003 01-16-11 - 01-22-11 - The Ocean Blue

THE OCEAN BLUE - THE OCEAN BLUE (1989) Sire Records

The eighties were coming to an end and The Ocean Blue debuted their self-titled album. The songs are simple and defined an early Gen-X. "Between Something and Nothing," "Love Song," and "Drifting Falling" still hold their own today. The songs each lend themselves to a time when music was still pure to me, not so commercialized. my only complaint is the fact they they embraced some of the 80s cheese with the saxophone riffs, but those don't really bother me all that much. It's always great to pick up this disc because there aren't songs you just want to skip through, a true testament to a solid album.

The Ocean Blue are in studio now and will be releasing an album sometime this year with a tour to follow.

002 01-09 -11 - 01-15-11 Abandoned Pools

Abandoned Pools - Humanistic (Extasy)
US release date: 25 September 2001

Abandoned Pools is the brainchild of ex Eels member Tommy Walter and needless to say it is nothing like the Eels, a grand departure, trading in folksy indie rhythms for straight up alt-rock power. The songs on Humanistic are well crafted and full of harmony. Subtle samples round out several songs. The album is an emotional joyride that by the end you don't want it to stop.

The power hit "The Remedy" clearly shines on this album with lyrics like: Then you can be the remedy / And I can be the enemy / And he can go and live as nothing / Then you can be the wanna be / And I can be the remedy / And he can go to hell for all I care" but I prefer the somber and simple "Never:" Well we never made it through another day/ And it's all because you had to have it your way/So lucky you /I wonderin' when I'll be OK /If it's never than it's never /Well your mind is there but your heart is out to lunch /And it's all because your philosophy's just a hunch /T.V. time's over/Father's order.

001 01-02-11 - 01-09-11 City Breathing

City Breathing

Look How It's Snowing Upwards, Look How They Move Towards Heaven
Roses and Hello Recordings

City Breathing are a Brooklyn-based three piece band that merges post-rock, ambient, and indie pop to create a dreamy state and mood. The lyrics are simple at times, but convey the right feeling over top of ambient bliss and post-rock wonder.

Look How It's Snowing Upwards, Look How They Move Towards Heaven is City Breathings' first album on Roses and Hello Recordings. Do you remember when you were young and you hear an album that just plain mystified you? Every time I play Look How. . . I have that same reaction. It's like I'm transported back to a time when I thought music had promise and reason, a warm fuzzy of emotional toil wrapped up in curiosity and grace.

As I stated earlier, the lyric are simple but have a curiosity about them:

"We all become abbreviations, shouldn't you disappear too." and "We are never our best laid plans" are just a few that spark that balance of puzzle and completion.

I find a piece when I listen to this album, a fulfillment that there is a brighter future for music. here's to hoping these guys stick around for a while.

52 Weeks

In an effort to make myself write more, I had this idea to review/discuss an album a week throughout the year. Alas we are into week two. Week one's album is Look How It's Snowing Upwards, Look How They Move Towards Heaven, by City Breathing. I'll post more thoughts later.

New Orleans, New Orleans

Friday June 12, 2009 Tipitina's Uptown The New Orleans Bingo! Show. Nothing brings out the gutter punks faster than a free show. The place was packed and very virginal as almost half the crowd hadn't even seen a Bingo! show. I've always equated the music to Carnival music on crack with grit and soul. The music is a representation of a collective. The collective is a merger of culture. Culture that you see all around the French Quarter and Marigny. Bingo! takes the audience on a musical journey with vignettes of hummer and sarcasm. Oh and did I mention, there's a Bingo game thrown into the mix. Big Sexy was the winner at this particular show. The show even with it's silly covers keeps the audience entertained. If you ever get a chance to see The New Orleans Bingo! Show you show go in with an open mind and enjoy the ride. They always enjoy taking you there.

Best of 2008

Ok here's my Best Albums of 2008, some you may have heard of, other's you haven't.



20. The Killers - Day and Age (way better than Sam's Town)

19. South - You Are Her

18. James - Hey Ma (Yes, James is back)

17. Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid

16. Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend

15. MGMT - Oracular Spectacular

14. Groper - Dragging A Dead Deer Up A Hill (Any fans of David Lynch will love this)

13. Mooncake - Lagrange Points

12. Portishead - 3rd (About darn time, but well worth the wait)

11. Bob Mould - District Line (pure genius)

10. The Airborne Toxic Event - The Airborne Toxic Event (picking up where Silverspun Pickups left off)

09. Heathers - Here, Not There (If you like Tegan and Sarah, you'll love this)

08. .finn - The Best Low-Priced Heartbreakers You Can Own (lo-fi harmonic joy, for fans of Sigur Ros)

07. City Breathing - look how it's snowing upwards, look how they move towards heaven (New York post-rock greatness)

06. Sigur Ros - Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust (Wow)

05. Helious - Caesura (music to sleep to)

04. Eksi Ekso - I Am Your Bastard Wings (angelic at times)

03. Alkaline Trio - Agony And Irony (catchy angst ridden punk, what's not to like)

02. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes (New folk, just amazing)

01. The Cure - 4:13 Dream (who says 13 is an unlucky number. a cure
fans album. may take some time to grow on you, but it's well worth a
listen.)



2 EP's of note: The Maple State - Say, Scientist (Brit Alt) and Ólafur Arnalds - Variations Of Static (modern classical)

Best Soundtrack - Nick and Norah