Sticking with resolutions

Earlier this month I promised to write more in this blog since I'm probably going to be continuing this blog in the future whereas my other I probably will not.  Unfortunately, I have been extremely busy at work and just haven't been able to commit any time to this blog.  But I have been doing a lot of thinking, and finally I have the chance to commit some words to this.

The last few days I have been feeling a little troubled about my music.  I know, a silly thing, but still, it bothers me.  As I've mentioned ad nauseum in other entries, I am currently writing another blog that takes the top 200 rated albums from the last 11 years on Metacritic's website in March 2010.  Although I have only written on about 50 of them, I have listened to at least 95 of them and may have heard more of them at some point.  These albums have more or less dictated what I have listened to over the last 5 months.  I'm a bit bummed out about this because there are a load of songs already on my computer and my Zune that are being neglected by this project.

For instance, I still love to listen to classic rock, particularly Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, and especially the Beatles.  A lot of times the Beatles will take precedent over anything I am listening, regardless of if it's a project or not.  I also like listening to current rock, as well--the Black Keys, Kings of Leon, Arcade Fire, etc.  I also like some country music...Kenny Chesney is a favorite in the house, and I learned quite a bit of guitar listening to Garth Brooks and Clint Black.  And I love listening to Kind of Blue; that record I will never tire of.

Some would say why not stop the project for a while and listen to your other music.  I do that, but this project is important to me.  I resolved to see this project through, even the albums that are going to be difficult to find.  I do like this project a lot because it has opened my ears to new stuff.  I wouldn't have heard Flying Lotus or the Streets without this blog.  I wouldn't have had as good of an appreciation of the National as I do now.

So despite my sadness that I haven't listened to any other music besides my project blog albums, I am glad I am doing it, and I will make the time to listen to some of my older music.

So, here are some songs I heard today that I thought I would pass along.

• Tom Waits "Walk Away"
• Titus Adronicus "Theme from 'Cheers'"
• Nine Inch Nails' cover of the Queen song "Get Down Make Love"
• Talking Heads "Girlfriend is Better"
• Kanye West "Jesus Walks"

Super Behind (not referencing the anatomy, people!)

I've gotten really behind on this blog.  Unintentionally.  I wanted to do the "favorite 5 or 10 songs" daily thing, and I will try to revisit that later this month when work is a little less hectic and I remember.  But I've really been digging into my other blog and haven't had any clear thoughts about music or other things in general to post about.  But I figured tonight was as good as any to discuss my whereabouts.

I did follow some of the top album and top song lists from the different music magazine and e-zines.  I was happy to see that I had heard at least 50% of the records, but more importantly I was glad that a few artists I like who released an album last year received some critical praise.  First and foremost I am glad the Black Keys released a very good record that was well received (I have spoken ad nauseum about my love for this band in an earlier blog).  Arcade Fire released the fantastic The Suburbs, an album that gets better and better by the listen.  LCD Soundsystem released This is Happening, which I am 50-50 on; I think I need to listen to it again.  Vampire Weekend released a good album, as did Spoon and Eminem.

Even more, though--I feel like I have expanded my musical palette this year in leaps and bounds.  If I hadn't started my first blog, would I have heard Janelle Monae? M.I.A.?  The National?  Sleigh Bells?  And those are just rock bands, rappers, and R&B stars.  I also heard a great jazz record by Vijay Iyer Trio, great country albums by Emmylou Harris and Patty Griffith, and many other albums that I may not have heard otherwise.  I may have gotten stuck listening to the tried and true or lesser albums from artists I like.  I am glad music evolves.

So anyway, I do plan to write more.  I will get back to my daily postings...er, maybe not always daily, but more frequently.  Happy New Year, everyone!