It's after five on Friday so fly with me and be free!

I'm currently enjoying Scotland Yard Gospel Choir from Chicago. They are chamberpop and they've played with bands like Spoon, British Sea Power, The Delgados, The Walkmen, The Arcade Fire, Feist, The French Kicks, Of Montreal, Mates of State, Califone and Camera Obscura.

Scotland Yard Gospel Choir-Bet You Never Thought It Would Be Like This
Scotland Yard Gospel Choir-Ellen is Telling Me What I Want to Hear

Somebody actually listen to this and tell me what you think or your favorite stuffed animal from childhood gets it.

Sometimes you will have a really bad day.

Sometimes is now.
And you will listen to these songs.

Longview - Further
Longview - Can't Explain
Magnet - Where Happiness Lives
Neko Case - I Wish I Was the Moon
Church - Under the Milky Way

What...in...the...world? There are no words.

Last night was Rilo Kiley, Okkervil River, and The Brunettes. I wasn't expecting much from The Brunettes after hearing the songs on their website, but I enjoyed their live show. Especially their finale...a tribute to Mary Kate and Ashley and involved MK & A masks (from the Full House years not the current "crazy little bag ladies" period)


Who knew ET could provide such fashion inspiration? But ET doesn't approve of the cancer stick, Mary Kate.

But I digress...Okkervil River sounded great and they had good energy. And an accordian, electric mandolin, pedal steel guitar, and horns! Their lead singer could find a second job in the lucrative career of Napoleon Dynamite impersonation.

Seriously, you should check them out. Rock/alt-country/folk, whatever they are, they are good.
Okkervil River - Red
Okkervil River - For Real
Okkervil River - Black
Okkervil River - Westfall

Rilo Kiley was fantastic too. They ate at the Fish Market before the show. I often eat there on Thursday nights, but of course I didn't last night...I could have had fish next to Rilo Kiley.

In other news, Leah and I are starting a folk band. She is playing autoharp and backup vocals, I will be on the clarinet, tambourine, and backup vocals. Expect our first single "Roadies," an epic song of great lyrical poignancy, to drop later this year, as soon as we find a lead singer/guitarist.

Check out Brendan Benson's new video "Cold Hands." I'm not too keen on the song, but I love the video. It features the misadventures of cute little stickpeople.

Yay Stickpeople!

Riding around a deserted downtown while gazing up at the buildings from the passenger seat on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Sitting on a front porch on a warm summer night and enjoying a night sky scattered with stars. Getting dressed for church. The soundtrack...Sufjan Stevens' Illinois. Thanks to Leah for the advanced copy hook-up. I don't think I can say anything that someone hasn't already said. But I will say there are some beautiful songs on this album. I have been trying to pick three to put up here and I have struggled to narrow it down to that few favorites.

I think this is my definite favorite. The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades Is Out to Get Us!

Casimir Pulaski Day
Decatur, or, Round of Applause for Your Step Mother!

Okay, I know I said 3, but I can't resist posting this song and it's short, so it is really like 3 1/2!
Concerning the UFO Sighting Near Highland, IL

Most likely I will only leave these songs up for a week or so. If you like what you hear, buy the album. Available in stores July 5 but you can preorder and get it sooner at Sufjan's website.

I have recently been told that this blog is written in such a way that it does not inspire dialogue. Perhaps a change of format will make it a more interactive experience. So I will pose a few questions to my readers.

1. What is the last album your discovered that you can't stop listening to?
2. Since we are almost halfway through the year, what are your favorite 5 full-length albums of 2005 thus far?
3. What are you listening to right this second or what is the last song you listened to?

My answers:

1. Spoon - Gimme Fiction. I Turn My Camera On
This is an album that I can listen to all the way through without skipping any songs. The sexy bass line of "Was It You?"...the propulsive "They Never Got You"...the Beatlesque "The Beast and Dragon, Adored"...the handclaps of "Sister Jack"...mmmm.

2. I'm going to try to put these in order of preference, but I'll probably change my mind as soon as I post it. Nevertheless...
1. Stars - Set Yourself on Fire Ageless Beauty
2. Architecture in Helsinki - In Case We Die Wishbone, It 5
3. Spoon - Gimme Fiction
4. The Decemberists - Picaresque The Engine Driver
5. Bloc Party - Silent Alarm Banquet, Tulips

Honorable mentions: The Go! Team - Thunder, Lightning, Strike (honorable mention because it actually came out in 2004), Doves - Some Cities, The Kills - No Wow, Okkervil River - Black Sheep Boy, Out Hud - Never Let Us Speak of It Again

3. Devics - In Your Room