Tidal Wave

I honestly didn't realize that Taking Back Sunday was still making music. Because, well, I'm not really a huge fan. Like most pop punk fans I really enjoyed "MakeDamnSure" and even "Liar [It Takes One to Know One]," but assumed that the band would probably fade out, because I wasn't really interested in much more of their 2006 album "Louder Now." Having listened to TBS' single "Tidal Wave," which will be the title track off their album set to release in mid-September, I am rethinking my original assessment. It is as good of a throw-back punk song as I have heard in a long time. I don't know if the rest of the album will be the same, or if they will have more modern pop punk songs, but I'm excited to find out.

I have a handful of photos to share from the second day of state for Pierz baseball, June 17.

Pierz' Nick Herold dives safely back into first base as Minnehaha Academy's John Goth awaits the throw over, June 17 at Dick Putz Field in St. Cloud.

Teddy Dehler (No. 7) congratulates Matt Tautges after he scores a run in the Class AA State semifinal game.

Senior Michael Meyer with a big swing at a belt-high pitch.

Girtz hangs in to try and get a double play as Goth slides into second base hard.

A little before the last photo as Brett Kapsner (No. 13) flips to Girtz as Goth barrels in.

Tautges fires a pitch after he came in for relief.

Girtz trots in off the mound after finishing off the Redhawks lineup in the late innings.

Go Robot

I entered listening to the Red Hot Chili Peppers' latest record "The Getaway" with a pretty definitive mindset that it would be pretty much crap without Rick Rubin running the show as the producer. However, I was pleasantly surprised. Danger Mouse (one of the new producers) didn't make it too digital, and the album was surprisingly listenable, even enjoyable. While nothing really jumps out as groundbreaking on the album, "Go Robot" has some good funk to it, and was probably my favorite track.

Anyhow, I have many photographs of baseball from June 7-16 to share. Enjoy.

Thomas Miller celebrates after scoring in the section championship win over Bemidji, June 8.

Miller pitched in the win.

Miller celebrats with teammate Jay Strack.

Flyers players, including senior Alec Stark (near) prepare to storm the field in the seventh inning.

Senior first baseman Chris Reller steps on the base for an out.

AJ Jenks takes a big cut a low pitch.

Senior catcher Braden Bacowski puts down a sacrifice bunt.

Backowski prepares to nab a pop fly in foul territory.

Mitch Boros manages to get down a bunt on a high pitch.

Pierz pitcher Matt Kummet looks on as catcher Teddy Dehler dives to tag out a would-be Cathedral scorer in the section title game, June 9.

Senior David Skiba (No. 23) congratulates teammate Michael Meyer after he scored.

Shortstop Eric Lampert fires a throw to first after a ground ball.

Brady Burggraff, second base, throws to first for an out.

Flensburg's Luke Thoma throws to first for a ground out.

Dan Marod makes contact in the first round of state against Rocori, Thursday.

Justin Jenks nearly beats a throw to first.

AJ Jenks tries to complete a double play.

Jenks has a foul pop escape his grasp.

Marod throws warm up tosses to Brett Czajkowski before the game.

Marod celebrates after the Flyers score six runs in the sixth to take the lead.

Backowski tosses his bat aside after drawing one of two walks.

The dirt flies off of Backowski's glove after he catches a pitch.

Matt Tautges pitches in the round one 13-0 victory over Paynesville at Class AA state, Thursday.

David Skiba pitched a strong final inning to keep the Bulldogs scoreless.

OBLIVIUS

It may only be three songs (and a remix), but The Strokes have put out an album for the first time (the EP "Future Present Past") since 2013's brilliant "Comedown Machine." The songs are solid, Strokes-esque, and even take a few unexpected turns. I really enjoy the solo in "OBLIVIUS," which is also the song that is remixed. Julian Casablancas and them boys really did it.

I have a good number of photos to share, and as always go to www.ecmpublishers.smugmug.com/MorrisonCountyRecord to buy them.

Little Falls third baseman Hunter Swanson with a rip down the line against Fergus Falls in the Section 8AAA Tournament, May 31.

Austin Weisz rounds third on his way to score in the victory over the Otters.

Lastrup's Scott Janson connects against Opole, May 29.

The Flyers' AJ Jenks runs out the throw to Fergus Falls' Ethan Rinke. 

Weisz lays down a bunt.

Flyers pitcher Thomas Miller throws to first after fielding a grounder.

Little Falls senior Justin Jenks makes a nice backhand stop going into the hole.

Senior Dan Marod takes a healthy hack.

Braden Backowski just does hold up on a check swing.

Opole catcher James Muehlbauer leaps to try and catch an errant throw as the Lakers' No. 8.

Brandon Lochner?

Jason Sadlovsky rips a shot.

Little Falls' Mitchell Schirmers sprints to the finish in the 110 meter hurdles at Sections, June 1.

Flyers junior Nick Maslowski heaves the shot at Sauk Rapids.

Billy Winkelman prepares to do his best throw.

Sophomore Sophia Sowada gets up after not making a height in the high jump.

Alex Wilson puts on the 18th green of Blackberry Ridge, Monday, June 6.

Austin Visker brings down his driver on the 10th tee box.

Noah Jones, a Flyers senior, tees off on his first hole of the day.

Aaron Sanoski follows through.

Matt Kummet takes a big swing at a pitch in the Section 6AA tournament against Melrose, June 2.

Lane Girtz rounds third and heads for home in the 8-2 win.

Senior Aaron Weber throws out a Dutchmen runner.

Senior Ted Dehler scoops up a low pickoff attempt.

The Pioneers softball team with their Section 6AA runner-up trophy after the June 2 final.

Brianna Meyer takes a healthy cut.

Flyers coach Chad Kaddatz looks on as Miller slides safely into third ahead of the throw going to Bemidji third baseman Peter Johnson.

Here is Miller's slide a second earlier.

Senior Chris Reller slides safely into third.

Weisz turns on a pitch.

Swanson is congratulated by Kaddatz after a home run in the 3-0 win.