Cass McCombs

Cass McCombs - "Sacred Heart"

I've seen this song posted on several other mp3 blogs in the past, and as much I hate to be repetitive, I just had to post it here because I love it so much. Cass McCombs does the Morrissey so so well, better than anyone maybe, especially when he sings that line that sounds like "foreign car, foreign car." Plus, I absolutely love the tones that he gets out of the guitars in this song - and the rest of the album, for that matter - and the way that they so smoothly transition from being raucous and unrelenting to something completely opposite...how shall I put this...peaceful and soothing, like driving over hills in the countryside.

It's cold and rainy here in Michigan right now and this is the perfect song for this sort of day. The funny thing is that about a week and a half ago, when PREfection was getting heavy rotation in my car's system, it was sunny and beautiful outside and this ethereal pop song was just as marvelous then, as well. This whole album is incredible: stunningly gorgeous pop melodies drenched in reverb and densely layered fuzz, and slowly pushed along by distant and thunderous rhythms. If you enjoy music that shares some or all of these traits I've just attributed to Cass' record, then do look into adding this one to your collection. You won't be sorry.

Sam Prekop

Sam Prekop - "C+F"


I've been listening to the new Sam Prekop, Who's Your New Professor?, a LOT since it was released last month. But most of that has come in the last week, as I've been getting myself into something I like to call "Chicago-mode" (I know, really inventive).

You see, in 2 days, I'll be in Chicago for the weekend with my wife. Never been there before, so it should be a good time. I always enjoy exploring new cities and seeing new sights, people, and architecture (like that building pictured above that was on the cover of Wilco's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot). We're staying at Hotel 71, which seems to be situated right in the middle of the downtown area, close to everything we'd want to check out. It's just a block off of Michigan Ave., close to all the museums and Magnificient Mile and basically everything we'd like to check out. I just want to have a good time, try to immerse myself in Chicago's culture as much as possible, and maybe even learn something about the city's history at the same time. A few things we're already sort of planning on doing - besides some shopping (I've been told there's an H&M in Chicago) - are going to the Art Institute of Chicago, the Museum of Contemporary Art, Sears Tower, Navy Pier, & the Shedd Aquarium. We also might try to catch the Owen/Decibully show at Schuba's on Saturday night. Unfortunately, our stay this weekend is sandwiched right between two shows that I would have liked to see: Scotland Yard Gospel Choir on Thursday night at the Metro and Damien Jurado on Sunday night, also at Schuba's. Oh, well.

So, anyway, it seems like we have plenty to keep us busy for two and a half days. But if anyone else has any suggestions they feel like sharing with me before my trip, I'd love to hear them. A Cubs game? I don't know. I just don't want to come back from our trip and regret having NOT done something while we were there. I never found an In-n-Out Burger while in San Diego last year, and to this day I still get a little riled up when something reminds me of that place. So please leave comments below. I hear there's a Cheesecake Factory there, which is something we do not have here in the D. Might have to hit that, too.

In the meantime, I'll be listening to this Sam Prekop CD. You go buy it and then meet me in Chicago so you can thank me.

Leslie Feist

Feist - "One Evening"

I've long sung the praises of Leslie Feist here at this site. Strange that it's taken practically a year since Let It Die came out for it to start to building up steam now. It's been sitting there, happily waiting in the wings, poised for the kill. I've only just begun to hear people rave about this gorgeous album on other mp3 & music blogs. It really does baffle me that it's taken this long.
In terms of the last year or so, Let It Die may very well be the record that's gotten the most play in our household. It's one of those albums that is so good from beginning to end that each time you give it a spin, a new song on it becomes your favorite. And every song on there has it's turn in that spot, at one point or another...and then again later. That's one of the true marks of a superb album. And, in fact, this svelt tune was the one to capture my attention the most the last time it was played.
At the end of 2004 I posted this list of my favorite albums of the year. In retrospect, Feist probably deserved to be higher in my rankings. I don't know what I was thinking at the time I put the list together. Her album might've even been worthy of the top spot. Actually, yeah, it is. There. I said it. I've officially revised my original list. Feist was #1 in 2004. Wonder if I can count it in 2005, too...
Anyway, as of this posting, "One Evening" is being offered as a free download at the iTunes Music Store. Get it there, if you prefer it that way.

Mitch Hedberg Tragically Dead at 37

Mitch Hedberg (February 24, 1968 - March 30, 2005)

I'm ashamed to say that when I first heard it I thought it was an April Fool's joke. I still want to that to be true. But I'm seeing reports about it in a lot of places (USA Today, Comedy Central, Wikipedia, etc). This is a tragedy. Mitch was a true, up-and-coming legend-to-be in comedy. He was actually already a comedic legend in my book. I know he made me laugh harder than any other comedian ever has. I don't think there will ever be anyone like him again. He was not your ordinary standup comedian. He was such a unique dude. Seeing him do his bit in Detroit a couple months ago suddenly means a lot more to me now...