2009 nut shell

Thought I would highlight some music and literature that inspired me this year, hoping to spark some conversation with you fellows.

Music:
It was a pretty good year for music, some good solid releases.
Here is some of my favorites in no particular order other then how they come to me right now.

Russian Circles - Geneva (and Station)
I had heard of them before from listening to both Mogwai and Pelican, but I finaly gave these guys a good hard listen and they blew my mind. The dynamics held within this record are astounding. From the cobweb-whispering-ambient quiet to the chainsaw-on-concrete screaming loud, this album has it all. Instrumental music has always spoke to me in a way nothing else ever has, I feel like maybe because it transcends language and goes straight for expression. The way the guitar is used as both a lead instrument and as a melodic device is something I have always enjoyed experimenting with myself in my own guitar playing.

Isis - Wavering Radiant
What can I say that you guys already don't know, this album is a power house from start to finish. From the chugged guest intro by Adam Jones to the Celestial alluding riff and EPIC climax of Threshold of Transformation this album is breathtaking. I'm stunned, still.

Mastodon - Crack the Skye
This album also similiar to above. The concept as whole sort of fell apart for me, and this album turned into me listening to these songs individually apart from the whole and still being amazing. None of these songs are subpar in anyway just don't quite flow for me. Shrug.

Baroness - Red and Blue
I'm still getting my ears around these new metal fellows. I'm quite into them, they need to sink in some more.

Shrinebuilder
These guys are the pinnicle of stoner/doom metal. Absolute apex of it and it ate me whole.

Zu - Carboniferous
I still go back to this album when I feel the need for...something I can't quite put my finger on.
But its there for it and it does it wonderfully.

Them Crooked Vultures
This album, wowsers. Perfect distillation of scummy blues rock. Bass grooves for miles and drum tracks that churn. Josh Hommes filthy guitars are the perfect layer of pond growth to sit on top of this mix of amazing.

Dead Weather
I enjoyed this album quite a bit, don't listen to it much anymore, expect the last song, which is very different then the rest.

Some other new stuff I liked... Fever Ray, Bat for Lashes, Regina Spektor, Hildur Gudnadottir, Black Moth Super Rainbow, Bibio, Clark, Black Math Horseman... I'm sure I am forgetting things...

Not new stuff... Eric Clapton, Melvins, Tool (all over again), BB King, Mono, This Will Destroy You, Boris, older Isis.

Stuff
This year being my first year out of school since I was 4 I read ALOT of books (at my own pace).
Things I enjoyed...

Kafka on the Shore
Wind Up Bird Chronicles
Hard Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World
Seed to Harvest
House of Leaves
The Lovely Bones
Jitterbug Perfume
Skinny Legs and All

I am enjoying reading all over again...

Guitar/Art
Played a lot of guitar (not as much as I wanted to) but learned a lot.
Tried out some new tunings and got some fun new pedals for making ambient sound scapes with just the guitar. When I feel like I have a working sample, I'll send some to you guys.
I'm playing with names... how do you feel about these...
-Broken Ox/Leather Ox
-Solandra (variaty of Nightshade)
-Funeral Mute
-Orange Thorn/Devil Thorn
-Widower
-JR
-Tentacle
-Urushiol (the toxin in poison oak that makes you itch)


I did not draw nearly as much as I should have, but 2010 is going to be my creative explosion.

How are you guys?