i've been in china for 3 weeks now....having an amazing time...

if you want to read my travel blog go to:

http://freezingthatframe.wordpress.com

-m

congrats to Elbow for winning the mercury prize!!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7607433.stm

so happy for them!!

I took a ton of pictures at the 7 radiohead shows I went to last month...also check pictures from my trip to california...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/inourhands

-m

So I haven't posted here in some time it seems...The last few months have been hectic. I traveled to see a bunch of Radiohead shows, which were completely inspiring. I'll be home in CT for the month of June, continuing to save for my trip to China in September.

Next month I will travel to see Wolf Parade play a bunch of shows supporting their soon to be released new record At Mount Zoomer. The website I maintain, http://wolfparade.nonstuff.com has a link to pre order the album where you can get a poster and 10% off your purchase: http://wolfparade.nonstuff.com/2008/05/14/insound-pre-order/

You can hear two tracks off the new record on their myspace page. To see the album atwork check out the music section at: http://anthemmagazine.com

-m 

It's been a while...but finally Elbow is back and with their new record 'The Seldom Seen Kid'. I have to tell you, after just one listen, i'm in love.

Not many records do this to me, and when it happens it's the greatest feeling. This record is lush, moody, and just gorgeous. I have to admit however, I am a little biased. I've been a fan of this band for years, and an even bigger fan of the man that is Guy Garvey. His voice is intoxicating and he does not disappoint on this record in any way. My favorite thing about this band is that they do not follow a distinct sound for each record. They are constantly evolving and challenging themselves while still managing to incorporate a unique sound that is all their own. In my opinion Elbow is completely underrated and this record is possibly my favorite since 'Asleep in the Back'.

i'm back! got home last week from my 7 week trek across the country...saw some cities this time i hadn't seen before...my favorite being san antonio...my least favorite being anywhere in florida...

so why not end the year with a list of my favorite records:

Top 10 records of 2007
1. Sunset Rubdown- Random Spirit Lover
I felt almost overwhelmed when I first heard this record. Trying to hear every word and every sound. To piece together the puzzle and find my own meaning. I had this record on repeat for months. I really love every single song on here. I had a few "go to" records this year. Records that I needed to listen to when things were essentially crap in my life. This record was my first choice everytime.
Favorite Song: The Courtesan Has Sung

2. Handsome Furs- Plague Park
There is no need to dance around the fact that I love all things Wolf Parade. I have come to love all bands that are in some way connected to members of this band. HFurs put out a kick ass record. It is layered and thick and I love that. They are incredible live, a must see.
Favorite Song: The Radio's Hot Sun

3. Tori Amos- American Doll Posse
Ok so I am way biased on this one. Considering I spent 3 months of this year seeing her live, you know i loved this record a lot. There is no denying that she brought back the intensity she was so lacking for years on this record. The live show was electric and exciting.
Favorite Song: Girl Disappearing
Favorite B-side: Not David Bowie

4. Jens Lekman- Night Falls Over Kortedala
This record made me smile. Every song makes my heart melt with happiness. I tried to see him live on more than one occasion and there was always something getting in the way. Here's hoping he tours again in 08!
Favorite Song: The Opposite Of Hallelujah

5. Beirut- The Flying Club Cup
This record was great company for me this year. It was one of my "go to" records for when I wanted to cheer up. The brass and accordion and that soaring voice. It made everything better with the world. I dreamt a lot while listening to this record.
Favorite Song: The Penalty

6. Björk- Volta
Sometimes you just need to scream and dance and move. I saw Bjork 3 times this year. I left each show so uplifted by the energy of the new tracks and the reworked older tracks. But nothing moved me more than the performance of 'The Dull Flame of Desire' at Madison Square Garden. It gave me chills and reminded me why I love Bjork in the first place. Raw emotion.
Favorite Song: The Dull Flame of Desire

7. Radiohead- In Rainbows (cd 1 and 2)
I am a huge fan of 'The Bends'. It is my 5th favorite record of all time. I have been waiting for this band to record something that would return to the feel of that record. A blend of dark and light. I love all they have done from then until now, but this record makes me feel at home.
Favorite Song: Up on the Ladder

8. Miracle Fortress- Five Roses
My heart hurt after hearing this record. Songs so sweet, delicate and beautiful. I wanted to see him (with the full band) live so badly this year. This record was another "go to" record for me. When I needed to smile and disconnect from everything. I listened to this record a lot going/coming from work.
Favorite Song: Next Train

9. The Arcade Fire- Neon Bible
I have to admit I haven't listened to this record in a while. I think possibly because I overplayed it and lost my connection to it after hearing some stories about the band. Do you stop liking a band when you hear they have done some possibly shady things? Not sure where I stand on that issue. I think this is an excellent record and I love how rich and seamless it is. I listened to it a lot last winter and had an amazing time seeing them 4 nights in a row at Judson Memorial Church. Some of the most amazing shows I have ever seen.
Favorite Song: Black Waves/Bad Vibrations

10. José González- In Our Nature
This record helped me get through some painful days on the road this year. I listened to it when I needed to be inspired. Walking the streets of Santa Fe and taking in all that beauty, this record was the perfect soundtrack for that day. I love how it is so simple and I wish I had been able to see him live this year.
Favorite Song: Down The Line

Honarable Mentions
Frog Eyes- Tears of the Validictorian
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah- Some Loud Thunder
Travis- The Boy with No Name
Turin Brakes- Dark on Fire
Band of Horses- Cease to Begin

so that's my list...you think i left someone off? tell me who and why...

-m

yes it is true...i am doing most of the North American part of Tori Amos's world tour...7 weeks across the US and back...33 cities...2 of which i have never been to before: Omaha,Nebraska and Lawrence, Kansas...after this tour, i will only need to visit 4 more states to have seen all 50! The missing 4 are: Montana, the Dakota's, and Alaska...

so excited to be traveling with some of my best friends in the world...on a long adventure that i hope wont make us hate each other afterwards...if you want to follow along you can read my ongoing travel blog:

http://freezingthatframe.wordpress.com

off i go...
-m

the big news today is that the new radiohead album has finally been announced...titled: In Rainbows, you can purchase it as a digital download which will go active on October 10th...yes that is 10 days from today!!

tracklist:
15 STEP
BODYSNATCHERS
NUDE
WEIRD FISHES/ARPEGGI
ALL I NEED
FAUST ARP
RECKONER
HOUSE OF CARDS
JIGSAW FALLING INTO PLACE
VIDEOTAPE

hooray for the inclusion of reckoner!!

They are also releasing a Discbox, here is the info from the site:

DISCBOX

THIS CONSISTS OF THE NEW ALBUM, IN RAINBOWS, ON CD
AND ON 2 X 12 INCH HEAVYWEIGHT VINYL RECORDS.
A SECOND, ENHANCED CD CONTAINS MORE NEW SONGS, ALONG WITH DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHS AND ARTWORK.
THE DISCBOX ALSO INCLUDES ARTWORK AND LYRIC BOOKLETS.
ALL ARE ENCASED IN A HARDBACK BOOK AND SLIPCASE.

THE ALBUM DOWNLOAD AUTOMATICALLY COMES WITH THIS PACK. YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THE FILE DIGITALLY FROM THE 10TH OCTOBER 2007.

DISCBOXES ARE BEING MADE TO ORDER AND ARE PRICED AT £40.00 INCLUDING POSTAGE. SHIPPING WILL BEGIN ON OR BEFORE 3RD DECEMBER 2007.

wow!! can't wait!!

for all info go to: http://www.inrainbows.com/Store/index3.html

just an fyi to everyone that checks out the site...we are down for now and I am not sure why...I sent an email out to see what the problem is. Hopefully it isn't a big deal and will be fixed soon.

I'll post here the details when I know them.

-m

it appears that the creators of the 'take away show' la blogotheque have teamed up with zach condon and the rest of beirut to create a video for every song off of their new album 'The Flying Club Cup' which is due out on October 9th.

So far they have vidoes up for Nantes and The Penalty...All videos are/were shot in Brooklyn:

http://flyingclubcup.com/