Snapshots From An Unmade Bed

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My husband sent me an "ultimate' playlist so I thought I would list it out for the music post this week. I like a lot of his choices although there are a few I am like, what?!

Battle-Axe by the Deftones
Keep off the Lawn by Aesop Rock
Ride with Me (Acoustic Version) by the Lemonheads
No Shelter by Rage Against the Machine
No Quarter by Led Zepplin (the live version by Tool ain’t half bad either)
Holding Sand by Rival Schools
Eyes of the South by Down
Act III Scene 2 (Shakepeare) by Saul Williams
The Noose by A Perfect Circle
Fear of a Black Planet by Public Enemy
Cry Me a River by Justin Timberlake (and what of it???)
Driving Nowhere by Helmet
Start a War by The National
Way to Blue by Nick Drake
Hip Hop by Dead Prez
Knock’em Dead Kid by Motley Crue
Southern Hospitality by Ludacris (featuring Pharrell)
Rocket by the Smashing Pumpkins
Little Lover’s So Polite by Silversun Pickups
Genius by the Kings of Leon
Breadcrumb Trail by Slint
Anything by the Secret Machines on the Now Here is Nowhere LP
Wax and Wane by the Cocteau Twins
Morning Has Broken by Cat Stevens
Mother by Danzig
Beside You in Time by Nine Inch Nails

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A few of the films I have seen recently:

Waitress - I really enjoyed this quirky, indie film!

I am Legend - I will admit I had my reservations about seeing another "the world is coming to an end" film but I found this movie really entertaining and Will Smith keeps you engaged. Certainly not an upper but as with most sci-fi films...there might be a glimmer of hope for the human race!  The special effects are pretty fantastic too.

The Nanny Diaries - I had not read the book and did not go into watching this with any expectation. It was different than what I had in my mind but I did actually enjoy it.  An easy film to watch!

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I was recently searching online for some new music to listen to and came across SomaFM. According their website, they are an independent, commercial-free internet radio, with 11 unique channels.  The channels feature underground electronica, chillout, ambient groove, downtempo, lounge, space music, indie rock and alt country/americana.

I spent quite a bit of time listening to their indie rock channel and here is just a tast of some of the bands/songs they played:

Victory At Sea - Undesirable
Suburban Kids With Biblical Names - Loop Duplicate My Heart
The Reciever - Afternoon
Amateurs - Spectacular Fall
Blonde Redhead - In Particular
Boat - Elephant Ears
Man Man - Engwish Bwudd
Walkmen - Louisiana
Private Eleanor - Down Waterview
Parker Longbough - Swimming In My Mind
Imogen Heap - Headlock
The Cheap Seats - Service And Parts
Arctic Monkeys - When The Sun Goes Down
Juliana Hatfield - Some Rainy Sunday
Delgados - Witness
Azult Siete - The Sky
Unicorns - Tuff Luff
Album Leaf - The Light
Aqualung - Pressure Suit
Teenage Symphony - The Best Days Are Behind Us
The Ponys - Harakiri
The Standard - A Curtain Drawn
Kingsbury Manx - Piss Diary
Midnight Movies - Oh Twilight

This radio station started broadcasting from a basement in San Francisco. They fund the station on donations from listeners, the support of small labels, and from a few companies that provide them with bandwidth to broadcast around the world. It really is amazing. You should go have a listen to some of the channels and you might wish to give your support to keep this commercial-free radio going.

inside SPIN + Happy Halloween!

Happy All Hallows Eve! We are spending the night in watching a scary movie 1408. Will have a report on that tomorrow!

Looking for the perfect Halloween soundtrack, here is a list:

DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince - Nightmare On My Street (1988)

Michael Jackson - Thriller (1982)

Mike Oldfield - Tubular Bells Pt. 1 (Theme From 'The Exorcist') (1973)

Rocky Horror Picture Show Soundtrack - The Time Warp (1975)

Specials - Ghost Town (1981)

Squirrel Nut Zippers - Hell (1997)

Talking Heads - Psycho Killer (1977)

The Who - Boris the Spider (1966)

White Zombie - I'm Your Boogieman (1996)

Super Freak - Rick James (1981)

Theme From Twilight Zone

Bobby "Boris" Pickett - Monster Mash (1962)

Ray Parker Jr. - Ghostbusters (1984)

Sheb Wooley - Purple People Eater (1958)

Warren Zevon  - Werewolves of London (1978)

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I headed over to Wind-up Records to check have a listen to some of the musicians they represent.  Here is a bit of what I listened to and liked:

Jeremy Fisher - Goodbye Blue Monday
Pilot Speed - Into The West
Stars of Track and Field - Centuries Before Love and War (really good album and they were great live!)

I downloaded some music the other day so I am currently spinning:

Centro-Matic - All This Fresh Mutiny, Atlanta, 74 Cuts - 74 Scars
Chantal Kreviazuk - Waiting for the Sun, Wonderful
David Gray - The World to Me
Fink - This is the Thing
Mindy Smith - Long Island Shores
Patty Griffin - Burgundy Shoes, Heavenly Day, Kite Song
Polyphonic Spree - Section 9 (Light & Day/Reach for the Sun)

Iron & Wine have out a new album titled "The Shephard's Dog" - you can hear more here.

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I have been wondering if I will ever be able to check out new music.

Fortunately, a kind soul at Wind Up Records, independent label among other things, left me a comment. First of all, that means I have a new music website to check out and also reminded me that I need to download the latest CD from Stars of Track and Field who played live in Dallas about a month ago.

I think this means I will actually discover some new tunes to spin and of course pass on my recommendations to you!

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Well, I sort of skipped over the Books + Literature section this week because I didn't have much to report. I have to admit as well that I am feeling a little lazy this week as far as music recommendations so instead, I decided to list the Top 25 songs from the year I graduated high school. That would be 1986 (ouch!). Very interesting to take a look back.....

1. That's What Friends Are For, Dionne Warwick, Elton John, and Gladys Knight
2. Say You, Say Me, Lionel Richie 
3. I Miss You, Klymaxx 
4. On My Own , Patti Labelle and Michael McDonald 
5. Broken Wings, Mr. Mister
6. How Will I Know, Whitney Houston 
7. Party All The Time, Eddie Murphy 
8. Burning Heart, Survivor 
9. Kyrie, Mr. Mister 
10. Addicted To Love, Robert Palmer 
11. Greatest Love Of All, Whitney Houston 
12. Secret Lovers, Atlantic Starr 
13. Friends And Lovers, Carl Anderson and Gloria Loring 
14. Glory Of Love, Peter Cetera 
15. West End Girls, Pet Shop Boys 
16. There'll Be Sad Songs, Billy Ocean 
17. Alive And Kicking, Simple Minds 
18. Never, Heart 
19. Kiss, Prince and The Revolution 
20. Higher Love, Steve Winwood
21. Stuck With You, Huey Lewis and The News 
22. Holding Back The Years, Simply Red 
23. Sledgehammer, Peter Gabriel 
24. Sara, Starship 
25. Human, Human League 

If you want to see the top songs from any year (they list them out as a 100) go to Music Outfitters and in the search menu type in they year you want to see listed.

Books + Music + Film

I have been thinking about what books to bring along for our holiday to Honduras (I am getting excited...3 weeks and counting). 

We are reading A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry for the October book group (and NO I don't mean the Oprah Book Club!!) so I will certainly pack that along with me. I also decided to order a copy of Hotel Du Lac by Anita Brookner (which comes highly recommended by Iliana). I might bring along a third - any suggestions for great holiday reading?

As for Music -- I do have some recommendations but I will post that next week. I am excited about going to see the Cary Brothers at House of Blues Friday with my friend Amy. Should be a good night!

As for movies, I decided to watch a few on Apple trailers and I have a pretty good list of "must see" -

Lars and the Real Girl
Dedication
The Darjeeling Limited
Into the Wild
2 days in Paris
Jane Austen Book Club
Dans Paris
Goya's Ghost
August Rush

and one more - Rendition

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I can't say that I have been checking out new bands in the past week. I have a copy of Magnet music magazine I need to catch up on and I probably should head over to iTunes and see what has recently come out.  More on new music to spin next week.

However, I booked myself and a friend to go see the Cary Brothers at the new House of Blues in Dallas on August 17th. He has been to Dallas twice or so in the past 2 years and I missed each of those shows so I was determined to see this gig!  I will cbe sure to report back later this month.

This falls under television as much as music but Michael and I have been watching a new HBO series called Flight of the Conchords.  I have to say that this show is completely bizarre at times but it always manages to make me laugh-out-loud.  The show follows the trials and tribulations of a two man, digi-folk band from New Zealand as they try to make a name for themselves in their adopted home of New York City. I like so much I would love to own this coffee mug! Really -- if you are looking for something new and fresh - you will fall in love with Bret and Jemaine.

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We went to see Centro-Matic live at the Granada Theater last Friday night.  The band originally hails from Denton, Texas. I am always interested to see how a band I really enjoy sounds live.  I think that is what makes or breaks it for me - how good a band or artist is live.

I can say, I was blown away.

Will Johnson's lyrics combined with his gruff and imaginative voice pulled me in and the talented band that backs him sealed the deal. The moments when he played solo with his acoustic guitar could be called poetic. As much as I like their music on the whole, I more drawn to their more mellow side. I really wish I had brought my camera along. Other than that - the night rocked. If you want to catch them live, they will be playing in Denton on August 12th. You can read more about the band and listen to their music by checking out their site.

If you have not had the chance to listen to them, make sure you do. They might just become your new favorite band and deservedly so.

Just before heading over to see Centro-Matic, we made a stop into the best little indie music shop in Dallas - Good Records. This is what we walked away with and what is currently spinning around my i-Pod:

The National - Boxer
Interpol - Our Love to Admire
Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
Lavender Diamond - Imagine Our Love
Handsome Furs - Plague Park
Glen Reynolds - In Between Days

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I haven't really searched out any new music.  I have been going back to my iPod since I know there is music on there I haven't really listened to. One album that I have been spinning is the new Kings of Leon CD Because Of The Times.  It is a cool album, so have a listen.

This Friday we are going to see Centro-Matic at the Granada Theater so that should be a good night. They have some local bands that we caught at the Double Wide not long ago so it will be good to hear them live again.

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I came across two new music blogs. The Scenestar - covers anything related to the Los Angeles music scene. I need to rummage around a bit more but it definitely caught my interest. Calabash Music - tuned into the world of Global music and Austin 360 - a great site covering the music scene in Austin.