Ben Exhale + Alcohol = Amazing Music Insight

SOBER POST: Pia Fraus

2008-09-08T09:58:00.000-07:00

Ignore the fact i haven't posted since June. If you're a shoegaze fan, get this album. It'll remind you of some old school chill Slowdive. I'm going to go ahead and say Pia Fraus is the best band to come out of Estonia. Ever. Sure this is only the Estonian band i've heard, but it doesn't change how i feel. After Summer is the album. It just came out in May.

People link to bands' MySpaces these days, right? Well, here is theirs.

Also, check out this swelling tide of funness of a blog.

LISTEN TO IT. TRUST ME.

2008-06-04T00:44:00.000-07:00

So you drank too much tonight? Me too.

You and your roommate danced until the place closed? Me too.

You're a bit sweaty, but very satisfied partially because you had drunk pizza while watching the Man U season highlights show? Me too.

Good news! We both can enjoy a great nights sleep, by both drinking a lot a water and listening to Aphex Twin's Selected Ambient Works 85-92. Not only will you fall asleep dreaming of happy thoughts, but curiously enough the very same Richard James you've come to fear from videos such as Windowlicker and Come to Daddy will aid you. (Look at me, i can do links while intoxicated...)

Seriously, though, I've fallen asleep to this album so much it might blow your mind how many times i've both consciously and subconsciously listened to it.

YOU'RE MIND MAY HAVE JUST BEEN BLOWN. LISTEN TO APHEX TWIN. DRUKQS MIGHT BE THE GREATEST ALBUM OF ALL TIME.

FYI, "Ageispolis" is the jam.

Infinity's not as fast as me.

2008-04-10T22:06:00.000-07:00

Look. Just get it. It's good. Think rawer Bloc Party and not lame. That's what These New Puritans sounds like.

You know it sucks when they have a new album come out because everyone's going to be like, "Have you heard the new These New Puritans album?" and you're going to be like, "What the fuck are you talking about?" and they'll be like, "The new These New Puritans! It's good!" and then your friend punches you in the face, and you've got a bloody nose, and you're pissed at me when i warned you what the deal was.

DON'T ASK STUPID QUESTIONS.

THESE NEW PURITANS. ALBUM IS CALLED Beat Pyramid. Buy it, then thank me later for telling you about such a kick ass album.

::Edit:: What's your favorite number? What does it mean? Every number has a meaning.

VH1 Classics = BEST CABLE CHANNEL EVER

2008-03-28T22:06:00.000-07:00

(Post brought to you by an undetermined amount of Stella.)

Classic Albums show = THE STUFF OF LEGEND

Seriously, i've watched shows about albums i've never even heard all the way through before. Deep Purple? I know 30 seconds of one Deep Purple song. THAT'S IT. Yet i still watched an hour long deal on whatever album "Smoke on the Water" appeared on. Iron Maiden's Number of the Beast. AWESOME. Gavin's DVR thing is official set to record all of those shows.

Totally 80's = FUCKING AWESOME CHEESY 80'S MUSIC VIDEOS

There's something about how bad 80's music videos are that makes them so much more endearing. I could watch them all day.

There's more shows i can't remember.... but SERIOUSLY. CLASSIC ALBUMS = THE SHIT. Maybe the best show on TV.

Close call

2008-03-11T18:28:00.000-07:00

So about a month ago, a crackhead tried to steal my radio. He failed. Panda Bear was stuck blasting playing on repeat with the inability to eject or skip tracks.

Fast forward a week or two and my car is getting fixed, but somehow through the battery being changed the station gets stuck on a pop country station. No Panda Bear. Just pop country.

I HAD TO LISTEN TO ALMOST 5 POP COUNTRY SONGS. IT WAS A HARROWING EXPERIENCE.

I survived, however, and my fear of liking pop country proved to be stupid as pop country is a horrible.

P.S. - My CD player works now, and currently Nico is in it.

SOBER POST: .....i've now listened to it approx. 8 times

2008-03-10T13:43:00.000-07:00

and i have to say...... it's everything i wanted it to be, even though i didn't know what it was exactly that i wanted. This album has fulfilled the expectations i didn't even realize i had.

SOBER POST: Pop Song Charts

2008-03-03T11:49:00.000-08:00

I can't stop laughing.... this puts my Venn diagram in my banner to shame.

Check out this post at Stereogum.

More here.

FAVORITE.

WHOA. FUCk.

2008-03-01T18:44:00.000-08:00

So. I've been drinking. ALOT. The guy at 6 feet under gave me a lot to drink.

Look. Here's the deal. Incunabula is the rawest, realist, Autechre record EVER. GET IT. IT"S AMAZING.

Lykke Li makes me want to do thing i'd regret doing later.

That's all i got.

PANDA BEAR, BURIAL.

I went on a record shopping spree, and i'm currently bidding on about 20 records and CD's on eBay

2008-02-26T18:45:00.001-08:00

Lot of Autechre, Ride, Plaid, new Magnetic Fields, Orbital, Squarepusher, Brothomstates, Jega, LOTS OF PLAID, Jackson and his Computer Band, lots of Squarepusher, some other stuff...... more later. The fucking Thrashers..... breaking my heart. I'm going to bed.

EURO-POP

2008-02-23T20:28:00.001-08:00

Drunk. Brought to you by... about 5 Stella's, some jager, some patron (i feel like i'm missing an accent), and some Coors....

I got my Lykke Li records from Sweden! Really pumped about it. I almost ruined them, but i didn't. Just so you know.....

AUTECHRE.

What else? Oh yeah! Lykke Li is playing SXSW. And you know what?! I'm considering spending way too much money to see her, because i love her that much. I'm not actually going to do it, but i'm considering it......

Róisín Murphy. Hot. Irish. Redhead. Good singer. That's all you need to know.

I'M IN MY EURO-POP PHASE JUST SO EVERYONE KNOWS.

NEW KYLIE IS AMAZING. "X". GET IT.

This might be a lot of Panda Bear....

2008-02-13T22:11:00.000-08:00

This post is brought to you by two 16 oz. Coors (with Frost Brew Liner) on an empty stomach.

SO FUNNY STORY. My car broken got into the other night. Motherfucker didn't get anything but half a pack of cigarettes and my lighter. He TRIED to steal by CD player, but thankfully, i have a bad ass CD player, and it's virtually unstealable. Anyways, the only thing was he tried to rip off the face plate, so now i can't use any of the buttons to change anything.

Here's the best/super hilarious part.... So at the time of the attempted stealing of my CD player Panda Bear's Person Pitch was in the CD player, and the volume was REALLY loud, because i was rocking out when i had come home from work on Monday night. Well, now i have Person Pitch playing on repeat, with no ability to eject the CD, change the track, or turn the volume down. I will be blasting Panda Bear for................ who knows how long....... it's like a sitcom, except happening to me in real life.

Good thing i'm really into Panda Bear right now, or i'd be REALLY FUCKING PISSED, YOU CRACKHEAD ASSHOLE.

SOBER POST: This Week's Last.fm Chart Analysis/I'm bored and need something to do

2008-02-11T11:51:00.000-08:00

Panda Bear - 94 listens
I recently purchased Person Pitch on CD, and it's been in heavy rotation. The heaviest even above Lykke Li. That's surprising... and Person Pitch has only 7 tracks, so wow...

Lykke Li - 76 listens
Nothing needs to be said that hasn't been said already. (see last 3 posts)

Prinzhorn Dance School - 47 listens
Weird British duo. Think of a deconstructed White Stripes, with heavy accents, and no rock guitar, just bass and drums. But it's good..

Gui Boratto - 42 listens
Minus the Field's album, Chromophobia is the best Kompakt Records release in the last year.

Boards of Canada - 39 listens
I don't even remember listening to BoC this week.... strange....

My Bloody Valentine - 28 listens
You Made Me Realise, Isn't Anything, and Loveless.

Kylie Minogue - 22 listens
I have no shame in admitting that i like Kylie or that i anxiously awaited this new album, entitled X, which is excellent.

Amon Tobin - 21 listens
Bricolage. Excellent album from '97. Gavin really like this, so i've been playing it at the coffee shop a lot.

Efterklang - 21 listens
One of those bands i've heard of for forever, but just recently got around to listening to. Danish band. Think like Sigur Rós mixed with more electronics? maybe? I don't know, i need to listen to them some more.

Squarepusher - 20 listens
Hell yeah, Squarepusher. I feel like 15 of these 20 listens are probably "Theme From Ernest Borgnine" off of Feed Me Weird Things, but i could be wrong.

Radiohead - 20 listens
In Rainbows. Twice

Hot Chip - 19 listens
New Hot Chip. Made in the Dark. And it sounds like it was MADE IN THE DARK because it's MEDIOCRE. Hoowah! *I high-five myself*

Autechre - 18 listens
Probably just Draft 7.30.

The Breeders - 15 listens
I've broken out Last Splash at work a couple times.

Burial - 13 listens
Wow, i'm stopped listening to Burial everyday.... when did that happen?

Lykke Li has me at a loss...

2008-02-09T20:47:00.000-08:00

Okay, i need to be serious for second with you guys. Lykke Li has done a number on me. She's bewitched me with her cute dancing and weird bun in her hair. I don't know what to do. I can't stop thinking about her. I can't stop watching this video. All i can think about is having Swedish babies with her. What am i supposed to do?

I'm not sure i've fallen in love this intensely with anyone before. I don't know what to do. I mean, sure, i'm drunk, and have no perception of reality, but whatever!

Lykke is the perfect woman/person/human being/female companion i'd like to have relations with. Don't judge me.

Have you watched the video yet? JUST DO IT. What's the deal?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

LYKKE FUCKING LI, YA'LL

2008-02-09T20:29:00.000-08:00

This post brought to you by a Thrashers victory/obscene amounts of many kinds of beer.

Look. I don't know what to tell you. Learn how to download torrents. Get Lykke Li's album. Watch the "Little Bit" video over and over and over, and just fall in love with her like i have. Just do it. Stop asking questions.

I don't care if it's costs you $30 something dollars to get her album shipped to you here in the states. DO IT> JUST FUCKING DO IT IT"S SO FUCKING GOOD I CAN"T EVEN THINK STRAIGHT I WANT TO MARRY HER AND HAVE HOT SWEDISH BABIES.

Is that wrong to say out loud?

ALBUM COVER:

SOBER POST: Thank you, God, for Swedes

2008-02-08T10:16:00.000-08:00

This is Lykke Li. I love her.

::Next day edit:: It has now been 24 hours since i first heard the voice of Lykke Li. I have listened to her album Youth Novels at least 6 times, and i've watched the above video about 20 times. I cannot get enough.

PRINZHORN.

2008-02-05T20:17:00.000-08:00

I feel obligated to post. Post brought to you by XXX Molson something, Franziskaner? SOmething else? Maybe some Coors?

Prinzhorn Dance School. Get it. Delicious. LISTENING TO IT A LOT.

Autechre. Blah. Blah.

Aphex Twin. Blah.

LIUWFIUBQWEFIUBWEFBVBQWDIUBEFOIHEFOHWEOFIHWEOFIHWEOIFHOWIEHFOIWEHFOIHWEFOIHWEFOIHWEFOIHWEOFIHWEOFIHWEOIFHWOEIFHOWIEHF. I should go to bed, i have to go to Mass early.

KOMPAKT. YES.

2008-02-03T21:09:00.001-08:00

This post is brought to you by a couple Brooklyn lager something or others, and about 3 or 4 Coors? With the Frost Brew Liner? Yes.

SO. Let's chat about some tunes, yes? Yes.

I listened to the new Hot Chip today. It's entitled Made in the Dark. First impressions. Good, but not as good as the first one.... whatever it was called. I'm drawing a blank... The Warning! That's right.

Two Kompakt albums you need to know about!!!!!! (ps. Kompakt is an amazing label based out of Cologne, Deutchland. I can't remember my German, how do you spell that again? Duetchland? fuck.

Hug - Heroes
Gui Boratto - Chromophobia

Both delicious. Gui Boratto especially. (ps. The Field is a Kompakt artist. Amazing. Their best, probably.)

Also, any Efterklang album. Just go ahead and get it. If you like Sigur Rós or Amiina, just get Efterklang. Danes. Good people. Good music. Also Under Byen is a good Danish band.

And just for general information, Autechre rules. Draft 7.30 was the album that was finally able to make me take Untrue by Burial out of the CD player in the car. That's a big deal. I've been listening to Draft 7.30 nonstop now. On repeat. In the car. It hasn't left the CD player since i got it at Criminal however long ago that was. I"M GOING TO BED I"M FUCKING TIRED.

I will probably listen to Gui Boratto while i fall asleep. Because that's what i put on. And it's too good to turn off. JUST BUY EVERYTHING ON KOMPAKT RECORDS> IT"S GOOD>

Night. night.

SOBER POST: True Norgewian Black Metal

2008-01-31T12:28:00.000-08:00

I'm not really into metal much anymore, but this is fascinating.

All five parts your can watch here.

Autechre and Neko. I LOVE THEM BOTH EVEN THOUGH ONE'S GLITCHY ELECTONIC MUSIC AND THE OTHER IS ALT COUNTRY

2008-01-29T20:18:00.001-08:00

This post is brought to you by a lot of wine, and a beer, and i think some vodka?

I made some CD purchases recently. The Criminal Records purchases were.....

Autechre - Tri Repetae++
Autechre - Draft 7.30

The Wax 'n' Facts purchases were...

Neko Case and Her Boyfriends - The Virginian
Neko Case - Blacklisted

I'm very happy with all my purchases.

Also Autechre's album packaging is the some of the best album packaging of all time. KNOW THIS.

The Field - Sound of Light | Nordic Light Hotel

2008-01-24T20:08:00.000-08:00

So basically, i've been listening to this non-stop for the past week. Here's the deal/why you just need to ahead and get it.

1. It's new Field tracks.
2. They were commissioned by some hotel somewhere that's expensive.
3. It's basically a continuation of From Here We Go Sublime, which was a legendary album.
4. It's 4 tracks that are each 15 minutes long.
5. It's only available on iTunes.
6. REALLY GOOD REASON TO GET IT. It's 4 tracks at $1 a piece, and they're each 15 minutes long. THAT'S AN HOURS WORTH OF THE FIELD FOR $4, PEOPLE!

I tried to put the album on my Last.fm playlist/radio thing, but they're not available on there yet. But come on! $4!!! Just do it!!! That's like a large latte with soy or something!

SOBER POST: Ben Exhale Radio!

2008-01-21T11:01:00.001-08:00

Check it out. On the side bar over there on the right side of the page. And no i'm not drunk right now at 2:00 in the afternoon.

I'll hopefully update the playlist pretty often. In theory.

It's mainly electronic stuff. Just so you know.

fuck.

2008-01-03T19:38:00.000-08:00

This post brought to you by.............fuck, man, i don't even know. So drunk.........

Have you bought Burial's albums yet? WHY NOT?! JUST DO IT!!

We listened to some late sixties and earlier seventies Dolly Parton at work today. GREAT.
LOVIN' IT.

Man, i don't know what even else to say. Burial, Boys Noize, Wu-tang....................i'm going to watch Gangland and go to bed,,............

Look at me. I'm posting.

2008-01-01T20:28:00.000-08:00

So.... not much to report on the music front. But i've been drinking, so i'll post anyways.

First off, i'm still rocking Burial. I still think Untrue might be the best record in the past 5 years. Other than that, i've been rocking the new Wu-Tang. "Weak Spot", "Wolves", and "Campfire" are my jams on that album. Aphex Twin's Druqks is still in heavy rotation, with a little bit of Boys Noize as well.

So those four albums. All heavy rotation. Home of my current jams of the moment.

I got a gift card to Criminal Records for Christmas, and i got the Burial, which up until then i had only illegally downloaded. I also purchased three more albums which i all had illegally. Those albums were Neko Case's Furnace Room Lullaby. Stellar alt-country record. I also purchased Stereolab's lovely 1994 album, Mars Audiac Quintet. And then lastly, i purchased the Sonic Youth classic Washing Machine. I'm stoked about all these purchases.

Moral of the story, the RIAA is fucking joke, and if i hadn't first downloaded all those albums illegally, i never would have bought them legally, SO FUCK YOU, RIAA. YOU'RE KILLING MUSIC. STOP EXISTING.

Tofu and Chocolate. (Go THRASHERS. Kovy you rule.)

2007-12-18T17:36:00.000-08:00

This post brought you to by a 22 oz. Corona earlier today and..... about 5 Molson Ice!!!! But i'm watching hockey, so that's justifiable, right? We're going to go with "Yes" for $500, Alex. Thanks.

Speaking of hockey, my beloved Thrashers are winning 4 to 1 at the end of the 2nd period. FUCK YES. WE NEED THIS WIN.

On to music.

Okay, so Boys Noize. Oi Oi Oi. Shitty name for an album, but you know what? It's fucking legendary. Cheesy dance music at it's finest. "Let's Buy Happiness", "Oh!", "Lava Lava", just jam after jam. DAMN, this album rules. I can't wait to move to Europe.

On a polar opposite note, i'm going to go through the entire Bob Dylan discography, chronologically. It will be awesome, it will be scary, it will even be difficult at times, but i'm up to the task. I haven't ventured much past 1968 Dylan before, and i'm excited.

But yeah, Boys Noize. Seriously, delicious.

ALSO, i got the new Wu-Tang today. It's is pretty awesome as well. I'm going to have to recommend everyone go purchase it. It's delicious, but in a healthier way. 8 Diagrams is like a really delicious veggie tofu sandwich, and Boys Noize is more like a LOT of chocolate, which is also delicious, but maybe not as good for you.

UPDATE: ILYA KOVALCHUK'S MOM IS IN THE STANDS!!!! CRAZY!!!!

Cheesy dance music THAT'S REALLY GOOD.

2007-12-06T18:00:00.000-08:00

3 posts in one night. I'M ON FIRE.

This is Boys Noize. Daryl told me about them. Not best video in the world, but whatever.

Another amazing Boys Noize track. Not a video, but at least you get to hear it!

Stylophonic - Dancefloor. Used in a Dolce & Gabbana ad. FREAKING GREAT TRACK.

Portishead videos!!!!!!!

2007-12-06T17:50:00.000-08:00

Okay, so what we got here are a couple Portishead videos. One of which (this first one) is "Only You" directed by Chris Cunningham who i mentioned just moment ago. The second is "All Mine" which is one of my favorite Portishead songs. ENJOY THIS.

Drukqs (a.k.a. One of the Greatest Albums EVER)

2007-12-06T16:10:00.001-08:00

This post is brought to you by about 3 Amber Bocks that Daryl bought me for watching Judah, and an "adult size" Bud Ice. By the way, today was my last day of class for college for the rest of my life. Just thought i'd let you know....

Tonight's topic of discussion is Aphex Twin's Drukqs, which is in the top 4 greatest albums of all time. Okay, maybe 5. I'm going to listen to the entire album now and tell you thoughts on each track. P.S. - a lot of the track titles are in Cornish. Which is why they seem nonsensical. They mean things, it's just Cornish. DON'T STRESS. Also, i might tend to do this in a style that's influenced by doing a lot of coffee tastings. Just roll with it. (P.S. - When i say prepared piano i mean this. I'm to lazy to explain what i'm talking about.)

Disc One
1. Jynweythek - Prepared piano. Beautiful. Delicious.
2. Vordhosbn - Also delicious, but glitchy. Kind of sad, makes me want to cry a little.
3. Kladfvgbung Micshk - More prepared piano, not as beautiful as "Jynweythek" but still delicious.
4. Omgyjya-Switch7 - Maybe the best track on the album? I want more that almost anything in the world to have been able to write this track. It makes me want to cry also, but not because it's sad, but because it's so good.
5. Strotha Tynhe - Regular piano. Reminds me of my mom. I love her.
6. Gwety Mernans - Brooding. Piano. Awesome low end.
7. Bbydhyonchord - I'm bobbing my head, right now. It's that good. One of the few arguably "normal" tracks on this album.
8. Cock/Ver 10 - Similar feeling to "Omgyjya-Switch7". Makes me want to cry is so good. Glitchy. DELICIOUS.
9. Avril 14th - Beautiful piano. Makes me think of my mom. I love her. (P.S. - I took piano from the age of 7 to 18, and my mom was my teacher, hence the mom comments).
10. Mt Saint Michael + Saint Michaels Mount - Chris Cunningham did a video using this track called "Monkey Drummer" in which he used the arms and leg(s) of the drummer from the Sugarcubes. Little known fact. I JUST BLEW YOUR MIND. (P.S. - the monkey in this video uses his penis that's a drum stick to play part of the track.) WHY DO SUCH AMAZING THINGS LIKE THIS EXIST!?) Second best track on this record, i think...
11. Qwarek - Spooky. People that sound like ghosts are talking/screaming. I love it.
12. Orban Eq Trx 4 - Great beat. I'm bobbing my head. Short track. Delicious.
13. Aussois - More people talking. 13 second track. WHATEVS.
14. Hy A Scullyas - More prepared piano. BEAUTIFUL.
15. Kesson Daley - Regular piano... Mom, i love you!

Disc Two
1. 54 Cymru Beats - Really kind of an abrasive track, but DELICIOUS. 3rd greatest track on this record? Probably.
2. Btoum-Roumada - I'm tripping out! Church organ? Maybe kind of? But with bells or something? Richard James is GENIUS.
3. Lornaderek - Awww!!!! Richard's parents wishing him a happy birthday on his 28th. SWEETEST THING EVER!!!! CORNISH OLD PEOPLE ARE SO CUTE!!!!!!
4. Penty Harmonium - Sounds like an accordian? Maybe organ again. I'm drunk, i don't know....
5. Meltphace 6 - Okay so basically this AFX. At least to me. I don't know if that means anything to anyone else....
6. Bit4 - 25 second weird noisy track. Delicious.
7. Prep Gwarlek - Prepared piano. Abrasive. I love it.
8. Father - Piano. Very un-mom though. Just for the record.
9. Taking Control - Second normally titled track on the album. Glitchy. Over 7 minutes. Delicious.
10. Petiatil Cx Htdui - Piano? Prepared piano? No, normal piano. Haunting. Beautiful.
11. Ruglen Holon - Okay, NOW we got some prepared piano.
12. Afx237 V7 - AFX is in the title of this track!!! What does that mean? Wait.... i think this is track Chris Cunningham used for Rubber Johnny......
13. Ziggomatic V17 - Glitchy. Delicious. Damn... over 8 minutes. Intense.
14. Beskhu3epnm - Prepared piano. Brilliant. I love it.
15. Nanou2 - "Avril 14th" all over again, but just as awesome.

Bottom line. This album is one of the most important albums of all time. Not even joking. Even though i'm drunk.

THOUGHTS.

2007-12-01T20:24:00.001-08:00

Posting!

Brought to you by.... some white wine, some Sam Adams light, and a bunch of other shit.

David Bowie's song "Changes" one of the greatest songs ever recorded. Know this.

NO MATTER WHAT YOUR FRIENDS SAY, the Field has one the greatest albums of this year. From Here We Go Sublime. BUY IT.

So what if José Gonzalez covered "Teardrop", "Love Will Tear Us Apart", and "Heartbeats"? THE ORIGINALS ARE BETTER. But it's still admirable that he has good taste. I respect that. Keep up the good work. And you're from Scandinavia, Josè. God bless you.

So Skream is supposed to be one the top names in the London dubstep scene. His album Skream! is OKAY. Burial makes every other dubstep album look like a freshmen's in high school's paper compared to a Ph. D. doctoral candidate's thesis. SORRY SCREAM. BURIAL JUST KIND OF OWNS YOU'RE FUCKING FACE.

What else? I'm going through my iTunes on shuffle, and writing thoughts down....

Lemon Jelly's "'93 aka Don't Stop Now"....legendary track.

Neko Case? Awesome.

Kylie Minogue? Awesome. Don't judge me.

I have two Honey Is Cool album. I'm cooler than you.

I'm also going to bed now. Very tired.

The Moose and The Field

2007-11-29T19:37:00.000-08:00

It's postin' time...

This post is brought to you by beer. About 5 different kinds. And a Thrashers loss. Fuck the Maple Leafs.

Speaking of hockey, the Thrashers beloved backup goalie, Johan Hedberg a.k.a. 'The Moose', is Swedish, and so is this dude called Johan Hedberg who is not him, but shares his name and has a song. It's on Pitchfork here... again, it's not 'The Moose' just one his countrymen. Kind of funny....

Let's talk about the Field. I put this CD in my car today. (From Here We Go Sublime). Probably one of the most bass heavy CD's i own.

Bottom line, i downloaded this program Ableton. I think the Field uses it. I'm trying to learn. He is my inspiration. He is legend... ary.

But seriously, fuck the Maple Leafs. And them winning only 2 of the past 9 games and choosing US (the Thrashers) to be one of the two victories. Bullshit.

The Best Albums of 2007

2007-11-23T18:49:00.000-08:00

This post is brought to you by about 7 or 8 PBR's and some holiday Sam Adams shit.

Thrashers are probably going to lose at this point. I turned the TV off and i'm keeping track online..... Martin Brodeur is a legend, what are you going to do?

ANYWAYS.

Number #10
Artist: Of Monteal
Album: Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?
Favorite track: "Gronlandic Edit"
Intoxicated thoughts: I'm not one of those Elephant 6 dudes, but wow. This album rules. I don't care about some stupid fucking Outback commercial. That commercial financed this entire fucking record, bitches. SUCK IT YOU FUCKERS!

Number #9
Artist: St. Vincent
Album: Marry Me
Favorite track: "Now now"
Intoxicated thoughts: I'd marry her. Tomorrow. With or without a pre-nup. I doesn't matter. I LOVE ANNIE CLARK.

Number #8
Artist: Stars of the Lid
Album: Stars of the Lid and Their Refinement of the Decline
Favorite track: I don't know, the whole fucking album? Yeah.
Intoxicated thoughts: Best ambient album EVER. Or at least of 2007. Definitely. But not ever.

Number #7
Artist: Xela
Album: For Frosty Mornings and Summer Nights
Favorite track: "Under the Glow of Streetlights"
Intoxicated thoughts: This album is better than you deserve. But yet it was created for your anyways. If Styrofoam did an album this year, it would have probably been this good.

Number #6
Artist: The Tuss
Album: Rushup Edge
Favorite track: Uh, every track, duh?
Intoxicated thoughts: This is Aphex Twin, bitches! KNOW THIS! DON'T BE IGNORANT! RICHARD D. JAMES IS THE BADDEST MOTHERFUCKER ON THE PLANET. Get used to it. Even if it isn't him. I don't know, i think it's him.

Number #5
Artist: Liars
Album: Lairs
Favorite track: "Cycle Time"
Intoxicated thoughts: "YOOOOOOOUUUUUUUU touch my head and that's when......" that's the only lyrics i know. BUT IT'S FUCKING GOOD. Buy. This. Album. Now. Please.

Number #4
Artist: Band of Horses
Album: Cease to Begin
Favorite track: "No One's Going To Love You"
Intoxicated thoughts: It's a trick because "No One's Going To Love You like i do." See? Sweet. I love this band. God bless them, even if they're idiots sometimes.

Number #3
Artist: Radiohead
Album: In Rainbows
Favorite track: "Reckoner"
Intoxicated thoughts: SHOCKING! Why isn't this number 1? I'm drunk, that's why, and i'm keeping it real. Björk's not even on the list. WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED!?!?

Number #2
Artist: The Field
Album: From Here We Go Sublime
Favorite track: "The Little Heart Beats So Fast"
Intoxicated thoughts: I'm shocked at myself. I can't believe Burial isn't number one. But drunk Ben has spoken. THE FIELD, who i bailed out on seeing in Athens a month or two ago, HAS THE BEST ALBUM OF 2007. FROM HERE WE GO SUBLIME. Please go out and buy this record. Please. This is one of the greatest records ever made. KNOW THIS.
::EDIT:: I CHANGED IT. THIS IS DRAMATIC. THE FIELD IS NUMBER 2.

Number #1
Artist: Burial
Album: Untrue
Favorite track: "Archangel"
Intoxicated thoughts: This is the greatest album made in the past 10 years. That's right, i said it. And it's only #2 this year. I DON'T KNOW HOW THIS IS HAPPENING. THIS ALBUM IS LEGENDARY.
::EDIT:: I'M SHOCKING MYSELF. THIS IS ACTUALLY THE BEST ALBUM OF THE YEAR. NO CONTEST. I'M VERY POSSIBLY A MORON.

Your options

2007-11-23T18:19:00.001-08:00

Okay. So my beloved Thrashers are down 2 - 0 right now. Sucks.

Anyways, i've had about 7 beers are this point, but after the game (we're in the 2 period intermission) i'll post my favorite games of the year. I mean, favorite ALBUMS of the years. Hockey, music, whatever.

Okay, so here are the albums i'll be choosing from for albums of the year. I think i'll be picking just 10. Here are the options by order of album title. I think there's about 31.

Laurila - Boyhood
Feu Thérèse - Ça Va Cogner
Band of Horses - Cease to Begin
Pelican - City of Echoes
Low - Drums and Guns
Xela - For Frosty Mornings and Summer Nights
The Good, The Bad, and the Queen - The Good, The Bad, and the Queen
The Field - From Here We Go Sublime
Kanye West - Graduation
Grinderman - Grinderman
Of Montreal - Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?
Radiohead - In Rainbows
Amiina - Kurr
Liars - Liars
St. Vincent - Marry Me
Dizzee Rascal - Maths + English
Battles - Mirrored
Panda Bear - Person Pitch
Air - Pockey Symphony
Feist - The Reminder
The Tuss - Rushup Edge
Säkert! - Säkert!
Stars of the Lid - Stars of the Lid and Their Refinement of the Decline
The Horrors - Strange House
Animal Collective - Strawberry Jam
Burial - Untrue
Björk - Volta
Apparat - Walls
The Angels of Light - We Are Him
The Innocence Mission - We Walked In Song
Bill Callahan - Woke On a Whaleheart
Blonde Redhead - 23

WEIRD, wierd dream. Wow.

2007-11-22T05:38:00.001-08:00

So i'm not drunk, but i literally woke up 5 seconds ago, and i'm a little under the weather. So my ability to communicate what i'm trying to say will be able to the same as when i'm under the influence of alcohol.

Reason for this post is i had a CRAZY dream. So i'm at some awards show, and it's like in some kind of auditorium, but it doesn't have a balcony, just a really far back nosebleed section. I'm sitting up there, and there's all these instruments set up, and all of a sudden i'm watching these 4 people walking towards and then i realize...... IT'S THE FUCKING COCTEAU TWINS. I start hyperventilating a bit, and grab Yesenia whose with me and try to get a spot. There's only one row of chairs in this strange set up. Everyone else has to stand. But it's at the top of an auditorium, so there's hardly any room anyways. I'm literally like 10 feet away from (one of) my favorite band of all time who broke up 11 years ago and i never would have dreamed i would get to see live. I'm checking to see if one of the chairs are available, because it's empty, and this women whose sitting next to it pushes me! I try to remain calm, but i end up sounding.... i don't know, whatever, but i say something to the affect of "Whoa, lady, no need to push. If that's seats taken i'll move, that's fine." She gets an attitude with me, so i get in her face and tell her the severity of the situation, and try to tell how the Cocteau Twins are an extremely important band to me, etc.

Rest of the part is a blur, but she proceeds to talk back to me for a good bit, all of which i respond to without getting as upset as she's getting. Last thing i remember about this dream is the woman left to go to the bathroom or something and these two guys, one of which kind of looked like James Early Jones, were joking around that i was a character actor, to which i laughed when i heard. I was surprised, maybe flattered? But these guys really though i was doing some sort of real world acting or something! What the hell?

This might be the craziest dream i've ever had. I'm going back to bed.

:edit: I DO know there are only 3 members of the Cocteau Twins. In the dream there some an extra dude. Not sure why.

Joy Division is more important that you can even realize

2007-11-18T20:36:00.001-08:00

So it's a stretch whether or not i can justify posting right now, as TECHNICALLY i'm not drunk, but i'm buzzing off two glasses of wine. Close enough. It's going to be kind of brief anyways.

Control. (Movie about Joy Division, for those who don't know.) I saw it today. I fought back the tears. Successfully. Although i kind of wish i had cried, but Lori was sitting next to me, so that might have been awkward... but if she hadn't been there, i would have cried. All i want to do is listening to Joy Division records for the next week. But the new Radiohead and Burial will probably have to be thrown in there too..... so Joy Division, and new Radiohead and Burial will be in heavy rotation for a while.

Also, just in case you're wondering, i own a Factory Records original copy of Unknown Pleasures. And Closer. And about 4 or 5 other Joy Division special edition vinyls. Two of which are picture discs. Oh, and an original "Love Will Tear Us Apart" single from 1980.

On a related note, if you're a female, and you want me to fall in love with you, go through my records and tell me how amazing it is that i own a Factory Records original copy of Unknown Pleasures and i will probably ask you to marry me immediately.

Mezzanine

2007-11-17T21:01:00.000-08:00

Let's talk about Mezzanine, shall we? Okay.

First off, Christie Davis.... LOVE HER. Probably my bestest friend. Ever. Love her.

Second, Mezzaine from the group known as Massive Attack. Legendary.

Is this album the best Massive Attack album ever? We're going to go ahead and go with a big, "Yes". I LOVE IT. Liz Fraser? Greatest vocalist of all time? Yes. Mostly definitely, without hesitation, Liz Fraser, formerly of the legendary band known as Cocteau Twins, greatest female vocalist of all time.

This album is the greatest Massive Attack album ever. DESPITE WHAT GAVIN MAY SAY, Protection, as good as it is, is NOT the best Massive Attack album of all time. It's good, but Mezzanine? "Risingson"? "Teardrop"? "Man Next Door"? Ever other track one the album?

L.E.G.E.N.D.A.R.Y.

Don't forget this!

In Rainbows

2007-11-15T18:20:00.000-08:00

So since the last post, Yesenia has gone out and got me another 22 oz. of Bud Ice. How i pulled this off, i don't know. I'm thankful though. Yes.

So In Rainbows, top 2 Radiohead albums ever? Probably. Actually album cover pictures above? No. But that would be amazing.

"Jigsaw Falling Into Place", "Reckoner", "Nude", and every other track on this album. Legendary.

What more to say? Greatest band ever to exist? Yeah, pretty likely. No matter what, in my book, the video for "Jigsaw Falling Into Place" on the 'Thumbs Down' webcast is one of the greatest works of cinema in the history of film making. KNOW THIS.

I'm starting a blog that documents my distructive behavior.

2007-11-15T17:12:00.000-08:00

Think moment is brought to you by a 22 oz. + a 40 oz. of Bud Ice. I had a hard day.

This Burial record's gettting better and better, just for the record.

SO. Basically what's happening is, i made a drunk post on benexhale.com about how amazing the new Burial record, Untrue, is and a number of people told me how hilarious my drunk review was.

WELL, here's the thing. I drink in excess on a fairly consistent basis. Amazingly enough, in my intoxicated state, i tend to be both grandiose and somewhat coherent. Why not be productive at the same time and give my thoughts on music?

The answer is, "Yes." This blog will be amazing.

P.S. - I was drinking when i created this, 5 minutes ago.

Untrue (a.k.a. My First Drunk Post!, a.k.a. So Cute!)

2007-11-15T17:10:00.000-08:00

The new Burial record, Untrue might be one of the greatest records ever made. Am i drunk as i'm writing this? Yes. Does that affect the sincerity of my statement ? No.

Untrue makes me want to cry it's so good.

Please. Buy. This. Record. It's. Fucking. Amazing.