My fear is that this is going to negatively affect the few record stores that are left and drive up prices of used discs.

Fears aside, it just saddens me that a whole generation will [...]]]> Here’s the news I’ve been dreading for quite some time. I can’t say it surprises me but… dang.

My fear is that this is going to negatively affect the few record stores that are left and drive up prices of used discs.

Fears aside, it just saddens me that a whole generation will not know the joy of going to a store on Tuesday to pick up the newest releases. They will miss out on the entire social experience of purchasing music.

Don’t get me wrong, iTunes is great, but it can never give you the same experience. It’s just not the same.

I’m gonna have to go off and cry a little now.

I can tell you what I think about your product and what would make it better but when it comes to creation I am less than inspired. And I wish it weren’t that way.

In all honesty, I figure I have very few original ideas. I like [...]]]> I’m a consumer with a desire to create.

I can tell you what I think about your product and what would make it better but when it comes to creation I am less than inspired. And I wish it weren’t that way.

In all honesty, I figure I have very few original ideas. I like to stand on the shoulders of others and take the next step (adaptation of a line from Jurassic Park).

I have tried to be creative in the past in many different arenas. Something that had come quite naturally to me is my appreciation for music. And since any fool can pick up a guitar and play… I thought it would be an easy transition to creation.

The problem is I lack the discipline and concentration to progress enough to ever play the guitar confidently. For 15 years I have been a mediocre beginner. I’m not sure that will ever change.

And as a mediocre beginner I have tried to write music and poetry, but I have never been as happy as I am when I hear the latest release from (insert musician here).

I guess I am writing this in an attempt to validate this existence. Is it ok to be a consumer?

Is it a creative art in and of itself?

I’m not sure.

All I know is that I have a desire to create… and have yet to find an outlet for that.

This sounds like a great idea. Who would have thought that setting up remotely controlled music and lights in your home could be as easy as installing a light bulb? If they can bring the price down from $250 this could be very popular. I would totally be on board.

The Kills – Blood Pressure
The Kills are another [...]]]> Cults – Cults
I seem to have a real weakness for fun, female fronted, indie pop, with a 1960’s sound, and the Cults hit me where it hurts. I love this album. If you’re looking for a fun summer record this could be it.

The Kills – Blood Pressure
The Kills are another female fronted group, which seems to be a trend in my recent music purchases. However, they bear little resemblance to groups like the Cults and The Civil Wars. They are dark, loud, bluesy, garage rock. Blood Pressure has taken a few listens to really get into, but the more I hear it the more I like it.

I haven’t listened to Ocean Eyes for a while, so this comparison may be a little off, but this latest release seems to be more pop and less synth-elctro-pop. The clever, cutesy lyrics and electronic beats remain, but musically it seems softer and dare I say it… [...]]]> Owl City – All Things Bright and Beautiful

I haven’t listened to Ocean Eyes for a while, so this comparison may be a little off, but this latest release seems to be more pop and less synth-elctro-pop. The clever, cutesy lyrics and electronic beats remain, but musically it seems softer and dare I say it… almost like what you’d hear on any contemporary Christian radio station. Not that that’s bad. There is a market for that. I had just hoped for a little more.

The Civil Wars – Barton Hollow

I love this album. Barton Hollow will appeal to the young indie crowd and older casual music listener alike. It’s like The Swell Season only with heavier folk influences. The musical arrangement is simple and sparse which allows the male/female vocal harmonies of The Civil Wars to shine. Most of the album is pretty low key except for the upbeat hoedown that is the title track. It’s a great listen for a quiet, relaxing, afternoon.

David Bazan – Strange Negotiations

I’m still trying to live with this album. And, I think it’s growing on me. Bazan is a great wordsmith, and this album is no exception. What’s missing for me is the raw emotional outpouring that was Curse Your Branches, but perhaps the lack of emotion is fitting for this album’s subject matter. Musically, Negotiations is a step up and probably a little more cohesive sounding across the board. Lyrically, we find Bazan in a healthier, hopeful, state of mind, picking up the pieces and putting his life back together from the pain he dealt with in Branches. Keep in mind though, this is not the pre-Branches, David Bazan. This is a new model that struggles with the idea of God and rejects his evangelical upbringing.

I was afraid I was going to be disappointed once again.

But, for some reason I gave in.

I decided to give the Foo Fighters another chance.

So, I picked up a copy of their latest, Wasting Light.

And, it’s better than I had expected.

As the [...]]]> I had told myself I would hold off.

I was afraid I was going to be disappointed once again.

But, for some reason I gave in.

I decided to give the Foo Fighters another chance.

So, I picked up a copy of their latest, Wasting Light.

And, it’s better than I had expected.

As the packaging suggested, this album is best played at maximum volume. It was recorded that way. It makes me long for the days when my dad would pull out his Led Zeppelin albums and make the house shake. In fact, this album would probably sound great on vinyl.

But, Wasting Light is more than just a loud rock album. It finds Grohl at a nostalgic, emotional state. He seems tormented by ghosts of his past and it’s evident in the albums lyrics and darker sound. It’s a welcome change that harkens memories of earlier albums.

I Should Have Known finds Grohl perhaps at his most tormented as he repeats the lines “I should have known,” and “No I cannot forgive you yet” over and over. It’s not complicated lyrically, but it gets the point across. Something is really bothering him. Maybe it’s the death of a former band mate, or something completely different, but it gives me chills just listening to it.

I could go on, but I’ll leave it at this, if you’ve ever thought of yourself as a Foo Fighters fan, then I encourage you to pick this album up.

He thinks that Apple got internet music right with this new service, and that streaming isn’t necessary. I think their new service is cool, but misses the boat because it doesn’t include streaming.

Time will tell us who is [...]]]> I’m having a little debate with a friend regarding Apple’s new iCloud service for iTunes.

He thinks that Apple got internet music right with this new service, and that streaming isn’t necessary. I think their new service is cool, but misses the boat because it doesn’t include streaming.

Time will tell us who is right in this debate, but the debate got me thinking. Yesterday, even after the WWDC keynote, I was holding on to a thin thread of hope that Apple would see the error of their ways and open up iCloud to internet streaming. Today, I’m coming to the realization that Apple will probably not make the move to streaming.

It’s a typical Apple move if you think about it. The masses get excited about a particular service and Apple releases something that they deem superior. I think that’s what we are seeing here with iCloud for iTunes.

Apple probably thinks streaming music is messy. And, they are probably right. It is dependent on users having constant access to wifi or 3g. It puts a strain on the data networks. And, to make music stream easily you end up sacrificing sound quality.

By downloading the music to the device you are using, you have great sound quality and constant access. Sounds like an Apple argument, right? That’s why I would be completely surprised were Apple to release streaming capabilities.

I think we’ll have to live with this form of iCloud for a while, which really isn’t bad. It’s just not quite the full service many of us were hoping for. As for the little debate I was having, I still think I’m right but we’ll see what the masses say. If enough people demand streaming Apple may be forced to change their outlook on music in the cloud.

Don’t get me wrong, iTunes Music Match sounds great. Almost too good to be true. It’s hard to believe the Apple was able to get the record companies to agree to let them scan your music [...]]]> Did Apple miss the boat by not including music streaming with their iCloud offerings announced today? I think so.

Don’t get me wrong, iTunes Music Match sounds great. Almost too good to be true. It’s hard to believe the Apple was able to get the record companies to agree to let them scan your music folders and match the songs in iTunes for $24.99 a year. That’s amazing. But here’s my gripe, I don’t want to have to download my music to listen to it. I want Apple to host it, allowing me to stream over wifi, or 3g. Downloading across multiple devices would be a great added bonus, but streaming is really what I was hoping for.

Amazon and Google seem to get it. Both of their services allow streaming. Amazon will even let you download music you’ve purchased through them from their cloud player. Why didn’t Apple take one more step and allow streaming? If they had, their service would have been heads and shoulders above everything else. Instead, we’re left with something that has great potential, but isn’t quite there.

I hope Apple sees the light and adds streaming. If they do, they can count on having me as a loyal customer.

Friday
Got off work early. I have early Friday’s through the summer. Pretty excited about it.
Stopped by Amoeba Music on my way home. I picked up new releases from the Civil Wars and David Bazan.
Did a little yard work.
Went to the movies [...]]]> Time to recover from my weekend.

Friday
Got off work early. I have early Friday’s through the summer. Pretty excited about it.
Stopped by Amoeba Music on my way home. I picked up new releases from the Civil Wars and David Bazan.
Did a little yard work.
Went to the movies with the wife. We watched the new Woody Allen film, Midnight in Paris. Unbeknownst to us, it had a strange correlation to our San Francisco trip.

Saturday
Breakfast at Mimi’s
Shopping at Costco and Nordstrom
Memorial Day BBQ in Irvine with the in-laws.

Sunday
Lead worship at Glendale Church of Christ
Took a much needed nap
Small evening gathering with friends. Wine, cheese, tortilla soup… good stuff.

Monday
Found an entry table for the house. Now we need to stain it.
Cleaned. The house was a mess.
Played electrician. Replaced a few light switches and outlets.
Erin bought a new fridge. Good sale. It should arrive next week.
Late Memorial Day dinner at Outback.