tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-200220312024-03-16T13:53:06.990-05:00Shotgun KnowledgeThe seemingly random thoughts of a Wisconsin lad.wallrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14640666498065461704noreply@blogger.comBlogger150125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20022031.post-49416712743687758802014-02-19T09:25:00.000-06:002014-02-19T09:25:41.836-06:00New Orleans Once AgainIt's been two years since my father and I took the train down to New Orleans for a bit of golf and oysters. This year we did it again with my mother along for the ride. Photos from the trip:
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We stayed at Le Richelieu Hotel on Chartres in the French Quarter after we arrived in New Orleans. It's my aunt and uncle's favorite place to stay and it's hard to beat the location. We both had rooms on the second floor with a balcony overlooking Barracks Street. This is the view the following morning.
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We went out to dinner at Cafe Amelie and then walked over to Frenchmen Street to the Spotted Cat to catch some music. After about an hour my father grew tired of the jostling crowd and we returned to the hotel. Before turning in we got a nightcap in the hotel bar, where my father spotted this old photo of John Prine.
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We drove over to Ocean Springs the next day, staying at the Gulf Hills Hotel as before. The weather was very nice when we arrived and had we gotten an early start Dad and I might have gotten a round in.
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We then made our way over to my aunt and uncle's place. The view of the bayou from their deck is lovely year round.
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Following golf on Saturday Dad and I made our way across the street to Mikey's on the Bayou, where a dozen oysters on the half shell would run you $7. We ended up taking them up on this deal three straight days.
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Sunday started off with rain and stayed foggy most of the day. Instead of golf we had breakfast with Steve & Lois and then made our way over to Beauvoir, the historic last home of Jefferson Davis.
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Monday Dad and I got in one last round of golf. The day started a bit overcast and chilly but ended up sunny and warm. I shot an 87, albeit more than a few mulligans were taken.wallrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14640666498065461704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20022031.post-71526211544148443532013-12-16T08:38:00.001-06:002014-02-19T09:27:55.271-06:00Nightmares for a Week - The Destroyers (Music Video) (+playlist)<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/QKppz25fWc8" width="350"></iframe>wallrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14640666498065461704noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20022031.post-54653442947455274772013-12-16T08:31:00.001-06:002014-02-19T09:27:36.421-06:00RVIVR - wrong way/one way<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/0I6A-Cwfjl8" width="350"></iframe>wallrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14640666498065461704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20022031.post-77268182889556482632012-03-06T14:35:00.011-06:002012-03-06T15:45:51.119-06:00Mardi Gras in New OrleansI recently got back from a vacation to New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast with my father. We took the <a href="http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?c=AM_Route_C&pagename=am%2FLayout&cid=1241245653236">City of New Orleans</a> down and brought our golf clubs along. In an odd stroke of luck the week I had picked back in December happened to coincide with the lead up to Fat Tuesday in the Crescent City. This wasn't intentional on my part - I was simply looking for a free week with no conflicts with home hockey games or shows. We were even more fortunate to get a hotel room in NOLA on Monday night, and we were smart enough to get out of town first thing on Tuesday morning. Here are a few photos from the trip.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n_uaF1cuyWU/T1Z3_KrzzYI/AAAAAAAAA5o/kk1xpxoQp5U/s1600/IMG_1085.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n_uaF1cuyWU/T1Z3_KrzzYI/AAAAAAAAA5o/kk1xpxoQp5U/s320/IMG_1085.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716888704076991874" /></a>This is one of my favorites. My father and I passed most of the time on the train playing cribbage. The trip ended with me leading 26 games to 18. This shot is from around Yazoo City where the train was stopped waiting for the line to clear ahead of us. There was a huge chemical plant nearby and the hopper cars all had a wonderful patina. I took this shot out the window of our sleeper car while my father was dealing cards. <br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lGQ8Y27pe6Y/T1Z5LdmrZSI/AAAAAAAAA50/xoE56unGQpU/s1600/IMG_1108.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lGQ8Y27pe6Y/T1Z5LdmrZSI/AAAAAAAAA50/xoE56unGQpU/s320/IMG_1108.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716890014825800994" /></a>Once we managed to pick up our rental car and make our way to our hotel room in the Central Business District, an experience that took more than an hour with the crazy traffic and our slight confusion as to the myriad one-way streets, we walked up Baronne Street to Canal and the parade route. We walked up and down Canal for a while and followed the route down St. Charles where we found a nice corner (and a shop selling cans of <a href="http://www.abita.com/brews/amber.php">Abita Amber</a>) and waited for the parade to come by. The floats were spectacular and the high school marching bands were in good form. We both caught some beads and at one point I impressively snagged a doubloon on the fly.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L-mBtcesYY8/T1Z6qX_njCI/AAAAAAAAA6A/fFFrhZi-WV8/s1600/IMG_1109.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L-mBtcesYY8/T1Z6qX_njCI/AAAAAAAAA6A/fFFrhZi-WV8/s320/IMG_1109.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716891645407366178" /></a>The floats in New Orleans are the most extravagant on the Coast and the parades are the most famous, though there are hundreds of parades and celebrations in the weeks before Fat Tuesday up and down the Coast. <br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tPVUzOQu_cQ/T1Z7fICkjiI/AAAAAAAAA6M/O1dd-Ido22w/s1600/IMG_1133.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tPVUzOQu_cQ/T1Z7fICkjiI/AAAAAAAAA6M/O1dd-Ido22w/s320/IMG_1133.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716892551657852450" /></a>After an hour or so we made our way back to Baronne and decided to look for someplace to grab a late dinner. We found Cajun Mike's Pub & Grub up the road from us, where we had a few delicious beers (<a href="http://bayoutechebrewing.com/our-beers/biere-pale/">Bayou Teche LA 31 Bière Pâle</a> & <a href="http://www.nolabrewing.com/2010/brews/nola-blonde-ale/">NOLA Blonde</a>) and excellent food. Afterwards we caught the back end of the parade on Canal.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5phS8O4qQo/T1Z9cGEzA7I/AAAAAAAAA6Y/XbggeSLDzWQ/s1600/IMG_1136.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5phS8O4qQo/T1Z9cGEzA7I/AAAAAAAAA6Y/XbggeSLDzWQ/s320/IMG_1136.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716894698613965746" /></a>The next morning we were up early to beat the congestion and made our way over to Ocean Springs. We spent the rest of the week (Tuesday - Friday) at <a href="http://gulfhillshotel.com/">Gulf Hills Hotel</a> where we'd gotten the golf package and played 18 every day. The weather started off a bit cloudy on Tuesday but the sun came out later and I ended up with a bit of a sunburn. The following days were more cloudy, culminating in a bit of rain on Friday but nothing too serious.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U641L9x7_Vs/T1Z-ea4EZZI/AAAAAAAAA6k/tCpm_zBFLL0/s1600/IMG_1162.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U641L9x7_Vs/T1Z-ea4EZZI/AAAAAAAAA6k/tCpm_zBFLL0/s320/IMG_1162.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716895838069089682" /></a>The course was in good shape for the season though the region had received a lot of rain prior to our arrival and there were more than a few soggy spots on the course. I hit my fair share of poor shots, having just gotten a new driver over the holidays and experiencing a few accuracy issues with my swing. There were a few houses right off the course that received a shelling that week.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M74UQ6ZE7b4/T1aAFl-0l6I/AAAAAAAAA6w/QT5bym69AH0/s1600/IMG_1157.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M74UQ6ZE7b4/T1aAFl-0l6I/AAAAAAAAA6w/QT5bym69AH0/s320/IMG_1157.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716897610576730018" /></a>We may have spent our days golfing but at night we visited with our relatives and friends in Ocean Springs. This is from the deck of my aunt & uncle's place on the bayou. The gnats chewed me up a bit as I sat outside drinking <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dixie_Brewing_Company">Dixie</a> beer listening to my father and his brother bullshit each other over 40 year old stories.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DhN-QYx_z1c/T1aB1Ys_aTI/AAAAAAAAA68/fjT-gdQSPqU/s1600/IMG_1196.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DhN-QYx_z1c/T1aB1Ys_aTI/AAAAAAAAA68/fjT-gdQSPqU/s320/IMG_1196.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716899531157629234" /></a>Saturday morning my father and I awoke early and made our way back over to New Orleans to catch the train home. We had a few hours to spend in the French Quarter and bought more souvenirs than expected, as we had to stuff a few cans of <a href="http://www.cafedumonde.com/main.html">Cafe Du Monde</a> coffee in our golf bags as the suitcases were stuffed. Luckily we'd both lost enough golf balls in the course of the week that space was not an issue.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AKJpr_wY3ik/T1aC4YTr0WI/AAAAAAAAA7I/JAFaw0WmrmQ/s1600/IMG_1201.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AKJpr_wY3ik/T1aC4YTr0WI/AAAAAAAAA7I/JAFaw0WmrmQ/s320/IMG_1201.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716900682102722914" /></a>We also had time to get lunch in the Quarter. After a few of the options I'd mapped out proved to be too busy or not yet open we took a flyer and stopped by the <a href="http://www.chartreshousecafe.com/">Chartres House Cafe</a>. This proved to be a good choice, as I had one of the better roast beef po-boy sandwiches I've ever had. It was messy but worth it. <br /><br />And then it was time to bid farewell to New Orleans and board the train. As we made our way northward we played a few more games of cribbage and enjoyed a bit of Bushmills, as all too soon the next morning frosty roofs and iced-over water could be seen.wallrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14640666498065461704noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20022031.post-76599075052896389132012-01-11T09:01:00.003-06:002012-01-11T09:06:37.454-06:00Tiltwheel "Do They Make Tin Foil Beer Helmets? Cuz I Want One"Last night I came home to a package from ADD Records in the mail and I listened to the new LP from Tiltwheel for the first time. Had I been paying attention I would have gotten this a year ago when it came out (Dec 2010) but there's no use in worrying about lost time. Tiltwheel has been one of my favorite bands ever since Kevin introduced Eric to them. They don't tour and this is their first release in 10 years but whatever, shit's tight. Here's a video for one of the songs.<br /><iframe width="400" height="240" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/aWWjdNC94rQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>wallrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14640666498065461704noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20022031.post-5978799165610075322011-06-22T08:59:00.004-05:002011-06-22T09:07:30.339-05:00Land Of Vandals "Roar Shark"I've been following the Madison band <a href="http://www.facebook.com/landofvandalsmusic?sk=app_178091127385">Land Of Vandals</a> for a while now, through several name changes and shifts in personnel. Their album <span style="font-style:italic;">Flying Days</span> was my <a href="http://shotgunknowledge.blogspot.com/2009/12/top-25-of-2009.html">second favorite</a> of 2009. Tonight I believe I'll trek out to the Union Terrace to see them play in the <a href="http://www.avclub.com/madison/articles/corcovado-and-land-of-vandals-slow-things-down-for,57873/">latest installment</a> of AV Club's excellent Local Band Series.<br /><br /><iframe width="400" height="240" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/fze1HrGZIKg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>wallrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14640666498065461704noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20022031.post-48266151495742756842011-03-24T10:52:00.003-05:002011-03-24T10:55:53.208-05:00Maritime "Paraphernalia"Maritime is coming out with a new album next month and I'm quite happy to hear it. I'm hoping they make the trip west on I-94 sometime soon.<br /><object style="height: 240px; width: 400px"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/PuXhek_kLAQ?version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/PuXhek_kLAQ?version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="400" height="240"></object>wallrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14640666498065461704noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20022031.post-40446803203784324152011-01-10T09:16:00.003-06:002011-01-10T09:20:45.575-06:00TL/RX "Bottled In Cork"<object width="400" height="240"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/w248uwpAX14&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/w248uwpAX14&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="400" height="240"></embed></object><br />In making my year end list of Top 25 albums of 2010 I've tried to find a link to YouTube videos of each stand-out track. This video for Ted Leo & the Pharmacists' "Bottled In Cork" from the excellent <span style="font-style:italic;">The Brutalist Bricks</span> is simply too good to just leave as a link. The message is an important one: if you stop believing in the power of punk, you will die. Words to live by.wallrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14640666498065461704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20022031.post-69938285122349875502011-01-06T19:15:00.004-06:002011-01-06T19:22:28.512-06:00Justin Townes Earle on Letterman<object width="400" height="240"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5LLqFF89UtU&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5LLqFF89UtU&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="400" height="240"></embed></object><br />I really meant to stay up to watch this last night but I fell asleep during a commercial break. This is easily one of the better musical appearances I've seen on any late night show, with Jason Isbell (another favorite of mine) backing Justin up on guitar and even Paul Shaffer on keyboards. I'm extra excited to see JTE next month at the High Noon Saloon. <span style="font-style:italic;">Harlem River Blues</span> figures to make my end of year top 25 - I'll get that up sometime soon.wallrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14640666498065461704noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20022031.post-52217243740332081782010-12-17T08:47:00.007-06:002012-01-11T09:48:53.960-06:00Top 25 of 2010<span style="font-style:italic;">I started this and never finished it, but I have the overall ranking on a post-it on my desk at work. Might as well post it...</span><br /><br />December is again upon us, and for the past several weeks one thought has dominated my waking hours: what are my favorite albums of 2010. As with <a href="http://shotgunknowledge.blogspot.com/2008/12/top-25-of-2008.html">2008</a> and <a href="http://shotgunknowledge.blogspot.com/2009/12/top-25-of-2009.html">2009</a> I've selected 25 worthy candidates and ranked them from top to bottom in an order with which I'll once again certainly find fault. I consider 2010 to be one of the best years for new music in quite some time. The majority of my favorite bands released new albums this year, including two that reformed from previous breakups. I believe in 2010 I purchased more new records and CDs than any year since 1998, my first year at UW. That semester I was burdened with a surfeit of cash, few friends on campus and a legal prohibition from purchasing alcohol, so I did what came naturally and spent hour after hour in the record stores on State Street. This year was slightly different, if only in that I don't live on campus and I can imbibe legally. A combination of great deals, good luck on my part and a new-found interest in vinyl had led me to increase my already formidable collection significantly. I'm still processing through everything I've gotten this year and in the interest of making this list I've focused on 2010 releases for the past month. Unlike the past two years I have really concentrated on my rankings, as subjective as they may be. For the past six months I've kept a list of new releases at my desk at work and in the last month I started the draft rankings. My list is now cluttered with notes, covered in Post-it notes and is generally indecipherable; still I'll give it a shot. There were no clear-cut winners this year - in fact I consider the top four almost interchangeable. So without any further preconditions or excuses here is my Top 25 of 2010:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/TQuKSV75MFI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/SeJPYm_Y01Q/s1600/alejandro%2Bescovedo%2Bstreet%2Bsongs.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/TQuKSV75MFI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/SeJPYm_Y01Q/s200/alejandro%2Bescovedo%2Bstreet%2Bsongs.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551683013394903122" /></a>#25: Alejandro Escovedo - <i>Street Songs of Love</i><br />I really do love Alejandro Escovedo. I've been buying his new records since 2001's <i>A Man Under The Influence</i>, and 2008's <i>Real Animal</i> was my #11 on the year. But I have this theory that every other Escovedo album is great and unfortunately this album almost serves as confirmation. When I first bought this I honestly thought it would be my biggest disappointment of the year. There is one reason and one reason only - the female backing vocal tracks on most all of the songs. There's few things in life I find more off-putting than the addition of prominent female backing vocals on otherwise great rock songs. It's not like these are duets either, more like "woo woo's" in the choruses and refrains. I'm not trying to be a misogynistic dick or anything, I just don't care for the higher pitch of the vocals and I find it really, really distracting. So why is this on the list? My mother really loves this album. After repeated listenings on the drive down to Illinois on Thanksgiving I had a chance to hear beyond what I found grating and truly appreciate the uplifting yet tortured romanticism in the songs Al has written. It's a good album, and minus one little piece it would be one of my favorites of the year. Stand-out Track: "This Bed is Getting Crowded" [<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxqeKp_yoRU">link</a>]<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/TQuMf22Tu5I/AAAAAAAAAzY/1a6SsiFf6WQ/s1600/To%2BBed%2BTo%2BBattle.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 199px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/TQuMf22Tu5I/AAAAAAAAAzY/1a6SsiFf6WQ/s200/To%2BBed%2BTo%2BBattle.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551685444591401874" /></a>#24: Look Mexico - <i>To Bed To Battle</i><br />I hadn't really heard much of Look Mexico before this year, making this band one of a better finds of 2010. I heard an interview <a href="http://www.soundscenerevolution.com/">Sound Scene Revolution</a> a year or so ago and placed the band on my mental list to revisit at a later date. I never got around to doing so until the band went and put out their sophomore album on my favorite label <a href="http://www.suburbanhomerecords.com/">Suburban Home</a> and I picked up a copy of the vinyl. Look Mexico has a tight, dark aggression hidden behind their pleasant sunny sound. I especially enjoy the almost orchestral range of their songs, which expertly skirt the line between haunting and overly melancholy. Stand-out Track: "You Stay. I Go. No Following." [<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bgLGtlrBaA">link</a>]<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s9ZtXrz9Ark/Tw2q5BmJzpI/AAAAAAAAAz0/tGT9pmNqfH0/s1600/spraynard.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s9ZtXrz9Ark/Tw2q5BmJzpI/AAAAAAAAAz0/tGT9pmNqfH0/s200/spraynard.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696397000351272594" /></a>#23: Spraynard - <i>Cut and Paste</i><br />I make it a regular habit of checking If You Can Make It as it's been a wellspring of excellent music legally available for free. Spraynard, certainly the best named band on this list, released <i>Cut and Paste</i> <br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W-Auw4ClIls/Tw2rGxHqvWI/AAAAAAAAA0A/2tkeLc1rMqY/s1600/state%2Blottery.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W-Auw4ClIls/Tw2rGxHqvWI/AAAAAAAAA0A/2tkeLc1rMqY/s200/state%2Blottery.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696397236446608738" /></a>#22: The State Lottery - <i>When The Night Comes</i><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VORjgSdxK4w/Tw2rVNe6MXI/AAAAAAAAA0M/dQtB3lbuUwM/s1600/tim%2Bbarry.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VORjgSdxK4w/Tw2rVNe6MXI/AAAAAAAAA0M/dQtB3lbuUwM/s200/tim%2Bbarry.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696397484578451826" /></a>#21: Tim Barry - <i>28th & Stonewall</i><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I-1a-PqjTBw/Tw2rkmsMDoI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/VrWZS_eHooU/s1600/whigs.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I-1a-PqjTBw/Tw2rkmsMDoI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/VrWZS_eHooU/s200/whigs.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696397749043072642" /></a>#20: The Whigs - <i>In The Dark</i><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oVSm5P6Lotg/Tw2rwvFyUcI/AAAAAAAAA0k/o5ZhVv0oPgg/s1600/defianceohio_midwesternminutes.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oVSm5P6Lotg/Tw2rwvFyUcI/AAAAAAAAA0k/o5ZhVv0oPgg/s200/defianceohio_midwesternminutes.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696397957456351682" /></a>#19: Defiance, Ohio - <i>Midwestern Minutes</i><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pF8UDZuQ1-E/Tw2r-0S7XEI/AAAAAAAAA0w/GIwlUAKkhuc/s1600/ox_plows_cover.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pF8UDZuQ1-E/Tw2r-0S7XEI/AAAAAAAAA0w/GIwlUAKkhuc/s200/ox_plows_cover.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696398199371816002" /></a>#18: Dan Padilla - <i>As The Ox Plows</i><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cnqG8mg8yNg/Tw2sEf8gKkI/AAAAAAAAA08/lrlyN59cZ-g/s1600/AT.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cnqG8mg8yNg/Tw2sEf8gKkI/AAAAAAAAA08/lrlyN59cZ-g/s200/AT.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696398296988265026" /></a>#17: Alkaline Trio - <i>This Addiction</i><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3c_j5hqdxs8/Tw2t3WYccZI/AAAAAAAAA1I/UxZ4bSL3J90/s1600/GlossaryFeralFire.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3c_j5hqdxs8/Tw2t3WYccZI/AAAAAAAAA1I/UxZ4bSL3J90/s200/GlossaryFeralFire.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696400270106063250" /></a>#16: Glossary - <i>Feral Fire</i><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Iteeju0W_4/Tw2vVqNBn5I/AAAAAAAAA38/junl8kVnQL8/s1600/SRTWA.Album_.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Iteeju0W_4/Tw2vVqNBn5I/AAAAAAAAA38/junl8kVnQL8/s200/SRTWA.Album_.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696401890334580626" /></a>#15: Josh Ritter - <i>So Runs The World Away</i><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kF519vAu0BI/Tw2vPnun-oI/AAAAAAAAA3w/QxxzfKz1soA/s1600/iclasob.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kF519vAu0BI/Tw2vPnun-oI/AAAAAAAAA3w/QxxzfKz1soA/s200/iclasob.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696401786590984834" /></a>#14: I Can Lick Any Sonofabitch In The House - <i>The Sounds Of Dying</i><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FPqyC-JQF7A/Tw2vK0MC1jI/AAAAAAAAA3k/m--9frAkBW8/s1600/thethermals.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FPqyC-JQF7A/Tw2vK0MC1jI/AAAAAAAAA3k/m--9frAkBW8/s200/thethermals.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696401704036259378" /></a>#13: The Thermals - <i>Personal Life</i><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0oA1M9RipdQ/Tw2vFbCwUkI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/GhcfKdQOpsI/s1600/Mumford-Sons-Sigh-No-More.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0oA1M9RipdQ/Tw2vFbCwUkI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/GhcfKdQOpsI/s200/Mumford-Sons-Sigh-No-More.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696401611387064898" /></a>#12: Mumford & Sons - <i>Sigh No More</i><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tkPkPUeoRH4/Tw2u_a1LLUI/AAAAAAAAA3M/OerXVwXFdVE/s1600/TheGamits_Parts300.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tkPkPUeoRH4/Tw2u_a1LLUI/AAAAAAAAA3M/OerXVwXFdVE/s200/TheGamits_Parts300.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696401508250889538" /></a>#11: The Gamits - <i>Parts</i><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K538lxBM33c/Tw2u457UwCI/AAAAAAAAA3A/Ds0ZKSvb_Bk/s1600/BTF%2B-%2BGood%2BTo%2BBe.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 199px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K538lxBM33c/Tw2u457UwCI/AAAAAAAAA3A/Ds0ZKSvb_Bk/s200/BTF%2B-%2BGood%2BTo%2BBe.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696401396339097634" /></a>#10: Backyard Tire Fire - <i>Good To Be</i><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y5WEORH6S7Q/Tw2uz-H_RNI/AAAAAAAAA20/soLH5sfeQNo/s1600/61wRUOOvvNL._SL500_AA300_.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y5WEORH6S7Q/Tw2uz-H_RNI/AAAAAAAAA20/soLH5sfeQNo/s200/61wRUOOvvNL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696401311566611666" /></a>#9: Drive-by Truckers - <i>The Big To-Do</i><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b8Ui2wBz8Bs/Tw2utLrWLmI/AAAAAAAAA2o/bxBorMIfbpc/s1600/the_hold_steady_heaven_is_whenever.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b8Ui2wBz8Bs/Tw2utLrWLmI/AAAAAAAAA2o/bxBorMIfbpc/s200/the_hold_steady_heaven_is_whenever.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696401194945490530" /></a>#8: The Hold Steady - <i>Heaven Is Whenever</i><br />When I think of the backing vocals I want to drop this to #24. Otherwise I really love this album.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a4Wgm_T8ewk/Tw2unOJ3iEI/AAAAAAAAA2c/Kw_W5qMUyfQ/s1600/ted-leo-the-brutalist-bricks.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a4Wgm_T8ewk/Tw2unOJ3iEI/AAAAAAAAA2c/Kw_W5qMUyfQ/s200/ted-leo-the-brutalist-bricks.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696401092531161154" /></a>#7: Ted Leo & the Pharmacists - <i>The Brutalist Bricks</i><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gnCv2JYNM4w/Tw2ug8VcoxI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/8BpAgwb4VSM/s1600/4043044415-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gnCv2JYNM4w/Tw2ug8VcoxI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/8BpAgwb4VSM/s200/4043044415-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696400984668676882" /></a>#6: Iron Chic - <i>Not Like This</i><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--CDgurhD7vI/Tw2uaQRwGUI/AAAAAAAAA2E/pel36gY_5-g/s1600/off-with-their-heads-in-desolation.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--CDgurhD7vI/Tw2uaQRwGUI/AAAAAAAAA2E/pel36gY_5-g/s200/off-with-their-heads-in-desolation.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696400869762799938" /></a>#5: Off With Their Heads - <i>In Desolation</i><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rw0-gUC9Bzg/Tw2uT4bHFAI/AAAAAAAAA14/kM94Y7TluSw/s1600/white_crosses_300.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rw0-gUC9Bzg/Tw2uT4bHFAI/AAAAAAAAA14/kM94Y7TluSw/s200/white_crosses_300.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696400760280388610" /></a>#4: Against Me! - <i>White Crosses</i><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ykjMbAJx5ls/Tw2uMXe6i7I/AAAAAAAAA1s/KTjYnxCi6Z0/s1600/Gaslight-Anthem-American-Slang-Cover-300x300.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ykjMbAJx5ls/Tw2uMXe6i7I/AAAAAAAAA1s/KTjYnxCi6Z0/s200/Gaslight-Anthem-American-Slang-Cover-300x300.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696400631178890162" /></a>#3: The Gaslight Anthem - <i>American Slang</i><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XoeRbChy4qE/Tw2uEdELgSI/AAAAAAAAA1g/2djM1a0Q2ag/s1600/twocowgarage_sweetcover.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 199px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XoeRbChy4qE/Tw2uEdELgSI/AAAAAAAAA1g/2djM1a0Q2ag/s200/twocowgarage_sweetcover.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696400495238414626" /></a>#2: Two Cow Garage - <i>Sweet Saint Me</i><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GWwdPC-wePM/Tw2t-zu2pGI/AAAAAAAAA1U/gv5usLw45Do/s1600/titus.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GWwdPC-wePM/Tw2t-zu2pGI/AAAAAAAAA1U/gv5usLw45Do/s200/titus.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696400398243767394" /></a>#1: Titus Andronicus - <i>The Monitor</i>wallrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14640666498065461704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20022031.post-58929962557778616802010-11-30T19:24:00.003-06:002010-11-30T19:31:57.978-06:00Last Kiss on a Sinking Ship<a href="http://www.sleepingintheaviary.com/">Sleeping in the Aviary</a> is one of my favorite Madison bands, and I'll continue to refer to them as a Madison band despite the fact that they're predominantly based out of the Twin Cities these days. They just released their third album, <span style="font-style:italic;">Great Vacation!</span> on <a href="http://www.scienceofsound.com/">Science of Sound</a>. I was unfortunately unable to make it to the CD Release show last Saturday night, but I've got this sweet video for "Last Kiss on a Sinking Ship" to tide me over until I get this in the mail.<br /><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/15817972" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/15817972">Last Kiss on a Sinking Ship</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user651348">Christopher Heubach</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>wallrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14640666498065461704noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20022031.post-34657141790467092282010-10-15T10:41:00.002-05:002010-10-15T10:44:19.930-05:00An alternative way to pour your hefeweizen<object width="400" height="240"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/dwZvROynQb8&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/dwZvROynQb8&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="400" height="240"></embed></object><br />That's some nice engineering there. Prost!wallrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14640666498065461704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20022031.post-88680125020788235732010-09-30T17:03:00.003-05:002010-10-01T15:13:47.258-05:00The Thermals "I Don't Believe You"<object width="400" height="240"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/AOLC9gELguQ?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/AOLC9gELguQ?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="240"></embed></object><br />Where will I'll be this Saturday night? Seeing the Thermals at the Annex, of course. 2010 is easily going to break all standing records for awesome shows in Madison.wallrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14640666498065461704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20022031.post-4985984316152169852010-08-30T12:20:00.000-05:002010-08-31T12:17:32.158-05:00Wisconsin Distillers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lounge29javea.com/images/whiskey-glass2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 190px; height: 221px;" src="http://lounge29javea.com/images/whiskey-glass2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>An admission: for quite some time I've had a taste for the hard drink. While it is certainly true that the wide wonderful world of Wisconsin beers has been my playground for the last 10 years, I've been gradually incorporating more spirits into the repertoire. This started in back in the college years when my tastes for bourbon were developed beyond the standard whiskey-coke mixer consumed for the sole purposes of getting faced. <a href="http://www.jimbeam.com/">Jim Beam Black</a> 8-year bourbon was my first infatuation, followed by a year or two of <a href="http://www.crownroyal.com/">Crown Royal</a> devotion. After college I started drinking martinis at <a href="http://www.smokysclub.com/">Smokey's</a> once <a href="http://uniqueupholsteryprojects.blogspot.com/">CWS</a> introduced us to Martini Bob's Martini Club. It was on a Caribbean cruise in 2005 that I first developed a taste for Scotch whisky, <a href="http://www.johnniewalker.com/">Johnnie Walker Red</a> to be exact. Upon returning to the States I first tried <a href="http://www.chivas.com/">Chivas Regal</a>, which is to this day my favorite blended Scotch. After my European vacation in late 2008 I returned with a serious appreciation of Irish whiskey, especially <a href="http://www.bushmills.com/">Bushmill's Black Bush</a>. <br /><br />As with beer, I've recently started looking within the borders of the state for locally distilled spirits.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/TE34YdF27RI/AAAAAAAAAyo/RkEYramkFuU/s1600/2010022200000038.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 170px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/TE34YdF27RI/AAAAAAAAAyo/RkEYramkFuU/s320/2010022200000038.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498323819098991890" /></a> The micro-distillery movement is still quite small but seems to be growing quickly. To my knowledge Wisconsin has never had a distilling tradition, so when i first heard of local distilleries I was a bit surprised. I was even more surprised after trying my first bottle of <a href="http://www.deathsdoorspirits.com/">Death's Door</a> vodka, an excellent vodka made from Washington Island wheat that is completely smooth and just a touch sweet. I don't even really care for vodka or at least what I'd had prior to DD, but my experience with this vodka made me re-evaluate my prior opinions of the drink. My appreciation of the vodka was soon compounded once I learned that the distillery would be creating a "white whiskey" - basically an unaged young whiskey also made with Washington Island wheat. I had originally planned on hanging on to the bottle due to its rarity. In fact, I loved the taste of the white whiskey, which was brash yet mellow with a delicious sweet overtone, and that first bottle did not last me too long. I've been fortunate, however, as Death's Door has maintained their production of the whiskey and I've never found myself unable to procure another bottle. I've even introduced my father to the white whiskey and he now counts himself as a fan. We brought a good-sized flask with us on our winter vacation to the Gulf Coast. It was the perfect accompaniment to the marathon cribbage games in our sleeper on the <a href="http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer/AM_Route_C/1241245653236/1237405732511">City of New Orleans</a>.<br /><br />After Death's Door opened my eyes to the burgeoning Wisconsin distilling scene I quickly came upon <a href="http://yaharabay.com/">Yahara Bay Distillers</a>, a <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/TH0reP3dJSI/AAAAAAAAAy4/C4iV-KgHny4/s1600/whiskey-lowres.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 163px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/TH0reP3dJSI/AAAAAAAAAy4/C4iV-KgHny4/s320/whiskey-lowres.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511609317626553634" /></a>Madison-based company that produces a range of products. I first received a bottle of their Extra Dry Gin as a present this past winter. I've never been much of a gin devotee, but I enjoy the occasional martini from time to time. This is mainly because the taste of gin can be too much for my palate. However, the martini I made with the Yahara Bay gin was exceptionally smooth. Whereas I used to consider <a href="http://www.bombaysapphire.com/">Bombay Sapphire</a> or <a href="http://www.tanqueray.com/">Tanqueray</a> as my preferred brands, I now believe that Yahara Bay is the best gin for my tastes. I love the first two-thirds of a martini but the last sips as the drink warmed and the harshness of the gin became exposed were always slightly gag-inducing. I didn't have this concern with Yahara Bay and as such it's now my gin of choice. Following this experience I started to read up on this home-grown distiller and I was heartened to hear that they would be introducing an aged whiskey. I tracked down a bottle shortly thereafter and enjoyed it immensely. It has many of the same characteristics as the Death's Door White, with sweet overtones and a smooth finish but with the added oak smokiness from two years of aging. Yahara Bay is a small distillery and doesn't produce large quantities so I'm sure extensive aging would not be feasible. However, I'd love to try this whiskey after six, eight or even ten years in the cask. <br /><br />Rounding out my experience with Wisconsin-based distilleries is the <a href="http://www.madisondistillery.com/Old_Sugar_Distillery/Homepage.html">Old Sugar Distillery</a>, right here in Madison. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/TH01P7C-LnI/AAAAAAAAAzA/afawfy47MNU/s1600/OSF+Label+Front.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 199px; height: 218px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/TH01P7C-LnI/AAAAAAAAAzA/afawfy47MNU/s320/OSF+Label+Front.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511620066635820658" /></a>I read about this small operation and made it a point to seek out a bottle of Old Sugar Factory Honey Liqueur just to complete the trifecta. To tell the truth I wasn't expecting much as I've never been a big fan of liqueurs or overly sweet drinks. My sweet tooth disappeared around the age of 18 and with it my appreciation for rum, schnapps and the like. However the urge to be a completist overcame this hesitance and I'm quite happy it did. The Old Sugar Factory Honey Liqueur is excellent. The sweetness is restrained and it is miles away from being cloyingly sugary. The liqueur is aged in oak, giving it a beautiful color and a smoothness that balances the flavor. This is not made from distilled honey as the name would suggest. It is in fact distilled from Midwestern beet sugar, with Wisconsin honey added later. I'm definitely a fan, and as with the Death's Door I gave a bottle to my father, who appreciates this as much as I do.<br /><br />I don't believe I'll ever love anything as much as I do the many excellent breweries in Wisconsin, but the presence of these three local distilleries has certainly made the decision a bit harder. It's a nice problem to have.wallrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14640666498065461704noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20022031.post-34380972054535565532010-08-24T19:01:00.002-05:002010-08-24T19:05:29.348-05:00Hungover Owls<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/THReFEvFExI/AAAAAAAAAyw/zH7zAOVPCGk/s1600/tumblr_l66cy9MQ6W1qclcx7o1_500.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/THReFEvFExI/AAAAAAAAAyw/zH7zAOVPCGk/s400/tumblr_l66cy9MQ6W1qclcx7o1_500.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509131685444522770" /></a><br /><a href="http://hungoverowls.tumblr.com/">Hungover Owls</a> - definitely the funniest thing I've read today.wallrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14640666498065461704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20022031.post-56607747438068691682010-07-26T15:47:00.003-05:002010-10-01T15:14:31.601-05:00The Gaslight Anthem with Tim Barry Cover Lucero's "The War"<object width="400" height="240"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GY2QhYMaVAU&hl=en_US&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GY2QhYMaVAU&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="240"></embed></object><br />Two of my favorites covering a favorite song by another favorite. That's almost too much favorite...wallrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14640666498065461704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20022031.post-29527991635434145072010-05-10T10:49:00.002-05:002010-05-10T10:53:13.719-05:00Off With Their Heads<embed src='http://content.bitsontherun.com/players/if861538-YkfiC1Yv.swf' width='480' height='380' allowfullscreen='true' allowscriptaccess='always'></embed><br />Off With Their Heads is one of my new favorite bands. Redbeard introduced me to them a year or two ago, and although my ignorance caused me to miss at least two shows in Madison I've since rectified that, seeing them play an excellent show this past February. I'm definitely going to pick up their new full length when it comes out next month.wallrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14640666498065461704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20022031.post-82500266350078653122010-03-29T17:36:00.002-05:002010-03-29T17:42:02.068-05:00Titus Andronicus<font face="Verdana" size="1" color="#999999"><br/><a href="http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=103846998" style="font: Verdana">A More Perfect Union</a><br/><object width="425px" height="360px" ><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"/><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="movie" value="http://mediaservices.myspace.com/services/media/embed.aspx/m=103846998,t=1,mt=video"/><embed src="http://mediaservices.myspace.com/services/media/embed.aspx/m=103846998,t=1,mt=video" width="425" height="360" allowFullScreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent"></embed></object><br/><a href="http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=17364466" style="font: Verdana">Titus Andronicus</a> | <a href="http://music.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=videos" style="font: Verdana">MySpace Music Videos</a></font><br />I am really looking forward to seeing <a href="http://www.myspace.com/titusandronicus">Titus Andronicus</a> play the <a href="http://www.theprojectlodge.com/2010/03/25/titus-andronicus-with-his-and-her-vanities-tues-april-6-730/">Project Lodge</a> on April 6th (with His and Her Vanities, a band I've been meaning to see again for some time). Their new album, <span style="font-style:italic;">The Monitor</span>, is on the inside track to being a favorite of 2010, and the show they played at the Rathskellar last year was simply amazing. There must be something about New Jersey right now, since a good number of my favorite bands are coming from here.wallrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14640666498065461704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20022031.post-71520721123356907472010-01-06T14:51:00.003-06:002010-01-06T14:54:53.767-06:00Hawk for the Hall<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/S0T4KCSbgvI/AAAAAAAAAyg/BfU3peu10jI/s1600-h/Hawk.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 314px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/S0T4KCSbgvI/AAAAAAAAAyg/BfU3peu10jI/s400/Hawk.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423732702557471474" /></a><br />Today Andre Dawson, my favorite baseball player of all time, got his due and was <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/story?id=4801847">elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame</a>. Long overdue, in my humble opinion, but no matter because the Hawk is in the Hall. Congratulations!wallrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14640666498065461704noreply@blogger.com46tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20022031.post-64430575348241170402009-12-22T14:36:00.012-06:002009-12-22T15:15:08.906-06:00Split Rock Lighthouse<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzEuF7oZLtI/AAAAAAAAAuI/IRCmOl0aEUI/s1600-h/IMG_3477.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzEuF7oZLtI/AAAAAAAAAuI/IRCmOl0aEUI/s320/IMG_3477.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418162506144755410" /></a>I had a two and a half day trip up to northern Minnesota last week, and despite the subzero temperatures I really enjoyed the views up on the North Shore. I've been <a href="http://shotgunknowledge.blogspot.com/2007/05/just-take-everything-down-to-highway-61.html">up</a> <a href="http://shotgunknowledge.blogspot.com/2007/07/greetings-from-lutsen-mn.html">this</a> <a href="http://shotgunknowledge.blogspot.com/2007/09/lutsen-mn-redux.html">way</a> <a href="http://shotgunknowledge.blogspot.com/2009/05/sunrise-in-grand-marais.html">before</a> but never during winter. I made my way up Highway 61 early on a Tuesday morning for the express purposes of taking pictures for use in a "Visual Assessment" in relation to the proposed tower. As part of this I ended up getting a good number of pictures of the <a href="http://www.mnhs.org/places/sites/srl/index.htm">Split Rock Lighthouse</a>, a National Register historic site located on a cliff above Lake Superior. The lighthouse was constructed in 1910, well before there was even a road in the area. It's a beautiful old building, and fortunately the actual tower location coordinates I'd been given were a couple of miles off, and the project will have no real impacts on the historic site (<span style="font-style:italic;">unfortunate for my time spent driving around</span>). It wasn't a complete wash though - I did get quite a few nice shots of the lighthouse and surrounding frozen landscape. The photo at the top of the page is taken with the sun behind the lighthouse.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzEw5UO6OpI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/VSHvAWEN5H0/s1600-h/IMG_3472.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzEw5UO6OpI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/VSHvAWEN5H0/s320/IMG_3472.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418165587945339538" /></a>Here is the lighthouse from behind, coming up from the Visitor's Center. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzExfCI6qEI/AAAAAAAAAuY/KoeDDoww4S0/s1600-h/IMG_3482.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzExfCI6qEI/AAAAAAAAAuY/KoeDDoww4S0/s320/IMG_3482.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418166235923392578" /></a>The Split Rock Lighthouse, in profile.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzExtcsvx-I/AAAAAAAAAug/M8wbr29mnVo/s1600-h/IMG_3486.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzExtcsvx-I/AAAAAAAAAug/M8wbr29mnVo/s320/IMG_3486.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418166483571165154" /></a>Here is the building that housed the foghorns. They were run by two gasoline engines.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzEyiVIepaI/AAAAAAAAAuo/-FjrQPPsX14/s1600-h/IMG_3487.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzEyiVIepaI/AAAAAAAAAuo/-FjrQPPsX14/s320/IMG_3487.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418167392073065890" /></a>Here are the keepers' houses. It would have been lonely, back before 61 was built.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzEy6VRLC4I/AAAAAAAAAuw/3ezX5b3kWWA/s1600-h/IMG_3494.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzEy6VRLC4I/AAAAAAAAAuw/3ezX5b3kWWA/s320/IMG_3494.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418167804426390402" /></a>The view of the lakeshore from the lighthouse. It was very cold that morning, about four below zero. The wind coming off Lake Superior wasn't too strong, but the occasional gusts cut to the bone.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzEzRkZ_h-I/AAAAAAAAAu4/VA2IraU797Y/s1600-h/IMG_3498.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzEzRkZ_h-I/AAAAAAAAAu4/VA2IraU797Y/s320/IMG_3498.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418168203626907618" /></a>The view of Lake Superior. Since it was so cold but the lake is still open, great banks of fog were coming off of the water. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzEzo7Y2wyI/AAAAAAAAAvA/TvKmiW4XcSg/s1600-h/IMG_3504.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzEzo7Y2wyI/AAAAAAAAAvA/TvKmiW4XcSg/s320/IMG_3504.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418168604933145378" /></a>After taking pictures at the Lighthouse I drove down to a campground in the surrounding State Park. A trail from the parking lot led to the lake and Pebble Beach. This is a few of Little Two Harbors toward a small island in the lake. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzE1Jg836nI/AAAAAAAAAvI/__ytV85vKq4/s1600-h/IMG_3506.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzE1Jg836nI/AAAAAAAAAvI/__ytV85vKq4/s320/IMG_3506.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418170264283769458" /></a>Pebble Beach, as it was called, consisted of smooth gray stones, all covered in a rime of ice. It was exceedingly slick, and given the cold temperatures and the fact that I still had a site walk to finish it was likely foolish of me to walk down to the water. One slip and I would have been in for an inadvertent Polar Bear Swim. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzE2phsOMGI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/Qjr-oJuUpGI/s1600-h/IMG_3518.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzE2phsOMGI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/Qjr-oJuUpGI/s320/IMG_3518.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418171913749803106" /></a>AS I was wrapping up the Assessment photos, I grabbed this shot of the salt-encrusted Civic at the scenic overlook, with the Split Rock Lighthouse in the background.wallrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14640666498065461704noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20022031.post-23320666110989623702009-12-18T10:56:00.026-06:002009-12-23T16:49:03.455-06:00Top 25 of 2009In keeping with a "tradition" I began <a href="http://shotgunknowledge.blogspot.com/2008/12/top-25-of-2008.html">last year</a>, I have again decided to compile a list of my top 25 albums of 2009. At first I was a bit disconcerted as I didn't think I could even come up with 25 total candidates, because for a number of reasons it seems that a lot of my purchases this year were from 2008 and 2007 - this was apparently the year for me to catch up on all of the great music I'd missed earlier. To me 2009 felt a little light in terms of new music, and on initial examination I felt that older albums from the past couple of years still overshadowed everything from this year. There weren't that many new releases for which I waited in anticipation or pre-ordered as compared to last year, and looking around at other top-ten lists I do believe my tastes were more divergent this year. However, once I started getting into the business of putting this list together, I really started thinking differently about it all. Many of the great albums I bought this year just haven't really made it into my daily rotation, for reasons ranging from a packed iPod to my new predilection of listening to <a href="http://soundscenerevolution.com/">Sound Scene Revolution</a>, <a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/">Planet Money</a> and <a href="http://www.thisamericanlife.org/">This American Life</a> podcasts while on my long drives through northern Wisconsin and Minnesota. Over the last couple of weeks I've made it a point to listen to nothing but new music, and consequently I've sharpened my focus and come to the realization that 2009 was far from a disappointment in terms of new music.<br /><br />As with last year, I picked 25 albums and subjectively ranked them in the course of about a minute, then re-ranked several times before settling on the following. I'll never really be happy with this order, as for the most part every time I listen to one of these I feel it ought to be higher. I should have stuck with my 30-second rule from last year, but whatever... I've also listed what I feel to be the "stand-out track" on each album, which is not to say it is the best or even my favorite, but the song that maybe pops into my head when I'm in the shower or scrolling through my iPod. So, without further ado:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzIkjKqhV1I/AAAAAAAAAvY/Tj5dMnfo7jc/s1600-h/image.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzIkjKqhV1I/AAAAAAAAAvY/Tj5dMnfo7jc/s200/image.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418433488256849746" /></a>#25: Fanfarlo - <span style="font-style:italic;">Reservoir</span><br />This one was close to the biggest surprise of the year, in part because I had never heard of the band or their music before. I ended up winning this album, in a beautiful limited edition box with hand-lettered liner notes, from a post-Forward Music Fest contest on <a href="http://www.kylepfister.blogspot.com/">I'm Just Sayin' Is All...</a>. The Arcade Fire comparisons are apt, but there is more to this album than just the similarity of sound. I like that this band has added more rather than strip down their sound, with the lush instrumentation from horns and accordions really balancing out the driving drums. This one's going to keep growing on me. Stand-out track: "Luna"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzIn52fKW1I/AAAAAAAAAvg/HcocRtt2GGU/s1600-h/image+1.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 199px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzIn52fKW1I/AAAAAAAAAvg/HcocRtt2GGU/s200/image+1.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418437176512371538" /></a>#24: Stereotyperider - <span style="font-style:italic;">Songs In The Keys Of F And U</span><br />A long-time <a href="http://www.suburbanhomerecords.com/">Suburban Home</a> band, I was first introduced to Stereotyperider when I ordered a hundred mixed CDs from SH in a warehouse-clearing deal. Two Stereotyperider albums were included in the mix, and <span style="font-style:italic;">Prolonging The Inevitable</span> stuck out as one of my favorites of the bunch. Earlier this year I read on the <a href="http://www.punknews.org/">Org</a> that they were coming out with a new album. Unfortunately the band called it quits shortly afterwards, but it did not deter me from including this album in one of my several orders from SH. While the band and album names don't exactly roll off the tongue, the music makes up for any shortcomings. This is an example of well-crafted post-hardcore and is definitely a high point for the band to go out on. Stand-out track: "Useless Point"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzIqyMZ3TCI/AAAAAAAAAvo/d3cCw6UFjDU/s1600-h/image+2.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 198px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzIqyMZ3TCI/AAAAAAAAAvo/d3cCw6UFjDU/s200/image+2.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418440343491660834" /></a>#23: Say Hi - <span style="font-style:italic;">Oohs & Aahs</span><br />Say Hi is a <a href="http://www.barsuk.com/home">Barsuk Records</a> band, the home of many great bands (Nada Surf, Ra Ra Riot, What Made Milwaukee Famous). Say Hi has much in common with the aforementioned bands, and <span style="font-style:italic;">Oohs & Aahs</span> is loaded with hooky indie rock songs that come together perfectly. The drums and guitars are precise, with the keyboards and vocals layered on top of the staccato beats like frosting. This style of indie rock isn't something that I'm always in the mood for, but when I do have the craving Say Hi completely hits the spot. Stand-out Track: "November Was White, December Was Grey"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzIuPFJFr1I/AAAAAAAAAvw/EEicsSk-4gI/s1600-h/image+3.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzIuPFJFr1I/AAAAAAAAAvw/EEicsSk-4gI/s200/image+3.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418444138293342034" /></a>#22: Austin Lucas - <span style="font-style:italic;">Somebody Loves You</span><br />To really appreciate Austin Lucas you have to see him live. It's shocking to hear his beautiful voice given his burly tattooed appearance. Fortunately I was able to see him on the Suburban Home Tour earlier this year. Lucas has a haunting quality to his voice, but the true strength of his songs is in his lyrics. Musically he tends to favor stripped-down acoustic guitar with the occasional percussion accompaniment. The experience is unlike any other. Stand-out Track: "Go West"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzIxs0Cl8ZI/AAAAAAAAAv4/9961bsBNzzY/s1600-h/image+4.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 192px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzIxs0Cl8ZI/AAAAAAAAAv4/9961bsBNzzY/s200/image+4.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418447947633652114" /></a>#21: Ben Nichols - <span style="font-style:italic;">The Last Pale Light in the West</span><br />Earlier this year Ben Nichols, the lead singer of Lucero, came out with a solo album of songs he'd written based on the novel <span style="font-style:italic;">Blood Meridian</span> by Cormac McCarthy. I've not read the book, but after listening to Nichols' EP I've decided that I really ought to. I pre-ordered this immediately upon learning about it, and received a digital download that I listened to repeatedly every morning upon coming into work. The music is mainly acoustic with accompaniment from accordion, electric and steel guitars, combined with Nichols' rough voice. The mood of the songs is both dark and portentous while at the same time catchy and joyous. It feels almost like these songs are hundreds of years old, passed down over the years and just now seeing the light of day. Stand-out Track: "The Kid"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzI1_sOAanI/AAAAAAAAAwA/lKojYzkHwSQ/s1600-h/image+5.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 178px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzI1_sOAanI/AAAAAAAAAwA/lKojYzkHwSQ/s200/image+5.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418452669998066290" /></a>#20: Drive-by Truckers - <span style="font-style:italic;">The Fine Print (A Collection Of Oddities And Rarities 2003-2008)</span><br />It's shocking almost, but this DBT collection of B-sides, alternate versions and unreleased tracks comes together almost as well as their past few albums. It's not that the songs are thematically consistent or even tangentially related, but the mix of songs from Patterson Hood, Mike Cooley and Jason Isbell just feels so right. In some ways this is a fan's collection, but I'd offer <span style="font-style:italic;">The Fine Print</span> as a jumping off point for the uninitiated more so than the past two albums. Hearing this has really primed the pump, so to speak, for their new album <span style="font-style:italic;">The Big To-Do</span>, coming out next March. I can't wait. Stand-out Track: "Play It All Night Long"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzI5YpXyz3I/AAAAAAAAAwI/_X79T16Uzgo/s1600-h/image+6.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzI5YpXyz3I/AAAAAAAAAwI/_X79T16Uzgo/s200/image+6.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418456397265424242" /></a>#19: Felice Brothers - <span style="font-style:italic;">Yonder Is The Clock</span><br />The second album from this amazing band from the Catskills in NY didn't strike me quite as hard as their debut last year. <span style="font-style:italic;">Yonder Is The Clock</span> doesn't seem to have the same flow to it, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't prefer the faster songs on this. However, after listening more closely I've really come to appreciate the slower, deeper songs on this album. This album may lack the frenetic energy that made the debut so enticing, but there's an underlying maturity that takes longer to seep in. Stand-out Track: "Katie Dear"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzI7Jt6JEGI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/4sjbZCYKWsE/s1600-h/image+7.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzI7Jt6JEGI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/4sjbZCYKWsE/s200/image+7.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418458339808448610" /></a>#18: Jon Snodgrass - <span style="font-style:italic;">Visitor's Band</span><br />Both principles of Drag the River put out solo albums on Suburban Home this year, and while I enjoy both only Jon's made the list. This is mainly due to the fact that Chad Price's solo album is a stripped-down acoustic affair, while Snodgrass has a full sound with a backing band. It's almost as if these songs are closer to the complete Drag the River sound, and this is comforting to me. Snodgrass has a rougher voice and what sounds to me like a penchant for writing more rock songs, while still including several slower ones. On <span style="font-style:italic;">Visitor's Band</span> the guitars dominate the show, with a driving beat from the bass and the drums keeping it all moving. Stand-out Track: "Remember My Name"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzI-RmcFs6I/AAAAAAAAAwY/rZ_szvF0FgA/s1600-h/image+8.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzI-RmcFs6I/AAAAAAAAAwY/rZ_szvF0FgA/s200/image+8.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418461773777187746" /></a>#17: Manic Street Preachers - <span style="font-style:italic;">Journal For Plague Lovers</span><br />I've always liked the British band the Manic Street Preachers despite their relative obscurity in the US, but I hadn't really expected to enjoy <span style="font-style:italic;">Journal For Plague Lovers</span> as much as I do. The story behind this album is that all the songs were written by the former guitarist Richey Edwards before he disappeared and presumably committed suicide in 1995. The sound is pure Manics - guitar rock anthems coupled with acoustic guitar ballads. It's also pure brilliance. Stand-out Track: "This Joke Sport Severed"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzJCK35ZaaI/AAAAAAAAAwg/M2LodZnsJCg/s1600-h/image+9.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzJCK35ZaaI/AAAAAAAAAwg/M2LodZnsJCg/s200/image+9.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418466056250943906" /></a>#16: The Only Sons - Steel Hearts<br />This was by far the best find on the Internet this year. This band from Tennessee put up their album for download on their website - for free! It's definitely worth checking them out if you have any interest whatsoever in alt-country: <a href="http://theonlysons.net/home/">http://theonlysons.net/home/</a>. The band hits all the right notes, with gruff vocals, red-hot guitars and biting lyrics. I really hope they come through Wisconsin sometime soon, because I just know that this would be a kick-ass show. Stand-out Track: "Drew Blood"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzJEB-rQGuI/AAAAAAAAAwo/Sk8A5I8K-Kc/s1600-h/image+10.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzJEB-rQGuI/AAAAAAAAAwo/Sk8A5I8K-Kc/s200/image+10.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418468102475094754" /></a>#15: Green Day - <span style="font-style:italic;">21st Century Breakdown</span><br />Although I may never have been a Green Day superfan growing up, I always thought they were much better than non-fans gave them credit. Starting with <span style="font-style:italic;">Warning</span> and through <span style="font-style:italic;">American Idiot</span>, Green Day proved there's plenty of room for growth in the punk scene. <span style="font-style:italic;">21st Century Breakdown</span> continues in this vein, with overarching themes and a continually maturing sound. I don't see them slowing down anytime soon. Stand-out Track: "Peacemaker"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzJFwJeyinI/AAAAAAAAAww/xRtFOtM5zFk/s1600-h/image+11.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzJFwJeyinI/AAAAAAAAAww/xRtFOtM5zFk/s200/image+11.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418469995161225842" /></a>#14: The Takers - <span style="font-style:italic;">Taker Easy</span><br />This is straight-up alt-country twang, more country than alt in some ways. The Takes come right out Gainesville and represent yet another excellent Suburban Home release this year. They combine the best aspects of the genre and put out an album that's front-to-back solid. With a sound similar to Drag the River and the Waco Brothers, it didn't take me long to snap this up. But aside from sounding amazing, the lyrics that back it all up, especially the slower songs, are what really makes this a memorable album. Stand-out Track: "Social Smoker"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzJMxfdD_jI/AAAAAAAAAw4/GkQKd3Gldt8/s1600-h/image+12.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzJMxfdD_jI/AAAAAAAAAw4/GkQKd3Gldt8/s200/image+12.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418477714820824626" /></a>#13: Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit - S/T<br />Isbell's first solo album, <span style="font-style:italic;">Sirens of the Ditch</span>, was one of my favorites of 2007, and I was excited about this new one from the minute I heard "Good" on <a href="http://minnesota.publicradio.org/radio/services/the_current/">89.3 The Current</a> while driving north on I-35. The album itself is a much more soulful exercise than the first, and I feel that Isbell's writing definitely benefits from this new musical direction. While the album doesn't have the the straight-up rocking feel that <span style="font-style:italic;">Sirens of the Ditch</span> did, there's more of an emotional core underlying these songs. It took longer for them to sink in, but overall I find myself enjoying this album even more because of it. And as always, the live show is unmatched in energy (though I shamefully missed the last one). Stand-out Track: "The Last Song I Will Write"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzJPbksNAOI/AAAAAAAAAxA/Mmz2m4iUltY/s1600-h/image+13.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 198px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzJPbksNAOI/AAAAAAAAAxA/Mmz2m4iUltY/s200/image+13.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418480636804268258" /></a>#12: Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons - <span style="font-style:italic;">Death Won't Write A Letter</span><br />This singer from Appleton, WI is primed for mainstream success; everyone's saying so. I received this album along with Fanfarlo from <a href="http://www.kylepfister.blogspot.com/">I'm Just Sayin' Is All...</a> and immediately loved it. Chisel's combination of indie rock with an almost gospel-sounding fervor is exhilarating. The musical backdrop ranges from hard-charging indie rock to softer acoustic songs, but everything is tied together with Chisel's expertly crafted lyrics. Stand-out Track: "Born Again"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzJSp6oDvDI/AAAAAAAAAxI/WyxIIu51Jtw/s1600-h/image+14.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzJSp6oDvDI/AAAAAAAAAxI/WyxIIu51Jtw/s200/image+14.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418484181745515570" /></a>#11: Son Volt - <span style="font-style:italic;">American Central Dust</span><br />The new album for Son Volt continues the creative resurgence Jay Farrar has brought forth in the last few years. I've always been on the Farrar side of the Uncle Tupelo split, and the slower pace of this album really brings his lyrical skills forward. The overall feel of this album strikes me as more thoughtful and introspective than past albums, and it is easy to let the power of the songs pass you by at first. It took a while for me to appreciate <span style="font-style:italic;">American Central Dust</span>, but its impact is indelible. It was on a long drive on US 53 toward Superior that I first realized this, and I'd hazard a guess that this is the best road music of 2009. Stand-out Track: "No Turning Back"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzJWGYNvfgI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/P0ae_y48Dyk/s1600-h/image+15.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzJWGYNvfgI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/P0ae_y48Dyk/s200/image+15.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418487969259421186" /></a>#10: Titus Andronicus - <span style="font-style:italic;">The Airing of Grievances</span><br />OK, I might be cheating a little since the band originally released this last year. No matter, I make the rules around here and I'll allow it since the re-release I've got is from January. This band consists of extremely well-read indie/punk/shoegaze (per their MySpace page) kids from the Garden State. They've made an album of cacophonous rousing songs that really show how well the best aspects of these different genres can come together. The sound is fuzzy and washes over you with waves of guitar distortion, all driven by the relentless rhythm section. The vocals are shouted with all the emotion of the best punk band, but the lyrics reflect much more depth than would be initially expected on first listen. The songs come off as upbeat but a closer listen reveals so much doubt and existential self-loathing. It's refreshing, really. Stand-out Track: "Upon Viewing Brueghel's 'Landscape with the Fall of Icarus'"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzJdOna2-DI/AAAAAAAAAxY/2m336FgqFmE/s1600-h/image+16.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzJdOna2-DI/AAAAAAAAAxY/2m336FgqFmE/s200/image+16.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418495807361316914" /></a>#9: The Von Ehrics - <span style="font-style:italic;">Loaded</span><br />These Texas cow-punks signed with local label <a href="http://www.crustaceanrecords.com/">Crustacean Records</a> and put out their best album yet. <span style="font-style:italic;">Loaded</span> combines the best aspects of Ramones-style punk with country-fried Texas rock. The band is as tight as ever, and the songs reflect the trials and tribulations of life in a rock and roll band, but still make me want to learn a few chords on bass and hit the road. Stand-out Track: "A Week Of Living Dangerously"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzJ98U_D0RI/AAAAAAAAAxg/KGcLirNjUVw/s1600-h/image+17.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzJ98U_D0RI/AAAAAAAAAxg/KGcLirNjUVw/s200/image+17.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418531777058951442" /></a>#8: Blueheels - <span style="font-style:italic;">The Only Dance You Know</span><br />My favorite Madison band went back to their collective hometown of Neenah and recorded an extraordinary live album over the course of two nights at a local pizza place and bar. I really wish I could have been there. Had it not been for the fact that I was just back from my vacation, I would have done what I could to be there for at least one show. The live show these guys put on is second to none, and what is refreshing about <span style="font-style:italic;">The Only Dance You Know</span> is that the band has enough confidence in their new material to really showcase it. I'm not usually a fan of live albums; as a general rule I feel they don't capture the intensity and excitement of the live music experience. I'm happy to say this is definitely not the case here. As an added bonus, the six-second intro is perfect - funny, informative and segues seamlessly into the opening track. Stand-out Track: "Twist & Toil"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzJ_r461zHI/AAAAAAAAAxo/7OItlJSyG74/s1600-h/image+18.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzJ_r461zHI/AAAAAAAAAxo/7OItlJSyG74/s200/image+18.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418533693670411378" /></a>#7: Nakatomi Plaza - <span style="font-style:italic;">Ghosts</span><br />I first heard of this band through a sampler associated with the Fest 6, and my initial interest was piqued by <a href="http://www.myspace.com/redleaderrecords">Red Leader Records'</a> online comp. I always liked the band and what songs I'd heard, and I told myself that I'd one day either see them live or buy one of their albums. Then I read the band was going to call it quits, but before breaking up they intended to record one last album. This is that album, and while I can't compare it to any of their previous work I can state definitively that Nakatomi Plaza went out on an incredibly high note. Their sound is heavily influenced by punk and hardcore but has a distinctive quality that separates this from everything else I've heard. The dual male/female vocals are one aspect of this, but what is really striking is the inventive and expert musicianship that provide the foundation of this album. I'm sorry to see them go. Stand-out Track: "The Finish Line"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzKC_eULT-I/AAAAAAAAAxw/ZJK_U3mP-fE/s1600-h/image+19.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzKC_eULT-I/AAAAAAAAAxw/ZJK_U3mP-fE/s200/image+19.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418537328661188578" /></a>#6: Justin Townes Earle - <span style="font-style:italic;">Midnight At The Movies</span><br />Justin Townes Earle is quite probably my favorite new songwriter of the moment. I was first attracted by the pedigree, but it is his talent that is the real source of amazement. I bought <span style="font-style:italic;">The Good Life</span> last year, and in retrospect it probably should have made my Year End list. No oversight this time around - <span style="font-style:italic;">Midnight At The Movies</span> takes up where the previous album left off and expands on the retro-country sound that JTE has mined to such success, combining uptempo numbers with emotional ballads and a Replacements cover thrown in for good measure. I'd seen him open for Jason Isbell earlier in the year, and while he was touring with just one accompanist he still managed to capture the full-band feeling. I'm very excited to see him again, as he'll be playing the High Noon in a couple of months. Stand-out Tracks: "Mama's Eyes"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzKHnxVayhI/AAAAAAAAAx4/g536Iv-7ne0/s1600-h/image+20.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzKHnxVayhI/AAAAAAAAAx4/g536Iv-7ne0/s200/image+20.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418542419007949330" /></a>#5: The Thermals - <span style="font-style:italic;">Now We Can See</span><br />I was somewhat late to the party when it comes to this band, but after picking up <span style="font-style:italic;">The Body, The Blood, The Machine</span> last year I was a quick convert. To say my anticipation for this album was high would be an understatement, and while I don't believe anything could live up to their previous album I was never in any way disappointed with <span style="font-style:italic;">Now We Can See</span>. The Thermals' signature sound is relatively unchanged, dare I say cleaner, with the raw punk energy of their past releases seemingly better focused and directed. The songs are eminently catchy, of course, and the album theme is, well, I'm still figuring it that out. That's the biggest surprise from this album for me - that I would have to really ponder the lyrics. This was a very good surprise to have, and one that keeps me coming back over and over for repeated listening. Stand-out Track: "When I Died"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzKKIvUr3xI/AAAAAAAAAyA/R6EeKO5U1S0/s1600-h/image+21.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzKKIvUr3xI/AAAAAAAAAyA/R6EeKO5U1S0/s200/image+21.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418545184426942226" /></a>#4: Bomb the Music Industry! - <span style="font-style:italic;">Scrambles</span><br />Jeff Rosenstock's Bomb the Music Industry! is a band that I stumbled across several years back mainly due to the fact that they release all of their music for donation or for free via <a href="http://quoteunquoterecords.com/">Quote Unquote Records</a>, and I was in the market for free music. This worked out better than I could have possibly imagined, as BtMI! has steadily become one of my favorite bands of the last few years. Diligently exploring the musical boundaries of what it means to be a punk or ska band, as well as documenting the experience of growing up (not always voluntarily) in the 00's, Rosenstock and gang have gotten progressively better on each successive release. <span style="font-style:italic;">Scrambles</span> is the most coherent combination of Rosenstock's often intensely personal lyrics and the band's musical experimentation. While I liked all of the previous BtMI! albums, this was the first I loved. Stand-out Track: "Saddr Weirdr"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzKOaQuiBRI/AAAAAAAAAyI/pdNJVZMqvN8/s1600-h/image+22.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzKOaQuiBRI/AAAAAAAAAyI/pdNJVZMqvN8/s200/image+22.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418549883498005778" /></a>#3: Yesterday's Ring - <span style="font-style:italic;">Diamonds in the Ditch</span><br />This album ended up as my favorite Suburban Home release of 2009, which is saying something as this label is on a red-hot streak. But considering that I'd not ever heard of this band until midway through the summer, the fact that <span style="font-style:italic;">Diamonds in the Ditch</span> ranks so high is a bit surprising. After all, this band is a side project of a Montreal punk band (the Sainte Catherines). I ended up getting this from Suburban Home as I was looking to round our my order to get reduced shipping so I figured "Why Not" and added it to the order based on a single song I'd hear earlier this year on a SH comp. This paid off in spades, to be sure. The gritty combination of punk and alt-country musical themes combined with melancholy lyrics detailing life on the road make this album resoundingly impressive. Stand-out Track: "Punx Not Dead It's Just Sleeping"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzKbbHYXyAI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/tV-FCIiyXx4/s1600-h/image+23.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzKbbHYXyAI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/tV-FCIiyXx4/s200/image+23.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418564191820171266" /></a>#2: Flatbear - <span style="font-style:italic;">Flying Days</span><br />I like to think I'm fairly well-versed in the local music scene, and I enjoy supporting local music as much as the next guy. That said, I was blown away by the incredible debut album from Flatbear (now called Flight) despite having seen them play live on several occasions. Blame it on the crowd noise or the fact that I was there to see another band, but for whatever reason the skill and craft of Jentri Colello and her band went ungrasped by me. This all changed during a Friday night show as part of the <a href="http://fmf09.com/">Forward Music Festival</a>, in which Flatbear played an opening slot for Ra Ra Riot. I was transfixed during their set, watching Josh Harty and Tony Messinger on guitar and bass respectively, flanking Colello and cranking out a mesmerizing set. Something just clicked with me that night, and I made it a point to pick up <span style="font-style:italic;">Flying Days</span> (a steal at $5) at the merch table right after their set. Even more surprisingly, this CD stayed in my car for the better part of the next two months. Whereas I would normally burn the songs on to my computer and then transfer to my iPod, this album stayed in my CD player and received multiple spins. The musicianship of the band is unquestionable, showing both restraint and power, while Colello's voice becomes an instrument unto itself. Simply amazing, start to finish. Stand-out Track: "Sea of Monsters"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzKdbwqR2RI/AAAAAAAAAyY/MY_w4Hqn8TA/s1600-h/image+24.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SzKdbwqR2RI/AAAAAAAAAyY/MY_w4Hqn8TA/s200/image+24.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418566401924389138" /></a>#1: Lucero - <span style="font-style:italic;">1372 Overton Park</span><br />This was the album I most anticipated receiving in 2009, and instead of my high hopes leading to disappointment they were in fact surpassed. The musical progression that has been fairly obvious on Lucero's last few albums reaches a plateau here, with the full incorporation of the Memphis soul sound to Lucero's already-perfected mix of punk and alt-country. The results are nothing short of stunning. As evidenced by his solo album from earlier in the year, Ben Nichols' songwriting skills have gone into overdrive. The band seems to be as tight as they've ever been, even with the addition of new members and a horn section. I am in awe of how good <span style="font-style:italic;">1372 Overton Park</span> is. To put it all in perspective: as great as the previous 24 albums are, there was never for one doubt in my mind what #1 would be. Stand-out Track: "The Devil and Maggie Chascarrillo"wallrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14640666498065461704noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20022031.post-72868558145488959802009-11-10T08:17:00.008-06:002009-11-10T09:32:49.685-06:00More Minnesota PicturesLast week I spent the better part of the week in Minnesota again. It didn't rain and it didn't snow, really the weather was OK for MN in November. Here's a few shots I took over the course of four days.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/Svl3gVE3tJI/AAAAAAAAAsY/Kw1NHS-SX6s/s1600-h/IMG_2903.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/Svl3gVE3tJI/AAAAAAAAAsY/Kw1NHS-SX6s/s320/IMG_2903.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402480625304712338" /></a>I had a site walk first thing Monday morning, and although it was quite sunny that morning the wind definitely had a bite to it. This is a picture I took of a pine-lined road to the east of the tower site as part of the visual assessment I often do. The trees blocked the wind and there was a very nice pine scent in the air.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/Svl6l1xDEzI/AAAAAAAAAsg/9XTNmZDTADc/s1600-h/IMG_2924.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/Svl6l1xDEzI/AAAAAAAAAsg/9XTNmZDTADc/s320/IMG_2924.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402484018514170674" /></a>At the next site I encountered a few wooded wetlands, which are always a concern as we need to avoid any impacts to these areas. I'm not familiar with this specific plant, but it was growing all over the place.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/Svl9deChJLI/AAAAAAAAAso/Z5L3bIQdQ5E/s1600-h/IMG_3026.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/Svl9deChJLI/AAAAAAAAAso/Z5L3bIQdQ5E/s320/IMG_3026.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402487173240923314" /></a>As fall progresses toward winter the days get shorter and the effective time for a site walk gets compressed. My last site on Monday was a race against the sun, as I rushed to take photos while I still had light. Normally I'm one to appreciate a sunset, but not so much when I'm still in the woods staking out a site.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SvmAUdOyCwI/AAAAAAAAAsw/DriH_uzodHA/s1600-h/IMG_3046+North+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SvmAUdOyCwI/AAAAAAAAAsw/DriH_uzodHA/s320/IMG_3046+North+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402490316939987714" /></a>It was a sunny but frosty morning on Tuesday, where I got to jump a barbed wire fence and avoid the cow flop while photographing this site.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SvmChLTZ8iI/AAAAAAAAAs4/VMbPp8llwoQ/s1600-h/IMG_3091.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SvmChLTZ8iI/AAAAAAAAAs4/VMbPp8llwoQ/s320/IMG_3091.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402492734489096738" /></a>I then had a long drive north to the next site, and on the way I passed a tower I'd designed last year that was constructed earlier this year. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SvmF8Fx3L-I/AAAAAAAAAtA/l3T5ptJiRG4/s1600-h/IMG_3112.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SvmF8Fx3L-I/AAAAAAAAAtA/l3T5ptJiRG4/s320/IMG_3112.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402496495397580770" /></a>The second to last site that day was on a big wooded parcel way out in the sticks. The owners had put in a few trails and had this sweet deer, I mean "beer" stand out there. Following this site I made my way back toward Duluth. We had one last site to try to fit in, but we lost our race against the sun and it was pitch black by the time we arrived. We still staked out the rough location for the surveyors, but I didn't even attempt to take any photos. Though I'd planned on heading home that night, it was way too late to make the full seven hour drive, so I split the difference and stayed in Rice Lake, finishing the drive Wednesday morning. I was pretty wiped out and suffering from a strange affliction with my jaw, but all in all it wasn't a bad trip. This week I'm heading up for a short one or two-day jaunt to northern WI and possibly Rochester.wallrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14640666498065461704noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20022031.post-84513548132593944672009-10-26T11:32:00.002-05:002009-10-26T12:05:32.980-05:002009 Is Nearly Gone, So I Might As Well Update This ThingAs I <a href="http://shotgunknowledge.blogspot.com/2009/02/five-years.html">mentioned</a> earlier this year, I've been crazy busy with all of the work and whatnot. I've been up to Minnesota and northern WI more times this year than probably any other. After posting the <a href="http://shotgunknowledge.blogspot.com/2009/10/autumn-in-minnesota.html">previous photos</a>, I realized that I haven't done a damn thing here for the better part of the summer and fall. Here's what I've been up to:<br /><br />1. Work - things slowed down a bit in the last month to an extent, but throughout the summer I was going gangbusters trying to keep up. Most of my projects have since wrapped up, but it seems like the respite I've been expecting never seems to come. I'll admit to being a little burnt out on the whole deal, and I'm certainly prone to distraction much more than before. Still, I'd not have it any other way. <br /><br />2. House - I've got to get me one of these. Seriously, I've been putting this off for the last couple years. Prices just aren't going to get any lower, same with rates, so I've been trying to kick myself in the ass and get looking. So far, I've spent maybe an hour checking listings. I'm an idiot.<br /><br />3. Shows - I've seen quite a few good ones the past few months, and missed a lot more that I'd have loved to see. Highlights include the whole <a href="http://fmf09.com/">Forward Music Festival</a>, Lucero last week in Milwaukee, the Weakerthans (a new favorite band), Two Cow Garage with the Suburban Home Records tour, and of course the Hold Steady in July. <br /><br />4. Great Taste of the Midwest - this coincided with my birthday this year. It was awesome despite the rain.<br /><br />5. Games - I managed to see the Cubs four times this year, twice at Wrigley and twice at Miller Park. I went 2-2 on the year, undefeated in Wisconsin but winless in the Friendly Confines. I also went to Miller Park on a bus trip for a Brewers-Dodgers game and caught a Mallards game for work. I've only been to one football game this fall, the Fresno State game in September. The Badgers won, barely, and it was very warm that day. Hockey season has started up, and I've got my Friday night season tickets again. We switched seats to avoid this asshole behind us, and so far are 0-1-0 on the season with a disappointing loss to CC two weeks ago. E Eugene, Redbeard and I are also planning on catching an <a href="http://www.icemuskies.com/">Ice Muskies</a> game or two, as apparently our old ticketmate from last year is going to be the mascot!<br /><br />6. Vacation (kind of) - I took a day off to play golf with my dad two weeks ago. I didn't actually end up using any vacation time since I worked on the weekend getting caught up, but we had a great time. Otherwise I haven't taken off other than the aforementioned baseball games in Chicago. I'm planning on heading down to the Windy City to visit some friends next month, and I'm thinking of taking a week off to go down to Mississippi and New Orleans in December.wallrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14640666498065461704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20022031.post-30439999541344044202009-10-26T11:11:00.006-05:002009-10-26T11:29:16.906-05:00Autumn in MinnesotaLast week I had a long trip through northern Minnesota and Wisconsin. For the most part the weather was gray and rainy, with temperatures hovering in the 30's and 40's. It wasn't exactly pleasant. There were a few instances with halfway decent weather - here's a photo of the colorful woods near Longville, MN:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SuXLErhNdRI/AAAAAAAAAr4/xWaMZYzXvTM/s1600-h/IMG_2515.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SuXLErhNdRI/AAAAAAAAAr4/xWaMZYzXvTM/s320/IMG_2515.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396943009735341330" /></a><br />I also saw this:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SuXLeX0QMzI/AAAAAAAAAsA/zBmuEpQbrjk/s1600-h/IMG_2498.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SuXLeX0QMzI/AAAAAAAAAsA/zBmuEpQbrjk/s320/IMG_2498.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396943451123102514" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SuXMsYJ2pXI/AAAAAAAAAsI/Ir3z-uTv2Bo/s1600-h/IMG_2500.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SuXMsYJ2pXI/AAAAAAAAAsI/Ir3z-uTv2Bo/s320/IMG_2500.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396944791243498866" /></a><br />For over five years now I've been walking sites in the North Woods, and I've never seen a bear. Granted, these two are caged and "pets" of the landowner.<br /><br />On Wednesday afternoon the temperature dropped even further, and the rain gave way to snow. It actually may have been preferable to the rain as I didn't get quite as wet, but it was miserable nonetheless. This is how it looked after about an hour and a half:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SuXNsIsAwsI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/IUXPcgrdrI0/s1600-h/IMG_2719.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SuXNsIsAwsI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/IUXPcgrdrI0/s320/IMG_2719.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396945886603428546" /></a><br />From here I drove on to the Twin Ports, with the heater on full bore. I had four more sites the following morning, then a five hour drive back to Madison followed by a Lucero show in Milwaukee. I'm still tired from last week, and I think I'll be headed back up later this week. Here's to hoping for no snow.wallrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14640666498065461704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20022031.post-67175424353389224052009-09-09T15:57:00.003-05:002009-09-09T16:10:04.053-05:00Suburban Home Records Is The Best<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SqgW9lJIW-I/AAAAAAAAArw/B0yTGRvUSHc/s1600-h/celebrate450.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uc4lPc4Ksvo/SqgW9lJIW-I/AAAAAAAAArw/B0yTGRvUSHc/s320/celebrate450.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379575002092297186" /></a><br />It goes without saying the <a href="http://www.suburbanhomerecords.com/">Suburban Home Records</a> is my favorite record label. Just about every release they have I've either purchased and loved or have seriously considered buying. Just the fact that a band signs to SH is usually good enough for me to give them a chance. And right now, in relation to their 14th Anniversary, Suburban Home is giving away a free download of any album. Check it out <a href="http://www.suburbanhomerecords.com/2009/09/08/suburban-home-turns-14-wants-to-give-it-to-you/">here</a>, and do yourself a favor and listen to all of the great stuff they put out.wallrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14640666498065461704noreply@blogger.com0