BJORK!

Picked up the new Bjork box set, "Surrounded". Amazing packaging and design by M/M Paris as always. Love their stuff. Even the stuff they did with Mew's "And the Glass Handed Kites".

But anyway, back to the box set. This is truly a great thing to have. Her first 7 full-length releases on dual-disc with every video from every album on the corresponding release's disc, including two digital 5.1 surround remastered mixes of each album. If you're a Bjork fan, something real awesome to have.

Her videos are breathtaking and such a testament to a visionary. She is one of my favorite artists out there.

NEW KAWS STUFF.

So, thought it might be cool to talk and spread the word about the KAWS prints that went on sale today. Sold out in like 6 minutes though...hahaha...$700 a pop. wow. Oh well...maybe next time. haha.

http://www.kawsone.com

The Whitest Boy ALIVE!

Erlend Oye at it again. The Kings of Convenience swooner has released a record with his new band, The Whitest Boy Alive. Great stuff. Minimal guitars. Driving bass lines and solid drum parts. Really a cool record. Sounds a bit like The Police at some points...real smooth. It's a real departure from Erlend's solo electronic project. He has been very busy with that. But from what I hear, he is living in Berlin taking on this new project. Sounds great...A great dance rock record. No layering. Just pure. His voice really shines on this release. The minimal instrumentation really allows it to stand out. ALSO! Features artwork by Geoff McFetridge. Love it!

One record I picked up was quite a shocker. Darker My Love. Features ex-members of the Distillers and Nerve Agents...but don't let that throw you off. These guys play a really spacy, shoegazer, psychedelic indie rock. Really cool stuff. Big guitars. Really atmospheric, smooth vocals. Pick it up! Alot like My Bloody Valentine. Cool artwork too.

Oh yeah...always listen to U2! Joshua Tree...amazing album. Still gives me the chills!

New mewithoutYou out today too! Go pick it up. Great record. Can't Say it enough! Peace.

The Office Season 3 Shocker!!!

Jim is gone..Stamford. Pam and Roy didn't get married. Don't think Jim knows yet. Michael finds out Oscar is gay. Phyllis is engaged. Stanley has two toasters. Kelly is still annoying. Roy had a bit of a driving incident and his police mugshot...O...M...G...He looked awful. Such a great show. This was by far the best episode. So awkward and so funny! If you haven't seen it, go and buy it on iTunes!!! Peace!

Bring Them Home Now.

Hey everyone. The war in Iraq is still in full effect. If you would like to learn how you can help the fight to end this war, please visit BringThemHomeNow.org. Your opinion matters. The war has hit pretty close to home for me. My sister's boyfriend John Aylmer served 2 tours of duty over there. Thank God he doesn't have to go back. But he has lost many friends over there including his best friend since childhood, Phil Martini, who was killed by enemy fire a few months ago. Terrible loss and an emotional time for my family and even more so, John and my sister, Stephanie. Please continue to pray for our troops over there and continue to support them. Just because you don't support the war, doesn't mean you can't support the troops. They are doing their job whether they like to or not...and I can tell you now, from the way it sounds, the ones doing the fighting want out. Please pray for them. Thank you.

Also, visit the American Red Cross and Salvation Army websites to find out how you can support our troops financially. As well as causes that need attention throughout the world.

NEW MUSIC!!!

Hey everyone. Haven't updated in a while. Got a new music report, if anyone is interested.

Bonnie "Prince" Billy released his new opus, "The Letting Go". Great record. He has outdone himself on this record. By far my favorite of his releases. The string arrangements and production are complete genius. This release proves that there is so much beauty in subtlety. Got the "Cursed Sleep" single not too long ago. The songs on that single were just enough of a tease to make you want this new release. Will Oldham is in a movie i guess called "Old Joy". Looks pretty cool. I never realized it, but he also played a small roll in the movie "Junebug". Pretty nuts.

Lupe Fiasco. Food & Liquor. Chuck Andisin! Cannot stop listening to this new Lupe record. Its unlike anything out there, as far as hip hop goes. Even down to the artwork. Great job Chuck. He even gives a shout out to Chuck and The Brilliance in the last track ("Outro"). Pretty cool stuff.

Now, I know I said I skeptical about the new DJ Shadow, "The Outsider". But man...it is so great. Some slams on W from David Banner on the track "Seein' Thangs". Talking all about the Katrina disaster.

"...George wasn't in jail for stealin' those votes..."

Crazy interesting. Also, artwork and direction by Insect!

New Ipods...whatever.

I know this is old news, but the new Ipods came out last week...and I have to say, I'm kinda disappointed. I LOVE the new shuffle. It is so cool and small. A great idea. The design is amazing. But the new nanos...eh. I did not like the minis and I was happy when they stopped manufacturing them, but it seems that they are trying to reinvent them by making them some sort of a hybrid with the nano. Really don't like the colors. The fact that its thinner than the old nano is pretty impressive, but I really don't like the rounded edges and the variety of colors. The black one and silver one are alright, but the other colors...don't like them. I guess they're coming out with the new like, 6th generation Ipod. Kinda excited...but the new Ipods that came out last winter were really really impressive and, in my opinion, the best one they came out with.

YO LA DJ SHADOW

So what do you guys think of the new Yo La Tengo? I'm thinkin' its alright. I really liked "And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside-Out". This one is just a little too low-fi for me. The production of "And Then Nothing..." was superior to this one, in my opinion. The band's career is very impressive, nonetheless. There are a few tracks on this new record that I really like that are in the vein of YLT's ballad sound. Great piano and string arrangements.

And...DJ Shadow. Anyone heard the new iTunes single, "Enuff/You Made It"? It's different. I'll say that much. Do I like it better? I don't know. Its just alot more produced...he's become more of a producer than a DJ. Good stuff nonetheless. On the new single, Q-Tip and Lateef make an appearance. The "b-side" consists of a track called "You Made It" with Chris James singing on it...bares a very close resemblance to Chris from Coldplay...great track. Completely differant than Shadow's past stuff. I think its a good step. We'll see.

LITTLE MISS GREAT!

Little Miss Sunshine. Steve Carell. Ever since he was on the Daily Show, he has been showing us his own brand of comedy. He is utter genius. His character in Little Miss Sunshine, although different and dark, still had parts of his witty sarcasm...everything. Went and saw it with my girl, Victoria. It was a great movie. One of my favorites this year. I thought some of the story could've been a little more elaborate, but that would mean the movie would have to be longer. But nonetheless, a great movie. Steve Carell trying his hand at a more serious role. Good stuff.

There were also little snippets of Sufjan Stevens in the movie. And speaking of Sufjan, he's got a Christmas EP box set coming out. Pretty excited. Heard a few of the ep's awhile ago. Should be pretty cool. The guy has blown up over the last couple years and its really refreshing to hear something so original receiving such an honest response. His integrity is amazing. Check it out here.

Flooding...Prayers

Yesterday, in the Chicago/Northwest Indiana area, there was a good 4 hour downpour. The result of this downpour caused massive flooding, in particular in Highland and Griffith, IN. A friend of mine took pictures of the mess.

Although no lives were lost, there was alot of damage including (from what I heard) 11 homes collapsing in the area due to the water. A close friend of mine told me he had 2 1/2 feet of water in his basement...what a mess. People's furniture in their front yards to be taken out with the trash. Pumps still pumping out water almost 24 hours after the flooding. People with this overwhelming sadness on their faces. I can't even imagine how some of them may be feeling. Nuts.

Please keep these people in your prayers. Insurance won't cover most of the damage to these homes. Many people have to start over. Please, remember all the blessings you have and never take them for granted. Thanks!

TORTOISE!!!

So, I'm going to see Tortoise at the end of the month and I couldn't be more excited. I highly recommend picking up their rarities box set entitled, "A Lazarus Taxon". Got some great stuff on there including a 4th disc which is a live DVD. Really great.

Their collaboration with Will Oldham ("Bonnie Prince Billy") called "The Brave and the Bold" is one of my favorite releases from Tortoise AND Will Oldham. Although all the songs are covers, they are some amazing versions. One song that stands out in particular is Bruce Springsteen's "Thunder Road". Definitely check it out.

Also, Bonnie's got a new single out called "Cursed Sleep". I heard he recorded his entire new album in Iceland...this new song is some great stuff. Check it out. The B-Sides of the single are great as well. The new album "The Letting Go" comes out this Tuesday...pumped!

New Music Tuesday

Picked up the new album by The Rapture today, "Pieces of the People We Love", and I have to say I'm very impressed. I think this will be one of the best releases of the year. Couple of tracks produced by Dangermouse. Great stuff.

Also, picked up the new Mars Volta record. Pretty wild stuff. LOOONGGG songs as usual, but this record is darker than the rest. Love it.

Watching the Office Season 2 NONSTOP!

SITE CHANGES

Hey guys. Sorry about the changes to the site. It was brought to my attention that there were some bugs using Firefox so i changed it to resolve this issue. Hope you all still enjoy the work! And thank you for the overwhelming response to the new work. Thank you so much for the continued support!

RATATAT!

Went and saw RATATAT tonight. My gosh. Amazing. I was so anxious to see how they were going to pull it off and they totally did. Very solid band. Pick up their newest record, "Classics". Incredible production. Incredible chord progressions. Amazing tones all around. Great band.

Nothing Good Lasts Forever...

This awesome custom Blackberry 8700g from T-Mobile is a product of my 8 1/2 month old beagle named Baxter. Cutest dog in the world, but his life almost ended when this happened. Hey, at least I can laugh about it now! Still love the dog to death!!!

Promise Me Your Gentle Song

So, my boy David Lubarski has a little site over at Promise You with some great works up. Nice still life and natural themed photos. He's a great guy so check out his stuff. He also took my photograph which will appear in Issue 8 of the Royal Magazine.

Also, Todd Miller, great writer and friend, has a site up over at Your Gentle Song . Snippets of his work. Great, imaginative writing. He graciously wrote my bio in the Profile section of my site. He's got a few pieces in the Issue 9 of the Royal Magazine.

Take some time out...

Today, lets take some time out to remember those who lost their lives 5 years ago, today. I will never forget that day and it will forever shape our future. Say a prayer for those who lost those that they loved.

New Site! New Work!

It's been a long time in the works, but the new site is up. Thanks for visiting. There are alot of new works up for viewing. Enjoy and keep your eye out for more things.

TV on DVD

So, the 3rd and final season of my favorite show in the world, Arrested Development (RIP), was released on DVD a couple weeks ago and I still can't get enough of the show. It is still, without a doubt, the most clever writing I have ever seen. It is genius. If you watch it over and over, you catch things, parts of jokes, that you never would've caught before...crazy! "Like anyone would want to R her"...amazing! "I am not s-ing around!"

Also, Entourage...Jeremy Piven...STELLAR! Just won an emmy for the show. Its one of my favorite things on HBO right now. If his character existed in real life, he would have a heart attack by 40! He is out of control!!! That and Deadwood. I can't get enough of Deadwood. Such a raw and well-written show. Speaking of HBO, I heard they are doing another season of Curb Your Enthusiasm...hope the rumors are true. Larry David is genius.

The Office (US) Season Two comes out on DVD this week and I'm pretty excited about that. I'm glad that show is still on the air. Makes up for where Arrested Development left off. Congrats to The Office winning best comed at the Emmy's! Season 3 should be pretty amazing.

Picked up the second season of Lost this week too. What a great show. So much suspense. Some episodes are just bizarre and there are so many unexpected twists throughout the show. Great writing. Great cast.

Modern Times

So I picked up the new Bob Dylan record, "Modern Times" - what a great testament to a timeless musician. Hearing his records he recorded in 1963 are still relevant to this day and still has time altering and innovative as ever. With such simplicity, this man tells the most poetic stories I've ever heard. What an inspiration. I also heard they are doing a movie about his life. Exciting.

Its nice to see him still creating the same timeless music he has for years. Although this release is a bit more country than the others, its still great.

Countdown...2 days

A couple more days till I launch my site. Very excited.

Lots of new work gonna be up. I'm looking to create some more tangible pieces of art in the coming weeks. Prints, stickers, etc...maybe even t-shirts if you'll wear 'em! Thanks so much to everyone who has been coming to my site for the last 2 and a half years. Its been a great ride and I can't thank you enough for your support.

New music!!!

There is so much new music coming out. Its actually pretty great...new mewithoutYou, Blood Brothers, Isis, Grizzly bear (already out i think), Justin Timberlake (i know i know i know). Its exciting. Music is such a huge part of my life and it always keeps me going with work and such. Gotta have that background noise.

One record that really stands out to me is the new mewithoutYou. It is the most challenging of all of their releases and contains an honesty that is unparalleled to any other records out there right now. Jeremy Enigk (Sunny Day Real Estate) does quite a few cameos on it. I also here he has been working on his second solo record with Matt Johnson (Roadside Monument, Unwed Sailor, Ninety Pound Wuss) on drums...should be unbelievable.



The Blood Brothers record is also a stand-out release. Its hard-hitting and probably their most diverse record to date. Really excited about that one. Love that cover art too. So simple and nice. It was produced by Mark Trombino (ex-Drive Like Jehu) who has recorded the likes of the Icarus Line and Jimmy Eat World. Great record. Powerful.

Again, great moment for music. Oh yeah, and the new Bob Dylan...the man is a genius.