Total loss of restraint

When I used to buy CDs, I would only ever buy one at a time. I needed time to play through the entire album, really get to know it, choose my favorite tracks, learn some lyrics. Then, once I felt the album and I had reached a certain relationship level, I would allow myself to go buy another CD. (Man, I hope that's not an allegory for my love life.)

I don't know why, but I don't have the same purchasing restraint with downloadable albums. I go on sprees, almost always buying multiple albums at the same time. (Usually when I get those $5 album emails from Amazon. It's creepy how well the people at Amazon know me.)

The last few weeks, I have acquired, either from a friend or from Amazon, 4 new (to me) albums. It will take me weeks to appreciate it all. (And I'm looking forward to it like it's like Christmas!)


Two Door Cinema Club, Tourist History

I really dislike local news shows. So, if I'm up before 6 am, I catch the weather, and then immediately change the channel to VH1 for the music videos. It's mostly top 40 stuff, but better than local gardening tips and 1 year old birthday shout outs. Lately, they have been playing Two Door Cinema Club's video for "What You Know", so keep an ear out.

Here's another track I'm liking a lot on first listen:
"This Is The Life"



Cake, Showroom of Compassion

This was my Valentine's Day gift to myself. I'm really loving the song "Long Time." It's quintessential Cake, a deceivingly boppy tune with dark lyrics about two lovers living together in eternity after committing suicide.

I also like this one, a little less typical Cake and a little more grit:
"Federal Funding"



The Decemberists, The King is Dead

I waited awhile to buy this one, and now I don't know why. It's turning out to be a good album. My friend CV sold me on the song "January Hymn." It's beautiful.

In honor of this unseasonably warm Midwest weather:
"June Hymn"



Fitz & The Tantrums, Pickin' Up the Pieces

My sister introduced me to Fitz & The Tantrums. I think they have a similar style to Scissor Sisters (a great thing in my book). She's already posted "MoneyGrabber" on her blog, one of my favorites.

As a nod to the politics going on in my home state:
"Dear Mr. President"

Rolling in the Deep

I loved Adele's first abum, 19.
My favorite track from that album:

"Best for Last"



Her second album, 21, is to be released in the United States on February 22. Since I can't stop listening to her single, "Rolling in the Deep", I can't wait to hear the rest.

Cheesehead, Baby

As I've said before, I have a strangely intense loyalty to the state of Wisconsin. And that loyalty, of course, extends to the Green Bay Packers. It's a ton of fun to be a Packer fan any time. Obviously, it was even more fun to be a Packer fan yesterday evening. I love the excitement of the game, but just as much, I love the relaxed camaraderie being enjoyed with salty snack foods and beer.

It would have been amazing to be a Packer fan in my home town just a hop, skip, and a jump from GB. Instead, I had to do the next best thing, celebrate in Iowa surrounded by other enthusiastic fans of the green and gold.

This was my first chance to entertain in my Iowa City digs, and I had a great time planning for the party.

First. The essentials:

No non-Wisco beer allowed.
Only wish I could have had a little New Glarus imported for the day.

And Kaukauna cheese, of course.

A nod to Iowa:

BBQ pulled pork sandwiches.
Cooked for the first 4 hours in rootbeer. Yum!

More beverages and snacks:

Given food and beer help, but people make the party!

And to end, a blast from my early high school past. 
CWA from the last time the Packers brought the title back to Titletown.