Celebrity Collage by MyHeritage

MyHeritage: Celebrity Collage - Pedigree - Dynasty

Preppin'

I have now successfully rejoined the food service industry. Droppin' bird = stacks on deck.

And now that the move to the new place is on the horizon, the inevitable housewarming party needs to be planned. This also happens to coincide with an overdue birthday celebration for Bentron and an accurately timed one for Jay.

Setting precedents is important, and if this party goes as planned, the success of the coming year will be insured. Thus the time to begin refining the potential party playlist has begun. Posted below is the current list, sure to be reshuffled before the actual event.

I think the mix is fairly balanced, running the gamut from Britney Spears and Clipse to Glass Candy, Major Lazer, and a fair bit of Kanye.



Part 1: http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?mwl4jnizowj

Part 2: http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?2enymimgjke

Part 3: http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?mgdmtdnoz04

Part 4: http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?jgikinkjyci

Part 5: http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?ijzg2ymnoz3

Part 6: http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?lyg2qknnzvy

Exclamation Points!!!!!!!!!!!!

Athfest is about to start, that should be relatively cool. I'm gonna miss (With Our) Powers (Combined), a five piece quadraphonic guitar masturbation band, in favor of seeing the band whose album I'm about to post. I've seen 'Powers twice and they were pretty cool, but The Agenda! is a reunion show, and that takes priority.

So I need to find a suitable revenge against Steveslaw for posting a horrendous picture of me on the facebooks. There are some places where vomit is not welcome, alright? (You've probably noticed a recurring theme of my posts. I'm really not that severe of a lightweight. I had taken some bars that night)



The Agenda!- Start the Panic



R.I.P. M.J.

This moonwalk's for you.



Sorry your career is in the pooper, B.G.

You Scratch My Back, I'll Rate It On A Scale Of 1-10

Dis- The Historically Troubled Third Album



Disband- In Small Rooms



Faraquet- Anthology 1997-98

Haven't blogged in awhile. Negative feedback made me hesitate I suppose. Considered some sort of blog-identity crisis. Georgia heat wears on my sense of humor. But there are mp3s to be posted.

Had a conversation with a bro on LSD about the value of experimental art. You could say we are diametrically opposed based on our loves of very different core 90s alternative rock bands. My favorite is Smashing Pumpkins; his is Radiohead.

I have had "The Radiohead is overrated" discussion even more than I have had the "Animal Collective's decline" discussion. I do not have any direct opposition in either case; I have milquetoast views of Radiohead and I think Merriweather Post Pavillion is a good album. Better than the new Grizzly Bear. Not as good as Feels or Strawberry Jam, and certainly not the album of the year, which is a toss-up between Japandroids and Mastodon (for the record, I think Japandroids' debut album is better than Nouns; Steve disagrees).

Milquetoast might be an incorrect term. Indifference or mild irritation might be more accurate. Radiohead's music is pretty good. For a mainstream band, they have taken to many different styles and haven't really embarrassed themselves in their attempts. But they do get boring. And their paranoid, impressionistic mantras fail to move me. In a broader sense, I think songwriting should be about creating the best possible song with each aspect created for maximum impact, and not inserting techno just to be arty. Maybe electronic music is just the counterpart to Yorke's post-whatever alienation. I do however see that my irritation at Thom Yorke's yelps parallels many people's views on Billy Corgan's whine. Corgan's music more often seems self-indulgent than pretentious, and I can get over it. I'm also willing to accept cockiness from people if they can deliver, and Corgan fulfills that obligation.

But anyway, how hard is it to make experimental music? "My Girls," for instance, is the same damn three notes looped over and over again for an entire song. The vocal melodies are nice, but groundbreaking it ain't. Metal Machine Music was pretty damn experimental, but does it hold any real musical value? The greatest experimental bands always welded their sonic manipulations to genuine rock music to form a greater whole. Sonic Youth and My Bloody Valentine come to mind. And really, given a wah pedal and a delay pedal, with a decent sampler, you could make some pretty strange music. But does anyone want to listen to it? Not really, unless you've somehow found the No Wave crowd. However, if you can make broken glass scratching metal shimmer like Pet Sounds, then be my guest.

Now about those albums. The Dis- album is ok, probably their best record, Steve Albini produced and all. They sound maybe like the guy from Hum fronting a Dischord band. I have more if anyone wants it. That Disband album is really good. They sound like the Hold Steady-bro singing for Braid. They were kinda Athens based, but they were before my time. The Faraquet anthology is pretty quality. Some of cuts were later on their first album, but everything is pretty solid. I'll fix'em if the downloads don't work.

Sorry this blog was so boring. I'll do better next time. Maybe it's time to start talking about Daisy of Love.

The problem with leisure...

Man, I don't want to get old. I've spent the last week visiting family/family friends, which means most of the people I've been interacting with for the past week are 50+. Consequentially, I've been thinking about getting old. I've decided that probably the worst aspect of aging, aside from that whole deteriorating body thing, is losing connections. When we're young, we're seemingly surrounded by people we know via school, parties, and a generally active lifestyle. However, as far as I can tell, when you get older you have to stop dicking around and getting drunk with friends all the time, you move away from people, you start a career, you get boring. You lose connections, and suddenly all you do for fun is plan dinner dates with another married couple. My grandparents made the point to me that, aside from being young, the best time of your life will be early retirement, which, for them, was apparently just hanging out and fixing up their house (it's these insights that make old people somewhat frightening to me). I don't know what transformation you undergo through your middle ages that makes such a scenario sound thrilling by the end of it, but it sure as shit sounds like a transition I don't want to suffer. I dunno, maybe it all has something to do with the maturation process; maybe at a certain point you get so tired of doing shit that doing nothing becomes inexplicably entertaining. Maybe it's something you just don't understand until get there, but, man, I don't want to get old.

Re-reading this, I just feel like a distraught alcoholic who found out that everyone he knows is planning an intervention.

Anyway, here's some punk music to keep you (and me) feeling young:



The Soft Boys were a short-lived, early post-punk band that released a great album in 1980 called Underwater Moonlight, which Matador reissued in 2001 with an expanded title, added outtakes, and a bonus disc with all sorts of extra shit, and if you don't have it, you should

Underwater Moonlight...And How It Got There (disc 1)
Underwater Moonlight...And How It Got There (disc 2)

Pets/Waterbeds/Firearms

It's weird how fast the days go by. I mean, it's like I wake up one day thinking about how early in the week it is and how long the week's going to be, then the next day it's the weekend and I'm not really sure how the week went, a thought process applicable to months and years as well. What I mean to say is that it has once again been a while since I've been on here, and I'm not really sure what's been going on since then. Let's see, saw Dan Deacon for free - that was neat - saw Mi Ami for free - that was also neat - saw Jerry Fuchs play via Maserati - that was definitely neat - and I've seen some neat movies. Not much else really stands out. So, I guess things have just been neat.

Anyway, here's some neat music I've been diggin on lately:



Guided By Voices - Alien Lanes



HEALTH - HEALTH//DISCO



These Are Powers - All Aboard Future



I guess I'm kind of behind the times with these, but whatever. Oh, and that new HEALTH single is really good. Alright, I'm hungry.

The Gorilla on my Gang Gang Dance Poster is Looking At Me Funny

"I'm swearing off tequila" may be a cliche, but it is not necessarily one without merit.


Today's album is really good. I suggest you download it.




The Fucking Am- Gold

The Antler Makeout Trick works every time

Spring Break meant no 1 2 party w/, so the weekend was something of a waste. I'm in North Carolina now though, so that's cool. Getting back at/to nature and what have you. Ate at Hardees for the first time in years.



Their BBQ Chicken Sandwich was not what I expected. It was just a chicken fillet slathered in sauce. Not chopped in the slightest. Bummer. The shake was delicious though.

That sweetheart Chris made a website in my honor. You may find it amusing.

I Hate Nick K

Here's an album I'm upping by request. The request of Steveslaw, but either way, here it is.



Crystal Antlers- Tentacles

"Was it the weed or the whiskey?"

"Probably both."

It took me a minute to figure out what specific facet of my condition the aging hippie who posed the question to me was referring to - I was doing court-ordered community service at the time - and then it took me another minute to figure out whether or not that question's variable application to my life should be concerning, which ended with me shrugging and going out to cut up boxes and smoke a cigarette. He thoroughly enjoyed my response, by the way, responding with an enthused "right on" and declared that there was still hope for my generation, which apparently makes this a defining question. So, what about you - weed or whiskey?

Anyway, I acquired a couple albums yesterday that I've been enjoying. One's a new-wavey punk band that reminds me of Devo and the other's a shoegazey Chicago post-punk band. I'll let you figure out which is which based on the merits of their names:



Disappears - Live Over the Rainbo



Nodzzz - s/t

Indecision and a lazy Sunday

So, it's been a while since I've been around here. This wasn't anything intentional, I've just been a bit caught up in the two primary venues in which my life currently manifests itself: working and drinking. Perhaps if the two activities weren't so mutually exclusive I could better manage my time to so that I could dick around here more often, but I suppose that's just something I'll have to either handle on my own or take up with my employer. Anyway, I'm already starting to infringe on time needed for one of those categories, so I guess I'll get on with it - I mean, coming on here just to talk about my absence is a bit daft.

Moving on, I've been having this problem lately that makes me dismally indecisive when figuring out what I feel like listening to, and it's making me feel somewhat 'out of touch' with myself. I blame this on the weather's apparent bipolar disorder. One weekend we receive more snow than we've had since that blizzard, and the next it's in the upper-70's. How the fuck am I supposed to have any focus when the world around me exists in such extreme indecision itself? Is it too much to ask for the world to stabilize a bit so that I can regain enough composure to get back 'in the know' with myself? Or should I just embrace this state of fluctuation and 'reinvent myself' from day to day? Meh, fuck it, I guess I'll just get back to drinking.

Anyway, here's what I can say about what I have been listening to lately: I've been really digging that Mi Ami album, as well as Real Estate (wish I had more stuff from them).



Mi Ami - Watersports



Real Estate 7"

Also, that knew Grizzly Bear is pretty good. They've always been my favorite bear.



Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest

Oh, and could someone please hook me up with the new Crystal Antlers? Looking at you, Nick...

Alright, well, that was refreshing. I think I'll go lay back with a beer for now, but I've this week off from work, which should hopefully give me some time to reassemble my thoughts, take advantage of my intermittent internet connection, and make some actually useful/interesting posts.

Rokk 'til u puke, y'all

So the RASC crew went to the Scion Rockfest Saturday. When they said Rockfest, they weren't kidding. You know how when you go to a show and get there at 11:30 to skip the shitty opening band, catch 3/4 of the second band, see the headliner and bail before 1:30? Solid two hours of rocking right? This was my first festival, and I was unfamiliar with the experience of live music absorption for hours on end, let alone metal at bruising decibels.

I was pretty hungover from the night before and didn't get much sleep, which, coupled with only eating a few scattered Bugles (original flavor to boot) caused me to free my digestive tract of some of its fuel three songs into opener Kylesa's set. I can now literally claim that "Kylesa was so heavy they made me puke" and that I presented my barf to the crowd in a chalice of glory as it exploded forth.



+



+



+



Use your imagination.

The heavy hitters kept coming. Torche was awesome, and then Baroness was better. Boris was pretty mind-blowing, though their presence was more interesting at times than the music. They had a strange slow part, as if they expected people to grab a partner and slowdance at the Rockfest. This is the second time I've seen them and they seemed like total rockstars both times, but I suppose they are on world tour. Does that excuse hair metal locks?

And then I left. Water was $3 and I was a dying cheap ass carrying jackets with traces of vomit on them in a large public space without the ability to hear or think coherently. I think I'm gonna go light on the metal for a few weeks. Mastodon's new album is really good, but I don't feel like posting it. I'm gonna post something else instead.



Planningtorock- Have It All

Some things never change

And for that I am thankful. I listened to Mastodon's new single today for the first time. How long can a band put out albums that consistently rate at the top of their genre? Deerhoof has more longevity I suppose, but goddamn name three better metal albums released since 2002 then Mastodon's first trio. And I am no longer worried about the fourth. I like the banjo opening, the chorus is catchy but brief (almost Torche style) and the licks are still spectacular. And the album cover is awesome as well. Here's a random download.



Times New Viking- Dig Yourself

I found some internet

I've been meaning to post this album for a little while now as a follow up to the Slint post, but my internet keeps leaving me and I keep going to work. Bummer, right? Anyway, this is an entrancing Louisville post-rock album comparable to Spiderland, except harder and less eerily piercing. The 12 minute epic The Everyday World of Bodies has probably earned a spot on my list of all-time favorite songs.



Rodan - Rusty

And, here's a couple of albums by a similar sounding band that formed out of the ashes of Rodan, June of 44:



June of 44 - Tropics and Meridians



June of 44 - Anahata

Official Stance #1: Rape Ain't Cool Guyz

This is the first in a long line of Official Stances. A new era is upon us.

Now bros, I understand that sometimes you really need to get your rocks off. But rape is not the answer. You might have had one too many Sparks, or maybe you thought she gave you the once-over. Let us not assume that because she is the drunkest one there that what you're doing is a good idea.

And now for a heavy metal flowchart.

This Must Be Pop

I like Dismemberment Plan.  I don't like The Promise Ring.  With those bands all but broken, in this karmic punarbhav, Maritime has emerged to please the abandoned fans of those bands. 

Upon first listen, you will probably think this album sucks. No one appreciates a good pop album anymore.  And, of course, you'll have to excuse the lead singer.  Listen again.  It pays off.

Oh, and Eric Axelson plays bass.

Catchy, fun, adductive, cute, surprising.  Enjoy.

We, The Vehicles - Maritime (MediaFire)

Party of Helicopters Megapost

Frequently it seems pretty reductive to say this is my "favorite" band. Who can have a fav these days? Pitchfork even shat all over this band. But this band balances irony and earnestness, and adds a healthy dose of shoegazey vocals and pop hooks with their vaguely metallic post-hardcore riffage. Their guitarist is a personal idol of mine, though he now plays drums in Teeth of the Hydra. What a waste. Another member is in Beaten Awake. They're aight. You'd probably like them more than I did. Here are the major releases. I have some spare mp3s I'll up if I feel like it.



Party of Helicopters- Abracadaver



Party of Helicopters- Mt. Forever



Party of Helicopters- Space and How Sweet It Was



Party of Helicopters- Please Believe It

A Voice Like Rhetoric- Ethos

Uploaded this while watching a gorilla hug Mr. Rogers in anthropology class. Gorillas are so sweet.
This band is some really mathy emo with solid pop hooks.

Super Comf (Dances With Costner)

So I haven't written anything in a while. I was gonna post links to my favoritest band ever, but I only have half of them up, so I'll do it later. I think I'm changing phases for a little while musically. I'm still gonna play the same stuff, but I think I'm gonna start listening to more mainstream rap. I just got The Blueprint, The Black Album, and King and I think I understand why the kids were calling these albums "hot" a couple years ago.

I've been contemplating the importance of authenticity and irony lately. Maybe this is because I just watched entire episodes of Bromance and The City. These reality shows are pretty inauthentic, moderately entertaining, and possibly significant. Quality art or art that aims for higher meaning never really has the cultural import that something for the masses possesses, ultimately making it less signficant. This art can really only hope to influence people in the future into recreating that art into a streamlined populist format that probably moderately shames the original. But enough about The Strokes.

I failed to get krunk during the MLK break, despite a small batch of Sparks nestled safely in my night stand. I hear Milledgeville is a hoot though.



And where does Kevin Costner show up in this mess? I doubt Kevin Costner gets krunk these days, and his art lacks sociocultural import at the moment. But Dances With Wolves probably won awards of some kind. The City will not do so. Which has had more import?

NO sWAYze!

It's the beginning of the year, and, as usual, everyone's getting all excited about what's to come, what with the upcoming political facelift and the new Rock of Love (will that Bret Michaels ever find his rock of love?). So, natural to this time of the year, speculations and predictions are abound. Ours were just some off-handed casual observations (keep 'em in mind all the same, though, folks, and make good stock choices), but some upped the anty with their 2K9 forecasts in both topic and scope in unexpected ways:

The 100 Most Likely People To Die In 2K9

Bold! No surprise on some of those (although I think at this point we can agree that Amy Winehouse will keep going just to spite us all and that Keith Richards is immortal), but I'm rather distraught to see my favorite philosophical bouncer, Patrick Swayze, ranking with over a 50% chance of death (for real, this time). Surely it can't yet be time for a post-Swayze world! But, we still have so much to learn from him about dancing in both dirty and spectral ways. How about Whoopi Goldberg instead? And this comes just as I was considering adopting a new slaw mascot, too:

Bummer, but at least our beloved avatar, Mr. Berry, still stands a good 91% chance of surviving the year. Keep on fighting, you ol' slaw and prostitute lovin' rocker.

Oh, and poor Joe Francis - who will supply us with inordinate amounts of drunken tits when he's gone?

Well, anyway, now that we know what our odds are of losing our celebs, we can adjust, anticipate, and move on early so that we don't hit any bumps down the road to throw off our stride this year like Heath did to us last year. So, mourn now if you must, but come Barry's inauguration and Bret's new rock, we need to be movin' on and movin' fast - let's get the fuck done with the 0's already!

Lonely roasted peanuts

Got this a while ago, listened to it, generally liked it, forgot about it, remembered it, listened to it again, loved it, kept listening to it. This album's a good one to throw on if you just feel like lying on your bed and thinking about shit (or not) while listening to some music, which is what I've been feeling like doing lately. It's quiet and relaxed, with the singer somberly slurring depressing lyrics full of analogies of discontent and a general desire to sleep (fittingly enough), but most songs eventually build into a calm, yet rocking climax. Lyrics aside, it's not necessarily a depressing album; the vocals tend to take a backseat and blend along with the rest of the music in a way that gives it all a more easy-going, contemplative feel, which is what drew me to it.



Bedhead - What Fun Life Was