Just a public service announcement.

Music never sounds better than through a pair of high-quality headphones. It always amazes me just how big of a difference a quality set of headphones can make.

That's all.

Monthly Mix: April 2011

Stacey told me that I should make a mix each month to document what songs I've been listening to most, and I immediately accepted her idea. Each month I'll throw together a mix without much fanfare and post the tracklist and a link on this here blog.

April was a good month for music. I found myself, for whatever reason, listening to a lot of female artists or bands with female vocals, the foremost of these being Sharon Van Etten. I saw three very, very good concerts during the month (Wye Oak at Kilby Court, Sharon Van Etten and Little Scream at The State Room, and The Arcade Fire and Local Natives at the UCCU Center), and I discovered a handful of new artists that I immediately liked and listened to extensively. Anyway, click here for the April 2011 mix.

1. Little Scream - "Cannons"
2. TV on the Radio - "Second Song"
3. tUnE-yArDs - "Gangsta"
4. Local Natives - "World News"
5. Wye Oak - "Holy Holy"
6. Sharon Van Etten - "Don't Do It"
7. TV on the Radio - "Repetition"
8. tUnE-yArDs - "Bizness"
9. Local Natives - "Sun Hands"
10. Wye Oak - "Hot as Day"
11. Adele - "Rolling in the Deep"
12. The National w/Sharon Van Etten - "Think You Can Wait"
13. Little Scream - "The Heron and the Fox"
14. Sharon Van Etten - "Love More"

131 Days Late: My Top 10 Albums of 2010

I started a post back in January, and it was going to be lengthy and awesome and very descriptive. But...I never finished it, and it's unlikely that I will ever finish it so I decided to just post the abridged version of my top 10 albums of 2010. For those who care, here it is in no particular order:

Top 10 Albums of 2010:

1. Liars - Sisterworld. Brief description: unique sounds from a very unique band, not for the musically unadventurous. Favorite cuts: "Scissor", "No Barrier Fun", "Scarecrows on a Killer Slant", "The Overachievers", "Goodnight Everything."

2. The National - High Violet. Brief description: most anticipated album of the year and did not disappoint. Favorite cuts: "England", "Afraid of Everyone", "Anyone's Ghost", "Little Faith", "Conversation 16."

3. Joanna Newsom - Have One On Me. Brief description: one of the most unique artists (plays harp, sings like a renaissance minstrel/forest sprite) puts out a massive triple album of gorgeous music. Favorite cuts: "Good Intentions Paving Company", "Easy", "Does Not Suffice", "Soft as Chalk."

4. Menomena - Mines. Brief description: complicated and intricate indie rock that seems effortless. Favorite cuts: "Oh Pretty Boy, You're Such a Big Boy", "Intil", "Taos", "Bote."

5. Black Mountain - Wilderness Heart. Brief description: perfect mixture of classic and psychedelic rock creates a timeless rock and roll experience. Favorite cuts: "The Hair Song", "Old Fangs", "Wilderness Heart", "Roller Coaster."

6. Buke and Gass - Riposte. Brief description: man and woman duo playing hybrid instruments and making extremely unique and thoroughly awesome music. Favorite cuts: "Medulla Oblongata", "Medicina", "Sleep Gets Your Ghost", "Red Hood Came Home."

7. Screaming Females - Castle Talk. Brief description: tiny female wails on guitar (she seriously shreds and is only like 5 feet tall) and belts out awesome vocals. Favorite cuts: "Normal", "A New Kid", "I Don't Mind It", "Ghost Solo."

8. Gorillaz - Plastic Beach. Brief description: Gorillaz doing what Gorillaz do best. Favorite cuts: "Rhinestone Eyes", "Empire Ants", "On Melancholy Hill", "Glitter Freeze."

9. Autolux - Transit Transit. Brief description: long awaited follow-up takes band in a different but outstanding direction. Favorite cuts: "Census", "Supertoys", "Audience No. 2", "The Science of Imaginary Solutions".

10. Janelle Monae - The ArchAndroid. Brief description: Monae pulls off an astounding number of styles with her astonishing vocal range and endless ambition. Favorite cuts: "Oh, Maker", "Cold War", "Tightrope", "57821."

There you go. That's about as concise as I get.

Words from the past.

I wrote the following at least six years ago, but it feels especially pertinent at this moment.

I imagine you think of me every now and again. Maybe something catches your eye and makes you remember something I once said or did. Maybe a little bit of me rubbed off on you like that fine layer of dust you find covering the television screen -- you never really notice it until you take a good long look at it.