The Killers - Day & Age

I haven't listened to this enough to give you guys any fully thought-out opinions. I'll just say that I like The Killers first two albums, and so far, I like this one too. It seems to be a bit more of a departure for them, throwing in some new elements you haven't heard from them before (jazz?) while retaining their signature sound. Tommy likey.

New Jay Bennett! For Free!

Got this from Jay Bennett, the other day:

That's the big news; now here's the story:

As anyone keeping a watchful eye on me has noticed, October came and went without the release of "Kicking at the Perfumed Air." The reason for this: In the final stages of completing "Kicking at the Perfumed Air," at Pieholden Suite Sound (http://www.myspace.com/pieholdenstudios), I was simultaneously working on a very personal and concise 10-song album called "Whatever Happened I Apologize." After debating back and forth, I have decided to release "Apologize" first. I am somewhat at a loss for words as to explain why I arrived at this decision, save to say it's just one of those lonely and private choices one sometimes has to make in other words, it just felt more like the right album for the time.

It is stark, stripped down, and acoustic based more so than any other record I have made. I really wanted to capture the simpler and more emotional nature of the songwriting, and I knew that the only way I could do this was to put it together quickly, with no second-guessing, and no heavy deliberating about minor details. Consequently I would have to learn to embrace the resultant imperfections and I have. All of the vocals are done live to my own acoustic guitar accompaniment, so it has some warts, but, in my effort to not forsake integrity for technical perfection, the album ended up feeling more honest, immediate, naked, and cohesive to me. I am very proud of presenting myself without my typical voluminous bells and whistles. I am left wondering why I haven't done this more often in the past.

As I've really wanted to help out my studio partner, Matt DeWine, and his partner Casey Meehan, with their new download record label, rockproper, that's just where you can find this new album: http://www.rockproper.com. Again, it's called "Whatever Happened I Apologize," and did I mention it's free? I hope you enjoy it. Please let me know what you think. I would also like to encourage you all to check out some of the other free downloads, by some of the great artists, available on the site.

Love,
Jay
http://www.myspace.com/jaybennett

I haven't really listened to it yet, but thought you all would interested in it.

Albums I been meaning to Post

I have been thinking about things to post for awhile now, but haven't yet, so here a down and dirty post o'rama. Following are the album covers and thought in Haiku form.

Blitzen Trapper - Furr

Blitzen Trapper Rock
Best Album of year, suckers
more focused then last

Aimee Mann - @#%&*! Smilers

Mann returns to form
Elvis Costello on one track
songs 'bout middle age

Ben Folds Five - The Complete Sessions at West 54th

Ben Folds looks so young
DVD of cool PBS show
Before Jesse got fat

Ryan Adams - Cardinology

Adams likes The Dead
Cardinals best band today
Song Writing o.k.

Jenny Lewis - Acid Tongue

Expecting more, please
Songs leave me flat, where is Twins
Will give another shot

Mr. President (You're The Man)

Brother Ali's congratulations message to Barack Hussein Obama. The title of the song really says it all.

Her Space Holiday - XOXO, Panda And The New Kid Revival

I don't know a lot about Her Space Holiday other than I like their previous record, The Past Presents The Future. So, I bought their newest album. It's great. I hope you like it too. Enjoy.

Obama video

Here is a link to a cool Obama video.