Ramblings and Whatevers

Sun Kil Moon

The Genius that is Mark Kozelek is pure awesomeness. Recently releasing his third album and second of all original material under the above mentioned moniker. Slow moody tunes. Sparse in arrangement other than acoustic guitars. This time he has taken what he always did with the Red House Painters and made it magical again. The thing about Mark is that he unlike a majority of people isn’t afraid of a ten minute song with nothing but words. I agree after time he can drone on and sound the same but generally he changes it up in the middle. This is the case for his current album. In fact one Red House Painters album was only 7 songs with an average of 10-15 minutes a song. That’s a long time. Cult hero in the states and loved like a god over the pond. Kozelek takes us away in the first song on the new record April and doesn’t drop us off until the last verse. Unlike Ghosts of the Great Highway though there is no “Carry Me Ohio.” He tries but I feel a tad unsuccessfully with the second track “The Light.” I mean we can all agree nobody wants the same album every time. But I love that song Carry me Ohio and a follow up would have been magnificent. The first song Lost Verses also features a guest appearance by the illusive Bonnie Prince Billy who plays banjo. The other little intricacy that Mark has is he will play the same song on an album twice. Change up the rhythms and title then make you go wait have I heard this song before? It’s really cool in the long run. Unfortunately Mark doesn’t tour much so getting to see him is difficult to say the least. He loves going across the pond. Just as a reference Mark is a decent actor. He has been in Cameron Crowes Almost Famous (he was the bass player), and Steve Martins Shop Girl (He was the band). Well that’s all I have. Have a great weekend be safe!

Funny

You know sometimes life is funny. I mean that in a way where little bitty happenings make you giggle and laugh. You read an interview about a band and are shocked by what is said and again you chuckle. Talk to an old friend like I did today and you realize why you always liked them so much. Its also funny how you both grow up! My friend Steven Collier a.k.a. Stick and I spoke for probably the first time in two years or more. We went to Angelo State together and actually lived together in Odessa for a brief period of time. I called him to ask if he was coming to the wedding. I found out that he and his wife are having their third child. Also for a third time his wife Cindy is bed ridden. I guess whats funny is that I really had very little to say to stick. I mean we exchanged pleasntries and asked about respective family happenings but considering the time that has passed since we talked I had very little to say to him. The same seemed to be true with him. We searched for things to talk about. Stick obviously with his family and work has other things to worry about. I know that if we were thrown in a room together with some booze old times would be hashed up and the experience would be recognized as a great success. Today though I must admit I am a little mixed in my feelings. It was nice to talk to him but im a little sad hes not coming to my wedding. For a good 2 or 3 years man Stick, Zach and I were the best of amigos. Now its just Zach and I. I guess stick was always standing on the outside of the circle. All he ever wanted was to get married and start a family. Mission Acomplished. I really have no where else to go with this. I’m just confused internally. He said it made his day to talk to me, I wish I felt the same. I sort of feel like an iron and wine song. Slow acoustic with great lyrics that haunts you and, makes you feel sad. That’s all I have to say about that!

Tonight Sara and I get to go taste catering food. Should be an exciting experience! I hope a tasty one as well.

Attack and Release

The fifth album from one of my favorite bands The Black Keys is awesome. A two piece group usually made up of crunchy blues guitars and solid drumming has taken somewhat of a new direction. Dangermouse a.k.a. Brian Burton, a.k.a. Half of Gnarls Barkley (He is the white guy). Was set to produce this album. Originally set to be an album that the Keys were going to do for Ike Turner (Tina Turners Ex-husband). The Keys were going to do al the music and Ike was going to sing. Unfortunately Ike died before they could even start. They had sent Brian all this stuff and he said lets go to work so they did. All previous efforts have been produced by the duo of Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney a.k.a. The Black Keys this was the first time an outsider had worked with them. Past albums were very indie sounding with a sort of new recording style called medium-fi. Which contains “one part broke ass shit, and one part new ass shit.” It was ingenious because it sounded like an older recording. The style of blues that Pat and Dan make is similar to that of the delta, Muddy Waters and, The Mississippi All-stars. Allot of emotion covered in Textures of screaming guitar. Dangermouse did an excellent job. He maintained the sound and essence of Medium-Fi while adding little elements to make the album sound more full. Sometimes the sparse arrangements…you know guitar and drums could sound a little empty but when you turn it up to 11 it sounds a little more full. Dan’s vocals are really upfront as well. He has a great blues voice that is part of what I like so much about this band. Favorite song is the first one All You Ever Wanted. Also Remember When (side A) & (side B) are great. Also reminiscent of the era when you had to flip your record over to continue the music. Things Aint Like They Used to Be is the last song on the album and AWESOME! Slow jam and I love the slow jam. It has this really cool organ in it and the girl singing back up is some teenage girl Jessica Lea Mayfield. She really compliments Dan. I have to say that I know I’m being quite technical so here is the part where I gush. The keys are a great band and one of the few upbeat and fast paced bands I actually listen to. I own all of their albums and a few Ep’s. On the shuffle I run to is every Keys album. I got a chance to see them in Austin. It was so kick ass! I spoke with Patrick Carney the drummer for a bit. I was living up in Lubbock at the time and driving from Lubbock to Austin is quite a hike. I told him where I lived and he said that’s where Buddy Holly’s from. We then proceeded to talk about Buddy a bit. Then he said hey man thanks for coming all this way. Dan and I really appreciate it. I will be a Black Keys fan for life after that! They will never be the kind of band to sell out arenas but big theatres probably. All in all a really great band and sound. Check them out I obviously highly recommend it!