Trying to build a list with such an air of superiority titled “best albums” or “best songs” of the year seems to pretentious. Not that it really stopped me last year, but I digress… It feels like a better approach to this time around is to go over my favorite albums and live performances I caught through the year. It truly has been fantastic on all fronts, so let’s just get into it… (more…)

This evening I was preparing the house for visitors over the holiday. My media shelves in the living room were in bad shape with CDs & DVDs stacking up. I started rummaging through a spindle of old discs and came across an item that made me pause a moment.

A year ago we lost a good friend named Phil Palousek. There’s a lot to say about Phild0g, especially how much he is missed. I thought it would be great to let Phil speak for himself in a way he did most of the time… with a mix CD.

I checked Phil’s site over at WaxDJ and didn’t find this mix. So it seems appropriate as we remember him now around Christmas that I share my find.

Click here to download Phild0g’s Grinch Beats

We miss you, Phil.

I’ve recently discovered a “new” band… Elbow. According to several things I read during the rise of Coldplay in the UK there was also Elbow; you were either a big Coldplay supporter or you went with Elbow.

I love me some Coldplay but Elbow should’ve won this battle… they’re simply amazing. I’d post more but I’m too entrenched listening to their albums over and over and really just want to keep thinking about the words…

Are we having the time of our life?
Are we having the time of our lives?
Are we coming across clear?
Are we coming across fine?
Are we part of the plan here?
Are we having the time of our lives?
Are we coming across clear?
Are we coming across fine?
Are we having the time of our lives?
Are we part of the plan here?

We have the driver and time on our hands
One little room and the biggest of plans.
The days were shaping up,
Frosty and bright.
Perfect weather to fly.

Just reading about some stuff on the air this weekend when I notice this:

10:00pm Dexter CBS – Network Premiere.

Say what?!

Just wanted to share some records I’m really digging right now…

Jack Johnson – Sleep Through Static – Simply wow. Jack once again delivering soft, smooth, and crisp. Aside from the fantastic song writing, the production on this record is phenomenal.

Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend – A new 4-piece out of New York with a sound meshing African tribal beats, Blur-style pop, and at times White Stripes thump. I’d bet good money on Vampire Weekend ending up with a best new artist award at the 2009 Grammy’s.

Explosions In The Sky – I hadn’t listened to them much since their 2003 The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place album. So I’ve been blowing through their entire catalog absorbing their beautiful sonic creations like a sponge. After a couple days of listening to their material I recorded my first track in about 5 years. It’s been very inspiring.

The really great thing is not only am I enjoying all these records, but I’m seeing each of the acts live in the next few months. Explosions performs at the Wiltern in March (thank you, Colie, for the the tickets!) and both Jack Johnson and Vampire Weekend will be at this year’s Coachella.

Already an excellent year for music…

An growing interest in MUSE among friends has prompted me to supply new bootlegs. Here are some requests as well as a couple favorites/recommendations of my own.

1999.08.03 – Los Angeles, CA (KCRW) – One of the earliest known recordings in circulation, this is the bands first US radio appearance. An acoustic set done for Morning Becomes Eclectic, the guys do some really great versions of tracks from Showbiz. By far one of my favorite MUSE bootlegs in existence.

2004.09.10 – Sydney, Australia – One of the last shows of the Absolution tour. Soundboard quality (FM broadcast) makes this one of the favorites among traders. My favorites here are Butterflies and The Small Print, both of which are played with such precision and ferocity I’d have expected snapped guitar necks and busted drum heads.

2006.08.26 – Reading, UK – A show from the very early stages of the Blackholes tour. Soundboard recording from the Reading Festival and full of absolute gems. This is one of the first gigs that Matt started the Supermassive solos with the KAOS pad scratch-attack. If I remember right, it was also the first show with the new red-glitter guitar used on Invincible. An incredible show that I consider my favorite of 2006. (There is also an excellent DVD that accompanies this if anyone is interested.)

2007.03.12 – Tokyo International Forum, Tokyo – An audience recording taken during the 3-day stint across Japan. Quality is rather low and oddly the crowd doesn’t seem too into the show. The set list is standard for a Blackholes show, and the performances themselves are top-notch as always. Too bad the crowd didn’t enjoy it.

I’ve got to do something
About the loathsome
State I’m in

Dis…con..nected

Everywhere I see decay
Mechanized and sterilized
Visions I replay
I must release my rage

Dis…con…nected I’m
Dis…con…nected Feeling so
Dis…con…nected down