Jim Cook - Music

This CD appears in front of me in 2025? Life—you’re weird, man. A “Staff Pick” get outta here!

For those that don’t know, it’s one of The Big Creak (my old band)’s releases, circa 2001 in Columbus.

A bridge album of sorts, I used to call it “our Paul’s Boutique.” Kinda scattershot as a rootsy BGSU band found itself in an edgier, CD101-driven, much bigger pond.

Anyway it’s a trip to see it new, shrink wrapped, on the west side of Cleveland circa now. Do I even have one? 😂

I’m not saying you should consider designing a system of pedals that look cool next to each other, complementary colors, maybe all from the same manufacturer, etc. But you totally could, OK

1 “hassle-free return” + 2 stashed gift cards later, I jumped into a relationship with this S-1 (an SH-101 clone) about a month ago. Less a few of its deepest features I’ve got the thing on lock.

Might look like a toy but it’s a relatively powerful synth and beyond usable. I’ve got about 5 tasty sounds/sequences (which you save together) fully prepared for recording. And 2 or 3 more to sync with a drum machine for fun, maybe with some party lights & overhead video. I don’t know, I’ve got a lotta stuff to do.

Anyway, I’m consistently amazed at backpackable—even pocketable, in this case—battery powered instruments & production tools. Even GarageBand goes hard if you know what you’re doing. Who would think this stuff would become more convenient for productive downtime than an acoustic guitar. And like a guitar, some even let you put the phone down.