The National: High Violet Haven’t posted in a while so thought I’d mail it in with a “Matt’s most recent vinyl purchase” or whatever I call it. ‘High Violet’ is the 3 years in waiting follow-up to the subtly brilliant ‘Boxer’ which I also managed to pick up recently. Most of my favorite singers can’t sing but I make an exception for the baritone croon of Matt Berninger. Moody yet melodic adult contemporary leaning indie rock for REM/Smiths loving 30-somethings. Not quite Wilco quality packaging, but I can appreciate the attention to detail: 180 gram (thick bastard) double album, mp3 download coupon, sturdy packing and sleeve inserts, nice cover art - you know, the little things that make you feel better about spending a few bucks beyond the cost of an mp3 download. Hot New Single “Blood Buzz Ohio”:Blood Buzz Ohio And my favorite old National song that never fails to raise the hair on the back of my neck (as gae as that sounds):About Today

The National: High Violet

Haven’t posted in a while so thought I’d mail it in with a “Matt’s most recent vinyl purchase” or whatever I call it. ‘High Violet’ is the 3 years in waiting follow-up to the subtly brilliant ‘Boxer’ which I also managed to pick up recently. Most of my favorite singers can’t sing but I make an exception for the baritone croon of Matt Berninger. Moody yet melodic adult contemporary leaning indie rock for REM/Smiths loving 30-somethings. Not quite Wilco quality packaging, but I can appreciate the attention to detail: 180 gram (thick bastard) double album, mp3 download coupon, sturdy packing and sleeve inserts, nice cover art - you know, the little things that make you feel better about spending a few bucks beyond the cost of an mp3 download.

Hot New Single “Blood Buzz Ohio”:
Blood Buzz Ohio

And my favorite old National song that never fails to raise the hair on the back of my neck (as gae as that sounds):
About Today

Dustin Welch - ‘Sparrows’

I was lucky enough to catch Dustin Welch (from Austin via East TN) play an opening solo set in Dallas on Saturday night. Definitely an unexpected treat. Looking forward to seeing him play with a full band soon.

The 2nd band was Denton’s own The Hope Trust. If you like Tom Petty, Wilco, or just good catchy Americana, take 2 minutes to download their 2007 full length “The Incurable Want.” It’s free and you can download in the format of your choice.

Download

“If he was from Venus, would he meet us on the moon?
If he died in Memphis, then that’d be cool, babe.”
“Alex Chilton” - The Replacements

Alex Chilton (1950-2010)

David Foster Wallace on Roger Federer How good is Roger Federer? I don’t think you truly understand if you haven’t read this piece* by one of the great writers of our generation. Hands down the best example of sports journalism I’ve ever read. Not written by a sports writer. Go figure. * WARNING: takes longer than 5 minutes to read. One more, only for the tennis geeks:D.F. Wallace’s String Theory

David Foster Wallace on Roger Federer

How good is Roger Federer? I don’t think you truly understand if you haven’t read this piece* by one of the great writers of our generation. Hands down the best example of sports journalism I’ve ever read. Not written by a sports writer. Go figure.

* WARNING: takes longer than 5 minutes to read.

One more, only for the tennis geeks:
D.F. Wallace’s String Theory

[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]

I Did a Terrible Thing performed by Will Johnson, written by John Congleton

Finally got around to playing with my xmas present that lets me record from my record player to my computer. Figured I’d share a fairly rare track that you probably wouldn’t (want to) find online (anyway). It’s from a split EP that has John Congleton (paperchase) covering a Will Johnson (centro-matic) tune and vice versa.

Zach Galifianakis to Host SNL March 6th

Zach Galifianakis to Host SNL March 6th

Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix Wins Grammy for Best Alternative Album If you remember, I highly recommended this album a while back. I can’t describe how validated I feel now that the ultimate purveyors of good musical taste at the legengary Grammy Awards have recognized this record. Yes, that’s right. Wolfganga Amadeus Phoenix won best album in a ground-breaking category called “Alternative Music.” I think ‘alternative’ means that 99% of the world’s population doesn’t know about or “get” it (see other nominees: David Byrne/Brian Eno, Death Cab for Cutie, Yeah Yeah Yeahs). That must be why the tastemakers at the Grammys didn’t bother to televise the actual announcement and acceptance speech. Or so I hear. I was too busy keeping up with the Kardashians or somesuch to tune in. Congrats to Phoenix! And me.

Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix Wins Grammy for Best Alternative Album

If you remember, I highly recommended this album a while back. I can’t describe how validated I feel now that the ultimate purveyors of good musical taste at the legengary Grammy Awards have recognized this record. Yes, that’s right. Wolfganga Amadeus Phoenix won best album in a ground-breaking category called “Alternative Music.” I think ‘alternative’ means that 99% of the world’s population doesn’t know about or “get” it (see other nominees: David Byrne/Brian Eno, Death Cab for Cutie, Yeah Yeah Yeahs). That must be why the tastemakers at the Grammys didn’t bother to televise the actual announcement and acceptance speech. Or so I hear. I was too busy keeping up with the Kardashians or somesuch to tune in. Congrats to Phoenix! And me.

Telegraph Canyon is a promising local band from Fort Worth, TX. You can take my word for it or decide for yourself. I really don’t care. live from FW’s modern art museum (photo by Jill Johnson)

Telegraph Canyon is a promising local band from Fort Worth, TX. You can take my word for it or decide for yourself. I really don’t care.

live from FW’s modern art museum

(photo by Jill Johnson)

William “Liam” Del Moser Born: Nov 1, 2009 more pics more here

William “Liam” Del Moser
Born: Nov 1, 2009

more pics

more here

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Themed by: Hunson