In My Life
Thanks for joining me here for another dispatch of my (mostly) twice-weekly music and menswear newsletter, which is different (but somewhat the same) as my daily style blog from which it gets its name. Thanks for reading!
Here in my music and menswear newsletter, I try to keep the focus on a mix of everything, from classic favorites like The Replacements and new releases from other standbys like The War On Drugs, but today, I’m going where this newsletter has never gone before. That is to say, with it being a holiday weekend and all, that means one thing in terms of highlight viewing these past few days: The hotly anticipated, much-loved and yet still somewhat divisive new (or old?) documentary on The Beatles, known as “The Beatles: Get Back,” hit streaming by way of Disney+ and perhaps made its way onto your television.
The smash hit TV special repurposes hours of footage captured surrounding the making of the legendary band’s 1970 album, “Let It Be” (admittedly, the source of the album title for the 1984 release from aforementioned Minnesota rock legends The Replacements). From what I’ve seen so far, it’s a really stunning, intimate portrait of four music masters making iconic songs and, well, just chatting, noodling around on the guitar and going through the process of building an album. It’s remarkable stuff, and even the fact that it appears in color as wowed me, a big-time Beatles fan from the age of 9 (I would even stay up late reading The Beatles Anthology as a young child). Note that if you’d also like to read about what you’re seeing on screen, you can snap up The Beatles: Get Back in book form right now. (Another note: I last offered up a pre-Thanksgiving dispatch here highlighting a playlist of new and old favorites at Atwood Magazine, so that’s on the table, too — it’s not The Beatles, but still!).
Admittedly, they’re not as much of an everyday band for me as they were in years past, but watching this documentary sent me down a Beatles rabbit hole once again — the best way to revisit music you once loved and yet haven’t heard in a while. That brings me to today’s newsletter, and one of the songs I’ve been loving the most as of late. Let’s get into it as we close out the holiday weekend, shall we?
What To Listen This Weekend: “In My Life” By The Beatles (Or really… anything at all by The Beatles)
I mentioned above that I haven’t quite brought it all the way back to a true throwback band in this newsletter before, but of course, The Beatles are the perfect group to buck that trend. They’re quite possibly the greatest and best band of all-time (and yes, I think there’s a difference between the two), with positively dozens upon dozens of songs I’d bet you know by heart. My words barely do them justice, but just watch the first 10 or so minutes of “The Beatles: Get Back” for one of the most concise, yet comprehensive looks at their career, boiled down to just a few minutes. Sure, you likely know their story as well as the band’s songs, but if you — like me — haven’t listened to The Beatles in some time, you might find yourself smiling ear to ear as the documentary’s “prologue” sets the stage for its main focus, those January 1969 recording sessions for “Let It Be.” Seriously: Every song is a true gem. It’s almost tough to sum up without sounding foolish: How do you write about some of the most iconic songs ever recorded? Well, watch the first 10 minutes of “The Beatles: Get Back,” then go back down a wormhole on your own and revisit hours of tracks from the world-champion band. “In My Life” is my favorite of the moment, but that’s sure to change even later tonight. Another great thing about “The Beatles: Get Back,” one that numerous fans have called out on social media? The genre-bending style of the Liverpool band. Inspiring doesn’t begin to cover it.
What To Shop This Weekend: Wellen Seawool Fisherman Sweater
Who’s the best-dressed Beatle? Well, in a band of wealthy, stylish men, that’s a very tough call. The best answer might be whoever’s onscreen at that very moment. The band alternates between turtlenecks, jumpers, colorful printed shirts and even just simple, faded tees, all of which manage to look timeless and even surprisingly on-trend in the year 2021 (fashion is cyclical, after all). In the spirit of bundling up for a cold winter in fittingly throwback style, do yourself a favor and shop this rugged fisherman sweater, which manages to call to mind the sort of sweater one Mr. Paul McCartney would wear not too long after when retreating to the Scottish Highlands. Timeless, iconic style, indeed.
What To Sip This Weekend: Laphroaig 10-Year Single Malt Scotch
Now, we’re deviating a bit from The Beatles’ Liverpool roots and trekking North to recommend one of the best Scotch whiskies on the planet here, but that’s alright in my book (especially as we move in earnest through a chilly fall). There’s no word that I’ve seen as to whether the lads from Liverpool enjoyed something like the Laphroaig 10-Year Single Malt Scotch, but one has to imagine it might have adorned a bar cart or two at a lavish party, right? Either way, this is a reliable and classic pick-up for your own bar cart, and it’s one that (just like The Beatles) won’t let you down. Stock up accordingly.
The Final Pick: Hunter Refined Slim Fit Chelsea Boots
Is it any wonder that I’m closing out today’s newsletter dispatch on The Beatles by talking about a modern pair of some of the best Chelsea boots? It’s not all that surprising when you remember that the band famously wore Chelsea boots and slim “drainpipe” trousers for appearances aplenty, a look that’s still very much iconic and en vogue today. The Beatles changed, well, everything in terms of fashion, music and an accessible approach to both — witness the stadium shoes they played to the masses, stylishly dressed all the while. These Chelsea boots are but one homage to an incredibly cool, forever legendary band — why not snap them up and have some fun getting dressed this holiday season, ehh?
When the roadmap to end your weekend (or start a new week) kicks off with none other than The Beatles, I’d say you’re in pretty good shape, no? Keep your menswear refined and inspired (with the Hunter Refined Slim Fit Chelsea Boots), keep that bar cart stocked (with some Laphroaig 10-Year Single Malt Scotch), and keep the hits rolling with the best band to grace the airwaves in some time. Here’s to the rest of your Sunday — thanks for reading!