October 14, 2006

Age 25 - A Year in Review - Part the First

So as of last Thursday (better known as October 12), I am 26 years old. Damn....I'm like old n'stuff. Had a good birthday, kept it kind of low key, went out for a couple drinks and other stuff with a couple good friends. A fair amount has happened in the past year.

As has been my custom every year, I try to put together a playlist of songs that have meaning for me over the course of the year. The criteria for the prestigious honor of making it on this playlist can be one of many factors. I could have purchased the CD/song over the course of the year and really enjoyed it, enough to warrant a place. It could be a song that I've had for a while that over the course of the past year acquired special meaning. The song could have (now) rung more true that it had in previous years or acquired a completely different meaning. I know that this is the case for several songs. Or it could be a combination of the above reasons.

I have another playlist that I want to post as well as some thoughts on the year as it stood. More to be coming soon.

Posted by Michael at 01:43 AM | Comments (2)

October 10, 2006

Concert this Friday

So if anybody in Indianapolis is without plans for Friday night, I would highly encourage going to go see Matt Nathanson perform at:

The Music Mill
3720 East 82nd Street
Indianapolis, IN 46240

The show is only $12 if you buy tickets ahead of time. If you don't have plans, it's a fun show to go to. I recommend.

You can get tickets off of his website.

Posted by Michael at 01:00 PM | Comments (0)

June 27, 2006

Dashboard Confessional: Dusk and Summer

Dashboard Confessional came out with a new CD today. Unfortunately, I'm at work right now, but I plan on picking it up right after work. I'll post a review as soon as I give it a couple listens. If you like DC, you should go pick it up. This has been your friendly reminder. =)

Posted by Michael at 01:16 PM | Comments (0)

June 26, 2006

Latest Playlist

I made a playlist for my older brother who sometimes needs help expanding his music horizons.

All things considered, it's an alright playlist. I could do better though, I'll try for another one soon.

Posted by Michael at 09:32 AM | Comments (0)

January 30, 2006

Yellowcard song

I recently bought the new Yellowcard CD Lights and Sounds and for the most part, it's alright. Most of the songs were "as expected" given their punk-flavored pop/rock formula for making records/songs.

There is one really cool song on the disc though. It's titled "How I Go". I am currently convinced that the inspiration for this song is partly due to the movie Big Fish.

Here are some of the lyrics from the song, which I think are the more obvious references to the movie:

Maybe it's just common themes about fathers/sons, but I thought the references to water/giant was a little more. In any case, I'm probably very wrong, but just thought I'd share. =)

Posted by Michael at 01:47 PM | Comments (0)

December 23, 2005

Favorite Albums of 2005

Now these albums may not have dropped in 2005, but they are definately my favorite that I picked up/learned about/heard for the first time in 2005.

The Arcade Fire is an interesting disc. I wasn't such a huge fan of it at first, but after a couple listens[1] I started enjoying it a lot more. I realize that it seems a little odd to have to listen to a CD a couple times to like it, but that's just the way it is. It's kinda like snowboarding like that. The first couple attempts go less than optimal, but pretty soon it's one of your favorite things. =)

Brand New is just a really cool band. The lyrics are smooth and witty and I can't help but wanna sing along. It's a little emo, so if you're not into that sort of thing, you may want to avoid. They are apparantly working on a new CD, which I can't wait for.

The Fray is another interesting band. I guess I would classify it as chill/soft rock. It's got a piano in most of the songs, which is pretty cool. Definitly a good CD for just hanging out with friends that you can keep low in the background.

Matt Nathanson is a more obscure independant artist that I got to go see in concert in San Francisco. I liked it immediately. He's got some more acoustic stuff and some stuff with a band. It's got that "bitter, women-break-my-heart-but-I-can't-help-but-love-them" feel to it, but there are some really great songs for someone who isn't mainstream. It's just kinda hopeful that there are some good artist/musician/singer/songwriters out there. Not the recycled crap that most of the radio stations play[2].

[0] I much prefer this over one their other disc "Your Favorite Weapon", although my brother has made me give it another listen, and I enjoy it more now.
[1] I know, it seems odd to me that I have to learn to like something...this is music, not beer.
[2] Some radio stuff I really like, which makes me feel a little dirty, but fortunately I don't listen to the radio much, so I don't grow to hate the songs that are on the acceptable radio playlist of about 12 songs.

Posted by Michael at 11:23 AM | Comments (0)

December 13, 2004

Next song

The last song that I learned at my guitar lessons was Wonderwall by Oasis. I am trying to think of the next song that I want to learn. Current ideas are:

  1. Fuel - Shimmer
  2. Green Day - Good Riddance
  3. Dashboard Confessional - Sharp Hint of New Tears

Feel free to add to the list or comment on the list.

Posted by Michael at 01:16 PM | Comments (4)