$$$

So you know that funny commercials with the google eyes on the stack on money? And the ones with the cavemen? And the ones with the gecko with the funny british accent? They basically make up 1/3 of all the commercials I watch and theyre usually the funniest ones. Well today I realized that theyre all for Geico! So props to the writing and advertising geniuses who managed to create 3 themed commerical sets that can make a person not even realize theyre all for the same company even if you know they all end up with Geico at the end. Genius.

So I bought the new Morrissey and Trail of Dead CDs today. Theyre both incredible. Since when is Morrissey awesome anyway? I mean, The Smiths are an iconic band for that they did, but I wasn't born in the right era to really get them, plus when they made their "comeback", I had already found the kinds of sounds I liked from the 60s, 70s and 80s and The Smiths didnt really fit in there at all. But Moz brings it on this album as he did on his last two. Simple, yet complex songwriting and arrangements that seem perfect for each song.

The Trail of Dead album is really epic. They expanded on the sound of their last album and by alot. The album sounds HUUGE and considering theyre only a trio its a really impressive outing. There is alot to offer here from the opening track which sounds like it could open up a Pink Floyd album to the track "Isis Unveiled" which blasts an accordian "riff" that would blow Flogging Molly's kilts over their heads. Awesome stuff on this album.

I got the new Thursday album too, but they are gonna have to wait until tomorrow as these other two albums need a few more spins to get some more out of them.

Dinner Time, not sure what it is, but theres brown gravy on it so score!

Cheers

Prep

I feel like there have been way too many times where I will go to a store and buy clothing or something related to an interview or new job or something new thats relates to what my future will bring. So far all of those things I bought have been for events that were disappointments.

Today I went into a department store and bought a navy suit jacket, two ties, a white button-down shirt and a $90 pair of black wing-tip shoes to start going on informational job interviews and start going to meetings with the new job I have.......

Needless to say I'm feeling the pressure.

Green Day revealed the cover art for their new album "21st Century Breakdown"

Its kinda got a classic look, but its also kinda got a...what the fuck is with that cover? kinda look. Either way, I'm stoked theres actually a cover to a new Green Day album.

Not much came out this week, Lily Allen put out a pretty solid pop record, but it bugs me that she doesnt write any of her music. The Lonely Island album came out too and thats pretty fun, but I am having a hard time really enjoying it since i'm not in college anymore. That would be a pretty great Beer Pong playing cd to listen to.

I am really stoked on the new Matt and Kim album "Grand" and the new Animal Collective album(who isnt?). Also, the new John Frusciante album is really cool, that dude is deep with his music.

I wanted to post a video of Radioheads fucking INSANE performance of 15 Step with the USC marching band, but the RIAA took it down off the intrawebz. Look for it though and enjoy the shit out of it.

Cheers

I like surprises

The Grammys are tomorrow and this year I have reasons to give a shit. Green Day is presenting and so is a reunited Blink-182.

Green Day's official site is now buzzing of a surprise during the Grammys tomorrow....and theyre famous as shit so this surprise is probably pretty legit.

Theres also buzz that Blink is making a new album...will their presenting spots be related? Maybe.

Summer joint tour again? I hope so, but American Idiot came out over 4 years ago so I will take anything new album related.

Also, its Saturday night and im blogging about pop-punk bands from the 90s so sucks for me :)

1.21.09 Yes I Can....Do Nothing

2 days off during the week in a row has been really interesting...and fucking boring. Does that mean I am ambitious? Or that I have no job and friends.....

Self-loathing aside, this was a really cool release week for music.
-Animal Collective-Merriweather Post Pavilion came out. This band is pretty incredible and they sound like they are finally ready to put their musical genius towards a full album that a large audience can really enjoy and appreciate. Rolling Stone really did a good job at describing much of this album as recalling Brian Wilson on shrooms...anyone who has heard the staple Pet Sounds knows what that means. I predict a huge year for them with this album.

-Andrew Bird-Noble Beast is also a great fucking album. This dude gets it and is really gonna stand out from all the bullshit "indie-folk-lo-fi-shut the hell up" bands and singers that will put out shit this year and that put out shit last year. He knows how his music should sound and paints a great picture of what it looks like through his album art, which I am a sucker for since I actually still buy CDs and vinyl for the whole package.

-Antony and the Johnsons-The Crying Light is one of the most haunting pieces of music I have heard in a long time. The dude has the softest voice ever and its layered with strings and piano accompanyments that are just as dark and soft and really set a mood that reminds me of scary black and white movies(the cover art also reminds me of that). Its well worth the listen if you can find yourself in the right mood for it(I found that snowy and alone worked great).

-Titus Andronicus-Airing of Greviences finally came out and this band is from Jersey so I have been hearing great things of this band for some time now. This band can really kick your ass while providing song arrangements that recall Elvis Costello or Bruce Springsteen (circa 1970s for both). Thats not to say they don't sound like The Stooges or The Pogues though as this is a punk rock band for sure.

-Fiction Family-S/T. This last one sort of falls in the guilty pleasures as it is the brainchild of the singer of Switchfoot Jon Foreman and one of the vocalists in Nickel Creek Sean Watkins (SeanJon 2? Lets not get carried away). Anyway, these guys really made a cool folky pop-rock album that I really only picked up because I am a huge sucker for Nickel Creek and am still bummed i discovered them a few months before they broke up. Not much else to say about this album, but if you dig singer/songwriters and some cool mellow pop music, this is for you.

AC Newman of the New Pornographers also put out a new album, but I havent heard it so it doesnt get a blurb any bigger than.......this.

Confession: I wrote these mini reviews to keep up my typing chops for my new job, but I actually enjoyed it so I will most likely do it more often as long as the mood strikes to do it because I fucking love music and have no one to talk about it with..thank you neverending internet!

Cheers

PS LOST TONIGHT NERDS UNITE!

PPS I realize I killed any credibility to talk about an Animal Collective album by admitting I watch lost still.

So This Is The New Year

First blog, first day of the year.....apparently i'm starting my year off without friends :)


My cousins said blogging was legit so its happening....It is cold out.....and I am cold...I should put socks on. Is blogging just random daily thoughts? If so, i am doing awesome. Maybe some background for kicks just in case someone reads this.

Im Charlie. I have a pretty crap job in retail(enough said). I play drums in a band..we are writing and recording songs in my basement now. The band is Called Fear Of Forever. I just got a guitar so I can learn music. Im excited about that. Contrary to the picture, I am not 4 years old. Im almost 24 etc.

On to the task at hand....today was cold so i listened to "Chilly Day Music"...see what i did there?

Chilly Day Music 1/1/09
M83-"Kim & Jessie"
Bloc Party-"Like Eating Glass"
The Jayhawks-"Blue" because it makes me feel warm
My Morning Jacket-"Evil Urges"

I feel like Doogie Howser(how do you spell his name?) at the end of an episode now that i'm at the end of my blog post.