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.

18 Down, 34 To Go

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