Posted in Geeking Out, My Geeky Life
Geeking Out Part 10 ….
Why yes, it has been over a month since I have done a geeking out. I claim unbelievable business. It’s either that or admit I just forgot. Perhaps I have had my mind wiped by a Man in Black. It isn’t like I have been staying away from the deep end of the geek pool. I have plenty of geek things to share. Now that a few projects are off my plate I hope to get back to my regularly scheduled geekery. Here is a few items to let your inner geek check out.
Rome by Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi
What do you get when you put an Italian film composer and Danger Mouse into a box and shake it up. Pure musical gold. Danger Mouse has become one of the few people in the music industry whose name on a project automatically means you should be listening to it. Danger Mouse wanted to make a rock album with a film disposition. The partnership between him and Luppi is unexpectedly brilliant. Throw in Jack White and Norah Jones and there isn’t a song on this album I wouldn’t listen to over and over again. One of my favorite albums of the year. Check out The Rose With The Broken Neck & Season’s Trees to get a taste of what the album is like.
I Am Very Far Away by Okkervil River
I know this band isn’t for everyone. You are either going to love Will Sheff’s voice or never want to listen to it again. Their music is moody and somber (although, they always have a few upbeat songs every album). The lyrics are poetic and most of their albums tell a story. Not this one though. It is a little bit of a departure. This time it feels like they put out an album of songs. No really connecting theme. A move which will undoubtedly tick off some people who think bands should never do anything different. I, myself, have really enjoyed it. Check out The Valley & White Shadow Waltz to see if this album is for you.
Unfamiliar Fishes by Sarah Vowell
Sarah Vowell is one of those people I have to admit a huge amount of jealousy towards. I wish I could write like her. She has an uncanny ability to take history (sometimes obscure history) and make it interesting. This book is about the settling of Hawaii. I learned more about the islands in the first few pages then I had my entire life previously. It really shows how little we spend on the states in history classes. Vowell uses her usual off beat humor to keep you reading page after page. I once wrote a blog about 5 people who I would love to have lunch with someday. I think Sarah is going to be bumping one of those people off.
The Man Who Loved Books Too Much by Allison Hoover Bartlett
A very interesting book about a career thief and the person who chased him. What made this thief unusual is he stole rare and valuable books. Not to sell but to keep for himself. I enjoyed this book immensely, but I have to admit I knew some of the bookstores and their owners featured in it. Made the book even more interesting to me. A good quick read.
A Game of Thrones
While I love the book I am talking about the new HBO series here. How good is this series? My wife is watching it and loving it. This series would normally be completely out of Sheri’s wheelhouse (although I have to be honest there are a lot of characters to keep track of. She leaned on me the first two episodes). This series has been better than I dreamed it could be. The acting and writing are top notch. They have kept the story true to the books and I find myself wishing I was watching it on DVD so I wouldn’t have to wait for the next episode. A great fantasy series laced with politics, intrigue, and war.
