The guilty don’t feel guilty, they learn not to

I thought I had a post in me about all the music I have been listening to lately, but I have had a hell of a time getting it out. Perhaps this will end up being that post, but I make no guarantees.

I will start out by saying that my aural diet of late has been largely shaped by Garden State. Recognizing that I am a giant band wagon jumper because of this, I still think that was right up there with The Crow as one of the best soundtracks ever. Actually, those are really the only two soundtracks I can think of where I didn't buy it to listen to one rocking song (note: I didn't actually buy the cd yet).

So there you have it, for those of you who aren't familiar with the contents of this cd (I’m thinking most people are), it is straight-up indie rock. I got the cd off Mark and was thoroughly enjoying it, so from his music collection I got a whole shit-pile of other indie shit (the shins, belle and sebastien, interpol, and even goddamn modest mouse - a band I swore up and down I would never get in to). So I have been sitting at work listening to this music and really feeling it.

I did a little research for some other bands to check out in the genre (courtesy of www.questionablecontent.net) and picked up a couple albums from The Fiery Furnaces. That is some wacked out shit, but still highly enjoyable. Then I picked up Bright Eyes because I heard it about it somewhere. I would have to say that Bright Eyes' Digital Ash in a Digital Urn is deadly, and probably my favourite find out of all of this stuff (it reminds me of Tripping Daisy’s Jesus Hits Like The Atom Bomb – an incredible cd).

Maybe that’s it for the indie stuff write now, so here is a small update on what I am doing. Right now I am contemplating sending out some e-mails to folks who have been kind enough to try keeping in touch with me. I appreciate that and should return the favour, but I am so very lazy. Apparently writing for my blog is not effort, but writing e-mails are. Maybe because e-mails are supposed to stay on topic, and this obviously isn't.

Stern came through last weekend and got wasted at Aussie Rules, always a fun, expensive night. Along the way we swapped some books, with Brian hooking me up with Slaughterhouse 5, and him walking with my copy of the Bone collection. I've read the first chapter of slaughterhouse so I feel fully qualified to offer opinions on it. From what I have seen so far, Vonnegut reads like Douglas Coupland. That is all I really feel I am able to say at this point. The premise of the story is interesting, and based on the people who have recommended it, I think it will be a good read.

That was a fairly useless post, so I think I will cut it off here. Maybe the next one will be about the virtues of switching banks just to get an iPod shuffle, or wasting time at work trying to figure out how long it would take a train to do a round trip from Calgary to wherever it picks up sulphur. These are the days of my life, and the thoughts that occupy them.

Peace.

Oh ya, I just booked my holidays. June 27th to July 9th and August 8-12th. I picked them based on the fact that I wasn't scheduled those days. So if anyone is planning to come to Calgary and wants to catch me when I'm not working, now you know.