Two months and just three posts, it’s pathetic. I think two of those were “we’re really gonna get it together this time” posts, too. Here’s my excuses: Got married, which is way more work than they tell you even if they tell you it’s a lot of work. But so worth it, ask any of my friends they’ll tell you how lucky I got.

Got a full-time job writing for AOL Radio Blog. Super-nice people, so far my only complaint is that I had to write about Bruce Springsteen without using the phrase “washed up, overdramatic, preening, posing, affected speaking voice blowhard.” Got some work with the Cleveland Scene.

I also went to a ton of concerts. Working backwards, the most recent was Dead Weather at the Fillmore in Detroit, which might be my favorite rock venue right about now – great old theater, lovingly maintained, great marquee, great views, nice cushioned seats up in the balcony for the old men (oh yeah I turned 40, too) and it was cool not hot.

I saw Dead Weather last year on the tour for their first album, which I thought was fully cool but not really a revelation. Their new record Sea of Cowards is much better. Like Prince, it’s not that they’re doing any one thing in a new way but they just combine it all uniquely and forcefully. So we all expected this tour to feature a tighter and stronger band and they didn’t disappoint. The novelty of “Hey, Jack White’s the drummer!” has worn off, with lead singer Alison Mosshart more than holding her own as frontwoman, and guitarist Dean Fertita taking a more active role on stage. (The bass player just hung back, somebody had to..)

Jack would pop in with lead vocals or step out for the occasional song on guitar, but it felt like a natural part of a more confident, unified group. And really, all this before is just an extended way of saying this all kicked much butt. Check out this video from that very same show, of the song “Hustle and Cuss:”