Got some new music this weekend. Well, I didn't get all of it. A friend of mine got some of it. See, this friend was in a local entertainment retail chain and was looking for Ben Kweller's new self-titled album. She thought it came out last Tuesday, but it didn't. It's not actually scheduled to come out til next Tuesday. When she couldn't find it she looked really sad and a clerk asked her what was the matter. She told the clerk the album she was looking for wasn't out for another week and it had ruined her whole day. The helpful clerk disappeared into the back for a few minutes and came back with the cd. Way to go dishonest clerk!

My first pass on Kweller's new album didn't thrill me. My friend had talked it up as the greatest thing ever, though, so I gave it a couple more listens. My friend and I also listened to the album together and she helped me see it's good qualities. It doesn't sound like Kweller's earlier stuff. As much as I loved his previous albums, this one is a lot more layered and interesting. His lyrics seem to be coming from a much more grounded place too. I recommend you pick it up on Tuesday. My friend really, really recommends you pick it up. The helpful clerk at the entertainment retail chain couldn't care less what you do. He's going on break in fifteen minutes and is probably gonna smoke a big fatty out by the loading dock.



Today, I picked up TV On The Radio's new album Return To Cookie Mountain. It's awesome. Stand out tracks are the single Wolf Like Me, Method, and Let The Devil In. The rest of the album is solid, but will have to grow on me over multiple listenings, instead of hooking me immediately like the other three tracks did.

No Nick Name Fred came up to me at St. Awesome's today and told me he had burned me a copy of John Mayer's new CD. He knew I was not a fan of Mayer, but really thought I would like this album if I gave it a chance. I thought that was especially awesome of him and told him I'd be happy to give it a listen (Sara almost bought it the other day, so that would also make me a big hero with her). Unfortunately, I had a lunch meeting right after church and I think I left the cd in somebody's car. I will be tracking it down, though, and listening to it. Sorry Fred. Don't think I didn't appreciate it just because I couldn't keep track of it. I'm just an idiot is all.


Is there something I should know about a change in our relationship?  


This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.  


Sorry about the repeat. I just really want to know.  


I was trying to protect you in case Kweller's record company found out you got the cd early. Way to mess that up! If the jack-booted thugs show up at your door now, ready to take you away, I'm not responsible.  


Oh. um... It wasn't me.  


Smooth.  


I think Sara getting a free CD had more to do w/ the clerk trying to hook-up w/ your girlfriend more than him being dishonest. I've been known to break copyright laws in an attempt to pick-up a hottie.

Also, let's hope someone music illiterate broke in to your friend’s car, without damaging it, and stole that John Mayer CD, leaving all other valuables behind. It would prove once and for all that crime does NOT pay!  


I won't sit here a minute longer and listen to you impugn the dishonesty of that clerk!

Also, if you keep talking about John Mayer like that, Fred and Sara are both gonna kick your ass.  


Hey, no offense to me. Everyone's got an opinion- which is why we're blogging in the first place.

Artists like Mayer make me aware of that tension some of us live in who espouse musical open-mindedness, except to music that happens to sell well. Which of course is sometimes crappy, sometimes genius, and sometimes mediocre.

For you Mayer haters out there- you may want to give this one a shot. John seems to be continuing to pursue the musical and lyrical directions that interest him wiht less thought towards being as radio friendly as in the past.

Musically, you can hear a stronger blues influence. There's also a nice Hendrix cover. Lyrically, there are quality explorations of themes that many of us wrestle with: our power/impotence to change the world, the light and dark sides of what belief in something can do to people, and our desire to stop the process of getting older and growing up. And there's a nice metaphor of "slow dancing in a burning room" for living in a disintegrating relationship.

Think about it- that's all I'm saying.

Patch, I'll burn you another disc.  


"Artists like Mayer make me aware of that tension some of us live in who espouse musical open-mindedness, except to music that happens to sell well."

Oh snap!

Thanks for the offer to burn me another copy. It's been confirmed that I didn't leave it in the car I thought I left it in. So that means it's probably in the auditorium somewhere. I'm a moron.

I look forward to giving it an open-minded listen. So far, you, Sara, and even the usually-musically-snobbish Stereogum website have spoken highly of it.

The colonel, however, will probably always be a hopeless music-racist and will never be as open-minded as I clearly am. Let's pray for him.  


"Artists like Mayer make me aware of that tension some of us live in who espouse musical open-mindedness, except to music that happens to sell well."

Yeah, that's me alright...I don't like anything that's popular. I just like little known bands like U2, Pearl Jam, R.E.M., Bob Dylan, Radiohead (even though I don’t look like I do), Johnny Cash, the Beatles, and The Who...but of course you've never heard of them I'm sure.

No I haven't listened to the new John Mayer album, and it may very well be a far superiour album to the pap he put out in the past. However, my dislike for him has nothing to do with his popularity, his song writing, or his talent. It mostly has to do with his delivery and style. It sounds generic to me...unoriginal and very predictable and safe. Can that be said to his new album? I don't know...but I bet I can listen to the previews on iTunes and tell you. Does that mean you shouldn't like it? No. Does that mean you have bad taste in music? Probably not...unless you CD collection consists totally of John Mayer, Christopher Cross, and Amy Grant albums. If that’s the case, then yes, you have bad taste in music.

Am I a music racist? NO! Am I a music snob? Without a doubt.

And here are today’s music suggestions from the music snob:
Pick up the new M. Ward, Yo La Tengo, Bonnie "Prince" Billy, and TV on the Radio CDs. You'll be glad you did.

Oh, and keep the prayers coming!  


OH DOUBLE SNAP!!!

Anybody else getting tired of me doing that?  


Whatever. I never left.  


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