The Paris - Chinese Border
30 December 2011
2011 - My Year In Music
To keep this blog's only tradition alive, here is a sampling of my iTunes 'most played' for the 2011. I'm sure there are all of 2 readers out there that may see this and give a crap. So to you, I say cheers. Let's get together and listen to records! Happy New Year!
- Catherine Wheel - Adam & Eve - 1998
- Real Estate - Days - 2011
- William Basinski - A Red Score in the Tile - 2003
- The Caretaker - An Empty Bliss Beyond This World - 2011
- Jürgen Müller - Science Of The Sea - 1982
- Washed Out - Within Without - 2011
- R&B Hipshakers - Teach Me To Monkey (Vol 1) / Scratch That Itch (Vol 2) - 2010
- Fugazi - The Argument - 2001
- Lync - These Are Not Fall Colors - 1994
- The Kinks - Village Green Preservation Society - 1968
- Josh Garrels - Love & War & The Sea In Between - 2011
- The Field - Looping State Of Mind - 2011
- Panda Bear - Tomboy - 2011
- The Feelies - Crazy Rhythms - 1980
- Tim Hecker - Ravedeath, 1972 / Dropped Pianos - 2011
- A Winged Victory For the Sullen - S/T - 2011
- And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead - Tao of the Dead - 2011
- Bill Callahan - Apocalypse - 2011
- Grouper - A|A : Alien Observer - 2011
- Hank Williams - 20 of Hank Williams' Greatest Hits - 2004
16 August 2011
Glowworm - Album Preview
Listen to my friend Kevin's new tracks. He is making some choice sounds.
http://www.myspace.com/glowworm ¶ 8/16/2011 12:37:00 PM 0 Comments
http://www.myspace.com/glowworm ¶ 8/16/2011 12:37:00 PM 0 Comments
26 July 2011
Portland Timbers
With the NBA lockout and broken down Blazers officially sucking the life out of local sports fandom, the Timbers have stepped up to give Portlanders a new hometown pride. Even with their recent drought of wins and slide down the rankings, it is still a pleasure to grab a beer, join the timbers army spirit, and watch some high quality football. PT -- FC! Who's up for some half season tickets next year? The video is an a-freaking-mazing goal of the year by Nagbe.
¶ 7/26/2011 08:42:00 AM 0 Comments
¶ 7/26/2011 08:42:00 AM 0 Comments
17 May 2011
Conan Is On A Tear
I tried to watch Letterman a few nights ago. These night classes have me up late a few nights a week and I thought I would tune in to see ol' Dave for the first time in a few years. It was a severe disappointment. It reminded me of the last time I saw Mogwai live here in Portland a few years back (missed this most recent show). There could not have been less interest in the performance, or the ramifications of a poor performance. Just didn't seem to give a f***. Contrast that with Conan on TBS. He has been consistently engaging and great since this recent TBS era began, not to mention the plethora of interesting musical guests. I hope the major networks are kicking themselves for not pouncing on the opportunity while they had it. Go to teamcoco and check it if you haven't already.
Recent guests off the top of my head:
Will Farrell
Zach Galifinakis
Zach Braff
Dimitri Martin
Jon Hamm
Screw this staying up late crap. I'll take Conan on demand any day of the week. ¶ 5/17/2011 11:39:00 AM 0 Comments
Recent guests off the top of my head:
Will Farrell
Zach Galifinakis
Zach Braff
Dimitri Martin
Jon Hamm
Screw this staying up late crap. I'll take Conan on demand any day of the week. ¶ 5/17/2011 11:39:00 AM 0 Comments
23 March 2011
31 December 2010
Happy New Year! 15 Albums To Remember 2010
I just can't resist posting another year-end list. It has become a tradition over the years and I see no reason to stop now. The autobiographical context is special to me and it is a moment recognize and be grateful to these artists for their hard work creating and producing beauty for the world to enjoy. Cheers to the next great discovery, the next great work that stirs the soul and causes the world to stand still, if only for a brief moment.
> Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
> Baths - Cerulean
> Beach House - Teen Dream
> Bonnie Prince Billy and The Cairo Gang - S/T
> Damien Jurado - Saint Bartlett
> Delorean - Subiza
> Four Tet - There Is Love In You
> Joanna Newsom - Have One On Me
> Kylesa - Spiral Shadow
> Max Richter - Infra
> Pantha Du Prince - Black Noise
> The Radio Dept. - Clinging To A Scheme
> Soft Powers - Bad Pop
> Strange Holiday - Archipelago
> Tame Impala - Innerspeaker ¶ 12/31/2010 12:27:00 PM 0 Comments
 |
| Max Richter - Infra |
> Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
> Baths - Cerulean
> Beach House - Teen Dream
> Bonnie Prince Billy and The Cairo Gang - S/T
> Damien Jurado - Saint Bartlett
> Delorean - Subiza
> Four Tet - There Is Love In You
> Joanna Newsom - Have One On Me
> Kylesa - Spiral Shadow
> Max Richter - Infra
> Pantha Du Prince - Black Noise
> The Radio Dept. - Clinging To A Scheme
> Soft Powers - Bad Pop
> Strange Holiday - Archipelago
> Tame Impala - Innerspeaker ¶ 12/31/2010 12:27:00 PM 0 Comments
13 September 2010
Follow Up: Smashing Pumpkins Are Here To Stay
I revised my last post a few times as you may have noticed. Coherent statements are challenging for a halfwit like myself. But to follow up, here is a Twitter chain posted by Billy Corgan today. He seems to thrive on adversity, and yeah, Tweets can rally/rile up at the masses quickly when you have something to say. Interpret as you will, I'm just stoked he's fired up and hope it turns into a fantastic new record. Follow him here.
- You know those horror movies where there is the *thing* that won't die? That is SP. We a'int gonna make that mistake again. Hipsters beware!
- Hipsters and blog fascists beware because SP exposes that your game isn't real, integral, fair, or even about music. It is about YOU
- Show me a band or a music artist with a problem and I will at least bow to them doing *some-thing* in this world, ego or not...
- How did the world get so upside down that the people who write about music see themselves as more valuable than the artists themselves?
- SP continues to expose the wires to the farce that is the mu-sick biz-ness...thank you to the radio stations that support us as independents
- Thank you to the indie retailers who honor the long history of SP and our place in alternative culture. Don't you get it yet?
- The Smashing Pumpkins are back. And we a'int going fucking anywhere but UP ha ha fucking hardy har har...what a beautiful day to LOVE+HONOR
- Thank you thank you thank you to the Smashing Pumpkins fans who have stuck with us. We appreciate you! Gonna rock you Spokane!
- I believe ALL should follow their HEART and do what they think best. If criticism is *it* for you, great.
- But if you piss on my lawn I'm gonna tell you to get the hell off my lawn.The message hasn't changed since '87. We're in the makeithappenbiz
- It's like, *news flash*, the circus has elephants+clowns+a guy in a top hat. SP is what it is + it a'int changing to match your death dream
- People change. People move on. People grow up (not me obviously!!). I'm happy. Love Love Love being in this band! I make no apology for us. ¶ 9/13/2010 05:10:00 PM 0 Comments
- You know those horror movies where there is the *thing* that won't die? That is SP. We a'int gonna make that mistake again. Hipsters beware!
- Hipsters and blog fascists beware because SP exposes that your game isn't real, integral, fair, or even about music. It is about YOU
- Show me a band or a music artist with a problem and I will at least bow to them doing *some-thing* in this world, ego or not...
- How did the world get so upside down that the people who write about music see themselves as more valuable than the artists themselves?
- SP continues to expose the wires to the farce that is the mu-sick biz-ness...thank you to the radio stations that support us as independents
- Thank you to the indie retailers who honor the long history of SP and our place in alternative culture. Don't you get it yet?
- The Smashing Pumpkins are back. And we a'int going fucking anywhere but UP ha ha fucking hardy har har...what a beautiful day to LOVE+HONOR
- Thank you thank you thank you to the Smashing Pumpkins fans who have stuck with us. We appreciate you! Gonna rock you Spokane!
- I believe ALL should follow their HEART and do what they think best. If criticism is *it* for you, great.
- But if you piss on my lawn I'm gonna tell you to get the hell off my lawn.The message hasn't changed since '87. We're in the makeithappenbiz
- It's like, *news flash*, the circus has elephants+clowns+a guy in a top hat. SP is what it is + it a'int changing to match your death dream
- People change. People move on. People grow up (not me obviously!!). I'm happy. Love Love Love being in this band! I make no apology for us. ¶ 9/13/2010 05:10:00 PM 0 Comments
12 September 2010
Thinking About: SP
The new lineup of Smashing Pumpkins played the Wonder Ballroom last night to a sellout crowd. I was not there ... a guy with a Mellon Collie & the Infinite Sadness tour shirt slowly disintegrating, wash after wash. How did this happen? How could a one time superfan let this one go? For what it's worth, here are some thoughts...
1. Much has been written regarding the Smashing Pumpkins moniker, whether this technically qualifies as a legit SP show. James, D'arcy and Jimmy are off living their own lives and making music of their own, not bending to the militant domination of their former band leader. Cheers to you guys, wherever you are. Though musically strong, the multiple revisions of the band haven't held a candle to the power and romance of the original line up.
1. Much has been written regarding the Smashing Pumpkins moniker, whether this technically qualifies as a legit SP show. James, D'arcy and Jimmy are off living their own lives and making music of their own, not bending to the militant domination of their former band leader. Cheers to you guys, wherever you are. Though musically strong, the multiple revisions of the band haven't held a candle to the power and romance of the original line up.
2. If it was 1994 and they were touring on Siamese Dream, then yeah, I would be kicking myself a little harder. Even though the set list evidently leaned heavily toward new material, sort of disqualifying it as any sort of 'reunion' tour (e.g. Pavement), it still has the feel of one, even amongst my friends. The SP music that matters to us is the 90's SP.
3. On that note, it's a sad reality that the vitality of the 90's records will always cast a shadow over Corgan's later career. The guy has never stopped writing, for better or worse. Moments of sheer brilliance and talent often shine through the thick fog of his artistic output, nurturing his fans and holding his detractors in attention. The relevant moments are fewer and fewer as he ages, songs less compelling. And that's ok. It happens. But the hefty price tag for the show was easier to pass by this time.
In the end, this is really just a cathartic exercise. It could have been worth it just to see Corgan rip a few guitar solos. C'est la vie.
¶ 9/12/2010 11:23:00 AM 0 Comments
3. On that note, it's a sad reality that the vitality of the 90's records will always cast a shadow over Corgan's later career. The guy has never stopped writing, for better or worse. Moments of sheer brilliance and talent often shine through the thick fog of his artistic output, nurturing his fans and holding his detractors in attention. The relevant moments are fewer and fewer as he ages, songs less compelling. And that's ok. It happens. But the hefty price tag for the show was easier to pass by this time.
31 August 2010
A Listener's Life List
My spirit was lifted recently by a foray into some obscure gems via late night listening party with dear friends. Who would have thought the Everly Brothers would emerge in 2010 as a source of beautiful music in a jaded 31-year-old's life? Glorious. So in response I unearthed a volume purchased several years ago, 1000 Recordings To Hear Before You Die, by Tom Moon. God bless the internet for actually giving me a chance to track down and listen to most of these. Occasionally I hope to share a few thoughts on masterpieces discovered here. This is very comforting for some reason ... a lifetime quest. Not unlike Rob Gordon's comfort in arranging his record collection autobiographically.
¶ 8/31/2010 10:27:00 AM 1 Comments
28 August 2010
A Trip to a Beautiful Place
This is a video montage of a Yosemite backpacking trip we did in summer 2010. The photos and video were by both René and I, and the music is one of my favorite Chopin pieces, which seemed to rival the beauty and grace of the landscape. I can only hope to return and see it again soon. ¶ 8/28/2010 06:48:00 PM 2 Comments
This is a video montage of a Yosemite backpacking trip we did in summer 2010. The photos and video were by both René and I, and the music is one of my favorite Chopin pieces, which seemed to rival the beauty and grace of the landscape. I can only hope to return and see it again soon. ¶ 8/28/2010 06:48:00 PM 2 Comments
