Here’s another Shazam find.
I just knew I recognized the voice singing on the radio the other evening but it was no song I’d ever heard. Sure enough, for those of you Shins fans out there, it was James Mercer doing a side project with Danger Mouse and they’ve announced an album to be out at the beginning of March.
From the reviews, it sounds like people are pretty excited about the mix of sound these two are creating. I’m just feeling darn proud of myself that I know some current news happening in the musical world. It’s definitely been a while!
Since I don’t actually have the album I’ll leave you with the Broken Bells website. It’s kind of cool so hopefully that’ll make up for having to use an outside link. This is the album’s first single, called “The High Road.”
One of my mental New Year resolutions was to listen to more new music in 2010. So far I think I’m fairing better than last year and I have my phone to thank for that. For those of you who have applications on your phones you might know about Shazam, which I have to say is totally awesome and helpful for my musical improvement.
Shazam is a little program that lets you record something you’re hearing – it records about 20 seconds for you – and then analyzes what you are listening to. As long as it can figure it out, and it’s quite good, it’ll bring up a link of the song and album and then further links to where you can buy it on itunes or read reviews about it or send a note to yourself about it.
A couple weeks ago I was at Sip and Ship and this catchy little song came on that I just had to get more info about so, boom, Shazam to the rescue! It was a strange sounding song. 80s beat, slightly Davie Bowie sounding vocals in the beginning and then cutting to this totally 70s sounding falsetto. I couldn’t believe the instantaneous mix of genres going on in the song. Anyway, Slanky downloaded the album later that evening for me and it’s totally fun and peppy.
The band is called Empire of the Sun and the song I heard was Walking on a Dream. The group is actually an Australian group classified as electronic but they really mix genres throughout the entire album. I think at least one song also has some live guitar in it. It’s a pretty fun album, though not for all types of listening occasions.
I won’t include lyrics here because a) I don’t know what they are saying anyway and b) this review doesn’t really cover the meaty stuff like what the song’s about and whatnot, i don’t see that as being the point when it sounds fun.
Favorite Restaurants: Azul is a Mexican type place in Mill Creek. I refer to it as a “Mexican-type-place” b/c it has Mexican flair but it doesn’t have the stuff that I’d usually order at the well known chain restaurants like Azteca. I recommend the Pork Tacos AKA “Mexican Pot Roast.” (Sorry Jody and Eve) Also, good are the Fish Tacos and the Creamy Seafood Enchiladas. For breakfast, I like their Strawberry Pancakes and the Classic Eggs Benedict. Clay Pit is an Indian restaurant in Mill Creek. They have a great lunch buffet. I’m sure it is very westernized but I love it. Both places have a vibe that makes us feel at home. We probably eat a least one meal a week at both restaurants.
Biggest Surprise: I’m a Taylor Swift fan. I know, I know! I thought it was the end of the world too when I figured this out. I still feel like this event has got to be in that end of day’s section in the Bible. What got me going was her Saturday Night Live performance this fall. I thought she sounded great and was pretty amazed by the quality of her performance. I’ve seen many seasoned musicians totally bomb on SNL. Vocalists esp. seem to have a hard time. Then I heard her song “15” on the radio when I was visiting my folks and thought that it pretty well written. Then I discovered that she has a whole line up of music videos and behind the scenes material via Comcast’s on demand programming.
Favorite Movie: “I Love You Man” Hilarious. This is the best movie you haven’t seen yet. I honestly liked it so much more than “The Hangover” which got so much buzz. “I Love You Man” is very funny in a refreshing way. Just when you think you know what is going to happen it goes in a different direction and makes you laugh harder. I strongly recommend a rent. See trailer here. www.iloveyouman.com/
Strangest Phenomenon: People think I’m a redhead now. Seriously, I’ve had 2 people say something about my red hair. One tech support co-worker said it was “great to help out a fellow red head” while over the phone. She explained that she had looked up my profile with picture on our company directory. I responded weakly with “ah, yeah…..we have to…like…stick together.” I looked myself up and couldn’t see where she’d come up with it but figured the color must be off on her computer. About a month later, another coworker (one that was sitting in the desk next to mine) asked “so was your hair super carroty red when you were a kid?” Still puzzled I explained that actually my hair had been white-blonde as a kid. Her response……REALLY??!! Couldn’t imagine it. This really makes me feel like coloring my hair. People can’t tell what color it is.
Best Invention: IngenuiTea. I’m not sure if this device for steeping loose leaf tea was actually invented in 2009 but I discovered it this year if that counts. I was visiting with my folks just before Xmass and my Dad bought this for me while we were browsing this little tea shop out in Puyallup. It works great! It has taken many cups of tea to get via 2009. Take a look. www.adagio.com/teaware/ingenuiTEA_teapot.html
Ok, here’s my list of Tops for 2009. It’s by far not comprehensive and I feel like I’m forgetting a lot of stuff that happened in 2009 but so it goes. Perhaps I should blog more so I can look back on stuff..
Favorite Restaurant (or where we frequented most): The Loft, a sports bar type of place that allows kids until about 10pm. It’s nice and loud so Jonah blends right in.
Best Meal of 2009: we had some great food on our travels this summer but Slanky and I shared a wonderful meal at Elemental (for his Birthday, I think) and I could still drink then so the wine also helped make it a memorable evening!
Top Album (not necessarily made in 2009 but what I listened to most frequently): This is a very hard one. I don’t feel like I listened to much music this year, if you don’t count kid’s music and older music that we’ve had around for years. So, I guess for single most listened to albums, it’ll probably have to be The Beatles re-released Revolver album.
Top 3 Books I read in 2009: Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff and the Dead series by Charlaine Harris (I’m lumping those all together even though they are 9 books. I finished all but the last one in a matter of weeks and they all blend together to me now. Great fluff.)
Best Coffee Shop: Sip and Ship is still our most frequented but the best actual coffee I had was from the Lighthouse Roasters main place in Fremont.
Favorite Movie: I can’t totally remember all of the movies I saw in 2009 (not many but also not memorable) but what really sticks out for me is the new Star Trek one. I thought the prequel characters were dead on and I liked the playful quality of the movie.
Biggest Rant of 2009: Getting our stroller stolen off of our front porch. Very annoying and still makes me angry when I think about it.
Ok, that’s it for now. I’m sure there are more things I should document about ‘09 but they aren’t coming to me right now!