What You’ve Been Missing
June 11, 2010 – 1:02 pmTwo quality tunes, from two quality albums:
Wolf Parade – Little Golden Age
What’s It Like…To Be Back?
June 11, 2010 – 12:27 pmThis blog has been largely dormant since the beginning of the year. Lately I have been rethinking my approach to the Internet and technology as a whole, and finding it to be more and more just a giant waste of time in many ways. Not to say blogging is a complete waste of time, but in terms of long term purpose, it really does not offer much. (I have yet to find a topic I would like to write a book about…ha ha.)
Don’t get me wrong, the internet still is a part of my day to day, and I certainly use it to keep up with news, etc. but I am becoming quickly persuaded that there are better things I can be doing with my time. And when I say internet, I should clarify that by saying surfing the web, Facebook, or just generally farting around, rather than other communication applications, such as Skype and email. I read an article recently that came out in 2008 that solidified a lot of what I have been thinking for awhile about our technology overload. Is Google Making Us Stupid? by Nicolas Carr. I do find that I have more ADD tendencies than I ever did when I was younger. I attribute a lot of that to the disjointed way information has come to be delivered. Everything has been reduced to the bite size and the immediate. There are obviously benefits associated with this, since you can get information quickly, however it does seem to reduce the ability to concentrate on one thing for an extended period of time.
I purposefully watch TV less and less with each passing year, mostly because I just do not find most of what’s on that appealing, and it uses up a lot of time. I try to force myself to read when I can, which does do wonders for quieting my mind. (That and exercise.)
Carr has a new book out called “The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains” that I recently picked up. I am not very far into it, but so far I can say, it is probably worth reading, if only for the sake of holding a mirror up to yourself and considering if the time spent using technology is worth what it has cost to your ability to think deeply and concentrate, or just do other things with your time that would benefit you more. I can’t say I buy into his whole theory of it rewiring our brains, but I do think he has a point in that habits with technology transcend to other areas of life.
I also can’t say I have any answers yet, other than to work to keep things in moderation, so as not to allow technology to become the dictator.
Big Red
March 18, 2010 – 4:18 pmI usually hate commercials, but I was oddly struck with both nostalgia and humor at this. For those of you who don’t recall, this is a remake of sorts of the Big Red commercials from the 80’s:
And the original:
Now all I have to do is see Tron Legacy later this year, and my nostalgia dosage for 2010 will be complete….
Facts About Projection
February 4, 2010 – 10:09 amStumbled across this. Simple, but interesting given how rare this is becoming.
25 Favorite Albums of 2009
December 23, 2009 – 10:35 am1. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – It’s Blitz
Listenable from start to end. They have finally achieved their full potential.
2. Viva Voce – Rose City
A great guitar album. Catchy, with just the right amount of loud.
3. Annie – Don’t Stop
One of my favorite Norwegian’s (yes, I am biased) returns to pick up where Kylie left off. This is too long coming.
4. Engineers – Three Fact Fader
Surprisingly great followup to a great first album. Some of the mellow elements are gone, but it’s a nice evolution.
5. Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
I always enjoy these guys, but this time they knocked it out of the park.
6. Atlas Sound – Logos
This dude has always weirded me out a bit, but this album reminds me of an update of 50s/60s pop, which is surprisingly accessible.
7. Sunset Rubdown – Dragonslayer
Craziness, but some truly great melodies scattered throughout.
8. Julian Plenti – Julian Plenti Is…Skyscraper
Enough to hold me over until Interpol returns again.
9. Metric – Fantasies
I want to love this album, but I think it’s missing the guitar of the previous albums that I liked so much. Still a great/underrated album though.
10. The Postmarks – Memoirs At The End Of The World
Inspired by James Bond/spy flick soundtracks, and a nice divergence from the usual fare.
Listen: The Postmarks – No One Said This Would Be Easy
11. The Raveonettes – In and Out Of Control
Disappointing from a lyrical perspective, but still strong musically.
12. Bombay Bicycle Club – I Had The Blues But I Shook Them Loose
There was a lack of British bands this year, but this was one of the standouts.
13. The Legends – Over And Over
Interesting blend of Jesus and Mary Chain sounds with his almost twee vox. Some of his early stuff is more accessible.
14. The Wooden Birds – Magnolia
I’m not sure where things stand with American Analog Set, but Andrew Kenny still manages to put out simple, enjoyable acoustic songs no matter who it’s with.
15. Air – Love 2
Some of the best work they’ve done in a while.
16. Junior Boys – Begone Dull Care
17. Neko Case – Middle Cyclone
18. Valerie and Friends – S/T
19. The XX – S/T
20. The Dead Weather – Horehound
21. Yo La Tengo – Popular Songs
22. Bat For Lashes – Two Suns
23. Deastro – Moondagger
24. Royksopp – Junior
25. Sorcerer – Neon Leon
15 Favorite Tunes of 2009
December 21, 2009 – 12:02 pm1. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Zero
This song reminds me of a laser beam, or an 8-bit racecar game. I can’t decide which.
2. Viva Voce – Red Letter Day
Like a long lost song from an Ennio Morricone spaghetti western soundtrack.
3. Engineers – Sometimes I Realise
The hardest rocking song of 2009. Period.
4. Sunset Rubdown – Idiot Heart
A three part opus on life.
5. Bat For Lashes – Siren Song
My favorite track off one of the more interesting releases of 2009.
6. Phoenix – 1901
In all likelihood you’ve already heard this.
7. Metric – Gimme Sympathy
The best use of synth I’ve heard in a while.
8. Bombay Bicycle Club – Always Like This
Awesome boy/girl harmonies at the end of this one.
9. Atlas Sound – Walkabout
“What did you want to be when you grew up?”
10. Andrew Bird – Tenuousness
The whistling on this will get stuck in your head.
11. Lovers – Wrestling Horses
This song reminds me of some of the better moments of 90s pop.
12. The Raveonettes – Bang!
I’m glad there’s always the Raveonettes keeping twang alive and well.
13. Neko Case – This Tornado Loves You
Middle Cyclone didn’t impress me as much as some of her past work, but this track is great.
14. St. Vincent – Actor Out Of Work
Probably the best new female vocalist I heard this year, even though she has been around for awhile.
15. Yo La Tengo – Here To Fall
The best thing they’ve done in years. Epic.
Some you may not have heard, but worth a listen:
Generationals – When They Fight They Fight
Best Shows Of 2009
December 15, 2009 – 11:35 am2009 was a really slow year in terms of shows. As I recall the tours that came through town, it seems to me that the recession was not good to Nashville in terms of concerts. In fact, it was downright sparse. I can’t really say I’m complaining all that much though. I am finding I am much more selective these days.
1. Andrew Bird and St. Vincent – Ryman Auditorium
This was probably the best concert I think I’ve seen at the Ryman. I’ve seen a lot of good acts there. Interpol, The Strokes, Belle and Sebastian and a few others. For some reason though, Andrew Bird seems like the perfect fit for that venue. The lightness and delicacy of his music seemed to carry perfectly through the 118 year old building. I had never really even listened to his music prior to this concert, and I actually prefer it that way. Annie Clark was also surprisingly great. Again, another musician I’d never really paid much attention to, but her vocals live are terrific. All in all, a great evening of music. If you want a taste:
2. School of Seven Bells (and BMSR) – Exit In
Black Moth Super Rainbow headlined this show, but I was there to see the Secret Machines offshoot SVIIB. Their debut album had steadily grown on me, and I’m glad I went to this. It provided one of the most thorough washes of sound since I had seen the Raveonettes. Another perfect blend of melody and distortion. I’ll be curious to see what direction the next album takes.
3. The Bad Plus – Highline Ballroom – NYC
I enjoyed this show for a wide variety of reasons. First, it was an exposure to some quality music in a style that I never listen to, progressive jazz. Second, it was in a super nice music club in New York City. The combination of the two made for an unforgettable evening. I felt like I was transported to 1950’s New York, and I was living in a movie where guys still for ties and fedoras to work. The band themselves are some of the most skilled musicians I think I’ve seen.
Phoenix on La Blogotheque
December 4, 2009 – 10:34 amLa Blogotheque has another take away show out, this one featuring Phoenix, which put out one of the best albums of the last year. If you haven’t gotten it yet, you should. Enough said…