The Decemberists – The Hazards of Love
The Decemberists have a new album on the way (March 24th), and from the sound of things it’s going to be amazing.
In an age when singles rule and the death of the album has been pronounced by many, The Decemberists have fashioned an anomaly: a record that demands to be listened to from start to finish and reveals more with each subsequent play. The 17-song suite, recorded with the band’s longtime producer, Tucker Martine, is rooted in ancient language and imagery, yet entirely modern and accessible.
The Hazards Of Love tells the tale of a woman named Margaret who is ravaged by a shape-shifting animal; her lover, William; a forest queen; and a cold-blooded, lascivious rake, who recounts with spine-tingling ease how he came “to be living so easy and free.” Lavender Diamond’s Becky Stark and My Brightest Diamond’s Shara Worden deliver the lead vocals for the female characters, while My Morning Jacket’s Jim James, Robyn Hitchcock and the Spinanes’ Rebecca Gates appear in supporting roles. The range of sounds reflects the characters’ arcs, from the accordion’s singsong lilt in “Isn’t it a Lovely Night?” to the heavy metal thunder of “The Queen’s Rebuke/The Crossing.”
Get The Hazards of Love on Amazon.
Listen to some songs on The Decemberists myspace.
I'm Accustomed to A Warm Bowl of Milk
I catch quite a (small) bit of flak for not posting to my blog often, or just posting an image and link when I do post. I’ve never been big on updating friends and family about my life via my website, or at all really. For better or worse, I generally keep my thoughts to myself. That’s just the way I am. For this reason, this blog turns into a place where I occassionally post things I think are cool. For sharing some of those things with you, I will not apologize. For not sharing them with you often, I will not apologize. You’re like that stray cat that people make the mistake of feeding once. Now they always hang around the back door and expect more food and warm milk. Until I decide to post something new, go find your own cool stuff!
Kris Kuksi
Kris Kuksi does some really amazing
drawings, paintings and sculptures.
Check it out ASAP.
Why is This Happenning To Me?
Plastic Life
plastic life – a photographic series
Leah Tinari
I want to party with Leah Tinari, and not just so I can be in an awesome painting. Leah, if you’re reading this, I’m open for next Thursday evening!
Spexton – Designer Jewelry
While I’m not typically a jewelry kind of guy, if you see me around these days there’s a good chance I’ll be rocking this guy. I’m slowly getting accustomed to wearing it, and it makes me feel 10% tougher.
If you’re looking for wedding bands, an engagement ring, or a special piece of jewelry for Valentine’s Day or whatever, you should go check out Spexton in Tulsa. Spexton is a local jeweler that makes some really cool pieces (rings, bracelets, and necklaces), and it’s all done right next door to the LFP gallery. The owners are great guys and a pleasure to have as neighbors.
If you pay Spexton a visit, come by the gallery while you’re in the neighborhood.
Franz Ferdinand – Tonight: Franz Ferdinand
I’m not afraid to type it. I’m a Franz Ferdinand fan. I am afraid to say it five times fast though. Their music is fun! Get this album. When the weather is nice, take a cruise with the windows down and make sure this album is blaring. It’ll be perfect. I promise.
Look out for that truck!!!
Tonight: Franz Ferdinand on amazon.
Franz Ferdinand on myspace.
On the Concert Horizon
Lots of awesomeness in the near future. These concerts have my excited. I hope to see you at a few of them.
Tonight: Tapes ‘n Tapes in Norman, Oklahoma.
Upcoming in Tulsa, Oklahoma
Feb 14 – G Love @ Cain’s Ballroom
Mar 1 – Yonder Mountain String Band @ Cain’s Ballroom
Mar 17 – Andrew Bird @ Cain’s Ballroom
Apr 12 – Death Cab for Cutie, Cold War Kids, and Ra Ra Riot @ The Brady Theater
The Goodbye Wave
No economic system is perfect, and that includes our beloved capitalism. It’s full of inefficiencies and evils. Consider, if you will, the wave of layoffs sweeping our great nation. Firing people has become the latest corporate trend, and even companies that are still making profits are jumping on the layoff bandwagon.
Take Starbucks for example, where quarterly profits are down an astounding 69%. Its no surprise that less people are willing to fork over five bones for a large (sorry, venti) latte when so many people are being fired. Yes, a 69% decrease is horribly startling, but it is still a profit, right?
This trend is a tidal wave. Continued layoffs means there is less income (especially disposable income) to be spent. Less money to be spent means lower profits, which in turn results in more layoffs. How do we reverse this horrible tide? We’ve got to slow it down first, and companies that are still head and shoulders above water should not be contributing to the problem. On the contrary, such companies should be helping us get to shore, or at the very least, stay afloat. Unfortunately, the concept of profit maximization is driving the boat, and I fear that the boat is being driven straight into the oncoming wave.
If your all wet with metaphor you can find a clean towel in the hall closet.
