OK, I lied, how about the top 6?

# 6.2- Okkervil River-Love to a monster
Uploaded by lablogotheque

#45.3 - Andrew Bird - Spare-Oh
Uploaded by lablogotheque

Architecture in helsinki - #58.1 -Heart it races
Uploaded by lablogotheque

BEIRUT - Sunday Smile from The Flying Club Cup
Uploaded by flyingclubcup

http://www.blogotheque.net/concertaemporter/

Daniel Johnston - Rediscovered, Repressed!

Okay people. I am continually rethinking if anybody is actually reading this, but I would love to bring to your attention this pressing matter. Hehe I just made a pun. You dont even know.

Anyway, the beloved Daniel Johnston, who I have the once-in-a-lifetime pleasure of seeing in Los Angeles in August of 2007, has been reissued on vinyl! His albums "Hi How are you?" and "Yip Jump Music" have been repressed on vinyl, which is welcome news for those of us that were considering forking over $100 for Hi How are You? on Evil-Bay. You can find it here, or at the following Link to Daniel's online store. On a related note, if you dont know Daniel's story, try to watch/rent/purchase "The Devil and Daniel Johnston" a documentary on the song writer's life.

http://store.hihowareyou.com/

Bodies of Water New Take Away Show(s)

SPLIT 2 BODIES OF WATER - I GUESS I'LL FORGET THE SOUND I
Uploaded by lablogotheque

SPLIT 1 BODIES OF WATER - I HEARD IT SOUND
Uploaded by lablogotheque

Those fine French directors over at Blogotheque have done it yet again. Soon I will post my top 5 Blogotheque videos, in the meantime, go decide for yourself.

Also, go to http://rhodesradio.org today from 6-7PM Central. Scott and I will be doing our 5th show and it is electronica themed!

Merry Christmas!

Just a quick note today. Caleb over at my favorite music blog has released "Peace on Earth" a Christmas Compilation album from a variety of wonderful indie artists, and the proceeds benefit Toys for Tots! This amazing album only costs $7 and is worth every penny. Please support this great work.

Tim Fite - Preaching to the Converted

Tim Fite's art is extremely Hard to describe. If there was some way for me to prefectly describe Tim Fite, i believe that would be a signal that I would be a genius. But the only person that could do that would be the preacher himself. In order to give you at least a vague idea, this video could help:




So Tim Fite's ensemble consists of several elements. The most apparent members are Tim and his brother Greg, who gallop onto the stage, whooping and a wailing, as if you have suddenly found yourself in a southern tent revival in the early 20th century. Similarly to the role of Tim and Greg, a projector unit is set against a white screen behind them both, featuring a variety of silly videos or simply a recorded film of Tim as an unknown character who sits in a wheelchair and plays the necessary instrument for the song.

While Tim, Greg, and their projector are the most apparent members of the visual and auditory artistic expression, their is one last member of this piece that holds an intriguing amount of power in the reception and interpretation of Fite's work: the audience. While the audience is encouraged to sing, dance, clap, or yell, Fite's preaching is only encouraged by either the audience's enthusiasm or laughter (the latter being the case at the performance I attended)

While speaking to Fite afterwards, I constructed nearly 30 questions throughout his six song opening for My Brightest Diamond, but I was only able to regurgitate a few in the presence of a sweet man who was more than happy to discuss his work. Describing his great musical influences as late 80's rap music, in which "the REAL party happened," I was perplexed at the possiblitity that Fite was actually speaking to me in character. Fite's continual use of religious language when describing his performance, I believe, is pivotal to truly understanding his art.

While I was enthralled with Fite's performance, I was left with a variety of disturbing questions. The first and most important is what is the true nature of the relationship between the audience and the artist. Most artists hold a certain 4th wall between themselves and the audience, but one that is much less constricting than that held in drama or any similar visual performance. While the wall may be less constricting, how relaxed should it be? What is the "balance" between audience immersion and the respectful worship of the artist?

A Plug for a Band Full of Friends

This is Birds of Yore. They are a local, little-known band from North County San Diego, CA. They are all my friends. They all play wonderful music. Kera and I have been in a couple bands together over the years (including the now-legendary punk band "Nancy Drew", circa 1999-2001). Anyway, one of the things I miss most about being home is seeing them play music. Although the band has taken a backseat now for most of them, they are still writing songs and playing shows. Check them out at http://myspace.com/birdsofyore. The songs on their myspace are a little outdated as are the following videos/mp3 downloads, but if for some reason you are ever in San Diego, check them out.



Here's some of my personal favorites for you to download:
Birds of Yore-Ghosts in White Sheets
Birds of Yore-Trees Form Shadows

Thom Yorke is Consuming My Life

No. Literally. I have spent the past week or so trying to sort this out.

http://puddlegum.net/radiohead-01-and-10/

After having read an article about two weeks ago on Stereogum about this topic, and discussing this topic with a good friend of mine who is a diehard Radiohead fan, i have still not given up hope. After countless mathematical and musical exploration, Radiohead as officially taken over my free time. Trying things out. Let me know what you think. Zepeleptic@gmail.com

A Tribute to The Blood Brothers

I'm sorry to keep taking Pitchfork's headlines, but this is big news (at least for me). Post-hardcore act The Blood Brothers have officially broken up. Back in my dance rock/hardcore/punk days, I absolutely loved this band. They are still one of the most entertaining bands I've ever seen live. So here is to a a group of musicians that have been playing truly original music. You are noisy, in the best possible way, BB.

Arcade Fire ACL Performance

Enough said.

Its so hard to find a friend these days...

David Bazan, the prophet of the disillusioned. Last Year, at the Ladies Literary Club in Grand Rapids, Michigan, I had the honor of partaking in a conversation, among 3 fellow students, with David for nearly 2 hours. I have heard plenty of speakers either religious or secular, and David Bazan is without a doubt, a prophet. I do not mean to declare that I agree with everything he prophesies as "holy," but that he somehow can grasp and articulate the struggles of the generational burned over district in which I reside. If you ever have the chance to speak with David, please dont miss it. Your life will change.

And now, for the point of my post. Please visit Hard to Find a Friend if you get a chance, for two reasons:

Reason Number 1: Caleb just posted a David Bazan show from his most recent tour. I was able to see him in September in Chicago with Owen Ashforth. It was a great show, but I am definitely a bigger fan of his acoustic work.

Reason Number 2: Caleb's musings on the musical world is not to be missed. From subtle observances to the presentation of mix tapes to go with his mood that day, you will undoubtedly relate to his understanding and begin to appreciate the intersection between art and your
everyday.

p.s. November 13 Caleb is releasing a wonderful Christmas album for a wonderful cause.

Jens in someone's Chicago apartment

The Blow - Live in France

The Blow - otherwise known as Khaela Maricich, is definitely one of those bands that arouses a mixture of feelings: love, discomfort, laughter, and overall happiness. A few weeks ago, a French radio show, sponsored by Tomlab, featured Khaela in all her electronic glory. Of special note, upon downloading this great set, notice the icon. Pretty much the norm for her. Buy her wonderful array of albums here.

The Show

Dylan Movie Soundtrack, Sufjan's BQE, Casiotone Daytrotter Sesh, Darjeeling, and more

My apologies for the post below. There has been a lot going on among the indie-elite circles, and for those of us who prefer to stay on the sidelines and deny our membership to hipsterdom (says the girl who wishes Pitchfork's staff eternal damnation and yet reads it everyday), I'm here to give you a concise summary of the last week and a half in review:

First, I finally saw Darjeeling Limited. Not his best film, not his worst (I'm sorry, but I can't stand Bottle Rocket), but very typical Anderson (slow motion scenes, family issues, music, at least one of the Wilson brothers, etc). Aesthetically, it is quite pleasing, and I would recommend it if only for that. I probably need to see it again. Oh and I found Adrian Brody incredibly attractive. Despite the nose.
Daytrotter put up a Casiotone session. Not my favorite songs, but great performance (with San Diego's Donkeys, btw). Read/Listen Here. While you're there, check out the recent Andrew Bird session.

The latest (and supposedly greatest) Bob Dylan biopic, I'm Not There, will hit (limited) theatres on November 21. In the meantime, you can listen to the amazing soundtrack with contributions from Cat Power, Sufjan, Jeff Tweedy, Sonic Youth, etc., Here. Or, buy it on vinyl Here.

I'm sure you've already heard, but Sufjan's BQE project premiered last night. Details here (Pitchfork has also been raving, as was expected). To be honest, it all looks a little forced to me.

Last, I will leave you with the new Sigur Ros video:

Remember, he is singing "fucking bullshit".
I know, it's a lot to take in all at once.

P.S. Here is what I'm really excited about: