Bombay Bicycle Club - Flaws

Bombay Bicycle Club is just okay in my mind. Nothing special. That is, until I heard their newest release, Flaws. Similar to bands like Mumford & Sons, BBC decided to try something new on their sophomore effort. What you have is 11 tracks of totally brilliant folk songs, quiet and moving. This, of course, comes as somewhat of a shock after listening to their debut album, I Had The Blues But I Shook Them Loose, as it was a very straightforward indie/shoegaze album. Maybe the biggest change, for me, is the maturity of the writing. Songs like "Rinse Me Down" has a vibe and a life all of its own. It moves and swells.

This album has been a great traveling companion over the last few weeks. It is perfect for driving through what some call the "magic hour". Give it a try sometime.

Tracklisting:
1. Rinse Me Down
2. Many Ways
3. Dust On The Ground
4. Ivy & Gold
5. Leaving Blues
6. Fairytale Lullaby
7. Word By Word
8. Jewel
9. My God
10. Flaws
11. Swansea

Kid Valiant - What Lurks Under The Bed

I had Kid Valiant referred to me by a new friend and so having never heard them before, I immediately listened. When you think pop-punk, you probably are in the majority who think of newer Fall Out Boy or Good Charlotte or Simple Plan, but when I think of pop-punk, I think of early Saves The Day, The Ataris, early Fall Out Boy, and even early New Found Glory. As much as I don't like to admit it, Fall Out Boy's newest records are a guilty pleasure of mine (though not one that I indulge very often), but it doesn't come close to satisfying my desire for fast, driving guitars and gang vocals. Kid Valiant, however, is exactly what the doctor ordered. Yes, they are a young band, but if the songs found on their first EP, What Lurks Under The Bed, are any kind of indicator as to what we can expect in the future, then I wouldn't be surprised to see these guys on Fueled By Ramen or Drive-Thru Records. If you like true pop-punk, then you will be surprised and pleased.

Tracklisting:
1. New Fangs In Town
2. LIsten Up!
3. How I Spent My Thursdays
4. Clark

Cat Stevens - Harold and Maude OST

Up until last year, I had never even heard of the film Harold and Maude. To say that it has become one of my favorites since then, however, is a vast understatement. It is sarcastic and dark and funny in a way that inspired Wes Anderson to do the type of films that he does. One thing about the film that stands out so well is the soundtrack, which is done entirely by Cat Stevens. I can't imagine the opening scene of the movie with any song other than "Don't Be Shy", or the scene at the end where Harold is walking away playing "If You Want To Sing Out" on banjo. Stevens has created the perfect movie soundtrack. Period.

Tracklisting:
1. Don't Be Shy
2. On The Road To Find Out
3. I Wish I Wish
4. Miles From Nowhere
5. Tea For The Tillerman
6. I Think I See The Light
7. Where Do The Children Play
8. If You Want To Sing Out
9. If You Want To Sing Out (Banjo)
10. Trouble
11. Don't Be Shy (Alternate)
12. If You Want To Sing Out (Instrumental)
13. Don't Be Shy (Demo)
14. If You Want To Sing Out (Alternate)

Highlight Tracks: "Don't Be Shy", "If You Want To Sing Out", "Trouble"

analecta - Trying in Vain to Save Myself from Drowning

2010 saw the unfortunate disbanding of Northern Indiana's Doctor! Doctor!, but from the ashes of the former grindcore band arose analecta, featuring two members and a whole new sound. Similar in size and stature to bands such as Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Explosions In The Sky, analecta has a promising sound that could very easily take them to levels of success that they might not have known before.

Tracklisting:
1. There's a Crack In Everything, That's How The Light Gets In
2. And Your Very Flesh Shall Be a Great Poem
3. Teaching Ten Thousand Stars How Not To Dance
4. We Walked In The Footsteps of Giants

The Arcade Fire - The Suburbs

I haven't listened yet, but I'm excited to see how it compares to Funeral.

Tracklisting:
1. The Suburbs
2. Ready To Start
3. Modern Man
4. Rococo
5. Empty Room
6. City With No Children
7. Half Light I
8. Half Light II (No Celebration)
9. Suburban War
10. Month Of May
11. Wasted Hours
12. Deep Blue
13. We Used To Wait
14. Sprawl I (Flatland)
15. Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)
16. The Suburbs (Continued)

Local Natives - Gorilla Manor

I don't think that I could stop listening to this band right now if I tried.

Tracklisting:
1. Wide Eyes
2. Airplanes
3. Sun Hands
4. World News
5. Shape Shifter
6. Camera Talk
7. Cards and Quarters
8. Warning Sign
9. Who Knows Who Cares
10. Cubism Dream
11. Stranger Things
12. Sticky Thread

Rubik - Dada Bandits

Great new band.

Tracklisting:
1. Goji Berries
2. Radiants
3. No Escape
4. Wasteland
5. You Jackal!!
6. Fire Age
7. Indiana
8. Richard Branson's Crash Landing
9. Karhu Junassa
10. Follow Us To The Edge Of The Desert
11. Altitudes

Anaïs Mitchell - Hadestown

Before this afternoon, I had never heard of Anaïs Mitchell. This evening, I couldn't be more excited that I have. Hadestown is to Anaïs Mitchell as The Hazards Of Love is to The Decemberists. It's a "folk opera", featuring several prominent artists playing the roles of the various characters.

The album follows a variation on the Ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, where Orpheus must embark on a quest to rescue his wife Eurydice from the underworld. The important difference here, however, is that the story of Orpheus takes place in a present-day post-Apocalyptic United States. In relation to the story, the part of Orpheus is played by Vernon, Persephone by DiFranco, Hades by Greg Brown and Mitchell herself plays Eurydice. The music ranges from quiet folk to loud, rambling almost ragtime compositions. I can't even begin to describe how incredible this album is, nor how impressed I am with the collection of collaborators that all work so well together. This album is an absolute must for anyone who has even a passing appreciation for folk music.

Tracklisting:
1. Wedding Song
2. Epic (Part I)
3. Way Down Hadestown
4. Songbird Intro
5. Hey, Little Songbird
6. Gone, I'm Gone
7. When The Chips Are Down
8. Wait For Me
9. Why We Build The Wall
10. Our Lady Of The Underground
11. Flowers (Eurydice's Song)
12. Nothing Changes
13. If It's True
14. Papers (Hades Finds Out)
15. How Long?
16. Epic (Part II)
17. Lover's Desire
18. His Kiss, The Riot
19. Doubt Comes In
20. I Raise My Cup To Him

New Releases

Here are 6 new releases that I think are more than worthy of your time. I haven't taken the time to give each album the amount of time that I would deem necessary to give it a fair review, so I am giving them to you in one lump sum. I may or may not write reviews for them individually in the future, but for the time being, enjoy them all and let me know what you think of them.

Broken Social Scene - Forgiveness Rock Record


Band Of Horses - Infinite Arms


Blitzen Trapper - Destroyer Of The Void


Josh Ritter - So Runs The World Away


The National - High Violet


The New Pornographers - Together

A Lesson In Etiquette

I am only 25 years old, which makes me somewhat less than an authority on the world and what makes it spin (or at least less so than someone whom has lived longer). I will, however, state that in my 25 years, I feel like I have learned a good deal. That being said, I feel it my responsibility to impart on you a few of the things that I have learned.


Co-Habitation Etiquette
When you are living with someone, be it a family member or a friend, there are certain guidelines that should be observed. Such guidelines are:

1] If you didn't buy it and you're unsure if it's up for grabs, don't eat it.
2] If you use the last of the toilet paper, replace the brown cardboard tube with a new roll (see also, Bathroom Etiquette).
3] If you don't plan on being the first person out of the driveway in the morning, then do not block the other person in.
4] If you make a mess, clean it up.
5] If it's not yours, don't loan it out to someone else.


Friendship Etiquette

1] Don't say something that you will later regret. You can never 'un-say' anything.
2] Be the kind of friend that you expect other people to be to you.
3] Be trustworthy. Period.
4] Don't be afraid to be venerable.


Bathroom Etiquette

1] Knock before attempting to enter. Always.
2] Don't pick your nose and wipe it on the wall. There is a whole roll of toilet paper next to you that you can use for that.
3] If you use the last of the toilet paper, replace the brown cardboard tube with a new roll (see also, Co-Habitation Etiquette).
4] There is a lock on the door for a reason, not to mention that the door closes and latches for the same reason. Just as much as I don't want someone barging in on me, I would prefer to not see you doing the type of thing that you do in the bathroom. Close the door.
5] Leave the bathroom the way it was when you entered it.


Restaurant Etiquette
(I would consider myself an expert on this subject before all others)

1] If you walk into a restaurant and someone comes to your table to take your order rather than standing behind a counter and in front of a dollar menu, be prepared to tip.
2] If you bring children in with you, don't let them tear up all of the napkins on the table and throw them in the floor. Someone has to clean that up and chances are they aren't being paid enough to clean up after you and your inconsiderate children.
3] A 10% tip hasn't been acceptable for the last 20 years.
4] If you can't afford to tip well, then you can't afford to eat out.
5] Servers make just over 2 dollars an hour. They depend on tips.
6] There are no places that I know of that cash verbal tips. Saying that someone did a great job does not help them to pay their bills.
7] Be patient, chances are that they have 3 other tables full of people that are just as demanding as you are being.
8] It is unwise to be rude to someone that is going to see your food before you do.
9] If there are enough people in your group that you take up a server's entire section, remember that for the time that you are sitting there, you are their only source of income.
10] When you are done eating, pay and get out (unless you tip well; not decently, well).

Phone Etiquette

1] If the phone is ringing, answer it. You may not feel like talking at that moment, but there is a good chance that the person calling is doing so for a reason. The only exception to this is if you are at work or on the toilet.
2] If you get angry with the person you are talking to, do not hang up on them. It is rude and offers no solution.
3] If you can tell that the person you are talking to is busy or needs to get off of the phone, don't start a long and drawn out story. Save it for later.
4] If you miss a call from someone, call them back. Chances are they called for a reason.
5] If I am on the phone, and you are not the person on the other end of the phone call, do not talk to me. That is rude.
6] If you get a phone call and you are in a room full of people that are talking, watching a movie, or any other activity that demands their attention, excuse yourself from the room rather than continuing your conversation in the midst of their activity. That is rude.


Feel free to share this with anyone that you feel may benefit from these pearls of wisdom.