Best of 2009

1- Brand New - Daisy
coming into 2009 this was the most anticipated release for me and it didnt let me down. a follow up to 2006's TGADARIM shows the next step in progression for the band. this release is a lot more hard vocal wise and in over all sound, and with each time i replay it on my ipod i love it even more! job well done brand new and they are coming to SLC in jan 2010.

2- Manchester Orchestra - Mean Everything To Nothing
this is the sophomore release from this group from atlanta. this has quickly become a top favorite artist of mine and a lot of other people. the release is a lot more straight forward rock then their first release, but still holds the bands overall sound. the band has already announced that they are heading back into the studio in june 2010 to start recording again and i cant wait to hear what they will be coming up with next.

3- Cassino - Kingprince
although this release is currently only available digitally, it should be coming out in hard copy at the start of 2010. the album contains 9 new songs and 3 from their previous release that have been restructured and work well with the newer material. its a lot of alt country from the form rockers that made up northstar. i am loving this more and more everyday.

4. The Appleseed Cast - Sagarmatha

the album started out as a instrumental ep from these amazing musicians and transformed into a full length. this release many fans of the group never thought it would see the light of day after they had seemingly disbanded in 2006. however with several new members the group shows that they are kings of their scene. the album has a lot of amazing ambient sounds that go nicely with vocal tracks. they are releasing another cd in late 2010 and playing a country wide tour where they will play their 2001 releases low level owl vol 1 &2 in their entirety. check it out!

5. Portugal. The Man - The Satanic Satanist

this group has more albums then octo-mom has kids..... i think. the album is as unique as the groups sound in a time when bands are trying to copy each other these guys know how to make their own road. it not too hard yet not too soft that you lose interest easily..... listen!!!!

6. Mansions - New Best Friends

a full length that was finally released through doghouse. the group did a slew of ep's each released in a different format prior to this album which includes several tracks mixed with new songs. the album is catchy and predictable at time, but i dont know there is something about them that just sticks.

7. Old Canes - Feral Harmonic

a sophomore release from the appleseed cast's front man christopher crisci. this release doesnt rely on its vocals as much as the previous however the integral parts of different instruments mix together so well that it seems like a soundtrack to a winters dream at times. its almost like neutral milk hotel decided to pass the torch to these guys.

8. His Name Shall Breathe - There's An Earthquake Inside Of Me

i cant say enough this guy is going to make it. he is a friend of a friend that is based out of portland and the guy rocks..... lightly but rocks none the less. if you enjoy the guitar of the artist owen then check him out. these songs will hit you in the face and all you will want is more more more.

9. John Nolan - Height

i will be honest when i heard that this member of straylight run and former member of taking back sunday was venturing out to a solo release i was pumped. however the album is sort of a let down to what great expectations i had, it is however a good album. john sort of takes on the experimental rock which isnt bad but not great so its so so.

10. Fun. - Aim & Ignite

another release i was hoping would be a lot better then it was. this is the new group for nate from the format, and really just has songs that the format was going to use for their next album that was in the works when they disbanded. the songs are good but are missing sam mean's touch to them. plainly put, god i still miss the format. so until they decide to get back together this will have to do, and do it will.

geeked out....

so last night i went to wally world to get a new tmobile phone. i had in mind the new G1 that is supposedly tmobiles answer for the iPhone. well i get there and have to wait a bagillion years cause this hill billy (no not the ones that use to live next to me and don't like having their pictures taken) (and yeah hill billy, the dude had a mullet and was wearing a Budweiser t-shirt and was in fact.......DRUNK!) and his posterity took forever. i think i waited like a hour and a half before i was even helped. yeah that's walmart's stellar customer service for you. as far as tmobile goes i have no complaints i can think of only a handful of times that a call was dropped or service was interrupted, something that was a regular occurrence with at&t the company i was with previous. anyways since i was renewing my contract for another 2 years i was able to get a sweet deal on this little guy. instead of the $199.00 i was prepared to pay i ended up only paying $99.00. yes sir it is a deal indeed.

so i get it home and mess around with it a little, sleep with it and what not, you know have a grand 'ol time. it treated me good.....real good. now here today at work it is faithfully by my side alerting me as to when i have a text or letting me surf its world wide web..... well i guess its not just G1 nor tmobiles web but the worlds. so far i must say no buyers remorse whatsoever then again compared to what i had been using that was labeled a cell phone i have really moved out of the stone age and into the 21st century.

ode to 24

on this Monday i find myself at work counting the hours till the work day is through.
tick
tock
tick
tock
almost like that little clock on 24 that cuts to and from the commercial break. i have to say this season of the jack bauer escapades is really really intense. like a fire at the circus intense. after the debacle that was known as season 6 and the 2 hour movie that was a segway into the new season, i have to admit i was a little skeptical and basically sadden that the last show that i have loved currently on the nation free 99 networks tele system was becoming less then sub par like everything else.

this season however i am once again at the mercies of the fox broadcast network and hate when the hour is up. bauer is quite the American ninja, and terrorist you time is through because now you have to answer to AMERICA F*** YEAH!..... or something like that. look what i am trying to say is i love 24 and i am not ashamed to say it.

my only sorrow from this season is that it has to end at some point and i will be anxiously awaiting for january to come and a new day to begin. and i know i know there are a lot of twists left this season, all i have to ask is please please dont be stupid with the creditability you have gained back i dont want to have to put my foot through the television when this day is done.

oh and one more thing. tony if you screw this up, i'll make you wish that they had left you dead back in day 5 trust me.....
cut & print.

are you kidding me?

so the great state of utah has a few bills up for vote right now that just don't make any sense whatsoever and i writer and publisher of this blog feel it is my responsibility to speak my mind about them.

the first is this lame-o bill that some idiot from happy valley has decided we need to "further" our stance towards normality in liquor laws here in this backwards state. the law he is proposing is that of a 10 foot high wall to separate the "grown up drinks" from the patrons of the restaurant / pub. are you kidding me? the justification for such a ridiculous proposal is the bottles of liquor are too enticing to children. this belief has a few errors in it.
first what are these parents doing? can they not say no to children. the children have so much power over them that they are now the child and the child is the parent. its easy say no to the little brat and if they back talk then don't take little johnny or suzie out in public until they can show some sign of maturity and respect you as a parent. note parents you are not suppose to be their best friend but a PARENT!!!!!!
second, what will happen if you buy one of these drinks and it comes to the table, will the law also provide blinding glasses for those underage so the enticing allure of these alcoholic beverages doesn't tempt the children hence the reason for this mammoth wall the bill proposes.
to me this state already is so backwards in thinking and laws when it comes to liquor and alcohol that they use it as a scapegoat for lack of parenting and talking with you child about making responsible decisions and then letting their child make those decisions for themselves when they are of age, people are so lousy at being a parent and maintaining an open discussion with their children and just don't want to admit it.

the second bill is that of a increase in tax for cigarettes. the justification they use for this is the increase cost in health care for smokers. so if this is the case then i am proposing they go all the way on increasing / fines for everyday things that people do that put the person at a higher risk of cancer or other serious injury. case in point, drinking, these new anti smoking ads say that now they outlawed smoking in bars and clubs in utah that cost for people breathing second hand smoke will go down.... uh yeah for lung cancer maybe but what about the costs that come from long term alcohol abuse or even large quantity consumption. who is going to pay for the cancer to the liver treatments, or the kidney dialysis. or the bill to get the stomach pumped? also people who fake bake. all those team roxy chicks and sweet metro bro's need to realize the price they are going to be paying for trying to be the next abrocrappy model. so increase that as well and have them sign a waiver each time saying they will not seek treatment when the cancer hits. there are a lot of others but finally out in the winter and breathing the air this valley has at certain times should come with a fine to those who do it. you are putting yourself at higher risk for lung cancer then those who smoke. its so much worse then second hand smoke, that they should take you away right on the spot to the county lock up and let you think about your actions for a few days. which actually might just be a bill the genius people up on utah's capital hill try to propose here soon. idiots, just because you are brought up a certain way doesn't mean you have to force everyone else to think and believe the way you do......

its an obama miracle

indeed it is says i to myself as my three heroes in music take the stage tonight at the grammy's. i can help but think of the first obama mircle happened, when obama's impending inauguration helped to land that ill fated flight in the hudson and turn a possible tragedy into complete happiness. then fast forward three weeks or so, and wham bam thank you ma'am...... or sir here it is again, blink 182 is reuniting after almost 5 years!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i am the happiest fan joined by hundreds of thousands and possibly millions of others in hearing this news. now what will the new stuff sound like????? cause i loved the direction their last release the self titled album was taking them as a band. it showed a more mature, more innovative, more experimental as musicians and songwriters. i cant wait to hear it will be, and see them live this summer. if they aren't coming to slc then i am going where ever i have to, to see them, even if its only one show on the moon, i don't care, i will hitch hike to the moon!
but seriously lets be realistic, this is incredi-awesome!

is love an infection or a sick addiction

so here is the list of where i am at so far with my record collection.

http://www.deadformat.net/tradelist/chugger182/

check out the following websites:

www. deadformat.net

www.vinylcollective.com

both are high quality A+

its a whole new year

....and a whole new maurice..... i mean andy, and really i am pretty much still the same.

well i guess one thing that's new is papa p and soon to be papa g (spotty mcspotters) talked me into starting a vinyl collection. well some call it the use of force, but i will leave it at just talking me into it. its getting really addicting though, looking for albums that have already been release, or soon to be released, and then kicking myself for putting it off for so long and missing out on a lot of albums that were once released that i could have gotten. oh well i guess i always have the compact disc to wallow in my sorrows with.

in other news i finally got my diploma yesterday to wipe with next time the toilet paper runs out.... uh i mean to frame and hang on the wall of my study / den, and then show to my kids right before i beat them for being crazy kids in class. such behavior will not be tolerated in the ayrton household, it might have been a way of life for their father, but the buck stops here. all i need to do to achieve these plans is:
a- actually get married (uh still weird)
and
b- have kids - hence starting a family (seriously really weird).

holy balls its cold!!!!

that's right i said it and i am not going to take it back. my car resembles that of a iceberg on wheels and seating for 5, 4 comfortably. and coats, i guess i need to get one that was made in the last 30 years cause the one i have had for a few years now seems to be slacking on the job.

with that said i am glad to be done with school. i am still checking several times a day for my final grades to confirm that yes indeed i am done with s-c-h-o-o-l!!!! only one class has posted final grades so far, but i turned everything that was due and took all the tests in the other two so if i don't "pass" these classes i am going to riot worse then those of the gaza strip or that of tiananmen square starting in the streets of the sojo and moving onward and upward to the university of Utah campus. a one man riot, our (my) numbers may be few, but our (my) passion is strong!!!!

so now i am all done and really it hasn't quite hit me yet. i am still working at slutty old Taylor Bean and Whitaker supposedly saving peoples homes, however each and every day i get called a variety of expletive deleted names that would make Paul wash each and every persons mouth out with a bar or nine of soap. once i get my diploma i plan on applying to news stations around the valley and actually looking into grad schools. since i am still livin' the bachelors life the tax man has been doing worse things to me, then grimace himself could to the helpless victims of maceys grocery store on a cold winters day. simply put grad school is incredi-expensive. maybe i will just work the streets and see how that turns out....

comment # 2

here is the link for my second comment on a fellow classmates blog:

https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=1894066948292560071&postID=8703585610211954636&page=1

Best of 2008

1- Bon Iver- For Emma

Man vs the Wisconsin Wilderness = Perfection. This CD was recorded by one man in a cabin in the Wisconsin wilderness and it doesn't have the best audio quality out there but the melodies and lyrics definitely make up for it. This guy is really talented, give it a few listens and you'll agree I knows it.

2- Vampire Weekend – S/T

This is the feel good hipster release of the year. Its structure is so simple that it makes little sense that they would be so popular to indie music fans. You cant help but sing to each song on this release. Simply put I heart this CD.

3- Pompeii- Nothing Happens For A Reason

I was turned onto these guys from my friend Bryce, this is the bands second release and picks up right where Assembly leaves off. Highly recommend for an easy listening period where time doesn't matter. They would fit in somewhere between the sound of The Album Leaf with the vocals of Ben Gibbard. The songs will get caught in your head where you will want to keep them for hours.

4- Sleepercar – West Texas

This is Jim Ward of Sparta's side project that is amazing. I listen to this a lot because its got that Alt-Country vibe but overall is just rockin'. I would say this is the Cassion Sounds of Salvation (my personal favorite of 2007 ) release for this year. I can't begin the CD without playing it all the way through. Also these guys are the opening act for Coldplay this winter.

5- Moving Mountains – Pneuma

"You don't make a CD like this and not expect to get noticed" is my favorite description of this CD. These guys have made something special that fits somewhere in between the vein of Appleseed Cast and Brand New. This post hardcore band from upstate New York is going to explode onto the scene.

6- Conor Oberst – S/T

As a Bright Eyes fan and pretty much anything Conor releases or has influence on I must say that I love this CD. That's right I said it and I will shout it from the roof tops if needs be. It picks up right where Cassadaga left off just without his fellow band mates.

7- Paper Mache – Easier To Lose

These guys are going to be huge. The band hails from Washington and is currently touring the country relentlessly. I saw them when my friends band opened for these guys in June. They have softer melodies and some harder ones as well. The writing talent of their lead singer is far beyond his age. Listen, Listen, Listen!!!!

8- Lydia – Illuminate

This band started the year out on a small label but as since caught the ear of the major labels and within a few months following this release they have made the jump. Coming from Arizona this bands sound is best described as Jimmy Eat World (circa Clarity) meets Straylight Run.

9- Fleet Foxes – S/T

If this list was based on the best smelling band, I think this band would take the cake. This first full length ranks up there, #9 on this list because I still haven't given it the full listening chance it deserves however it is amazing. At points it reminds me of the world waking up in spring time right as the unthawing of the Earth happens. If you get a chance to see these guys live don't let it pass you by.

10- Okkervil River – Stand Ins

I love this band. Although I didn't discover them until this year, they have quickly taken up a large space in my all time favorites. This is the second part of last years Stage Names. Because I love Stage Names so much I haven't given this release as much of the focus it deserves. Give me a few months and I am sure this will rise on this list.


Honorable Mentions

11- Poetica - Liberation: The Catalyst

These guys were amazing. A local band here in the SLC these guys made something remarkable for a first release. They created a unique sound that goes along side Glassjaw, some Minus the Bear influence, and bad ass rock and roll. Catchy drum riffs, and amazingly layered guitars set this group far apart from others in the local scene. They remain close friends of mine, if you can find a copy of the EP make sure to buy it.

12- Northstar - Broken Parachutte

The reason this didn't make the top 10 is because its a EP. I love this release as it is the final chapter of unreleased songs, and demos to a very gifted band. Some of the classics have been redone by Nick Torres to sound less angst and more alt-country. I miss these guys so much, thank God we have Cassino.

Favorite Releases from 2007 that have been discovered this year

1- Manchester Orchestra - I'm Like A Virgin Losing A Child

These guys are my favorite new band for the past 11 months. I got this CD at the end of last year and didn't really give it a listen until the start of this year. The song structure and lyrics are so well written that it has become in my top five releases of all time. I cant get enough of what these guys make. Lead singer / songwriter Andy Hull's side project Right Away Great Captain sheds a softer side to the enigma known as Manchester Orchestra.

2- Four Year Strong - Rise Or Die Trying

This CD brings back what I thought was a dead genre. This four piece from Boston has brought back pop-punk with a twist. This CD reminds me of the feeling I got the first time I heard the Self Titled by New Found Glory, or Blue Skies Broken Hearts.... by the Ataris. Don't be surprise when you check out this release and you find yourself singing out loud to each and every song. These guys take that nostalgic feeling that fans of the punk movement from yester-year have while doing it faster, stronger, harder; and who couldn't love a wizard riding a squid through space while fighting off steel sharks with laser beam eyes as the artwork for the album? My thoughts exactly.

comment #1

i posted on fellow classmate John Strenio blog in response to the skiing season starting up. the comment can be found here:

https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3586970143890960346&postID=7472453017105019872

just as i thought

its time to comment on the in state holy war that took place this past weekend. the match up i am speaking of is of course byu vs utah. now i know that byu was suppose to really give the utes a run for their money and put up a good game, which they did, for a half. then about mid way through the 3rd quarter its as if the wheat was separated from the tares the cream of the crop in the mountain west began to separate from its competition . utah out played, out hustled byu and showed that they are indeed the better team and the best in the mountain west. its b.c.s. bound once again for the 12-0 team the second time in just four years. they deserve it and its a shame that the bigger universities and conferences have a complex that these smaller schools cant possibly compete for a national title. i personally think that
1- they are scared of the humiliation that it will be to loose to a lesser conference with the national title on the line.

and

2- they are the most greedy s.o.b.'s next to the ceo's of these car companies and banks that are looking for government bail out money.

seriously utah deserves a shot for the national title, the second time in 4 years they have gone undefeated. they killed the big east team pitt four years ago proving that they can compete with anyone and i feel they will compete this year. go utes!

project number #3

the narrative projected for my creative writing class is now up. let me know what you think!

http://fileserver.art.utah.edu/~aayrton

2012?

the republican party is already looking adamantly towards 2012. this is the message sent from the republican party meeting that took place this past weekend. what happened to all that talk of unity that john mccain and sarah palin preached as they campaigned? nice strategy coming from the right wingers here i have to say. how do they think that this country is going to come together acting like this. it humors me to think that they could have in some alternate universe won this election and be the people coming into power. how much better off would we be? i think this proves that we as a people made the better choice of the two candidates. and to bank on 2012 already and just pretty much give up on the status of america at our present time i think says a lot about these people. look the republican party is in dire need of repair and a whole different vision then what it has had for the past eight years and the platform it preached in this presidential election. these people do not appeal to the average american. you can be childish and have a mean mentality all you want, that doesn't mean that people will choose to follow.

a moment of a lifetime

last night i sat in front of the television and watched history be made. as Barack Obama was elected the 44Th president of the united states. i still don't think that the fullness of this event has hit me, i still cant really grasp my mind around it, it almost seems too surreal.

growing up in Utah i have to say sheltered me from a lot of the racial tension this nation has had for years and years and years before my existence. it has always been something that puzzled me even from a young age. i have always had the belief of accepting another person based upon who they are not the color of their skin or race. i was taught a strong lesson early on in life while playing at a friends house who was of Polynesian descent. his name was Michael and we were in the same second grade class. he lived with his grandparents at the time and while playing at his house one day he said, my grandpa doesn't like you. i was puzzled by this of course, why is that i asked. he said it was because of the color of my skin. i didn't know what he meant by it. how was i any different then my friend or anyone else. i asked my parents when i got home later that evening and the bubble that i had known began to be popped. i was gaining exposure to an issue that still baffles me to this day.

i mention this story because to me Obama is a great qualified person that i feel will lead this country into the direction it needs to be. many in our nation however need to have this bubble of superiority in race and thinking begin to be popped so that we as a country can move forward. what a great time to be alive. honestly this for our time is the amazement and realization that we as a country are ready for and deal with and conquer the issue of race. this event is something i know my kids and grand kids will ask me about years down the road. i am honored to have witnessed myself and participated in such a monumental election, and look forward to what the future holds.

free 99 this day only!!!!

on this here election day i think its great to announce that as long as you are a great american and do you part in the political process you can receive free items. now this seems like a great idea but then people argued that these companies are "buying" votes so this stuff is free 99 today and today only for all whether you voted or not. the items are as follows:


ben and jerry's - free scoop of ice cream
starbucks - free coffee
chick-fil-a - free chicken sandwhich
krispy kreme - free doughnut

its almost over!

so this past weekend i learned something valuable, don't discuss politics with some people. some people just don't have the common courtesy that you show to them when they are voicing their view's. they want to be heard and not listen. i had a nice discussion turned shouting match turned this isn't going anyway because you keep cutting me off, after i gave you the respect obviously that respect isn't mutual.
its weird to me how some things in life are so "personal" to people that they feel the need to act like children to defend them. i don't have a problem explaining myself and my views and why i feel a certain way. but some in this world simply shut down all healthy communication skills they may have and turn into a caged monster thinking the world is against them. its humorous quite frankly.
but i am glad this election year is almost over as of tomorrow it will be then time for the courts to settle out whatever they deem as unfair if needs be. also though i don't know what i will talk about for my weekly posts once the election has happened. i am sure that the president we have all grown to love over the past 8 years will provide me with something, in fact i know he will. thanks george w. bush!!!!

project numero dos!!!!!!

here is the link to the website for the second project here in class. take a look, explore, and get educated on life in a post compact disc world.

http://fileserver.art.utah.edu/~aayrton

where to go?

so i got my voter registiration card in the mail today for where i am suppose to go to come nov 4th.
i am excited to vote. i am excited to be able to have the right to vote. its something that i always looked up to my parents for doing when i was younger and in the years since turning 18 i have voted with pride. we live in a amazing uniquely country that is based upon voting to make freedom possibly. i am grateful that i have been given this right.
something cool that found out about the other day is on google.com you know with the maps section how you can find anywhere on the map and in most major cities in the united states see the street view? well now they have a section where you can click and see where it is you are suppose to go to vote based upon where you live. i think this is a genius idea because it settles the confusion that prevents some who can vote from voting, and encourages those who dont register because they dont know where to go, to register. it takes away the complaining, nagging and bull shit that people use to stay in their homes instead of getting out and making a change in america

moral fiber

so McCain the man that the republican party has chosen to represent them for the presidency has hit an all time low. first off he hasn't kept in check the comments that are coming from his vice presidential candidate at these so called "rallies" going on in swing states for the election. the accusations that she is saying, in that Obama is a terrorist and associates with terrorists. no to mention that people at these rallies are shouting out obscenities that are being heard and not addressed as offensive, disillusioned and as being completely out of touch with reality. people in the crowd have been heard to be shouting racial remarks towards the other parties candidate, as well as things like "kill him". are you serious? in this day and age this sort of behavior is coming from grown adult people of the free world. is there really that many ignorant people out there that think this sort of shouting and behavior is acceptable. we are talking about voting for the president of the united states not Jerusalem circa 33 a.d. shouting these sort of statements in fact makes not only McCain, but those he associates with, "the people who attend these rallies" look like they are the aggressors and terrorists. you go to a Obama rally and you will find him talking about the facts and where he stands, not trying to focus his whole campaign on the fact that his opponent has associated with questionable people in his past. but i find it funny because don't you John McCain have a lot of skeletons in your closet too?
how i see it is like this, its the moral fiber of the candidate. this election is for the new leader of the free world. although we are going through some tough times right now and the economy is in shambles, there is a lot that this new president will have to handle. which of these two candidates is better suited to serve based on how they are acting? at the current moment this is not even a question McCain needs to grow up and talk about the issues at hand. put the muckraking aside, because frankly you look like a little kid and you expect me and millions of other Americans to vote for you so what, when you get into the white house you can wine and complain about other people. what is your stand on things? how are you going to change this country? because i cant tell you right now the diplomacy or lack there of that has gone on for the past 8 years is what got us into this mess. you claim you want to united the parties and bridge the great division between them. great way to start pal.......