Or did his first real bout of failure send him crumbling under expectations that he was supposed to be the Red Sox first baseman of the future? With Anthony Rizzo climbing quickly behind him, Anderson now faced an uncertain path.

Shaken by his awful finish, Boston had little choice but to return Anderson to Portland in 2010. He responded like it’d never happened, hitting an extraordinary .355/.408/.677 with 5 home runs in 17 games. His health was assured, it was clear his approach was still intact and Boston quickly promoted him to the AAA Pawtucket Red Sox. There, he seemed to fall in somewhere between his two extremes, hitting .262/.340/.428 with 32 doubles, 10 home runs, 53 RBI and a mediocre 109/44 SO/BB ratio the rest of the way. On one hand, his gap strength and patience had returned to wicked effect. On the other, he was now struggling mightily against southpaws and still only hitting .262 with below average home run power. He received a late promotion to Boston, making his major league debut against the Tampa Bay Rays. But Anderson would only get into 18 games while hitting a soft .200/326/.229. More adjustments were still necessarily. He would enter 2011 at age 23 ticketed again for AAA. Still young enough to develop more power and restore his prospect standing. But old enough now that questions about his ultimate power ceiling wouldn’t go away. He’d earned a reputation as smart and hard working. But there were rumblings that he sometimes put too much pressure on himself, extending slumps when things weren’t going well. That winter, Boston traded Rizzo as part of a package for Adrian Gonzalez. Anderson now appeared blocked and could only prepare for a return engagement in the International League awaiting an opportunity, most likely in another organization.

The Red Sox had little choice but to send him back to the International League and hope for the best. Instead, Anderson gave them more of the same. He played 93 games, hitting .259/.359/.415 with 22 doubles, 9 HRs, 52 RBI and a 89/56 SO/BB. Injuries to Carl Crawford and Jacoby Ellsbury helped him back to the show for a week in April. But when Kevin Youkilis got hurt in May, Will Middlebrooks was up and Anderson was history. At the deadline, he was traded to the Cleveland Indians for right-handed knuckleballer Steven Wright, capping a disappointing end to Anderson’s Red Sox career. He couldn’t break the Cleveland lineup, either, even with injuries and ineffectiveness sidelining Matt LaPorta and Travis Hafner. Instead, they rolled with Casey Kotchman’s flailing ghost all the way to a 68-win season. Anderson was stuck manning first in AAA for the Columbus Clippers – and he was awful, hitting a meagre .196/.319/.286 with 5 doubles, no home runs and a 18/9 SO/BB in 18 games. There were now real doubts about whether he’d ever be able to establish himself as a major league regular. In December, he was sent packing again as part of a three-team trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Cincinnati Reds featuring Trevor Bauer and Shin-Soo Choo. Anderson looked like little more than a depth piece and, by February, found himself on waivers, then claimed by the Chicago White Sox. His time as a south-sider lasted only three weeks before they waived him, too. In need of first base depth and sensing a buy-low opportunity, the Blue Jays claimed Anderson and invited him to spring training.

OUTLOOK

For all the dreams that Lars Anderson may one day revive his stagnating career, at this point, it appears this is what he is. A guy very much like David Cooper. In Toronto, that may actually make Anderson useful to have around. This winter, Toronto lost Mike McDade to Cleveland. Then Cooper was unable to report to camp because of a back injury that now threatens to derail his season. That leaves the Blue Jays awfully thin at first base in the upper minors. Given Adam Lind is the incumbent DH, depth may prove to be a valuable commodity. Anderson’s spot on the 40-man is hardly secure. And he’ll slot in behind Anthony Gose, Moises Sierra and Josh Thole on the list of probable call-ups biding their time in Buffalo. But if Lind’s conditioning or performance falters and Anderson gets off to a good start, we could see him in Toronto this summer.

It’s interesting that Anderson is essentially stepping into Cooper’s role on this Blue Jays team. After Anderson signed in Boston, Cooper ended up transferring to the University of California and starring there before being drafted by Toronto. Now, Anderson is part insurance plan, part cautionary tale about overvaluing prospect assets.

If he can regain the strike zone, he may end up putting together a decent season in the next few years. But to do it, he’ll need a major league opportunity he won’t likely find in Toronto.

STAT SHEET

Lars Anderson, 1B
09/25/87            Bats: L             Throws: L        HT: 6-4          WT: 215
Oakland, California                    High School: Jesuit (Sacramento, CA)
Drafted by Boston in the 18^th round, 553^rd overall, of the 2006 MLB Amateur Draft.
Acquired: Selected off waivers from the Chicago White Sox on February 25, 2013
Contract Status: Not eligible for arbitration before 2016.
Salary: $482,000
Service Time: 0.053

Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law play well together as Holmes and Watson in Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes.

Sherlock Holmes

Guy Ritchie’s telling of “Sherlock Holmes” is a silly and frivolous romp, the likes of which your father’s Sherlock would hardly have bothered to study with care. It entertained me.

This incarnation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s beloved detective won’t have collectors rifling through yellowed volumes for references long-forgotten. It will not evoke the emotion of the recent BBC miniseries that so skillfully modernizes the Holmes tales. This Sherlock – story, man and motivation – are all rather obvious. A mix of mythology and magic channeling through a singular, iconic figure. He could be Batman.

You know the lead-up. Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) and Watson (Jude Law) share their London flat, minded by Mrs. Hudson (Geraldine James) on 221B Baker St. in musty Victorian England. Here they are attracted to the case of the nefarious-sounding Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong), a sinister fellow with a penchant for grim theatrics. The boys catch him in one such act, haul him off, toss away the key and he is hung. Watson even pronounces him. But Blackwood will not rest. And so it goes.

This is straightforward stuff filmed and performed with flair. Downey relishes every acerbic observation, cutting through rooms with his barbed tongue. Most of the time, he looks like absolute hell. Much like the city he inhabits he is grey and brown, awaiting repair. Downey gives substance to Holmes’ vulnerabilities, suggesting he could fall apart without warning. Yes, his twitchy performance is only degrees removed from his similarly unhinged and egomaniacal Tony Stark. But there are other treats for those who tire of this.

Law is mostly left to play bridesmaid but exhibits an amiable chemistry with Downey and lends the film a welcome bit of mischief. Blackwood is, of course, evil and all that. And Strong is certainly venomous enough but the character is too shallow to require much of him. Blackwood’s scheme offers few true thrills. It’s necessary only to set the plot in motion. Fortunately, Ritchie populates the edges of his picture with a brilliant collection of British character actors. Eddie Marsan as Lestrade, James, underutilized, as Mrs. Hudson and the fragrant Kelly Reilly as Mary, Watson’s bride-to-be. They make the ride more fun.

Only Rachel McAdams, as Irene Adler, Holmes’ historically enigmatic and insatiable siren, seems lost. She features McAdams’ usual pluck but appears too young, too nebbish to mystify and intoxicate Holmes, let alone stand as his equal. She leaves him precious few charms to become drunk on. Their connection feels forced.

So, too, does Ritchie’s taste for pugilism. It’s suited his other films well. But here it is ribald, out-of-place. A bullfight in a library. Rather than playing as pivotal tests, fight scenes here strike us as obligatory and calculated. Indeed, we are even shown several telestrations of Holmes’ attack methods as he considers them, a kind of preview tour through the anatomy of his jabs and kicks, before the editing flips into high gear as he executes. No Sherlock’s ever been afraid to show off. But this crosses into overkill. Like Sherlock on steroids. No doubt of his own creation.

The filmmakers show fine craft turning their London into a grubby, tattered mess. I enjoyed the many potholes, stumbling drunkards and unfinished civic projects. Oscar-winning costume designer Jenny Beavan adds aesthetic panache by keeping her hooligans as nattily-tailored as the effete, antisocial dandies are comfortable. The whole production is slick and impressive. Hans Zimmer adds a rousing score.

“Sherlock Holmes” succeeds mostly in revitalizing his legend – and adding adrenaline.

It’s briskly-paced and features a couple of unexpected and memorable henchmen. The shadow play is appreciated; the cloaks, daggers and single-bullet pistols are refreshing. And the farcical elements end up yielding a lot of fun. How else to regard a case concerning the pursuit of a ginger midget?

Holmes would see through something this transparent in a heartbeat.

It’s elementary, no question. But entertaining indeed.

***

Sherlock Holmes – Robert Downey Jr.
Dr. John Watson – Jude Law
Irene Adler – Rachel McAdams
Blackwood – Mark Strong
Lestrade – Eddie Marsan
Mrs. Hudson – Geraldine James
Mary Morstan – Kelly Reilly

Directed by Guy Ritchie
Written by Michael Robert Johnson, Anthony Peckham and Simon Kinberg
Running Time: 128 Minutes.

There are more than a few reasons for us to endorse Spring Breakers. Some are obvious.

Like getting the jump on the hip kids you know are gonna try to bite James Franco’s ‘rows. Harmony Korine subverting the teenage dreams of every fucked up Lindsay headed to Cancun in two weeks. And the virtual guarantee that the many sad developments to be visited on the jailbait cast in this death spiral will ruin the afternoons of so many weird many guys in sticky-floored theatres.

Future post idea: Notes on Sitting Beside Grown Men at a Spring Breakers Matinee.

Only… March 29 is, like, a long time from now. So let’s just get on it.

Skrillex is scoring this joint. It’s a stupid perfect marriage of dumb as hell and too-smart-by-half. And it’s ripping here right now for those who feel like getting streamed on early.

Maybe this should be filed under good bad music.

But when you’re drinking bleach by the pool, wearing headphones on your pills and yelling Spanish shit at the policia, it’ll be with this noise drowning out the sirens in the background.

Expect Emilio Bonifacio to inject the Blue Jays offense with speed, dynamism and versatility in 2013. (Gregory Bull/Associated Press)

Less may be known about Emilio Bonifacio than the other members of the Toronto-bound Marlin Five. But he is a fascinating player. In Toronto, he may be arriving in an ideal environment to exploit his tools. The only questions involve health and opportunity. Let’s look at what kind of player Bonifacio is and how he’ll be deployed.

PROFILE

The Arizona Diamondbacks signed Emilio Bonifacio as an amateur free agent at the end of 2001. He stayed in his native Dominican in 2002, playing in the summer league for the DSL Diamondbacks. He came stateside in 2003 and debuted with the Missoula Osprey of the Pioneer League. It was a team oozing with raw talent, also featuring Carlos Gonzalez and Miguel Montero. But Bonifacio was only 18 and it showed. He hit just .199/.298/.219 in 54 games, showing great speed and a little patience. But he was badly overmatched. Playing exclusively second base he made 11 errors and showing average instincts.

Nonetheless, Arizona promoted him to the full-season South Bend Silver Hawks in 2004. Bonifacio overcame his rookie struggles, improving enough to stick in South Bend the whole season. He played 120 games and hit .260/.306/.319 with 40 stolen bases and a 122/25 SO/BB ratio. Pitchers didn’t hesitate to knock the bat out of his hands and his approach was clearly very raw. But Bonifacio was one of the youngest players in the league and was using his speed to get on more. His season was a quiet success.

But the chance to consolidate his gains couldn’t hurt. Arizona returned Bonifacio to the Midwest League in 2005 and he spent another full season with the team. Though his surface numbers were similar, he changed his game significantly at the plate. In 127 games, he hit .270/.341/.330 with 22 extra-base hits, a system-leading 55 steals and a dramatically-improved 90/56 SO/BB rate. His success on balls in play was purely driven by his blazing speed and though he would need to add strength as he moved up, it was heartening to see him utilize his greater tool to such effect.

In 2006, Arizona promoted Bonifacio to the high-A Lancaster JetHawks in the hitter-friendly California League. He flourished. In 130 games, he hit .321/.375/.449 with 35 doubles, 7 triples, 7 home runs and a 104/44 SO/BB ratio. He also ran wild under the tutelage of former speedster Brett Butler, swiping 61 bases in 75 tries. He led the league in steals and was named a California League All-Star. He continued to play exclusively at the keystone but piled up his third-consecutive 20+ error season. He was capable at second but many wondered if he’d eventually be better suited for super-utility work. He was still just 21 and held no shortage of intrigue. The question was whether his bat would stand up in AA.

He was given the chance to prove it in 2007, advancing to the Mobile BayBears of the Southern League. He put up a decent line overall, hitting .285/.333/.352 with 28 XBH, 41 stolen bases and a 105/38 SO/BB in 132 games, now splitting his time between second and shortstop. He again led the league and system in steals. But he’d also crossed the century mark for strikeouts, a no-no for speedsters with groundball tendencies. Walking more – or even putting the ball in play – would invariably help his cause. Still, Arizona rewarded his quality campaign with a late-season call-up, utilizing his speed and versatility down the stretch. He played in just 11 games but got his first hit off Tim Lincecum and put up a .217/.333/.261 line. Up on the big club, Orlando Hudson, Stephen Drew and Mark Reynolds were all reasonably young and established. So Bonifacio would have to earn his roster spot as a reserve. Probably using some time at AAA to refine all aspects of his game.

That’s where Bonifacio began 2008 as a 23-year old with the Tucson Sidewinders of the Pacific Coast League. The hard infields and elevated locales were a perfect match for his skills and Bonifacio hit .302/.348/.387 in 85 games. He managed a tolerable 64/27 SO/BB rate and chipped in 17 steals. The Diamondbacks recalled him in July to help replace the injured Eric Byrnes but the Snakes only started Bonifacio twice in three weeks and he struggled: .167/.167/.250. Following a 90-win season, Arizona sat two games below .500 a week before the trade deadline and decided to trade Bonifacio to the Washington Nationals for reliever Jon Rauch.

The Nationals started Bonifacio in AAA with the Columbus Clippers of the International League. But he didn’t give them the chance to keep him there long, hitting .452/.500/.516. The Nationals quickly released Felipe Lopez at the start of August, promptly installing Bonifacio at the top of their order as a second baseman. Washington’s lineup was as ugly as you’ll see. And Bonifacio held the job until season’s end, playing 41 games and hitting .248/.305/.344. He managed 5 triples but only 6 steals and just a 41/14 SO/BB rate. (Nats fans, there is a silver lining: all those bad lineups would yield a return of Stephen Strasburg the following April). Bonifacio spent his winter winning the Caribbean World Series with Tigres de Licey and appeared to have the inside track on Washington’s keystone entering 2009. But the Nationals were keen to make any upgrades available to them – and forgive me if you’ve heard this before – the Florida Marlins were shedding payroll. The result sent Bonifacio to south beach, with two prospects, for pitcher Scott Olsen and slugging outfielder Josh Willingham. Bonifacio had now been traded twice in just four months and it was unclear what role he would play on an emerging young Marlins team featuring the cheap, controllable talents of Dan Uggla and Hanley Ramirez in the middle of the diamond.

Bonifacio helped make the Marlins’ decision for them with a strong spring and an unforgettable Opening Day. He led off against his old Nationals teammates, playing third base, and went 4 for 5 with his first major league home run – an inside the park job, no less – and three stolen bases. Bonifacio was electric. And the Marlins looked like they had their future table-setter. He had 14 hits in the season’s first five games and seemed ready to take the league by storm, even if his defense at third was sub par.

Of course, the league eventually caught up to Bonifacio and although he spent the entire season in the majors, much of it was forgettable after opening week. All told, he hit .252/.303/.308 with just 18 XBH – including that lone home run – plus 21 steals and a 95/34 SO/BB ratio. He also showed a dreadful split, irritating lefties to no end (.315/.340/.364) but flailing badly against right-handers (.218/.284/.275). His playing time ultimately diminished in the second half along with his OPS (.628 vs. .560). The Marlins were in the hunt for the playoffs and their acquisition of Nick Johnson from Washington at the deadline shifted Jorge Cantu from first to third base, pushing Bonifacio into a reserve role. The playoffs never happened. Now, entering 2010, Bonifacio could only hope to make his mark as a reserve – but he had to make the team first.

He did, barely, and seldom got onto the field in two weeks before being dispatched to the AAA New Orleans Zephyrs. There, Bonifacio got back to his usual game, hitting for a passable average and getting on a bit. But he wasn’t driving the ball well or running enough to push those ahead of him. Florida recalled him in June after designating Mike Lamb for assignment. But he was firmly stuck behind Uggla and Ramirez, mostly serving as a pinch-runner. When he again saw regular duty in the fall, nothing about his numbers suggested it should continue. In 73 games, he hit .261/.320/.328 with just 9 extra-base hits and a 74 OPS+. He was useful for his speed and versatility, swiping 12 bags without getting caught, while filling in at 6 positions (2B,SS,3B,LF,CF,RF). Of course, he was also cheap. Giving the Marlins a prototypical super sub to call on in the late innings.

That’s how he started 2011 but it wasn’t long until injuries opened the door for more playing time and Bonifacio seized on it with an exhilarating career season. He played a career-high 152 games, swatting 26 doubles, 7 triples, 5 (!) home runs and chipping in 36 RBI on his way to a striking .296/.360./393 line, a 107 OPS+ and a 26-game hitting streak on his way to earning National League Player of the Month honours in July. He also nicked 40 bases against just 11 times caught, finishing as the NL’s second-best thief behind Michael Bourn. Bonifacio did all this while again filling in at those same six positions, logging significant time in left, centre, third and short. He still struck out a lot (129 times) for a leadoff man, but his walk rate spiked, too (8.5%). He still showed vastly better results against southpaws (.333/.407/.456) but raised his line against righties enough (.286/.347/.377) to justify play in all situations. Significantly, he also stayed healthy while others around him fell off. His versatility remained a huge asset but his bat now made him worth slotting in regularly. Bonifacio was just entering his age 27 season and appeared primed to begin his prime as a dynamic weapon in the Florida attack.

Miami’s offseason overhaul left no room for Bonifacio in the infield but he remained a fit in centre and started there Opening Day batting between Jose Reyes and Hanley Ramirez. Pretty desirable real estate. Through seven weeks, Bonifacio was reaching base (.351) and had a clean 20-for-20 stolen base count. But then he jammed his thumb nabbing second and landed on the disabled list for the first time in his career. The injury would cost him 46 games and later become re-aggravated in August. A week after finally returning, he sprained his right knee and was shut down for the season. His splits show a clear tale of two seasons: the healthy first half (.268/.351/.315) and the injury-ravaged summer (.242/.294/.316). He still managed 30 steals against only 3 time caught. And, for the first time in his career, his platoon splits were reversed (.506 OPS vs. LHP, .726 OPS vs. RHP). It was obviously a campaign marred by poor health. Incredibly, his speed still made him valuable even when his other tools were ravaged.

In November, he arrived in Toronto as perhaps the least heralded member of the Marlin Five. But a promising, versatile talent entering his age 27 season just one year removed from a breakout.

OUTLOOK

Though his name value pales in comparison to the headliners arriving in Toronto, Bonifacio possesses a great deal of value. It’s really hard not to be excited about what he brings to the table. World-class speed. A refined aggression on the basepaths that makes him one of the game’s most effective thieves. Incredible versatility. And functional switch-hitting, particularly against southpaws. As he enters what should be the prime of his career, he is under team control for two full seasons. He’s being given the opportunity to compete for the team’s second base job with Maicer Izturis (a switch-hitter who profiles better against righties) and should be very effective on Rogers Centre’s artificial surface as well as rolling over the lineup, pressure-free from the ninth position.

For Bonifacio, it’s practically a dream scenario. Expect him to become an instant fan favourite. Even if he doesn’t win a starting role outright, it’s hard to imagine Brett Lawrie and Jose Reyes playing 162 games. So I expect we’ll see long stretches with Bonifacio in the starting nine, particularly with Rajai Davis still on hand to serve as the team’s late-inning base-stealing ace. I anticipate Bonifacio will endure a few bumps and bruises. Errors in the field are to be expected, too. But don’t be surprised if he becomes a sparkplug extraordinaire and plays 120+ games with 35 steals and a .270/.339/.355 line.

Come playoff time, this is a guy Blue Jays’ fans will be glad to have on the bench.

STAT SHEET

Emilio Bonifacio, IF/OF
04/23/85            Bats: S             Throws: R       HT: 5-11        WT: 205
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Signed: By the Arizona Diamondbacks as an amateur free agent December 27, 2001
Acquired: Trade with Miami Marlins on November 19, 2012
Contract Status: Third-time arbitration eligible in 2014. Eligible for free agency in 2015
Salary: $2,600,000
Service Time: 4.006

There’s a quality in his voice that permeates every note. It is inescapable.

Charles Bradley has seen some shit.

A childhood spent on the streets of ’50s Gainesville. Decades spent cooking for cops and patients of a mental hospital. A frozen odyssey spent hitchiking the U.S. and Canada. The hard pursuit of a dream. The predictable failure. But you can always go home. So that’s what Charles did. Just in time to see his brother’s murdered body, shot through the head with a hollow-point bullet.

In time, life began to let up. His hard luck started to break some. Two years ago, at 63, Charles released his first album. These days, he likes to call himself the screaming eagle of soul. That’s apt. But only describes part of the man he’s endured to become. If you’ve seen the documentary of his life, or experienced one of his sermons live, you get that he’s also part rooster and, more than anything, a phoenix.

The flames we walk through are unique to us all. The shit we get dealt, relative. And sometimes nobody hears you crying, baby. But, chances are, your damage has nothing on the shit Charles Bradley has lived. So shut up for a minute. Shut up – and listen.

Lincoln is a great film. Driven, obviously, by a perfect bit of casting that was the result of a persistent, dogged pursuit.

Daniel Day-Lewis inhabits the soul of Abraham Lincoln. At times, you forget you are watching someone portray one of the greatest figures of American history. So nimble is his touch. So assured his restraint. The great British actor famously replaced Liam Neeson in the part. Without intending slight toward Mr. Neeson, it is hard to imagine a performance equal to this from any other actor.

It is little wonder that Steven Spielberg spent a decade working to bring Day-Lewis into this role. As you well know, once he is committed there is no turning back. One of the small treasures to emerge from Spielberg’s courtship (and months of award season speechwriting) is a letter Day-Lewis sent the director upon passing on the first draft of the script:

    Dear Steven,

    It was a real pleasure just to sit and talk with you. I listened very carefully to what you had to say about this compelling history, and I’ve since read the script and found it in all the detail in which it describes these monumental events and in the compassionate portraits of all the principal characters, both powerful and moving. I can’t account for how at any given moment I feel the need to explore life as opposed to another, but I do know that I can only do this work if I feel almost as if there is no choice; that a subject coincides inexplicably with a very personal need and a very specific moment in time. In this case, as fascinated as I was by Abe, it was the fascination of a grateful spectator who longed to see a story told, rather than that of a participant. That’s how I feel now in spite of myself, and though I can’t be sure that this won’t change, I couldn’t dream of encouraging you to keep it open on a mere possibility. I do hope this makes sense Steven, I’m glad you’re making the film, I wish you the strength for it, and I send both my very best wishes and my sincere gratitude to you for having considered me.

After a time, Spielberg had a new script written. Day-Lewis responded in a similar fashion. Only after “Munich” co-scribe Tony Kushner came aboard and penned an exhaustive, 500-page draft from which the final version was distilled did Day-Lewis ultimately accept. The script is worth the wait. The same must, too, be said of Day-Lewis’ participation.

We all regard his acting in a class of its own. Seeing Day-Lewis’ grace in conversation here, we can further confirm that class of a rare sort runs through the man’s veins.

We never said it had to be new music.

Or exclusive music. Or that rotation in Top 40 would negate eligibility.
Good thing. Because this song appeals so broadly that even Taco Bell latched on.

Admit it: The day you first heard Passion Pit‘s breakout single it was the best song you listened to that day. You either know the characters in Michael Angelakos’ story. Or you are one.

Work is hard. Winter may never end. And everyone keeps complaining about it.

Ray Wylie Hubbard does not understand your life. But he gets it. The way only a man in his sixties in a good hat from Oklahoma singing songs called “Mother Blues” alongside his teenage son could.

You look after your people. You do what you can. Some days you eat it, alright.
But, still, hope tugs at you. You pick your guitar back up and try to do it a little better.

It may not be enough to get you through 20 more years of bad decisions. But it’s a good start.
The days you keep your gratitude higher than your expectations you will have damn fine days.

We’ve alluded to some change coming for TheRichardandMartin before. But let today be the big reveal. We are, and always will be, one. But now we are also two… offices. Late last year, Martin travelled west to Vancouver to help me set up shop on the left coast. We are now operational. More excited and better equipped to show you the best this country can offer.

We’re making nice with the locals. Testing the waters. And taking in all we can.
The landscapes here in British Columbia really do bring you to the edge of religion.
The photo above this post is the view from our new digs. No, really. We could get used to this.

We’re also ushering in an exciting new year in this space.

In addition to the content you’ve come to expect from us, we’ve launched a new weekly Good Music feature, arrived on your desktop with our new calendar project and, for the first time, we’re ready to bring you new voices from Richard and Martin-approved guest contributors. The first will appear tomorrow as Eric Koreen examines an underappreciated piece of mad television psychoscience, Fringe, on the eve of the series’ finale. We were on set in B.C. for parts of the final season and can’t wait to share Eric’s conclusions.

So come west young men, living. Come west and grow up with us.