Seriously Awesome

Rivers Cuomo of Weezer covers what is probably the best song about teenage racing ever, with an a capella group.

"Don't Worry Baby" is Brian Wilson showing Phil Spector what's up-- all swooning teenage love, tight harmonies, and wall of sound. Pretty much whenever vintage Brian Wilson sang a high note, someone somewhere would cry for joy.
The Beach Boys- Don't Worry Baby

I Don't Know What These Are

but they're great.

Best Albums of 2008 Part 2: Look Out Mountain, Look Out Sea by Silver Jews

Probably the best thing I discovered this year was the Silver Jews. I'd always been aware of them as attached to Pavement, but I'd never listened to them. It's a good thing then, that I downloaded their song "What is Not but Could Be If". It's a song of beginnings and wonder that hit me while lots of other people were catching Hope Fever. The albums sound is what I would call country, but others would probably disagree. You decide.
Vote or die.
Anyway, the whole album is about drawing a parallel between young people in 1914 and the youth of today. Lead Jew David Berman has said in interviews that this is the first album he has written for younger people. Taking this into account, it's easy to see why some longtime fans were disappointed with this album, however I, being devoid of the baggage of history and context, find it really, really, enjoyable. Which is strange, since this is an album about context and history.
I've since listened to all their other albums and still like this one a lot, for whatever that's worth.
Also, seeing the Jews live was amazing. I can't really explain it. David Berman is a definite hero of mine. Screw Malkmus. Not really, because if I had decided to download Real Emotional Trash, it would probably be on this "list" too.
The Silver Jews- Strange Victory, Strange Defeat

New Stuff!!

Haven't posted in a few days.
I'm really sorry about that.
Not really though.

******

Guess what!
The Office's Mindy Kaling is in a new web series called "House Poor" where she tries to fill her new house with free stuff. Here's the first (and so far only) episode:

Wasn't that just swell?
Anyway, Kaling also has a shopping blog that at least one of you will enjoy. Scope that thing here.
I'm going to write more stuff soon maybe.

Here's a Christmas Present

You can download a mini-album I made over the summer here. Five CD-R copies were made for a short set I played Jacksonville for an arts festival. Otherwise, this is the only way to hear it.