First concert of the year……..Girl Talk

Well trying to keep at least one of my three resolutions going, I am about to see my first show of the year in Austin, and I get to take Kristen with me. I think that in 7 years of marriage that Kristen and I have only gone to two shows, Tom Petty and the second was John Mayer. Not too bad, but I need to get her out more. Well, Friday’s show should open her up to a whole new experience in Girl Talk. Gregg Gillis is the mastermind behind Girl Talk. He is to some a “DJ”, but those that know he is a genius and a mash up artist. In his newest album All Day (which you can get for free here), he uses over 372 samples of various songs from rock, to hip-hop, to soul, to alternative. The way he puts all these samples together it forms an entirely new song . His songs and shows are high energy, just like he is when he gets on stage. If you ever get a chance to see him live, please go do so without thinking twice. This will be my second time seeing him, the first in a festival setting, so I am excited to see him in a small venue for this show, and I am really excited that Kristen is coming, don’t worry pics and video will capture her awesome dance moves.

To keep those of you updated on my other new years resolutions, for the golf one, well winter finally came to Central Texas, so I have not been able to play golf or even hit golf balls yet. So still working on that one. As of today, I think I may have found a place to take some guitar lessons. I am very excited about this and I will keep you posted on how this adventure goes. I am thinking it will be fun, but exhausting and frustrating at times, so let’s hope the teacher has some patience with me. I want to, like most things I try, I want to jump in with both feet, but I don’t think I will be able to play “I will follow you into the dark” by Death Cab for Cutie after the first lesson. Don’t worry, voice lessons aren’t next, I will torture Sloan and Kristen with my singing.

Well as I promised I will get to a few more albums this year, so I have had a busy weekend and week of listening to some new music. Here are a few albums I have listened to this week, with my thoughts about the album.

Mystery Jets-Serotonin
The first album up is Mystery Jets’ album Serotonin. I came across this album from reading another blog by Paul Shirley. (Check out the site flip collective for some great blogs) So, from him recommending me some music a few years back, I decided to give it a listen. This is the five piece English bands third studio album, it has got much acclaim since it’s release. This has been one of my favorite albums to listen to this week, and will be in rotation on my ipod for a while. Check out the single Flash a Hungry Smile.

Middle Class Rut- No Name No Color
This duo from Sacramento has been getting some air plan on XM radio for a few months, and after reading about the album I decided to give it a listen. I have to say after listening to them a few times they have an almost 90’s alternative feel to their music. This is their first full LP they have released and it sounds good. I will be interested to see what they do with their sophomore effort. Check out the song New Low.

Drive-By truckers- Big to do
Well, once again I find a band that is on the fence between alternative and alt-country. I have to say the Drive-By Truckers flirt with country a lot more than they do with rock. It took me convincing myself to listen to them, I have hear a lot of good things about them, but the country aspect is what kept me away for a long time. This is their 8th studio album and I have to say it isn’t too bad. There are some really good songs on the album. The one song that has stood out to me on the album is the song You Got Another with is one of their slow songs on the album.

Cake- Showroom of Compassion
Well, I am and always have been a Cake fan. I was actually excited to see they were coming out with a new album. I have to say, being a fan of their music, I was a little disappointed with this album. They have a few more slow songs on this album that I would have wanted, but the patend guitar and horns are still in the mix on this album. Check out the song Mustache Man (wasted) for some good old school Cake.

Cage The Elephant-Thank You Happy Birthday
Well this is the second album from the Bowling Green, Kentucky band that blew up the summer festival circuit last year. I really liked their first album, so I decided I wanted to listen to their sophomore effort. Well, I have to say this album fell far below their first album. I didn’t find too many songs off this album that I just had to listen to again. I feel they moved to far away from what made the first album good. The one song that has stuck out to me on this album is Aberdeen.

Free Energy-Stuck on Nothing
I am really starting to like Indie-Pop, or whatever you want to call it. Free Energy is a band from Philadelphia (I won’t hold that against them, unless they are Phillies fans), and they have a nice 70’s sound much like The Cars. They have been included in the Best Bands of 2010, and Stuck on Nothing was released to critical acclaim. I have to say, this album is awesome, and easily one of my favorite albums I have heard in a while. Every song seems to put you in a good mood. Check out the song Bang Pop.