#20 Album of 2014, Eagulls by Eagulls

Theres's something incredibly rewarding about connecting with a record the very instant you listen to the opening notes of the first track.  I find myself lowering my guard, easing back and eagerly await each track to give me the same rewarding high I got from the opening note.

I don't know why I'm so drawn to musical artists that frequent in bleak/loud musical landscapes... the Eagulls specifically peddle in this area and I find their sound to be equally refreshing and rewarding.

They remind me a little bit A Place to Bury Strangers and they remind me a lot of early efforts by the Cure.  I sometimes find myself reimagining songs like Primary off the album Faith and hear those songs play back a louder/faster/angrier in my head.

With the seasons finally changing here in Central Texas, I find myself revisiting this record with greater frequency.   I had an opportunity to catch the Eagulls in Austin, earlier this year but I couldn't attend because I was away on an assignment.  My friend Donald attended and raved about the performance...  it's possibly my biggest "live music" regret of the year.

Recommended tracks:  You may find their sound a little samey-samey...  and while the album suffers from "range", it's brutally blunt and will likely win you over when the sky's get grey and you're feeling down.  

Artist: Eagulls
Produced: Eagulls & Matt Peel
Recorded: Cottage Road Studios Leeds
Label: Partisan Records

NASL 2014 Championship Game

Shortly after the end of the first half of the 2014 NASL Game, I made my way into the concourse with Rhiannon to secure more beer and I quickly posted an update to my Instragam account...  the game was knotted up at 0-0 and I wasn't sure how the game would end.

I played out second half scenarios in my head and I'll be the first person to admit that most of them ended with the Scorpions losing in heartbreaking fashion.  My biggest fear was that the game would go to Penalty Kicks and the championship would be decided by a game of chance.

Roughly 20 minutes into the second half, the head official awarded a penalty kick to the Strikers and all I could think about was seeing the Scorpions lose the championship game over a shitty call made by crazy official.  Ft. Lauderdale fired a shot on goal and the ball flew off the top cross bar.  

The place erupted with madness.  Roughly 10 or so minutes passed and the Scorpions scored one of the most improbable goals I have ever seen in my life.


The Scorpions later added to that lead a few minutes later and unlike the first goal, everyone in attendance telegraphed how it would end well before the ball reached the back of the net.  The place went batshit and for the first time of the night, one could feel safe in knowing that the Scorpions were going to raise the cup.

Time elapsed, we jumped up and down in our seats and then we rushed the field to take part in the festivities.   It was one of the best sporting events I had ever attended.


Year in Music: Honorable Mentions of 2014

Spent a good part of my morning sorting out records in my collection to shape up my top 20 list for 2014.  I figure I would start posting entries for that pretty soon so that I can finish well before the year draws to a close.

Before doing that I wanted to quickly highlight some honorable mentions that didn't crack the top 20...

Meat Wave: S/T -  I penned an entry about this - would be release in 2014 back in January.  I struggled with including it in my top 10 albums or not.  It was recorded and released on cassette in 2012... I learned about it in 2013, by way of Mitch Clem and it got a proper release on Vinyl earlier this year.  I loved it so much that I purchased both color pressings for my collection.  Sorta by accident... I enquired about the album at my local record store and they wrote it down.  They ordered me a copy at some point and it turned out to be a different color release from the pre-order I secured directly from the indie record label: Hawthorne Street Records.

The Self Title album is truly one of the most rewarding listens of this year and really any year.  In many ways it influenced my decision on my number one album of the year pick...

I just read that they're going to release an EP in January (2015) so we all have that to look forward to.  In the mean time check this track out.
 

Other releases that got me through 2014: Tigers Jaw, Braid, The Lawrence Arms

All three artists had great releases but they didn't crack my top 20 releases for the year...  The Braid release is going to likely haunt me down the road.  I don't know why, but I suspect that this album is going to grow on me a few years down the road.  It's a great release, I really enjoyed the tracks on it but it I'm having a hard time reconciling the feels I had for the band in my early 20's and how I feel now at age 37.

Tigers Jaw and The Lawrence Arms both turned in incredible albums and I highly recommend you check them out.  Here are some stand out tracks from all three releases.

Show of hands for these three artists: The Black Lips, Spoon, The Pains of Being Pure At Heart

All three of these artists released albums well into their discographies and each of them put their best foot forward.  The Black Lips album was especially tasty... they kinda released the Parquet Courts album that I was hoping to get in 2014.  Spoon finally released an album I wanted to add to my collection since they released Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga.  Lastly, we have The Pains of Being Pure at Heart who may have released the best bedroom dancing album of the year.  I didn't give this as many repeat listens as it deserved...  In a weaker year I think this would have cracked the to 20 with ease.

Rounding out my list of honorable mentions: The Front Bottoms, The Family Crest, Strand of Oaks

So the Front Bottoms did what they always fucking do... they released a record with anthemic songs I want to sing loudly amongst a group of sweaty strangers the next time they roll into town.  ROSE is reportedly the first of several releases that will contain b-sides, unreleased songs and early demos.  I can't wait to hear their next full length release and especially can't wait to take Rhiannon to her first Front Bottom show.  The Family Crest, is an artist I heard about in passing and when I purchased the album, I was certain that they would be championed by the masses because of palatable sound.  I think they remain relatively unknown, which is a fucking shame.  The album is incredible and I can't recommend it enough.  The last album that I think everyone should find sometime to check out is by an artist called Strand of Oaks.  The album is one of those releases that gets recorded by an artist when they've hit a personal rock bottom.  It's refreshingly honest and loud when it has to be.   

Oasis - (What's The Story) Morning Glory ?

Ok... so it's been nearly half a year since I've penned an album a day entry, but I need to get back into the swing of writing because I've committed to penning a number of "best of 2014" articles and I need to practice.  So lets ease into this entry together, celebrate my joy of owning this Oasis album on Vinyl.

Picked this up last night after debating the need to add this into my collection for two or so weeks.  I own a number of Oasis albums on CD and I don't revisit them to often...  they're also kinda long so having them on Vinyl means you get to listen to about 3 tracks and then you have to get up and flip one of the 2 LPs over to continue your listening session.

All the worries of it being a regrettable purchase went away when I listened to the warm vinyl mix of the opening track "Hello"...  in addition to the great sound, the album great packaging too. The gatefold contains a number of pictures that differ from the original Compact Disc release. 

You never realize how much bigger an LP is until you have it sitting next to Compact Disc.

You never realize how much bigger an LP is until you have it sitting next to Compact Disc.

There's something nice about throwing something on and knowing every signature guitar riff the second before it rings out into the room...  Rhiannon is sound asleep in the bedroom so I'm taking in this listen alone right now and showcasing my air guitar talents in private.

I think my favorite parts on the album, are some of the tracks I kinda considered throw-away numbers in my youth.  Some Might Say - would be an example of that...  I was walking thru the kitchen when this came on and I stopped in my tracks when I heard the guitar riffs fill the room.  The wall of fucking rock is impenetrable and unrelenting... something I desperately miss in music these days.

Lastly... its grey out this morning and temperatures are unusually low for Central Texas in mid November.  The lighting and feel in the room right now almost feel perfect for listening to Wonderwall this morning.  I don't really have to spend any time telling you why it sounds so fucking great.   I did however spend some time this morning thinking about how the band and producer felt while tracking the song.  I mean, they had to know instantly that this was going to be fucking huge.

Stand out tracks:

Artist: Oasis
Album: (What's the Story) Morning Glory?
Producer: Owen Morris, Noel Gallagher
Label: Creation
Recorded: Rockfield Studios

Wurstfest 2014

One of the best things about being with Rhiannon is discovering an unfound willingness to participate in activities that I would normally go out of my way to avoid.

Obligatory couple photo

Obligatory couple photo

I attended my first ever Wurstfest (think Octoberfest in November) last night and I'll be the first to admit that I had a really good time.

There's a good chance that I will be posting an entry at some point where I talk about how I had a really good time at a Rodeo and at that point amigos, you can pretty much join me in saying that I'm truly a changed man. 

There's an indescribable joy in willingly giving into things she wants to do and I think I provide the same for her by way of taking her to scooter rallies, comic cons and record stores around the great state of Texas... I can't wait to see what kind of adventure we'll have tomorrow.

Batman 66

File under pretty cool shit to showcase on your shelf:

I watched this show religiously (in syndication) when I was a kid and I'm stoked to see that the show is finally on DVD & Blue Ray...  the show had a number of hurdles to overcome before officially getting a proper release.

It's a shame that it's taken this long for it to come out tho'.  I would have jumped at the opportunity to get this a few years ago when I actively collected shows/movies on disc.  I'll be keeping my eye on it in hopes of it finding it in a clearance bin.

Sunday is for Paranormal Lovers

All is quiet at the apartment right now, but the morning got off to an unusual start...  before I get to what occurred at 4:00 AM, I need to preface this by saying - I don't believe in ghosts.

Took this photo while visiting a local book store last week... much to my surprise, this is a real genre of books.

I've been living in my apartment for nearly 5 years now and I have always had a number of strange sounds and bizarre (but explainable) electrical problems.

Example: There are light switches that affect power outlets in other areas of the apartment.  It's a little freaky at first to turn off a ceiling fan and then hear a television turn on in an empty room, but I've been able to replicate it numerous times...

That being said... I've had a few people visit who have witnessed/experienced strange things.  I have one personal example.  Mine involves a light switch.  I turned off a light switch and then felt it flip back down inexplicably.

It's something that I really can't explain, but it's the best example that I got.  Rhiannon recently stayed at the apartment by herself while I was away in Seattle for work and after finishing some dishes after making dinner at home one night.  The kitchen sink turned on inexplicably...

My cat Amos, will inexplicably sit and stare at nothing from time to time and we've been known to kid around about that too...

My sister and niece stayed over last night and at 4:00 am, my sister came into the living room to alert me that my 2 year old niece was talking about a little boy in the corner who "dies".  My niece could have been mumbling a number of things and for all I know she mumbled something that sounded like the word "boy" - but my sister (paranormal believer) woke me up to inform me that I indeed had a ghost.

So there you have it.  A ghost resides among us.

The great pumpkin carve of 2014

The topic of Halloween came up a few months ago and I was ecstatic to hear that Rhiannon was into it as much as I am... the subject of carving pumpkins came up and we agreed to knock some out when I returned from my work road trip.

I got back on Friday...  in addition to wanting to spend time with Rhiannon, I really wanted to spend some time at the apartment.  I've been home on the weekends, but they've felt like a blur.

We made it over to HEB and we scored a number of pumpkins to carve and a few to spruce up the apartment.  In addition to picking up pumpkins, we picked up carving tools and a book of templates...  I expressed some concerns to Rhiannon about my carving skills, so we agreed that I would select one with a low degree of difficulty.

Rhiannon ended up selecting a vampire from the book and I agreed to do a spooky castle.


Sub Pop - Loser

Made it a point to arrive early  at the Seattle airport today...  Sub Pop Records has a small shop that sells a number of wears and records for people traveling through the Emerald City.

They hit it out of the park in respect to layout and signage.

They hit it out of the park in respect to layout and signage.

I set my expectations low before my arrival... I assumed they would operate out of a small shop that maybe carried a number of their biggest releases.  Much to my surprise the shop had a decent sized foot print and they respectable selection of music in various formats and enough keepsakes to make a dent in my wallet.​

All Hands on The Bad One - I came so close to bringing this home. 

All Hands on The Bad One - I came so close to bringing this home. 

I seriously considered picking up a copy of the Sleater-Kinney box set today, but it was equal parts heavy and kinda close to my birthday/holidays...  I figured I should keep a couple things on the "wish list" if pressed for suggestions. 

48 Hours with the Nintendo 3DS XL

Fact:  I owned a Nintendo 3DS XL (Black) for roughly 48 hours...

Before I jumping directly into why I returned my Nintendo 3DS XL, I should probably touch on why I wanted one in the first place.

I've been wanting one for quite some time actually... I loved the Nintendo DS.  I picked up a DSi and have been meaning to make the jump to 3DS for well over a year, but I never quite pulled the trigger.

At first, I wanted to wait until there was a solid stable of games available.  That's certainly out there... Including a new Zelda game that has received AMAZING reviews.

Rhiannon recently starting playing my old DSi so that she could play Tetris when we take road trips, so the itch to get a Nintendo 3DS XL came back.

A number of months ago my co-worker bought one and he let me play StarFox 64 on it and I nearly bought one at lunch time.  They just happened to be out of "black" ones so I never got around to picking one up.

There it is... the 3DS XL that I owned for 48 hours.  Shout out to Best Buy, for allowing the return process to be so fucking painless.

There it is... the 3DS XL that I owned for 48 hours.  Shout out to Best Buy, for allowing the return process to be so fucking painless.

I then had my heart set on two 3DS XL bundles (Animal Crossing/Zelda) that I couldn't seem to find in stores or at a price point I was willing to pay online...

As luck would have it... I'm in Seattle and while visiting a local Game Stop, I saw that they were carrying a special version of the 3DS XL that looks like an old NES.  It wasn't bundled with any games, so I opted to find a black one this week - to pass the time.

I stopped by a Best Buy that was across the street...  they price matched a lower price I found online and I walked out of the store with the handheld and three games.  (Mario Kart 7, Mario Golf and Super Mario 2).

They didn't have the Zelda game I really wanted, but I figured I would occupy my time with playing the other games...

This is where things kinda went sideways.   Did I enjoy the three games I listed above?  Yeah...  I mean, who doesn't want to play Mario Kart?  But its a retread of sorts...   I felt the same way about the Mario Golf game, which was exactly like the Mario Golf 64 that I loved - with the exception that it insisted that I create a Mii character and use the online features all the fucking time.

Super Mario Bros 2, like Mario Kart - kinda felt like a retread and I found myself disliking the way 3D felt when I managed to move my head or hands slightly.

Then, one night - while reading up on current events - I saw that the "New Nintendo 3DS LL (the XL in Japan)" was released in Japan. 

The fucking new one, the day after I bought last years model.  They cosmetically look the same, with the exception of a new button and faster internal processor.

This was reason enough for me to take it back today... that and I may have come to the cold hard conclusion that my days of gaming are over.   I just didn't "feel it" when playing these games...  I've become really disinterested in consoles over the years.  The PS4, XBOX One and Wii U have been out for a while and I haven't had any interest in purchasing any of those systems...  

Actually, I take that back.  The PS4 and NBA 2K 15 - look really tasty... but I can see myself closing this chapter in my life.  I'm holding out hope for a game to come out that has an incredible backstory or innovation to bring me back... but the enormity of games and their insistence to connect with others - turns me off.