the debate that rages inside

So for the longest time now I have been trying to live by the rule "less is more". I take pride in the fact that I can pretty much pack everything I need in the car and move without the help of friends (tricky with the mattress, I do need friends). 20+ moves in less than 10 years might do that to you.

So with this latest move I got rid of my computer desk, it was pretty small really, not the kind of thing that was useful to me and now my computer is sitting on the one thing that hasn't moved with me in 4 years, my storage bins full of cds...

iTunes and the other online stores have certainly made the case for eliminating all the cases compelling... I've been a fan of iTunes since 2004, before I even got an iPod. But since then I am usually still content to buy a physical cd in the $10-$13 range, and usually only resort to iTunes when I have been let down by Best Buys distribution system that doesn't make sense to me; why would you not have a Sub Pop release on the day it comes out when Borders does?

So the question I am asking myself is, when do I fully convert to mp3s and liberate myself of all this plastic sitting in boxes, untouched for the most part after they have been ripped to the computer? Am I only hanging on for the booklet with lyrics? Unlike the LP format diehards, I don't really care if the album art is 10 feet tall or cd size. But with the digital release, I don't seem to get that unless I've been missing something.. I know I can put the lyrics in after they've been ripped, but hey, I still bought a product; someone should do it for me.

If I abandon them, I abandon a collection. Then what am I? Free? Collection-less?

What are you doing? Anyone out there fully make the switch? No cds in your house/apt to speak of? Is there any real reason to hold on to old cds if you have them on your harddrive and you never look at them, not to mention listen to them?

Summer Listening: The Little Ones

Today was such a great day to live in the Northwest! Mt. Rainier stood proud and tall in the distance, crystal clear from where I was, watching over those fortunate enough to steer clear from work and enjoy the weather. On a day like this, you have to have the perfect music to keep the foot tapping and the head boppin' as the breeze pours in through the car windows!

Cue the Little Ones! After taking a break for a few years, veterans of rock Edward Reyes & Ian Moreno joined together once more in 2006 after their previous band Sunday's Best disbanded. The summer of 2002 saw the release of Sunday's Best The Californian, the 2nd and last full length release and a great addition to their catalog of rockin' tunes. Both albums were released on Polyvinyl Records (Headlights, of Montreal).

Last summer, the Little Ones released Sing Song, a sweet ep full of energy and catchy guitar. This spring the Little Ones were back at it with a second ep Terry Tales & Fallen Gates, a six song soundtrack for summer. Together with a few other b-sides released here and there (the original Sing Song has since been re-released with an extra track), we've basically got an albums worth to enjoy!

If you're looking for something upbeat that'll keep ya shakin' and a movin', head to iTunes or eMusic and treat yourself to something great! Even more fun, Jesse LeDoux, the same artist who has done work for the Shins, Bear Colony, Limbeck & more, lends his talent to a few singles and concert posters that I just have to get for my collection. Don't let another summer day pass without the Little Ones!

Check out some more songs on MySpace.

Live the Life: It Sounds Better in Spanish

Picked up the latest Coldplay yesterday. I remember first hearing Coldplay's Parachutes back at school, when those guitar pieces in "Shiver" & "Don't Panic" opening the album just really got into you like some kind of addictive virus you don't want out of you, but you crave more and more and wonder why the songs have to be so short... For me, that's a perfect example of how an album should start!

A few albums later we have Viva la Vida, which every time I hear or say the name I think of Chris Martin "Livin la Vida Loca" in those yacht-owner pants he wears. Anyways. My brief analysis after 2 listens: It's good, not as good as I hoped. The first half isn't as appealing as the second half but even then, that half sounds like they tried real hard. "Strawberry Swing" had me thinking of "Strawberry Fields" even before it got going, and though the two sound nothing alike, I kept thinking this was Coldplay trying to write their bridge to their "Sgt. Pepper".

There's a lot of open songs, jamming or instrumental or I don't know what they really qualify as. I'm not the biggest fan of this on any cd, live...eh whatever so long as it's not 15 minutes. I think they did this for Mr. Martin so he can jump around a lot on stage like he likes to do. Maybe that's why he hurt his knee during practice this week...otherwise how do you do injure yourself in band practice?

Overall, if you like Coldplay, get it, I think you'll enjoy it; and it's on sale this week so might as well- $10 at Target. Discussing Coldplay with my friend, he thinks they've peaked (hasn't heard the latest one) and I agree. From Parachutes to Viva la Vida, Coldplay has the ability to write a few songs that are absolutely great, but the rest of the album always leaves me wondering what happened with the rest of the songs...

The album art is pretty unimpressive. The cover is about the only salvageable part of what looks like the Joker and his cronies came through and painted over in that art gallery that one time.

Anyone out there say otherwise?? Do tell...

6 in 10.

Fleet Foxes

Fleet Foxes self-titled debut album Fleet Foxes was released last Thursday on SubPop records. Following quickly on the heels of their ep Sun Giant, Fleet Foxes is to me, a more solid and fluid album than the ep. Now don't get me wrong, you should be on your way to owning both as soon as possible, but the ep sounds like a pre-release set of b-sides that for the most part wouldn't make sense on the album.

I was already planning a trip to Victoria last weekend, and anticipating the drive along the edge of Olympic National Forest I wanted to get the album for the roadtrip. The mood of the album was fitting as the skies darkened and the rain fell along the 101, deep woods to the left, the frigid Puget Sound to the right, which Fleet Foxes call home. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect atmosphere and another passenger mentioned the same thing.

I'm not very good at being critical of a band in words. My endorsement to you comes in the mere fact that I am taking the time to tell you about them. I can tell you it's been the only cd I've been playing since I picked it up last Thursday.

Folksy? A touch of classic rock? New Hippies? Dunno. Get yourself over to their myspace for a sample. Both releases are on vinyl for those of you who collect, but I believe the ep is only available in vinyl when you buy the album (combo pack). Check it out on SubPop's store.

What say you? Anyone else heard the mellow sounds of Fleet Foxes?

ps. Here is me bragging: I swear I should be a talent scout for SubPop. Twice now I've raved to friends about a band that was eventually picked up by SubPop, the first being Band of Horses.

9 in 10

Ya Do it to Yourself

I hadn't heard that Radiohead's videos would be released with the non-band-picked greatest hits album this week, so I picked it up while it was on sale for $14.99 at Best Buy (please don't tell me where you found it cheaper...). I haven't watched it yet, but have planned a viewing party with a friend on Tuesday. Nothing extreme, if only they had branded some snacks in all these years so we could watch their videography while eating Radiohead Creepies or Myxomatosis Party Mix (similar to chex mix).

I was a late comer to the Radiohead band wagon. Heard and liked "Creep" at the time of it's release. I remember wanting to get some of their music after hearing "Fake Plastic Trees" in Clueless (HAHA). So I got the Bends, and enjoyed it. I worked at the movie theater and always would walk in early to catch the last few minutes of Romeo & Juliet so I could hear "Talk Show Host". In 1999 I finally heard Pablo Honey and was obsessed with it and OK Computer for a few months of non-stop Radiohead. From there on I was a release week fan!

Created a new survey to the right.

Anyone else pick it up this week or planning to? Thoughts, complaints or accolades on the releases? When did you first here them, begin listening?