Two days in a row.... what?

So this is the first time ever that I have posted on two consecutive days. This probably won't be a very long one since I'm also writing an email to Dad right now....

At the moment, I'm listening to the new Yo La Tengo album, which is quite good. I first read about it in Paste at B&N a few weeks back, and they gave it a good review. It's another amazingly eclectic and creative album by my favorite group of New Jersey musicians. This time they delve a lot into a lot of different styles of songs, reaching especially back into some of their roots and influences. I once read a description of Yo La Tengo which said they were the critic's ideal band- they are both historically conscious and enjoy exploring the past, yet they are not derivative or "retro-kitsch" as a former co-worker of mine would say, and they always present their own ideas and expression. I'm still on the first song, but I know the album will be good (I'm listening to it on Real Rhapsody, which is an online service using a proprietary media player that gives you complete access to millions of songs with unlimited access, for about $12 a month. I'm just using their free trial version which lets you listen to 25 songs every month... it's pretty cool, and it's FREE! Oh, but then here's a secret- they also have a web based version which has a slightly more limited selection of songs, but you can get 25 more free song plays there!). Joel, if you read this, you must listen to this album eventually.

I also finished listening to the Stevie Wonder album, and it just keeps growing on me. Next I need to find Innervisions and Songs in the Key of Life. Those two won the Grammy for album of the year, which brings up a bit of Grammy trivia. Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, and Frank Sinatra are tied for the most succesful Grammy winners in terms of album of the year- they each won that award three times. Interestingly enough, the Beatles only took that honor once, for Sgt Peppers, but it should also be said that with Sgt Pepper's win, that was the first time a rock album had ever won the award. The two preceding years it was Frank Sinatra. So I thought that was interesting. I think Joel would be pleased to know that in 1965, Stan Getz and João Gilberto won the award. Anyways, Stevie Wonder is more great Motown/soul/r&b and you should listen to him.

Well I think I'm going to cut this off now so I can finish my letter to Dad. I am going to the library later on, so that should be fun. I should have gone yesterday because I had movies due, so that means $2 into the copious coffers of Warsaw Community Public Library. Everything else is due today....

Oh, I did want to mention for Mom's sake that I think the best of the Grateful Dead probably came after her time, in the late 70's and 80's, so I'm not sure how familiar she is with that period of work. And don't worry everyone, I'm not about to become a retro-hippie pot-smoker... I don't think I would look good in tie-dye so that whole thing is sort of out for me. :)