January 23, 2012
My 25 favorite albums of 2011

These albums provided pleasurable listening experiences throughout the year that was 2011, and I’m guessing most of them will probably continue to do so for some time.

And you know what, I put them in order just because I could. And another thing, I added videos. I’m sure SOPA would frown on this but SOPA isn’t around right now.

Have a peek at the list after the break…

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January 20, 2012
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]

New song from Julianna Barwick: “Never Change.”

Just put your feet up, close your eyes, and let this wash over you. Now.

1 play

January 3, 2012

December 16, 2011
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]

‘Christmas Is What It’s Like Around Here At Christmastime’

A song by Levi and me

Because in 6 days I’m going to be home

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December 14, 2011
The Rise of the NBA Nerd

Worth a quick read.

December 14, 2011
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]

Burl Ives wants you to have a Holly, Jolly Christmas, dammit. And so do I.

Burl is not a man whose emotions are to be toyed with.

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December 7, 2011

Julian Casablancas singing ‘I Wish It Was Christmas Today’

Me too, buddy.

December 6, 2011

More Christmas joy… 

Camera Obscura - ‘The Blizzard’

December 4, 2011

Dear Google Maps,

Stop defaulting to the United States. You’re bumming me out.

Jordan

December 2, 2011
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]

The Angel Gabriel woke me up last night at approximately 12:25am (coincidence? Think about it. Probably not.) and told me had some serious business to talk about. He said there was some cause for concern in the heavenly realm (that’s where he lives, so I guess he should know) that the world was losing a great deal of its Christmas spirit these days due in part to rising unemployment and an uptick in generally bellicose and nationalistic behavior worldwide. What the world needed most at this time, he told me, was a new Christmas tune that could serve as a big bear hug to the whole wide world — a jingle borne of the spontaneity of true Yuletide fervor (not preconceived… get it? It’s a reference to the Christmas story, remember when Mary was going to have a son [Jesus] but she was like, ‘what? I’m a virgin!’ which was the whole idea but she was still a little worried) and untainted by the garish trappings of the capitalist Global North—

‘Stop right there, Gabriel.’ That’s what I said to him before he could finish talking, even though it was very eloquent and well-rehearsed, it seemed. ‘I have just the Christmas greeting you seek. It’s raw and heartfelt and tender and most of all it has always been intended as a gift for the whole world. I don’t even ask for any royalties. Maybe a head nod but nothing more.’

Gabriel’s face was beaming. I mean, it was beaming the whole time. He’s an angel. I meant to mention the beaming thing before. That happens with most angels. Especially the ones who run Christmas errands. I told him that I wasn’t sure quite how we should disseminate this treasure to the masses, but this is where Gabriel knew just what to do. He pulled out a flash drive (Sandisk, I think, 512MB) from his pocket and pointed it at me. ‘Technology, m’boy! Plug-n-play! The cloud! You see?’ I admit I was lost at ‘plug-n-play,’ but he was speaking with such enthusiasm that I nodded and smiled and said something like, ‘Let’s do this thing.’ 

Gabriel glanced at his watch and told me he’d better let me get back to sleep since I had to get up early for school the next morning.

And so he left me, USB stick in hand, with this little Christmas ditty that I now share with you, titled ‘Merry Christmas to the World.’ Maybe you heard it last year at a Christmas party. Maybe not.

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December 1, 2011
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]

OMGFIRSTDAYOFDECEMBEROMGOMGOMG

Let’s celebrate it with a Woods cover of Vince Guaraldi’s “Christmastime Is Here.”

And then when you’re done with that you can just go listen to A Charlie Brown Christmas, which you should really be doing every day from now until the 25th.

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December 1, 2011
Der Spiegel can see it. Why can't the American media?

November 30, 2011
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More Christmas cheer!

Another Yuletide gem unearthed!

The first known recording of ‘Be My Buddy, Santa’!

If you don’t care, that’s fine, just get the hell out and shut the door behind you, and take your bad vibes with you.

Woah. There’s no need for that kind of talk.

You’re right.

I’m right.

What?

Just enjoy the song, man.

10 plays

November 30, 2011
Paul Krugman - Things to Tax

It really surprises me that there is not more widespread outrage over the fact that higher taxes on the ultra-rich are not considered an essential part of the plan to fix the mess we’re in.

November 28, 2011
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]

Seeing Chris Owens and Girls play in Madrid was so nice I did it twice. Here’s my favorite song from the evening, which they made me wait until the encore of the second performance to enjoy:

‘How Can I Say I Love You’

And if your knees don’t buckle under from the pleasure of this song beginning at 2:33, then there’s a good chance your knees just don’t buckle.

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