Monday, December 21, 2009

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.)

Saturday, August 1, 2009

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.

Monday, June 22, 2009

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.


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Chloe Shoes (Sigh)

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

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Stuffed French Toast

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Anything, Everything Rick Owens

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Sweet Tea Vodka

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Stencils




-XOXO

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

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!






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Wednesday, June 3, 2009

'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

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

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.

Friday, May 22, 2009

Busy Bee

Thursday through Monday of the upcoming week{s} I will be road trippin with Evangeline and Jess to Florida so the next 5.5 days are going to be packed with work, bike races, barbecues, and more work. I'll be trying my hand at making a road-dog diary of the trip. Every local lunatic, radio sing-along, and largest ball of twine along the way will be documented (and hopefully spiced up with enough effusive language to make it worth reading).


If anyone is looking for a cusp-o-summer getaway that promises to be ridiculous and not to break the bank, let me know. The more the merrier.

Oh How I Did Laugh

Clicky








Someone, someplace thinks this is real and is currently trying to replicate it's faux advice line by line. This is the decline of Western Civilization.








Great minds think for themselves.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

P.S.

These are our wedding rings we're getting from Etsy.com


They are Mokume Gane rings and I love them. Custom made by Jordanesque these rings will change color slightly over time according to our environment and individual body chemistry, but the pattern will remain the same. I am so excited about these rings and cannot wait to see them. I definitely recommend this shop if you want amazing jewelry custom made by an extremely talented designer.

Thanksgiving (Hold the Stuffing)

Things I am truly thankful for at this moment:

My plants are growing
Bartenura Moscato
Listening to Edith Piaf with just enough sun coming through the window
Jason and Tater's banter
Cali rolls
Our rings are being made right now and will be uh-mazing
The weather is fantastic
Fuze
Money is tight, but we are doin just fine
I am in love with the greatest person I know





Le Sigh......

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Let Them Eat Cake

I made this red velvet triple berry cake with cream cheese frosting for my Mom for Mother's Day.


Oh hell yes.

Friday, May 8, 2009

Happy Birthday J.G.!!!

Yesterday was John Gassett's 30th birthday and to celebrate, he was forced to do two of those God awful snorted shots of Jameson(Harsh!).



















Thursday, May 7, 2009

Cinco De Mayo in Dayton

Janelle, Evan, Jason, and I got some Margaritas and Guacamole (There Kevin, I changed it)... This needs to happen once a week.






Now I'm gonna go get some coffee at Pacchia and go to Cincinnati. Just after I make a mixed cd for the road.

Saturday, May 2, 2009

White Wine, Red Wine, Iron Chef, Pop Punk

Not the worst way to spend any evening by any stretch. I gotta git' though....I'm about to miss When Sparks Fly.






I need MORE WINE!

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Douse The Flames

I have been cleaning all morning. Every last one of my nails are chipped to bits, which to some may be a sign of poor nail nutrition, but to me it's a sign that I'm getting something done. I'm achey. I'm worn out. I have an ocean's worth of troubles swimming around in my head. I'm actually glad it's been raining. It fits my mood to a T. Who wants summer weather and chipper birds when you just wanna keep your head down and keep movin? I feel like I've made a small dent in this house, but I know every corner and crevice I more closely inspect will no doubt reveal a need for more attention and elbow grease. Spring cleaning at it's best, right?


We have a work meeting in an hour. That should just be heaps of fun. Why is it that no one calls together a meeting to discuss what could be improved upon AND what's been going well? I have long been over this Nega vibe so many people here are all about. I'm not used to that. I don't wanna be used to that.


I am working on hatching a fledgling idea for a DJ night that no one is doing around here right now. It's still in early stages so I don't wanna talk it up just yet, but if all goes well I'm hoping to get some fun started. Keepin it Posi in '09. Get hip to it.


And lastly, if this doesn't give you the biggest shit-eating grin you've ever had, you are dead inside. Compliments of Youtube


Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Black, White, and Blue All-Over

It has just been one of those days...


I say "days" in that, although it's only 2pm, the last consecutive 24 hours have sucked tremendously. For several reasons right now, I am in the dumps. So I'm going to photo montage some B&W photos that I have taken this past weekend to lighten my otherwise surly mood.






Beer Home Brewing




Rza Gettin' Love








Gettin Springy





Total Girl





Outdoors




Hungry Pup



In Trouble Pup