I am starting an mp3 blog here:

TAKE BACK THE RADIO

Through some strange turn of events I am unable to forward www.turnofftheradio.com to alanparish.blogspot.com. I own the domain, but I do not have control over it. Makes absolutely no sense to me, something about registrars, etc. I don't have time to figure it out right now.

Over the past few days I have been scouring blogs contstantly for unreleased and rare music. I have been amazed at what I have found, reading at least 50 mp3 blogs with significant content. (Go to www.blogger.com and just do a search for whatever you want to download for free.) I am definitely against sharing full albums, but I do think sharing individual songs helps the artist. So maybe I will turn this into an mp3 blog, since it really has no purpose otherwise.

My first songs ever are from the band Fair, fronted by Aaron Sprinkle, formerly of Poor Old Lu and Rose Blossom Punch. Their debut album will be released this summer on Tooth & Nail, and they recently put their first two songs on their Myspace site. So you can stream these two songs there, but if you want actually mp3s of the two Fair songs, here you go:

Carelessness

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In other news, I recently attended my first NBA game. I love the NBA, but somehow it was the only major professional sport I had never witnessed in person. I have been to 7 or 8 NFL games, 5 or 6 MLB games, and 1 NHL game.

Being a Pistons fan, I was especially excited to see them this year, they almost never lose. Well, of course, I get to witness one of those rare losses. They are now 40-8, and I saw loss #8, against the Hawks. It was still fun, but man. Here is the last picture I took before Joe Johnson hit the game winner for Atlanta:



















Just found out four of the Pistons starters made the All-Star game- it's about time! Too bad for Tayshaun Prince though, especially since he has led the Pistons in scoring the last two games.

Listening to: Mates of State- Bring it Back

Best of 2005

Turn Off the Radio's Top Albums of 2005:
1. Eisley- Room Noises
2. Sufjan Stevens- Illinois
3. Thrice- Vheissu
4. Luxury- Health & Sport
5. Starflyer 59- Talking Voice vs. Singing Voice
6. Over the Rhine- Drunkard's Prayer
7. Fiona Apple- Extraordinary Machine
8. The New Pornographers- Twin Cinema
9. Rosie Thomas- If Songs Could Be Held
10. Death Cab for Cutie- Plans
11. Coldplay- X & Y
12. Nada Surf- The Weight is a Gift

Updated wantlist:

Big item:
Record player/Turntable

Random:
256 MB of RAM (or 512 MB or 1 GB) for our Dell Dimension 2400 Desktop computer

CDs:
Blindside- The Great Depression
The Juliana Theory- Deadbeat Sweet Heartbeat
Demon Hunter- The Triptych

European import CDs:
The Spirit That Guides Us- North and South

DVDs: (Widescreen only)
Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith
Donnie Darko (original version, NOT Director’s Cut)
Spiderman 2

Music DVDs:
Thrice- If You Could Only See Us Now
Blindside- 10 Years Running Blind
Beloved- Kiss It Goodbye

And I could always use new dress shirts (size 16 1/2, 36/37) and ties

Listening to: Tess Wiley- 'Same Old Way Out'

Once again it has been forever since I have posted. I still don't have a true purpose for this site, although someday I will, so I just renewed my domain through Yahoo for the incredibly cheap price of $2.99 a year. Middle school cross country season is almost over and my team has had incredible year bringing in a total of 5 team trophies. Swim season will begin soon. Teaching and coaching is a crazy busy time, but I love it.

Sports:
The Pistons had their first preseason game of the year, I can't believe it's already time for the NBA again. The Redskins are 3-1 and legitimately good. They barely won their first 3 games, and barely lost the last one. 10-6 is my personal goal for them and within reach. I wish Patrick was playing, but Brunell is doing great. I have to admit I doubted when Joe Gibbs made the switch. I can't wait to watch them play the Cheifs this Sunday. I also have two co-workers who are Redskins fan, it has been a long time since I have even had a single friend who liked Washington.

Auburn is playing great since thier inexplicable opening day loss to now 3-2 GT. Their competition has been weak, but they have pummelled everyone. They should do the same to Arkansas this week, then they have a real test at LSU. They will play two other top 10 teams this year, and if they can win all those game, they will be the best team in the SEC. Winning 2 of 3 is more likely, and will still give them a great season. I have been very impressed with Brandon Cox.

Music:
Big news all around Northern Records: First of all, I am somewhat embarassed to admit I am currently listening to the new Kevin Max record. I hate everything thing remotely related to DC Talk, but his new album is produced by Andy Prickett and has other contributors such as Frank Lenz, Chris Colbert, Holly Nelson, Jason Martin, and Aaron Sterling. The album is currently streaming for free, and the rock songs are great. I won't buy it as I lack funds, but it is solid.

Also recently the Northern Records message board has been full of news surrounding a possible new Cush LP. Line-up would be Andy Prickett on guitar, Eric Campuzano on bass, Doug Moss on keyboards and guitar, and Frank Lenz & Wayne Everett on drums. Right now Andy has been polling the fans to find a lead singer. Mike Knott is out, and right now the leading candidates are Jyro Xhan, Tim Taber, and Mike Roe. Needless to say, I am thrilled. Then also this week Northern released the new Luxury album- 'Health & Sport.' It is their first album in six years. I can't wait to hear it, but unfortunately I can't order it for another week.

I pretty much buy an album per month now. Last month's was Nada Surf- 'The Weight is a Gift.' It is a solid pop-rock album, but definitely not as good as the amazing 'Let Go.' August's album was Death Cab for Cutie- 'Plans.' It is solid, but a bit of a letdown honestly. I find it a little overproduced and redundant. I prefer 'Transatlanticism' and 'The Photo Album.' Like I said, October's album is Luxury- 'Health & Sport.' I am also very excited about the new Thrice album 'Vheissu' which will be released on October 18. It will have to be my November purchase.

Movies:
There are two new films debuting this week that I am thrilled about. First of all the new Cameron Crowe film 'Elizabethtown' starring Kirsten Dunst and Orlando Bloom. Also I can't wait to see 'Domino' (Harvey) starring Keira Knightly. Then releasing on DVD next Tuesday is my favorite movie of 2005, 'Batman Begins.'

There is a nice update, longer than I have written in forever. :) Sorry for no links, but they take too much time. That's what Google is for.

Listening to: Kevin Max- The Imposter

Teaching and coaching is underway, and I am extremely busy, but I love it. The new Death Cab for Cutie album will be released on Tuesday, I have heard it, and it is amazing. If you pre-order it from Amazon you can stream the album for free.
Other notable albums being released soon:
Nada Surf- The Weight is a Gift (Sept. 13)
The Juliana Theory- Deadbeat Sweetheartbeat (Sept. 13)
Luxury- Health & Sport (September)
Jimmy Eat World- Stay on My Side Tonight EP (Sept. 6)
Thrice- Vheissu (Oct. 18)
Elliott- Photorecording (Sept. 13)

Listening to: Death Cab for Cutie- 'Plans'

I uploaded a bunch of the pictures I took at the Eisley/Lovedrug/Pilotdrift show, you can find them all here.

Here are a couple for your immediate viewing pleasure:





























Listening to: Morella's Forest- From Dayton With Love

I have been on vacation for almost two weeks, so sorry for the lack of posts. A bad time to not be posting as well, as my blog was recently featured in the Tennessean newspaper on July 5 about blogs in Williamson County, TN. I don't know how many people visited my site, but I am sure they were disappointed with the lack of content.

I have had plenty to write about as well, just no time, and no internet access. I began my vacation seeing Eisley and Lovedrug in Atlanta on July 1 at Smith's Olde Bar. Great experience, amazing show. I have a lot I could write about it, I will if I have time. The concert ended about 2 a.m. EST and straight from there my wife and I drove to my aunt and uncle's lake house in Alabama and we arrived around 4 a.m. CST. Amazingly I never became tired. At the lake house we had a great time with my extended family and did lots of water skiing and tubing. We returned to Franklin on the 4th, and then on the 6th flew to Pittsburgh to see my inlaws. We had a fun time there as well with my wife's parents, sister, and our nephew. We attended a Pirates game in which they beat the Phillies 2-1 on a two run home run that landed about 10 feet from our seats. This is a VERY short summary of our travels, but you get the picture.

Here are two pictures from the concert in Atlanta, the first of Lovedrug and the second of Eisley.


































Listening to: Sufjan Stevens- A Sun Came

Game 7!!! Pistons won for the first time in San Antonio since 1997, and became the first road team down 3-2 ever to win an NBA Finals game. Plus this is the first NBA Finals game 7 since 1994, should be fun.



In other news, Billy Corgan has announced plans to "renew and revive" The Smashing Pumpkins. I don't have a clue what this means, but I am hoping that means James Iha and D'Arcy are involved (no doubt that Jimmy Chamberlain will be drumming). Interesting announcement to make the day you release a solo album.

(Listening to: )

CDs coming out in the second half of 2005 that I am excited about:
Billy Corgan- The Future Embrace (June 21)
Veda- The Weight of An Empty Room (July 26)
Astronaut Pushers- EP (July)
Luxury- Health & Sport (August)
Nada Surf- The Weight Is a Gift (September)
Death Cab for Cutie- Plans (September)
The Juliana Theory- Deadbeat Sweet Heartbeat (November)

The Pistons look terrible, the first two NBA Finals games were embarrassing in more ways than one. Tonight maybe they’ll redeem themselves.

I LOVE PINBACK.

(Listening to: )