David Bazan - "Please, Baby, Please"

I became of David Bazan's work back in college, listening to his previous project Pedro the Lion. At that particular time I was hooked on most of the Jade Tree record label bands. I haven't been overly impressed with his solo stuff to date but I came across this song and just can't get it out of my head.

He's currently on tour, playing solo in people's living rooms. Seriously.

Dirty Projectors

I fell in love with this band a few months back and then grew tired of their album quickly. Unfortunately too many of their songs are too repetitive. But there is also some intricate guitar work and melodies that draws me back...

Here is "No Intentions" performed at an in studio performance for Sirius. You have to love the harmonizing female vocals - which says a lot coming from me; I loath harmonizing...

French Kicks

My love of the French Kicks stretches back to my early college days. If you've never heard or seen them they are definitely worth checking out. The Kicks tour maybe once a year and it's usually pretty short so make a point to go see them if they come around.

This video is an "acoustic" (they're still using electric guitars, aren't they?) set featuring "Carried Away" and "Love in the Ruins".

Awesome.

Great Expectations

I want to hate Gaslight Anthem, I really do. At first listen their music seems like what it is - a rip off of Bruce Springsteen, punked up a bit. Then I found this acoustic version of "Great Expectations":
The Gaslight Anthem - Great Expectations (acoustic on AP)

Which led me to give them another chance. Their stuff grows on you - quickly. The more I listen the better they get.

And for the record - The Boss is a bit of a guilty pleasure, so that may bias my opinion here.

The Impossible Cool

Here is a blog dedicated to awesome photos of "cool" icons. All of them are celebrities in some way but photographed in a fashion that is lost today. Each photo is a link to wiki info about the particular person. Worth a look.



The Impossible Cool

Let the Right One In...

Summer is sucking up all of my time between obligations, work, traveling and having good times overall. Thus a lull in production here...

Just watched a great Swedish movie last night. About vampires. I know what you're thinking... Swedes make movies? Good ones? And a good vampire movie? Isn't that an oxymoron? Don't get me wrong; I enjoy the occasional vampire movie, but by definition they are usually cheesy and cliche. If that's what you're in the mood for then they're great.

But I digress, this movie was genuinely good - great plot, great directing and incredible acting by some talented kids. A little slow in spots but one of the best movies I've seen in quite a while...

B-boy...

I've always wished that I could breakdance. It's on that list of "cool" stuff that just isn't something I'll ever be good at due to a combination of natural clumsiness and poor balance. (see also: skateboarding, surfing, etc.) But I still enjoy it and this guy is one of the best. Who knew Italians were good at breakdancing?