Sittin' On The Dock By The Bay

Nostalgia is the perfect excuse for procrastination. I know that every time I'm in front of my computer ready to type that really long paper due all too soon I still can't keep my mouse away from that internet browser icon. Looking up videos and listening to songs from when I was a youngster take up hours of my time and I love every second of it. Especial because sometimes these nostalgic trips down memory lane re-spark a love untouched for so long that it is almost forgotten.

When I was in first and second grade my dad gave me rides to school pretty consistently. Everyday I would get my lunch-- and various school products that a first/second grader would need--and get ready for the three or four block ride that our small town would afford me to school. On the way to school my dad always had music going; because of this I developed an early love in artists like Al Green, Otis Redding, and Sam Cooke. I remember looking at the cassette case of the Al Green Greatest hits tape and thinking, "man...this guy is so cool." I would borrow my dad's tapes all the time and listen to them in my walkman laying on my bunkbed's imagining myself singing on stage with Al Green. I know, I know, this sounds pretty strange for a second grader, but it's true, I couldn't get enough of it.

However, as years went on I grew away from my buddy Al, and Otis and into anything and everything that a young kid loves. But, it was a few years ago in my freshman year of college when I was supposed to be doing a paper of some sort when I again rediscovered my good friends and fell back in love with these artists.

I know its not the most traditional young child vices, but hey, to me this is one of my original old school favorites.

Here is a video of Otis Redding at the Montery Pop Festival that anyone with a sense of hearing will hopefully enjoy.

Technology Moves Quick

It's December 17th, 2016.

It's been exactly eight years since my last post and about eight years and thirteen days since my last record store review.

Sorry to lag on posting, but time sure does fly, when you're busy....for these past eight years I have been involved in the highest ranks of the NASA Space Program working on a very top secret mission that will only be unveiled now via this blog; thanks in part to funding from the United States federal government and North Korea we at NASA were able to build a super rocket that propelled myself and two other astronauts out of our galaxy and into another inhabited galaxy of living, breathing space creatures. That's right everyone extraterrestrials.

Currently I am living on the planet Gorgonzoid which is ruled by the Queen Emperor Zygatah--the giant man, woman, serpent cow. Things are much different here, but rather than go on and on about the mundane day to day of flying cars, lazer sword duels, or soul sucking fire breathing dragondroids on planet Gorgonzoid, how 'bout I jump back into the old format and let you in on a little record store gold...shall we?


The Place: Xirete's Musical Download Port
Biased Rating:2/10

Ok. So I've been into some pretty weird places in my day, but nothing could have prepared me for Xirete's Musical Download Port located in the beautiful city of Yewik on the planet Gorgonzoid. At first sight the inside of the store looked like it could yield something positive. There were hundred and hundreds of rows of beautiful shining racks full of pure wax vinyl magic....heaven. Feeling oddly optimistic and a little confused as to why this place was so in tune with what I was looking for I went to the first worker droid I saw and asked where the punk section was.

After being pointed in the right direction and making it to the section I began hunting and to my surprise was flooded with great find after great find; minor threat first pressing, a bad brains test press!? This is unreal. After hours and hours of this I finally made my way up to the checkout counter to buy my priceless records. Once at the counter I gave my records to the droid clerk who put the records aside, picked up a USB zip drive gun and jammed it into the back of my head and uploaded into my brain the newest song by Droid singing sensation ZWZA. ZWZA sounds like what I imagine a wookie sounds like when giving birth. Not cool. After this I was kicked out of the store and charged 414,535,234,00 ENA to my credit card, which is roughly equivalent to thirty US dollars.
Xirete's Musical Download Port takes a scan of your brain when you walk into their store to find out what your ideal record store would be; then, they produce a hologram to dupe you into buying something you don't want. Pretty elaborate scheme for such a little profit...stupid droids.

So, If you're ever in Yewik Do NOT go to Xirete's Musical Download Port.

That is all.

For Emma, Forever Ago.

Beyond the obvious family, friends, and good health I am thankful for one bearded man from Wisconsin named Justin Vernon--the man responsible for the musical outfit known as Bon Iver. Bon Iver (aka Justin Vernon) self released a record in 2007 called For Emma, Forever Ago and it is beyond incredible. I'll admit I was a little late in the game in appreciating this release, but nonetheless I am here and fully embracing it.
Bon Iver's "For Emma, Forever Ago" is kind of tough to describe; the music is very layered and has a very serene yet solemn feel to it. As strange as it sounds,every time I listen to the record I feel a little more at peace with everything around me. Music like this makes me thankful to be alive.
Here is an awesome video of Bon Iver's "The Wolves (Act I &II)"

YES.

The place: Thrillhouse Records
Biased Rating: 10/10

Details:The other day my roommate and I went to the Mission district to get some awesome tapestries for our newish apartment. As we searched and searched it became clear that our goal for a "sick" tapestry was not going to be as easy as we had initially thought. We kept walking and walking until we eventually arrived at Mission St. at Cesar Chavez when it hit me; Thrillhouse Records is around here! With a quick consultation from my buddy goog we were in the shop in only a few more blocks.
Once we got inside I knew we hit the jackpot. This place had an incredible selection--i got a Criminal Damage LP for 9 bucks--of hardcore/punk LPS, 7",CDs, tapes etc. They also had a large variety of local zines along with a mixtape drop box which allowed you to take a mixtape as long as you dropped one off as well. The place was cash only, the owner kept the money in a fishing tackle box, they have awesome music playing, good vibes, great everything. Go to Thrillhouse Records and spend all your money, so awesome places like this stay open forever.