Taido J. Chino, Ph.D.
Back with four song picks. This round sticks pretty close to home base. Chillaxin.
Blue Scholars – Lumiere (feat. The XX) / thanks to gar for turning me on to them
Cloud Cult – The Strength – Forces of the Unseen
The War on Drugs – Comin’ Through
Junip – Always
Ok, while I know each of you looks to this weekly post for the very best in music, I’m making a slight departure from my normal routine. Instead of four of the finest for your listening enjoyment, I’m putting up four things that I found interesting this week.
Here goes…
1) dalton ghetti – This stuff is pretty fascinating. I spoke this week on the intimate nature of God’s creative work. I think these photos capture that idea some.
2) “Man Crisis” – Kind of hard to top the pencil art, but saw this video a few days ago and after a string of posts on man-stuff, this one sort of slapped me in the face. I’m not buying everything he’s selling, but at least the video is well done.
3) 180° South – A good friend passed this doc/movie my way this week. And given my love for mountains and such, they had me at “Patagonia.”
The idea is cool. The story was a bit thin. The message was simplistic, vapid, and blunt. But the cinematography was incredible! The whole time I’m watching, I’m thinking, “Who is the Bad A filming all this?” I wasn’t even a little surprised when the credits rolled to discover that Jimmy Chin was one of the men behind the camera. Oh yeah, and the soundtrack is slammin’ too.
4) Great Cover – For all you Journey fans out there (and honestly, who isn’t a Journey fan?), here is a cover of one of their all time classics.
Clem Snide – Faithfully (Journey Cover)
Bonus – I feel guilty for not giving you the goods on music, so here’s a little foretaste of what’s to come from good ol’ Sufjan Stevens.
Sufjan Stevens – I Walked
He just released an EP entitled All Delighted People. So far, there are a couple of standouts for me. This track is off a full-length album, The Age of Adz, that he’ll be releasing sometime this fall.
Happy weekend!
Here they are…
Wolf Parade – Ghost Pressure
Stereophonics – Innocent
Mumford & Sons and Laura Marling – to darkness (dharohar project)
Good Old War – That’s Some Dream (thanks @rebeccacabrera)
As always – or almost always – four fine tracks to get the weekend started.
M.I.A. – Tell Me Why
Alcoholic Faith Mission – My Eyes to See
The Roots – Right On (feat. Joanna Newsom and STS)
Ray LaMontagne & The Pariah Dogs – For the Summer
A while back, I was putting some songs up every Friday. I know that the A.A. Bondy rant as of late has been all you’ve needed to keep you musically happy for a while… but there is more!
Each of these are songs from albums that have been eagerly anticipated by some (or just by me). Have at it.
Arcade Fire – Ready to Start
The National – Conversation 16
Menomena – Taos
Lissie – Bully
Ok, so by my reckoning, I’ve neglected this blog for about a month and a half. I’m not sure what any of you have done to fill the empty void left by my blogging absence. Probably just watched a few more minutes of American Idol or NBA playoffs.
There are a few reasons to explain the lack of activity around here, but frankly they are pretty uninteresting. So I’ll spare you. My return would have been delayed indefinitely, but I got tired of visiting here only to see the lame excuse for a post staring back at me. Not that this is going to be much of an improvement. Its only redeeming quality will be that it is different.
So… this edition of Four for Friday was inspired by the fact that this weekend there are some parties around town that are sort of a big deal. These four should pretty much carry you all the way through.
1) Miley Cyrus – Party in the USA
I understand that it might be a bit shocking to see something so blatantly mainstream on here. But my favorite moment yesterday was driving around town with my nearly thirteen year old son and embarrassing him by blaring this song with the windows down. He was literally sinking down in his seat to avoid being seen by others. A great choice to get the ball rolling this weekend.
2) Sleigh Bells – Crown on the Ground
This one brings things up a notch. Hard not to love.
3) Broken Bells – The High Road
This one is for when you are hanging late night with your friends and want to look like you are in the know on what is hip. That’s right… hip.
4) Romany Rye – All the Boys
When you are winding down things on Sunday, this is a good one to help you get there. Romany Rye is largely made up of some great local musicians. They are on tour with Delta Spirit this summer. That’s sort of a big deal.
Alright, my work here is done. Enjoy the weekend!
The music situation hasn’t been all that great lately. So I’m going to share a few (more like four) things that I’m liking some right now…
1) Kyte – Dead Waves
I realize that I just said that the music situation hasn’t been all that incredible the last few weeks, but there is one stand out for me. Kyte, a band from some other country, put out a new album recently. I like it.
2) My Chaco’s
Alison bought these for me around Christmas time, and since it has warmed up a bit, I’ve been in them pretty much non-stop. I don’t see that changing anytime in the next six months.
3) Huevos Rancheros
Lunch for me is typically leftovers from the night before, but lately the eating capacity of my crew has taken a turn for the unbelievable. This is my lunch in a pinch, and it is always good.
4) After You Believe by N. T. Wright
I realize how this looks… that I have a man-crush on N. T. Whether that is true or not is beside the point. This is a good book. It is the third (and I think final) in series of books written on a more popular/pastoral level. The other two are Simply Christian and Surprised by Hope, and any of the three are worth your while. They don’t really build on each other, so you could pick any of them up.
Looking back on this foursome, I’ll understand if you don’t find my likings very remarkable. I guess sometimes it is finding enjoyment in the little things.
Sorry to pull the old bait and switch. No music here today.
I’m in Wheaton, Illinois for the weekend listening to this guy talk about the Bible. If you watch all four (or really any) of these videos, you’ll be a smarter person than you are right now. No need to thank me.
On Adam and Eve
On Worldview and Our Reading of Scripture
On Genesis 1-3
On Heaven
Like the title, these songs are sort of alright.
April Smith – Colors
Dr. Dog – Stranger
Jason Collett – Lake Superior
Jonsi – Boy Lilikoi
May your Friday be average too.
Elvis Perkins – Good Friday
Glen Hansard – All the Way Down
The Welcome Wagon – He Never Said a Mumblin’ Word
William Fitzsimmons – Please Forgive Me