Weddings, Hiatuses, Awesomeness, etc.

July 17, 2008

This post is mostly a forewarning that there won’t be much happening on this blog for the next week and a half.  Why you may ask?  Well, I’m getting married on Saturday (that’s two days).  And then I’ll be honeymooning in Florida for a week.  It’s gonna be an experience, for sure.  I’m excited.  I’m going to be posting a wedding mix on Saturday along that we’re also handing out as favors to guests.  I’ll also have pictures once they become available.  It’ll be just like you’re there. Until then, here’s some things that I’m finding awesome this week:

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Okkervil River’s latest album The Stand-Ins (aka The Stage Names: Part Two) leaked this week and I’ve been slowly letting it sink in.  It’s very good, much better than just a Stage Names B-Sides collection, but not as great as Shearwater’s Rook.  So far, The stand-outs on the album are the duet between Sheff and Meisburg (who recently left Okkervil River for good to focus on Shearwater) on “Lost Coastlines”, as well as the epic “Blue Tulip” and the triumphant closing track.

MP3 Okkervil River – Lost Coastlines

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Rumors are saying that Obama might be at Lollapalooza this year at either Wilco or Kanye West’s set (both of which I’m planning on being at).   I think seeing Obama on stage with Kanye both singing “Can’t Tell Me Nothing” would be particularly mind-blowing.

MP3 Kanye West – Can’t Tell Me Nothing

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I’ve still been jamming to Stay Positive on a daily basis.  Such a great album.  The Hold Steady’s performance of “Sequestered in Memphis” on Letterman last night was particularly impressive (I’m still looking for the skit they did). If you haven’t gone out and got this album yet, you’re crazy.  I’m really hoping the band will come back to Chicago on a day that I’m not saying “I do”.

MP3 The Hold Steady – Sequestered in Memphis

Posted by Taylor in Festival, News, Video