Best of the decade, already? Where did the decade go? It seems so anti-climatic after the millenium turnover. But reviewing music from the last 10 years is much more manageable. Maybe because its only 10 years, maybe because i can sort my itunes by decade and most often played. maybe its because i listen to far less then i used to.
that said - here's the first stab at the decade in review - your thoughts are always appreciated.
in no current order:
Radiohead - In Rainbows
Arcade Fire - Funeral
Thievery Corporation - Richest Man In Babylon
Death Cab For Cutie - Plans
R.E.M. - Accelerate
Vampire Weekend
U2 - How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb
The White Stripes - White Blood Cells
Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Green Day - American Idiot
Mark Ronson - Version
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - 100 Days, 100 Nights
Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am
The Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots
Bebel Gilberto - Tanto Tempo
Robert Plant & Alison Kraus - Raising Sand
Monday, November 2, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
topless driving
perhaps i had premature midlife crisis. in any event, i have a great wife and she gave in and encouraged me to buy it. so now, we own saab convertible. its great to be back in a saab. ignition in the middle, and drives like no other car - regardless of what GM did to it, good and bad.
but with xm, and cd, and ipod inputs - what to listen to? what are your topless driving songs?
sure - i love Webb Wilder's Tough It Out, most anything by Springsteen, last year's REM Accelerate. But what am i missing - help me build the play list
but with xm, and cd, and ipod inputs - what to listen to? what are your topless driving songs?
sure - i love Webb Wilder's Tough It Out, most anything by Springsteen, last year's REM Accelerate. But what am i missing - help me build the play list
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
return of the fire
I was reminded of a great band this morning - The Arcade Fire. I heard them on Morning Joe as background music (and Ageless Beauty by Stars yesterday, maybe right wing Joe Scarboro likes the Canadians?). Anyway, listend to Funeral today and still stands out as one of this decade's best recordings.
read the NYT article from 2007 here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/04/magazine/04arcade.t.html
apparently, a new album could be forthcoming sooner than we all thought. arcade fire must be in the air as this was released this week: http://www.nme.com/news/arcade-fire/45573
but if you can't wait - here's a mp3 posted of their cover of the clash's guns of brixton: http://tasteslikecaramel.wordpress.com/2009/04/14/the-arcade-fire-discuss-album-3/
read the NYT article from 2007 here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/04/magazine/04arcade.t.html
apparently, a new album could be forthcoming sooner than we all thought. arcade fire must be in the air as this was released this week: http://www.nme.com/news/arcade-fire/45573
but if you can't wait - here's a mp3 posted of their cover of the clash's guns of brixton: http://tasteslikecaramel.wordpress.com/2009/04/14/the-arcade-fire-discuss-album-3/
Friday, May 1, 2009
E Street Band - soul stompin' earth shakin' air conditioner quakin' philly phantic breakin' greatest show on earth
I've seen a lot of great live music in my time. I was in the VIP section at Central Park for S&G's concert, I saw the Joshua Tree tour, I've seen the Buena Vista Social Club, Bring On The Night, MM&W at CBGBs, and R.E.M. too many times to count. But never before have I been as awestruck as finally seeing the E Street Band live.
Wednesday Night at the Spectrum in Philly i got to participate in the spectacle, revival, and live show that Bruce has been putting on for over 30 years, and it really was worth it. We should all be so good at that age.
Sure, the crowd was a true South Jersey crowd and the Spectrum deserves to be torn down, but every minute was a thrill ride. Bruce and the E Street Band entertain, enthrall, and invite you to participate. No stage set, no fancy U2 spinning lemon, no pyrotechnics, just a bunch of guys and gals from the Jersey shore still rocking.
My favorite moments:
Spirit In The Night - a true classic
a great reworking of Johnny 99
Raise Your Hand - as good as it sounded from the 75 bootleg i have
London Calling - the stump the band request which delivered
Thundercrack - sounds as fresh today as ever.
Hungry Heart - i also have same wife and kids in Baltimore, and seeing Bruce pass the mic to his mom for a verse in the audience was priceless
Thunder Road into 10th Ave Freeze Out - classic live bruce
American Land - one of my favorite Bruce songs to begin with, even better seen live (get it from Live In Dublin)
and the real treat that made the whole night worth it -
Kitty's Back - how often can you say you saw this classic 70s gem live. The band jamemd for close to 15 minutes thru Kitty showing that they aren't just a rock band, not just a bar band, but a phenomenal set of musicians.
PS on the night - Sklar and I close to 18 years ago took a day off from camp and went to the stone pony to see Clarence play a solo show. Max Weinberg joined Clarence on drums that night and they saluted Max because he and his wife just had a baby boy. Guess what - 18 years later, that baby played the second half of the set on drums for Max and was a killer drummer. Proud papa Max stood by us at the soundboard to take it all in.
Wednesday Night at the Spectrum in Philly i got to participate in the spectacle, revival, and live show that Bruce has been putting on for over 30 years, and it really was worth it. We should all be so good at that age.
Sure, the crowd was a true South Jersey crowd and the Spectrum deserves to be torn down, but every minute was a thrill ride. Bruce and the E Street Band entertain, enthrall, and invite you to participate. No stage set, no fancy U2 spinning lemon, no pyrotechnics, just a bunch of guys and gals from the Jersey shore still rocking.
My favorite moments:
Spirit In The Night - a true classic
a great reworking of Johnny 99
Raise Your Hand - as good as it sounded from the 75 bootleg i have
London Calling - the stump the band request which delivered
Thundercrack - sounds as fresh today as ever.
Hungry Heart - i also have same wife and kids in Baltimore, and seeing Bruce pass the mic to his mom for a verse in the audience was priceless
Thunder Road into 10th Ave Freeze Out - classic live bruce
American Land - one of my favorite Bruce songs to begin with, even better seen live (get it from Live In Dublin)
and the real treat that made the whole night worth it -
Kitty's Back - how often can you say you saw this classic 70s gem live. The band jamemd for close to 15 minutes thru Kitty showing that they aren't just a rock band, not just a bar band, but a phenomenal set of musicians.
PS on the night - Sklar and I close to 18 years ago took a day off from camp and went to the stone pony to see Clarence play a solo show. Max Weinberg joined Clarence on drums that night and they saluted Max because he and his wife just had a baby boy. Guess what - 18 years later, that baby played the second half of the set on drums for Max and was a killer drummer. Proud papa Max stood by us at the soundboard to take it all in.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Year 6's mix
Or the year i lost control of the track selection
or the year Disney reigned supreme
yes, welcome back to the blog to read all about the year 6 cd - Abby & Sophie: The Musical. Inspired by and based on High School Musical and all that it has done to our home.
If you are just joining us, welcome to what was once a blog and cds create to have music that I the parent will enjoy listening to, rather than having Raffi shoved under my fingernails like fine shards of bamboo. For 5 faithful years i produced for you the listener, our friends and family, cd's that were listenable, fun, full of new music and different.
welcome to 6. the juggernaut known as High School Musical (heretofore HSM) landed in our home last year and has changed the way we do things. it led to listening to and watching the movie often and then opened the door to yes, Hannah Montana.
Now admitedly, my girls still love Dan Zanes and Laurie Berkner, and Lisa and Milkshake. But they wanted the songs for this year and the cd shows it.
i will add that all is not lost. as much as we like HSM, we also like The Pogues, REM, Bruce, Elvis Costello and a host of other fun things. But for now - the musical.
although each track needs little explanation, as always the liner notes are here. The track listing:
post your comments, tell me what you like and what your kids like!
or the year Disney reigned supreme
yes, welcome back to the blog to read all about the year 6 cd - Abby & Sophie: The Musical. Inspired by and based on High School Musical and all that it has done to our home.
If you are just joining us, welcome to what was once a blog and cds create to have music that I the parent will enjoy listening to, rather than having Raffi shoved under my fingernails like fine shards of bamboo. For 5 faithful years i produced for you the listener, our friends and family, cd's that were listenable, fun, full of new music and different.
welcome to 6. the juggernaut known as High School Musical (heretofore HSM) landed in our home last year and has changed the way we do things. it led to listening to and watching the movie often and then opened the door to yes, Hannah Montana.
Now admitedly, my girls still love Dan Zanes and Laurie Berkner, and Lisa and Milkshake. But they wanted the songs for this year and the cd shows it.
i will add that all is not lost. as much as we like HSM, we also like The Pogues, REM, Bruce, Elvis Costello and a host of other fun things. But for now - the musical.
although each track needs little explanation, as always the liner notes are here. The track listing:
- What Time Is It? - HSM2
so, what time is it? it's time to change what we listened to in our home. like the sound of the joshua tree being cut down, this song heralded a new age for us. - Good Morning
baltimore, represented strongly here. a great way to start the day - Pumpin’ Up The Party – Hannah Montana the reigning queen of pop in our home - its great to see the kids lip sync along to this. i don't think they "get" the show yet
- I’m a Believer – Smashmouth / Shrek by the way, the eddie murphy version is no longer available on itunes. maybe that's a good thing?
- Land of a 1000 Dances - The Commitments so i have some influence still. The Commitments is a great soundtrack, and this comes from CD2. not a movie to see with your kids yet, worth seeing yourself, and both cds are tremendous. they form the cornerstone of our "Dance Party" at home which enables the kids to drop from exhaustion.
- High School Musical – HSM3 mercifully, the last song in the trilogy. zac efron does not discover that darth vader is his father.
- That’s How You Know – Amy Adams / Enchanted makes a repeat appearance, but perfect for a musical.
- I Like To Move It – Will I Am /
- Who Said – Hannah Montana
- Do-Re-Mi – Julie Andrews / Sound of Music musicals invite the classics, and this is no exception. a great soundtrack for your family.
- Start of Something New – Zac & Vanessa / HSM
- The Best of Both Worlds – Hannah Montana
- Pump It Up – Elvis Costello & The Attractions originally this was to be the pump up mix with songs from our dance party, but the musical is the king now. this song was requested by our kids, and comes from This Year's Model EC's 2nd full length release with the Attractions. Great music for everyone.
- Humuhumunukunukuapua’a – HSM2
- Good Morning – Gene Kelly / Singin’ In The Rain my favorite musical, my kids love this song as well. Gene Kelly Donald O'Connor and Debbie Reynolds form a sweet show for all to watch.
- Kiss The Girl – Little Mermaid dare i say, legendary?
- I Wan’na Be Like You – Louis Prima / Jungle Book - use this song from the jungle book to explore more by Louis Prima, like Jump Jive and Wail.
- The Happiest Song I Know – The Laurie Berkner Band not a musical, and perhaps not tolerable after the 50th listening, but it remains the most requested song in my kids playlists.
- Best Days – Matt White / Shrek3 a really enjoyable song over the closing credits, that is probably more for you than them
- Cruella DeVille – The Replacements / 101 Dalmations i'm a huge 'mats fan. each year i have snuck a song by paul westerberg and the replacements on a cd. why should the musical be no exception? enjoy, it comes from Stay Awake a modern disney compilation from the late 80s and appears on their Nothing for All Bsides compilation.
post your comments, tell me what you like and what your kids like!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Upcoming Events for Baltimore Child Abuse Center
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Tuesday, March 3, 2009
My first pick for album of the year 2009
Neko Case's new Middle Cyclone is a hauntingly wonderful album from the prolific Neko Case - she performs with The New Pornographers, records as Jenny Lewis and does just fine on her own as well. Take her whole canon of work together and you have an edgier 2009 version of Natalie Merchant. A bit of tuneful 10,000 maniacs with NP, solid solo work as Neko Case, and her more folk work as JL.
I'll give you all a track by track listing soon - but suffice to say, its capivating and hard to resist.
I'll give you all a track by track listing soon - but suffice to say, its capivating and hard to resist.
adventures in renovations - part 3
work continues at a surprising fast clip here at the house. the girls and noah had a great time painting the walls.
its amazing what can be done when you take 1 big useless room and carve it into 2 purposeful rooms. like hgtv's wasted spaces, we found ourselves with more usable space than we once had. new closets, alcoves, usable space, its getting a lot - smart project, smart wife.
a few photos and video to document the progress.
work at BCAC continues as well. the conference room is gutted and the lobby stripped. already you can see promise. those photos to follow as well.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Adventures - Part 2
So, the basement is close to being done. it's amazing how it transforms, like one of those shows where they convert wasted space.
video below (for a limited time) for the benefit of my mom to see - thanks mom ;)
video below (for a limited time) for the benefit of my mom to see - thanks mom ;)
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
adventures in renovation - part 1
it's an interesting time. suddenly i find myself engaged in not 1 but 2 renovation projects at the same time.
1st up - the long awaited 4th bedroom. its a room converted from 1/2 of the old huge mess of a laundry room we had. we dumped a ton of stuff (demsky commented that it looked like the basement threw up) and now can split the room in 2. half as a guest bedroom, 1/2 as a laundry room. it's pretty cool.
day 1 and 2 went fine. cleaned out, new doors, framing, the beginning works. its good to be back with dwight griffith and his crew again. the only hitch was the random old oil lines in some bizzare location that necessitated their being clipped which now has the room smelling of oil.
the girls loved running through the open framed walls claiming they can walk through walls.
we asked them to hold onto the washer / dryer hook up as long as possible. of course with a home reno in swing "a" decided it was time to learn how to sleep thru the night in underwear and not pull ups (finally). but that of course necessiates several washes of pee soaked underwear, pads, and pajamas.
so, as we conclude one of our last loads of laundry tonight with the machines sort of sitting in the middle of the new room, as i leave for the night i spot water under the washer. seriously. jen even called it - she didn't think the washer would survive the move 3 feet to the corner. and lo and behold there is soapy water on the floor.
unsure of the culprit yet - maybe the washer, maybe the hose, maybe the old sink, but something gave out.
and even weirder, as i cleaned up, i found a snake, yes a snake, in a watering can in the basement.
job #2 starts monday - at BCAC we are actually seriously finally starting the build upon a dream project. the whole 1st floor lobby and conference room (you havent been by yet? what are you waiting for - come see the office) will be stripped and redone. new furniture for the offices, away with the pinks, new HVAC units, new modular furniture. the office may actually look like an office.
i have another great team doing this one, but i expect the usual unforseen goblins of renovations to pop up. stay tuned.
1st up - the long awaited 4th bedroom. its a room converted from 1/2 of the old huge mess of a laundry room we had. we dumped a ton of stuff (demsky commented that it looked like the basement threw up) and now can split the room in 2. half as a guest bedroom, 1/2 as a laundry room. it's pretty cool.
day 1 and 2 went fine. cleaned out, new doors, framing, the beginning works. its good to be back with dwight griffith and his crew again. the only hitch was the random old oil lines in some bizzare location that necessitated their being clipped which now has the room smelling of oil.
the girls loved running through the open framed walls claiming they can walk through walls.
we asked them to hold onto the washer / dryer hook up as long as possible. of course with a home reno in swing "a" decided it was time to learn how to sleep thru the night in underwear and not pull ups (finally). but that of course necessiates several washes of pee soaked underwear, pads, and pajamas.
so, as we conclude one of our last loads of laundry tonight with the machines sort of sitting in the middle of the new room, as i leave for the night i spot water under the washer. seriously. jen even called it - she didn't think the washer would survive the move 3 feet to the corner. and lo and behold there is soapy water on the floor.
unsure of the culprit yet - maybe the washer, maybe the hose, maybe the old sink, but something gave out.
and even weirder, as i cleaned up, i found a snake, yes a snake, in a watering can in the basement.
job #2 starts monday - at BCAC we are actually seriously finally starting the build upon a dream project. the whole 1st floor lobby and conference room (you havent been by yet? what are you waiting for - come see the office) will be stripped and redone. new furniture for the offices, away with the pinks, new HVAC units, new modular furniture. the office may actually look like an office.
i have another great team doing this one, but i expect the usual unforseen goblins of renovations to pop up. stay tuned.
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