I am the New Year

Hey there internet!

I just wanted to let you know I got your urgent message about how concerned you are that there aren't enough blogs. I thought it was my duty to help out. That's just the kind of guy I am.

So this is where I will be posting random stuff from time to time. The page is named after the first song on one of my favorite albums, the mostly unknown/forgotten 18th Dye's Tribute to a Bus from 1995.

I have some plans for this space: some music writing, some movie writing, and some posting of music that I will be recording.

My big plan (and New Year's Resolution) is to post a song I've recorded every week this year, mostly covers with at least one original a month.

Before I get to that, here's my top 10 things that happened in 2007:

1. Fletcher/Susan
My first-born son and my lovely spouse that birthed him last March. Words are inadequate to describe how fond of these people I am.









2. The Best Show on WFMU
Three hours of mirth, music, and mayhem every Tuesday night. Tom Scharpling and Jon Wurster are doing things with comedy that are unique and strange, but I think universally awesome. I am still trying to convert all of my friends with good senses of humor to this show. This is one of my missions of 2008.

3. Future of the Left - Curses
From the ashes of the great Mclusky and fellow Welsh rockers Jarcrew. This album is profoundly brutal, funny, and catchy as hell. I can't believe that I missed them when they were here for SXSW. Hopefully they'll come back once this album is released in the USA.

MP3-> Future of the Left - adeadenemyalwayssmellsgood

4. Palaxy Tracks, June 2 at Emo's
I was asked to play guitar in one of my favorite bands ever with some of my favorite people/musicians. I was hoping that it would turn into a full fledged band, but it's looking doubtful. Even still, a definite highlight of my modest musical career.

5. Wilco - taping of Austin City Limits, September 15/Sky Blue Sky
I wasn't able to go the ACL festival this year, but this show and the Yo La Tengo show at the Parish totally made up for it without having to endure the heat, crowds, and parking miles away from Zilker Park. Jeff Tweedy said hello to my son during the taping, but it didn't make the air, which is too bad. Sky Blue Sky was our go-to CD to get Fletcher calm and to sleep and Nels Cline's guitar solos in "Impossible Germany" are magical.

Mp3 -> Wilco - Impossible Germany

6. 30 Rock
This show is so consistently hilarious that it almost makes me forget my grief over the loss of Arrested Development. Unfortunately, the writers' strike cut season 2 short although I support the strike.

7. Eastern Promises
There were a lot of movies that I missed in 2007 due to having an infant at home and all of the other stuff that occupies my time these days, but I'm really glad I made the effort to go see this one. I have not always been a huge fan of David Cronenberg, but after this one and A History of Violence, I have revisited a lot of his older films and now consider myself a fan.

8. Sam Seder Show/Seder on Sunday
I've become a bit of a political news-talk junkie and Seder pretty much hits the bullseye with his point of view, relevant guests, and sense of humor. Air America blew it by taking him off in the mornings and relegating him to Sunday afternoons. Thankfully, his show is podcasted now and his video chats with Marc Maron are very intriguing when the technical glitches don't get in the way.

9. Blitzen Trapper - Wild Mountain Nation
I can't put my finger on what makes this album so great, but it's really really fun and reminds me of lots of music I love without being derivative.

MP3 -> Blitzen Trapper - Futures & Folly

10. Hunter Pence
OK, so it was a bad season for the Astros, but Pence's enthusiasm and seemingly inability to avoid a multi-hit game made this lackluster team fun to watch. I have no freaking idea what to expect from this completely reloaded team in 2008, but I am glad that Ed Wade has shaken things up and seems to enjoy making trades in real life even more that I do when I play MLB2K7.

Honorable Mentions
Paul F Tomkins - Impersonal - "It's just a housebear"
Patton Oswalt - Werewolves and Lollipops - "Physics for Poets"
Tim and Eric, Awesome Show. Great Job! - Dr Steve Brule Rules
Kinks Hoot at Emo's - Missing Tapes broke the ice
Jay Reatard - I Know a Place 7"- The 3 C's: Creepy, catchy, and cuddly
Clark and Michael (Web TV series) - They're the future of comedy. Get used to it.


Next: Top 10 songs of 2007