Deodorant

Sometimes I can't remember if I put on deodorant in the morning.

Music

More new music. This time almost all of it is good. Some better than others, which I actually think hurt my opinion of things that I would have otherwise been excited about. As always, I might go back and edit this post as I listen to things more.

• The Bird and the Bee - Ray Guns Are Not the Future: Pretty and nice. At times beautiful. That's about all the commentary that is needed.
• Charles Spearin - The Happiness Project: I saw some of this performed live at the Broken Social Scene concert last week. It's an interesting concept album where he recorded people talking and then created melody out of the cadence of their speech. Some of them turn out pretty nice.
• Coconut Records - Davy: I haven't listened enough yet to say much about this. Check back later for more - although I expect to like it since I have liked pretty much anything that Jason Schwartzman has ever done.
• Great Northern - Remind Me Where The Light Is: This album isn't released until April 21st, but it is fabulous. Full instrumental (mostly guitar-driven) backing sweeping female vocals (with some male vocals thrown in). I think this is much stronger than their past releases.
• Handsome Furs - Face Control: Nice follow-up to the last album. Still like the old one better, but this one may grow on me. I think the last one did.
• Loney, Dear - Dear John: This is another one where this release feels stronger than the last one. Harsh Words is probably my favorite on the album, although this is totally subject to change.
• Nickel Eye - The Time of the Assassins: This is the solo release from the Strokes bassist. I kind of feel like he should stick to his work in The Strokes. I was hopeful for the track where Regina Spektor guests, but her piano pieces was brief and not accompanied by vocals. I thought his Leonard Cohen cover (last track) was decent, but probably just because I love Leonard Cohen.
• Say Hi - Oohs and Aahs: Pretty good album. I would probably love it more if I hadn't heard it at the same time as all of this other wonderful music.

More Music

Since I was travelling during January, I did not get much music.  So I'm playing catch-up.  Here is the list so far:

• A.C. Newman - Get Guilty: reminds me a lot of The New Pornographers stuff, but that is a good thing to me.
• Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavillion: soooo good.  I totally agree with the high rating Pitchfork gave this.  Sure maybe that's because it's poppy and approachable - moreso than their old albums, but I still love it.
• Antony & the Johnsons - The Crying Light: Similar vein as the last EP with orchestral backgrounds.  I like it, but I think Antony is just one of those love/hate sorts of things.  You either like his music or you don't.
• Beirut - 2 EPs: great stuff, including a single I had heard from an issue of Believer
• Bishop Allen - Grrr...: Nothing stands out so far, but it's enjoyable.
• Bon Iver - Blood Bank EP: really good, as usual
• Chairlift - Does You Inspire You: I loved Bruises from the iPod commercial.  The rest of the album is mediocre.  Good.  Enjoyable.  But nothing that blows me away.
• Dark Was The Night: I just wrote a post about it, so I think you know where I stand
• Junior Boys - Begone Dull Care: Not quite as good on first listen as their last album, but still good.  And could definitely improve on further listens, as albums often do.
• Matt & Kim - Grand: eh....I'll probably delete it.  It's not bad.  Just boring.
• Now Now Little Children - Cars: Reminds me of Land of Talk.  Nice female vocals.

Things I will listen to soon and update on:

• Guilt By Association - Volume 2
• Kanye West - 808s and Heartbreak

Dark was the Night

Good cause

Good price ($13.99 on Amazon for a double-disc CD - 31 awesome songs for $13.99!)

Great music (31+ great great artists)

Red Hot Organization has been in my awareness since the Red Hot + Blue album came out in 1990.  That album was fabulous and the liner notes were extensive and a great read (one booklet about Cole Porter's life and one about AIDS).  Plus lyrics and all that great stuff.  I actually think I cited it for a report on AIDS when I was in high school.

Well, the most recent release, Dark was the Night, comes out on February 17th.  I've had the opportunity to hear an advance copy, and it is amazing.  So fabulous.  The advance copy was provided free of charge, but I want to know if this will come with great info in the liner notes, so I will likely pick up a copy of the CD as well.  Plus, it benefits the Red Hot Organization, providing awareness about HIV and AIDS.  

I feel like AIDS had its media peak in the 80s and 90s and then was sort of abandoned.  It's still out there, folks.  People still contract it on a daily basis.  Some of them are people you may know and love.  There is still a huge stigma associated with it, too, which makes it harder for people to be open and honest about their status.  This needs to change.