Onward and Upward

SOPA is just a symptom of the problem

The MPAA, RIAA, and others have deep pockets to continue to purchase bills in Congress, like you or I might purchase a cheeseburger. 

The odds are that we won’t garner the same support if we go through this again, just due to natural fatigue.

What can you do? Change the ability of the MPAA and the RIAA to purchase legislation that meets their interests. Get involved by striking at the roots. 

Click here to learn more, and defeat the source of the problem, because SOPA is just a symptom. 

What I Listened to Most in 2011

Here we go again. In no order, and not necessarily from the past year, just the most frequented. 

UPDATED: Here is the Spotify playlist

1. Dawes : Nothing Is Wrong

One quick listen should make this pick make sense. Easily the most played, because the music isn’t built for one-time satisfaction. Here’s to more music that is built to last. 

2. Ryan Adams : Ashes & Fire

This seems like an obvious pick for me, but I feel like he really earned it. Not a bad song in the bunch, produced by Glyn Johns, featuring Benmont Tench, Norah Jones, I could go on.

3. Bon Iver : Bon Iver

Just read every other top 10 this year. But really good. I am not sure that I could tell you about a song from it though. Best listened from front to back. 

4. Fleet Foxes : Helplessness Blues

Deep, layered, intricate. I didn’t really love the first record that much, but they got me here. Very few spend this much time and attention on their music anymore. 

5. Jason Isbell : Here We Rest

Songs from the South. Great playing and singing. Not sure you need any more reasons.

6. Gillian Welch : The Harrow and the Harvest

Gill and Dave took 6 years to make it right, and it worked. The running theme this year is timeless music. Or maybe the running theme is music that doesn’t care about trends. Or both.

7. Brandon Flowers : Flamingo

I got really into this for about three months. For some reason, a lot of people list the Killers as guilty pleasures or something, but I think Mr. Flowers has got it. Delivered with swagger — the world could use more showmen. 

8. R.E.M. : Collapse Into Now

Swan song that brings it all together, sort of like my childhood wrapped into one album. Seriously underrated because they didn’t want to tour behind it and extend the record’s lifecycle (respect), but the songs are there. Stipe and Mills sound awesome. Start with “Uberlin”.

9. Blake Mills : Break Mirrors

I’m not sure I know any records that sound like this. He takes serious sonic leaps and combines them with abstract songwriting and somehow it all works swimmingly. Bonus points for landing the Lucinda Williams gig also. 

And of course a rundown on the staying power of last year’s list:

1. Thad Cockrell - To Be Loved

this will probably end up being top 10 of all time. first I resented his new Leagues project, then learned to love it

2. Miranda Lambert - Revolution

still listening. new record is good, not great, but good. 

3. Drive-By Truckers - The Big To Do

didn’t really touch it. they almost have too much catalog. never thought that would be a problem. 

4. Sufjan Stevens - The Age Of Adz

still respect it, but it isn’t getting plays. 

5. The Weepies - Hideaway

got more into the latest, Be My Thrill. So many good songs, so little time. 

6. Kings of Leon - Come Around Sundown

this one might never get its due. textured rock and roll greatness. 

7. The Silver Seas - Chateau Revenge

love it. cant wait for more. 

8. Band of Horses - Infinite Arms

faded a bit. still waiting on THE cohesive record from these guys. 

9. Spoon - Transference

starting to think Spoon is a one trick pony, where I like the pony, but i’m sick to death of riding it. 

10. Francis and the Lights - It’ll Be Better

didn’t listen a whole lot, probably due to overkill on the first go-round.