Current Project #7

Some stuff I’ve messed around with a couple of weeks ago.

Sketching In Church #6

Yummy Artist #2

I think fans of Tim and Eric will enjoy this video, but the music should be enjoyed by all. The group is The Bird and the Bee, the song is Polite Dance Song.

Trip to Dallas

I went down to Dallas this past weekend to meet my new nephew, Asher. He was born on February 16th, 2008 needless to say it took awhile for uncle AJ to make his way to see him. I feel it was probably for the best, from what my sister told me he was a very cranky person for his first little bit being home. If your wondering he never got to go straight home. When he was born his lungs were a little under developed, so he spent a week or so in an incubator. My sister wasn’t allowed to hold him for that entire time. People weren’t even aloud to audibly or visually stimulate him, because it would up set him and cause his O2 levels to drop. He is doing much better now, they still have to wait awhile before he can venture out into the the social world but he can go through a diaper change with rupturing your ear drum now.

My other nephew, Sawyer, is obsessed with Johnny Cash. My sister has a live DVD and he will put it in grab a guitar and play along(strum wildly, still awesome though) and sing. He was really excited to show me his school and room, but never pulled the look what I can do move. With my sisters impression of Mrs Swan I can only assume it is a matter of time.

Also I got to the Spilmans. I visited them at church on Easter Sunday. They attend Gateway church in Dallas which apparently it is kind of a big deal church. I guess I don’t pay much attention to churches around the US or world for that matter. For some reason all churches seam about the same to me. Sure they “feel” a little different but all in all I say they are the same. You should read Pagan Christianity some time, blow your feakin mind. I should probably listen to the sermon more closely or at least try and retain what was going on. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked how was the sermon was and couldn’t tell you the first thing that it was about. I’m not sure if that is a focus problem on my part or that sermons aren’t engaging. I’m sure a little of both, but i digress. After the service though I made the comment that it looked like the worship team took fashion tips from the Jonas Brothers. Ali looked at me and said that this is were they go to church. At that point I felt somewhat self conscious that I had said it pretty loud, then quickly went back to feeling pretty positive that I had called it, so no harm in telling the facts. All in all it was a good trip minus the rain the whole way back.

Sketching In Church #5

Trip to Chi-town

Long time since posted, back handed compliment apology Blah Blah Blah. I went to Chicago about a month ago. I really  enjoyed it, but think a trip when the weather is nicer is in order. Public transportation is amazing. If you’ll allow me, I’m going to go all little kid from the country on you. Trains almost made my boyish giggle act up, I kept wanting to turn to the person next to me and ask, “Can you believe we’re on a train and underground?” A large part of me wanted to start a party on the subway, but soon realized I people would react to me like all the other interestingly insane that we encountered. I never thought that a place that could instigate such joy in me would be so silent.

We did a lot of shopping. I obviously don’t venture outside the Wal-Mart, Target, TJ Max world because everything was pretty pricey for me. There was no part of me that could justify over 100 dollars for a pair of jeans. We went to the Art Institute of Chicago. The most impressive exhibit was the miniatures, there is something about the tedious nature of them that I am drawn to. Overall I loved roaming the streets or just sitting and watching people walk by.

For those that have met me I love food, so it is fair to say we ate a lot of places. The most interesting place we ate was Moody’s Pub. When we walked in it felt as though we had been transported to 18th century. The room was incredibly dark with the majority of the light cast from the fire place on the side wall and various candles scattered through the room. The food mind you wasn’t incredible but I have had far worse. Beer there was surprisingly cheep as was the food. And what is a Chicago trip without and authentic Chicago pie? Giordano’s was the winner in our quest. As far as quality of pizza it wasn’t the greatest pizza I’ve ever had but it was up there. I think pizza is something that is pretty hard to screw up the key is the people you eat it with, which they were quality.

Other than a few dubious homeless people praying on we naive tourists and others who just plain frightened me, the people I encountered were extremely friendly. I will call this trip an official success, and hope to have a repeat some day. As for now I hope this finds you well.

Foxy Shazam & Dr. Manhattan show

           Went to my first show of 2009 this past Sunday at the village in Little Rock. Foxy Shazam brought the thunder, musically they were solid. Dr Manhattan I hadn’t heard of, but they stole the show. They were inventive, awkward and hilarious. If your looking for a feel good show catch the rest of this tour, but bring some entertainment for the AKA’s, they were awful. They were your quintessential crappy punk band. blah blah blah things we don’t like blah blah blah, make the crowd know we don’t care, say something edgy about burning down a f*&$#@ church, blah blah blah teenage angst (did I mention they looked forty) blah blah blah, comment about screwing your mom tonight, blah blah blah crappy music, fin. There I saved from actually having to hear their show. Foxy and the Doc are totally worth it though. I’ld tell you more but I feel like a lot of it is in the surprise, so go, go now before they have already moved through your city.

An Unconventional Album

          

         I’ve always liked Mae. I can’t say I really liked their last album Singularity, but I think it lacked the concept that The Everglow had. Nevertheless, Mae makes a glorious return with a profitless year long project. Go to whatismae.com and check it out. They will release 1 song a month for 12 months and all you have to do to get them is donate at least 1$ per song to the charity that song is for. Wether you like the music or not you’ve got to appreciate the idea, Giving freely or yourself.

Sketching In Church #4

Top 10 2008

10.Does It Offend You, Yeah! – You Have No Idea What Your Getting Yourself Into = Electronica for the whole family. This album has a little electronica for everyone, wether you like the pure synths, the robotic vocals, or just something that sounds like it was pulled from the eighties.

 

 

9.Edison Glass – Time Is Fiction = I’m a sucker for a good album cover, I can’t tell you how many albums I’ve tried that were awful but did because of the album art, obviously not the case here. Probably my favorite part of this album is dueling male falsetto vocals. The songs are heavily layered each like its own Jenga tower ready to fall if you breath wrong but you marvel in its intricate beauty.

 

8.Charlie Hall – The Bright Sadness = I’m not normally one for “praise” music, but Charlie Hall slakes my thirst. Every Worship band or album sounds the same to me. The Worship land scape seems so devoid of change. 

 

 

7.Foxy Shazam – Introducing = Slap on your dancing shoes and throw away your inhibition. This album is a blast to listen to you never know what is going to happen next. This album is like listening to a great Jazz band on meth only with way better facial hair.

 

 

6.Jon Foreman – Summer, Spring, Winter and Fall =  Jon Foreman, lead singer for switchfoot, for those of you living in holes, releases a great box set. The set is a definite departure from switchfoot, the music is far more experimental and the lyrics far more pointed.

 

5.Seabird – Till We See The Shore = A guilty pleasure really, I mean they have been featured on Grey’s Anatomy and hold the theme song for Pushing daisies, not something you should lead with if you wanting to gain indie cred or maintain a heterosexual persona, But that is how good they are. Even with all that knowledge they still swing their way into the top 10.

 

4.The Cool Kids – Bake Sale = If you’ve become fed up with the misogynistic lyrics and overly produced beats of rap, then welcome the sweet licks of The Cool Kids. With tracks about starting your day with a bowl of fruity pebbles and talking about the mag rims on your bicycle, you can bet this isn’t your local gang bangers rap. If you appreciate what hip-hop write a thank you letter to The Cool Kids and make the sealant on your cones rattle.

3.Santogold – Santogold = Who said pop was dead? Santogold is a brisk wind of change for the pop world. I say thank you Santogold for not relying on looks and ridiculous gimmicks, but constructing delicious beats and slinging interesting and fresh lyrics.

 

 

2.Thrice – The Alchemy Index Volume III & IV = Thrice has always been one of my favorites, this album is no exception. Thrice have never been ones to repeat themselves constantly trying new things while staying uniquely Thrice. This is the second half of a four disc element themed series. Earth and Air are the grittier style than Fire and Water, borrowing from some of Dustin’s tricks from his solo album.

1.House of Heros – The End Is Not the End = Stunning, simply Stunning. As soon as the first track starts you feel like you in for another pop punk anthem album, but much to your own chagrin you’d be wrong. This album is a hearty breakfast and more. With salty bacon, fluffy pancakes, and sweet sweet syrup drizzled from Tim Skipper lips. Sure every breakfast is going to have its grapefruit moments but you do them anyway because it makes your breakfast balanced instead of a heart stopping grease pit.