Anton's CD recommendation of the week

This week I am going to select one on my all time favorite albums. Neutral Milk Hotel’s “In the Aeroplane Over the Sea.” Every time I rediscover this album I feel the same amount of emotions and excitement as the first time I listened to it. I can’t pinpoint what it is about this album but it will never grow old or sound dated.

This is one of those albums when asked “if you could only listen to one record the rest of your life what would it be?” I would seriously consider “In the Aeroplane Over the Sea” as my answer.

I don’t feel my words or review could do “In the Aeroplane Over the Sea” justice so here is a link to Pitchfork’s review of the album. Pitchfork gave it a 10 of 10 rating which is almost as rare as W. getting a 100% approval rating.

All I ask is that you please give this album a chance. Hate it or love it I’d like to hear your thoughts.

Octoberfest!

It’s time for Oktoberfest beers and man am I excited. I like to think I know a thing or two about beer, I’ve certainly had my share so I’ve set out to find my favorite Oktoberfest. Prosit!

So far I’ve have tried the following.

• Samuel Adams - Octoberfest
• Paulaner - Oktoberfest Marzen Amber
• Flying Dog - Dogtoberfest
• Bell’s - Octoberfest
• Surly - Surlyfest
• Summit - Oktoberfest
• Leinenkugels - Octoberfest
• Granite City - Oktoberfest
• Ayinger - Oktoberfest Märzen
• Spaten - Oktoberfest

My favorite has been Surlyfest, runners up are Spaten, Bell’s and Sam Adams. I’m not a huge fan of Summit’s and Leine’s octoberfests.

Surlyfest according to Surly

This beer is a single hop lager, hopped exclusively with Summit hops. Being a Surly beer, we decided to dry-hop it. Is that a traditional German way to brew it? Nein, but we ain’t in Germany. We aged this beer over 11 weeks to let the flavors mellow into an exceptional taste. We used German malts and Crystal Rye for a unique flavor. Only one batch of this beer was brewed, so go and drink it while you can!

Fleet Foxes at The Cedar

Last Saturday Mary and I headed to the Cedar Cultural Center to spend the evening with the Fleet Foxes. I was pretty excited to see the Fleet Foxes in such an intimate venue. The last show we say there was Ryan Adams which is towards the top of my all time favorite shows. But the Cedar failed me this time around. For some reason they decided not to do seating at this show and it was incredible hot inside the venue.

But as for the Fleet Foxes…amazing. I was a little leery how well their harmonies would come across live but from the first note of the show I was stunned. They started with an acapella tune and their four voices were angelic. The band was very engaging of the audience and asked questions they seemed generally interested in hearing the answers too, like “Do you have a zoo here?” Which ended up with them deciding next time they come to town they want to play the zoo. Every song they played was extremly tight. When the show was over I was reminded why I love music as much as I do.

So in conclusion, I would see the Fleet Foxes again in a heartbeat, but probably not at the Cedar (maybe if they had seating).

Set List

1. Sun Giant
2. Sun It Rises
3. Drops in the River
4. English House
5. White Winter Hymnal
6. Ragged Wood
7. Your Protector
8. Crayon Angels (a cover from late 70s folkie Judee Sill)*
9. Oliver James*
10. Quiet Horses
11. He Doesn’t Know Why
12. Mykonos
13. ENCORE: Tiger Mountain Peasant Song* / Blue Ridge Mountains

*Robin only

The Best season to listen to music is here, fall is upon us.

I don’t know what it is about fall but there’s something that just makes the music mean more. The cool crisp air, the leaves changing color, my twin’s sweatshirt, a glass of cider and my favorite fall albums.

In the spirit of one of my favorite movies “High Fidelity” I thought it would be fun to do a Top 5 list. So here it is.

Top 5 Albums to listen to in the fall.

5. Bob Dylan - The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan

Although this is not my favorite Dylan album something about it just clicks with autumn. It’s starts with a couple of Dylan classics “Blowin’ in the Wind” and “Girl From the North County”. I suggest you grab your guy/gal and put this album on, reenact the album cover and grab some coffee.

4. Sea Wolf - Leaves in the River

Wow, Even the name sounds like fall. When I listen to “Leaves in the River” I fell like I should have on a sweater made of yak hair and wonder somewhere in Eastern Europe. Come on and wonder with me.

3. Wilco - Being There

I challenge anyone to find a better fall band than Wilco. I picked “Being There” for a couple of reasons, first it’s my favorite Wilco album and second it’s a two disc album. More bang for the buck. Put “Being There” on and trace your hand and then make a turkey out of it.

2. Okkervil River - Black Sheep Boy

When I think about it there really isn’t a bad season to listen to this album. The energy and passion in this album is amazing. The power of Okkervil River could allow you to go outside in November without a jacket for at least 7 minutes. “Black Sheep Boy” might even make my top 10 albums of all time.

1. Ryan Adams - Heartbreaker

This is it, the big number 1. “Heartbreaker” is so fall I bet you that Ryan wrote this in the middle of an apple orchard sitting in a pile of leaves, while it lightly drizzled on his Halloween costume. ‘Heartbreaker” will make you shake your hips, hug your girl and wipe some tears. Buy it and love it!

331, Blingo and Raleighs Texas Tacos. My Tuesday love affair.

The 331 Club in NE is officially my new favorite hang out spot. It’s got that loveable NE feel to it and all that one could ever want in a social spot. Let me break it down…

Tuesday night is officially BLINGO night at the 331. What is BLINGO you ask? Well imagine if your local bingo hall was on Yo’ Pimp my Ride and you get BLINGO. Six fun filled (free) rounds of Bingo with some cool prices. Never played bingo to rap music? Well, here’s your chance! Ellie your host plays a fun mix of new and old rap tunes while calling numbers. Prizes include Shots, T-shirts, Salon gift card, tacos and a $25 bar tab plus the golden chalice. “Wait…Did you just say tacos?” Well heck yes I did! On Tuesday’s the 331 brings in Raleigh’s Texas Tacos to cater BLINGO. We were blown away by both the tacos and the burritos. Oh, and the home made chips and salsa! These delicious little wraps of goodness are all we’ve been thinking about! You may say, “Boy I really wish I had a delicious margarita to wash these tacos down.” Well you’re in luck because Tuesday is $2.50 margarita day- uh…yeah. The margaritas are tasty and strong and they put just a splash of Sprite in them to give them some fizz.

So, if you’re ever wondering where the Plaisted’s are on Tuesday night, you’re obviously not hanging with us at the 331.