Of Balvarines and 'Snowstorms'

So in my now 2 weeks of official non-student, unemployment-ness I have become pretty familiar with the various jobsites (Craigslist, Monster, WWeekly, some biotech specific ones, etc...), but only really one job that I've applied to really sounds like something I'd love to do/learn. There is an art glass foundry in SE Portland hiring people to work in their foundry making all of the amazing raw materials for artists that use such glass. Having had about 6 years of not much art (except for one drawing class), I find the possibility of being able to work in an environment with creative people, actually making a product and being able to see the end result just seems very appealing to me right now. Now I know I'm idealizing it, but I wouldn't complain if I could look back in twenty years and be able to say that I worked in a place like that and learned cool artisan skills. Kinda makes me wish that I'd apprenticed something like working with a silversmith (Johnny Tremain?) back in the day.

Oh so I've finally gotten to play a little Fable 3, since I've been waiting to since Christmas, both eagerly and with dread, knowing how much I loved the previous two and not wanting to be disappointed/not wanting to be sucked in too much. The co-op is finally a viable option in the game, and has actually been quite a blast playing with Becca, to see both of our characters go through the story together. My one gripe about that system though, is that there should be some way of transferring quests over to the other persons account. Like, they can go all the way through the game with you, but then play on their own and they're back to square one, just with a bunch more gold in hand. ANYWAYS, thats enough on video games. Also, balvarines are still the most annoying enemies in the game so far.

Yes, I feel like sepia tone better captures the 'tone' of our mini snow 'storm'. More dramatic that way.

Also, I know everyone on the west coast has been having the 'snow' warnings from the last couple days. In Portland, this has been one of the most frustrating things. Of the last 6 times the weather reports have said there was a snow storm coming, it snowed twice. For about 15 minutes. As a Bay Area native, the thought of snow is always exciting, so basically I just want the Portland meteorologists to stop teasing me. Stop teasing the 24 year old that gets giddy about snow falling around his apartment and being able to go out and play in it. Jerks.

I know you all know I'm obsessed with my cat, but I love this picture.

But I did get a couple fun pictures out of our 15 minutes of heavenly snow, because Sam was attacking and chirping at the window. It seemed like he thought that the apartment was being swarmed with some sort of fluffy white insects and that he must kill them all.

Ketchup

So a few things have happened since my last post...

About a week ago I finished my final class for my Biology BA, so now I just have to deal with waiting for UCSC to get all the paperwork and documents in order so that I can really apply for graduation and finally get that diploma. Finally. But what that leads into is the more pressing need to look for a job. While I'd love to find something that fits in better with my interests/schooling background, I have a feeling that its going to probably end up being the lines of temping at an office. Hopefully somewhere within walking distance of our apartment here in downtown PDX.

Something affecting the job choice involving time constraints is that it looks I'll finally take my first big step out of the country this summer. Yes, my international travel virginity looks like its going to be taken by Spain this summer, when Becca and I get to spend a few weeks with her family there getting to know Madrid and exploring the country. I could try to express my excitement through words here, or a link to some ridiculous video (N64 kid anyone?) but I'll just let you assume with this: (:D)

Also, I turned 24 last Friday. I know there's 'no big deal' to one year older and such, but its proximity to my finishing class and looking for a job seems a bit symbolic and intimidating. Each year since turning 20 has been progressively scarier, feeling like I have less and less of my crap figured out basically. So here's to hoping 25 doesn't feel like that next year. AHHHHH.

On the music front, which has actually felt like I've been progressing a little, with a couple songs written out (just not associated with music yet) and a bank of riffs in my head, I feel ready to finally work with people and try to start a band. In addition to my job search this week, I was going to write up an ad and put it on the local Craigslist, Willamette Weekly, and Portland Mercury. I figure if I put up exactly what kind of work that I'm interested in doing, I'm less likely to try to end up playing with music with some people who decide later that what they really want to do is be the next Linkin Park... Bleh. I will keep a lookout for anyone that looks like we could be a match musically though.

Also, my Christmas gift from my parents has finally made its way to PDX via Fed Ex. Its a Jay Turser JT-Res:

Its pretty, and definitely an interesting sound to play with. Maybe I'll put together a little track by the end of the week.

In the meantime, here are some Soundcloud's I posted over the last few weeks. They're just as noisy and lofi as before, so prepare your headphones/speakers accordingly and understand that in person, it sounds much better.

Shoegeiser by nerfherderhan

Droney tremolo reverb testing by nerfherderhan

Fuzzy riff bits by nerfherderhan

First Practice Recording

Last week I recorded this little practice riff by just setting my laptop on my amp and pressing record. I added some tambourine today and was thinking about adding possibly some bass and a little lead guitar. This is all through the laptop mic, so fidelity is lacking. And yes its supposed to be loud, spacey and psychedelic. If you have an opinion on it let me know as this has only been a recent musical direction for me. Most of college I focused more on acoustic sounds and playing my 6 and 12 string acoustics, and while I have no shortage of riffs and guitar parts I've written with them, I have been having a hard time writing lyrics to go with the mood of the acoustic parts.

If this piece seems to be working, I'll possibly work the main riff around and see what kind of feelings and lyrics that might come of it.

Edit: Incidentally, it sounds much better with headphones on and the bass up.

A Beginning (Rough) by nerfherderhan

Favorite Albums of 2010

This took way too long to complete considering that it was started in early December of '10. Well here you are:

Originally I had titled it the "Best 10 Albums" but then I really wanted to make a list of the albums that I know are most likely to stay in my rotation of more consistent listening. Hope you all had a great new years and I'm looking forward to a new year of new music and possibly even some of my own recordings?! We'll see.

10: Broken Bells - Broken Bells -> Now for those who know me, they probably have heard me whine about The Shins after the whole Garden State Soundtrack being the go to 'indie' mix. But, after hearing the simple enjoyability of 'The High Road' and recognizing Brian Burton's (Danger Mouse) crisp and simplistic production, I realized I do enjoy James Mercer's voice and I had to give the Portlander a fair shake. I love this album and will probably still be enjoying it in a few decades. Also the Chistina Hendricks starring video for 'The Ghost Inside' is pretty darn cool (and the song sounds like Danger Mouse modeled it after his work with Damon Albarn on Demon Days)

9: Yeasayer - Odd Blood -> If this album is an indicator of where music is going, I'm pretty excited. I know it can feel a bit like the trite dance indie-electronica that makes PF (not as much as Kanye does), but there are just so many interesting sounds and juxtapositions of sounds here that at loud volumes, you can't help but be interested. His voice can be a bit whiny at times, but I quickly forget as the songs really draw you in. Other than the number 1 on this year's list, this actually probably my most listened to album of the year. Also, the bridge of 'Ambling Alp' makes my ears do somersaults of happiness.

8: Karen Elson - The Ghost Who Walks -> Jack White's wife Karen Elson's debut album was not one of those 'I know the right people so I got an album made' kind of deal. While the album was produced by her husband, this is not a Jack White derivative album. It is a thoughtful, beautiful sounding collection of well written songs by Elson. While some songs do 'rock out' a bit more, like 'The Garden' the majority play the album covers' slightly spooky tone. Its a haunting collection of singer songwriter songs that will continue to be enjoyed by myself for years.

7: Big Light - Animals in Bloom -> The last time I saw the Mother Hips in Santa Cruz, I had the privilege of seeing Big Light open for them at Moe's Alley. Coming in and not doing my research beforehand, I was surprised to be greeted with a great new band out of San Francisco. 'Heavy', a highlight song from the concert as well as their EP and Animals in Bloom gives you an idea of where they come from in concert.

6: Hot Chip - One Life Stand -> While I know there have been many great electronic releases this past year, Hot Chip's newest album is the only one I think that will really end up remain in my musical consciousness. There are great dance songs, and beats that just lead to introspection when coupled with the satirical and honest lyrics. Also, 'I Feel Better', while one of the standout tracks, has one of the best/funniest music videos I've seen in a long time.

5: LCD Soundsystem - This is Happening -> Critics love James Murphy. PF loves him too. And. Well. Yah, I love this album too. From the obvious Bowie nods to the just genuine flow of thoughts within his lyrics. 'Pow Pow' is my favorite track with its whole 'from this position' mantra. Something I find relatable, and enjoy hearing the thoughts move from one thought to the next.

4: Electric Six - Zodiac -> This band is pretty darn prolific. Other than the two year gap between Fire and Señor Smoke, they've been releasing an album a year since 2005. Not only do they now have an almost overwhelming catalog of songs, but they're good. Their smarm and musicality has been honed over the years with their disco-punk-glam satire rock just getting better and better. Zodiac was no exception to this and with a cover of The Spinners' 'Rubberband Man' and such strong songs like 'Jam it in the Hole' and 'Love Song for Myself' make me feel like next years outing will probably also make the top 10.

3: Blitzen Trapper - Destroyers of the Void -> Having been one of my favorite bands since Furr, and cementing that with their Black River Killer EP, Blitzen Trapper's new album was one of the most anticipated of the albums for me. It did not disappoint with the strong songwriting skills of Eric Earley and meandering folk-prog-rock that ensues (exemplified by the first track). But the strongest moment on the album would have to be the story telling of 'The Man Who Would Speak True'.

2: Apples in Stereo - Travellers in Space and Time-> As I said in my first review, this is one happy, good vibe spouting album. It is going to stay in my album rotation for quite some time into the future.

1: Gorillaz - Plastic Beach-> Definitely the highest anticipated album of the year for myself (if you know me, you know my obsession with the Gorillaz, ESPECIALLY 2005's Demon Days) and it did not leave me wanting. Albarn's amalgam of all forms of modern pop musical styles and artists with selected eclectic tastes are exemplified in the title and concept of the album. A beach so far from civilization where all of the remnants of trash and culture mix together to form something creative, emotional, thoughtful and at times, beautiful.

In the meantime...

The holidays produced an unintended dearth of blog posts so this is what happens.

I have a bunch of ideas and things in the works, not to mention my weekly reviews to catch up on:

-10 Favorite Albums of 2010

-A personal update

-CAKE and Decemberists reviews

And various other ideas to just stay 'drafts' for now. Most likely music related. However, there is one thing I think that is exciting about one of these ideas.

I will now be recording every time I practice guitar.

PROS:

-Constant review of riffs and no more losing ideas instantly

-Plenty of space on my computer, so no worry about this being too much to handle

-I can make lots of demos.

CONS:

-My laptop mic is garbage. I need a usb device like a MBox to connect a real mic to.

-No backing band.

-Too many 'rough cut' demos. (All of them)

I'm also going to be posting the cream of the crop every couple days to here via Soundcloud. I figure that I need to get more comfortable with possible scrutiny if I'm ever going to have the personal strength to try to play with other random people, let alone in front of any size crowd.

I'll be back soon, but until then watch the first episode of Portlandia while its still up. It keeps making me crack up.

No NMT today, but...

I am working on a Top 15 albums of 2010 list to post as soon as I'm finished deciding and writing. Also I'm in the midst of preparing for another physiology exam so thats another reason for it getting left out this week. However, here are some links/topics that might be interesting to people as something to either waste your time with or judge me for wasting my time on them!

-I recently found Audacity after I realized that I don't need to use any fancy mic's just to record simple ideas. With this realization I figured there has to be some sort of free audio editing software out there and Audacity is what I found. Pretty easy to use, and as long as you don't care that the sound quality from your computer's internal mic is awful, really easy to record and export as an mp3 for reviewing.

-After this find, I wanted to find a digital synthesizer for putting together some beats and rhythms to practice with. While I've found a program, I am awful with it. I found the FLStudio demo, which seems to be pretty in depth, but I am pretty much garbage when it comes to actually trying to come up with something that doesn't immediately give me a headache. Though, through all of this its made me think that taking an electronic music, and music production class at some point would probably allow me to really grow a bit and give me more confidence with what I do write. And I AM writing now. So watch out world. I'm not just talking about maybe-possibly-somehow doing it at some point in the near future anymore.

-Found a link from VGCats to this free game called Octodad the other day. Just watch the trailer and if you laughed as much as I did, you should go download it and try it out. Wacky and weird game.

-Oh and I saw the Dandy Warhols this past Sunday with Becca. It was pretty cool seeing live, but they were definitely visibly tired with this being the last show of their tour and Courtney just looking completely wiped. Zia kept up the energy though and it was nice to go to a rock concert that had people actually dancing and moving to the music, as opposed to the cool indie 'stand and look like you are above everyone' look. (And yes, I know everyone is dancing at the electronica and more dance oriented band shows).

Thats it for now, back to the books.

Oh yah, and if you haven't seen the stop motion Community, you need to.

NMT: Daft Punk's 'Tron: Legacy' Soundtrack

Now usually I start one of these reviews with a bit of my own personal background with the band and how I 'found' them and so on. But this is Daft Punk. Everyone and their mom knows them (including mine). My first album I owned of theirs was Discovery and I've been hooked since I was given it for Christmas of '01. That album has led to so many things ranging from arguments, dancing sessions, an inordinate amount of nostalgic conversations and good feelings.

Their other releases (Homework, Human After All, Alive 1997 & 2007) have similar good feelings and thousands of plays from my various audio devices. So needless to say, hearing word that Daft Punk would be involved with the score/soundtrack of the new Tron left me frothing at the mouth.

Now being familiar with their film work with Interstella 5555 and Electroma, I was fairly sure that this was not going to be a 'typical' Daft Punk album. Not that any of them have been typical when compared to their antecedent, its just that this was not going to be as much of an electronic pop album. Its the score to a film with appropriate drama and instrumentation to fit the epic visuals and feeling of a large scale sci-fi film.

Starting out with the overture, the album sets an appropriate tone for the rest of the album, with a somber and dark classical music styled progression with crashing symbols and a hint of digital distortion; coming off as a less bombastic 'Zarathustra' as seen through the eyes of the French electronic duo. This track sets the tone for the score which follows with amalgam's of digital effects and full outright orchestration, providing strong and moving soundscapes that I am sure will more than back up the film when it is released on December 17th.

The album works well as a mood setter and has particularly energetic 'stand-out' tracks such as 'Derezzed' (which has just received a new music video release), 'End of the Line', and 'Arena' which gives you a taste of what the albums most electronic and energetic tracks will be built upon.

My only criticisms come as a Daft Punk fan looking for individual tracks to pick out and play for friends and in the car, but I won't let those mar how I view this album. As the track 'The Game has Changed' is named, the album and music must be viewed differently. Daft Punk have always been something different in the pop music, dance and electronic scene. They are artists and this project is just further evidence that this duo can keep changing, and keep making memorable and forward thinking music. While I can't personally say its as enjoyable as Discovery (which is in my Island 5), it is of the par to keep it in the same league as the rest of their body of work and should not be dismissed like some music fans would discount Queen's 'Flash Gordon' soundtrack (though the theme song is SO catchy).

Daft Punk's 'Tron: Legacy' Soundtrack - > 4.5/5

Also an interesting fact; I saw an interview with Joseph Kosinski where he discussed how he asked Daft Punk to work with them, and they came to him with a full set of songs before even seeing any of the material. From the way he described it, the demos did not change very much and even ended up effecting the movie's production. These projects were developed in coordination with one another and I look forward to seeing how the music affects the pacing of the film in two weeks!

Is it just me or does the little Disney symbol kinda ruin the simple design of the cover?

NMT: Simian Mobile Disco's 'Delicacies'

This is the third studio album from the UK based electronica band and it definitely sets it self apart from the previous two electronic pop albums. This is sans-singing electronic album that sounds it best at loud volumes on headphones.

What you can take from the name and the names of the tracks is that this may have something to do with food, seeing as each track is named after some form of edible that at least some culture in the world would deem a 'delicacy'. Seeing that and keeping track of my foods as the album plots along let me really feel how these pieces all seemed to be composed with that particular dish in mind. Now without lyrics, how would you do that?

Well with track one "Aspic", the beat has a noticeably bouncy quality. I know. A bouncy beat and that is easy to bob ones head to. That sounds like electronica. True, but its particular bouncy-ness adds a bit of wiggle with some of the more interesting synth effects used. This only lead me to look up/remember what exactly aspic is. A gelatinous meat-salad of sorts. Needless to say, I laughed a bit and it only made me appreciate it even more.

The rest of the tracks follow this same sort of concept. If you pay attention to the title and keep mind of it, you'll be able to come to your own conclusions on how you see the dish in mind exemplified within the music. These are sonically interesting and full sounding and have no lack of thumping bass, thus this album shouldn't turn off old fans too much, though I could see how the lack of a more easy to pick out pop song could distract some listeners. It is definitely album thats more rewarding with the more thought you put into it, unlike many musical peers of the artist duo.

As far as the instrumentation goes, it is still as aggressive and dark as most of their previous work, just minus the pop-song structuring. Taking away the voices has allowed them to explore more as electronic artists and this is what Delicacies really is. An electronic music concept album thats succeeding at getting you to bob your head while simultaneously allowing them to explore their own artistic thoughts without having the pressure of delivering a new club hit like "Hustler".

But they aren't one to go down with an album that doesn't have something that is immediately applicable to playing in front of the wanting crowd, so the second disc (51 minute long 9th track on digital download) is a mix of Delicacies prepared properly for mass consumption.

Simian Mobile Disco - Delicacies -> 4.1/5

If you're interested in an... interesting video of theirs, watch this. Though if you're a vegetarian, you would probably prefer to not watch. It has one of those "I want to stop watching, but I keep watching for some reason" vibe. So yes, its a bit creepy and probably not safe for work unless you want some judgmental looks.

*Bonus* NMT: Smashing Pumpkins' 'Teargarden by Kaleidyscope, Vol. 2: The Solstice Bare'

The second volume of the Smashing Pumpkins' *cough* (Billy Corgan's), massive 11 volume project by the name of Teargarden by Kaleidyscope was released in limited edition vinyl and cd sets. This makes the overall title of the four song piece, Teargarden by Kaleidyscope, Vol. II: The Solstice Bare. Yes. Thats a mouthful.

Only two of this collection have been released for free public consumption and downloading via their website ('Freak' and 'Spangled'), but it is possible to listen to the first and third tracks on YouTube.

Since there are only four songs I'll do individual reviews of each.

'The Fellowship' starts off this selection of four with an erratic keyboard riff that builds up the powerful chorus belting out "are you with us tonight?", which, thematically, is a pretty good way to draw the listeners in and get them excited for the rest of the package. Fortunately the song itself escalates enough in sound and presence to earn the songs title and chorus. Its appropriately bombastic and grandiose, similar to (but not nearly as epic sounding as Vol. I's first track, 'Song for a Son').

Following up 'The Fellowship' is the current single 'Freak' that has apparently been floating around. For those of you who did not thumb your nose at Zwan, you'll like this track. Its ability to be heavy and uplifting at the same time, coupled with Corgan's signature voice just immediately launches pictures of white backgrounds with rainbow guitars flying every which way. Not much to say other than 'Freak' could have easily been squashed between 'Endless Summer' and 'Baby Lets Rock!' on Mary, Star of the Sea.

'Tom Tom' starts off smoothly and flows into a chorus more along the vibes of that of Infinite Sorrow era Pumpkins, while not sticking to old formulas. Lyrically mystical and distinctly Corganesque, this is my favorite of the four. Hopefully a higher quality is available for download on the website soon? (I'm talking to you Billy. Streaming from YouTube doesn't do you justice.)

Rounding out The Solstice Bare is 'Spangled', whose harpsichord love song beginning sets you up for a music genre meandering song that borders on a medley of musical styles. Just listen. Strings come in and out, horns mutedly accent the pre-chorus and then it all ends in an intimate sounding, warmly distorted measure on the guitar. This is a well crafted song and a great pop piece that would appeal to a lot of different people.

Smashing Pumpkins' Teargarden by Kaleidyscope, Vol. II: The Solstice Bare-> 4.7/5

If you go to their site, you can download the 7 of the 8 total tracks off of Volumes I and II.

NMT: Röyksopp's 'Senior'

Röyksopp's latest album Senior is the follow up to last years fun, guest heavy, pop-electronica album Junior in more ways than chronology.

The Norweigan duo used Junior as a platform for exhibiting and displaying the raucous, energetic, all frills side to their music which has been present since the beginning. The addition of vocals and heavier, faster, danceable, and hook laden tracks showed a dimension that the duo had alluded to on past albums Melody A.M. and The Understanding. With those moods fully fledged and explored, they were aptly named Junior to exemplify the youthful energetic aspects of their musicality.

Where Senior comes in is as more of a counterpoint, than a follow up. A yang to Junior's yin. Where Junior was youthful and exuberant and sporadic, Senior is a carefully developed electronic soundscape virtually devoid of any of the dance beats and youth of the previous album. It is an example of a sound maturing not unlike (at least to me) the comparison of Brian Eno's work with Roxy Music, and his later ambient albums. Its not better or worse. Its an evolution. You can hear in the album, Röyksopp exploring with many of the methods they used on their freshman and sophomore albums. Applying their earlier sensibilities to the more developed Junior pallet, has their sound ending up sounding wiser. Slowed down, toned down, with hardly any hooks other than the retouching of Junior's 'Tricky Tricky' with 'Tricky Two'.

Another way you could compare these albums and thus understand Senior more as a whole would be to relate Junior to the first two thirds of a party. Its all energy, dancing, exciting, but it gets followed up with the more downplayed introspective end to the party. When most of the people have left and people are really sitting down and talking and getting to know eachother. Its cathartic and ends up feeling a bit deeper. This is how Senior feels to me. Its definitely meant to be ingested as a whole and leaves me feeling how I think Röyksopp meant for it to.

'The Alcoholic' at five minutes long, sounds as if it has been at least a bit influenced by the Boards of Canada, and that is not a bad thing. This track and 'Tricky Two' are the most standout tracks on the album, but that doesn't undermine its value as a whole. If you want an album experience that allows you to really think a bit introspectively, as well as wonder what their motivations and inspirations were, you will love Senior.

Röyksopp's Senior-> 4.4/5

Oh and the video for 'The Drug' is pretty interesting. Check it out.

Cold apartment? Time to bake.

In the interest of furthering my ever-behind culinary skills, I picked up some cake mix and icing mix at Trader Joe's about a month back. Then I wanted to make the cake. This was when I realized that I didn't have any cake pans, making me delay my baking expedition even moreso. Needless to say, after getting the pans and realizing I was not too worried about an upcoming test, and motivated to make something nice for Becca, I finally followed the instructions and made an actual cake.

For the first time.

Yes, taking a picture was an afterthought of chowing down.

Yes, I've helped people make cakes and cupcakes and muffins over time, but I've never really held the reigns and I was a bit intimidated coming into my first time doing so. I know. No biggie. But considering the love and lust I have for baked goods, let alone CHOCOLATE baked goods, you have to understand realizing that I have the ability to churn out my own morsels of happiness is an exciting thing. This is not the end of this. It feels like the floodgates have opened, and its honestly more exciting than cooking to me. While I like thinking of various sauces and experimenting a little with food, the sugary-baked things are just a bit more tantalizing to me than the cooking. This could change. But for now I'll blame my Mom. And my Dad for giving me all the trouble for not getting the cooking merit badge while I was in Scouts.

A pleasant benefit to the baking was its ability to act as another heater in the apartment. These are colder times in Portland, with the high this past weekend being 38 and tomorrow's high being 30! You know what that means? Snow. I finally live in a place with snow. Albeit its only supposed to be a couple inches, but rest assured I'm taking pictures tomorrow. It should be nice lighting too as its going to be partly sunny after the snowfall of the night.

Another pleasant side effect of a colder apartment are scenes like this:

Becca-made curtains in the back! Oh, and a cute cat and girlfriend.

Anyways, I'm glad to be trying to get this writing more consistent than just music reviews. Though I enjoy those too and I'm looking forward to tomorrow's new album. I'll be reviewing Senior, Royksopp's follow up to 2009's Junior (a personal favorite).

NMT: Stereolab's 'Not Music'

The last Stereolab album I had was Emperor Tomato Ketchup and it served up at least a few months of repeated listening when I first discovered it my freshman year of college. That was an amazing album that I would rate at about a 95%, so, with my limited knowledge of the rest of their work, that album will be my reference. Now I know this album is made up from the remainders of the recordings used to make 2008's Chemical Chords, but I'm aiming to look at this objectively as its own album.

Now I do like the general whimsical quality of their more standard tracks, I do get a little bored with the opening track, 'Everybody's Weird Except Me'. While I like Stereolab a lot already, hearing a song that sounds like their sound generalized and homogenized down into an odd summary of the sound just doesn't work for me. It sounds more like someone trying to describe their sound, than it actually sounding like them.

Moving past the negative part, the entire album is not at all in line with this.The second track is a bit tame until it evolves at the break down with a bit of Herbie Hancock-esque funky instrumentation. This is when the album really started to grab my attention a bit more. 'Silver Sands' is another hi-light of the album embracing a bit more experimental sound for them with some thumping synths sounding like it'd be at home in a TRON landscape.

While the album itself is definitely a pleasant listen, I have just had a hard time being 'wowed' by it. It has its high points that you would likely be different than what I notice, but as far as having a funkier, jazzier pop album to listen to when you're not really paying attention, you could do better and listen to one of their older albums. Its still enjoyable, but leaves me feeling a bit unfulfilled.

Stereolab's Not Music-> 3.4/5

But who knows, with the way things go for me, I could see myself coming back to this entry and adding that after numerous listens I realized my previous feelings were completely unfounded. Meh.

High Fidelity

Finally getting around to a life-related update as opposed to the impersonal NMT reviews I've been doing, here is an update.

Rebecca and I have been putting a lot of work into sprucing up our little downtown Portland apartment to really feel more like home so we've done a little IKEA-ing and a lot of simplifying and reorganizing. Highlights are Becca's beautiful curtains she made for the front room, some bought light-eliminating curtains for the bedroom (sleep tight :)), a much-needed bookshelf, wall hangers for my guitars, and a nice lamp for ambiance and such. Pictures of all of these changes and such will follow, hopefully with some pictures of the pretty fall colors before they're all slimy on the ground.

What this update really is more about is that I finally got to set up my record player that I bought a couple months ago. Along with that, I found the old poster sticky material I still have left over from the dorms for helping me lay the cables for the surround sound around the room. I have to say. Nice smooth vinyl sound through the well set-up (imho) surround system coupled with a good amount of hard surfaces makes for a decent listening room.

Record player. Cheap, but good old records. Becca's cool gold-painted stand. Good times.

A side effect of having the record player available for ready use meant that we had to go raid a local record store for more records. Luckily we found Everyday Music's bargain section. 50 cents a piece with Oregon's lack of sales tax makes collecting old beat up records not very harsh on my wallet. With my nine records for $9.60 and Becca's eight for $9.00 even, I'd say we did pretty well.

$18.60 worth of good decisions.

My purchases: 2001, A Space Odyssey score; Bad Company's 'Straight Shooter'; Jim Croce's 'Life and Times'; Dire Straits' 'Dire Straits'; The Doobie Brothers' 'Taking it to the Streets'; The Doors 'Strange Days'; Heart 'Little Queen'; Jethro Tull 'Aqualung'; Warren Zevon's 'Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School'

Becca's conquests: Donavon in Concert; The Best of the Lovin' Spoonful; Joni Mitchell's 'For the Roses'; Simon and Garfunkel's 'Bridge Over Troubled Water'; Cat Steven's 'Tea for the Tillerman' and 'Teaser and the Firecat'; a collection of Renaissance instrumentals; Puccini

Overall a good haul and lots of good repeated listening times are ahead.

Oh. And here's a picture of the cat looking for attention when we were taking pictures.

Silly Samwise.

NMT: Invisible Hand's 'Invisible Hand'

New Music Tuesday has become just NMT, since I do it consistently enough, I deem it worthy of shortening.

This week I found an exciting new band's debut full album (not to discount their various smaller releases over the past couple years). Fronted by Adam Smith (heh heh, get it, Adam Smith and the Invisible Hand), this band hits me in pretty much all the right places. This good impression was improved especially when looking them up and finding they would love to be described as influenced by The Kinks (a personal favorite). Though I don't find too much to be similar in their sound, I can see the influence of the spirit of that mid-late 60's garage-pop-rock sound, mostly exemplified by the energetic band accompanying the much more modern sounding voice.

While I don't think I could venture out and say that this is 'the new sh*&', I am definitely happy with this album. Witty lyrics coupled with solid production and composition fills the album with the more experimental sounds arriving in the first half of the tracklist.

'Two Chords' starts off the album with an introspective tone, and is appropriately followed by the energetic 'There's Room In My Will', which lets you know a little more of the tempo and sound they seem to be the most comfortable with.

I could talk plenty about the rest of the album, but I think I can just save you the time by just suggesting the album to you in that this is a great rock album. Not rawk. Just good rock and roll with solid songwriting, melodic hooks, fun tempo changes, and some decent harmonizing. You'll do yourself a favor dropping the $10 or so on this.

Invisible Hand- 'Invisible Hand'-> 4.6/5

And as a suggestion. Try listening loudly through a surround sound system. Theres a lot of the production you will miss without the proper listening device.

New Music Tuesday: Brian Eno's 'Small Craft On A Milk Sea'

Brian Eno is one of those guys I've known about forever. Heard about forever. Probably even laughed at jokes about his ambient records and talent in recording an album with everyone ever. Hell, the only album I listened to with his name on it before was his 2008 project with David Byrne. I tried to listen to some Roxy Music, but it didn't pull me in right away.

But this. Wow. When I heard 'ambient' and 'instrumental', I didn't think of music that would be very volatile or moody. I thought of light, thoughtful soundscapes barely above the par set by those Target ambient CD booths. Obviously I'm an idiot.

The textures and sounds on this album are full and all encompassing, no matter what the mood is. While I enjoy the more whimsical beginning, I REALLY enjoy the descent into the darker moods in the title (and third) track. The album itself works as an emotional roller coaster with '2 Forms of Anger' being the emotional downhill speeding car. It builds emphatically from a tense thumping to a cacophony of sound and adrenaline at ~2:09.

The album works itself back to a greater, but suspicious calm with the immediately following 'Bone Jump'. The most I can say about this album is that each song elicits a specific and intended emotion and I love the way this 'background' music and influence the particular mood that I am in face experiencing. A very interesting album to drive with at a loud setting, and it definitely should be digested as a WHOLE. Not in single track snippets.

Brian Eno - 'Small Craft On A Milk Sea' -> 4.4/5

Listen to the whole album streaming here.

Fail Blog

Up until yesterday, I've been pretty consistent with my 'New Music Tuesday' bit. I've been wanting to do a bit more personal bits, as in, whats actually happening up here and that I'm not just focusing on music. Though it does pervade much of my time thinking...

Yesterday just didn't lend itself well to finding new music. I saw a few possibilities, but first of all: I didn't know that the new Keller Williams album titled 'Kids' would be a childrens music album. I know. You'd think I maybe could have thought of that beforehand, and while I enjoyed the tracks I heard, I didn't feel I could do a full review and be fair due to the only kids music I remember being some old Kenny Loggins or Rafi. So rather than compare 'Kids' to ringing banana phones and what not. I just didn't do it.

This last class (which is actually turning out to be more of a second to last class), needs more of my dedicated time. It just needs to be finished up, because the whole not working while Becca works 8-5, Mon-Fri is wearing on me. Not the most satisfying feeling like the bum at home all day. So I'm resolving myself to quicken my pace so that I can enter the workforce sooner than later and am looking into part time retail positions in the area. Also. Being inside the apartment all day just REEKS of cabin fever. Though I feel like I'm wasting my study time by taking walks or anything, and being a slight agoraphobe in a still-new city has been keeping me inside.

Becca's chair + neat lamp +guitar + window = VERY relaxing

Not to say I don't love it out there. Portland in fall is beautiful and not nearly as rainy as people are convinced it is up here. Its been in the 40's in the morning here, but the sun is still out and I am remembering again why I love fall so much. The colors. I did not realize until now that Santa Cruz had a dearth of deciduous trees. While I love the redwoods, I am loving the combination of the Pacific Northwest deciduous and evergreen trees.

We are fortunate enough to have a nice big old tree out of our second-story apartment for the view and blocking out some of the ugly buildings *cough* THE WELLS FARGO TOWER *cough*. The tree also draws a bit of attention from the local bird communities, which is tortuous, but entertaining for Samwise (our cat). Since I'm the one thats usually here during the day to watch his various antics, he frequently sits on the window sill staring up into the tree and doing that cat click-meow kind of thing. Anyways. Back to the books/pdf.

I think I've spent more time with pdf's and powerpoints in my entire college experience than with textbooks. Welcome to the future? Where is my hover board?

New Music Tuesday: Martina Topley-Bird's 'Some Place Simple'

I had a bit of trouble trying to find something to be interested in this week, searching my various sources for new albums this week. I'm pretty sure I listened to about 20 various new releases Myspace band pages that I would love to un-hear. Needless to say, I was very close to skipping this week's new release Tuesday.

That was until I found this. While I'm not even quite positive today was the release date, I don't really care at this point, because I was immediately drawn to Topley's sound.

The album's title is a perfect nomer (minus the mis-) with a toned down, simply orchestrated and beautifully vocalized collection of tracks.

In doing some simple research on her, I found her to be a collaborator on the first Tricky album, which would explain why her voice was a tid bit familiar. But rather, the tone she reminded me of, was of a slightly more subdued, yet sublime and more articulate Sia Furler (ala her album, 'Some People Have Real Problems').

All of the instrumentation are distinctly muted allowing MTB's voice to play center stage, which is perfect for overall sound. I don't have many albums that hit me fairly instantly as sounding this plain good immediately.

Interestingly enough, the album's architecture is part of what I find to be the most intriguing about the overall composition. The track titled 'Intro' is at number 7, letting me know that this whole time that the previous six tracks, MTB has been acting as her own warm-up act. And as promised and alluded to by the title 'Intro' its the beginning of a more upbeat and show stealing set of songs that treat the rest of the album as the main event.

Some highlights from this track set include the Nancy Sinatra's 'Bang Bang' inspired sound of 'Sandpaper Kisses', and the album finisher 'Harpsichord Kiss' sendoff track that leaves you feeling like the instrumental is pleasantly waving 'goodbye' and asking you to visit again sometime soon. Just an overall great album from an artist I'm glad to have just learned about today, and look forward to hearing more soon.

Martina Topley-Bird's 'Some Place Simple' -> 4.85/5

ADDENDUM: It turns out I didn't do enough research into her older albums to realize that this is a LIVE compilation album with just a few new tracks. However, considering it took me a while to find the information without noticing at all, I am even further impressed with the sound quality and clarity of the album.

New Music Tuesday: Belle and Sebastian's 'Write About Love'

Belle and Sebastian are one of those bands that I've heard about for years, had continually suggested to me, and even heard songs of and enjoyed what I heard. Yet, this is the first album of theirs I've actually really had a chance to absorb, so my history with them is the opposite of my review of the Mother Hips' 'Shootout'.

I did a little research ahead of writing in order to not feel completely ill-prepared to review an already successful and well received band's 8th album and was able to see all of the previous album covers. I was impressed with the similarly styled covers, letting me know that they seem to be consistent in image, which could definitely convince me to check out the rest of their discography if I really enjoyed this one.

And now to the music. The first track, 'I Didn't See it Coming' immediately draws you in with its simple but effective piano and drum accompaniment. But what really gets me here is the melody of the chorus in this song. I've been humming it the last couple days. Simple, but pretty and effective for an upbeat pop rock song. The song also has the chance to evolve in the bridge with some fun organ usage and noisy bits to make it really build up for its triumphant return to that hookiest of melodies decorating the chorus. Needless to say the album starts very strongly with this.

I appreciated the immediate chip tunes sound of the synth in the follow up track, 'Come on Sister'. While not quite as strong on its own and brain stealing as the hook in the previous track, it serves as a good B side to 'Coming's A side sound.

The next real standout song of the album would be 'I Want the World To Stop', coming in after the pallet cleansing 'Calculating Bimbo' (slow jam pop song akin to the 'Sun King' by The Beatles in vibe). 'I Want the World To Stop' would sound fairly natural on the next Broken Bells album, with Stuart Murdoch's voice sounding like he has a vocal brother in James Mercer. Also the beat and production of the piece sound exactly like what Burton was aiming for with Broken Bells' debut album earlier this year. Yet, I have the feeling that since this sounded so natural for Belle and Sebastian, and I do not have the benefit of knowing their previous albums to make a correct call, I'd bet Broken Bells were more inspired by B & S than the other way around.

Now I have a habit of falling for the more upbeat songs on albums before the quieter and more understated songs such as 'Little Lou, Ugly Jack, Prophet John', but they just don't stick out very much to me, especially when sandwiched between 'I Want the World To Stop' and the excellently executed 'Write About Love'. I definitely prefer the songs with both the female and male vocals on this album.

'I Can See Your Future's horn intro and walking bass line creates a fun pop experiment with the beat being periodically dropped and the airy female voice being accompanied by even more orchestra work. You can tell the band was really having fun with this, and that can only make the listener have fun with it as well.

Overall the album is a fun 11 song modern pop rock album that could do without a song or so to feel complete. Again, as someone not familiar with the rest of their work and not sure where it fits in with their other pieces, I am seeing this as a stand alone album. And by itself I see a well executed album with some definite standouts and unfortunately some more forgettable tunes, but giving a full listen will not leave you disappointed.

Belle and Sebastian - 'Write About Love' -> 4.1/5

If you haven't seen this video about the making of the album and some interviews with the band, check it out. Its fun and gives a bit more insight into where it came from.

The Mother Hips - 'Shootout'

What can I say? I'm excited to finally have the last piece to the puzzle of the Hips' discography finally in my grasp. I've been able to get all of their other albums either in the store, or via download, but this one has eluded me for years. I did have all of their collection once when the Ruckus music program was still online and let me tell you, when the site went under, my Mother Hips collection was sorely missed. This was four years ago, but I finally ordered it used from a vendor on Amazon.

This is the sound. As said perfectly on 'Honeydew', where they can really just let their trade off jam solo's and smooth vocals really take hold. I'm probably a bit jaded knowing that the live version is much more satisfying due to the four times I've seen them live.

For the most part the album feels new to me, since I did not really get a chance to absorb it all when it was available to me before. Aside from a few like 'Honeydew' that I recognize as being more common live, the album is filled with plenty of new Hips songs for me to digest and enjoy.

This is the album that led to their release from American records due to it not being the commercial success they had expected (as far as I understand), and while I understand that in 1994 this may have not been the sound to sell the numbers needed for economic success. However, for me I believe artistically and melodically, the record is quite satisfying and successful in these regards.

'Mother Hips' is an amazingly melodic and well put together piece that should only be able to mellow you out with clever lyrics and smooth guitar and some fun soloing near the end. Usually its a bit difficult, I think, to perform a song named after the band in question, but they succeed in making it not sounding trite in trying to define them. Similar to the way that Wilco started their most recent self-titled album, with their self-titled song. They both work in a way I wouldn't have expected.

Coming at this from more of the perspective of someone that is already very sold on the Hips and all that they do, this review is probably more of just my comparing it to other albums of theirs and enjoying it rightly so.

Soundwise, it seems to fit pretty rightly between 'Part-timer Goes Full's higher production value and the alt-country melodious 'Later Days'. 'Single Spoon' is a perfect example of more of their sound to come in their next album, while the follow up, 'So Much', would have sounded more in line with the material from 'Part-timer Goes Full'.

Basically the album is meeting and surpassing all of my expectations for it, in it being the last Hips album to round out my collection. I'm going to enjoy it being nestled in between 'Part-timer' and 'Later Days' when I do my chronological listen through on their albums every few weeks or so. Their sound is just something between the Beach Boys, Neil Young, and the Eagles to name a few, yet none of those comparisons feel satisfying or give these guys enough credit. They are their own, doing what they've been doing, better and better for 20 years and I look forward to the successor of 'Pacific Dust' and seeing them up here when they're in Portland.

Mother Hips - 'Shootout' -> 4.3/5

Birthday Cat

So, I was trying to think of something nice to do for my family's cat that is turning 15 today, as I can't be there to give her some nice petting and appreciation for the day. Here goes...

Happy Birthday Zoe Selene!

I know I won't be able to see her soon, but she's just been a great cat since we got her when I was in 3rd grade, and its been admittedly sad to see her less and less since leaving home for school in 2005. I miss her being used to wake me up in the morning for school since she has a penchant for the kneading on my chest and purring in my face behavior. Anyways, I figure this is as best a way as any to express missing a pet right? Even if she did end up adopting my Mom moreso than she was supposed to be my pet. But lets face it, a third grader with borderline ADD is probably not going to remember to change the catbox or feed the cat every day consistently. I'm mostly glad she's just made it through some of her tougher times and I look forward to seeing her again, so happy birthday Zoe!

Love,

Kyle