Records

Here's what I liked this year. It's kind of a lot of current releases for me, actually...

(Rather Roughly Ranked)

Hot Snakes: Thunder Down Under
My favorite band. Recorded. Live. Perfectly.

The Raconteurs: Broken Boy Soldiers
I love everything Jackie White does. I love everything Brendan Benson does. The Greenhornes are alright, I suppose. The Raconteurs fucking rule. I always thought this record sounded like a cross between Abbey Road and Zeppelin II, which, if you know anything about my taste in music, makes it no suprise that I dig it so much. I could go on an on about Jack White's bad ass guitar, or the dudes' pristine harmony, but I won't.

Mogwai: Mr. Beast
I listened to this record more than any other one this year, I think. I like it because it's thick and evil, and then it's soft and beautiful. The vocals are great. All the songs are great. I love the lap steel. I love it all.

Sonic Youth: Rather Ripped
I fear that I may like Rather Ripped too much. Right now, I can almost say it's my favorite SY record, but I don't know if I like it better than Dirty (and Daydream Nation). But I realllllly like it- right from the very opening chord (which reminds me of A Hard Day's Night) all the way to the end. I actually like Kim Gordon's vocals, as well. And Incinerate is bad ass- even if I did hear them play it 10 times in one day (soundcheck) when I went to see them. It just made me like the song more.

The Sword: Age of Winters
I had a metal rebirth this year, to be sure, and it was all thanks to The Sword. What's better than songs about Wolves, Trolls, Spiders, and Axes played by a band that is the modern day equivalent to an American Black Sabbath? Not much, really. Plus, I liked this band before they even had a record out, so I'm an old school Sword-o-phile.

Mastodon: Blood Mountain
More metal. The definition of a record that slays. Better than Leviathan, even though, at first, I was not into hearing an album about an adventure up a mountain (as compared to Leviathan- an album about Moby Dick). It's better without being too much of a departure, which is super challenging- especially when you go from Relapse to Warner. But shit, it fucking rules. Plus it has Josh Homme and Cedric Bixler-Zavala.

The Mars Volta: Amputechture
Hmmmmmm. Sometime Cedric and Omar get a little too hippie. Like Frances the Mute (sorta). I dig this record tons though. If the only good song on it was Tetregrammaton, I would be satisfied (it's not). The way the guitars, drums, and bass lock up on that song is the reason I love the Volta. Plus, John Frusciante played most of the guitar.

Pete Yorn: Nightcrawler
Oh, Pete. You're a vetran of my year end lists. By far the most boring show I've been to lately, so I wasn't too excited for this CD. The teaser EP bummed me as well. But, as always, Pete, you pulled it off. Vampyre is a sweet song, as was the single (the one that DG played drums on... the name escapes me). Many, many choruses stuck in my head after each listen. Reminds me of LA at night in the summer, by the pool at the Roosevelt.

The Strokes: First Impressions of Earth
I liked the old Strokes, I like the new Strokes. So do you, you just won't admit it. Perfect rocking pop, Cars-style, and therefore near to my heart.

Lakes: Photographs EP
OK, OK, Jason is one of my best dudes, and Seth is up there also, but this isn't friend favoritism. I really like this record, and listen to it often. What other justification than that can I offer? It's super good. I'd listen to it if it were two other random dudes. But it's not- it's my friends and I'm super proud of them.

Mogwai: Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait
A late entry. I don't even think this is available in the US yet. It's very mellow, and I would love to see the film. Even before the last World Cup, Zidane was an interesting dude, and I could imagine how these songs fit the film perfectly.

The Beatles: Love
I was super super super sceptical about this to begin with. But then I heard it. It's fascinating. There's really no way to describe it if you haven't heard it- so go listen to it. If George Martin and his son Giles don't win Producer of the Year Grammys for this, well, then, I guess I wouldn't really be suprised. But they should anyway.

Muse: Black Holes and Revelations
Suprise of the Year, for sure. Not really into their other records at all, but I love this one. I think Freddie Mercury would like it too. Almost all the songs are greatness. I can't stop listening to it.

Blood Brothers: Young Machetes
Super wierd and abrasive, but kinda oddly poppy. Great sounds and production, thanks to Guy Piccioto, of course.

Morrissey: Ringleader of the Tormentors
Morrissey still does no wrong. Not as good as the last one, but it's still Morrissey, and therefore, better than most anything else.

Eagles of Death Metal: Death By Sexy
Rock party goodness. Shitty and sleazy, in a good way.

Tom Petty: Highway Companion
Tom Petty reminds me of my parents having parties when I was little, so almost any Petty record gets instant good vibes.

The Vines: Vision Valley
I don't care what anyone says- I (still) love The Vines.

(I was kinda dissapointed in these next three. I had high hopes, and didn't dig the records as much as I thought I should have. Oh Well.)
Isis: In The Absense of Truth
Pretty much only one song I'm into- the free download teaser I got months before the record came out. Seesh.

The Appleseed Cast: Peregrine
Good, but the older ones are sooo much better. Peregrine is just wierd, and I don't know why.

Converge: No Heroes
Really, the first time I've been dissapointed by Converge. I'll admit, You Fail Me was a damn near impossible record to surpass, but even though the songs are all pretty short, they don't have the right energy. Not like mid-period Black Flag (what it should be). But, after all, it's Converge and I like it anyway.

(to be edited, of course, later.)

[edit: 1:30pm: I should totally do a list of the worst records (better yet, the most dissapointing) of the year. but that may be near impossible. stay tuned. maybe. any suggestions?]
[edit: 12/21: added The Beatles, Tom Petty and Isis. Also, I realized I hadn't heard the ...Trail of Dead CD, but I gave it the benefit of the doubt and put it up there.]
[edit: 12/29: added Hot Snakes. How could I forget my favorite band? jesus. switched the ...TOD record (which, after acquiring, I'm not that into) for the Muse record (which I love), and added comments.]

Testing... Testing...

Ahhh, a fresh new blog- unsoiled by my ridiculous antics.

But not for long, my friends.
Check below for an archive of some old LiveJournal posts (unfortunately without the comments and the "Music:," which are probably more entertaining than the posts themselves).

(Belated) Thanksgiving Scorecard

+9 years!!!!!!!
+pumpkin pie overload
+Mafia Bowl Victory!
+the return of Michael
+Brian H.'s no-look poker strategy
+prolific television watching
-illness
+Pick Of Destiny
-Paso Robles
-bummed out people on the 405 (huge wreck)

Obligatory

Deep down, I guess I like these. I can't resist 'em... and here's one that isn't aimed at 14 year olds.

1.How old will you be in five years?
32. fucking hell.

2. Who did you spend at least two hours with today?
So far, Oliver the Cat.

3. How tall are you?
6'1"

4. What do you look forward to most in the next six weeks?
Christmas Sesh.

5. What's the last movie you saw?
The Pick of Destiny

7. Who was the last person to call you?
Dawn

8. What was the last text message you receiveved?
Tim saying to tell mom he wasn't coming home that night.

9. Who was the last person to leave you a voicemail?
Jason, I think (sorry brah...).

10. Do you prefer to call or text?
I fucking HATE text messaging.

11. What were you doing at 12am this morning?
yesterday, I think I was at the gym.

12. Are your parents married/separated/divorced?
One is happily married and the other is divorced.

13. When is the last time you saw your mom?
2 days ago.

14. What color are your eyes?
Beautiful.

15. what time did you wake up this morning?
Initially around 7.

16.What are you wearing right now?
pants with snowmen on them (cute) and a tall tee. just kidding. sorta.

17. What is your favorite christmas song?
"Christmas Time (Don't Let the Bells End)" by The Darkness (RIP)

18. Where is your favorite place to be?
With my lady, probably eating or fuckin' shredding the guitar.

19. Where is your least favorite place to be?
Stressed out.

20. Where would you go if you could go anywhere?
World Tour.

21. Where do you think you'll be in 10 years?
Slightly successful would be nice.

22. Do you tan or burn?
Olive skin. You do the math.

23. What did you fear was going to get you at night as a child?
Aliens.

24. What was the last thing that really made you laugh?
Either some ridiculous idea we came up with for my sisters weding, or playing poker with Brian H, Tim, Dawn and Michael.

25. How many TVs do you have in your house?
3, but we only use one.

26. How big is your bed?
Queen: A Night At The Opera.

27. Do you have a laptop or desktop computer?
Desktop.

28. Do you sleep with or without clothes on?
With, always.

29. What color are your sheets?
White.

30. How many pillows do you sleep with?
1.

31. What is your favorite season?
The beginning of each different one. Then I get tired of 'em.

32. What do you like about fall?
Halloween.

33. What do you like about winter?
Winter clothes, food, the mountains, the holidays, fireplaces.

34. What do you like about the summer?
Long days, warm water, bike riding.

35. What do you like about spring?
Pleasant weather.

36. How many states have you lived in?
One.

37. What cities/towns have you lived in?
Paso, San Luis, Costa Mesa.

38. Do you prefer shoes, socks, or bare feet?
Bare feet usually, but I really dig shoes.

39. Are you a social person?
Not particularly.

40. What was the last thing you ate?
Last nite: Ravioli and garlic bread. Oh wait: chocolate pudding for dessert.

41. What is your favorite restaurant?
Native Foods, Cafe Roma, The Dal Rae, Thai Classic, the restaraunt next to out hotel in Florence (and the one down the street too), Toast, Urth (for desserts and coffee), Chubby's and so many more.

42. What is your favorite ice cream?
Whatever kind gets made into my milkshake.

43. What is your favorite dessert?
Most types of Pie.

44. What is your favorite kind of soup?
Corn Chowder (no bacon).

45. What kind of jelly do you like on your PB & J sandwich?
Boysenberry.

46. Do you like Chinese food?
I like Thai and Japanese better.

47. Do you like coffee?
No, I need coffee.

48. How many glasses of water, a day, do you drink on average?
A big Trader Joe's bottle's worth, usually.

49. What do you drink in the morning?
2-3 cups of coffee.

51. Do you sleep on a certain side of the bed?
Yes.

52. Do you know how to play poker?
Yes.

53. Do you like to cuddle?
Nothng against it. I tend to move around too much to do any serious cuddling though.

54. Have you ever been to Canada?
No.

55. Do you have an addictive personality?
Possibly.

56. Do you eat out or at home more often?
At home. I'm one hell of a cook, if you didn't know.

58. Do you know anyone with the same birthday as you?
Yes- Diddy and Jeff Probst.

59. Do you want kids?
Only to train them to do cool shit. I don't particularly like children.

60. Do you speak any other languages?
Barely any Spanish.

61. Have you ever gotten stitches?
Nope- probably should've a few times though.

62. Have you ever ridden in an ambulance?
No.

63. Do you prefer an ocean or a pool?
A warm ocean.

64. Do you prefer a window seat or an aisle seats?
Business Class- British Airways style. I don't fit well in regular airplance seats. No matter how I sit, my knees are up against the seat ahead of me... but I love looking out the window.

65. Do you know how to drive stick?
Very very well.

66. What is your favorite thing to spend money on?
Guitars and records.

67. Do you wear any jewelry 24/7?
No.

68. What is your favorite TV show?
Mythbusters, The Office, Survivor, McDreamy.

69. Can you roll your tongue?
Yes.

70. Who is the funniest person you know?
Dawn, and probably the members of Pitch Change/Imperial Griffins.

71. Do you sleep with stuffed animals?
No.

72. What is the main ring tone on your phone?
The ringy one.

73. Do you still have clothes from when you were little?
No. Some little mexican kid probably has my old OP gear.

74. What red object is closest to you right now?
Chinese Stress ball box.

75. Do you turn off the water while you brush your teeth?
Not anymore.

76. Do you sleep with your closet doors open or closed?
Always slightly open, since there are usually towels hanging off it.

77. Would you rather be attacked by a big bear or a swarm of bees?
Bees. I'd try to punch those motherfuckers right in the face.

78. Do you flirt a lot?
Only with Alan.

79. What do you dip a chicken nugget in?
The fucking trash can. Unless its a vegan Morningstar Farms one, then barbeque sauce or ranch.

80. What is your favorite food?
Probably burritos or some sort of pasta.

81. Can you change the oil on a car?
If I had to.

82. Have you ever gotten a speeding ticket?
Once.

83. Have you ever run out of gas?
Twice.

84. What is your usual bedtime?
After midnight most days.

85. What was the last book you read?
"The Metaphyisical Club: A Story of Ideas in America" (in progress)

86. Do you read the newspaper?
Online.

87. Do you have any magazine subscriptions?
Maybe, unless my Guitar Player subscription has run out.

89. Do you watch soap operas?
Dawn watches "Days of Our Lives" on TiVo and fast forwards through most of it. It's pretty much the purest form of comedy I've ever experienced.

90. Do you dance in the car?
I drum in the car.

91. What radio station did you last listen to?
Indie 103 is on my alarm clock.

92. Who is in the picture frame closest to you?
Ha! Myself, but only barely.

93. What was the last note you scribbled on a piece of paper?
No idea.

94. What is your favorite candle scent?
Cinnamony wintry ones.

95. What is your favorite board game?
Trivial Pursuit.

97. When was the last time you attended church?
Dawn's grandma's wedding last summer.

98. Who was/is your favorite teacher in high school?
Mr. Williams.

99. What is the longest you have ever camped out in a tent?
Probably a few days.

100. Who was the last person to do something extra special for you?
Dawn- every single day.

Katrina-esque

In the middle of the night last night, for no apparent reason, our toilet decided to flood our downstairs area. The hallway and half of the living room was a swamp. there was about 2 inches of standing water in the downstairs bathroom. The water leaked into the pantry. They had to tear out 90% of the downstairs carpet and padding; now the living room is referred to as "The Warehouse." Dawn and I spent most of the day yesterday moving furniture upstairs, cause they're coming tomorrow to replace the carpet.
In the meantime, I'm enjoying the natural reverb created by Great Flood of '06.
Fun times.
But, at least we get some new carpet.

Maybe I'll throw up some pictures of The Warehouse, but I doubt the camera has any batteries.