annie

I got a new dog today. Her name is Annie. She's 8 weeks old and she keeps Sam on his toes. See more pictures at Flickr.

How Many Times Can It Be Said?

Fuck Bush. This guy is class A idiot. Apparently he thinks he's helping uninsured children by vetoing a bill that puts 5 billion more dollars towards insuring them. His claim is that he wants to make sure that "the neediest children are taken care of first" before he signs anything. So you're helping them by denying them any help now. Um. What? We spend hundreds of billions on this fucking war (I've always thought going to Iraq was an awful idea), but we can't drop 5 billion on 8 million of our own goddamn children. Is that conservative fiscal policy?

As claimed by CNN, "The program gives coverage to parents who make too much to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to buy private insurance for their children. Critics have said their concern is that parents might be prompted to drop private coverage for their children to get cheaper coverage under the bill." Who are these critics? Private insurance companies? Lobbyists? Are we putting their first class business trips ahead of our less fortunate children? Is this conservative politics? If so, count me out.

The Radio Anti-Christ

I just got a hold of a new track off of Jens Lekman's upcoming album that everyone needs to take their hard earned pennies and buy.

This guy is a smile a minute. I got to see him at Pitchfork. Nothing but good times. I mean how you gonna listen to a song about bingo night and not get a little pep in your step?

And yet there is no way you're going to find him on today's radio. The tempo changes. He hits some crazy notes. It's outside the box. It doesn't plod along at 132 with every vocal note stacked 12 times, tuned, and buried under the harmonies. There's a very human quality to his music. Radio doesn't like that. Now who knows, in 20 years radio might be playing stuff like this, but I doubt it. I think it'll be dead in 10.

The Fall Collection...

Every time the temperature dips into the 50's, I get as happy as a second grader at a pizza party. I love this time of year. I know it's only September and it's going to get as hot as two rats fucking in a wool sock again, but hey, like I said.

There's something about the fall that always sends me back to high school. Senior year. First real girlfriend. First tryst with alcohol and drugs. And the first time I ever heard The Bends.

I was laid up at my folks house with pneumonia (probably from the unfiltered cigarettes I was smoking at the time), and I borrowed said girlfriend's CDs. There it was I heard "Just" for the first time.

Now I was known as a musical "purist" back in the day. Anything after '79 was bullshit and all I wanted was more Zeppelin. Lord have mercy. God bless my little soul. The first time I heard "just" I knew Radiohead had changed me. It opened the door to modern music for me.

Now, enough rambling. Back to the point. This time of year always sends me back to senior year, and so a few albums always "creep" back into my CD player. Weezer - Weezer and Radiohead - the bends are number 1 and 2.

I feel like I'm back working at Pizza Perfect in Bellevue and I'm driving the '88 Grand Marquis again. Ah, the fall. It's time to go camping.

Muchas Gracias

...to the lovely Janet for giving my band, and the relatives, a spot on her radio show. She's on WRVU. Check it out

Nashville Rocks

Somebody once asked what the best thing about the Nashville music scene is. It's a pretty crazy question considering how diverse the music scene is here. Everything from 12 types of country/western/swing/bluegrass, to an amazing symphony, to a thriving rock scene fuels the city. And really, the more the merrier. There's always a show to see. From The Don Kelley Band at Robert's, to Vivaldi at the Schemmerhorn, to a Spoon show at Cannery. There are no shortages of amazing tunes going into the night.

The locals put on a pretty good show themselves. One thing is for certain though, when it comes to fuckin' rock, there is Jeff, and there is everyone else. The show is amazing. Anytime anyone in the room hasn't heard Jeff before makes it through about half a song, they move up close. They are the Pied Pipers of blowing minds. Jamin plays the drums like a Buddy Rich possessed and Jake's guitar riffs hit hard and heavy.

So, when I think of the Nashville music scene, I think of Jeff. Maybe more bands in town will be able to come close to their glory.....


probably not.

Swedes Do It Better

Go to Grimey's and get the new Dungen album right now. If you're like me and grew up listening to old rock records, or like psychedelic music, or like shit that will blow your mind, do it. This Gustav Ejstes guy does it right. Nice room sounds on the drums, kick ass guitar freak-outs, fuzzy zoom bass, as well as pretty laid back tunes. It is all in Swedish, so you hear some crazy words, but it almost seems to add to the music in the sense that you really focus on the whole picture (not just the lyrics or what-have-you). Track 5, Du Ska Inte Tro Att Det Ordnar Sig, is a personal favorite.

...and while you're at it, go ahead and buy the first Dungen album, Ta Det Lungt. It also kicks ass.