nanette
@nanette.bsky.social
a middle-aged librarian living on the flatlands of central Illinois magnificent weirdo, guardian of the corn trophy, teller of stories “songs person” at thebestthing.blog not a professional account by any means, it gets weird in here
round 3 of @bestalbumbrackets.bsky.social 2001 begins with Wilco vs Mary J. Blige. one of these artists says “no more drama,” the other got pulled into drama that may or may not have been their fault! also: record label shenanigans and a 1980s Christmas at my grandmother’s house
Best Album of 2001: (1) Wilco – Yankee Hotel Foxtrot vs. (32) Mary J. Blige – No More Drama
Previous posts:R1: Wilco, in which Nanette imagines Doolittle Acres and Jon compares Slipknot to Yo La TengoR2: Wilco, in which Nanette flirts with (and aborts) watching a first time reaction to Wi…
thebestthing.blog
when I retire I’m going to take all the OLLI courses
Smile Politely@smilepolitely.com · 2d agoOLLI at Illinois isn’t just for those 50 and older anymore. The educational program is now open to all adults, regardless of previous education or age. You can register for courses, study groups, lectures, interest groups—and fall course registration has recently opened.
round 2 of @bestalbumbrackets.bsky.social 2001 concludes with System of a Down vs the Josie and the Pussycats soundtrack, which is this tournament’s version of Ministry vs Bonnie Raitt (two very different albums facing each other) there’s also a 🔥hot🔥 blog announcement today!
Best Album of 2001: (22) System of a Down – Toxicity vs. (43) Josie and the Pussycats soundtrack
Previous posts:System of a Down, in which Nanette implores Beavis to settle down and Jon is an old man shaking his fist at kids these daysJosie and the Pussycats, in which Nanette visits the same h…
thebestthing.blog
there was a dad at camp drop off this morning with a dad rock beard AND a bucket hat. he was like a mythical unicorn, but with extensive facial hair and questionable headgear
the penultimate match of @bestalbumbrackets.bsky.social 2001 R2 features Missy Elliott vs Unwound! we’ll visit the Get Your Freak On Hotel, Snake Mountain, and the whimsical world where humans, wild animals, and a sentient banana live in harmony (pro tip: avoid the hot tubs)
Best Album of 2001: (11) Missy Elliott – Miss E…So Addictive vs. Unwound – Leaves Turn Inside You
Previous posts:Missy Elliott, in which Jon refuses to kiss the ring and Nanette wonders why Jay-Z wants her to have pad Thai with bean sproutsUnwound, in which Nanette criticizes Brother Aelfstan’s…
thebestthing.blog
clearly Flora has not done anything, she’s completely innocent of whatever is going on here
in the spirit of today’s @bestalbumbrackets.bsky.social match, what are four albums from 1988 that you’ll defend to the death?
Depeche Mode - Music for the Masses
Stop Calling Me Frank@stopcallingmefrank.bsky.social · 6d agoYou have a month to write a 33 1/3 book about the album of your choice. Which record are you going to write about? (No previously covered albums allowed; new shit must come to light: see below.) (For all books in the series: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/33_1/3) (H/t @monostich.bsky.social
my otherwise tedious and dull day has been livened up by a friend sending me the extremely vulgar parody lyrics he’s been writing
something I find even more humorous about this matchup is all the Toolsplaining that is taking place just let me be a hater in peace; I don’t give a shit what any of it “means”
Putnam@putnam39.bsky.social · 6d agoOne of the most humorous things about this matchup is how angsty Tool detractors are
today’s @bestalbumbrackets.bsky.social match is between Cannibal Ox and Tool! there will be arcane symbols, fractals, an OutKast poster, bearded Dutch guys raising the roof, some H.R. Giger shit, and something creepier than the Radiohead bear that I hate so much
Best Album of 2001: (27) Cannibal Ox – The Cold Vein vs. (38) Tool – Lateralus
Previous posts:Cannibal Ox, in which Jon’s in the doldrums and Nanette ponders the etymology of “talk to the hand”Tool, in which Nanette squeezes her cats and Jon takes a trip to the outdoor mall M…
thebestthing.blog
today’s @bestalbumbrackets.bsky.social match is Radiohead vs Destiny’s Child! why did Destiny’s Child abandon their backup dancers on a tropical island? how would a Radiohead World Cup song sound? and why am I imagining 2001-era Kylie and Jon comparing the contents of their cargo pants pockets?
Best Album of 2001: (6) Radiohead – Amnesiac vs. (70) Destiny’s Child – Survivor
Previous posts:Radiohead, in which Nanette imagines Whiskeytown the faux dive bar and Jon isn’t voting in the Nicest Person TournamentDestiny’s Child, in which Nanette wonders if Jay-Z wore Garanim…
thebestthing.blog
today’s @bestalbumbrackets.bsky.social match is between Kylie Minogue and Tortoise and somehow I ended up on the topic of merkins, which might be an improvement on the fashions of 2001
Best Album of 2001: (19) Kylie Minogue – Fever vs. (46) Tortoise – Standards
Previous posts:Kylie Minogue, in which Jon doesn’t want to fight Bowser with the Wii Fit Trainer and Nanette visits some wetlandsTortoise, in which Jon searches the internet for mid-90s Dayton DJs …
thebestthing.blog
this is an exceptional book and was one of my favorites of 2025
Linda Ge@lindage.bsky.social · last wk.everyone should read WHEN IT ALL BURNS by Jordan Thomas for some (US-centric, but applicable) historical context on how we got here . Spoiler alert: It's capitalism.
Booker Prize longlist! I haven’t read as many of these as I’d expect. John of John is fantastic and the Marlon James and Elizabeth Strout books are on my to-read list.
Here are the 13 books that made the Booker Prize longlist
The 2026 list includes new works from household names Douglas Stuart, Marlon James and Elizabeth Strout as well as a few debut authors.
npr.org
today’s @bestalbumbrackets.bsky.social match is between Jay-Z and New Order, and I’m asking the most important questions: did Hooky wear leather pants to the beach? Is Jay-Z a master of manifestation? who is my #1 summertime fashion icon? (spoiler alert: it’s one of the people in this picture)
Best Album of 2001: (14) Jay-Z – The Blueprint vs. (51) New Order – Get Ready
Previous posts:Jay-Z, in which Jon dislikes the boring-ass foxtrot and Nanette quotes Jay-Z before her conference presentationsNew Order, in which Nanette brings “the Elbow line” to a wider audienc…
thebestthing.blog
today’s @bestalbumbrackets.bsky.social match is between the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Life Without Buildings, two bands that give dynamic, exciting performances! someone just described this match as “battle of the art school bands” and that’s very apt!
Best Album of 2001: (30) Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Yeah Yeah Yeahs EP vs. (35) Life Without Buildings – Any Other City
Previous posts:Yeah Yeah Yeahs, in which Jon finds that Lightning Bolt doesn’t make his list of favorite things from Rhode Island and Nanette knows exactly where everything in Chicago was located…2…
thebestthing.blog
another week of nail-biting @bestalbumbrackets.bsky.social action concludes with the White Stripes vs Mogwai! also: a visit to the Grand Canyon, a sketchy motel, a nip nop top, scorpions in the house, and some dope cello. check it out, it’s fuck amazing:
Best Album of 2001: (3) The White Stripes – White Blood Cells vs. (67) Mogwai – Rock Action
Previous posts:The White Stripes, in which Nanette wonders what her fucking sound might be and Jon gets an education in wubsMogwai, in which Nanette’s delicate sensibilities are offended and Jon as…
thebestthing.blog
from an interview with author Min Jin Lee (her book Pachinko is one of my all time favorites) “You’re going to be totally fucked if you don’t read” is my new favorite quote
today’s @bestalbumbrackets.bsky.social match is between Drive-By Truckers and Ladytron! one of these artists gave me a great new name for my hometown, so henceforth I am nanette, formerly of Buttholeville!
Best Album of 2001: (23) Drive-By Truckers – Southern Rock Opera vs. (42) Ladytron – 604
Previous posts:Drive-By Truckers, in which Nanette ponders the nature of art in the age of AI and Jon names the best album of 2001Ladytron, in which Jon prefers the live version and Nanette actuall…
thebestthing.blog
1990: my mom gave me a box of PB Max to bring to my Scholastic Bowl meet as a snack to share with my friends. While we were playing, the faculty advisor’s kid ate the entire box
Discontinued Foods!@discontinuedfoods.bsky.social · 7mo agoPB Max (1989-circa 1994): Crunchy whole grain cookies topped with a *thick* layer of creamy peanut butter and cookie pieces and enrobed in milk chocolate. Produced by Mars, Inc.
oh dear we have a second mute, this one for the heinous crime of “being overly passionate about Jimmy Eat World”
nanette@nanette.bsky.social · 2w agofinally muted that one guy I’ve been tempted to mute numerous times. it’ll be nice to not have that obnoxiousness showing up when he gets reposted (yeah it’s a music polls guy)