An Uninspired Post

Writing here usually is provoked by one of three things. I am either in the mood to gripe and mope, I am thankful for things without taking them for granted and wanting to write about it, or I just went to a concert. None of those have really occurred lately. Things have been going pretty well, so I haven't had anything to gripe about. I have plenty of things to be thankful for, and I have split time between taking great things for granted and not really having anything that I wanted to write about it. I skipped writing about one Bill Mallonee show that I went to, but I didn't have much to add about it that I hadn't mentioned about him before. It was actually one of the worst shows I have ever seen him do, but seeing him sing his amazing songs is still worth the trip.

I was told earlier this evening by an unnamed party that I don't post enough. I have sat here watching uninspired NBA summer league basketball while being uninspired to write resulting in an uninspired blog post. Just as I am wrapping it up and getting ready to go to bed, I finally know what I want to write about. I do not however have the energy to do it justice. I'll finish up a real post sometime this week, but for now, you couple of readers will just be left with this post about nothing.

Playlist:
Why? - Alopecia
Calexico - Garden Ruins
Mount Eerie -Black Wooden Ceiling Opening
Travis Morrison - Travistan
These United States - A Picture Of The Three Of Us At The Gate To The Garden Of Eden
Haley Bonar - Big Star
Why? - Elephant Eyelash
Hammock - Kenotic
Low - Things We Lost in the Fire
Lyle Lovett - My Baby Don't Tolerate
The Smiths - Meat is Murder
The Red Paintings - Walls
Mewithoutyou - Catch For Us the Foxes
Northern Room - Last Embrace
The New Pornographers - Challengers
Bad Brains - I Against I
The Arcade Fire - Funeral
The Foxglove Hunt - Stop Heartbeat
Dylan in the Movies - Feel the Pull
Common Children - Delicate Fade
King's X - Tape Head (for Steve)

Comedy Defensive Driving

Aside from a family reunion trip, (complete with Phillips, Craig, and Dean singalong), and the neverending search for house things, much of the weekend multi-tasking. I was completing a defensive driving course that I waited until the last minute on so I was tied to the computer for a long time. I was paying some attention to the lessons, but I got some cleaning done. I did all of my laundry. I read some of my current book "Fargo Rock City." I watched two episodes of The Riches. I adjusted the template for this here blog. All of this, and I only missed one question on the whole course. Not bad for 6 hours wasted due to a tiny sign at the corner of Pearl and McKinney that says "No Right Turn on Red." While not funny in the least, Comedy Defensive Driving isn't too bad for getting defensive driving done.

Finishing up the Alphabet Playlist:
The Police - Zenyatta Mondatta
Quiet Company - Shine Honesty
Richard Butler - Richard Butler
Sorry About Dresden - Let it Rest
Throw Me the Statue - Moonbeams
U2 - Acthung Baby
The Violet Burning - Lipstick and Dynamite Wonder
Waterdeep - Everyone's Beautiful
I don't have any X bands on my ipod
Yeasayer - All Hour Cymbals
Zao - Liberate Te Ex Inferis

Ken Freeman's Cowpants

I used to listen to a lot of Contemporary Christian Music. The size of my cd shelves has grown a lot over the years, but there was a time when almost all of it was discs from bands like 4Him and Steven Curtis Chapman. I had autographed posters of Clay Crosse and Bryan Duncan on my wall. I saw Geoff Moore and the Distance more times than I can count on both hands. I had a huge crush on Rebecca St. James. Heck, I even married the cousin of Dean of Phillips, Craig, and Dean just so I could hopefully have them come to my wedding and sing "The Concert of the Age" or at least "Turn Up the Radio." <--The previous sentence except for the cousin part is all a lie and way out of the time frame.

Youth group Christian music took a turn for the slightly better with the release of albums like Jesus Freak. I can still pull that out and almost listen to it these days which is more than I can say for most of the other bands. Around that time, I also was introduced to bands like The Choir. They took things to a bit more abstract of a level than anything else I was listening to. The songs weren't just about loving Jesus and/or loving a girl. It was ok to have songs about Jesus only, but love songs were mostly limited to vague "am I singing about Jesus or a girl" songs (exceptions were allowed for married artists who wrote songs for their wives). Songs from bands like The Choir had some depth to them. In a time I was learning about symbolism and themes in 9th grade English, I was pondering what a circle slide was. This was good because this was also around the time that I got rid of every "secular" cd I owned. Out went U2 and R.E.M. and Live and The Offspring. I couldn't have that devil music polluting my young Christian mind. I even broke the discs and through them in the trash. I wouldn't want to sell them and contribute to the pollution of other minds.

As a fun side note, I heard the sermon that convinced me I needed to do that preached again by that same guy about 8 years later. I had trouble not laughing. I couldn't exactly relate to my D-Now guys who were somewhat convinced that he was telling them a good idea. I don't think many were on board anyway. Over the years, I think I have picked up just about every disc I chunked that day. Hopefully my replacement copies were originally owned by some Christian kid who got a little cash for ridding themselves of "ungodly" things.

It is funny for me to look back on my musical odyssey. The CCM only phase didn't last too awful long thank God. I would have missed out on a lot of great art. I don't listen to a whole lot of CCM at all any more. I get in trouble quite a bit for making fun of the very music that I subsisted on for a good bit of my younger days. I still listen to a lot of music with Christian influences. A lot of my favorites have spent a lot of time on the fringe of Christian culture. Bill Mallonee, David Eugene Edwards, Sufjan Stevens, Over the Rhine, Daniel Smith, the list goes on. I guess it is because I can relate to their worldview of these folks. They look at life through a similar lens, but seem to have the lens a little closer to clear than I find most CCM. That's not to say there isn't a place for it, and that isn't to say I have completely shunned overtly Christian music. Andrew Osenga and Don Chaffer still write songs that kick my butt and can bring me to tears. Rich Mullins is still a life that inspired me. Some of the current worship songs sung at my church, especially a couple written by Aaron Shust and Matt Redman, are beautiful prayers that put a lot of what I would like to say to and about God to words much more eloquent than I can say on my own. I still have a crush on Rebecca St. James <--another lie.

I got to thinking about how great it is that God can use The End is Near by The New Year as much as He can the random worship songs we sang tonight to remind me of who He is. Art is from Him. It isn't all of Him, but that doesn't mean He can't use any of it however He sees fit. I'm glad that He give us the freedom to explore that and be blessed. I don't care what Ken Freeman says.

Recent Playlist (An Album for Every Letter of the Alphabet):
Anathallo - Floating World
Blonde Redhead - 23
Copeland - Beneath Medicine Tree
The Delgados - Universal Audio
Efterklang - Parades
Feist - The Reminder
Green River Ordinance - The Beauty of Letting Go
Hum - Downward is Heavenward
Isis - Oceanic
Joanna Newsom - Ys
I skipped K for the moment
LSU - Shaded Pain
Magnolia Electric Company - Magnolia Electric Company
The New Year - The End is Near
Old Canes - Early Morning Hymns

Musical Rut

Life has been going pretty good lately, but one big part of me hasn't been doing so hot. I've been in a bit of a musical rut again. I'll never understand why it is that even with an ipod full of music at my disposal; I get to the point where nothing sounds remotely interesting. When it comes to that, I hit up some old standbys and eventually something new will come along and pique my interest enough that I will get out of the rut. Hopefully it will happen soon.

Through this latest rut, I have found myself listening to a lot more podcasts. The one that has gotten the most listening out of me has been This American Life. Not being a big NPR listener, I am pretty late to the game, but it has quickly become a favorite of mine. Every week it is a couple of stories based on some theme. I have always loved this sort of stuff. It is pretty much the podcast version of a favorite pastime of mine, people watching. You never quite know what you are going to get from week to week. Sometimes the story is sad, sometimes they are funny, sometimes they are really politically loaded. They are almost always interesting though.

Mostly Rut Friendly Recent Playlist With Only A Few Disappointments:
Shearwater - Rook
Stavesacre - Speakeasy
Doug Burr - On Promenade
They Might Be Giants - Flood
Woven Hand - Consider the Birds
Lambchop - Aw C'mon
Wye Oak - If Children
Joe Purdy - You Can Tell Georgia
Colin Herring - Past Life Crashing
Bill Mallonee - Permafrost
The Violet Burning - Demonstrates Plastic and Elastic
Justin Rosolino - Wonderlust
The Cure - Faith
The Gutter Twins - Saturnalia
Vigilantes of Love - Audible Sigh
Frightened Rabbit - The Midnight Organ Fight
Elton John - Rocket Man
Justice - Cross
My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges
The Smiths - The Queen is Dead
Struck Last May - 16 Flowers
My Brightest Diamond - A Thousand Shark's Teeth
Ben Folds Five - The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner

A Big Part of Me

Standing in my new apartment on the day I moved to Dallas, I was reminded again of how much my dad means to me. He had helped me move my stuff, and we had just finished. We were pretty tired, but there we stood. It was time for him to head back; leaving me in the first place I had ever lived that he hadn't paid for. I had a tear in my eye, and he had a tear in his. I won't really ever forget that day. I felt that he was proud of me. I stood there not knowing how to thank him not just for that day, but also for the 23 years leading up to it. I asked him if I could buy him dinner, but he needed to get back before it was too late.

My dad was never the kind of dad who took me hunting, fishing, or to play catch. Those weren't really his thing. He wasn't and isn't the outdoorsy type. He has picked up on sports in recent years though, especially Aggie football. I love getting to go to the games with him. He is handy. If there is something that needs fixing, he's the guy to ask. I have never picked up quite as much of that part of him as I would have hoped, but he still helps me any time I need him. He is about as friendly of guy as I have ever known. He'd do anything he could to help someone out.

When it comes down to it, it isn't the surface parts of him that matter most to me and have had the most impact on my life. He is a man of great character that I have learned a lot from already and can keep on learning from. I can't think of a single time in my life when my dad hasn't done what he said he would do. His example of honesty and loyalty give me things to strive for. He has provided for our family at the expense of a lot of things I'm sure he would have liked. He loves my mom and the rest of our family sacrificially and unconditionally. It is a blast to see him playing with my nephew. I remember many a morning where I'd wake up long after my dad to see him sitting in his chair, drinking a cup of coffee, spending some time in the Word before the day began.

He has never been one to talk a lot about himself. There are a lot of things I don't really know about him. These sorts of things aren't our usual displays of love. As I have gotten older, I see a lot of my dad in myself. I may be a head taller. I may talk a little faster. I'll never be as handy. If I can be a man of my word. If I can work as hard. If I can love my wife and family with everything I can give. If I can love and serve God the way he does. If I can be more like dad, I will have accomplished much more than most.

I'm sending this link to my dad today. He probably doesn't even know that I have been writing here for a while. My exploits and complaints that I have documented here aren't the sorts of things I have ever really figured would be much worth reading. I didn't send him a card for Father's day. I didn't buy him a tie. I'm bummed that I am not able to make it down to hang out with him today. I could keep writing about the things I have learned from him. I don't tell him enough how much I appreciate him. I want to be better at telling him how much he means to me, and this is just a start.

Love you dad. Thanks for being a great dad. I'm proud to be your son.

Wild Hair and Black Clothes

My second trip to see The Cure was a little different than my first. First off, I haven't been on a huge The Cure kick like I was the first time I saw them. I was a late arrival to The Cure, but right around the time when I first moved to Dallas, I was listening to them daily. Over the past couple of years, I have still been listening, but not nearly as much. When tickets went on sale about a year ago for a show in October, I snatched up a pair. I would be going with a different level of obsession, but I figured I would enjoy it anyway. That concert got postponed and rescheduled for so June, so over the months I had pretty much forgotten about it. Last Friday night, they reminded me why I was on such a kick of their music.

The AAC was cut in half, and the crowd wasn't exactly high energy, but the band sounded great and as the night went on, the energy picked up. The Cure isn't exactly a high energy band, but they ended up seeming like they were having a lot of fun, and we got treated to song after song for over three hours. There were few songs missing from the setlist. We got everything from dark, brooding songs to every pop hit they ever had. My best way to put it is that they are the most boring live band that I never want to miss when they come to town. The don't play with a whole lot of flash for a band of their stature, but they really nailed the set. When the songs are that great, it doesn't take a whole lot else to make for an amazing show.
Setlist:
Underneath The Stars, Prayers For Rain, A Night Like This, The Walk, The End of the World, Lovesong, To Wish Impossible Things, Pictures of You, Lullaby, Fascination Street, The Perfect Boy, From the Edge of the Deep Green Sea, Sleep When I'm Dead, Push, Friday I'm In Love, Inbetween Days, Just Like Heaven, Primary, Shake Dog Shake, Never Enough, The Only One, Wrong Number, The Baby Screams, One Hundred Years, Baby Rag Dog Book

1st encore: Three Imaginary Boys, Fire In Cairo, Boys Don't Cry, Jumping Someone Else's Train, Grinding Halt, 10:15 Saturday Night, Killing An Arab
2nd encore: Lovecats, Let's Go To Bed, Freakshow, Close To Me, Why Can't I Be You?
3rd encore: A Forest

California

This time last week, I was enjoying the peaceful beauty of the California wine country. It was our second trip to the area, and we enjoyed ourselves immensely. This time we had the company of my sister and brother-in-law. Aside from me, no one seemed to be too interested the wine, but there's still a lot to enjoy about being there. The food is good, and the scenery is amazing. I'd love to get to spend more than a couple of days there some time.


The second half of our trip was back in the city. I loved San Francisco my first time there. It is a different sort of city than any I have ever spent time in. There are such distinctly different parts of town that all fit together in such a small area. We drove around a lot more this time, and while it made some things a little more difficult, I was glad to get to experience some parts of town that I hadn't ever been to before. On our last trip, we got to see a lot of the typical San Francisco attractions. We saw Alcatraz. We rode a cable car. We walked through Chinatown. We spent more time at Pier 39 than we cared to. We made two trips to Amoeba (So what if that isn't for everyone. It is a stinking great music store). This time it was nice to adventure a little more and see some new things. I did get to make a return trip to Amoeba, but other than that and some really tasty restaurants, we spent the majority of our time on new things.


Early on, we decided that we would keep up our bike riding and bike the bridge. I have always been impressed by the bridge, so I was quite excited to get to ride over it and see things up close. The ride was rated as "easy," but I knew that it was still San Francisco and the hills wouldn't disappear. I took a tumble pretty early on, but I recovered and made the trip. The views were definitely worth it. The sunburn is almost gone, and my legs have recovered, but I'll remember that ride for a long time.


One of the other unexpected highlights was a little side jaunt to see the ruins of the Sutro Baths. Adrian found it in the guide book while we were looking for somewhere to kill some time while we were waiting to eat. On our previous trip, we never saw the ocean other than from the bridge. We made it down the road to the end of Golden Gate park and were amazed by the views. It was hard to believe we were even in the city anymore. There was a heavy fog and an even colder chill to the air. We walked down the path to what is left of the structure and got to experience the Pacific up close. The rocky shores and steep cliffs are so much different than what I am used to. It almost takes your breath away.

I was initially a little disappointed to go back somewhere I have already been. I love to get away on vacation and explore new places. This trip proved that even after two trips, there is still a lot to explore in San Francisco and wine country. Hopefully we'll make it back before too long. I won't even think about being disappointed.

Conversation

I've been thinking lately about how I seem to have lost the skill of starting a conversation. Somewhere along the way....in middle school I think....I started getting shy. I guess that ends up being when everyone starts with being a little self conscious. Over the years, I have mostly grown out of being really self conscious...as much as just about anyone does, but I still cower when it comes to striking up a conversation with someone. I want the conversation come to me. Get me started, and I don't always know when to shut up, but when it comes to me initiating something, everyone is bound for some awkward silence.

The internet provides plenty of nice outs for folks like me. We can make blog posts that start a conversation with no one in particular, but fill (in a weak way) the need to get things out. We can find answers to questions without ever having to ask someone. We can buy things without shopping around an having to talk to sales people. I think if I really let it happen, I could become the hermit that some part of me I don't like finds comfortable. I've got to working on the part of me that loves people. The joy of spending good times with friends is too much to keep passing up.

Playlist:
Tom Waits - Mule Variations
Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova - The Swell Season
Jens Lekman - When I Said I Wanted to Be Your Dog
Smile Smile - Blue Roses
Sufjan Stevens - Michigan
Over the Rhine - The Trumpet Child
Richard Swift - Dressed Up For The Letdown
Red House Painters - Red House Painters I
R.E.M. - Accelerate
Band of Horses - Cease to Begin
Andrew Bird - Andrew Bird and the Mysterious Production of Eggs
Frightened Rabbit - The Midnight Organ Fight
Morrissey - Kill Uncle
AC/DC - Back in Black
Why? - Alopecia
Sex Pistols - Never Mind the Bollocks
Van Morrison - Moondance
Elliott - Song in the Air
Antony and the Johnsons - I Am a Bird Now
The Appleseed Cast - Two Conversations

New York Doll

My fascination with the New York Dolls began a couple of years ago upon watching the documentary New York Doll. I had heard of the New York Dolls, and I knew who Buster Poindexter was, but I hadn't ever really known much about them. I was really drawn in by the story. The main focus of the documentary was the band's bassist, Arthur "Killer" Kane. Kane went from being a rock star with all of the excess that goes along with it to a humble meek librarian at the Mormon Family History library. I haven't been down the rough paths he traveled, and I don't ever intend to become a Mormon, but there was something that was really touching about his journey. He hit a high point early on in his life. He subsequently spent what he would have considered far too many years trying to return to those heights. Eventually, he realized that life wasn't found in chasing that old Killer. He was content with just being Arthur. The story doesn't necessarily have a happy ending. In 2004, 22 days after reuniting with the Dolls for their first show in many years, Arthur Kane died of leukemia.

All that said, I didn't want to miss what I figured would be my only chance to see what is left of the New York Dolls. Knowing that they only have 2 remaining members made it almost seem like a different band. The show Sunday night at the Granada ended up being much better than I expected. All in all, they probably sound better now than they did back in the day. They are certainly tighter musically, and David Johansen's voice sounds about as good as it ever had (which isn't that great). They played with attitude to a crowd that loved everything they did. It was a great night.

Out Late on a Weeknight

Driving to Fort Worth to see a band that started at midnight on a work night was a bad idea. The rain part made things even a bit worse of an idea. Woven Hand doesn't make it around these parts very often, so I didn't want to miss a chance. In the end, I was very glad that I made the trip.

When I last saw Woven Hand, it was David Eugene Edwards playing solo with acoustic instruments. I knew he would be playing with a percussionist, Ordy Garrison, this time, but I didn't know how the rest of the show would go. When he got up there with a couple of electric guitars along with a huge board of effects, I knew it wouldn't be the quiet affair of the last show. The show was loud and as intense as any performance I have ever seen. It is almost scary how into the songs he gets. The songs are so haunting already.

Leo Bloom, Willy Wonka, Dr. Frankenstein

I've been interested in autobiographies for a long time. It like to hear what people have to say about themselves. Some of the ones I have read were better than others, but every one I can remember had at least some redeeming factors. I think it takes a little bit of pretentiousness to end up writing a book about yourself. Of course before it actually gets published, it also takes someone who thinks that you are important enough to merit a book, or probably more likely, considered interesting or extreme enough to make some money on.

The autobiography I just finished was Gene Wilder's, Kiss Me Like a Stranger. It was a little less funny than I had thought, but it certainly was interesting. Lots of name drops like there tend to be in books like this, but I guess they aren't really name drops when they are the people you really know. When you've been married to Gilda Radner, been Willy Wonka, been in and written multiple movies with Mel Brooks, and done multiple movies with Richard Pryor, you've certainly met some interesting people along the way. He has led a fascinating life and wrote a pretty interest book about it.

He didn't sugar coat the things. He hasn't been great with relationships. He is selfish. Honestly, at the end of the book, I didn't have a great feeling up being uplifted by an inspiring life that has overcome so many obstacles, I was struck more by thinking how close I could be to a guy like him. My personality is pretty similar. I am not and will never be a talented actor and writer, but I could give in to my natural tendency to spend a lot of time inside myself. I could destroy relationships by remaining so concerned with my own needs that I don't enjoy my time with people. I could always look for the next best thing to come rather than enjoying a moment. I'm hopeful that I have learned and am learning enough to keep that from being my story.

Playlist:
Why? - Alopecia
The Choir - Chase the Kangaroo
Radiohead - Amnesiac
Iron and Wine - The Shepherd's Dog
Half Handed Cloud - Thy is A Word & Feet Need Lamps
Gillian Welch - Time (The Revelator)
The Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
Hood - Outside Closer
Murder By Death - Who Will Survive and What Will Be Left of Them?
Mogwai - Happy Songs for Happy People
Counting Crows - Saturday Nights and Sunday Mornings
Robert Deeble - Thirteen Stories
Rainer Maria - Long Knives Drawn
Zao - Where Blood and Fire Bring Rest
Low - Drums and Guns
The Frames - For the Birds
The Gutter Twins - Saturnalia

The Murray Outrage

Its been fun to get out on the roads of my neighborhood on my bike. I was probably in 8th grade or so when I last rode the old lime green Murray mountain bike that I had as a kid. To get all the way across campus in 20 minutes, I tried the bike thing for a semester, but that never really worked out. The old lime green bike was the one I really remember. I rode the streets of my old neighborhood hundreds of times on it. I even had a cheapo speedometer/odometer/timer on it that added to the entertainment. How fast could I make the loop? How fast could I get going on the straightaways? I was out having fun. I didn't have anything better to do. I wasn't going anywhere in particular.

I've come to really like city life, but riding around the neighborhood these past couple of days has reminded me of how nice and peaceful things were when I remembered that its ok for life to move slower. It's nice to ride around in circles without really getting anywhere. It's nice to see folks walking their dogs. It's nice to see a kid playing baseball in his front yard. It all reminds me to slow down and enjoy. There are tons of ways I have been blessed that I neglect to see because of the pace of life.

It seems like I always come up with something "better" to do than slow down. It just seems to be my nature to stay on the go. Me being busy too often doesn't mean I am being productive either. I am starting to see some ground being taken back though. Life feels like it has slowed down, but I am still getting more done. When I go through seasons like this, I always wonder how I let myself get so stuck in the routine of going and going without accomplishing a thing other than spent time and money. I guess the comfort of that laziness is too easy. I'm thankful that God has used a couple of trips around the block to remind me of the life that is found in slowing down and really getting something done.

This Week's Playlist:
Ben Folds - Songs for Silverman
Mike Knott and Noah Reimer - Mother Nation
Efterklang - Parades
Robert Johnson - The Blues
Why? - Elephant Eyelash
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - The Boatman's Call
Love Spit Love - Love Spit Love
Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga
The National - Boxer
Waterdeep - Heart Attack Time Machine
Woven Hand - Woven Hand

A Legend Delivers

I have to say that last night far exceeded my expectations. I don't know whether it was that I had lowered my expectations to the point that I was pleased with whatever I got, or whether at 66, Bob Dylan is still a great performer. I knew the backing band would be good, and they certainly lived up to that. From the moment he walked out, he was amazing. Sure his voice isn't the greatest, but he was still a captivating performer. He didn't say much. After starting out on a guitar for the first three songs, he spent the rest of the night hidden behind a keyboard and under his wide brimmed hat.

I had read up on the set lists from the first two nights, so I knew a little bit of what to expect by way of song selection, and I knew to expect some curveballs. I'll admit that I probably would have been fine with a setlist full of all of the "hits", but the new songs stood up well against the classics. My song knowledge was certainly tested. With a catalog as large as his, I wasn't surprised.

As my concert trips to see "legends" have gone, I would rate this one pretty close to the top. I have read that he refuses to become a nostalgia act, and last night was great proof of that. I expected that my buying a ticket and going last night would be the only time I would ever see Bob Dylan. After the night, it will be awfully hard for me to pass up any other chance to see him.

Here's the setlist I stole from another website:
Rainy Day Women #12 and #35
Lay, Lady, Lay
Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues
Senor (Tales of Yankee Power)
The Levee's Gonna Break
Spirt on the Water
Stuck Inside of Mobile With the Memphis Blues Again
'Til I Fell In Love With You
The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll
Honest With Me
When the Deal Goes Down
Highway 61 Revisited
Workingman's Blues #2
Summer Days
Ballad of a Thin Man

Thunder on the Mountain
All Along the Watchtower

I ended up not being able to get my camera in, so cell phone pics were all I was able to get.

Inspiration

I've been rather inspired lately. I don't know exactly what I have been inspired to do, but I'll blame the inspiration on God, a bike, and Bob Dylan. It's always good to get that nudge from God reminding me of just how blessed I am. I have a great wife who continues to love me, amaze me, and make me laugh. I have a great house, job, and church. Somehow in spite of all of that, I usually focus more on the things that I don't have or the negatives in what I do have. By His grace, I haven't been dwelling on those things though.

The bike part of the inspiration comes from my latest attempt at a new hobby. After being around so many people that bike a lot, I caved and we both bought bikes last weekend. We haven't gotten to ride much yet, but I am really looking forward to getting out there tomorrow. I have never had a "real" bike. It was quite an experience shopping for bikes, but I think in the end we made pretty good choices. I am excited about another way to get off my tail and be active.

The Bob Dylan part comes from another recent splurge. I picked up a ticket for his show tomorrow night at the House of Blues. After a long time of being a casual fan, I have really gotten into him deeper over the past year or so. I decided that it would be worth the cash to see him up close and personal, or at least as up close and personal as it gets. After reading reviews of last night's show, I am even more excited. I don't know exactly what to expect, and it will be a bit lonely going by myself, but hey...it's still Bob Dylan. I've been listening to a lot of him in preparation. The more I listen, the more convinced I am that he isn't overhyped. The songs are gold. I'm sure I'll have more to say about the show come Sunday.

Recent Playlist:
Throw Me the Statue - Moonbeams
Bob Dylan - Hwy 61 Revisited
Bob Dylan - Blonde on Blonde
LSU - Shaded Pain
Bob Dylan - Blood on the Tracks
Over the Rhine - The Trumpet Child
Bob Dylan - Bringing it All Back Home
David Bowie - Low
Red House Painters - Songs for a Blue Guitar
Morrissey - You Are the Quarry
Joe Christmas - Upstairs Overlooking
Bob Marley and the Wailers - Legend
Hope Sandoval and the Warm Inventions - Bavarian Fruit Bread
Further Seems Forever - The Moon is Down
Stavesacre - Speakeasy
The Polyphonic Spree - Together We're Heavy
Beulah - Yoko
Gentlemen Auction House - The Rules Were Handed Down
Creeper Lagoon - Take Back the Universe and Give Me Yesterday
Radiohead - In Rainbows
Waterdeep - Heart Attack Time Machine

Over the Rhine

It had been several years since I had seen Over the Rhine. I had seen them twice before under a tent in a cornfield in Illinois, but I had always thought they would be most in there element in a small smoky club. I kept my eye out for that small smoky club show, but they hadn't made it to Texas in quite a while. I almost gave in and flew to see the last year, but my patience finally paid off when they came to town last night.

We got to the club an hour early hoping to get decent seats in the "partially seated" venue, but upon getting there the room was already packed. Dallas certainly seemed to have a lot of pent up demand to see this band. I was a little disappointed to not have a seat, but it was great to see such a good crowd. Once they got into the set, I didn't think about it much though.

There were a lot of songs that I wanted to hear. I was a little worried that they would stick to songs from The Trumpet Child, which I admittedly hadn't gotten into very much. I never got to see them in the window of time around my two favorite albums Ohio and Drunkard's Prayer, so I was really hoping to get some songs from those albums. I was very pleased to hear a good number of my old favorites along with getting a good dose of the new stuff that I certainly have a better appreciation for. Linford's piano playing amazes me. It is never flashy, but it has a simple beauty that drives the music so well. Karen's voice is mesmerizing. The songs contain one great line after another. On top of all of that, it was good to see Jake Bradley up there playing bass, and the drummer proved his skills several times.

I can't really recreate the night. There is a quality to an OTR show that is hard to define. The first time I saw them, I had trouble describing it, and I still do. I will say that few bands are as captivating as they are. I hope the packed house will get them back to Texas quickly.

Best of 2007

2007 in music was a pretty good year. I spent a lot of time listening to older stuff this year, but I still had plenty of new stuff. Time will tell how my favorite albums from the year stack up, but here is the list in no particular order.

Doug Burr - On Promenade - A late addition to my collection, but this disc may be my favorite of the year. I had an inkling I would like it when I heard Should've Known a long time back, but as soon as I saw him open for Bill Mallonee and play several other tracks, I knew it would be really good.

The National - Boxer - This is probably the disc I listened to most this year. I always avoided this band for various reasons, but once I finally gave in and got this album I knew what all of the hype was about. It hooked me about 30 seconds into Fake Empire, and I kept listening the rest of the year.

Blonde Redhead - 23 - I have liked Blonde Redhead for several years, but I never quite had an entire disc that stayed in my rotation. That was before 23 came out.

Low - Drums and Guns - Not your typical Low, but they seem to be relishing that with the last couple of albums. This one is more sparse and has more electronics to it than anything they have ever done, but somehow it sounds just like Low.

Arcade Fire - Neon Bible - I thought this one would have more staying power with me than it did, but it sort of fell off my radar by the fall. It is still one of the best albums to come out this year though. Keep the Cars Running might be my favorite song of the year.

Menomena - Friend or Foe - I could never get into I Am the Fun Blame Monster, so it took me a while to get Friend or Foe. This is a really fun disc that got a lot of listens from me this year.

St. Vincent - Marry Me - I've always been a bit of a sucker for this sort of artist. Quirky intricate songs. Great vocals.

The New Pornographers - Challengers - A lot of reviews of this disc said that it was a weak New Pornographers album, but I have to humbly disagree. Each disc gets a little slicker, but there are still some really great stuff here.

A Place to Bury Strangers - A Place to Bury Strangers - I don't do much heavy stuff these days. I don't know if I am getting old, but some of the fun has worn off. I'll always hold a special place for extremely well constructed noise though. This disc is full of those that.

The Polyphonic Spree - The Fragile Army - As with both other Spree albums, I had to hear these songs done live before I fully appreciated them. After seeing these songs flow so well with everything else, I was convinced that this is a great Polyphonic Spree album, not just them trying to reach for something a little more radio friendly.

Top 3 Shows of 2007:

Morrissey at the Palladium - Shortly after this show, I still wasn't sure if I was just so amazed by this show because I had low expectations or if it was really really good. Many months later, I can safely say it was that it was really really good. I have been on quite a Morrissey/Smiths kick ever since.

The Polyphonic Spree Christmas Extravaganza - I just wrote about that one.

Low at the Palladium - It was sad that so few people were in such a huge room for this show. This show was amazing from start to finish. Their songs are so intense in a live setting. I was very glad to have been in the handful of people that got to see this one.

Holiday Extravaganza

When I first saw the Polyphonic Spree a few years ago, I decided that I wouldn't miss them when they played in town if I could help it. I have made it to four or five of the six or eight shows they have done since that first time, but I have never seen them put on as good of show as they did Sunday afternoon. After a year off they returned to the Lakewood Theater for their 7th Annual Holiday Extravaganza.

I had made it to the 6th one two years ago at Nokia Theater. This year, they scaled back the extracurricular things like Tap Dancing Grannies and an Animal show, but they made up for it with the energy that was in the small theater. I honestly don't know how they made it through the second show that from what I read was as good if not better than the first.

I'm not a big fan of Christmas music in general, but even I got into the Christmas set. Their rendition of the Little Drummer Boy may be my favorite version of any Christmas song, and Happy Xmas (The War is Over) was great. If that set would have been all the concert we got that night, it would have been worth going, but they still had a rock set to go.

The rock set started out with the band behind a huge red sheet. The harp intro started and slowly Tim DeLaughter started cutting into the sheet. As the hole grew into the shape of a heart until he cut through it completely, they layed into Running Away with a fury and didn't let up for the next hour and a half. The Fragile Army songs really have evolved since the first time I saw them played in March. The set flowed seamlessly with songs from all three albums along with a few great covers highlighted by Live and Let Die.

Lots of balloons and streamers and jumping around on stage. They were just flat out great. After a bit of a let down when I saw them in March, they really made up for it. I don't think you can see the band without having fun.

Not That Again

A year and four days ago, I started a month long posting spree. I'm not going to try that again. I started it in an attempt to get some things out of my system. Things weren't going the greatest at the time, and I was hoping that the posting would help me think through some things. I posted every day, but I think the main lasting change that came out of the spree was a lot of boring posts. I'll go back and read a few of them, but I'd gather that my outlook hasn't changed as much as I would have hoped. I still try to do way too much on my own. I may even be more prone to that now than I was a year ago.

I am finally doing a little bit better of a job of getting more people involved. I've started going to a gathering called Celebrate Recovery at my church. It is an interesting sort of thing. 12 steps and a serenity prayer and all that jazz. I've never done a drug in my life. I'm not a drinker. I can't stand to gamble. All of the things that are usually associated with the need to recover are not problems that are real to me. Many of the people there are dealing with things that really put my issues into perspective.

What I am liking about it so far is that the shot of perspective is balanced with a realization that everyone has problems that they struggle with. There is no need to rate problems as bigger or smaller; just the knowledge that we can't do things on our own. The need for God's intervention is the common thread. While I can't relate to everyone's stuggles directly, I can rejoice in the healing that He provides.

It is still a really weird thing to be a part of. I have stood back for a couple of years saying that I know this would be good for me, but I don't care to be involved. It is a bit of a struggle to go after a long day of work, especially when there are "better" things to do. Past that, it is a struggle to actually speak out and let down my guard. God is bringing me around to the idea of it though.

Playlist:
Doug Burr - On Promenade
Over the Rhine - Live from Nowhere Vol 1
The Submarines - Declare a New State!
Northern Room - Only Seconds EP
James Blackshaw - The Cloud of Unknowing
Neko Case - Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
The Normals - Coming to Life
Rafter - Music for Total Chickens
U2 - How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb
Aaron Sprinkle - Bareface
A.C. Newman - The Slow Wonder
Pedro the Lion - It's Hard to Find a Friend
Patty Griffin - 1000 Kisses
The Innocence Mission - Birds of My Neighborhood
Bob Dylan - Highway 61 Revisited
namelessnumberheadman - Wires Reply

An Old Favorite Says Farewell For Now

I know this makes two posts in a row about Friday night trips to the House of Blues, but there hasn't been much else going on that I have wanted to post about. The group was larger this time as five us of went to catch Nickel Creek for one last time. We got to feel old again, but at least this time we were feeling old from some seats in the balcony. It was mighty nice to sit up there in a defined area of personal space with my lovely wife by my side. Having her beside me smiling would have would have made just about any concert great.

The show itself was probably the worst of the five or so Nickel Creek shows I have seen. First off, I will say again that the House of Blues is really nice and sounds pretty stinking good. The band seemed a little tired. I have them put on some great shows over the years, so it was a little disappointing for them to go out with more of a dud than a bang. They show was not without its high points though. A bad Nickel Creek show is still really entertaining.

As usual, they pulled out some hilarious covers like I Want You Back and Toxic. I was a little disappointed with the song selection, but they did make it to many of the highpoints like This Side, When in Rome, Lighthouse Tale, and Can't Complain. The also seemed to have played nearly every instrumental they have ever recorded. It will be interesting to see where the band goes from here. I'm sure there will be plenty of music to come from the members. I was definitely glad to get to see them one last time before the go their separate ways at least for a while.

Playlist:
Nickel Creek - In Concert 11/02/2007 - All Songs Considered Podcast
Arcade Fire - In Concert 02/17/2oo7 - All Songs Considered Podcast (more of these to come)
Low - Drums and Guns
Jacobstone - Regions
Dylan in the Movies - Feel the Pull
The New Year - The End is Near
Six Parts Seven - Casually Smashed to Pieces
Joanna Newsom - The Milk Eyed Mender
Rosie Thomas - These Friends of Mine
Why? - Elephant Eyelash
Maria Taylor - 11:11
Tom Brosseau - What I Mean To Say is Goodbye
Now Its Overhead - Fall Back Open
Angels of Light - We Are Him
Birdmonster - No Midnight
Seth Kaufman - Ting
Sonic Youth - Daydream Nation
Ben & Vesper - More Questions
The Besnard Lakes - The Besnard Lakes are the Dark Horse

The Crotchety Old Man Goes Out On A Friday

I haven't been making it out to too many shows lately, but I did get to one on Friday night. After coming pretty close to skipping out, my faithful concert going buddy and I made it to the House of Blues to see Spoon and The New Pornographers. The show was really crowded and as was pointed out to me, I am getting crotchety. It was my first trip into the House of Blues though, and I was impressed. Sure it is owned by a big mean corporation and sure they would like you to leave the show through their store, but the Gypsy Tea Room didn't hold a candle to this place. The sight lines were great and the sound was much better.

The show started out with a set from Emma Pollock I really got into a couple of Delgado's albums a while back, but I really wasn't liking her new disc, Watch the Fireworks, very much. Live, the songs were much more enjoyable though. Too bad I am getting old and don't really have the legs to stand for hours on end watching shows anymore. Her set was the kind of set I would have really enjoyed a few years ago, but Friday, I just wanted the show to move on.

Up next, the New Pornographers came with a great set. They were the big draw to this show for me. I was excited to hear that Neko Case would be along for this tour, and that was what pushed me over the edge to buy the overpriced tickets. They make some great fun music, and being able to see the whole band playing together was a treat. Dan Bejar only made it out for a few songs, but they were certainly memorable. They might have sold the song out to the University of Phoenix, but The Bleeding Heart Show was incredible to see live. It was definitely the highlight of the night for me. I've never cared much about selling out anyway.

Spoon is a band that I like to listen to from time to time, but I wouldn't claim them as a favorite. They came out and played a great set. Lots of noise and lots of singing along. The crowd was eating it up. I was getting pretty tired by the end of their set, but I was pleasantly surprised by how good they were. It was a good night of music.

Recent Playlist:
Sonic Youth - Daydream Nation
Twothirtyeight - You Should Be Living
Blonde Redhead - 23
Badly Drawn Boy - The Hour of the Bewilderbeast
The National - Boxer
Namelessnumberheadman - Your Voice Repeating
The New Pornographers - Twin Cinema
Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
Hem - Rabbit Songs
Low - Trust
Sigur Ros - Takk
Woven Hand - Consider the Birds
The Mountain Goats - Tallahasses
Morrissey - You Are the Quarry
Jens Lekman - Night Falls of Kortedala
Minus the Bear - Planet of Ice
Andrew Osenga - Letter to the Editor, Vol 1
Over the Rhine - The Trumpet Child
Yeasayer - All Hour Cymbals
A Northern Chorus - The Millions Too Many
Earlimart - Everyone Down Here
St. Vincent - Marry Me
Tom Brosseau - Cavalier
The Cave Singers - Invitation Songs