The third B-day mix: Or how I learned how to tap Alt Nation from the past year along with random "oldies" with smashing success

I love making mixes for friends and family, deftly maneuvering (and muscling for rank) and transferring from genre to genre in anticipation of what the loved one would enjoy hearing.  And thus another year has come and gone and its time to document the new mix for my sister.   Each new mix is a labor of love that is hand tailored to what i think she'll enjoy with her family.  The last few mixes have each stayed in her car for about a year each and they'll discover songs throughout the whole year and tell me which one's Jack, Sam and now the Noah loves/(or which one's my sister uses to tease them! Like one that had a Sam and Libby...eww girls :) Also, its fun knowing that the lil one's know these really random awesome songs by heart.  For some reason this tradition is strongest with my sister, but i think Matt and Nate would enjoy these mixes too :)  Hence the early release since Nate's birthday was a week ago...

Also this really is a year long process... whenever i hear a sweet song, one of my initial thoughts is "should this be on the mix?"... true story.  Although, nowadays i get to share them individually through facebook, so some of the songs from this year won't be new to her, about half will be...

Also, since technology and the internet has advanced so much over the years, i have to mention that this mix can be enjoyed in my new Spotify playlist.  Its far easier than clicking all my links.

And thus it begins:

     Artist:                      Song:

1:  Grouplove                Tongue Tied

     Figured i'd start out with a catchy tune, its got the makings of everything this mix stands for... "best       friends house" for the youngin's and it rocks!

2:  The Hives                 Try it Again

     I love The Hives, they are pure fun modern punk.  Its simple, but high energy great stuff.  They are one of the best "the" bands to come out of the early 2000's (along with The Strokes, The White Stripes... unlike the Vines)

3:  Cults                          Go Outside

    How can this not make you smile...its got a xylophone for cryin out loud.  Its joyful indie pop at its finest.  Also, its a great summertime theme... "going outside" n such :)

4:  Wolfgang                   The King and All of His Men

     Another power-pop alt-nation fueled song.  It sounds so modern, yet so 80's.  If you don't like it...you can shove it, but you don't like it... you love it.

5:  M83                            Midnight City

     This was one of the biggest songs from last year...and for good reason, its a good one to turn up loud and enjoy in the car.  (potential for her jogging mix? Peut etra) 

6:  St. Vincent                  Cruel

     Recently discovered this one, its got this oldschool french romantic sounding intro, throw in some synth-pop and you got something special.

7:  Youth Lagoon             Afternoon

     I think this guys from Idaho, whoda though?  Low fi indie pop in its most cute and precious form.  A delight.

8:  Neon Indian                Polish Girl

     If there is a theme to this year's mix, it is the new wave movement with the recèpe of 1/4 techno, 1/4 alt rock and 1/2 indie.  This fits that bill.  Its a fun genre.

9:  Tennis                         Origins

     One of my favorite new songs.  Its got soul and 50's pop sensibilities wrapped in a modern package.

10: Hospitality                 Friend of a Friend

     One of the newer songs on the mix... its just so catchy, i couldn't resist.

11:  Kraftwerk                 The Model

       I learned of this far too late in life for my likeing.  It is just so perfect, in fact when i heard it on the radio, i thought it was new and was shocked to hear it was from the late 70's.  

12:  Electric Guest           This Head I Hold

       The secondary theme of the mix is the new school of soul (with Tennis).  This song oozes with style.

13:  Beirut                        Sante Fe

      Ok ok, back to indie.  This one hearkins back to the Sufjan Steven's song i had on the last mix.  Catchy beat and simple, yet has a style of its own.  (+ i always think San Jose when he sings Sante Fe)

14:  The Strokes               You Only Live Once

      This came out on my mission, and since it was the weakest of The Strokes's albums I skipped it until this year.  While the aforementioned conclusion is very much correct, there are "strokes" of genious contained on the album.  This song in particular quickly rose to be one of my favorite songs of all time.  The stripped down version is arguably better, but i love them both.

15:  Jonathan Coulton       Shop Vac

       While i love indie, I can't deny power pop... Fountains of Wayne being one of my favorite bands of all time.  This is the nerdy version of FOW.  Hilarious lyrics with unstoppable melodies and riffs.

16:  The Raveonettes        Aly Will You Walk With Me

       This song is just cool.  One can't deny that while listening to it, one is just ice cold.

17:  Sea Wolf                    Your a Wolf

       Fun to listen to, thats about it.

       

18:  Belle and Sebastian    For the Price of a Cup of Tea

       Life is a happy song.  And this is life.  So, smile... its Belle and Sebastian.

19:  Metric                         Help I'm Alive

       I resisted Metric for a while, after all, they are associated with Sparkly Vampires.  But turns out, they actually are pretty fun.  This song has lots of different parts that weave in and out with gusto.  Good Times

20:  The Hives                   Tick Tick Boom

       So this was going to be the last track, i think the song is hilarious with its title sequence of 7 "ticks".  Genius punk.

21: Metric                           London Halflife

      My favorite Metric song is far too short...

22  Kraftwerk                     The Robots

      Love it, Yoshimi would later fight this songs descendants...


If you liked this, please comment.  If you don't, please comment.  Though, don't comment if you didn't read and listen!   Please see last years mixes at

http://jameswickedawesomeblog.blogspot.com/2011/03/last-years-infinite-playlist.html

http://jameswickedawesomeblog.blogspot.com/2011/05/merenia-b-day-mix-2-revenge-of-kitty.html

Well thanks for listening/reading.  Can't wait for this years discoveries :)

My musical career: or how i dabbled in electronica and cheese

So this is a blog so i'm sposta' be all introspective and post cool things I did to impress people... well maybe some other post.   Its time to chronicle my rise to musical glory.   (for ideal playing experience please use the music player within the blog, its much easier than clicking on the links)

Current stage:  Mega rockstar
Known for: covers, 21 listens off my free hosting site, crashing and burning at the talent show (just to show uhm, err... that i'm human i spose') reuniting with the family band...
Monetary gain $0

Here's the inspiration for the post... the other night i was like "hey i got 15 minutes... i should record a song".  While the Cher-ish vocalizer autocorrect is a bit much, that was 15 minutes well spent and makes me want to record more like the old days.
(1) http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/iv2tm45sku/lucky_now.mp3

Here's another cheesy love song... imagine Kermit the frog singing a Ben Lee song and this is what you get... :)
(2) http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/428g1mak43/more_than_ok.mp3

So this is actually one of my favorites... its appropriately weird in the veins of the Flaming Lips writing a song for a kids album.  Its about the time when i found a little spider in my guitar and i had to kick em out.
(3) http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/6146z499gr/i_need_a_change_of_strings_ode_to_my_arachnid_friend.mp3

Here's a charming little instrumental... its peaceful, relaxing and builds, its a little off timing wise but i still like it.  Even has sweet synth at the end...  Maybe one day i'll re-record it better.
(4) http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/53wubr2eau/strummin.mp3

Couldn't think of words for this lil demo... still fun since it has a synthesizer... but horribly off beat :)
(5) http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/e8l6jxbb3s/demo_1.mp3

The College Days: Underground stage + Reachin for Peaches!
Monetary gain: $20


Solo efforts:
Yay singing with myself... double the pleasure, double the fun,  (6)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/5oohnf9ppm/two_of_us.mp3

This one sounds like i'm 10 years old... oh well, here it is for your audio discomfort
(7)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/r5c6nr6fu6/your_gonna_lose_that_girl.mp3

Here's my take on a lovely song from songwriter Terry Jacob's... lead writer and singer for Reachin for Peaches.
(8)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/f46wiwfbcu/can_t_stop_lovin_you_james_version.mp3

for the rfp purists:
(9)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/832kq18sqh/can_t_stop_loving_you.mp3

Reachin For Peaches
So this is when we hit the big time.  The Centennial concert tour was the biggest thing to hit Provo since Chadders.  Also we had a high profile gig in at a restaurant earning us mula.

Our biggest hits:

Terry freakin' Jacobs was our main vocalist and key writer so i was happy to have fun recording harmonies and guitar parts/tinkering around with the recording aspect.  Many a fun hour went into these, so you know theres love in every second.

Time will make this right was an instant classic, written with some very specific experiences... its a lot of fun to look back on.  I had a lot of fun with the guitar/editing/harmony on this one (as mentioned in the beginning of our biggest hits).
(10)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/o1g5n85qkw/time_will_make_this_right_2.mp3

Here's the stripped down version:
(11)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/tk685wffxe/time_will_make_this_right.mp3

Here's the first song i wrote for Reachin for Peaches... I don't think we recorded this with my mac, but it turned out pretty good :)
(12)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/futg1upyr8/blankets_in_december_1.mp3

Here's a Reachin' for Peaches song that i write... tried to be Fountains of Wayne with the whole "slice of life" storytelling approach.  Appropriately cheesy...
(13)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/g1cl93y74m/a_girl_i_used_to_know.mp3

So here's our most important cover.  My Uke came in handy.  Always a crowd favorite... also we had some sweet sampling in this song :D
(14)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/xjw7j75z7g/the_baseball_song.mp3

Untouchable... it was a lot of fun recording the fuzzy guitars :)  Terry rocked those drums too! Mattycakes shout out on the fantastic piano ending!
(15)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/h6l7k3plex/untouchable.mp3

Loved playing this one at the concerts :)
(16)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/8qi4x2hkeo/hold_me_now_1.mp3

More Terry freakin' Jacobs classics
(17)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/7fji12q1a9/let_me_be_the_one.mp3
(18)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/l4deov0f94/lullaby.mp3
(19)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/ixunr54xj1/fly.mp3

So i didn't have anything to do with these rFp side projects, but i wish i had! they rock...hard :)
(20)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/nske1w8v18/oh_please.mp3

Mattycakes' masterpiece:
(21)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/8v9jm28vx5/monsters_1.mp3  (it brings me joy)

(22)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/c8qqw92on5/the_tie_song.mp3


Middle School and High School:  Techno DJ, the Crazy "J" days
So back in my techno DJ days i acquired a program called fruityloops... it changed my life, and now it'l change yours.  This next collection roots back to 7th grade... i think the last of it was when i was in 11th grade, so there is a definitely an evident learning curve, but i love all these songs in there own way.  I start this section roughly from the beginning to the end of my techno career.  Sadly some songs are lost in time, but i've gathered most of them here.  Most (ok... all) are pretty silly but there really are a few gems, i promise!

(23)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/7j308zs1sa/01_early_demo.mp3  Look for some Snoop Dog lovin'

(24)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/g4g0ylhl96/02_early_demo_2.mp3

(25)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/avfg0t76z4/03_early_demo_3.mp3

(26)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/r65b940dh1/04_early_demo_4.mp3 (this song is so spaztastic)

(27)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/drruzig6oa/05_early_demo_5_drums.mp3 

(28)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/6mmd73ear8/08_early_demo.mp3

(29)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/cgo7mz54a7/13_early_demo_7_far_east.mp3

(30)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/q0958rhz6t/11_early_demo_8.mp3

(31)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/39g7zdy9c3/33_sweet_riff.mp3  (this should be a pause screen song)

(32)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/27i1f98uq7/35_sweet_riff_2.mp3

(33)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/3acstvrv1z/36_sweet_riff_3.mp3  (belongs in a Rayman game)

(34)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/744ml14ahx/37_sweet_riff_4.mp3

(35)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/jj2jmdc20a/38_sweet_drums.mp3

(36)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/6eg0ohl6e8/01_first_song.mp3

(37)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/jk25p77608/15_second_song.mp3

(38)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/7i5m152fuc/04_zelda_riff.mp3  (link to the past for those keeping track)

(39)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/m8fjvln40k/02_second_song.mp3  One of the best of the early works...

(40)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/6rr8t748ee/03_stereo_funk.mp3  cementing my Tecno proficiency (hehe)

(41)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/4q7b5g5z15/05_streets_of_rage_ish_1.mp3  (yay video games)

(42)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/xhpfh1b8s2/24_streets_of_rage_ish_2.mp3

(43)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/w93sj7aprf/06_battletoads_riff.mp3  (the pause screen)

(44)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/t00fa8w117/34_final_fantasy_riff.mp3  (FF7)

(45)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/xq1l2s67cc/09_gnomes.mp3

(46)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/t85xhztcub/10_la_la_la.mp3  (based off a real techno song)

(47)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/0x5h8c12oq/26_mortal_kombat_ish_1.mp3

(48)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/6k93701dhh/28_mortal_kombat_ish_2.mp3  (best of the MK series, song and game)

(49)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/my35581r05/12_mortal_kombat_ish_3.mp3 (based off a real video game)

(50)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/twl3j19i41/25_mortal_kombat_ish_4.mp3

(51)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/qktenqp9d0/27_against_the_clock.mp3  sweet drums

(52)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/ano5k7aowv/29_against_the_clock_2.mp3

(53)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/mo92feh8zs/30_happy_game_ending.mp3  (end of Jaws, the game?)

(54)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/05p5q93gou/07_techno.mp3   (this song actually does rock!)

(55)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/831d9c7436/31_good_techno_song.mp3

(56)http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/8f6kn0w5c8/32_good_techno_song_2.mp3

Thats all she wrote folks... (or is it?)

Table of contents: or how I became organized in an effort to get comments on old posts.

Note: for smooth and easy listening, and for a seemless experience, please see my playlists on spotify.  They are labeled according to blogpost for your auditory convenience.

So I realized recently that my blog has become overwhelming. There's too much awesome content that doesn't see the light of your computer screen merely because your flavor of cool isn't my most recent post. This was a call to action if ever there was one. So this will be a running post a the top of the blog... So starting from the very beginning (a very good place to start):

1: Welcome to Medieval Times (an introduction to destruction) also, perhaps my favorite post.

2: Might as well get to it eh? (Nintendo part 1, the France days)

3: Nintendo Part 2: Mega Man

4: Nintendo Part 3 (this is a very lazy post...but imma keep it to keep me humble.)

5: The Next Post [(this is the best link from this entry)(this is about Super nintendo, Sega and the Japan days)

6: Fun with N64, PS1 and trampolines (i think the title speaks for itself)

7: Dreamcast and PS2

8: Music Volume 1: The Essentials: Selections from my collection: The 60's (here's where the music starts!)

9: Awards, click to see the best album of 2010!!! (not spam I swear, here’s proof: Battlestar Galactica, The Flaming Lips, ID4) My first awards blog...

10: The Tall Tales of sir Matthew Stuart Harrington: a recounting of the amazing stories of my brother

11: Concert Review: A brief history of my concert attendance

12: So where were we? again?: back to music review, the 70's

13: New Wave, (or how we went back to the basics and established something different)

14: Control Alt Country: history of a niche genre

15: Last Years infinite playlist: The lifechanging mix cd i made for my sisters birthday last year.

16: Rock (w/o the roll): straight up rock (see also, Rick w/o the roll)

17: On Broadway: Or now for something completely different.

18: Story of my life : or "dang this kind of an emo post!" with powerpop selections and the Flaming Lips

19: Merenia B-day Mix 2 or the revenge of kitty galore! (the account of the next attempt at making a life changing cd)

20: Summer Jams: Or now thats what I call music #27: Summer Jams (an account of the songs of summer)

21: Money: or how I used to have a lot of it: (a spirited retelling of the beauty and excitement of my first high fi speakers)

22: Hello Everybody: (No TV and No Beer make Homer go something something...)

23: Cartoon Cartoon:  (classic cartoons n such!)

24: Movie Magic: (lovely flicks n what have you)

25: 2011, a retro prospectus (annual music awards for your auditory pleasure)

2011: a retro prospectus

And thus it was, even so… 2011 is done.  As such, it becomes this not so humble music fan’s (see hipster) duty to tell the world via a lame blog what the correct top albums of 2011 were (just in case the reader wasn’t paying attention this year).  Hipsters have a bad rep these  days, it wasn’t always so… back 10 years or so, the term would identify some cool cat who praised the Strokes and wanted to tell the world about them.  Now-a-days, the term relates to someone who thinks they are cooler than music and therefor can only find satisfaction from liking something that someone else doesn’t know about.  Once this knowledge has been revealed to the general public (see world-at-large), the “hipster” a’band’ons his band and searches for the next big thing.   Reader, you know I love good music and just want to share in its sonic goodness.  Granted I do hate it when songs are overplayed, but mere popularity of new groups doesn’t make me think they are no longer “relevant”.  That’s up to the group to decide.


As a side note, go visit Emily's Blog for a very well thought out 2K11 list. Emily Clay rocks and I can only hope to emulate her blog and try to be as cool as her. (I’m excited to listen to a few on her list as they are yet unknown to me, and I trust her with my ears and you should too!)


Alrighty, now that I, a self proclaimed hipster, am now off the soapbox, it’s time for me to get to the real soapbox for this occasion…the music of 2011.  Mind you, this is my list and I’ll write it how I want.  So “2011” is subject to my own experience (ala, if it was new to my life in 2011, it might as well have come out in 2011 for purposes of this exercise) There are 3 major awards I would like to discuss:


The albums and songs that rocked my Audits/Reviews/Engagements ETC.: These are the albums that looking back on 10 years hence, will always be associated with a specific audit.  As this blog is journal-esque I figure I’d include this section.


Synopsys, Inc. 2010 audit:  The award of my first audit definitely goes to Arcade Fire’s The Suburbs.  Much has been said by others and myself about how great this one is.  It was most appropriate that it was the album that transitioned me into the workforce.


Geeknet, Inc.:  I was only on this one for a week, so I don’t have too
much musical memory with it.  What I do have is a Crystal Castles song
featuring Robert Smith "Not in Love".


__:  This one holds a very special album… Illinoise by Sufjan
Stevens.  I had this album before this audit, but for some reason it
had gotten lost in the shuffle as it were.  I gave it its first proper
chance during this audit and it became one of the most fantastic
additions to my musical rotation.  I wouldn’t say it was a “perfect”
album (whatever that means) but the first 12 tracks, if they were an
album… it would be “perfect”


SuccessFactors:  The Strokes: Angles was kind of a let down in many
ways.  After the perfect 10’s of the first 2 albums and the faltering
of the 3rd album, I’d hoped for another 10 after their long break.
That being said, I think it’s a fairly strong album looking back on
it.  Life is Simple in the Moonlight is 10 material.


Applied Micro Circuits Corp: LCD Soundsystem (all of the albums)  At AMCC I continued to gain appreciation for these geniuses. Every album is chock full of insight, wit, and catchy beats that stay with you. Masterpieces

Extreme Networks: The Moldy Peaches (all of the albums)  I had this
band on the backburner for a while…I knew I liked them, but only
really through the Juno soundtrack.  They are hilarious and catchy (if
not a bit crude)


Sanmina:  Sea Wolf: Leaves in the river was an amazing album that I
listened to a ton during the audit.  I think I discovered it a little
late for my hipster cred, but that don’t matter none (see revised
hipster def above), I love it now! Its kind of a strange lovechild of
the Decemberists and BRMC.


Performant Financial Corp:  Coldplay: Mylo Xyloto.  This album
continues to grow on me.  It took a bit to get used to the crazy bass
overdubs (very pop-ish and in vogue in 2011) but it really is a great
album.  I got to know it at Performant as I drove all the way to and
from Livermore.  It was perfect timing to listen to the whole thing
going one way.  Hurts Like Heaven and its bubbly sparky goodness is up
there with the best of them.  U.F.O. is another contender for the best
song of the album.  The album is slightly tainted due to a weird brake
up I had but not nearly tainted enough for me not to enjoy it.  (my
close friends know what I’m talking about, just ask if you’re curious,
if you aren’t interested… why are you reading my blog you stalker!)  I
agree with Emily about the unfortunate guest pop star though… oh well.


Synopsys, 2011 audit: Peter Bjorn and John Gimme Some is the album of
my second Synopsys audit.  As a second year associate, I felt a little
more comfortable pumpin up the stereo (of my headphones) and this
album was the one I kept going back too.  Its entirely too short, but
I love every song and it’s a joy to listen to.


There were other engagements (Roamware I’m looking at you) but I won’t
force a song or memory for those audits if it wasn’t there…


The albums/groups/songs I discovered this year:  These are in no particular order of amazing-ness.  Note: songs, albums and other insights in the Audit section above will not be repeated below… this blog is bloated enough as it is.


Songs:


Ivy, Distant Lights:  I’ve loved Ivy for years now, but I wasn’t
prepared for how awesome this song was going to be.  It’s synth pop
perfection.  When I got my new subwoofer in early summer, this song
was repeated with much gusto.


Cults, Go Outside:  This is a new band for me this year… the memory I
have most associated with it is going to a concert in San Francisco.
The DJ beforehand had an amazing mix that I should have asked him
about.  This was one of the songs and it was featured heavily on my
indie satellite radio station… good stuff.


The Raveonettes, Aly Walk with Me:  As part of the aforementioned
playlist, this is a song I actually already had the album at the
time.  At the concert, this song blew me away and I rediscovered it.
It was so loud, raw and intense and I couldn’t get enough of it.  It
has a very indie hipster nerd aura that perfectly captured the fun of
being at a live concert in San Fran.


Metric, London Halflife:  I kind of pinned metric as a new “The
Cardigans”, which is a good thing.  This song took me totally by
surprise and against all my principles; I listened to it on repeat
many-a-time.   It’s tragically short, but her voice and the general
melancholy-cool vibe gave me a newfound appreciation for Metric.  It’s
fun getting to know their other stuff, and I hope to find other gems
like this one.


Neon Indian, Polish Girl/and Terminally Chill…ok the whole album.
Infectious, lovely, charming, with a sonically pleasing landscape,
these guys are a lot of fun.  Lyrically, I can’t hear much, but the
music sets a certain giddy joyful mood that can’t be denied.


Kraftwerk, The Model/ The Robots.  So this was made in the 70’s but I
discovered it this year.  Wow, thanks Indie Old School show on XM…
these guys were genius.  I suppose if you take the work of the Cars
and mix it with The Flaming Lips and add a dash of LCD Soundsystem
this is what would result.  My life is very much enriched for having
discovered these fine folks.


Radiohead:  Lotus Flower.  I saw this on a talk show and it totally
made me go from “this song is kinda out there” to “dang its out there
and I am too!” Watching 2 drummers hammer out the complicated beat was
fascinating and listening to Mr. York croon is always a pleasure.


Foo Fighters: These Days.  So these guys keep surprising me.
As much as I love their old stuff, I always figure that the “next
album” will lose the magic.  Fortunately I’ve been wrong, and this
song is classic Foo Fighters melody and hard rock along with
meaningful lyrics.  Oh David, one of the rock gods of our era…


Albums: (again, those included above are not listed below…)


Unknown Mortal Orchestra: How can u love me? Ffunny Friends, Jello and
Juggernouts, and of course Thought Balloon.  The aforementioned
concert above was for Unknown Mortal Orchestra.  Although strangely
enough, the first band “Gauntlet Hair” has been on the radio more (at
least when I’m tuned in), I really enjoyed the progressive rock of UMO
much more.  Each song was quirky and fun and reminiscent in a way 
to one of my new bands last year "Fitz and the Tantrums" in the a way 
i can't point my finger at, happy listening.  
Also special thanks to Lena Schoemaker for winning the tickets!


Wilco, The Whole Love:  You knew this was coming, of course.  Wilco!
Love these guys.  This was somewhat a return to the more experimental
days of yore, but still straightforward enough for the new fans.  My
favorite song is Art of Almost… so many layers, and the rockout at the
end always leaves me breathless… bravo Mr. Tweedy, bravo.


M83, A similar band in nature to Neon Indian, again I found it most
groovy.  Actually I can almost copy paste my previous description of
NI and put it down here.  It was a good year for this electronic rock
style hybrid.


Fountains of Wayne: Sky Full of Holes:  You probably knew this was
coming too, this album is a ton of fun.  As always, the fine folks at
FOW populate this album with a fun cast of characters and guitar hooks
that make it a joy for any power pop fan to listen in on.  Someone’s
gonna break your heart is probably my fav, its got that power pop
mixed with melancholy wistfulness.  Next up is Richie and Ruben, got
a ton of classic pop hooks + hilarious characters.


Girls: All the albums:  So this was a random find but Oh So Protective
One and Heartbreaker were too catchy not to put on this list.


Tennis: The first song I remember is actually a cover of the Zombies
Tell her no.  It was fairly true to the original, and very much fun. Upon 
further inspection, I love these guys original stuff too.  Origins is a 
great song, her voice and retro vibe is lovely.

The albums/groups that I think I’ll discover in 2012:


Danger Mouse: Rome:  So after hearing Two against One, I figure I’d
like the rest.  + I like the concept of making a classic Italian
soundtrack… sounds fun.  Also, i'm desperate for more Jack
White.

Fleet Foxes: Helplessness Blues, so this shouldn’t be on this list, it
should be above… The fact is I loved Fleet Foxes when I saw them open
up for Wilco in 2009 and ate up their first EP and Album.  For some
reason (which is really sad) I’ve only heard one song from the new
album.  I liked it, not loved it but moved on to something else.  This
albums day will come, rest assured… in fact in the time it took to
write this section, I probably could have youtubed it :D


Thanks, if you made it this far, you don't need glasses.  Happy listening and please comment on all the amazingness i've overlooked, all thats going to rock in 2012, and what party's you are planning for February 29th.

Movie Magic

So I've noticed a few things lately about my movie collection.  The first being that it is equal parts "traditional classics" and "silly stupidity".  I don't really have much in-between and thats ok with me.  Even my first blu purchases are representative of this condition.

First purchase: 2001 A Space Odyssey
Second Purchase: Hellboy 2

I love classics, for most of them I can see why they are revered.  2001 is a beautiful film that I can watch again and again and find new details to appreciate, new dialogue to interpret, and new messages to sift through.  The cinematography and music take my breathe away and its fantastic.  Hellboy 2? well this one was purchased more on a whim, but I certainly enjoyed its cinematography as well as its wise-crackin lead.  (don't worry reader, in this case I can chose the better film with ease...2001.  But there are a decent amount of classics versus camp that aren't so easy)

This pattern has continued ever since.  Recent extreme's have been Ernest Scared Stupid and...Life is Beautiful.   One being extremely juvenile, the other, uplifts the human spirit and makes me want to be a better person.  Speedracer sits alongside Dr. Strangelove.  Star Trek (great ideas and overall classic) alongside Firefly (lots of fun). (ok maybe you think those are BOTH silly... i'm a Trekkie, what can i say)

Anyways... the point of all this being that the best movies, and the one's worthy of owning are not only the classics that inspire, but anything that stirs excitement, laughter, tears and a good time.  Those are the two primary categories of movies I like and cannot generalize that one is truly better than the other...only that they serve on two different plains.  So yes, Army of Darkness and Beauty and The Beast (that link is the greatest disney song ever!) sit happily side by side on my shelf. (i'm a sucker for Sam Raimi's ingenuity and for Disneys Classic storytelling)

Cartoon Cartoon!

Or how Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network generated a veritable Old Faithful, oozing out classic after classic like clockwork (not orange).

Ah sixth grade, back to New York, new school, middle school awkwardness (which from my eventual escape of said awkwardness is still in question) and... cartoons :D.  Nicktoons... so good that i'm feeling warm fuzzies as i write this.  Started of course with the insanity of Ren and Stimpy, though I don't remember that being on a ton.  The era of Rugrats and Doug was a ton more innocent but nonetheless adventurous creative and tons of fun while teaching mini morals.  Doug had street cred when banging on a trash can with The Beets.  Tommy Pickles was leader among babies. The best parts of the shows were the imagination of the worst case scenarios of Doug in a moral or social pickle, and of course when the babies went on epic imaginary adventures.

That was the first round of Nicktoons, I remember the premiers of many of the later ones.  Hey Arnold premiered on SNICK and I was pretty excited for it.  Turns out it was filled with sweet Jazz, cool handshakes and amazing urban legends such as Stoop Kid.  My favorite of the second gen of Nicktoons however was KaBlam!  It was a lil comic book variety show with such classics as Sniz and Fondue (my favorite was the the previous link and the one with the Scorpion... Sniz's voice makes me happy)  Next favorite was Action League Now!  It was pure kid fun, and I loved the intro (and not just because the Flesh was Super Naked).  Prometheus and Bob asked the timeless question of what would have happened if an alien came to our planet in the cave man days to teach us.

Ok Ok i promised some Cartoon Network goodness here too.  Johnny Bravo, Powerpuff Girls, Cow and Chickin, and of course What a Cartoon,... i heart you guys but my real favorites were Courage the Cowardly Dog, Dexter's Laboratory and Two Stupid Dogs.  Cartoon network was really outlandish, epic and ridiculous.  Actually they still are, but they aren't "indie" anymore (same with Nick) {yes i went there, prideful hipsters unite}  The voices alone were amazing, the animation choppy (not always on purpose, but always unique).

Next post, more cartoons!

-Mr. James E Harrington

Hello Everybody

Hi Dr. Nick!

So its been a while my faithful reader. Its not from a lack of care, or concern for your entertainment needs. In fact, i've got fantastic... nay a creativity that needs to escape my brain (since its working overtime) and invade yours so without further fanfair, here's the latest and/or greatest.

So the new Arrested Development uhm, development had me thinking about my favorite shows of yore. So begins a TV collection of posts.

So TV and I have had a good relationship over the years, which is not to say it was always accessible. In fact, the France and Japan days were pretty sparse on content from the Etats-Unis. My only TV memories in France are of Nintendo so... that wasn't even worth mentioning. Sorry for wasting your time.

Japan was one step better with riveting international shows like "Danger Bay". MTV Japan was always a good time (its always great to hear a foreign language with random English band names inserted). Luckily Japan had a great video rental store. They not only introduced us to amazing indie movies, ala High Strung (there's some language in there, its one of those old school PG movies. We rented it because it had Jim Carrey on the cover and it was 1995... he was in it for like 4 minutes tops. Its a huge sketch comedy act, uber negative and ironic and over the top, but hilarious). Anyways, point is, my brother Matt introduced us to the X-files at the rental place. We rented the tapes, it was fantastic, I had nightmares and much trouble sleeping. I remember staying up past my bedtime and watching it from around the corner, then totally regretting/loving it. The show is still creepy and alien abduction and subsequent drop off in a dark forest still is one of the scariest notions to this, your humble author (though the giant mutant worm probably isn't as scary as it was back then). I haven't seen the show in many a years but I would love to revisit it again (preferably with a ladyfriend...well i guess i could use that qualifier on everything...so i guess its not really a qualifier then... again with the time wasting, sorry)

We only had a few American channels there, mostly just ran old reruns ala Remington Steel, Family Ties and Macgyver... good times for sure...but i wanted me cartoons :)

Throughout all this, we did spend summers in New York, and had a little bit of TV. 3 channels to be exact. So while my mom ended up watching the Trinity Broadcasting Network preachers, I was more interested in cool shows such as "Unsolved Mysteries"(i always liked anything alien related... and the theme song was fantastic) or local Poughkeepsie news. We also spent a week or so up in Vermont with my Grandma and cousins. This was TV heaven for us. She had cable! So I bonded with my siblings watching MTV, Nickelodeon and the like. Oh Ren and Stimpy... charming creatures really :)

Next post will focus on the move back from Japan to Hopewell Junction circa 1996 when our home officially got cable and never looked back... (well besides this past year when i didn't have cable :)

We'll meet again, don't know how... don't know when

Later my friends :D

James Elvin Harrington of Poughkeepsie township