I saw something in your eyes and I wanted it for myself
Spence's Top Ten Albums of 2007 A VH1 special, airing now
1. Bloc Party - A Weekend In The City - Nothing on this earth speaks to me like Bloc Party. Bloc Party came to me when I first moved to Seattle and has fissured itself with who I am and how I operate. Not only does the music make extraordinary strides in experimentalism and musical adventurism, but the lyrics penned by Kele Okereke, truly take a stand and do not flinch at the crazy world we all experience. Especially, for those of us twenty-somethings trying earnestly to gather the mess about us and make it all right.
2. The Perishers - Victorious - I don't know about you, but I like mellowing out music. This band does that and much more. The sweet sounds coming from this simple foursome develop a landscape of hopefulness, tragedy and truth.
3. Interpol - Our Love To Admire - This album nearly relates to me as Bloc Party's "Weekend." Where it shines is it's hurtful, honesty that tells things straight. The soaring guitar and ominous vocals make for a great listen. Don't be frightened by song titles such as, "No I in Threesome" or "Rest My Chemistry." This album will keep your head nodding while driving, waiting to get out of your car and dance on the hood.
4. The Rosebuds - Night of the Furies - All I know about this duo is that they are amazing. This album jumped into my rotation early in the year after hearing it on KEXP and wanting to learn more. Both singers balance each other perfectly and the variation from 80's pop to 90's altern-rock make this album a joyride. I can't express how important it is for you to get to know this band. Marvelous work. The entire CD, from start to finish.
5. The Killers - Sam's Town - This album moved to the top of the list after hearing the song, "Read My Mind." The album is flawless. There is a cohesive sense of direction that The Killers hadn't had on previous material. I think the melodies are enchanting, despite not particularly being a fan of the lead singers 'over-the-top' crowing. Overall, a masterful piece of music.
6. Dave Gahan - Hourglass - I have always been a greater fan of the sum of Depeche Mode's parts, than their parts alone. This go around, however, is a little bit different. Dave perfectly masters what I think of my type of music. This music is the kind I enjoy hearing at any moment of the day, it's the type of music that I continue to try to perfect in my own pursuits as a musician. Electronic, raw, rock, alternative, raunchy synth. And yet the album starts off with the sweet songbird "Saw Something," which is the title of this blog (Thanks Dave). His ability to move around sounds and tap into his own weakness makes this album an enjoyable listen. Check out the bonus remixes for real electro-rock.
7. Editors - An End Has A Start - At first listen you think, hey what happened to Interpol? But after a second go around you realize this band means business. I just want to thank Coldplay, because so many better bands have surfaced after they made it cool to be big, emotional, crafty songsters. The album is tight from the start to the finish. For a disc that has so many hot songs, it was hard to ignore. Truly beautiful music mixing rough and rugged with heart wrenching.
8. Mika - Life In Cartoon Motion - You know this singer. You also know that you love him! This album is so wacky fun that it was on my ipod for a lot of the summer. Big Girls You Are Beautiful is a stand out, along with Billy Brown. This guy gets away with some wicked piano playing as well, which I am obviously appreciative of. A musician with talents that actually make many of us other wanna-be's feel bad about ourselves, but at the same time appreciate the fact that at least there is someone out there who can rock like this. Hot stuff.
9. Klaxons - Myths of the Near Future - Ok, Ok, I know...this album was not released in 2007. It is actually from '06. However, I only recently purchased this album and have found that I LOVE THEM! I like how they sound like Bloc Party but with a little more British Attitude. The music is solid and the foreplay between distorted guitars and electronica blends well. Who knows? With more time on my shuffle, this album could have ranked higher for the year.
10. Rihanna - Good Girl Gone Bad - Yes, this is the only album that doesn't mix with the others. But let me assure you, she plays nice. The thing about Rihanna, is that her melodies and tracks are too catchy to ignore. The smash singles that have come from this album prove the point. The other great thing about this album is that it mixes it up. She's hot, that's undeniable and her voice is sexy. I love to dance to her music and that means that she has got something that others didn't (sorry Britney).
HONORABLE MENTION: The honorable mention award for 2007 goes to Arcade Fire - Neon Bible. What can I say? Rocking Hippie Psychodelic rock. At first I had a hard time understanding the singer. But now that I've become accustomed to the soft vibrancy of his pipes, I really enjoy their music. The backdrop is the real victory here. Not to fond of the background singer. She mostly distracts from the rest for me. But all in all, love this album. This band knows how to take you on a journey from the onset.
The Wheels On The Bus
you remember that song...'the wheels on the bus go round and round.' well, i've been thinking. it's time to get this old bus moving again.
i don't know if it's the sense that there are those of you out there in this electronic world that i really want to reconnect with or if i just need to get something off my chest. time will tell.
i suppose one reason i've stopped blogging is that i don't really feel as though i'm one of those people with a lot to say. i'll admit, sometimes, i find myself rather dashing and winning but those times are few and most other times i face my mediocrity. i guess that's one thing that i've never been able to escape. despite my earnest efforts to build new and tear down the rubble, i look in the mirror and see this savage wanderer. he looks a lot like me, but has something to say. mostly, 'huh?'
now before you start to think that i'm depressed, note what i'm saying. this feels like a renewal. a revival of who i am. i say average, you say toe-MA-toe. the greatest thing we can each do in this very day and age is simply, look ourselves in the mirror...and see what ME has to say.
that's extraordinary.
Bobby's 38th Annual Life Awards!
http:spence-a-lick.blogspot.com is pleased to announce the 38th Birthday bash for Bobby G. Welch II this coming Saturday, May 26th, 2007. Everyone is invited to attend.
spence-a-lick.blogspot.com is the official fan website of Bobby G Welch, II. :)
Why Not Start At the Potty?
I do believe the urinal is a crafty and intelligent invention. The convenience it offers for men is undeniable.
HOWEVER!
Lately, and when I say "lately" what I really mean is "over the past year or two," I have noticed a disturbing trend surrounding the use of this gold standard of relieving oneself.
For some reason, every where I go, whether it be Starbucks or the most elegant restaurant one can find, the urinals have a pool of pee at the base just right where one should be standing! Guys, what is up? Was there a recent revolt on the use of the urinal that I was not counted in on? All I know is that it is getting worse and worse. People just don't bother anymore. People seem to think that being considerate of the next urinal user is trite or trivial.
I say, "ENOUGH!" Men, learn to aim. Men, learn to keep the floor of this precious and ingenious invention clean and hazard free for the next chum who passes through. Men, learn that as you age, an extra dribble is normal, just let it fly where it belongs!
I believe we, as a collective male group, can make a difference in this world. Why not start at the potty?
Hall--o--spankin--ween
I was not going to go out this year. I promised myself early on that I would not indulge in that kid holiday of treat worship and goofy costume show offs.
I couldn't resist.
My straight friend, otherwise known as my "SF" invited me to his party, stating that he would no longer be my friend if I ditched him again (kind of a gay thing to say, but hey, the world is blurry now-a-days). Anyway, I couldn't afford to lose my one and only social contact with the straight world and therefore, I prepared.
As I was getting ready this familiar feeling started to envelope me. It was similar to the feeling we get during Christmas, a fantastic holiday for a variety of reasons. Just to name a few: present worship, new clothes worship and new car worship are always much more enlightened states of faith than those damn little treat loathing children!
Anyways, as I was saying, I started to get the "spirit of Halloween" writhing throughout my body. After I stepped out of the shower, I stepped into the only make shift costume that I could. A teen punk rock star (that's all I could come up with in twenty minutes folks).
I went to the party, we met up with the Gays and all went dancing. I actually had a good time. I'm also somewhat ashamed to admit to the public that I had forgotten how much I truly enjoy Almond Joy.
Hittin' the showers
Ok, Ok! I know how this is going to sound. But please, just hear it through. I have a problem. That problem is old men in the communal showers at the gym. YUCK! Ok, I am not one to have many problems with people. If an elderly gentleman wants to go to the gym and try and beef up his longevity in this world, I salute. However, it is not okay for two early 60's-late 60's men with big ol tubbies and a fake tan that looks worse than sprayed on silicone to be talking it up while I'm trying to get cleaned up. I mean, c'mon people. Why do people even talk in the shower anyway? It's like, move at warp speed Scottie!! None of this, 'Hey Fred, haven't seen you in a while, how's work going?' WHAT? I DON'T THINK SO!
Ok, so it's not the end of the world, fine. But the truth is, for some reason, the conversation while taking a communal shower has lost it's momentum. I think it lost it a long while ago, say 2 or 3 generations. There was a point in life where young men, like myself, realized the truth of the communal... "When hittin' the showers, Get In 'N Get Out!"
Just a thought...
I just have to say what is happening right now, in this very fleeting moment of my life. I am sitting here catching up my stories and my two little puppies are nestled at my feet sleeping, looking like the ying and yang of puppiness cuddled together and happy. I too am happy, sipping from a magnificent glass of Pinot Noir that my most favorite Chris Lavoie has so generously gifted to me on his last visit. Here's to living the good life. Indeed it is.
Meet the relatives
Like I said in the previous post, Bobby's family came into town to visit us. Then Doug E Fresh. The next week after that, my brother and sister-in-law came out to see us. It was a great time. I had been working 60 hours a week on a lot of different projects, a couple of which I am particularly proud of. So, long and short, I needed a break to rejuvenate.
I took a couple of days with Mark and Becky and I think all I need to do now is find a job for the two of them school teachers and we can get them to move on out. The thing that I like most about my brother and his wife are that they come from a very judgmental background (the Mormons) but are so normal and considerate. They really make us feel like part of the family.
I love my family by the way. What strikes me as most refreshing is the ease of conversation and the familiarity of our acquaintance. It's as though nothing has stopped, we've taken no pauses, we are ready to pick it up where we left off. That makes it really easy to enjoy ourselves and have a good time. Which naturally, we did. We didn't get the kiddos out to the dance club or the bar but every moment was worth it. Sometimes the bars aren't worth it anyway.
A House, A Home, A piece of Seattle
Well, many of you know...Bobby and I bought a house in the hotspot neighborhood of Madrona, Seattle about a month ago. It was a roller coaster if you want to know the truth. Bob is in real estate (Mortgage Wholesale) and he knew what he was doing all along. However, to the untrained real estate newbie, it was torture to hear the back and forth of "our side" and the "other side" and the "middle men" and all the like. I just wanted to punch out the builder, slap the selling agent and then cry on a pillow. E - MO - TION - ALLLLL! But it all worked out. I was a mess and Bob was totally calm. He knew that things would work out. I, on the other hand, kept from working out by eating a lot of french fries and pizza.
We moved in mid-September and went right to work welcoming Bobby's sister and brother-in-law into town. They hadn't been to Seattle. They loved it. Like all ya do that come out to visit.
It's been a new experience for me, I have to say. Duh. But truly, I must say I am better for the challenge. A challenge it is! The puppies love the house. They think they are so bad ass. They walk around like they own the place and their other daddy spoils them so much that it's easy to know why!!
We have a few things here and there to consider. Our landscape project begins this Tuesday (HOLY CRAP!) and the final project should be pretty great. We have to paint and there are those other odds and ends that need tying up. Once through, this cute house on one of the greatest corners in Seattle will be just the fit we were looking for.
Bobby's sister and brother-in-law are not the only to visit thus far and they will certainly not be the last. Again, all are welcome here and all are invited, often! Hope to see many of you, if not all, soon.
Being Horrible
Ladies and Gentleman,
It's time to return to the stage. I can not believe I have not been keeping my loyal 1-3 blog readers happy with timely posts! How many blogs are there that say that?
So much to catch up on that I feel bad not devoting entire blogs to each. Therefore, I will be going back in time to pull out of the ol' magic hat a few of the highlights while giving them their very own spotlight.
Thanks for staying tuned.
Did you know...
Did you know you can buy soaps buy the bulk at boutique soap shops?
Did you know that Monopoly and Risk come in a commemorative "vintage" collection only at Target? (Not Wal-Mart, sorry Chris!)
Did you know that Julia Stiles totally sucks ass (please reference Alegna's Blog)?
Did you know that Washington State has more water front property than Texas?
Did you know Cher is dead to me? I think she needs to fall off this planet already.
Did you know that I we are still waiting for the appraisal on our house?
Did you know mushrooms come in all sorts and sizes?
Did you know that Potato Bars are the funnest thing you can do, sometimes?
Did you know that Doug Birch likes to eat Moons Over My Hammy from Denny's (reference previous post)? Sounds yummy, wait I'll be back, I'm heading to Denny's.
Did you know that I have the coolest blog friends?
Did you know that saying, "mucho culo" in Spanish does not mean, "Much Coolness" in english?
Did you know that I have a giant wart on my face now (reference drawing)?
Did you also know that I have a new Ultra Fab Mullet going on (please reference drawing again)?
HEHE.
Commemorative or just plain lazy?
Well, it's official...Almost. I have a Washington State Drivers License and paid the hard earned cash to have my car licensed as well. It's official, right? Not quite. I replaced my Utah plate yesterday, but only on the rear of the vehicle. I have yet to change the front plate. Maybe I have a piece of me that is left in Utah, that wants to leave one toe in, straddling the fence.
Or maybe I'm just plain lazy. Yeah, that makes more sense. No offense friends of Utah.
The True and Real and Not Fake Top Ten Reasons I Love Doug Birch
Number TEN: Only Doug can be my partner in crime driving across states lines in scarves. And yell at a lesbian gas attendant, telling her she is fat.
Number NINE: Doug has a real personal sense of style. You never see him walk into a Gap, or Abercrombie or any of those stores. He gets all his clothes made just for him by the designers at Burberry, or at least the crack addicts on Alaska Ave who sell fake Burberry, either way, it's HOT.
Number EIGHT: Doug Birch has this wacky sense of humor that only I get. That's the eighth reason, and hell, it's not fake. Run up in the sky so deep, he be cryin'. Like this one time, we were talking about Shelly on South Park and then he said, "Shuper Schweet." That was hilarious.
Number SEVEN: Doug really knows how to make his friends feel real good about themselves...like that one time he told me he loved my mom's '80s vintage mini-skirt and then told Chad behind my back that he hated that "F-ing" skirt. He made me feel good, even though he didn't truly care for it.
Number SIX: If ever I need a run to Alberto's on Fifth South in Salt Lake City, he is happy to go...and he'll usually be the first one in the car!
Number FIVE: Without Doug, I would have less personal time, because now, he RARELY calls me anyway. Such a sweetie. :)
Number FOUR: When I told Doug that I had ringworm, he was able to get me my medication in like 5 seconds. I mean, he really knew what my problem was before I even told him, or something. That's a real friend.
Number THREE: If I ever got into a bar fight he was always the first person to call Taquifa and She-nay-nay for some straight razors and vasoline. Like this one time some strange boy stuck a thumb up my butt on the dance floor. He was all over that bitch.
Number TWO: He saw Dead People. Like that one time he saw a little Latin boy in drag. Or like that one time he saw Haley Joel Osmont in that one movie by that M. Night Shamaylaian, or whatever his name is.
Number ONE: Doug has this saying, "We'll get you to your ho and back lickity-split. You'll be covered like a jimmy-hat." Doug really does cover me like a jimmy hat. I can be a real dick sometimes. Pun Intended. He just always knows how to be there and protect me from anything nasty in this world. He is such a true friend. Thanks buddy.
Now if any of you don't seem to see through the sarcasm and cleverness of this blog. You're just not a real friend. Because I know Doug will.
