Hug Robot Radio

Hello morning.

2007-01-12T06:15:00.000-08:00

The Golden Gate by John Vanderslice - instrumental that's oh so slow building and gentle, yet gives you an almost melancholy feeling.

Thrift Store Chair by Everclear - I really do like Everclear.

Taxi (Ave Maria) (Jacknife Lee Remix) by Perri Alleyne - End theme from 28 Days Later.

Castle (Green to Black) by Face Parade - Yar. They are no longer making sounds, but this is a nice track.

Heaven Beside You by Alice in Chains - I also really like Alice in Chains.

New Semester, new year, new worries

2007-01-11T19:41:00.002-08:00

Getting back into the groove of good ol' college life. It's a fun time to be alive. And slightly hedonistic (fuck it, very hedonistic) but very enjoyable. While reading The Rum Diary by Hunter S. Thompson, it all finally made sense. Like, perfect harmony. Live your life aaaaand make sure to enjoy it aaaand don't worry about chemical damage because we all die in the end. Very encouraging to us all. I suggest you read it.

Oh, and I really like this band that contacted me. They are called The Swimmers and they are oh so enjoyable. They really know how to pull me in with their happy vibes and bouncy sound, and everything really compliments each other. Vocals are dead on- a little high pitched, but nice and full. Not whiny like I can't stand, just good. They got their whole album streaming here and nifty myspace if you're into that. They're also touring, see if you can't catch them. (schedule at zee myspace link)

Kind of hard to describe them, but I think you will like them. Catchy songs at that. Here's two off the album, they'll be up for a total of... 7 days. And a limit of 100 downloads. Werd.

Heaven by The Swimmers
All the New Sounds by The Swimmers

Waltz #3

2006-12-03T21:48:00.000-08:00

Ah, term papers. How I love thee so.

Funny Feeling by The Delfonics - Because I've got one. I love the Delfonics man, they're so good.

Dear John by Ryan Adams and the Cardinals - Possibly the saddest song. Ever?

16, Maybe Less by Iron and Wine with Calexico - Remember this time last year when this EP was much-talked about? Yeah, they need to do more work together.

After Hours by the Velvet Underground - Because.

Fuck You Lucy by Atmosphere - The meanest, most biting horrible break up song ever. Eeeever.

Train in Vain by The Clash - So alone I keep the wolves at bay, and there's only one thing I can saaay, you didn't stand by me. No not at all.

Waltz #2

2006-11-30T06:36:00.000-08:00

It's a wonderful morning in the neighborhood, with hangovers abounding. However, with a 70 Degree November day shining in my window, I am compelled to write and share. How... wonderful?

Snow in Michigan by Christopher Sullivan - Might as well be a theme song for the season right now. I wish this guy made new music.

Walk Away by Ben Harper - How very depressing, in a way that Ben Harper's light voice could only render.

Hey, Hey by Dispatch - Say what you will about them. This song is fucking amazing. The harmony gets me every time, and the lyrics are, dare I say, perfect. They put across their self-loathing and longing for "her" oh so very well.

I Don't Feel Like Dancing by Scissor Sisters - How ironic, I really want to get up and groove to a song with a chorus that laments about not dancing.

It's a Wonderful Life by Bandits of the Acoustic Revolution - Because it is.

Theme from Symphony no. 6 by Takeshi Terauchi and the Bunnys - Japanese 60's punk covers classical music. Fucking right.

The Fools We Are as Men by Ryan Adams - Because... We are.

Waltz #1

2006-11-29T11:49:00.000-08:00

Hm. Back again? Does anyone know? Do people still read the interweb?

Songs on my mind at during a dreary day in November, which is on it's way out.

Go Out and Get It by John & Beverley Martyn - Reminds me of driving around aimlessly, but in a good way, during the summer.

She Smiled Sweetly by The Rolling Stones - Nice and depressing. Maybe because I associate it with The Royal Tenenbaums.

Sugarman by Rodriquez - I LOVE this guy. He deserves a helluva lot of fame. But he didn't get any. Atleast, not in the US. Wonderful ode to drug dealer and using them.

Glorious by Muse - Evidently a bonus track off Black Holes and Revelations.

Rainbows in the Dark by Tilly and the Wall - Opening track from their release this year.

Ladies and Gentleman by Spiritualized - Beauty, in song form.

"All I want in life's a little bit of love to take the pain away
Getting strong today
A giant step each day

And I will love you till I die
And I will love you all the time"

The Man Comes Around

2006-01-08T20:54:00.000-08:00

God, I love the American IV album by Johnny Cash.

The Man in Black was the fucking man.

I highly suggest you buy it. And not just for "hurt", though a lot of people hate on that song. Because they are lame.

I Hung My Head by Johnny Cash
In My Life by Johnny Cash

Single of the Day

2006-01-02T16:04:00.000-08:00

Swan Lake by Blackalicious and DJ Shadow

Wow. In the rap leagues of Lyrics Born, Blackalicious is badassss. And the backup beat by Shadow is great, love dem horns and the loud and bombastic intro.

Crusin down the street in my six-four Impala
Is what I'd like to be doin if only I had the dollars
A baller ain't a baller if he ain't got balls
A scholar ain't a scholar if he ain't got scho-lastic
education, and if not that, then learn from life

Okay

2005-12-30T14:42:00.000-08:00

I'm gonna jump the gun and predict a lot of people are gonna post "New Year" by Death Cab for their posts coming up on or after New Years Eve. I am too probably.

Lately I've had the misfortune to seek out a really good book, and find out that bitch Oprah has added it to her "select reads". And of course, all printed copies of them need the money, so they ALL add a sticker saying "Oprah's Book Club" on it. So when I read it in school, boy do I ever look cool! Anyways, enough ranting. A Million Little Pieces is everything you heard it is: fucking amazing. Frenetic, heartbreaking, and actually real.

Here's a little selection of songs that I could see applied to the book.

God by John Lennon
Fly by Nick Drake "please.... give me a second chance..."
Lucky by Radiohead

Anyways, I'm still kinda taking a break and enjoying no school. Sorry for lack of posts, but I'll be back in full swing with the new year!

Sombertude

2005-12-24T18:16:00.000-08:00

The feeling as of late? Somber. Just got back from a christmas eve service and I must say, it feels good to be in the holiday season. Too bad it'll be over soon, but there's always New Years Eve parties to look forward to, right?

You know whats a shame? Just finally getting a copy of the Iron and Wine with Calexico EP. I love it! I've never listened to Calexico at all and I'm starting to hear more of their stuff, I really like that song "Sunken Waltz"

So what the hell, I'll put it up for people to listen to.

Sunken Waltz by Calexico

Mrrry Christmas people!

retail!

2005-12-22T19:45:00.000-08:00

Working for a department store to pick up money during the christmas season = the worst idea ever. Gotta love the holiday rush. but, in between shopping for friends and working and enjoying student break, i've heard that supreme badass ceedee called "the mouse and the mask"

holy shit, it's like, my two favorite things: adult swim and sweet beats. anyways, i've made a rap mix for my friends, and well, why the hell not put it on here? now remember, this will be far from a comprehensive underground mix. i'm a stupid white boy who happens to like dem gangsta rap beatz.

a.t.h.f by danger doom (simply because meatwad and carl's intro. and the sweet beat. oh, and the rap is p i m p)
straight outta compton by NWA (first verse - fucking sweet, the rest is also badass, but don't have ice cube's edge)
staring at the world through my rearview by tupac (rap, with a chorus taken from a Phil Collins song? oh god yes)
bitch please II by eminem, snoop dogg, dr. dre, and xhibit, nate dogg
virginia by the clipse (because i live in virginny)
the bad touch by the bloodhound gang (because... why not? addictive chorus and great lyrics)

The List Finale

2005-12-16T18:26:00.000-08:00

And the hits just keep on coming!

Franz Ferdinand's You Could Have it So Much Better
Yeah, so what if it feels like the extra LP that could've been packaged with their last album? Is that a bad thing? Hell no it isn't. That means it's got hooks to get stuck in your head and no one, I repeat, no one can deny "Do You Want To"'s insane ability to be stuck in your head. But, my personal favorites off the album are the slower numbers. Like this one!

Eleanor Put Your Boots On : Yeah, it's been on this blog I think twice already. I don't think you understand how much I like this song, and that you will too when you hear it.

Wedding Crashers
One word: hilarious. This movie, I expected great things from (Vince Vaughn, Owen Wilson together?) and was I not disappointed. At all. I cried laughing. Yeah, we've all heard it by now, but after opening weekend it spread by word of mouth and more than tripled it's budget in earnings. They deserve it. Too many quotables to choose from, and too many scenes, but for my money, nothing is funnier than getting a handjob at the dinner table.

Thunder, Lightning, Strike! By the Go! Team
Wow. Talk about a surprise. I was like, all the indie kids are talking about it, I guess I'll give it a listen. Surprise factor? It was supremely badass and lived up to a reputation of groovy tracks with lots of sweet samples making happy music. Yah man. Here's a really bad MP3 track off the album, my encoder still won't make it better.

Ladyflash : What an excellent hook. I love it, gots that old school feeling. Or it could be the quality of my mp3. Either way, I think it adds to the overall groove. Man.
Get it Together : Now that's what I call happy music. And how about that completely 80's feel in last thirty-seconds of the song? Badassss.

Family Guy
A glorious return to say the least. Just run out and get that new dvd of this year's return season and be astounded at what you were missing. Sharp wit, pop culture references, and so much shocking material, I'm amazed they're not cancelled again. Give them time though.

Z by My Morning Jacket
I always liked em, and they seemed to have reinvented their sound for this record. Well, maybe reinvent is not the word. It's not like Radiohead going to the Bends to Kid A. It's more like, a cousin to the past albums. And I like it! It's quieter at parts, reminescient of past hits, but definitely have some loud ones.

Off the Record : A long lost ska song made by My Morning Jacket? Sounds like it.
Wordless Chorus : Perfect example of how they've changed. Sparse music with some haunting vocals. They're so laid back and quiet, for awhile atleast. Love that track.

Pixel Revolt by John Vanderslice
Found this one through Alan at sixeyes and loved it ever since. He makes wonderful melodies, almost put you in a trance, yah? Here are two from that album, which I suggest you buy. (like all the others)
Trance Manual and Exodus Damage

Johnny Cash
The Man in Black gets his due with a pretty good movie,an anthology set, and probably a lot more fans. Gotta love that.
I Still Miss Someone and A Boy Named Sue

Jarhead
New movie by Sam Mendes? Has Donnie Darko in it, and Ray Charles, and that guy from Garden State? Gotta see it. Decent war movie, with three or four amazing visual pieces that come to my mind right now. Also, one helluva trailer.

Pandora.com
So, sick of listening to those same old playlists? Need something new in your life, and those blogs aren't helping you? Pandora is a site that lets you type in bands and then plays songs from those bands. You add more bands and it adds more. The thing is, that it starts playing songs from bands that you havn't added, but with the same genre and taste. I've discovered atleast ten new bands from this, try it yourself. I'm telling yah, it's magic.

Resident Evil 4
Three words: scary as hell. The reason I still have a GameCube.

that new death cab material

2005-12-14T20:25:00.000-08:00

Wow, so I finally got "Plans" and gotta say, I'm loving it the first three or four times through. I like it a lot actually, probably on parallel with "Transatlanticism" except they're a bit more subdued this time. Heres a sample or two to make you find it, be it torrent or buy it. I'd buy it.

It's worth it!

Atleast ask for it for christmas, so someone's paying for it.

Cheap bastards.

Soul Meets Body by Death Cab for Cutie
Crooked Teeth by Death Cab for Cutie

The best of list next time!

The List, part one of two

2005-12-10T23:59:00.000-08:00

Inevitable. Everyone's got an opinion on what was hot this year, and we already know that the semi-indulgent and slightly egotistical blogger will tell everyone there's. So here it is, in no numerical order, and not just pertaining to music. What in pop culture did I love this year? If it's on the list, go out and ask for it for christmas, or just get it yourself. I gaurantee, it's badassssss. No order now, remember that. Albums will have a music sample too. Some of these may have come out before 2005, but I discovered them this year. Yeeep.

Layer Cake
Wow. Just an all around, cold as ice British gangster flick. The serious launching pad for the next Bond, Craig has proven he can look good shooting people. Made by Guy Ritchie's producer, this is the more sophisticated version of Snatch. For 2006, look towards Ritchie's own Revolver for more criminal hijinks.

I'm Wide Awake it's Morning by Bright Eyes
Probably my favorite album of the year. I know I wouldn't assign numbers, but this is number one. My introduction to Bright Eyes, and a damn fine listen even almost a year after it came out. All about self loathing, longing, failed or failing relationships, loss.... the good stuff. Melancholy overtones with sometimes upbeat, midwestern picking. Too many good tracks to pick, so why not, I'm putting up two.

First Day of My Life : Probably the most upbeat and poetic one off the album, this is a perfect example of why I love him.
Landlocked Blues (With Emmylou Harris) : Quiet and haunting, it gradually gets more and more personal, drawing you into the story it's presenting. At first, the bitter goodbye, then it evolves into remembering what once was. Amazing vocals.

Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris
I just love me some David Sedaris. Who'd think that the musings of a gay now-french, once North Carolinian would be so damn funny? Alternating between currnt situations and ponderings of a misspent youth, or his brother Rooster, it's just too damn funny. Can't wait for more. For extra laughs, actually listen to his voice. It's just as girly as he described it.

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou by Wes Anderson
Another film to add to the magnificent work done by Mr. Anderson. First to discuss: the acting marvel that is Bill Murray's Steve Zissou. No one balances drama and comedy in a character lately as well as Murray. This isn't the first time Anderson has brought out such a real emotive side from him, Rushmore and Life Aquatic are perhaps some of the best in his career. He makes the movie. Speaking of it, the film only gets better the more times you watch it. At first, you don't know what to expect and are searching for a giant plot. Give that up, and enjoy the story that unfolds. The color scheme and cinematography: brilliant to say the least. And of course, had a quirky and enjoyable soundtrack to accompany it.

Ping Island/Lightning Strike Rescue Op by Mark Mothersbaugh : Each of the Anderson film scores by Mothersbaugh have a distinct feel, and this one's emphasis on old-school electronica and throwbacks to Bowie songs are personified in this.

Black Sheep Boy by Okkervil River
Seriously haunting and raw. This album is all about disappointment, violence, and it all sounds so real in the sometimes raspy, drawn back vocals. The tracks are laced with a deep cynicism and often self critical. Best example?

For Real by Black Sheep Boy : The perfect build-up, and a twisted story of someone's darker thoughts. But the song's gathering intensity is so great, and there's one line that just can't get unstuck from my mind. "And I really missed what really did exist."

Illinois by Sufjan Stevens
Okay. Seriously, this album has been praised up and down in the cyber world. And you want to know why? Because it's that fucking good. Tied with Bright Eyes in my book for best of the year, this album has so many peaks and continues to amaze me after repeated listening. His songwriting can only be described as poetic stories that seem to unfold quietly, and sometimes not so quietly. He has mastered the low melodies and big choral arrangements at the same time. There are so many highlights on this album, it's hard to choose really. Again, two tracks off a superb album.

Casimir Pulaski Day : A heartbreaking story that is so visual and depressing it's perfect. Seriously, his almost whispered song evokes summer nights that once were, and all the passions he felt.
Chicago : What's that? We need upbeat, giant arrangements! Well, here they are.

Get Behind me Satan by The White Stripes
Oh Meg and Jack, how I love you so. Ever since you sent me up that slice of British grime in 2002, I've been waiting patiently for your new album. And boy, did I enjoy it. They say you love the blues, and dammit if you didn't prove them right: you show some fine style on this one. Even if Meg only gets about thirty seconds of singing, which is okay with me, truly. But what's with all that Rita Hayworth name dropping? Great all around.

My Doorbell : Damn catchy song if there ever was one, I remember someone saying this is the Jackson Five meets White Stripes. You think so?
Forever for Her : A love ballad about just getting down.

We Love Katamari (PS2)
You know, it's a game only the Japanese could think of and make. You are the Prince of the Universe, working for the King of the Universe, who wants you to please the people by rolling objects up into a giant ball and then shoot them into the cosmos as stars. Oh my god it is the best thing ever made. Ever. Ever. Ever. It's like crack, except more cartoony and odd.

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (PS2)
Another year, another badasss GTA game. Except this time, it's super freaking sweet as opposed to just mindblowing. You can do every single thing in this game imaginable. You play in the LA hood, circa 1993 or so. Nothing says perfection like shooting cops and hookers with "Welcome to the Jungle" blazing on the radio. Gotta love it, gotta love it.

Sin City
Yeah, perhaps the biggest surprise of the year for me. Never read the graphic novel, but a big fan of Robert Rodriguez, when I heard the ensemble cast and promise of ultra-sylized ultraviolence, I just had to be there. Gotta say, of the three stories, Marv's was the most fun, while the last one about that Yellow Bastard was definitely the most well done. Cannot wait for the Extended Cut that's coming out this tuesday.

*Ten more tommorrow, or when I get around to making it

Busy busy busy

2005-12-09T07:18:00.000-08:00

So, how about that COLLEGE APPLICATION due date? End of the month pretty much. Yeah, can't wait to finish all those in the next two days. Anyways, as of late it's been school and then work for 5 hours a night, so I've been kinda tired. But, once again this week, school/ice has kept me out of school. I love the weather! Here's another mix, this time, upbeat tempo!

Outtasite (Outta Mind) by Wilco
We Don't Care by Kanye West
Queen Jane Approximately by Bob Dylan
Optimistic by Radiohead
Picture of Jesus by Ben Harper and the Blind Boys of Alabama

winter wonderland

2005-12-05T21:39:00.000-08:00

Oh... my... First day this year being snowed in from school! I think Jesus still loves us. So here are some songs for a wintery day, where you're just staying inside, watching movies playing video games... A general good time. Gonna call some friends up, have some snowball fights, and sleep away the evening.

Poison Oak by Bright Eyes
Take Me Down by Smashing Pumpkins (slow, steady melody. love it)
The Predatory Wasp Of The Palisades Is Out To Get Us! by Sufjan Stevens (perfect for a cold wintery day. just perfect)
At Least That's What You Said by Wilco
Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues by Bob Dylan

Solicitations, I love them (part deux)

2005-12-05T11:22:00.000-08:00

Finally looking at my email and finding a few things asking for some listening. So here they are!

First up, Chris Price. From my own home state of Virginia, comes some music that I can only describe as a beat from The Faint with a laidback vocal set. I dig it, and hope he keeps it up.

Charge Me Up by Chris Price

Secondly, Judas Bull sent me an self-produced album called Stillborn Brainchild. I have trouble placing a comparison, but the closest I can come with is... Alice in Chains, with a more electronic feel. Yeah, I really don't have anything. Check it out, they're some harder edged muzak. You can get four of his tracks (or be his friend on myspace) right here.

Third up is Venice is Sinking, a band from Athens, GA. They're a little indie rock group and dammit, I like their style. You can get two of their MP3s right here at their main site along with a video. Or be their myspace friends. It's cool.

And, I guess I'll post this badass song a friend recommended me to.
From Paris to Berlin by Infernal.

Isn't it just... fun?

So... how was it for you?

2005-12-04T15:19:00.000-08:00

Age of Aquarius by The Fifth Dimension

And I said, what about...

2005-12-02T13:09:00.000-08:00

So it's friday night and you've got to get out of your house and do something. Here's a soundtrack to it! Just kidding, just a friday night mix.

Mama Told me Not to Come by Three Dog Night
Who Am I (What's my Name) by Snoop Dogg
Take, Take, Take by the White Stripes
Why'd you Do it? by Stretch

Oh, and for the love of God, check out this little band called The Metasciences which I found at that badassss blog songs:illinois. He interviewed them too ch-ch-check it out.

Three for the night

2005-11-30T18:22:00.000-08:00

So, I have to listen to music at night in order to go to sleep. Some people have fans, (i do), some people have televisions on in the background, some people have certain positions... I have music to listen to. So, unfortunately, in a very OCD way, I make "lua mixes" to sleep to. Yeah. Shut up. Anyways, here are a random three from the current mix. (they change about every two weeks)

Where I End and You Begin by Radiohead - Yeah, it's got that midnight feel to it. It's dream-like itself. Though "pyramid song" is always a close second to it.

A Movie Script Ending by Death Cab for Cutie - Errbody seems to love Death Cab, especially since that OC episode or something. Anyways, anyone know if "Plans" is any good?

Mad World by Gary Jules - From that talking bunny movie or something. Just kidding. Donnie Darko soundtrack pick.

Fade Together by Franz Ferdinand - Yes, lately, I've been spinning "You Could Have it So Much Better". I really really really like it for some reason. Yes, i know it's a LOT like the last album. Yes, I know that it's sometimes a bit too jangly. But I don't care. It's great. And here is one of the three or four quiet numbers.

Colors

2005-11-27T17:54:00.000-08:00

Here's a happy little 60's song from some hippy named Donovan.

Colours by Donovan

Blue's the colour of the sky-y,
In the morning, when we rise,
In the morning, when we rise.
That's the time, that's the time,
I love the best.

Mellow is the feeling that I get,
When I see her, m-hmm,
When I see her, oh yeah.
That's the time, that's the time,
I love the best.

Happy Turkey Day

2005-11-24T14:34:00.000-08:00

Everyone, go out, see your family, and enjoy Thanksgiving.

Happy holidays errbody!

Songs of the Day

2005-11-21T20:25:00.000-08:00

Theme? Ugly Casanova. A side project of sorts, had a pretty damn good cd called Sharpen your Teeth. Also, for some reason, this song really feels like Autumn or fall or something. Like, they encased the season, man. Anyone else get that vibe?

Hotcha Girls by Ugly Casanova

Smells like autumn, smells like leaves;
you don't know that you'll rust and not belong so much
and then get left alone

Suck it up, take a ride and take a walk
and don't you know that old folks' homes smell so much like my own

The hotcha girls at the palisades,
dime store keets, pretty birds, pretty mouths
Mama's little truck stop rose, her dancy feet her happy laugh.
We were dropping dimes on the ponies in the cul-de-sac,
casting shadows throwing sparks
We left our teeth marks on the barrel of the gun,
the clipper ship across your chest
Turns out the pony only had one trick, a wink for the truck stop boys.
They learned it all from the polaroids

Smells like autumn smells like leaves,
you don't know that you'll rust and not belong so much
and then get left alone

Suck it up, take a ride and take a walk
and don't you know that old folks' homes smell so much like my own
Time blends light, paint's all peeling, wait outside, take four rights

The hotcha girls in the palisades
dime store keets, pretty birds, pretty mouths
Glass eyes and the wooden teeth,
the engine's rusting in deep deep sleep, it waits
The mail came from miles away, the postal man was always late,
and we wait and we wait

Tight lipped with a big ol mouth,
The government workers all headed south while it rained
Glassy eyes and wooden teeth, the engine rusted in deep deep sleep
it waits, and it waits, to awake.

----------------------------------------------

(bonus: Things I Don't Remember)

Around town

2005-11-20T09:42:00.000-08:00

Who do you think made the blogger's top 40 in American music right now?

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Thank you 3hive. I love your free and legal music love. This week's post on The Rosebuds made me smile.

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Songs for a sunday like today:
Mr. Ambulance Driver by The Flaming Lips (beautiful. highly recommended)

Touch Me by the Doors

Section 14 (Two Thousand Places) by The Polyphonic Spree (you know, a lot of there music sounds like this. But it's like the angel's choir of sunshine in your ears with a happy melody. so i post it.)

Southern Belles in London Sing by The Faint (techno groove, but not really. You'll see)

Only in Dreams by Weezer (remember when the Blue Album was god's gift to us? it still is. and this is the best closer for an album evar.)

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When tuesday gets here, buy me this please.

Could it get any crazier?

2005-11-17T22:30:00.000-08:00

So, yeah, thanks to a little site called regnyouth, (much love to them) I reconnected with King Crimson. I finally, finally, finally got the digital version of In "The Court with the Crimson King". Oh yeah. It's psychedelic. It's epic. It's great, man. The nearest comparison I can think of is the stretching soundscapes of Pink Floyd, with more flute. Yeah, I just used the word "soundscape". This music, well man, you just listen to it. Oh, and it has the best cover artwork ever.

Funny story? I procured this vinyl from my friend's dad, who proclaimed, "it was so fucking great back in the day. I "played 21st Century Schizoid Man" so loud it could shake beer cups off the table man." Now he's an accountant.

King Crimson - Epitaph

Almost 10 minutes of greatness.

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In other news, found a pretty good interview with my author of the moment, Bret Easton Ellis. I gotta tell you man, this guy knows desperation and depravity. I love it!

Oh so comfortably numb

2005-11-14T22:45:00.000-08:00

These past few days have been mired with a cold catching to me and have been really tire lately. Apathy has reached a new high. Lots of laying around watching movies and trying to finish American Psycho by Bret Ellis (the most depraved, yet skillful novel I've read in a long time) So, here's to fall!

Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood by Joe Cocker - Right, so I was blown away by the mexicano remake that was played in Kill Bill. Then, my perception of the song was blown away again at the end of Layer Cake. (best ending... ever?) Wow. In the running for the best blues song, and the first twelve seconds are perhaps the best opening seconds in a song. Ever.

Son's Gonna Rise by Citizen Cope - Ghettooooo. I promise, ride around in your car to this, and you can imagine the morning. Or just "chillin" with your "boys".

Champagne Supernova by Oasis - Yes. Everybody has this song. Or atleast, they should. Mega-radio-hit from yester year! "Where were you while we were getting hiiiigh?"

All Tommorrow's Parties by Velvet Underground - Did I mention how much I fucking love the Velvet Underground? This album and "Loaded" are grrrreat!

Falling by the wayside...

2005-11-11T18:29:00.000-08:00

People in Planes EP: Pretty good, Wind-Up records sent them my way. Five guys just doing what they love, making music. So check out this single and then there EP or their official site. Hurry, that song will only be up for about 4 to 5 days.

People in Planes - For Miles Around (Scratch to Void)

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In other news, check out Big Bad Bit on the blog roll. And So... Where's Helsinki?? Go, now!

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I recently got that Deerhoof album errbody is talking about, and yeah, I dig it. It's not the best thing in the world, but it's not horrible either. Also got the new Broken Social Scene one, well, atleast it's new to me, and I'm slowly absorbing it. I like the bigger sound.

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Bright Eyes mix! Love me some Oberst, especially at his most depressing and heart-wrenching voice moments. These few are amazing, but I unfortunately got a torrent with no album specification, which really bums me out. Can anyone help a brotha out?

Bright Eyes - From a Balance Beam
Bright Eyes - Haligh, Haligh, A Lie, Haligh
Bright Eyes - Going for the Gold

From a Balance Beam

There is a man holding a megaphone, he must have been the voice of God
The bystanders claimed they saw angels flying up and down the block
Well, they must have been attached to wires
I'd seen one laying in the lawn with a broken arm, so I called 911
Well that's one less founded opinion
One more cause for a dispute
So the street filled, like a basin, up with cameras and their crews
And they washed away the rumors leaving just the concrete truth
It was a spectacle
No, I, I mean a miracle

So then I fell like that girl from a balance beam
A gymnasium of eyes all were holding on to me
I lifted one foot to cross the other and I felt myself slipping
It was a small mistake
Sometimes that is all it takes

Now I'm staring at my wrist, hoping that the time is right
When the planets will align
There will be no planets to align
Just the carcass of the sun
And little painted marbles spinning senseless through an endless black sky

It was in a foreign hotel's bathtub I baptized myself in change
And one by one I drowned all of the people I had been
I emerged to find the parallels were fewer
I was cleansed
I looked in the mirror
And someone new was there
But, I was as helpless as a chess piece when I was lifted up by someone's hand
And delivered from the corner my enemies had got me in
But in all of my salvation I still felt imprisoned inside that holding cell that is myself

So I wait for the day when I'll hear the key as it turns in the lock
And the guard will say to me, "Oh my patient prisoner you waited for this day and finally, you are free! You are free! You are freezing."
Now I'm staring at the sun, waiting for it to explode
Because a day is gonna come, don't know when but it will come
And we'll finally know the way out of here
And I'll throw away this wrinkled map
And my chart of stars and compass, cracked
And I'll climb that tree all wet with sap to avoid the hungry beasts below I'll cut out my lover's tongue and sing of a graveyard gray and a garden green
And we won't have to worry no more
No we won't have to wonder again
About how this song or story ends
About how this song and story will end

picture me rolling

2005-11-08T12:11:00.000-08:00

Welcome back to our regularly scheduled program. So, I went to DC for a week and lurved it, got plenty of pictures that will go up on webshots eventually. If anyone cares.

Anyways, made a badassss road mix, because I drove up and wasn't going to listen to shitty radio stations on the way up. This is one of those laid back, on-the-road kinda mixes, something that you can just groooove to. Mostly classical rock, but what ev. If you've heard the songs before, that's the point. Comfortable songs to relax to, preferably with the roof down and sun up.

Tangerine by Led Zeppelin - The best song of theres that never got famous. The epitome of a driving soundtrack song.

For What it's Worth by Buffalo Springfield - Classic for a reason!

Anthem by Phantom Planet - I dig it. Don't hate.

We Are Your Car by Christopher Sullivan

The Weight by Band - Another quintessential sunny-day-riding tune.

Teenage Wasteland by The Who - Can't beat that synth/piano/crazy melody.

Exodus Damage by John Vanderslice - Really, I just can't get enough of this song. Much love for the Pixel Revolt CD.

California Stars by Billy Bragg and Wilco - Perfect twilight song, and has the right midwestern feel to compliment the vibe. Dig it?

It'll All Work out by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - Used in Cameron Crowe's ode to Americana, Elizabethtown. Subtle love song, but so heartbreakingly honest.

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In other news, Soft, who asked me to feature them once before, hath asked again. Their EP is out and they've gotta new single, "Higher". Check it out, you might like it. I think it's pretty damn good, they have a good sound and I am patiently waiting for a full album. Here's that EP for sale.

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Here's another one, that really hit me out of nowhere. A guy named MESH has done some pretty fine mix-ups, in particular, Tears for Fears Mad World mixed with a funk/loud vibe. He's got an EP's worth, five songs where he meshes them together. Get it? Meshes? Damn, that's is clever. Check out his front page where you can get the link to the entire EP.

And I think that's all for now. Got the People in Planes EP and plan on posting links to that. Till then, ciao!

Hey, I'll be right back

2005-11-01T05:14:00.000-08:00

I've got a business trip to attend to till Monday, and I won't have access to my music and a computer at the same time. Depressing, I know. So, I swear, I'll be back, just, in like 6 or 7 days. Atleast I get to skip school!

Oh, and by the way, throw this guy some love. He has a bunch of podcasts, cut up in fifteen minute episodes, talking to indie big names. Where else can you see a developing archive of indie kids, talking on a radio show no doubt? He's already chatted with The Polyphonic spree, Fruit Bats, The Decembrists, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah! (an fav as of late) and is editing one up with LCD Soundsystem. Sounds like a good time and a good investment, so go there now! indieinterviews.com

And from everyone in DC, aloha!

All Hallow's Eve!

2005-10-31T16:34:00.000-08:00

Errbody loves some Halloween! Especially me, so today's gonna be short. The song of the day? The theme to best damn horror movie ever, George Romero's Dawn of the Dead.

The Goblins - Dawn of the Dead Main Theme

Dismally Dreary Day

2005-10-27T19:58:00.000-07:00

Alliteration at work!

It was a wonderfully rainy day, full of grey and sadness and school. How depressing. Anyways, I'm going to post a sountrack for a film that hasn't been made yet. Hasn't been made yet? That's right, it's my film. Tell me if it's a good mixtape or not. Some may seem like tracks you've heard twenty times (indie faves like Arcade Fire and Shins) and i know that, but it's a mixtape. Tell me if it's a good mix, not that you've heard them all before, because I'm sure you have. And if you havn't heard them, get them. Because they're sweet. I can't wait to film it someday.
Work in progress of course.

Don't steal these songs and put them in a film first" Tape

Somebody I Used to Know by Elliott Smith
Girl Inform Me by The Shins
First Day of My Life by Bright Eyes
I'm Not Like Everybody Else by the Kinks
Gold Finch and the Red Oak Tree by Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
Mama told me not to Come by Three Dog Night
Crystal Ship by the Doors
I'm Your Villian by Franz Ferdinand
We're Just Friends by Wilco
Crown of Love by Arcade Fire
Say Yes by Elliott Smith
This Will be Our Year by The Zombies

I almost forgot...

2005-10-20T18:29:00.000-07:00

I got the new Franz Ferdinand CD and am currently enjoying it. Unlike the first CD, which had distinctive tracks, this one kinda... feels the same. A lot. I think they could've cut down on some tracks and made a few of them b-sides and had a tighter album, but that's just small potatoes. I dig the sound, so I'm glad it's continueing.

Here's one of those that kinda makes the Cd worth it for me: Eleanor Put Your Boots On

And the record companies sent me some EPs and a full CD, so I'll post my thoughts on them sometime soon. I've got good vibes from one of them and will def post some samples.

Edit: They took down the only decent Fear and Loathing pic on the web. Dammit

Because Ol' Blue Eyes is the man

2005-10-19T18:36:00.000-07:00

Everyone needs some big jazz single by the man himself, pimp number one, Frank Sinatra. Damn, I'm in a good mood. Seriously. About to record some commentary on our DVD compilation work. Cannot wait till I'm rich and famous.

That's Life by Sinatra

That's life, that's what all the people say.
You're riding high in April,
Shot down in May
But I know I'm gonna change that tune,
When I'm back on top, back on top in June.

I said that's life, and as funny as it may seem
Some people get their kicks,
Stompin' on a dream
But I don't let it, let it get me down,
'Cause this fine ol' world it keeps spinning around

I've been a puppet, a pauper, a pirate,
A poet, a pawn and a king.
I've been up and down and over and out
And I know one thing:
Each time I find myself, flat on my face,
I pick myself up and get back in the race.

That's life
I tell ya, I can't deny it,
I thought of quitting baby,
But my heart just ain't gonna buy it.
And if I didn't think it was worth one single try,
I'd jump right on a big bird and then I'd fly

I've been a puppet, a pauper, a pirate,
A poet, a pawn and a king.
I've been up and down and over and out
And I know one thing:
Each time I find myself laying flat on my face,
I just pick myself up and get back in the race

That's life
That's life and I can't deny it
Many times I thought of cutting out
But my heart won't buy it
But if there's nothing shakin' come this here july
I'm gonna roll myself up in a big ball and die
My, My

The Great Big Nothing

2005-10-16T18:49:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year for me. College application time! Being a high school senior and looking prospectively towards the future, I can't help but see so many paths. Film maker? Teacher/screenwriter? International representative, traveling from country to country? Who the hell knows. But whatever I pick, I've got to get into college first.

Lately, the music has been super varied, and thanks to a good torrent site, coming in very hard. I love it! Here's a few selected picks as of late.

I Found a Reason by Velvet Underground
Phone Call by Jon Brion (excerpt from Eternal Sunshine)
Into the Old Man's Shoes by Elton John
Jeresey Thursday by Donovan
Cannonball by Damien Rice

Oh, and I had too, just for college app time.

Career Oppurtunities by the Clash
The offered me the office, offered me the shop
They said I'd better take anything they'd got
Do you wanna make tea at the BBC?
Do you wanna be, do you really wanna be a cop?
Career opportunities are the ones that never knock
Every job they offer you is to keep you out the dock
Career opportunity, the ones that never knock
I hate the army an' I hate the R.A.F.
I don't wanna go fighting in the tropical heat
I hate the civil service rules
And I won't open letter bombs for you
Bus driver....ambulance man....ticket inspector
They're gonna have to introduce conscription
They're gonna have to take away my prescription
If they wanna get me making toys
If they wanna get me, well, I got no choice
Careers
Careers
Careers
Ain't never gonna knock

PS. Go get the new Franz Ferdinand album. More of the same, yes, but it's still rocking hard.

I thought it was a virtue...

2005-10-11T17:22:00.000-07:00

Fight Test by The Flaming Lips

I thought I was smart
I thought I was right
I thought it better not to fight
I thought there was a virtue, in always being cool

So it came time to fight
I thought "I'll just step aside"
And that the time will prove you wrong
And that you would be a fool

I don't know where the sunbeams end
And the starlight begins
It's all a mystery
Oh. To fight is to defend

If it's not now then
tell me when
Would be the time
That you would stand up and be a man
For to lose I could accept
But to surrender I just wept
And regretted this moment

oh that

I was the fool
I don't know where the sunbeams end
And the starlight begins
It's all a mystery
And I don't know how a man decides
What's right for his own life
It's all a mystery

'Cause I'm a man, not a boy
And there are things you can't avoid
You have to face them
When you're not prepared to face them
If I could I would
But you're with him, now it'd do no good
I should've fought him
But instead I let him
I let him take it

So tired.

2005-10-10T15:41:00.000-07:00

Handshake Drugs by Wilco

I was chewin' gum for something to do
The blinds were being pulled down on the dew
Inside, out of love, what a laugh
I was looking for you

Saxophones started blowing me down
I was buried in sound
Taxicabs were driving me around
To the handshake drugs I bought downtown
To the handshake drugs I bought downtown

They were translated poorly, I felt like a clown
I looked like someone I used to know
I felt alright
And if I ever was myself
I wasn't that night

Oh it's okay for you to say
What you want from me
I believe that's the only
Way for me to be, exactly
What you want me to be

Oh it's okay for you to say
What you want from me
I believe that's the only
Way for me to be
Exactly what you want me to be

Oh I was chewin' gum for something to do
The blinds were being pulled down on the dew
Inside, out of love, what a laugh
I was looking for you

Saxophones started blowin' me down
I was buried in sound
The taxicabs were driving me around
To the handshake drugs I bought downtown
To the handshake drugs I bought downtown

Oh it's okay for you to say
What you want from me
I believe that's the only
Way for me to be
Exactly what do you want me to be?
Exactly what do you want me to be?

Felt like a clown
They were translating poorly
I looked like someone
I used to know
And if I ever was myself,
I wasn't that night

Exactly what do you want me to be?
Exactly what do you want me to be?

The Empire strikes back!

2005-10-08T09:57:00.000-07:00

Yes, the virus is finally gone. What was it? Something my sister got that installs itself in twenty different folders and automatically shuts the computer down in twenty minutes within start up. Bitch and a half.

But yeah, okay, so here's my birthday mix. I turn eighteen today, and here's what I woke up to.

Cocaine Blues by Johnny Cash on that Folsom Prison disc. I prefer the San Quentin album, but this is a classic little ditty. Plus, it's the Man in Black with a sneering lyrical side.

The Crystal Ship by the Doors is a trip, and feels like a trance itself. So laid back and it's guitar is just.... Doors man, the Doors.

Each Coming Night by Iron & Wine is quiet and eloquent and heartfelt. I love that guy's voice combined with some good guitar plucking.

Do You Realize?? by the Flaming Lips. Wow. Like, damn, what a great song. So much going on, yet it all collides to make great music. I love the flaming lips.

Monty Got a Raw Deal by R.E.M.
Outtasite (outta mind) by Wilco

My god...

2005-10-04T17:17:00.000-07:00

The internet virus ate my computer! So the past seven days have been scrambling / getting my ENTIRE music collection back onto this hard drive.

That's 15 gigs worth of music people.

12 + 2 + 1 = 15

*faint*

Oh, yeah, and in between I've been kinda busy too.

So what song could possibly sum up the last few days? Wow. Good question. What am I grooving too lately? Don't really know, but I think Gimme Shelter is a pretty good start. Just that gathering guitar intro, the cool laid back charm of the guitar riff, but then that fast paced loud noise it gets going is perfect too. Is it perhaps overplayed yet? Yes. And I still dig it.

Next song? It's got indie cred, or atleast I think it does. Black Sheep Boy by Okkervil River. Pretty sounding, with some great vocals (if you dig the scratchy voice kind) and I dig it. The lyrics are what get me.

Oh yeah, caught a Coldplay concert the other night. Rilo Kiley opened for them, which was a freaking GREAT surprise. I love me some "More Adventurous" even though they stuck to a few old ones. Colplay was pretty fun too, the lead singer had a good sense of humor and even played a Johnny Cash tune or two. British people singing "Ring of Fire"? yeeeeah.

Here's another great one that including cuz I can. I'm Not Like Everybody Else by the Kinks. Great song, gonna use it in a movie someday.

Thanks to anyone who still reads this dumb thing.

Nostalgia!

2005-09-27T13:11:00.000-07:00

Hallelujah by Rufus Wainwright (Leonard Cohen cover)
Wonder Years Theme by Joe Cocker
Tuesday's Gone by Lynyrd Skynyrd

Yeah, it's been everywhere. Even in that big green popular ogre movie. But as I was watching Lord of War the other night, I was reminded just how supremely badass and depressing "Hallelujah" was. So here it is. And I know it may be blasphemy, but I like his cover much more than the original.

Nothing screams old school like the Wonder Years theme. I love it so much, and it reminds me of so many good memories.

Tuesday's Gone evokes memories of playing baseball late in the summer nights, or just running around outside doing something. I don't know. But it just makes me think back.

Nostalgia's a trip.

Face Parading.

2005-09-22T18:25:00.000-07:00

Single of the day?

Castle (Green to Black) by Face Parade

I'm a sucker for rock chords with violin arrangements.

Sorry, but life has taken hold. Girls! Crazy!

You think your life is messed up?

2005-09-21T20:00:00.000-07:00

How about trying some group hugs?

Even better? holy shit, there's a group hug audio show MP3.

Wow

2005-09-20T17:12:00.000-07:00

So, yeah, there's been a lot going on in me life as of late, so I've been kinda slacking. You know. things. So, here's a post on... the single of the day!

Yoshimi Battles the Evil Robots, Part 1 by the Flaming Lips

Laid back, got a great hook, and damn, if those lyrics aren't spot on? Go Yoshimi!

Welp, it's friday night!

2005-09-17T00:06:00.000-07:00

Time to go out and have some fun! We can't have sad, sappy, slow music tonight!

This Fffire (remix) by Franz Ferdinand
I Choose by The Offspring (hell yes. radio staple from the 90's)
Night of the Living Dead by Tilly and the Wall
Tonight by Iggy Pop
We Both Go Down together by the Decemberists

The Zombies!

2005-09-14T15:24:00.000-07:00

Oh, what an Oddessey! What an Oracle!

Senior year at school is catching up with me, I'm sorry for being short. Producing a few music videos / stop animation / fun. Here's a 60's pop band that has some nice, light tones. Bouncy, flower child pop. All of this is stereo, not mono recordings.

The Zombies

Brief Candles
This Will be Our Year
Changes
Hung up on a Dream

Friday night into Saturday morning.

2005-09-09T20:24:00.000-07:00

Turn around and say good morning to the night
For unless they see the sky
But they can’t and that is why
They know not if it’s dark outside or light

Optimistic by Radiohead
John Wayne Gacy, Jr. by Sufjan Stevens
Nobody Home by Pink Floyd
Trapped in a Box by Sixsidedbox
Deserted Eyeland by Devin Davis

Alexi Murdoch

2005-09-08T16:01:00.000-07:00

Speaking of vocal driven and acoustic guitar plucking, here's a name I got from that wonderful girl who runs muruch. He's a singer songwriter that evokes Nick Drake (godamn that name is coming up a lot. Am I going through a low-fi phase? Probably, but I swear it'll end soon. Next post will be something light from the Zombies, I swear) anyways, he's the real deal, even been name dropped on the epitome of cool "The O.C." (sarcasm abounds.)

He's got an EP currently out, Four Songs, which I suggest picking up. That and Pixel Revolt are the only records looking to be bought this month on my radar.

He has various songs up for download here at his main page. Best bet? I adore "Song For You".

Pick up the EP
His main site

Kings of Convenience, round 2

2005-09-05T22:34:00.000-07:00

Here it is, sans great writing. Why? Too damn tired, and school starts back up for us tommorrow. Wee! Senior year in high school! Wow! Gee golly! swell

So yeah, more lo-fi greats from the greatest thing from Norway in a long time. Besides Jennifer Love Hewitt. And if you like Nick Drake, check it out now.

Quiet is the New Loud
Failure
The Weight of My Words
The Girl from Back Then

Quick little post

2005-09-03T00:28:00.000-07:00

Was really chilling to this track earlier tonight, so I figured what the hell, I'd post it.

I Don't Think I'm Ever gonna figure it Out by Elliott Smith

i can sit wondering what in world you think about
i don't think i'm ever gonna figure it out
after all the alchohol, the pretty words that devolve down
to slurs and drunken shouts
i don't think i'm ever gonna figure it out
it's like some wild last frontier
you never know what kind of fight's gonna appear
that once begun can't be won
started out losing already and go all ten rounds
i don't think i'm ever gonna figure it out

Zee Kings of Convience

2005-09-02T22:23:00.000-07:00

Those crazy kids from Norway have blown my mind. The first up in no chronological order is 2004's Riot on an Empty Street.

This stuff is true low-fi. All acoustic, except maybe two songs, the quiet chords are only magnified by the almost-whisper of the singer and his hearty lyrics. Every once in ahwile additional strings are brought in, but the album is mostly carried on their melodies. Do a lot of them sound the same? To an extent, yeah, they did to me. I've only had the album for about two weeks, so perhaps it will grow on me more.

Their first CD I listened to had a lot of the above, however, I posted tracks that branched from that mold on here. This album had a few tracks where they decided to pick up tempo and experiment with faster beats and percussion. I especially picked "Sorry or Please" because it included a great piano bit. For the more Nick Drake-ish stuff, it'll be up tommorrow with "quiet is the new loud".

Riot on an Empty Street
Sorry or Please
Love is no Big Truth
Homesick
Surprise Ice

Buy the CD
The band's site

sorry...

2005-08-30T20:10:00.000-07:00

life's quite the hectic these days. been putting in almost 9 hours at work every day and trying to complete a eagle project at the same time. sigh. i don't want to half ass the kings posts so stay tuned.

Thuper Monday mix

2005-08-29T18:39:00.000-07:00

Here it be ladies and gents. Tommorrow will be part one of two Kings of Convenience posts (one for each album.) For now, here's a little mix that's been brewing as of late.

Wicked Disguise by Sixsidedbox - Gimme that slow melodic start with crunching guitar chorus! Straight from Seattle, they remind me of a bar band with class. Not to say bar bands don't have class, but these guys seem more lyrically gifted. Or literate, whichever way you want to put it.

Citizen Erased by Muse - Back on 2001's Origin of Symmetry, there was two songs that stuck out to me: this and New Born. I dig it, you might not. Origin is the only CD I have from these guys, I should probably check out more...

Disco Infiltrator by LCD Soundsytem - Yeah, it's a good album and you've heard it a lot. But still you want it, OOOOW!

Incense and Peppermints by Strawberry Alarm Clock - Great 60's pop song.

Punchup at a Wedding by Radiohead - Thanks to new news from Yorke about the new recording sessions, I had to post some Radiohead in delight. From the mucho caliente album that was my fav of 2003, Hail to the Thief.

Every, m' boy!

2005-08-26T08:37:00.000-07:00

Just finished "the every boy" by dana adam shapiro, and it's one bittersweet, eccentric little novel. Comparable to Salinger's Catcher, it's the happy, new opposite (most of the time) of Holden. I recommend it completely. The novel's protaganist reminds me of this song, so it's gonna get posted.

Polyphonic Spree's Light and Day

Layer Cake

2005-08-24T09:16:00.000-07:00

... kicked my ass all over the place last night. I was expecting another Guy Ritchie smirky crime story and instead I got an ice cold demeanor. This is one gangster flick that while has a few laughs, knows when to play the serious tone and does. A lot. So, here's some samples from it's soundtrack.

Hayling by FC Kahuna - For it's chill intro and ambience. Sets the mood right from the beginning.

Four or the Floor (Soulsavers Mix) by Star Sailor - Haunting little piece that ties in with the action sequence and the sweet taste of revenge.

She Sells Sanctuary by The Cult - Oh why not.

Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood by Joe Cocker - Perfect song to the perfect ending.

buy the dvd here and now

Two singles for tuesday

2005-08-23T10:02:00.000-07:00

1. Elton John - Mona Lisas and mad hatters
Honky Chateau
Another gem from the old Elton. Great chorus, sweeping piano, combined with his usual grandeur. I like it.

2.
The Clash - I'm Not Down
London Calling
Gimme the Clash over the sex pistols any day. (Blasphemy? No.)

Sorry, short descriptions for short thinking time.

Single of the Day

2005-08-22T09:37:00.000-07:00

The Postal Service - The District Sleeps Alone Tonight
Give Up

How might one classify the Postal Service. Indie pop-tronic? The opener to a great album, it grew on me over time, but hadn't listened to it in forever. Then all of a sudden, with a tracklist on shuffle, I'm reminded of how great a song it is.

Is that kid dead or what?

2005-08-20T15:25:00.000-07:00

Nope, just took a slight vacation. Too many nights, too much to do, yah? Here's a mix, and soon there will be posted (sometime next week): Kings of Convenience.

Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time) - The Delfonics
Wicked Disguise - Sixsidedbox
Each Coming Night - Iron and Wine
It Takes a Lot to Laugh, a train to cry - Bob Dylan
Tommorrow, tommorrow - Elliott Smith
My Father's Gun - Elton John (repost for a reason)

The Shins

2005-08-15T10:20:00.000-07:00

Here are some odds and ends I've found over the few weeks of one of my tops, The Shins.

Nature Bears a Vacuum EP
(1998) Not such a fan of this set. I always liked the quieter stuff by them, and this.. isn't. But hey, to every completist, here it is. Buy it for 30x better quality.

The Shins - Those Bold City Girls
We built a raft and we floated
Eating styes from elephant eyes
My Seventh rib

When I goose-step EP
(2000) Here's more my speed from them. The title track was actually on the Wicker Park soundtrack I think. Another Omnibus release. Both songs are perfect.

The Shins - When I Goose-step
The Gloating Sun

Not on either
Strange Powers (Magnetic Fields cover)

Thanks goes out to Justin, who offered the 4th song on Nature but I managed to find it on the interweb...
And of course...
Buy Chutes too Narrow
Buy Oh, Inverted World
SubPop Records
Omnibus Records

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Quote of the day? From the roast last night of Pam Anderson via productshop via stereogum

"Who thinks Courtney Love looks worse than Kurt Cobain currently does?" - Jeffrey Ross

Favorites around town...

2005-08-11T21:12:00.000-07:00

Alan at sixeyes finished up an interview with John Vanderslice and posted it in it's entireity...

In other late news (Aug 3) Charlie Murphy puts the nail in the coffin for Chappelle Show. I cry.

Sin City DVD comes out in four days. Mark your fucking calendars and get it, because it's truly the best thing so far this year and in a long while. Can't remember being this excited about a new flick since Eternal Sunshine.

Latest time consumption? DVD production of a short I sent off to a competion, and production of another one. I assure you, they both have great soundtracks.

Does anyone have the full Shins EP "Nature Bears a Vacuum"? I've got 3/4 (which i'll post this week along with some other oddities) and was wondering if someone couldn't hook a brotha up with the last one?

Don't Stop me Now by Queen
Everyone's Talking by Harry Nilsson
Scarborough Fair/Canticle by Simon and Garfunkel (7:00 version from Graduate)
The Passenger by Iggy Pop
Disco Infiltrator by LCD Soundsystem

My GOD that's bad... but so good!

2005-08-09T17:36:00.000-07:00

Think About the Way by Ice MC

It speaks for itself.

Nick Drake's Pink Moon

2005-08-08T19:47:00.000-07:00

Well, finally scored a copy of Nick Drake's masterpiece, Pink Moon. I gotta say, for 28 minutes, I was in a completely calm mood. This is perfect for playing late at night, it puts you in a perfect mood. It's lo-fi sound (made up completely of acoustic guitars and a smidge of piano) make for the perfect Nick Drake album. His guitar strumming has an almost twilight feeling, and his low singing is a perfect match for his playing. Iron and Wine is the strongest style comparison, minus his southern roots. Why not get the songs? You know you'll enjoy them.

Nick Drake - Pink Moon
Nick Drake - Place to Be
Nick Drake - Road
Nick Drake - Free Ride
Nick Drake - From the Morning

Buy the album

-------------------------

So... hows about that Sin City on DVD August 16th? Can't freaking wait.

This one goes out to all the ladies...

2005-08-05T13:51:00.000-07:00

So, I was watching High Fidelity the other night and was reminded by how much persona Jack Black has. Like, he exudes freaking sweetness. Then I was flipping through songs and remembered that he does, in fact, star in Tenacious D. You gotta like his sense of humor, but he imbues it into clever lyrics coupled with sheer crudeness.

"It's a rock block of Bach"
Tenacious D - Fuck her Gently
Tenacious D - Friendship
Tenacious D - Wonderboy
Tenacious D - Karate

Buy the CD

The sun is setting...

2005-07-31T23:47:00.000-07:00

Night of the Living Dead by Tilly and the Wall
Son of Sam by Elliott Smith
Satin in a Coffin by Modest Mouse
A Wolf at the Door by Radiohead
Midnight Show by The Killers

------------------------------------

Just got back from zee beach, and it was too much fun. Got a CD from zee record company, will post links from it later.

The Prince!

2005-07-28T22:32:00.000-07:00

The game is called Katamari Damacy. It's the most fun I've had in a loooong time on my PS2 that doesn't involve killing hookers in Los Santos. Came out a while back and it proves that semi-english translations plus interesting gameplay = masterpiece! You play the prince, who rolls around a little ball, that picks things up and clings to it. Simple? Yes. Addictive? Like heroin. Here's it's excellent soundtrack, atleast a sample of it's quirk.

LONELY ROLLING STAR
The Wonderful Star's Walk is Wonderful
Que Sera Sera

Buy the game here, cuz it's grrrreat

--------------------------------

So, I'm heading off to the beach with all my hombres for some sunburned camping fun! Be back Sunday kids!

Illinois!

2005-07-27T10:13:00.000-07:00

Still digesting the album, but here's my favorites thus far. I like his lower key stuff and his big band extravangzas, but personally like the quiter material. He's got quite the range, and I dig it! Which consists most of the songs I'm posting from it. Go buy it.

Sufjan Stevens - Concerning the UFO Sighting Near Highland, IL
Sufjan Stevens - John Wayne Gacy, Jr.
Sufjan Stevens - Jacksonville
Sufjan Stevens - Casimer Pulaski Day

I'm Wide Awake and it's Morning!

2005-07-24T18:09:00.000-07:00

Well, this is DEFINITELY one of my top 10 for the year, if not top 5. Released right in the beginning (January, how far away you seem!) the americana dream from Bright Eyes is perfect. There's honesty, and then there's this. He's self-depreciating, and his words are so true on many subjects, you can't deny his voice and raw sincerity. Just get the songs, and fuck the haters, lol.

Bright Eyes - Poison Oak
Bright Eyes - First Day of My Life
Bright Eyes - Land Locked Blues
Bright Eyes - Old Soul Song (For the New World Order)

Buy the album now

Friday's a great day

2005-07-22T05:42:00.000-07:00

I think we can all agree on that. Here's today's mix of great.

Afternoon Delight by Starland Vocal Band : The absolute best song about getting down. Simply because of the phrase "gonna find my baby gonna hold her tight, gonna grab me some afternoon delight" . Yeah, I said it and I posted it. Awesome 70's hit.

They'll Soon Discover by The Shins : When did they put the Shins on the Spongebob movie soundtrack? Either way, it's a good song once again.

Draw Down the Stars by Tom McRae : Can't remember where I got this on the interweb... All I know is that it's a lo-fi gem. Real quiet-like.

Cold Wind by Arcade Fire : Oh my God dude, you are so late on this one! Calm down hipster bitches, I've had it since they posted it a few weeks ago. But you know what? I didn't feel like posting it then! Anyways, for the one kid who missed it, here it is.

People Are Strange by Echo and the Bunnymen : Continuing on the Lost Boys song last time.

---------------------------------

Tonight, it's Sin City at the local theater fo' shoooo!

Away from the house but not the interweb.

2005-07-20T09:51:00.000-07:00

So, as soon as I posted my "Back" entry, I got a call from my cousin, beckoning me to go to his house up here near Washington, DC. Hence the lack of updates. The nights have been fun-filled, almost too much at some points. Kids, listen to your parents: drinking is for adults. Here's a random playlist (sorry, I just woke up, and my head is KILLING me, and my eyes sting.) Sigh. Yeah. Here's the goods! And thanks for stopping by, I love yah all!

Cry Little Sister - Sisters of Mary : Lost Boys guilty pleasure song!
We Will Become Sillouhettes - The Shins : A great Postal Service cover that leaves me longing for new Shins material. Two CDs and a few B-Sides is not enough!
Hotel California - Gypsy Kings : "Eight year olds Dude, eight year olds."

In other news, everyone, go see Wedding Crashers. Right now. Tonight. It's fucking great. Vince Vaughn is officially the man.
"That chick is three fucks from the weekend Father."

Back!

2005-07-17T07:51:00.000-07:00

Well, Jesus Camp was fun. We helped out some folks in Church Hill in Richmond (poor neighborhood) and it was really quiet. Not to many gangstas up and about. Anyways, had some down time to write and plan out some more music videos to direct/shoot this summer. What, you do movies? Yeah I do, and they're kicking all sorts of ass at a competition right now. You'll see it later, I promise. During the hard days' nights, I made all sorts of playlists. So here's one of seven mixes. Sorry there's no theme for a while, my brain is supah-fried right now. (short list, i know)

1. Where To Now St. Peter? Elton John
2. Where do the Children Play? - Cat Stevens
3. Tangled Up in Blue - Bob Dylan
4. Sunday Morning - Velvet Underground
5. First Day of My Life - Bright Eyes
6. As Ugly as I Seem - The White Stripes
7. Down in a Hole - Alice in Chains
8. Walt Whitman's Neice - Billy Bragg and Wilco
9. Plastic Jesus - Billy Idol

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Oh, and Jack, thanks for the offer, but I found "fucking in the bushes". Thanks anyways, you my man!

Buddy Christ!

2005-07-10T09:01:00.000-07:00

What, a Dogma post? Sorry, I've got to take a small break from blogging for a seclusion in... the inner city. Time for Jesus Camp in Richmond, so I won't have any access at all to the interweb or a computer. Here's a small mix that should tide you over. (hopefully) Every single one of them is perfect, so get them. There's one for every day!

Velvet Underground - Oh! Sweet Nothin'
Elton John - My Father's Gun
Bright Eyes - Land Locked Blues
Elliott Smith - Clementine
Iron and Wine - bird stealing bread
Modest Mouse - World At Large
David Bowie - Starman

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Have fun!

It's all happening...

2005-07-08T23:01:00.000-07:00

Okay, so, before Cameron Crowe made Vanilla Sky, he made what is probably one of the most heartfelt, possibly best movies ever made. It's Almost Famous. Semi-bographical of his tour with the Allman Brothers, it shows adolescence in the midst of the 70's and a fictional rock tour with "Stillwater". God, it's a perfect picture of the rock and roll of 1970's, and coming of age nearby Kate Hudson. Just, go watch it. Now. NOW.

Anyways, seeing as Crowe saw everything first hand and lived it, he chose the picture-perfect soundtrack for it. You just gotta see the scene of "Tiny Dancer".

Elton John - Tiny Dancer
The Kinks - Waterloo Sunset
The Who - Sparks
Yes - I've Seen All Good People

----------------------

Buy the Almost Famous Director's Cut
Buy the Soundtrack

Everybody's gotta learn sometime...

2005-07-07T21:22:00.000-07:00

From right out of left field, in 2003 came Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. It really defies description, let's just say it's the most tragic and comedic mind trip (literally) of a movie you will ever see. I hate Jim Carey, and I loved him in this movie. It's subtle and warped, just the way break-up movies should really be. It's about a man who finds out his girlfriend paid money to have her memory of him erased. So, in retaliation, he goes to the same company and pays to have her erased. As the procedure begins, Joel is transported throughout all the good and bad times, making for one helluva sad movie. Perhaps one of the most beautifully tragic scenes in all of film-dom happens near the end, as they talk to each other, with a beachouse crumbling all around them. Beck's haunting contribution serves as the perfect compliment to the film, but you really must watch it to believe it. Pop fun from Polyphonic Spree also serve as a happy note.

Beck - Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometime ***get it***
Polyphonic Spree - Light and Day
Jon Brion - Strings that Tie You
The Willowz - I Wonder

-----------------------------------

Buy the Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind DVD
Buy the Soundtrack

I'm gonna get medieval on yo' ass

2005-07-05T19:20:00.000-07:00

There's top ten films, and then there's top ten films. This is a classic, it's been hailed by everyone under the sun and for a damn reason. It has so much style and finesse coupled with brutality and bizzare. It's practically perfect. (practically.) Plus, I mean, it's got a godamn gimp suit! The soundtrack is a great range, though the chill out california guitar tracks are my personal faves. There are so many quotes from this movie, so I just had to include atleast one.

Al Green - Let's Stay Together
The Centurions - Bullwinkle Part 2 (Zed's Dead, Baby)
Dusty Springfield - Son of a Preacher Man
Chuck Berry - You Never Can Tell (Jack Rabbit Slims' Twist Contest)
The Revels - Comanche (Bring out the Gimp)

---------------------------------------------
Buy the Pulp Fiction DVD
Buy the Soundtrack

Happy America Day!

2005-07-04T05:49:00.000-07:00

Hope you're having a great fourth today (lots of BBQ and fireworks). Here's some distinctly American songs to listen to while you eat lots of red meat.

Simon and Garfunkel - America
Johnny Cash - Ring of Fire
Weezer - Surf Wax America

So... about that caravan

2005-07-02T20:11:00.000-07:00

Well, you better've seen this movie, Guy Ritchie's Lock Stock part 2, Snatch. Just like the former, this explored the various odds and ends of the British underground, with more eclectic and eccentric characters than the first time. Keeping the theme of the first soundtrack, this throws a lotta groove and soul tracks with a bit of rocking and the rolling. One of my particular songs that I regrettably lost somewhere is Oasis' "Fucking in the Bushes" which is lost somewhere with half the soundtrack. I cry, I tell yah, I cry.

The Stranglers - Golden Brown
The Johnston Brothers - Hernando's Hideaway
10cc - Dreadlock Holiday
Maceo and the Macks - Cross those Tracks

------------------------------------------

Buy the Snatch DVD
Buy the Soundtrack

Live 8... holy shit!

2005-07-02T10:05:00.000-07:00

Why didn't anybody tell me the type of stuff that was playing? I just watched U2 and Paul McCartney play "Sgt. Peppers Lonely Heart's Club Band" on stage live. And soon Pink Floyd is going to play together live again? My god! There's so much going on at the 5 or 6 different mega-stages. God, I don't want to work. I want to stay and see decent artists once every 30 minutes!

Watch the live feeds here or just turn on the telly, it's on a bunch of channels.

When did the lucid dream begin?

2005-07-01T08:44:00.000-07:00

Alright all you Cruise haters, listen up: Vanilla Sky is a good movie. Who cares if he's a whacko scientologiastic fiancee? (i just made that science word up.) This movie is another great Cameron Crowe film, even if he adapted it from a non-english speaking movie just for American audiences. (this was made in like, 2001, before remakes were "in") What really threw the average movie audience off probably was the fact that Tom Cruise becomes horribly disfigured about 30 minutes into the movie. What follows is a mind trip that ties together beautifully in so many ways. Probably a love it or hate it film, with me on the "love it" side. The mind-bending twists and how the tale unfolds is grrrreat!As usual, Cameron Crowe knows his music, and the soundtrack is eccentric to say the least. Plus, it gives me an excuse to post Radiohead. McCartney's title track and "Elevator Beat" are haunting for some reason.

Paul McCartney - Vanilla Sky
Nancy Wilson - Elevator Beat
REM - Sweetness Follows
Radiohead - Everything In It's Right Place
The Monkees - Porpoise Song (Theme from "Head")

------------------------------------------

Buy the Vanilla Sky DVD (super good bargain)
Buy the Soundtrack

p.s. for the daily double, what famous cover does the screenshot up top emulate?

Wes Anderson, Pt. 2

2005-06-30T12:45:00.000-07:00

The Life Aquatic... Not initially my favorite Wes Anderson movie. It's quirky to the bone, just like his other efforts, but something just didn't seem right in the theaters. However, watching it again and again on DVD, it seems to get better and better. The more texture to the characters the more I enjoy them. It's clearly a Wes Anderson score also, combining efforts with Mark Mothersbaugh to create the entire feel of the movie into music. Which harkens back to his Devo days, with small, fun electronic on old equipment. Great indeed. Also, someone found me the song they play at a very important part at the end, I had been hunting it ever since. It's "staralfur" and it plays when they see the leopard shark at the end. There's also a clear love for David Bowie, as it not only features him twice, but a Portugeuse man playing his music several times.

Mark Mothersbaugh - Zissou Society's Blue Star Cadet / Ned's Theme
Sven Libaek - Open Sea Theme
Mark Mothersbaugh - Ping Island / Lightning Strike Rescue Op
David Bowie - Life on Mars?
Sigur Ros - Staralfur

---------------------------------
Buy the Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou DVD
Buy the Soundtrack

---------------------------------

"I've never seen a bond-company stooge stick his neck out like that."

Yeah... That's right...

2005-06-29T15:04:00.000-07:00

I've got the Lord of the Rings soundtracks... Got them for a birthday present AND they're good! so hah! Howard Shore is only rivaled by Ennio Morricone and John Williams in the "film score" department, if you ask me.

Concerning Hobbits
Flight to the Ford
The Black Gate Opens
The Great River
Amon Hen
The Breaking of the Fellowship (my favorite)
The Return of the King

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Pinball Wizard indeed. (get it? gandalf on a pinball machine!)

Revenge is a dish best served cold...

2005-06-28T10:48:00.000-07:00

Another favorite: that crazy person Tarantino. You can't deny the power and energy his films convey, be it from Reservoir Dogs to the recent Kill Bill. So here are the picks from the ultraviolent epic that is the bride's journey... (p.s. it includes stuff from both volumes, because it's really one movie.) My favorite has got to be the 10 minute ballad that is "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood". It is perfect, and you'll be singing it in your head days from now. The chilling track "He SHot Me Down" is the greatest and most fitting opener to a film in a long time. There's a good bit of ambient scores in here, but I'm torn between "L'Arena" by Ennio Morricone and the "Battle Without Honor...". Both are supremely badass. But you can't forget Zamfir, and all three embody the movie so well. So get them all!

Sorry for the late post, loooong day yesterday.

Nancy Sinatra - Bang Bang (He Shot Me Down)
Zamfir - The Lonely Shepard
Shivaree - Goodnight Moon
Ennio Morricone - L'Arena
Santa Esmeralda - Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood
Chingon - Malaguena Salerosa
Alan Reeves - The Chase
Tomoyasu Hotei - Battle Without Honor or Humanity
Malcolm McLaren - About Her (decent cover)

---------------------------------------------------

Buy the Kill Bill Vol 1 DVD
Buy the Kill Bill Vol 2 DVD
Buy the Kill Bill Vol 1 Soundtrack
Buy the Kill Bill vol 2 Soundtrack

Wes Anderson, Part 1

2005-06-26T19:29:00.000-07:00

So, I'm not gonna lie, I love me some Wes Anderson movies. I count The Royal Tenenbaums as one of my top five, I can watch it over and over and over again. It's just so damn perfect! Anyways, I don't have the Bottle Rocket soundtrack, so I'm going to start off with Rushmore.

Well, quirky is quirky, and what's more awkward than adolescence? Max Fischer is the epitome of awkward kids, and his crush on the english teacher is so sad and perfect. What a great film. The accompanying soundtrack from Wes and his frequent collaborator Mark Mothersbaugh is eclectic and wonderful. The songs evoke a feeling of bouncy spring, and nostalgia. 60's Brit Punk (Making Time), nostalgic pop (summer song) and just plain fun, acoustic ballads (the wind, oh la la, oh yoko) I remember doing a post on this back on the other blog and someone LOVED it, and rightfully so. This music is great, and heartfelt, just like the movie.

The Kinks - Nothing in this World Can Stop Me Worrying About that Girl
Creation - Making Time
Chad and Jeremy - Summer Song
John Lennon - Oh Yoko
Cat Stevens - The Wind
The Faces - Ooh La La

----------------------------

Buy the Rushmore Criterion DVD
Buy the Soundtrack

Guy Ritchie's first great movie

2005-06-25T20:49:00.000-07:00

... was Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels. I had a nice write up for this, I think it was slightly enjoyable, but Blogger ate it. Hrm. I'll try best to remember. The movie is simply fun as hell to watch: ten stories going on at once all trying to get the same thing, all fucking up various times and tasks. It's a tale about crime that happens and revolves to each group. Simply put, it's amazing, funny as hell, and clever clever clever.

The music keeps the pace of the film as well. Fast, hard, upbeat rock with some smooth and chilled groove music. The sultry "spooky" playing at a strip joint, the frenetic "hundred mile city" blaring as they escape the coppers, and "18 with a bullet" is in the credits simply because it's badass.

"in the cool of the evening when everything is getting kinda groovy
you call me up and ask me if i'd like to go with you and see a movie
first i say no, i've got plans for the night
and then i stop
and say allriiiight"
- spooky

Peter Wingfield - 18 With a Bullet (barbershop + doo whop + ultimate song)
Ocean Colour Scene - Hundred Mile City
Dusty Springfield - Spooky
James Brown - The Payback
Robbie Williams - Man Machine

-----------------------------------------------

Buy Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels DVD
Buy the Soundtrack

We're on a mission... From God

2005-06-24T20:19:00.000-07:00

So, those two crazy SNL elites Belushi and Akroyd took their bit seriously and put out a cult classic and a touring band, the infamous Blues Brothers. Taking the best band they could buy, they conveyed their love of the classics by collaboration and covers. In short, they got down.

I like this new photo thingy.

The Blues Brothers - She Caught The Katy
Ray Charles w/the Brothers - Shake A Tail feather
The Blues Brothers - Everybody Needs Somebody (to love)
The Blues Brothers - Sweet Home Chicago

--------------------

Buy the Blues Brothers DVD
Buy the soundtrack
Buy their other albums

--------------------

Part 2 of 14

--------------------

Saw Land of the Dead and it was crazy as hell. Romero kinda pushed his plot to the side though to show gore gore gore, but I'm not complaining. We'll always have the 1979 Dawn of the Dead.

Lust for life!

2005-06-23T09:18:00.000-07:00

So, I was sitting down and thinking "Wow, I love movies a lot. I sure have a lot of soundtracks!" Then I was thinking, "What am I posting tonight?" It hit me: 2 + 2 = 5! (or so big brother says) and I'm going to post songs from 14 soundtracks for 14 straight days. Soundtracks in general are always better if you've seen the movie, so see them. They're all going to be great flicks, trust me.

-------------------------------------------------

First up...

My personal favorites of this soundtrack are not the techno tracks but the prime Iggy Pop and Lou Reed selections. After seeing the movie, I can't ever hear "lust for life" without thinking of Renton and Sick Boy running down the street from the cops. Why they gotta be hating on some addicts? Anyways, if you've seen the movie, you know it's extreme and frenetic in every way. The soundtrack however has a few ambient tracks and another one or two that just devolve into techno bass beats for 6 minutes straight. Not my thing. I love the jumpy, pop-sound "Mile End", and it might as well summarize the movie. I really do dig the rock tracks though, excellent picks by Danny Boyle.

Blur - Sing
Iggy Pop - Nightclubbing
Sleeper - Atomic
Lou Reed - Perfect Day (repost, because i love it)
Pulp - Mile End

-----

Buy the Trainspotting Soundtrack #1
Buy the Trainspotting Soundtrack #2
Buy Trainspotting (Director's Cut) DVD

Jack Johnson tracks

2005-06-20T12:01:00.000-07:00

Right, so as summer began, someone gave me a three CD's of Jack Johnson, seeing as I was the last person on the earth to hear of him. I really like his laid-back Hawaii charm and lyrics. He's got a simple set up (acoustic a go-go, with a bit of backup) but his voice carries each and every song through the easy melodies. Perfect for summer (he is a former surfer after all) I completely loved his lo-fi sounds (f-stop) but liked it even more when he jumped into fun and hectic sound (bubble toes). People might complain that he doesn't vary that much, and you know what, to a degree, that's really true. But I'm not complaining.

Brushfire Fairytales

Flake
Bubble Toes
Drink the Water
F-Stop Blues

In Between Dreams

Do you Remember?
Breakdown
Sitting, waiting, wishing
Better together

On and On

Times Like These
Tommorrow Morning Comes
Wasting Time
Taylor

--------------------------------------------------

Anyone out there play themselves some Counter-Strike: Source?

after a long day at work...

2005-06-18T01:34:00.000-07:00

... and i still havn't finished my Jack Johnson post. So i'm gonna upload this completely unorganized and random mix I've been listening to as of late.

The Who - Teenage Wasteland (Almost Famous, American Beauty, general badass)

Lou Reed - Perfect Day (i usually don't dig on Lou Reed but BY GOD i play the hell out of the song all the time. it's just perfect. PERFECT. PEEERFEEECT!)

Iggy Pop and the Stooges - I Wanna Be Your Dog (Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels)

Sly and the Family Stone - Family Affair (aaah yeeeah, Sly is the shit. plain and simple.)

The Four Tops - Seven Rooms of Gloom (i love this song. the harmony is just right on, brotha.)

Semisonic - Closing Time (haha, 90's guilty pleasure to the nth degree!)

Phil Collins - I Don't Care Anymore (uber uber uber guilty pleasure song. i understand if you hate me but i LOVE IT)

midnight mixtape and more!

2005-06-14T19:37:00.000-07:00

Here's a little something I concocted to listen to on the ol' ipod as it gets dark outside. Perfect for murky nights with the moon shining in between the drifting clouds. God, it's hot as hell this summer.

One by One - Billy Bragg and Wilco
Snow in Michigan by Christopher Sullivan
Traffic in the Sky by Jack Johnson
Title and Registration - Death Cab for Cutie
Fond Farwell - Elliot Smith
Lua - Bright Eyes
The Boxer - Simon and Garfunkel
Street Spirit (Fade Out) - Radiohead

----------------------------------------------------

Right, so there's the mixtape. After my last post, another group sent me an email. They go by the name of Lost on Purpose, and I gotta say I dig them. The lo-fi hit "Better off Dead" is a particular favorite, and their wonderfultastic EP "The Ultraviolet Effect" is available for download. In fact, about 25 odd songs are available for your listening pleasure. I gotta say, at first the vocals take a while to get used to, but by the second or third time you're right along with them. Show them some love, and check out their songs, neh?

----------------------------------------------------
In other news...

Check out the unrated Land of the Dead trailer. Yowza!

Solicitations! I love 'em!

2005-06-13T21:27:00.000-07:00

Right, so in the past week 2 different bands/artists emailed me with samples, imploring me to share with all of you. So I'm gonna! (stay tuned for tommorrow's post, which is a mix of songs suitable for quiet nights)

First Up: Soft

Brand new band sent me an email asking for a review, so here it is: I like them a lot actually. Keep in mind these are their first four songs really put up for scrutiny, but I like em. Especially "Droppin". I can't really name bands that remind me of them, because a) I don't like comparisons and b) I suck at comparisons. All I can say is that I recommend them. Take that as positive hype for them! Key tracks to get: Droppin, All that Your Shown

You can download their mp3s directly here
Soft's official site

Second round: Todd Stadtman

Mr. Stadtman has already been getting some early praise from some magazines and other news sources, and here are my two cents: while I really really really like the bubblegum electro pop that is "Clock in my Heart", I just don't dig the other tracks up for download. Sorry man, just not my thing. But, that's just one man's opinion. So make your own!

Here's his official download page
And his site

Thank you both of you for the offer, and I'm always up for free music sharing!

spread the word about soft. you'll love them.

Get down to some lounge!

2005-06-10T21:16:00.000-07:00

There's no actualy ol' blue eyes in this post, just a cover. In fact, it's such a great cover that it gets me into the lounge/house band feel every time. Surprisingly, from a ska band. It's really, really, really, good, those boys have damn fine harmony. It's like a drunken Barbershop Quartet single, especially near the end where they go crazy. "Start spreading the news..."

Reel Big Fish - New York, New York

Whoa, there's a new kid in town with big band lunge singing! You have to admit, the songs are freaking catchy, and his voice is amazing. Just try these two tracks, I swear.

Michael Buble - Feeling Good
Michael Buble - A Foggy Day (in London Town)

Music blast tuesday

2005-06-07T13:07:00.000-07:00

So did anyone get the new White Stripes and Coldplay yet?

post edit: i went out and bought the stripes, waiting on the coldplay though, probably will end getting a copy first.

Remy Zero : Villa Elaine

2005-06-06T08:11:00.000-07:00

Well, yeah, I discovered Remy Zero like a lot of people, through the excellent Garden State soundtrack. It featured the mucho grande track that is "Fair", which is on the Villa Elaine CD. Anyways, after procuring it I was shocked. How could I not of heard such a great album? Really, it's one of my favorite in the past few months. This and Snow Patrol's Final Straw collectively rocked my May. They have a sort of subdued and dreamy feel in tracks like "Life in Rain", which is an almost surreal and sad memory.

All in all, just get the fucking album.

Remy Zero - Life in Rain
Remy Zero - Motorcycle
Remy Zero - Hollow
Remy Zero - Gramarye
Buy "Villa Elaine".

edit: the other 3 are up.

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In other news, exams are coming up, but that really means that the daily routine will soon resort to lounging outside, reading, fishing, and playing CounterStrike Source at night. And of course, putting the radio on permeanant repeat. Here's to relaxation!

Broadcasting live!

2005-06-03T18:44:00.000-07:00

Well here it is! Part 2 of the launching! I hope you all enjoy, and this is just an eclectic mix of whats to come! As opposed to Part 1, this mix has a much more midwestern feel in the first couple songs, but then goes from the shins to simon and garfunkel to ending with an echoing synth from donnie darko!

1. Dark Night by The Blasters
2. The Weight by The Band
3. The Man in Me by Bob Dylan
4. Via Chicago by Wilco
5. Working Class Hero by John Lennon
6. Hotcha Girls by Ugly Casanova
7. Wither Vulcan by Remy Zero
8. Heaven Beside You by Alice in Chains
9. A Hazy Shade of Winter by Simon and Garfunkel
10. Black Cadillacs by Modest Mouse
11. Girl Inform Me by the Shins
12. Close I've Come by Ben Lee
13. Van Tango by Franz Ferdinand
14. New Born by Muse
15. Run by Snow Patrol
16. Somewhere a Clock is Ticking by Secret Machines
17. The Killing Moon by Echo and the Bunnymen

Here's to happy and regular posts!

Some premium Ted Leo

2005-06-02T18:54:00.000-07:00

While I'm waiting for high speed internet, here's some songs that I can post and not host. What has the blog community not said about Ted Leo and the Pharmacists? Chances are it's a lot better than what I could write, but I'll post some of my favorites of them and a link to their main site with a surprising amount of free downloads.

Me and Mia
The Gold Finch and the Red Oak Tree
The Crane takes Flight
Squeaky Fingers

...and more!

Official Web Site
Buy their records

P.S. I am forever scorning myself for missing them when they came through on tour. I don't like to admit it.

Hrm...

2005-05-31T19:03:00.000-07:00

If you've found this blog, feel very special. It's now the new Jersey Shore, except this time with friends! School is out, and I'm back in action! Is anyone listening? Probably not, but I don't care! The name comes from my friend Will who provides me with music from time to time. He was in a video I did that involved killer robots, free speech, and The Ramones "psycho therapy". Soon to be released on the web.

Anyways, this is a pre-emptive strike suckas, so get ready for robot action and tunes coming your way... again!

edit: wow, thank you alan. anyways, I've already written some posts in advance, heres the schedule:

launch mix (32 songs)
lounge music (2 songs)
midnight mix (8 songs)
remy zero selections (4 songs)
ted leo selections (6 songs)

I promise, it's coming.