Lovin' every minute 'cause you make me feel so alive

I know I've done a lousy job of posting on here over the course of the past year, but it seems like I'd really have given up and left this blog to the dogs if I didn't post my annual list of my favorite albums of the year.  So, without further adieu, here they are:

There were a lot of albums by old favorites that I wanted to like a lot better than I did (I'm looking at you Franz Ferdinand, Nine Inch Nails and Pearl Jam).

Honorable Mentions:  Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Specter at the Feast; Josh Ritter - The Beast in its Tracks; The Lone Bellow; Rogue Wave - Nightingale Floors; Vampire Weekend - Modern Vampires of the City.

10: Phoenix - Bankrupt!

I don't really have much to say about this album other than that the band has maintained its ability to entertain with catchy tunes.  A pretty good album to listen to while running.  Which reminds me, I ran a half marathon and completed a triathlon this year.  I need to figure out another race to sign up for so that I'll start exercising again instead of becoming a fat slob again.

9: Frightened Rabbit - Pedestrian Verse

I don't think I could ever get tired of the song lyrics these guys come up with.  Brutally honest.  "Let's tell every girl we marry that we'll always love them when we probably won't."  Maybe I'm jaded, but I prefer this kind of realistic attitude to the sappy love songs that clog the airwaves.

8. The National - Trouble Will Find Me

Sometimes life isn't fair.  Like this summer when I had to choose between seeing these guys for $5, or seeing My Morning Jacket, Wilco, and Bob Dylan perform.  Of course I chose the latter concert, and I don't regret it, but I heard that The National killed it.  I suppose there are worse problems to have in life.  Still, it would've been nice to make it to both shows.







7. Eels - Wonderful, Glorious


This year I read E's autobiography 'Things the Grandchildren Should Know.'  I read it right after a break-up, which probably wasn't the best move since it's quite depressing.  (I was warned: Do not read this when you're depressed!)  Not sure how that he hasn't killed himself with the life he's had.  Take home message:  Life sucks, but the good can outweigh the bad, and when it does, it's beautiful.  Truth.





6. Kurt Vile - Wakin on a Pretty Daze


Kurt Vile is awesome.  That is all.  Not many people can pull off nine minute songs that I never get sick of hearing, but he's done it here.  Perfect music for winding down at the end of a long busy day.  For reals.







5. Dawes - Stories Don't End


I was working in the lab one day when I got a text from a master's student I'd trained who had graduated and started a PhD program in Oregon:  "Have you heard the new Dawes?  Just My Luck seems like it was written specifically for you."  I downloaded it.  He was right.  "Just my luck, I never said I loved you.  Just my luck, it completely slipped my mind."





4. Blitzen Trapper - VII

I've only seen these guys perform once, when they opened for Wilco a couple of summers ago.  I had tickets to another show, but had a conflict and gave them to my friend.  He later told me it was a top five concert experience for him.  Of course it was.  They came again this Fall, but as luck would have it, it was a couple weeks after I moved to the mid-west.  Oh yeah, I moved to the mid-west this year.  Kill me.

3. Phosphorescent - Muchacho

This album has my favorite song of the year: Song For Zula.  It's beautiful.  One morning, I listened to it on repeat while watching the sun rise over the Sea of Cortez.  You can't beat that type of experience (when the beauty of the world syncs up with art).  You just can't.  I'll go back to that beach sometime this summer, but won't be able to capture that moment again.  Hopefully there will be a new, similar moment.

2. The Strokes - Comedown Machine

If it's not obvious from my last blurb, I spent some time in Mexico this year.  5 1/2 weeks to be exact.  One night, after we'd finished processing samples from a field site, we went to a bar next to our hotel. The bar owner played this entire album while we played pool.  I suck at pool, btw.  I don't suck at making requests though.  Even if I don't speak the language.   

1. Empire of the Sun - Ice on the Dune

Before this summer, I'd only heard one song by this band.  I went to their concert anyway.  It was only $5, and a group of friends were excited about it.  It was the best show I saw this year, and that's saying a lot considering it topped The Flaming Lips, and the My Morning Jacket/Wilco/Bob Dylan show.  I couldn't stop listening to this album for like six weeks.  The only bad thing is that it's now permanently associated with my move to Iowa.  Probably not the best association to have.  (Although I will say that the people there are great, my new boss is totally awesome, and I get to spend a few months a year in Mexico, so life is pretty good right now.  That's all.)

I hope that 2014 treats you all well.  

Happiness it comes at the strangest time, it's true, I don't know what comes now

Well, well, well, would you look at that?  It's the last day of the year and I still haven't compiled a list of my favorite albums of 2012.  I know you care.  I still have time, so here goes:

Honorable Mentions:  Garbage, Calexico, The Gaslight Anthem, The Silver Seas, Emperors, Mark Lanegan Band, Fanfarlo, Everest, and Glen Hansard.

(Oops, couldn't narrow it down to ten, so you get two extra this year.)

12.  The Wallflowers - Glad All Over

I was happy to see the band working together again after Jakob Dylan spent the last few years working on solo stuff (which was also good).  I probably haven't given this album enough listening time since I got it at the same time as a whole bunch of other music that I'm still slowly making my way through.  Not sure it truly belongs on my favorites of 2012 list for that reason, but I'm throwing it on there for old times' sake.  These guys were one of the bands that got me through my divorce.  True story.




11.  Band Of Horses - Mirage Rock

I was fortunate to see these guys play for the low, low price of $5 while they were on tour promoting this album.  They played the song Great Salt Lake (not on this album, but probably my favorite BoH song) twice.  My friends realized that none of us have ever floated in the Great Salt Lake, so we drove out there at midnight and swam as a thunder storm rolled in.  It was quite an amazing experience.




10.  John K. Sampson - Provincial

This is a fantastic solo album from the frontman of The Weakerthans.  I haven't heard his voice for a while as it's been quite some time.  The first time I listened to this album was very nostalgic for me, even though it was brand new.  How that makes sense, I have no idea, but there you go.  I texted an old friend to make sure he knew this was out.  Music has a funny way of getting me to reach out to people I haven't spoken to in years, apparently.



9.  Divine Fits - A Thing Called Divine Fits

A friend gave me this album, but at first I didn't take the time to listen to it all the way through.  When I'm at work I listen to my music on shuffle.  At least four different times I'd stop whatever I was doing in the lab to go look at who was playing, and this was the album cover that flashed up.  Great collaborative effort from some of the guys from Spoon and Wolf Parade, two styles that I didn't think would mesh, but somehow do.  Also, the album cover is pretty awesome.  Simplicity works.



8.  The XX - Coexist

Another simple album cover, another really good album from a band I finally got around to listening to despite plenty of recommendations from friends after their last album.  Seriously, if you haven't heard these guys yet, drop whatever you're doing and go listen.  You won't be disappointed.






7.  Kishi Bashi - 151A

One of my friends called me on the phone last Spring and told me to download this song ASAP.  I did.  I then listened to it in the car with a girl from my lab while we were en route to the Hare Krishna temple to pick up colors for the Holi Festival.  Talk about fitting.  Later in the year he came here on tour, and that same friend took me on a date to the show since her husband couldn't go with her.  We hung out afterward and I told him that Bright Whites is a song that makes me happy every time I hear it.  I think he thought I was weird, but whatever.


6.  The Shins - Port of Morrow

I don't think there has been an album by The Shins that I haven't liked.  This one is no exception.  I was bummed that I missed their concert this summer.  (Say what you will about Salt Lake City, but they do get their fair share of awesome concerts.)  This makes for good road trip music.






5.  Nada Surf - The Stars Are Indifferent To Astronomy

The album title is a mouthful, but this is another strong effort by Nada Surf.  Another band that came through and I missed out on.  I didn't even know they were here until the day of the concert, and of course by then it was too late.  I would've loved to have been at that show.  All my friends missed it as well.  What I'm saying is, we all suck.





4.  Sea Wolf - Old World Romance


I'm not sure I've listened to this album enough to have it ranked this high on my favorites list, but whatever.  It's good all the way through.  They'll be here during Sundance, and I'm going to do my best to make it to one of the three shows they'll be putting on.  I've heard they're amazing live.  One of my friends said seeing them perform vaulted them to second favorite band of all time.  That's a pretty strong statement to say the least.  Great, now my expectations are high.



3.  Alberta Cross - Songs of Patience

This one might also be ranked a bit lower if I wasn't so in love with the song Wasteland.  I dare you to listen to it and try to say something bad.  You can't.  It's amazing.  All of this band's albums are fantastic as well.  If you've never heard of them, I suggest you change that.






2.  The Walkmen - Heaven

Another $5 concert at the park last summer.  I hadn't yet listened to this album, but am a fan of their older work, so couldn't pass up the opportunity.  I convinced one of my colleagues to join me.  We were both impressed.  I'd say these guys have only gotten better through the years.  I purchased the album on iTunes as we left the park and walked back to the car.  I then proceeded to listen to it non-stop for about three weeks straight.

1.  Delta Spirit - Delta Spirit


Not only is this my favorite album of the year, but this was my favorite concert of the year.  The lead singer has so much energy (he's a little crazy, in my opinion).  The concert was on a Monday night.  He thanked us for joining the band on "the greatest Monday night of all time."  I probably wouldn't go that far, but it was a lot of fun.  They played until 1:30 a.m.  The last song he climbed up into the rafters and sang it while hanging upside down with his legs wrapped around the beam.  I honestly thought I was going to witness the show where he died.  Glad I didn't.  It would've ruined my night.  His too.



All things considered, 2012 was a good year.  Here's hoping that 2013 has more good things in store for all of us.  Happy New Year everybody!!!

There's been wasted hours and there's wasted days, I'm gonna waste a few more if I get my way

I hope you all had a good holiday season. I did. I went to Arizona and spent a little over a week with my kids. It's been a year since I was able to get that much time with them. It's not enough, but it'll have to do.

I decided when I left that I'd take a little detour and check out Monument Valley. I've been wanting to check it out ever since my cousin posted some pictures on Facebook, and my friend from Switzerland included it in her trip to the U.S. last summer. Plus I wanted to make my brother jealous that I was going to take some amazing pictures and he wasn't.

I definitely got some good shots, and he was definitely jealous:

You can get closer to the "full experience" if you listen to Blitzen Trapper's album American Goldwing while looking at those, btw. It was the perfect soundtrack.

I was pretty bummed about that last one. I wanted a good photo of the highway leading to the valley, but I approached from the south instead of the north, so I didn't get this until I'd been through the valley already, and the sun was too low. (And by the way, how bad does it suck that 3:30 p.m. is too late in the day to avoid a "sunset" shot?). Whatever. It's still kind of a cool picture, but maybe that will give me the incentive to make it back down there. I didn't see Forrest Gump anywhere. Or Wile E. Coyote. I figured I'd run into at least one of them.

After I left Monument Valley, I was apparently supposed to make a left turn somewhere in or around a town called Mexican Hat, but somehow I missed that and didn't realize it for about 30 miles. Rather than turn around, I just went ahead to Moab. It was the alternate route on my maps app, it only tacked on an extra hour or so, and it's not like I have anything terribly exciting to come home to anyway. I got some good BBQ in Moab, and my waitress was really hot, so it was definitely worth it. (I even left her a note - no, I won't hear from her.)

All in all, it was not a bad way to start off 2012.

Also, I bought a postcard to send my kids, and on the back wrote "Hey Assholes, see what you missed?" I'm a great father.

Midnight is coming and I wish that you were here

It's that time of year again. You know, the time when I tell you all my favorite music released over the year, and you don't really care, but I don't care that you don't care and keep doing it anyway because I'm annoying that way.

For some reason, there were albums put out by bands that I've liked for years that just didn't do it for me this time for some reason or other (e.g., They Might Be Giants, Stephen Malkmus, Radiohead, Iron & Wine, Gus Black, and Old 97's). It was still a good year for music though, and it was difficult to choose the list as really any of the lowest five could probably be switched out with any from my honorable mentions list, and the top three albums could be switched around as well. I'm not going to complain about that.

Without further ado, here are my top ten albums of 2011 in reverse order:

Honorable Mentions: Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes, Fountains of Wayne, Kurt Vile, Tapes N Tapes, and AA Bondy.

10. The War On Drugs - Slave Ambient

I admit it, I'm putting this over the honorable mentions simply for the song 'Brothers.' Love that song! It's very soothing and uplifting. It's been a year where I've needed that sort of thing. It's good when I find new music that will do that for me. This album does.

9. Titus Andronicus - The Monitor

It's not often that one stumbles across a concept album about the Civil War from a punk band, yet here we are. The first time I listened to this it was cranked in my office, which in hindsight, might not have been the smartest move considering people at this university are easily offended by profanity. Oh well. Now I just close the door so it doesn't carry out into the hallway. Lesson learned.

8. The Boxer Rebellion - The Cold Still

These guys have to be one of my favorite bands in recent years. There is something about Nathan Nicholson's voice that I find fascinating. This album does a great job of going back and forth from upbeat to haunting. While my favorite song of theirs is still 'Watermelon' (off of Exits), I'd say this is their most solid album to date. The band's continual improvement has me excited to see what they'll put out in the future.

7. Cake - Showroom Of Compassion

It took me a while to warm up to this album. Probably because I'm not a big fan of the first track. I'm glad I got past it though. I was lucky enough to see them play on this tour for the low, low price of $9.60. I took Togers with me. We both really enjoyed the show, and both of us came away with a much deeper appreciation for the band. Even if we didn't go home with the cherry tree.

6. Foster The People - Torches

This is by far the album on this list with the catchiest beats. I purchased the album mostly because of the buzz they were getting and the one song I'd heard (and liked). I usually need more than that, but this time the gamble paid off. The first five tracks are all legitimately good, and there's not much of a drop-off after that. I wish every album I bought turned out that way. (I can't say the same for MGMT.)

5. Deer Tick - Divine Providence

I blogged about seeing these guys a month or so ago. Fun concert. Even if I am too old to be out until two or three in the morning on a weeknight (or on any night for that matter). I just met a girl who was impressed that I was there though, so there's that. I'm glad they opted for this album cover rather than the 'unicorn farting a rainbow' design that they had on shirts at the merch booth. I'm definitely too old for that.

4. Dawes - Nothing Is Wrong

When you talk about albums that come at just the right time to match what's going on in my life, this is one of them. I got it right around the time GWWBMGF started dating someone else, and I can honestly say that the most depressing songs on this album got me through my own depression over that, although I still get teary-eyed every time I hear 'A Little Bit Of Everything' and 'Million Dollar Bill.' Listen to it.

3. Wilco - The Whole Love

Another stellar performance by my favorite band. You might be surprised that this isn't ranked at the top of my list, but I still didn't listen to this album as much as I did those. That's more a testament to those albums than a knock on this one though. I'd love to see Wilco play in Chicago someday. Until then, I'll have to see if they're coming to SLC anytime soon (fingers crossed).

2. Middle Brother - Middle Brother

I feel like the song Middle Brother should be my theme song, even though I'm not as big of a fuck up as the guy that song's about. At least I don't think so. This is a brilliant side project effort by the lead singers from three great "new" bands (Dawes, Deer Tick, and Delta Spirit). This album had several songs that got me through my "break-up" as well. Seriously, go get this album. You won't regret it.

1. Kasabian - Velociraptor!

This album made me feel like a teenager again. Seriously, I listened to it over and over and over. I even got on YouTube and watched videos with the band's commentary on each of the tracks. Not a bad exercise when those are available, but I usually don't take the time to do that. This is another one you should just go listen to. Amazing stuff. My favorite track is 'I Hear Voices' if you were wondering. I wish they'd quit touring in Europe and Australia and come to the U.S. I have a feeling they'd be fantastic to see live. Hopefully I'll find out for sure someday.

But I've always been kinda partial to calling myself up on the phone and asking myself out, you know?

After dropping my kids off at home after spending Christmas at my parents', I drove to Las Vegas where I spent New Year's Eve. The friend I stayed with was flying back from visiting his family for Christmas, and asked if I'd mind picking him up at the airport. Once I did, we decided to meet another friend for dinner at the sports bar I used to frequent (which turned out to be the right choice when the second friend picked up the check). My two friends had plans to hang out for NYE, while I had plans to meet up with Girl Who Won't Be My Girlfriend, although not until after she finished with a family dinner.

It was early in the evening, and the bar was pretty slow, which was nice because it allowed the servers plenty of time to come over to chat and catch up a little bit. One of our favorite servers was asking about everyone's plans for the evening when she and I had the following exchange:

Server: Where's your girlfriend?

Me: I don't have a girlfriend.

Server: Well, where's that girl you always used to hang out with?

Me: I'm going to pick her up a little later.

Server: Are you two going to have sex tonight?

Me: No.

Server: Lame! Why are you hanging out with girls who won't have sex with you.

Me: Because that's the only kind of girls there are.

Should old acquaintance be forgot?

Anonymous Boxer is hosting a NYE party at her blog, and you should check it out if you have the time (if you haven't already that is). With the new year just around the corner, it seems appropriate to sit back and reflect on the year that just passed.

The year 2010 was the year I almost pulled the plug on my blog. The timing seemed right. I was finally finished with school, got a "real" job, and moved away from Vegas. I always thought the move would be the right time to do it, but when it came right down to it, I couldn't follow through. I know I haven't been posting as much as I used to, but I'm still glad that I kept it alive, albeit on life support.

I don't make it around to visit other blogs as often as I used to either. I'd apologize for that, but it's unlikely to change this year. Something about being busier now, you know, with the new job requiring me to actually work. But, the relationships I've forged with you guys over the years are too good to just let evaporate into the blogosphere.

It's just changing. Twitter is easier and faster. I don't have to think of a way to tell a story when the punch line can be delivered in fewer characters. So, if you really miss me, and haven't been following me there already, I welcome you to do so. If not, you can always check the sidebar here to see what I've been up to.

I'm looking forward to 2011. I think there are some good things in store. When you see the following list of highlights from 2010, you'll see that it won't be THAT hard to top.

My 2010 online highlights:

- I was re-tweeted by Michael Ian Black

- I had part of a text conversation published on Texts From Last Night

- I played a 128 point word, and had a 462 point game in online Scrabble through Facebook

- I received a marriage proposal via Twitter


Now you know where the bar has been set.

Happy New Year everyone!

But now I've found you and I know that we would be so very happy if you could only see that I was meant for you and you were made for me

I suppose that since I only have approximately a day and a half left of 2009 that now is as good a time as any to list my favorite albums of the year.

In reverse order:

10. The Boxer Rebellion - Union
Competition for the last spot was pretty tight*, but if memory serves me correctly (a shady prospect at best), this was the first album I purchased this year, and I listened to it more, thus giving it the edge over the other "competitors."



9. Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
I was slow to jump on the Phoenix bandwagon, but I can take solace in the fact that I got this album and liked it before they started playing some of these songs in Cadillac commercials. As my friend recently put it, these songs can be repetitive, but they're all fun, even if they're not all great.



8. Andrew Bird - Noble Beast
This guy can whistle. You wouldn't think that would be a quality that someone would look for in music these days, but he's seriously good. This is a perfect album to take along on a long drive through a heavily wooded area. Assuming that's something you'd like to do (which it probably isn't).



7. Franz Ferdinand - Tonight
I admit it, I was quite angry when I first purchased this album and realized they had put an alternate version of Lucid Dreams. Mostly because the album version is worse than the one I'd listened to originally. Fortunately, I was able to get the "original" version from itunes, and all was right with the world. At least for a few days.



6. Sea Wolf - White Water, White Bloom
SilentKid pointed out that, according to Pitchfork, this album is for young people (mostly girls) with a weakness for moody romance and natural imagery. So there you have it. I am a young girl, with a weakness for moody romance and natural imagery. The Pitchfork critics can suck it.


5. White Rabbits - It's Frightening
This album gets the award for containing one of the creepiest songs of the year: Right Where They Left. Any song that sings about a guy burning down a house with his lover inside it gets high rankings in my book, mostly because I am a wannabe sociopath.


4. Killers - Day And Age
I'm not entirely sure that this album should be ranked quite this highly on my list, but I did give it a lot of listening time early in the year. Then it almost got ruined for me because mainstream media took just about every step to ensure that the song Are We Human? was played out. They failed though because I, for one, still like it.


3. Cracker - In The Land Of Milk And Honey
I purchased this album right when I briefly considered dropping out of school, so I immediately adopted the song Turn On Tune In Drop Out With Me as my new anthem, and it remains my favorite song of the entire year. I saw them play in Vegas, and wish I could've gone to Joshua Tree too, but instead figured I should probably focus on my dissertation defense the following week. I think I made the right call.

2. Wilco (The Album)
This was the year I FINALLY got to see Wilco play a live show. Jeff Tweedy looked haggard, but he also looked like he was having fun up there on stage too. From the stories I've heard, that wasn't the case last time he played a show here. This album is good from start to finish, and while it's not my favorite Wilco album, it's better than 99% of the music that's out there these days in my opinion.



1. Eels - Hombre Lobo
This album came at the perfect time for me. It was one of those rare albums that felt to me like every song pertained to some aspect of my life. The last time I can think of that happening was when The Wallflowers released Red Letter Days.








* The honorable mentions: Fanfarlo - Reservoir, Pearl Jam - Backspacer, Built To Spill - There Is No Enemy, Great Lake Swimmers - Lost Channels. With apologies to The Cave Singers, Vetiver, and Them Crooked Vultures, which were highly recommended, but I never got around to listening to them.