PopScoff

I am getting anxious for winter. This video is nutz. Some guys are suckers for punishment

It seems like I have listened to more radio this month than the last 10 years. That is what happens when you are doing renovations and don’t have a CD player or anything to hook your iPod into at the new house.

I just discovered this band through an interview on CJSW this week. I don’t really know much about The Gaslight Anthem, but I do know that I like their sound. As the album title suggests, The ‘59 Sound has a nostalgic feel to it. When I listen to this album, I think of Americana. It reminds me of a childhood vacation where we were driving through the States and I first really heard ‘Born In The USA’. At that moment, I feel, I caught a small glimpse into the American dream.

Since those green days of my youth, the American dream has become tarnished in my mind. Listening to this album has brought me back to those days when dreams and ideals were much more simple.

Even Cowgirls Get The Blues
Listen to Even Cowgirls Get The Blues.

Last Friday night Shar and I spent the evening doing renos on our new place and listening to CJSW. CJSW is a typical university station that plays an eclectic mix that can range from indie rock to country, world music to metal. Friday was night had a great soul show on that played some Al Green for us. Normally, when I think of Al Green I think of Tired of Being Alone or Let’s Stay Together, I am pleased to say that CJSW didn’t play one of those two, but played a more obscure song that left me wanting more. Since then I have listened to Al Green’s The Definitive Greatest Hits a number of times and just can’t get enough.
mp3
Al Green - Here I Am (Come And Take Me)

As the title clearly states, I believe this guy is a tool!

I don’t know how some people get such a big ego, when they are clearly grasping at straws to remain cool. Buddy, your fancy car, high-rise apartment and brand name education can’t hide the fact that you are overcompensating for a shallow existence. Good Luck, you clearly need it!

Here’s an idea. Take a vehicle that is already embarrassing to drive. Add some horrible graphics to it so that everyone can have an accurate pre-judgment of you. Then if you are still worried that they may not fully ‘get’ you, try for a sleeveless shirt and barbed-wire tattoo. If any of you were at COP yesterday and rolled up in this beauty pictured above, I sincerely do not apologize for my pre-judgment.

I found this video to be quite entertaining and well done.

On another note, Sharleen and I went and saw Okkervil River last night at the Central United Church downtown as part of Sled Island Festival. Wow, what a cool night. It started of with some great acts by the Constant C, Racoon and Mother Mother which set a cool mellow vibe in such a unique setting. I have always wanted to attend a concert in a church, and I was not dissapointed. Bands and patrons all found this to be a cool experience.

It was kind of cool at the beginning of Okkervil’s set. We were all seated in our pews, like a good congregation, and a couple people stood up to rock out. Everyone else was not feeling the vibe and someone nicely tapped those people on the back so they would be seated. There was a good set of mixed, upbeat and mellow songs to get the night going. About half way through, Okkervil invited the congregation to rise and the tempo of the music matched. The lights went down and we were in one of the best rock concerts I have been to, in a surreal setting. I wish I had brought my camera along as words hardly describe the setting.

Tomorrow is the Sled Island mainstage with a long line of performers I am really looking forward to.

I feel like Calgary is finally growing up. Sled Island Music Festival is in its second year and there is going to be a great line-up. It seems like Sled Island is the first major non cookie cutter festival to come through town since the days of Infest and Highwood which were more of bohemian festivals in the 90’s which after a couple years failed miserably. I hope Sled Island fares better. Sled Island is more of a SXSW style festival where bands play in venues all over the city.

Next week we will be seeing Okkervil River in a small venue on Thursday and going to the Mainstage Show on Saturday. The Mainstage Show is going to be pretty slick as includes, but is not limited to José Gonzalez, Secret Machines, Drive-by Truckers, Of Montreal and Mogwai. This is a great line-up for this cowboy town, that bands usually fly over or drive by.

I have only started listening to Mogwai. They are one of those names I have always heard, but never given a listen to. The cool thing is that they fit in well with other bands I have been getting to know like Explosions In The Sky and Russian Circles.

Here is an epic 16 minute song from Young Team, their new album. Please enjoy Mogway Fear Satan.

We are finally looking to purchase a house. The Calgary market has hit a bit of a lull, things are cheaper (for Calgary). Anyway, as I got frustrated with the housing prices of this city, I decided to look and see what the cheapest houses in town were. Pictured above is Calgary’s current cheapest single family (non-duplex) home.

Here are some stats
Bedrooms: 1
Bathrooms: 1
Interior Floor Space: 340.14 sqft
Storeys: Bungalow
Built in: 1930
Basement: None
Price: $199,900

Believe it or not, the only house cheaper was a duplex that was around 450 sqft. and it was only $5,000 cheaper. This city is out of control.

I have decided to include the only song on my laptop that seemed appropriate. I will be honest, the title was the clencher for me. (Language Warning)
Elliott Smith: A Distorted Reality Is Now A Necessity To Be Free

Office Worker Goes Absolutely Insane - Watch more free videos

Sometimes you just have to let them know what you are thinking. I love my job, but have definitely felt this in the past. For all of you who know what I mean, you can listen to this song while watching the video. Whether you are into the old punk or not, you have to admit that the Dead Kennedy’s version is the most appropriate.

Hang tight a bit. I am trying to get the fire going here at PopScoff again. I am going to be experimenting with some new things on this site. Some you may notice, some you may not. Any feedback (both ways) is appreciated.

Until I post something real here is Skinny Love by Bon Iver. Accomanied by a photo of me taken by my friend Brad.