Back on track, sort of

Well, I am starting to fall back on getting a new blog up every Tuesday. Not much happened over the past few weeks, I did however keep my resolution alive this past week with a local show here in Waco. I have for some reason got writers block, maybe my writers block stems from the artificial light I am exposed to on a daily basis in my office. Whatever it is, I am at a loss of what to write this week.

I have started guitar lessons as of two weeks ago, and have learned six new cords, hopefully I can piece them together to make a strange sounding slow song (seeing I can't play very well yet). So resolution #2 is under way, this is a big step for me. I don't think I can even think of a time I stuck to any new years resolution. So now I need to keep practicing and hopefully my playing will improve, or becoming a rock star in my mid-30's may never happen. Hopefully Rolling Stone or Spin will save me and I can become a music writer, however I am not holding my breath for either, but if Bob Dylan can survive with horrible singing skills, so can I.

I want to apologize again for being a slacker with my blog, you have to give it to me I started well out of the gate, But I guess if this is my only outlet (other than pounding my friends over the head with what music is good and what music basically sucks) I figure that I should at least give it a go and give some better reviews of music and some of the shows that I have seen. So to keep some of you knowing what shows I have seen to keep my quest of seeing a show a month up. I have seen Girl Talk in January, which I wrote about in my last blog, and I got to go to Beatnix Burger Barn here in Waco (great hamburger and atmosphere for those of you that aren't enough Baylor in Waco to go to Scruffy Murphy's). I got to see a local band called Spore 333 and a few other local acts that went on before them. Another great thing about Beatnix is the fact that it is BYOB so you get to get in cheap, eat a great burger and fries, and not spend an arm and a leg on drinks to get in some music for an evening.

One of the early musicians that really stood out to me was Kat Dixon and Dan Cole on drums. Kat did an amazing acoustic rendition of It's Getting Hot in Here by Nelly. I know what you must be thinking, and it was one of the coolest covers I have heard in a long time next to the newest cover of 99 Problems by Hugo (if you haven't heard the Jay Z cover, go download it on iTunes). The early acoustic acts were really good as well Divad Nedloh played and if I had to compare him to someone it would be Citzen Cope. Also another great acoustic set by Andy Maguire.

I didn't know much about Spore 333 other than two friends telling me about them before hand, so I was interested in seeing something different. I don't know how to explain them, they would be a large cross section of 311, Alien Ant Farm, and many other bands from that genre. They also had a nice visual experience to go along with their show. All in all it was a great evening of live local music here in Waco. If you are from Waco and want a great burger and some local feel from something other than the Baylor crowd take a drive to 1700 Colcord in Waco, you shouldn't be disappointed.

Music Reviews:

Well here is my attempt to do some music reviews, or atleast what I am listening to at the moment. If any of you have some music to recommend me, that would be great, I am always looking for new stuff to listen too.

Young The Giant-Young The Giant

My favorite thing about my obsession with music, is discovering bands that have just came out. (don't worry I am not the hipster guy that heard of that band before everyone else did…..ok maybe I am, but I am not a hipster.) Young The Giant is out of Irvine, California, they got their start by winning an online contest to open up for Kings of Leon in Chicago. From there they went on to SXSW and did a few shows there. They are out on tour now, and if you get a chance go see them. I really love the way indie music is going right now with bands like Young The Giant, Tokyo Police Club, The Whigs, etc. It feels like music is turning back to a more fun way to rock out. This is a great album to see how indie music is back on the rise, and with bands like Young The Giant, the rise is going to be good. Check out the songs My Body and I Got.

Radiohead-The King of Limbs

Radiohead is one of my more favorite bands, and when they release an album I make a note to pick it up the day it releases. Like more and more established artists and bands, Radiohead is releasing their own music from their own label/website. Of course Thom being Thom, he not only releases the album months early, he also releases it a day early to keep every Radiohead fan on their toes. King of Limbs is a short album for Radiohead, it only has 8 tracks that span about 37 minutes. You can tell that the guys in Radiohead, once again wanted to push boundaries on this album, like most of their other albums. This album leans a little more to the electronic side for them. After a few listens to the album, I think I am going to enjoy this album, much like I did with Kid A and Hail to the Thief. Check out the songs Morning Mr Magpie and Separator.

The Crystal Axis-Midnight Juggernauts

This is the Melbourne,Autralia trio's second album after their breakthrough album Dystopia in 2007. This is the first time I have listened to The Crystal Axis. They are very much like MGMT and Pink Floyd mixed together, more of an electronic progressive rock band. This album has taken me a few listens to know if I like it or not, and I am still listening so that must be a good sign that I kind of like their album. Check out the songs Lara vs. the savage pack and This new Technology.

The Naked and Famous-Passive Me, Aggressive You

This is an up and coming band from New Zealand, and their first album that they have released. I would have to say they are more of the indie pop scene that is coming out, much like Passion Pit. I am really starting to like this genre of indie music that is starting to hit the "airwaves" here lately. The Naked and Famous are really starting to get praise in Europe and on their home continent of New Zealand, where their single Young Blood debuted at #1 on the charts. Check out the songs Young Blood and Punching in a Dream.

Yelawolf-Trunk Muzik 0-60

Well, it wouldn't be me, if I didn't have an hip-hop album to review on my blog. Yelawolf just signed to Shady Records (Eminem's Label), and is now in the studio finishing his first album with Eminem and is also on tour right now. I have read that he could be the next big hip-hop artist to come out in 2011. He is from Alabama, and you can hear the influence of the "dirty south" music in his beats. This was his first "mix-tape" he released before being signed by Eminem, I have to say his rhymes are really good, and now since he is hooked up with Eminem, he has the potential of being big. Check out the songs Daddy's Lambo and I Just Wanna Party.

Mother Nature is a cold Son Of A B…………

Well, I know it's been a few weeks since I last wrote a blog. In one week my xbox crashed, then my computer crashed, let's just say I haven't had the best luck with electronics. Now Mother Nature decided to join the party as of today with the weather.

Well so far my new year's resolution has started off well with me going to a concert a month started off like a champ. My first show was Girl Talk in Austin, and Greg Gillis did not disappoint. However the opening Band Penguin Prison did. They were a bad, very bad 80s band with a lead singer that was off pitch. Hopefully it was a band night for them, I do hate to talk bad about bands (well most bands), but this one was bad. At least sitting through them was worth waiting for Girl Talk to hit the stage. If you get a chance make sure to watch him live, there is no other experience like it, very high energy and very fun.

Well as I am sitting home on the rare snow day as an adult, I am enjoying my day with Sloan, but I am also a little upset. Seeing that Mother Nature had decided to rain or should I say Ice and Snow on my parade. I should be on my way to Dallas to see Tokyo Police Club, but it is snow and ice in Dallas, and however much I love music, I do love being alive to listen to it. So now I am on the lookout for a new concert to go to this month. I do have on my radar TPC for tomorrow in Austin, the Flaming Lips Thursday in Dallas, or Robert Randolph and Family Friday in Austin. So three solid choices.

Well, I got the smack down put on me this weekend by Kristen and was told to make my guitar lessons solid or she will do it for me. So a little embarrassment along with a good talking to by my wife, and I guess I better get those lessons planned this week.

I have listened to a lot of great music so far this year. Here is what I have been listening to the past two weeks. Hopefully I can post another blog up this week after I go to a show, keep your fingers crossed.

Cold War Kids- Mine Is Yours

I am a big fan of the Cold War Kids, so I was excited to her their new album. I have to say this album did not disappoint me. I am very excited to see them in Austin in April. It took me a few listens to really appreciate the Cold War Kids at first, but I love Nathan Willet's vocals, he has a great unique voice. Check out the song Louder Than Ever.

Corey Chisel and the Wandering Sons-Death won't send a letter

I got to see Cory Chisel open up for Blind Pilot last fall in Austin. He is a great up and coming musician. I finally broke and bought his album a few months ago and it is a great album. I am starting to go down the indie folk road, but right now I feel that is some of the best music coming out. Check out the first song on the album Born Again.

The Decemberists- The King is Dead

This is the sixth studio album from the band from Portland. I have to say by far this is one of my favorite albums of 2011. It is great from beginning to end, if you haven't picked this up yet, do so now. Check out the song Down by the water.

Iron and Wine-Kiss each other clean

Sam Beam basically makes up Iron and Wine, and this is probably one of my most favorite bands (singers) to date. His newest album ventures away from his usual acoustic albums and adds an electric element to it. This is another great album of 2011, if it stays this way there is going to be a great year in music. Check out the song walking far from home.