In old New York, I'd rather be home.

So I promise (promise!) that my Top Albums of 2011 list is still coming. It's just that being a new dad is taking most of my time and I couldn't be happier for that. In the meantime, I just quickly wanted to share one of my more favorite albums that I've heard so far this year. It's Hospitality's self-titled release on Merge. Check out this gem. 

http://allmusic.com/album/hospitality-r2369228/review

http://www.mergerecords.com/artists/hospitality

Always keep singing it, sets your mind in motion.

Oddly (?) and historically, going against all my hipster friends and cool tendencies, I was never a fan of The Fiery Furnaces.
Then slowly and surely, they started growing on me.
Then Eleanor pulls out all the stops and makes a beautiful and compelling album about her time in NYC.
So bam, I'm hooked in. She's speaking my sentimental language.
Check it.

http://www.mergerecords.com/store/store_detail.php?catalog_id=799

Got nothing to lose but darkness and shadows.

I don't know what it was about them, but it took me a really long time to appreciate Spoon.
Perhaps it was all my hipster friends in Portland constantly telling me how awesome they were.
Whatever the reason, I finally got into them a few years ago
and this newest jam from their E.P. will help put that to rest for good:

http://www.mergerecords.com/artists/spoon

Aftermath of Obliteration of Eternity, Empty Space and Points of Light, Giant Spotted Squash, Outmoded Formats of Sound Archiving, some Scottish singing about the French Navy.

It's closing soon, so this afternoon I quickly scooted over to see Yayoi Kusama's light installation at the Gagosian Gallery.
The staff only allowed a minute or so inside, which was a bummer as I wanted to and could stay in there for hours.
It was beautiful. Simply beautiful.
Made me get quiet and joyous and reflective.
Highly recommend you check it out before it's gone.

Yesterday, my good pal, Buzzy from Domino sent me the new Dirty Projectors album in cassette format.
Includes a mp3 download coupon.
How rad is that?
Makes three albums of recent that I've gotten on cassette, including J Dilla and Spankrock.
I love outmoded things.
Make me feel like the world is going to be alright.

And tonight, I'll be heading to see Camera Obscura at Webster Hall.
The last time I saw them play in Portland, they were a blast.
Should be fun.
 
http://www.gagosian.com/exhibitions/2009-04-16_yayoi-kusama/
http://dominorecordco.us/artists/dirty-projectors/
http://www.camera-obscura.net/

I'm not gonna let this get me down.

More documentation of my 2200 mile journey from LA to Milwaukee - my friend Maxwell captures me and the mood, pre-driving, across the country.
If you can make out the graffiti, it says "Heavy".
Yep.
Sure was.
As Dylan says, you just gotta keep your hand on the plow.
 
http://www.mergerecords.com/artists/telekinesis