apple juice

yeah that’s a big old free marketing plug for them. oh well, the album is sweet.

many people over the years (since radiohead got “weird”) have asked me how in the world I can listen to them. they’re so weird and dreary and depressing! they say.

there are radiohead songs that give me the goosebumps everytime i hear them. the music just affects me like none other that exists. can’t explain it. they make music worth listening to.

Ever wondered what it was like to work as a sound engineer for a up and coming band? Here’s the inside scoop:

On Monday July 27, I begin a new project. I will be recording an album of a band for a very famous Producer. The band is relatively unknown other than within the Record Industry which, for the most part, is currently filled with bitter losers of the biggest bidding war in the history of the music business.

I’ve just ordered what possibly is the coolest iPod accessory. I had been waiting patiently to order it since the product was announced in January at Macworld. The iTrip
.

I currently own an iRock, but the iTrip is a far more elegant solution:

It lets you tune to any station on the dial.
It doesn’t use any batteries, it draws power right from the iPod.
It fits right on the top of the iPod. The big problem with the iRock is that it dangles off and is a little unwieldy to manage when you are driving.

With any luck it will arrive tomorrow and I can post a little review. I’m hoping the power of the transmitter is as strong as the iRock, since that was one of its strong points, but I’m guessing the option to use any frequency will be very nice.

At my place of employment, we are blessed with the sonic goodness that is Muzak. The sounds of corporate wonderland drift like newfallen snow onto the busy worker’s ears. Actually, I have the nearby speaker turned off, since I usually listen to my iPod while toiling away at the keyboard.

When I venture from the warm confines of my desk and chair, however, I am bathed in sugary sweet and un-offensive sounds. One of these ventures is to the bathroom.

I haven’t decided if I’m just really, really regular, or if there is some sort of cosmic Muzak force spinning tunes for me, but whenever I sit down in the bathroom, it seems that the same song is playing.

A few months ago it was Enya with her smash hit Only Time. For the past few days it’s been Seal’s chart topper Don’t Cry. I don’t hear these songs once or twice mind you, I hear them for like 2 weeks straight, every time I go to the bathroom.

I will have to begin charting my breaks, because I’m getting a little freaked. It’s been like 7 or 8 times in a row I’ve heard Don’t Cry while doing my duty.

As soon as I have some definitive results, I’ll post them here for my faithful readers.

Combat Rock by Sleater-Kinney

They tell us there are only two sides to be on
If you are on our side youíre right if not youíre wrong
But are we innocent, paragons of good?
Is our guilt erased by the pain that weíve endured?
Hey look it’s time to pledge allegiance
Oh god I love my dirty Uncle Sam
Our country’s marching to the beat now
And we must learn to step in time
Where is the questioning where is the protest song?
Since when is skepticism un-American?
Dissentís not treason but they talk like itís the same
Those who disagree are afraid to show their face
Let’s break out our old machines now
It sure is good to see them run again
Oh gentlemen start your engines
And we know where we get the oil from
Are you feeling alright now
Paint myself all red white blue
Are you singing let’s fight now
Innocent people die, uh oh
There are reasons to unite
Is this why we unite?
If you hate this time
Remember we are the time!
Show you love your country go out and spend some cash
Red white blue hot pants doing it for Uncle Sam
Flex our muscles show them weíre stronger than the rest
Raise your hands up baby are you sure that weíre the best?
We’ll come out with our fists raised
The good old boys are back on top again
And if we let them lead us blindly
The past becomes the future once again

Wilco – Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (album of the year)
Beck – Sea Change
Spoon – Kill the Moonlight
Coldplay – A Rush of Blood to the Head
Mr. Lif – I Phantom
Jurassic 5 – Power In Numbers
Blackalicious – Blazing Arrow
Sleater-Kinney – One Beat
Norah Jones – Come Away With Me
Sigur RÛs – ( )

A sad day for Stereolab fans everywhere.

They are one of my favorite bands. My buddy Doug introduced them to me in High School, and they have powered many a drive to the mountains during college. I never knew much about them, I didn’t know any of the bandmembers’ names (until today), but I always enjoyed their music.

In High Fidelity, one of my favorite lines of the movie, for whatever reason, is when the journalist from the Daily Reader is in the store, and she looks up, out of nowhere, and asks, “Is this Stereolab?”

Favorite Stereolab Song: Le Boob Oscillator