When I first listen to a band I don't think to myself "where are they going from here?". When I first listen to a band, I think about what they are doing now. Actually, I don't think that. I listen to a band for the first time to see if it moves me. If I respond to it in any way. In this age of instant gratification, and the abitility to pick and choose what you like, I still have to buy entire albums instead of single songs. I need to know what the band is trying to do, like the whole is worth more than it's parts. With the 30 year anniversary of the passing of John Lennon I started thinking of what it is that draws me to certain music/bands/artists, and I think that it has more to do with the ability to evolve than it is what they are doing at the moment. For example, I really like 311. But the fact of the matter is, it's all the same. When you look at bands like The Rolling Stones, The Who and The Kinks you can see and hear the progression of thier vision. In thier prime they were innovative and pushed the boundaries. They created the genre and then reinvented it. I don't want to listen to a band that does the same thing over and over and over again. What's the point. We need more John Lennon's and Ray Davies' in this world. Jack White is on par, but time will have to tell.

Ethan Miller of Comets on Fire and Howlin' Rain Chats at the Amoeblog

Ethan Miller of Comets on Fire and Howlin' Rain Chats at the Amoeblog

Howlin Rain - "Dancers at the End of Time" (Live at Amoeba)

I don't like being a music snob, I really don't. I am a firm believer in the idea that what you like is never wrong, or bad. Like wine, I feel like you should listen to what you want and not worry about what anyone else says. It doesn't have to please anyone but you. I say like wine, because there are so many people who are concerned about what other people tell them is "good" without thinking for themselves and just trying a couple of things and determining what they like and going from there. Just because someone who's supposed to be an expert says one thing is better than another doesn't really mean anything at all! This all being said I always find myself judging people based on what they listen to. My brother in law only listens to jam band stuff, specifically Dicky Betts, and Allman Brothers and stuff like that. Not that there is really anything wrong with that, but that's all he listens to. I also found myself scoffing at my best friends girlfriend for telling me she likes the Backstreet Boys. If that's what you're into, that's totally cool! I have no right to belittle anyone for their taste in music, or art, or books, or wine. all of these things are totally subjective and shouldn't be dictated by one source or authority. listen to what you want, like what you want. the point is enjoyment isn't it?

Death Cab for Cutie

For a considerably long time now, I have actively avoided Death Cab for Cutie. I assumed that I wouldn't like them. I think that at one point I heard a song that I probably thought was trite, or too poppy, or someone that I didn't like liked them. For some reason, I fought the idea of even giving them a chance. I would hear people talk about them, people who's oppinion I respected, and still shrug it off, and give it the "yea, yea. I know, death cab. right right." not saying that I didn't like them exactly, but not entertaining the discusion which if you know me, is kinda strange in and of itself. But in the last couple of months I started listening to bits and pieces of thier catalog. Tonight I bought the record Narrow Stairs; all I can say is BRILLIANT!!! I don't know why it took me so long, but I'm a convert man! It's got all the elements, it's progressive yet traditional. There's amazing storytelling, coupled with awesome structure. It's sort of a pain in the ass though, I mean now I'm goin gto have to go and listen to their whole body of work.

shoes

just a picture of my shoes. no reason, just thought that I'd share. Will be back to talk about music soon