- we are starting to make some sense out of our house. almost all the boxes are unpacked or put away (in the basement.) It remains to be seen if we'll ever unpack all those boxes.
- I guess the biggest event is that we left the boys with grandma and the rest of us went up to chicago for a little get away. We were joined by some people from church and I attended an arts and worship conference at Willow Creek. The girls did shopping and all that stuff during the day and at night we'd go into the city for dinner and activites. We also made it to Ikea a few times and spent way to much money, but got some good deals on furniture and kitchen stuff - every thing you need to start new in a house.
- the boys completed and graduated from their first class of swim lessons and spend almost every day at the pool.
- I took the boys to their first drive-in - Wall E and Kung Fu Panda - and they both stayed awake the whole night.
Here are the albums I picked up:
Fleet Foxes - Sun Giant EP & Self-Titled
Listen here.
I picked up both of these on a whim in Chicago. This is the third band this year that I have purchased music from with the work "fox" in their name. I have heared the fleet foxes described as "baroque harmonic pop jams." To me it is sunny acoustical folk w/ a little light rock with chorus singing that leans sometimes to the beach boys and sometimes to bluegrass. it is different from my usual tastes, but maybe not that different. A welcome change.
Coldplay - viva la vida
listen here.
I actually bought this album on vinyl. I hear the cd is going the way of the cassette tape, but vinyl is forever. (my vinyl version came with the CD.) I am really digging this album. Yes, it sound more like U2 than ever, but the songs are good. Okay, they are influenced by U2, Radiohead, and My Bloody Valentine on this album. The mbv reference is mostly in some sonic guitar textures and part B of "Yes." I would like to hear a whole album of that shoegaze goodness. I can't wait to hear this material live.
Sigur Ros - med sud i eyrum vid spilum endalaust
Listen here.
Yeah, not my favorite album cover, but it is supposed to emote the happiness and joy of summertime. I wasn't sure I wanted to hear a sigur ros album so soon, especially in june. Their music is heavy...a lot to take in. But this album is a summer album and it does have that joy. The music incorporates a more acoustical and organic approach that includes enough messiness that it still creates the sigur ros sound. Very good and very beautiful.
