Archive for February, 2008
February 29, 2008
As I’ve mentioned before (a lot, for years and years), I love Malkmus. I think he’s one of the most brilliant songwriters of our time. Perhaps to his own discredit, however, as his wit and substance are often over-ruled by his dedication to classic rock and self-indulgent styles. I can’t help but feel like Pavement worked because there was a taming process there built-in by his friends and bandmates. His solo record isn’t bad (on the contrary, I think it’s pretty good), but “Hopscotch Willie” epitomizes all that can be described as “wrong” with Malkmus these days: outright self-indulgent guitar solos and keyboard backdrops that amount to little more than Doors ripoffs (going nowhere, slowly, purposelessly), bizarre lyrics that are almost laughable (once again working against his most natural talent: wordplay), and seeming crescendos that plateau with … well, nothing.
P.S. I’ve seen this meme before, but never done it - I’m inspired to give it a go. Soon.
February 27, 2008
I don’t know about going all the way back to update my Top 100 Albums Ever, but I clearly made a huge mistake by not including Gastr del Sol’s Camofleur in the top 10 somewhere. In the last year or so I’ve come to realize it’s brilliance more than ever, and might have to do some rearranging over there to accommodate it. Actually, I see quite a few things I’d like to switch up. . .
February 25, 2008
One of the biggest problems with being a reader is storage. Some folks can resell things they’ve read or put them in storage, but I need to have all of mine accessible all the time, it’s almost compulsory. Even those that I can’t foresee myself reading again are around, right next to popular favorites that get fondled regularly. This being the case makes storage at home difficult. Just about the only thing I can do is buy bookshelves: tons and tons of bookshelves. There are some better and more creative ways to live with your books, though.
Picture above is a home built by Gianni Bartsford Architects for an “unnamed writer” and depicts one deceptively simple way to incorporate your books into your home’s very structure. Built-in bookshelves across an entire wall is an idea that’s been done since the days of proper libraries, but this home’s use of line, angle and geometry makes it incredibly more appealing that a simple series of vertical lines. (via) Another view here.
The bookshelf stairs are also pretty awesome, but those of us in one-story homes won’t be able to participate. Follow the link for more photos.
Here’s something you could to wherever you are right now with some simple Ikea shelving around the perimeter of a room: wraparound shelving. I love this method because it utilizes all the space above you that goes to waste.
Or you could just install a rotating hidden door bookshelf.
Here’s another brilliant way to store books in typically unused space. Takes a little more work than wraparound shelves, but it also provides way more storage. Rafter storage is probably useful for many things, not just books. Note the little staircase that leads up to the area. More here.
February 19, 2008
I made a quick and dirty mix tonight, comprised of a handful of songs I’ve really been enjoying lately. A couple of them are old (and the Steve Young is real old), and a couple are upcoming. I highly recommend the No Kids and Wildbirds & Peacedrums tunes, they’re incredible.
01 Steve Young: That’s How Strong My Love Is
02 Tre Orsi: The Illustrator
03 No Kids: The Beaches Are Closed
04 Burywood: Artificial Expansion
05 Clark: Truncation Horn
06 Guillemots: Kriss Kross
07: Leatherbag: On Down the Line
08: Mark David Ashworth: Elevator, Battle, Distance
09: My Two Toms: I Was at School
10: Wildbirds & Peacedrums: Pony
Tre Orsi is a great newish Denton band with a indie-famous lineage, Burywood and Leatherbag are both from Austin (though unfortunately named) and are fantastic. Burywood is straight up folk pop, and Leatherbag channels a bit of Lou Reed and a bit of Elvis Costello to great end. Mark David Ashworth used to live in Texas, and is on Autobus records (local label with Bill Baird, Brazos, Weird Weeds, etc.). I don’t remember where I found that My Two Toms song, but it makes me happy whenever I hear it. I am very excited about both the Clark and the Guillemots new albums … patience. I hope you enjoy!
DOWNLOAD: Flux-Rad’s February mix (zip)
February 13, 2008
The video we shot with Jose Gonzalez is featured on NPR’s music site today: Jose Gonzalez: Unlikely Art, complete with some introductory text by yours truly:
Though Swedish folksinger and classical guitarist Jose Gonzalez has become a household name in the U.S. thanks to his music’s inclusion on nationally syndicated shows like Late Night With Conan O’Brien and The O.C., the singer himself remains a bit of a mystery. Just how did a soft-spoken artist hailing from Argentina but raised in Sweden end up writing a collection of songs inspired by evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins? Why is he drawn to songs like “Teardrop” by Massive Attack? Is this the same guy who started his music career in a band that owed its sound to Black Flag and the Misfits?
Enjoy!
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