reviews, previews, and interviews...

1-10-09

okay, here i am, at the beginning of a new year, looking back at last year and gearing up for oh nine. last year was a pretty boring year for me. basically, everything in my life went nowhere. hmmm...that's kind of lame i guess. i should be thankful that nothing bad happened. this year is already shaping up to be something special. i have a gm interview on tuesday for the long beach store. it's not the ideal store for me but it'll get my foot in the door. i have a real good shot at getting it too, so, go me. my band has a good show in march. my hockey team is switching leagues after sunday. and i'm going after meat sauce with a vengence.(you're looking for a decoder, i know)

you know the saying, "everyday is a new day"? well, get this. yesterday actually felt like a new day to me. everything went my way. i was walking around like i was on top of the world. it was amazing. i found the last copy of "pineapple express" at best buy. the clerk said they had been sold out for days and he couldn't believe i found it. amazing. then, i get to bevmo and they appear to be out of monster assault. so, i move the front cans around, and what do i find all the way in the back? monster assault. amazing. these things don't seem like much, but they never, ever happen to me. again, amazing.

okay, year end lists. i'm only doing one for music, because i can't remember what movie i saw. this year seems kind of like a lame duck year for music. usually, i have trouble widdling my list down, but this year i'm struggling to find bands to put on it. here you go!

1-The Gaslight Anthem - "The '59 Sound"
Doesn't get any better than this album. I could listen to it forever. And in fact, I'm going to play it right now.
2-Funeral for a Friend - "Memory and Humanity"
This totally makes up for their 'concept' album. It rocks harder than anything else that came out this year, but still manages to be beautiful.
3-Rise Against - "Appeal to Reason"
Why do punkers knock these guys? They still sound the same to me and they still write great anthems.
4-Thrice - "The Alchemy Index: Vol 4, Earth"
The first of many great E.P.s on this list. Dude, how come the other volumes weren't this good? I think Dustin just feels better in the Earth.
5-The Loved Ones - "Build and Burn"
I haven't seen this one on many lists. But I love it. It took a bit of time for the whole thing to grow on me, but it did. It rocks and is great to sing along to.
6-Alkaline Trio - "Agony and Ivory"
Again, why are fans turning against these guys? I love this album. It's much better than their last one and hooks you easily.
7-The Gaslight Anthem - "Senor and the Queen EP"
Uh, yeah, this could make the list just for "Say I Won't(Recognize)" alone.
8-Bayside - "Shudder"
Yup, another band with a comeback album. Not that their last one was crap, this is just that much better and is great throughout the whole thing.
9-Tomas Gabel - "Heart Burns"
Yes, another great E.P.! I love Tomas. He rules!
10-No Use for a Name - "The Feel Good Record of the Year"
Is this album great? Probably not. But it's a Hell of a lot better than their last disc.

okay, that's my list. a lot of bands came back with discs that made previous efforts seem week, which is a good thing. only less than jake was a disappointment this year. other than that, i'm looking forward to this year's releases: strung out, a wilhelm scream, mad caddies, green day, karate high school, etc...i already heard a new a wilhelm scream song. it's called "The I Hate_____Club" and it rocks hard! they are going to impress with this one. the song is on my myspace page, so you should check it out.

okay, i'm done babbling on my first saturday off in a long time. i've got to get ready to go to the kings game. we have bad seats, but they're playing the devils, so it should be good. we're going to try and get to the tailgate party, if it's not sold out. the briggs are playing, which would be really cool to see.