HAPPY FUCKIN NEW YEARS

So it's been a while since me and Ethan have blogged. We're too busy being home, visiting family, eating food from a full fridge, and sleeping in our comfy beds. So for new years, I am gonna just write about my favorite records of the year, both that came out this year and former years. It's not like time lines mean anything anyway.
Here are the ones that came out this year:
Ninja Tune XX 6 CD set (future bass)
Crooks & Lovers by Mount Kimbie (love filled dubstep)
James Blake self titled (see description above)
Cosmogramma by Flying Lotus (space jazzhop)
Rolling Blackouts by The Go! Team (psychedelic cheerlearder indie rock funk)
Wind's Poem by Mount Eerie (like the darkest forest black metal indie)
Marnie Stern self titled (noise math rock)
The Age of Adz by Sufjan Stevens (electronic orchestra)
The ArchAndroid by Janelle Monáe (funk soul pop)
Moon Deluxe by Andrew Cedermark (indie rock flow)
Letherette self titled EP (glitchy soul)
Stay Home by The Beets (lo-fi reverb garage rock)
New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) by Erykah Badu (funk soul)
Play it Strange by The Fresh & Onlys (lo-fi reverb garage rock)
Scatter [EP] by Doshy (glitchy 8-bit dubstep)
Perch Patchwork by Maps & Atlases (math rock pop)
Dye It Blonde by Smith Westerns (lo-fi indie pop)

Older:
Center Of Attention by InI (smoothest hip-hop ever)
Musipal by Wagon Christ (the total electronica pallet)
Madvillainy by Madvillain (another fuckin smoooooooth hip-hop)
Parallelograms by Linda Perhacs (beautiful psychedelic folk)
Since I Left You by The Avalanches (sample based songs that I will love way more than Girl Talk)
Quixotic by Martina Topley-Bird (velvety trip-hop)
Lemurian by Lone (beach washed boards of canada-ish wonder)
In Advance of the Broken Arm by Marnie Stern (noise math rock)
Trout Mask Replica Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band (avant blues rock)
Rap Beats Vol. 1 by Samiyam (wonky 8-bit inspired slip into space)

Labcabincalifornia by The Pharcyde (great cali hip-hop)
Beat Konducta Vol. 3-4: Beat Konducta In India by Madlib (indian inspired hip-hop heat)
The Loneliest Punk by Fatlip (simply great hip-hop)
The Minstrel Show by Little Brother (vocal soul sampled hip-hop)
Stakes is High by De La Soul (simply the shit of jazz sampled hip-hop_
Sick to Death by Eat Skull (noisy lo-fi well crafted rock)
Born Like This by DOOM (aka MF Doom) (it's MF Doom, enough said)
Group Sex by Circle Jerks (a punk classic)
Adolescents Self titled (see description above)
Shame Fantasy II by Pink & Brown (noise rock guitar and drums thrashing threw your life)

No particular order for any of these. I fully enjoy every single one of these. They are all unique in their own way. If I described everyone of these, I don't think anyone would read this, as if anyone already does. Please, please, please have a fantastic holiday, do something crazy, kiss the person you want, and dream out loud. Merry new years.

-Chakrah

Go Team Go!

When Chakrah expressed the news that the new go! team album leaked, I made sure he sent it to me right away.  The third album entitled "Rolling Blackouts" is actually due out sometime next year.  Oh how I love the internet.  Anyway, the Go! Team has not disappointed me yet with their first two albums, so I had somewhat high expectations.  I may be going out on a limb, but this may be their best record yet.  It is certainly the most upbeat, well-crafted album of theirs.  The album opens up with "T.O.R.N.A.D.O." an awesome opening with lead singer (chanter?) Ninja doing her best chants, with marching band samplings.  It almost feels like the best football game ever (words of Chakrah).  One of my favorite tunes is the ridiculously poppy "buy nothing day," which offers vocals from Bethany Cosentino of "Best Coast."  To me it's a perfect pop/rock song, something that the radio should offer rather than Miley Cyrus or Lady Gaga.  As I drove home from Oneonta through the a winter dusting, I couldn't help repeating this song a dozen times, and the album in general.  It made for one of the most enjoyable car rides I've had in a long time.  Do you want your toes to tap?  Do you want to be filled with holiday goodness?  Then find the leakage!  You can do it's the 21st century.  And check out the video for T.O.R.N.A.D.O.

-E-steam

Have Fun

Algernon Cadwallader released their Fun EP quite some time ago, but I feel it's relevant to mention now especially for those who haven't heard it.  I had the pleasure of seeing them with some friends about a month or so ago at the SUNY Oneonta Waterfront Cafe.  These guys brought everyone to their feet.  Their albums translate incredibly live, better than their recordings.  If you take a look at their myspace, they say "yes we would love to play in your basement."  They play the smaller venues, and in my opinion those are the best types of shows.  My only hope is that they stay this small arena type band and keep bring that energy that they had at my college.  If you get the chance, go see these guys live.  Otherwise, check out the Fun ep and their full length "Some Kind of Cadwallader."

-E-steam

This Week in NFL Land....

After week 13, most NFL teams are fighting for a playoff birth.  This consists of 10 teams in the NFC and 12 teams in AFC.

            This week, NFL analyst Howie Long talked about the unusual playoff picture on Fox’s pre-game show.  Long explained how the NFC West has stirred up some controversy.  Currently, the St. Louis Rams lead the division at a record of 6-6, a low percentage for a leading team.  The Seattle Seahawks at 6-6 and the San Francisco 49ers at 4-8 are also in contention to win the NFC West. 

            6 teams in each conference (AFC and NFC) are eligible to go to the playoffs.  This includes four division winners and two wild card teams from each side.  With the NFC West being the weakest division in football, a 7-9 team has the potential to top the division as well as gain home field advantage for their first round game.  Many believe that it is unfair for an under .500 team to make it into the playoffs, beating out wildcard teams with significantly better records.  This issue has been made aware to top NFL officials.

            The big question is whether or not commissioner Roger Goodell should allow this to happen.  The NFL cannot change their rules mid-season, but it’s something the league has discussed.  The discussion consists of below .500 teams being awarded home field advantage, or a playoff spot in general.  Long believes that these teams should be allowed a playoff birth, but the home team should be the one with a stronger season standing.  The NFL is taking all of this into consideration and will continue to discuss this in the off-season.

            This year, we could see a 7-9 Rams or Seahawks beating out teams for a playoff spot such as the New York Giants and Green Bay Packers, whom both have 8-4 records.  The thought of this does not sit well with a number of NFL fans.  The next few weeks will determine if this could be reality.  Right now, 22 teams are in the hunt.  The rest of the season should an intriguing one.

-E-steam

Pie in your eye

Bam!
In my face
Unstoppable
Force with
a brick
weights close
to a shit ton
of steel 
cut oatmeal
groovy
texture of
hippies
frolicking
instinctively
to the magic
that is
happening

-E-steam

Jumble Mind Tricks

I wish I wasn't such a fuckup
with missing pieces
clogging my head up

Words can project
What calms my body
Regardless of intellect

As I slowly cower
With what could result
losing all power

Get out of here
make some mistakes
find what's clear

-E-steam

The Age of Sufjan

If you haven't listen to the Age of Adz by now, I'm legitimately concerned.  Sufjan Stevens has proved on so many levels why he is one of the most talented artists of our generation.  He has moved away from his state named albums (Michigan, Illinoise).  The Age of Adz takes on a more electronic sound, but at the same time layering those catchy melodies and harmonies we heard on Illinoise.  The lyrics in this album are superior to anything else, maybe because of his tone.  In this album, Stevens seems to take on his own sadness, and even explores his suicidal thoughts.  The result:  Incredible music.  On the track "I want to be well," the usually clean artist belts out "I'm not fucking around."  This guy is serious.  Chekc it out!  Keys tracks are "Too Much" and "I want to be well."

-E-steam