It's something of a local coming-out party this weekend for Dallas, Texas, transplant Steve Manuel. He is releasing his first CD, "Comic Book Hero," since becoming a Cincinnati artist five years ago, when he landed in town following his wife's career. Manuel admits to keeping a low music profile.

"At the time I was convinced moving up here was the death knell for any musical career because I was building a following in Texas and came up here where I was an unknown," he said.

Manuel fell in with the "right" musical crowd, hooking up with veteran multi-instrumentalist Josh Seurkamp and Cincinnati guitarist/producer Ric Hordinski, who encouraged him to record. It seems to be a perfect match of regional strengths. Manuel has that great earthy Texas songwriting touch from the state that has produced so many classic songwriters.

Hordinski contributes his tremendous ambient guitar and production know-how producing a dense, sonic experience that brings Manuel's clever lyrics to a soaring texture in what might have otherwise been a more traditional singer-songwriting effort.

Manuel says he came late to the Texas songwriting tradition. He discovered at Texas A&M that a fellow alumnus was Lyle Lovett and realized, "I better get educated in Texas music. I became a raging Lyle Lovett fan."

Manuel performs a pair of release shows 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Monastery, Hordinski's studio/listening room theater at 2601 Stanton Ave., Walnut Hills ($12)

This isn't really a blog, per se, so forgive a brother. This is just me quoting Mike Breen, the music review dude from CityBeat. He said this about the new record:

Texas native/Cincinnati transplant Steve Manuel landed in the Queen City with a handful of tuneful Pop/Rock songs he was eager to record. As his new CD shows, he found the right guys to work with here in Cincy, teaming up with renowned producer/guitarist Ric Hordinski and producer/drummer Josh Seurkamp, known for their work locally with Kim Taylor, Over the Rhine, Dave Wolfenberger and Katie Reider. The result, Comic Book Hero, is an album of dynamic and sophisticated Pop music, with intricate, captivating layers, electronic, loopy quirks, plenty of spaciousness and lyrics that are spiritual and cleverly poetic.
Manuel and his co-conspirators host a two-night CD release party this weekend. Friday and Saturday, the trio performs at Hordinski's new studio/performance space, The Monastery (2601 Stanton Ave. in Walnut Hills). Both shows start at 8 p.m. Advance tickets are available before the shows at ticketalternative.com for $12; you can also buy them at the door for $15.

The tracks that really stand out on Comic Book Hero are the ones that are given creative, kaleidoscopic backdrops by the musicians and producers. Thankfully, that's practically all of them. The spare "Just As Well" is indicative of what a simple, acoustic singer/songwriter album from Manuel would sound like. While still showcasing strong songwriting chops, the augmentations on the other tracks make them far more alluring and unique. Practically every track offers some kind of cool sonic nuance between the nooks and crannies, making the listening experience kind of like eating through several boxes of Cracker Jacks -- there are prizes in each one and the caramel sticks with you (in your teeth with Cracker Jacks; in your brain with Manuel's songs).

U2 is perhaps the most evident reference point for the album. Manuel's voice has a tone similar to Bono's, and cuts like "In and Out of Me" and "Up With Love" have some of the aural earmarks of the band as well, mixed with a little Beatles-y glaze in the harmonies and production tricks (something evident throughout the disc).

Opener "Not My Clothes" recalls the sound and songs of a jaunty Peter Gabriel mixed with a little Brit Pop (a la Placebo), with its climbing, dramatic structure and melody. Other highlights include "Fooled," which features a soaring chorus hook and dirty yet pointed guitar work from Hordinski (who really stretches and shines on his six-string throughout), and the soulful "Go Somewhere," which is propped up by a grimy snare drum and one of Manuel's better vocal performances (he gets a little old-school Lenny Kravitz at times).

Sonically, "Prayer" is enthralling, with its wavering keys and streaks of string sounds, but the song itself is one of the few clunkers, sounding like a maudlin Top 40 hit by Five For Fighting or Train (which is good for the pocketbook, bad for the artistic soul). But, overall, Comic Book Hero is a rich, poignant Pop/Rock album that should draw much attention to Manuel's evident talents as both a writer and performer.

This ges out to all actual fans who're visiting this page, so you three can keep reading.

Just wanted to inform all curious cats and well-wishers that we've got a little press coming out for the release show on the 2nd and 3rd. I will divide this news into the following categories:

Tangible Media
Imaginary Media

Got it? Okay. Ready? Let's proceed.
..
Tangible Media.

This is media that you can hold in your hands. You can look at it repeatedly. It is real. It's not a construct. It's like a... NEWSPAPER.
*CiN Weekly, a 'what's happening in Cincinnati'-type periodical, is reviewing the record and running an article/interview the week of Feb 28-Mar 5. Oo! I find that to be an interest-piquing sort of thing! What will they say?
*CityBeat, a 'what's happening in Cincinnati'-type of artsy periodical, will also be reviewing the record and that review, as well as a grovelling plug for the show, will also be coming out the week of Feb 28. Watch for it! Read it! Taste the paper it's printed on! Celebrate CityBeat's TANGIBLENESS.


Imaginary Media.
..
This is something that we all kind of agree on existing, but you can't hold it in your hand. It is like music in this way. We all act like music is some sort of substance, when it's really not. Nobody knows what music is: it's some sort of particle wave that hits your ear then magic happens and you have an emotional response. it's weird and, let's face it, it's kind of imaginary.

*NKU will be having Little Stevie Manuel for a live mini-concert and interview on Thursday Feb. 29 at noon. Hopefully, they will become so enamored with the music we collectively agree upon believing in that they'll play this program in a repeating loop until July. I think that would really help expand my listening base.

*I will also be interviewing myself in my brain tonight at around 11:30, or whenever I turn off the reading light beside my bed. I will imagine it taking place on a 5-seat motorcycle made of toffee which is driving through Montana, but the whole world is watching through closed-circuit Mind-o-Vision. I will be witty and intriguing and, out of the 7 songs I reference in my pantomimed interview, everyone wil pick a favorite and insist upon having the lyrics tattooed on their children. I will put a stop to that wish, though, because I am humane and realize the power of my stupid-fresh pantomimes. Unfortunately, this broadcast will be more imaginary than the NKU show, though, so you'll just have to imagine seeing it.

That title could refer to a new laxative, but it doesn't.


I'm on the phone with my friend Robbie, and I'm going to close out the conversation. I'm going to end it with something jaunty. I might say "see you later, PAL", but I want something more street. "Adios, homes" works. I'm kind of debating between something like that: homes, homeboy... not SPORT or CHIEF or anything like that. Yeah, homes. I could even go with homey in a self-aware kind of way. Definitely homeSOMEthing. I'm at the moment, we're doing closing comments, I haven't decided, gotta decide now, how do I end this call? What comes out is

Later, homo.

Was that bad? Is that wrong?

I know something about malls. When I lived for a short time in Nashville, I worked at Champs Sporting Goods. I know exactly what it feels like to be trapped inside all that polished marble and professionally tended-to landscaping and look longingly at people exiting the temperature-controlled museum of capitalism. On slow days (and that's mostly when I worked), you were simply a puppy at the pound, hoping that people would find the window displays attractive and come in for a look around. It was desperate and pathetic and I permanently smelled like my synthetic uniform. Yuck.

What I'm saying is, I sympathize with the tedium.

But today, when I went into my local Dick's Sports (I know, I know, just leave it alone. They're based in Pittsburgh and they actually do quite well.), my sympathy contended with my comsumer rights, and lost in the struggle. It went down like this here:

I had an item and a couple of questions. The sign by the register was lit and there was a guy there. So I walked up. I found, as I neared the register, that a young (20?) black guy was working there and (oh boy)... he was on the phone with a friend--the real obvious, go nowhere chit-chat phone call. I have little patience for the worker on the personal call, between you and me: I loathe it as a customer, and I resent it on behalf of the employer. If you're being paid to work, work. Do your job. Instant peeve.

When I walked up, though, this kid not only didn't hang up the phone, he didn't remove it from his neck/shoulder. He simply glanced up at me and said "I can get you here." This was his friend's cue to 'hang on just a second while I deal with this dork right quick so we can get on with our awesome conversation.'

Here is where I made a decision. I could just go along with his style, acting like this was acceptable to me. I could decide I didn't like what I saw, and just melt back into the camping aisle. Or I could speak up. Had I thought it over for a moment, I'm sure I'd have been more gracious and patient and played along. I did not think it over for a moment. I spoke immediately.

Looking blankly at him, as if I were maybe disappointed in him or at least unimpressed, I implored him. "Could you put the phone down?"

That got his attention.

He stared up at me for a moment, seeing if this was some sort of joke. For some reason, I was completely unwilling to let him off the hook in any way. I just stood there with this "I mean, come ON" look on my face. I think he thought there was a twinge of Michael Douglas in Falling Down in me (and maybe there was! maybe there was!), and he slowly put the phone down, and from there on treated me with not only respect, but friendliness. I was friendly too.

So yeah, it ended good. But I walked away with that feeling I have every once in a while, knowing I voilated some small American norm. It's kind of exciting when that kind of thing happens. And if it were me chatting to a buddy behind that register, I'd be grateful for anything breaking up the monotony.

I have been away from my home for a while now. But I am back. This means I'm up and typing again. And here's what I've learned:

1) In spite of the fact that it's as self-evident as a mole on your nose that the human body is most comfortable somewhere in the 72-degree realm, PEOPLE VARY WILDLY IN THEIR HOMES' TEMPERATURES. I don't know why. They're either in the 67-degree deep-freeze of our friends Matt and Cary, or they're in the 75-degree rotesserie of my inlaws (and these people live in sweltering Dallas, no less). Humans, unite. Our bodies are all basically alike. Put it on 72 and move on. It's not difficult.

*I caveat my own rule here by pointing out, before my wife sneaks on here and does it for me, that we often have our heat on 69 in my home, since we have old, drafty windows and doors and winter typically lasts 5 months around here in the teens. So I push the boundaries on that. But in this weather?! It's 55 degrees outside! That's nice October weather! Pump it up, homeboy--just like that!

2) Towels were invented not primarily to remain color-fast for years, nor for being smooth to the touch, nor even for (watch this, ladies) coordinating with your bathroom decor. They were primarily invented for DRYING OFF YOUR BUTT WHEN YOU LEAVE THE SHOWER. So WHY do people persist with this nylon/lycra/polyester blend stuff that merely smears water around your body without drying you off? I'll throw in here that I have this problem in fancy hotels (and homes) FAR more often than in the practical, can-do environs of the blue collar set. The cheapest, thinnest towels we used for 10th grade basketball were made of COTTON, so they actually absorbed water, thus outperforming the Suave, Silky Nonsense Rags of the luxury bathroom. I mean, please.

3) I can get either nauseated (inlaws) or inspired (Douglasses) by the homes I'm in. After leaving Mark's pad, I wanted to write music, or a book. Seriously. He's done so much good, creative work on that place that I want to slap him on the back and design sneakers with the guy. He's thrown away so much old trash that keeps a home from being beautiful (including nonsense walls), and added so many nice touches (the tile in the half bath!) that you just feel clean and good-looking by standing in the home. Now that says something to me. I'm going to try to apply this lesson somewheres.

4) Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home.

here's the simple question: why do poor people get into Halloween? Seriously. That's the question. Lots of people get into lots of holidays, but poor people (waaaaay more than your suburban types) just go nuts for Halloween. I'm just saying.

Now, let's do all the damage control right up front. If you're really into Halloween, I'm not saying you're poor, and I'm certainly not saying that if you're poor you're somehow less than. Please. Let's not do all that. I'm just saying that if I drive around my city at Christmas, there seems to be an equal number of people going gung ho for it downtown or in the hoity toity land. If anything, the SUV set seems to be MORE extravagant about the Yule Tide season (I have no idea what Yule Tide means, but I'm sure it has some pagan origin. I am nonplused abou this and don't care). But look around at the Halloween decor in YOUR local burb. Really. Now, call me names, call me what you will, but those with less money like this holiday more.

I would also like to say at this point that *I* am very into Halloween. I like it. I like the mirth, the madness, and the random frivolity of the day. I dress up. I carve pumpkins. Okay? I'm all over it. This is NOT about downing Halloween. Perish the thought.

So--why? I do not have the answers, although I'm endlessly interested in all issues social. Got any guesses? How about because they feel condemned somehow, and closer to the whole death iconography? How about because it's an expression of some kind of rebellion that's socially acceptable? Maybe it has something to do with compassion, and the less-monied feel closer to the down-and-out, as if there's a visual language they speak more easily than the well-heeled. I really don't know. And I'm not the guy to research the issues. I have other things to do.

But I'm just saying--it's notable, it's weird, and I'm putting it out there. Alright kids? It's just an observation. Do with it what you will.

There are cookies to be eaten. I'm out.

Josh and I were able to play last weekend for John Pepper, longtime Cincinnatian and former CEO of Procter & Gamble. He came to a weekend show (hooda thunk THAT?!) and grabbed me afterward to say how much he liked some songs on freedom we've been doing. For what it's worth, I'll include the lyrics below. Anyhow, Mr. Pepper is also the chairman (or something) of the National Freedom Center, a museum here in Cincy that memorializes the Underground Railroad and the history of slavery vs. freedom both in the USA and around the world. It's a pretty great place, and certainly something that we as a band are into.

Anyway, Pepper said he wanted to start talking about making the song the anthem of the Freedom Center, as well as get us out there for a show. There's innumerable things like that said that never happen, but he seemed genuinely interested, so we're trying to get some studio time to fancy it up and give it to him. If nothing else, it's nice to have the future chair of Disney liking your stuff. So here's the song:

The World Out There

There is a place outside these prison bars
There is a dawn outside the night
Though I walk in valleys of shadows of death
I believe there is a light

There is a pearl out there in the sand
There is a world out there, take my hand
We can loose these chains; We can dare
We can live, we can live in the world out there

And the day will come, these systems will cease
That say ..protect yourself or you will die..
So no more worry or resistance in me
Clutching for safety is a lie

Sing for freedom- believe
Sing for freedom- receive

We..ve been living in a graveyard
Surprised to find that we..ve been dead
Shut the voices out and kick em back to hell
Get your death out of my head

There is a pearl out there in the sand
There is a world out there, take my hand
We can loose these chains; We can dare
We can live, we can live in the world out there

I consider this a public service announcement for you all. Enjoy.

We've all been there but don't like to admit it. As much as we try to convince ourselves otherwise, the WORK POOP is inevitable. For those who hate pooping at work, following is the Survival Guide for taking a dump at work.

CROP DUSTING: When farting, you walk briskly around the office so the smell is not in your area and everyone else gets a whiff but doesn't know where it came from. Be careful when you do this. Do not stop until the full fart has been expelled. Walk an extra 30 feet to make sure the smell has left your pants.

FLY BY:
This is the act of scouting out a bathroom before pooping. Walk in and check for other poopers. If there are others in the bathroom, leave and come back again. Be careful not to become a FREQUENT FLYER. People may become suspicious if they catch you constantly going into the bathroom.

ESCAPEE:
This is a fart that slips out while taking a leak at the urinal or forcing a poop in a stall. This is usually accompanied by a sudden wave of embarrassment. If you release an escapee, do not acknowledge it. Pretend it did not happen. If you are standing next to the farter in the urinal, pretend you did not hear it. No one likes an escapee. It is uncomfortable for all involved. Making a joke or laughing makes both parties feel uneasy.

JAILBREAK:
When forcing a poop, several farts slip out at a machine gun pace. This is usually a side effect of diarrhea or a hangover. If this should happen, do not panic. Remain in the stall until everyone has left the bathroom to spare everyone the awkwardness of what just occurred.

COURTESY FLUSH:
The act of flushing the toilet the instant the poop hits the water. This reduces the amount of air time the poop has to stink up the bathroom. This can help you avoid being caught doing the WALK OF SHAME.

WALK OF SHAME:
Walking from the stall, to the sink, to the door after you have just stunk the bathroom. This can be a very uncomfortable moment if someone walks in and busts you. As with farts, it is best to pretend that the smell does not exist. This very uncomfortable walk can be avoided with the use of the COURTESY FLUSH.

OUT OF THE CLOSET POOPER:
This is a colleague who poops at work and is damn proud of it. You will often see an Out Of The Closet Pooper enter the bathroom with a newspaper or magazine under his or her arm. Always look around the office for the Out Of The Closet Pooper before entering the bathroom.

THE POOPING FRIENDS NETWORK (P.F.N):
A group of co-workers who band together to ensure emergency pooping goes off without incident. This group can help you to monitor the hereabouts of Out Of The Closet Poopers, and identify SAFE HAVENS.

SAFE HAVENS:
A Safe Haven is a seldom-used bathroom somewhere in the building where you can least expect visitors. Try floors that are predominantly of the opposite sex. This will reduce the odds of a pooper of your sex entering the bathroom.

TURD BURGLAR:
This is someone who does not realize that you are in the stall and tries to force the door open. This is one of the most shocking and vulnerable moments that can occur when taking a poop at work If this occurs, remain in the stall until the Turd Burglar leaves. This way you will avoid all uncomfortable eye contact.

CAMO-COUGH:
A phony cough that alerts all new entrants into the bathroom that you are in a stall is called a Camo-Cough. This can be used to cover-up a WATERMELON, or to alert potential Turd Burglars. The Camo-Cough is very effective when used in conjunction with an ASTAIRE.

ASTAIRE:
A subtle toe-tap that is used to alert potential Turd Burglars that you are occupying a stall. This will remove all doubt that the stall is occupied. If you hear an Astaire, leave the bathroom immediately so the pooper can poop in peace.

WATERMELON:
A watermelon is a big poop that creates a loud splash when hitting the toilet water. This is also an embarrassing incident. If you feel a Watermelon coming on, create a diversion. See CAMO-COUGH.

HAVANA OMELET:
A case of diarrhea that creates a series of loud splashes in the toilet water. Often accompanied by an Escapee. Try using a Camo-Cough with an Astaire.

UNCLE TODD:
An Uncle Todd is a bathroom user who seems to linger around forever. This person could spend extended lengths of time in front of the mirror or sitting on the pot. An Uncle Todd makes it difficult to relax while on the crapper, as you should always wait to poop when the bathroom is empty. This benefits you as well as other bathroom attendees.