tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19229440552962949782024-02-18T20:40:43.229-05:00Kaatcha!Julio Von McWorthington Summers IVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17256663846333981912noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1922944055296294978.post-81237446179171093202010-03-30T21:25:00.007-04:002010-03-30T21:51:44.535-04:00Whats I be Listening Vol. 2<span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >What's I Be listening's To yu'Says?!?! Wells I'z be tellinz yaz - </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Black-Sands/dp/B003BD09KY/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=dmusic&qid=1270000043&sr=8-5"><br />Bonobo - Black Sands</a><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.amazon.com/Black-Sands/dp/B003BD09KY/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=dmusic&qid=1270000043&sr=8-5"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 136px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj61X8zyZz-aFm8W9hRyOd3mDep4HihVQgQU-8r8VSkWuwlE16auRE6sxYyVR0tIxIejWR7g4ocm8ecc6LEoYwQd9p6SnxfIAl0apXob_sc8cG8HQrT2X-8y03EVL0FRFMhlH-KOCCjSuA/s320/Black+Sands.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454603448283947394" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> Bonobo is Simon Green, UK beatsmith, musician, producer... & Black Sands is his latest effort released on March 23rd, 2010. What to say about Black Sands? It's possibly Bonobo's most diverse & striking effort yet, incorporating the most ecclectic musical elements into each track of any of his previous releases. Violin, flutes, bird calls, synths, chimes, triangles, etc. You name it instrumentally & I believe Mr. Green has included it here. It's not just a kitchen sink though, Bonobo manages to fantastically blend all of these ingredients together to make a relaxing but inspiring, downtempo collection of musing tracks. They make the head-nod & move the feet the same. Check it out.<br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Styles-Crews-Flows-Beats-Explicit/dp/B001V67AOG/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&s=dmusic&qid=1270000124&sr=8-18"><br /></a></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Styles-Crews-Flows-Beats-Explicit/dp/B001V67AOG/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&s=dmusic&qid=1270000124&sr=8-18"><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >Peanut Butter Wolf - Styles, Crews, Flows, Beats</span></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.amazon.com/Styles-Crews-Flows-Beats-Explicit/dp/B001V67AOG/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&s=dmusic&qid=1270000124&sr=8-18"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 158px; height: 158px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgARxXs7XWKtTGIKUwnK75CkCvBNM8DikVJamCM1TsSVxiaOjZK1_T5RxrtHb-NC_sCRIwKMz-m-FF7oSmIqDLCF-jKmfV3MgcVHr6O6ynYE1NLl4PYUM4jQaHhu6Z4P4y_9l7Vy3UAxSA/s320/Styles,+Crews,+Flows,+Beats.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454603940831223826" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> Peanut Butter Wolf co-founder of the Stones Throw alternative funk & hip-hop label outta California. This is a collection of exactly what he calls it.. Style, Crews, Flows & Beats, the range on this one is incredible, its got Funk, Soul, Hip-hop, Jazz, R&B all pulled down into a hip-hop beat menagerie... mmm good.</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000UBQJYA/ref=sr_1_album_1_rd?ie=UTF8&child=B000UBMLWY&qid=1270000174&sr=1-1"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Willie Bobo - Broasted or Fried!</span></a><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000UBQJYA/ref=sr_1_album_1_rd?ie=UTF8&child=B000UBMLWY&qid=1270000174&sr=1-1"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 178px; height: 178px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcpEyl3TJPXImfuXG91GKpwBQNwCI7onaDYlk0SIZxqVz60-yL6OpEvMQfy16eGGOSWoxTkKrzYlo8xXkbUutZkE7oaRpR0qNWsMMtZAM9TKlyiPpAI1QS4tT4iRZLV8XHWlIG5t83Yw/s320/Broasted+or+Fried.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454604414534511202" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">Willie Bobo is a classic funk & Soul artist from the late 1960's that just knows what's good & how to kick it. </span><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Foo-Fighters-Shape-Colour-Heart/dp/B000S9AJ9K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dmusic&qid=1270000216&sr=8-1"><span style="font-family:verdana;">The Vitamin String Quartet - The Shape & Colour of my Heart: A String Tribute to The Foo Fighters</span></a><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.amazon.com/Foo-Fighters-Shape-Colour-Heart/dp/B000S9AJ9K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dmusic&qid=1270000216&sr=8-1"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 173px; height: 173px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0wXY7xxA8RcUOW_adEkGyh_BxrRvSozbYRS7KoU_uRq2Wl6_aR6vbn3KzQJGH8NEMerVV6CSLYomN-S8MKlCjXzD4lo9MDivuz8zO8HmDW2qgOzFeSbGYkk6hqnYTuiGn8zOI7kBeug/s320/The+Shape+%26+Colour+of+my+Heart+-+The+String+Tribute+to+The+Foo+Fighters.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454605280711680290" border="0" /></a></span> <span style="font-size:85%;">This really speaks for itself.. melancholy, while invigorating, all the classic Foo arrangements set to a classical string quartet. By now I'm convinced the members of Vitamin are huge classic metal & Modern Rock fans considered this is 1 in nearly 50 modern rock & heavy metal String Quartet Tributes they've put together now & this one does not disappoint if you're a Foo Fighters fan. </span>Julio Von McWorthington Summers IVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17256663846333981912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1922944055296294978.post-18722747179887384582009-10-19T20:13:00.103-04:002009-11-11T01:29:05.322-05:00What a way to spend a Monday...Every year, one of my favorite public radio stations, WXPN, comes out with an exceptionally long list of tunes to put on the airwaves. It's always a countdown of some sort revolving around favorite albums, songs, artists, etc... And this year it happened to be the "top 885 songs you can't live without." It takes about two to three weeks to complete this countdown. And I can honesty say, it's the only time of year when my ipods, itunes, satellite radios, cd collections, and the hoards of mp3's I own take a back seat... I just listen to the radio, this countdown, from start to end, and everything in between... (Yes the dreaded fund drives and all...) To me it's the greatest thing - To hear these songs you love, hate, forgot about, and never ever heard before, all being played one by one.<br /><br />So after thinking about making my own list for the last three weeks, I actually sat myself down and did it. So at this moment, these are my top favorite songs. Yes, this topic is always a revolving door, and I'm sure I forgot many songs and will kick myself in the booty for not thinking about them when I wrote this out. But these songs are what comes to mind at the moment, and I guess that's good enough for now. And by no means do I write this thinking that these are the best songs ever written, recorded, or sung... because they definitely are not. I'm not trying to impress you with my music knowledge. These are just the songs that got me started, interested. These are the songs that mean the world to me...<br /><br /><br /><div><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394879208722123714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-SFIL8bZoYO0rcP1Pim0k1hzNkoVXkSvSe4_4EXOoKxaUCir5PcQBtL0xsyiikY3yRbcDbl4bgpCHp70bqow09F09AjCK17iL40qYjYnoEeJyeEXtwbtBE1em2M92Jj95uofujV05tTI/s200/petsounds.jpg" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZh-SqnL324JkZSoT8brWzTuBAZh0D9uRjX0hc1vTnRFaxuIfrvGSii3DyqxDRLUiyarImxOn9qjPVmWnqAOZUHFzDn2YL4q2TA8hk0doQcflTCPGI3577lJi0EbkL1q7WywQiG3NJrwc/s1600-h/white.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394880121151028338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZh-SqnL324JkZSoT8brWzTuBAZh0D9uRjX0hc1vTnRFaxuIfrvGSii3DyqxDRLUiyarImxOn9qjPVmWnqAOZUHFzDn2YL4q2TA8hk0doQcflTCPGI3577lJi0EbkL1q7WywQiG3NJrwc/s200/white.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><em>God Only Knows, </em>The Beach Boys</span></strong><br /></div>This song is just incredible. End of story.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><em>Long, Long, Long,</em> The Beatles</span></strong><br /><br />Yes, I know. Of all the Beatles songs to choose from I pick one from the least loved side of white album. With valid reason though, because Harrison lets himself loose and reveals it all. This could be the one of most genuine, heart felt songs in the Beatles collection. (Bold statement I know.) And it does it for me every time.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKLSVUNHxelmx1Dq6u-WGdeETfHJEpVzd4d7Phsqsx8-fQz0MDOkp7wolQF-w934HxVkspbnijflOS9g5U1AKXIwZmKHLCl1QDWRO3KzTeQ4KDbxDV5dYfekEGdIE_odK8cKCFOtL0Pm0/s1600-h/Dire+Straits+-+Making+Movies.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394878618410485666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKLSVUNHxelmx1Dq6u-WGdeETfHJEpVzd4d7Phsqsx8-fQz0MDOkp7wolQF-w934HxVkspbnijflOS9g5U1AKXIwZmKHLCl1QDWRO3KzTeQ4KDbxDV5dYfekEGdIE_odK8cKCFOtL0Pm0/s200/Dire+Straits+-+Making+Movies.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><em>Romeo & Juliet</em>, Dire Straits</span> </strong><br /><br />I first heard this song while watching the movie Empire Records. Being 13, this movie was pretty damn cool, and the epitome of what I wanted my life to be. I wanted to work at a record store. (What can I say, I dream big.) I wanted to know these songs... especially this one. It was was so different than anything I had heard before. It was sweet and sincere, but at the same time it held mystery and intrigue. I was hooked. As time did unfold my adolescent dream job came to reality. Almost a decade later I became an official employee at record store. Oh bOy! Only it wasn't nearly as exciting as the one at Empire Records. There was no speed. No pills. There was no back room sex or roof top hook-ups, and there definitely wasn't a has-been singer that I wanted to lose my (non-existing) virginity to. My record store had Chris Isaak. And while I do secretly admire the man a little, (and by a little I mean a lot) I most certainly was not pulling a Liv Tyler and wearing a red bra for him... But I might have lingered by his autograph table for a few hours, re-stacking the same shelve of cds over and over like a manic obsessive-compulsive.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLkDCRS9DNS4Y4npVdu1LYFQ7x-OOoB4x30tiPFZ2yJKBtiheGJFXv-qR8Q0DSJpaA5QgP-qL_s1i9OT2FesidmcFNhH5vWhhymrnJbbzbgFAFiFS3-vEQM9xyRsdgY60_yfc8oxhbXiM/s1600-h/bendsl.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394882153276591618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLkDCRS9DNS4Y4npVdu1LYFQ7x-OOoB4x30tiPFZ2yJKBtiheGJFXv-qR8Q0DSJpaA5QgP-qL_s1i9OT2FesidmcFNhH5vWhhymrnJbbzbgFAFiFS3-vEQM9xyRsdgY60_yfc8oxhbXiM/s200/bendsl.jpg" /></a><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397497633997473202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdiTlkWBDY4P85JLJ27gRdViSB-FId0m1BjlraelOGsM-qNqiCet1l8VgeangsB8o_ElGz_Jde5zxBuVU7jRUrtfjlY0uqY3lqkoB1gAP_IC3FBpRCF0tTUH6g7cAX_U77QUF9R-EM2s/s200/night-moves.jpg" /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><em>Fake Plastic Trees</em>, Radiohead</span></strong><br /><br /><p>... from my first and favorite Radiohead album. I think I was initially drawn to this song because it was the easiest to learn on guitar. Now for many more reasons than that.</p><p><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><em>Night Moves</em>, Bob Seger </span></strong></p><p>I'm a sucker for some Seger. I can listen to this song on a constant loop. Ooooh it's good! Find me someone that doesn't have this blaring down the boulevard on a perfect summers night. Seriously. I would like to have a word with them. It would probably start out with me asking this... "So it's the (lyrical) promiscuity that gets your goat?"<br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8-hgk5TWPTA1t2kCLG5J9iz_O9uZgQFBnWP-6IZ5dLrETjzplQG8soAqrwIWmcdmchwhYonyixF3SNmrs6UCT-jABhHapeFfqxe6wz6SohslGDfD3LjgEhnFi5dCvon4sp8iGOacVXA/s1600-h/James+Laid.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 199px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394879020427530194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8-hgk5TWPTA1t2kCLG5J9iz_O9uZgQFBnWP-6IZ5dLrETjzplQG8soAqrwIWmcdmchwhYonyixF3SNmrs6UCT-jABhHapeFfqxe6wz6SohslGDfD3LjgEhnFi5dCvon4sp8iGOacVXA/s200/James+Laid.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlVeoHI0ASH3p3mIs_vSnVpqXD7BWt4prtBsmsfofK-8avXD9DoklVQr1CTzODFCEVIUyPYCZ8N5hSnCgTuafeZNRG1lLvV5IE_nK8UIHARqRiKwO0pT1aG9pKmLlTfz8JZWQdYdlMT8w/s1600-h/bs-strap.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394878757465384114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlVeoHI0ASH3p3mIs_vSnVpqXD7BWt4prtBsmsfofK-8avXD9DoklVQr1CTzODFCEVIUyPYCZ8N5hSnCgTuafeZNRG1lLvV5IE_nK8UIHARqRiKwO0pT1aG9pKmLlTfz8JZWQdYdlMT8w/s200/bs-strap.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><em>Sometimes</em>, James</span></strong></p><p>This is just one of those songs that continually builds to be better and better. James is tremendous and (for the most part) breathes life to the fullest. Great lyrics full of honest emotion.</p><p><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><em>The Boy with the Arab Strap</em>, Belle & Sebastian</span></strong></p><p>One of my college loves & road trip favorites. And Alex, I owe these last two all to you...</p><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkE7_9Ty5nEB61eT38EI6i-_4QIg-vveWgChK6uOvJPU-RImkwflu8YTL03JD0t2jJJHrLayt7EnDuFi_YYV2B6rq6HGRD_GEyVWcp1ElgsQ4wBS4T9FBlgL5JZcg2rkyvuG2Qr0gpNdE/s1600-h/rem.jpg"><em><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 195px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394878887500980930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkE7_9Ty5nEB61eT38EI6i-_4QIg-vveWgChK6uOvJPU-RImkwflu8YTL03JD0t2jJJHrLayt7EnDuFi_YYV2B6rq6HGRD_GEyVWcp1ElgsQ4wBS4T9FBlgL5JZcg2rkyvuG2Qr0gpNdE/s200/rem.jpg" /></em></a><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><em>Nightswimming</em>, R.E.M.</span></strong> </p><p>There are certain things you remember in life. Your first job. Your first kiss. Your first best friend... and to the music fiends out there, i'm sure you recall your first record, 8-track, cassette, or cd... So that being said, one fateful day-trip to Circuit City, my mother purchased me a 3-disc changer home stereo. Fuck Yeah was it ever cool! I was happy as a clam. I remember decorating it with those big peace flower stickers and all. Boy. Now this was an exciting moment in my life. And since it was a high tech 3-disc changer, I needed 3 cds to compliment it. So my first ever CD purchases went as follows. 1/ Counting Crows - August and Everything After. As disappointing as they became, they were phenomenal when they started. This album I hold near and dear. 2/ Meat Puppets - To High To Die - I don't even know where this CD went, but I'd sure like to find it! And 3/ as most could expect, R.E.M - Automatic for the People... That's when the gates opened and the floods pursued. I owe a lot to them. From Murmur and beyond... This song sets the tone for it all. (And after living a pretty fun life, and a few late night swimming moments of my own, this song is ever the more meaningful and memorable.) </p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6x5G5L6a_9boAhMuegf0eqUK9I3IK-BDBVc38dJDOMXRD7CYW9t3KYgUQrBaPfucAwz3ItSE-OBdJ5xs5fzJHLMO-zyYEQGxUiY9j8ekHdVcxDc0kouz0pfoA15poSsHRdaMpMTS-hQ/s1600-h/Jeff+Buckley_grace.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394879100828649506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6x5G5L6a_9boAhMuegf0eqUK9I3IK-BDBVc38dJDOMXRD7CYW9t3KYgUQrBaPfucAwz3ItSE-OBdJ5xs5fzJHLMO-zyYEQGxUiY9j8ekHdVcxDc0kouz0pfoA15poSsHRdaMpMTS-hQ/s200/Jeff+Buckley_grace.jpg" /></a>Cue the <em>wah-wah</em> music... Yes, I am one of those chickies... One of those hopeless romantics who fall to their knees in love with every whisper and crack of certain singer songwriters. Show me a romantic comedy movie or have me read a romance novel, and i'll wince with pain as I laugh all the way home. But put on a Drake, Elliot, or Buckley album and I'll succumb to every word and believe them all to be true.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><em>Hallelujah</em>, Jeff Buckley</span></strong><br /><br /><p>Have you ever pulled your car in the driveway, turned it off, and waited in the driver's seat, in the dark, for the song you're listening to to finish?... and then remain sitting there, for a while after it's done, to take it all in. As simple as they are, these are some of the greatest moments in life. And this was one of them for me. Yes, I know it's Cohen's masterpiece originally. But Buckley. He made it magic. He made it come to life. For the most part every song on this album is interchangeable. It's a great piece of work. (Side note: When I get a place with enough space, I'm getting a dog, most likely a retriever, and his name will be Buckley... So check called it, don't be stealin' my thunder!)</p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifc71ctZuvqJ21f1NUWUltGIsqMAt_JsrDqNsQHMj0FkQ2fc_rN93aY8PwaHhUvLtsPVg7PRghP10vKeh7zA0F_iPHV8t1PSYvAqnFV_N9bt2EdYxPyOYPTuT1emrE0BTwLMISq0_4rso/s1600-h/Nick+Drake-bryter+layter.jpg"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 198px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394511059821950274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifc71ctZuvqJ21f1NUWUltGIsqMAt_JsrDqNsQHMj0FkQ2fc_rN93aY8PwaHhUvLtsPVg7PRghP10vKeh7zA0F_iPHV8t1PSYvAqnFV_N9bt2EdYxPyOYPTuT1emrE0BTwLMISq0_4rso/s200/Nick+Drake-bryter+layter.jpg" /></span></a><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><em>One of These Things First</em>, Nick Drake</span><br /></strong><br />This one falls in the above category. Now there are so many choices from Drake, but this one in particular combines optimism, innocence, and imagination. I always picture a small child bicycling in slow motion on the streets of his suburb town, arms spread out like wings as he rides daydreaming about what the future holds.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSM9twnRg4bkwIJuRaVdf48b056IrEJes7vsPV3egRLSb_fZHB_XbYzRySu5QBjAS4IigB9g1U3_nsr_TIAeAOZY6d4bJ_LgHMQFM2C6VbGe6_ATlqjhzqNELGhcmBf3mRl0E8iltpOkI/s1600-h/elvis.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394879925567806530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSM9twnRg4bkwIJuRaVdf48b056IrEJes7vsPV3egRLSb_fZHB_XbYzRySu5QBjAS4IigB9g1U3_nsr_TIAeAOZY6d4bJ_LgHMQFM2C6VbGe6_ATlqjhzqNELGhcmBf3mRl0E8iltpOkI/s200/elvis.jpg" /></a> <strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><em>I Want You</em>, Elvis Costello</span></strong><br /><br />Some things just happen by chance. Elvis Costello was exactly that. I happen to have an amazing friend who says Yes! to everything. No matter how crazy or stupid the situation is, the answer will be yes, every time. So one weekend during the college days, said friend wanted to drive to Canada just for the hell of it. I guess I kind of did to, because I jumped in his car at 5am and we were off. We got pulled over at the border. Could have got in a lot of trouble, but didn't... Then continued our way to Niagara Falls, where we could drink and gamble for the first time legally. (Canada is great fun!) Next day we continued North to Toronto. Got an expensive Hotel and went to a Blue Jays/ Giants game. Just for the hell of it. Next day saw a flyer on the street for an Elvis Costello show that night. We heard of his name before, but never actually heard his work. So we went. Just for the hell of it. And it was fantastic. Funny how life unfolds itself sometimes. Been digging in his works ever since. This song is frickin' awesome. Maybe it's because he maintains to sound so cool and collective throughout, even though his lyrics are dripping with an unbelievable amount of jealousy, desperation, and lust.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTTB9OeqDOtrvaULTXjvufshd81pMaifHkj9dyCIAU5t7_sEV0bO3QSsgTy9_yiX0yrrizCubl-izTEFpvgYpkJvzfeo41-CnLsqoZ1u2JqUhw5WKaB-jHPyvJYqCssN5sD06zgofh3A/s1600-h/love+is+hell.jpg"><strong><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 196px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394883229913908322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTTB9OeqDOtrvaULTXjvufshd81pMaifHkj9dyCIAU5t7_sEV0bO3QSsgTy9_yiX0yrrizCubl-izTEFpvgYpkJvzfeo41-CnLsqoZ1u2JqUhw5WKaB-jHPyvJYqCssN5sD06zgofh3A/s200/love+is+hell.jpg" /></strong></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkltlxxqjXS7OgjT6WVW28G8HoXaJ07zqnkr1qFuHTrdCh29sJVAORBnO-7s1jdwjyu8Kh7ksbtec88GO6z_iUwES0t3hl86mh66OCFOXRxE6mlPeNyA9Ux8mnlYJJv82g3CcRB6xFcgE/s1600-h/billbraggfront.jpg"><strong><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 195px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394504696944295042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkltlxxqjXS7OgjT6WVW28G8HoXaJ07zqnkr1qFuHTrdCh29sJVAORBnO-7s1jdwjyu8Kh7ksbtec88GO6z_iUwES0t3hl86mh66OCFOXRxE6mlPeNyA9Ux8mnlYJJv82g3CcRB6xFcgE/s200/billbraggfront.jpg" /></strong></a><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><em>Hotel Chelsea Nights</em>, Ryan Adams</span><br /></strong><br />I like Adams a lot. And I feel like he doesn't get enough recognition. Or maybe he does. But I can only remember having one conversation<br />in my lifetime that revolved around him. And I think it lasted a whole 13 seconds. And he's worthy of more. Chelsea Nights offers the grit of a classic Tom Waits tune with the soulful undertones of Prince's Purple Rain - And all the pain that lies in between.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><em>Wish You Were Her</em>, Billy Bragg</span></strong><br /><br />You know. Looking at my list, it's pretty evident that I like depressing songs. The more dark the better. Don't know why, but I just do. Though this one could be classified as a "downer," I also think it could be viewed as quite the opposite. Perhaps more of a secret appreciation. Either way, though Bragg is mostly known for his words of government rebellion, he proves with this song and others, that sometimes people just get distracted.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA62VSsheF7q7LQLb2k9fN7dRCd95JaB5lDYL9EYhxTsxJbciWXjqkDyqLyxRNgB8iUvQALrTY_xArDFDCfWvRX3OIWH9KVgOlOB5LinK7wIeErews7vh1td6qZLNw1D49WToBUVjHHcM/s1600-h/mellon+collie.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 198px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395212789584506546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA62VSsheF7q7LQLb2k9fN7dRCd95JaB5lDYL9EYhxTsxJbciWXjqkDyqLyxRNgB8iUvQALrTY_xArDFDCfWvRX3OIWH9KVgOlOB5LinK7wIeErews7vh1td6qZLNw1D49WToBUVjHHcM/s200/mellon+collie.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><em>Bullet with Butterfly Wings</em>, Smashing Pumpkins</strong></span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><br /><br />Aaahhh Whaaat!? Was that your first reaction? I'm sure it was. Because it would be mine. But trust me there is a story to go along with this pick. Remember a few albums back when I said, "There are certain things you remember in life..." Well consider this part II, The continuation of my musical memories.<br /><br /><br /><p>The Smashing Pumpkins' Mellon Collie Tour', with opener Garbage, was my first concert. Ever. Alone. Accompanied only by friends and that amazing feeling of freedom. Of living. Yes, at 13 this was one of my favorite albums. And Bullet with Butterfly Wings was my favorite song. (Looking back, tracks like Galapogos, Thirty-Three, and By Starlight are way better...) But it was the angst and explosion that Bullet with Butterfly Wings had that hooked me. And like every typical confused teenager, I thought "the world is so f'ed up... no one gets me, blah, blah, blah..." So this was the perfect song to match... (News flash for the little kiddies of the future. The world will always be f'ed up, and no one will ever get you 100% of the time. Hopefully you'll end up with someone that gets you 72.3% of the time. And that's a <em>good</em> average.) So back to original story. So we are at the show. Garbage was okay, probably slightly better in my mind because this was the first time I was in a large arena with loud guitars and cool looking people. But then the real deal came on. The Pumpkins! I was going out of my mind. This was amazing. A few songs past, and then I heard the beginning riff to my favorite teenage tirade of a song... My eyes were going to pop out of their sockets. </p><p>Just then one of my two girlfriends looks over at me and says... "You ready?" (What she meant: Are you ready to go smoke these Marlboro Lights that I stole from my mom's purse? We want to go now.)</p><p>(Pause.) Almost five seconds later, I said..."No, it's cool. You guys go on." (What I meant: Now? Now!! Are you guys fuckin' serious!!! Is this not the best moment of your entire fuckin' existence? And you want to leave it, to go smoke cigarettes that we probably aren't even inhaling. You're insane. Absolutely not.)</p><p>What they said... "Suit yourself" (What they meant: I knew she wasn't cool enough to hang out with us.)</p><p>What I thought... (Wow. This must mean something to me.) </p><p>... And it did. That was is it. That was my music moment. That's when I realized that the strong emotions I carried for music was not the same as everyone else's. For a teenager to skip on an activity that was declared "cool" was unheard of. This was huge. Or atleast it was for me. Because at the time, I definitely was one to follow the crowd. But not now. I had this. So going on music was my main passion. None of my girlfriends understood it like I did, but I was okay with that. It was officially mine. </p><p>And that's why I declare this song one of my favorites of all time.<br /></p>Dutchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07256293424884448514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1922944055296294978.post-29237204508255012382009-10-03T23:59:00.001-04:002009-10-03T23:59:55.879-04:00Taking A Leak!<h3 class="post-title entry-title"> <a href="http://kaatcha.blogspot.com/2009/07/taking-leak-indeed.html">Taking A Leak, Indeed!</a> </h3> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLxjj8CTwJJWBARn1aIKpOt-S8qDjh_zBhH2y4sQQFzDrZqTlJlAfHnng2QX6L8aX_37aWxdh2PC3hmOOKAWy9XV52ao3goxoCwacwijK2qvsuPJG5rJH-R1nllsNUmWrhVRnY9kbcWxM/s1600-h/The+Satanic+Satanist.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 114px; height: 114px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLxjj8CTwJJWBARn1aIKpOt-S8qDjh_zBhH2y4sQQFzDrZqTlJlAfHnng2QX6L8aX_37aWxdh2PC3hmOOKAWy9XV52ao3goxoCwacwijK2qvsuPJG5rJH-R1nllsNUmWrhVRnY9kbcWxM/s320/The+Satanic+Satanist.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363716368664872034" border="0" /></a> ----- <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtCb_sPGzRWH6D9S3_U_05-i7rhx4XkKW8AmkyUV_4WVanTPIHxJUdCBOKHkbfrgUkkyK2fziOcK_8c5uXKCZRkZBxLUgNTQN7HMMiDsP2UWh3_1TyfhKU_eog1uyEEcE__W90OVZdmZM/s1600-h/Mandala.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 114px; height: 114px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtCb_sPGzRWH6D9S3_U_05-i7rhx4XkKW8AmkyUV_4WVanTPIHxJUdCBOKHkbfrgUkkyK2fziOcK_8c5uXKCZRkZBxLUgNTQN7HMMiDsP2UWh3_1TyfhKU_eog1uyEEcE__W90OVZdmZM/s320/Mandala.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363717134239738194" border="0" /></a> ------- <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsz6tvJxfRtJuX8db3ep2vCmdADDo5xsK7PHvV8TeX3lrOtsXB_ABk2J1_K-lT7F2UETa0bt6D45uP93iI4jOtYIgTW3rV5jsZwtmw0KugZFYW4Jku0by7QZTdiPyHmeJyxDP9EI2TMdE/s1600-h/The+Pariah,+The+Parrot,+The+Delusion.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 127px; height: 113px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsz6tvJxfRtJuX8db3ep2vCmdADDo5xsK7PHvV8TeX3lrOtsXB_ABk2J1_K-lT7F2UETa0bt6D45uP93iI4jOtYIgTW3rV5jsZwtmw0KugZFYW4Jku0by7QZTdiPyHmeJyxDP9EI2TMdE/s320/The+Pariah,+The+Parrot,+The+Delusion.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363717488457856386" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 78%;"> Portugal. The Man ------ Rx Bandits ------- Dredg<br />"The Satanic Satanist" ------ "Mandala" ------- "The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion"</span><br /><br />I wanted to speak today/tonight/tomorro about Taking a Leak.... N</span><span style="font-size: 100%;">ever Fear, I'm not talking about what you do in the lavatory. What I'm referring to when I say "Take A Leak" is the taking of leaked music or albums from the internet. Well, whataboutit? Are you a leak taker? A Pirate? A Digital Booty Thief? Do you fit the profile of someone that illegally obtains music from internet based sources for your own enjoyment, entertainment, or amusement? Or is it for more illicit reasons, i.e. Selling bootlegs CD's on the street corner like the true skell that you are? Maybe, maybe not. Either way - I'd like to speak on it momentarily if you'll indulge me.<br /><br />Pirating music in the last 10 years + has become many things, a blight, a boon, a phenomenon, an epidemic, all things to all different groups.... whether it be Record Label</span><span style="font-size: 100%;">s that have had to lose millions in revenue (Yay!?) to these file sharing networks that enable individuals to search & download many different types of digital content including music. Some see it one way, others in a different light. I'm here to talk about the bands whose music has been made available via illegal early leaks..<br /><br />Portugal. The Man, Rx Bandits, Dredg, Eels, Metric, St. Vincent, The Thermals, Thrice, Discovery, Passion Pit, Mos Def, Abe Vigoda, Albert Hammond Jr., ...And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead, Apostle of Hustle, As Tall As Lions, Wilco, Doves, 311, Tortoise, Taking Back Sunday, Silvers</span><span style="font-size: 100%;">un Pickups, & the list just goes on & on & on forever. Each of these artists has either released a new album, had an as yet un-released album leaked early, or just piqued my interest & had their wonderful work pilfered by my grubby internet fingers in recent weeks.<br /><br />Starting with my first listed artists above, I'd like to speak brie</span><span style="font-size: 100%;">fly on Portugal. The Man's recently leaked album "The Satanic Satanist". </span><br /><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br />Not the most creative name in my opinion for a band that has shown tremendous depth in their insistence on creating a unique & divergent album with each subsequent musical outing that they've embarked on. "The Satanic Satanist" is a wonderful album from this band whose early years sounded like if Minus The Bear & The Mars Volta had an illegitimate child & said child was then raised by founding members of Incubus, Coheed & Cambria, & maybe the Who. They followed in the footsteps of many bands of that nature. A post-prog, post emo inkling sound that was like all your favorite bands growing up but oh so brand new & electrifying.<br /></span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br />Well forget everything you may or may not remember about those early albums. Yet at the same time, take all those early albums & their influences, mix in some pop & put them in a blender with Willie Nelson & what new records from Woody Guthrie might sound like. This might get near the sound that comes through on "The Satanic Satanist". As I always recommend, It really takes 3-5 listens all the way through to digest it. It's wide, it's lush, it's warm, & intimate all in one. I'm pretty sure that Portugal. The Man is on the verge of becoming one of the best bands in contemporary music. I know we hear that a lot, I might even say it a lot but I don't think it's very long before everyone & their mother agrees with me.<br /><br />Here's a link to them performing "People Say" from the new record Live.<br />(<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikYyQprbz3g">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikYyQprbz3g</a>)<br /><br />Looking forward to seeing them @ Johnny Brenda's in fishtown Philadelphia on Oct. 22nd.<br /><br />* Next - Rx Bandits - Mandala<br />The Rx Bandits are wonderful! With the release of Mandala the Rx Bandits continue to grow their sound in new & exciting ways. Some will consider the idea that they've lost their brass section as a detraction in sound, while the band is quoted as saying they felt the horn section in their previous work was holding them back from rocking out. Either way, Rx Bandits fans couldn't ask for a better compliment to their catalog than what the band has given them in Mandala. From the opening pummel of "My Lonesome Only Friend" to the Proggy intensity of "Breakfast Cat" (Possibly the Rx's greatest song ever written), Mandala delivers & surpasses on all heightened expectations of what this band would deliver.<br /><br />Starting in 1999 out of California as a ska-pop-punk outfit, they've transitioned & reformed slowly & meticulously into a Prog rock, hyper-tempo'd, kinetic group of songwriters. Matt Embree's lyrics stir the political & personal pot as much as ever if not more so on Mandala with lyrics like, "Are you living the life that you've dreamed of, or while you're working are you working just to survive?", while the instrumental chops of the band keep getting better. The instrumental breakdown that concludes "It's Only Another Parsec.." is the perfect example of a great band with a burgeoning sound that's increasingly comfortable broadening their musical ambitions.<br /><br />All in all, following 2 fantastic hard rock ska albums like "The Resignation" & "...And The Battle Begun" wasn't going to be easy, but with the release of "Mandala" the Rx Bandits have done it & have possibly even surpassed those 2 great works. Kudos bandits!<br /><br />* Dredg - The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion -<br /><br />What a title! Named for a Salman Rushdie essay </span>"Imagine There's No Heaven: A Letter to the 6 Billionth Citizen", The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion is a brilliant return to form for Dredg. Previously Dredg had released 2 albums while signed to Interscope Records, "El Cielo" & "Catch Without Arms". Both of which are great albums, especially "El Cielo", but with "The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion" Dredg has returned to self-promotion & display a freedom that wasn't as evident while the record label pressure hung over the music. This is adventurous stuff for the California foursome. From the childlike chanting that opens "Pariah", to the great interlude that is "Drunk Slide", it's Dredg's signature sound tweaked up with little creative touches that touchstone back to their arching crescendos & emotional build ups of "El Cielo" combined with the taut, sharp songwriting displayed on "Catch without" but with just enough improvisational free-wheeling to make it feel loose & exciting again.<br /><br />Gavin Hayes has managed to fill almost every song with palpable emotion that grips the listener with the turn of every word. "Ireland" seeps into the mind with his musings on the changing of life & love & how time affects both. Lamenting the loss of innocence & the inevitable cynicism that comes with growing up, the Hayes' lyrics are as tragically enthralling as they ever were. The band has also managed to create a musically epic soundscape for Gavin Hayes to pour his heart out onto. "Lightswitch" opens with a Built To Spill-esque country twang guitar line that harkens back to 1994's "There's Nothing Wrong with Love" or Doug Martsch's solo work "Now You Know".<br /><br />To say it plainly, Dredg has always been an emotionally gripping band. Their music has a plaintive, heart on sleeve quality that worms inside even the densest heart & mind coupled with titanic, building instrumentals that show how touching real hard rock can be when done with finesse. Overall, the album is fantastic & the band deserves much more attention than what they regularly receive.<br /><br />Of all 3 of the albums listed above, The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion is by far the most invasive. Each album is great in its own right, but none touch the heart with dramatic emphasis like Dredg's does. 5 Stars.<br /><br />So to sum up, each of these albums has been leaked & illegally downloaded to provide the audio entertainment for this review. The internet has changed the way the world works in so many ways, & it will continue to do so whether the suits & ties can hope to contain it or manage it. I for one am happy to support the artists by buying their albums first hand after having enjoyed the free download capabilities. Most progressive bands in this day & age realize that their music will inevitably be leaked & that only by incessant touring & continual self-promotion will they be able to endure & prosper. The idea being that the more people that hear your work, the more downloaders you have pirating your songs, the more individuals will come to know & love your music as well. Let's all do our part to keep downloading & leaking the music we love as long as we promise to buy a cd once in a while or pay for a download & then go see the groups when they roll into town. These guys need to make a living too & they can only continue to do it & continue to make the music that we love if we help to support them, right?<br /><br />So go out & Buy some damn music then people!<br /><br />This article gestated waaaay too long, & I've gotten about 200 additionally interesting albums in the meantime. More will hopefully follow soon.<br /><br />bye for now.Julio Von McWorthington Summers IVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17256663846333981912noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1922944055296294978.post-60897373282492885492009-09-08T08:48:00.001-04:002009-09-08T08:48:11.958-04:00zSHARE - The Radio Rescue 8.25.09 FULLSHOW Prof. Anarchy.mp3So This Was a Brand New Episode/Broadcast/ Show of THE RADIO RESCUE with DJ Z, Uploaded, Put Together Suddenly, and Posted on Here totally out of context, order and time, but the none the less for Everyone, Especially YOU, to Listen to and or Download ABSOLUTELY FREE. Enjoy. -DJ Z-<br /><a href="http://www.zshare.net/audio/64666346fa326832/">zSHARE - The Radio Rescue 8.25.09 FULLSHOW Prof. Anarchy.mp3</a><br /><br />Shared via <a href="http://addthis.com">AddThis</a><br />DJ Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03594840573112468021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1922944055296294978.post-71642680985231674222009-09-01T23:22:00.003-04:002009-09-02T00:01:56.286-04:00The Mission<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR6-_EYszzJJnNrH7fIDsA7O8-W-ZMqKgeqQNTTuPCuxedSETteCMZjSpqlj2OapKrrhIeX20AuybgbApP8ngoE1BjCYWt5pTMPIknfny3qifD2p1EhIA0Q_6XWQJXBqMUIK_JHFoOeoQ/s1600-h/Mission.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 185px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376707617052045762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR6-_EYszzJJnNrH7fIDsA7O8-W-ZMqKgeqQNTTuPCuxedSETteCMZjSpqlj2OapKrrhIeX20AuybgbApP8ngoE1BjCYWt5pTMPIknfny3qifD2p1EhIA0Q_6XWQJXBqMUIK_JHFoOeoQ/s400/Mission.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhMv59SHgQ32xQ8zyjYZYRQuD_A3flcnit3d6X2TeSbp9k2_3GwTsoeKPfDlymB7eg2uzWEpDNuhMclttG9jCOLP9sESWLveCMLnsEaMM3e0t7iDhyGWO6DlNkprwHxQzlpPWb6DqFZY/s1600-h/Mission.jpg"></a>So I was listening to Kings of Convenience the other day. And I can't tell you how much it reminds me of my San Francisco days. Especially when I lived in the Mission District. The soundtrack to my walks home from Bart (their superb subway system) to my apartment. When the sun was setting, and there was colorful chaos around every corner. I remember passing an apartment with a large Elvis Costello poster on it's wall. And stores with metal bars and Jesus statues....</div><div></div><div>I like how music sometimes provides such a strong mental connection to people - and places - and moments... And you can revisit them anytime.<br /><br /></div><div></div>Dutchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07256293424884448514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1922944055296294978.post-55707909183301275842009-07-29T22:37:00.006-04:002009-07-30T14:56:11.319-04:00DJ Z's First Blog Radio Thingy!!!!!!! a.k.a. THIS IS NOT HIPHOP<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_sbpN6Dz31Nrhdl2XD2oX1fhZp-8HohLqdfPw34FHxgO9MIVLvEQBlVACr2w6ran_4IjETrC6I-p8d9gZ3V6uD-_W0evLZfFB-6ahPzNti3Auj0sY4h5p9oy0N21G4_xBoLomH1SAsvAx/s1600-h/cool.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 285px; height: 154px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_sbpN6Dz31Nrhdl2XD2oX1fhZp-8HohLqdfPw34FHxgO9MIVLvEQBlVACr2w6ran_4IjETrC6I-p8d9gZ3V6uD-_W0evLZfFB-6ahPzNti3Auj0sY4h5p9oy0N21G4_xBoLomH1SAsvAx/s320/cool.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364328671870457586" border="0" /></a><br />I'm back as promised, with my first Blog Radio Podcast, or whatever you prefer to call it. Recording this mix was a bag of "mixed" emotions for me. It's been years since I listened to many of the songs in this mix, so there was plenty of excitement, nostalgia, enjoyment and jubilee involved with the recording process. On the other hand, I use Serato for all my DJing purposes these days, and during the recording it began to crap out on me (for the first time ever), so there was plenty of stress, anger, frustration, terror and fear involved as well. But after everything was said and done, and the final mix was edited, I think it came out well, and it will be quite enjoyable for you. So here it is;<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/s8bzbkk5x9">http://www.box.net/shared/s8bzbkk5x9</a></span><br /><br />Track Listing is as Follows;<br />1. Sunny Day Real Estate - 47 / 2. The Fire Theft - Chain / 3. Brad - Buttercup / 4. Satchel - Suffering /5. Team Sleep - Ataraxia /6. Deftones - Can't Even Breathe /7. Rival Schools - Used For Glue / 8. Quicksand - Thorn In My Side /9. Handsome - Left Of Heaven /10. Mineral - July /11. The Gloria Record - Grace The Snow Is Here /12. Built To Spill - Carry the Zero /13. Butterfly Train - Paper Thin /14. Texas Is The Reason - Back And To The Left /15. New End Originals - 14 to 41 /16. Far - All Go DownDJ Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03594840573112468021noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1922944055296294978.post-46126051620554751652009-07-21T22:35:00.031-04:002009-07-23T21:51:59.504-04:00Kaatcha Blog Radio Ep. 2<div><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>Oh Glory Day! It's Kaatcha Blog Radio.</strong></span></div><br /><div>Or atleast that's what I dream people say about my podcast. And since dreams usually revolve around fictitious events and over dramatized emotions, I'm not going to hold my breathe in this one becoming a reality either. So yes, moving on, another freshly ripped podcast just to rile your ass. Aren't I nice.</div><br /><div>And since my schtick is to play some tunes from some albums that I've currently been glued to: Here are my two featured albums:</div><div><br /> </div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZF74Qx6c7EKQzXIRwzgvyxB3O69iZPvXcENvH3ipacApYSZb85L524OHsD7Xsr_Ei0v1TMLbcpRVp6R2fwN8_a5mL132egj6u0rXr2kfwzZI2uUWbG3l8YWcRz7O0HdGvn4rM1MiUNr0/s1600-h/passion-pit-manners.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 198px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361112053001381746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZF74Qx6c7EKQzXIRwzgvyxB3O69iZPvXcENvH3ipacApYSZb85L524OHsD7Xsr_Ei0v1TMLbcpRVp6R2fwN8_a5mL132egj6u0rXr2kfwzZI2uUWbG3l8YWcRz7O0HdGvn4rM1MiUNr0/s200/passion-pit-manners.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>Passion Pit : Manners</strong></span></div><br /><div>Find me a indie rocker that isn't slurping this debut up with a slinky straw! ... Ga Ga Ga Damn. Passion Pit - 2009's MGMT? That's the passing word, and it's hard to disagree. Surprise factor alone. Like MGMT, Passion Pit started paving their way with shocker EP, Chunk of Change. Michael Angelakos, front man, initially made the EP as a gift for a former girlfriend. Soon enough record label Frechkiss got a hold, and told Angelakos to add two additional songs for commercial appeal. Lucky enough for us, and him, <em>Sleepyhead</em> was one of the two added tracks. And people haven't stopped twitting/twatting about it since. </div><br /><div>On Manners, Angelakos decided not to forgo this project alone, so he added additional band mates to create a much more richer and complete sound. Chocked full of synth chords, choreographed beats, and falsetto vocal layering, this electronic indie pop album offers a few singles that become a monster hit almost instantaneously with its first listen. It's giddy, sweaty, and energetic as hell. Previously released <em>Sleepyhead</em> and Manner's first single <em>The Reeling </em>definitely fall into this category. They are the epitome of what every new indie single should sound like. It's catchy, yet keeps the listener interested, fascinated, and frothing at the mouth - even after hearing it twenty times. <em>Make Light, Little Secrets, </em>and<em> Eyes as Candles </em>can also gloat about such profound pop-ness, though it takes a little more work on the listener's end to catch on. (But we always like a challenge, right?) And one can't help but think something wonderful is unfolding with <em>Moth's Wings</em>.</div><br /><div>This album is definitely in the running for some people's top album of the year. And with valid reason. Their a fresh, new band with all the right snyth samples, snaps, and pops. And us kids most likely will be dancing to it, horribly so, all summer long. <em></em></div><br /><div>Even though many are comparing them to MGMT, I do believe the fellow(s) of Passion Pit have a bit more promise, and if I had to guess, will have a better follow up sophomore album. They just get it. They know how to shape it. Sing it. And make it magic. And even though some of the tracks don't reflect the same sparky sheen as the others, I do believe Manners, as a whole, is a giant step in what quite possibly might be a bright future for Passion Pit. </div><br /><br /><div>Album Grade: B- </div><br /><div> </div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-oFhcVlVFw8rPos2IRmx5R9W85ArBiIKibyytHFsV7lSzhGmyr2HBON_EUuQF7_Tuouw8i8psu8q3ltQn7XyZVkcOh1k9h7_ChvFNaT6dCKH0zHXa5tyyXqmQzFjgyxD_R_uqe2wiEAQ/s1600-h/khan.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361139755929812066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-oFhcVlVFw8rPos2IRmx5R9W85ArBiIKibyytHFsV7lSzhGmyr2HBON_EUuQF7_Tuouw8i8psu8q3ltQn7XyZVkcOh1k9h7_ChvFNaT6dCKH0zHXa5tyyXqmQzFjgyxD_R_uqe2wiEAQ/s200/khan.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>King Khan & The Shrines : What Is?!</strong><br /></div></span><br />King Khan & the Shrines. Yeah Boy. –As of now, this album is in the running for one of my top albums of the year. Even though this album was officially released as an import in 2007, it's now on a new domestic label, Vice Records, with a few more tracks added to the bill. So it's kind of like the previous What Is!? with some other greatest hits thrown in there... So yes, in my eyes, a new album. (Which is complete BS I know, but I'm excited about them and wanna talk about it, Dog nammit!)<br /><br />So what is WHAT IS?!? A cluster fudge of sound, that revolves around multiple eras, temperaments, and styles... with a kick ass brass section throughout. (These are players who worship Coltrane & played with Mayfield and Stevie Wonder. So no joke.)<br /><br />To give you a basic recipe of King Kahn & the Shrines, I’ll start with the nucleus of their sound: 60’s psychedelic rock - A mixture of Jefferson Airplane, minus vixen Grace Slick, and Iron Butterfly. Well the one and only song I know from Butterfly – In A Gadda Da Vida Babbyyyyy. (Not the greatest song to have stuck in your memory membrane.) If you're turned off already, please keep reading. (I understand that drugs aren't for everybody.) So this is where King Khan & The Shrines throw a boom-a-rang in the mix, twist it up, and make it their own. They also add a strong sense of garage rock (lots of gritty prod and analog hiss), with a refreshing blast of surfer guitar, and, at times, a straight up ska beat. ON TOP of all that ,they throw in a little bit of Egyptian flare nestled on top of a warming layer of bluesy soul. And lead man, hootn' and hollern' Erick Kahn, sells it perfectly. Little to say, James Brown would be pleased with his pipes. (That came out a little weird, but you know what I'm talking about people.)<br /><br />Yes, What Is?!, is that fun, brash, rowdy, and humorous... and just tickles my listening senses. It’s NOISE(y) at times, but definitely unique in that it’s different from everything you heard this year, or the last two. Worth the listen, even just to make sense of everything I wrote in the paragraph prior. So get to it ganstas!<br /><br /><br />Album Grade: B<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">CLICK ON THIS BAD BOY TO HEAR KAATCHA BLOG RADIO!</span><br /></strong></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/k7e5u40kz7"><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>http://www.box.net/shared/k7e5u40kz7</strong></span></a><br /></div><br /><strong>Kaatcha Radio Rundown</strong>: <span style="font-size:85%;">Passion Pit - Sleepyhead/ Cut Off Your Hands - Oh Girl/ Devendra Banhart - I Feel Just Like A Child/ James - Hymm From A Village/ Deastro - Child Of Man, Son Of God/ Here We Go Magic - Tunnelvision/ King Khan & The Shrines - Land Of The Freak/ Bouncing Souls - That Song/ Deer Tick - Baltimore Blues No. 1/ The G0-Betweens - Cattle And Cane/ Matt & Kim - Lessons Learned/ King Khan & The Shrines - No Regrets/ Grandaddy - AM 180/ Eels - Mr. E's Beautiful Blues/ Passion Pit - Little Secrets/ Tiny Vipers - Dreamer<br /></span>Dutchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07256293424884448514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1922944055296294978.post-40151139267956982162009-06-27T10:18:00.004-04:002009-06-27T10:39:54.610-04:00Happy Birthday Julio and HELLO!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMcDPOy_B63TIhUbi3K27eFhaY38rqoEQRCDOmAJC_Jd4IpVb7pdDrclwO0b3dG4Mb-iZ9nQM8dSapix1XHCOZr8oFiDkvM36F_XYILR8AL-tyoCX3_PV9Lssz7TAN4ekEx4dYuExruoQ9/s1600-h/z+south+park+style.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 318px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMcDPOy_B63TIhUbi3K27eFhaY38rqoEQRCDOmAJC_Jd4IpVb7pdDrclwO0b3dG4Mb-iZ9nQM8dSapix1XHCOZr8oFiDkvM36F_XYILR8AL-tyoCX3_PV9Lssz7TAN4ekEx4dYuExruoQ9/s320/z+south+park+style.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352016962863944050" border="0" /></a><br />Hello everyone, my name is DJ Z, I'm the newest member here to this Awesome little blog site, Kaatcha, and I'm very proud to be apart of it. I am an actual Deejay, and have been longer than I'd like to admit sometimes, and what you can expect from me hopefully, is exposure to new music that's older, and or from the past, from every imaginable genre you could think of. I consider myself an Old School fellow, and proud of it, so I'm not too hip to all the newer music coming out. In fact Kaatcha is one of my main sources for new music and news. So look for my first "Offical" post soon.<br /><br />So anyways, I just wanted to post that its Julio's Birthday TODAY (Julio & I go back decades), and that I wish him a Fantastic One. Dutch's Birthday is right around now as well, so Happy Birthday to You Too Miss Thang!!! Next month is my Birthday, on the 15th, so DON'T FORGET!!! Just kidding. Alright, thats enough for now. Enjoy the rest of your reading. PeaceDJ Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03594840573112468021noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1922944055296294978.post-42979630997757158092009-06-15T20:38:00.022-04:002009-07-22T19:48:11.243-04:00Vitamin E - Good for the Heart, Good for the Soul<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-k5CtCkEY4o9eY3Beonswwe4d_hlt-g3rzV1EneA7AnoxKzTPOK1ff9H9uLPF160vZOBhKnpop7YyMCYj9AjZ8uBAwK_C7HmELm-zw2H9Gf4nm-KQ4f8F5LfJ2kC1FfiI2I9FYBElnM/s1600-h/eels.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 181px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347731594620797618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-k5CtCkEY4o9eY3Beonswwe4d_hlt-g3rzV1EneA7AnoxKzTPOK1ff9H9uLPF160vZOBhKnpop7YyMCYj9AjZ8uBAwK_C7HmELm-zw2H9Gf4nm-KQ4f8F5LfJ2kC1FfiI2I9FYBElnM/s200/eels.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">EELS</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Hombre Lobo</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;">12 Songs of Desire</span></em></strong></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></em></strong></div><div align="left">Ever interested in knowing what a day in the life of a manic depressive would be like? Well, you're in luck. In the Eels 7th album, <em>Hombre Lobo</em>, Mark Everett (E) takes you on a musical coaster ride filled with high rigid peaks to low sullen valleys... then back again, six times around. </div><br /><div align="left">But underneath these ever so changing tones is one common theme. This Hombre Lobo"Wolf Man" that is Everett - or perhaps a character he created - is blanketed with only one thought, one strong intention, one detached feeling ... of desire. Yes, all 12 songs of <em>Hombre Lobo</em> are built around desire - every true, powerful and polarizing side. And of course this strong sense of desire in directed towards the wanting of a ham sandwich. Kidding. Just seeing if you were paying attention. It's of course towards a woman, his soul-mate, the finest wolf woman of the pack.</div><br /><div align="left"><em>Hombre Lobo </em>opens with <em>Prizefighter </em>the most confidant, self-assured track of the album. It's strutting bluesy chords and overly distorted vocals, offers immediacy and opens the gates of reckless urgency right away... Let the journey of uncontrolled emotions begin. The next track pulls the listeners from the top of the world to the bottom of the barrel. It's anything but what was exemplified in the song prior. In <em>That Look You Give That Guy</em>, E is looking up, instead of down. His jealousy is apparent. He would give anything to be the guy she truly admires. </div><br /><div align="left">It's an ongoing tug-of-war game from here on out. There's the one side of desire that holds an animal instinct. (This is when the listener realizes that the wolf reference isn't JUST because of E's beard**) Songs like <em>Lilac Breeze, Fresh Blood, </em>and <em>What's a Fella Gotta Do </em>have an intense aggressive nature to it. "Birds do it, bees do it. All we need to do is get down to it." This feeling of lust comes off so strong and forward sometimes, that you feel E is going to blow his cannon. - <em>Tremendous Dynamite. </em>The albums stripped down sound with thick bass lines, heavy drum beats and hot/distorted vocals emphasize this uncontrollable and frustrated feeling absolutely perfectly. </div><br /><div align="left">The other half of the <em>Hombre Lobo</em> displays the more sheepish feeling of desire. The more melancholy meager view. The onlooker. The side of hoping and longing. In<em> In My Dreams, The Longing, </em>and <em>All the Beautiful Things </em>the listener can't help but feel sympathetic towards Everett. He once again shows he can craft heavy lyrics, that stick in the mind and stick to the gut. E's usual Eel-esque acoustic strumming and cracking, light and airy vocal make his words ring genuine and sincere, almost painful at times. "But I can't think of one single thing that matters more than just to see her... her faults, her doubts. I love them all."</div><br /><div align="left">Perhaps the most interesting thing I found about this album is that everyone's favorite song differs from anothers. Is this because we all see Desire through different eyes... or is it just that we relate to these different approaches of desire depending on the moment: The initial interest - The overwhelming instinct - The lonely despair - To the general understanding... My favorite song? <em>Fresh Blood</em> for sure. I can't get enough of that eerie slow slide of the bass, the chuga-chuga-chug guitar and E's reverbed howling at the moon. It reminds me of a mad man's laboratory. Perfect for a Halloween mix. Placed right after The Cramps - Goo Goo Muck and right before Warren Zevon's Werewolves of London. My second favorite? <em>The Longing</em>. So I guess you know where my view stands in that sliding scale. </div><br /><div align="left">So I guess the final question is: Will the Eels follow up album to <em>Hombre Lobo: 12 Songs of Desire </em>be - <em>12 Songs of Happiness, 12 Songs of Loneliness, or 12 Songs of Ehhh, She's actually not all that I cracked her up to be</em>...? I guess time will tell. But all Eels fans know, no matter what, that Everett will deliver the end result with brutally honest lyrics and a joker grimace of a smile. Because E states it himself "I'm no ordinary man... the only rules you follow are your own." So we would be foolish to try to predict what's next. </div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></div><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">Album grade: Whatever falls between a C and C+</span></strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">Reason why: Besides a few solid tracks, Everett falls back into much of the same (sound). I do, however, think the mind sight behind this album is very interesting, and believe E does a great job muscially portraying exactly what his lyrics translate. Everybody can relate to this theme, and will find comfort in knowing that atleast one of these songs explains your situation perfectly.</span> <div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">** This is a side side note that is in reference to Mark Everett's beard. In an interview I read, after being asked how long he intends to grow it, E states ... "The goal is to grow it so long that I don't need to wear pants anymore." I found that hilarious. </div><br /><br /><div align="left"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></em></strong></div>Dutchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07256293424884448514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1922944055296294978.post-66903844294121402162009-05-18T22:23:00.021-04:002009-05-20T00:06:47.202-04:00Kaatcha Blog Radio - Numero Uno, Son!Alas alas... It's finally here! The first ever edition of <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3366ff;"><strong>Kaatcha Blog Radio</strong></span>. Yes, I know, I would feel lucky too.<br /><br />So kaatcha fans, if you've got an extra hour.... or some idle minutes here and there, that in time will initially add up to an hour, I say take a listen. (It's available for download or to play insta-man-taneously!) This hour I'll be showcasing two albums that I've become awfully found of this year, M. Ward's <em>Hold Time </em>and Sin Fang Bous's <em>Clangour</em>. Also included will be some new stuff for you to check out including The Faunts and the latest from The Doves. Pluzz a few more surprises... And we all love surprises!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7YM9QR1PxL6-0SXLg_iBHY2Stz7YbAv_1esTygledTud11dnU0q3eqKimfKqzugBQTwvC5TIhUmlYGGU_pKja8lrYLkWlSfkzrLqIPB1b0Vf0kqQolXvdHX1IYR1YrRznAYFEMVRLMw/s1600-h/m_ward-hold_time-art.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337359049193289426" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7YM9QR1PxL6-0SXLg_iBHY2Stz7YbAv_1esTygledTud11dnU0q3eqKimfKqzugBQTwvC5TIhUmlYGGU_pKja8lrYLkWlSfkzrLqIPB1b0Vf0kqQolXvdHX1IYR1YrRznAYFEMVRLMw/s200/m_ward-hold_time-art.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>M. Ward: Hold Time</strong></span><br /><br />Oh boy, is this a good one. In a review I read of <em>Hold Time</em>, someone stated that it's "music about music," and listening through this umpteen times, I couldn't agree more. It's Americana. <em>Hold Time </em>explores the depths of past folk rock and intertwines it with a unique style of alt-country. It's an album that holds no place in time. It's a mp3 download at the present, but it could have been a dusty '78 from decades past. M.Ward does a fantastic job at exemplifying the good-natured roots of classic American twang, but adds a fresh new twist with his smooth style, layered vocals, and uncertain innocence.<br /><br />This album includes covers of Buddy Holly's <em>Rave On</em>, and Don Gibson's <em>Oh Lonesome, Me.</em> This song has a guest appearance from female phenom Lucinda Williams. And if you're a fan of hers, you'll understand why it's a perfect fit. So much that I thought it actually was written by Williams, but eventually learned the truth after some prying. This truly is a post, <em>Post War</em> classic.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSPCNa1PK0hZObTbJbbHSFP9JuySUXIrhgnlh6oPzmmHvWIQOxwqn0p4d1yLAngQkrbWqSRkOmUumDT0IiQU1wVthuc6IuATac3s9PmBQvejI_Q8DARR3tOu3N7NK8mFeKwoJln3p9axA/s1600-h/sin-fang-bous-775365.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337369415464966546" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 186px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSPCNa1PK0hZObTbJbbHSFP9JuySUXIrhgnlh6oPzmmHvWIQOxwqn0p4d1yLAngQkrbWqSRkOmUumDT0IiQU1wVthuc6IuATac3s9PmBQvejI_Q8DARR3tOu3N7NK8mFeKwoJln3p9axA/s200/sin-fang-bous-775365.jpg" border="0" /></a> <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Sin Fang Bous: Clangour</span></strong><br /><br />Okay. So yes, I judged an album by it's cover here. And wow, it actually worked this time!! Can you blame me... a felt material volcano-antlified backdrop with Clangour Gumby blocks and colorful Play-Doh fangs!!! Come on. That's fun! And as it turns out, that's exactly what this album is. Thumpin' Fun.<br /><br />And it's apparent with first track track. <em>Advent in Ives Garden </em>is filled with Postal Service-esque video game effects and tumbling vocals. <em>Clangour</em> continues on with a thick coating of delightfully eerie echoes and an overflowing waterfall of sounds. It's good. In an unusual way. <em>Fa Fa Fa, Poi Riot, </em>and<em> Lies, </em>the strongest, and last songs of the album demonstrate this well.<em> </em><br /><br />Sindri Mar Sigfusson, the creator and solo executioner of Sin Fang Bous, does an outstanding job of weaving childlike imagination with colorful texture and beautiful melodies.<em> </em>The listener can't help but return to the times when their doodles of stick figures and scribbled circles were refrigerator masterpieces; when twigs, leaves, and shrubbery built amazing, indestructible forts that could withstand anything; or of one's first ferris wheel ride in the summer soaked sky at dusk... All of these times, somehow, are transpired on <em>Clangour</em>... This is your childhood. (And it was great to live it again. Even if it was for just 50 some odd minutes.)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/m0vq0r7h1n"><span style="font-size:180%;">http://www.box.net/shared/m0vq0r7h1n</span></a><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/m0vq0r7h1n"></a><span style="font-size:180%;"><br /></span><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">CLICK ON ABOVE LINK TO LISTEN TO KAATCHA!!</span></p><p>Kaatcha Blog Radio #1 Run Down:</p><p>M.Ward - For Beginners/ Richard Swift - Lady Luck/ Neutral Milk Hotel - The King of Carrot Flowers/ Sin Fang Bous - Clangour & Flutes/ The Changes - No One Needs to Know/ The Doves - Jetstream/ Flaming Lips - She Don't Use Jelly/ A.C. Newman - Like a Hitman, Like a Dancer/ Pulp - Common People/ Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Dull Life/ Faunts - Feel. Love. Thinking.Of/ South - Paint the Silence/ Sin Fang Bous - Advent in Ives Garden/ M.Ward - Jailbird<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSPCNa1PK0hZObTbJbbHSFP9JuySUXIrhgnlh6oPzmmHvWIQOxwqn0p4d1yLAngQkrbWqSRkOmUumDT0IiQU1wVthuc6IuATac3s9PmBQvejI_Q8DARR3tOu3N7NK8mFeKwoJln3p9axA/s1600-h/sin-fang-bous-775365.jpg"></a></p>Dutchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07256293424884448514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1922944055296294978.post-56203935885673027382009-04-24T23:19:00.022-04:002009-04-30T19:28:01.426-04:00The Pains Of Being... Unoriginal<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkkcn34U8K_cKN3peAH71AQXVoZCk8AjURRckrQnVHGYnvDHhoF1VWjRmIvAY7iSVJcrwNogJar3KSGVYyLtHTqX_gFwur167gLVaRMBmmOXpzzbXVPMahTPdRfy2MahZuMzQomeIoATo/s1600-h/painsofbeing3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329566037289058930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkkcn34U8K_cKN3peAH71AQXVoZCk8AjURRckrQnVHGYnvDHhoF1VWjRmIvAY7iSVJcrwNogJar3KSGVYyLtHTqX_gFwur167gLVaRMBmmOXpzzbXVPMahTPdRfy2MahZuMzQomeIoATo/s200/painsofbeing3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I went into Kaatcha with the agenda of posting only positive thoughts about music... Oh Silly Cynical Me. <strong>The Pains Of Being Pure at Heart</strong>. This must be talked about. Unfortunately in a not so good way. And my negativity might be the first, because apparently people are doing round-offs and other gymnastic floor trickery to celebrate their excitement of this second coming of late 80's, mid 90's fuzz pop/reverb soaked rock. </div><br /><div>I was luke warm about their one single "<em>Come Saturday</em>", which was the first song I heard by POBPAH. I didn't hate it, nor did I love it. It was, to me, just regurgitated amplifier noise that didn't raise the bar from the shoegazin' acts from the past, i.e. My Bloody Valentine, etc. (Little did I know how much their influences would seep through their entire album... with no shame in hiding it at all.) </div><br /><div>So a few weeks ago the full album fell in my lap, so of course I wanted to listen to it ALL. There's nothing like the initial judgement you place on a band with the first listen... those first five notes to thirty seconds will make or break your overall opinion. - You can deny it as much as you want, but after that you'll either be looking at the glass (album) half full (holy sh*t!), or half empty (... eh, it's okay.) So I guess in my case, this debut S/T was going up agaist my less than half empty ears.</div><br /><div></div><div>And it's not because this band does not have talent, they do. And it's not because they took lessons from decade(s) past, every band does. That's the way it works... But what POBPAH did was different. I don't feel they made an effort to make it their own. They didn't try to make an impact further than they had to. It was what is was, and what you've already heard. (<em>But</em> almost too exactly - some songs almost <em>note for note</em>.) </div><br /><div></div><div>Take a listen to these two songs and see if you automatically think of two other (much better) songs... (And I'd be interested to hear if there are any other comparisons you spotted. I'm sure there are other hidden gems.) </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>"<em>Teenager In Love"</em> : This is David Bowie's "<em>Modern Love</em>." Ballsy, No!? In spurts, the melody is almost exactly the same. And timed almost perfectly so.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>"<em>Gentle Sons"</em> : Now I'm not going to pretend that I'm a largest fan of The Jesus & Mary Chain, to be frank I know little of their collection. So it's odd that of the three songs I am familiar with, POBPAH decided to rip off one of them, and their most popular, "<em>Just Like Honey</em>." These two songs start off jaw dropingly similar. Though the songs are in different keys, there is no mistake where they got that drum kick from... No mistake. I almost found it appalling. The opening of "<em>Just Like Honey"</em> is iconic for the dream pop period. It's common knowledge that it should be left alone - or so one would think.</div><br /><div></div><div>So yeah, I guess this is where my grudge is coming from. Know your place. Especially if you're a newcomer. Pay homage, but respectfully so. Because influences are good. Influences are great! But let's take a lesson from Vanilla Ice, and keep your idols as friends - not as your latest lawsuit. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Other than that I <em>guess</em> the album is not all that bad...</div>Dutchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07256293424884448514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1922944055296294978.post-73684027350011949772009-04-01T21:27:00.014-04:002009-04-06T20:19:44.070-04:00Bits, Bytes, and DecibelsI missed Kaatcha. I've been slumbering for awhile. So to catch up on 'tings I created a new audio segment called Bits, Bytes, 'N Decibels... <div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#66ff99;">some samples - of songs - from acts - i enjoy.</span></strong></div><br /><div>and perhaps you will too.</div><br /><div>This first addition (yah!) includes three albums from 2008 that I NOW just recently lent my ears to. (I might have mentioned before my issues with timeliness. Obviously I am not improving on such mentioned problem.)</div><br /><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHx0VLhHJKE84GVnJHwSJGj7e_K6NIlId5b-2AcpfZMl9DJCi-uOcd098r_akqVa3Me5mZzzBTSg49TaZd5wn8A1UzBEISTK2kc-dzpsowhC9x0v9OTfRJpXf50k3nL4kbJHgZo474QQ/s1600-h/ida.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319905536377690930" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHx0VLhHJKE84GVnJHwSJGj7e_K6NIlId5b-2AcpfZMl9DJCi-uOcd098r_akqVa3Me5mZzzBTSg49TaZd5wn8A1UzBEISTK2kc-dzpsowhC9x0v9OTfRJpXf50k3nL4kbJHgZo474QQ/s200/ida.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Ida Maria : <em>Fortress Round My Heart</em></span></strong></div><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></em></strong><br /><div>This Swedish fire cracker might be a little off her rocker. But so is one of her influences Bjork, and the artist that draws the most similarity, PJ Harvey. And as it happened for them, being a loose canon can be a wonderful thing. Bottle up, shake vigorously, and explode is pretty much the mind set behind the rousing, angst filled songs of <em>Fortress Round My Heart</em>... And Ida's damn proud of it.</div><br /><div><em>Music Samples: Oh My God, I Like You So Much Better When Your Naked</em></div><br /><br /><div><em></em></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319919560287818002" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifbaNvEeaYHRzsL1It-w1OnEiNO6T-wb5M277mDtKjvni6dokrgUP8fvSaPimU9CE5sD94XTH87IduSex1NwIUfyGaMrBv4DdM_0Xek_RHTFAizGJWJnTKHZbgZTkWkskBlzYp8aybFD4/s200/gaslight.jpg" border="0" /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">The Gaslight Anthem : The '59 Sound</span></strong><br /><div></div><div>Straight out the dirty Jerz, (that's the small state of New Jersey for the non-lokes) The Gaslight Anthem brings back the good ole' american puck rock to its finest. It's hardcore greaser rock can be routed back to their similar sounding influences, Bruce Springsteen or Bob Seger. But with a little more edge. And a lot more grit. The rollicking fun style of <em>'59 Sound</em> makes one reminisce to the days of kicking it by the train tracks with a Chevy car radio and some bottles of booze. The Gaslight Anthem delivers a crisp, clever sound full or urgency, energy and late night debauchery.</div><br /><div><em>Music Samples: Great Expectations, The '59 Sound</em></div><br /><br /><div><em></em></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7-B29gsc0B1Wu4TJvuTELjvFTakuLNcgtmKSI9qK1i03PI6y0aqO3GeHb1QmBSQnb6_SFKk6351NIHPHvApdI9IMaL2dKj7bsH25jr9CSAy-jSUvnQKj115hhvOgIc-k2FMUmDMGYS8/s1600-h/black+ghosts.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319919747604535250" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7-B29gsc0B1Wu4TJvuTELjvFTakuLNcgtmKSI9qK1i03PI6y0aqO3GeHb1QmBSQnb6_SFKk6351NIHPHvApdI9IMaL2dKj7bsH25jr9CSAy-jSUvnQKj115hhvOgIc-k2FMUmDMGYS8/s200/black+ghosts.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">The Black Ghosts : The Black Ghosts</span></strong><br /><br /><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong></div><div>The self-titled debut from the duo Black Ghosts is a promising one to say the least. If I had to draw a comparison it would be somewhere between acts like Chromeo or Kenna dabblin' with some ecstasy. The Black Ghosts' dance invoked hip-hop is intelligent and refined, yet this s/t still offers plenty of pop to go around. Their soft hooks and subtle sounds make it apparent that they've been doing this for awhile. And are damn good at it. </div><br /><div><em>Music Samples: Anyway You Choose To Give It, Some Way Through This</em></div><div></div><div><em></em></div><div></div></div><br /><p align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy2iiWCTfJFU9DQt8hW4ZgvrO8sOiorIqwnDcFkyZ0j8yMpDmLUW1MsrsR7U0eUbuUnphyDFwzqWwfJf1mYPg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p>Dutchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07256293424884448514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1922944055296294978.post-7129730531184515002009-03-06T23:10:00.031-05:002009-04-01T19:58:41.656-04:00Something is in the Water in Athens, GA!Yes, Something mighty fishy is goin down in the town of Athens, Georgia... WARNING: There's something in the water. I can not stress this enough. A rare chemical compound is brewing down in the underground pipelines of Athens. The noted side effects of drinking their tap water are: 1/provides one with the uncanny ability to write, craft, and perform everlasting, phenomenal songs. 2/ in rare circumstances birth defects, such as flipper babies, have been found and 3/provides one with a unique sense of style - in particular, a strange fascination with blue eyeshadow...<br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311404188599388914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-GeKPX9H0i5OobkUW2svby6RKeWYW-UsEWROCeUIa4_jW8LaVoorJeBN0tkNFIpoOV2MNWfW8G_Y6ha0dIUYJb9CIdRZUr5AD0pa8PQlduBU937gkAqOQhdPtzEn8qyMnp6xx4s7KI4/s200/Stipe.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br />In a slightly more serious note, this music hub of a home has produced some of the best national acts to date. The frightening picture above is of course Michael Stipe. Growing up albums like <em>Murmur</em> and <em>Automatic for the People </em>pretty much shaped the way I view music today. So there is no doubt that the members of R.E.M and the B-52's, Neutral Milk Hotel, Widespread Panic, and Of Montreal have tipped back a few glasses of their good ole refreshing hometown tap water... skipped breast feeding and went straight to the spicket! I don't blame them. Wouldn't anyone put up with a little mercury poisoning to have your life long dreams of a rock star come true? Heck yes you would! (There are plenty more groups that also stemmed from Athens, but these are the groups you perhaps know/care most about. For instance I left out The Indigo Girls, for I felt that mention would tip the scale in the other direction... Plus I think they were doing something else besides <em>just </em>drinking water. )<br /><br /><br /><br />So moving on from my long, ridiculous into. One of my favorite bands at the moment, The Whigs, also claims Athens as their hometown. Which they are mighty proud of, for they walk on stage to the Atlanta Braves "tomahawk chop" theme song. (Silly boys don't they know they are in the town of the World Phuckin Champions!) And I know this because I saw the Whigs for the first time last Thursday night at The Note in West Chester. And now I can claim that this band rocks the house!<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310293803186274578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 218px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJdJpvqjSbdNd4Ae7ES0KEcCEj-l1ZWHAt4Xxl8nI0HGuvg77e1bpZMOBx6Pwxs94g9Tpg5jmN596T4OZ7zJcGelxlV6l9JjPhI-UI28C6pWBz06llaZH-6y1X5yN499ZGTZUQ9VQRoLM/s320/whigs+drum.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><p>Assuming that you read my top albums of 2008, even though I know you didn't read any part of it, I'll pretend that you knew how excited I was to see them come our way again... but this time as THE head honcho. THE hit of the parade. THE opening act! And it was everything I thought it would be. </p><p>These fellows are young, but they get everything about rock and roll. There's no "look" to them. No gimmicks. They just come on stage and do their job... blow your mind. They opened their set with the title track/ last song of the album - <em>Mission Control. </em>I knew right then and there we all were in for a treat. Next song was <em>Hot Bed. </em>During the first two measures the guitar amp falls. Weird I thought, but atleast I can listen to the kick ass solo bass line for a little longer... So while everyone else is playing Parker Gispert, the lead man, awkwardly stumbles and fumbles with the bulkiness of the amp. Finally he throws the amp back on top, then turns to face the crowd... We stare back in absolute horror. Apparently, Gispert banged his head, and streaks of blood are now pouring, gushing down his face. It was shockingly gory, but oddly rejuvenating at the same time. My worries of his well being subsided when his never surfaced. With a joker smile and a devilish smirk, he continued on... And on... And on, with no mention or care in the world... The point was clear - This is rock and roll. We are the Whigs. And shit happens.</p><p><br /></p><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='330' height='281' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzj8Hewkt3RuPsT-SbED7jc_otRVJktQHXWZgzmt7ZMirL09mSnILigzoHlgMokOXjfUMo-0HRtuTyrkxPCCA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><div align="center"></div><p></p><p>They played a long, but never dull, set with songs from <em>Give 'Em All A Fat Lip</em> and their latest, and greatest, <em>Mission Control. </em>At the end of the show I was a satisfied, gitty-ass customer with a grin from cheek to cheek. Not only because I left with Parker's sweat towel, (I knew these lanky arms and feisty spirit of mine would come in solid one day!) but because after seeing them live, through all their blood, sweat and cheers, my gushy interest in them, now has grew even deeper. The Whigs simply rock my world.</p><p>Be Cool. Buy this Now. </p>Dutchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07256293424884448514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1922944055296294978.post-81785632558535577572009-03-06T18:00:00.014-05:002009-03-06T22:30:58.322-05:00Fun with F's...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwfzcaDw5EAK1jwyB_8QXbfLCxZt1qAgmtJHemnVacTJn4WYQp4hiYGdS5J5iEoUNO9zpcOjlUUZFH41gmdPel2iGqrAJdXwPM3tAFpjlZAS4TferyA_NIGEmJebu823tNR2qn08sHP_w/s1600-h/Tin+Cans+With+Strings+To+You.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 112px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwfzcaDw5EAK1jwyB_8QXbfLCxZt1qAgmtJHemnVacTJn4WYQp4hiYGdS5J5iEoUNO9zpcOjlUUZFH41gmdPel2iGqrAJdXwPM3tAFpjlZAS4TferyA_NIGEmJebu823tNR2qn08sHP_w/s320/Tin+Cans+With+Strings+To+You.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310227794369759778" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Wow. I just had to post something here considering what a week this has been for music news personally. Early in the week I got word that not 1, but 2 of my all-time favorite 90's underground hard rock acts are reuniting after 10 years in limbo. Both bands beginning with "<img src="file:///D:/%21Multimedia/Music/Far/Water%20&%20Solutions/Water%20and%20Solutions.jpg" alt="" />F", California emo-rock pioneers "Far", led by frontman Jonah Matranga - have recently begun gigging together again after 10+ years apart & have also just been signed to Vagrant Records to record a new album & hopefully do a US Tour this summer! "Far" was one of the up & coming California hard rock bands that came to psuedo-prominence in the mid 90's alongside their friends, The Deftones. Similar initially in instrumentation to the Deftones, but with a much more emotionally inflected lead songwriter in Matranga - <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzuXCNdkfAjzfz0En26AjmBueieswmwfq6hhBlFbXZUzFcF574GLuINpqyFHUP15rL63Asb7rHp1e8Cu_IylkJZXouNgSXppG_vtxkX4d37ahwI33fTcYjGQqJrtKrM0KL6igcmTJ3eSw/s1600-h/Water+and+Solutions.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 109px; height: 109px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzuXCNdkfAjzfz0En26AjmBueieswmwfq6hhBlFbXZUzFcF574GLuINpqyFHUP15rL63Asb7rHp1e8Cu_IylkJZXouNgSXppG_vtxkX4d37ahwI33fTcYjGQqJrtKrM0KL6igcmTJ3eSw/s320/Water+and+Solutions.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310217292352750370" border="0" /></a>Far pushed the boundaries of what was kosher in those days as an aggro-rock band & helped influence the direction of rock music as the new millenium approached. Albums such as their first major release, "Tin Cans with Strings To You", & the Follow-Up, "Water and Solutions" were hybrids of aggressive, pummeling arrangements & power chords carefully interspersed with pleading, scathing, & at times tender vocals.<br /><br />Recently, when the band began experimenting with a reunion, they decided to fool around & do a cover of R&B artist Ginuwine's "Pony", which to those who are familiar is an interesting take on a love ballad of sorts. Well here is an acoustic version of Far's cover, performed for a California radio station by Jonah Matranga recently, accompanied by their My Little Pony cover art for the single release. (Which is apparently, getting more airplay in modern rock radio than any other single Far released in their 15 year career -- sad but true - * & really it's a fun tune)<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='235' height='196' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw7BqVEO9KD8Tmw7rVZ8Wy-dNQFC6rFHseOtOIVNCp4NMXiTnox8Quq42BkMmi7yzpHLrpWhUYKPWY6r8lS7w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />-- Then on top of all that, probably my favorite rock band in history -- sorry Tool, Sorry Radiohead, -- Has announced that they're fat, old, poor, & interested in getting back toget<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQt7q80ihDH9fT7wuCxCHY4jLSKBp0oJNjt9H8xQOpujsGkwV3yx1E4Iq-UP4GKEg3o3PJG4WQrViFJf3zGNoE09MKsx3HRcuj6wDpjv0nB7QmL6iY9a8U6xEFjVtvU6HBx93sbxeUKs/s1600-h/The+Real+Thing.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 120px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQt7q80ihDH9fT7wuCxCHY4jLSKBp0oJNjt9H8xQOpujsGkwV3yx1E4Iq-UP4GKEg3o3PJG4WQrViFJf3zGNoE09MKsx3HRcuj6wDpjv0nB7QmL6iY9a8U6xEFjVtvU6HBx93sbxeUKs/s320/The+Real+Thing.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310223080575482914" border="0" /></a>her as well... (I wonder why?) - Anyway, it's Faith No More, the glorious bastards responsible for such early 90's radio hits as Epic & Falling to Pieces. Yes, I know not everyone's cup of tea - but what made these guys so amazing was their musical dexterity & the presence of Mike Patton. Mike Patton came into this band in 1988-1989, recorded "The Real Thing" after the original members had kicked out the first singer Chuck Mosley. The Real Thing was a significant success & it sent Faith No More on worldwide tours with groups like Metallica, & Guns N' Roses. Their style of combining elements of spoken word / hip-hop vocals inspired or helped propel similar groups of the time like the Red Hot Chili Peppers to success. Over the years bridging 1989-1997, the band had many ups & downs, internal strife, & label difficulties which ultimately led to a parting of ways in 1997 shortly after the release of their final album "The Album of the Year". <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeKINJrmHh5Iyq3FB0P4Ev-Xqi4a4Nrl1ZHuCucIwjzjjMDqelBS8j-hpt8YZaMqHQIXjDqzJkRYst7k5eSY4l9ZbtwsTJ-9ZwzwcgMz2GsuSvxjdatGh4OepgwlCBhmH7zMpMg1rkJJ4/s1600-h/Album+of+the+Year.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 109px; height: 109px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeKINJrmHh5Iyq3FB0P4Ev-Xqi4a4Nrl1ZHuCucIwjzjjMDqelBS8j-hpt8YZaMqHQIXjDqzJkRYst7k5eSY4l9ZbtwsTJ-9ZwzwcgMz2GsuSvxjdatGh4OepgwlCBhmH7zMpMg1rkJJ4/s320/Album+of+the+Year.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310223085677555586" border="0" /></a>Fortunately, at least Mike Patton has remained fairly prolific since their breakup. Patton has worked with many artists & groups since the dissolution of FNM in 97, including The Dillinger Escape Plan, Dan the Automator (Lovage), & Kid Koala & Norah Jones (Peeping Tom), reinforcing & strengthening his reputation as a no-holds barred, incredibly talented vocalist with tremendous range.<br /><br />Well, here we are 10 years later +, & word on that dang internet is that these guys are reconciling & going out to tour again... playing initially UK only tour dates at festivals like "Hurricane Fest" in Denmark. Hopefully, given 10 years of accomplishment & maturity along with musical exploration, these guys are ready to work together again & internal strife won't lead to an early demise. In the spirit of their diversity, here's a sampling of one of their best off-beat tracks from "King For A Day, Fool For a Lifetime" (1995)<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxNt4QkoziCSW88RNIUdc3gtphbK7HwvupsCaVUHgRDc-NbQ3SwhIYPhA5H5dd1r6VxZw8XNlMEipp2t0VtHg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />I think it goes without saying that I'm super-excited... the opportunity to see both or either of these bands in the coming year has me giddy with nostalgia, hope, anticipation & glee. Seriously.Julio Von McWorthington Summers IVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17256663846333981912noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1922944055296294978.post-76268293006009147252009-03-02T18:40:00.006-05:002009-03-02T19:32:11.829-05:00Happy Casimir Pulaski Day!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBs6H0vopFbouudE3rGBQlnPZ3JTly1RCYlKHgC2jidVo4nH2hMjb8kQfV8Wm7PIzgWhBRC_OlNmJp65pXGHCQpM1xq2W8QCBU2lI-X8_fo68lg95UPCBlH6ZhU-PJNBhz2AddWIMcC5w/s1600-h/pulaski.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308740676388180178" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 168px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBs6H0vopFbouudE3rGBQlnPZ3JTly1RCYlKHgC2jidVo4nH2hMjb8kQfV8Wm7PIzgWhBRC_OlNmJp65pXGHCQpM1xq2W8QCBU2lI-X8_fo68lg95UPCBlH6ZhU-PJNBhz2AddWIMcC5w/s200/pulaski.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><p><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;">Merry Merry CASIMIR PULASKI DAY!</span></strong></p><p>From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:</p><p>Casimir Pulaski Day is a holiday observed in <a title="Illinois" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illinois">Illinois</a> on the first Monday of every March to commemorate <a title="Kazimierz Pułaski" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kazimierz_Pu%C5%82aski">Casimir Pulaski</a>, a <a class="mw-redirect" title="Revolutionary War" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revolutionary_War">Revolutionary War</a> cavalry officer born March 4, 1747 in <a title="Poland" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poland">Poland</a> as Kazimierz Pułaski. He is known for his contributions to the U.S. military in the <a title="American Revolution" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Revolution">American Revolution</a> by training its soldiers and cavalry. </p><p><em>(Photo Caption: Sweet 'stache!) </em></p><p><em></em> </p><p><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw9Bk7g_aiKV3_O9YXDWwzzjb6VXgtCPU1rVQYfgdwGof8IMoLsW-xDxyBOqJA0fSD1E1OVvXwQeTxf3-Q6Hg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p>Dutchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07256293424884448514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1922944055296294978.post-73958462759656125692009-02-23T20:00:00.009-05:002009-02-24T19:01:56.276-05:00Listen Up!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOStcjwtw_91gnFPITUmfdpO4Pn0whnaadJoDJB6JkxQOEFIDW02-BgIAXGrECfG-grYzg8q-cCrQX-X6Qp-bYvGjIjnVi629nzV5RTaDvuSkZbTiGbxVuZEBf4kD-8-S0xoI5J75lZ_c/s1600-h/The+Century+of+Self.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 112px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOStcjwtw_91gnFPITUmfdpO4Pn0whnaadJoDJB6JkxQOEFIDW02-BgIAXGrECfG-grYzg8q-cCrQX-X6Qp-bYvGjIjnVi629nzV5RTaDvuSkZbTiGbxVuZEBf4kD-8-S0xoI5J75lZ_c/s320/The+Century+of+Self.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306163163717507410" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">What i be listening to tonight!?</span></span><br /><br /><ul><li>As previously illustrated there's the new <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Century-Self-Will-Know-Trail/dp/B001P9PWWG/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1235437326&sr=8-1">...And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead - "The Century of Self"</a> -- so far, so good, need to absorb it mucho mas prior to discussion. </li></ul><ul><li>Thanks to Jilly's recommend - I'm on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Midnight-Organ-Fight-Frightened-Rabbit/dp/B000ZOSMXI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1235437453&sr=1-1">Frightened Rabbits - "The Midnight Organ Fight" </a>. <img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/JoeSc/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot.jpg" alt="" /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Dmo9_jKzB_wnqDaU8T2SQRBMjSJ8_m1hVRQz4E3IBPncuk_YyoFHijNUFBdb0cdCJjPkVhHkCXQ53z_mjsW0ihcFlCW78nvhC0iPQFj_toy6YlvM9Z-hv2s21GP2wsri8pTGX8qkhGA/s1600-h/The+Midnight+Organ+Fight.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 116px; height: 116px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Dmo9_jKzB_wnqDaU8T2SQRBMjSJ8_m1hVRQz4E3IBPncuk_YyoFHijNUFBdb0cdCJjPkVhHkCXQ53z_mjsW0ihcFlCW78nvhC0iPQFj_toy6YlvM9Z-hv2s21GP2wsri8pTGX8qkhGA/s320/The+Midnight+Organ+Fight.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306164108402018018" border="0" /></a>No idea what to make of this just yet... it's good, jangly, concerted rock that has me looking forward to digesting it further... & no, not that kind of digestion. No intestines allowed!</li></ul><ul><li>Then there's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/B000ZOSMXI/sr=1-1/qid=1235437453/ref=dp_image_z_0?ie=UTF8&n=5174&s=music&qid=1235437453&sr=1-1">Bonobo - "Days to Come" </a>. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2PICELmbPsE7cpjMoR5P3BWDSh4majgAWzbywgmN0YUp_ljV1krcCc_WiAV7EdOD3jBWlWY-eB_yOIF0VeNNHEZoli0UV5bvB_tHcyHhtwSy0AUOU4Wsn0vzB-swJDZrGKJ6yi0jdrhA/s1600-h/Days+to+Come.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 109px; height: 109px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2PICELmbPsE7cpjMoR5P3BWDSh4majgAWzbywgmN0YUp_ljV1krcCc_WiAV7EdOD3jBWlWY-eB_yOIF0VeNNHEZoli0UV5bvB_tHcyHhtwSy0AUOU4Wsn0vzB-swJDZrGKJ6yi0jdrhA/s320/Days+to+Come.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306164998129667298" border="0" /></a>This is just really really quality downtempo, trip-hoppy, vibing in the best way. Chilled out beats with funky instrumental tweaks.... deep organs, wavy synths, & bugged out sound effects to make you feel like your outside in the grass watching a samurai sword fight on top of steel drums. Cool.....</li></ul><ul><li>In honor of the Oscar win - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Slumdog-Millionaire-R-Rahman/dp/B001LX0JK6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1235437869&sr=1-1">Slumdog Millionaire: The Soundtrack</a>. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSRJq26_mVtTzkWHChc4ZBL5RxZxe4mqoVTxsTNNTZOH8XWnpnHcnHA3_7fQq5MN0n0UIhT9GBcHKhLVvS36wmyFrZGdIxUKweRDift8N5Ct6597UZqCkoFAiwAiXg8JL1jqazjoytZUk/s1600-h/Slumdog+Millionaire+%28Music+from+the+Motion+Picture%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 93px; height: 92px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSRJq26_mVtTzkWHChc4ZBL5RxZxe4mqoVTxsTNNTZOH8XWnpnHcnHA3_7fQq5MN0n0UIhT9GBcHKhLVvS36wmyFrZGdIxUKweRDift8N5Ct6597UZqCkoFAiwAiXg8JL1jqazjoytZUk/s320/Slumdog+Millionaire+%28Music+from+the+Motion+Picture%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306165803393336978" border="0" /></a>This thing really gets my goat. When i saw the movie I was enamored enough... then you mix in some original M.I.A. vocal work & tracks with production by legendary Indian music producer A.R. Rahman & you've got a genre-bending, world flavored, beat party for pretty much any music fan to find something they dig in. Really, if you have any love for world music, abstract Hip-hop, or things of that nature... give a listen. It's super fun.</li></ul><ul><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Writers-Block-Peter-Bjorn-John/dp/B000NJL4TY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1235438105&sr=1-1">Peter Bjorn and John - Writer's Block</a> --- <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Vuh_3leUmFgXjXQ3l2-Q1fR2yIlaoIkXtXt2hovlY0P_8AyYwL5WnUzqkFTOkPaB_W2vfSZ0n2WQWWtcZBpPzhg_jmwfgmOGK1F3Lu8v9BLtxO49KTRMcggolnrz_nX9FP60Y79tGGs/s1600-h/Writer's+Block.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 93px; height: 93px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Vuh_3leUmFgXjXQ3l2-Q1fR2yIlaoIkXtXt2hovlY0P_8AyYwL5WnUzqkFTOkPaB_W2vfSZ0n2WQWWtcZBpPzhg_jmwfgmOGK1F3Lu8v9BLtxO49KTRMcggolnrz_nX9FP60Y79tGGs/s320/Writer's+Block.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306167159841622514" border="0" /></a>Sitting at my fave local coffee shop, "the Flying Saucer - 26th & Brown in Philly *ahem - plug!*" on Saturday reading... I hear these wonderfully reminiscient songs that I know I knew but didn't know why or who they were. I sat there for a few minutes listening & enjoying, not wanting to be the guy who asks at the counter.. "Whut R wee listening to?". Instead, I just read my book & enjoyed the tunes. Inevitably, I wasn't the only enjoyer, as another person asked the coffee clerk what was playing. "Peter Bjorn and John"! OF COURSE... I immediately went home pulled out my dusty old hard drive & moved the "Writer's Block" album back into my iTunes for more consumption. A Great listen. </li></ul>So that's all for tonight. There's plenty more of course, but I don't want to smother you guys. Blitzen Trapper coming up on Sunday so i'll be working their recent album "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Furr-Blitzen-Trapper/dp/B001CVCBBW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1235438388&sr=1-1">Furr</a>" in along the way this week. Also trying to soak up some more early Dead Confederate, The Whigs, new Doves on the way, Jens Lekman, new Lily Allen, & the recent & as of yet un-appreciated new Sigur Ros album "fdwe98odijfjipoad89ijdf389ue*F(DU"... at least, I think that's what it's called.<br /><br />See ya next time.Julio Von McWorthington Summers IVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17256663846333981912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1922944055296294978.post-24959775844809992142009-02-22T20:47:00.008-05:002009-02-22T21:33:19.664-05:00musically make up for it....Well, this weekend was a good musical weekend for one w/o any actual live performance consumption. One might've expected worse considering it started on a down note w/ me NOT going to the WXPN World Cafe "<a href="http://www.xpn.org/wxpn-concerts-events-calendar/free-at-noon">Free @ Noon</a>" concert with M. Ward on Friday afternoon.<br /><br />Disappointing I know but after that abysmal "bailure" i made a concerted effort to make up my most maligned musical mistake of absence from M. by pursuing my musical interests in other avenues. Primarily Saturday, as my Friday night consisted of Guy Ritchie's recent film "RockNRolla", ...<br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-bbridByz4Ja78bQbMAPIXIwJS0OQTtf4b85YZi980g7tu_USWOJCrRuxU7ZzrlLN1V7EqyMElYIMJ-NLAKUJS4EkNC-86v32r5Yf05St4BeDUJdd_1WMG6XMOyR026SaXlRuDCFshwA/s1600-h/RocknRolla.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 131px; height: 98px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-bbridByz4Ja78bQbMAPIXIwJS0OQTtf4b85YZi980g7tu_USWOJCrRuxU7ZzrlLN1V7EqyMElYIMJ-NLAKUJS4EkNC-86v32r5Yf05St4BeDUJdd_1WMG6XMOyR026SaXlRuDCFshwA/s320/RocknRolla.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305814650660342018" border="0" /></a>...<br />....which was good as well, but is a story for another blog. Saturday afternoon-evening, I found myself pedaling furiously on my bogart Mongoose mountain bike into Olde City, Illadelph (where on a side note - my motor vehicle was recently burgled -- * Why I return there & even more so, award my consumerism business towards an area of such ill-repute is beyond me). Thanks to the R5 productions website notifying me that I can duck further concert ticket surcharges [favorite pasttime] - by purchasing my tix to their shows @ a local record store instead. ... Hence enters the Olde City experience. AKA Music located on 2nd street, betweeen Arch St. & Market St. happened to be said venue. I pedaled there, hit the comic store first for some printed serialized fiction periodicals, & then ventured for the first time into good ol' AKA Music.<br /><br />Upon entering the storefront, I checked my trusty book bag in a cubby hole & began the browsing. Within instants of ogling the new release wall I found a copy of the new ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead album, <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8y1l-4Eag6Fp9hm5lIG08t1pKFFQRJz5lPTPzQHGkECRTUWiB58ifxOR57eeeuGnREJACidkvqAd5-oYC-V1MODDvXb2fKVbTrw7CaDLQSx5-EMbQDsN_0x_KoSAkEJCuR-iHF8z86zI/s1600-h/The+Century+of+Self.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 116px; height: 116px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8y1l-4Eag6Fp9hm5lIG08t1pKFFQRJz5lPTPzQHGkECRTUWiB58ifxOR57eeeuGnREJACidkvqAd5-oYC-V1MODDvXb2fKVbTrw7CaDLQSx5-EMbQDsN_0x_KoSAkEJCuR-iHF8z86zI/s320/The+Century+of+Self.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305810175232416226" border="0" /></a>"<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Century-Self-Will-Know-Trail/dp/B001P9PWWG/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1235355042&sr=8-1">The Century of Self</a>". Even though I'd already illegally downloaded the album, & had a friend & blog co-hort purchase it & allow me to rip it, Besides all that, I instantly grabbed it up with plans to purchase for my own wall collection at home. This is a band that deserves the support & can gladly take my moneys.<br /><br />Then on to my true goal in visiting AKA this day: Blitzen Trapper tickets for Sunday, March 1st @ the First Unitarian Church! My Mission, should I choose to accept it - Locate & Purchase 3 tickets for the Blitzen Trapper show. As I approach the counter to request said tickets I eyeball a sign stating, "R5 Show Tickets CASH ONLY!".... OH NO. Calamity indeed as I'd spent the last of my workly earnings on some humble mead beverages the previous evening with a lady friend. -- Alas, their was an ATM machine nearby to remedy the sitch-e-ation. So with $40 cash in hand I transacted to obtain my Blitzen Trapper ticket invitation. So with my new CD & my concert tickets purchased, I left with a smile & a newfound sense for a good record store experience.<br /><br />Now it's time to watch Slumdog Millionaire kick ass at the Oscar's while Hugh Jackman likely makes the viewing audience uncomfortable. Fun Times indeed.Julio Von McWorthington Summers IVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17256663846333981912noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1922944055296294978.post-5967201112870640122009-02-11T22:03:00.010-05:002009-02-12T17:02:17.152-05:00So Lez Talk About the GrammysSo I guess I have to work on this thing we call "timeliness." Not one of my strong suits. I barely squeeked by with my favorite albums of 2008, and here I am posting something that happened three nights ago. Since I don't foresee me improving at this weakness of mine any time soon, I'll try my best to write about something that is NOT time sensitive next time.<br /><br />So with that half ass apology out of the way, lez talk about the Grammys! ... Something I like to watch every year to catch up on what everyone else apparently already knows. So after three hours of typical diverse performances and way to many "wanna be" candid shots of Sir Paul McCartney... ("Quick camera 2, camera 2! I think I see Paul giving the peace sign!... Damn it's just a scratch!) ... Here's just a few quick thoughts about it all...<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7DcXKgnorNHTdr5vHvOFmlJVkWs8QHodBHKDYwpw04-qq0XJBlKO0GumcZY83-9V8VgfF4rvFHvHPm2AWQliSaBTaYfY_zFWv7M8-jcKH-uWmLmOpiG8tI9A1Ia6bGzI4dk5NK3mfXAk/s1600-h/Brown.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301759339600522018" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 145px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7DcXKgnorNHTdr5vHvOFmlJVkWs8QHodBHKDYwpw04-qq0XJBlKO0GumcZY83-9V8VgfF4rvFHvHPm2AWQliSaBTaYfY_zFWv7M8-jcKH-uWmLmOpiG8tI9A1Ia6bGzI4dk5NK3mfXAk/s200/Brown.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />(Photo caption:) <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>DOUCHE.</strong> </span><span style="font-size:85%;">(that's Chris Brown)<br /></span><br /><br /><br /><br />- Houston we have a problem... Drippy eye Whitney still has a great relationship with her pipe! (Aren't they cute!)<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLgWI-_37RPsWazINP1tbQnHw_tt3TMwCK24lHpc7q9axu7-JyIgFeP4OxqfA7L_RKUml5LLvFWRW44sCNA0CdIbLBoh2iBp-V2OgS3Isf-9jdfEZk7gwxlDUu8bHCh6rFvXteAVLHCRM/s1600-h/large_HDUSON.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301763276021788050" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 174px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 160px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLgWI-_37RPsWazINP1tbQnHw_tt3TMwCK24lHpc7q9axu7-JyIgFeP4OxqfA7L_RKUml5LLvFWRW44sCNA0CdIbLBoh2iBp-V2OgS3Isf-9jdfEZk7gwxlDUu8bHCh6rFvXteAVLHCRM/s200/large_HDUSON.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />(Photo Caption:) "How come no one told me I forgot to take off my paper napkin bib!? I'm so embarrased. But damn that burger was delicious!"<br /><br /><br /><br />- And here's my instant apology. She has been through life experiences that I couldn't even imagine... And there wasn't a dry eye when she performed. Jennifer Hudson, you rightfully deserve "Best R&B Album" of the year.<br /><br /><br />- I'm one of those pathetic (closet) fans of Justin Timberlake. So let's just say I was very pleased to see his sexiness perform twice - knitted scarf and all...<br /><br /><br />- Coldplay. What everyone thought would be a gigantic evening for them... was not. But still a well endowed night to say the least, because they took home 3 of those gramaphone-thing-a-ma-bops.<br />I kind of feel bad for the british blokes though. Because management cleary came up with the idea of making them wear "hip" or should I say thrifty Sgt. Pepper mock attire. (Because THE Sir McCartney was there!) But that idea cleary backfired. Because the end result looked as if Chris and the gang had five minutes to raid the costume closest of a local high school theater department... who just happened to put on a colorful rendition of Fiddler on the Roof.<br /><br /><br />- I don't know what I want more. Carrie Underwood's legs or the other chic's lead guitar skillz. Either of the two would do. Miss Underwood won for "Best Female Country Vocal Performance" for "Last Name." After hearing this for that first time, I would say it's about getting crazy one night and perhaps doing the nasty with someone, whom she didn't know his last name. And to that I say, Carrie, atleast you knew his first. Cowgirl hat off to you.<br /><br /><br />- Jason Mraz was nominated for "Best Song" of the year. I laughed, then found out it wasn't a joke. Luckily enough for us he didn't win.<br /><br /><br />- Kid Rock. How this guy gets ass, let alone sell records, is beyond me.<br /><br /><br />- Taylor Swift is adorable and after hearing her for the first time, offers promise. Miley Cirus is a tad obnoxious, but i guess all sixteen year olds are... Let's just hope she sticks with Disney.<br /><br /><br />- Kanye West oddly resembled Michael Jackson in his <em>Bad</em> era.<br /><br /><br />- Robert Plant & Allison Kraus brought the house down. WXPN also was a huge fan of them. T. Bone Burnett did a good job with that pairing. While accepting his Grammy, Plant said something along the lines... "Some might call this selling out, I just thought it was a good way to spend a Sunday." Best line of the night.<br /><br /><br />- Paul McCartney played with the Foo's! (And did a pretty great job I might add) I don't know what David Grohl was more happy about - Playing the drums live once again or staring at the backside of everyone's favorite "living" Beatle for 2 1/2 minutes.<br /><br />- Adele won for "Best New Artist." Approved... Though I think "Hometown Glory" should have got the recogntion that "Chasing Pavements" did. All around, it's a better song. Unfortunately for the Jonas Brothers they did not win this category. Bummer. But they gave it all their all during their live performance with Stevie Wonder. Um yeah, until that unfortunate voice cracking incident. A LITTLE uncomfortable. But don't let it get you down my boy, because in a few years this akward stage of puberty will be over... and so will your music career. Double Bummer.<br /><br /><br />- When did commercial rap take over EVERYTHING?<br /><br /><br />- And what the fuck is Neil Diamond still doing performing "Sweet Caroline!?" Really! Was anyone else as repulsed as me? No one wants to see you awkwardly point to no one in the stands. Botox does not make you sexy, nor does your slow ass two-step. Way to ruin the Grammys for us all. Please stop resurfacing.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzmIHeTq1gsraf965DMTcvWLBsrs7XyDtOO4T8x14TWZTk5N_pVBlXm7-zR85MrBk8bXOfRKpfZrWWPebccaX2XL2NX_uj79Qbm0uiXbA9EwYGR8iynW_txEuswJ-jf1SHosSAG84l2iI/s1600-h/radiohead_exit_500x200.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301786060417825970" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 80px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzmIHeTq1gsraf965DMTcvWLBsrs7XyDtOO4T8x14TWZTk5N_pVBlXm7-zR85MrBk8bXOfRKpfZrWWPebccaX2XL2NX_uj79Qbm0uiXbA9EwYGR8iynW_txEuswJ-jf1SHosSAG84l2iI/s200/radiohead_exit_500x200.jpg" border="0" /></a>- And because I don't want to leave you on a low note, I'll leave you with the fantastic news that my boys won for "Best Alternative Album" of the year... A Grammy not worthy enough to broadcast on live television, but gosh darn it, it's a Grammy... They also performed 15 Step accompanied by the USC Marching Band. I bet there are a few USC students kicking themselves in the ass for quitting band in order to make time for their rigorous frat schedule... Sucks for you. But as always Radiohead rocked the house, and apparently Gwenyth Palthrow also has a problem with creaming her pants when introducing them.<br /><br /><br />So to wrap it up... Be glad you didn't waste your Sunday night watching this. But I'm sure I'll make the same mistake next year.Dutchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07256293424884448514noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1922944055296294978.post-57348569066202894182009-01-29T19:56:00.034-05:002009-01-31T01:55:30.959-05:00Naked Pictures of Brad and Angelina!<div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Oooh Boy.... Slightly less arousing, here are <strong>my favorite albums of 2008</strong>.</div><br /><br /><div>(Since this is my first posting I’ll leave you with this note: I write a lot, and am pretty bad at it. I use incomplete and run-on sentences, and lots and lots of commas. I have a tendency to make up my own words, and use real ones incorrectly… So get over it. I will, however, take any thoughts or criticisms on my musical opinions, because I also like to debate, everything - And I also realize there is always something new to learn.)<br /></div><br /><div>So here it is! My absolute favorite music of 2008…<br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong></strong></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong></strong></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>1. BON IVER – For Emma, Forever Ago<br /></strong></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRgIcZ2vvse5y7upNqXnIxVJtbAoDqbbKlHigWcKTUNF7tCipKwCYoTPnzTCFvvv88IIzLXoAXC6npag3SwsE4Ty4MXbkLItACtskDJOOovZfGy8Tyt8ZXXCDTe0enBSguhIMqe0A5vtM/s1600-h/Bon+Iver+27.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296887549290125250" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 146px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 137px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRgIcZ2vvse5y7upNqXnIxVJtbAoDqbbKlHigWcKTUNF7tCipKwCYoTPnzTCFvvv88IIzLXoAXC6npag3SwsE4Ty4MXbkLItACtskDJOOovZfGy8Tyt8ZXXCDTe0enBSguhIMqe0A5vtM/s200/Bon+Iver+27.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I was having a difficult time deciding what my No. 1 album would be this year. So, like any reasonable person would do, I consulted with my “Most Played” tab on itunes. (Thank you Steve Jobs for making my life’s decisions just a tad easier.) And as it has it, For Emma, Forever Ago blew every other album out of the water. The number was a tad frightening. So yes, Bon Iver, kudos to you for taking up the most hours of my listening time in 2008. I enjoyed them all immensely.<br /></div><br /><div> </div><div>Bon Iver, meaning “good winter” (I believe it really is spelled Hiver, but those who actually paid attention in French class could tell you otherwise) consists of one person, Justin Vernon. And as some of you know, he isolated himself in a cabin for 4 months, with nothing surrounding him but some instruments, his thoughts, and some pure Wisconsin snow. The end result: a beautifully crafted album that encompasses so much depth for such a straightforward sound. It’s brilliant and breathtaking from beginning to end, backwards and forth.<br /></div><br /><div>For the most part, For Emma, Forever Ago was recorded by Vernon himself - And let it be known tremendously so. The production is simple, eerie, yet irresistible. Vernon uses his soft natured voice as the main focus throughout. Many of his songs start out comfortably slow then build as the songs progress. Vernon adds layers upon layers of his lonesome vocals at times, creating an almost haunting sound - and the point all the more meaningful in the end. (<em>Lump Sum</em>) At the peak of <em>The Wolves Act 1 & Act 2</em>, Vernon alternates and the lines <em>“What might have been lost”</em> and <em>“Don’t bother me.”</em> Vernon then adds spasms of drumming, similar to the sound of crackling fireworks. The intensity then bursts to silence. Vernon’s soft vocal reappears and presents us with his first line and initial thought - <em>“Someday my pain (Will mark you).”</em><br /></div><br /><div> </div><div>To me For Emma, Forever Ago is a thinker’s album. I really enjoyed Vernon’s style of writing. His lyrics are largely based around imagery, instead of telling a story per say. His songs aren’t filled with beautifully written sentences, clever words or rhyming schemes. Sometimes his point isn’t even that clear. But Vernon’s words are natural and concise… like original thoughts are. He is more likely to state the “in the moment” observations of his feelings, thoughts, and the surroundings around him. <em>“There’s a black crow sitting across from me; his wiry legs are crossed.” (re:Stacks)</em> And for some reason, that makes me happy.<br /></div><br /><div></div><div>This album also carries a lot of weight. I hear Vernon’s personal growth. His tension and loss of love that is introduced slowly begins to disperse throughout the album. Vernon’s sorrow fades and clarity sets in. Self discovery and understanding take place. <em>“This is not the sound of a new man, or a crispy realization” …It’s the sound of the unlocking and the lift away.” (re:Stacks)</em> I’m sure Vernon didn’t expect his solo experimental debut to turn out as outstanding as it did. It’s magnificent, and full of secrets. It kind of makes you want to head out to the wilderness for a few months to see what personal enlightenment you would achieve …. Or perhaps just sit on a bench with you thoughts for a few hours - a little less drastic, but hopefully with similar results.<br /></div><br /><div><em></em> </div><div><em>*Favorite Track: re:Stacks*</em><br /></div><br /><div>Side Note: If you’re an indie boy, wishing to mate with an indie gal, be sure to bring up your overwhelming interest in Bon Iver. (I’m speaking for many when I say us girls adore this album…) Yes, she still will likely judge you on your character and questionable moppy haircut, but having the knowledge of Bon Iver kept in your back pocket surely won’t hurt your chances.<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">2. RADIOHEAD – In Rainbows</span><br /></div></strong><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296889083348415426" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 132px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 131px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1vQAEvyiaVxXszYGMEBv7qogc-EIaTzqjstx0DmpGeufA7wQX7mUAoK62HeJcM2zUfyKPEMT01xhe__QNQ85Zgx6C8Bk3TRVQVwEs3pahHoXb4KRkBK9rEfT_l1Nn2W5gcjnn3j1lZKI/s200/In+Rainbows.jpg" border="0" />I think Radiohead is just okay… No, actually I pretty much cream my pants whenever I hear them. (And yes, I just wrote that.) And wow-wow-wee what an album! Everything I hoped for and a tremendous amount more.<br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><div>How many times do you find the album you first discover from a certain artist’s catalogue, is usually the album that you enjoy the most in the end? So, in reference to Radiohead, my first and favorite love would have to be The Bends… So it was a wonderful treat to realize that In Rainbows falls somewhere in between the Bends and their critically acclaimed OK Computer. </div><br /><br /><div>In a lyrical sense In Rainbows is very much like The Bends. It’s a very, very personal album for Thom Yorke, who for many years now, have left his mysterious lyrics out to dry. Not in this case at all. This album is wide open for all to see. (Of course there is always something left to be discovered in all of their work. Radiohead definitively isn’t easy to figure out by any means.) In Rainbows, with the help of its seamless song structures and lyrical honesty, might be the most universally accepted album by Radiohead so far.<br /></div><br /><div> </div><div>To me this album lies in two parts. <em>15 Steps</em> and <em>Bodysnatchers</em> open the album with a great muted instrumental theme filled with constricted beats, Greenwood’s sheltered guitar, and Yorke’s infamous rants. Of course this then develops into a chaotic overture by the end, and, the listener is left thinking, “What the hell just happened?” This is what Radiohead does well; they always leave their fans bewildered and wanting more. </div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Then <em>Nude</em> comes and completely changes the mood and pace of the album. To me, this is the second half of In Rainbows. This is when the content gets juicy, and damn delicious. And the more I explore into this album, the more interesting it gets. In Rainbows is full of passion, seduction, and is just dead sexy. It weighs heavily on the devil on one shoulder while the angel lies on the other scenario. The last seven tracks revolve around the themes of Trust verses Temptation, Love verses Lust, as well as unrequited love and the desired attention one feigns. The sound has a dark luster to it, but with the help of Yorke’s vocals, and the way they are presented, there’s also an overwhelming angelic feeling and softness to it. <em>Nude</em> has this dreamy texture, built around a slow base line that places the listener in almost a trance as Yorke pleads <em>“Don’t get any big ideas…”</em><br /></div><br /><div>But here’s what I love about Radiohead. To each of their albums there is always a meaning boiling underneath. It’s subtle, and can be easily overlooked… You just have to be willing to dig a little deeper – and do a little research. So here it is. This is the mastermind idea behind In Rainbows. <em>Faust Arp</em> is a title track to one of the songs. Faust, meaning lucky, is a figure in Goethe’s Faust, a mythological legend. Faust is character with a headstrong desire for self-fulfillment, and feels that he has experienced everything that is meaningful in life. Unsatisfied, and yearning for more, he makes a deal with Mephistopheles, who represents Satan or the devil. The pact was that Faust was to get anything he desired, but if Faust ever acknowledged that day was the greatest day in his life, Mephistopheles would get his soul. Now flash forward in the album to the final track, <em>Videotape</em>. Continuing this same mythological theme, it is said that when you die you go through your life to find that moment when you were the happiest. That one moment will be placed on your ‘videotape’ to relive for all eternity. <em>“When I’m at the pearly gates, this will be on my videotape, my videotape. Mephistopheles is just beneath and reaching up to grab me.”</em> So at this point in the album the listener wonders about the deal Faust has made with the devil. It just so happens the final words of Videotape are <em>“No matter what happens now, you shouldn’t be afraid, Because I know today has been the most perfect day I’ve ever seen.”</em> …. I’ll let you figure out the gaps and spaces in between.<br /></div><br /><div><em></em> </div><div><em>*Favorite Track: House of Cards*</em><br /></div><br /><div>Side Note: And whhhhhaaaat Radiohead is nominated for a Grammy?!?! Not just one, but four! A part of me hopes Yorke and the blokes turn down the nomination, or say something really rude if they win, or just get piss ass drunk and do something ridiculous to Mariah Carey and her son, I mean husband… But of course they won’t do that, because they have character. Instead if they win, they will accept the Grammy(s) gracefully and then write a cryptic song about how ridiculous the experience was later.<br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">3. AME<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDBROD3C1TRoowba9Oc42tBKfM5B3ZTIGd8Eqxr-X6kF4uD_lFQvEaf1QJVLXMetNUAiy_z7MMGiROPdCqUokanA5xEKSXpRJuQdwr4oUipmzazzKmxE2p7cDmHLA8zYSx7PylfLXkihM/s1600-h/american+music+club.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296900385664656866" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 139px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 129px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDBROD3C1TRoowba9Oc42tBKfM5B3ZTIGd8Eqxr-X6kF4uD_lFQvEaf1QJVLXMetNUAiy_z7MMGiROPdCqUokanA5xEKSXpRJuQdwr4oUipmzazzKmxE2p7cDmHLA8zYSx7PylfLXkihM/s200/american+music+club.jpg" border="0" /></a>RICAN MUSIC CLUB – The Golden Age</span></strong><br /><br /></div><br /><div>This band was formed in 1982, the year I was born. So how come it took me 26 years to hear about them? The answer is American Music Club gets no recognition. No love. I saw TV on the Radio’s “Golden Age” on plenty of lists, but American Music Club, none. I did NOT see this album on ANYONE’s top albums of 2008. (And I don’t think my idea of good music is THAT delusional…) NO blog, no magazine, nodda, nothing. And that’s just shameful, because they are a wonderful, intelligent group and front man Mark Eitzel is one of the better lyricists out there without a doubt... And I’m a lucky gal to atleast know that now.<br /></div><br /><div> </div><div>So with the scolding out of the way, The Golden Age was my favorite Sunday Morning album of the year. “What the hell is a Sunday Morning Album, Jill?” Exactly what it is called, an album you play on Sunday mornings. A good Sunday album has to be both an album that can be in the forefront of you attention, as well as in the background. And The Golden Age can certainly be both. It has the credibility to stand on its own. It’s a work of genius. But it also serves as a great soundtrack as you read the paper, walk from room to room doing laundry and, you know… whatever you do on Sunday mornings.<br /></div><br /><div>Because this band has been around for so long, their albums consist of various styles and temperaments. American Music Club is mostly known for its brilliant lyrics, and The Golden Age follows suit. It has a mellow quietness to it, but is also rich with texture. A steady soft snare is the setting to Eitzel’s dreamy and hazy vocals throughout. The music won’t blow your mind, but Eitzel sings with a brutally honest and weary heart, and you can’t help but to be drawn to it. <em>“And how sad is that, your rebel cowboy hat, all it says is you’re tonight’s casualty. Oh, and the crowd is proud to look away, like they’ve never been desperate or lonely.” (Decibels and Little Pills)<br /></em></div><br /><div> </div><div>But perhaps what’s different about this album, from AMC’s prior albums, is that there’s also a great side of contentment and optimism in his lyrics. He reminisces about his hometown of San Francisco, where it all began for them as a band. He looks upon his past with a smile and a sense of gratefulness. Singing about lost souls and his old naïve ideals, and realizing that those old days of sex, drugs, and rock and roll (AMC style!), as troubled as might have been, were indeed the meaningful moments that shaped him to be the man he is today.<br /></div><br /><div>It’s a beautifully written album, and accurately so. <em>All The Lost Souls Welcome You To San Francisco</em> is the title to track six, and it says it all. After having graduated college, like many, I was unsure of my future, where and what I should be… So, with a great friend, I fled to San Francisco, looking for some time, some answers, new perspectives, etc. <em>“Just give me some hope, or atleast enough rope, can you make my heart feel complete?” (All The Lost Souls Welcome You To San Francisco)</em> And as it would have it, San Francisco is the youngest, most confused, but content, city in America… And no, I didn’t find the answers to life’s most expediential questions there, but I did find plenty of strangers as friends, who in fact, where looking for the same things as me.<br /></div><br /><div></div><div> </div><div>So, your new year’s resolution? – Listen to some American Music Club. (And lots of it!) You’ll be happy you did.<br /></div><br /><div><em>*Favorite Track: All My Love*<br /></em><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">4. THE WHIGS – Mission Control</span></strong><br /></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTHQraCbta0deC-1OU5iBubB2XBKe8ppBmd8PT5z3bNPOckKu8mZ8SUixLoRbUoHRy6EXDF-FdoJR44L4KcvUNKX-uHsD4UnzbI2XM-MaoJJHTKU0Yns5kjbiaAqdpxo-zveXoB4PBCo8/s1600-h/TheWhigs-05-big.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296902602093809490" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 143px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 121px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTHQraCbta0deC-1OU5iBubB2XBKe8ppBmd8PT5z3bNPOckKu8mZ8SUixLoRbUoHRy6EXDF-FdoJR44L4KcvUNKX-uHsD4UnzbI2XM-MaoJJHTKU0Yns5kjbiaAqdpxo-zveXoB4PBCo8/s200/TheWhigs-05-big.jpg" border="0" /></a>This album is ridiculously good!! Really it is. If I had to create an imaginary scenario for this band, (which I do a lot, weird I know) it would be this… ‘It’s your best friend’s older brother’s band. And they are simply a smash. They are amazing guys, a blast to hang out with, and they get rock & roll – and so do you. So even though you’re stuck in a dead end job, your cat just died, and your boyfriend supposedly slept with some tramp from his work, it all doesn’t matter…. It doesn’t matter because the Whigs are playing this Saturday night at your favorite dive bar. And with the help of some Pabst pounders, during those four hours of live entertainment you will realize that everything will be fine… and everything will be okay, because The Whigs fucking rock your world.’<br /></div><br /><br /><div><em>Like A Vibration</em>, has to be the one of the best introductions to an album this year. It’s a feisty song with pumping adrenaline and a catchy, snarly chorus. <em>Production City</em> and <em>Right Hand On My Heart</em> follow these same guidelines, continuing to kick it up a notch. These tracks, by far the best on the album, are driven with non-stop delicious drum beats, full throttle bass lines, and right-on rock lyrics. It’s such a refreshing sound. It’s something perhaps plucked from the early 90’s, AND NO not the grunge movement (though the group does only encompass three members.) I’m talking more like a sound similar to Guided By Voices, but more melodic, and cleaner, and tweaked with a little heartfelt country.<br /></div><br /><div><em></em> </div><div><em>Sleep Sunshine</em> comes in at track 5, to switch up the pace and show the Whigs’ versatility. At first I wasn’t digging this track at all. It brought down the momentum that the band did a great job building. However, I did learn to love, and it’s one of the more unique tracks on Mission Control. This track, unlike the others, is built around a classic rock tone. Every time I listen to the opening of that song, for some odd reason, it reminds me of Lucy in The Sky With Diamonds - But a twisted version with slower movements, no hallucinogenics, and a slide guitar. (Hmmm… I wonder if the Beatles ever used a slide guitar.) The listener is left with a very happy, drunken haze sort of feeling. And I swear the guitar solo is something taken out of the first chapter of David Gilmour’s best seller, “How to Play a Gorgeous Guitar Solo.” (This doesn’t really exist, but should.)<br /></div><br /><div>The album relights the fire with <em>Hot Bed</em> and <em>Already Young</em> and continues to coast you to the end with <em>Mission Control</em>, their album title track, which happens to be perfectly placed. If you’re looking for some great sounding modest rock, I would recommend listening to The Whigs. Mission Control is a great paced piece of the work, and revitalizes the sound of indie rock again.<br /></div><br /><div>A could have, should have moment of mine, would be NOT seeing them opening up for the Kings of Leon, because, of course, one must have pre-show beers. It’s bad luck otherwise. However, if KOL would have had some sense and switched the lineup, the sub-par We Are Scientists would have been the first act to open, leaving me able to see half of the Whigs set… But alas, I’ll just wait for the Whigs to be the headlining act at my local dive bar instead.<br /></div><br /><div><em>*Favorite Track: Right Hand On My Heart*</em><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">5. FLEET FOXES – S/T</span></strong><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQZYWBPYg5U_kDzbezlpS7rlOM-6Pdpm3M6GKqnuZJ4H4lRpmFt8o0tYVuzCUiEMaZh-e-_L0-FWS2GSW3f3KAuzr4QIq1MGjSaF-F5MYI3ptQvMJF4RVkitU8W7a92hobkj9OdWvcW3M/s1600-h/fleet-foxes-st-cd-cover.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296903860748499170" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 141px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 132px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQZYWBPYg5U_kDzbezlpS7rlOM-6Pdpm3M6GKqnuZJ4H4lRpmFt8o0tYVuzCUiEMaZh-e-_L0-FWS2GSW3f3KAuzr4QIq1MGjSaF-F5MYI3ptQvMJF4RVkitU8W7a92hobkj9OdWvcW3M/s200/fleet-foxes-st-cd-cover.jpg" border="0" /></a>Fleet Foxes gets my “most original/ unique sound” of 2008. I’m a sucker for harmonies, simple as that. (And not those post produced tweaked layers added to most modern day cra-p-op songs, but straightforward, natural sounding layering.) And Fleet Foxes is the poster group for this particular style this year. Fleet Foxes self titled offers a rich collection of songs that’s full of imagery.<br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><div>This group can’t be classified as “modern sounding” at all. It’s more of a rustic, sacred sound from centuries past. Their folk style and lyrical journeys paint pictures of fairy tales and undiscovered lands. One can’t help but look at this album as a whole. No particular track stands out on its own, or feels as if it doesn’t belong. From start to finish it’s a listening adventure, where the fellows of Fleet Foxes fill your ears with pleasant, powerful vocals and classical guitars.<br /></div><br /><div><em></em></div><div><em></em> </div><div><em>White Winter Hymnal</em>, the opening track, reveals itself softly and flows seamlessly. It reminds me of a voyage through snowy peaks and frozen valleys. <em>Your Protector</em> almost sounds like a battle cry, with the drums gaining momentum forcing the song onward, no matter what struggles are taking place. <em>Ragged Wood</em> has the sound of a brand new day, filled with light and optimism.<br /></div><br /><div></div><div>No matter how these songs come across to the listener, there’s a common appreciation that something great and pure is taking place. Fleet Foxes utilizes their enchanting vocals to ground and ease its listeners. We understand once again how striking and transcending the sound of human vocal can be. <em>Sun Giant</em> makes us aware of this again.<br /></div><br /><div>Side Note: This also just happens to be Fleet Foxes’ debut. This is damn impressive, and just makes me gitty as a schoolgirl to see what lies ahead.<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong></div><br /><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">6. SIGUR ROS – Med Sud ieyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust</span></strong><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1upm4MQT550RO_WczLeEgHhSufPQ1QEdqgaokoDy8Q7apuy4ZwRknVBXPM6i62EiuKRL6pgvn71bgt6wCbV5Ya1a0CVjbF66b1d-MqO6QIAtvCuKbu6b4LWFPgH0zQJ_hERYwwaFVw8o/s1600-h/Sigur.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296904780345216226" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 142px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 127px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1upm4MQT550RO_WczLeEgHhSufPQ1QEdqgaokoDy8Q7apuy4ZwRknVBXPM6i62EiuKRL6pgvn71bgt6wCbV5Ya1a0CVjbF66b1d-MqO6QIAtvCuKbu6b4LWFPgH0zQJ_hERYwwaFVw8o/s200/Sigur.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Sigur Ros. Yah! If you’re a fan of Sigur Ros, A/ I think you are an awesome person and B/ You, like myself, have no clue how to pronounce their album titles. (And whew, this one is a mouthful!) With the exception of Takk and Von, their albums are more commonly referred to as their album art. For instance, Agaetis Byrjun, is the Baby Alien Fetus album, then there’s the Parentheses album, which I don’t think actually has a name. And in this case, I declare the 2008 release, Med Sud ieyrum Vid Splium Endalaust, to be referred to as the “Let’s go streaking!” album. And the idea clearly worked out for the boys. Running around naked sure put some spring into their step, for this album is the sunniest side I have ever heard from Sigur Ros. (And they sound rather good happy!)<br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Med Sud ieyrum Vid Splium Endalaust actually translates into “With a buzz in our ears we play endlessly.” Takk, released in 2005, was a nice playful introduction to the sound that Sigur Ros is trying to bring with this album. Sigur Ros is commonly known for making nine minute pieces, starting small with pillowy vocals which then escalade to full blown out orchestral movements with epic results. They are quite good at stirring the human emotions. They are intense, but in the most remarkable way possible. The “Let’s go streaking,” album I feel is trying to steer away from that particular style, and gear itself into a more affective, pop-oriented sound, which requires a lot less patience. The mood is light and airy. The song structures are stripped down, with many of the songs being four minutes or less.<br /></div><br /><div> </div><div>The listener becomes aware of this transformation with the first ten seconds of the album with <em>Gobbledigook</em>.<em> Gobbledigook</em>, not only is a great name for a song, but it is also the best thing that has happened to Sigur Ros in a long, long time. This song has brought them to the next level. I was sucked in with the first listen. The thumping percussions provide great momentum throughout. And the production on the background vocals, is something new, and is damn brilliant. The brightness flows onto the next track, which holds a very similar pace and presence. Its energy is tucked away in track three, but builds back again in <em>Vid Splium Endalaust</em>.<br /></div><br /><div>Overall, it’s a wonderful new direction for them, but at the same time they still remain centered. Med Sud ieyrum Vid Splium Endalaust hasn’t turned the page completely. Sigur Ros aren’t necessarily ready to let go from what has made them who they are. <em>Festival</em>, like many songs before, starts off at a leisurely pace, bringing the innocence of a boy’s choir. Then five minutes in, a shift happens, drums and strings grab hold and lift the song away to something astonishing. It’s not to say that the album looses its glee here, but its happiness is not forced fed like in the beginning tracks. The remainder of the “Let’s go streaking!” album resurfaces the familiar arrangements of Sigur Ros, leaving the listener with more of a serene feeling of contentment. Which, I guess, is still a form of happiness, but perhaps a more genuine and sincere one.<br /></div><br /><div> </div><div>See the thing with Sigur Ros is you either get their music or you don’t. It’s definitely not for everyone, and I understand that, and it’s something that can’t be forced either. When I first meet someone who enjoys music, I will usually ask them their thoughts on Sigur Ros. (To this I am secretly trying to find the person who feels exactly the same way that I do about them… And I have not found that yet.) For me, Sigur Ros strikes a deep-chord that is untouched by any other group. It is, without a doubt, the most beautiful music I have ever heard. It’s profound and brings me to another level of understanding. And the fact that this feeling is all based around their melodies alone is ever the more powerful. To this day, I have not translated any of their songs to English. And I don’t intend to. They could be singing, “I like sweet potatoes and brown rice,” for all I know. I’m not sure why they would, but I don’t care either. It sounds perfect the way it is. Nothing can still my heart and create utter silence the way that their music can. It is pure and it’s extraordinary, and yes, it can bring me to tears.<br /></div><br /><div><em>*Favorite Track(s): Luni Mer Syugur Vitleysingur/ All Alright*</em><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong></div><br /><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">7. FRIGHTENED RABBIT – Midnight Organ Fight</span></strong><br /></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnyacufv8tFMOfJHh48kq2bSKH9gylaODi5V-z2SL0SxwFTP1LkeUgCBhsRsNeXwPhZZxIBBorhKJhSWa8M7f2Z5iK2z7DwLNzihgebnqIOAOZVKFf8jGI76HTGV3N3e3HzgIfT9lb2Jw/s1600-h/rabbit.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296905950812577810" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 134px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 130px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnyacufv8tFMOfJHh48kq2bSKH9gylaODi5V-z2SL0SxwFTP1LkeUgCBhsRsNeXwPhZZxIBBorhKJhSWa8M7f2Z5iK2z7DwLNzihgebnqIOAOZVKFf8jGI76HTGV3N3e3HzgIfT9lb2Jw/s200/rabbit.jpg" border="0" /></a>Once upon a time there was a girl. And one day this girl found herself shopping for a pair of tights at Urban Outfitters. As she strolled past the girly flannels and oversized sweaters, she became fixed upon a beautiful melody - one that she had never heard before. She quickly went over to a boy who worked there, and said, “What is this sweet song that I am so drawn to?” To that he said, “Umm, I don’t know… But let me go check.” So he did. “The band is Frightened Rabbit, he came back to say.” And to that she said. “Oh.”<br /></div><br /><br /><div>And that’s the true story of how I became familiar with Frightened Rabbit. Midnight Organ Fight, the second album of Frightened Rabbit, clocks in at 7. This was another must in my list. I spent a good amount of time with these songs – and it just so happened that this album coincided with a good time of year. The weather was gorgeous. I just found a park with endless trees and trails. My family was healthy, friends were happy, and I was gitty about a boy… And yes, I was also really digging Frightened Rabbit’s Midnight Organ Fight - especially <em>Old Old Fashioned</em>! This song is so cheerful it makes one want to fucking skip. I loved it, and still do.<br /></div><br /><div> </div><div>As a whole this album is very good. It’s not a groundbreaking sound, for it does carry the same features as other bands from Scotland do – like the Frames for example. But it does have its own uniqueness. Scott Hutchinson’s vocals would not be summarized as brilliant. They peak and scratch at some points, but it sounds authentic. Because Hutchinson does not conceal this, it makes his songs more genuine and believable. Sometimes showing one’s flaws is a good thing. And this case it’s exactly that. A polished sound would not fit his style. Hutchinson sings mostly about relationships, and the different ways someone of interest can make you feel – the notably good and the gut-wrenching bad. It brings the feeling of adolescence. It’s flows freely and is full of nervous and urgent energy.<br /></div><br /><div><em>The Twist</em> stands out mostly for its dynamic chords on keyboard and balanced beats on percussion. But I have to admit, I’m attracted mostly to Hutchinson’s direct and honest lyrics – which is apparent throughout Midnight Organ Fight. (Though Hutchinson admits that his words aren’t all directly correlated to his life, some are based off of mere situations.) In <em>The Twist</em> he talks of a one night stand. At first he dismisses his feelings stating, <em>“You Twist and whisper the wrong name. I don’t care nor do my ears. Twist yourself around me, I need company, I need human heat.”</em> As the song progresses he becomes more self-conscious, and in the last stanza he despondently pleads, <em>“Twist and whisper the right name. I’m David, please. Twist as if you’re just like me. You need company, you need human heat.”</em> Another personal favorite song of mine is <em>Backwards Walk</em>. It’s about being in a relationship, that clearly is no good, but for some reason you continue to come back to try to make it work. As the song builds an infectious beat kicks in – and so does his realization, <em>“You’re the shit and I’m knee deep in it.”</em> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Midnight Organ Fight is chocked full of wonderful heartfelt songs, and I’ve grown more attached to them with every listen. Poke could be the most sincere song I’ve heard in a long time. This album as a whole reminds me of fist loves and those infinite feelings that surround your world. They’re unshakable, and you think those feelings will never end… And then somehow then they do.<br /></div><br /><div></div><div><em>*Favorite Track(s): Old Old Fashioned/ Backwards Walk*</em><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">8. JENS LEKMAN – Night Falls Over Kortedala</span></strong><br /></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPa14sJIl_8ENHUM18YM6-nWov9Bz9ytJYaQq4SSSqhSNpFBMkXrmvVszKzF7xIzhIiVReSgu8tCvsRqAc2jslV1WfN-qDuAVJtukRUOtEOYL37jlp8O6jiv95AsNXgoh1lruNOxPIa0Y/s1600-h/jensfrontcover.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296908977460892962" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 137px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 142px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPa14sJIl_8ENHUM18YM6-nWov9Bz9ytJYaQq4SSSqhSNpFBMkXrmvVszKzF7xIzhIiVReSgu8tCvsRqAc2jslV1WfN-qDuAVJtukRUOtEOYL37jlp8O6jiv95AsNXgoh1lruNOxPIa0Y/s200/jensfrontcover.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div>I think Jens Lekman (pronounced Yens) put on many puppet shows as a child… Not that such an activity is a bad thing at all. I support the Arts! Matter of fact, I transformed my laundry room into a wonderful theater as a child and had many sell out performances myself. And by sell out I mean, my mother and father watching grudgingly on the couch. But Lekman, wow, this Swedish cat can put on a show!! – And still does, except his acts these days are very profitable and don’t require sock puppets.<br /></div><br /><br /><div>Let me first say that this album was issued in late 2007, but having discovered this album in 2008, and because it’s a genius piece of work, I’m including it here at 8. </div><br /><br /><div>To get you started I would have to say that Jens Lekman is a cross between The Magnetic Fields and the overly flamboyant, not pompous, side of Rufus Wainwright. (I still love thee Rufus!) Now throw in an entire orchestrated musical that makes Mama Mia look mediocre … That is Night Falls Over Kortedala!!<br /></div><br /><div></div><div> </div><div>This guy is a damn pop genius! There is so much thought and creativity involved in each of these tracks, which evolve through styles of doo-wop (<em>A Postcard To Nina, Kanske Ar Jag Kar i Dig</em>), hip-hop (<em>I’m Leaving You Because I Don’t Love You</em>), and something you might find during a matinee show on the Love Boat. (<em>Sipping On the Sweet Nectar, Friday Night At The Drive-In-Bingo</em>). This might sound intriguing or something more of a complete mess, but Night Falls Over Kortedala really is a refreshing and justifiably good album.<br /></div><br /><div>Now on to Lekman’s vocals. Very respectable. This boy had some training. Lekman’s lyrics? Clever, comical, strange, and flat out odd… so yeah, very appealing to say the least. In general, I take lyrics very seriously. But I’m fascinated with Lekman’s humorous style. His far-fetched stories are a perfect pairing with his musical backdrops. In <em>Your Arms Around Me</em>, Lekman talks of cutting an avocado, when he was startled by his lover and cuts off his finger. He’s so taken back by his lover’s beauty (and one would think the loss of the blood) he passes out. Next thing he knows he’s laying on a dirty hospital couch with a bloody hand wrapped in toilet paper. But these shocking discoveries come just secondary to the infatuation he has towards his lover. Time slows in the song and he sings dreamily <em>“You put your arms around me.”</em> Lekman definitely has a roundabout way of expressing his point, but he pulls it off exceptionally.<br /></div><br /><div></div><div> </div><div>Overall, Night Falls Over Kortedala is fun and full of listening surprises. It’s tastefully structured and delightfully so. I can’t stress enough how much is compacted in this album. It damn near blows my mind every time I hear it! And yes, his style is not “one-size fits all” but anyone who appreciates music hopefully will understand how talented and gifted this guy is. So listen with an OPEN MIND, and enjoy!<br /></div><br /><div><em>*Favorite Track: The Opposite Of Hallelujah*</em><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">9. VAMPIRE WEEKEND – S/T</span></strong><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEc2_ON5rIcB_k4rfkbK-zU8YL7FSa8vTb4Gq02_Jr7uKLKhGHlOhkAPdlSH0o69TXeWpmBiz2KwGOqoDuQ0tszQ5Lss7laQqtnly-EnvigW9zo0JhfOn3vDtWJxb08d-lRhVfpMJ1owk/s1600-h/vampireweekend.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296910140582080962" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 141px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEc2_ON5rIcB_k4rfkbK-zU8YL7FSa8vTb4Gq02_Jr7uKLKhGHlOhkAPdlSH0o69TXeWpmBiz2KwGOqoDuQ0tszQ5Lss7laQqtnly-EnvigW9zo0JhfOn3vDtWJxb08d-lRhVfpMJ1owk/s200/vampireweekend.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />For some reason I wasn’t going to include this album on my list. And then I realized that thought was just damn silly. All the kids adored this album – and so did I. I will, however, keep this review at a reasonable length; because I’m sure you read a zillion of VW reviews already.<br /></div><br /><br /><div>So now, wasn’t Vampire Weekend fun to bop to!? With its Afro-pop, new wave ska sound, their self-titled debut was a hit at first listen. Everything about it, from its meticulous tempo to their catchy guitar riffs, is easily understood and widely accepted. Vampire Weekend definitely took away a few lessons away from Paul Simon’s solo work, especially Graceland. <em>Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa</em> shows no shame in that. But Vampire Weekend does offer a lot more than its influences demonstrate. Their sound can also be funky and unique. I’ve never heard the harpsichord sound so hip and cool than the way it does in <em>M79</em>.<br /></div><br /><br /><div>Overall, I’m impressed with the down to earth sensation that comes with Vampire Weekend. Their laid back, collegiate rock keeps things grounded. This is a perfect example of the “less is more” scenario. Thanks to the great production work, their songs appear uncomplicated. But I’m sure a lot of work went in to conveying such a simple sound. And as it has it, their unpretentious style worked, because Vampire Weekend’s debut shot right to the top. No simmering for these gentlemen. And I guess they rightfully deserve it.<br /></div><br /><br /><div><em>*Favorite Track(s): (This one was hard!) A-Punk/ Blake’s Got a New Face*</em><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><div><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></div><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">10. THE DODOS – Visiter</span></strong><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6Egx8SH-Z3xEEZvc8ASltd7uxbq8ifu0ZSsBNukd_-Mi9AQao6NBgfv_jAwKuVmjNR9pbEHEleFur7YR6wCPeIZjl1-DYg7y4TfCtL94u61rgtJBKIbooKF75IVN6lQhBiSl_gy5Mps/s1600-h/dodos.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296922065863778226" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 142px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 144px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6Egx8SH-Z3xEEZvc8ASltd7uxbq8ifu0ZSsBNukd_-Mi9AQao6NBgfv_jAwKuVmjNR9pbEHEleFur7YR6wCPeIZjl1-DYg7y4TfCtL94u61rgtJBKIbooKF75IVN6lQhBiSl_gy5Mps/s200/dodos.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><div>Me likie The Dodos. I need to do a little more research on them, but I’ll share with you what I do know. The Dodos consist of two members, and one of them used to play drums in a metal band. That’s the extent of my knowledge. If this was a test, I obviously would fail. Oh, and Visiter is spelled wrong on purpose, but I forget why… So, yeah, instead of trying to charm you with facts that I clearly don’t know, you’ll just have to settle for my thoughts.<br /></div><br /><div> </div><div>In general, their sound could be compared to something of Panda Bear or the less eccentric side of Devendra Banhart. Now take out the majority of instruments and just leave an acoustic guitar and a drum set. That would be The Dodos. And this is their debut.<br /></div><br /><div>Most of the songs on Visiter involve a traditional style of acoustic guitar, composed yet compelling vocals, and a very different approach to playing the drums - which just so happens to be exceptionally good, and never overbearing. It’s polite, but effective. Perhaps what makes the drums sound so distinctive on Visiter is that he plays everything that is, and or around, the drum set, and does so at a moderately fast speed. (That’s where the metal experience comes in.) During <em>Fools</em> the percussion beat comes solely from the rim of the snare. A technique he is fond of, for it resurfaces a few times in the album. (<em>Ashley, The Season</em>)<br /></div><br /><div> </div><div>On some tracks we get some yummy layering from other instruments, such as a toy piano (<em>Red and Purple</em>) and de-tuned trombone. (<em>It’s That Time Again</em>). The time change is switched constantly to shift the pace of the album, and keep you on your toes. <em>Joe’s Waltz</em> starts slow then progresses to a great deal of acoustic energy and cluster of chaotic screams and shouting. Now that I think of it, there are actually a few periods of disorderly yelling on this album, but I don’t mind. It adds character.<br /></div><br /><div>(Awkward Pause) Ummm, yeah, I’m just going to stop here. Sorry. Apparently I failed in this review too, because evidently I don’t have much to say about The Dodos. (Is that bad?) So if you take anything away from these last three paragraphs of crap, let it be this - know that I like them, and I think Visiter is worth listening to… The Dodos aren’t as bad as this shitty review, I promise.<br /></div><br /><div><em>*Favorite Track: Fools*<br /></em></div><br /><br /><div></div><div>Side Note: <em>Undeclared</em> should have been the “that song” they used in Juno.<br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">11. KINGS OF LEON – Only By The Night<br /></div></span></strong><br /><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvsjSy8mMh-TGkqhS9sRUforr7RT1pXUQGfr5YRT-XQLZzKOTSeh8MXyoBVP_daskevhVd_g8wkA4loRfM_xvKayODVWTBOOrP1-yPkb8wu9_mJkPhyFhfcf0I-p14fiaB_3O6cgWGiv8/s1600-h/kings_of_leon_OBTN_cover_select.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296913852528034274" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 143px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 136px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvsjSy8mMh-TGkqhS9sRUforr7RT1pXUQGfr5YRT-XQLZzKOTSeh8MXyoBVP_daskevhVd_g8wkA4loRfM_xvKayODVWTBOOrP1-yPkb8wu9_mJkPhyFhfcf0I-p14fiaB_3O6cgWGiv8/s200/kings_of_leon_OBTN_cover_select.jpg" border="0" /></a>Oh Kings of Leon… (Drawn out sigh) I, like many of you readers, am proud to be able to say “I remember when.” Yes, the Kings of Leon have officially made it. They have transformed themselves to a superstar group, and are no longer our little secret. Next stop arenas and outdoor pavilions, and $40 tickets. (Wait, that’s how much I paid to just see them... skunked again!) Usually this point of stardom is about the time when my love fades, so someone else can pick it up - But no, not in this case… because <em>Sex on Fire</em> is a fucking great song. Gosh damn it, it is! Yes, <em>Sex On Fire</em> is the winner of my favorite commercial-radio song of the year. Woo-Hoo!(Sorry MGMT... )<br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>And it’s not just those three and a half minutes of sexual angst that gets me going, Only By the Night as a whole proves that indie bands CAN be successful and still be good. Only By the Night was the quickest album that KOL have made to date. And you can tell. The song structures aren’t as complex, however they still work, and continue to bring that “Kings of Leon Coooool”. They actually have this pop rock thing down, and do it quite well.<br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Unfortunately what comes with this newly claim to fame is us “want to be know-it-alls” have a tendency to keep pushing them back down. I have on a few occasions uttered such similar lines as “I miss the grit and rawness they used to bring. I want the <em>Day Old Blues</em> back. I want them to kick <em>The Bucket</em> again. And you might be <em>Happy Alone</em>, but man, <em>Molly’s Chambers</em> and <em>Joe’s Head</em> seems like the place to be…” But, alas, it is the year for embracing change, so I will do just that. For now the members of KOL have moved on from their dirty, filthy rock and transcended themselves to a new level with crisp sounds and smooth transitions. However, a few songs still carry the appeal of their earlier works. For instance something that could be on Because of the Times is <em>Crawl</em>. It has a great attitude about it, and just oozes masculinity. The muffled bass guitar evokes a soft type of industrial sound, and comes off very unique to the ear. <em>Be Somebody</em> still has those ‘I don’t give a fuck’ mannerisms about it – Definitely the gutsiness that stems from Youth & Young Manhood.<br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>A great thing that does shine through on Only By The Night is Caleb Followill’s vocals. They finally get the spotlight they deserve. Sorry to the three other Followhills, but Caleb IS Kings of Leon. On <em>Revelry</em> and <em>Use Somebody</em>, the guitars and drums remain mere scenery. The stage is set for Caleb, and Caleb alone. Although this is a very safe album for him, his voice, with the help of backing vocals, still sounds powerful and complete. It definitely surpassed expectations.<br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>In closing, regardless what direction Kings of Leon go from here, I have a feeling they still will remain the band we all want them to be. They have done this for many years now, and they still have the rock capabilities to grab you fellows by the balls, and put us ladies’ panties in a bunch… Though I like getting mistreated with a little KOL rock, I would not test them. They are, and will remain that good.<br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><em>*Favorite Track: Sex On Fire*</em> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Dutchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07256293424884448514noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1922944055296294978.post-2279318792476366392009-01-19T15:47:00.004-05:002009-01-19T15:57:25.792-05:00NapTime's 2008 Top Album ListThat's right bitches - I only create prime number lists. So, without further ado, my top 11 of the (otherwise average) year in no particular order other than what came to mind first...<br /><br /><br />1. Delta Spirit - Ode to Sunshine. One of a handful of the new artists to catch my attention this year. Delta Spirit continues the retro-rock trend, but where most bands in the genre tend to lean toward 60’s-era Brit-pop, Delta Spirit is decidedly more American with a more traditional folk sound. An upright piano conjures very cool images of handlebar mustaches and saloon-style swinging doors on some songs.<br /><br />2. Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks - Real Emotional Trash. Another solid album from SM. More blues rock and guitar-driven than previous releases, yet the playfulness and sardonic wit we’ve grown to love and expect from SM are still there. Dragonfly Pie, Cold Son, Gardenia and Wicked Wanda highlight the album.<br /><br />3. Department of Eagles - In Ear Park. Shades of the Beatles, Radiohead, and the Beta Band. Nice orchestral arrangements and dynamic buildups in many of the songs on this album. Herringbone straight into Classical Records gets a vote for best back-to-back songs in tandem for the year.<br /><br />4. Deer hunter - Microcastle. Best double album of the year. The middle of the first album is a weak spot, but fans of VU and the Pixies should be ultimately pleased with the overall package. Nothing Ever Happened and Operation are favorite tracks thus far. The second disc is more experimentally ambitious, but equally engaging.<br /><br />5. MGMT - Oracular Spectacular. Another new band with a fun energy. This album embraces its own pop sound and makes no apologies (not that it needs to).<br /><br />6. Dr. Dog - Fate. Dr. Dog is turning into one of the more consistent bands out there. Consistently underrated too! Think Beatles, The Band, and even some ‘50s and ‘60s Philly R&B mixed in. Also has some of that wild west saloon type of upright piano that I loved about Delta Spirit.<br /><br />7. TV On the Radio - Dear Science. Probably one of the more deservedly hyped album over the past couple years. For some reason I grew a bit tired of Fleet Foxes and Vampire Weekend after a while - not this one.<br /><br />8. The Airborne Toxic Event. Wow, first impression of the single, Sometime Around Midnight, was one of a poppy ballad by a one- hit-wonder band. But thankfully the album as a whole is much deeper than that. Fans of Okkervil River, the Clash and U2 should really like this band.<br /><br />9. Portishead - Third. My favorite Portishead album yet. Like their other albums, the overall mood of Third is dark and creates a sense of foreboding, like the best Film Noir Soundtracks. Two words sum this one up - The Rip.<br /><br />10. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago. Just started spinning this one recently, but I already know how much I will like it. Best of this year’s “Acoustic Singer-Songwriter” variety. Warms you up inside.<br /><br />11. Okkervil River - The Stand Ins. Maybe not quite as good as it’s predecessor, The Stage Names, but OR is one of the more consistent bands out there right now. Love the lead singer’s vocal style.<br /><br />Honorable Mention:<br /><br />Sigur Ros - Umm…the one from 2008...<br />Portugal. The Man - Censored ColorsUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1922944055296294978.post-59652071409891441222009-01-12T16:12:00.000-05:002009-01-12T19:03:09.045-05:00Best of the Best 2008 *starring Eric Roberts!My slightly slap-dash 2008 Best Of Choices… Some of which may not fall EXACTLY into the Jan.2008-Dec.2008 release window… but for one reason or another is still included herein. In no particular order except #1, Without further ado:<br /><br />“Drum roll please Rusty…”<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQprEVDRZ9a_LeHfJ8h6YM-vfFDj48qpoPbD_6S9949DfU-1GkjXdGAE_xxPzR3C4TD4yBYWAGzyaiy7cuyEuPfPVkhZEwaJb2S6eT1zN7H3WqYp8sGMMaSpcNP307ubTaz9IXnSOKdC0/s1600-h/Rusty+%26+The+Griz%27s.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290522805338446146" style="width: 326px; height: 142px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQprEVDRZ9a_LeHfJ8h6YM-vfFDj48qpoPbD_6S9949DfU-1GkjXdGAE_xxPzR3C4TD4yBYWAGzyaiy7cuyEuPfPVkhZEwaJb2S6eT1zN7H3WqYp8sGMMaSpcNP307ubTaz9IXnSOKdC0/s320/Rusty+%26+The+Griz%27s.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br />1. Portugal. The Man – “<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Censored-Colors-Portugal-Man/dp/B001DSNG0Y/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1228795451&sr=8-1">Censored Colors</a>” – My absolute must pick #1, as this album surprised me by coming out of relative obscurity for a band I had only recently just discovered & turned yet another new, genre-bending page for them. With this album they continue to impress me with their refusal to be pigeon-holed in one style.. The first album is the secret love child of the Mars Volta & Minus the bear, while the 2nd album took a similar approach while blending in elements of classic rock & more traditional ambient rock vibes… Finally, the amazing “Censored Colors” did a creative 180 & pushed boundaries into folk, 60’s pop, & acoustic noodling with dribbles of cello, violin, & rich horns tossed in for atmosphere. A definite must recommend “7 Thumbs Up” for me.<br /><br />2. Beck – “<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Modern-Guilt-Beck/dp/B0019GAOI2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1228795476&sr=1-1">Modern Guilt</a>” – A fantastic return to form for Beck, an artist who can continue to do “the Same thing” subjectively every 2-3 years & still craft albums that are like ear-gasmic, bluesy, trip-hoppy, goodness. Particularly, “Modern Guilt” was supported by Danger Mouse on production who was able to build a sonic palette for Beck close enough to his early Dust Brothers inspiration w/ tinges of enough solid funk, soul, & just a smidgen of rock- country swirled around w/ electronic breakbeat pleasure. All in all, not a huge divergence for Beck as an artist, but a truly enjoyable, solid listen & a great resume builder for Danger Mouse.<br /><br />3. Radiohead – “<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rainbows-Radiohead/dp/B000YXMMAE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1228795497&sr=1-1">In Rainbows</a>” – This will go down as my 1 (only 1?) entry that doesn’t quite qualify as 2008. Fortunately this album’s release was sooo unprecedented & groundbreaking that it needed an official “record store” release for 2008 & that’s where I get to group it happily in with our reviews here. I put this album very near the top of my 2008 list with a big smile as Radiohead has been a band for the last few years that I didn’t know what to expect from. Would they do another electronic fueled beat collage album w/ Thom Yorke & Colin Greenwood going ape crap on the drum machines & synthesizers?... would they return whole-heartedly to their rock roots leaving behind the iffy-ness of their electronic indulgences?... or would they meet somewhere in the middle to my, & most other fans, absolute delight & excitement? -- The latter seemed to be the case in 2008 as Radiohead delivered their strongest album since OK Computer, in my humble opinion. “In Rainbows” is such a wonderfully pulsing, rhythmic delight mixing the best Radiohead guitar & bass work together w/ the synths & sweeps that they made famous on Kid A… listening to “15 Step”, & “Jigsaw Falling Into Place”, I feel 17 again.. being overjoyed w/ this sense of a warm blanket being wrapped around me & my ears as the familiar Radiohead crescendo of sound surrounds me. Highs, Lows, Drum Rolls, & Thom through it all singing like he’s re-invigorated both creatively lyrically & musically. I can’t say enough good things about this album as it has re-ignited my absolute love for Radiohead & has left me captivated as to what may possibly come next.<br /><br />4. Dr. Dog – “<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fate-Dr-Dog/dp/B0018TAFW0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1228795520&sr=1-1">Fate</a>” – Dr. Dog was a surprise discovery for me this year...and yet I have fallen in love with this band this year, as I have very few other bands *Cough* *See the rest of this list* Fate is an album that has this bare-bones, stripped down, acoustic-y feeling without actually being bare-bones, stripped down, or entirely acoustic. It makes you feel like you’re in a local attic listening to them harmonize & craft these melodies to an 8 track that’s held together w/ spit & bailing wire, & yet managing to come out with a wonderfully poppy, dusty, folk rock record. Very humble, warm, & endearing – while retaining its’ sparse & simple yet fairly enthralling arrangements. All in all though, these guys come down to their wonderful harmonizing. The vocal layering on tracks like “Breeze”, “Hang On”, & “100 Years” evokes the obvious comparisons to the Beach Boys & Beatles but never feels stale or un-interesting. They make you feel like you’ve grown up listening to them even if you’ve just heard it for the first time.<br /><br />5. MGMT – “<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Oracular-Spectacular-MGMT/dp/B0010VD7EO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1228795543&sr=1-1">Oracular Spectacular</a>” – Whoa. Who the hell are these guys? The album cover says so much in its strange, ambiguous, oddity of what you may or may not expect from actually hearing this band. The opening single “Time to Pretend” was the perfect inspiring introduction to this band proclaiming their musical, spiritual, & societal independence… “This is our decision, to live fast & die young, we’ve got the vision, now let’s have some fun…. Yeah, it’s overwhelming, but what else can we do, get jobs in offices, & wake up for the morning commute?”… aaaah, how badly can we all relate to that one line alone? With their strangely erratic yet intriguing soundscapes speckled with pieces of late 70’s disco, mid 80’s new wave, late 90’s ambient rock & today’s indie pop, these guys have crafted a quirky, endearing, musical surprise that looks & sounds like a happy acid trip. It’s just awesome.<br /><br />6. Kings of Leon – “<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Only-Night-Kings-Leon/dp/B001C3KCSY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1228795580&sr=1-1">Only By The Night</a>” – From the opening guitar plucking bubbly introduction of “Closer”, this album signals quite a departure for the Kings from the thrashy, stop & start rhythms of “Because of the Times’ – “Charmer”. A much more accomplished, reflective, & musically thorough endeavor in my opinion, that has elevated these guys from just another southern rock band with a punky demeanor to a band that stands poised to inherit the future of Rock & Roll from our U2, Black Crowes, & the like. I have to say “Use Somebody” with its distant vocal harmony opening, plaintive crooning from frontman Caleb Followill, & tumultuous exploratory rocking rhythms is the perfect example of the band that the Kings of Leon are fast becoming on “Only By The Night”. Definitely one of my stand out tracks for its simple yet interesting complexity. Upon repeated listens, thanks to its multi-faceted genre exploration, mixed with all the best elements of the old Kings material, “Only By The Night” is by FAR my favorite Kings album to date.<br /><br />7. Ra Ra Riot – “<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rhumb-Line-Ra-Riot/dp/B001B92EHG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1228795622&sr=1-1">The Rhumb Line</a>” – I have fallen head over heels for this album & this band! From the wonderful opening to “Ghosts Under Rocks” that just gets right under my skin with its building deep cello lines, plucking violin strings, frantic snares & choruses of “Oh-Oh’s” perfectly rising into the first verse from lead singer Wesley Miles proclaiming “All, All, All your soaking wet dreams, You’ve spent them – You have gone & dreamt them – Dry, now you ask your babies, why, why, why…” This is deep, deep stuff, a large portion of it owed to the tragic death of the bands original drummer, John Ryan Pike, who drowned in the ocean after a Massachusetts show in 2007… who had also written a large majority of the material for this album along with the remaining members. Even slightly haunting with that specter over or around its release, this album still holds onto its fun as well. Leaning along with friends & musical co-horts, Vampire Weekend, into that slightly orchestral, world influenced, indie pop world, Ra Ra Riot have managed to capture such a rich, textured & fulfilling sound with “The Rhumb Line” that I couldn’t help but be captivated after a few listens. Songs such as “St. Peter’s Day Festival” with its bouncy, dub inflected punctuation, to the other side of the spectrum with the cello-infused “Run My Mouth” have propelled this album to one of my most recent favorites of 2008. Gracing the listener with an at times whimsical, at times heart-breaking collection of songs, “The Rhumb Line” is probably hands down in my Top 3 for the year even though I’m hating to actually put any of these wonderful albums into a consistent order.<br /><br />8. Vampire Weekend – “<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vampire-Weekend/dp/B0010V4TZU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1228795641&sr=1-1">Vampire Weekend</a>” – This album was a wonderful, indie delight. This band clawed their way up from non-existent, college dorm basement performance obscurity to briefly explode on the indie pop rock scene & get everyone all riled up the way many other artists on this list, this year also have,….. but something about this album is a little different. Maybe it’s the sprinkling of world music, & the fact that if you didn’t know better you’d swear they were from the UK, that makes this record stand out this year -- but this album is so much fun & is such a surprise to listen to with spunky tempo’s & off kilter rhythms, that it doesn’t really matter where they came from or how they got here… It’s what it makes you feel. It makes me feel good & at times even makes me laugh. The name alone shows that these guys have a sense of humor about their music & it’s safe to assume, themselves. I have to admit that this album is a tough descript, I can’t say so much what grabs me about this album except that it’s just so undeniably catchy & yet still so rewarding. All-in-all a really fun listen.<br /><br />9. The Mars Volta – “<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bedlam-Goliath-Mars-Volta/dp/B000ZK4466/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1228795660&sr=1-1">The Bedlam in Goliath</a>” – “Holy Flarkin Shnit, Batman!”, this album is like a fantastic punch in the nuts! Seriously, that is not a knee-jerk reaction. This album is like what would happen if you were actually punched in your privates but somehow found it enjoyable. Close your eyes & imagine for a moment what that must be like (S&M freakish-ness aside)… it’s weird. This pummeling, squelching, screeching, rollicking, rolling, thrash-a-thon, perfectly contrasted with the high-pitched, nasal vocals of Cedric Bixler-Zayala & the bad ass guitar virtuouso-ness of Omar Rodriguez-Lopez to create an amazing, jolting sonic explosion that feels like a perfect return for a band that had begun to venture down the path of latin-tinged, prog-rock obscurity. I absolutely cannot say enough about how kick-damn-ass this album was & still is this year! This album represents everything that I have ever really loved about Hard-Rock / Metal, flying at your ears & face at about Mach-3 (although anything with horns can be hard pressed to be called Metal – Candiria not included). Swirling around & hitting you about the face & body like a musical tornado filled w/ nervous tension & explosive middle eastern fury, this album is just hands down- the absolute best & clearly most diverse hard rock record of the year! Although at the same time, don’t let it be thought that this album doesn’t also have its wonderfully melodic segueways & lows that build right back into fantastic pummeling crescendos. “Metatron”, “Tourniquet Man”, & “Soothsayer” are great examples of the dexterity on display here as these guys run the gamut of the musical map… up down & all in between – a fantastic hard rock record to peel away like an onion, layer by layer.<br /><br />10. Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova – “<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Swell-Season/dp/B000GH3CVQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1228795682&sr=1-1">The Swell Season</a>” (Apparently not from 2008 at all, but that’s when I was introduced to it)-- *Sob* **….. This record is one of those albums that feels like it reaches inside your chest, grabs your heart with pointed fingers, & squeezes ever so slightly. Squeezes just enough that you remember that slight sadness that comes with the vague nostalgia of youth come & gone… It’s like losing every great love of your life again, all in one listen, but at the same time feeling stronger for the experience it’s given you. An album this powerful to me, astounds me that I didn’t fall for this guy years ago in the Frames. This album is so evocative of the feeling I got when I first heard Damian Rice’s “O”….. that aching & powerfully moving construction of sweeping ballads interspersed with piano, strings, & harmony that just screams Requiem but in a good way.<br /><br />*** Honorable Mentions – for artists I fell for big time in 2008, whose album’s didn’t premier in ’08, or who just generally rocked my musical world this year but didn’t quite make the list!<br /><br />· …And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead – “So Divided” (2006)– absolutely fantastically diverse album from a band that just keeps growing & getting better. New album on its way in 2009!<br /><br />· Nicole Atkins – “Neptune City” (2007-08) – An accomplished album from a newbie singer songwriter. Evocative of so many great female folk singers through the years but striking out on her own as well. Good stuff.<br /><br />· Mt. Helium – “Faces” (2008) – For a band that hasn’t been signed to a major label since 2002, rising from the ashes of The Apex Theory… Mt. Helium delivered an album this year that creatively straddles The Mars Volta, System of a Down, old Incubus, & Muse… mixing middle eastern rhythms w/ hard prog-rock sensibilities… it’s Tops!<br /><br />· Black Diamond Bay – “Black Diamond Bay” (2008) – These guys are just a really consistently great, up & coming band who I can’t believe haven’t been signed yet. Awesome album.<br /><br />· The Budos Band – “The Budos Band II” (2007) – This album is so bad ass! An afro-beat, 70’s funk/soul conglomerate based outta Brooklyn. A jam collection for sure, the Budos Band kicked it big time at this years XPNential Fest at Wiggins Park in Camden, NJ.<br /><br />· My Morning Jacket – “Evil Urges” (2008) – Great follow up to “Z”, a different direction than what I was expecting from them after loving “Z”, but still a really satisfying release. Was definitely a close contender for the Top 10 this year.<br /><br />· Dead Confederate – “Wrecking Ball” (2008) – Weird 1990’s esque grunge rock band from the south.. Kings of Leon / My Morning Jacket meets Nirvana/Pearl Jam… none of which is bad in any way.<br /><br />· Estelle – “Shine” (2008) – The Black rapping Amy Winehouse!… mix in a little Kanye West for radio appeal & you’ve got a greatly produced Soul / R&B / Hip-hop album with a songstress that has charisma & a killer voice.<br /><br />· The Gaslight Anthem – “Sink or Swim” (2006?) – These guys are a really cool post-punk, Springsteen influenced rock band, that I’ve discovered thanks to the WXPN – Y-Rock show out of Philly.. this is a pretty dang good album. I’m still trying to dig up their supposedly better, 2008 entry “The ’59 Sound”.<br /><br />· Heatmiser – “Mic City Sons” (1996) – Elliot Smiths’ earlier band. Great, Great, Great. Hard to believe this sound was 1996.<br /><br />· Keane – “Perfect Symmetry” (2008) – Really good album, funk & dance-y, disco tinged release for Keane. Quite a startling departure from their earlier "radiohead-esque" comparisons of yesteryear. Great to hear them branch out into a direction that is all their own.<br /><br />There’s quite a few more honorable mentions but I’ve scratched the surface & that should be a pretty good start… right?<br /><br />Whew!<br />Comments, criticisms, bitter disagreements? Have at ‘em!<br /><br />* Eric Roberts is an actor who appeared in the 1989 film "The Best of the Best".<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV51sqY6WQUxB3wJE-GTRT71d6Ed0MndZVSEm2K7Ho8RfZnoZWcMX_hZNhGmtF-2r-yAfyjE-qB9hQPme4yL9ULX7H9Roja6zlUoUCCWJhXHfJpdPqmO2bbwzFOGs75ytJbMFadNnyoFI/s1600-h/Eric+Roberts+Mugshot.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV51sqY6WQUxB3wJE-GTRT71d6Ed0MndZVSEm2K7Ho8RfZnoZWcMX_hZNhGmtF-2r-yAfyjE-qB9hQPme4yL9ULX7H9Roja6zlUoUCCWJhXHfJpdPqmO2bbwzFOGs75ytJbMFadNnyoFI/s320/Eric+Roberts+Mugshot.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290561525898704594" border="0" /></a></div>Julio Von McWorthington Summers IVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17256663846333981912noreply@blogger.com0