Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Monday, October 15, 2007
Friday, October 12, 2007
Sam's Birthday
Sam turned 3 yesterday. He's such a special kid and I can't imagine life without him. Here are some pictures from his birthday family dinner, the zoo, and seeing his cousin Catie perform with her drill team at a football game.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
The Review
The new Radiohead album is really good. It's actually pretty awesome. Since I don't care to write about each song, here's a review from the Chicago Tribune.
And if you aren't into Radiohead yet, aren't you at least curious? If so, Click Here and get it.
Radiohead's 'In Rainbows' arrives; here's how it sounds
In what is shaping up as a landmark day for the music industry, Radiohead began digitally distributing its new album, “In Rainbows,” worldwide Wednesday. To gain access to the music on the band’s Web site (radiohead.com), listeners merely had to submit an email address. How much to pay, if anything, was left up to the fans.
Despite the volume of downloads, the process appeared to go smoothly; I was able to download my copy in less than a minute. On the first couple of listens, it’s the most song-oriented Radiohead album in years, more focused on melodies than the U.K. band’s post-“Kid A” work. Here’s a quick reaction to the songs:
“15 Step”: Space-rock meets hip-hop, with otherworldly synths floating over crunchy, syncopated electro-beats. Thom Yorke’s voice curls languidly around a jazzy guitar figure.
“Bodysnatchers”: Radiohead reminds us that they still know how to rock. A distorted guitar paves the way for a trance-inducing groove, perfect for riding metro trains at night. Then more guitars scream and swoop through the mix as Yorke becomes progressively more agitated, yelping about being trapped in the 21st Century.
“Nude”: A gorgeous ballad that nonetheless has a nasty undertow, and Yorke floats away with it.
“Weird Fishes”: Undulating guitars and skittering beats, with voices layered into a haunted choir, eventually overwhelmed by keyboards.
“All I Need”: Slow and swollen with foreboding.
“Faust Arp”: Woozy strings swoop through what is essentially a voice-and-guitar folk song.
“Reckoner”: Percussion knick-knacks create a loose groove and a sense of space around a wan vocal melody that is further enhanced by counterpoint guitar and strings. Lovely, yet chilling.
“House of Cards”: Pensive guitar and a patient vocal, with Yorke adrift. “Infrastructure will collapse,” he murmurs, as the strings shiver.
“Jigsaw Falling into Place”: Guitar and drums conspire to create a scrappy groove, but as usual there’s more to it. The wordless backing vocals surge with menace, and Yorke’s lead vocal ratchets up the intensity.
“Videotape”: A stately voice-and-piano meditation tarted up with disorienting percussion.
And if you aren't into Radiohead yet, aren't you at least curious? If so, Click Here and get it.
Radiohead's 'In Rainbows' arrives; here's how it sounds
In what is shaping up as a landmark day for the music industry, Radiohead began digitally distributing its new album, “In Rainbows,” worldwide Wednesday. To gain access to the music on the band’s Web site (radiohead.com), listeners merely had to submit an email address. How much to pay, if anything, was left up to the fans.
Despite the volume of downloads, the process appeared to go smoothly; I was able to download my copy in less than a minute. On the first couple of listens, it’s the most song-oriented Radiohead album in years, more focused on melodies than the U.K. band’s post-“Kid A” work. Here’s a quick reaction to the songs:
“15 Step”: Space-rock meets hip-hop, with otherworldly synths floating over crunchy, syncopated electro-beats. Thom Yorke’s voice curls languidly around a jazzy guitar figure.
“Bodysnatchers”: Radiohead reminds us that they still know how to rock. A distorted guitar paves the way for a trance-inducing groove, perfect for riding metro trains at night. Then more guitars scream and swoop through the mix as Yorke becomes progressively more agitated, yelping about being trapped in the 21st Century.
“Nude”: A gorgeous ballad that nonetheless has a nasty undertow, and Yorke floats away with it.
“Weird Fishes”: Undulating guitars and skittering beats, with voices layered into a haunted choir, eventually overwhelmed by keyboards.
“All I Need”: Slow and swollen with foreboding.
“Faust Arp”: Woozy strings swoop through what is essentially a voice-and-guitar folk song.
“Reckoner”: Percussion knick-knacks create a loose groove and a sense of space around a wan vocal melody that is further enhanced by counterpoint guitar and strings. Lovely, yet chilling.
“House of Cards”: Pensive guitar and a patient vocal, with Yorke adrift. “Infrastructure will collapse,” he murmurs, as the strings shiver.
“Jigsaw Falling into Place”: Guitar and drums conspire to create a scrappy groove, but as usual there’s more to it. The wordless backing vocals surge with menace, and Yorke’s lead vocal ratchets up the intensity.
“Videotape”: A stately voice-and-piano meditation tarted up with disorienting percussion.
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Steal This CD
The music event of this season will be the release of rock band Radiohead's new album, In Rainbows. That's partly because of the music, from one of the world's most innovative bands, but also because of the way they're releasing it: They are giving it away.
In Rainbows will be available only HERE. Consumers place the digital files in their "shopping basket," and when they get to the payment page, there is a question mark listed as the price, and they're told, "it's up to you"—you name your own price, and it's totally acceptable for that price to be zero. (You can already pre-order. Downloads will be activated on Oct. 10.)
On the site you can also buy the physical version of In Rainbows: a box containing the new album on CD; the new album on two long-playing vinyl records; a second CD with more new songs, photographs, and artwork; an artwork booklet; and a booklet of lyrics. Plus, the download is thrown in as a freebie. The artwork is by Stanley Donwood, Radiohead's longtime collaborator. The boxes are priced at £40 ($85), including postage, and they will be shipped around Dec. 3.
Radiohead seems to be adhering to a statement given to Time magazine by lead singer Thom Yorke a few years back: "I like the people at our record company, but the time is at hand when you have to ask why anyone needs one."
But it may take longer for the music industry to work out the ramifications of these innovative approaches to music distribution—as a whole—and for younger, upcoming artists. For now, go online, name your price, and enjoy the music.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Jack Walking
Jack has finally started walking and here's a short video to prove it. We're really proud of him. And Sam was a good brother and always wanted to cheer him on. Enjoy.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Monday, August 27, 2007
Jack's Birthday Party
Jack and Bo's joint birthday party was yesterday and it was a lot of fun. I'll try to post a video of it tomorrow, but for now, here are some pics...
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Baby Bennett
CLICK HERE to find out about Travis and Kelly's baby, Bennett. I'm sure they'll appreciate your prayers and encouragement.
Monday, August 20, 2007
One Year
Jack turned 1 over the weekend. We can't imagine life without our boys. Jack is such a happy, fun little guy. He's constantly giving us something to laugh about and there's a funny Jack story almost every day.
I wrote about Sam's first year, but Jack will have to be okay with nothing more than some pictures for you to look at. And check out the video of him laughing - it's a real slice of everyday life at our house.
I wrote about Sam's first year, but Jack will have to be okay with nothing more than some pictures for you to look at. And check out the video of him laughing - it's a real slice of everyday life at our house.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
My Portrait
Sometimes I set myself up...
Over the last few months, Sam has really gotten into drawing. A lot of the time, he'll want Nicole to sit and draw with him. It turns out, she's awesome at drawing - she'll look at a picture or toy and draw it freehand, and it's really good. Anyway, we were all in the playroom yesterday and the boys were playing together, so I asked her to draw me. I know - bad idea. I held a pose and everything. Here are some of her drawings, followed by the picture of me. We laughed forever at the picture.
Over the last few months, Sam has really gotten into drawing. A lot of the time, he'll want Nicole to sit and draw with him. It turns out, she's awesome at drawing - she'll look at a picture or toy and draw it freehand, and it's really good. Anyway, we were all in the playroom yesterday and the boys were playing together, so I asked her to draw me. I know - bad idea. I held a pose and everything. Here are some of her drawings, followed by the picture of me. We laughed forever at the picture.
Garfield
Odie
Clifford
Diego
and...
Me
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Man of Steel
Nicole is in California for a few days, so it's just the three guys here. I just put Sam to bed and we were lying side by side like we do every night, talking about all kinds of things. As I was about to leave him for the night, he put his arms around my neck and patted my back. He looked me in the eyes and said, "I see my room and Mommy and Daddy's room. Don't be afraid, Daddy - I keep you safe...I'm Superman." Totally sincere.
What makes it even better is that his bed has Superman sheets and he's in his Superman PJs.
What makes it even better is that his bed has Superman sheets and he's in his Superman PJs.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)