Hand Claps

Sometimes I make lists of things I own or of my favorite things for no reason really. I'm not sure why but there's something settling about putting the endless random things whirling wildly around in my mind into a nice, neatly ordered list. An offshoot of this is the hours upon hours I've spent making playlists designed around all sorts of themes and moods. One of the funnest is based entirely on songs that feature hands clapping or at least sounds that appear to be or are close to hands clapping. Some of my favorites include:

Sufjan Stevens - The Tallest Man, The Broadest Shoulders
Gorillaz - Punk
Straylight Run - Hands In The Sky (Big Shot)
Rilo Kiley - Frug

Beastie Boys - So What'cha Want

So I've been fucking around with this Fruity Loops program trying to make some music. It's pretty tricky but I'm starting to get the hang of it. I've been listening to some different artists trying to get some inspiration. A little Of Montreal, some Postal Service, a dapple of Gorillaz, and a heaping helping of Beastie Boys. Only time will tell if I'll be able to produce anything worthwhile but here's hoping.


Beastie Boys - So What'cha Want

Bon Iver - Blood Bank

One of my favorite albums from last year (although technically it first saw release in 2007) is Bon Iver's debut For Emma, Forever Ago. Justin Vernon recorded most of the record while secluded in a cabin deep in Wisconsin woods surrounded by snow and the resulting record has the bare and intimate nature you would expect. Bon Iver recently released the follow up EP, Blood Bank, and the follow up doesn't disappoint.

Bon Iver - Blood Bank

Masters of Reality - Ants in the Kitchen

Readers of my blog might be interested to learn where I got its unique title from. While I'd like to claim it as my own, the truth is I took it from my favorite album by Masters of Reality. Masters of Reality are a criminally under appreciated stoner/classic rock revival group fronted by desert rock icon Chris Goss. Just something about that rabbit riding his bicycle captivates me so when I was deciding to name my blog I didn't have to search very far for a good name.

Masters of Reality - Ants in the Kitchen

Margot & The Nuclear So and So's - As Tall As Cliffs

So I've decided that I'm going to be attending the Margot & the Nuclear So and So's and Cloud Cult show at my favorite concert venue, The First Unitarian Church, in Philadelphia April 10th. For me, seeing Margot is way, way overdue. I really should have gone to see them last year at the Croc Rock with Dear and the Headlights but circumstances were extenuating at the time. That they're playing with Cloud Cult only sweetens this deal. Unfortunately though, the show isn't for another two months.

Margot & The Nuclear So and So's - As Tall As Cliffs

Death Cab for Cutie - Love Song

I love Death Cab for Cutie, I like The Cure a lot, what's not to love? For this in many ways sickening compilation released by Star Bucks, DCFC have covered "Love Song," a cut off The Cure's strongest album, Disintegration. Although the idea of a behomoth coffee franchise releasing records (even Paul McCartney's) still strikes me as weird, there's some quality artists on this release. Joining Death Cab are Rogue Wave (who I saw with DCFC last June,) Department of Eagles, She & Him, Ben Bridwell of Band of Horses, and umm... Katy Perry. One of those things is not like the others... Anyways, Death Cab's contribution is a solid take on the classic Cure song.

Death Cab for Cutie - Love Song

At the Drive-In - Give It a Name

I'm going to try something different here since I can't seem to come up with anything to post. Seeing as how MP3 blogs are all the rage all over this world wide web I figure I might as well try and jump aboard that bandwagon. If it works out maybe I'll convert my blog entirely to one of the MP3 variety, who knows. For the time being I've decided to share one of my favorite songs by one of my favorite bands, "Give It a Name" by At the Drive-In.

Not only is "Give It a Name" a member of the extremely exclusive club of songs that have festivals named after them, it's an all around great song in and of itself. For those unaware, At the Drive-In (ATD-I) were one of the most influential artists in the 90's post-hardcore scene until they called it quits in 2001 hot on the heels of their breakthrough opus, Relationship of Command. "Give It a Name" is the first track on ATD-I's 1997 EP, El Gran Orgo, and features the trademark raw energy and reckless passion ATD-I became renowned for.

At The Drive-In - Give It A Name