So, I’m in my third week of my internship with Adult Swim. It’s been a blast. Yesterday, I did the layout for an ad that will appear in a few Batman comics as well as one of my other favorite comics, Fables. This definitely got the nerdy fan-boy receptors in my brain firing. I’ve been working on another project that I’m really excited about, but can’t really say anything about it yet. I get along with all of the dudes I work with and it’s been a pleasure getting to know all of them. Jake (the creative director I work with… ) and I have even had a few conversations about one of my current musical faves, Volcano Choir. (Note the VC poster hanging up by my desk, pictured above.) My fellow designers have been schooling me hardcore on the office Family Guy pinball machine… but I’ma catch up!
Filed under: Music
My most favorite record in the world is being remastered and re-released on this day. Although I already own this record on both CD and vinyl, I will indeed by purchasing this bad boy on vinyl. It’s also not a bad thing at all that this record has been remastered by Bob Weston (whom some of you may remember that during my Sincerity Guild days, mixed our record.) According to the band it “sounds a whole lot better.” I am, however, unsure how I feel about the artwork for the album being updated. The above image is somewhat in keeping with the original art, and so I ‘m not entirely sure why the change was needed.
Also, on November 24th, a new record by another one of my favorite bands is being released. Interestingly enough, the long awaited new full length by The Mercury Program was also mastered by Bob Weston.
These are now available at Etsy.com or Young Blood Gallery & Boutique if you live in Atlanta.
HO – LEE SHIT! One more month before I depart for Lacoste, France for Spring quarter. No, I still have not been able to learn a good chunk of the language… It is the final two weeks and some change for Winter quarter, so I’m pretty busy with writing papers and doing sketches and mock ups for final projects. Lame excuse, I know. But I should be all paid up for tuition and the trip. All of my classes have been confirmed, especially the printmaking class I really wanted to take, which… as a bonus… is being taught by one of my favorite professors at school.
ANNNDD… Megan and I will be moving as soon as I am finished with Winter quarter! We found a house to rent! We were starting to grow out of our current space, plus her younger brother will be living with us while he does his last year of rotations for pharmacy school. Yay no more apartment complex living!
So, we hope to get settled before I leave. Or at least all moved in for the most part. Luckily the place is pretty close to where we are now and we don’t have to move everything all on one day.
On a final note, I’ve really been enjoying new albums by From Monument To Masses and The Appleseed Cast.
Here’s a few things that I’ve worked on recently that never really left the launchpad.
Trail of Dead poster
A while back I had the opportunity to submit some poster designs to the band …And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead. The initial feedback I received was very positive, but ultimately the band decided to pass. What you see above is the band management’s and my favorite. Those are scans of actual tire tracks I made using a toy car you see in the poster. (Click here to see a larger version.)
Groo Conglomerate International, Inc.
I recently designed some business cards for my good friend Travis. He decided on a different design, but I love the little icon/illustration in this concept. It was sort of an homage to his homage to the band Frodus.
So the trip this spring becomes slightly more official. I received my flight itinerary this week, which includes a two hour layover at the airport in Paris before continuing on to Marseilles.
This week is midterms for Winter Quarter at school. It’s hard to believe that this quarter is already half over and before I know it I’ll be trying to pack for two months of my life in a completely foreign environment. I’m looking forward to it, though… hoping it will recharge my batteries creatively and otherwise.
In the music department I have fallen in love with the band Collections of Colonies of Bees all over again. I listened to their twelve-and-a-half minute piece, “Six Guitars,” repeatedly while studying for my toughest midterm yesterday. I also discovered an excellent remix of the their song “Flocks I” by the band Pluramon on the ‘Bees Myspace page.
That’s all for now. One month and three weeks, folks!
Not too long ago, I did a shirt design for the band Fireflight. The design has finally popped up on their merch page, where I discovered they also printed the design on a tote bag. I think I actually like the tote bag better than the shirt. Although, a small part of me wishes they would have kept the band name and one heart/house icon above it in the lighter color to keep the concept of the design consistent. But then again, I suppose, the band’s name might not pop as well/ have as much contrast on the lighter background. Ah, well…
Filed under: Music
Krautrock/Motorik – Stay with me on this one for a bit. Recently I’ve been enjoying the sounds of the very excellent Maserati. Their drummer, Jerry Fuchs, used to play in the incredible Turing Machine. TM have a very obvious krautrock/motorik influence. In fact because of Fuchs, I think Maserati has begun to have some of that influence as well. Anyway, after continually rocking the Mas’ and the Machine, It’s gotten me in the mood for some Neu! and Can, as well as inspired me to further explore the genre. Harmonia and Manuel Gottsching, anyone?
National Skyline – Most people who know me know that I love 90’s indie rock, particularly that which has roots in Chicago. From the ashes of great bands Castor and Hum came National Skyline. After 3 great releases, Jeff Garber worked on various projects including the way under-developed Joy Circuit. Anyway, after a few false starts, National Skyline is set to return with a new full length that, according to Garber, has a bit of a Castor sound to it – due in part to ex-Castor bass player, Derek Neidringhaus, appearing on the record. New single “Revenge” can be heard here.
The part where I play “Crotchety Old Man” – Disagreeing with something posted to Pitchfork is definitely nothing new. For some reason though, I found myself taking particular offense to a few comments in their review of the latest Don Caballero record. (Which, to their credit, I at least agree that it is the band’s least inspired effort.)
Statement-of-offense #1: “Math-rock was definitively obsolete, and Don Cab could neither escape it nor rejuvenate it.”
I really tire of thoughts like ” this particular style of music isn’t cool anymore” or “that band’s sound is so 2005.” As if to say that if a record wasn’t by one if the current flavors of the month – it no longer mattered. I also take issue with their proclamation that “math-rock” can’t go any where. Don’t worry though… ten years from now some band will come along that is basically a re-tread of Don Cab and their “ilk” and P-fork will hail the Nu-Math revival as the new “it” sound.
Statement-of-offense #2: “But for the most part, this is an instrumental rock album, and diehard fans of the genre– people who read gear magazines and have a high regard for technically proficient pastiche– will find plenty to enjoy.”
Wow Pitchfork! Thanks for stereotyping me and pin-pointing exactly what is it I like about “Instrumental Rock.” WRONG! Oh and God forbid I actually LIKE MUSIC and give a crap about the equipment that goes into the making of music. Not to mention, care about any sort of “proficiency” in being able to actually perform music. Never mind that there are “instrumental rock” albums that aren’t highly technical affairs mapped out by a bunch of obsessed gearheads. Personally, I enjoy certain music because it sounds good to me.
But I digress… I’m just a diehard fan of the music that resonated with me at one point and refused to abandon it because it wasn’t cool anymore.
Filed under: Music
This is by no means a list of the top 10 albums of 2008 in a critical sense. This is a list of the ten albums that I enjoyed the most this year. I consider myself to have decent music taste… however, I don’t claim to be a taste maker or have any sort of credibility when it comes to music journalism. I just like what I like.
10. Unwed Sailor – Little Wars
Long in the making and anticipation of release (at least for me and other US fans), Little Wars represents a return to the more rocking sounds of Johnathan Ford and co. Just enough of the textures and sounds of the mellower releases seep in to make this the most encompassing statement from Unwed Sailor yet. Pretty much the soundtrack of my late spring and early summer.
9. Brad Mehldau Trio – Live
Brad Mehldau is a badass. That said I was sort of disappointed with his last release. But this… this is welcome addition to my Brad Mehldau collection. Joined here by Grenadier and Ballard, and in a live setting, this live offering is a solid listen. Usually known for his Radiohead covers, Mehldau instead offers up renditions of tunes by Oasis and Soundgarden along some of his original compositions.
8. Constantines – Kensington Heights
With Tournament of Hearts the Cons turned in a batch of songs that made the band sound as if they were weary. On Kensington Heights the band is still tired of all the bullshit but prove they got some fight left in ‘em.
7. The American Dollar – A Memory Stream
I absolutely hate unsolicited friend requests from bands on Myspace. That said I decided to give this band a listen. Fast forward two years later and said band drops this record. My ears are thankful. Seriously good instrumental “rock” that eschews the trends and delivers the goods.
6. Mogwai – The Hawk Is Howling
A little bit of bias may be at play here. Mogwai is one of my favorite bands. Their last record, Mr. Beast was quite good. This is better. Mogwai shows us that they remember their past but they’re still stretching out.
5. M83 – Saturday = Youth
Did you love John Hughes movies and Molly Ringwald when you were a kid? I did, too. Buy this record (if you haven’t already.)
4. The Drift – Memory Drawings
I like Miles Davis. I like Mogwai. I like Tristeza. I can even appreciate a little dub. Take those four things, and this is where The Drift begin. Their second full-length, Memory Drawings, finds them taking it up a notch and into the ether.
3. Helios – Caesura
If there’s a theme for my top 10 this year, it’s bands one-upping themselves from their previous releases. The last Helios full length stopped me and my wife (whom I rarely agree with on music) dead in our tracks with it’s dazzling beauty. This is even better. Believe it. The perfect winter record.
2. School Of Seven Bells – Alpinisms
OK… the discovery of my favorite record of the year (see below… duh) led me to the discovery of this band featuring ex-Secret Machines guitar player Benjamin Curtis. I was not prepared for how much this record would exceed my expectations. The best part is that it didn’t immediately do so either. It was very good upon first listen but then seemed to slowly charm me into realizing it’s greatness.
1. Collections Of Colonies Of Bees – Birds
I cannot do this record any justice with words. Anybody who reads this will think I am crazy. A four song instrumental record gets top ranking? The simple answer is: YES. Clocking in at almost 40 minutes, this record is what flying must feel like. ‘probably why they called it Birds. What may seem boring and repetitious on the surface actually reveals some of the most exciting music I’ve heard in a long time. Chiming guitars, jazzy percussion, electronic noises and keys pulsing beneath the surface, expanding within the confines of what seems like a simple and straightforward structure until it can’t contain itself any longer and reveals it’s true glory. Epic in scope. Flawless in execution.
HONORABLE MENTION
Remember Remember – S/T – Kind of like if Mogwai had a baby and it looked (and sounded) like Steve Reich
Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago – Good rainy day record.
Grouper – Dragging a Dead Deer Up a Hill – Haunting and eery in the best way possible.
Fennesz – Black Sea – If you’re patient enough you’ll be carried away into a trance-like state.
BEST SHOW OF 2008:
Mogwai @ Variety Playhouse, Atlanta, GA – September 15
Aside from the fact that Mogwai are always blisteringly loud in concert… aside from the fact that early songs such as Tracy, Christmas Steps and Like Herod were played… this show ruled because a) the Variety Playhouse could possibly be the best venue in Atlanta and b) nothing beats quality music enjoyed with quality people while throwing back a few quality brews.
LOOKING FORWARD TO IN ’09:
The Mercury Program
The Life and Times
Rival Schools
From Monument to Masses
Collection of Colonies of Bees & Bon Iver Collaboration
Trail of Dead
The Bad Plus w/Wendy Lewis
The Appleseed Cast
Click HERE to download a .zip file containing samples from each record.
