One last thing

I'm getting very nostalgic at the moment. (what else is new?)

I'm going to reflect one more time about this year.
good things happened.
bad things happened.

I attended Coachella for the first time (finally, after waiting forever), and that was an incredible weekend, musically. The location at that time of year is perfect for such a festival. I miss you all the time, Coachella. See you in 2009.

I attended Beirut at the Wiltern. It was wonderful. Being in the front row didn't hurt, either.

Outside Lands Festival in San Francisco. I saw Radiohead, Beck, The Black Keys, among others. Awesome.

Chicago. I love you. Mostly because you remind me of Sufjan Stevens, but I still love you nonetheless. Oh, and maybe because I want to attend school there. The midwest in general is an interesting place that I'd like to see more of. I miss you too, Indiana.

I met some interesting people this year. I am thankful. Friendships were strengthened, and new friendships began. Some people decided to move away, but distance is not something new in my life, so I deal with that as best as I can I guess.

Thanks 2008. It's in the books. I like a lot of you, 2008, but I dislike some of you, too.

Until next year,

Gabby.

Latha, yes. Helvetica, no.

The above banner you see in the blog title space says it all.
"avant noise. new and improved in 2009" in latha font.

I have goals for the new year regarding this blog. I want to write more reviews, and really keep up with everything. I want to be more focused on this, and on all things music/art/life/etc.

Expect things. Or not.

Misc.

I had a few chuckles when I saw this.

2008, you are coming to a close. It's been real. It's been fun. All things considered, you were a decent year. I expect 2009 to be better than you, though (sorry). Hopefully, 2009 will live up to my standards (no pressure).

I feel like I sound like Carles while I write this, except I like to write words correctly. Who's Carles, truly?

This makes no sense, but it does.

edit:
I just noticed how Seinfeld/Crystal Castles very much ties into 2008, and the future (2009).

Take a bow to the old.
A new age is upon us.

Miroir Noir

Arcade Fire are releasing a documentary entitled Miroir Noir, a Neon Bible Archive. It was filmed by the one and only Vincent Moon (la blogotheque).

I'm thinking that those Arcade Fire La Blogotheque videos from 2007 are a part of the documentary...I suppose we'll find out soon enough.

You can purchase and download the documentary from http://www.miroir-noir.com/. If you want a physical copy, however, you can pre-order it.

That is all I have to report at the moment.
My love for Arcade Fire never died.

Review: That Ghost- Young Fridays

If you've been reading this blog at all, you might have noticed that I am a big supporter of Ryan Schmale's music. Perhaps he is better known to you under his alias, That Ghost. He released his fourth full-length this October, however it is his first full-length release since being signed to Two Syllable Records this summer.

I was already familiar with about one third of the album prior to its release, although it was still wonderful to hear those songs on the record. Even though now signed to a label, do not for a second think that the honesty of That Ghost is gone. The music remains true, and still harbors that wonderful lo-fi and warm sound.

The track "I Can't Help It and I Can't Stop It" really surprised me, but in a positive way. It starts off with pounding drums, and then vocals and rolling guitar kick in simultaneously. "You think too much, so you give up." That line is always replaying in my head. This song has attitude, and contrasts with some of the more mellow tracks on the album.

"A Song About A Bird I Know" is so pretty and sweet. "Fly little one, little one. Fly away. Run, little one, little one. Run away. Tall, tall grass and the high white fences. Through the green, green grass and the broken fences." I love this song. It almost has a sort of lullaby quality to it. Beautiful.

Of course, older tracks like the memorable "Open Windows", dance-rock worthy (but not that typical dance-rock stuff, you know? More like, "this has more of a rock feel to it, and I could dance to this if I wanted to" type thing...) "I Crossed Out The Options" and the mellow/wonderful/nostalgic "Bedside" remain favorites.

According to Two Syllable Records, Young Fridays charted on the CMJ Top 200 at #98, which is rather impressive for an album that was released a mere two months ago.

I found my copy of 2007's Winds From Westward, still in it's awesome paper diy packaging. I honestly love it. In comparison with Young Fridays, I'd say Winds From Westward is my favorite. However, I encourage you all to purchase Young Fridays. It's perfect for winter.

I've been saying it, and I'll gladly say it again-- You will be seeing a lot more of That Ghost in the near future.

Young Fridays can be purchased for $11.99 through That Ghost's myspace.

Good tidings.

A belated Christmas wish from Chris Garneau.
"It's Almost Christmas"

enjoy.

I received That Ghost's newest release, Young Fridays, in the mail today. It's interesting how this same day last year, I received one of his albums in the mail. That was a good day. But rather than plunging into that deep pool of nostalgia, I'll go and listen to the album, tell Ryan what I thought of it, and then I'll tell you all what I thought of it.

myspace.com/thatghost

All good things,
Gabby

Literature

I acquired a few books this Christmas, and I am quite glad about that. I still have a few more to purchase, however. By a few, I mean a lot. Some books have been on my list for over a year.

Read books.
That's all.