'08's Music to Love More Than Music: Like, Pt. 1

All right folks, let it begin. Expect the next section sometime soon after the 25th. Make sure to check out all 14 parts to this section though :)

Like ( )
Innerpartysystem - Innerpartysystem
Pop dance ridiculousness. It gets a little old after a while, the saccharine sweet poppieness of the songs are good in small doses.
Innerpartysystem - Last Night in Brooklyn

Mochipet - Microphonepet
Ultra grimy and awkward hip-hop beats under slick smooth lyricists from all over town. Hard to get into, but once it grabs you, it's got you for a week. They're going to tangle your whole town. (see original review)
Mochipet - Tangle (Featuring Salva and Epcot)

Robots In Disguise - We're In the Music Biz
Electro madness in the vein of Art Brut and Daft Punk-wannabes, but with a sort of trashy class to them. (see original review)
Robots In Disguise - Everybody's Going Crazy

Max Justus - Five Leaping Leopards
Mega groovy phat lo-fi beats from new comer Max Justus thrill and excite. It's not the most outrageous album ever, but it's a subtle trouble starter.
Max Justus - Seven

MGMT - Metanoia
Unexpected epic track from this year's upset stars.
MGMT - Indie Rokkers (I would give you a track off of the Metanoia release, but seeming how there's only one track on it, that would make the ground I'm on more shaky than usual)

Mike "Machine Gun" Edison - I Have Fun Everywhere I Go
What is essentially re-tellings of the stories in his book, Mike Edison with a backing punk band spits 7 tales of his wickedly strange life meeting rock stars and being into professional wrestling. The music becomes background sounds as you become wrapped into his tales, but it's still pretty competent music. I'd rate it higher, but after hearing the stories 4 or 5 times, it gets kind of old. It's very entertaining during those 5 or so listens, however. (See original review)
Mike "Machine Gun" Edison - GG Allin Died Last Night

'08's Music to Love More Than Music: Like, Pt. 2

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Be Your Own Pet - Get Awkward
Not nearly as outrageous as their first one, and not really what I would have wanted out of a swan song (though it beats out Renegades any day), but it was still pretty fun at times. (see original review)
Be Your Own Pet - Zombie Graveyard Party

Various - Bloody Buddies
It took a while to really have much of an impact, and past a fleeting interest it didn't have much of an impact at all. But I do think it is an interesting compilation at that. (see original review)
Bloodysnowman - Broken Floor

Markus Grosskopf's Bassinvader - Hellbassbeaters
I kind of felt like I ought to show some respect to my buddy Markus (from Helloween), because I have been following his career for some time now, but the thing is that there were really only about 2 songs on this record that were any amount of fun to listen to. The rest of it could be considered an interesting experiment, but not really what I'd call fun. (see original review)
Markus Grosskopf's Bassinvader - Empty Memories (Breaking Free)

'08's Music to Love More Than Music: Like, Pt. 3

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Guillemots - Red
Super mellow chill out folk. Worth a listen or two at least. The lyrics are delivered in this soothing way that is actually a little off-putting, but it works out.
Guillemots - Get Over It

Cat Power - Jukebox
Still disappointed that Metal Heart isn't a cover of Accept haha :). (see original review)
Cat Power - A Woman Left Lonely (Janis Joplin)

Megapuss - Surfing
Devendra Banhart's new little project that is awkward to say the least. Songs degrading the president being one of the more awkward moments on the album, it's an entertaining listen, but I wouldn't exactly say that it's cannon in the Devendra Banhart Story. But if it were to be considered, think about it as something similar to the oddest things from his first two releases.
Megapuss - Duck People Duck Man

Sam Sparro - Sam Sparro
There are a few spectacular songs on here. Unfortunately there are only a few of them, and the others leave a little to be desired. But those great songs are pretty great.
Sam Sparro - Black & Gold

65daysofstatic - The Distant And Mechanised Glow Of Eastern European Dance Parties
Post rock is hard to get right, and these guys are on the cusp of greatness so often. Their stuff shows their talent with their instruments, they just haven't blown me away yet.
65daysofstatic - Goodbye, 2007

'08's Music to Love More Than Music: Like, Pt. 4

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Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours
A lot of people seemed to go batkite crazy for these guys and I have to say I never really got what was so stellar about them. The album is good, but it's not the best thing ever. I liked it.
Cut Copy - Lights & Music

Danielson - Trying Hartz
I never know what to think about "best of''s. I would recommend just going out and getting everything by Danielson, but I know that that's kind of hard to do and that most people probably wouldn't like everything by Danielson, so if you think that's you, then maybe you should check this out, because it really does compile a lot of the best songs by Danielson (except, instead of the original version of Nice of Me it has this weird live version that just doesn't cut it).
Daneielson - Don't You Be The Judge (Live)

I Was A Teenage Satan Worshiper - The Lemonade Ocean
Very much a band that is sure to be someone's guilty pleasure. Dancy and ridiculous and they probably only care about dancing and being ridiculous. Fun? hellllz yes.
I Was A Teenage Satan Worshipper - Pop (H)ate(s) Itself

The Tom Fun Orchestra - You Will Land With A Thud
Mr. Waits would be proud. (see original review)
The Tom Fun Orchestra - When You Were Mine

'08's Music to Love More Than Music: Like, Pt. 5

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The Whigs - Mission Control
Not a phenomenal album, but they definitely have one great song. I think I saw them like 3 times this year and their live show def. makes these songs come alive. (see original review)
The Whigs - Like a Vibration

Scarlett Johansson - Anywhere I Lay My Head
Yeah, I love Tom Waits. So when someone covers the songs, I'm going to like them. But the thing is that the fact that these are covers of Tom Waits songs is the only thing holding this record together. I'm not saying Scarlett isn't a good musician, but I think I'll hold my opinion on all that until she comes out with her own songs. The album just makes you sleepy after a while is all I'm saying...
Scarlett Johansson - I Don't Want To Grow Up

Aubrey Debauchery & the Puke Boots - He's a Damn Good Liar
I love Aubrey's old stuff a whole bunch (thanks to my friend Kiyomi), but this album was a little bit too country for me.
Aubrey Debauchery & the Puke Boots - Accordion Song

Bun B - II Trill
The thing is that Bun B is misogynistic sometimes, and that just sucks. I don't think we ought to say "well that's to be expected in mainstream hip-hop," because that just makes it okay. Women are awesome, and pushing music that says otherwise is wrong. There are not very many examples of misogyny on the album, but it makes me hate those parts. But the thing is that his voice sounds awesome, and his beats are phat, so I'm still drawn to the good songs. Plus he uses one of my absolute favorite words: Trill. Best word ever. He does have a good message every once in a while (re: the song below), but I find it troubling that the song that follows the song below on the album is a song that gets pretty gross with misogyny.
Bun B - Get Cha Issue

'08's Music to Love More Than Music: Like, Pt. 6

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The Billionaires - Really Real for Forever
The charm of this album rode purely on the charm of the first song. It reminded me of Barcelona (The original Barcelona, not these new f*@%ers parading as Barcelona and making some of the worst music ever!) and the subsequent Sprites. Warm, analog-ish synth twee. The lyrics of the first song and how they're delivered make the first song on this album un-miss-able. The rest of the album is a little bit of a let down comparatively though. (see original review)
The Billionaires - The End of the Summer Song

The Electric Six - Flashy
UGH. I ADORE the Electric Six. But not because of anything they've done since 2005 . Their last 3 albums, this one included, have had maybe 2 songs on them that are any fun. This one has a few catchy moments, and it's not terrible. I'm just afraid that they're just going to keep putting out albums such as this and expect that to be fine. best lyrics: "You can clean your kitchen baby."
The Electric Six - Formula 409

The Two Man Gentlemen Band - Heavy Petting
I think the best descriptor for this album is "old timey." I can compare them only to a band from Tempe, AZ called Yourchestra. 1 stand up bass, 1 banjo, 2 kazoos, 1,000,000 awesomeness. As entertaining as they are, the songs got a little old when played in succession, but in doses of 2 or 3, it is just right.
The Two Man Gentlemen Band - William Howard Taft

The Last Shadow Puppets - The Age of the Understatement
A very charging and layered album. You can tell that this album was a labor of love and, if anything, time, because this is a full sounding release. That said, it doesn't sound too full or over produced. I have a feeling that if I were to have given myself more time with this album, it would have ended up higher on my list.
The Last Shadow Puppets - Only the Truth

'08's Music to Love More Than Music: Like, Pt. 7

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Rocket from the Crypt - R.I.P.
Not really my kind of album, but the fact that these guys are talented enough to keep my interest says a lot.
Rocket from the Crypt - A+ in Arson Class

The Chapin Sisters - Lake Bottom
I didn't really listen to it that often after I reviewed it. Maybe once or twice. Over all good songs, but nothing that really sticks with you. (see original review)
The Chapin Sisters - Kill Me Now

Kaki King - Dreaming Of Revenge
Man, she was SO DAMN GOOD live, and John Darnielle raved about the album, but I just can't get myself to really dig it. She is an immaculate guitar player, but sometimes some of the songs just aren't catchy enough. They certainly don't capture the feeling and power of her live show.
Kaki King - Pull Me Out Alive

Matt and Isom - August Jesus Depression
A many layered album that is quite the labor of love. I say that because you don't have songs like that sound like this without a lot of work. Not to say this sounds over produced, but it's a complicated album. The most mixed up song being the first one, here's a more mellowed out song
Matt and Isom - Poor Little Rich Girl

Moby - Last Night
Pretty chill. What else would you expect from Moby?
Moby - Disco Lies

'08's Music to Love More Than Music: Like, Pt. 8

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The Tiger Lillies - Seven Deadly Sins
There is so much to consider when you talk about the Tiger Lillies. These people put on a show, and sometimes that takes precedence over the music, I think. These songs seem to be more a method of getting a story told then anything else, and that's okay, but that's not what I'm listening for. Talented musicians? unquestionably. (See original review)
The Tiger Lillies - Pride

In Flames - A Sense Of Purpose
Sigh. I said it pretty well in the original review. (see original review)
In Flames - Disconnected

Chris Dooks - The Aesthetic Animals Album
Some of the songs were quite peculiar, and the others were a little stale. I liked a couple though :)
Chris Dooks - The Swan

The Republic Tigers - Keep Color
This release shows a great deal of promise, but not more than their live show does. If their album sounded like their live show, I would have liked it more. But it's a decent album
The Republic Tigers - Contortionists

Current 93 - Birth Canal Blues
Dark music. straight up creepy and weird. I loved the first track, but the others didn't quite grab me.
Current 93 - I Looked to the South Side of the Door

Tittsworth - 12 Steps
Phatphat beats and nutty as heck rhymes over most of it.
Tittsworth - WTF

'08's Music to Love More Than Music: Like, Pt. 9

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Plants And Animals - Parc Avenue
At times invoking the likes of Queen, but mostly sticking to chill-out grooves and feel good melodies.
Plants and Animals - New Kind of Love

Apes & Androids - Blood Moon
I tried to listen to this album a good 6 or 7 times this year, and every time I started I would have something else to do, or something would come up and I wouldn't be able to finish it. So I've heard the first couple songs a quite a few times, and the last songs maybe twice. It might have been that I didn't really like the album and I found things that "just had to get done," but since I did like the first couple tracks, I don't really know.
Apes & Androids - Make Forever Last Forever

The Wild Beasts - Limbo, Panto
My friend Adrienne misread this band as "The Wild Beats" and I think I like that name a whole lot. that aside, the album is all right. One or two stand out tracks, but nothing to write to cows about.
The Wild Beasts - His Grinning Skull

The Teenagers - Reality Check
Dancy and unabashedly vulgar, this band is not for people who can't handle jokes made in very poor taste.
The Teenagers - Homecoming

Wild Sweet Orange - We Have Cause To Be Uneasy
This album has quite a bit going for it. It's a peaceful album, and a solemn one too. There are sad songs, but they're hopeful songs. For fans of Bright Eyes.
Wild Sweet Orange - Sour Milk

'08's Music to Love More Than Music: Like, Pt. 10

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Eels - Meet The EELS: Essential EELS 1996-2006 Vol. 1 and Useless Trinkets-B Sides, Soundtracks, Rarities and Unreleased 1996-2006
Again, I have trouble knowing what to do with this best of. I love basically every song by the Eels, but I would rather be recommending that people ought to just get it all. Again, that's not exactly feasible sometimes, so, in that case, of course these collections are pretty good.
Eels - Losing Streak
Eels - If I Was You Girlfriend

She & Him - Volume One
Gosh, people just ate this album up. Personally I thought it was kind of boring at times. Yeah, I loved the tracks that I loved, but it wasn't album of the year by any stretch of the imagination. (see original review)
She & Him - Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?

Antony & the Johnsons - Another World
Antony has this habit of being a very sad musician, making very sad, dark music. This hasn't changed. These songs are very pained. They were also a little sparse at times. 4 of the 5 tracks sounded very similar, so I was left wanting more. Thankfully this song, which is one of the best songs of this year, was also on the album:
Antony & the Johnsons - Shake That Devil

'08's Music to Love More Than Music: Like, Pt. 11

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The National Bank - Come on Over to the Other Side
These guys would be the biggest Discorock stars if they were to have come out with this album when that sound was more in. Granted this album is better than any old disco album (it doesn't sound dead), but still, it's pretty groovy. (see original post)
The National Bank - Home

Flight Of The Conchords - Flight Of The Conchords
There can only be one Tenacious D. If you think about it, even they couldn't repeat the awesomeness that was their self-titled. I'm not saying FotC are trying to be The D, but it's similar. Flight of the Conchords have a great deal of more interesting releases. This is good at times, but never spectacular or very memorable. I will never forget moments of their radio show though. Maybe check that out?
Flight Of The Conchords - Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenoceros

Ghostland Observatory - Robotique Majestique
Good. Dancy. But their music is live music. And when it's not live, it's not very lively. It works well with a good group of people too.
Ghostland Observatory - Heavy Heart

Lyrics Born - Everywhere At Once
A smart hip-hop album, which, unfortunately, usually goes hand-in-hand with boring, unmemorable beats. This is kind of the case here. Some stellar moments though. (see original review)
Lyrics Born - Homeland Security
Lyrics Born - Don't Change

1997 - On The Run
I remember being reminded of Cake when I listened to this album, but I didn't ever really get a grasp as to why that was.
1997 - Sunset Beyond Black Clouds

'08's Music to Love More Than Music: Like, Pt. 12

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Atmosphere - When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold
No, it was not a great album. But Atmosphere is good at what he does, so it's hard to imagine that he would pump out something that he would have to paint gold. that said, this does have a little bit of gold paint on it.
Atmosphere - Wild Wild Horses
I still have no idea what he's talking about. ever.

The Nightwatchman - The Fabled City
Hmmm. Tom's last album was a ball breaker. This one just comes off as whiny. It's not bad, but maybe he needs to focus more on the sound and message, instead of just the message. That's what I'd like to see anyway.
The Nightwatchman - Whatever It Takes

Local H - 12 Angry Months
The last time I listened to Local H was, oh, almost 12 years ago. I liked their one song where they said a curse word. Because I was in middle school. However!, they have, as it turns out, still been making albums since then. Their sound hasn't much changed, but I must admit that this album had some pretty catchy songs on it. It wasn't my scene anymore, so it didn't really stuck, but I think Local H ought to be proud of this release.
Local H - March: BMW Man

Witch - Paralyzed
Throwback to noisier heavy metal-ish sounds, Witch invokes the 80's gods to make a distorted and masterfully sculpted album. I just didn't dig it all that much is all.
Witch - Space God

Black Gold - Tragedy & Legacy
An unexpected dance classic at times, but then it gets a little old. Good effort, and more goodies are sure to come. (see original review)
Black Gold - Breakdown

'08's Music to Love More Than Music: Like, Pt. 13

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British Sea Power - Do You Like Rock Music?
This album was absolutely EPIC. But after I listened to it six or seven times at the beginning of the year, I didn't pick it up again. I felt guilty for it, yes, but I still didn't pick it up again. I don't know why either. I just listened to it again today and I found so much about the album to respect and love, but I still was not captured. BSP should be happy to know I'm hard to please sometimes. I still really adore the album. (see original review)
British Sea Power - Lights Out for Darker Skies

Gnarls Barkley - The Odd Couple
They'll never live "Crazy" down. It's honestly a cliche to say so, but it's true, and it needs to be said. That said, I felt that this album was a lot more soulful and intelligent than their last album, and ought to have more respect attached to it. It's not as catchy, but it's certainly a good effort. (see original review)
Gnarls Barkley - A Little Better

The Terrible Twos - Jerzy The Giant
I loved the initial TT release because it was just the most adorable, Summery album I've ever heard. This album really felt more like a kids album than the other one did, even though they were both supposed to be. I dunno why. Just did. I'd recommend the other one before I recommended this one, but it's not like this has bad songs on it. I'm just not 12 anymore, ya know? That's why I skipped Kimya's new one.
The Terrible Twos - Say Say Anything

Andrew Bird - Soldier On
A good filler EP, but I need more Mr. Bird. Thankfully his next full release is set to drop in like a month. (see original review)
Andrew Bird - The Water Jet Cilice

'08's Music to Love More Than Music: Like, Pt. 14

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Dark Meat - Universal Indians
This album is a very soulful album. Hip-hippies and their jam outs are to be expected, but there's a chance of awesomeness on the horizon.
Dark Meat - Well Fuck You Then

The Whitsundays -The Whitsundays
Groovsters delight at times, bluesy and soulful at other times. It didn't suck me in, but the songs are very well put together, and there's a lot of brainpower behind it all.
The Whitsundays - I Want It All

Louis XIV - Slick Dogs And Ponies
The thing is that this album had a freaking Stellar opening track. I loved the album because of it. Then I heard the album a few more times and it wasn't that great. not terrible, but not the best. KILLER opening track. One of the best this year. (see original review)
Louis XIV - Guilty By Association

The Wurst Nightmare - Greatest (s)Hits
A joke band that released 11 absolutely hilarious covers. It's funny once probably, but I had a great time trying to figure out what the songs were. There are actually quite a few very competent effects that who ever is behind this project uses. It might just be an experiment to see what the songs would sound like crappy bands played them. It's free, so track that skag down. My favorite:
The Wurst Nightmare - Wogs Ann

Again, expect the next section to be posted sometime soon after the 25th.

'08's Music to Love More Than Music: Extras for whatever reason

First, before I fully get into the wrap-up list, I need to address a few albums that will not be on the list.

Albums that were released LAST year that no one seems to remember the release date of:
MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
Oh man, whatever possessed me to not write about this last year is completely unknown to me, because I rocked Kids in my eardrums in to the darker days of last December, and well into the next year. As summer came and MGMT got the recognition they deserve I found that their songs were being rocked at every party I went to, and rightfully so. This pair has molded what could possibly be considered one of my favorite albums of the decade. Unstopable beats and tones, it's just spectacular. It did, however, come out last year. It would not have beaten Neon Bible out of my top spot, but it would have landed somewhere just below. Ch-Ch-Check it out:
MGMT - Kids
MGMT - Electric Feel
MGMT - Time To Pretend

The Raveonettes - Lust, Lust, Lust
Still a damn good album. Still one of my all time favorites of all time (See original review)
The Raveonettes - Hallucinations
The Raveonettes - Dead Sound
The Raveonettes - Aly, Walk With Me

Albums that I did listen to, but was heavily disappointed in, for whatever reason:
Mindless Self Indulgence - If
I don't think I could have said it better earlier. (See original review)

Of Montreal - Skeletal Lamping
I tried. I really did. Some of my friends just adored this album, and my friends, I like to think, have good taste in music, so things just weren't adding up when I found no enjoyment in this album. I listened to it a good five times before I gave up. It was all flash and glitter, but no substance. "Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?" was just such a good record that to come out with this is just a slap in the face. Maybe Hissing was just an un-top-able album, or maybe our man Barnes was going for a spiritless, empty sound. If he was, then bravo.

The Streets - Everything Is Borrowed
I love the Streets. I heard that his accent was faked, and I didnt mind either way, because I like his music. This album was a complete turn off. I'm just going to forget that it happened. If his next record is loveable, then I'll hold nothing against Mr. Skinner, but this album is just unacceptable. I say this because I love his older stuff, and am disappointed with this release. Also because I know in the long run my words won't actually hurt him. I wouldn't be saying this about an artists who is just finding their stride. Mike is a great musician, I think that this album is just a sound that he and I don't agree on.

The Ting Tings - We Started Nothing
There was SO much freaking hype around this album. There were 2 or 3 songs I found to be interesting. I have a feeling they all come alive during the live show. I do, however, expect that their next album will be awesome. This is not a bad record, it's just not a great record.

[EDIT: (2008/12/21)
I forgot to mention:
Lil' Wayne - Tha Carter III
Seriously Lil' Wayne? I couldn't have ripped this apart better than when I did it the first time. (See original review)]

'08's Music to Love More Than Music

A few days ago I was listening through my list of favorite albums this year with my friend Alicia, and I found myself skipping through albums, not being able to focus on one album for more than a few songs. I think that the best way to tell if you really do like an album is to play it for someone else, because that way you're putting in your vote of confidence for it and essentially letting your friend know how good your taste in music is. A cause for self reflection, if anything. Well I was finding that these albums that I had set aside to remember at the end of the year just weren't cutting it for me anymore. Whatever the reason, I began to think that, despite what I had previously though, 2008 might not have been that great of a year for music.

Not willing to accept this, I complied the list of 2008 albums that I have heard and went through each one, trying to remember how I felt about them all. I found myself getting to certain albums and exclaiming with joyous surprise that, yes, there was good 2008 music! I had simply forgotten them or, more likely, I heard the albums and thought to myself they were so good that I would remember them come the end of the year, and I simply forgot to put them in my list of best albums. Foolish Luke!

Well shoot folks, I don't mean to drag this introductory statement on too long, but I just needed to say that yes, 2008 was a good year for music, even if it was a tricky year. There were a lot of albums that I didn't notice very many others taking note of, there were a lot of people taking note of albums that were actually released last year, and there were people who were fooled by the theatrics or marketing skills of artists who have, in the past, actually given us good albums, but this year gave us ... unpleasing albums. At least, that's what I think. And that's what this blog is about, right, my thoughts?

Like last year, you'll find my list broken up into 4 different sections: Like (), Love (<), Love More (<3), and Love More Than Music (<3>), with, at the end, a post declaring my favorite album of the year. I do it this way because I feel like I'm not qualified enough to talk about how good an album is, but I darn well know how I feel about an album. To quote Tao Lin "People who seriously use the word 'best' are probably more capable of unsarcastic anger and hatred, because they believe some things are actually 'better' than other thing ... A list called 'The ten best books ever written' is like a list called 'the five best colors ever.' Except that the list about books is seriously, and like 80% of people accept that. 80% of people would never accept a list called 'The five best colors" seriously." (ANP Quarterly, #10, pg. 3).

There will be some minor adjustments to how the posts will be released, and how they're set up, but it will still be similar to last year. I think I scaled back on the amount of albums I'll be talking about, but that's because I just didn't have as much time this year as I did last year. But the list, I hope, will be just as diverse.

Pt.1 will soon be on it's way :)

I've started the end-of-the-year-wrap-up posts, and it's, much like last year, gonna be huge-mongous. it'll also be a little different, but you'll see. I also may have another interview up soon, which is cool. reason for being absent? semester was ending and my band went into the studio. but I've got a little time on my hands now that it's the holidays, so I'm clickity-clacking away at the keyboard. in fact, here's a holiday gift:

The Mountain Goats & Kaki King - Black Pear Tree

Holy cats The Yeah Yeah Yeahs have posted a version of All I Want for Christmas on their myspace.

Political statement of the year?

Annual Aneurysm

My computer has decided to take it's annual sabbatical (i.e. it seems to break around this same time every year) which means posts will be slow until it's back. I'm currently using one of my college's library computers and will be until my computer has decided to, you know, work again. Frustraticon.

While you wait, here is a link to an article about "7 Insane Conspiracies That Actually Happened"
it's actually pretty funny, legit or not.

One last thing before I get back to homework:

GO GET JAPANTHER'S NEW ALBUM!!!!

It's ... so freaking awesome. You'll hear hella bunches about it in my wrap up at the end of the year (creeping up on me here), but I need you to know that it rocks my boat's t-shirt. It's so jam packed with wickedness that your CRASS grandmother will hate you for it. (did you see what I did there? if not, after you hear the album you'll know what I was talking about)