I switched around the tracks on that second mix cd a bit. I edited the post below to reflect the changes. It's better and more consistent now. Went to see the Decemberists with Jeff Hanson and Mary Lou Lord tonight at the Knit. Mainly I wanted to see the Decemberists, but was also curious to see the sound of a girl come out of Jeff Hanson. It's kinda weird. He is a dude, talks like a dude, but sings more like a girl than John Flansburgh ever will. I mean, it's kinda like if you stuck Elliott Smith's nards in a vice grip. Matt said "Guys just don't sound like that." And I said "Not guys with testicles." But he was really good. And apparently, very friendly. Then again, everyone is friendly to Matt. Sometimes I feel like I live in a sitcom called "Everybody Loves Matt Orphan," and I am the jealous Robert to his beloved Raymond.

The Decemberists were fucking phenomenal! The breadth and depth of their music had me in awe the entire set. Hints of Hitchcock (Robyn), Belle & Sebastian, Kurt Weill, Bertold Brecht, and more...they even sample diaogue from Guy Maddin's film "Archangel" on their full-length cd Castaways & Cutouts. If you haven't checked them out, they have a track on the new Kill Rock Stars compilation Mollie's Mix entitled "I Don't Mind." Jeff Hanson also has a song on that. Many people left after the Decemberists' set, and frankly, I don't blame them. I find Mary Lou Lord nothing much more than a folky indie-rock jukebox. I mean, I don't dis her for playing mainly covers while not emphasising her originals (I am told she does indeed write songs, but I've not paid enough attention to care), but more for the fact that her covers don't do much for me. I'd rather go see Lois Maffeo, Richard Thompson, Guided By Voices, Daniel Johnston (on a good day, anyway, though I am led to believe not many of those happen anymore) and Bevis Frond, rather than hear her sing-songy, monotonous renditions of these artists. I'm sorry, but she does nothing for me at all.

Excited about the 80's-movie-type painting party at my house this saturday afternoon. Details forthcoming. Sleep notwithstanding.

j.

Just in case you were curious as to the exact tracklistings for the "J-Ro's Cry Cry Sad Music Series" Volumes one & two, here they are....

Volume One: When You Get Back From Wherever

1. Buffalo Tom "She Belongs To Me"
2. Radiohead "Where I End And You Begin"
3. Interpol "NYC"
4. +/- (Plus/Minus) "Summerlong [Boy Version]"
5. The Postal Service "Nothing Better "
6. Wilco "A Magazine Called Sunset"
7. Hayden "Waiting For A Chance To See Her"
8. Wolf Colonel "Thinking About You"
9. Kill Creek "Hardly Accounted For "
10. Long Winters "Carparts"
11. Uncle Tupelo "Wherever"
12. Pete Yorn "Black"
13. Railroad Jerk "Rollerkoaster"
14. John Vanderslice "Time Travel Is Lonely"(With Spoon)
15. Rhett Miller "Come Around"
16. Elliott Smith "Happiness"
17. Decemberists "I Don't Mind"
18. Idlewild "American English"
19. Six By Seven "The Way I Feel Today"
20. U2 "All I Want Is You"

Volume Two: When All My Trials Are Over and All My Friends Are There

1. Alkaline Trio "Nose Over Tail"
2. With Every Idle Hour "El Camino" (rough mix)
3. Eugenius "Blue Above The Rooftops"
4. Boo Radleys "Lazy Day"
5. Guided By Voices "Idiot Princess"
6. Bright Eyes "From A Balance Beam"
7. Ben Folds "Still Fighting It"
8. Ben Kweller "Make It Up"
9. U2 "Bad"
10. Foo Fighters "Everlong"
11. Sunny Day Real Estate "Two Promises"
12. Josh Rouse & Kurt Wagner "That's What I Know"
13. Pearl Jam "Thumbing My Way"
14. The Get Up Kids "Out Of Reach"
15. Wolf Colonel "That's My Life"
16. Bedhead "What's Missing"
17. Emmit Rhodes "Somebody Made For Me"
18. Flaming Lips "Knives Out"
19. Elbow "George Lassos The Moon"
20. Wilco "More Like The Moon"

Second volume is all done, except for the editing and "mastering." It is soooo good, and it seems to have a couple accidental themes running through it. Go figure. Right now, though, I'm listening to the new CD by Mull Historical Society, entitled "Us" that I got for renewing my Magnet subscription/prescription. I don't know why there isn't a bigger buzz on this guy, because he's really freakin' good. I'm sure he'll get a buttload of comparisons to Joseph Arthur for a multitude of reasons, despite the only Peter Gabriel connection for Colin MacIntyre is the album title...as far as I know, anyway. But MacIntyre is a briliant arranger and songwriter, as evidenced on even just the first listen...as I listen to it more, I am sure more subtleties will expose themselves and envelope me. For fans of The Chamber Strings, Hollies, Zombies, New Pornographers, Destroyer, Zumpano, etc.

In other news, I think my left foot is trying to secede from my body. It's not a very pretty sight. I don't know what's wrong with it, but I thought it was getting better before, but now I'm not so sure. Maybe some help from fast actin' Tinactin will do the trick? I hope my foot doesn't grow a boil that turns into another head like in "How To Get Ahead In Advertising." That'd be craaaaaazy!

I think that's it for now. Maybe more rambling later on. Who knows? Nobody knows...but Jesus.

not Jesus,
j.