Bring on the Musics!!!

Looks like Jerry and I are in the same boat. After my camping trip I have no less than ten albums to review for the illustrious Phantom Tollbooth. Here's the list:

1. Close Your Eyes - S/T EP
2. Child Bite - Fantastic Gusts of Blood
3. David Crowder Band - Remedy Club Tour Live
4. Generation Letter - EP
5. Javelins - Heavy Meadows
6. MissionSix - Superhero
7. NYpoleon - The Warm Up
8. Radio Radio - Alarm 1 Alarm 2
9. West Coast Revival - S/T
10. Ayiesha Woods - Love Like This

As with Jer, I'll try to get AT LEAST one in a day.

Huh. I never intended to become one of those once a month bloggers, but my practicum sucked all my energy and left me unable to do anything else. Finally a chance to write something-- this will be casual though, just my top five albums of 2007. A bit late yes, but a lot of thought put into this list. Those of you who would rather some discussion about my life will have to wait, some good updates there too, but until then, here we go:

1. Radiohead- In Rainbows (This album was exciting not only for the unique DIY style of its release, but also because it is easily Radiohead's best record since Kid A. I love this album. I listened to it well over 3o times in the first two months I owned it, and I'm still not sick of it.)
2. Derek Webb- The Ringing Bell (Derek never ceases to impress me, though Mockingbird suffered from a sound of sameness, this album makes up for it with some great Beatles and Larry Norman inspired old school rock. A bit on the short side, but Christianity Today summed it up fairly well when they said, "Derek Webb says more in 30 minutes than many other artists could say in 30 years.")
3. Voice of the Mysterons- They Have Pulled Down Deep Heaven On Their Heads... (Absolutely crazy punk, with comparisons to the Dead Kennedys and Jeff Suffering. Lots of sci-fi references, great lyrics, ridiculously spastic and unpredictable music. Throw it on at your next barbecue and see what happens!)
4. Mika- Life in Cartoon Motion (First time I heard "Grace Kelly" I mocked it. The second time I hummed along, and the third time I was addicted. Sure, it is bubblegum pop and not my regular style, but it is very catchy and very fun. Queen meets Prince meets the Beatles. The lyrics are often inconsequential but sometimes run deeper. Good for parties and for a pick me up.)
5. Panda Bear- Person Pitch (First heard Panda in Animal Collective. This album has a heavy Beach Boys influence with some prog-ish and indie tendencies. Very uplifting- "Coolness is having courage / Just to do what's right / Try to remember always / Just to have a good time." And it certainly is.)

Honorable Mentions:

Cool Hand Luke- The Balancing Act (A compilation of the best tracks from their proper releases as well as from their rare indie stuff, many hardcore fans will not be familiar with at least half of it. Great selection, and the three new songs are also awesome. Looking forward to a new full-length.)

As Cities Burn- Come Now Sleep (After losing their screaming vocalist ACB mellows slightly, includes a lot more singing and develops some prog/experimental tendencies. Great spiritual lyrics and engrossing soundscapes keep this album interesting and worth repeated spins.)

In brief

Just finished my reviews for Radiohead's In Rainbows and Animal Collective's Strawberry Jam, expect them up on The Tollbooth within the next week or two.

Rach and Stevie are coming to K-Town tomorrow, and there promises to be a wonderful fun filled weekend for all. Rach and I have officially moved our wedding date up, it is about 99% certain that it will be on May 3rd. This is quite nice indeed.

I have fallen in love with Power Points. This is utterly ridiculous I know, but they make presentations so much more fun. And that will be all for now.

I prefer triple berry

Listenings to: The Rapture- Pieces of the People We Love This is really fun, kinda sleazy and silly, but fun...

Well, I am again at the illustrious Coffee & Company (aka the only place in Kingston that offers free wireless) and I am waiting for Rachel to make her appearance on the internets, as we are supposed to have a coffee and msn date, but perhaps she forgot. That is okay though, but I do want to talk to her, as always.

Rachel and I are almost done our wedding plans!!! And I'm only missing two of my four limbs!!! (Just kidding, love ya hon.) We should be able to get invitations out sometime in January. It's going to be a small wedding, family and close friends, however we also plan on having a post-wedding party later in the summer and a Jack 'n' Jill party sometime before the wedding, so there will be plenty of opportunity for everyone to celebrate our union with us. (Wow... "celebrate our union." For some reason that just sounds funny... am I crazy or is it actually funny?)

I now have two reviews up on The Phantom Tollbooth and that makes me happy. Though I may not get paid, I do get free cds and dvds shipped to me, and I get to say that I am a published author on my resume. That and I love writing record reviews. HM needs to hire me or something! lol, I wish.

Check out the new Animal Collective record Strawberry Jam. It is kinda weird spazzy folk pop with some psychedelic noise thrown in for fun. The video for "Peacebone" is seriously messed up, check it out. Reminds me of prime Neutral Milk Hotel...on drugs...jamming with a less ridiculous Wolf Eyes. Um... that does make sense, I promise.

always room for one more

fyi: Cool Hand Luke- The Balancing Act

More album review action

a million engines in neutral

hello from the pit of Kingston!

I like Coffee & Company... it is a fun place... My review of "OK Compy" will be coming but since it is Radiohead's seminal album I am taking my time and reading up... there are lots of books about this puppy. I also intend to write a review of Thom Yorke's "The Eraser," easily my favourite album of last year. Perhaps for the Tollbooth? And speaking of that my first published review is up, David Crowder Band- Remedy. (Mine is second down, there are two reviews.) I am really happy that this particular review is published, as I seem to be one of the few people who actually questions the merits of the new Crowder record. It's not bad, but it ain't great either.

I am having fun in Kingston so far again, but I do miss Rach. However I have a lot more free time with class than with prac, a blessing and a curse.

Rach and I are getting our wedding plans into high gear now, finalizing our guest list so that we can send out the invites. We also need to do other things such as finalize our venue, make a registry, and do our pre-marital counseling, all this within the next couple months! Crazy. It is all rather difficult to plan, and it is really causing us to examine things in a good way, to get down to some of those deep issues that you only get into when family is involved. It is all rather strange and crazy. One thing is for sure. I really love Rach, and I'm really looking forward to being married and not having to leave for months at a time for school.

I also now have everybody's Christmas presents except for my dad's. He is always the hardest to shop for. While shopping for Jer's present on the wonderful Ebay I also scored a reasonably priced copy of Thom Yorke's Japanese only EP Spitting Feathers which collects all the b-sides for The Eraser. Usually it goes for around $30, which is unreasonable for only 5 songs, especially since I already own (poor quality) iTunes versions. Anyway, I got it new and sealed for $16, which is still a lot to pay for five songs that I already have, but I really want to have them on hard copy and be able to make cd quality rips.... ah, the life of an audiophile...

Anyway, I guess that is a good enough update for now