Friday, January 28, 2011

Fridays are for Fret Boards

Nothing makes me happier than when a great, young artist covers a great artist of influence. For those of you who don't know Paul Simon: kindly exit this page and never return. Find yourself a nice, simple woman and settle down. Raise kids and live every day as though this one never happened. For those of you who don't know The Tallest Man on Earth: For those of you who don't know Yellow Ostrich: that is not all too surprising. Alex Schaaf is a young man who produces mostly covers. His music is raw and stripped down while still maintaining the integrity of the song/artist he is covering. Attached are two songs. The first is The Tallest Man on Earth covering Paul Simon's "Graceland" and the second is Yellow Ostrich's cover of The Tallest Man on Earth's "King of Spain." Devour.


Monday, January 24, 2011

The Island of Fang (and other reasons to own headphones)

There's not a self-respecting music nerd in the country who doesn't know Explosions In the Sky. All it takes is ten minutes on any instrumental Pandora station, one episode of Friday Night Lights, or generally having a pulse and an ability to go beyond the radio. However, and this is difficult for me to admit, no amount of popularity or recognition could possibly change that fact that these guys are just cool. Bottom line, they are the best at what they do. If post-rock instrumental is what you're into, then Explosions In the Sky is what you're into. Personally, my favorite album is 2003's The Earth is Not a Cold Dead Place, but I guarantee that you won't be disappointed in any one of their albums. Going one step further, there are some bands who's sound is flowing through the same soaring, technical, dreamy vein. These bands are worth their salt and your listen. Scale the Summit is a young-gun band with incredible chops and creativity. These guys formed in L.A. and then moved to Texas (perhaps in pursuit of EITS's secret) and recorded what can only be described as virtuoso meets post-rock dipped in quixotic butter. Check out "The Great Plains" on the album Carving Desert Canyons. You will find no disappointment. Instead you will find the discovery of that sound that you always wished your band in college sounded like but could never place your finger on. Another band that merits your iPod space is Fang Island. This band is possibly the most refreshing thing in music in the last few years. Their 2010, self-titled release is 10 tracks of unbridled joy and exploration. The album is mostly instrumentals but there are some chanting, soaring vocals laid over a few tracks that prove once-and-for-all that vocals over three guitars is not only possible, but just plain kick-ass. These guys are young, progressive, and masters of their craft. Highlights on the album are "Careful Crossers," "Daisy," and "Davy Crockett." I've included links. Enjoy.



Friday, January 21, 2011

Fridays are for Frying Pans




There are times in every man's life when all the elements, all the variables, all the possibilities, line up perfectly. There are plenty of "almosts" but there are few moments that contain an incomparable balance. These moments don't have to be complicated or even impressive in nature. They are simply composed in a way that resonates. They are different for every man. For some it's the taste of Chimay combined with a lazy Sunday evening, sprinkled with cigarettes and fellowship, and drenched in the music of Neil Young. For others it's waking before the sun, running five miles, Jay-Z's Black Album pumping through an iPod, and the sunrise peaking over right as 99 Problems kicks through the headphones. For me, it could be either. It could be neither. The mood has to to meet the circumstance and the circumstance has to meet the day. There are a million things to soil the makings of a perfect moment. As cliche as it may be, those moments only come around so often and should be cherished and enjoyed. Hopefully, seeing Ernest H. up there will help spawn a good day/night for you all.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Abby's Neck




I have just been informed that my dog (back home) had to be taken to an Emergency Clinic because somehow she cut her neck while my parents weren't home. She had to be put under and they had to do some tissue repair. She currently has a scar about 8 inches long with a drainage tube. She is on pain killers. My dad came home and found her bleeding and then he and my mom had to race to the closest clinic, which is about 45 miles away. My dad drove while my mom held Abby and tried to keep pressure on the cut. I wasn't there, but it sounds pretty intense. I know she's just a dog but you know how pets become part of the family. Kind of scary.
I'm drinking Earl Grey tea and listening to Son Volt and trying to pretend that the health/well-being of an animal doesn't effect my mood. I'm not doing a very good job, I think. To lighten the mood I've attached this video. If you don't know Son Volt, you should. When Uncle Tupelo broke up in 1994, Jeff Tweedy formed Wilco and Jay Farrar formed Son Volt. Enjoy.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Townes Van Zandt


Hello, internet world. It's a peculiar Monday afternoon. It's grey outside and there is both rain and snow saturating the world today. It may not be April, but January is still fairly cruel in nature. It's difficult for a boy-who-can-shave such as myself to break the melancholy mood that naturally forms when the sky is faded and Townes Van Zandt is playing in my ears. Just a force of habit, I suppose. Aside from the unjustified somberness of today, life is just about as good as it can be. I've got a savior who saves. That's huge. I've got a fiancée who is way out of my league. That's just cool. My family is well. My friends are happy in poverty. No complaints. No complaints at all.
If you're looking for a Chevrolet way of filling your ears, listen to the song attached to this post. Also, question of the day: Should I sell my Honda and buy 1963 GMC pickup and keep the difference for other expenses? I would say yes. My lady would say yes. Would you say yes? Comment and let me know.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Paint for people, not hippies.

Behold, a beautiful video of paint being flung in the air set to music. It is simply just that. Please appreciate this in a 'wow, that's really cool and well-crafted/I wish I had thought of that/the internet has some cool sh**' sort of way and not in a 'no way, man, I think I'm having an acid flashback/yeah, but you need to check out this VHS I have of Grateful Dead playing in Poland/man, I wish Phish would get back together/tie-dye' way. Thank you. Now, devour.

Friday, January 14, 2011

Grand Archives


Dear Bloggers, if you don't already know the band Grand Archives then it is about time that you do. These guys are an incredible indie/folk rock band from Seattle, WA and have been my obsession for the last couple of days. I have included a link to one of their songs with this blog. Do yourself the biggest favor and listen to them. Personally, I have spent most of my listening energy on their self-titled album released in 2008. You may know the vocalist/genius behind the band, Mat Brooke, from Band of Horses. Apparently he decided that B o H was not his main focus and that an endeavor of his own was necessary. This birthed GA. Thank goodness for that. Open up your ear holes. Widen your minds. Close your doors. Turn out the lights. Enjoy.





Thursday, January 13, 2011

Cyndi Lauper and OMB


Just a couple of things to mention today. (1) There is no 'I' in team and there is no 'I' in Homer's Coffee House, but there is an 'I' in Cyndi and it turns out girls do just want to have fun. (2) There is no one on staff at a certain bank in a certain town who has any sort of authority or control and so you should never ask them to do anything for you because, what a shame, they cannot help you. Apparently it is a strict policy at this bank to assign job titles, desks, and name tags to a mass of people who get paid (with benefits) to answer phones and sweetly "assist" customers in getting no results. I'm not sure where the 'service' part of 'customer service' does play out, but I am sure of where it does not. On behalf of loyal bank customers who have been shelling their money into an institution for almost a decade and in return have received nothing but a metaphorical hammer to the checking-account-testicles, I would like to say, "Thank you, OMB. Thank you. Your indifference towards loyalty and your ignorance in the fields of both banking and customer service are greatly appreciated. My nuts thank you as well. Hopefully I can return the favor someday."