Blankbaby

The Else by They Might Be Giants

I don't know when my love of They Might Be Giants started. It might have been thanks to Greg, a friend of mine whom I haven't spoken to in years. I seem to recall listening to Flood at his house and being hooked. That was at least 15 years ago, and TMBG (that's They Might Be Giants to those in the know) remain my all time favorite band.

Why?

Their songs have a goofy enthusiasm that I enjoy, which might explain why I am awake at 1:30am listening to their latest effort, 'The Else' (iTunes is playing The Shadow Government at the moment). Over at TUAW I wrote that TMBG were releasing The Else exclusively on iTunes a good while before it would be available in stores. Luckily (?) I couldn't fall asleep tonight, so I was able to download the album minutes after it was available on iTunes.

I'm digging The Else so far, but it'll take a few listens for me to have a fully fleshed out opinion of the album. I'm Impressed, the first track, is really groovy.

Alanis' Humps, her humps, her lovely lady lumps

You know, I always said that Alanis Morissette should cover 'My Humps.' Seems she agreed, and did it.

Sweep the Leg

Ryan sent me this link to the above video. It is 7 minutes long, but so worth it (especially if you are a child of the 80's and slightly obsessed with pop culture). No More Kings' album is available on iTunes, and I bought it. I mean come on, they have a song about the Karate Kid, Knight Rider, and Zombies! Clearly something I should own (and the songs are pretty good too), and clearly it ain't for everybody (though little of my music is).

TMBG

Possible folk album cover

If I ever learn how to play the banjo, this picture (taken by Thad) might make a good album cover.  The album could be called 'Waiting for Gofolk.'  Eh?  Am I clever or what? Oh, and can someone explain how one person can look so good?

This is why I saw the orchestra

Rainbow Connection

As far as I can remember no one has ever asked me who my favotire Muppet is, but if it ever comes up I think I would pick Kermit. Sure, I'm probably more like Fozzie in real life, but Kermit is the glue that keeps the Muppets together. Without Kermit who knows where Animal would be or would would happen to Scooter?

I'm sure that astute readers of this blog know where I'm headed with this: I want to learn to play the banjo. I don't know why, it is just something that I have wanted to do for awhile. I don't think I would dress up in a straw hat and suspenders but I think it would be fun to have a banjo around for strumming. Perhaps I could bring it to work and dispense technical advise and homespun wisdom with a heapin' helping of twangy folk music.

The Impostors

I'm listening to the “The Impostors” soundtrack, and it never fails to make me smile. The movies is lots of fun as well, though I have listened to the soundtrack countless times I have only seen the movies 4 or 5 times. Definitely worth checking out.

You know what looks nice on my 23 inch monitor at work?

The iTunes screensaver. A farthing to the person who identifies the most albums!

The Philadelphia Orchestra Online Music Store

Philadelphia isn't known as a tech mecca. Sure, the WiFi project gets the headlines, but other than that tech news from Philly is kinda slim pickings.

I'm pleased to say that the Philadelphia Orchestra, of all organizations, is making something of a splash on tech sites. They just announced a music store through which they will be selling recordings of their concerts. This isn't what's getting the headlines though, it is what the music store doesn't offer that is getting the geeks interested.

What's that, you ask? Why, DRM. That's right, the store offers downloads of the orchestra's concerts in either MP3 or FLAC format with no DRM. Do what you will with these files, the orchestra cares not.

Best of all, for a limited time, you can download Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67 for free, though only in the MP3 format.

If you'll excuse me, I have some free MP3's to listen to.