Andrew Bird

is awesome:

what got used, 2008

I have been meaning to write a follow up to my best music post of a few weeks ago. Basically, I just wanted to mention and link to a few places that have been useful this year.

First, Facebook totally exploded this year. I have had an account for a few years, but this year it seems like EVERYBODY signed up. I've actually really enjoyed "facebooking" as it has helped me get in touch with old friends, reconnect on a more regular basis with other friends, and keep up to date with my facebooking colleagues. As a social networking tool, facebook deserves mega-props for its ability to handle photographs, video, and even (as of about 8 months ago) chat. I think that this year's explosion has secured for Facebook the status of more than just a passing fad.

Twitter is like a super boiled down version of Facebook--but I use it too (and actually integrate it with my Facebook. Twitter lets me update my facebook status via text message--I can't afford web connectivity on my cell phone yet). More and more people are "twittering"--it provides a fun way to read and broadcast short pieces of information. I get feeds from CNN, our local newspaper, a few bands, Amazon's daily mp3 deal--even George Lucas twitters. Only two of my friends "tweet" regularly--thanks for keeping it real Mat and Aaron.

"I wish the internet could..." is a common phrase knocking around in my head. Ususally, I don't have to wait too long before my wish is its command. For example, I was really wanting to do some photoblogging directly from my camera phone. In other words, I wanted to be able to take a photo with my phone, text it to myself and have it automatically update to a blog. I found such a service in Twitpic. I started doing it here on our trip, but moved it permanently to this address. If you use a rss reader, you can subscribe to the feed by clicking the orange button in the right-hand corner of the page.

WALL-E credits

We really like Pixar's WALL-E around here.  The credits are one of my favorite parts. Love the Peter Gabriel, love the animation (especially when contrasted with the wonderful Pixar animation), love the message of hope "take a sad song and make it better." 

Viva la Vida, Seth!

Whatever your opinions of Coldplay, last year's Viva La Vida was big hit in our house.  Seth has always been a big Coldplay fan.  He loved X&Y--especially "Fix You". I can still remember his sweet, two-year-old voice singing that song.  Here he is doing his favorite on the new album (the title track).  This was recorded over Thanksgiving when we had all of our gear out.  He's quite the little performer, wouldn't you agree?


Seth singing Viva La Vida from starmaster on Vimeo.

cool apps

I've run into a storage problem on my MacBook. I need to get a larger hard drive, but there is this little thing called money that I don't have a lot of. So, I have been doing what I usually do--looking for ways to do what I want without spending more money. One thing that really helped out this morning was this cool, free (open source--Mac only) application called Grand Perspective, which, basically scans your hard drive and tells you what files are using the most space. I like this app especially, though, because it gives you a clickable visual representation of that space. I was able to move 50 gigabytes--nearly a fourth of my hard drives total capacity(!)--to an external drive and thereby free up much needed space for other pressing projects.

Awesome!

Guide to 2008 (music)

Welcome to the third annual end-of-the-year guide to my favorite things of the year. Last year, I think I stuck to music only. This year, I will do the same and will write another post to mention a few other things that have been of influence this year. Stay tuned for that.

It really has been a big year, media-wise. After consulting my trusty iTunes play counter, it would appear that my two most listened-to bands of the year were Bon Iver and the Fleet Foxes. Big surprise there. I've posted several times about both groups--but for fun, here are two more videos for your listening enjoyment.

This performance of "re: Stacks" (my favorite song on the album) is actually from their show that I saw here in Champaign. So sweet. I just love the quite honesty of Justin Vernon's tunes. He's an inspiration.

(The song actually starts 2 minutes in on this clip if you want to skip ahead)



The Fleet Foxes have a similar vibe. I love their harmonies, percussion, and that sweet mandolin lead. Here's a link to my favorite tune "Blue Ridge Mountains" since this video won't let me embed.

The Punch Brothers, or more specifically Chris Thile--formerly of Nickel Creek and currently of the Punch Brothers--would get the third slot. My interest in bluegrass is currently in blossom mode. I recently purchased some hardware to mod my guitar into a dobro and with artists like Jerry Douglas and Chris Thile to emulate, I'm on my way!

Thile is a master musician--a respected expert on the mandolin (the guy was recording with legends before he was 20)--and a really great singer/songwriter to boot. This hasn't just been a year of solo-Thile for me, but rather one where I consumed the whole Nickel Creek catalog as well.

Here's a great quiet tune from the first Punch Brothers album (some of you may recognize the program Woodsongs that it is taken from. Our local PBS station carries it):



And if you can stand it, here's them doing an 8 minute cover of Radiohead's "Morning Bell"--the song they also ended with at the show I saw in Champaign:



So rad! That clip really shows off the band in true, pass-the-solo, bluegrass style. It will also give you a really great look at Thile's virtuosity.

It's also been a year of much Wilco, Radiohead, and other newer voices like Ray LaMontagne:



Radiohead - Weird Fishes - by Tobias Stretch




I should also mention that old favorites, Weezer and the Cure also came out with new albums this year. I was largely underwhelmed by both, though. Especially the Cure album. Both albums had some stand-outs for me though.

Underneath the Stars by the Cure might be their best song (even if not on the best album) in 10 years:



And I really love this tune, Troublemaker, from the new Weezer album. Actually, I would have to say that the "Red" album is probably the best release from my old favorite band since Pinkerton. But it just doesn't hold up against the other groups in terms of times listened last year.

Finally, a very honorable mention goes to Mates of State. They are the band that I got to meet at Lollapalooza in August and they're really great. Here's the wacky video for my favorite song on their new album Re-Arrange Us. It's called "Get Better"



Have fun jamming (and if you only chose one video to watch here, you really should check out that Morning Bell cover!).

many happy returns

We just got back today from the longest vacation we have ever been on--19 days. And, as I allude to in my last post, it really was wonderful. The drive was long, but we did it in short(er) legs, and I found that I actually enjoy it. I loved watching the landscape slowly change from prairie to high plains to rocky mountains to desert and back again. I started snapping pictures of the sights with my phone as we drove some of which I am collecting here.

Anyway, I was reminded, as I always am, of the sweet kindness of my family. We see them so rarely--usually only once or twice a year (for the last 8 years!)--that being around them really is a rare and precious treat.

My mother is, I think, one of those few rare gems who loves and serves others without restraint and without expectation of recognition or return. While we were there, I met a severely autistic boy with whom she has worked closely as a part of her work with disabled students. He and his mother came by to drop off a Christmas gift for my mom and I was touched by how emotional his mom was in the few moments that they stood in the doorway. "I always cry when I'm around you, Jean" was her comment. Clearly, my mom has been a godsend for their family. This is my children's grandmother I'm talking about! Talk about blessed. She showered us all with that love for 10 days straight.


My dad flatters me by asking for my advice and ideas about a vexing administrative/ discipline issue he has been having with some of his students (and their parents). He's the expert, I'm the novice. His humility is the hallmark of his expertise and skill. We shoveled several inches (feet, even) of snow, went on several "drinkie" runs, he made an incredible shoe find at our local favorite thrift store (brown Diesels--brand new, $8), and he encouraged several uplifting books as a break from my typical critical slog. Who knows how long he sat in on his bed as life guard while my youngest did his favorite thing: bounce, bounce, bounce, nearly fall off, bounce.


And my sister Emily! I discovered, living in my parents house, a smart, tremendously funny friend who also happens to be my sister. What a bonus! Indeed, she is awesome. (And I've never been struck by lightning--not even once!) :)



And while our Tucson visit was short, we had a lovely time there as well--pretending that it was still September. Seriously, it was 80 degrees on January 2nd. Tina's parents--after nearly 12 years of association--have become close friends. How many people can say that about their in-laws? We got to attend Tina's brother Scott's wedding. He found a great girl--yay for Sarah!--it was a sweet ceremony.

So, we made it home without incident and I'm feeling really pleased and happy (and heavy--gained a little weight). Thank you SO much, family. We love you so.

I have a list of things to do before school starts in a week-and-a-half. This was the first, I'll do my "best of 2008" post tomorrow or the next day. Also on the plate: rework my Writing Across Media syllabus, work up a new syllabus for my 102 class (I'm using a new textbook that focuses on community action), read the five books that I didn't even look at while in UT/AZ, and play a bit more with the new recordings and archival footage over at OA online.