A few years ago, Brach’s realized that the candy corn machine was only getting used in October. So, if they came up with “seasonal” candy corn, maybe they could squeeze out a little more money. First, there was Thanksgiving candy corn with flavors including roasted turkey and cranberry sauce and green beans. I tried ‘em. You know stuffing-flavored candy corn will be disappointing, but even “coffee” and “apple pie” weren’t that hot.
I’ve had this bottle on my desk for a while now, daring me to get it cold and give it a try. In fact, it seems to have left stores in May. I imagine it’ll be back at some point. I picked up this particular bottle at Walgreen’s, but Mtn Dew is making exclusive flavors for everyone from Red Lobster to 7-Eleven to Dollar General.
The label says “with a Blast of Heat and Citrus.” I’m more worried about 146% of the sugar I “need” today than the pepper kick. I haven’t had a full-sugar soda for years. I used to pound Mountain Dew in high school – back when it came in glass and there was a hillbilly on the bottle – but these days, I’m a Coke Zero Sugar guy.
John Valenti’s “Anything You Want” only made it to #37 on the Billboard charts in 1976, so you’re forgiven if you don’t remember it. That said, give a listen and tell me you wouldn’t believe it’s Stevie Wonder vocals over a generic disco stomp. The biggest giveaway is the guitar solo instead of a synth or clavinet.
As a teenager, I wasn’t sure if I should listen to Lou Reed – or his band, The Velvet Underground. I wasn’t sure whether I could handle the drone of “Venus in Furs” or fuzzy, buzzy epic “Sister Ray.” Of course, the tunes that once intimidated me now seem almost quaint or folky in spots. They’re still songs about junkies and BDSM, but everything eventually becomes the music of your mom and dad’s generation.
Despite his rep, Lou Reed also made some very poppy music in his career. This is stuff that’s not going to show up on any of his greatest hits collections – and there are 17 of them according to Wikipedia. “The Original Wrapper” is off Reed’s 1986 album “Mistrial,” which I owned on cassette and most likely bought at the long-gone Streetside Records in Columbia, MO. I’m not sure if Lou is genuinely trying to musically stretch here or if he’s just half-heartedly jumping on the rap train – probably both. Continue reading