270 - blonde redhead, travis, bjork

Blonde Redhead - 23
Listen here. (check out 23)

This is one of those bands that I have seen around but have never heard their music. I was at a Border's one day to buy a different album and I decide to give Blonde Redhead a sample. I was sold. It sounded like something that I was in the mood for...dreampop!...and it did not disappoint. I have been listening to this album a lot along with Joy Electric's new one. This is a solid album with good songwriting, very enjoyable.

Travis - the boy with no name

Listen here.

After their last disappointing album, this is a nice return to form...wuss rock in fine form. That was a tag given to British bands like Travis, Coldplay, Keane, Starsailor when they first entered the music scene. You have to remember that this music was up against the nu metal/rap core thing going on in America. This album has been in the family car for a while and I think it has caught my wife's ear...who's this again? Wuss rock in fine form. Closer is a perfect song and Battleships is that itch that won't go away, the kind you like.

Bjork - Volta

Listen here.

I used to be fascinated by Bjork's voice when I was in high school back in 1989. Sadly, her voice has become old hat and has lost it's mystery to me...I think. But, her voice is so unique and sound so much like Bjork, it is hard for me to enjoy it the way it is. I realize that I could be contradicting myself here, so I hold the right to change my opinion later. Bjork's solo career started out with big electronic numbers and music that could make you move, but here last few albums have been more inward and meditative (meaning that they sounded like icicles or music boxes.) Both styles were great and highly creative. The word on the street was that this new album was going to have more energy comparable to here earlier albums. Yes and no. It is a mixture of her earlier and her later. My expectations were a little off, which is okay. Honestly, I haven't listened to it enough all the way through to make an official judgement on the record. I have several other new records that keep calling me. And the other thing about Bjork is sometimes you have to be in the right mood. I think I'll listen tonight.

269 - Joy Electric, The Innocence Mission, Over the Rhine

Joy Electric - The Otherly Opus
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I ordered this album online and it was a nice surprise waiting for me at home upon my return from Italy. This album is amazing. I love it and it is easily a deserted island top ten for me. This is Ronnie's vocal album, described as having minimal electronics and using vocals to fill out the sound. Some tracks are said to have over 50 vocal tracks. I have been listening to this album nonstop since the end of March and haven't tired of it. Each song is different from the other and opens itself in new ways with each listen. It is sad that Joy Electric is not recognized for the credit they deserve. The cover art is great as it represent the otherworldly sound arranged on paper.

The Innocence Mission - We Walked in Song

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Easily one of my favorite bands... I believe that Linford Detweiler of Over the Rhine said that quiet music should be played loudly and I wholeheartedly agree. The Innocence Mission should be played so loud that you are drenched in Karen's voice and Don's guitar. I recently told a group of people that I want to live my life like an Innocence Mission song. Their songs are pure, gentle, true, and holds on to all that is good and noble, finds beauty in the little moments. When I see things in myself that I don't like I compare it to an Innocence Mission song and it usually gets my perspective conformed to the mind of Christ. Wow music!

What's funny about their music and beauty and the way it affects the listener is that if you read any reviews of their albums, notice how the reviewer uses their best metaphors and tries to explain what listening to their music is like. Everyone wants to be a poet when writing about this band. I am a victim too!

Over the Rhine - Live from Nowhere volume two

Listen here.

Wow, what a good time for music. New albums from 3 of my consistently favorite bands. This is a fan album. OTR started a new tradition of making a yearly snapshot, year-in-review albums and as they put it to select some of their juiciest live recordings. It is mostly a live album with a couple of new studio tracks. Since I did not get see them play last year or the year before, it is a chance for me to here their new takes on their newer songs. Their live performances are always stunning. Yes, quiet music should be played loudly.

268 - Air and Arcade Fire

Air - Pocket Symphony

Listen here.

Arcade Fire - Neon Bible

Listen here.

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I picked up these two albums on the same day early March.

Let me talk about Air first. I have always liked their music and very much enjoyed their last album Talkie Walkie. The release of this album was a surprise to me...meaning I just found out the week before and don't recall a big deal being made over it. Overall, this album is a bit more mellow and ambient than their last. It lacks the punch of Cherry Blossom Girl and Surfing on a Rocket. Jarvis Cocker lends his vocals to one of the songs. There are some nice numbers and overall it is a pleasant listening experience. Pocket Symphony was the soundtrack to my Italy trip. The music is quiet and reflective and was a great juxtopostion to the Italian Alps and countryside for our daily train rides back to Padova from beautiful Venice.

I just haven't gotten into the new Arcade Fire. On paper, I should like it. The music is good with big anthems, the subject matter deals with misguided religion, but it seems more of the same formula from them. I'm not saying that I don't like the album. I just haven't been drawn back to it for repeat listens. Maybe, that time will come. Unlike Air, this album was hyped and the critics were giving it strong reviews before it was released. I also think the cover art is horrible or at least the white border around the neon bible. When I get tired of listening to my other new albums, I'll give this one a shot again.

267 - I'm back

I've been putting this off. Here is a quick update. I'd like to say that I've been busy, but everybody is busy. I blame my absence of posting on not being in a multi-tasking mode. Lately, I have been of a singular focus.

This is what has happened since March:

• Tried to finish a lot work before my trip to Italy. I stayed at the office a little late and worked during lunch.
• Went to Italy with my Dad. Spent time in Padova, Venice, Verona, Milan, and Biella. We spent the majority of our days in Venice.
• Tried to catch up on a lot of work the was building up during my trip. I had 2 projects that happened to line up with deadlines at about the same time as my trip. Not the best situation. It should not have been a problem, but the owners delayed the projects and caused this problem.
• Spent about a month flirting with the idea of working elsewhere. Two different offices were interested. It was difficult, because I wasn't actively looking. I took the job with the office that had the most to offer to make life better for my family.
• Been enjoying life and family for about 2 weeks between jobs.
• Just returned from a little trip to St. Louis.
• I now have 2 more days before I start at a new office with new people.
• I'd rather keep living the way I have over the last 2 weeks.