All Around Al's World of Sound: Pink Moon 09
Back in third grade, my friend Al liked music and baseball. Al is still my friend, and he still likes music and baseball. He was a breakdancer in high school. I explored the idea, but I was an awfully awkward and lanky breaker. But in 1985 we could all agree on R.E.M. and The Smiths. High school. Unbelievable.
Over The Hill Pt. II
April 9th, 2009 Hello. I sort of went into seclusion for a bit. Sorry about that. Now that Mr. Koppa and Mr. Weber have crossed over to that magical age of 40, its now my turn. Yeah, I'll admit that it sort of sucks just because 40 sounds old, but at least I don't feel old, regardless of how cliche I might sound right about now. And when I think about it, I really have no complaints about the era in which I grew up in, the good people that I've met, and the things that I've experienced to date. Regrets? Sure, who doesn't have some sort of regret? But as long as you learn from your mistakes and keep on keepin' on, everything seems to work out ok for the most part.
So last month (or has it been two months now?) I got a chance to spend a little time with some old friends and it was good to see them all. It struck me that despite the different paths we've all taken, we are all essentially the same people. So even though I might not see these people for extended periods of time, it still feels entirely comfortable to just hang out and have a couple of drinks and a few laughs with everyone, which is most definitely a good thing.
Its really the same sort of deal with music. When I hear a few of these bands with whom I was completely enamored with in high school and college - and who are still at it - its good to hear, and essentially feel, the same qualities that made me a fan of theirs in the first place. Dinosaur Jr.'s Been There All the Time doesn't sound much different from their classic 80's records like You're Living All Over Me and Bug (nice cameo from SY's Thurston Moore, by the way). R.E.M.'s Until the Day is Done sounds like it could've easily fit on Lifes Rich Pageant. It's just good to know that there are bands/artists out there that have remained true to their vision. They might've taken the odd detour from time-to-time, but there is still that glimmer of initial magic that makes it worthwhile to see what they're up to these days. Sort of like old friendships.
What else... I've been listening to the Red Hot Organization's latest compilation called Dark Was The Night, which is fantastic. Right now, I'm obsessed with the Jose Gonzalez/The Books' collaboration on Nick Drake's Cello Song, which is exactly how you would imagine it to sound, if you're familiar with The Books or Jose Gonzalez or Nick Drake. Also the Yeasayer song, Tightrope, is fantastic. Here's the studio version, the video version, and also an early version. Apparently, I like this song a lot as well.
And that's about it. I highly recommend the Dark Was The Night compilation. Have a good evening.
SNOW MOON 2009 Over the hill
WOLF MOON 2009 Music in 2008
BEAVER MOON 2008 FUNKY 4+1
HUNTER MOON 2008 Salami
HARVEST MOON 2008 Stuffed Up
STURGEON MOON 2008 Eraser
STRAWBERRY MOON 2008 PB & J
FLOWER MOON 2008 The Helicopter
PINK MOON 2008 Hooks
WORM MOON 2008 iPod and I
SNOW MOON 2008 All Around Al's World of Sound 101
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