iPod Update

Well, I finally managed to come up with a few minutes to tell you all what has been going on in the Monkey Monarchy. Or, at least to give you a current play list. Let me see... There is my regular job, (the main monkey business) frequent bike rides around BWI, going to the gym, being a husband and mixing my new album. Also, Bubala decided that I should get an iPod like his. Now please don't get the wrong idea. I know what you're probably thinking. That's so incredibly Yuppie or in my case Guppie. Well don't worry. I am way too much of an audiophile to go dumping all my of CD's for a Walkman the size of a pack of cigarettes. I look at works of music in much the same way some people look at works of literature, and I really believe in expanding my library of music. For the present, with a lot of new music just coming out, I thought it would be a great idea for the monkey on the move to be able to be portable with my listening. Whether it be at the gym or on the bike or out for a walk or on one of our many road trips. Not only does it give you that 'whole world is a music video illusion,' but it's also great for the all important 'incommunicado' option which has become even more precious to me as I trudge on through this prison sentence we call life. So, to make myself feel better, I got this Ipod and I am filling it up with all of these new albums and some old favorites and some stuff to get me pumped up at the gym or on the bike.

The New Albums:

The Ark- Prayer For The Weekend

This is the forth album from this Swedish glam rock band. It is not as glam and New Wave sounding as their previous album, State Of The Ark, but it's a fun sounding record and Ola Salo and crew have my vote for best flashy gayness and just all around fun. I don't think that this album is out in the US yet. I have an imported copy. Keep a watch out for this album.

Tori Amos - American Doll Posse

This is actually a very aggressive album for the fiery headed songstress. Hardly any solo piano and vocal pieces that she is known for. There's some guitar, lots of drums from that creature who hits things, Matt Chamberlin, (he used to be a New Bohemian) some orchestration and best of all Tori is pissed off at slutty bitches and George W. Bush. She's an MILF. Don't you forget.

Marillion- Somewhere Else

I've been following this band for over 20 years now. They mutate and change from time to time. Some of their albums are awesome. Some are just okay. This one falls into the okay category. It has some good songs, but nothing that grabs me the way a lot of their music does. If you are not familiar with them, I suggest you start with their last album "Marbles" or their 1994 concept record "Brave." It's rather trippy in places. You may also go back farther to when they had a different singer, a huge Scottish guy name Fish who wrote great poetry. Also, check out "Misplaced Childhood" or, for the lonely alcoholic, "Clutching At Straws."

Porcupine Tree- Fear Of A Blank Planet

This is the latest masterpiece from the Porcupine Tree it's kind of a concept record about the youth of today popped up on pills, cell phones, IPods, MySpace, the mall, XBox, guns. Lets just say that it paints a very melancholic but honest picture of the world and youth today. Musically it ranges from ambient soundscapes to death metal to Beatle-esque ballads to classic rock in the English vein. Bubala and I will be going out on our pilgrimage to see the Tree when they swing by the East coast later this month. Come and join us under the Porcupine Tree.

5/19/07 NYC Nokia Theater
5/22/07 Baltimore Ramshead Live (my 25th PT show at home)
5/23/07 Philadelphia, Electric Factory
5/25/07 Boston, Roxy

Rush- Snakes & Arrows

It doesn't get much better than this for me folks. This is the best album of the year. I don't even have to hear any others. This album is produced by a guy named Nick Raskulinecz who is a younger producer (Foo Fighters, Velvet Revolver) but he grew up on Rush and seems to really give them a younger enthusiasm that fired them up a bit. Rush only makes 'brilliant, fantastic' albums or 'stroke of pure spiritual genius' albums. This is one of the latter ones. It has the most acoustic guitars ever on a Rush album, but doesn't lose it's Rush-like punch and drive. There are three instrumentals and a real 60's kind of feel to a lot of the songs. And, like all Rush albums, it is another cunningly crafted piece of work in an illustrious chain of albums steeped in the tradition of incredible musicianship, thought provoking lyrics and an uncanny sense of humor. Yes, Bubala and I will also travel out to the temples to worship these Rock Gods as they cast their mighty musical force unto the universe. We will be there later in the summer, and I'm contemplating going to even more shows later on.

6/22/07 Virginia Beach - The Phone Company Amphitheater
6/23/07 Bristow VA - The Car Company Pavilion
6/25/07 Pittsburgh PA - The Newspaper Pavilion
7/6/07 Camden, NJ - The Tweety Bird Center

Other Older Music On The Ipod

For My Listening Pleasure

Laurie Anderson- Mister Heartbreak
Peter Gabriel - Security
Cat Stevens - Mona Bone Jargon
Pink Floyd - Animals
Pink Floyd - Meddle
Summer Of Love Vol. I & II - Various Artists

Pumped Up For The Gym or Bike

Talking Heads - Remain In Light
Talking Heads - Stop Making Sense
B-52's - Time Capsule
Rush - A Farewell To Kings
Rush - Hemispheres
Rush- Counterparts