tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276332102011-04-21T14:18:15.180-07:00Music is breathing. I'm always stumbling into the local independent record store. Its an escape. And I buy records. I'll tell you about them here. I might also toss in some crazy late-night observations as the music plays.jacksonnoreply@blogger.comBlogger321100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633210.post-53705352912737269302008-08-31T02:03:00.000-07:002008-08-31T02:19:41.002-07:00

Game seemed to fall off a bit since his last album. He doesn't seem as hungry as the last one and he's really not saying a whole lot on this record. We could have done without the interludes and it seemed there was too many little guest spots. Some of the tracks are unlistenable but some of them are really good. As usual Game had a good ear for the beats and for the most part he got some

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633210.post-52504177919481408262008-05-31T02:28:00.000-07:002008-08-31T02:32:29.164-07:00

I'm a huge fan. I love these guys, and I've been hooked since the day I bought The Better Life years ago. 3DD, in my opinion is the most talented band out there. I have always related to their music - they're just average guys who are passionate about the music.But having said that, I'm disappointed in the new album. It's hard to explain what I don't like about it, other than it's too clinical.

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633210.post-47945840236603308022008-03-28T02:33:00.000-07:002008-08-31T02:36:35.186-07:00

The good outweighs the bad on 'Dreaming', March 28, 2008It's not very often that a band from my home state of Colorado hits it big, but that's precisely what OneRepublic has done. With the help of Timbaland, the band scored one of the biggest hits of this decade to date with the remix of "Apologize", which spent 25 weeks in the top ten of the Hot 100, is one of only three songs to date to surpass

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633210.post-1146929496355780852006-02-01T15:20:00.000-08:002008-08-31T01:18:57.287-07:00

As January was winding down and I was wandering around the internet, wading through the eMusic archives and this month's Pitchfork reviews, I felt that January didn't bring much music worth talking about. I gave up and found an interesting artist on an eMusic "dozens" list named Cat Power, a.k.a. Chan Marshall. I downloaded her 2003 album You are Free and became an immediate fan. Her sultry,

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633210.post-1146929642084618742006-01-25T01:14:00.000-08:002008-08-31T01:59:58.257-07:00

(originally written for the Boise Weekly)Alt-country always strikes me as unparalleled in the context of authenticity. Collin Herring, hailed as “the torchbearer for alt-country” by the Dallas Observer (an assertion implying a responsibility that isn't entirely fair), plays his guitar and opens his mouth not to turn heads, but rather because playing music is simply what he does. Before even the

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633210.post-1146936609566493132006-01-18T23:18:00.000-08:002008-08-31T01:22:06.449-07:00

As I've stated previously on this blog, I made a New Year's resolution to read one book for every two weeks of 2006. This won't include my school books (I have to read 75 pages of a book about Brown v. Board by next Tuesday). I'll read two books per month and fit in two more (to make 26; or I may read even more) during times when I have more time on my hands or am reading a smaller book. I'll

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633210.post-1146936703313621352006-01-11T04:43:00.000-08:002008-08-31T01:17:50.490-07:00

I visited the Boise Weekly offices today. Along with a copy of a 1975 film entitled The Passenger that I'm assigned to review, I picked up four very varied CDs that ought to each prove interesting, at the very least. Two are from Rock, Paper, and Scissors Inc. Thandiswa arises from the rich cultural post-apartheid music scene of South Africa. Julia Sarr, a Senegalese-Gambian-French singer,

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633210.post-1146936813300067492006-01-10T23:24:00.000-08:002008-08-31T02:00:18.381-07:00

It probably would have been more professional to mention this vacation from blogging before I took it, but at that time I didn't know the past couple of weeks would unfold in the fashion they have. I haven't really been on vacation, but I've been putting my mind into matters other than the blog. One of those matters has resulted in me picking a college major to focus on for the next four years:

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633210.post-1146938685809568762005-12-31T13:50:00.000-08:002008-08-31T01:27:45.217-07:00

We're down to the final hours of a pretty tumultuous year. Despite the tragedies and political ugliness we've endured-- despite every bad headline--I'm grateful that I was alive during 2005. Breaths of fresh air were plentiful - especially in music. Though I don't feel I heard a wide enough variety of music this year to compile a 'ten best' list, I must share some of my final musical discoveries

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633210.post-1146938781009154712005-12-28T14:17:00.000-08:002008-08-31T01:35:38.425-07:00

(originally written for the Boise Weekly)There are two methods with which to judge Fear Before the March of Flames. The first method consists of listening to the band within the context of all music. The second method deals simply with judging the disc next to other hardcore acts. Fear Before fails miserably on one front and achieves no less than mediocrity on the other front. Specifically, Art

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633210.post-1146938971955362102005-12-25T17:32:00.000-08:002008-08-31T01:59:22.439-07:00

Ted Leo has proved once again that he ranks among the best when it comes to singer/songwriters in the independent music scene. He isn't your typical singer/songwriter- in fact, he plays a loud electric guitar over driving drum beats in a post-punk outfit called the Pharmacists. At his core, however, Ted Leo is indeed a singer/songwriter. His lyrics are sharp and smart and his rich voice places

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633210.post-1146939911449931002005-12-23T22:10:00.000-08:002008-08-31T01:40:20.829-07:00

During the holiday season I have a tendency to be the scrooge at every gathering of kindred spirits. I don’t necessarily celebrate any one of the holidays: Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, or even Festivus. In fact, I view the entire affair with a sharpened cynicism. I stand ready to dish out harsh rebuttals to every aspect of the season. Gift giving? Just a scheme that preys on the wallets of our

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633210.post-1146940700043365412005-12-22T19:55:00.000-08:002008-08-31T01:42:40.283-07:00

Lua is a beautiful CD single from Bright Eyes' 2005 I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning release. It contains Lua and three songs that do not appear on I'm Wide Awake. The final song, True Blue, also also appears live on the new Motion Sickness disc. I'll review the disc by addressing each song.LuaSongs like this are the reason I love Bright Eyes. It's just Conor and his guitar, sweetly singing us a

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633210.post-1146941282036546032005-12-19T10:50:00.000-08:002008-08-31T01:42:49.161-07:00

(originally written for the Boise Weekly)North Carolina's The Kingsbury Manx caused wide smiles to cover my face from the moment The Fast Rise and Fall of the South began floating delicately from the speakers in my flower delivery van. Though winter doesn't officially begin until December 21st (I'm writing this on the 15th, even though you won't read it until 'winter') temperatures are already

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633210.post-1146941380524377892005-12-11T09:03:00.000-08:002008-08-31T01:16:57.052-07:00

A few weeks ago I reviewed A Collection of Songs Written and Recorded 1995-1997 as part of a three-post series listening to Bright Eyes' Vinyl Box Set. In a week or two I'll listen to Every Day and Every Night and Don't Be Frightened of Turning the Page. Right now Letting off the Happiness is spinning on my turntable. I won't be reviewing Fevers and Mirrors, which is also included in the box

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633210.post-1146941421940675862005-12-08T21:11:00.000-08:002008-08-31T01:43:22.374-07:00

It just occurred to me that the name of this blog is just a bit odd. I invented the name after seeing Bright Eyes live in Salt Lake City. Conor Oberst's enormous voice erupted out of his small body that wiggled and writhed in passion in front of the mic stand as he delivered his lyrics over his pounding but sweetly jangling guitar. His face twisted into intense expressions of earnestness, his

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633210.post-1146941460642550362005-12-04T22:31:00.000-08:002008-08-31T01:43:49.970-07:00

(originally written for the Boise Weekly)Sasquatch, the freshman effort from Portland's Oxcart, begins with the engaging smooth groove of Esta Illegal, but as soon as the vocals kicked in I had to resist a strong urge to turn it off. The singing on this disc is nearly laughable. Jason Baker's vocal styling is absurd, for lack of a better word. He tries too hard at originality and succeeds only in

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633210.post-1146941502240053932005-11-29T19:32:00.000-08:002008-08-31T01:44:32.161-07:00

I work for a local florist delivering flowers. Most days are the same: multiple deliveries to the front desks of hospitals and funeral homes, deliveries that I bring to secretaries for their bosses at downtown offices, and baskets and vases ending up in the hands of confused neighbors when their neighbors aren't home. Today, though, I had a special delivery. Its almost December now, and the

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633210.post-1146948389332721222005-11-24T09:30:00.000-08:002008-08-31T01:47:59.758-07:00

Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti, Italian anarchists in Massachusetts, were framed with murdering a guard and paymaster at a shoe factory and for allegedly stealing over $15,000. They were electrocuted in 1927. The judge that convicted them described the pair as "anarchic bastards." Their execution caused unrest and outcry across the globe. On Ballads of Sacco and Vanzetti, Woody Guthrie

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633210.post-1146948439094814862005-11-23T22:55:00.000-08:002008-08-31T01:53:38.537-07:00

(originally written for the Boise Weekly)Home for an Island begins with "Don't Push". Its the sound a confident band produces despite not boasting any measurable talent. The Exit are smug and comfortable singing juvenile poetry over a muddy mixture of mainstream radio rock and post-punk rock. Cryptic, meaningless verses lead into the severe let-down of "don't push your love away" over and over

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633210.post-1146949232868709522005-11-21T22:30:00.000-08:002008-08-31T01:48:51.512-07:00

Today I visited the Boise Weekly offices to pick up new CDs to review. Watch for reviews of two Portland bands, Oxcart and Tractor Operator. Oxcart, in their press release, says that they play a mix of "explosive rock, funk, and deeply atmospheric melodies." I've already listened once through Tractor Operator and at first impression they sound charming, and very identifiable with the Pacific

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633210.post-1146949352901247882005-11-17T23:35:00.000-08:002008-08-31T01:52:57.884-07:00

(originally written for the Boise Weekly) The press release states that the only constant with Against Me is redefinition. Fans become bored when their beloved groups descend into a Jack Johnson fashion of mediocrity by remaking the same album over and over. Though Searching for a Former Clarity certainly sounds fresh, it wouldn’t be too difficult to imagine songs from 2003’s As the Eternal

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633210.post-1146949481608573192005-11-16T19:26:00.000-08:002008-08-31T01:54:41.917-07:00

Motion Sickness is both a special treat for devout fans and an accessible, defining introduction to the Oberst phenomenon. This new live disc, recorded from Bright Eyes' spring tour earlier this year in the wake of I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning and Digital Ash In A Digital Urn, contains a few older tunes, the strongest songs from I'm Wide Awake, the oft controversial "When the President Talks to

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633210.post-1146949550945384832005-11-15T01:15:00.000-08:002006-05-06T14:05:50.946-07:00

Until today, when I listened to vinyl, I heard it through a weak stereo that wasn't made for turntables. Everything I heard on vinyl was very quiet and barely audible if anything was happening in the room besides the music. But today I bought myself new speakers and a new receiver to hook up to my turntable! I put on The White Album by The Beatles and it was loud! I also heard some Willy Mason

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633210.post-1146949597269207692005-11-13T02:40:00.000-08:002006-05-06T14:06:37.270-07:00

Music videos are traditionally a waste of time. Here are just a few exceptions:Willy Mason - OxygenBright Eyes - First Day of My LifeFeist - MushaboomBright Eyes - Bowl of OrangesEnjoy!

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633210.post-1146949770626000472005-11-12T22:47:00.000-08:002008-08-31T01:26:24.738-07:00

Last Sunday, I saw Willy Mason open for Bright Eyes in Salt Lake City. I was instantly impressed by his deft voice and guitar work, and his clever songwriting. When I arrived home, I found Mason's album on Conor Oberst's Team Love Records and immediately ordered it on vinyl. Mason has received some Dylan comparisons (like at this blog), and I'm convinced, after hearing Where the Humans Eat, that

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633210.post-1146949831529349242005-11-12T18:06:00.000-08:002008-08-31T01:57:56.113-07:00

Pinback - Blue Screen LifePinback is a very decent emo/indie band. At times Blue Screen Life reminded me of Death Cab for Cutie and at other times it leaned too far on the emo side for my liking. But I did enjoy this considerably. The vocal hooks evoke the emo, but they somehow manage to sound more mature, and more credible, than their peers. The guitar work evokes the indie, reminding me

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633210.post-1146950970017688302005-11-12T16:48:00.000-08:002008-08-31T01:57:44.471-07:00

Today I heard a Built to Spill album that won't be released until next year. How, you ask? Well, Built to Spill hails from right here in Boise, Idaho. One of the florists at the flower shop I work at received the tentative new album from Doug Martsch and let me hear it.Doug Martsch and friends have reinvented themselves on their seventh album. After 2001's Ancient Melodies of the Future lacked

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633210.post-1146951443914565952005-11-10T22:35:00.000-08:002008-08-31T01:57:04.032-07:00

I turned 19 yesterday. Understanding my almost unhealthy obsession with Bright Eyes, my brother and sister gave me the new vinyl box set containing tons of early material. I'll soak it into my bones in a three part posting. Part I is A Collection of Songs Written and Recorded 1995-1997.A much younger and rougher Conor Oberst quietly mutters, "I've never felt so separate..." and then explodes into

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633210.post-1146952100905976152005-11-09T23:12:00.000-08:002008-08-31T01:56:27.708-07:00

(originally written for the Boise Weekly)To pass the time at my flower delivery job, I listen to music. For three straight days, Burn the Maps was the only album that I heard. This is that rare work that demands your attention and never disappoints. Each song has been passionately and carefully crafted into a chilling masterpiece, simultaneously original from the rest of the album and

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633210.post-1146952157476807952005-11-09T23:00:00.000-08:002008-08-31T01:58:22.249-07:00

I have a nasty habit of buying way too much music. In the last three weeks or so, I've bought all this: Bob Dylan-Highway 61 Revisited, The Frames-Set List, Death Cab for Cutie-Plans, Emmanuel Jal-Ceasefire, Built to Spill-There is Nothing Wrong With Love, Willy Mason-Where the Humans Eat, Bright Eyes' splits with Neva Dinova and Spoon, Iron and Wine-Our Endless Numbered Days, The Most Serene

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27633210.post-1146952226980206372005-11-03T19:10:00.000-08:002008-08-31T01:58:27.649-07:00

Out of ashes bloom new beginnings. This is how I retain hope. Ashes are everywhere. Ashes of my personal relationships, ashes of so many mistakes and regrets, ashes falling as the entire world stumbles. I have to bear at least some of that responsibility.After a mild, mostly sunny October that ended in disaster, it has begun to rain. Its fallen off and on for a week now, and the first breath of

jacksonnoreply@blogger.com0