Excess ain’t rebellion /

Show us the last album you listened to.

Blue Train

John Coltrane

http://abriefmessage.com/

Nice. Design opinions in 200 words or less.

…or is this the best Decemberists song you’ve ever heard?

Here I Dreamt I Was An Architect

The Decemberists

2 comments

I keep waiting for their newer work to surpass the beauty and genius of this song, and in my opinion, it doesn't come close. It is upbeat, eclectic, enchanting, but still catchy…just like a good (indie) pop song should be.

Oh, and the lyrics…rich, eloquent, and poignant.

And just to lay with you
there's nothing that I wouldn't do
save lay my rifle down

What a great line.

I just love this song. Is it just me?

It is true, I have been neglectful, but I have thought of you often.

My days no longer allow for posting (as I am either too slammed with deadlines or am in meetings all day), and my nights are taken up by my latest hobby/addiction…World of Warcraft. I know, I know, that is no excuse, but I have returned…I have heard your siren call.

For months now, I have toyed with concepts about which I can start blogging again, and I think I finally have the list. My intent is for my new posts to fall into themes, some of them listed below:

1. Beating a Dead Horse: or…things that I mention to my wife over and over and over again, unintentionally. It might be funny only to my wife and I, but you never know.
2. Is It Just Me?: or…things that I think only I notice, and would like to know if anyone out there notices them too.
3. Guilty Pleasures: or…things that I enjoy that might be a surprise to those who know me.
   

Tell me this isn't the frickin' coolest thing you've ever seen.

Batman

Over the past few months, I haven't had the luxury of listening to scads of music as I would like to. I'm lucky if I can listen to an album all the way through on most days (thanks to meetings, meetings, and more meetings).

Despite this, I have been fortunate to find (many thanks to Craig) three singer-songwriters whose respective albums I find captivating and beautiful, and I find myself returning to them often.

Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins
Rabbit Fur Coat

This solo album from the singer of Rilo Kiley is a wonderfully timeless album that showcases Jenny Lewis's silky smooth voice and flawless backing vocals from the Watson twins. Slower and purer than previous Rilo Kiley albums, this collection of songs is an indie/alt-country homage to classic country of old. Poignant, and at times witty, the lyrics flow effortlessly with the music creating a richness and weight that is almost tangible.

Maria Taylor
11:11

I've thought about this for awhile now, and have come to realize why I love this album so much; it is perfect indie-pop.  The songs are short and instantly appealing (you won't need a couple listens to get into this album), and filled with smart lyrics, catchy hooks, and choruses that will loop in your head for days after…and that's a good thing. I stongly associate Maria Taylor's style and talent to that of Pete Yorn, whose similar gift for simple, unmistakable songwriting is a refreshing break from over-commercialized pop, or overly-intellectual indie.

What's your middle name?  Is there a story or history behind it?

My middle name is Boon. It is a family name, Chinese in origin, that my father and all of his siblings have as a prefix surname; it means a blessing or benefit.

Boon Creative

While I used to hate it as a child (wishing instead for a more “conventional” middle name), I have come to love my middle name and truly value its ties to my Chinese heritage. That's why I chose to name my personal site after it: Boon Creative.

I tried to instill the same deference to my heritage in the creation of the logo by combining the concept of blessing with its Chinese representation, the magpie.