a Sleepy Sheep Blog.

The Flaming Lips

(Photo courtesy of my friend Brennin)

So I saw the Flaming Lips tonight.  It was in a word: amazing.  I saw them a few years ago at the Minnesota State Fair but I was just getting into their music at that point so this was a totally different experience.  My friends and I were up close, the 6th row or so and I had the pleasure of touching Wayne Coyne’s shoe as he crowd surfed above us in his inflatable space bubble.  The music was stellar, the crowd was energetic (although I would have like more jumping, I was jumping but those around me kept their feet on the ground for the most part which is a shame really), the stage was very impressive and it all made for a perfect show.  It was great to be there with so many great friends too; I’m glad I go to a school where many of my friends get as excited about things like this as I do.

This was an unforgettable show and I feel so lucky that I saw them again.  It was a total surprise when I heard they were playing, I didn’t believe it at first.  I almost still can’t believe it.  It was an experience like no other.  Peace.

My Top Ten of the Decade: Music

These are the top ten albums (and honorable mentions) that I think define this decade in music for me.  I want to also note that there are definitely some albums that I’ve only recently gotten that I didn’t include just because I don’t think I’ve had the time to listen to and fully appreciate yet (I’ll include a preliminary list of those ones at the bottom too).  These are in no particular order.

This album is so beautiful.  I like it a little better than Illinois and Michigan but maybe only for the fact that I think the others are too long.  I love those albums, don’t get me wrong, but I think that this album has the gems of those other two but more concentrated.  Sufjan is amazing.  I think my favorite tracks of this one are Sister, The Dress Looks Nice on You and Seven Swans.

This album is so complete in my mind.  I love how natural it sounds and it’s the reason why I want to name my first born son Roscoe.

Some find her voice annoying, I don’t.  I love it.  Clam, Crab, Cockle, Cowrie is my favorite song on this album.

I picked this over Feels because it’s the album that really got me listening to Animal Collective and has probably been played the most out of any album I own in the past year and a half.  I love the songs Cuckoo Cuckoo and For Reverend Green especially.

This is the album that got me into Atmosphere which is the group that got me into hip hop.  Some highlights for me are Modern Man’s Hustle, Saves The Day and Blame Game.

This album is sweet.

The Hold Steady have a special place in my heart.  Craig Finn is from Minneapolis and there are often references to the city in his lyrics, which are stellar aside from that.  It was a tough call between this album and Almost Killed Me, but How A Resurrection Really Feels puts this album on a whole new level.

I got this album from one of my cousins a while ago for Christmas.  At first I didn’t listen to it that much but in the last 3 or 4 years it has been one of my most listened to albums.  It’s another very complete album for me and I love how minimal it can be in places.

This album is awesome.  I don’t know what else to say.  I like their drummer a lot.

This is the album that got me into “indie” music.  My cousin brought me to their show at First Avenue and I fell in love with this band and it inspired me to find new bands to listen to.  Awesome.

Honorable Mentions:

Don’t Fall In Love With Everyone You See - Okkervil River
Feels - Animal Collective
Return to Cookie Mountain - TV on the Radio
For Emma, Forever Ago - Bon Iver
The Meaning of 8 - Cloud Cult
Apologies to the Queen Mary - Wolf Parade
St. Elsewhere - Gnarls Barkley
The Great Destroyer - Low

Preliminary List Of New To Me Albums That Are Awesome That Came Out In The Last Decade That I Thought Were Too New To Me To Include In This Decade Defining List:

Elephant Eyelash - Why?
The Felice Brothers - The Felice Brothers
Agaetis Byrjun - Sigur Ros
The Air Force - Xiu Xiu
Hospice - The Antlers
Shallow Grave - The Tallest Man On Earth
Bluffer’s Guide To The Flight Deck - Flotation Toy Warning

Peace.