Ramblings and Whatevers

Sun Kil Moon

The Genius that is Mark Kozelek is pure awesomeness. Recently releasing his third album and second of all original material under the above mentioned moniker. Slow moody tunes. Sparse in arrangement other than acoustic guitars. This time he has taken what he always did with the Red House Painters and made it magical again. The thing about Mark is that he unlike a majority of people isn’t afraid of a ten minute song with nothing but words. I agree after time he can drone on and sound the same but generally he changes it up in the middle. This is the case for his current album. In fact one Red House Painters album was only 7 songs with an average of 10-15 minutes a song. That’s a long time. Cult hero in the states and loved like a god over the pond. Kozelek takes us away in the first song on the new record April and doesn’t drop us off until the last verse. Unlike Ghosts of the Great Highway though there is no “Carry Me Ohio.” He tries but I feel a tad unsuccessfully with the second track “The Light.” I mean we can all agree nobody wants the same album every time. But I love that song Carry me Ohio and a follow up would have been magnificent. The first song Lost Verses also features a guest appearance by the illusive Bonnie Prince Billy who plays banjo. The other little intricacy that Mark has is he will play the same song on an album twice. Change up the rhythms and title then make you go wait have I heard this song before? It’s really cool in the long run. Unfortunately Mark doesn’t tour much so getting to see him is difficult to say the least. He loves going across the pond. Just as a reference Mark is a decent actor. He has been in Cameron Crowes Almost Famous (he was the bass player), and Steve Martins Shop Girl (He was the band). Well that’s all I have. Have a great weekend be safe!

Funny

You know sometimes life is funny. I mean that in a way where little bitty happenings make you giggle and laugh. You read an interview about a band and are shocked by what is said and again you chuckle. Talk to an old friend like I did today and you realize why you always liked them so much. Its also funny how you both grow up! My friend Steven Collier a.k.a. Stick and I spoke for probably the first time in two years or more. We went to Angelo State together and actually lived together in Odessa for a brief period of time. I called him to ask if he was coming to the wedding. I found out that he and his wife are having their third child. Also for a third time his wife Cindy is bed ridden. I guess whats funny is that I really had very little to say to stick. I mean we exchanged pleasntries and asked about respective family happenings but considering the time that has passed since we talked I had very little to say to him. The same seemed to be true with him. We searched for things to talk about. Stick obviously with his family and work has other things to worry about. I know that if we were thrown in a room together with some booze old times would be hashed up and the experience would be recognized as a great success. Today though I must admit I am a little mixed in my feelings. It was nice to talk to him but im a little sad hes not coming to my wedding. For a good 2 or 3 years man Stick, Zach and I were the best of amigos. Now its just Zach and I. I guess stick was always standing on the outside of the circle. All he ever wanted was to get married and start a family. Mission Acomplished. I really have no where else to go with this. I’m just confused internally. He said it made his day to talk to me, I wish I felt the same. I sort of feel like an iron and wine song. Slow acoustic with great lyrics that haunts you and, makes you feel sad. That’s all I have to say about that!

Tonight Sara and I get to go taste catering food. Should be an exciting experience! I hope a tasty one as well.

Attack and Release

The fifth album from one of my favorite bands The Black Keys is awesome. A two piece group usually made up of crunchy blues guitars and solid drumming has taken somewhat of a new direction. Dangermouse a.k.a. Brian Burton, a.k.a. Half of Gnarls Barkley (He is the white guy). Was set to produce this album. Originally set to be an album that the Keys were going to do for Ike Turner (Tina Turners Ex-husband). The Keys were going to do al the music and Ike was going to sing. Unfortunately Ike died before they could even start. They had sent Brian all this stuff and he said lets go to work so they did. All previous efforts have been produced by the duo of Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney a.k.a. The Black Keys this was the first time an outsider had worked with them. Past albums were very indie sounding with a sort of new recording style called medium-fi. Which contains “one part broke ass shit, and one part new ass shit.” It was ingenious because it sounded like an older recording. The style of blues that Pat and Dan make is similar to that of the delta, Muddy Waters and, The Mississippi All-stars. Allot of emotion covered in Textures of screaming guitar. Dangermouse did an excellent job. He maintained the sound and essence of Medium-Fi while adding little elements to make the album sound more full. Sometimes the sparse arrangements…you know guitar and drums could sound a little empty but when you turn it up to 11 it sounds a little more full. Dan’s vocals are really upfront as well. He has a great blues voice that is part of what I like so much about this band. Favorite song is the first one All You Ever Wanted. Also Remember When (side A) & (side B) are great. Also reminiscent of the era when you had to flip your record over to continue the music. Things Aint Like They Used to Be is the last song on the album and AWESOME! Slow jam and I love the slow jam. It has this really cool organ in it and the girl singing back up is some teenage girl Jessica Lea Mayfield. She really compliments Dan. I have to say that I know I’m being quite technical so here is the part where I gush. The keys are a great band and one of the few upbeat and fast paced bands I actually listen to. I own all of their albums and a few Ep’s. On the shuffle I run to is every Keys album. I got a chance to see them in Austin. It was so kick ass! I spoke with Patrick Carney the drummer for a bit. I was living up in Lubbock at the time and driving from Lubbock to Austin is quite a hike. I told him where I lived and he said that’s where Buddy Holly’s from. We then proceeded to talk about Buddy a bit. Then he said hey man thanks for coming all this way. Dan and I really appreciate it. I will be a Black Keys fan for life after that! They will never be the kind of band to sell out arenas but big theatres probably. All in all a really great band and sound. Check them out I obviously highly recommend it!

long time no blog

Why has it been so long since I blogged? Because damnit! I didn’t feel like it. Seriously I just forgot. I haven’t been feeling as creative as in the past. Work has been slammed and the weeks and weekends seem to come so quickly it’s hard to believe. Just 40 days until Sara and I are married! Actually its 40 days 5 hours and two minutes. But who’s counting? Everything is really coming together. I am excited to see how everything looks on the day we get married. It’s really hard to imagine that Sara will be Mrs. Bryan Scott “Buzz” “Buzzard” “Buzzerton” “Shithead” “Barnyard” “Uncle Buck” Brazelton. That’s allot of names to have to write out. Maybe she will just pick her favorite and use that?
Friday, Sara and I went to dinner with Jenn. Foot took the night off and played XBOX. It was allot of fun. She is a very special person. Allot of fun to be around especially after a few cocktails.
Saturday I went to my first ever surprise party!! One of Sara’s friends threw it for his wife. She was more scared than surprised. She actually looked like she shat herself. The party was allot of fun and it’s really great to get to talk to everyone and get to know them a little better.
This Saturday sucks!!! I have to go to the pit of hell! Are you asking yourself how does he know he’s going to die? I am not dying I am going to College Station Texas. I hate that town, I hate aggies (minus the two or three I know and like), and I hate places that have aggies. Also its Sara’s ex’s wedding. Can’t really envision anything more torturous!! The fun part will be getting to hang out with Matthew and Kate. Who are awesome. I’m sure it won’t be so bad (once we leave the city limits). Seriously though I am looking forward to it, just to get out of town for a weekend. I haven’t left town since Christmas. Technically that’s not true but I haven’t left DFW since then. We are driving down Saturday morning and I just love to drive. I think that’s one of the things I really miss about my old job in Lubbock. The window time. It’s so freeing to drive down the road and see places.
Musically I haven’t purchased anything really. I don’t know if I blogged about the band Coconut Records? Its Jason Schwartzman’s group. The CD is really very good. It’s not just another vanity project he is a talented musician. I was quite surprised by it.
Tonight Sara and I are going to go see Eddie Izzard. I am very excited by this. He is such a funny comedian plus it will be my first comedy show. I don’t really know what to expect or how long it will last but I am genuinely excited. That’s all I gots.

Cake or Death?

Good Friday

For the first time in my company’s history we are open on Good Friday. As part of the merger this year we were given a floating holiday. So Good Friday was taken away. This is good because I can use it in June but sort of a sad state of the working conditions in America. We have to kill ourselves to get ahead of everyone. More and more work rules our lives and the need to get ahead is that much stronger. We wake up extra early to get to work and leave late to stay ahead. Our relationships are defined by how much we can fit in on the weekend and our families understand because they enjoy the life style that hard work has given them. Later in life we are left with regret that what we thought was important wasn’t really, and what we didn’t have time for is missed. Is this how we are to be forever? I have never really been that ambitious. I don’t want to be a CEO. I don’t want to manage trillions of dollars for people. I want to be in outside sales but have never aspired to be a manager. I want to work enough to provide a nice life for my family but want to be there for my kids and wife. Working late to get ahead isn’t that important to me. I wonder if there is something wrong with me? Why don’t I have the ambition and drive for those things that others in my generation do? Maybe I’m a rebel? Maybe I’m just lazy? Maybe I’m just me? What would I like to do? Good question. I think ultimately if I could have a little record label or be a music scout maybe even a writer of some kind. I think that would be cool. Honestly if it paid better I would like to work in a warehouse. Or be a ranch hand. Why? Its hard work but its easy and you don’t have to think too much. You just do it. It’s the same thing every day. Some of the best times in my life were had when I was in the warehouse. Salt of the Earth type people do physical labor every day. It’s nice. Are you asking yourself as you read this what brought all of this up? If so I am sorry I don’t really have an answer for you. I am just looking out the window of my office at a beautiful Friday morning and wishing I was taking in Gods glorious beauty instead of sitting behind this screen writing to you. I was also thinking how lucky I am to have a woman in my life who understands me. Sara said last night that she has gotten too used to me hanging out with her and that when I start up school in May I will be gone again. I’m sad for her that she has to deal with that. Maybe though getting my degree will be great for the both of us. I don’t know. I hope so.

Musically speaking not much to report. Haven’t really found anything that interesting. I got a new shuffle to run with. I love that little damn thing. I just hate the ear phones I bought for it. They cost like 30 bucks too. I have weirdly shaped ears I guess and they won’t stay put. That little player though is so cool. It clips on to my shorts and I just go. Before I had to make sure I had a pocket to put my music in. Not anymore. The good people at apple have made sure of that. Bastards are the masters of convience.

Last night watched a bit of basketball and I am doing pretty well on my picks so far in my brackets. WVU won a thriller and Duke barely escaped.

Zach will be in town tomorrow and I think we might go hang out some place and watch bball and drink. That excites me. I miss my buddy. I haven’t really found a Zach for me here. Although I never think I will find anyone to replace him I have found some guys I really like to hang with. Their wives aren’t too bad either!

Hands tired of writing. Have a safe and happy Easter.

Stop......Blogging (Hammer) Time!

Well I haven’t been around lately. Been very busy. Life is good. Been listening to a bit of Muddy Waters lately. Mannish Boy is one kick ass jam. It’s so kick ass it has just reached the top on my Kick ass list.

Top 5 songs that Kick Ass
1. Mannish Boy Muddy Waters
2. Kick out the jams-MC5
3. Rusty Cage- Johnny F*cking Cash
4. Alive- Pearl Jam
5. Mary Jane’s Last Dance – Tom Petty

Yep pretty much all my kick ass songs. The thing about blues is that you feel the pain. Those old blues musicians lived it to. Every bit of the blues they feel. There may be some posers in there but not many.

Running has been getting better. Starting to feel a little stronger. Starting to enjoy myself some more. Starting to get back on track. It’s a long road to hoe especially when I want to do a marathon in 6 months. I can do it.

The wedding invitations are out and people are responding. HOORRRAAYY!!

Not allot to say have no anecdotes or stories to tell. Nothing interesting to report or observations. I will let you go. Late!

X

So Joe came to the house and we left. He had never been to the HOB so I showed him around. We had a beer at the bar and I would swear the restaurant manager is someone I know from Odessa. She never came back over so I could ask though. She looked so familiar to me. Anyway we head over to the show and catch the end of this young opening band The Skybombers. They were really good for the end at least. I bought their EP for 5 bucks and it’s not bad at all. In fact I think Sara might like it! It’s fast and really good. Rough but with allot of promise. They will do well at SXSW on Friday. I would imagine Rolling Stone might even call them a band to watch!

Let me set the scene first. I was very worried about not looking right. You know not fitting in. This sounds weird I realize but it’s a punk concert. So I went out as I stated previously and purchased a black t-shirt to wear to the show. Joe is wearing something similar but his is a grey t-shirt. We roll in and do a once around. We are almost the youngest people in the joint by I would say 15 years or so. The opening band were the youngest but we were like third or fourth youngest. This got me thinking about the fact that Los Angeles (their big album) was released in 1980. That was 28 years ago. So in fact the kids that were digging it then are older and well let’s just say older. X comes out and starts playing something that sounds like rockabilly. Examining the band I see Billy Zoom the guitar player. Zoom has a t-shirt for sale that says “Billy Zoom nice guy, Punk Legend.” Zoom stands still playing his guitar with quaffed hair that is grey and receding. Standing still like a mannequin robot. Movement and showmanship is not his thing. He had a creepy smile on his face and was not yet enjoying the show. Exene Cervenka the lead singer looks like that creepy chick in all of Tim Burton’s movies. Making comments like “Don’t do drugs…Just give them to me.” She has a pink dress and a shawl on with bright red hair. She couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket for ten million dollars. She walked around playing and futsing with her dress. Then we get to John F*ckin’ Doe (as his t-shirt for sale said). Dressed like he just came off of tour with George Strait (for those who don’t know John played the drummer in Pure Country) and got lost and was asked if he knew how to play bass. He got sucked in and was told he also had to bring some energy. He did bring energy. The only energy anyone brought. He was banging around and playing bass like a mad man. I’ve never seen anyone play bass like that or with a pick. The crowd much older looking like the mothers and fathers they are. Wearing their black jeans and tucked in polo shirts, and Tommy Bahamas. Wishing for a time when they believed every word X had to say. Swaying around and making little noise. Looking like they felt a little out of place, if it hadn’t been for the older people around them. Clearly a warm up gig for the band that is traveling to Austin today to get worshipped at sxsw. Dallas will do but Austin is better. I imagine 28 years ago the band was a sight to see full of fury and excitement now it’s just lame. In the first 45 miuntes playing 17-20 songs they looked tired and John was sweating. A guy walked past me in his leather jacket and long premed hair. I think I went to high school with him. Except the guy in my high school wore only metallica, misfits, and iron maiden t-shirts. A blonde haired woman dancing furiously to the sounds shaking and weaving only to leave early like Joe and I because I heard her say the babysitter has a problem. You can’t even have fun anymore can you. Another lady in white leather chaps. I saw her walk up and I don’t remember a motorcycle I think she just thought she looked cool. She in fact did not. I know I am sitting high in my chair of judgment but it wasn’t too bad for 25 bucks for two tickets. Joe was finished drinking and I closed my tab. He said “I don’t think I can handle much more of this” I was finished with it as well. So we stopped by the merch table on the way out. I bought a shirt. I know I know. I just like supporting music. Maybe that sounds stupid but I like to do it. As we walked out the first set ended. So to summarize some good things and bad things but mostly I was just ready to go home and see my angel face and snuggle. I know I’m not punk and I’ve never claimed to be but this is just further affirmation of what I already knew!

Life and Death

Elizabethtown. I have blogged before about this movie. Drew Baylor’s ultimate journey to know his dead father. Anyway Sara’s good friend Ashley’s father passed away suddenly on Sunday (I believe). I don’t know what that’s like. To loose someone you are close to. Luckily it hasn’t happened to me yet. The reason I bring up Elizabethtown is because there is a part where Chuck a guy who’s having his wedding at the same place Drew is having his fathers memorial says “Death and Life, Life and Death together here.” That’s sort of a profound situation. Sara and I share that same thing with Ashley’s mother. Here we are starting our life together and unfortunately and very sadly her life with her husband is over. Why is it when someone dies then and only then do we think about our own mortality? In the situation I was in (before Sara) I never thought about things like my death and how it would affect others. I knew my family would be sad and what not but I didn’t have kids or a wife to worry about. Larry left his family very well off so there is some comfort in that I suppose. I guess the concept of we is greater to me now than I thought it was before. If I were to pass away suddenly Sara and our children if we have some by then will be sad. The same is true for me if something was to happen to Sara. The sadness that Ashley and her mother or even Kasey my sister in law has faced is sort of beyond my understanding. I just pray we are all okay. I know that’s a strange prayer. It’s what everyone wants. I feel all I can ask for is a few years with Sara and my family. Just enough for them to know that I love them. As I said it’s the same prayer everyone has. My thoughts and prayers go out to Ashley and her family. May god shine his love on you in your time of need.

Tonight I am going to go see the punk band X. Don’t really care for their music but Ryan Adams loves them and I like John Doe’s solo stuff. John Doe is the lead singer in the band. Although his solo material is more like country roots style music. The reason I am going is because it was 2 tickets for the price of 1. It’s really hard for me to pass up a deal. So this will be my first ever punk show. As I was laying in bed talking to Sara I was curious what I should wear exactly. Seeing as I am not a punk we decided it would be best for me to purchase a black t-shirt (from the GAP…very punk) and wear that with jeans (Lucky brand….also very punk). Punk shows rock already, you don’t have to dress up for them! I will let you know how it goes on my blog tomorrow. I am sort of excited. I feel like I will be shoulder to shoulder with spike haired freaks who think the Sex Pistols are gods. A new crowd if you will. Who knows maybe I will dig it? Come home shave my head except for a Mohawk and get a god save the queen tattoo on my bare head. Then sit around with my buddies and play 3 cords really really really fast. In this scenario Sara has left me obviously which only would add to my stylistic and screw authority and possession situation in life. Her leaving would also help me write a ballad that would most likely make us famous and therefore no longer cool. Then and only then would I be an adequate punk. Sorry just got off topic. Rambling in my head. I’m sure I will hate it just wait and see.

David a guy I work with received an Easter basket from a vendor for a big order he placed. Anyway he has let the entire office eat out of this basket. I choose to chew some gum. Super bubble to be exact. The second I saw it I had fond memories of chewing it when I was playing baseball. Enjoying the gum with a big wad similar to the major leaguers I idolized (although they had chewing tobacco). So I grabbed up a few pieces. Man this stuff sucks. It sticks to my teeth with every chew and looses its flavor in about 8 nanoseconds. What was I thinking when I was younger. Maybe that’s why I had such a wad if you put 87 pieces together you get some flavor that lasts for a few seconds. Awful. Again memories from my childhood are replaced by the realities of getting older and some would say more crotchety. I am going to get a Cadbury egg. I know I still like those I had one at valentines!

Well musically speaking I bought the new Black Crowes Album. It’s okay. Two tracks stood out. Daughters of the Revolution (the main single), and Josephine. Other than that the album is sort of long and forgettable. I wish the Crowes could get back to 3 minute southern rock instead of 5 minute southern rock. I know that sounds stupid what’s 2 minutes right? Well two minutes is a long time of listening to the same thing. Especially when the entire album is like that 12 songs at 5 minutes a piece is an hour of drawn out supposedly catchy rock. If you did it my way you would have 38 minutes. Which is 3 minutes for every song, except the longer slower ballad? It would work much better trust me. I once wrote a review of Chris Robinson’s second solo album “This Magnificent Distance” that clocked in at a whopping 79 minutes. In my review I wrote that if you have one day to live listen to this album because every listen lasts a freaking eternity. I see he has shown his band the wrong path. I don’t hate the album but I feel like its just okay! Maybe even worse than that.

Wu Tang

Wu Tang Clan a’int nuttin to F wit!

Ok so I know this is stupid but if you go to http://www.recordstore.com/wuname/wuname.pl you put your first and last name in the boxes and you get your official Wu Tang name. I shall now and forever be known as Illegitimate Muslim Fundamentalist. That’s right IMF for short. So watch your back cause Im fo real sucka!

The Alamo

For those who don’t know the Alamo fell 172 years ago today. God Bless John Wayne. David, Sharon and I were talking about going to the Alamo. Apparently it’s quite disappointing when you are older and go to see it. I saw it when I was10 and I remember it being quite cool. So I assume perspective is everything! As I told them though it was probably much cooler when there wasn’t so much commerce around it and 2,000 screaming Mexicans were running at it. Perspective again is everything. So COME AND GET IT Mexicans!!!!

Into the wild is one awesome movie. It’s not as good as There Will be Blood (which I swear still haunts me) but very good. The cinematography is so awesome. Sean Penn did an excellent job capturing the beauty of America in the movie. If you haven’t read the book you should. Then see the movie. It was really good. Emile Hersh did a great job in it. Hell he lost a ton of weight to finish out the film. That’s what’s more shocking about him not receiving a nomination from the Academy awards. I just thought it was excellently done. Also Eddie Vedder did the soundtrack and that was really good too. Guaranteed is an amazing song.

Whiskeytown Ryan Adams first band got a Deluxe Edition for their album Strangers Almanac. It’s so good. It came with a second cd that has rarities and unreleased material. It’s a wet dream for a Ryan Adams fan like me. Is that a bit too descriptive? Anyway the album has been remastered with 4 live tracks on the end of it. Every Deluxe edition that comes out is always really well done. I am continually surprised with the amount of extras and things they find. Jeff Buckley’s original 3 ep’s, live at Sin-e had three discs and a DVD so many extras like 42 songs or something. It was really awesome. So it’s really great to have the extras playing in my ear at the moment. The rumor mill also keeps talking about a Ryan Adams box set with all of his extras including suicide handbook and other unreleased albums and songs. Which considering its Ryan I just hope it comes out soon. Strangely enough though I haven’t been listening to a whole bunch of Ryan just a little bit.