Thirteenth step A perfect circle

This is my second attempt to blog from my phone. For give the dust and rust. If you have never heard of Maynard James Keenan, look him up. He helped shape art rock since the 90s. He is on the same level as Trent Reznor, another name you should know. You probably know him as the creator of the social network movie soundtrack. He has done so much more.

Back to the Thirteenth step. A perfect circle was a softer side project of Maynard compared to his main hard rock band Tool. You can hear every word clearly and easily unlike Tool.

To be honest a friend got me into Tool back in college and depending on what you are looking for Tool takes the cake. A perfect circle is an interesting experiment from Maynard. Some memorable songs are The Noose, The Outsider, and Pet but the whole album is worth a listen.

Check out the album on Youtube or spotify. Enjoy.

How it was consumed: warm delicious vinyl .

Rating: 8/10 great

Boys & Girls by Alabama Shakes Vinyl

So I accidently ordered this vinyl album.

Well that isn't strictly correct. I was thinking I was buying a Heartless Bastards album. I keep confusing the bands. This was the best mistake I have made. First, I paid under $11 for 11 songs on a 33 vinyl and 3 songs on a 45. I also got a code to download the songs. Plus the price has jumped a couple of dollars. So yeah considering music purchases this is in my top 3 bang for your buck purchases.

I first heard them on KXT, a local independent music radio station for North Texas, with their single "Hold on". This single can be found in the Youtube video below. I really liked the single. It turns out the whole album has a similar R&B and soul sound. Honestly this isn't my favorite genre of music but I am one of those people who likes good music no matter what the genre is and this is good music.

How it was consumed: Technics Quartz sl-q300 record player.

Rating: 7/10 Good.

Bossypants

Tina Fey is best known for her NBC series 30 Rock and for her time at Saturday Night Live as both a writer and actress. She has won multiple Emmy Awards as well as Writers Guild of America Awards for these and other works. Since I have watched and enjoyed 30 Rock I decided to tackle her book.

This wasn't a detailed autobiography nor was it a just for laughs. Tina Fey talks about growing up, how she got into show business, her father, her child, and her career. Fey tries to strike a nice balance between autobiography and comedy but it seems to have come out as too little from both.

I know the mother items and her problems when she was a young girl isn't something I can relate to because it wasn't really meant for me so I am a little bias about some parts of the book. I still laughed and found most of it interesting.

It is a decent read if you can borrow it from a friend  but I wouldn't go buy it as a gift... unless your friend is a Tina Fey fan then by all means.

How it was consumed:  Audible audiobook.

Rating: 6/10 Above Average

The Suburbs Arcade Fire. 100 Posts!

Represent Canada!

For my 100th post I have the pleasure to review a classic album from Arcade Fire.
Arcade Fire is a band I wish I listen to more often. I have always heard them here and there but nothing compares to hearing them at ACL a few years ago. This album has won album of the year at the 2011 Grammy Awards, Best International Album at the 2011 BRIT Awards, Album of the Year at the 2011 Juno Awards, and the 2011 Polaris Music Prize for best Canadian album. Needless to say this record is one everyone should listen to. According to Wikipedia the album is inspired by Win and William Butler's upbringing in The Woodlands, Texas, a suburb of Houston. This is just another example of how awesome Texas is. It is hard to not be pulled into the emotion of the album with such lyrics as:

"But I would rather be alone
Than pretend to be alright. ...
If I was scared, I would
And if I was pure, you know I would
And if I was yours, but I'm not..."

"Sometimes I can't believe it
I'm movin' past the feeling
Sometimes I can't believe it
I'm movin' past the feeling and into the night
 So can you understand?
Why I want a daughter while I'm still young
I wanna hold her hand
And show her some beauty
 Before all this damage is done
 But if it's too much to ask, it's too much to ask
Then send me a son "

These lyrics come from the first couple of songs and are strong through out the album.

The vinyl is especially nice. The album sleeves have the handwritten lyrics on them and the album cover/inside is beautiful to look at. The whole production of this record inspired http://www.thewildernessdowntown.com/ a Chrome project that pulls you even more into the spirit of the music. Give it try!

Come visit the Arcade Fire's Suburbs.

"I know we are the chosen few
But we waste it
And that's why we're still waiting
In line for a number but you don't understand
Like a modern man...
If it's alright
Then how come you can't sleep at night? "

How it was consumed: Vinyl

Rating: 9/10 On my favorites list.

Sigh No More by Mumford & Sons

It is hard to pass up a deal for a vinyl album when the cost of the music is a dollar per song. I have heard these songs constantly on the radio and have since always appreciated Mumford & Sons. I mean how can you compete against a banjo. I believe "The Cave" , the first single I heard from them, is amazing in everyday  It is the perfect break up song. Some people have their break up songs, Gotye , Tom Petty's "You Got Lucky", and so many others but the lyrics are so poetic. The chorus goes

"
But I will hold on hope
And I won't let you choke
On the noose around your neck
 And I'll find strength in pain
And I will change my ways
I'll know my name as it's called again
"

Just the last line is so refreshing, to know your name when it is called again.

I don't need to spend a lot of time selling you on this band. In fact I am sure you are probably tired of hearing them on the radio but if you haven't listen to this whole album... what are you waiting for?

How it was consumed: Amazon purchased vinyl on my Technics SL-Q300

Rating: 8/10 Great. A breath of fresh air if you haven't heard it before. 

Indian Wells Whiskey Barrel Amber

The packaging for this brew reminds one of beer from medieval times with wax sealing the top of the beer. Sadly this is a pain to open. I used an average knife, a wine opener, and 5 minutes to finally get rid of that wicked wax sealing.

I personally think you can't go wrong with an amber beer. At the very least you can enjoy the sweet taste of an amber beer. When you add the fact that it was aged in whiskey barrels you have a decent combo. Personally I was looking for Fort Worth's Winter Warmer but I still delighted in the taste of this whiskey beer.


How it was consumed: Via my German stein.

Rating: 7/10 Good. 

The Wild Hunt - The Tallest Man on Earth

The Tallest Man on Earth is Kristian Matsson a singer-songwriter from Dalarna, Sweden. With such great songs like The Wild Hunt and King of Spain starting each side of the vinyl it is hard not to like this album. His voice is a distinct as Bob Dylan and I would say there style is similar as well. This one man show will entertain you more than some 4 piece bands I have seen. You owe it to yourself the opportunity to listen to this almost folk music. It will stay with you like a scar but unlike some scars you will brag about this experience or at least be content with the time you spent with it.Sadly I received a scratchy record. It isn't terrible but I would say pops and hisses happen more than 30% of the record.

How it was consumed: Technics SL-Q300

Rating: 8/10 Great.