Favorite Music of 2009
We’re in a culture that is obsessed with making lists and calling things the ‘best’. It’s all subjective. Here’s my list. If I re-did this tomorrow, it’d probably be different. Please argue with me. Grizzly Bear – Veckatimest :: Gets better with every listen. Mos Def – The Estatic :: Really glad he’s back, the [...]
Ultimate Music Throwdown 2009
I have a Republican (he says he’s “libertarian”) friend that listens to metal. We argue often. We’re both stubborn. Recently there was a discovery that we both love REM (must have been a sensitive time in his life?). I can’t argue with a man about the album Monster. It’s a great album and defined a [...]
the July two music report
Grizzly Bear Veckatimest This album is sonic candy. I heard once that they are the east coast’s version of the Fleet Foxes. That’s kind of true. I really enjoy the timbre, melodies and how the bass player blends in with the rest of the band. It’s authentically catchy. These guys were meticulous in their song [...]
Bonnaroo 2009
I spent this past weekend in the middle of Tennessee. It took me 24 hours to get there via plane, and I spent the next 24 hours without any luggage. But I’m not going to talk about that here, I’ll save that for a future post about how American Airlines could have used Social Media [...]
my new favorite band: MGMT
Initially, without listening to MGMT, I brushed them off as a noun/verb - digit band (ala, SUM-41, blink-182, etc). I noticed that their album was still ranked pretty high in the iTunes store a couple of weeks ago, I bought it. I’m really glad I did. Turns out, it’s a really good band. The tracks [...]
Thao with the Get Down Stay Down
So, this weekend the Sasquatch Festival is happening in George, Washington at the Gorge. Unfortunately, the powers that be decided that I shouldn’t go, but I should go to the Pemberton Festival in Pemberton, BC. Both have killer lineups, with one exception. Thao with the Get down Stay Down. I grabbed a copy of this [...]
Death of a Salesman
The major labels are dying. … and I don’t care. EMI in the past year has lost Radiohead, Paul McCartney, and the Rolling Stones from it’s roster. Last week they laid off 2,000 people. The other majors aren’t too far behind either. The word is, jobs at the labels are being lost left and right. [...]
Two Gallants see a West Indian Girl go to Dr. Dog
I had a surprise business trip come up this week that is forcing me to see way more of the East Bay of San Francisco then I could ever imagine. In the 12 hours of preparation I had I made sure to fill up my iPod and grab a bunch of new cd’s that I [...]
says who?
How does music become popular? It seems there is no rhyme or reason for something to gain the all important buzz. The all-important buzz can be the difference in an album from being a 1k pressing from discmakers to a guitar players retirement. If the answer is, these bands are more talented and they music [...]
We Were Good News for People Who Like The Sinking Ship News
Modest Mouse start off the new album sounding very much like the last one. That’s a good thing. We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank starts off with the romping four on the floor sound that we’re all accustomed to. The biggest news about the band in the last six months was the news [...]
Why Birth of the Cool?
Did it all start with Birth of the Cool? No, hardly. Miles Davis’ classic recording from 1949-1950 was not his start, It isn’t even his best album. What about that recording makes it cool? Miles, fresh from his stints with Bird goes off and does his own thing. He is very much of a New [...]
Welcome to my music blog
Here it is. After being inspired by the movie Almost Famous, I decided that I wanted to have a corner on the internet dedicated to writing about music. I will focus on everything from current releases, classic albums, lost gems, the business of music, and whatever else sparks my interest. “I’ll play it first and [...]