I finally took a break over the past week, and didn't go to any shows for the first time in a few months. I was hanging out with family on the other side of the country, finally catching up on some much needed sleep. Sleep is good. And I feel much better.

But, I'm back to my normal ways with a bunch of shows this week. Among the possibilities:
Meneguar, Snowden, Forward Russia
Aberdeen City
The Stills, Au Revoir Simone, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin
+/-
Should be a fun time.

I've been listening to and digging a record by The Brother Kite the last couple of weeks, it's called Waiting for the Time to be Right. It's a gentle pop record, with a mix of Beach Boys harmonies and early 90's, big reverb production (think how some shoegaze records sounded from that time period).

I also just got a hold of the Midlake record, The Trials of Van Occupanther, and even though I'm super late to it, I like it a lot. It sounds like a Fleetwood Mac record, straight from 70's AM radio. If this sounds good to you, you'll also like this record a lot.

I also gave the new Deerhoof record Friend Opportunity its first spin today. The first spin judgement: it's good, and it sounds nothing like last years excellent (and my #1) The Runner's Four. Surprise!

I've been on a rather severe Beck kick lately. His catalogue is so strong, one can easily start with Mellowgold and listen to everything else straight through without being disappointed or bored until you get to Geuro. Nobody's perfect. Still, I've been feeling the Beck vibe for a solid week.

I've also been obsessed with this Arcade Fire song called Cold Wind. It was on the Six Feet Under soundtrack, and closed out the series. It's gorgeous, and it sounds soooo gooood on vinyl. I can't wait for their next record. Perhaps I'll post it tomorrow. The song, not the new record.

I hope to write a bit more about politics and news shortly, I've been slacking lately. Plenty of interesting things have been happening.

I'm trying to do my year end lists, and it's making my head explode. The only thing I feel comfortable with is my #1...