Michael's Texas Embrace

Prominent music reviewer Andrew Haun recently recieved an advance copy of a song ("Disco Queen," I believe) from the upcoming double album by The Sweetness. Reviews are promising, so far. Here's a bit of what he had to say:

"There's this weird, sort of dreamy quality to it, kind of smooth and fuzzy, like being really drunk and petting a rabbit, or a hamster. Disco Michael Jackson. That was some nice music..."

Tires for hire
are about to expire

Poem # 4

The die that could cry
was a northumberland spy

I wrote two poems at work today. I'm thinking if I get a couple hundred more just like them, with accompanying illustrations, I'll have a killer childrens' poetry illustrated adventure book.

*Ahem*

Poem #1

Oodles of Poodles
Are Biting my noodles

Poem #2

The babies with rabies
bit most of the navy


Pretty awesome, huh? I think children will like them. Provided there are colorful illustrations with them.

Well, I said I'd make a list. Here are my favorite albums of 2004. Are they from good to best? Sort of. Definately sort of. Maybe the bottom is number one. I didn't put numbers, so you'll never know. But maybe that's the case. The top isn't number one, that much is certain. There are probably better cds out there than some of the ones on here. But I ain't rich. I'm not finished buying the CDs I wanted in 2004. This could change. Whatever.

The Black Keys - Rubber Factory. All this old-school gut-busting blues rock from two skinny white dudes. Shake it.

Death From Above 1979 - You're a Woman, I'm a Machine. Dance-metal/punk done by just a bassist and a singing drummer? I am so there. So get out your booty and dance. Or Thrash.

The Futureheads - The Futureheads. A little uneven towards the back half. But holy cow is this new wave/old school punk sort of band a whole lot of fun.

The Go! Team - Thunder, Lightning, Strike. It's like 80s cartoon them music and a girl old-school rapping over it all? And it's made by british guys playing live instruments? Where the hell do I sign up for this party?

Modest Mouse - Good News For People Who Love Bad News. Not the best of the mouse, but still better than most of the other bands. And finally, something good back on rock radio!

The Bad Plus - Give. Even better than their first! Piano trio jazz that busts out some rock, and covers the Pixies and Black Sabbath.

Les Savy Fav - Inches. I don't want to talk about it. It rocked me too much. Shhh.

The Arcade Fire - Funeral. Yeah, me and everybody else. This album is just so good from every angle. Why aren't you buying it right now? Emotional, dense, and all over the place, like a rock album oughta be.

Brian Wilson - Smile. Brian Wilson trying to finish a Beach Boys album he failed to complete thirty years ago because he flipped out and had a breakdown? How could that possibly sound good? How could it possible not be cheesy and painful? Well, I don't know, but it sure isn't. From the opening Oohs of "Our Prayer/Gee" to the closing theramin of "Good Vibrations," this thing is pure musical joy. I am so going to go practice singing harmonies now.

The Fiery Furnaces - Blueberry Boat. When I first heard this, my reaction was, "What the Hell?" The songs are a seeming jumble, cut and pasted together meaninglessly at times. The lyrics verge on nonsense, Edward Lear style. But it's oh so right. I can't get tired of this. It's so sprawling and sloppy and so damned fun.