Updates!

It's been a little while since I updated this. I've had a rather busy summer, but it's tapering off now. I still have a few projects that I'm working on, though I imagine that I'll have more opportunity to continue to write some reviews and share my thoughts on stuff once things settle down a little.

Here are some records that I've been enjoying lately:

Hot Water Music, "No Division"
Heartsounds, "Until We Surrender"
Drake, "Whatever Long Title the Mixtape Has"
PS Eliot, "Introverted Romance in Our Troubled Minds"
Used Kids, "Yeah, No"
Tom Gabel, "Heart Burns"
Keri Hilson, "In a Perfect World"
Polar Bear Club, "Summer of George EP"

Check them out, I'll chat with you guys soon, k? Thnx.

Running Playlists

One of the most awesome features I like about my iPod is that I can craft a playlist that has precise timing. I have two playlists for my morning, pre-work runs, one at 20 minutes and a 30 minutes, depending on how much time I give myself in the AM. I was thinking of making a new playlist and I wanted to get peoples' suggestions. Leave them in the comments, please. Here's what I currently have:

Playlist 1 (20 Mins)
Fireworks, "Show Me Your Vanishing Act One More Time"
Four Year Strong, "Heroes Get Remembered, Legends Never Die"
Brand New, "The Shower Scene"
Big Pun feat. Fat Joe, "Twinz"
Comadre, "I Think We're Alone Now"
Broadway Calls, "Get at Me"
Capone and Noreaga, "TONY"

Playlist 2 (30 Mins)
None More Black, "Oh, There's Legwork"
Modern Life is War, "D.E.A.D.R.A.M.O.N.E.S."
The Lawrence Arms, "Great Lakes/Great Escape"
Shook Ones, "Order Form"
American Nightmare, "am/pm"
Kid Dynamite, "Heart a Tact"
Silverstein, "Vices"
The Bled, "Dale Earnhardt's Seatbelt"
Hour of the Wolf, "Taking Out the Trash"
Crime in Stereo, "I Stole This for You"

Shake the Sheets: Another List of Shit 2009

I've been pretty lazy at updating this thing. I've probably updated Backed With more recently. Eh, what are you going to do?

Here are my midyear picks for 2K9 (again, in no particular order):

Kevin Devine, "Brother's Blood"
Method Man and Redman, "Blackout 2!"
Raekwon, "Blood on the Chef's Apron Mixtape"
Narrows, "New Distances"
Shook Ones, "The Unquotable AMH"
Manchester Orchestra, "Mean Everything to Nothing"
Sister Cities, "Demo"
Tigers Jaw, "Tour EP"
The Loved Ones, "Distractions EP"
Like Bats, "Demo"
Chase Pagan, "Bells and Whistles"
A Loss for Words, "Whatever the new album is called"
Fireworks, "All I Have to Offer is my Own Confusion"

Top 10 Movies of 2008 (In no particular order)

Another day, another list. Perhaps Entertainment Weekly can hire me to write these arbitrary things.

1. Let the Right One In
Vampire romance that is more psychological than that melodramatic trainwreck people call Twilight.

2. Forgetting Sarah Marshall
When Jason Segel’s wang was exposed a bunch of teenage boys in unison yelled, “Eww,” to which I yelled back, “Don’t be afraid of something you’ve already had in your mouth!” I got daps from James.

3. Run, Fatboy, Run
David Schwimmer + Michael Ian Black + Simon Pegg = Comedy Gold, though the real star of this movie is Bernard Black himself, Dylan Moran.

4. Quantum of Solace
I never liked the Bond movies until Daniel Craig was in them.

5. Kung Fu Panda
The Asian in me should hate this, but fuck it, this movie was awesome if only for the part where Jack Black’s Po says, “There is no price for this awesomeness or attractiveness!”

6. Wall-E
Pixar’s version of “Clarity.”

7. Zack and Miri Make a Porno/Role Models
I’m a fan of Kevin Smith and David Wain, respectively and even though “Zack and Miri” didn’t do shit at the box office, it doesn’t take away from the fact that it was ridiculously funny. On the opposite end of the spectrum, “Role Models” did tremendously well and was able to combine David Wain’s ultra-nerd humor with viable commercial success.

8. The Dark Knight
Heathus will live forever as he channeled Brian Bolland and Alan Moore’s version of the Joker. Also Gary Oldman’s kinda hot.

9. Definitely, Maybe
Why isn’t Ryan Reynolds in more movies?

10. Iron Man
I love comics and I dig how Marvel is angling to do the Ultimates-version of the Avengers for the big screen. That is, if they don’t get too bloated (Punisher War Zone? Really, guys?).

Top 15 Records of 2008

Every year I do this stupid list and this year, I was hard pressed to find anything decent that I immediately fell in love with. There were some fairly decent records, though.

1. Nas, "The Dreaded N-World/Untitled"
2. The Loved Ones, "Build and Burn"
3. 2*Sweet (RIP), "Sleep without Dreams"
4. Brighten, "Early Love EP"
5. City and Colour, "Bring Me Your Love"
6. Wale, "The Mixtape About Nothing"
7. Jake One, "White Van Music"
8. Solange Knowles, "Sol-Angel"
9. Horizon, "Demo 2008"
10. LaGrecia, "On Parallels"
11. Anthony Green, "Avalon"
12. Empires, "Howl"
13. Crime in Stereo, "Selective Wreckage"
14. A Loss for Words, "Webster Lake"
15. Gaslight Anthem, "The 59 Sound"

tha vacation blog

Usually around this time of the year, I spout off my favorite records of the year so far. I'm not going to do that. I am, however, going to let you know that there will be a week of inactivity since I'm going to Chicago next week (Alkaline Trio and Wayne Campbell what up?).

I am working on a summer jams mixtape under the Ryan Fresh moniker and my ongoing acoustic project, yaTp, finally has an EP that will sound listenable.

Otherwise, here are the records that I'm feeling right now:

2*Sweet, "Sleep without Dreams"
This Time Next Year, "A Place For You"
Kevin Devine, "Daytrotter Sessions"
LL Cool J, "Return of the GOAT"
Saturday Knights
Nas, "The Dreaded N-Word Mixtape"
City and Colour, "Bring Me Your Love"

Dear Meghan McCain...

While it's clear with my job and my general political leanings, I'm as far away from a Republican as possible, I've entertained the notion of John McCain being president since the 2000 elections, most notably because he was pretty hard-nosed about campaign reform. Now he's a pretty visible frontrunner beating out both a Mormon and an Evangelical, which I can't help but smile about on the inside.

Still, because I have the card, I'd much rather see the youngblood that is the B.O. takeover, if only to someone that is a reflection of the America that I've grown up in (i.e. surrounded by brown folks).

With that said, I've been lurking Meghan McCain's (John McCain's daughter) blog. It's pretty fascinating just to see the campaign experience from the eyes and perspective of someone there who isn't running for public office.

The most entertaining part of Meghan McCain's site is her list of songs that she's really into. There are some surprising entries in her playlist: Bad Brains, Dead Milkmen, Girls Against Boys and Sleater-Kinney (my former arch-rivals). But for the most part, it seems to be some pretty pedestrian, entry-level college kid indie rock: Band of Horses, Kasabian, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Decemberists, etc.

Meghan, I think you could use a bit of an overhaul on your playlist. I mean, you're probably tired of listening to the same songs that Pitchfork was raving about two years ago, right? Here's a list of records that I think you could get down to:

Method Man: Tical
Meth's debut solo record has songs like "Release Yo Delf," "Bring the Pain" and "Meth Vs. Chef" which are all tunes that you could start a riot with, but more importantly, get you hyped up.

Death Cab for Cutie: We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes
DCFC's least self-absorbed record has concept songs about Kerouac, smoke filled apartments and loves lost to marriage. It's probably one of the best road-trip albums of all time.

That Dog: Retreat From the Sun
That Dog's poppiest record, Retreat From the Sun, has numerous fun jaunts that you can rock out to while you try to ignore the trappings out the real world.

The Don't Tells: Our Reunion Is Pending
A quirky band featuring Casey Prestwood (aka Spacey Casey) and his wife, Don't Tells play '60s styled pop songs about smoking pot and random sex. I'm not sure if Meghan McCain would like the content of the lyrics per se, but it's an awesome record nonetheless.

Fall River: Lights Out
Since Ms. McCain has the new Rilo Kiley (blah) and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs on her rotation, I figured she could benefit from listening to Fall River, one of the most underrated hardcore bands out there. Widely known because they were fronted by Allison Bellavance, whose vocal growls could stand up next to Coalesce's Sean Ingram, Fall River was a technically savvy hardcore group who've moved on the equally engaging Spark Is a Diamond.

2007 Rewind Selecta: The Hits

I don't care if it's still early December, I'm going to write one of these arbitrary lists now and get it over with, that way, when other blogs are just straight blasting motherfuckers with the same Matador/Def Jux/Barsuk releases, I'll seem that much more of a trailblazer. Believe that.

Best Records of 07 (in no particular order):

Dawhud, "Basement Sessions" (Self-Released)
This fucking jam has been the most heavily rotated hip-hop record of the year...and I've only had it since the summer time. Even if I didn't know Dawhud, I'd still go out and buy this CD. Seriously. That's how good it is. The last time I heard a hip-hop album this cohesive and well put together? Maybe "Supreme Clientele." Maybe.

Broadway Calls, "Broadway Calls" (State of Mind)
These dudes get a lot of comparisons to Jawbreaker, but I'd say they're more like a non-shittier version of Green Day; maybe "Kerrplunk"-era.

Tegan & Sara, "The Con" (Sire/Vapor)
I think I wrote more about this band than I really needed to, but whatever. The record is better than that Paramore shite.

DJ Babu, "The Beat Tape Vol.1" (Nature Sounds)
Though each song is roughly a minute and a half long, Babu's instrumental album was pretty thorough and an easy listen from start to end. I know he didn't win the Big Tune Beat Battle, but I'd seriously like to see Sabzi come correct with a full-on wordless album and see how it fairs compared to this legend's run at it.

Alicia Keys, "As I Am" (J)
I just reviewed this shit last week.

Say Anything, "In Defense of the Genre" (J)
I'm hesistantly putting this up on the list. I've heard it a few times and while I'll venture out and say that the first disc is stronger than the second, I think that as a songwriter, Max Bemis is getting better and better. He's lyrically more interesting than half the bands that get featured on message board sites and I'm curious to see what comes out of his mouth on the next record.

Boys Night Out, "Boys Night Out" (Ferret)
Just a fun pop record to listen to.

Scott Storch featuring Nox, "Built Like That" (Self-Released)
Probably the worst diss record of all time, it's still halfway entertaining to hear Scotty Storch rap. It's the same carwreck reaction that people had that made William Hung one of the best selling "American Idol" contestants.

Amy Winehouse, "Back To Black" (Universal)
I know, I know. She's coked up as fuck and "Rehab" is probably the most played out song since "In da Club," but dude, have you heard the record in its entirity? That shit is amazing.

Crime In Stereo, "Crime In Stereo Is Dead" (Bridge Nine)
I also reviewed this last week, but I actually made the effort to buy it from a store. That's how much I liked it.

Deejay Om, "Reheated Naan and Curry" (G4)
This is a few months old but it's still fire.

Little Brother, "Getback" (ABB)
I was a little reluctant to hear Phonte and Pooh without 9th Wonder, but you know what? This new record actually bangs harder than "The Minstrel Show." No disrespect to 9th, but damn. Maybe they should've cut homedude from the roster years ago.

Manchester Orchestra, "I'm Like a Virgin Losing a Child" (Red Ink)
A breathtaking album that openly criticizes organized religion from a band that is neither from Manchester, nor an orchestra.

top 10 break up records (at the moment)

Almost 10 years ago, I started compiling my ever-shifting rotation of break-up records. About five years ago, I had a solid list and until recently, I haven't really had any reason to dust off the collection. Since 1997, the list has changed some and angrier rap records have been excluded. But nonetheless, there are some serious records here that will hopefully help heal that broken heart. At the very least you can pick and choose some songs to make that vindictive mixtape for your former flame.

Top 10 Break Up Records (In No Particular Order):

1. Red House Painters, "Songs For a Blue Guitar"
Mark Kozelek is a lyrical genius. While RHP's earliest records are raw as fuck, it's the morose, confused feeling of 1996's "Songs For a Blue Guitar" that best reflect what it's like to start over in your late 20's.

2. Morrissey, "Viva Hate"
Moz speaks about adolescent heartbreak in such a way that his fanship goes across the board. I was digging this dude in the seventh grade and I'm still a fan.

3. Atmosphere, "Lucy Ford"
Emo-rap's prince dujour, Sean Daley aka Slug is not unlike the New Found Glory of hip-hop: Dude says what he needs to say and breaks the fuck out. That's why he's hip-hop's Warped Tour ambassador.

4. Group Home, "Livin' Proof"
Unlike Atmosphere, Brooklyn's Group Home doesn't rap about girls that broke their hearts. They rap about selling dope, beating up peoples' mothers and getting out of the ghetto, all of which is set to DJ Premier's impeccable beats. Sometimes, you need to get that anger out and Lil Dap and Malachai are some of the most thugged out dudes out there.

5. Jimmy Eat World, "Clarity"
This entered the list when I got super drunk one New Years Eve and, on the way to another party, pulled over to the side of the road, sat up on the hood of my car and started talking about the meaning of "A Sunday."

6. Brand New, "Entire Discography"
Most kids would probably only cite Brand New's "Your Favorite Weapon" (as well as the assorted B-Sides from that period) as their only songs that address heartbreak, but you can find some pretty seething lyrics in "Deja's" centerpiece, "The Boy Who Blocked His Own Shot" and "Not the Sun" and "Luca" from "The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Of Me."

7. Oscar Brown, Jr., "Movin' On"
Glossed over and often forgotten about, Oscar Brown, Jr. was telling dudes to man up during a time when Luther was getting his start and making men bitch made.

8. Roberta Flack, "Blue Lights In the Basement"
Ms. Flack has some memorable tunes, but album-wise, "Blue Lights" has the best overall aesthetic to sob to.

9. Taking Back Sunday, "Tell All Your Friends"
One of the newest entries, everything you need to know about this sweet album, you can find in an earlier post.

10. The Format, "Dog Problems"/Blink 182, "Dude Ranch"
I don't know what happened to Nate Ruess and Sam Means, the principal members of The Format, but damn, "Dog Problems" contains the worst of the worst feeling a guy can go through, yet every song is pretty peppy so all you can do is dance. It best encapsulates the actual process of getting over someone.

Blink's "Dude Ranch," however, with it's thematic element of growing up (no pun), is about holding on to your ideals and your loved ones, no matter who they fucked or whether or not they'll get you burritos.

There are some other albums here that usually see play on the rotation, namely Smoking Popes' "Destination: Failure" and Get Up Kids' "Something To Write Home About," but I didn't want to make it a Top 12, so be sure to keep those two very excellent records in mind. (and Mineral's "Endserenading" too)

shake the sheets: the 2k7 so far...

It's June, which means that we're at the halfway point of the year. It seems like a good time, if any, to compile one of those awesome lists that no one will give two shits about next week.

Best Pop Album
Tegan & Sara, "The Con" (Vapor/Warner Bros)
Guided by Death Cab guitarist Chris Walla, "The Con" finds the duo's brand of pop taking a turn for the darkside, Redman-stylee.

Rookie of the (Mid) Year
Dawhud
Brilliant lyrics, dope production. Dawhud's self-released album, "Basement Sessions," might be the best hip-hop album that you haven't heard yet. This dude has already blown up, it's just up to the rest of the world to catch up.

Best Hip-Hop Album
KRS-One & Marley Marl, "Hip-Hop Lives" (Koch)
It could be argued that these two heavyweights collaborated simply for the purpose of making a buck from nostalgic cats like me. It would've been easy for Kris and Marl to make a slap-dashed effort and a terrible, underwhelming release. But they didn't. They made one of the best hip-hop records in the last three years. In these days when dudes like T.I., MIMS, and Polow da Don are the go-to-guys for popular hip-hop, it's kind of nice to know that the older generation looms around the corner, ready to take these less-talented newbies down a peg or two.

Already Overhyped Artist
Lily Allen/Amy Winehouse
Aren't they the same person?

I Can't Believe They Fell Off
Little Brother/Justus League
I still have pretty high hopes for Phonte and Big Pooh, but that crew mixtape they put out. Mediocre when compared to the genius of "The Minstrel Show." Hopefully they'll get their shit together soon.

Worst Hip-Hop Album (So Far)
There are so many, I can't really pick one. Lil Wayne? He probably has some album/mixtape out there that I can tear apart.


Worst Pop-Rock Album (So Far)
Fall Out Boy (aka Fallzouutboi69), "Infinity on High" (Island Def Jam)
If I have to hear another goddamn commercial with a song from this stupid, terrible album, I'm going to go to Wal-Mart and start kicking soccer balls everywhere in protest.

good albums from a shitty genre

This morning I watched the new Aiden video because there was nothing else remotely interesting online. After I threw up my Kix back into my bowl, I'm left wondering why this band is the most popular of the all-but-dead screamo genre. I guess you can still count My Chemical Romance, but they've gone off the deep end with their over-the-top (word to Stallone) theatrics that there's really no going back to the Vet's Hall for those dudes. Aiden, however, will always be that shitty band that used to open for Schoolyard Heroes at 2nd Ave Pizza, as far as I'm concerned. If you want to see their tribute to AFI, go here, otherwise, if you want to keep your food down, I suggest staying as far away as possible.

Far too often, Aiden has been the target of my grudge against contemporary pop-punk because, quite frankly, they're the most manufactured and trite band out there. Then again, I'm also reminded that there are actually a few bands from the genre that are actually pretty good and have gone largely ignored. Boy do I love lists!

1. Park, "It Won't Snow Where You're Going" (Lobster)
Ladd Mitchell's Alkaline Trio-lite style of lyricism and songwriting is brutal. He takes all the pagan imagery and leaves in the heartbreaking tales of what it's like to love someone who'd rather sleep with a prick. At least that's the impression I get.

2. Run On Anything, "Various Demos" (Unsigned)
Back in the day (about three or four years ago), there was this stellar band from Tacoma, WA called Run On Anything. While they dabbled more on the pop-punk side, they still incorporated breakdowns and screaming into their songs, hence their inclusion on this list. They were really good and overshadowed by the likes of their 253 neighbors, Aiden (boo).

3. The Beautiful Mistake, "The Beautiful Mistake EP" (Sidecho)
Classic material on this debut. While they're probably more recognized from their full-length, "Light a Match For I Deserve to Burn," this EP shows all the rough edges of the band that made them approachable.

4. Keepsake, "The End of Sound" (Eulogy)
Before they started ripping off Incubus' riffs and making an entire concept album about oil and war, Florida's Keepsake released "The End of Sound," a real pop-punk record with screaming, which preceded screamo by at least two or three years. Had they been on a better label, I imagine this band getting much bigger than they did. While there are references to politics, math, Belle & Sebastian and all things collegian, at its core "Sound" is about getting over a relationship. Sigh.

5. Dreams Forever Drowning, "Entire Parts Never To Be Left" (Self-Released)
Everyone talks about how awesome Paramore is, but they probably have never heard the terribly named Dreams Forever Drowning, whose female fronted vocal assault has all the pop sheen of Paramore, but the brutality of Walls of Jericho for those breakdowns. Excelsior!