What a Not-So-Wonderful Day

TOP 7 SONGS OF THE MOMENT:

1. "Turnstyle Blues" by Autolux from the album Future Perfect
I had a friend in high school who was my source of new music. He is responsible for my love of Muse, Deftones, Death From Above 1979, Explosions in the Sky, Radiohead, Placebo, and even the Beatles (to an extent). My only other source for new music was VH1's morning show I'd watch before school every day, so my friend's contributions were a major impact on my underground music scene. He once played Autolux for me but it didn't work for me at the time. We had a little falling out in high school near the end of senior year, so in college it's been up to me to find new music. At one point, I started to give his old suggestions a second chance. I picked up Future Perfect at Half Price Books and absolutely loved the first track, "Turnstyle Blues." The rest of the album hasn't really grown on me, but that song is A+ work in my book. I'm sure my high school friend would be upset that I'm starting to like other shoegaze bands (sneeze My Bloody Valentine sniffle sniffle), but whatever. We don't talk anymore, so eat that.

2. "Dawn of the Dead" by Does It Offend You, Yeah? from the album You Have No Idea What You're Getting Yourself Into
This album is crazy. I wouldn't even call it listenable, just crazy. I'm still not sure I would suggest this band to my friends for fear of them making fun of me. However, the one golden nugget of redemption lies with "Dawn of the Dead," one of the best keyboard/synth songs of 2008. There isn't anything amazing about it, but all of the instrumental elements are.... not ordinary, but together they sound great.

3. "Act One: Chasing Suns" by The Sounds of Animals Fighting from the album Tiger & the Duke
I'm a huge fan of anything Anthony Green does, and that includes the extremely experimental anonymous act The Sounds of Animals Fighting. I'll admit, this is not my favorite song of theirs, but it is a great song of the moment. This past weekend I went to Akron, and on the return trip to Columbus I listened to this album and really enjoyed it. They have a great way of producing unconventional music you can't find anywhere else, and it's a great thing.

4. "My Moon My Man" by Feist from the album The Reminder
I approach Feist albums like I approach Beatles albums; I get one, listen to nothing else for a month, realize I may be killing that album for myself, then move on with a deep love for it. I wasn't expecting much from The Reminder because Let It Die was too good for any one artist. I figured it was a fluke. I was majorly mistaken. I immediately fell in love with The Reminder. This song in particular sticks out for me because I'm a huge sucker for piano and awesome sounding lyrics (when she says, "take it slow, take it easy on me/shed some light, shed some light on my please," it sends chills down my back). Don't take my word for it, check it out for yourself.

5. "Tonight" by We Are Scientists from the album Brain Thrust MasteryI heard a lot of things about We Are Scientists but never looked into them because I thought they had one of the dumbest band names of all time. What sold me on them was an interview they had with Steven from Fuse. Both these guys were hilarious throughout the whole interview, and on top of that their video for "After Hours" was awesome as was the song itself. SOLD. Then I saw them in concert and they were just as funny and just as great sounding. Then I got the album and remembered this song from the set and fell in love with it for its awesome bass and keyboard components.

6. "Cross out the Eyes" by Thursday from the album Full CollapseThursday is one of those bands that I won't ever get tired of. It took a while for me to get into them because I just couldn't get over Geoff's voice. It certainly is unique but I didn't like it until after I fell in love with the rest of the band. I was head over heels for the song "For the Workforce, Drowning" from the first time I heard it. However, I recently got re-into this album, specifically this song, mostly because of the line "The sides we take divide us from our faith/And the morning dove gets caught in the telephone wire." It's sick how beautifully descriptive and poetic that is.

7. "Hello Dearest Love" by the Appleseed Cast from the album Two Conversations
I don't know what to say about this song other than it is some good quality shit. The vocals aren't overdone, the bass line is imaginative but simple, the guitars aren't anything special, and the drums are a little out there, but together it makes for a great tune. Check this album out if you've never heard of the Appleseed Cast.

LAST 7 BOOKS I READ (starting with the most recent):

1. the Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
It was okay. I might suggest it to a girl because it is REALLY GIRLY, but it wasn't horrible. Someone I know called it the "female equivalent to the Catcher in the Rye," so I was expecting a lot more. Instead, I got a lot of "no, I don't want to do that, I'll stay in and be lame" attitude from the main character. 3/5

2. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Again, not what I was expecting. I grew up on the Disney version of the film, and after reading the Wind in the Willows and the Wizard of Oz, I was expecting this story to be drastically different from the film. However, Disney followed the plot pretty closely. I enjoyed it much. 4/5

3. The Lost World by Michael Crichton
Oh man, does Michael Crichton know how to write a freakin book or what? The entire thing was engaging and interesting. I HATED the movie, but I can assure you, they went wild on the movie. The book was just as good as Jurassic Park (the movie and the book). 4.5/5

4. Island of the Sequined Love Nun by Christopher Moore
A friend of mine got me into Christopher Moore. Up til now he hasn't let me down. His books are funny, having crazy plots and hilariously unrealistic characters, but this book let me down. As a whole, it wasn't bad, but he has written better books. I'd suggest any of his others over this. 3/5

5. The Stranger by Albert Camus
I read this because Camus is taught in a lot of English classes at OSU and I wanted to see what the big deal was. After reading it, I don't know what the big deal is. Okay, the main character kills some stranger and gets tried for his crime. The End. It wasn't a bad story, nor was it poorly written, but I wouldn't call it great or a classic. 3.5/5

6. I Am Not Myself These Days by Josh Kilmer-Purcell
If you find yourself wondering how a crossdressing homosexual New Yorker finds love in the big city, this is the book for you. It's great. It's a biography. He's a crossdresser who's stage name is "Aquadite," the amazing fish-globes-for-boobs guy. I suggest this to anyone who is opened minded and likes to laugh. 4/5

7. Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
Again, Crichton is the shit. If you only read one book a year, start reading his stuff. It's more addicting than reality TV, and you get to learn a few things along the way. GOOD BOOK. 5/5

Time for me to get back to The Raw Shark Texts.

I want to have lunch with Greg Simkins

So I stumbled upon my favorite contemporary artist about 10 minutes ago. His Name is Greg Simkins. If anyone has an extra $75 laying around, I'd like some of his prints. I'll let his art do the rest of the talking. It's crazy how good it is.
It's so mysterious and exact and creepy and contorted and unreal and detailed. Check out his myspace.

The Joy and Misery

I have had the privilege of attending many amazing concerts in my time. My first concert was Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young in 2000 and since then I've rarely passed up the opportunity to see my favorite bands live. Since 2000 I've attended... (counting ticket stubs)... 57 concerts. I've seen some pretty sweet shit.

Anyway, the reason I bring this up is last night was

CONCERT # 57

A friend and I recently went to Summerfest, a concert CD101 puts on every summer where they bring in sweet indie bands for $5. Last year was the Cliks, VHS or Beta and Silversun Pickups. This year was Honey Honey, Dr. Dog and VHS or Beta. Anyway, anytime CD101 funds a show they have the awesome spin wheel of awesomesness. When I spun I got this POC Budweiser bottle opener. Awesome. But Grace (the friend I went with) won Cold War Kids tickets. Since I burned their CD for her, she gave me one of the tickets.

So last night was the show. I'm not going to talk about the opener because he was some crappy acoustic act with a horrible drummer and the entire thing was sub-par. However, Cold War Kids took the stage and totally owned. I've had their first album for a while now and never really got into it, but I really did enjoy their set. They're good storytellers.

I usually bring my camera to document history, but last night I rode my bike to the venue and I didn't want to worry about it in transit, so I left it at home, meaning I don't have sweet pictures for you. I'm sorry. Instead, I offer a picture of myself. I told myself the other day I'd trim my hair because it was getting long and uneven. But I put the wrong attachment on my beard trimmer.

To give those readers who don't know what I usually look like something to compare with, I'll supply a picture of me under normal circumstances. Here's me with HD:
Oh well. I'm still alive and haven't caught a cold yet. Later y'all.

Bing bing Bing..... BING

If I had the power to make everyone listen to 10 albums of my choice, here's the 10 I would choose and reasoning why:

1. Death From Above 1979's You're a Woman, I'm a Machine.

This is one of the most important albums I've ever listened to. It made me want to research and find new band. The band itself, if you are unaware, consisted of a heavily distorted bassist, Jesse Keeler, and a singing drummer, Sebastien Grainger. They released the Heads Up EP and shortly thereafter the full album pictured here. They toured relentlessly and even had the opportunity to open for Nine Inch Nails. Sadly, in August of 2006, less than 2 years after the album's release, Jesse announced on their website that the band would part ways. Since then, each member has had great side projects including MSTRKRFT, Femme Fetale, and Sebastian Grainger's solo album, but nothing comes close to the music they made together. It saddens me that no other album will ever sound like this. It is truely something unique. I am so glad I had the chance to see these guys in 2005 at my favorite venue in Columbus.

2. Explosions in the Sky's All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone.
Explosions in the Sky is one of my alltime favorite bands. They make the most wonderful atmospheric ambient music. Honestly, since listening to these Texans, I have not looked at music the same way. Their music is all instrumental and I suggest this album for 2 reasons: (1) the album as a whole flows flawlessly, and (2) "Catastrophe and the Cure" is one of my favorite songs of all time. I had the chance to see EitS in 2007 when they opened for the Smashing Pumpkins and damn, they are good. Also, this is one of the best albums to read to.

3. Saosin's Saosin.
When it comes to Saosin, I am not going to lie to you. I've seen them live 3 times and they are not the greatest live act I have ever seen. However, their album is one of the most solid debut albums I have ever heard. Every song on the album shows how talented each member of the band is, AND the songs themselves are just damn good. Again, I won't lie to you, Saosin is not for everyone. If you are not a fan of the alternative scene heard at Warped Tour, this band is not for you. But, if you are, you may rate this among your top 10 albums of all time (like I obviously have). On a side note, Anthony Green was the original lead singer for this band so that automatically gives them sweet points.

4. Silversun Pickups' Carnavas.
I first heard the song "Lazy Eye" on CD101, the independently owned Columbus radio station, and fell in love. That song is amazing. I got the CD and only listeded to that song (come on, you know you do it too). I then realized that every song on the album is not only listen-able but awesome. I now go through periods of falling in love with different songs on the album. Right now, I'm head over heels for "Dream at Tempo 119" because of its kickassness. I listen to that song while disobeying the maximum highway speed laws.

5. the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
What can I say about this album that already hasn't been said? Just like everyone else in recorded history, I went through a Beatles phase. I would buy an album, fall in love with it and listen to nothing else for months, then I would buy another one only to fall in love with it. The thing about Sgt. Peppers is the album is just flawless. There area few Beatles songs that I hate more than anything, but no such songs make an appearance on this album. And how can you honestly compete with a song like "A Day in the Life?" It just physically can't be done.

6. Incubus' Make Yourself.
This is the first album I've ever fallen in love with as an album. I first saw the music video for "Pardon Me" one morning before school on VH1's Jump Start. It was the only music video that mesmerized me when I was a kid. I wanted to be Brandon Boyd. He had cool tatoos and sang in the best band I've heard up to that point and he had the best voice I've ever heard and even sang in a way I've never heard and it was all exciting to find something new and original for the first time. It was the first time I begged my mother to take me to Border's to buy it. I later found out that Incubus had been around for a while. I picked up their earlier stuff and since then they've released several more albums. However, I still say Make Yourself is their most solid album.

7. Thom Yorke's the Eraser.
Radiohead is arguably the most influential and important contemporary act. However, in my opinion they have yet to release an album that is flawless. Every Radiohead album has at least 1 song that could be left out, resulting in a better overall album. I know that's a harsh thing to say, and to clarify, I do love Radiohead to death (they're my 3rd most listened to artist says my Last.fm account), but I haven't been 100% satisfied by an album yet. However, Yorke's solo debut is flawless. Every song is utterly amazing and fresh. It also has my favorite Yorke song, "Harrowdown Hill." Yorke was brilliant to branch off and do these songs himself.

8. Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin's Broom.
If you're a fan of mimalistic Indie music, this is just about as good as it gets. It is a back to the basics, innocent, sweet album that is both funny and beautiful. I find myself listening to this album and feeling privileged to be albe to have something this truely beautiful. I know it sounds corny, but, well, you just have to listen to it for yourself. I'm so glad a friend of a friend highly suggested this band, and as soon as i got the album I understood why.

9. the Used the Used.
I don't know what it is about this album, but I just can't get enough of it. I've had this album in my car for, well, since I've had this album and a car. I swear to you I don't know why I love this album BUT I DO. I've listened to other Used albums, and sure they have some good songs, but nothing comes close to touching this one. Every song is exciting, energetic, powerful, beautiful, creative, and amazingly enough simple. None of these songs have face-incinerating guitar solos or mind-blowing drum beats, but they are perfectly entertaining.

10. Joy Division's Unknown Pleasures.
I don't want to tell you how upset I was after falling in love with this band and THEN finding out how Ian Curtis ended his own life after recording only 2 full-lengthed albums. My friends in high school started listening to them but I held off. I had a thing for Pink Floyd, but I considered all defunct bands to be too old for me. I only cared about current music. After all, I knew I would get disappointed if I fell in love with a band and wouldn't ever be able to see them in concert. However, once I finally broke down and got this album, I knew I was wrong and that this was one of the best bands of all time. Countless bands have cited Joy Division as a major influence, and now I understand why. Bands like the Cure, the Smiths, Interpol, She Wants Revenge have all borrowed singing styles from Curtis. It gives me chills to hear this album at night. It's like Ian still has no hope for the world and it's odd and special and unique.

Well that about wraps that up. Hope you were entertained. I love doing shit like this.

It's that perfect time in the quarter where everyone's used to their schedule already and quizzes/tests/midterms haven't started yet. The extracurricular activities are starting up again and just about every group is offering free pizza to maximize attendance. It's a good time.

MUSIC

I REALLY have been getting into Feist recently. I've had Let it Die for a while now and I love the hell out of it. Over the weekend I got The Reminder and it's also a very solid album. A really awesome friend of mine got me into the Feist show at OU in Athens, OH for free and it was one of the best concerts I've been to. I highly suggest seeing Feist anytime she comes to the USA.

Also, I've been playing the shit out of "Dawn of the Dead" by Does It Offend You, Yeah? It's such a good song. I get cravings for it.


Sorry this is a boring post, reader, but not much happened this weekend. I will let you know the second something sweet happens.