Outlet

So why am I starting a music blog? I know it's unnecessary, but sometimes I keep myself from writing full out reviews of albums on my personal blog, because I know not everyone that reads it wants to read that. And there are people who might want to read a music blog that wouldn't want to read anything else about my life.

So there.

To start out, I should probably give a rough summary of my preferences...

Favorite Band: Weezer. This only refers to their first two albums. This is a ceremonial title only.

I have a bias toward (almost) any sort of experimentation and songs of great length. However, I am often stricken dumb by a perfect pop song (i.e., Mr. Blue Sky by E.L.O.). As a songwriter, I also have an incredible respect for folk music and can pretty readily dismiss a less-than-great singer. I love the idea of hip-hop, but often can't stand the thematic material (especially bein' up in da club). But, I love alternative hip-hop and trip-hop. And if you want to make sure I'll love something, drench in it dub reggae influence. Introspection is incredibly important to me, and lyrically, I find nothing more heart shatteringly beautiful than a declaration of weakness. Admittedly, emo* still has a place in my heart.

Favorite musicians/favorite records (at the moment; in no order):

mewithoutYou - Brother, Sister

Radiohead - Amnesiac (their record with the most obvious Charles Mingus influence)

Sigur Ros - ( )

Flaming Lips - Embryonic

The Beatles - Abbey Road

Charles Mingus - any. Who can choose?

Miles Davis - Live Evil

The Doors - Strange Days

The Who - Quadrophenia

Bob Dylan - Bringing It All Back Home

Portishead - 3 (honestly their only release I've heard)

Pedro the Lion - Control

Santogold - s/t

Gorillaz - Demon Days

Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here

Grizzly Bear - Vecktimest

St. Vincent - Actor

Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong - Ella & Louis

Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago

Fleet Foxes - s/t

Efterklang - Parades

Scientist Rids the World of the Curse of the Vampire

Brand New - The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me

Beck - Modern Guilt (yes, his most and arguably least Beck-esque, but I've always liked his more melodic side more, and Chemtrails is one of my favorite tracks ever)

Newest discoveries:

Flaming Lips - Soft Bulletin, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, At War with the Mystics

I can't believe it took me so long after hearing Embryonic to listen to any of the rest of their catalogue. Honestly, I like Soft Bulletin and Embryonic more than Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, but that's just me. They have that spacey, ambient airiness and superaggressive drum fills that made me fall in love with Flaming Lips in the first place. But, Embryonic is the only one where I feel like the basslines are coming for me, so that record holds the advantage.

Gorillaz - Plastic Beach

I'm convinced the Gorillaz can't release a bad album. They may be cartoon characters, but there's nothing gimmicky about the level of musicianship that goes into these records. I got it a couple days ago and haven't but it down.

Broken Bells - s/t

The Shins' James Mercer with the mighty Danger Mouse? This is one supergroup I can get behind. And the debut is so fantastic--the same great hooks we get from the Shins paired with the ceaseless daring of Danger Mouse. Sign me up.

The Clash - London Calling

I'll admit. I JUST put this album on for the first time. I've only heard the first half of the first track, but there's such a mythos surrounding this record, and the title track lets the listener know they're in for something special. I can't wait for the rest of it.

So that's that. Wait for more. And as these go on, I'll probably post some virtual mixtapes, or maybe even complete albums. Oh, goody!

*real emo, like Sunny Day Real Estate, Further Seems Forever's "The Moon is Down," the Promise Ring, and early Weezer.