Things to do before the end of the 2008: Top 5 List

So we here and it's all ready the end of 2008. Weird, relatively speaking this has been the fastest year in memory. I suppose literally speaking it was a bit longer than normal, what with that odd stepchild, February 29th making a quad annual appearance. Long gone are the days of casual afternoon boredom; this year was filled to the brim. Europe, Work, School... some if it feels like a lifetime ago and some of it feels like just yesterday (that would be the school). And I'm going to be 23 next year. Is it too early for a quarter life crisis? I jest (kind of... I actually have to figure out what I want to do after graduation in the May and reading comic books in the morning with an afternoon of movies is probably not an acceptable option).

So I listened to a few albums in 2008. I liked a lot of them. These were the top 5 that I listened to more than the rest and whose lyrics got stuck indelibly in my head causing me to hum them over and over again. I'm sure I'm forgetting a few, but these are the one's that come most easily to mind (probably because they're the most recent I've listened too. February feels sooo long ago.).

In no particular order: (ps I put mediafire links up in case you feel like listening to them)

The Hold Steady - Stay Positive

This is one of the most rocking, optimistic, fun records of 2008. My brother and I had a chance to go see the band at the Beachland in the middle of the summer and the live show only adds to the band's entire appeal. Craig Finn is the lead songwriter and he crafts pieces that are filled with obscure allusions and hidden meanings. Normally, this would be a negative, but on the surface the songs are catchy and fun. It's just those extra self references to older songs, or other bands in the scene that gives the listener a sense of belonging to some kind of club. But it's not elitist. Oh no, if the Hold Steady had their way, everyone would be singing these summer anthems at the top of their lungs, drunkenly dancing and having a grand time.

Teenage Bottlerocket - Warning Device

Teenage Bottlerocket are about as straightforward a pop punk band as you get. Warning Device is their third album, and doesn't stray far in sound or lyrics from the first two. But that's what makes them so great. Like their Ramone forefathers and then Lookout! bands like Screeching Weasel and The Queers, Teenage Bottlerocket take three chords and the blessings of their ancestors and run away with the flame. Every song is incredibly catchy and you'll be singing along after only the first or second listen. Most songs are about girls. Some songs only have four lines. And that's where the magic lies. Sweaty armpits and a fast beating heart. Like at the 7th grade dance and you see the girl you like and you know you're not going to ask her to dance but there is a possibility she might glance your way and that you might slow dance staring into each other's eyes only to emerge 7 years later screaming anthems at the top of your lungs with the car stereo blaring and other drivers are caught in their daily doldrums and boring lifes and that's all that matters.

Dillinger Four - Civil War

Continuing in the punk rock vein, I bring you one of the most anticipated (punk) album of the last few years. Dillinger Four finally got around to putting out a new album 6 years after their last proper album. And as we've seen with other long awaited albums (*cough* Guns 'n Roses *cough*) sometimes the time in between can do more harm than good. But Dillinger Four don't fall into the Axl Rose trap and deliver one of their best albums yet. It's a natural progression of their punk sound which is a bit of a mix between harder punk/hardcore with melodic vocalists. D4 have never been that big on melody or hooks, preferring the straight ahead approach of getting their point across without many extremities, but this album actually has more than 2 or 3 songs that are fairly easy to sing along with. And this is without letting go of everything that people love about them: chugging guitars, political and social satirical vocals, and of course hilarious song titles. This is D4's fourth album, and just like the Hold Steady's fourth album (Stay Positive), it exceeds expectations. There must have been something about the number four in 2008.

Oxford Collapse - Bits

And now for something a bit different. Oxford Collapse create rocking, pop songs that are reminiscient of a lot of early 80's college bands. It's kind of a stretch, but early I.R.S. REM kind of springs to mind. Maybe the guitars aren't that jangly, but this band is into fun and writing lyrics that 90% of current indie bands wouldn't even touch ie. 'My love came back from Sweden/Brought me some bathroom reading' but at the same time heartfelt and earnest. For some reason the blogs and hypemachines create monsters of bands that have a tendency to be kind of bland (I liked Fleet Foxes as much as anyone else, but they're kind of boring). Oxford Collapse have been sliding under the radar for a while and this is definetly their best work to date (again their fourth album, I'm sensing a pattern). Either way, this is another album to turn up the volume and sing along too (which also seems to be a pattern of my picks.. song alongability).

Someone Still Loves You, Boris Yelstin - Pershing

And now for the last of the five albums. This one is a departure from the previous four. Here we find poppy acoustic pop gems filled out with a full band behind them. Most are uptempo and have to do with Love and Love Lost (the only subject worth singing about, it seems like). But like Oxford Collapse don't take themselves entirely too seriously, I mean, they use a cow bell on the album's opener. And somehow it works. Horns in the second song with a nice strumming acoustic guitar and an electric guitar lead show us what is in store for the rest of the album. You won't be able to get these melodies out of your head. And Phillip Dickey's lead vocals harmonized with the rest of the band will keep you coming back for more.

So there it is. 5 albums that I really liked in 2008. Maybe they weren't the best albums, per se, but I couldn't stop listening to them. As for the state of music in 2008, it seemed to be a pretty good year. Lots of memorable songs from new bands and then some good songs from old bands returning to form. Let's hope 2009 is just as good (and the new Animal Collective is definetly a step in the right direction).

Have a good new year!

ps. The Lemuria record was really good too, but I all ready posted and wrote about it, so I thought it might be a bit extraneous (especially considering the frequency of my posting)

Romeo and Juliet

So this wasn't exactly what I had planned to post, but it was a request, so I'll throw it up and then get back to the albums I had planned on posting (hopefully by the end of the year... I am the slowest blogger ever).

Anyway, this is an album live album by Matt Nathanson. It's kind of mellow acoustic rock with some covers thrown in (his cover of 'Romeo and Juliet' originally by Dire Straits really is quite good). Also, he has a sense of humour and keeps the audience entertained throughout. It's one of those good background to party's or gathering cds (and tv shows think so too... lots of them have used his songs). Not exactly wintery, but we'll get back to the chill over Thanksgiving.

Matt Nathanson - At the Point

Oh yeah, Happy Turkey Day!

ps this is hilarious (and a perfect christmas gift for your resident pervert/cook).

Kentucky Bound

So right now I'm sitting on a Hotel bed in Lexington, Kentucky. Tomorrow I'll be presenting on a panel at the NASFA Regional Conference about how to make your office greener. I think it's a really cool topic, and we've come up with some decent suggestions that are applicable to not only an office,but also you're own home. We put together a blog (well, just started actually) that we'll hopefully update with some tips and tricks to make yourself greener. For instance, there's paperles stapler that we stumbled upon. Not only will you save staples, but you'll also be the envy of all your stapler-jamming, staple-buying friends. And it's just plain cool. You can find the link on the new website: Green Office Ideas.

I know I haven't exactly been updating lately, but hopefully I can get some fall pictures from Lexington up when I get home. Also, there's a really good album I listened to on the way down that you (the ever present reader) might enjoy.

red leaves, orange light, brown cider

Fall has finally come to Akron, OH. The weather may not reflect it since it's been in the mid/high 70's all week, but the colors are changing and there's a definite fall flavor to the air. The smell of the summer barbecue morphing into the fall campfire. Fall is one of the best times of the year, especially in the Midwest. We still lay claim to having actual seasonal changes, and living right next to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park provides ample opportunities for fall drives and hikes.

Of course, fall also marks the time when University starts shifting from the carefree easy first weeks to midterms and projects and buckling down for the rest of the year. I don't mind too much, school changes seem to work well with seasonal changes. And since this is my last year of undergrad, it seems like I should try to enjoy it as much as possible (the partying and the learning).

I thought I'd share an album with you guys that is a wonderful fall album. It's Okkervil River's first album 'Don't fall in love with the first person you meet'. Will Sheff, Okkervil River's band leader and songwriter, is a brilliant lyricist and not such a bad instrumentalist either. These songs have that perfect mix the last bit of summer warmth mixed with the coming winter heaviness. The lighter songs on this album are fun and enjoyable but Okkervil River really shine when Will Sheff is baring his soul (for example album opener 'Red' as well as the perennial favorite 'Listening to Otis Redding At Home During Christmas'). 'Happy Hearts' which features guest vocalist Daniel Johnston manages to be both melancholic and upbeat at the same time. That's my favorite thing about fall.

Enjoy.




Try it here

Destruction (by definition)

So we got hit with a pretty nasty windstorm last night. Apparently Hurricane Ike made it all the way up to Akron, OH to wreak out devestation (or at least give us spoiled midwesterners a little taste of what a good 'ol storm is like... we didn't even get as badly hit as those closer to the lake). We also lost power for about 6 hours. Blackouts are always exciting, and ever since the huge blackout a few years ago, there's always been that 'This could be the apocalypse!' thought in the back of my mind. A quick drive around the area quickly put that notion to rest, though, since it seemed that downtown was still fully functional and energized. But, we still made use of the copious amounts of candles laying around the house and the fireplace. And then we tortured ourselves by playing Trivial Pursuit (and of course, we rescued the wine in the fridge before it could get warm... our priorities were on straight).

A drive around the area the next morning revealed many downed branches and every other intersection without power. By the time I came home from class at 9.40pm, everything seemed to be fully functioning again. The biggest loss of the storm seems to be a local Akron playground. A large tree sheared off at the trunk and collapsed on the playground, crushing slides. Now it kind of resembles a tree house. Blackouts are nice once in a while, but here's hoping these natural disasters would just go away for the good of all...

Lake Pictures

Summer's fading but the sunsets are still magnificent. I tried to get up to the lake a little bit more this summer. I didn't realize how much I missed it until I spent an entire semester in Germany. The land there was pictaresque, but there's nothing quite like being a kilometer from such a large body of fresh water. Maybe it's mystical, or maybe it's just gravity, but I'd be surprised if it didn't exert some kind of force on us near water dwellers. Either way, it makes for some nice pics:

 

 

 

 

House 'Warming' Party 08.08.08

Come check out our new house and have a drink. Also, some good tunes will be played (probably by Kyle).

Summer sweets, Sunny songs.

So I wasn't lying when I said I was going to keep posting.

As far as music posts are concerned, the link will be in the picture. The argument for and against music piracy is long and (can be) involved. I suppose my general theory on the whole matter is that all of this music is available all ready on the internet, in one form or another. Those who are going to buy music will, and those that wish only to download will also. I, for one, download an inordinate amount of music, but then again, I buy an inordinate amount of music. Not that this justifies the downloading of albums, but I generally buy what I've heard before (on vinyl, most times), and I've discovered more than one good band by finding their whole album on the internet. If everyone decries the death of coherent long players (LPs) then it seems as though music blogs offering one or two tracks from said album are only aiding and abetting this process. But then again, it's not my right to give away someone else's intellectual property (but I suppose that's not stopping me either.. the tool's have been easier to obtain than ever). I suppose my point is, if you like it, buy it. And if you don't like it, delete it. And if I shouldn't be hosting the link, I'll take it down (let me know). But this is really my way of spreading my musical taste on to my friends (which means no one will be downloading these, since my friends think I have horrid music taste). All right, more discussion later, on to the music. [edit - after re reading this I realize it rambles and doesn't make much sense.]

This has been on my turntable almost everyday this summer. It just never seems to get old. I'm a sucker for female fronted vocal bands, ala Discount. But these guys do a really good job of combining the male and female vocal parts. Not in sugary sweet harmonies, but rather in waves of alternating male and female vocals that manage to be different enough to offer two distinct voices, but certainly not enough to be jarring to the ear. The vocal flipping works within a song, verse to verse, but it also works song to song, as the songs on this album are all short and flow together seamlessly. This is usually points against an album, but I think it works for this band and this album. Also, the lyrics on the album are written by all three members, but again, they are similar enough to form a cohesive package. There are songs about girls and drinking, like any good pop punk record but also there are songs about death, loss, and not really appreciating those close to us until they're gone. So in a way, maybe the similar song structure is a ruse to hide some of the deeper themes of the lyrics. The surface provides enough sugar and glitter to hook you in, all the while drawing you down to some of the darker and definitely more mature depths.

So that's my stab at trying to be a rock critic. Either way, this is a really catchy record, and it's 12 songs fly by.


Buy it here: Asian Man Records - Lemuria - Get Better (2008)

Or check it out :

Actually, I think the only things on Superior Ave are Banks.

 

(click for an actual readable size)

So this is my try at a web comic. This is taken (more or less) from a conversation that Tim and I had on our way home from camping. I thought it would make a good comic. My artistic skills aren't so good, but I'm actually kind of proud of the way this turned out. I want to try to post more comics/stuff I make since I'm more or less out of pictures from Europe to post. Also, maybe expect some full album reviews and downloads in the next few weeks. If I actually get around to it, I'll try to put a few of my more favorite albums up.

A brief interlude

Here's a picture from an open mic night in Germany. Our 'group' wrote a song and then performed it for a bunch of people. It was cool, even though I'm sure we messed up a few times. I'm hidden behind Adam, who's playing keyboard. Tami and Sebastian are playing bongos. Anders is in the middle, and then next to him is Verana singing. Can't see Vera who's standing next to Verena and also singing. It was a lot of fun. We recorded it too, but the quality is pretty horrible. Still, I'll probably post an mp3 of it at some point.



Anyway, time to enjoy the weather and not study. Hope everyone is well wherever you are. I'll try to post more pictures when it starts raining or it's cold or just not fun to be outside...

Western Europe Trip - Brussels, Belgium

This set of pictures is from the first stop on our Western Europe Trip (beginning of March, which seems like an eternity ago). I was a big fan of Brussels. If I remember correctly, we had warmer weather for most of the trip. I know at least one afternoon was rainy, but we were stuck in meetings for the duration of that day so it didn't matter too much. The weather has been so odd during this trip. Warm in February, decent in March, cold and rainy in April. But today it's finally starting to get warm and the sun is peaking it's long hid face through the clouds. Maybe just maybe it will stay dry and warm for the remaining month of the trip. Anyway, on to the pictures:

View from our hotel

 

Adam and Phil

 

In the main Square in Brussels (it was sunny but kind of chilly, if I remember correctly)

 

The tour group

 

Another view from the city center

 

A tall building (fairly self explanatory)

 

If you look at the lower part of the photograph, you can make out drinking monks. This harkens back to the tradition of monks brewing beer in Brussels (there's a special name, but it's alluding me)

 

All washed up historical figures one day end up working the street...

 

Everyone's favorite pissing little kid. That gets dressed up in something like 232 (this number is made up) different costumes. You can't really see the kid through all the clothes, though.

 

Part of the old wall. And two people that I think were speaking Italian and making out before our group of 30 Americans came upon them.

 

Two shots of a large church that looked cool (you can be the judge)

 

 

Examples of Brussel Urban Planning. I think the walls going in the wrong direction though.

 

 

Beer! Brussels has so many varieties! Like Ice Cream! But Better! (beer and ice cream are sometimes strangely combinable, though)

 

The group walking up a random Belgiesh (?) street

 

Two guys who got their heads cut off. That's what you get for standing up for what you believe.

 

A lovely day and an Art Noveu (i don't know how to spell) building

 

Me eating a waffle! sooo good.

 

The beer we drank. I forgot to eat dinner. Not so good.

 

A series of panoramas:

 

 

 

 

Geneva

So, truth be told, I've been somewhat lax in my photo posting duties. I understand you loyal readers have needs which is why I'll try to rectify the situation by posting lots of pictures in the next few days. But, of course, I can't make any promises. I do finally have some free time finally. Classes are finishing up and most of my major work is done. Our trips are over with so I've been able to hang out around Freiburg a bit more. These pictures are all from around the 2nd half of the semester, I suppose. They begin with a short one night trip to Geneva and end with the cookies that we baked last weekend (they were quite yummy). So let's get started...


Our Hotel:

 

Pretty picture:

 

Some shots from inside the United Nations building:
(They rent it out for MUN conferences on weekends)

 

 

A view out the back window of the UN building / complex. I'm fairly certain no one ever gets any work done here...

 

I've been here.

 

Empty Chair (missing a leg). Artsy (Tommy's favorite word).

 

Right across from the UN.

 

A conglomeration of birds. If it's a gaggle of geese, then what are swans?

 

An accordionist under a bridge. I swear they're all over europe. You can't not go to a city and fi

 

Trying to find the flower clock...

 

Finding the flower clock... not as cool as we thought...

 

Hiking up to a church on top of the hill

 

A cool looking church (one of the many in Europe)

 

This is the playground at the top of the hill next to the church. It's either bad english or a messed up sentiment.

 

This is actually in Brussels, but it was in the Geneva folder. You might have to make the picture to read the window...