en http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/uk/ Thu, 1 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 Thu, 1 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 60 http://www.audioscrobbler.net/data/webservices http://www.last.fm/user/avatarofnirvana/journal The Last.fm journal for avatarofnirvana. Last.fm journals are a place to talk about all things music. http://www.last.fm/user/avatarofnirvana/journal/2008/07/17/22o4ir_mixtape_1 Thu, 17 Jul 2008 22:31:16 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/avatarofnirvana/journal/2008/07/17/22o4ir_mixtape_1 So, out of boredom, I decided to try my hand at making a mixtape today. I'd really appreciate some feedback, whether you're a regular reader or found this via last.fm or some other method. I can already tell that two of the changes are incredibly bad (both involving the flaming lips, especially the second one...), so, no need to harp on them. So yeah, feel free to rip away!

Mixtape1 (YSI)

Includes material from the following:
Los Campesinos
The National
Beulah
The Flaming Lips
Nouvelle Vague
Kieran Hebden
Steve Reid
Al Gore
Ted Kennedy
Ronald Reagan]]> http://www.last.fm/user/avatarofnirvana/journal/2008/06/18/2146r1_notes Wed, 18 Jun 2008 20:45:38 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/avatarofnirvana/journal/2008/06/18/2146r1_notes So, as promised...
Retribution Gospel Choir is just not my thing. I like the new take on Breaker (new/old I suppose), and Easy Prey and Kids are okay, but the more I listen, the less impressed I am.

Walk It Off prior to today, this was probably in the running for my top album of the year... neck and neck with British Sea Power and New Pornographers. The Dirty Dirty, Demon Apple, Conquest, so many solid songs.

Apologies to the Queen Mary I love this album. No questions, I just felt I should buy it to support the band.

Please Clap Your Hands I bought this in order to get free super saver shipping on a $23 order from Amazon. An impressive little poppy EP, would recommend to those who enjoy Pipettes, Lily Allen, etc.

At Mount Zoomer Wow. Amazing. I thought they were going to have a hard time topping Apologies to the Queen Mary, at it sounds like they did it with ease. At the moment, easily my favorite album of the year. The ball is now in the Futureheads court... of which they are playing with fire by delaying the massive special edition pack...]]> http://www.last.fm/user/avatarofnirvana/journal/2008/05/13/1msa_another_coupon... Tue, 13 May 2008 04:46:31 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/avatarofnirvana/journal/2008/05/13/1msa_another_coupon... Walk It Off, Everything All the Time, and Apologies to the Queen Mary.

Reviews to come later. Mesa tired.]]> http://www.last.fm/user/avatarofnirvana/journal/2008/04/25/1ms9_lists_from_the_last_semester_at_school Fri, 25 Apr 2008 17:03:17 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/avatarofnirvana/journal/2008/04/25/1ms9_lists_from_the_last_semester_at_school So, I decided to take a gander at what my most played stuff was over my last full semester (well, the last 3 months anyway) at Purdue, and really, I'm not overly surprised at the results.
Tracks
1 My Rights Versus Yours - Quite obviously, my favorite track of Challengers
2The Electric Version - I wanted to gear up for Rock Band, and it's just such a great song!
3A Million Ways A combination of three versions... the album version, the iTunes live version, and the Bonerama version... the Bonerama version is just amazing... OK Go has always needed more horns, and that version proves it
4Myriad Harbor - Another favorite off of Challengers
5 Wave Backwards To Massachusetts - It wasn't until I heard them do this one live that I understood that the song title is the chorus... Also, my hatred of Massholes contributes to my love of this song
5 Love Will Tear Us Apart From their iTunes Original session... my favorite Joy Division song, and I really like how New Order does it.
5 Here It Goes Again[track] - I defy you to find a song that exudes awesomeness the way this one does...
8[track artist=The New Pornographers]The Laws Have Changed - One of my favorites from before I "discovered" the New Pornos and only had 3 songs of theirs... still one of my favorites
8All The Old Showstoppers - See #4.
8 Summer in the City - Lollapalooza 2007 version... reminds me of camping out through STS9 and managing to finagle a third row spot.
8 Atom - as a future nuclear engineering graduate, and lover of british rock, how could I go wrong with this one...
8 Challengers - Such a beautiful song... what a great album overall...

Albums
1 Collective Psychosis Begone - after I saw them, I probably listened to this for around a week
2 Alive 2007 - probably the best live album I've heard, though it might face some competition when I finally pick up Shine A Light (which was an amazing IMAX experience)
3 Electric Version - I think I've already shown that I was crazy about the New Pornographers this semester.
4 Challengers - See #3
5 Twin Cinema - See #4
6 154 - An amazing band that I'm surprised it took me this long to check out... though I've been saying that more and more lately
7 Cease to Begin - Probably the second best album that came out of the slew of 40% off coupons Borders threw at me.
8 In Rainbows - My favorite since OK Computer... possibly since the Bends.
9 The Complete John Peel Sessions - I found this for $2 when I was visiting my girlfriend in Appleton based on it was the right era to be awesome. I was correct.
10 Neon Bible - I really can't think of the Arcade Fire anymore without thinking about the skit on SNL with Rainn Wilson where they're in an office meeting... so good!
10 The Last Supper - Great comedian, or the greatest comedian?

Artists:
1 The New Pornographers[/album] - If this is surprising by this point, you need to re-read the rest of this post.
2 Radiohead - Mostly on the strength of In Rainbows, but I didn't realize I'd listened to them this much...
3 Hallelujah The Hills - I really think these guys are a great band, and I can't wait to see them again.
4 Barenaked Ladies - I tell you, Canadians? Awesome.
5 Daft Punk - Almost exclusively on Alive 2007...
6 The Apples in Stereo - I really don't think there are many cooler physics enthusiasts
7 Jim Gaffigan - Hoooooot pocket!
8 Oasis - this is actually extremely surprising... I don't really remember listening to them at all...
9 Snow Patrol - See #8
10 The Beatles - Again...

If you read this far, kudos!]]> http://www.last.fm/user/avatarofnirvana/journal/2008/04/02/1ms8_procrastination_in_action%21 Wed, 2 Apr 2008 15:15:00 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/avatarofnirvana/journal/2008/04/02/1ms8_procrastination_in_action%21 So, before I talk about the last two concerts, let me post a couple random asides:

At the end of spring break I went to the local liquor store to pick up a bottle of wine for my girlfriend who was coming back from Arizona. While in there, they were playing Is There a Ghost. This is not the strangest story I have.

That would be the other day when I went to get some crystal light and water from Kroger (Payless for you Indiananans)... and what should I hear over the speaker but the sweet strains of Space Age Love Song. I didn't know that anyone was legal allowed to admit that Flock of Seagulls songs besides I Ran existed.


So at the end of February, Ben Folds came and played at Elliot Hall. His opening act was Eef Barzelay. As Purdue is apparently primarily attended by douchebags (or maybe it's just Ben Folds fans? but I don't think that's as true), Eef did not receive a very positive reception. He was definitely playing a little over his head, and his falsetto was a little weak, but I think in a smaller setting, he would've been really enjoyable. He just didn't really seem to be able to "fill" the room. Ben Folds was great, as funny as he was on Ben Folds Live, and he's definitely the amazing pianist that shows up on his albums.

Then, two weeks or so ago, I had the pleasure of attending a couple concerts. On thursday I went to see Hallelujah the Hills at The Venue. I really felt bad for the guys, they put on a tremendous show... for 6-8 of us. Myself, my girlfriend, and a group of about 4 girls were the only people there who didn't seem to be connected to the bands in some way, which is a real shame. Granted, the Venue has the same problem that Downtown Records had: too much sound in too small of a space, but it's still all we've got in the greater Lafayette area. And it was still better than the fucking Canopy Club. Appomattox were also really good, but we only caught the end of their set, and due to other crap I had to do tomorrow, we didn't stay for Plunkett.

Then Saturday, we loaded up Joe's truck and drove out to Urbana-Champaign to see British Sea Power at the Canopy Club. The aesthetic of the club was nice, and the bar service was good, but the sound quality was awful. First off, who opens the doors an hour and a half before the show for a little club show? I've never seen more than 30-45 minutes, but maybe that's just because I've been spoiled by concerts in Chicago and DC. So, after we listened to an hour and a half of soundchecking for Common Loon, we sat through their set. Other than sounding pretty much like a Wilco rip-off, I guess they were okay. Maybe we were just in a bad mood because of the sound check though. Then, another 45-60 minues of sound check before the 1900s came out. You know, as a little indie band, it seems kind of lame to ask the bar to send you alcohol to stage... I don't care if you're playing drunk (unless you're the Strokes and can't actually do it...), but c'mon. We paid to see you play music, not to hear you order a drink. It's also telling when the sound guy asks a band to play another 4-5 songs and they reply they've only got 2 more. Needless to say, I was not impressed. So, after two more or less disappointments (and another 45 minutes or so of sound checking) we finally got to British Sea Power. Thankfully, they made the night worth it. Crazy antics and great music triumphed, and was capped by just a ridiculous freak out at the end of the show, including some crowd surfing by one of the guys in the band that ended up with him upside down on one of the stage poles. Anyways, I took a few shots of BSP: Photos!

So that's about it. Due to financial and time situations I don't see a lot of concerts in the near future, but I'm probably going to end up going to see REM, Modest Mouse, and The National at the United Center in June because that line up is just so ridiculous.]]> http://www.last.fm/user/avatarofnirvana/journal/2008/02/13/1ms7_not_that_it_needs_to_be_said... Wed, 13 Feb 2008 15:29:11 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/avatarofnirvana/journal/2008/02/13/1ms7_not_that_it_needs_to_be_said... As I'm sure everyone who's listened already knows... Alive 2007 is phenomenal. Go buy 1... or 3.]]> http://www.last.fm/user/avatarofnirvana/journal/2008/02/12/1ms6_a_new_year_%28in_music%29 Tue, 12 Feb 2008 17:00:16 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/avatarofnirvana/journal/2008/02/12/1ms6_a_new_year_%28in_music%29 Wooo 2008 and something. So, Borders has been throwing 40% off 3 cd coupons at me. I'm certainly not going to complain. The first yielded Bring On The Comets, The Snazzy T. Rex/Marc Bolan Greatest Hits Compilation, and The Reminder. All good buys, The Reminder definitely is my favorite out of the three, and I'm still kind of on the fence about Bring on the Comets. Twentieth Century Boy is an interesting collection, I don't know much about Marc Bolan, but there are a lot of classic tracks on the comp. Probably not worth it if you're already a huge fan, but isn't that always the way of the greatest hits comp?

Round two has yielded somewhat dissapointingly (only because the stupid cashier punched in my coupon wrong and only gave me 40% off one cd... that's what you get at chains I suppose) Distortion which I am almost sure I'm going to love after listening to the first 2 tracks in store, Alive 2007 which I listened to part of at my friend's apartment and regretted missing at Lollapalooza last year, and Cease to Begin because it only narrowly missed being purchased when I found Bring on the Comets with the last coupon.

I also used Christmas gift cards to pick up Challengers because... the New Pornographers are amazing. The hardest time I have with the album is listening to the second half because I tend to just keep the first tracks on repeat. I'm not saying they're bad or anything, just that the first half of the album is so ridiculously good. Kind of wish I would've picked up the Executive Version way back when. Also, play Electric Version on Rock Band... it'll instantly convert anyone you're playing with to a fan... it seriously worked with everyone I play with.]]> http://www.last.fm/user/avatarofnirvana/journal/2007/08/06/1ms5_lolla_photos Mon, 6 Aug 2007 17:52:28 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/avatarofnirvana/journal/2007/08/06/1ms5_lolla_photos Fri 3 Aug – Lollapalooza 2007

Photos from Lolla (Saturday)

A full review was done earlier, but damnit my keyboard freaked out and it's gone forever. I'll probably type it up again after lunch, but enjoy some of my crappy (i guess some of it was sort of ok) photography. It's a facebook link because I'm not in enough to have flickr.

Here's the aforementioned review...

Upon entering, we rushed to the Adidas stage to catch Matt and Kim. It was particularly an awesome show because they were just so excited to see so many people there. It’s quite a change of scenery for them contrasted with the Brooklyn basements they normally play. Despite some technical difficulties (they keyboarded just a little too hard for the equipment), they got through their set and engaged the crowd in some witty banter (pens and inkwells...)

After Matt and Kim’s set, we hustled over to the Bud Light stage to catch I’m From Barcelona. I really don’t have the words to describe what a spectacular show they put on, but I’ll try. Exultatious, might be a good one. 18 Swedes, a bag of balloons, and a raft for crowd surfing made this an unforgettable moment. Despite what some professional reviewers might say, there really wasn’t (at least from the crowd’s perspective) a single weak moment in the set. Marcus the bear singing/signing along throughout the set and tossing water and water bottles into the crowd was a joy to watch. If anything, the only disappointment this set could’ve brought was the knowledge that we missed the Polyphonic Spree the day before. The set ended with a dancy/electronica version of We’re From Barcelona in which both the band and the crowd just went nuts. It was the perfect way to close out what was hands down my favorite set of the day.

At this point, we realized there was no point in rushing or hustling. The Myspace (ugh) stage was a long way away, but we still headed over to check out Tapes N Tapes. What we heard of the set was great, and exactly as expected. The crowd just didn’t seem into it though. I can only assume that the audience had to be there waiting for Motion City Soundtrack (ugh... and before you flame me, I’ve seen them live and didn’t like them then either... at the same time, I promise, no more negativity, that’s not what the weekend was about). TNT blistered through some stuff off the first record and some new songs and even brought out a tuba!

At this point, Joe’s schedule and mine diverged. He headed off towards an afternoon of Hold Steady and Spoon while mine was supposed to involve Cold War Kids and Regina Spektor. I also was going to try and get autographs from Tokyo Police Club and Regina, but as I promised no more negativity, I can’t go on a tirade against FYE and their inane policy regarding the situation, but if you were going to try, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

So that would’ve taken us to Cold War Kids. I’m not a huge fan of theirs, but I do really like We Used to Vacation. However, upon seeing the amazingly huge crowd in front of the Citi Stage, I decided to just go and try and get a good spot for Regina. Sound Tribe Sector Nine were still on the Adidas stage when I got over there, and I have to say, without knowing anything about them, they were really good. Not something I would necessarily seek out, but very chill. I maneuvered up through the crowd during the set trying to get close for Regina. I ended up in the 4th row, but was crushed basically and couldn’t breathe, so I went back a few rows. It was much more comfortable back there.

Regina came on and led with an a capella version of Ain’t No Cover which was simply stunning. As charming, witty, and beautiful as ever, she waltzed through a beautiful set. I was a bit surprised that there was no backing band, especially after listening to Begin to Hope, but she carried the tunes well. I also enjoyed the chair drumming during Poor Little Rich Boy. All in all, just a wonderful set from a stellar musician.

After this I met up with my friend Missy and we sat on the lawn and listened to Snow Patrol and caught up. We hadn’t seen each other in over a year. Snow Patrol sounded great, and culled their set from their two most recent releases. As an added bonus the singer from the Silversun Pickups replaced Martha Wainwright on Set The Fire To The Third Bar and sounded magnificent in doing so. She had a busy weekend as apparently she did the same thing on Young Folks with Peter Bjorn and John the next day.

We then wandered over to listen to Spoon, who I’ve personally never been a huge fan of. Their set didn’t entirely convert me, but they still sounded great and had a fair amount of songs that I liked. Also, I’m starting to come around on I Turn My Camera On. Funny how time changes perspective. After Spoon, Missy and I parted ways and I met back up with Joe to fight our way across the park to return to the Bud Light Stage.

Interpol. We got there late so it seemed like we were going to be in the back. But Joe made a friend at either the Hold Stead show or the Spoon show, I forget, and she was very adept at moving through crowds. So, for one show, I was that guy, lol. But we did get into an amazing spot by the end of the first set where there was room to move and dance and we could see. A great set with a great light show, I think this was a great environment to see Interpol in. The crowd was great and everyone seemed to really feel the energy.

It was a fantastic experience and I really can't wait until next year!]]> http://www.last.fm/user/avatarofnirvana/journal/2007/08/06/1ms4_lolla Mon, 6 Aug 2007 15:37:45 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/avatarofnirvana/journal/2007/08/06/1ms4_lolla I had like a 3 page thing written up. Then the fucking wireless keyboard at work started freaking out and I lost it all. There probably will not be a summary of it forthcoming.]]> http://www.last.fm/user/avatarofnirvana/journal/2007/08/01/1ms3_thermalsdials_show Wed, 1 Aug 2007 21:00:18 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/avatarofnirvana/journal/2007/08/01/1ms3_thermalsdials_show Fri 27 Jul – The Thermals

Wow. There really aren't words to describe what a great concert this was, but I suppose I can try anyway. I showed up around the time the first band was going on. I don't remember their name. They were pretty good, though I confess to not remembering much about them.

Up next were The Dials. I'd never heard of them before, but they were pretty sweet, and put on one hell of a live show. I did feel bad for the keyboardist as there were a few guys up front who were basically giving her a hard time through the whole set. Other than that though, I was impressed by the guitarist... I don't think I've ever seen someone strum that quickly before. Overall, while I enjoyed them live, I'm not sure I'd enjoy their recorded stuff. The girls voices tended a bit on the high-screechy side for my own personal taste, but that's not meant to really knock them at all, they were excellent!

Around 10, The Thermals took the stage. It was easily the most energetic concert I've ever been to, and definitely had one of the best audiences of the concerts I've been to. They ripped through a lot of songs I knew (basically The Body, The Blood, The Machine as well as several other songs from their other two albums that I never really listened to. Really, there's not much to say, if you were there, you know it all, and if you weren't, it's hard to put an experience like that into words. I'd say probably the most interesting comment that I could make is that they were not the loudest concert I'd ever been to. That laurel still rests with Low. I would not have guessed that going in.

Also, Subterranean was a great place to see a show. Lots of different places to view a show from... up on the balcony, in the back, at the front. I went up on the balcony for a bit between the first band and The Dials, but decided the sound wasn't nearly as good and wandered back down in front of the stage.

The only regret I have is that I couldn't go see them for free the next day too!]]>