|
|
Monday, February 06, 2006
Hello, faithful blog readers.
Well, I've had it. I've put up with the inferior blogdrive engine for long enough. I'm moving my blog to a more user friendly (read "music-major proof") server. I could share with you the delightful reasons why blogdrive is the bane of my otherwise meaningful existence, but it doesn't seem particularly helpful at this juncture.
All that needs to be said is my new blog will be of a similar title:
http://www.speckledmind.blogspot.com
Please visit me there. I get lonely without you. Oh, sorry about the long delay between blogs. I have to work at my job in January; I promise it won't happen again.
Posted at 12:46 pm by timkjohnson
Permalink
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
It's been a year in the making. After much debate, these records make the final cut: After much debate, these records make the final cut:
 #10: Nothing is Sound - Switchfoot
I keep waiting for these guys to sell out, lose their edge and become another sad scar on the landscape of the shallow teeny rock scene. This offering proved my fears to be misguided. In this release the boys stay true to their riffy excellence and don't lost any depth or cleverness in the lyrics. Thank goodness for Christian bands that are still creating good art.
Favorite Track: The Shadow Proves the Sunshine
 #9: Knuckle Down - Ani Difranco
What can I say, I've always had a special place in my heart for the music of angry women. The first time I heard the title track from this album I was on my way back from Barnes & Noble in Roseville. I had to pull over to the side of the road--it is that good. Fortunately, unlike most songs that have strong initial appeal, Ani's music has yet to disappoint me. It's good time after time.
Favorite Track: Lag Time
 #8: Why Should the Fire Die? - Nickel Creek
The Pop-grass pioneers first caught my attention with their incredible, "This Side," released in 2002. Fans of the band had to wait three years for more of the pickin', fiddlin' and strummin' that made that release so great. In the meantime Chris and Sean were pursuing various solo endeavors and the whole band collaborated with Glen Phillips (Toad the Wet Sprocket) on a project called "The Mutual Admiration Society. Stupid name, great music. This album is good but different from "This Side," exploring a mutuality in their song writing that had not been present before. You won't find better musicianship than Nickel Creek's outside of the classical realm.
Favorite Track: Doubting Thomas
 #7: Picaresque - The Decemberists
Listening to The Decemberists is akin to reading a great piece of literature. You are impressed with the artistry, you feel a bit more intelligent after finishing and you are frequently reaching for your dictionary. Not only does Colin Meloy use the word "palinquin," he rhymes it with "elephant Impressive to say the least. The rhyming couplets "parapets/coronets" and "folderol/chaparral" also blew me away...and those are all from the album's first track. The Decemberists concern themselves little with talking about their own lives. The great majority of their songs present fanciful or historical stories that wrap the listener in a world of delightful make-believe. The band defies comparison--you won't hear anything else like this.
Favorite Track: 16 Military Wives
 #6: Haughty Melodic - Mike Doughty
For anyone who loved Soul Coughing in its heyday, Doughty gives you 12 great new reasons to "walk around in circles." As a friend of mine who is new to Doughty commented--"I never get sick of listening to that CD." It's true. There's just something about his gravelly voice and circular chord progressions that keep you coming back time and again. I guess one of the privileges of recording on Dave Matthews' label (ATO Records) is the opportunity to duet with the Satellite king--"Tremendous Brunettes" pairs Mike and Dave--a collaboration I would love to see repeated in the future.
Favorite Track: Busting up a Starbucks
 #5: The Mysterious Production of Eggs - Andrew Bird
I just stumbled on this album last week. It quickly catapulted its way into the top ten of 2005. It may have wound up higher on the list if I had gotten hold of it sooner. A succinct description of Andrew Bird? Imagine Jack Johnson, only with talent. Bird's performance proficiency is heightened by a mastery of the loop pedal. Often the only one on stage for performances, Bird makes use of his voice, guitar, vibes, whistling and some of the best violin playing you'll hear. I think he was actually a classical musician in a previous life. Thank goodness he left the dark side--we can all reap the benefits on this album.
Favorite Track: A Nervous Tic Motion of the Head to the Left
 #4: Plans - Death Cab For Cutie
Pardon me while I ooze. I am admittedly "that fan" of Death Cab. You know, that fan who owns all of the bands recordings, including Ben Gibbard’s various side projects (The Postal Service and All-Time Quarterback!), goes to their concerts and dreams about them at night. What can I say—when Ben stops writing great music, I'll stop buying. "Plans" is the major label debut for the boys after they developed a reputation as the darlings of the indie-rock scene in Seattle (and elsewhere). Death Cab is the standard by which all other indie bands should be measured. In some ways this album is the band's best and in others it still lives in the shadow of 2003's "Transatlanticism." Regardless, if you haven't started down the trail with Death Cab, this album provides an excellent opportunity to jump on the band's-wagon.
Favorite Track: Crooked Teeth
 #3: A Collision - David Crowder* Band
I've already said plenty about my love for DCB. The short version: They are writing the best music that mainstream Christianity has to offer. Crowder has found a way to hold good theology and good art in a delicate balance that nearly everyone recognizes and appreciates. He's a DJ, he's a worship leader, he's the funniest stage personality out there (and I do mean out there) and he's still humble. There is no good reason to leave this album on the shelf. Buy it now.
Favorite Track: A Beautiful Collision
 #2: I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning - Bright Eyes
Conor Oberst has always been more of a lyricist than a songwriter, but this album marks a turning point in his development. If you aren't willing to part with your cash simply on my recommendation, you can have a free listen to one of his shows (at the 9:30 Club in D.C.) courtesy of the good folks at NPR. WARNING: If left-leaning politics causes you to feel disoriented this album will make you tip over. Look on the bright side though--it may be the best thing for you. Few artists are writing with the kind of passion that Oberst has, and it is nowhere better displayed than this album.
Favorite Track: Land Locked Blues
 #1: Illinois - Sufjan Stevens
Don't let the strange clipart-esque cover fool you. This guy has Don't let the strange clipart-esque cover fool you. This guy has serious talent. "Strange" is an appropriate word though; Sufjan's goal is to write an album for each of the fifty states. So far he has covered Michigan and Illinois. No word yet on which state will be the beneficiary of his next effort, but I'm crossing my fingers and hoping for Minnesota, eh? Sufjan's voice is like water--it just washes over you and you begin to wonder how you ever got by without it. I recommend "John Wayne Gacy, Jr.," in particular.
If this song doesn't give you the chills, you aren't listening closely enough.
Favorite Track: John Wayne Gacy, Jr.
There it is, friends. I'd love to hear your addendums/subtractions. Lord knows I'm not the only one around these parts with strong opinions about music. Best of luck to everyone in the search for great music in 2006.
Posted at 04:20 pm by timkjohnson
Permalink
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Hey friends. Just a short post to let ya'll down from the pins on needles upon which you have been precariously sitting since my Friday post. Three things are certain:
1. The Ziegler's (Nathan and Kristin) are the masters of monopoly, finishing 2nd and 3rd, respectively, out of 36 people.
2. The Wachters (Chris and Jill) are ruthless, having destroyed me in the 1st and 2nd rounds, respectively.
3. The North Carolina/Pacific Avenue/Pennsylvania properties (the green ones), repeatedly failed me...disrespectfully.
What can I say, the odds didn't pan out for me. I finished 26th of 36 people and went home with my tail between my legs at 1:00 in the a.m. So for those of you who put money in me in the Vegas betting pools, I'm sorry. Better luck to all of us next year.
Posted at 09:33 am by timkjohnson
Permalink
Friday, December 02, 2005
Well, friends, tonight is the night. For the fifth time in my life I will squeeze into the Ziegler home with 35 other wild-eyed board gamers and play Monopoly . T'will be a house crammed full of merriment, I reckon' (yes, I did just use the word "t'will"...and not like the sport coat material). Anyhoo...
For the uninitiated, the Ziegler Monopoly tournament works as follows:
1. 6 players at each board
2. Randomly placement for rounds one and two, then placement is determined by overal $$ and rank for round 3)
3. $5 entry fee per person, meriting varying levels of Target gift cards for the best finishers.
4. Nathan's sister Kristin destroys everyone. She doesn't win every year, but she's always at that "top 6" table for round three. Those Ziegler's are pretty competetive. It must run in the genes (like diarrhea...runs in the jeans). Puns are so much more difficult on a blog.
Below are some examples of the cards I hope not to draw this evening:
Who knew the long arm of the Los Angeles Police Department stretches even into the realm of Parker Brothers games. Do you feel safe?
I have finished in the money every year, but I've got a bad feeling about tonight. If this blog was really cool, I could have up to the second score updates. That would be sweet. It would be like ESPTim.com. Anyway, ya'll will just have to wait until Monday to find out the results. Wait on pins and needles.
Posted at 04:08 pm by timkjohnson
Permalink
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
 Nothing particularly profound today. Just some more funny stuff from the good folks at compfused.com who also brought you this funny essay.
As I am trying to create a more "positive" atmoshpere at my blog (i.e., do less complaining about things I have little intention of doing anything about), I will refrain from asking how this sign is a parable of how the Church is perceived. I will not beg the question of whether or not we have become self-referential and self-serving to the point of being ridiculous and unhelpful to anyone outside the walls. Positvity is so good for the soul.
Oh, and just in case you were wondering, I'm not really a metrosexual. I don't know if I should be disappointed or not. I'll let Jess decide on that one.
Posted at 03:51 pm by timkjohnson
Permalink
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
For those about to waste time: Part II
OH, this is good. For everyone who loved the old school apple IIe games, I have found heaven for you. That's right, Dig Dug and Oregon Trail have been unearthed. I almost wept thinking about my childhood. Then I did weep after poking around the games for a while...I remember them being much easier. I don't have any skills. That is all.
Posted at 03:45 pm by timkjohnson
Permalink
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Teasing on T-Day with the T-Word
It's coming.
And someone is going to say it--they do every year.
It's that uncle, that father, that a bit too smart for his/her own good nephew or niece. Maybe even grandpa.
Someone is going to say it--maybe it's even you. I can see it in your shifty little eyes.
Perhaps when laying out on the couch after the big meal. The game is on. The Lions are losing. They always do. It wouldn't be Thanksgiving without Matt Millen wringing his hands while his team suffers the agony of defeat. Except, of course, that year they beat the Packers for their first win of the season. Good times.
Nevertheless. After eating too much, talking too much and drinking too much, someone is going to be tired. That someone is going to drop the word: tryptophan.
And you know how they're going to say it. It will be that smug sort of, "look how clever I am" kind of comment. That, "I'm in touch with the inner workings of the scientific community, and you didn't listen in junior high biology" type of comment.
Oh yes. That's how it will go down.
 Prepare yourselves, witless masses! This is serious business! How will you respond? Will you allow that person to have the upper hand on interesting amino acid facts for the tenth consecutive year? Is that what you really want? Will you, once again, come to this battle of wits armed with nothing more than cranberry sauce and a cheap bottle of wine? Is that the best you can do?
Or will you be ready this time?
Will you be prepared to retort, "I think your level of tiredness has more to do with the bottle of cheap wine you just consumed than the turkey." Will you remind them that tryptophan is only the first in a three step process leading to sleep, with vitamin B and serotonin playing their parts in turn? Will you glibly respond that tryptophan only affects an empty stomach and then wittily comment on the peculiar disappearance of that person's belt buckle? What will you do to have the upper hand this year, faithful minions? This battle is too important to lose.
Posted at 03:21 pm by timkjohnson
Permalink
Friday, November 11, 2005
I am sadder than I have been in a long time. Yesterday at Grace Church in Eden Prairie, MN a meeting took place--one that attractted the attention of both the media and opposition groups. The " "Minnesota Pastor's Summit," as it was called, was an interdenominational effort to (in their words), "Equip Churches to Engage Culture."
That's a friendly way to put it.
To all accounts it was actually a conference about how to hate homosexuals under the guise of concern for congregants and maintenance of "traditional family values." Breakout sessions included such topics as "The Truth of the Homosexual Lifestyle." As if there were such a thing. To refer to "the homosexual lifestyle" is reductionistic, on par with generalizations about "the Christian lifestyle" in a discussion about Pat Robertson. Anybody want to align with his lifestyle?
I was just starting to recover from my frustration this morning. I swallowed anger that had been brewing for the previous 24 hours and drove to work. Right as I pulled into the parking lot, MPR aired a story about how the conference went. I sat motionless as the voices of Christians came on the air and tarnished Jesus' name for all of Minnesota to hear. Read the article. You have time, and you need to do it now. It is a transcription of almost everything from the audio program, save one. At the end of the story they played a sound clip of one of the pastor's announcing there had been a bomb threat, and the building should be evacuated. Preceding the announcement, however, was his smug voice yelling (to the sound of applause), "We are in the enemy's lair! We are in the enemy's lair!" He just said it over and over...
But who is the enemy?
The churched in our number would likely assume he meant Satan, indicating his feeling that the bomb threat was a direct spiritual assault because "the right thing" was occuring. But what about everyone else? I'd wager the majority of those who listen to NPR are not churched. What did they hear in the confident reverend's statement?
I am, of course, giving that minister the benefit of the doubt. I'm assuming he wasn't pointing to homosexuals as the enemy. Or was he? I'm sure he would be quick to deny that he hated gays. He was just protecting our families. Doing his part. Standing up for family values. Being Biblical. The usual rhetoric.
The contentious issue is a constitutional ammendment to define marriage as "the union of one man and one woman." How anyone feels about this ammendment or the politics of the situation is of little concern to me.
My thought is, if we're going to define something, let's define the word, "Christian."
"Christ-like." That's a good definition. Let's start there. Now, friends, tell me this: If Jesus showed up in bodily form at the summit yesterday, which group would have been at the business end of his preaching? Would he have stood outside and berated the crowd of 200 protestors who supported the GLBT lifestyle? Would he have cursed them for their sexual immorality? For destroying the traditional definition of the family?
Or would he have walked through the doors of Grace Church (which I recall had its own trouble with sexual immorality in the past...) and call those inside a bunch of "whitewashed tombs?" Would he have reminded them of his own instructions about love?
As I read the gospels, I see Jesus embodying love to the "sinners and outcasts." Regardless of which of those categories you think homosexuals fall, you have to agree Jesus was more likely to give a piece of his mind to the religious--the pharisees, teachers of the law, etc. In other words, me. I'm the worst. I'm looking up the moral ladder at the homosexuals because of my arrogance and hypocrisy. They're better than me.
"But don't we have to take a stand, Tim?" At what point do we stand up and decry the evils in our society? Let's go with Paul. He instructs us to judge those INSIDE the Church.. If we're going to have a summit to talk about the degredation of marriage, let's discuss the problems found within our walls. The common statistic is 50% of all marriages end in divorce; and alarmingly, Christians show a significantly higher rate of divorce than atheists/agnostics. Now, there's a problem we should discuss at a summit.
I have a hunch the issue of homosexuality as related to religion will define my generation of gospel ministers. What will we say? Perhaps more importantly, how will we say it? When will we say it? It is my firm conviction the kind of rhetoric currently emerging from the Church about homosexuality will not be ultimately helpful for the forward progression of the gospel.
Posted at 02:39 pm by timkjohnson
Permalink
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
"Jesus Junk" and "Holy Hardware"
Posted at 11:50 am by timkjohnson
Permalink
Friday, November 04, 2005
Alright, all of you education types. Just remember, no matter how difficult teaching is, it could be worse. You could have had this essay turned in by one of your students. Then you would have been left with a terrible dilemma: do I give young Jeremy Lavine from period 3 an A because I laughed myself stupid, or do I give him an F for turning in a ridiculous paper that was mostly made up out of his brain. I, of course, would give him an A+, evidencing once and for all that I don't belong in the public schools. 
Posted at 01:48 pm by timkjohnson
Permalink
|
|
|
Exhibit A:
