Heaven, thy name is I-pod

11 February
2005

Heaven, thy name is I-pod

Apologies for the long absence. I could have sworn I left this thing on auto-blog. Guess that technology isn't working yet.

Speaking of technology, I finally have an Ipod. I know Ipods have been around for a while, but thanks to Stace, I have finally joined the 21st Century. After having the Ipod up and running for a whole 2 days now, I can't figure out how I ever lived without it. I love being able to control the soundtrack of my life without being confined to one CD at a time. Plus no more awkard chaning of CDs on a crowded subway or not having the CD I want with me when I want to hear it. And I haven't even toyed around with playlists and the other features yet.

I have the feeling that this could be the start of a beautiful relationship...

While I'm touching on the music theme, let me give a big recommendation for Wilco. Their 2001 album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is perhaps the best album I've heard this decade. I remember the first day I heard it I absolutely did not like it. It is a true sonic journey, and much of the sounds can be very jarring at first. But, with each listen, the songs bloom like a budding flower, opening a bit more each time to reveal a deeper beauty. Despite listening to this album hundreds of times, every time I listen to it I am always discovering something new.

The reason I bring this up is that I purchased their new album, A Ghost is Born, last June. I listened to it 4 or 5 times when I bought it and was not too impressed. Months later, I noticed melodies from these songs creeping into my head. So, I recently turned back to this album, and realized that it is much better than I originally thought. Though a completely different sound than Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, the songcraft appears to be similar, filled with complex melodies that take some time to fully appreciate.

Just writing about this has caused me to want to give it another listen. Good thing I've got the Ipod handy!

Posted by scott at 12:28 | Comments (1)

Comments

Re: Heaven, thy name is I-pod

Welcome back my friend. As a fellow owner of Wilco's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot CD, allow me to completely and utterly agree with you whole heartedly. I, too, upon my initial listening of this CD found it a little rough. But on each subsequent playing, I find layers and layers of musical complexity. Those that have heard it need no explanation, but those that haven't: no explanation will do.

I have learned some history behind them. Uncle Tupelo was an alternative / punk / country band made popular in the late 80's and early 90's. UT broke up in '92 to make two other pioneering bands, Son Volt (authors of my all time favorite song, "Drown") and the aforementioned Wilco. The more I listen to anything from these 3 bands, the more I like them.

This post of yours has inspired me to learn even more about UT, and I believe that I will purchase their Anthology CD before week's end.

Posted by: steve at February 11,2005 14:51