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

Returning to My Skin

I haven't had much to say lately. The only news going is really that we are in our new house. That has been nice, but a lot of work. Other than that, football season has included lots of weekends away and has all in all be rather sad.

In general, I think posting song lyrics on blogs is rather lame, but I have been rather uninspired and as is often the case, Bill Mallonee can say it better than I can.

what is it you need to hear
it's on your lips and in your ears
if too much static or unclear
still still He holds you dearly

hound of heaven on your trail
keen sense of direction and smell
knows your need before you do
and when you bleed He does too

on my own again
on my slow dark train
how is it i am found
in my judas skin spinning down

what is it you need to know
you don't already understand
when You offer me a drink
i just keep You at arms length

what is it that i fear
why is it i don't trust
hiding out becomes career
what am i covering up

what is it you need to find
love Your Spirit working overtime
when i come out of my spin
and i see You're still my friend

It's been a weird couple of months. Lots of changes, but lots of things are still the same.

Playlist:
The National - Alligator
Mewithoutyou - Brother, Sister
The Polyphonic Spree - The Fragile Army
Don Peris - Ten Silver Slide Trombones
Hem - Eveningland
Sufjan Stevens - Seven Swans
Jens Lekman - Night Falls of Kortedala
The Normals - A Place Where You Belong
Radiohead - In Rainbows
Don Chaffer - You Were At the Time For Love
Common Children - Delicate Fade
Beruit - The Flying Club Cup
A Place To Bury Strangers - A Place to Bury Strangers
Thee, Stranded Horse - Churning Saddles
The New Year - The End's Not Near
Charlie Parr - Jubilee
Low - The Great Destroyer
Low - Drums and Guns
Trespassers William - Having
Trespassers William - Different Stars

Faster Slower

Last week was a busy week at work and with trying to get things together to close on the house, so I didn't have much time to do much of anything. It was nice to slow down on Saturday and spend the day with my amazing wife for her birthday....even with the shopping and girly movie. I had a blast. Maybe I'll even read Pride and Prejudice after being so inspired.....or not.

This week started out much slower, and I am thankful for that. By the end of last week, I was completely spent, but by the grace of God, I was sustained. It was nice to be able to say that at the end of a rough week. That's not to say that He hasn't provided me strength all of those other weeks, it's to say that many weeks, I don't pay a lick of attention.

I do have a small goal for myself this week....to contact a couple of people I haven't talked to in a long time. I have gotten really bad about keeping in touch with people. I'm not sure why I let that be so difficult.

Playlist (Long Work Days = Lots of Music):
The Prayer Chain - Mercury
Daniel Johnston - The Late, Great Daniel Johnston
Hem - Rabbit Songs
St. Vincent - Marry Me
Damien Jurado - Where Shall You Take Me Now?
The Decemberists - Picaresque
Page France - Hello, Dear Wind
Nickel Creek - Why Should the Fire Die?
Saxon Shore - Luck Will Not Save Us From a Jackpot of Nothing
Jeremy Enigk - World Waits
The Delgados - Universal Audio
Patrick Watson - Close to Paradise
Devotchka - How It Ends
The Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
Smile Smile - Blue Roses
Marmoset - A Marmoset Menagerie
The Paper Chase - God Bless Your Black Heart
Neko Case - Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
The National - Alligator
Bob Dylan - MTV Unplugged
Grizzly Bear - Horn of Plenty
Ride - Nowhere
LN - Dirt Floor Hotel, Pt 2
Mewithoutyou - Brother, Sister
Mojave 3 - Ask Me Tomorrow
Lilium - Transmission of All The Good-Byes
Godspeed You Black Emperor - Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antenna To Heaven
Explosions in the Sky - The Earth is Not a Cold Dead Place
Low - Drums and Guns
Interpol - Our Love to Admire

I'll Never Be Broke

Over the past week, we have finally gotten closer to buying a new house. After lots of trouble starting out, we got an offer accepted at the beginning of last week. Tomorrow will be the inspections and as long as there are no surprises there, we will be closing in the next two weeks. It is pretty exciting for us.

I have been going through and getting some initial packing done. Between this and packing up some of the stuff I had at my parent's house, I have had quite a trip down memory lane over the past month. I'm a bit of a pack rat. I save all sorts of things. I have a trunk full of old memories that I keep adding things to. Old newspapers, old pictures, ticket stubs, receipts. I can pull that trunk out and trace nearly every significant event (and some not so significant ones) in my life over the past 15 years.

As I was digging through my desk drawer trying to separate trash from sentimental trash that needs to go in the trunk from stuff I need to save, I came across an old wallet. I hadn't used this wallet in a long time, but I still decided to dig through it. I remembered that I'd probably left something in there. Sure enough, in one of the pockets, there was a two dollar bill. The story behind that two dollar bill is similar to lot of stories of me growing up. It came out of kindness and time invested in a young kid by someone who cared enough to spend some time and money.

It was given to me by an old guy I knew named Andy Anderson. Mr. Andy was man that went to the church I attended until I left for college. Once me and my friends got into high school, Mr. Andy would ask us to help him out with various projects he needed done around his house or around the church. Even though he was in his late 70s, he was always around changing light bulbs or painting parking lot lines or whatever else needed to be done. One day along with the payment he gave us, which usually involved lunch at somewhere like KFC, he gave each one of us a two dollar bill. In giving it to us, he said "Keep this with you, and you'll never be broke." That was easily ten years ago, and I have never been broke since.

Like I said, there are tons of stories I could tell of men like Mr. Andy. Cliff, Harry, Mike, Butch.... the list could go on for a long time. In addition to my dad (whose influence would need a lot more words than I can write to explain), there have been tons of men in my life who have set amazing examples for me. I am thankful for those men and their lessons, and as I move in towards another big milestone, it was good to find another reminder. I need to get that two dollar bill back into my wallet.

Recent Playlist:
The National - Boxer
The Smiths - The Queen is Dead
Trespassers William - Having
Suffering and the Hideous Thieves - Rats in Heaven
The New Year - The End is Near
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - Nocturama
Northern Room - Last Embrace EP
Morrissey - Ringleader of the Tormentors
Hem - Eveningland
Radiohead - Hail to the Thief
Portugal, the Man - Waiter: "You Vultures!"
New Ruins - The Sound They Make
Menomena - Friend and Foe
Blonde Redhead - 23
Pela - Anytown Graffiti
Bill Mallonee - Permafrost

A Voice in a Yoga Studio

Last night was a fitting end to a very up and down weekend. The weekend had some really great times and some really rough ones that can pretty much be attributed to my hardheadedness and lack of willingness to take responsibility for me. As I sat there at the Bend Studio last night listening intently to Bill Mallonee play songs and tell stories, I thought much more clearly than I have been in a couple of weeks.

I've certainly mentioned here before about my connection with Bill's music. I've seen him perform and listened to his music through every season of my life in the past 8 years. I was a little unsure going into the night that I would connect to the music at all. I have gone through a lot since the last time I saw him, and he has gone through a lot too. It would be safe to say that the connection I felt to the music last night was deeper and more profound than ever. The lyrics weren't just clever and insightful, they were so many of the words I was trying to get together in several conversations over the course of the weekend.

The crowd was small, but perfect for the small room. Doug Burr started out with a great set that impressed me even more than the previous times I have seen him. I'm very excited about his new album that is coming soon, but that wasn't the reason I was there. Bill and Muriah took the stage a few minutes later and launched into Solar System off of Audible Sigh. Another song I've heard a million times hitting me a completely new way. The night progressed and song after song hit me. Story after story had me thinking. I won't go song by song and tell you what hit me and how, but the night went by very quickly. Some words felt like punches and some of them were extremely comforting. The words spoke a lot of truth that I needed to hear and think about. I was so glad I went in spite of thinking that I was setting myself up for another lonely night.

The metaphor of a train is used a lot in the music of Bill Mallonee and Americana in general. As he put it so well last night, it is because it works so perfectly to illustrate a journey of life. A train is a lot of something heading somewhere. Tons and tons of things from all over that are together as one mass headed for a destination. Most anywhere you live, when you see a train, it is somewhere past where it started, but it has not reached its final destination. I've got a long way to go.

"now look if you're gonna come around here
and say those sort of things
you gotta take a few on the chin
you talking about love and all that stuff
you better bring your thickest skin
sometimes you can't please everyone
sometimes you can't please anyone at all
you sew your heart onto your sleeve
and wait for the ax to fall"
Skin - Bill Mallonee

Cash

"Hey, I'm not the smartest guy in the world, but I'm certainly not the dumbest. I mean, I've read books like "The Unbearable Lightness of Being" and "Love in the Time of Cholera", and I think I've understood them. They're about girls, right? Just kidding. But I have to say my all-time favorite book is Johnny Cash's autobiography "Cash" by Johnny Cash."
Rob Gordon - High Fidelity

There aren't too many books I have read twice. I like to read, but usually even my favorite books sit on the shelf after I finish them. For some reason, a couple of weeks ago, I decided to pick up one I had read before and start reading it again. It has been timely reading for me. Back in college, I picked up a copy of Cash when I going through my Johnny Cash phase. I call it a phase, but really it was just the time when I got American IV and the subsequently bought the rest of the American series and a greatest hits album or two.

I didn't know much about Johnny Cash other than that he was an old country singer that had seen a pretty big resurgence in popularity after recording a bunch of modern songs. I had heard the popular songs, and I knew he was a big character, but I pretty much lumped all old country together as my Dad's music. Other than an old Hank Williams tape I pilfered from him, I didn't really give it much of a chance. With the first chapter of Cash, I knew that I had been missing out. At the end of the first chapter, he lays out the things he is thankful for. Those few pages had me in tears not to mention convinced that I needed to know much more about the man.

I read through the rest of the book enjoying the anecdotes with the mix of bravado and humbleness that it was written with. There are stories that give you small peaks into the lives of so many other interesting characters. Roy Orbison, Elvis, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis....the list goes on. Themes of love for family, pain, and redemption flow through the whole thing. I have always enjoyed autobiographies, but it would be hard for me to name one that has meant more to me. I'm just about through my second reading. Once I'm done, it will probably go back on my shelf for a couple of years, but I'm sure I'll make it back around to reading it again.

On another topic, for any friends in Dallas.....(an oddsmaker would probably put the over/under of people in Dallas that actually read this at 3 though I'd probably still pick the under if I had to bet.) On July 22nd, Bill Mallonee will be playing at the Bend Studio with Doug Burr opening. I'm certainly going to be there, and I'd love to have some other folks go with me. It should be well worth the cash. Let me know if you are interested in going.

Playlist:
Nada Surf - The Weight is a Gift
Pas/Cal - Dear Sir
Mogwai - Happy Songs for Happy People
The Twilight Sad - The Twilight Sad
Hem - Funnel Cloud
Dexy's Midnight Runners - Too Rye Ay
Sleeping at Last - Keep No Score
Castanets - First Light's Freeze
A Northern Chorus - The Millions Too Many
16 Horsepower - Secret South

Almost Oklahoma

Today has just been one of those days. It started off stressful and just kept getting worse. Nothing seemed to help and the pressure kept mounting. I finally decided to just take a drive late this evening. My road of choice was 75 going north. It proved to be a nice night drive. A straight shot heading towards Oklahoma with not too many cars around.

On the drive, I had no other objective than to decompress. I didn't want to think about work or houses or anything at all. I just wanted to drive. These days, it seems my hardheaded nature doesn't listen to much. I didn't want to call anyone to talk. I didn't want to seek comfort. I just wanted to forget for a bit.

As I blasted some music and the AC while driving towards nothing, I did get to thinking about some things. I came to my above conclusion about not listening much. I remembered why I am such a music nut. It is the one thing that seems to finally get to me when I am not listening to God or anyone else. It is my soft spot, and God uses it time and time again to get through my thick skull.

Thank God for Gary Murray, Explosions in the Sky, Justin Rosolino, The Weepies, Warren Zevon, and Bill Mallonee. They were used by Him to help me through a tough night when I didn't want to do what I know is best.

Trios

A week ago, I got to see a trio that I have seen many times before. It's always a treat to see Sleeping at Last play. They seem to get better live every time I see them. The Keep No Score songs have really grown on me quite a bit since I last saw them. The crowd was the biggest they have drawn any time I have seen them in Dallas. The venue still is one of my least favorite, but at least they weren't trying to compete over a screamo band this time.

Last night, I got to see a trio that I had never seen before. They broke up shortly before I turned three. I know quite a bit of music from The Police, but I would never consider them one of my favorite bands. I was interested in seeing the reunion tour though. After buying, then selling a pair of decent tickets for the concert, yesterday morning, I jumped at the chance to get some cheap tickets for the show.

The crowd leaned to the old side, and the band was even older. The music was great though. Sting's voice sounded good, but it wasn't quite up to the high notes that he used to be there. Watching Stewart Copeland on the big screens was worth more than the price of admission though in my book. All in all, it was a fun show. Some great songs performed by aging legends who don't really like each other. I was glad I got to see them.

Recent Playlist:
The Books - Lost and Safe
The Police - Syncronicity
Richard Swift - Dressed Up For The Letdown
Iron and Wine/Calexico - In the Reins
Lassie Foundation - The El Dorado LP
The Smiths - The Queen is Dead
Pedro the Lion - It's Hard to Find a Friend
Neko Case - Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
Half Handed Cloud - Learning About Your Scale
The Mountain Goats - The Sunset Tree
Lyle Lovett - Joshua Judges Ruth
The Polyphonic Spree - The Fragile Army
Dosh - The Lost Take
Andrew Osenga - Letters to the Editor Vol. 1
The Choir - Circle Slide
New Ruins - The Sound They Make

Andy O

There are certain songwriters that I love and seem to rediscover every so often. I don't really forget about them, but they do sometimes leave regular rotation on my ipod. The albums sit there waiting to be found again, and I always make it back. More so than just great music, great lyrics draw me back in and remind me of how much the writer's words have impacted me at different points in my life. The songwriter that I rediscovered today was Andrew Osenga.

I discovered his old band The Normals early on in college. A buddy recommended Better Than This to me, so I ordered it through the BMG club I was a member of back then. I loved the songs and gave the disc a lot of listens. I picked up Coming to Life not too long after it came out and gave it a couple of listens. It spent about 6 months on my shelf after that gathering dust. Somewhere along the way I dusted it off and started listening to it again. I had no idea how much that cd would be used in my life sophomore year of college. I was beginning to really know what God's grace meant. The songs put into words a lot of what I was feeling and trying so desperately to really understand. I can still listen to that album and have it touch me in new ways.

I got to see them perform three or four times after that album came out before the next one came out. The spring of my junior year, I had some cash to spend for a concert at the student ministry I was involved in. A handful of other devoted Normals fans and I were able to make it it happen. We promoted the heck out of the show and were so excited. The night finally came and they lived up to the expectations. Aside from an extremely short conversation about the Vigilantes of Love shirt I was wearing, I didn't talk to him much at all. I didn't want to babble to this guy whose words had meant so much to me. In the promotional items we were sent, we received some copies of A Place Where You Belong. Quickly another album of Normals songs was a part of my soundtrack. Those last two Normals albums were easily the best "Christian" music to come out of that time. Sadly, it wasn't much longer until the Normals were done. Much like that concert of ours, not enough people gave the Normals a chance.

The next memory I have of Andrew Osenga, and the last time I saw him perform, was a last minute trip to Austin with a buddy to see him play. It was a long trip for a tall guy in a small truck. That show at an Asian student ministry, and a couple of white guys wearing A&M gear stuck out in the room of Asian Longhorn fans. We may have seemed a bit out of place, but it was definitely worth it. The songs were still there. There were a bunch of new ones that I didn't know too well, but we enjoyed every minute of them.

I've kept up with his solo work over the years. I never make it through an album without having to go back to listen to a song again because it has hit me differently than it ever has. Even this evening while thinking about writing this, I was floored by House of Mirrors and When Will I Run. Again, they put into words things that I could not define.

Today I downloaded his latest solo ep. He has it available for download at his site here. I'm already loving these songs. I really needed them today. It is a great story behind the ep too that you can read on the site. Go download it and give it a listen. Send him a few bucks to help him keep making such great music.

"one day I believe
I will open up my eyes
to see the good work that was begun
I'll be the only things I've ever wanted
to be
and I'll know I belong"
Swing Wide the Glimmering Gates - Andrew Osenga