archive: July-December 2014

Erik Ritland, a writer and musician from St. Paul, Minnesota, is the main contributor for Rambling On. He was also Lead Staff Writer for Minnesota culture blog Curious North. Support Erik's music via his Patreon account, reach him via email, or find him on Facebook and Twitter.
We amped up both the podcast and article content in the second half of 2014. In the sports world Adrian Peterson and Ray Rice made huge mistakes that rouse pitchfork nation (copyright Dan Barreiro), the Twins continued in mediocrity and welcomed back a legend, and the Wild sold hope. Our music coverage was highlighted by our in depth Best Albums of 2014 series.
Here's a full archive:
The Misplaced Priorities of the Minnesota Twins 8/5/14
As the Twins trudge their way through another terrible year Peter gives his thoughts on what's wrong with the team.
News: Bob Dylan and the Band 9/5/14
Huge Bob Dylan news regarding the legendary Basement Tapes sessions.
Catchy Garage/Pop Heavy on Echo: Coves' Soft Friday 9/5/14
Take ’60s garage rock, filter it through catchy ’80s pop like Echo and the Bunnymen, and add in contemporary sensibilities and you have British duo Coves.
A Vanilla Year: 2014 NFL Predictions 9/6/14
Think you're an elite football mind? Erik doesn't, but he's going to tell you how he thinks the 2014 season will unfold anyway.
PODCAST #4: Minnesota Vikings 2014 Preview 9/10/14
We're finally back to podcasting! Will Corderrell Patterson have a big year? How will the new Vikings defense look? What character from Saved by the Bell do the Seattle Seahawks most resemble? Find out answers to all of these and more in this fun podcast.
Hope and Ray Rice 9/12/14
In what may be his best-ever article Erik critiques both those who defend and vilify Ray Rice and proposes a different way of looking at the situation. Check it out here.
The Living Past: Billy J. Kramer, Listen... 9/13/14
The first of our featured articles about album reissues. Pop music was going through a huge change in 1963. '50s styles became dated and the Beatles were about to usher in a new era. Billy J. Kramer, whose debut album Listen! was recently reissued, is a bridge between these two eras.
Twins Update: Better Than the Bit of Another Lost Season 9/17/14
Peter breaks down two reasons why the Twins' futile 2014 campaign isn't a complete waste.
All Souls Mixtape 10/16/14
Reflections on the coolest, creepiest, eeriest month of the year: October. Also information on our All Souls mixtape for the season.
Becoming a Contender: Wild 2014-2015 Season Preview 10/21/14
The Wild won their first two games in 2014 convincingly and lost their next two heartbreakingly. Is this a harbinger for their entire season? Peter gives his thoughts.
PODCAST #5: Fall, All Souls, U2, Education, Vikings/NFL Update 10/21/14
Erik goes solo for the first time for this one! He covers Rambling On's All Souls Mixtape, criticizes those who aren't happy with U2 giving away an album, comments on the current state of education, and gives an update on the Vikings and NFC North so far in 2014.
PODCAST #6: Gutter hooch, Revisitng Kent Hrbek and Ron Gant, the mumps 11/18/14
Peter is back and the boys discuss the woes of the 2014 Minnesota Vikings, the Twin's choice of Paul Molitor as manager, and a Minnesota Wild update including rants about Josh Harding and the mumps. Enjoy!
A Yawn and a Snore: Adrian Peterson Part 32 11/26/14
This week the NFL suspended Adrian Peterson for the rest of the 2014 season. Some people think it's an excessive punishment (irony, anyone?). Others think the Vikings should simply release Peterson. Erik's thoughts? Read to find out.
The Return of the Legendary Waterboys 12/1/14
Mike Watt and his legendary band return with the breezy '70s pop of "November Tale" and synth-driven "Destinies Entwined."
Five Reasons to Welcome Back Torii Hunter 12/3/14
Legendary outfielder and Twins great Torii Hunter is returning to the team that he made famous.
It Was a Very Good Year: The Top 15 Albums of 2014 12/31/14
2014 was one of the better years for music in recent memory. I’m not talking about pop music, be it the stuff kids listen to at parties or that their parents listen to on adult contemporary stations. I'm not talking the underground scene that Pitchfork covers. 2014 was good, though, for albums that keep torches burning.
Enough magazines and websites have overrated Taylor Swift’s okay pop album and a good but not great set by the War on Drugs. This list focuses on music that doesn’t consider the age of the artists, whether hipsters drinking craft beer will pretend to like it for a few months, or kids will blast it while taking shots. It features timeless music that will last a lot longer than most of what you’ll find on similar lists.
Short takes on #15-11 are featured on one review. #10-1 each have longer pieces. Check them out below.
15. Jack White - Lazaretto
14. Weezer - Everything Will Be Alright in the End
13. Twinkie Jiggles - Too Big to Fail
12. The New Basement Tapes - Lost on the River
11. Tweedy - Sukierae
10. Neil Young - A Letter Home
9. Bill Mallonee - Winnowing
8. Foo Fighters - Sonic Highways
7. Tom Petty - Hypnotic Eye
6. Bruce Springsteen - High Hopes
5. Willie Nelson - Band of Brothers
4. Marty Stuart - Saturday Night/Sunday Morning
3. Johnny Cash - Out Among the Stars
2. Pink Floyd - The Endless River
1. Bob Dylan and the Band - The Basement Tapes Complete
Here's a full archive:
The Misplaced Priorities of the Minnesota Twins 8/5/14
As the Twins trudge their way through another terrible year Peter gives his thoughts on what's wrong with the team.
News: Bob Dylan and the Band 9/5/14
Huge Bob Dylan news regarding the legendary Basement Tapes sessions.
Catchy Garage/Pop Heavy on Echo: Coves' Soft Friday 9/5/14
Take ’60s garage rock, filter it through catchy ’80s pop like Echo and the Bunnymen, and add in contemporary sensibilities and you have British duo Coves.
A Vanilla Year: 2014 NFL Predictions 9/6/14
Think you're an elite football mind? Erik doesn't, but he's going to tell you how he thinks the 2014 season will unfold anyway.
PODCAST #4: Minnesota Vikings 2014 Preview 9/10/14
We're finally back to podcasting! Will Corderrell Patterson have a big year? How will the new Vikings defense look? What character from Saved by the Bell do the Seattle Seahawks most resemble? Find out answers to all of these and more in this fun podcast.
Hope and Ray Rice 9/12/14
In what may be his best-ever article Erik critiques both those who defend and vilify Ray Rice and proposes a different way of looking at the situation. Check it out here.
The Living Past: Billy J. Kramer, Listen... 9/13/14
The first of our featured articles about album reissues. Pop music was going through a huge change in 1963. '50s styles became dated and the Beatles were about to usher in a new era. Billy J. Kramer, whose debut album Listen! was recently reissued, is a bridge between these two eras.
Twins Update: Better Than the Bit of Another Lost Season 9/17/14
Peter breaks down two reasons why the Twins' futile 2014 campaign isn't a complete waste.
All Souls Mixtape 10/16/14
Reflections on the coolest, creepiest, eeriest month of the year: October. Also information on our All Souls mixtape for the season.
Becoming a Contender: Wild 2014-2015 Season Preview 10/21/14
The Wild won their first two games in 2014 convincingly and lost their next two heartbreakingly. Is this a harbinger for their entire season? Peter gives his thoughts.
PODCAST #5: Fall, All Souls, U2, Education, Vikings/NFL Update 10/21/14
Erik goes solo for the first time for this one! He covers Rambling On's All Souls Mixtape, criticizes those who aren't happy with U2 giving away an album, comments on the current state of education, and gives an update on the Vikings and NFC North so far in 2014.
PODCAST #6: Gutter hooch, Revisitng Kent Hrbek and Ron Gant, the mumps 11/18/14
Peter is back and the boys discuss the woes of the 2014 Minnesota Vikings, the Twin's choice of Paul Molitor as manager, and a Minnesota Wild update including rants about Josh Harding and the mumps. Enjoy!
A Yawn and a Snore: Adrian Peterson Part 32 11/26/14
This week the NFL suspended Adrian Peterson for the rest of the 2014 season. Some people think it's an excessive punishment (irony, anyone?). Others think the Vikings should simply release Peterson. Erik's thoughts? Read to find out.
The Return of the Legendary Waterboys 12/1/14
Mike Watt and his legendary band return with the breezy '70s pop of "November Tale" and synth-driven "Destinies Entwined."
Five Reasons to Welcome Back Torii Hunter 12/3/14
Legendary outfielder and Twins great Torii Hunter is returning to the team that he made famous.
It Was a Very Good Year: The Top 15 Albums of 2014 12/31/14
2014 was one of the better years for music in recent memory. I’m not talking about pop music, be it the stuff kids listen to at parties or that their parents listen to on adult contemporary stations. I'm not talking the underground scene that Pitchfork covers. 2014 was good, though, for albums that keep torches burning.
Enough magazines and websites have overrated Taylor Swift’s okay pop album and a good but not great set by the War on Drugs. This list focuses on music that doesn’t consider the age of the artists, whether hipsters drinking craft beer will pretend to like it for a few months, or kids will blast it while taking shots. It features timeless music that will last a lot longer than most of what you’ll find on similar lists.
Short takes on #15-11 are featured on one review. #10-1 each have longer pieces. Check them out below.
15. Jack White - Lazaretto
14. Weezer - Everything Will Be Alright in the End
13. Twinkie Jiggles - Too Big to Fail
12. The New Basement Tapes - Lost on the River
11. Tweedy - Sukierae
10. Neil Young - A Letter Home
9. Bill Mallonee - Winnowing
8. Foo Fighters - Sonic Highways
7. Tom Petty - Hypnotic Eye
6. Bruce Springsteen - High Hopes
5. Willie Nelson - Band of Brothers
4. Marty Stuart - Saturday Night/Sunday Morning
3. Johnny Cash - Out Among the Stars
2. Pink Floyd - The Endless River
1. Bob Dylan and the Band - The Basement Tapes Complete