Happy Memorial Day! Welcome to week 5. I know I am late, but had a busy weekend back in Omaha attending a wedding, and spending a wonderful night at the local watering hole, Brownies. Hug your new neighbor (if you were there, you know what I'm talking about! "I love inside jokes. I hope to be a part of one someday." -Michael Scott). As usual I would like to take this time to welcome the new followers: Ed, Bri, Darren, Kent and Audrey. We are now 12 strong folks! I would also like to point out that my cousin Kent is currently on a three week journey across the western United States in his car. Here is a link to his blog http://kntnt.blogspot.com/, check it out! You will like it!
Unfortunately, since I was out of town this weekend, I was not able to grab a new IPA and give a glorious review so for that I give myself:
Two eyebrows down...or are the up!?! Yo no se....(thanks for the senior pic Nezar!)
This week I have not been listening a lot of new music, but I have revisited Midlake, and am glad that I did. I have decided this week to pick a song from each of their 3 LPs: Bamnan & Slivercork (2004), Trials of Van Occupanther (2006), Courage of Others (2010). The reason I love Midlake so much is that each of their songs are an epic adventure that feels to be set back in time. I feel like The Trails of Van Occupanther is a trip through the 1800s in the hillsides of the Northeast, from building homes out of stones, to being robbed by bandits only to start over with a rabbit and an ox. Then Courage of Others takes me to medieval times, sucking on a turkey leg at the town joust and stoning. There are so many great songs on each of their albums, and they all include a uniquely different sound. I had the pleasure of seeing Midlake at SXSW several years ago, and was captivated by their sound and stage presence. I hope that you can appreciate their sound as I do, and look forward to hearing what you have think of this weeks' choice. Have a fun short week, and I will see you next week. For now...ENJOY!
From Bamnan & Slivercork, "Balloon Maker":
From Trials of Van Occupanter, "Roscoe":
From Courage of Others, "Rulers, Ruling all Things":
Welcome to week four of my now universally renowned blog. A few administrative notes before we get to the pick of the week. First of all I would like to recognize and thank my newest followers Joe Crane, Ashley King, Adam, and my sister-in-law Amber Cutler. I would also like to call attention to Amber's blog http://ambers365dayproject.blogspot.com/. She takes a picture every day, so far for 470 days straight, and blogs about it. High five Amber for 470 days strong! While we are on the topic of followers, I want to address why I did not include my dad and Bri Seipel in introducing my new followers. Though they claim to be followers, Ed through text, and Bri through Facebook, it is evident by the column on the right that clearly reads FOLLOWERS, and does not include either of their names, that they are NOT followers of my blog! For this Ed and Bri get:
FAKE EYEBROWS! You can't fool me!
In other news, I think I need to define the word "chook." This was a word unintentionally invented by my father, Ed Cutler. Credit.
chook [ch-ook] - hook + chain = chook
-verb (used with object) This IPA is off the chook!
This weeks IPA comes to you all the way from Portland, ME. It is called Shipyard IPA and it just does not float my ship. I feel like there is a lack of the hops kick that makes an IPA an IPA. I was not impressed by Shipyard's IPA, and must say that this ship has sank. For this, I give Shipyard IPA:
NO EYEBROWS UP.
Now down to business. This weeks pick of the week comes in hot from Austin, TX. I have to admit I was unsure if I wanted to make this my pick of the week because in the past this band has not blown me away. The band is Okkervil River, and their previous two CDs The Stand Ins and The Stage Names didn't really do it for me. I felt like there was so much excitement for those two CDs, and resulted in a large let down for me, that I was skeptical about their newest release. Luckily I fell for the Okkervil River trap again, and I must admit, I'm glad I did because their newest release I Am Very Far is really good! My choice this week, and current favorite on the album, is "The Valley." It is a gothic, drill like song, with a gunshot snare drum that keeps me coming back for more. I especially love the strings that wrap up the song, "times ten." Overall this song is very much a trip down the "valley of the rock 'n roll dead." If you like this also listen to "Piratess," "We Need a Myth," and from The Stage Names "Our Life is Not a Movie or Maybe." (the video to that song is incredible)
This week I decided to throw in a bonus song! On my way to work yesterday I revisited this song featuring Ben Gibbard (Death Cab for Cutie) and Feist. It's off of the Dark Was the Night collaboration released in 2009. I love this song. It's a cover of Vashti Bunyan's 1966 "Train Song." Give it a listen and tell me what you think!
Welcome to week 3 of my now world famous blog. Just a few announcements before I get to my pick of the week. I have a new follower this week, bringing my total to 3 now. I would like to thank my mother-in-law, Donna and the Silk Thumb (An incredible band name!?! I think so), for joining the team. I am positive that you just listen to all of these new songs on your iPod...I am also adding a new element to my blog, because I have the power to, in which I will be drinking a new beer (mostly IPAs and Pale Ales, but I'm not scared to stray) while I blog. I will be giving my own personal review on how it tastes and will be judging them on raised eyebrows as follows:
2 raised eyebrows = off the chook
1 raised eyebrow = Pretty good but still on the chook
No raised eyebrows = try a beer that I rated two raised eyebrows.
This weeks IPA comes all the way from Lakewood, NY. It is Southern Tier's IPA and it is good. I think it should be called Bunny IPA because it has so many hops! It is brewed with 4 varieties of hops and 4 types of malts. I like it! I give this IPA:
2 RAISED EYEBROWS!
Now down to business. This week I have selected a song from the band Wye Oak. Wye Oak is a two man band consisting of Andy Stack (drums, keyboards, backup vocals) and Jenn Wasner (vocals, guitars). They are out of Baltimore, MD. I really liked their last album The Knot, and have selected the song "Dogs' Eyes" off of their recently released album Civilian. I debated all week with Jamie whether I should pick "Dogs' Eyes" or the title track "Civilian," and I have decided to choose against her better judgment. Though I love both songs, I love "Dogs' Eyes" just a touch more. The thing that throws her for a loop the most is the random guitar instrumental in the middle and again at the end of the song, but the more I listen to the song the more I learn to appreciate it , and really start to enjoy it. I love the guitar and how the song picks up after the instrumental. As you listen to Wye Oak more, you will see that in several songs Jenn will break it down with the guitar and I can respect that! I will link both songs so you all can choose whether or not I made the right choice. I hope you like it and look forward to next week!
If you like these, also check out "Siamese" and "For Prayer" from The Knot
Welcome back to my critically acclaimed blog about all things that are good. As you can see from from 45 post visits last week, my blog is an instant hit...internet sensation. I also want to direct everyone's attention to the right side of the computer screen and see that I have 2 followers (your friendship check is in the mail Ryan and Marcus)! Alright, now to the important stuff. Week 2 of my infamous blog is here and I am enjoying a Vinyl Lager, brewed by Magic Hat, a brewery out of South Burlington, Vermont. I must admit, it is a perfect spring beer for a perfect spring day in Kansas City. This weeks pick comes to you all the way from Toronto, Ontario. The Rural Alberta Advantage is trio folk-rock band the signed to Saddle Creek Records (Omaha, NE) in 2009. To me the band sounds like a mix between Clap Your Hands Say Yeah! and The Tallest Man on Earth, so definitely an acquired taste. The song I picked comes off of their sophomore album Departing, and is called "Under the Knife." It's a slower song, but I really like the mix of slow loud vocals and piano. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
If you like this song, also check out "Two Lovers" and "Music Relaxants"
BONUS PICK OF THE WEEK! Today is so nice in Kansas City (81 and sunny) I thought I would throw in a song that both Jamie and I really love! It's called "West Coast" off of the album Nighttiming by Coconut Records. To me it is a perfect song for a day like today. It makes me want to be outside by the grill, and having a blast with my friends and family. If you like this song, also check out "It's Not You It's Me" which is also a great song for this time of year. Enjoy it by the grill!
