Surprise Me 44

This is Tunng.

Pronounced like tongue. It took me a bit to figure that out.

Anyways, this song, Surprise 44, is the last track from their debut, Mother's Daughter and Other Songs. This is a GREAT band and a FANTASTIC record.  Probably my favorite record of theirs and also maybe creeping up on the list of all time. That's not saying their later records aren't worth it. Quite the opposite! But for some reason I could listen to this record for day on end and never tire of it. I've heard their music described as folktronica, but that just sounds so...bleh. This is so much more than that to me. Please, please, please check this one out!

10_Suprise_Me_44.m4a Listen on Posterous

Song of the Week-Rocket Flare

Comet is a local band from back in the day.  A great band.  I picked up the 45 for this song when it came out and hunted down Chandelier Musings, that this song is on also.  When I tried to catch them live, they always seemed to have to cancel.  Comet took a break around 1997 or 98, I think?  I figured they were gone for good when an excellent EP came out called Feathers from the WIng in 2005.   Naturally, I was super excited for shows and a new record, but nothing materialized.  Everything I can find on them suggests to me that they're not in any hurry, that their lives and familes are the'r main priority.  And they make great spacey, dreamy, beautiful pop songs that never get old to me.  If you like this song, I suggest trying to track down their stuff it doesn't disappoint.

 

Enjoy!  

  
Download now or listen on posterous

01_rocket_flare.m4a (3814 KB)

Saturday Stuff-Oak Cliff

Still not a good title, but it's been a busy week this month.  I still have grand plans to update more often.  The annoying ice and then the subsequent mad rushes to get everything that was shut down by the weather done has crimped those plans.  But no more whining by me.  I'm gonna get whip this thing into shape.

I'm going to be sifting through stuff that I'd saved to my Instapaper app for a while.  This way I actually get through it and anything interesting I can share!  (On a side note, I picked Instapaper up with a giftcard not too long ago, but I've been using the free version before that and it's one of those indispensible apps for me.)  This is an article singing the deserved praises about the wonderful things to find in Oak Cliff.  The Bishop Arts district has really taken off and will soon be, if not already, one of those secrets that won't stay that way too much longer.  There are tons of adventures to be had out there.  I won't comment too much farther so as not too steal thunder from the piece, but we've only just begun to explore out there and I can't wait to go back.

Here ya go...clicky!

The FLaming Lips!!!

My wife was wonderful enough to get me a ticket to a Flaming Lips concert for an early Valentine's Day gift.  I absolutely LOVE this band and their live show.

What I Saw

Santa using the ATM:

Wayne Coyne in a bubble:

Confetti and disco balls:

Wayne Coyne:

Riding a bear and singing:

DJ Lance Rock dancers:

Dancers with a giant worm:

Wayne with giant hands:

Laser hands and disco balls:

Giant hands:

What I Heard

A great set with a mix of tunes from The Soft Bulletin, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, and the amazing Embryonic.

They were loud and full of energy. They packed the full, crazy spectacle of their live show into the Palladium. I have only seen them once before and it was just was irreverent.  Balloons are constantly tossed out, the audience is engaged, they are tight musicians: a celebration of life that is worth every penny.  I highly recommend, if you're into the psychedelic rock the Flaming Lips perform, that you do not miss the chance to see them live.

And they managed to drive away the winter weather, at least for a bit.  Throughout the evening, Mr. Coyne repeated his hope that we would all be snowed in for the night, all of us trapped at the show.  Although this held great appeal, it stressed me out as I had been battling my fear of driving in our recent rash of ice.  By showtime, however, the streets in downtown Dallas were mostly clear.  We had a forecast calling for a light dusting of snow after midnight, but it wasn't supposed to amount to much.

By now we all know they were wrong.  Near the end of the set, after my wife texted me that snow had begun, Wayne noted that it was snowing like crazy and his wish was going to happen.  But the show ended soon after, and although we weren't snowed in, there was more than a light dusting on the ground.  More like two inches of snow and it was falling heavily.

It was the longest and most frightening drive of my life.  Snow was covering the streets, I was driving around 15 mph and sliding around.  I missed my exit on the freeway and had to circle through downtown just to get on the right path again. Every time I tried to follow someone and stay in their treads, they left me in the snow. People were passing me like it was no big deal, but I know that they were really lunatics.  Ice froze to the windshield wipers and I had to hunch down in the drivers seat just to see what passed for the street.  My stomach was in knots, but I was praying all the way, blasting KLTY, whatever I could do to keep from panicking.  It took me an hour and a half to travel about twenty miles, but it was definitely an adventure!

Article Saturday?

Not a catchy title. I need to work on that, but in my continuing effort to update this baby, I thought maybe doing an article or news piece that I found interesting on a weekly basis would be cool. This article is about 8 months old. I've had it saved in the hope of reading it and I finally got around to it!

Anyway, in light of all the budget cuts our cities/states/nation may be facing regarding education, it feels timely. Or I'm just way off in my own world.

At any rate, I wanna get back to my wife, so here's The Creativity Crisis.

Song of the Week

Ok, so there's no real reason for me wanting to post thing song other than I really like it and it comes off a great record.  This is "there are seagulls who live in parking lots" by Skeletons and the Girl-Faced Boys.  The record is called "Git" on the Ghostly International label and it is fantastic.  I picked this one up years ago based soley on the description I read in an email newsletter and I wasn't disappointed.  This record is weird, poppy, exciting, surprising...and this song is more of a mellower cut from the record.

Thind band has changed it's name to Skeletons and the Kings of All the Cities, then just Skeletons, and now it's Skeleton$?  THose name changes really make it hard to track down new stuff from them and  I haven't heard too much from them in a while.  Searching for them while I write this down, I hope I've stumbled across new music of theirs that has escaped my radar.  Even if not, I've at least tracked 'em down!

Enjoy!    

  
Download now or listen on posterous

06_-_There_Are_Seagulls_Who_Live_In_Parking_Lots.mp3 (9541 KB)

Song of the Week

Ok, so there's no real reason for me wanting to post thing song other than I really like it and it comes off a great record.  This is "there are seagulls who live in parking lots" by Skeletons and the Girl-Faced Boys.  The record is called "Git" on the Ghostly International label and it is fantastic.  I picked this one up years ago based soley on the description I read in an email newsletter and I wasn't disappointed.  This record is weird, poppy, exciting, surprising...and this song is more of a mellower cut from the record.

Thind band has changed it's name to Skeletons and the Kings of All the Cities, then just Skeletons, and now it's Skeleton$?  THose name changes really make it hard to track down new stuff from them and  I haven't heard too much from them in a while.  Searching for them while I write this down, I hope I've stumbled across new music of theirs that has escaped my radar.  Even if not, I've at least tracked 'em down!

Enjoy!    

  
Download now or listen on posterous

06_-_There_Are_Seagulls_Who_Live_In_Parking_Lots.mp3 (9541 KB)

Winner Winner CHicken Dinner

At some point last year I became somewhat obsessed with entering contests. Any contest I came across I would throw my name into the hat. I used to ignore them, always thinking that other people won contests, or that they were rigged, or that I'm cursed and would never win anything anyways. But somebody's gotta win these things, right? I can't really explain what changed, but I entered one and then another, and another, so on and so forth. I think it was winning one that fed what is probably an obsession by now. Trying to remember which one started it all, but the reality is that I enter so many now, it's hard to keep track.

Now this isn't one of those "look at how cool I am I win things and you don't" kind of thing! I really NEVER expect to win anything. When I do, it's always a great surprise and blessing. Our family has been able to experience a lot of great things that we otherwise would not be able to afford. I've been blessed with discounts at hotels, iTunes cards, some clothes, tickets to lots of musicals and symphonies, etc. We really do see these as different ways that God has blessed us and that these come from Him.

Many people have told me that it's luck, but I don't really agree. I don't win WAY more than I do. I don't believe the luck thing because there is one prize that I have been hustling hard for over the past year with no results.

And that is the iPad. I won't write about what an iPad is because I am confident that the marketing and PR department at Apple have done an adequate enough job so that not only do you know what I am writing about, but you also feel the gadget lust for one. Or maybe you're reading this on one right now. Who's lucky now? :)

Anyways, I'm going to pick a few of the more fun things we've won and blog those in detail over time, along with other adventures on which our family has embarked.

Wish me luck!

How I Spent My Christmas Vacation or Squeezing Blood from a Genetic Freak

I had my first appointment with a local doctor to get an assortment of blood tests ran per the request of McScreamy.   This would be the first time I had set foot inside a family doctor's office in years.   I get all the regular pokes and prods, but I'm constantly worried about needles.  The list of tests McScreamy wants ran is like a mile long so I imagine that my arm's going to be stuck somewhere around 9 bajillion times.

"You know, if you guys are out of needles, I really won't be upset," I reassure the nurse, trying not to give away my phobia of needles.  "I can always come back another time."

"I don't think that'll be a problem," she replies, and I swear I can see the bloodlust in her eyes.

The doctor comes in and she's really cool.  Like Fonzie cool.   She explains the tests in greater detail and without all the screaming.   There'll be regular blood screens, a cystic fibrosis screening, and some on depth looks at my generic code.  A cornucopia of tests, if you will.

"You know, you can have irregularities in your genes and still look normal," Fonz shares.  Finally, a medical opinion that I am normal looking-ish!

This test is to find if there's something deep down that might be messing with seed quality, if ya know what I mean.   Makes me feel like an X-Man whose power is producing freakishly unviable sperm.  Like Steve.

After giving up on them being out of needles, I man up and ask Dr. Fonz exactly how many times I'm going to end up getting poked with a needle.  She assures me that there'll only be the one sticking.

She leaves to send the nurse back and I'm a little relieved.  Once.  Whew!   I can do this!

Enter the nurse again, carrying two trays filled with vials of all different sizes like she just came from Willy Wonka's medical supply cabinet.

I eye her suspiciously as she says, "OK, if you can roll up your sleeve for me? We're going to be taking nine blood samples."

NINE?!  But Fonzarelli said....

Oh, yeah.  There's only one needle.  They just change out vials.

Well played, Fonz.  Well played.

So I stare at the door as if penguins are jumping through it and Nurse Bloodthirsty asks if I've eaten anything.

Nope.  Nothing.  Sweet!  I'm gonna be all woozy after this bloodletting!

Alas, all that blood and no hallucinations to show for it.   No cookie either, by the way.

Over the next few weeks, my results slowly trickle in.   Slightly high cholesterol ("cut down on red meat," the nurse says over the phone after I just finished a plate of barbecue), no cystic fibrosis, and just negative on my DNA stuff.  And no answers!

Song of the Week

This is Grown by The Seven Fields of Aphelion.  Her debut album, Periphery, is beautiful and perfect for the weather this week.  She plays in Black Moth Super Rainbow, but this is her solo debut, if I'm not mistaken.  I learned of this album from the fine folks at Good Records, where you should pick this one up.  I was too late to grab a white vinyl copy, but the CD is gorgegous.  Enjoy. 

  
Download now or listen on posterous

02_Grown.mp3 (13168 KB)

They're Here!! They're Here!!

How I Spent My Christmas Vacation or Squeezing Blood from a Genetic Freak

I had my first appointment with a local doctor to get an assortment of blood tests ran per the request of McScreamy.   This would be the first time I had set foot inside a family doctor's office in years.   I get all the regular pokes and prods, but I'm constantly worried about needles.  The list of tests McScreamy wants ran is like a mile long so I imagine that my arm's going to be stuck somewhere around 9 bajillion times.

"You know, if you guys are out of needles, I really won't be upset," I reassure the nurse, trying not to give away my phobia of needles.  "I can always come back another time."

"I don't think that'll be a problem," she replies, and I swear I can see the bloodlust in her eyes.

The doctor comes in and she's really cool.  Like Fonzie cool.   She explains the tests in greater detail and without all the screaming.   There'll be regular blood screens, a cystic fibrosis screening, and some on depth looks at my generic code.  A cornucopia of tests, if you will.

"You know, you can have irregularities in your genes and still look normal," Fonz shares.  Finally, a medical opinion that I am normal looking-ish!

This test is to find if there's something deep down that might be messing with seed quality, if ya know what I mean.   Makes me feel like an X-Man whose power is producing freakishly unviable sperm.  Like Steve.

After giving up on them being out of needles, I man up and ask Dr. Fonz exactly how many times I'm going to end up getting poked with a needle.  She assures me that there'll only be the one sticking.

She leaves to send the nurse back and I'm a little relieved.  Once.  Whew!   I can do this!

Enter the nurse again, carrying two trays filled with vials of all different sizes like she just came from Willy Wonka's medical supply cabinet.

I eye her suspiciously as she says, "OK, if you can roll up your sleeve for me? We're going to be taking nine blood samples."

NINE?!  But Fonzarelli said....

Oh, yeah.  There's only one needle.  They just change out vials.

Well played, Fonz.  Well played.

So I stare at the door as if penguins are jumping through it and Nurse Bloodthirsty asks if I've eaten anything.

Nope.  Nothing.  Sweet!  I'm gonna be all woozy after this bloodletting!

Alas, all that blood and no hallucinations to show for it.   No cookie either, by the way.

Over the next few weeks, my results slowly trickle in.   Slightly high cholesterol ("cut down on red meat," the nurse says over the phone after I just finished a plate of barbecue), no cystic fibrosis, and just negative on my DNA stuff.  And no answers!

My Belated Top Records in 2010

Ok, so this is a little late. And not in the format I originally set out to do. And most of you probably don't care. But none of that's going to stop me.

I always love reading favorite records of the year lists. They're a great way of discovering new artists and, let's be honest, I like to feel cool when something I like is on someone's list. Anyways, I thought that since I'm doing this whole blog thing an really trying to crank out more updates (really shooting for daily!) that I'd make my own top ten list of my favorite records of the year.

I had no idea how hard paring down to ten would be. I considered doing a few lists. I considered twenty. I considered abstaining from the records that seemed to be on all the lists. In the end, I just couldn't pare it down and time was still ticking. So I just went with a list of my fave records of this year with no limit. Maybe next year I'll allow myself more time and discipline myself to ten. Or twenty.

So, in no particular order:

Kanye West-My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Sufjan Stevens-The Age of Adz/All Delighted People
Jonsi-Go
The National-High Violet
Arcade Fire-The Suburbs
Deerhunter-Halcyon Digest
Beach House-Tenn Dream
Spoon-Transference
The Walkmen-Lisbon
Neil Young-Le Noise
Quasi-American Gong
Broken Bells-Broken Bells
Land of Talk-Cloak and Cipher
Sarah Jaffe-Suburban Nature
LCD Soundsystem-This Is Happening
Sharon Van Etten-Epic
Zoe Keating-Into the Trees
Titus Andronicus-The Monitor
Flying Lotus-Cosmogramma
Marnie Stern-Marnie Stern
Antony and the Johnsons-Swanlights
Sleigh Bells-Treats
Janelle Monae-The ArchAndroid
Erykah Badu-New Amerykah, Pt 2: Return of the Ankh
Brad Laner-Natural Selections
The Seven Fields of Aphelion-Periphery
Four Tet-There is Love in You
Joanna Newsom-Have One on Me
Wolf Parade-Expo 86
Surfer Blood-Astro Coast
Local Natives-Gorilla Manor
Jefre Cantu-Ledesma-Love is a Stream
Best Coast-Crazy for You
Buke and Gass-Riposte
Vampire Weekend-Contra
The Radio Dept-Clinging to a Scheme
Julian Lynch-Mare
Wild Nothing-Gemini
Delorean-Subiza
Tame Impala-Innerspeaker
The Roots-How I Got Over
Mumford & Sons-Sigh No More
Toro Y Moi-Causers of This
ceo-White Magic
John Legend & the Roots-Wake Up!
Big Boi-Sir Lucious Left Foot...The Son of Chico Dusty
The Amazing-Wait for a Light to Come
Gungor-Beautiful Things

Well, there ya go! A huge, ineffectual list! :) Please feel free to suggest more cause I'm always on the lookout for new stuff!