I've referred to this a couple of times in comments, but I think Josh deserves a full post for his latest, "The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter." This is the new album of the year I had no idea was coming out, and it may well be my favorite record of the year so far.
Yeah that was said slightly for effect...what with a year that included new discs from White Stripes and New Pornographers and Wilco and Ryan Adams and Interpol (which I STILL haven't listened to "properly" yet) and a ton of others, how can Idaho boy Josh Ritter's disc end up on top?
This is Ritter's 5th album, so by no means is he a newbie to the art of putting together a fantastic album...but it may be his best yet. Not as introspective or moving as "The Animal Years" -- which was a fantastic album in its own right -- this one's more upbeat, more engaging, and more...indie. Josh has always been known for channelling his inner Bob Dylan (best showcased on the excellent, folk-operatic "Thin Blue Flame" from Animal Years) but in this one he also throws in dashes of Death Cab, Spoon, Wilco, and others. The key is that his references are just that...references that remind you of another artist but never come off as pastiche. No, this is not another "Rock N Roll", Ryan Adams' fun but synthetic love letter to all his musical inspirations. This is a portrait of an artist who has been able to take sound references, phrasings, styles that are strongly associated with other bands and make them his own. I think it's the earnestness with which he sings and plays that makes it sound authentic and not a rip-off.
So what we're left with is a fun, varied soundscape that keeps you interested and keeps you wondering what comes next. Highlights include the rolicking opener, "To the Dogs or Whatever," the Spoon-ish "Mind's Eye", the indie-folk (think M. Ward) of Open Doors (although its much more propulsive than I've ever heard M. Ward being), to the beautifully laid-back piano-sprinkled "Wait for Love." The sole track that comes off as a disaster is the 3rd track, something of a Eagles/Elton John/America mashup titled "Right Moves." Yes it is every bit as cheesy as the title sounds. For better or for worse it sticks out like a cowlick just waiting to be chopped off or gelled into submission.
So, give it a shot. The best part about this review is that I can actually give you the album just for reading this post. Well, Josh is helping me out by streaming the album on his site (don't you love the internets?) but I get a little credit, don't I?
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Josh Ritter goes Indie
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Time for the TV IV
The fall tv season is officially upon us, and I'm at a bit of a mini-crisis. I had gotten very used to the long summer nights devoid of Survivor, America's Next Top Model, Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy, the Bachelor, and even 30 Rock, The Office, Heroes, and Lost. But here the shows are again, bigger and louder than ever. Do I really have to get sucked in again?
So we saw the first episode of Heroes last night, and without giving anything away for those who are catching it later, there were far too many times during the show where Eryn and I looked at each other with raised eyebrows and laughed unintentionally. Overall it was one big "meh." A couple of times I even said, "do I really care to get involved in all of this again?" I think there are just too many characters that you don't really like and the plots weave together way too simplistically. Thank goodness for Tivo. And Battlestar Galactica, which I am now finally starting to watch, thanks to Ben for sending the first season to me. The big contrast with that show is, they have this huge sprawling cast, and there's not a weak link among the actors or a stock character among the group. VERY interesting. And cool action sequences like space battles that are mostly silent (because space is a vacuum, blah blah).
On the plus side, the new Survivor actually was pretty interesting - I think the backdrop of mainland China is excellent for the show. I've never liked the first 8 weeks or so of the show, but the premier was actually fun to watch this time. The good thing about Survivor to me is that you don't have to actually sit and watch the whole episode...you can just dodge in and out, make sure you see the reward challange and then coem back for tribal council. Not like Heroes or Lost where you want to catch every word.
And so far the new show contending for a spot in our weekly lineup: Kid Nation. It's like Survivor....with kids. Thought I would hate it, and we kind of accidentally started watching it on Sat night. Here's the thing: it's really good! The kids are so much more interesting than I'd ever would have thought. The premise is very similar to survivor but with enough changes that you don't feel like you're watching a straight copy. I'm not quite ready to make it appointment TV just yet...but I'd say it's definitely worth a look...and much more engaging at this point than Heroes (sorry HRG and Parkman - if it was just your two stories (or any two..or three...but not seven) it would be great).
Monday, September 24, 2007
Doing my part to Save the Planet
So Microsoft started running new "connector" buses for people who commute. Now instead of crawling through traffic (although I did enjoy listening to music and audiobooks) I can get on a bus a 10 minute walk from my office, sit in relative comfort with wifi and a power outlet at every seat, and work or play my way along the road. From this morning's test ride it looks like it will take about 15 mins longer door-to-door than driving myself would. I'm thinking at this point that the gas savings and time savings (about 90 mins/day) will be more than adequate to make it worthwhile. The best part of it all...the bus is 100% free...paid for by Microsoft in their effort to keep their employees happy and the trees green. So thank you Microsoft...and thank you Google for doing it first (in San Francisco)!
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Second Impressions
So at first I was underwhelmed by the New Pornographers' latest album, "Challengers." And lots of critics agreed...this album just wasn't what we were expecting, in fact it seemed to be missing something.
Last weekend I gave it another shot and absolutely fell in love with it. It's less immediate, less hook-filled, less in-your-face catchy, but dare I say it's actually more captivating and more rewarding than any of their releases to date? My first impression was that their manic creative energy seemed a bit played out, that maybe they weren't all interested in playing with this toy anymore since their personal side projects have all grown to fruition themselves. But on second inspection, I find more depth and richness and meaning than seemed to be there before. More measured brilliance rather than spontaneous brilliance. More Roxy Music than The Jam. More Smiths than Oasis (the early, good Oasis anyway).
I think the reason I missed it the first time is I tried it on a perfectly sunny day...this album needs a little bit of cloud cover and a bit of a cool, autumn breeze with some color in the leaves to bring out its full aroma. This album needs some atmosphere. It's the first perfect album of the fall. And will be sure to keep us warm all winter.
Monday, September 17, 2007
At the Prophet's Feet
Ours and 54 other stakes were visited (via satellite) by Pres Hinckley yesterday. The Lynnwood stake center was packed to capacity -- the parking lot was full to the gills, with cars double parked along every lane. It reminded me of the way we'd pack the parking lots for church in Japan. Like a giant Tetris puzzle. Luckily we were at the front of our row and were able to dart out without waiting for the giant puzzle to unfold itself.
The meeting itself was an interesting hybrid of general and stake conference. Pres Hinckley and those who spoke with him (Elder Hales, Bishop McMullen, and some others) were addressing all 54 stakes in Washington. The talks were all excellent, just a little generic. I think it's really up to me to try to listen deeply and learn from the spirit what it is I'm to take away. Listening to the spirit's whisperings is never easy with two little kids scrambling in your lap and at your feet, but here's what I can remember:
Elder Hales talked about listening to the spirit and bringing the spirit into our homes. He talked about the importance of temple attendance.
Pres Hinckley spoke about the restoration of the church and the priesthood. He spoke of the necessity of the restoration and the meaning of having a living prophet on the face of the earth. It wasn't an especially long talk (he even started it out by saying we were probably going to be leaving early) but it was vintage Pres Hinckley - simple, direct, eloquent. He closed his talk by thanking us all for our prayers on his behalf, requesting that we continue to pray for him--reminding us that he's 98 yrs old and needs the Lord's strength to carry on. What a powerful, humble, giant of a man!
So I am left with a few questions after this. Why has Pres Hinckley decided that holding satellite regional stake conferences is more effective than stake conferences presided by local leaders? It's not like we got to shake hands with general authorities and feel their spirit in person (always an exhilirating experience). But that will still happen every other year. And why would Pres Hinckley choose, of all the possible topics he could choose, to speak about the restoration of the Gospel and the restoration of the priesthood? Perhaps because that is what is centrally different about our church and any other church, and should be the foundation of all the "What is a Mormon" discussions swirling around us these days?
If nothing else, I'm committed to think about these things until I've learned what the spirit intends...I'll keep you "posted" when that time comes.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
At the CarManic
So I'm sitting here in the mechanic's lobby waiting for my left front wheel bearing ot be replaced, and I figure I should just go ahead and get away from my corporate email for a few minutes and actually put up a post.
Life/work has gotten crazy busy as of late. Lots of quarter-end projects starting up, I'm now responsible for all revenue reporting and analysis which means a ton to learn and alot more to do, the sr analyst I hired started this week so that's an additional person to be thinking about in terms of training and giving good learning opportunities to as well as trying to make the most of the resources we now have.
I just need a solid uninterrupted week to sort through everything and get back on top of the world. I remember feeling this way for about a solid 6 weeks when I first started here, and I think in alot of ways with the new responsibilities I have now I'm back in the "swimming with water up to my nose" mode and will be for a while.
But it's all good. The fam is great, the weather is beautiful, my mom comes into town for a few days tomorrow and that should be lots of fun. Ok back to work.
Friday, September 7, 2007
And Another
Mostly just to say I'm still alive. Listened to the new Ben Harper this week. Really enjoyable music. More the mellow/soulful Ben. Like the music Lenny Kravitz tried to play when he was channeling Curtis Mayfield...but not like a pastiche but the real thing. Also heard the New Pornographer's latest. I was really excited to give it a listen, especially after hearing new releases from Neko Case, AC Newman, and Dan Bejar since the last New Pornographers release. To be fair I was only able to listen to "Challengers" once, and not REALLY listen to it, but it wasn't as immediately catchy and fun and hooky as I thought it would be. That could either be a really good thing (sometimes the best albums take a few listens to start to sink in and TNP may have possibly leapt to that level with this release) or it could mean it's just a mediocre record. Only time will tell...
In other musical news, my main man BGT has releases his first ever mixtape . It's full of happy, energetic, fantastic music. The kind of music that gets you going. Nothing sloppy or cliche about it. As I told him, "if any radio station played this straight up like you've put it together here, it would be the best_station_ever. A balanced mix of folky, rootsy, indie, and jam, it's a great feel-good in the early sunny fall days mix. You can check it out HERE.
With that, I say Happy Weekend.
