if you want to have your cake and eat it too go ahead
So school starts tomorrow and I have mixed emotions abound. It's sad that the summer's ending, but shit this is my last year at the UofO, it looks like I'm actually gonna pull this shit off in four years, who would have thought. I'm getting a little nervous because I'm gonna have to start applying for Grad schools pretty soon to get my teaching cert. but I have no idea what's gonna be involved in the whole process. I do know that I'm gonna have to take a lot of tests that I'll probably be woefully unprepared for. In the more immediate future I just printed out the syllabus for my Hist 410? class the American west, the bitch is 9 mofo pages long! Who does that a 9 page syllabus for christssake.
I was happy to make a return to reading this summer and I managed to finish a few choice books. Right now I'm in the middle of reading "The Professor and The Madman" nonfiction about the construction of the Oxford English Dictionary. Nerds of the world unite! What can I say for all my lazy grammar and unadorned language I love the words.
One reason for the shoddy upkeep of this blog over the summer aside from uncomfortable seats and patchy internet has been my decision to back off the "must get it first" music train. In a way I sort of took a vacation form finding new music and tried to get to know my old stuff a little better and managed to reintroduce myself with some really fab artists ie: The Good Life, Metric, The first coupe Rilo Kiley albums, Miles Davis and some Django Reinhardt. There are plenty more but those just came to mind. That's not to say there weren't some amazing releases these last few months most notably The two Ryan Adams records, Sufjan Stevens, The Fiery Furnaces (probably the wierdest album I've ever heard), Franz Ferdinand, You Say Party, We Say Die!, and Devendra Banhart.
I'm actually quite intrigued with where it seems like the scene is going right now with the "indie genre" being able to accept new wave retreads (just about everyone) , epic theatrical releases (arcade fire, sufjan), Country (Ryan Adams, Bright Eyes), "freak folk"(Devendra Banhart, Joanna Newsom) and even, ready for this?... hip hop (mf doom, atmosphere). For a scene that prides it's self on exclusivity and self importance what I'm wondering is the music getting that much better or is "indie scene" starting to crumble. You must admit that this last year has been one of transistion for indie rock with the tight rope act being walked by "indie bands" the killers the bravery death cab for cutie modest mouse etc.. Our little scene is growing up .
Also just wanted to put the word out to any Elliott Smith fans that the new film Thumbsucker a soundtrack entirely composed by Tim Delaughter of the polyphonic spree other than three Elliott songs including 2 new tracks . His Amazing cover of BigStar's "thirteen" possibly my favorite Elliott track and a Cat Stevens cover "Trouble". A highly recommended pick up if you get a chance.
Ok then music.
i have a hole in my tooth
Sorry for the lack of updates this week. Spanish and work have pretty much been kicking my ass around the whole time. On the upside though I only have one more day of class then I'm finally done with school for the summer. Ojala. Over the weekend we had a nice little get together over here including the likes of jacob, Andrew², Logan and the rest of the usual crew. Thanks to everyone that came, but now I'm starting to get the itch for a "rager" someone with a house accomodate me stat. So Ryan Adams appears to be a lost cause = bust. Does anybody that reads this even listen to Ryan? The first two albums posted here are highly recommended. I posted the go! team before but forgot to include the password, the album has not been released in the states and is thusfar available as an import only. I hope you enjoi.
Let Me Help You Morganize Your Life!!
So thanks to my parents I will now be flying home and not driving as previously reported. My flight leaves on 9/2 and i come back to eugene on the 11th just enough time to catch my moms birthday but sadly one day before the outlaws birthday. I have to be honest I will not be missing this 90 degree + weather. Next week in my spanish class is just insane monday essay due, tuesday verb test, wednesday oral exam, thursday chapter test sweet jesus kill me now.
rollerskates on your hands
Nothing all that intereting on the horizon right now however, I am still looking for someone who wants to go see the greatness that is ryan adams with me i promise it will not dissapoint. Cmon here people my desperation is wearing a bit thin.
a life without teeth
Busy busy weekend, sorry for the lack of posts. So it looks like I'm going to be coming home in early septmber for about a week, initial plans have me leaving(driving) down on the 8th and leaving for Oregon on the 13th . Should be real horrorshow like (quiz of the day: what movie is that last line from?).
I got to say it feels good to be back and i hope i can keep it up this time. We'll see i have notably low dedication and self motivation so I'll do the best that i can.
Cursive - The Ugly Organ
Latest concept album from the best band on Saddle Creek that's not Bright Eyes, The Faint, or the Desaparecidos. Lead singer Tim Kasher creates art of the beautiful chaos that surrounds his failed marrige.
The White Stripes - Peel Sessions 11/08/01
Brutal simplicity from the white stripes on recently deceased radio God, John Peel's show before the Stripes hit it big in the states.
Patrick Wof - Wind In The Wires
Indie child prodigy oft compared to Oberst. 21 at the recording of this his newest album Wolf shows promise on most tracks, but has some issues sustaining a constant flow of good songs. Either way worth a listen.
Kraftwerk - Electric Cafe
Beep Boop bop kcheeg kcheeg riippppp "We Invented Techo" ... Boop
Buena Vista Social Club
Beautiful Cuban music all performed by men who are are probably older than your grandpa.