roads upon roads

I'm actually starting to get sick of driving. You know you like it so much when you don't have it and then when you're forced into doing it, you just want to sit in the passenger's seat. Either that or this is in honor of Mel Gibson's little run in with the law...
Of Montreal "On the Drive Home" (Buy The Bird Who Continues to Eat the Rabbit's Flower)

This post goes out to Jeremy Blackman, one of my greatest homies on Earth. He's in Central America (don't ask me where 'cause he's a world traveler) right now. It was his birthday yesterday. Why is from Berkeley, so I thought it'd be appropriate.
Why "Gemini (Birthday Song)" (Buy Elephant Eyelash)

I got some new songs off the Headlights' new ablum Kill Them With Kindness. I'm really liking what I've heard so far. Its not in stores yet, but here is a sample. Keep an eye out for it.
Headlights "Owl Eyes" (Buy their music)

Why Can't Everyone Just Get Along

Israel has agreed to stop their offensive for 48 hours. I guess its a start. I'm sick of this conflict already. However, it does let me post more Beirut songs in honor of Lebanon. As much as I don't like the U.N.--not what it stands for mind you, but the organization is just full of flaws--I do think that I would like to work there to help people. There are always people that need help.

Beirut "Rhineland (Heartland)" - This song has the most cultural feeling of the songs on Gulag Orkestar, and right now, the people of Lebanon and Israel are feeling for their heartlands. The war is over land, much like WWII was partially about the Rhineland. Land is such an important thing to a people. The Israelites of the Old Testament wandered in the desert for 40 years to get to their promised land, a land now scarred with centuries of violence, where blood flows at least as often as milk and honey.

say hi to your mom show last night

Just so that I can get it out of my system, I was thoroughly dissappointed with Say Hi To Your Mom last night. However, everyone else was totally awesome, so it was well worth the gas and the tickets.

After slowly losing everyone else in our party (it almost felt Oregon Trail-ish, minus the cholera), it turned out to be just Jon and I going up to the show. We made it a great drive by grabbing slurpees before we left (Passion Fruit is super strong sugar, but yummy) and listening to our favorite college radio persona, DJ! (pronounced Dee Jay Shift 1). When we got to Berkeley, we wandered, shopped, and saw my boss (I'm kind, so I'll protect his privacy). Then off to the show.
correction---food first at this random mexican food shop that may have been part of a chain and made us scrape off our plates---now to show specs:

Tartufi was amazing. I liked thier layering skills and they really got the crowd into it. Yes, they are openers and I wasn't expecting a lot, but they turned out to be the best part of the show*. Listen to "Nurses". (Buy Trouble EP).

Dirty on Purpose did a good job. They seemed a little full of themselves, but hey, I love a band with a singing drummer. They brought a lot of friends, and they rocked pretty well. They also sounded better live than they do on their songs. Hey, with as much beer as they drank on stage, I'm proud of them. Listen to a live set. Listen to "Mind Blindness". (Buy their new CD)

Say Hi to Your Mom. Eh, maybe they would have been better if their singer's eyes were creepily opened or the guy standing front and center wasn't as distracting. No, he wasn't being a jerk to the band; rather, he was just wierd. He had a 10 year old boy's hair cut, a 12 year old's clothing style, a wristband that said you were 21, 60 year old granpda glasses, and a 16 year old punk rock dance thing going on. seriosuly, so wierd, so creepy, so blah. They didn't play any of my favorite songs until the last song of the set. Listen to "Snowcones and Puppies", a song they played that I didn't like. (Buy the Implecable Blahs)

*We left early cause I was so dissappointed with SH2YM, so we didn't see Irving. Hey, we had a good time and Tartufi made a fan of me.

elevator

There is a scene in Fight Club where Edward Norton's character says the person you sit next to on a plane is a single serving friend because everything that comes on an airplane is single serving. Real clever, huh? Well, I've got sick of something even worse. Bite sized friends you meet waiting/on the elevator. Why strike up some forced conversation if you obviously have nothing to talk about? When I rode in the elevator with the lady who turned out to be my friend's mom, that is one thing because she recognized me (and she was a MILF). I am not interested in the weather anymore. We all know its hot outside (the 106 right now feels kinda cool), so you don't have to remind me. On the flipside to that though is the guy who wears an iPod and plays music waaaaaaaay too loud. He's probably early 40s, but he plays pop hits so loud. I hope I don't end up like him.

Lady Sovereign "Random" - If I met Lady Sovereign on an elevator, I'd really be intrigued. First, she is raelly short (a midget I actually think). Secondly, she's British, so I'd be like "Why is she talking in an accent?" So basically, if there was a random encounter between me and her, I'd be wierded out and not enjoy the experience. Eh, maybe if she dropped some raps I'd be cool with it.

hot hot hot

Its been rediculously warm in the Valley. Literally, records are dropping about as often as bombs in Beirut and Haifa. However, today it is nearly 10 degrees cooler than it was yesterday at this time. Its 91 out, so it might only be about 100 today. I am probably jinxing it as we speak, but this heat is KILLAH. Yes, I've been listening to a lot of bass-bumping beats, so I thought I'd rep it here too.

Snoop Dog "Drop It Like It's Hot" - If I was a rapper, I'd want to be like Snoop. He hails from the left side, which is the best side. What makes this OG a rap legend is his intonation and pronunciation, not to mention his great inovation in creating new words. (buy Drop It Like It's Hot)

Missy Elliott "I'm Really Hot" - Missy is my favorite female in music. She is bad*ss. Its basically cause she makes me just want to dance. And when I dance, sometimes I think I'm hot like Missy. She may not be hot in an attractive sort of way, but she's hot like wildfire (oh, we've been having a lot of those too). (buy This Is Not A Test)

In addition, I don't like the new M.I.A. song, so I'm not posting it. Its not because she name drops Osama bin Laden; honestly, I understand what her family went through and freedom of speech. Its more cause I don't like it. Something about it doesn't get me the way anything on Arular did. Dang it. I still want to see her live.

Show this friday

So, we're getting a group together to go see Irving and Say Hi To Your Mom Friday, July 28, at Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco. Its honestly going to be great. Irving is one of the top bands this year, and with tickets on $10 a piece ($8 in advance). Doors open at 8:30, and show starts at 9.

Irving "I can't fall in love" - This isn't off their newest album, but it was the first song I heard of theirs. Its quite lighthearted, and I hope they play this live.

Say Hi to Your Mom "Pop Music of the Future" - I kinda wish I had a girl like the one in this song. Yes, I know it makes fun of people like me who entertain the notion that I listen to good music, but she sounds like she'd be a great person to hang out with. Some people have a problem with the vocals being "too ______", but I like them. So they aren't perfect, but they make the song sound more honest. I think the line: ^^She's a shaker but not a mover^^ is one of my favorite lines of all time.

Run, Friends, Sleep

Sorry I've been so busy lately...

It seems like I'm always on the run lately, but when I get to where I'm going, its a whole lot of waiting or hanging out with my friends. I know it sounds silly, but it seems like I'm doing meaningless things. Not to say my friends are meaningless; in fact they are the most meaningful part of my day. Other than that I sleep. If I had an mp3 player, it would be awesome, but instaed, I have to listen with my car stereo on CDs I've burnt. Yah, same songs over and over, but here are two running songs I love to hear:

Sea Wolf "Middle Distance Runner" - I love Sea Wolf, and I wish I could see them live. They are playing next week down in San DIego and L.A., but I don't have the time to go. This was the first song I heard by them, and instantly, I knew I wanted to buy their album. You should too.

Bishop Allen "Making Friends" - Off of their first EP of the year (they're doing twelve and finished 7 thus far), I kind of don't understand this song. Its about making friends but going to hell? (buy January)

The Eames Era "Go to Sleep" - Ashlin Phillips has one of my favorite voices, and she could tell me to go to sleep anytime. The music adds the perfect bit of cheer and lollipop to this song, but its still got bite. ^^If you said what you meant right, they can't accuse you of lies^^ I'm a firm believer in that. (buy Double Dutch)

SUPRISE!!!

My sister's friends threw her a surprise party today that she unknowingly helped plan. Pretty genius because the only thing we had to do was get her there late so that the other kids could set up the signs and stuff. My parents almost blew it though because my dad was acting so strange about what time she was going to be home and how long lunch was going to take. I hope it went well though. I'm going to crash it in a bit. I'm with a maple syrup concomerate in Vermont?

Radiohead "No Surprises (LIVE)" - I always love being surprised with good things. Surprises have to be one of my favorite things. Up there with a good vanilla milkshake. Ohhhh surprise me with a good vanilla milkshake and I'll be your friend forever. (Note...I'm having such a hard time remembering the first r in surprise. I've only got it right once the first try). (buy OK Computer)
+/- "Surprise!" - This is why some people don't like surprises. This guys voice is kind of creepy. The beat is hot though. I'd still be stoked though to hear that I had a surprise waiting for me. (buy You Are Here)

if you want to destroy...

Hear ye! Hear ye!

Weezer is dead.

Now we can all get on with our normal lives.


A tribute:
Buddy Holly - I thought I was so cool for knowing all the words. It was their biggest hit probably. It spawned a generation of thick glasses. Yah, the good old days.

Undone (the Sweater Song) - Heavy with Nirvana influence, this song was my favorite. It has a lot of emotion. A whole lot of early teen boy emotion. (buy the Blue Album)



I'm off to the fair and I don't know how to get rid of this underline. CHEERS!

Bombs over Beirut

Israel is bombing Lebanon. Again. Yes, our favorite hated country--except maybe ourselves...no, more people hate Israel's than us--is bombing thier neighbors. Well, its more of an attempt to disarm the terrorist/community building organization called Hezbollah. In honor of Israel's self-defense/aggressiveness, here are two songs that should play on the soldiers radios because seriously, if everyone just danced, there would only be battle dancing. And we all know that that solves the world problems. Much less bloodshed, I promise!

Beirut "Mount Wroclai" - Yet another reason I think this is a top album of the year. Believe me, you'll like it. I hope Beirut doesn't fall to ashes.

Outkast "B.O.B." - Bombs over Baghdad (I think those are still going on?) can easily be changed to Bombs over Beirut. This was my second favorite rapsong for most of my life. Its so good and quickpaced. I love it.

Zany Zizou

You may think I'm behind on the posting, but really, its cause I've had indigestion of the brain lately. And the music I've been listening to has been of the Nelly Furtado variety. So for those world cup songs:

French Kicks "Trial of the Century" - This was arguably Zidane's biggest game of his life and he failed. I chose this song because they are called the French Kicks and well, there is an obvious reference to the 2006 FIFA World Cup LOSERS (ok, so they got second...but they didn't win the final, so I'm justified in calling them names). As for the song, its good, the guy hits good notes falsetto. Don't let the serene beginning fool you, it picks up. Not that it ever goes over the edge though! It keeps a thinking mood throughout. And well, the French still probably are thinking about that loss. I'm thinking that Zidane didn't deserve Golden Ball, but who am I to say anything?

Beirut "Postcards From Italy" - I can't remember where I first heard this song, but I knew that the Old World charm of Beirut's music completely win over my heart and soul quickly. So far, I think their album Gulag Orkestar is my favorite this year. I know the ever traveled Ursula thought this song was cool when she heard it, so with her blessing, I think its safe to say that this song is wonderful. On October 7, they are playing in Montreal, and I'd love to see them. Anyone else? Oh yah, Italy deserved to win.

IN OTHER NEWS
At work, Finance finally called me back and gave me numbers!!! YAYYYY NUMBERS!!! If I did more cheering people might think I'm freaking out about the book of the Bible. Let me just tell you that Numbers isn't the greatest book in there. My guide will go out to the printers in a couple days, and then it will be mailed to 70,000 households approximately. Wow, to think that my words are being read by that many people! True, its all about the City budget, but I wrote all 1100+ words on it. Mind you it was supposed to go out last week, but a few department heads wouldn't send me the required info. Today though, I just kept badgering them until they gave in. I guess I'm victorious like Italia.

In honor of the work I had to do because stupid bureaucracy that money gets thrown about in and my hip-hop crazy lately here is The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Mo Money Mo Problems". (buy Life After Death)

A good band to a good label

Italy won the world cup. If this was the first place you heard it, where have you been? I have songs picked out to honor our winners and poke fun at Zidane (and his crazy widow's peak). That move was even more insane than anything France's goalie Barthez has ever done.


IN OTHER NEWS
One of my favorite bands is Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin. One of my favorite labels is Polyvinyl Records. Honestly, I was supprised to see SSLYBY sign because I forgot they were unsigned. Whatevs. They are super schnazzy. I kinda do a shoulder twitch to their songs. They probably have my favorite guitar sound out there. Broom (buy it here!) was released in 2005 and I thought it was amazing. Here is a song:

"House Fire" - This is one of my favorite songs of all time. The drop at the start of the song can play forever in my head. The vocals (yes, I'm including the backup ones too) give some yearning, hope, a dash of anguish, and overwhelming amusement. The best line in the song is "We did what we did to keep this car from crashing," and of course its a metaphor for their relationship. Its chock-full of metaphors, but he can't deny that it just all was ruined in the end. He's ok though because he did all he could. Its so wonderful you just have to hear it for yourself. This song doesn't rock, it pulls you along with it.

BONUS: SSLYBY "Boring Fountain" - Its an older song. Its the song that sold me on these guys first though. I don't think you'll need to be more convinced after House Fire, but if you like that, you'll assuredly want to listen to this one.

my computer diede

My computer died, and thus, I am on hiatus from blogging. Now, I'm getting ready to spend the weekend away. I wanted to do a shoutout to my beautiful friend Lindsay who is in Morocco right now.
My life is really busy and I have no idea what is on this computer. Bishop Allen just released their EP June. From what I've heard its great. This song is called "The Same Fire" and it rocks. I'm such a sucker for metaphors in songs, so basically, when he starts talking about the great fires throughout history, I get giddy. I also like when he says, "God damn! You're so beautiful," because its such an innocent background and it sounds so real. 'Cause sometimes you be like DAMN! Sorry, couldn't resist myself. I think I would have cut the song about 20 seconds before it ends, but hey, they are doing an EP every month this year, so I'll give it to them.

Bonus - The Dudley Corporation "Divil the Bit" - I really just like this song a lot. Its got its bits of hard yelling, quiet bits of folky picking, and bits of general happiness. Actually, not just bits, bunches. My sister is yelling now. This is wierd. I'm going to finish packing. Have a good weekend.

bye bye beckham

England lost. I'm really sorry, Mr. David Beckham, that you never had the chance to win the World Cup. Its especially frustrating because its all because the apeman decided to be an idiot and step on a guy's crotch with the ref watching. However, you played great. I do not blame you for anything other than coming up with stupid baby names (yes, Brooklyn and Romeo have a lot to live up to). I really hope one of them plays cricket and the other joins a rock band; it would really be too much expected of them if either played soccer or sang in a boyband.

In honor of my trip yesterday to the city and England's "early" exit - I mean, excellent play in this world cup - here is another extremely overly hyped jem from the British Isles: The Arctic Monkey's "Fake Tales of San Francisco". Yes, this song is the stereotype for a hit! Its a British rock band (see The Beatles), its got a great baseline (see Red Hot Chili Peppers), it genereated a lot of hype on the blogosphere (see The Arctic Monkeys, what?), its poppy (see the Beatles), the words are easy to sing along with (see Beatles)...starting to see a trend? Its a great song yes, but they aren't the next Beatles. I like them, they just didn't live up to everyone's expectations. Whatevs, just like England was entertaining, so too is "Fake Tales of San Francisco". Hopefully, it'll cheer up the English as they watch Wimbleton. Tallyho! (buy Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I Am Not)

BONUS - Because its July and I really want to be ironic, today's bonus is Bright Eye's "June on the West Coast." Conor Oberst, everyone's favorite depressed child-star, has seemed to have faded off the radar. Now, I don't live anywhere near Winnetka, CA, but I know its near Burbank and Simi Valley. Anyway, this song is literally about seasonal depression. I also believe its about leaving stuff behing and moving to a place to start anew. California is so different from New Hampshire, and I although I love both places, there are things I long for that you can't have in each place. The people at Dartmouth can't be here with me now, and all my friends can't be in Hanover when I'm there. I miss taco truck when I'm in New England and I want snow when I live in Turlock. There is the exchange of college life for a family and the ability to be more mobile.

This song is so much lighter than most of Bright Eyes' others. It seems as though everyone familiiar with this song has a different favorite part. My personal favorite is the downward picking in the first couple seocnds of the song. I know people really like the lines "I went to San Diego, the birthplace of the summer, and watched the ocean dance under the moon." There is beautiful imagery in this perfect song for a summer mood. (buy Letting Off of Happiness)