KayLyne’s Top 20 Albums of 2013

It’s almost time to close the chapter in life known as 2013. So let’s take a look through the albums that intrigued me this year. (listed in alphabetical order).


 Amy Grant – how mercy looks from here

“Time is illusion. Time is a curse. Time is all these things & worse, but our time is now.” – Our Time Is Now

The highlights of this album include the (mostly subtle) vocal guest stars on five of the tracks, including James Taylor, Sheryl Crow & Eric Paslay, Will Hoge, Carole King, and Amy’s husband, Vince Gill. “Our time is now” reminds me a bit of John Lennon’s “give peace a chance.”


Billie Joe + Norah  - Foreverly

“you cheated me and made me lonely. I tried to be your very own. There’ll be a day you’ll want me only. But when I leave, I’ll be a long time. Be a long time gone. I’ll be a long time gone. Yes, when I leave, I’ll be a long time gone.” – Long Time Gone

I’ve always loved Billie Joe Armstrong’s voice, but not all of his songs with Green Day. This album of duets with Norah Jones – their re-creation of the Everly Brothers’ “Songs our daddy taught us” album – highlights his voice, as well as captures the Everly sound quite well.


Blake Shelton – based on a true story

“It’s just a double barrel 12. The stock is cracked & it kicks like hell. It wouldn’t mean what it means to me to no one. I can hear his voice when I put it to my shoulder, ‘a gun’s like a woman, son, it’s all how you hold her.’ He taught me a whole lot more than how to hunt. And one of these days I’ll pass it on to my son. Granddaddy’s Gun.” – Granddaddy’s Gun

For some reason, it still amazes me how Blake can mix the rowdy/party boy songs with the sweet & charming ones to continuously form cohesive albums. In this compilation, we get “Boys Round Here,” “Small Town Big Time” and “Country Radio” paired with “Do You Remember”, “My Eyes”, “Mine Would Be You,” and “Granddaddy’s Gun”.  I applaud Blake for not being like the rest of today’s not-so-country male artists whose rowdy/party boy songs would be better suited in the ‘rock’ music category. Thankfully, Blake has a way of keeping his “fun” songs still quite country.


Brad Paisley – wheelhouse

“He’s in a bar chasing Cuervo with Tecate, he doesn’t know she’s been taking karate. The way she figures it, about July she’ll finally have the belt to match her eye.” - Karate

It’s rare to find a non-Greatest Hits album these days that includes 20 or more original tracks. Granted, there are four tracks on this album that are under 2 minutes in length, but that’s countered by those that are over 4 and 5 minutes in length. As usual, Brad finds a way to mix ‘current events’ into his songs, like “Facebook Friends,” and “I can’t change the world,” along with mixing in ‘tough’ subjects, like abuse in “Karate.” However, I’ll admit that I’m still not sure what to make about “Accidental Racist” with LL Cool J. The way I see it – country + rap = crap.


Dido – girl who got away

“take it by your silence that I’m free to walk out the door. By the look in your eyes I can tell you don’t think I’ll be back for more. Try to think of the world where you could stay and these safe hands could go. Take your heart above the water, wherever I choose to go.  No love without freedom. No love without freedom. No freedom without love. “ – No Freedom

Dido’s voice always sounds so fragile, and most of her songs have an ethereal tone to them, but she doesn’t allow them to be sweet and sugary. I’ve never been a fan of the songs that incorporate rap, and “let us move on” with Kendrick Lamar is no exception. It even reminds me of when Eminem used “Thank You” for his song, “Stan.” However, that one I actually liked. While not quite as great as her No Angel and Life For Rent albums, this one is still very good. “Blackbird,” “no freedom,”  “day before we went to war” and “girl who got away” are a few of the highlights.


Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell – old yellow moon

“did you say that you’ve been searching for a place you’d never been? Well, here it is. Here it is. We’ve been down there on the bottom and looking out for a friend. Here I am. Here I am. We’ve both grown tire of running after rainbows. Here we are. Darling, here we are.” – Here We Are

An album by Emmylou Harris is always going to be towards the top of any list, but when you add Rodney Crowell to the mix, I know it’s even going to be that much better. If you’re a fan of great harmonies and good old country music with simple instrumentation, then Old Yellow Moon is definitely worth a listen.


George Strait – love is everything

“Here I am again, it's 4 a.m. I think I'll play that song again, The one called "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" And I'll wonder where you are tonight. I don't know, I just don't know, But I just can't go on dying like this. Can I see you tonight, Baby I'll act just like you want me to. Or is that just exactly what I'm not supposed to do? I'll just stop in here, have a glass of beer. I'm just a fool I guess. But I just can't go on dying like this.” – I Just Can’t Go On Dying Like This

There’s a reason he’s called King George in the country music world. He’s not flashy. His songs aren’t over the top. They’re just great stories with nice instrumentation. This is George’s 40th studio album.


Kacey Musgraves – same trailer different park

“Who needs a house up on a hill when you can have one on four wheels and take it anywhere the wind might blow? You don't ever have to mow the yard, Just hang a map and throw a dart and pray to God the engine starts and go. Water and electric and a place to drain the septic. Any KOA is A-OK as long as I'm with you. So come on hitch your wagon to the living room I'm draggin'.  If I can't bring you to my house I'll bring my house to you.” – My House

You’ve got to figure that any album that includes “Trailer Park” in the title is going to be a hit. Kacey’s first album for Mercury records is definitely that. Simple instrumentation and great story lyrics make this a great album.


Kelly Willis & Bruce Robison – cheater’s game

“I can fake it for a while ‘til I fall apart in style. After all rock bottoms not too far down. A little heartache, a little pain. A little stick opens the vein. A dash of salt for the wound barely makes a sound. I’m not ashamed of being afraid of loosing you. What more can I lose? But it’s a Cheaters game just breaking me down, when I’m broken in two. Is that so easy to do?” – Cheater’s Game

Some call them the “First couple of Texas music”. The husband/wife team of Bruce & Kelly have no problem living up to that title with their great songwriting and even greater harmonies.


Kim Richey – thorn in my heart

“A hot sticky vinyl in the afternoon. We left Birmingham on the 4th of June. Under a red sky, I should have known we were going nowhere - nowhere like home. And I’m sitting in the middle of the wrong place with a drink in my hand and a long face. Keeping track of all the hours that I can’t sleep in the dark flippin’ channels on the tv. I’m still hoping that there’s something more.” – Something More

I’ve been listening to this lady’s music since her debut self-titled album in the mid-90s. Kim Richey’s strength is in her songwriting, but you shouldn’t underestimate her vocals. She also includes subtle guest appearances from Trisha Yearwood, Jason Isbell, and Wilco's Pat Sansone.


Lady Antebellum – golden

“Made my way to the bathroom mirror, standing next to some girl spilling beer. She didn't notice I was drying my tears. Just look at me now, God, how'd I get here? 'Cause I just kissed a boy and I barely even knew his name. I let him take me by the hand, hold me close while our old song played. It ain't pretty, it ain't pretty when a heart breaks.  I almost dialed your number to remind you what you did. But I think it might be better to just let this night end.  So, I just called a cab.  Outside it's starting to rain. I got my high heels in my hand. Oh I'm ready for the walk of shame. It ain't pretty, it ain't pretty. It ain't pretty when a heart breaks” – It Ain’t Pretty

I think you can guess that the main theme to my Top Albums list is about harmonies. This trio definitely has that. The greatest part of this trio is that there are both male and female voices changing lead vocals on the different songs. It gives them more variety in their music and they’re not stuck with just one sound.

Lori McKenna – Massachusetts

“It’s an old song, but I still know all the words. It’s an old ring, but it fits me just right. It’s an old picture of us hanging in the hallway. We walk by it every night. The house is gonna need a new roof this summer. They closed down the drive-in last year. The church bells still ring on Sunday. They’re just getting harder to hear. Sometimes it’s still gonna rain. God knows we’re still gonna fight. We’re broken and patched up in ways. It takes a crazy kind of love to survive. These days nothing’s made to last. The world keeps changing its mind. But you and I, we’re getting better with time.” – Better With Time

Lori McKenna is a great songwriter, with songs recorded by Hunter Hayes, Little Big Town, and Faith Hill. Sometimes it’s felt that her singing gets underrated. I categorize Lori as a cross between Nancy Griffith and Kim Richey. Check out “Love can put it back together,”  “Better with time” and “Make every word hurt.”


New Kids On The Block – 10

“I could leave you right now, pick up the phone and say we're through, even though we both know I'll come right back to you. It's a fact I need you. You're the oxygen I breathe. You're running through my veins, under my skin. You're no good for me. I know I gotta give you up. But I just can't let you go. Save my love for another ‘cause it's wasted on you. And even though you drown me, I keep holding on to you. I can't let you go. My love's wasted on you. And even though I'm no fool, I know I'm just passing through. But now I know, My love's wasted on you.” – Wasted On You

I was never into the ‘boy bands’ back in the day (thank goodness!). However, as they (and I) have grown up, I can appreciate the maturity that I hear in this album – even though I still hear their 80s/90s influence.


Pistol Annies – annie up

“You better start working some overtime. Can't buy high heels on nickels and dimes. You're going bald and I'm getting fat. I hate your mom and you hate my dad. Hey hey, it's alright. Everybody fusses, everybody fights. With all of the baggage you and me carry. We'll spend forever unhappily married. I'll cook your dinner if you wash my car. May as well keep going, hell we made it this far. We'll both play our parts in this disaster. I'll be the bitch and you'll be the bastard. Hey hey, it's alright. Everybody fusses, everybody fights. With all of the baggage you and me carry. We'll spend forever unhappily married.” – Unhappily Married

Howwwwdeee! The three cowgirls - Miranda, Ashley and Angaleena – are back. While not as great a full compilation as their debut album, you just can’t overlook the great twang. Check out “Loved by a workin’ man,” “Unhappily married,” and “Being Pretty Ain’t Pretty.”


Sheryl Crow – feels like home

“So I'm dating again. Letting my guard down is just so hard to do. Never introduced my son to someone new. 'Cuz if I get my heart broke, Honey he will too. And so I wear waterproof mascara. There's things you shouldn't see when you're a kid. Thank God they make waterproof mascara. 'Cuz it won't run like his daddy did. I can throw the ball out in the yard. Teach him how to fish, how to drive a car. But in my heart, it just wont be enough. We've always gotten by somehow. I may not need a man right now. But I know he does. Thank God they make waterproof mascara. 'Cuz it wont run like his daddy did. That's why I wear waterproof mascara.” – Waterproof Mascara

After all these years, Sheryl’s finally come “home” to country music. The genre seems to fit the Missouri girl so well. As a fan of Sheryl’s since the late 90’s, I will say that this is her best album since 2002’s “C’mon, C’mon.” Check out “Give it to me,” “waterproof mascara,” “Callin’ me when I’m lonely,” “We oughta be drinkin,” “crazy ain’t original,” and “homecoming queen.” Zac Brown provides background vocals on “Homesick” while Vince Gill & Ashley Monroe make vocal contributions to “give it to me.”


Shooter Jennings – the other life

“Times are changing you, babe. Seems the older I get the less I seem to fit in a young person's world. And the higher I climb, The more I see desire, and the keepers are all confined Rubbing oyster of their pearls. And I am the outsider. A horse with no rider. I am a fighter when the darkest day is done. And I am the survivor, not laying down and dyer. Long distance driver and I will overcome.” – The Outsider

The son of Waylon & Jessi continues to carve his outlaw path through the music world. He still brings a lot of Waylon influence to his songs. “Wild and Lonesome” features the wonderful Patty Griffin. Also check out “The Outsider,” “Outlaw you,” “The low road” and “The Gunslinger.”


Tegan & Sara – heartthrob

“Do you remember I searched you out? How I climbed your city’s walls? Do you remember me as devout? How I prayed for your calls? I stood still. It’s what I did. Love like ours is never fixed. I stuck around. I did behave. I saved you every time. I was a fool for love. I was a fool for love. I was a fool. I was a fool.  Then you blamed me and blocked me out. How long did you think I’d last? Then you disappeared for weeks to pout. How many times could I pack? But stand still is all I did. Love like ours is never fixed.”– I was a fool

Every so often, there are those songs that unexpectedly get stuck in your head – sometimes they are good songs, and sometimes they are ones you really can’t stand, but still get stuck there anyway. The biggest ‘stuck in my head’ song for me this year was Tegan & Sara’s “I was a fool.” Thankfully, it was a song that I absolutely loved.


The Band Perry – pioneer

“Put me in the ground. Put me six foot down. And let the stone say: ‘Here lies the girl whose only crutch was loving one man just a little too much.’ If you go before I do I'm gonna tell the gravedigger that he better dig two.” – Better Dig Two

As with Tegan & Sara’s “I was a fool,” The Band Perry’s “Better Dig Two” is also a ‘stuck in my head’ song. As with previous Band Perry albums, this one combines the uptempo ‘rockers’ with the sweet & sentimental. However, it’s the sibling trio’s combination of harmonies and instrumentation (including banjo & mandolin) that will hook me every time.


Those Darlins – blur the line

“I was a drunk girl in the shower in yet another shit hotel. I could have been just anywhere. The towel I held, well I was drying off my hair. Both my feet and legs were bare. My shirt was almost ripped in two. That ragged shirt I wear to prove that mom and dad, That mom and daddy’s love was true. It was a picture that he drew. It was the fabric that she made. And every hole was one I earned, I earned them holes. A different city every day. I earned them holes. A different city every day. Well after every toilet seat, And every ash tray of a night. The gas pump sidewalk sort of days I smell the fumes. I smell them every single night. It was a drunk and steamy shower. You left a message on my phone. When I pressed it to my ear I heard you whine. Oh god I heard you whine and moan. Well as I pressed it to my hear I could hear you whine and moan. In a frantic voice you asked ‘What have I done?’ You said ‘oh god what have I done. What have I done?’ You said ‘oh god what have I done?’” – Oh God

Don’t let the album cover of all the nude ‘Darlins’ turn you away. For Those Darlins, it seems to be all about being in harmony - their vocals, that is. Check out “That Man,” “Can’t Think,” “The Wilderness” and “Oh God.”


Willie Nelson – to all the girls

“I want you to know you can always depend on promises made and love without end. No need to wonder how faithful I’ll be. Now and on into eternity. From here to the moon & back. Who else in this world will love you like that? Forever & always, I’ll be where you’re at. From here to the moon & back.” – From Here To The Moon And Back

There are not many things better than an album of male/female duets. This album features Willie with the likes of Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Rosanne Cash, Sheryl Crow, Shelby Lynne, Brandi Carlile, Emmylou Harris, and Miranda Lambert. While listening to this album, I was reminded again of how hard it really is to sing a song with Willie. The new rendition of “Making Believe” with Brandi may sound disjointed on first listen, but the new cadence of the song actually works nicely. On “Somewhere Between”, it shocked me to hear frailty in Loretta’s voice. I guess I haven’t heard any of her live stuff in the past few years.


There you go. That’s my list of Top Albums for 2013.

On a side note: I encourage you to check out NCIS: Benchmark. It’s the NCIS soundtrack that was released this year as well. It includes my favorite song of the year – “Somebody saved you” by Pauley Perrette (who plays Abby on the show).  There’s also a song from Michael Weatherly (who plays Tony) called “Under the sun.”

Marg Helgenberger Teams Up Again with #SU2C

As a member of the media, I'm always receiving numerous press releases at work each day. Nothing brightens my day more than when a press release arrives that highlights one of my favorite celebrities who is promoting a great cause. Thus is the case today when I received the notice stating that Marg Helgenberger is being featured in the public service campaign for Stand Up To Cancer - a cause that I know is near & dear to Marg's heart.

- - - - - - - - -

Marg Helgenberger Teams Up Again with Stand Up To Cancer and The Safeway Foundation in the Fight against Breast Cancer

Public Service Campaign Will Help Raise Awareness and Funds for Innovative Breast Cancer Research

LOS ANGELES and PLEASANTON, Calif., Sept. 26, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C), a program of the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), and The Safeway Foundation have collaborated on a second public service campaign featuring actress and SU2C Ambassador Marg Helgenberger. The campaign, entitled "Together, We're Creating a Brighter Tomorrow," is designed to raise funds and increase awareness for the fight against breast cancer. The campaign launches October 1, the start of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.



Breast cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in women, with 1 in 8 women in the US affected each year.   Through this public service announcement, SU2C and The Safeway Foundation encourage men and women to support vital research to find a cure for breast cancer.

"I am proud and honored to be a part of this campaign again and work closely with two organizations dedicated to eradicating this disease," said Helgenberger, best known for her role as Catherine Willows on the CBS drama, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. "I stand up for my mother and stand strong alongside all the women and families who have been affected by this disease."

The campaign will coincide with Safeway's annual in-store Breast Cancer Awareness fundraiser, which offers customers multiple opportunities to give at more than 1,600 Safeway stores across the United States and Canada. The campaign will extend through November 3.

At the center of the public service campaign is a limited-edition, breast cancer awareness-themed reusable shopping bag. The bag will be available for purchase at all Safeway locations, including Vons, Pavilions, Tom Thumb, Randalls, Dominick's, and Carrs stores, as well as online at safewayfoundation.org. Two dollars from the sale of each $2.99 reusable bag will go directly to breast cancer research. Additionally, Safeway shoppers will have a chance to make a separate donation at checkout stands.

"The Safeway Foundation is excited to work with Stand Up To Cancer and Marg Helgenberger again this year and to continue making strides in breast cancer research. With her personal connection to breast cancer, Marg continues to be a powerful voice for the cause," said Larree Renda, Safeway Inc. Executive Vice President and Chair of the Safeway Foundation. "The research made possible by The Safeway Foundation and Stand Up To Cancer, as well as the passionate message delivered by ambassadors like Marg Helgenberger, can truly help save lives."

The collaborative campaign represents a continued dedication to breast cancer research and awareness for both The Safeway Foundation and Stand Up To Cancer. To date, Safeway and The Safeway Foundation have raised $119 million for breast cancer causes. Some of those donations, provided by Safeway's generous customers, have helped provide support to Stand Up To Cancer and the transformative cancer research it funds, like the SU2C Breast Cancer Dream Team. The team – led by Dennis Slamon, M.D., Ph.D., and Joe W. Gray, Ph.D. – is hard at work developing more effective, less toxic treatments for the three major breast cancer subtypes and addressing cancer cells' ability to become resistant to therapies that are initially effective, which is one of the primary obstacles to successful treatment. Understanding this resistance opens the door to developing new therapeutic agents to overcome this critical problem.

"The Safeway Foundation has long been a prominent supporter of breast cancer awareness and research," said Lisa Paulsen, co-founder of Stand Up To Cancer and CEO of the Entertainment Industry Foundation. "Stand Up To Cancer is honored to continue our work with The Safeway Foundation and Marg Helgenberger to help combat a disease that takes the lives of too many women."

To learn more, visit www.SafewayFoundation.org or www.standup2cancer.org. To join the conversation, like us on Facebook at @StandUpToCancer or follow us on Twitter at @SU2C.

ABOUT STAND UP TO CANCER (SU2C)
Stand Up To Cancer – an initiative of the Entertainment Industry Foundation, a non-profit organization – began in the USA in 2008 with a landmark telecast on the ABC, CBS and NBC networks. The third U.S.-based telecast was broadcast on ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX and 22 cable networks on Sept. 7, 2012. Internationally, in addition to the Netherlands, Stand Up To Cancer launched in the United Kingdom with a four-hour live televised fundraiser on Channel 4 in collaboration with Cancer Research U.K. on Oct. 17, 2012.

Stand Up To Cancer raises funds to hasten the pace of groundbreaking translational research that can get new therapies to patients quickly and save lives. SU2C marshals the resources of the media and entertainment industries in the fight against this disease. Current members of the SU2C Council of Founders and Advisors (CFA) include Talk Show Host, Journalist and well-known Cancer Advocate Katie Couric; Sherry Lansing, Chairperson of the Entertainment Industry Foundation's Board of Directors and Founder of the Sherry Lansing Foundation; EIF President and CEO Lisa Paulsen; EIF Senior Vice President Kathleen Lobb; Rusty Robertson and Sue Schwartz of the Robertson Schwartz Agency; Pamela Oas Williams, President of Laura Ziskin Productions and Executive Producer of Stand Up To Cancer's In-house Production Team, and Nonprofit Executive Ellen Ziffren. All current members of the CFA were co-producers of the 2012 televised special. The late co-founder Laura Ziskin executive produced both the Sept. 5, 2008, and Sept. 10, 2010, broadcasts. SU2C was formally launched on May 27, 2008. Sung Poblete, Ph.D., R.N., has served as SU2C's president and CEO since 2011.

SU2C's "Dream Team" approach to funding translational cancer research enables scientists from different disciplines at research centers across the country and internationally to collaborate on projects geared toward getting new, less toxic treatments to patients as quickly as possible. Monies also support innovative cancer research projects that are often deemed "too risky" by conventional funding sources. One hundred and one institutions are currently involved. As SU2C's scientific collaborator, the American Association for Cancer Research, led by a prestigious SU2C Scientific Advisory Committee, provides scientific oversight, expert review of the research projects and grants administration. For more information, visit standup2cancer.org.

ABOUT SAFEWAY www.Safeway.com
Safeway Inc. is a Fortune 100 company and one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America, based on sales. The company operates 1,638 stores in the United States and western Canada and had annual sales of $44.2 billion in 2012. The company's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SWY.

ABOUT THE SAFEWAY FOUNDATION

Founded in 2001, The Safeway Foundation supports causes that impact our customers' lives. Our stores provide the opportunity to mobilize funding and create awareness in our neighborhoods through our employees' passion, partnerships with our vendors, and the generous contributions by our customers. We focus on giving locally in the areas of health and human services, hunger relief, education and helping people with disabilities. Safeway Inc. and The Safeway Foundation have invested $1 billion in our neighborhoods since 2001. For more information about The Safeway Foundation, visit www.safewayfoundation.org.

Monday This n That

Let the fall tv madness begin.

A few shows have begun their fall tv seasons, but this week, many of them arrive in full force. I’m not too crazy about where some of my favorite shows have been rescheduled to – specifically, Chicago Fire moving from Wednesday night to Tuesday night. Tuesday nights are always busy nights at work and I usually don’t get the chance to do more than casually glance at the shows as they’re airing. Yet, most of my favorite shows seem to end up on Tuesday nights. Damn!

Tonight brings the return of 2 Broke Girls and Castle. I haven’t really been much of a fan of Castle, but have been watching a few reruns lately on TNT. I guess it’s one of those shows that if it’s on my tv screen, I’ll probably watch. It used to be that I’d just change the channel if it was on, so I guess that’s progress, right? I consider myself a ‘casual’ watcher of 2BG and if I remember that it’s on, I’ll watch, just to get my fix of Max snarkasm. However, since it’s a comedy, I don’t really get too invested in the show. For some reason, comedies just can’t keep my interest.

Tonight also brings two new shows that I’m interested to check out – Hostages and The Blacklist.

 

As luck would have it, they’re both on at the same time. Of course.  Sleepy Hollow premiered last week. It wasn’t too bad, but I’m hoping there are a few less head-choppings as the show continues.

Tomorrow brings the season 11 premiere of NCIS



 I know this show is going to destroy me. I’ve heard the first two episodes of the season deal with Ziva’s departure, and I’m just not ready to deal with that. From what I’ve heard about the various characters who will come & go until they settle with Ziva’s eventual replacement, Bishop, I just may have to ‘let go’ of this show for a little while. 

The season 2 premiere of Chicago Fire is tomorrow as well. I’m glad to have this show back, after we left season 1 with a bunch of different storylines – Mills not making squad and going to the Police Academy for an application (I wouldn’t mind him leaving for the PA. He started out as a sweet, naïve newbie, but they turned him into a whiny, grumbly pain in the ass), Severide & Shay running into a pregnant Renee, a big sports bar starting up right down the block from Molly’s, Dawson consoling Casey after the loss of Hallie, Mouch meeting his online girlfriend, and the birth of Kenny Hermann.

There are a few new shows that premiere tomorrow that are on my radar. I’ve watched the pilots for two of them – The Goldbergs and Trophy Wife – and predictably, I didn’t get past the first five minutes of either of them before giving up. Two other new shows – Lucky 7 and Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. – I have yet to see. However, I’m guessing I’ll probably like MAOS since it’s on at the same time as NCIS, because that’s just how my luck runs.

Revolution returns on Wednesday. However, this might be a show that gets crossed off my list, considering that they killed off the main reason I watched this show – Daneilla Alonso’s character, Nora. 

Other returning shows on Wednesday include SVU and CSI. SVU returns with Liv in the clutches of a monster. And CSI…well, I guess I never did watch last season’s finale, but I know that there’s apparently a ‘significant’ character that ends up in a coffin in the season premiere. Since Chicago Fire isn’t on at the same time as CSI this season, maybe I’ll catch a few more eps. Then again, probably not. The only CSI episode on my radar is the 300^th, which brings back Marg as Catherine Willows.

A new show starting up this Wednesday that I had on my ‘to watch’ schedule was Back in the Game. I wasn’t impressed after watching the pilot, but hopefully things will improve as I do kind of like some of the cast. It feels like a crass version of “Bad News Bears.”

As usual, shows on the ‘to watch’ list for the rest of the week are pretty slim. Parenthood returns on Thursday night. I didn’t really watch much of that show last season. They just never have enough Bonnie Bedelia screen time for my liking. I’m not sure yet about Robin Williams and The Crazy Ones yet, but I’ll check it out on Thursday night. 

Rizzoli & Isles 4x12 Partners in Crime review

Can somebody please stop this merry-go-round? I really want to get off. It’s making me extremely dizzy.

* the Jasey Merry-go-Round

It’s the annoying Jane/Casey dance. Some call it “Jasey” but I just call it nauseating. Maybe it’s because ‘badass’ Jane is always the one protecting everyone else, and it becomes unbelievable when we see her being vulnerable when it involves Casey.

For the record - I really DO like Casey, or maybe I should clarify that a bit further and say that I really do like Chris Vance. The problem I have is with the relationship that Jane & Casey have. Jane is like a marionette, with Casey always pulling the strings.

Casey is a solider – basically, a self-professed ‘career’ soldier.

Jane is a homicide detective, and as she once said, “I’m practically a soldier myself.”

Casey comes back to town, he does some sweet things, he says some sweet lines, and then he’s off again, having no idea just what it does to Jane.

Jane, the badass detective/protector in all other aspects of her life, always melts over his sweetness. Then she seems relieved after he’s gone again. I think she feels relieved because she doesn’t have to play the loving/supportive significant other and can just be herself when he’s gone. Well that, and having Maura around to ‘pick up the pieces’ too.

Now, he’s given her the choice of “marry me, or I’ll leave again” – even after he told her that it’s his goal to become a general – which means that 1) he probably won’t be happy if he gives up his commission just to be with Jane. 2) even if she says ‘yes’ he may not give up that life anyway. And we know Jane won’t be totally happy even if she says ‘yes’. In this episode, she couldn’t even take a day off work to spend with him, using the excuse that she loves her work (which she does). This does not bode well for a close relationship.

Hey, even Mama R doesn’t approve of the relationship.

A: oh, for crying out loud, Jane. That’s disgusting!

LOL Gotta love that woman even more!

* Doyle Family Drama

on the flip side, we have Maura, who is trying so hard to find at least one blood relative who wants to have a constant relationship with her. In this episode, we are introduced to Patrick Sr – the man who would have killed Hope when she was pregnant with Maura. You know, as much as I love the Rizzoli family and their interaction, I’m really starting to love the extreme disfunction of Maura’s bio-family.

-  -  -  -  -

M: hello, Mr Doyle. I’m…

P: I know who you are. You look like that, uh, that woman that Hope.

M: she’s my biological mother. I’m Doctor Maura Isles.

P: biological. You put a lot of stock in that, do ya? Biology. Are you gonna tell me that you’re, uh, Paddy’s daughter? Because my son knocked up some college girl? You should have never seen the light of day.

J: put him back, Maura.

P your girlfriend’s right. Listen sweetheart, leave me here. I like it here. I don’t want anything to do with you.

J: great. Sit here & rot. Maura, let’s go.

Guard: oh no you don’t

J: oh yes, we do.

Guard: you signed the paperwork. Patrick Doyle’s not our problem anymore. He’s all yours.

I can hear the entire fandom cheering Grandpappy Doyle for calling Jane Maura’s girlfriend. It was interesting how he immediately picked up on Maura’s emphasis on biological. If I didn’t immediately like the guy, I would have kicked him in the nuts for dissing his granddaughter at first sight.

-  -  -  -  -  -

J: Paddy asked her to take you.

P: he what? He’s punishing me. I wanted to stay where I was. I told him…he put me outside because he wants to see me die as a nobody.

J: maybe he put you out here so you could see the one good thing he’s done…Maura.

Aww. Sticking up for the LLBFF again. I like how Jane’s trying to get Patrick to see what a great person his granddaughter really is.

-  -  -  -  -  -

P: you look JUST LIKE Paddy right now. Maybe there is something to this…biology thing. 

I hope we get to see Maura visiting Patrick Sr occasionally now. I’m not holding my breath, considering how bad this show can be with continuity.

-  -  -  -  -

It did upset me a bit to see the address of the letter that Paddy sent to Maura.

From:

Patrick Doyle Jr

FDC Philadelphia

Federal Detention Center

P.O. Box 562

Philadelphia, PA 19105

To:

Maura Isles

5801 Pickney St

Boston, MA 01224

They’ve stuck Paddy in Philly? Really? Did they have to send him so far away? So that means no prison visits anytime soon, I guess. Damn!

-  -  -  -  -

* The evolution of Detective Frankie Rizzoli

I love how they’re bringing Frankie along and learning the detective ropes. First we seeing his eagerness in autopsy, when he’s expecting the bullet to already be retrieved from the victim, even though the corpse just arrived in autopsy. Then he asks Jane what he should do next when waiting for ballistics. Later on, they have him working on notifying the relatives of the death of a loved one.

I found it interesting that Frost called Jane to relay the info from his & Frankie’s crime scene. Wouldn’t Frost & Frankie work their own scene, until they discovered that the two cases were related? It’s strange how everything goes through Jane. It should be going through Cavanaugh.

* Be my guest

I almost didn’t recognize him with the bad hair & facial hair, but Mackenzie Astin made an appearance in this episode as the husband (Rick Clark). He’s come a long way from cute little Andy on The Facts of Life.

And then there’s David Blue, who was Eli on Stargate Universe. I wish he’d have had a bigger role.

And how about the casting of Richard Herd as Patrick Doyle Sr.? He really looks a lot like John Doman. Although, his bushy eyebrows kind of scare me.

Rizzles, sweet Rizzles

-  -  -  -  -

J: still ruminating over your messed-up family?

M: Paddy Doyle isn’t my family. But he is part of my genetic makeup, as is my grandfather. And I want to meet him.

J: oh, so now you’re Heidi & you’re going to climb the Alps with gramps & feed the goats

Again with Jane getting in jibes about Maura’s bio family.  After all this time, Jane should know how much it means to Maura to learn new things about her blood relatives.

-  -  -  -  -

J: how’d Frankie do at the scene?

M: good. Very composed. But, he had a good teacher.

Awww. I love the LLBFF compliments.

-  -  -  -  -

J: I need Frost’s magic fingers. Rhonda & Rick Clark were both experts in Anime, whatever that is.

M: the study of social instability. Environment has a significant effect on genetic expression.

J: one more reason to be thankful that Paddy Doyle didn’t raise you. … so she was about to get tenure and he wasn’t.

M: well, that will put a strain on a marriage of academics. Sayer’s law. The politics of a university are so intense because the stakes are so low.

J: it seems so surprising that even smart people can’t get it together.

M: why is that surprising?

J: I just can’t understand why you would even lift a finger to help him.

M: well, I…I could say it’s the compassionate physician in me, but the truth is, I’ll never not be Paddy Doyle’s daughter. I just want to know where he came from.

J: why?

M: why does anybody trace their heritage.

It surprises me that Jane can’t understand Maura’s need to find out who she really is.

-  -  -  -  -  -

M: are you looking through my personal files?

J: well if you don’t want anyone looking, don’t label them ‘personal.’

M: ‘personal’ – related to one’s private affairs.

J: you got Patrick Sr’s medical records? ‘congestive heart failure, arthritis, emphysema…this man needs assisted living, Maura, you can’t take this on.

M: it’s temporary, Jane.

I’m reminded that there’s nothing too ‘personal’ or ‘private’ that the LLBFF can’t touch.

It also reminded me of a comment from Women’s Murder Club, where Claire was looking through a victim’s laptop. “He labeled a file ‘discrepancies’, not very subtle.”

-  -  -  -  -

They know each other’s tells:

J: you have a tell when you’re head’s not in the game

M: I don’t know what you mean.

J: ‘pink froth’? not psydoplastics hematoma liquidity at a cellular level?

M: no!

-  -  -  -  -

J: did you get Frankie’s bullet out?

M: yes. And your mother hates me.

J: No. she loves your guest house…and you too.

M: she hardly said one word to me.

J: well enjoy the silence for a while. She’ll be fine, unless Patrick puts a hit out on her.

Maura gives her a look

J: too soon?

M: you have a tell too.

J: and what is my tell?

M: your jokes get a little edge when something’s bothering you.

Awww.  See, the LLBFF always knows the most obscure details. 

K: Bruno. He looks nice.

J: mmm, yes he does. Did you just make an online dating loveconnection?

K: funny. I’m pulling up all the registered German Shepherds. I always wanted one. The good ones are always direct & honest, but not hostile like you.

J: (laughs) thank you. I’m sorry I made a joke. Is that my tell?

K: your what?

F: what tell?

J: you have no idea what I’m talking about do you?

K: is this a trick question?

J: I’m so thankful that some of the people I work with are guys.

ROFL It’s cute how Frost & Korsak have no clue. See Jane, only the LLBFF knows these things!

-  -  -  -  -  -

J: I could have totally taken a day off today and I didn’t. You wanna know why?

M: yes I do know why. Because you love solving homicides. You love your work.

J: yeah, and I can’t tell him that, I feel guilty. Besides, the guy’s been in town 10 hours and he’s already washed my underwear. My thongs, Maura.

M: that’s awkward.

J: yeah. Tell me about it. and he cleaned out my refrigerator.

M: now that I approve of. There are altrinaria spores and maybe risopuss in your pastrami. (they laugh) Jane, this isn’t about Casey, it’s about you.

J: yeah, it is. I can’t be me and be his too.

M: go tell him

J: how do people make this work? I mean, I love him. I want him to stay, and I want him to go.

M: those are mutually exclusive desires.

J: yes, this much I know, Maura.

Need I mention that Jane & Maura usually make it work between them. I love Jane’s comment that she can’t be herself and be Casey’s too. It’s true, because we always see her as a different person when she’s with him. That should be her first clue.

-  -  -  -  -  -

I had to chuckle at Jane saving the bottle of 2007 ketchup from the trashcan. At least he didn’t throw out Maura’s jar of marmite.

-  -  -  -  -  -

M: they’re releasing him in two hours. I can’t face him alone

K: I can go to BCU alone. Maura can’t go to Souza Baranowski Prison alone. Go Jane.

J: oh, the things I do for you.

All together now. Awwww. Makes me love Korsak even more (if that’s possible)

-  -  -  -  -  -

J: don’t get too friendly, he’s not moving in with us.

Why do I get the feeling that she meant her & Maura, not her & Casey?

-  -  -  -  -  -

A few other notes:

I find it interesting that they’re doing more scenes featuring live video from phones and ipads – like they did here with Jane talking to Frostie while they were at their scene, and giving her details.

When Korsak was talking about the great qualities of the German Shepherd, it brought back wonderful memories of my childhood. I grew up on a farm, and we had a German Shepherd for many years, as well as a few others.

Mid-season review - or is it 3/4 season, since it’s 12 of 16 episodes?

Maybe I’ve just watched too many crime shows over the years (particularly CSI), but it seems that lately I’ve been seeing too many comparisons in storylines and predictable outcomes to even be entertained.

I’ve found myself saying “CSI did that” a lot while watching Rizzoli & Isles – and more frequently in this season.

* the “Strangers on a train” scenario (in this episode) – CSI did that in season 3

* a main character discovering that a mob boss is her bio dad (Maura/Paddy) – CSI did that with Cath/Sam

* a long-distance relationship (Jane/Casey) – CSI did that with Sara & Grissom (which ended up being the downfall of the show, in my opinion)

* two different homicides that end up being connected – CSI did that ad nauseam.

* a serial killer focused on a main character (Jane/Hoyt & Maura/Dennis)– CSI did that numerous times (Millander was good, the rest were not)

* main characters in peril (Jane/Hoyt, BPD hostage crisis, Frost/Tommy/TJ building collapse, Maura/Dennis, Korsak/psycho killer) – CSI did that ad nauseam (don’t even get me started with the CSI-in-peril stories)

* continuity only when it suits the story – CSI was really good at that (remember Sofia’s sudden, unnoticed departure?) For R&I, do they even remember they had started a storyline that had Sister Bitcher setting up camp in the bullpen? Then “poof” – gone without a trace.

There are many things that Rizzoli and Isles has done right.

* focusing on the relationships and having them outweighing the crimes – because, let’s face it, as I’ve already mentioned, the crimes have all been done before. People watch this show for the characters and their interactions, not the dead bodies and their stories.

* the Rizzoli family interaction (although I’m not sure that making Papa R an ass would be a highlight)

* the Jane/Korsak/Frost/Frankie interaction

* Maura’s search to have a meaningful relationship with anybody who would be a blood relative.

What I’d love to see:

* bring Tommy, Lydia and TJ more into the picture, as well as Cavanaugh. Brian Goodman is in the main credits, so give him more of a consistent role. I remember back to NYPD Blue episodes where Lt Fancy was always being updated on the cases and giving helpful hints. Plus, they’ve got Cavanaugh in a relationship with Angela, so bring that forward. Seeing that relationship develop would be more preferable than all of the Jane and Maura “beard-of-the-week” merry-go-rounds that we get stuck with.

* here’s a novel concept – bring us episodes with more than one case…and the cases AREN’T connected! How about that?!

* continue with the Doyle family saga (and don’t forget about the Isles’) – I love the episodes that feature Paddy, and after seeing (and loving) Patrick Sr, I’d love to have the story of Maura’s bio-family evolve. Bring back Cailin more frequently. After all, the last we saw, she was staying with Maura for three weeks. Give Maura that sister relationship to hang on to. And for god’s sake, PLEASE bring back Constance, and introduce us to Mr Isles sometime soon.

* while I’m begging for characters to return, I might as well put in another request to bring back Riley. 

Let's end with some caps: