22-23 Down, 29 to Go

Book:  Bottomless Belly Button - Dash Shaw

Book:  Students for a Democratic Society: A Graphic History - Harvey Pekar

The last books of the year.  Bottomless Belly Button was about three grown children and their reactions to their elderly parents decision to divorce.  The book was devastating.  The various children's reactions were pathetic and heartbreaking.  SDS was a graphic novel about Students for a Democratic Society.  I found it to be overly complicated and confusing.  Many of the stories talked about regional groups that focused on people I never heard of.

So that was 2008's 52.  A complete list of books completed will be posted later.

Top 5 Genre Albums of 08

Top 5 Beat Albums

1. Flying Lotus - Los Angeles
2. Samiyam - The Return EP
3. Booka Shade - The Sun & The Neon Moon
4. The Bug - London Zoo
5. Madlib - Beat Konducta Vol 5 & 6

Top 5 Hardcore Albums

1. Verse - Aggression
2. Have Heart - Songs to Scream at The Sun
3. Terror - The Damned, The Shamed
4. Grave Maker - Bury Me At Sea
5. Shai Hulud - Misanthropy Pure

Top 5 Metal Albums

1. Toche - Meanderthal
2. Harvey Milk - Life...The Best Game in Town
3. Boris - Smile
4. Saviours - Into Abandon
5. Disfear - Live the Storm

So there are a bunch of top 5 genres.  Hope you all enjoy.

21 Down, 31 To Go

Book: Tales of Beedle the Bard - J.K. Rowling

Music: Fleet Foxes - Sun Giant EP

I am a huge Harry Potter fan, have been forever. So when this book came out I was pumped even if it wasn't going to about Harry. It was a fun read. Not super deep or long, but it was entertaining. Dumbledore's commentary was funny and I liked how it all tied into the stories. I just took a russian literature class and all I read was short stories. I read this book in one sitting, I was unable to read any of the assigned readings in one sitting. Makes you wonder about what the definition of a short story should be.

Fleet Foxes have blown up this year. Their various albums are in the running for the best of the year. I have listened to the Sun Giant EP many times, including reading the book. They make great music. I have heard it described as Bro-Mance music, which is oddly accurate.

(feel my heat): Best of 2008

Best of 2008 (Not In Order)

1. Gaslight Anthem - 59 Sound: Another case of me judging a record too quickly. At first I found it repetitive. Yet the more I listened to it the more I realized that Gaslight may very well have released the best album of 2008.

2. The Loved Ones - Build and Burn: An early candidate for best album of 2008. It was fun fast and anthemic. It remains all of these things.

3. The Hold Steady - Stay Positive: What haven't I said about this band. 

4. Why? - Alopecia: This is the sound of stream of consciousness. They provided some of the best lines of the year. If you wanted to sum up my mind most of the time, take a line from this album. The first five songs all have been played at least 20 times on my itunes.

5. Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend: Were they overhyped? Probably. Was this album fantastic and worthy of the hype? Definitely. The sound of a delightful spring and summer.

6. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago: This is the best album of the year. Subtle, lonely, and cold but incredibly compelling. It was an album that didn't leave my ipod all year.

7. Lil Wayne - Tha Carter III: What a weird album, but man did I listen to it. Weezy proved that he can put together a full album, full of weird beats and even weirder lines.

8. Sun Kil Moon - April: This guys voice isn't going to win any singing competitions. Yet there is something about the music that won't let you go. At times it is overwhelming and some tracks go on for too long, but The first half dozen songs are classic.

9. Spiritualized - Songs in A&E: Drugs and Death. All that this album is about. Yet they find all that is beautiful and sublime in drugs and death.

10. No Age/Cut Copy - Nouns/In Ghost Colors: I lumped these two together because they tied for 10th best of the year. No Age's Nouns is a noisy mess of songs, that are both punk rock and completely un-punk. Cut Copy delivered the best dance album of the year, doing for big beat what LCD did for disco.

Honorable Mention

• Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes/Sun Giant EP

• Shearwater - Rook

• Booka Shade - The Sun and The Moon

• Seun Kuti - Seun Kuti and Egypt 80

• Teddy Thompson - A Piece of What You Need

• Stephen Malkmus - Real Emotional Trash

Biggest Let Downs

• My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges: What happened to the band that made It Still Moves? Why did anyone want an album of Prince meets Allman Brothers.

• Black Kids - Partie Trumatic: I bought the album based on hype and the great "I'm Not Going to Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You". Unfortunately no song was close to being as good as that one and I forgot what Public Enemy said: Don't Believe the Hype.

• Young Jeezy - The Recession

• Jack Johnson - Sleep Through The Static

• Gnarls Barkley - The Odd Couple: This may not have been the biggest let down, but it certainly lacked a song as good as Crazy or Smiley Faces.

Best Mixtapes

• Wale - A Mixtape About Nothing/100 Miles - If Wale isn't the rapper of the year I don't know who is

• Asher Roth - The Green House Effect

• Izza Kizza - Kizzaland

• B.O.B. - LRG Mixtape

• Diplo and Santogold - Top Ranking

Best Songs: (Only One Per Artist)

• Why? - Vowels Pt. 2

• The Loved Ones - Pretty Good Year

• Gaslight Anthem - Great Expectations

• Bon Iver - Skinny Love

• Vampire Weekend - Oxford Comma

• The Hold Steady - Sequestered In Memphis

• Wiz Khalifa - Say Yeah

• Wale - W.A.L.E.D.A.N.C.E.

• Colby O'Donis - What You Got

• Ladytron - Ghost

• Sam Sparro - Black and Gold

• Flying Lotus - Camel

• Lil Wayne - A Milli

• Racontuers - Many Shades of Black

• Gnarls Barkley - Run

• Sun Kil Moon - Moorestown

• Jamie Lidell - Another Day

20 Down, 32 to Go

Book: Dharma Bums - Jack Kerouac 

Album: None

I read this book really fast.  I think I started it on Sunday and was done with it mid-flight Wednesday. It was very enjoyable.  Kerouac showed the dual nature that I seem to have: a desire to be alone in the wilderness and be out with my friends at parties.  The Buddhism in the story seemed a little thin, he never really explained what the various ideas and terms meant.  Yet, I think the book would have lost momentum if Kerouac explained each school of Buddhism.  Overall, it was a fun, fast, and entertaining read.

Since I read the book so quickly I did really listen to an album or anything that captured the mod of it.  I have various songs that I listened to a fair amount during the time I read it, so here they are:

• Flying Lotus - Roberta Flack
• Madlib - In Jah Hands (Dillas Lament)
• Miles Davis - So What
• John Coltrane - Giant Steps
• Charles Mingus - Goodbye Pork Pie Hat
• Chitti Babu - Ragam: Kharaharapriya

19 Down, 33 to Go

Book:  Consider the Lobster - David Foster Wallace

Album:  Shake the Sheets - Ted Leo and the Pharmacists

I bought this book the day he died.  I started reading it roughly the same week.  Consider the Lobster is an extremely entertaining book.  "Big Red Son" made me howl with laughter.  The stories on 9/11 were interesting.  "Up, Simba" was fascinating to compare McCain 2000 v McCain 2008 v Obama.  "Consider the Lobster" has made me no longer eat lobster and makes you question the decency of killing another living creature.  There was only one story I couldn't get through: "Authority and American Usage".

Ted Leo writes great albums.  They are fun, entertaining, political, and everything else.  He is one of Rock n Roll's few populists.  He attempts to appeal to everyone through hard work and good songs.  This is my favorite album by him.  To me it is as consistent and well done as London Calling or This Years Model.   If you don't have it, go buy it today!

Couple of Old Shows

So I don't have much.  I have a couple of old shows that I have meant to post for a while.  I am an intern on the BU radio station.  Its kind of funny because I know as much about hosting as the people who actually "host" the show.  One show was from election day, the other was from a couple weeks before that.  Anyway here they are:

Calling Old Friends - Defiance, Ohio 
Motion Of The Ocean - Fake Problems 
Thanks, Bastards! - Mischief Brew 
In a Cave - Tokyo Police Club 
New Wave - Against Me! 
The '59 Sound - The Gaslight Anthem 
The Inquirer - The Loved Ones 
Sir Bang (Bounce) - Madlib* 
Savior - Rise Against 
(Fork and Knife) - Brand New
Mash - J Dilla*
Stay Free - The Clash 
Chesterfield King - Jawbreaker
Kiss Me Deadly - Generation x 
Heavy - Oh No*
Breakdown - Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers 
Constructive Summer - The Hold Steady

Election Day

Banned in D.C. - Bad Brains 
Ready to Fall - Rise Against 
Louisiana - The Loved Ones 
Buckeyes - MF Doom*
Something I Learned Today - Hüsker Dü 
Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana 
Cliché Guevara - Against Me! 
Tape Hiss (Dirty) - Madlib*
Bastards Of Young - The Replacements
Great Expectations - The Gaslight Anthem 
Workinonit - J Dilla*
I Got Your Number - Ted Leo & The Pharmacists
Drunken Lullabies - Flogging Molly
Constructive Summer - The Hold Steady
Boxcar - Jawbreaker
American Idiot - Green Day

(feel my heat): Henry Rollins

Henry Rollins is a guy I have dug for a while.  I got my first black flag record in seventh grade.  I think I like it more now then I did then.  Back then it was too intense and too metal, now it sounds more of what I am looking for.  I am getting deeper into Black Flag's catologue and finding other good records/songs.  Rollins hosts a great show on Indie 103.1, I forget the title of it.  I know it used to be Harmony in My Head.  His IFC tv show is pretty good as well.  Rollins is also similar to me, personality wise.  He is a vegetarian, works out (something I should do more often than I am currently), and really funny but very dark.   Below is an except of an interview he did with Time Out New York:

Isn’t dubbing your election-themed tour “Recountdown” a little cynical?

It’s my last time to be on stage with Bush being around. That doesn’t really affect the show, but I didn’t want to be sitting at home or at the office with this one last shot to be onstage while he’s in office, because he and I have done so much time together. The reason I called the tour “Recountdown” is that I think we’re counting down to the next big argument. And I think the election will be pretty close. If it were truly a fair election, it probably wouldn’t be, but I think the Republicans, truth be known, cheat. The ACORN thing is a good try on McCain’s behalf, but no one’s buying it. No one is buying the Ayers thing.… So, I do think that they’ll have to resort to cheating to try and win, or at least make it a close election, because I think Barack is pulling away.

What’s the first thing you’re going to do when Bush leaves office?

Well, for me, it’s not one of those "ding-dong, the witch is dead" situations. I know some people are going to feel like that. Imagine coming home to your house and a tornado has gone through it. And you walk around, and all your stuff is broken, and you go, Oh, this sucks, but hey the tornado is gone, so let’s party. Well, what’s there to party with, everything is broken? Bush and his cronies did a great job of taking your tax money and giving it to their friends

Read Full Article Here.

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Book: Dharma Punx - Noah Levine

Album: ...And Out Come the Wolves - Rancid

Dharma Punx is the memoir of Noah Levine. He is a former Junkie and Prisoner, life long punk and recent buddhism teacher. His life sounds incredible from the desperation of addiction to the inner peace he has achieved. The story was a little repetitive but still very interesting. I really enjoyed the discussions about his travels around Asia and learning about the various disciplines of Buddhism. The book corresponds to a similar point I am at. I am somewhat frustrated with the world and the suffering that is going on. I am considering studying buddhism, hopefully it will help me make sense of what's going on.

...And Out Come the Wolves is one of the best and most timeless punk records ever released. In many ways it is the next generations answer to London Calling. I haven't listened to Rancid in a long time but when I put on this record I am able to sing along to every song. I might not be able to a cappella each song, but certainly know all the words when I hear the music. Lars from Rancid is good friends with Levine, and is one of the Dharma Punx.

17 Down, 35 To Go

Book: Notes From Underground - Fyodor Dostoevsky

Album:  Darkside of the Moon - Pink Floyd

I just finished reading Notes From Underground.  It was assigned for a class.  I am not sure what I think about it.  The narrator is unlikeable, the text was dense, and I am unsure what the point of the novel was.  The first part of the book was entirely philosophical, the second part certainly explained why the underground man developed these philosophies, but it never seemed compelling.  I think the goal was not to create a likable book but to present a glimpse of society that we tend to ignore.  The underground man seems to unreliable and unstable to be trusted, but does not seem to be actually "crazy".  Ultimately, I am too conflicted to either recommend or detract from the book.

Pink Floyd's Darkside of the Moon is all about mental illness.  It seems to fit the themes of the book well.  Although the real draw to the album is not the story but the guitars.  I don't really need to write about this album because everyone who is reading the blog has already heard the album.

16 Down, 36 To Go

Book: Y: the Last Man Series

Album: Radiohead Series

Y: the Last Man series was incredible. The plot is basically exactly what it sounds: the last man on earth attempting to save humanity and meet up with his girlfriend. Yet it was so much more than that. It was funny, full of pop culture references. It was also profound, asking deep philosophical questions. It was more than just a comic, it had real character development and twists. It was philosophical, with out being preachy. I wish that there were more to read. The series ended at the right point though, it ended before the ideas were recycled or uninspired.

The only thing that I could see matching the epic nature of Y is Radiohead. Radiohead is a little more depressed but still the only thing I can think of. Plus they match profound and depressed themes in Y, better than other bands or albums I was thinking about using. It was difficult to pick an album since I have been reading Y: the Last Man for a while now, there were ten books in the series.

The Depression Recession

I have a sincere feeling that we are doomed.  This recession seems to becoming something more like a depression.  Seems like everyday the market is dropping another 300 points.  I don't think that either candidate has a grasp on how screwed the nation is at the moment.  The economy doesn't seem like it will ever be able to fully recover.  The debt is exploding, but nothing is being done to correct it.  No candidate seems to want to end the wars, which are exploding the debt killing innocent people and causing nothing but future problems.  Most people don't have health care and yet the government won't universalize health care.  The education system is in the gutter. The environment is being annihilated, with 1 in 4 land animals facing imminent extinction.  The oceans are already monumentally fucked and toxic.   And yet the most important thing on the campaign trail is whether Obama is terrorist and Gay Marriage.

(feel my heat): Aloe Blacc

Not sure if anyone else know who this guy is, but he is amazing.  Aloe Blacc is an incredible soul/r&b singer on the Stones Throw label.  Same label that drops heat from Madlib, Oh No, and the late, great J Dilla.  Aloe has one of the best styles I have ever heard.  Kind of like an indie R. Kelly, minus all the faux gangsterisms and teen sex stuff.  The best song off his debut album, Shine Through, is probably his cover of Sam Cooke's "A Change Going to Come".  If it were me, I would have made this the theme song to Obama's presidential campaign.  Anyway go get this album if you don't already have it.

RIP - Paul Newman

Paul Newman was a bad ass.  He was a bad ass in Cool Hand Luke, in Hud, in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.  He was a great guy in real life.  Created and helped fund the Hole in the Wall and Painted Turtle camps.  Predated the health food craze.  He will be missed.

RIP Paul Newman 

Wilco and Obey

Currently on Wilco's website is a live recording of Wilco and Fleet Foxes covering Bob Dylan's "I Shall Be Released".  To get this recording all you have to do is enter your name and email.  Oh and pledge that you will vote.  All in all that seems to be a pretty fair trade off.  Its a great recording and pretty good song.  So go get that ish.

Obey is an amazing brand and Shepard Fairy is one of my heroes.  This is one of the latest things from the Obey website:

Here are the two most important things to know about the current situation in Darfur, Sudan:

1) There is currently a resolution before the UN Security Council that if passed would override the arrest warrant for Pres Bashir for Crimes Against Humanity and Crimes of Genocide. This would not only undermine the months and years of work by the ICC and the lives that have been risked to bring this information forward, but it would show to the world that Genociders can go free if they are the heads of state and show the UN and ICC are incapable of governing the capability to Veto this resolution and set in motion the arrest of Bashir and hopefully an end to the Genocide in Sudan.

2) The Government of Sudan (GOS) recently attacked one of the largest IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) Camps in Southern Darfur. Kalma Camp, located outside of Nyala has more than 150,000 occupants. During this attack, 37 civilians were killed, many of whom were children under 11 years old. The GOS is now in the process of building up its military presence around the camp in what many think is in preparation for another larger attack. This cannot be allowed to happen. Pressure must be put on the US and the UN to deploy the UNAMID forces to this camp to stop this attack. In addition, our media must cover these evolving events and put them on the “front page” to let the GOS know that the world is watching and we will not stand by and allow the killing of innocent civilians.

Do you part to stop the killings in Darfur; write your congressman, donate, or even just join a protest group.

Blind I

For those of you who read this and haven't clicked through the link list, I highly recommend Blind I.  It is a really good hip-hop/rap site.  They put up tons of full albums, everything from Wale to Santogold to beats.  I like to click it throughout of the day to see what new things they put up.  I suggest downloading the beats, make for great study music.  So big ups to Blind I.

Pop's a Blue Ribbon

Birthday Mix

Beach House - Wedding Bells

Fleet Foxes - White Winter Hymnal

Grizzly Bear - Little Brother

Panda Bear - Bros

Atlas Sound - River Card

The Dodo's - Red and Purple

The National - Brainy

Happy Birthday Dad, in case Homer wasn't enough

There is No Way the special can be as Good as this picture

So what if the economy sucks and everything else seems to be falling apart?

(feel my heat): Ted Leo

Ted Leo is one of my favorite modern artists.  Anyone who listens to the show, knows that I like and play him frequently.  He writes impassioned and political songs, that are still pop songs.  He blends his influences quite well: hardcore punk, ska and reggae, literate pop and old fashion rock.  When you see him play live it is just a trio.  His album "Shake the Sheets" might be my favorite album of the last five years.  Last years "Living with the Living" was like a punk version of Armed Forces.  

Anyway, he has just released a four track EP called Rapid Response.  It is in response to the wrongful arrests and police brutality that occurred at the conventions this year.  The proceeds will be donated to Democracy Now! and the Minneapolis chapter of Food Not Bombs.  The two original songs are pretty good, you can certainly hear his rage and frustration loud and clear.  The real winners though are the covers.  I Got Your Number is a great punk song and Leo adds his signature tricks to it.  Nobody's Driving is just Leo on his own and the song is better than the original for it.  Go buy this EP if you like Leo or just want to support the cause.

Literary Cinema

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Literary Cinema

Okkervil River - Our Life Isn't a Movie or Maybe

The National - Secret Meeting

The Hold Steady - One for the Cutters

Andrew Bird - Plasticities

Josh Ritter - Girl in the War

The Mountain Goats - Tallahassee 

This is Incredibly Sad

David Foster Wallace dead at 46

I never read anything by Mr. Wallace but his style intrigued me.  The way it has been described certainly sounds like something I would enjoy.  And no matter what it is sad when someone kills themselves.  I was actually planning on going to Barnes today to pick up Consider the Lobster, A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, I Just Want My Pants Back and some Y: the Last Man's.  Those will probably be the last 52's this year. I have a Suburban Noise to post on this topic (literature) later.

Southern Gothic

In celebration of the dark and the gritty.  Scary without being cheesey.  Speaking of which, if you haven't seen True Blood go watch it.  It is really entertaining.  All about vampires being allowed to live openly, and is set in a small southern town.  It comments on a lot of different all at once.

Southern Gothic

Grinderman - No Pussy Blues

Dax Riggs - Radiation Blues

Mark Lanegan - Man in the Long Black Coat

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - Dig Lazurus Dig

deadboy and the Elephantmen - Stop I am already dead

For Ethan

Ten Most Haunted Places in the World

Looking to get spooked? take a tour of some of the creepiest, most ghost-infested places on the planet From England to the US this list contains the top 10 most haunted places that you can visit.There are certain places where the restless spirits of the night linger. They manifest as eerie voices and strange perfumes; they move things about; they creep out of the shadows as apparitions. Sometimes they even attack.
These are the places, through years of experiences and unnerving reputation, that are considered the most haunted places in the world.
1. Edinburgh Castle - Edinburgh, Scotland
2. The Whaley House - San Diego, California,US
3. The Borley Rectory - Borley, England
4. The Bell Farm - Adams, Tennessee, US
5. Raynham Hall - Norfolk, England
6. The Queen Mary - Long Beach, California, US
7. The White House - Washington D.C., US
8. The Tower of London - London, England
9. Ballygally Castle - Ballygally Bay, Ireland
10.The Rose Hall Great House - Montego Bay, Jamaica
The Most Haunted Places In World

Saw this and had to jack it

Slackers, Losers, and Underachievers aka English Art and Geography Majors

Slackers, Losers, and Underachievers aka English Art and Geography Majors
Silver Jews - Punks in the Beerlight
Pavement - Range Life
Superchunk - Yeah It's Beautiful Here Too
Why? - These Few Presidents
Violent Femmes - American Music

Death By Black Hole

I am not a scientist.  I am in fact really bad at science and math.  It interests me but I have little talent at it.  This excites me greatly though.

Fun times.  Lets go Big Bang

New Blog Up

Okay I decided to make this a personal blog again. So I am here to announce the Fear and Loathing in 2008, the political blog. Still run by me. Expect the same low quality of service.  Just decided that I am posting enough stories that it needed a separate blog.

Aight peace

Check In and Album Reviews

Okay so I decided it was time for a check in and some album reviews instead of all politics all the time.  Boston is going well.  I like my classes.  Swahili is almost overwhelming but it is interesting.  It is certainly a huge change from English.  Calculus may end up being a pain in the ass.  I am not totally sure.  My teacher has an accent that is like a verbal cinder block.  English and Economics shouldn't be too bad.  Both are kinda interesting.  I want to read Thomas Friedman's new book.  It relates to the type of geography I am interested in.  I signed up to join the radio station, along with a bunch of other groups. 

Shareen is doing well.  She likes her classes and is still set on psychology, but slowly considering Public relations which I think she would be great at.  She is a research assistant for her psych professor.  Which is pretty cool.  Overall I am impressed at how well she has been able to transition to college life.

I have been listening to a couple albums a lot recently.  So here are thoughts/reviews:

• Ra Ra Riot - The Rhumb Line: This album is pretty good.  I just listened to it for the second time.  I like it.  It has a similar vibe to Vampire Weekend, only less ethnic-y.  I will see if it continues to grow on me.
• The Gaslight Anthem - The 59 Sound:  This band and the Loved Ones made me care about punk rock again, at least a little bit.  It sounds like Bruce Springsteen with a frog in his throat.  The album does not break entirely new ground but it is a fun record to listen to.  The same can not be said for the latest Anti-Flag album.
• Shearwater - Rook:  This is kinda like Okkervil River's sad little brother.  Which makes sense since the main guy in Okkervil started this band with the main guy in Shearwater to release more acoustic music.  With this album hopefully Shearwater will be able to get out of big brother's shadow.  The songs are rich and well developed.  They are well done but maintain an sloppy edge.
• Wale - Mixtape About Nothing:  This is a great album.  Wale might be the premier lyricist out there.  He is on par with lil wayne, only less absurd.  Plus the album was free which is a plus.
• The Walkmen - You and Me:  I have listened to this album a couple times and like it.  It gives off a vibe similar to The National.  Which took a bunch of listens before I really like Boxer, now I listen to it almost daily.  So we will see where this ends up.

Otherwise I am not up to much.  I am excited for the new Tv On the Radio, Okkervil River, and Deerhunter albums.  Eager to start working at the radio station.  Hopefully I will have a new 52 to post soon.  Expect another Suburban Noise soon.  Otherwise that is all for me at the moment.  I am out.

Silver Surfer Feels My Heat

Silver Surfer Feels My Heat Mix
The Ventures - Walk Don't Run
The Pyramids - Pressure
Deltas - Hawaiian Wipeout
The Challengers - K-39
Beach Boys - Surfin' USA

Cowabunga Dude!!!

Funky Cold Heat

Since I don't get a radio show this semester,  I decided that I will do more podcasts.  I think they will have themes but no garuntees.  Anyway here is a fresh one for you.  Full of funky horns, jazzy beats and soulful singing.  Even some random banter with awkward silences, its just like WMSR. Enjoy!

Funky Cold Heat

Madlib - Tape Hiss (Dirty)

Mf Doom - Buckeyes

The Budos Band - Mas O Menos

Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings - Nobody's Baby

James Brown - Hot Pants

I don't know if the link works so please let me know

15 Down, 37 To Go

Book: Gonzo: The Life of Hunter S. Thompson
Album: Stay Positive - The Hold Steady

Gonzo was a hard book to read. It was all about Hunter Thompson, the stories got repetitive. Every page was soaked in Chivas, caked in coke, and burnt with cigs. He seemingly treated everyone badly and then was way too nice and generous to make up for it. It was very interesting to get past the outlandish attitude and get bits and peices of what Hunter might actually have been. I think that people were way too generous with their praise for him. I read Hell's Angels and the Vegas one and bits and pieces of the others. Other than the first two I was not blown away by anything he wrote. He wanted to be the next Hemingway but he wasn't able to write short fiction like Hemingway, nor did he have Hemingway's dedication and discipline it sounds like. It certainly interesting to watch the myth be stripped away from the man.

The new Hold Steady album is pretty great. For a band that had an album inspired by Kerouac there songs resemble more of Thompson's spirit. The albums filled with characters that are constantly getting drunk, getting arrested and can't get out of their own way. I once heard that the difference between Springsteen and Tom Waits characters are how recently they showerd, these characters are the bastard kids spawned from those songs. They have been going at it for long enough now that the characters seem to reappear as if they were in a Faulkner story or Kevin Smith movie. Long as they keep rocking and not attending their AA meetings I will keep listening.

Dear Summer

So as I write this I am flying to school. Summer is over, back to the grind back to school back to the fake world. Its not that school is fake but there is a false sense of security and, for me at least, a distance from real life. Real Life I do not think has parties, mid-terms, and meal plans. I may very well be wrong, god I hope so. Anyway it is always hard for me to leave home at the end of vacation. If I am in a place for more than two weeks I begin to become settled and attached. My family certainly makes it difficult to break away. Anyway to keep the tradition alive, I here are some of the highlights of this summer:

• Nightmare of You
• Getting into Boston
• Getting Good Grades Second Semester
• Wild Rivers the one time I went even though I bought a season pass
• Costco runs with my mom
• Working as the cheese bitch
• Lunches with Shareen
• Wandering around the spectrum and south coast
• The week of Graduations
• The visit - not a highlight but it gave us all something to talk about
• Visiting Boston
• Tommy and all associated with that
• Lolla
• New York City
• Colin's basketball games
• Ethan getting into Concordia
• The feeling that I never really saw most of my fam since they were out with friends/asleep/working
• Moving E into school
• Batman, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Pineapple Express

All of these and many more. This is in no order. Just what came to mind while I was sitting on the plane, in between episodes of Seinfeld, Snatch and reading Gonzo.

14 down, 38 to go; Work; Venture Brothers; and Boston

Here is the worlds longest blog post. Enjoy!

14 Down, 38 To Go
Book: I Was Told There'd Be Cake by Sloane Crosley
Album: The Sun and the Neon Light - Booka Shade

I Was Told There'd Be Cake was an okay collection of essays. It grew on me slowly but surely. The opening chapters were so weak and unfunny that I set it down and nearly didn't pick it up again. I am glad that I did. Around page 75 the essays got better, less princess-y and jew-y. Two big no no's for me. Anyway the stories about Oregon trail, her sick sister and vegetarian lifestyle were both funny and reminded me of things I had done and thought. I am not sure if I would recommend this book as the absolute next thing you should read but if you have a weekend of traveling and want something short and easy to read you could do a lot worse than this book.

The Sun and Neon Light has almost nothing to do with the book. The style is not at all similar. This is my first booka shade album and I was shocked at how un-dancey it is. When I saw these guys at Lolla they brought the bass and the funk. This album has some of that but it is much more of a chill out album. Still it is one of the better albums I have heard this year.

I finished my last day at pavilions today. It was quite a summer job. It taught me a lot about people and what real life is. Here is a hint: it is not last summers job. Real life is working a job and still not being able to afford rent. It about dealing with bitchy customers and idiotic co-workers. The job taught me that most people are lonely and that people will quickly open up to annoy who appears to be interested and nice, even if they guy is trying to sell you a piece of brie that cost more than two gallons of gas. I also learned that it is good to shut up and just work. Don't think about how shitty it is, just do what you are told. However this is the last time I think I will ever work as a deli person. First I can not deal with people barking things at me, I very nearly told a couple people a shift that no they could not have half a pound of turkey. Second it is a bad idea to yell at the person who is handling your food, don't know who still needs to wash their hands. Third I never want to cut into a bag of roast beef and get blood in my eyes ever again. Other than those complaints and the awful pay, I thought the job was a positive experience. One that I can live without repeating.

This past season of Venture Brothers was epic. That is the only appropriate word is Epic. Epic like Homer. The continuity of the story and the back stories provided are incredible. They are extremely silly but the fact that everything is tied together and had been set up since season one is extraordinary. Its like going back and rereading the harry potter series and seeing how many things that were mentioned in the first book were critical in the last one. This is all intentional of course, but the jokes and references that the characters make are perfect this season. The back story of The Monarch, Dr. Girlfriend-Wife, Billy and White and all of Team Venture are interesting. Then there are the sub-texts of the show: good vs evil, brother vs brother, brains vs brawn, failure and disillusionment, the boys sexuality, Brock's roll in the family, and what villainy is. Shareen has complained that she doesn't get the show, which is understandable. This show like a lot of comics, is almost impossible to jump into midstream, there is too much back story and idiosyncratcies. Also the show is only funny if you get all of the references, old comics/action movies, 80's music, and other randomness. Ultimately this season was a total success, unlike other shows where the third season signaled the beginning of the end: House and Monk for instance.

Lastly I am going to school on Friday. I am very excited about this. I am ready to go back to school. Home has been fun but it is time to go back to school meet people and do work. Boston will be a lot of fun and a great experience I think. It is odd to talk to my friends at Miami who are already in class doing work and stuff. I was shocked to see how many emails from teachers I had today when I looked at mymiami email today. I have no received that many from my teachers at Boston. For those of you wondering what I am taking: Swahili i, Freshman English, Calculus I and Economic Geography. Pumped for Geography and Swahili, scared for Calculus and uninterested in Freshman English - particularly because it is about Russian Literature. For those of you who don't know, I am living at the Hyatt Regency in Cambridge this semester. Not a huge fan of living in a hotel but I have no other place to live. The saga of me trying to find a place to live is way too long to write about, but needless to say this was not my first choice.

10-11-12-13 Down, 39 To Go

Check my math but I am pretty sure that is right on the count. So I have read some stuff since I last blogged. I wasn't sure whether or not I would count three of them, but decided that they were unique enough that they should be counted separately.

10 Book: Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
Album: Sink Or Swim - The Gaslight Anthem

This has become quite a famous graphic novel. It is the autobiographical story of Satrapi growing up in post revolutionary Iran. It is quite a saga and was quite interesting to read. I actually read it awhile ago, right around graduation time. I could tell you about the Gaslight Anthem but I have already blogged about them and all I can say is BUY THIS RECORD. They also have a new one coming out soon which I am excited for.

In between Persepolis and the next three I read a good chunk of Gonzo, a biography on Hunter Thompson. I will finish this book, but it is not the most fun read. I can be summarized as people saying Hunter was a great guy and that he acted like an Ass most of the time. I also read in about an hour another book in the Y: The Last Man series. I will blog that book once I have read all of them. This same idea is true for the Walking Dead series.

11: Haunted Knight - Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale
12: Long Halloween - Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale
Album: Tha Carter III - Lil Wayne

This is where I started to read a lot of Batman. It was a little before the movie came out. Which if you are one of the few people to have not seen it, do yourself a favor and check it out. I do not think they could have made a darker or more topical film. Both of these books help create the basis for the new movie. The Long Halloween is especially influential on the Harvey Dent character. I didn't like Haunted Knight as much but oh well. I listened to the new Weezy disc a lot recently. It is actually really good and pretty bizarre. The rhymes are absurd and filled with space/death/drug themes in unique ways. The beats range dramatically from standard club stuff to what the hell is this. Overall though the disc is one of the best I have heard this year.

13: False Faces - Brian K. Vaughn
Album: 8 Diagrams - Wu-Tang Clan

Batman False Faces was okay not great. I bought it mostly because I am a big fan of Brian K Vaughn's other series, Y: The Last Man. The story he told was fine but nothing that interesting or adding to the Batman legend. Overall I kind of wished I had saved the cash and bought another Y but lesson learned. 8 Diagrams took multiple listens before I really liked it. It is an interesting record because Wu-Tang is sort unsure of its place hip hop currently. They are no longer producing the grimiest and most violent drug ridden rhymes, that goes to Clipse, nor do they produce the meanest beats, those go to El-P and the rest of Definitive Jux label. So they are left attempting to sound modern but classic. Which this album ultimately succeeds at.

Right now I am reading Spook Country by William Gibson, it is very good. Soon I will blog about my favorite TV Show: Venture Brothers. But for now this is all you get.

Lolla Recap: Something You Actually Want To Read

Lolla Fri

I got there way late. I had scheduling for Boston in the morning, my flight left at 1245 which made me nervous I wouldn't be able to schedule and get to my flight. Ultimately that was not a problem. The drive to the airport took forever causing me to miss the black keys which I was not happy about. I heard a couple songs walking into the show.

The first band I saw was cat power. It was pretty good. Lacks a lot of energy but that is the point. Chan is a great song writer so it makes up for a less energetic show. E and I left and walked over to watch grizzly bear for a while. They were pretty good, similar to Cat Power. Good to watch but not a whole lot going on. Still the sound was great and the set was strong. At this point Ethan and I split up cause he was tired and wanted to sit down and I left to see Raconteurs. Mistake on my part. It was really crowded so I couldn't see the stage. Also at various points they sounded like a bad Zeppelin cover band.

I left Raconteurs for three the hard way: Cool Kids, CSS,The Jicks. I first went to Cool Kids, they started late but brought lots of energy. I saw about a 1/4 of a set, they played Gold and a Pager, Mikey Rocks, a beastie boys freestyle and couple other songs. I hope they come around Boston cause they would totally be worth seeing again. CSS were a little disappointing, they had energy but left me wanting something. I got there right as they played Music is my Hot Hot Sex. I then heard a couple more songs, it was cool to see Lovefoxx body suit and a dancing girl on stage but otherwise it wasn't that sweet. The Jicks were great. Stephen Malkmus knows how to play and I love Pavement. And had the best stage banter "We are the Jicks, not Radiohead". They jammed for a little but kept it interesting. Probably the best of the three in all honesty. Colin stopped by and felt that they suck balls.

I would write about Radiohead but I don't think i can add anything to the conversation. I was a great show. I unfortunately had to take off cause of exhaustion. I wished I stuck around but oh well. There stage set up was incredibly cool and the fireworks were perfect. I will post a vids/photos.

Lolla Sat

First up is Ting Tings. This is where I met up with the crew. Harry, Pac, Steph and I meet up and went to Ting Tings. They were surprisingly good. Kind of like an upbeat bloc party. I can see why they used it for an ipod commercial. I only watched a couple songs of Dr. Dog from across the field I was not really impressed or interested. This may have been due to the heat.

From Dr. Dog we walked over to Mason Jennings/Dereks Bentley area. We were not planing to see Mason Jennings just sort of happened. He turned out to be really good. Would have fit nicely on a juno soundtrack. Dereks Bentley was fun. A little bit country a little bit rock n roll. I should have stuck around longer but oh well all part of the experience.

We to MGMT from there too Booka Shade. Mgmt had a huge crowd but they didnt have good sound. It was way way way too quiet. So after two songs Pac, E and I bounced. We walked over to Booka Shade which we met up with C. Booka Shade was crazy. They totally punked MGMT by being about 500x louder with mad bass. C looked to me and made sure that it wasn't just him that thought it was loud. I danced like an idiot but had a lot of fun.

Explosions in the Sky to Spankrock to Jamie Lidell. Now this was a mash up. The fam crew and I left booka shade to go see explosions. They were pretty good but we lacked the weed to make it a great show. After half hour we went to see spankrock. That was a lot of fun, and really dirty. Amanda Blank and the other girl who were up on stage freaked hard. The Plastic Little crew got up there eventually. It was a good time, from there Ethan and I went to Jamie Lidell. Colin left and went to uffie. Lidell was amazing he made his beats out of his own vocal samples. So he would beat box and stuff and eventually sample himself enough to create a new song. I have to see it again.

Lupe Fiasco was pretty good. Had real good flow and lots of energy which was need for such a large stage. Started it out with kick push which was probably the easiest way to psych up the crowd with losing the fewest people. Colin was backstage for the set and apparently lupe pumped him self up by staring at C looking like he was going to kill him. Good times

Sharon Jones was a lot of fun. And the band was tight. They kept that shit on lock and everyone in the crowd was dancing. Too bad I didn't have a dance partner. I really want to see her again, for a full performance. The Dap Tones know how to play and she works the stage as good as anyone I have seen.

Wilco were pleasent. Every time I was just about to leave they played a song that I liked. The ominous sounds of rage were coming from the other end of the park and I kind of wished I saw them. Then again I hear that they had to stop the show and get people to chill out which I wasn't exactly looking for. Oh well Wilco put on a great show anyway, and I am trying to break your heart is a great song.

Lolla Sun

White Lies first band i saw. I was on the side of the stage trying to get there for the weakerthans. The Weakerthans canceled so i watched White Lies. They are pretty good. The 11am Chicago sun does not match their music style but have to pay your dues. They played solid dance rock. Much like the killers or bravery, if I heard them in high school I would have loved them. I heard them now, and I still think they are way good.

What Made Millwaki Famous/The Whigs these guys were playing while I was walking around trying to find my friends. They played very serviceable rock. I was not blown away but they did a good job. They had the awful job of opening the show in the heat, on the last day and get people to care.

John Butler Trio these guys could play. Everyone at Lolla could play but these guys could really play. They were a jam band but damn if it wasn't a good time. The songs were great, C and I listened to a lot of them in the artist lounge playing ping pong, which is specifically what the music is made for.

Amadou and Mariam or what I refereed to as the African Band. This was an amazing set. They played ultra global, ultra funky music. Serving as inspiration for Talking Heads and Vampire Weekend, only this band has way more soul. I stood on the stage for the show, rocking out next to me were guys from flogging molly and nine inch nails. The band is couple who meet at the Mali Institute for the Blind. It is a very compelling back story. Sort of thing that makes me want to take Swahili and help Africa.

Iron and Wine and Flogging Molly I listened to from behind the gates in the Lollalounge. I have decided that this is the way to go. If your going to spend the money to go to Lolla, get the lounge pass. Free food, free alc, better bathrooms, close to the stage and most importantly a place to sit and get out of the sun. Iron and Wine were a very pleasant band. C and I played ping pong back in the artist lounge watching Sam from Iron and wine write his set list. The music almost puts you to sleep in the heat and three margaritas in you. Flogging Molly did not put me to sleep. In fact they woke me up and shocked me with how good they were. I had sort of forgotten about them. Relegating them to that high school section of my itunes that I no longer listen to. Yet there songs made me want to hop out of the lounge and go mosh, that was until I had another beer and decided it was easier to stay in the shade.

Love and Rockets I did not really watch these guys either. I wasn't sitting in the lounge I was walking around trying to get backstage for the national. I liked the song "so alive" unfortunately the rest of their set was not as good. They were kind of a bad blend of goth and the rolling stones, which is how the dressed as well.

The National played a great set. They played most of Boxer and a good chunk of Alligator. They opened strong with Start a War and stayed strong ending with ADA, Fake Empire and Mr. November. Now if there is a better way to end a set I do not know it, with the possible exception of Optomistic, 2+2=5 and Idiotque. The mix was a little muddy but it always is. It was great to see these guys have such a huge draw, especially since lots of people were getting ready for Kanye and Nine Inch Nails.

Nine Inch Nails was the second best show I saw this festival. The light show that went on was incredible and I was surprised at just how good the songs were. Nine Inch Nails for me frequently get filed away as dumb Kroq music. This is not true, Reznor has a very cynical and angry world view but makes great music. The show was broken in several parts: the hits, the noise, ghosts, trip-hop and hits part II. All of which was broken up by some of the best staging that I have ever seen. The show was populated by a group whose rallying cry was "FUCK Kanye!" and by the end of it I was shouting it right along with them.

Trip Recap/Random Notes

Trip Recap:

• 5:30 up for flight to Boston, that is way too early
• Flight to Boston - Get sick and hate life. Although learn that Samuari Chapaloo is an awesome show.
• Get to Boston, take the T with a migrane go straight to room pass out
• Meet my roommate for the session, he is from Hong Kong, his accent fucks with me the entire time.
• Go downstairs and meet up with a mix of transfers and freshmen. All transfers have some tie to CA and seems like everyone smokes.
• The rooms dont have air conditioning with probably doesnt matter a whole lot but fuck it was hot and humid during the session.
• My roommate wakes up way earlier than me everyday thinking that its a good idea to get up, I beg to differ.
• I get woken up by the real estate agent, the apartment is way cool and I thought the interview went well with the girl but apparently not since I didnt get the place.
• I see the wackness, not that hot or wack but seeing mary kate making out with Sir Ben was kinda crazy.
• I spent most of the day on thrusday doing mostly nothing but the night time had cool activities.
• I scheduled early friday morning. Got all my classes. God knows if I can pull all this shit off.
• You can read another post with all the crazy Lolla coverage.
• Day after lolla we went around Chi-Town. It was pretty cool though seemed like we got a way late start.
• Went to Dave's it was alright. Me and the Boys played kickball with the cousins. Then there was a tornado which was kinda crazy to be in.
• On tuesday we flew to Ny which was ok, flight attendant was a bitch but I kept it real, it went wrong. I had been on the road for a week now
• We stayed at the Palace New York which is right on Madison and 52nd. One block from 5th and like 15 from time square. Primo Real Estate. Kinda wasted on my sorry ass but I enjoyed it greatly.
• My mom felt sick after the flight the boys and I went to a way good italian place many things were discussed deeply like E's hair, Fashion, Junk, The city, and work.
• Wednesday we walked around New York. It was sick. We went to the Fricke which had really good impresionist paintings. Not my favorite style but still incredible. Then we went to the Met. This is the museum, I love that place. Everyone should visit.
• Wednesday night we went to a way good steak house, I guess the day before Tom Brady was there. We all agreed he does not have a bad life.
• Thrusday was a good day. Esteban, C and I went shopping down in SoHo, which was way cool. We also saw the New Museum which kind of freaked C out, he also described it as pretty gay. Standard reaction. My mom and Ethan went to the natural history museum. I had been to it several times although not in a long time. They said the horse exhibition was lacking, and we all agreed people love horses.
• At night we saw Avenue Q which was a good play although there were several awkward moments sitting next to my mom. My uncle saw it with us, he showed up late to it of course. We then went to some Deli place right by time square, my mom described it as one step above a Bus Station. Mark ate with his hands in a very primitive way.
• Friday morning Esteban C and I went to niketown to try and get hyperdunks, they didnt have any. We went to a watch store, my dad foudn a couple he liekd but didnt get any. We went back to the hotel having accomplished little. My mom and I went shopping again, looking for this one jewelry we saw in a magazine for Shareen, never foudn it. Instead we went to Ann taylor, Lacoste and Nike. Got some way good stuff.

Random Notes:

• Boston seems to have students more like me.
• This trip has made me want to go and get fresh hip-hop/r&b. Feels a little wierd but whatever it all works.
• Three Cities in two weeks constantly going on public transportation and public areas has gotten me sick. I know feel for touring musicians.
• Fashion costs way too much
• Radiohead is a band that has to be seen at night before you die
• Ed Hardy, while gaudy, has some pretty cool shirts and the guy behind it has a pretty sweet life it looks like
• I want to go to clubs, but I hace heard that Boston is lacking in good 18-21 year old clubs. Apparently they don't operate if they cant sell alk
• I am excited for the olypmics. I always like watching the events that dont have a dozen americans in it.
• First Class is a really nice way to travel. Though Jet Blue is pretty humane.
• Doing work all the time and dropping total devisation is no way to live.
• This trip there was way too much talk and viewing of junk.
• Maybe it was always this way but I am not sure why contemporary artists are so obbsessed with the dick.
• I walked down the street in new york and would go for long periods of not hearing engligh at all.
• Drivers in NYC are nuts. The taxi drivers work it hard, The driver we had was a pro, got us there way quick.
• Time Square has gone from one type of hell to another: from a Hooker Dangerous Drug Ridden Hell to a Las Vegas and Disney fake empire.
• I have become a shopper and spent way too much money this trip.
• If I could do it al again I would, it was way fun. Thanks family!

Summer Time in the Suburbs

I haven't blogged in awhile so might as well let people know what is up. First I got into Boston University and rejected by University of Washington. So I am transferring from Miami to Boston. I really liked the city it will be a nice change from the country life of Ohio.

The flights to boston were characterized by this: trapped on a way too small, way too crowded American Airlines flight with so real dickheads. I have flown a lot and have decided that American Airlines is the worst airlines and deserves to die a terrible death, no I am not being overdramatic.

I am looking for an apartment in Boston which is a complicated and time consuming process. We saw some really nice places, some that I liked and some my mom liked. I found some of them a little too nice for me, which is kind o a funny concern but a concern none the less. But it looks as if have found a good one.

I recently became a vegiterian. No real reason why I went, just something I had been thinking about doing for a while. I have been for a couple weeks now, it is working out ok.

I now work at the cheese shop in pavillions. Yes you read that correctly. It is an ok job, more responsibility than bag boy but paid the same. I started last Tuesday, I know hate the job. The managers are idiots, the customers are assholes and most of the staff is scared stupid. So we will see how long this show will run.

This summer has been lacking in quality music, which is kind of upsetting. I am eagerly looking forward to the new Hold Steady and Beck albums. The reviews I read about My Morning Jacket made it sound like something I wouldn't really be into. I am currently listening to Ladytron's newest album, pretty gothy good. I havent not bought either Lil Waynes new album or Coldplays, and don't feel like I am missing out on much.

I am currently reading a Hunter Thompson Biography, Gonzo. Its interesting to read, he sounds like a genuine jackass for the most part. I am thinking about reading Obamas book, just to see what he is all about. Soon up is the collected short stories of Hemingway, another charmer.

Otherwise all quiet on the western front.

8 Down, 44 to go; 9 Down, 43 to go

8 Down, 44 to go
Book: The Stranger - Albert Camus
Album: Alopecia - Why?

The Stranger is a classic. It is certainly an absurdest story and I found myself identifying with the protagonist more then I probably should. I liked it and think that its story certainly holds true to this day. I don't remember that much or have that much to say since I read it forever ago and thus my enthusiasm has declined. I no longer have the need to tell everyone.

Alopecia is a great album. It is freaking weird but really cool. Kind of hip hop, kind of indie, certainly not indie hip hop. It has the some of the absurd ism that is present in the book, only with more surrealist lyrics. There are a bunch of songs on here I really like but I will never play on feel my heat cause they have the magic words. I suggest you check it out.

9 Down, 43 to go
Book: Lush Life - Richard Price
Album: Alligator - The National

Lush Life is a good book. Very Similar to the tv show The Wire, except set in New York instead of Boston and not about the drug trade exactly. The dialogue in the story was quite good, it was realistic with out being cliche. Touched on a lot of areas including bemoaning the gentrification of New York City.

The National are probably a band that the book would complain about. Optimistic young people coming in and attempting to make it big. Only these guys succeed which is due to the fact the albums are amazing. Boxer is one of my favorite 2007 releases. I think I should go back and redo the best of 2007 list now that I have more time to listen to all the 07 releases. Anyway pick up both the album and the book and enjoy.

(feel my heat): Top 5 Year End

(Top 5 College Rock Songs)
Tugboat - Galaxie 500
Wave of Mutilation - Pixies
Hi. - J Dilla*
Summer Babe (Winter Version) - Pavement
Candle - Sonic Youth
Raisans - Dinosaur Jr.

Gobstopper - J Dilla* (Top 5 Tom Waits Tracks)
16 Shells From a Thirty-Ought Six - Tom Waits
Walking Spanish - Tom Waits
Da Factory - J Dilla*
Way Down in the Hole (87) - Tom Waits
Cold Cold Ground (Live) - Tom Waits
Downtown Train - Tom Waits

Thunder- J Dilla* (Top 5 Summer Tracks)
Badlands - Bruce Springsteen
Can't Hardly Wait (The Tim Version) - The Replacements
Dancefloors - My Morning Jacket
U-Luv - J Dilla*
Your Little Hoodrat Friend - The Hold Steady
Once and Never Again - The Long Blondes

Geek Down - J Dilla* (Top 5 Requested)
Smokestack Lightning (Single) - Howlin' Wolf
Love and Happiness - Al Green
Baby Love - The Supremes
Walkinonit - J Dilla*
Apple Orchard - Beach House
No Ones Gonna Love You - Band Of Horses
Kissing Families (Album Version) - Silversun Pickups
Thumbelina - Nightmare Of You

Dilla Says Go - J Dilla* (Top 5 2008 Albums)
Campus - Vampire Weekend
The Vowels Pt. 2 - Why?
Teen Creeps - No Age
Waves - J Dilla*
English House - Fleet Foxes
Skinny Love - Bon Iver

Anti-American Graffiti - Dilla* (Top 5 Goodbye Songs)
Do You Realize? - The Flaming Lips
Day And Night - The Jim Carroll Band
Optimistic - Radiohead
Song to the Siren - This Mortal Coil
A Fond Farewell - Elliott Smith

* Thoughts and Stuff

(feel my heat): Coachella

Salute Your Solution - The Raconteurs
Back In Your Head - Tegan & Sara
Falling Slowly - Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova
Girl / Boy - Aphex Twin*
Catacomb Kids - Aesop Rock
The Year Before The Year 2000 - Les Savy Fav
Veni Vidi Vici - Black Lips
Race: In - Battles*
Oxford Comma - Vampire Weekend
I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You - Black Kids
Heart it Races - Architecture In Helsinki*
Free Stress Test - Professor Murder
Hearts On Fire - Cut Copy
The Crystal Cat - Dan Deacon*
1999 - Prince
Glory Box - Portishead
Tour de France, Étape 2 (Continued) - Kraftwerk*
Paper Planes - M.I.A.
Ready For The Floor - Hot Chip
Peacebone - Animal Collective*
Time to Pretend - MGMT
Office Boy - Bonde do Role
We Used to Vacation - Cold War Kids*
Running, Returning - Akron/Family
How It Ends - Devotchka
lovely allen - holy fuck*
Body Language / Interpretation - Booka Shade
Sleep Deprivation - Simian Mobile Disco
DVNO - Justice*
So Alive - Love and Rockets
From Here We Go Sublime - The Field
Fancy Footwork - Chromeo*
The Night Starts Here 4:55 Stars
Normandie - Shout Out Louds
Attack Of The 60 Ft Lesbian Octopus - Does It Offend You, Yeah?*
Gideon - My Morning Jacket

* Back Music still all Fest Bands

So thoughts on Coachella are that it wasn't that great. I obviously did not go but if I am just going on who played versus other years, this was a weak year. I think this is largely due to the fact that the promoters were trying to get the festival in New Jersey off the ground. Coachella needs to step it up next year and I will for sure go. I am a little upset I didn't get to see Prince but otherwise oh well, I was more upset last year when I didn't get to see LCD and Arcade Fire. Until then I can not wait for the Pitchfork fest, I am not paying $200 plus for Lollapolloza no matter how decent the lineup is. That is all it is, decent. I will be see most of the second tier bands on a given night in LA. So there is a little rant for you all.

(feel my heat): Canada vs. America

Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa - Vampire Weekend
2080 - Yeasayer
Lover - Devendra Banhart
People - J Dilla*
You Are a Runner and I Am My Father's Son - Wolf Parade
Painter In Your Pocket - Destroyer
Dead + Rural - Handsome Furs
Waves - J Dilla
Oceanside - The Decemberists
Little Brother - Grizzly Bear
English House - Fleet Foxes
Apple Orchard - Beach House
Stop! - J Dilla*
7/4 (Shoreline) - Broken Social Scene
Take Me To the Riot - Stars
My Sword Hand's Anger - Apostle of Hustle
The New - J Dilla*
Dramamine - Modest Mouse
How We Know - The Thermals
Phantom Limb - The Shins
The Way We Get By - Spoon
Light My Fire - J Dilla*
Present of Future End - The Most Serene Republic
Sing Me Spanish Techno - The New Pornographers
Nature of the Experiment - Tokyo Police Club
Workinonit - J Dilla*
Bye Bye Bye - Plants And Animals
Wolves - Phosphorescent
The Diff'rence - J Dilla*
Intervention - The Arcade Fire
The Great Salt Lake - Band of Horses

This was harder than I expected because what about Wilco, Ryan Adams, Ted Leo or any number of other bands.

(feel my heat): Theme Time Radio

Welcome to the Working Week - Elvis Costello
Manic Monday - Bangles
Ruby Tuesday - The Rolling Stones
Wednesday - Drive-By Truckers
When We Escape - Minus The Bear*
Thursday - Asobi Seksu
Friday I'm in Love - The Cure
Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting - Elton John
Exploding Snowhorse - The Octopus Project*
Sunday Morning - The Velvet Underground
Red And Purple - The Dodos
Behind Blue Eyes - The Who
Shine A Light - Wolf Parade*
Red, Yellow And Blue - Born Ruffians
Yellow Submarine - The Beatles
Purple Haze - Jimi Hendrix
The Funeral - Band of Horses*
Angie - The Rolling Stones
Melissa - The Allman Brothers Band
Alison - Elvis Costello
Ada - The National
The Choice is Yours - Black Sheep*
Billie Jean (Single Version) - Michael Jackson
Gloria - Patti Smith
Candy - Iggy Pop & Kate Pierson
She's Mine - Burning Spear
Grass - Animal Collective*
California Stars - Billy Bragg & Wilco
Chicago - Sufjan Stevens
Plans - Band of Horses
+81 - Deerhoof*
New York - Cat Power
Sink, Florida, Sink - Against Me!
New Amsterdam - Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Eleanor Rigby - The Beatles*


*In keeping with theme all background music is by animal bands

(feel my heat): Roots and Influences

What's Going On - Marvin Gaye
Superstition - Stevie Wonder
Whole World - Aloe Blacc
9 Ghosts I - Nine Inch Nails*
Monkey Man - The Specials
I Confess - The English Beat
LDN - Lily Allen
1 Ghosts I - Nine Inch Nails*
At Last (Single) - Etta James
Back To Black - Amy Winehouse
5 Ghosts I - Nine Inch Nails*
My Little Underground - The Jesus and Mary Chain
Run Run Run - The Velvet Underground
Dead Sound - The Raveonettes
6 Ghosts I - Nine Inch Nails*
Wrong 'Em Boyo - The Clash
Night of the Living Baseheads - Public Enemy
World Town - M.I.A.
2 Ghosts I - Nine Inch Nails*
Artists Only - Talking Heads
The Dignity of Labour (Pt. 1) - The Human League
Whoo! Alright-Yeah... Uh Huh - The Rapture
3 Ghosts I - Nine Inch Nails*
DJ 4:02 David Bowie
Roadrunner - The Modern Lovers
North American Scum - LCD Soundsystem
4 Ghosts I - Nine Inch Nails
Janie Jones - The Clash
So It Goes - Nick Lowe
Accidents Will Happen - Elvis Costello & The Attractions
8 Ghosts I - Nine Inch Nails*
4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy) - Bruce Springsteen
Heartattack and Vine - Tom Waits
First Night - The Hold Steady

(feel my heat): New eMusic and Old Favorites

Consoler Of The Lonely - The Raconteurs
Midnight Vignette - Evangelicals
Aly, Walk With Me - The Raveonettes
4 Ghosts I - Nine Inch Nails*
Quarantined - Atlas Sound
Strange Lights - Deerhunter
Semi-Sorted - No Age
Veni Vidi Vici - Black Lips
3 Ghosts I - Nine Inch Nails*
Neighborhood 3 - Power Out - The Arcade Fire
Squalor Victoria - The National
Living Proof - Cat Power
18 Ghosts II - Nine Inch Nails*
Plasticities - Andrew Bird
Our Life is Not a Movie or Maybe - Okkervil River
Skinny Love - Bon Iver
20 Ghosts III - Nine Inch Nails*
Take Me To the Riot - Stars
Desiree - Caribou
Take Pills - Panda Bear
33 Ghosts IV - Nine Inch Nails*
To The East - Electrelane
Dr. Strangeluv - Blonde Redhead
Wedding Bell - Beach House
6 Ghosts I - Nine Inch Nails*
Cause = Time - Broken Social Scene
Baltimore - Stephen Malkmus
Wordless Chorus - My Morning Jacket
Helen - The Cave Singers
24 Ghosts III - Nine Inch Nails*

*Talked

The Paper

I had to write a paper for my history class. It was on the California Law Review from 1950 to 1975 and its interpretation of the 14th amendment. Every word in that sentence I hate with the fury of a nova. The paper took me roughly 18 hours and 49 minutes of pure work. I started it on Monday and did not finish until this morning ten minutes before class, including pulling an almost all nighter last night. I know specifically how long it took because of the albums I listened to. For this paper I listened to 23 unique albums which consists of over 282 songs. Here are the albums that I heard:

1. Nine Inch Nails - Ghosts I-IV
2. EL-P - I'll Sleep When Your Dead
3. Battles - Mirrored
4. Black Dice - Load Blown
5. Atlas Sound - Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See but Cannot Feel
   
6. Deerhunter - cryptograms
7. Deerhunter - Fluorescent Grey EP
8. Jesu - Conqueror
9. Black Lips - Good Bad not Evil
10. No Age - Wierdo Rippers twice
11. Panda Bear - Person Pitch
12. Black Moth Super Rainbow - Dandelion Gum
13. Blonde Redhead - 23
14. Interpol - Antics
15. Fuck Buttons - Street Horrsing
16. The Mae Shi - HLLYH
17. Caribou - Andorra
18. The National - Boxer
19. Arcade Fire - Funeral
20. Cat Power - The Greatest
21. Burial - Untrue
22. Death From Above 1979 - Your a Woman, I'm a Machine
23. Silversun Pickups - Carnavas

Not a bad list. I think this may be a potential FMH. Now I need to go to sleep.

Spring Break

So I haven't bloged'd in a while so I decided what better way to do it then a double whammy: a real post and a playlist. I am currently freaking out over a paper and a geology exam but I did well on my Poli Sci test which is good. Here are the highlights of the break:

• A crying baby and a delayed plane the size of a limo
• Sprinting through Houston
• 24 B
• Getting Picked Up By Shareen
• Shareen missing the turn for in-n-out and nearly missing exit for my house
• Visiting Concordia with Ethan, its actually really nice
  
• Harold and Maud with Thai Food
• Cheesecake Factory with Shareen
• Horse Show with Mom
• Going on Hikes
• Getting burnt but not as bad as they think
  
• Hot Tubbing with Shareen
  
• Corona
• Going to the Tourney and th Google Box
  
• Agreeing that I was born to be the Stanford Tree
• Frisbee
• Sleeping in a size appropriate bed
• Finding out that I bring the most annoying traits in all of Colin's Friends
• Eggs Benedict the morning before my flight back

So those were the great moments. Here is the latest (feel my heat):

Strange Times - The Black Keys
Conquest (Acoustic Mariachi Version) - The White Stripes
Ghetto - Oh No*
Time - Pink Floyd Dark
Inertiatic Esp - The Mars Volta
Heavy - Oh No*
Skullflower - The Sounds of Animals Fighting
Nothing Like This - J Dilla
Ox Broil - Oh No*
Angel - Massive Attack
Little Wing - Jimi Hendrix
Two Can Win - J Dilla*
Gravity - John Mayer
Impossible Germany - Wilco*
Bouncers - Oh No*
My Funny Valentine - Chet Baker
Let's Get It On - Marvin Gaye
Dime Piece (Remix) - J Dilla*
Angel - Jack Johnson
Pink Moon - Nick Drake
Last Donut of the Night - J Dilla*
Somebody's Baby - Jackson Browne
Tangled Up In Blue - Bob Dylan
Memorial - Explosions In The Sky*
It Beats 4 U - My Morning Jacket
Better Man - Pearl Jam
Shadow of a Doubt - Beth Orton
Alive Alone - The Chemical Brothers*
Massive Nights - The Hold Steady
Teenagers - My Chemical Romance
Won't do - J Dilla*
Counting Down The Hours - Ted Leo & The Pharmacists
You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb - Spoon
Dry the Rain - The Beta Band*
Steal My Kisses - Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals
The Scientist - Coldplay

*Rants Raves and Roars

Metal Health

So the past weeks have totally sucked for me. I am getting smacked around by my classes, which is never a pleasant feeling. I want out of Ohio more then anything. And I am just generally run down. I have now been hit with a presentation on the Thursday before I leave, which is on top of the Mid-term I have due on Monday which might be the hardest of my life and the Political Science Midterm I have the day I leave. And then once I finally get on break I have a 10 page paper for history due and I have a take home quiz for geography due the week I get back. So my break is not really a break but a time when I can fret in a different state. In short I want to just drop out, maybe the homeless guy in the park has it right. He is smiling, has no teeth but he is smiling. Anyway this is mostly a rant.

Music has been helping me through it. I have been listening to a lot of more pop-y music. Jack Johnson has been getting serious spins. So have Pearl Jam, Mars Volta, John Mayer, and Ben Harper. I have grown tired of indie, which might be due to me not getting the new music job. I got rejected for less than fair reasons I believe but I do not know for sure obviously.

Anyway hope everything is well for you all. I might be writing for a culture blog soon. I will let you all know details as they appear.

(feel my heat): Revenge

September Gurls - Big Star
Alison's Starting to Happen - The Lemonheads
Tribulation (Original 1975 Mix) - Bim Sherman*
Baby Britain - Elliott Smith
New York, New York - Ryan Adams
For Nancy - Pete Yorn
I'm Not Ashamed - Culture*
Bad Reputation - Freedy Johnston
Mrs. Rita - Gin Blossoms
I've Been Waiting - Matthew Sweet
Knight In Shining Armour - Deborahe Glasgow*
Given to Fly - Pearl Jam
have love will travel - The Black Keys
The Bucket - Kings Of Leon
Jah Live - Luciano*
Gravity's Gone - Drive-By Truckers
Picture of You - My Morning Jacket
The Greatest - Cat Power
Am I The Same Girl - Winsome*
Night is the Notion - Dax Riggs
Stop, I'm Already Dead - deadboy & the Elephantmen
Dirty Hands - Black Lips
Scientist's Winter Dub - Roots Radics Meet Scientist And King Tubby*
Bikini Girls With Machine Guns - The Cramps
Can Your P***y Do the Dog? 3:23 The Cramps
Dead Flowers - The Rolling Stones*
Amanda Ruth - Rank And File
Marie, Marie - The Blasters
Don't Worry Baby - Los Lobos
Get Up Stand Up - Bob Marley & The Wailers*
Going Underground - The Jam
Rudie Can't Fail - The Clash
Spanish Bombs - The Clash
Lost In the Supermarket - The Clash
Flip Ya Lid - Nightmares On Wax*
Herbal Jazz Cigarette - Nightmare Of You
The Great Escape - Boys Like Girls
The Future Freaks Me Out - Motion City Soundtrack

(feel my heat): The Missing Pair

Last week - The one Shareen missed:
D.A.N.C.E. (Mstrkrft Remix) - Justice
Easy Love - Mstrkrft
One More Time - Daft Punk
Unexplored Terrain - Dillinja*
Black Mags - The Cool Kids
Nike Boots - Wale
Say Yeah - Wiz Khalifa
The Great Drum+Bass Swindle (Logistics remix) - London Elektricity*
Run - Gnarls Barkley
Closer (Feat. Madvillain) - Quasimoto
The Mercury Craze - Subtle
Soul Control - Dillinja*
Romantic Rights - Death From Above 1979
3's & 7's - Queens of the Stone Age
Get Myself Into It - The Rapture
Mermaids - Muffler*
I Coul'da Been A Contender - The Gaslight Anthem
Pretty Good Year - The Loved Ones
New Wave - Against Me!
Blackout - Logistics*
Can't Hardly Wait (The Tim Version) - The Replacements
Motion Of The Ocean - Fake Problems
Steady Rollin' - Two Gallants
Dark Was the Night (Cold Was the Ground) - Blind Willie Johnson*
16 Shells From a Thirty-Ought Six - Tom Waits
Way Down in the Hole (87) - Tom Waits
Walking Spanish - Tom Waits
I Will Be There When You Die - My Morning Jacket*
Candy's Room - Bruce Springsteen
Lucky Town - Bruce Springsteen
State Trooper - Bruce Springsteen
Rebellion (Lies) - The Arcade Fire*
Speed Trials - Elliott Smith
Down The Line - José González
To Have and to Have Not - Billy Bragg

Last Night - The one Steve missed

Miss You - The Rolling Stones
Dead Flowers - The Rolling Stones
Sin City - The Flying Burrito Brothers
Jacksonville Skyline - Whiskeytown
The Thrill Is Gone (1969 Single Version) - B.B. King*
Buffalo Soldier - Bob Marley & The Wailers
Walking On the Moon - Cas Haley
I Left My Wallet in El Segundo - A Tribe Called Quest*
If I Had Eyes - Jack Johnson
In the Colors - Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals
Hard Sun (Main) - Eddie Vedder
Who Do You Love Pt. 1 - Quicksilver Messenger Service*
Falling Slowly - Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova
Live In a Hiding Place - Idlewild
Forever Young - Youth Group
Get Up Stand Up - Bob Marley & The Wailers*
Greetings to the New Brunette - Billy Bragg
How Low - Jose Gonzalez
Stir It Up - Bob Marley & The Wailers*
Gideon - My Morning Jacket
Ode to lrc - Band Of Horses
Fiery Crash - Andrew Bird
To Kingdom Come - The Band*
Spring And By Summer Fall - Blonde Redhead
Neighborhood 3 - Power Out - The Arcade Fire
Province - TV On the Radio
Ry Cooder - Tortoise*
Song to the Siren - This Mortal Coil
Everyday Is Like Sunday - Morrissey
Like Dylan In The Movies - Belle & Sebastian
The Orchids - Califone*
Let It Ride - Ryan Adams & The Cardinals
A Fond Farewell - Elliott Smith

* songs in the background

7 Down, 45 To Go

Book: Shortcomings - Adrian Tomine
Album: Build and Burn - The Loved Ones

Shortcomings is a very interesting book. It is a graphic novel and provides a snap shot of a realtionship and life. It is about Ben, a self hating Asian university theater manager; Miko, Ben's girlfriend an Asian enthusiast and forward moving individual; and Alice, Ben's lesbian grad-student friend. It is a snap shot of decaying relationships and both people's unwillingness to change and desire to change and expand. It takes place in Berkley, which is completely appropriate. As I think about the small amount of time I spent in the Bay area it seems perfectly placed. No, not because many of the characters are gay or Asian. I saw it on a number of best of 2007 book lists and I am very glad that I finally picked it up and checked it out. Plus it was highly recommended by Jonathan Lethem.

Once again this album has little to do with the actual book. For instance I do not really imagine any of the characters listening to this album but the ideas of Building and Burning of relationships is especially characteristic of the book. Plus I saw the loved ones the other night and I am currently loving them. It is also one of the few times where I have read a new book and album at the same time.

Loved Ones and Gaslight Anthem

On Friday night I went to Cincinnati to see the Loved Ones with Gaslight Anthem, totally worth it. It was a very fun show. Gaslight Anthem were great openers, I did not know the songs that well but I was still dancing and doing my best to sing along. Loved Ones were a lot of fun. They clearly looked like they were having a blast and wanted to be no where else in the world. I went with my friend Tim and he and I now have a fairly solid streak, we saw Against Me! as well. We both agreed that if we could see these guys another 5 times in a row we would totally do it. The Against Me! show was a lot of fun but they did not seem like they were having fun, while these bands had a great time.

The bar we saw them in, The Poison Room, was very cool. The showed movies on the wall, the best of which was the cheesy as hell Batman movie with Adam West. I still have X's on my hand which seem to refuse to wash away. I hope to go to Smoke or Fire with Fake Problems next week at the same place.

I desperately want to see Against Me! again but in a small venue like I did last time. I don't want to see them at the Hollywood Bowl with Foo Fighters. I want to see them at Chain Reaction with Matt and Kim or some other smaller band. Speaking of which the Loved Ones are playing Chain Reaction March 30, I will unfortunately be back at school by that point but I would kill to go to that show. I highly recommend it.

Friday Run Down

Ok so I haven't posted on here this week due to midterms, apathy and other reasons. Anyway happy belated valentines day to all. Shareen got me a lovely pound of See's candy which is perfect. I got her the same along with High Fidelity. She has only seen the movie and I think she should read the book because it is better. I have begun to like refereeing, it is fun and I have become more confident in it. I read my book for this week quickly and will post that on Sunday. Tonight I do not have work because the library is closed so I get to go to the Loved Ones/Gaslight Anthem concert which I am excited about. Otherwise I will talk to you later.

Here is the playlist to last Sunday's (feel my heat) by far the worst one ever, you picked a good one to miss dad:

When We Escape - Minus The Bear
Knights Of Cydonia - Muse
Stormy High - Black Mountain
The Comeback (Madlib) - Madlib
Wolf Like Me - TV On the Radio
Everything In Its Right Place - Radiohead
Jacking The Ball - The Sea And Cake
Indian Hump - Madlib
Don't You Evah - Spoon
Wet and Rusting - Menomena
Well Thought Out Twinkles - Silversun Pickups
Movie Finale - Madlib
Baby, I'm An Anarchist - Against Me! Reinventing
Six Months In a Leaky Boat - Ted Leo/Pharmacists
Could We - Cat Power
Let's Get Out of This Country - Camera Obscura
The Payback (Gotta) - Madlib
Baby Britain - Elliott Smith
Forever Young - Youth Group
Perfect Fit - Tilly and the Wall
Two Can Win - J Dilla
Everlong - Foo Fighters
I Only Want You - Eagles Of Death Metal
Make It Wit Chu - Queens of the Stone Age
Nothing Like This - J Dilla
Welfare Bread - King Khan & The Shrines
Dirty Hands - Black Lips
Bye - J Dilla
He keeps me alive - Sally Shapiro
Littleblood - Division Day
Two Left Feet - The Holloways
Let's Get It On - Marvin Gaye
Gente Ordinaria (Bonus Track) - Aloe Blacc

6 Down, 46 to go

Book: Even Cowgirls Get the Blues - Tom Robbins
Album: GA GA GA GA GA - Spoon

The first book read entirely at school this year. And I finished it just in time to post here. I greatly enjoyed this book. It is funny and intruiging, and more than a little outrageous. There are parts that dragged on and I didn't love the Clockworks/Chink aspect of the book but at least they were well written. I did not see the ending of the Rubber Rose coming and everything that happened after it was secondary.

GA GA GA GA GA is the latest by Spoon. It is not quite the audio companion to the book that other weeks have had. Yet it is the album that I have listened to most often while reading Cowgirls. Others have complained that the album is not their best and I am not sure if it is or not. I only have bits and pieces of the other albums. I think it is a great record and one of the best of 2007. A great mix of rock n roll and Motown. If you haven't heard it yet do yourself a favor and pick it up.

As a side note: buy the song Thumbelina by Nightmare of You when reading Cowgirls.

(feel my heat): Gifted

I meant to podcast this but I didn't sorry. Maybe I will throw some of these tracks up on the blog for you guys.

Mistaken For Strangers - The National
Down The Line - José González
I Don't Blame You - Cat Power
Insomniac Olympics - Blockhead*
Does This Mean You're Moving On? - The Airborne Toxic Event
Down In the Valley - The Broken West
Into Your Dream - Foreign Born
Punctual As Usual - The Parson Red Heads
Forest Crunk - Aesop Rock*
A-Punk - Vampire Weekend
Brunettes Against Bubblegum Youth - The Brunettes
C Is the Heavenly Option - Los Campesinos!
Snow Tip Cap Mountain - The Octopus Project*
23 - Blonde Redhead
Backed Out On The... - Broken Social Scene Presents Kevin Drew
15 Steps - Radiohead
Tonto - Battles*
And It Rained All Night (Burial Remix) - Thom Yorke
Lake Somerset - Deerhunter
Sometimes - My Bloody Valentine
Body Language / Interpretation - Booka Shade*
California Girls - The Magnetic Fields
Rag & Bone - The White Stripes
1 2 3 4 - Feist
Tin Cans & Twine - Tortoise*
Over the Rainbow - Rufus Wainwright
The Future - Teddy Thompson
Lead Balloon - Liam Finn
An Ending (Ascent) - Brian Eno*
Your Red Dress (Wedding Song At Cemetery) - Alaska In Winter
Rock Bottom Riser - Smog
My Name is Trouble - Nightmare of You

*Background music

5 Down, 47 to Go

So I have run out of books. I now don't have any in reserve so I need to finish either Acid House or Cowgirls to have material for next week.

Book: Graffiti World: Street Art from Five Continents
Album: J Dilla - Donuts

This is a sort of cheating. Graffiti World is almost entirely composed of pictures but man oh man what amazing pictures. Clearly they highlighted the best artists at large today. Showcasing crews and styles that I had never seen before. I did not see some of the big names that I would expect for instance Sasquatch, Neckface, and Obey, but they are more than made up for by the plethora of talent I have learned about. Admitatedly I have also only flipped through the book, never sitting down and reading or looking page by page. I greatly enjoyed that the book was broken down by contitents. It made it easy to see how different styles changed and influenced each other.

The audiable companion to this book is Donuts or Beat Konducta or really anything off the Stones Throw label. Personally I like Donuts the best. It was produced on J Dilla's death bed in the hospital. Each song is only a minute or minute and half long. They are merely sketches of beats. Much like graffiti is only a sketch of great art work. If a great graf artist were to sit down and truly paint or design one piece it could surely go in a prestigous museum. Just as if J Dilla sat down and fleshed out many of these beats and sold them off, there would have been a lot of hits. But when you have this much talent why waste time perfecting the already amazing and not share the wealth with everyone.

Book: Death By Black Hole - Neil deGrasse Tyson

This is an admission of defeat. I did not finish this book. I read about 125 pages of it or so and stopped. Which means I got about half way through and stopped. The book while interesting was nothing but a collection of articles Tyson had written for various Science and Academic magazines. And while I liked it, it was a little to technical, too science-y. Once I put it down I frequently did not really desire to pick it back up. I was hoping it would be more about planets and stars and what is out there and less about how it happened and theory. While the theroy is important, it does not always make for a great read.