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Wednesday, December 31, 20082008 Catalog: Part 14So this is the final entry of all my purchases of music in the year 2008. In the end, I purchased 82 separate albums, eps, or 7 inches in those 365 days. 43 of them were in mp3 form, 33 on cd, and 6 on vinyl. It was an interesting project to see all the stuff I listened to this year and not one that I'll likely do again, but worthwhile nonetheless. To the future. To 2009.  Von Hayes "Evident Eyelid"File Under: Low Fidelity Rocking. Where and Why Did I Buy? From emusic. With a name of a classic, Philadelphia Phillies player from the 1980s, how could I not. Do I Enjoy? I do. I wish it sounded a little bit less like GBV, but it's still interesting.  v/a "Torque"File Under: The Classic from 1997. Where and Why Did I Buy? From the Princeton Record Exchange. It's a classic. Do I Enjoy? Thoroughly and completely. The sound of a time and place that can't be replicated.  Stephen Stills "Manassas"File Under: Freedom Rock? Where and Why Did I Buy? At that place on Passyunk that doesn't sell records anymore. Oh yeah, it's called Sweet Jane. Do I Enjoy? I only listened to it once and wasn't paying attention, so I can't be a judge in this situation.  Fleet Foxes "s/t"File Under: Easy Listening. Where and Why Did I Buy? From Long in the Tooth. I'd heard good things. Do I Enjoy? I do. This is one album that I must have listened to at least 30 times, but only as background music. That's not an insult though because it's great background music and sounds wonderful.  Brian Eno "Ambient 1: Music for Airports"File Under: Ambient. Music for Airports Where and Why Did I Buy? My mom gave this to me for Christmas. Not that my mom is a Brian Eno fan though, it was on my Amazon wishlist. Do I Enjoy? I haven't listened to it yet. I think I'll enjoy.  Brightblack "Ala.cali.tucky"File Under: Slow country-tinged jamz with steel guitar. Where and Why Did I Buy? As with Brian Eno, this is another gift from my mom. Do I Enjoy? Yes. Much like Jefferson Airplane went on to become Jefferson Starship, Brightblack transformed into Brightblack Morning Light on their next album.  Let's Wrestle "Let's Wrestle/I'm in Fighting Mode" 7 inchFile Under: Young British kids rocking. Where and Why Did I Buy? From emusic. I celebrate their entire brief catalog. Do I Enjoy? I do. Two short blasts of good times. 6:11 PM + 0 comments Monday, December 29, 20082008 Catalog: Part 13Just a few left from my year in buying music:  Carl Perkins "The Complete Sun Singles"File Under: Classics. Where and Why Did I Buy? From emusic. My friend, Mr. Clark, always extolled the virtues of Carl Perkins, so I had to check him out. Do I Enjoy? I do. Man, Elvis really ripped him off.  Julie Ocean "Long Gone And Nearly There"File Under: Powerful pop music Where and Why Did I Buy? From emusic.com. One of the guys from Velocity Girl is in this band and I'd heard good things about them. Do I Enjoy? It's okay. The songs that feature the guy from Velocity Girl on lead vocals are good, but the other songs don't do it for me.  Lindstrom "Where You Go I Go Too"File Under: Bad bad bad electronic music. Where and Why Did I Buy? Through emusic.com. Every review I read said this was the greatest. Do I Enjoy? I find it terrible. Seriously sounds like an album of casio keyboard preset songs from 1987.  Collections of Colonies of Bees "Birds"File Under: Electronical instrumental rock music. Where and Why Did I Buy? From AKA. This band features most of the guys from Pele, a band that ruled. Do I Enjoy? It's okay. Basically sounds like a recorded set of jams. Maybe it'll reveal itself after multiple listens.  Deconstruction "s/t"File Under: 90s rock. Where and Why Did I Buy? At Long in the Tooth. I had a song of theirs on this ancient compilation on tape. Do I Enjoy? Buying this cd was unnecessary. The song I remember on the tape was plenty. 7:27 PM + 0 comments Sunday, December 21, 20082008 Catalog: Part 12Good thing this is almost finished. Next year, I'm not writing down anything related to music.  Sleater-Kinney "One Beat"File Under: Rock and/or Roll Where and Why Did I Buy? From emusic. I own the rest of their albums and this was one I didn't own. Do I Enjoy? I do. I haven't listened to it much, but I'll get around to it eventually. Although "The Woods" and "The Hot Rock" remain my two favorite albums of theirs.  Fennesz "Endless Summer"File Under: Glitchy electronic music Where and Why Did I Buy? From emusic.com. I've read good things. Do I Enjoy? It's okay. I've been unable to listen to the entire thing in a single sitting since my ears can't take it, but maybe eventually it'll sink in.  Lindstrom "It's A Feedelity Affair"File Under: Space Disco Where and Why Did I Buy? Through emusic.com. I'm down with space disco. Do I Enjoy? Meh.  Tom Petty "She's The One Soundtrack"File Under: Tom Petty in soundtrack mode. Where and Why Did I Buy? From the Princeton Record Exchange. Although this may sound insane, I really like Lindsey Buckingham's backup vocals on the song "Walls (Circus)" and that's actually why I bought this. Do I Enjoy? The song I mentioned above is great, but the rest is mixed. But you can buy this album anywhere in the universe for less than a dollar, so it's not worth complaining. 10:28 PM + 0 comments Wednesday, December 17, 20082008 Catalog: Part 11I actually saw someone with a license plate of QITSTRM the other day. Love the quiet storm. Anyway, continuing the theme of the past few posts, here's more musical purchases from this year:  Kurt Vile "Constant Hitmaker"File Under: Constant hits (via bedroom recording) Where and Why Did I Buy? From the emusic. I heard a song of his on a local radio show and was impressed by this Philadelphia recording artist. Do I Enjoy? I do. It drags slightly near the end, but I expect big things from this fellow.  Michael Showalter "Sandwiches & Cats"File Under: Stand up plus musical detours. Where and Why Did I Buy? From emusic.com. From The State to Stella, Mr. Showalter doesn't do much wrong. Do I Enjoy? Somewhat. There's pure gold in the standup, but the stuff with music doesn't always get there. He's trying to expand the facets of the horizon though, so I can't fault him.  V/A "V Classic: Volume 1"File Under: Drum n' Bass. Circa 1997. Where and Why Did I Buy? At the Princeton Record Exchange. Jams abound on this disc. Do I Enjoy? Yes, it's jazzy and more.  Fleetwood Mac "Rumors "File Under: Fleetwood Mac. Basically. Everyone knows this album. Where and Why Did I Buy? At a thrift store in North Carolina. Lindsey Buckingham can do no wrong. Do I Enjoy? Yeah, it's no "Tusk", but what else is really?  Orbital "Middle of Nowhere"File Under: Electronic(a?). Where and Why Did I Buy? At Tunes for $1. Do I Enjoy? I do not. Perfect case of a great group taking too long between albums. They took 3 years to record this after their classic "In Sides" was released and this album can't compare.  V/A "Trance Atlantic 2"File Under: Electronic(a?) Where and Why Did I Buy? From half.com. I've been on a mission to collect every one of these compilations over the past few years. Do I Enjoy? Yes. Even better than the music contained therein are the tiny 300+ page booklets that were packaged with these. Portraits of a time that went by exist in those miniature pages. 7:50 PM + 0 comments Tuesday, December 09, 20082008 Catalog: Part 10Detailing every musical purchase is time consuming work, people. We're running out of time before year end. Go go go.  The Jealous Sound "Got Friends" epFile Under: Rock and/or Roll Where and Why Did I Buy? From itunes. Blair Shehan's old band, Knapsack, released three of my favorite albums of the 90s. His output this decade under The Jealous Sound has been decidedly less prolific, but this ep is maybe another beginning. The title track is one of my favorite songs of the year. Do I Enjoy? Yes. The title track belongs on an full length album that hopefully will be released someday.  Eagles of Death Metal "Heart On"File Under: Boots Electric Where and Why Did I Buy? From emusic.com. Anything EoDM do, I support. Do I Enjoy? Somewhat. "WannaBe in L.A." is a great song, but I'm not yet connecting with the rest. I need to give it time to settle in.  Little Joy "s/t"File Under: The Strokes-lite, but better. Where and Why Did I Buy? Through emusic.com. I'd heard good things. Do I Enjoy? Yeah, a nice, friendly album. No one can dislike stuff like this.  Hotel Lights "Firecracker People"File Under: What Ben Folds attempts to do now, but much much better. Where and Why Did I Buy? From emusic. I liked Ben Folds Five and Darren Jesse writes better songs. Do I Enjoy? Hotel Lights should be a band more people know. "Amelia Bright" needs some attention. Give it some. 6:26 PM + 0 comments Sunday, November 30, 20082008 Catalog: Part 9As before, this list of 2008's musical purchases continues. We're making progress on this.  John B(UK) "Drum 'N' Bass: Visions"File Under: Drum n' Bass (circa 1998). Where and Why Did I Buy? From half.com. This was an album I've been searching for for years. I saw it at a record shop in Portland, but passed it up. Now via the powers of half.com, it's mine. Do I Enjoy? The track "Jazz Session 2" on the first disc is an absolutely awesome jazzy mix of live instruments and electronics, possibly one of the best of its kind.  Brightblack Morning Light "Motion to Rejoin"File Under: Hippies + Fender Rhodes = Space Jamz Where and Why Did I Buy? From emusic.com. Their first album rules. Do I Enjoy? I definitely do. Much like Patton Oswalt, I hate hippies, but I'm one with this album. All of their songs sound exactly the same, but it's one to put on your stereo because it's all about the haze.  Dane Cook "Vicious Circle"File Under: Unfunny standup. Where and Why Did I Buy? Through emusic.com. I had monthly downloads left that were about to expire. Do I Enjoy? Early on, I was true supporter of Mr. Cook and have defended him on various occasions, but this album blows. From the giant ego stroking two minute intro of the crowd chanting his name to the terrible material he currently thinks is funny, fame is a ruiner.  Spoon "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga"File Under: Angular Rock music? Where and Why Did I Buy? From emusic. More downloads that were to expire. Do I Enjoy? I really liked their album "Girls Can Tell", but this one seems half finished to me.  The Streets "Everything Is Borrowed"File Under: A British Post-Election Soundtrack Where and Why Did I Buy? From emusic. I've purchased every Streets album. Do I Enjoy? Yes. The last album was garbage, but this is a return to form. Although this form is definitely brimming with positivity and takes some getting used to. The title track's video is one of my favorites from this year. 10:28 PM + 0 comments Monday, November 24, 20082008 Catalog: Part 8Must. Write. Very. Briefly. About Music. I've Purchased this calendar year:  Hustle Simmons "s/t"Where and Why Did I Buy? From emusic. Solely due to the fantastic name. Do I Enjoy? Not nearly as much as their name.  Matthew Dear "Asa Breed: Black Edition"Where and Why Did I Buy? From emusic.com. I've been looking to find good, current, dance music that doesn't rip off Daft Punk's second album too hard, this album does not. Do I Enjoy? Yes. It's great. "Don and Sherri" is a perfect example of a song that should have an 8 minute remix. It's gold.  Ra Ra Riot "The Rhumb Line"Where and Why Did I Buy? Through the emusic.com. I think they were on Letterman and I thought their album might be worth a shot. Do I Enjoy? With emusic, you win some and lose some. This one lost me. It's not bad or anything, just not memorable to me.  Lindstrom "The Contemporary Fix Ep"Where and Why Did I Buy? From emusic. Yet another attempt at discovering current electronic music. Do I Enjoy? Yeah, it's interesting. A winner of a single.  Kings of Convenience "Versus"Where and Why Did I Buy? At the Record Exchange in Princeton. A steal for $1.99. Do I Enjoy? I do. I'm not usually partial to remix albums, but this has some good ones. They don't stray too far from the originals, each has a bit more electronic-ness.  Jeff Mills "Blue Potential - Live with Montpellier Philharmonic Orchestra"Where and Why Did I Buy? From emusic. I celebrate Mr. Mill's entire catalog. Do I Enjoy? This grand experiment's goal is to mix electronic music with a giant orchestra and it almost really works. This video of "The Bells" from the dvd release of this album is absolutely awesome though. When the crowd cheers at the 1 minute 46 second mark is almost why I listen to music. 10:29 PM + 0 comments Thursday, November 20, 20082008 Catalog: Part 7Although I've been away from it for the past couple months, my goal of writing down every purchase I've made of the musical variety in 2008 continues. Here's some from this summer:  Nine Inch Nails "The Slip"Where and Why Did I Buy? From the band's official website because it was free. Do I Enjoy? I do. Trent Reznor and Co. were the first concert I attended back in the early 90's. I still celebrate his entire catalog. Less so nowadays, but still some.  Sun Kil Moon "Tiny Cities"Where and Why Did I Buy? From emusic.com. I'm no fan of Modest Mouse, but I am of Mark Kozelek. He could cover any band and it would work. Do I Enjoy? Yes. With a voice like that, you really can't wrong anyone or anything. The cover of "Ocean Breathes Salty" on here can stop time.  James Blackshaw "The Cloud of Unknowing"Where and Why Did I Buy? Through the emusic.com. I had a bunch of downloads I had to use before they expired. Do I Enjoy? An entire album of only acoustic guitars looks bad on paper (or a screen), but sounds less so in mp3 form. That being said, I've only managed to listen to a few minutes of this before moving on.  Massive Attack "Mezzanine"Where and Why Did I Buy? At Long in the Tooth. I was on a Massive Attack kick early in the summer. Do I Enjoy? It's a classic, but I quickly realized after hearing this again that their darkness doesn't work well when listened to in early June.  House of 909 "Soul Rebels"Where and Why Did I Buy? At the Record Exchange in Princeton. It was 99 cents. Do I Enjoy? Terrible album cover and the mix cd of bland techno house contained therein is only modestly better.  V/A "Eleven Phases Detroit Compilation"Where and Why Did I Buy? Also at the Record Exchange in Princeton from the bargain bin again. Do I Enjoy? Not really.  V/A "Kranky Kompilation"Where and Why Did I Buy? Also at the Record Exchange in Princeton. Bargain bin one more time. Do I Enjoy? Great label and a decent compilation. Love them Stars of the Lid.  Frente "Marvin the Album"Where and Why Did I Buy? At Tunes. It was 99 cents. Do I Enjoy? I thought I had fond memories of this album from some vague point of time. Upon hearing it again, I realized did not. Must not have been me.  V/A "Formation 100: The History of Drum n' Bass"Where and Why Did I Buy? From Amazon because I love drum n' bass (circa 1996). Do I Enjoy? It's decent, but lacks many quality jams of the era. Good history of the Formation label though.  Whitest Boy Alive "Dreams"Where and Why Did I Buy? From emusic. I enjoy the talents of Erlend Oye (of Kings of Convenience). Do I Enjoy? Erlend rules. This side project does also. Plus they cover Stardust's amazingly classic "Music Sounds Better With You" in the live setting. 8:14 PM + 0 comments Saturday, November 15, 2008To the FutureSorry that I haven't written anything in a while. Everyone knows what a huge John McCain supporter I've been during my time on this planet and his loss has shaken my soul. This vigorous soul shaking has left me unable to type on a computer keyboard, yet I'm strangely able to do everything else. Of course, that's an untruth. After Obama's win was announced and he took the stage in Grant Park, a small part of me expected George Bush & Co. to walk on instead. After eight long years, it's as if you can't get rid of the guy and possibly even a national election with millions of votes cast won't end his tenure. Although according to The Onion, he's ready to go now. Anyway, I read this article by the 57.3% crazy Maureen Dowd a few weeks ago and never got around to mentioning it. It's pretty standard and what you would expect from her, but right at the end, if her words are the truth then it's only a $50 fine to climb up in Abe Lincoln's lap at the Lincoln Memorial. Even in this Depression-esqe economy that price seems worth it to me. It's probably vaguely desecrating, but I bet ol' Abe wouldn't mind. He likes everybody. They could even take pictures to raise money to pay down the deficit. Right there, a brand new revenue stream for Uncle Sam. Someone add that to the budget for me. 10:11 AM + 0 comments Thursday, October 30, 2008Us CanWow, so the Phillies win last night in the World Series was just awesome. Actually being in a city (that hasn't won anything since I was five) as the team from that city actually wins something can't really be described except with a lot of yelling and high fiving of complete strangers. After the final pitch, for about two hours last night, it was as if the whole city gravitated inwards to Broad St. and everyone got along. Somehow in our trek around our neighborhood, we spotted a car driven by Mr. Flanagan and opted to get inside for a northward ride. With the windows down and a sea of people in front of us, it was seriously as if this simple win was a win for anyone and everyone from the fireworks enthusiast to the criminal down the street. Amazingly cool. And of course, the local news media had to emphasize a broken window or two, but everything was cool in South Philadelphia where we were. But then I guess that's because the revelry in these parts was enjoyed by those who actually live here and not those who took the train in to drink Budweiser at Applebee's and flip a car. So basically, go sports and go this city. Let's hope this dude survived the evening. 7:25 PM + 0 comments Thursday, October 23, 2008Two Orders of McCSo I forgot to mention another event that occurred in our journey from the center of Philadelphia to Pittsburgh two weeks ago. After spending the first night of the trip in State College, PA (home of Penn State and one of the seemingly duller student populations I've encountered), we drove away in mid-morning on a back road only to view the John McCain's Straight Talk Express speeding towards us in the opposite direction yet again (see 10/6 post). So after two passing encounters with the man and his tour bus in the past month, I think Mr. McCain is either following me or has moved to Pennsylvania and forgot he's running for elected office. And while I still think the "Why Can't Us?" t-shirt is great, this image on some apparel might work too if you're anti-Captain McCain and disagree with his stance on abortion. 6:12 PM + 0 comments Tuesday, October 21, 2008Youse Guys Like Pitt?So after spending a few days within its borders, I can say that the city of Pittsburgh is a perfectly nice place. It's certainly clean for a city south of Canada and their lineup of new stadiums along the river is cool, but I can also say that it didn't seem like a lot was going on. I don't really know what I expected of the town beforehand and maybe we just couldn't find the hip spots or something. But after a few days there, I can pretty much definitively say that I won't be returning any time soon. On Sunday, we got up and walked around the downtown section and seriously saw less people in an hour than you'd see here in ten minutes. It could seriously use a few hundred thousand more people asap and a couple dozen restaurants that are open on the weekend. Although Church Brew was quite kick ass. On the way back, we drove south to visit Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater, which was easily the coolest part of the trip. We thought we'd be the only ones there as the earlier activities of the weekend had foreshadowed, but apparently more people care to see that domicile than the entire downtown of Pittsburgh. There were four parking lots chock full of cars and several touring buses, yet the house didn't disappoint. Get there if you have a chance and like modern houses built in the 1930s on top of a waterfall. And I take back what I said concerning the Phillies in the last post. I've climbed aboard the circling World Series bandwagon and am now consumed with their every move. That being said, this is the greatest t-shirt of today. No other slogan could perfectly sum up both this city's horrible everyday use of the English language and the true feeling towards its major sports teams who haven't won a championship in the past 25+ years. The phrase apparently originated from a local caller to an XM Radio sports show who said "Boston did it. The White Sox did it. Why can't us? Why can't us?" That's all gold. 11:09 PM + 0 comments Wednesday, October 08, 2008Chock full of Massholes So we had initial plans a few weeks ago to head up to the New England region of this great nation for a week of exploration, yet that trip is now no more. To tell you the truth, internet, I'm no fan of those states or their respective sports teams. I consider them a ravenous grouping of lands that keep eating friends of mine from the Delaware valley area so that they're rarely heard from again. Even Batman is proving to be no match for its pull for the next year.So instead, we're going to Pittsburgh for a few days. As a youngster, I had an irrational adoration of the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team. This was the team of Drabek, Bonilla, Van Slyke, and Bonds (in his tiny days). Every year from 1990 to 1992, they would lose to the much-hated Atlanta Braves in the NLCS and I would curse the tomahawk chop with all my power. I still damn you John Smoltz and Tom Glavine (circa 1991). My love of professional baseball departed shortly thereafter as that team broke apart. Even this year's Phillies advancing further in the playoffs can't rekindle it. And I seriously thought the Milwaukee Brewers were still in the American league until last week. Is Babe Ruth still playing? Ty Cobb? Milt Thompson? 6:03 PM + 0 comments Monday, October 06, 2008The Finga So for a brief moment on Sunday, I think I was able to speak for a majority of Americans when I gave the finger to John McCain's "Straight Talk Express" bus. Now some may declare that action as "a crass gesture by an ignorant goon", which okay, I can understand. The finger nowadays is about as menacing as the punk rock guy (circa 2008) spray painting an anarchy sign on a wall. But see, my flagrant hand gesture wasn't initally meant with disrespect towards Mr. McCain personally. On Sunday afternoon, as I cruised southbound on Broad Street in my car, I noticed a lack of any vehicles moving north. After a couple blocks, I saw a large bus emblazoned with "John McCain for President" on the front heading towards me in the opposite direction. Thinking it was some rich guy who rented a bus to cruise around in for the Eagles game (which was beginning in mere minutes), I opted to signal my disapproval with a single digit pointed out my car window towards the sky. Only after the bus passed alongside with a police escort, did I notice the "Straight Talk Express" plastered alongside. By that point, with hand and arm still pointed out my car window, I figured I'm continuing my lame protest. He can probably barely see anyway. Now, if I had known it was Mr. McCain's personal vehicle from the beginning, I probably would've gone with the thumbs down or something less offensive since he is a sitting senator and one-time war hero-ish fellow. I already am aware of the argument that some will give of how he fought for my ability to give the middle finger to a pathetic presidential candidate, but whatever. His campaign is awful and deserves infantile protests out of the window of a moving car. Plus no gesture says welcome to Philadelphia like the middle finger. I certainly hope Thomas Paine of the 1700s and the Philadelphia Flyers of the 1970s would be proud. 10:23 PM + 0 comments Wednesday, October 01, 2008Radio Gaze I think we should all take a break today from pondering our own selfish, empty existence and look toward a higher power for a brief moment. Let's gaze upwards to the heavens where the radio waves beam around this entire metropolitan, tri-state area. Within those waves, ions, and streams of radio you'll probably notice that a few of them emanate straight out of the transistors and resistors of Princeton, NJ's own 103.3 WPRB. That particular station is currently undertaking their yearly donation drive and I couldn't think of a better way to fight the evilness that lurks on the rest of the local radio dial (NPR and Drexel's WKDU excluded) than by reaching down and donating some their way. They do great works on a daily basis, so please be altruistic with a few dollars in the next few moments: After all gift givings have commenced, we can then all return to normalcy by basking in our collective egotistical-ocity on an individual basis as usual. Thanks for your time. 5:52 PM + 0 comments |
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