is dead.

For all 12 of you who may or may not read this. Don't anymore. Because Neener Nonner has been retired. This thing was ignorantly pretentious anyway.

Lessons From the Land of Frozen Yogurt

Radiohead's 'Lotus Flower' was playing on XM's Alt-Nation while I was at work today. A businessman and his pregnant wife, probably in their early 30's, were getting yogurt at the time.

The pregnant women was oblivious to the world around her due to her overwhelmingly, joyous fixation with this magic yogurt that was apparently healthier than coldstone but still "SO YUMMY." The businessman did not care about the toppings she wanted to put on "their" yogurt because he was far too distracted by the song playing.


He asked what song it was. Consequently, he was a huge Radiohead fan so he lit up when I informed him that it was a single off their new album. I told him what the album was called and that I did not care for it too much. He seemed to completely discredit my opinion because, in his defense, I was in 6th grade when 'Kid A' came out. What do I know about Radiohead?
After that, we started talking music and he began to reminisce about the bands he used to listen to when he was in school. Radiohead being the frontrunner. For a split second, the fire of being a college kid was sparked. All by a simple song. It made me happy to share in his sentiment but it also scared me. 


Next week I'm going to be him in a lot of ways... The diploma I receive Saturday negates all status quo that, 'the guy who listens to cool music' once offered me. Having an opinion about the new Sufjan album won't get any of my work documented or pay any of my bills. I am ok with this.


I hope to be the guy in 10 years who is taking his wife to get yogurt after lunch. Knowing myself, I will undoubtedly hear a song that sounds like Julian Casablancas, Brandon Flowers or Matt Bellamy and will, in turn, get to ask the backwards-capped, chaco wearing dooface behind the counter about it... I'll be too busy leading my life at that point to keep up with the egomania that prohibits new music from being released on a consistent basis.  


The victory which awaits me will come when I disregard a dude's criticism of the band who's back-catalog lyrics are burned into my memory. A band who I had seen a multitude of times before this dude had even made it to junior high. I can't wait for this day. I wonder which artist it will be?


Beyond that insight, the businessman helped me learn one other thing. I will make sure my wife never makes a $9 cup of yogurt. Absurd. 

10 Songs from "My College Days"

Throughout the half-decade it took me to receive a bachelor's degree from Hardin-Simmons, I listened to my fair share of music....

These 10 songs, that were released from 2006 to present, surpassed a lot of my favorites but accumulated the most plays over the past 5 years.

10. 'Floating Vibes' - Surfer Blood

9. 'Plenty is Never Enough' - The Shins

8. 'Gila' - Beach House

7. 'Campus' - Vampire Weekend

6. 'Lemonworld' - The National

5. 'Home' - Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zero's

4. 'Skinny Love' - Bon Iver

3. 'Arizona' - Kings of Leon

2. 'You Only Live Once' - The Strokes

1. 'Casimir Pulaski Day' - Sufjan Stevens

I made a grooveshark playlist with all of the songs on durrrrr... Check it.

Section E, Row E, Seat 7

Thoroughly enjoyed Sufjan last Wednesday in Dallas. He took us on a 25 minute experience entitled, "Impossible Soul." It was one of the neatest musical experiences I have had the privilege to witness. This is a good clip of about 8 minutes of the 25 minute movement.

If you would have told me 7 years ago when I was introduced to Sufjan Stevens, that the first time I would see him would be a boogyin Sufjan who played tunes that were not primarily banjo or guitar driven but were heavily influenced by a drum-pad, synthesizer, and an auto-tune machine; I would have..... cliche haha...

Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised by his new album, 'Age of Adz' and Mr. Stevens live performance. Well worth the wait.

Too Much Love.

Sooooo, Sufjan is releasing his highly anticipated full length album, "The Age of Adz" in October after a 5 year hiatus.

I cannot be more stinking excited.

I will get to go to his concert in Dallas in October as well and that just tickles my heart thinking about it.

Here is a live recording of a song from that album, "Too Much"

Too Much (Live) by Sufjan Stevens

Israeli Caves

My friend Nathan told me about these guys. I must share.

Maps and Atlases.

I suppose eclectic is the best way to describe their sound. Their album, 'Perch Patchwork" is... different. And I enjoy it.

Its a great accompaniment for commutes to and from work, outdoor activities, running errands, playing Lego Indiana Jones on the Wii... I suppose just about anything.

Solid Ground by Maps & Atlases

Big Country State of Mind

West Texas has taught me that:

1. Country Music is everything.

and...

2. The reason you actually attend college is to get married.

.... yeah.

So, with that noted, I would like to mention two ladies I have been spending a lot of time listening to.

The first is Lissie. She doesn't necessarily fit the 'country' theme of this post but her Folk tunes are close enough. Her song "Wedding Bells" is an ode to her heartache and lost hope in ever finding love again.

Wedding Bells by Lissie



Second is a lady by the name of Caitlin Rose out of Nashville, TN.

I just started listening to her when I saw her name on the ACL line-up. She writes wonderfully simple country songs like, "Shotgun Wedding" which is clever, quirky and cynical. I think that I might be in love with her.

I cannot wait to see her in October at Zilker Park! I might make a sign.


Shotgun Wedding by Caitlin Rose