Turn Up The Sun

The Oasis gig on Saturday at Penn's Landing in Philadelphia was GREAT. A pretty wild audience, and very hot and sweaty, but the band rocked. We were right in the center of the crowd(it was general admission), about 25 feet from the front.

They played many of the songs from the new album Don't Believe the Truth, which I highly recommend, and all of their older hits. The people around us were all pretty cool, although I noticed some people complaining over on the official forums. All I can say is that I had a great time. I've seen them twice before, once in a smaller theatre indoors, and then with the Black Crows at an amphitheatre in Cleveland, but I think I liked this one best, just because of the whole crazy crowd experience. Don't know how many more of those kind of GA shows that I'll attend.
If you like your rock 'n roll loud, tight, and no-nonsense, with lots of memorable tunes, you should check them out. They return to the states this fall.

"The world was moving, she was right there with it"

I think my favorite Talking Heads song is "And She Was". Not that I don't love all of the amazing stuff on their earlier albums, especially Remain In Light, but there's something about David Byrne's take on the classic pop song structure that I like.

I read somewhere, can't remember, that it was written after a discussion with a girl who had an LSD experience next to a Yoo-Hoo factory. It's the kind of slice-of-life story that Byrne writes so well. Knowing this, it makes the song even more enchanting to me.

Also, it was easy to learn on guitar. I can usually find good transcriptions for popular songs here.

The government can force you out of your home

So says the Supreme Court.

Normally, I don't agree with the conservative members of the court, but I find it disturbing that the government can force you off your property for any reason it wants, including private offices and shopping malls.
I'm sure the members in the majority would feel different if it was their homes being bulldozed.

join me, and together we can rule the galaxy...

what is this thing...

last weekend, D-Day

This past weekend was father's day, and also my dad's big retirement party, after seventeen years as president of a small regional college. My parents will be moving into this house that I've been living in for the past year, which means it's time for me to get OUT.

The retirement party was really nice, even though they had a cash bar(wtf?). Big group of people, commendations from the state senator and representative, even an engraved chair, a portrait, and a gold watch(I didn't think they still did that). A lot to be proud of, a campus that has visibly improved since he took over, various new programs, increased enrollment, sports teams, and cultural events. It was clear that he was well-liked and would be missed. To top it all off, a standing ovation.
I sure don't see myself ever retiring in that fashion, if I ever do at all.

But at any rate, congrats to Big D!

Velocity Girl, R.E.M.

I had been wondering whatever happened with this group, and recently found that former lead singer Sarah Shannon appears on a recording with Styrofoam. You can download it over at Stereogum.

You also want to check out those other tracks that he has posted. That live R.E.M. recording of "Me in Honey" is a lot more raw and rocking than the studio version. I've seen them twice(they were pretty much my fav group in high school), and would say that it's true of most of their live performances.
Lifes Rich Pageant has always been my favorite R.E.M. album, I think in part because it's the one which comes closest to capturing that live experience. People who are only familiar with their Warner Bros. stuff, and not such big fans of it, might be pleasantly surprised by this one. Although Monster was pretty rockin' too.

Headphone Sex

A lot of good electronic, techno, drum & bass, and other stuff here. With that kind of name, I expect it to be good, which it is.

I've also enjoyed Poptext and Said the Gramophone. Although the Jessica Simpson video on Poptext was really unnecessary. I get that kind of stuff here. Sorry, I think his writing is funny.

Bob for President

Yes, every right-thinking American wants you to run.

Godin guitars

I've never played one, but these things sure do look nice. Check out the Signature Series, especially the Montreal. I saw someone in a local band playing one of those recently.

I didn't realize they were made in Canada, although maybe I should have guessed from some of the names.

Texas "Justice"

When the mostly Republican, conservative, and pro-death penalty U.S. Supreme Court reverses a Texas state death penalty conviction, and three others in the past year, that should give you an indication of how screwed-up the system is down there.

Not that this kind of thing doesn't happen in many other states, but the degree is striking--over one third of all executions are in Texas. Not sure what the crime statistics are, or whether it works as any sort of "deterrent".

Shine on...

Apparently Roger Waters is going to be playing with Pink Floyd for the Live 8 concert.

I'm one of those who think that it was more like "the Pink Floyd Experience" since he left the group, just a big Vegas light show with no soul. Although the remaining members did make boatloads of money with that, so I'm probably in the minority.

Then there are those who think that it hasn't been the real deal since Syd Barrett left.

I'm going to the World Cup...

...in DORTMUND!

don't know if I'll actually see any games, I might be too busy soaking up the local culture.

Maybe not "the" God, but certainly "a" god

How else to describe someone who invented the solid body guitar, multi-track recording, and reverb? Happy Birthday Les Paul.

He's 90 years old, and still performs live in NYC. I have got to see him. He also happens to be a mind-blowingly great guitar player. Seems a shame that he hasn't recorded more.

E minor...

then A minor, a little G, next thing I know I've got another half of a song written. I think these are the best ones for me, the ones the come fairly easy, by just strumming some chords. Many times they're influenced by whatever I happen to be listening to at the moment, then I add the lyrics.

I didn't figure this out until after college, that the most natural way for me is to write some sort of music first, and then let the lyrics flow from that. I used to think that I had to write some sort of poetry and melody first, which didn't result in much of anything good.

but it's different for everyone...

Cancer patients go to jail

I really wish this country would get its priorities straight, sheesh.

But I need to read the whole decision, because I want to know how growing marijuana in your own home, for your own use, qualifies as interstate commerce.

"Steaming Pile of Sith"

The always irreverant Maddox sums up Star Wars: Episode Three quite well. I was hoping for something better, considering reviews which were saying that Lucas redeemed himself with this one, but it was just as lame as the previous two.
Oh well, at least it's over, RIP.

For real entertainment, check out Darth Vader's weblog.

Pipeline

I downloaded a couple of songs on Epitonic by an artist called East River Pipe. Interesting story about the man behind the name, which you can read there.

As for the music, that guitar sound always reminds me of the Sundays, although I think if you're into a group like Coldplay, you'll like this too.

The Wisdom of Homer Simpson

"Alcohol, the cause of, and solution to, all of life's problems."

I'm only drinking dark beer these days--I've read that it has higher flavanoids.