Plans

These are not my resolutions, these are my plans.
Seattle in June.
Learn how to play this banjo.
Finish my sleeve.
Learn to sew.
Etsy store in full swing.
Vitamins and excercise.
Have too much fun.

2009 Albums

This is a little late. Here is my list of albums in 2009 that have made a lasting impression.



Akron/Family-"Set 'Em Wild, Set 'Em Free"
http://www.akronfamily.com/
Listening to and Akron/Family album is like living inside a schizophrenic's head. The voices may be different, but they all come from the same entity. Although this album is tamer and more pop-sensible than previous offerings, it's none the less an excercise in abstract songwriting and avant garde Americana."River" is my favorite track on this album. The repeated chorus of "You and I and a flame makes three" sticks in my head like gum to a shoe. It's repeated spins in my car while driving have only served to strengthen the impression it has made on me.

BlakRoc-"BlakRoc"
http://www.blakroc.com/
Take white boy blues groove, stir in a range of hip-hop artists ranging from socially conscious to southern fried, and pepper in some soulful hooks. What you have is an album of "cuts". This is a combination effort from the Black Keys and such artists as Mos Def, Rza, Jim Jones, Nicole Wray, and Ludacris. It feels like a Bed-Stuy block party spilled over in to Williamsburg and everyone got along.

Bon Iver-"Blood Bank"
http://boniver.org/
Justin Vernon's voice coupled with his music feels like a hug at a funeral. It's all-encompassing and pulls you in where it's warm. That being said, for me, this E.P. is like an extension of "For Emma, Forever Ago". It's somber lyrical content and emotional swells make for a beautifully chagrin album. I have been enamored with the title strack "Blood Bank". It is heartbreakingly good. It leaves me nearly speachless that a song referencing eating candybars has nearly brought me to tears on several occaisions. Just stellar.

Them Crooked Vultures-"Them Crooked Vultures"
http://www.themcrookedvultures.com/us/home
Q:What do you say when Josh Homme, John Paul Jones, and Dave Grohl decide to start a band?

A:You don't say shit. You put gas in the car and go have a party in the desert, listening to Them Crooked Vultures.

David Bazan-"Curse Your Branches"
http://www.davidbazan.com/
Aside from my borderline disinterest in the "Headphones" album, David Bazan,(or any of his pseudonyms) has never made an album that I didn't like. "Curse Your Branches" is no exception. Bazan hits heavily on his old standby of religion, or in this case lack-thereof, and does so with unabashed honesty. His personal revelations in "Curse Your Branches" has been suggested to be the musical counterpart to Christopher Hitchens "God Is Not Great". I have heard these songs live and on live recordings. While I would say a tiny bit of sincerity is lost in the production of an album, it is none-the-less, his most honest album to date.

Tom Waits-"Glitter and Doom Live"
http://www.tomwaits.com/
Heavier than the hand of God. Tom Waits in all his raspy, beatnik glory. Tickets for this sold out in minutes. Give this album a listen and you will understand why.

Baroness-The Blue Album
http://www.myspace.com/yourbaroness
Just as good, if not better than the Red Album.

Andrew Jackson Jihad-Can't Maintain
http://andrewjacksonjihad.com/
Cleverly titled folk-punk tracks are a sure way in to my heart. Phoenix natives, Andrew Jackson Jihad are a band I heard about due solely to constant e-mentions from Mike Dutkewych. He is not wrong in his praise for them. This album is perfect for those with short attention spans. At under half an hour for the entirety of 13 songs, it's not going to have enough time to bore you.

Great Lake Swimmers-Lost Channels
http://www.greatlakeswimmers.com/
Lost Channels is the soundtrack to perfect, blissful slumber on a new Tempurpedic mattress. In the same vein as Bon Iver, Great Lake Swimmers offer simple, yet thought-provoking tunes that ebb and flow like a shores of the Lakes of their namesake. They cover a Carter Family song, which is alone worth a few spins. A filler-free quest for something more from an amazing Toronto band.







Honorable mentions: J. Tillman "Year in the Kingdom", St. Vincent "Actor".

Biggest dissapointment: The Avett Brothers "I and Love and You" (Unspeakably let down. Rick Rubin may be the one to blame for this, but seriously Avetts. Do better next time.)

Summer Bummer

Brett and Janell are leaving for Ithica today.
Extreme Home Makeover and that guy who doesn't really do anything, but be really tan and cry a lot are in town this weekend.
Our computer is on the fritz and I have to post/burn cds from work.
My good friend Cole is in town from Chicago and I cannot wait to hang out.
I have to get these tshirt photos Jess and I made for Etsy up pronto, but my computer being wonky is throwing a wrench in that.
My tentative super-belated spring cleaning yardsale is proving to be a task I may not be able to accomplish by next weekend.



Madness. Pure, unadulterated madness. This is a weekend of emotional ups and downs.





In non-related news, I definitely liked Lady Gaga a little better when she had some talent and was called Christina Aguilera. What a bunch of shock-factor garbage....My occasional fascination with pop-culture can only tolerate so much.

Ugh

Jeez I'm lazy. I'll get more updates on shirts and life and stuff up soon. I just have a head full of thoughts right now and I need to sort it all out.



Mental vacation. Be back in five.


In the mean time here are some distractions I'm currently occupying my thoughts with.




Chloe Shoes (Sigh)



One of the best thrift store finds ever! (Modeled by Jess)



Stuffed French Toast



Anything, Everything Rick Owens



Sweet Tea Vodka



Stencils




-XOXO

Deconstructed Summer Style

So I mentioned a few days ago that I was interested in setting up an Etsy store for these deconstructed/shredded t-shirts I have been making. I got together with my good friend Jess and she modeled a few of the shirts I have finished. To check their durability, I washed a couple of the shirts on a gentle cycle and dried them in our dryer on a regular setting. They maintained their shape perfectly! I am so excited to get this started. Let me know what you all think or if you have any suggestions!

'Bout It 'Bout It

Current Favorites:

Hand Made Wedding Stuff
The Term "Swagger Jacked"
Metsa Woodgrain Three Finger Rings
Torrential Downpours
Whoever Thought Up Sweet Tea Vodka
Coffee Hand Grinders
Naanwiches
Treasure Island Beach
Lily Of The Valley
Old Souls
Home

Chit-Chat and New Stuff

So I scrapped the play by play and just settled upon actually spending my vacation the way it's supposed to be spent, having a phenomenal time.


I'll update photos taken on vacation a bit later, but I do want to mention that I'm setting up an Etsy store to sell these deconstructed/shredded shirts I've been making. They are custom made and I can do all sorts of different patterns with the shredding. If you want buy one or know anyone who does, just email or call me and We'll work something out. I have about 5 under my belt so far and they are super comfy fabrics. Here is a photo of one of them I've made. It's super basic, but it illustrates what I mean. I'll have more photos and a store up soon.


I also bought these Steve Madden shoes recently and I fucking LOVE them.




Thanks Summer, for making shoes like this possible.