Morning Shuffle: Pretty Face by Refused

I like Refused ok, but I'm not sure I think they're the white whale of post-punk like a lot of people seem to think.  That said, The Shape of Punk To Come is an awesome record.

Morning Shuffle: Searchlights (Indoor Soccer) by Falling Up

I've liked a few songs from Falling Up.  This isn't one of them.  Delete.

Morning Shuffle: Metal Militia by Metallica

This is from Metallica's first record, Kill 'Em All (1983), and came well before my interest in them.  I'm not sure I ever will like this record.  The next record, Ride The Lightning, was a big leap stylistically and they've been refining their sound ever since.  Thinking back though - there was NOTHING like this in 1983 as far as I know...at least not that had gotten released into the mainstream.

Morning Shuffle: Backslidin' Blues by Petra

I was a BIG Petra fan back in the day.  It started with their On Fire record when I was in middle school, and lasted until their Unseen Power record.  I saw them on tour a few times in Albuquerque and one time when they were having an autograph party after the show I brought a STACK of things to be signed, not realizing I should only bring one thing.  Silly me.  I had also gotten some of their back catalog and, while I thought the early 80s and 70s rock was goofy I liked a few of the songs.

Petra has a song called Chameleon, which turns out to be fitting for them musically.  Around the time I started not liking the music anymore I realized they pretty much made music to be compatible with what's popular at the time...and that they were stretching into areas where it didn't seem congruent with the people in the band.  If they were still around today they'd probably be dropping some dubstep on us:)

That said, when this song came up (and I've never heard this one before) I was expecting a contrived piece of garbage - but it wasn't.  The tones in the instrumentation and the urgency and feeling in the vocals make this song feel legit.  I'm kind of surprised that I liked it just a bit.  This is from their first record in 1974.

Morning Shuffle: Infatuation by Rod Stewart

I don't like this song - deleting it now.  I think I got it with some other "best of" Rod Stewart songs.  Not exactly a shining moment for Morning Shuffle, or Rod for that matter.

Morning Shuffle: Pregnant by Cold War Kids

I used to think The Cold War would be a killer band name.  Little did I know Cold War Kids were already out there...and now there's The Civil Wars.  I've got another prospective band name I wonder if anyone will ever use - HISSYFIT.  Google search yields no results so far.

Morning Shuffle: Shiver by The Prayer Chain

This record was a stylistic departure, and a creative leap for The Prayer Chain, and it may have been too much for the "Christian" music industry at that time to handle...and that's fine.  I love this record.  I remember listening to it in headphones in my dorm room in college.  For being as misunderstood as they were The Prayer Chain is one of most encouraging bands to a believer that I've encountered.

Morning Shuffle: Questions by Wish For Eden

I wish I could get Spotify's embed codes to work in Blogger - oh well.  I'm a Windows Phone guy and am used to exclusion:)  I can't find ANY videos for this track.  It's off Tooth and Nail's very first release, Pet The Fish by Wish for Eden.  I played the heck out of this CD when I got it, and still like it today.  

Morning Shuffle: Healing To Suffer Again by Hatebreed

Sorry for the dumb background, but this is the only video I found of this song with good sound.  This is typical Hatebreed - heavy and chunky.  This is what they do and they do it well.  Also pretty typical of Hatebreed lyrics.  This is a song of despairing about repeated mistakes and wanting to change and pull yourself out of the hole you keep digging for yourself.  Enjoy your morning headbang.

Morning Shuffle: Buckeyes by MF Doom

This is one of 59 tracks in a set that's essentially nothing but beats - kind of a toolbox for DJs to make stuff with.  Most of it is pretty simple, but there are some other more developed songs in the set.  I kept it just because I liked some of the beats - good to have as background music sometimes.

Morning Shuffle: Blackpowder Orchard by Baroness

Just a little instrumental ditty from one of my favorite bands at the moment.  This is from their 2009 Blue album.  They just recently released Yellow and Green, which I'm still digging into.  The band will be out of commision for awhile as a result of a bus accident they had while touring in Europe.  Their bus went off a 30 foot viaduct and several band members have broken vertebrae and other broken bones.  Here's a recent note from the band on the accident:

Thank you to all of you who have been sending the tidal wave of positivity our way. We are uplifted by its sheer magnitude, and power. Every single one of you is making our days and nights easier and our recovery quicker. Thank you all so much, we are truly lucky to have such incredible people on our side. A sincere and heartfelt thank you from each of us to each of you.

Morning Shuffle: A Sentimental Song by The Choir

I love it when I can find a decent live video.  This is one of my favorite songs from the Choir.  It's from their record Circle Slide which came out in 1990!  Wow - 22 years ago!  Beautiful song.  I random picked it earlier but forgot to post on it.  Thankfully these guys are still making music together.  I haven't seen them live in years, but back when I worked in music I'd see them around town all the time.

Morning Shuffle: How The Weak Are Free by Zao

Zao's done a few songs with a social commentary and I think this is one of them.  It talks about releasing the wolf from its cage and it having time to plot - I think referring to repeat offender criminals who are freed again.  The "weak" being those who can't resist the urges to commit crimes.  I REALLY liked Where Blood and Fire Bring Rest.  This record has a little bit of that flavor but it doesn't grab me quite as much.

Morning Shuffle: Mainstream by Outkast

My life as a DJ was short but fun.  I started learning to mix at the original Rocketown in Cool Springs, then moved on to playing an early morning shift (like midnight to 3am) at The Underground in Nashville and playing 1 or 2 "raves".  Back to Rocketown - we had a lot of hip hop kids so on Friday nights we'd start off with hip hop then move on to house music.  We'd get records in from the regional DJ services and one of the best things we ever got was some instrumental records from Outkast's ATLiens.  Totally forgot about that record.  Slow, smooth, clean beats - just the boom, bap, high hat, the bass line and some guitars.  This track features some cats from Goodie Mob at the beginning.  I think I may cue up some ATLiens era Outkast today.

Morning Shuffle: When You've Got What It Takes by The Carpenters

A few years ago I wanted to enhance my collection with some American pop classics and downloaded a best of from The Carpenters.  I think I'm one who only really needs the hits.  I've never heard this song before but it sounds like something from an After School Special - when Tracy's working on that really tough paper, or Bobby's getting his first job at the car wash, or Susie's getting ready to try out for the team...You've Got It!  I might be deleting this one, but will hang on to some of The Carpenters' classics.

Morning Shuffle: Love Will Come Through by Travis

This is a band I come back to every now and then and realize how good almost all of their songs are.  I'm mostly into their first two records and this is from one of those.  Super catchy.

Morning Shuffle: Into The Dark by The Juliana Theory

There were a bunch of live videos but none of them good enough to post.  What I loved about Juliana Theory is how well they duplicated their recorded sound live.  This was a solid band and I wish we could get more music from the.  This song was on both Love and Emotion is Dead.

Morning Shuffle: The Leaving Song Part II by AFI

I really liked this record from AFI - I guess just the energy of it and the melodies and hooks along with some intensity.  They had a few good tracks on the last record I heard - Miss Murder  and Love Like Winter.  I'm not sure if they're doing anything these days or not. 

Morning Shuffle: Away With You by Slick Shoes

This is one of the bands I booked shows for that I still listen to - and one of the few punk bands I listen to.  A lot of the songs sound similar (especially in this era for them), but they were good players and a tight band.  This is a fun song.

Morning Shuffle: Don't Lie by Bon Voyage

I was surprised when this came up since I thought I had already deleted Bon Voyage.  This is the wife of Starflyer 59's Jason Martin and I just never liked the songs - and the breathy vocals got old quickly.  Every song on the record sounds like this one.  I guess this one is being used for the TV show Lie To Me, so I guess it's not all bad.

Morning Shuffle: Sugarcoated Poison Apple by MxPx

Teenage Politics is my 2nd favorite MxPx record after Slowly Going The Way Of The Buffalo.  These guys had a good long run.  I've checked out some of the more recent records but they just didn't grab me.

Morning Shuffle: I Don't Love You by My Chemical Romance

I liked a few songs off The Black Parade, especially the title track.  Otherwise I'm kind of "meh" on My Chemical Romance.  They're a band like The Strokes that magazines claimed were "saving" rock music - not so.  They ended up being overhyped and fizzled after two records.  Meh.

Morning Shuffle: Sonnets/Unrealities XI by Björk

Looks like this song is about having grace in the face of lost love.  Never heard this one before. I might need to trim the Björk out of my collection since I never really listen to her.  She can write some great melodies, but a lot of her writing sounds like what a kid would do hitting random notes on a piano or making up notes in a song as they make it up.  Just sayin'.

Morning Shuffle: Sky Blue Sky by Wilco

This is the title track of the record that is my first real exposure to Wilco.  I was familiar with them and I think I'd listened to a bit of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, but it didn't stick with me.  I've listened to some of their records after this one and they didn't stick either, but for some reason I really liked this record.  This is the closest thing to a jam band I'll ever listen to.  Ever.

Morning Shuffle: Swarming Spirits by Tourniquet

Getting lots of old school Christian metal in here lately.  This is from the era when I guess you could say it became legit.  I still listen to some of the earlier Tourniquet albums because they were so good musically (if you like metal).  I also found a video of them doing this song live back in 1991, but it the vocals sounded awful.  I never saw Tourniquet live so I wonder if Guy Ritter's odd range really carried over live.

Morning Shuffle: Just by Radiohead

One of the best Morning Shuffles since I started doing this thing.  This is my favorite song from my favorite Radiohead record...yeah, I said it.  The Bends is my favorite Radiohead record.  This video was made back when music videos mattered.  I remember watching this one over and over again to see the story it told.  Have a good week everyone!

Morning Shuffle: Whirlpool by The Prayer Chain

I first saw The Prayer Chain live at AtlantaFest - probably 1991 or 1992.  I bought their Shawl album not long before seeing that show and didn't get this, their debut EP, until later.  This EP has some songs I love - this one, and another called Some Love which is especially fitting this week given all the Chick-Fil-A related hoopla.  I appreciate this EP because it's one of the few records that does seem to focus on the real things that are important in faith and life.

Morning Shuffle: Stay A Little Longer by Willie Nelson

Looks like a fun Friday night drinkin' have a good time kind of song.  Enjoy your weekend everyone!

Morning Shuffle: J.I.G. by Deliverance

I've got a real soft spot in my heart for Deliverance, have just always liked the band.  Maybe because when I was a kid listening to only Christian music it was the first "crunchy" metal band I found that I liked.  In the early 2000s I sold all my CDs after ripping them, but then lost a bunch of the files, so I was glad to see various download/subscription services with Deliverance in their catalogs again.  Their sound is something people these days would laugh at but there's nostalgia in it for me.  I did see them once live and they were very tight.  Supposedly Jimmy Brown has gotten some of them together again to do more recording.

Morning Shuffle: Cold and Calculated by Project 86

P86 comes up again.  This is another one I've downloaded thinking I might come back to it later.  I do like Andrew's vocals on this one, and am glad P86 got away from the Rage Against the Machine sound they started off with.  They developed their own sound quickly, but the market was saturated with heavy bands and it just didn't quite catch.  This is pretty good though.  I think my favorite record of theirs is Truthless Heroes.

Morning Shuffle: One Tree Hill by Mortal (U2 cover)

I couldn't find any videos for this song.  When I first got this tape (TAPE!?) I had no idea this was a U2 song.  At this time I had seen Mortal once at Atlantafest.  I didn't care much for their earlier recordings, but at that time their live show sounded way different than recordings - it was heavier.  This Mortal Live EP had the same heaviness, so this was in HEAVY rotation for me for a long time.  For several years as the bus was pulling out of church camp (which I went to a lot) this would be the tape I'd put in my WalkMan - and eventually my DiscMan.

Morning Shuffle: Rules of Engagement by Living Sacrifice

Let's get the week started right.  A little Living Sacrifice can go a long way.

Morning Shuffle (late entry): Watch Me Fall Apart by Hard-Fi

How appropriate with today's beginning of the Olympics in London to pull up a track from an English band.  I'm going to listen to more Hard-Fi; I had kind of forgotten about them.  They only have 2 records that I know of but I liked their songs a lot.  The debut record is called Stars of CCTV, which is a reference to English football/soccer hooligans.  Hooliganism got to be so bad that the police installed CCTV cameras all over the place to record crimes and catch offenders.  Those guys ain't got nothin' on BoroPosseFC!


PS - All I can find is this blank video...weird.

Morning Shuffle: We Are The Ones by Value Pac

Value Pac is the first band I ever booked a show for at Davdon.  My first task was to fill out some dates on a small run for Value Pac and Ghoti Hook together.  I was a senior in college and was given a super old Mac notebook bought from Mac Authority and a FileMaker Pro database that was filled out more with youth pastors than actual concert promoters.  I drove up to St. Louis to meet up with them once and we got along great (although this was one jaded band).  By the time I started working with them Chuck Cummings was filling in on drums, and I had known Chuck a bit from his days w/Dakoda Motor Co.  I think he helped keep these guys on the rails.  I don't know what they're up to these days but I definitely wish them well.

Morning Shuffle: In The Will by Deliverance

I liked Deliverance's records after they went to more of a prog metal style (Stay of Execution and Learn), but this is not one of my favorite tracks.  Very repetitive musically and the guitar lines are "middle eastern" sounding which seems like a forced effort to complement the lyrics.

Morning Shuffle: Resolution by O.C. Supertones

The O.C. Supertones were great at what they did - playing energetic ska flavored rock and encouraging believers.  In my concert booking days they were our agency's most successful group while remaining very down to earth, friendly people.  I'm thankful to have known them.  Looks like they're doing some reunion stuff now - not sure.

Morning Shuffle: Vindicated by Dashboard Confessional

This was a breakout single for Dashboard Confessional, which is Chris Carrabba of Further Seems Forever with whatever players happen to be backing him up.  I was into Dashboard for about a year but it didn't last.  I still keep their stuff in my collection in case it ever appeals to me later.  I guess that makes me a music hoarder.

Morning Shuffle: Green Eyes by Coldplay

This morning I'm going to the funeral of a co-worker and it's WAY on the forefront of my mind.  I was only acquainted with him, but I hope he and his wife were each other's rocks in life.  I'm thankful that I have a rock - she's got blue eyes though:) 

Morning Shuffle: When I Learn To Sing by Starflyer 59

More SF59 goodness.  This is the one band that I just can't get myself to remove from my phone.  Everything else comes and goes - SF59 stays.  There's hardly a time I don't feel like hearing a SF59 song.

Morning Shuffle: Autumn Days by Wink

Back in my DJing days Josh Wink was my favorite producer/DJ.  The acid house sound created by the Roland TB-303 was pervasive at that time (much like dubstep is today).  I met him once at an event (I feel dumb now calling it a rave or a party) in Atlanta - nice guy.  I downloaded some new tracks of his from 2009 and he's still producing some good house music, even though I'm not really into it anymore.

Morning Shuffle: The Training by Living Sacrifice

Early morning headbang courtesy of Living Sacrifice.  I hear another record is in the works.

Morning (intentional) Shuffle: March To The Sea by Baroness

Baroness is a band I've known about for a long time but have only really gotten into in the last year.  I think of them as intelligent metal, progressive, technical.  Their new record, Yellow & Green, drops today (previous records were titled Red and Blue).  So far it seems sort of like 2 EPs put together.  Also, it's not ear candy.  Reviews are comparing it to when some other bands put out their breakthrough albums that the public didn't get immediately, but were big leaps forward for those bands.  Many are saying it's not "metal" enough.  What I'll say is that this will need several spins before I can really appreciate it.

Morning Shuffle: Never by Heart

Another track in my collection from downloading an "80s Best of" playlist.  Not a big fan, but I dig that in the pop/rock world these girls wrote their own songs and had some good ones.  Big hair.  Big makeup.  All 80s.

Morning Shuffle: I1100 by Thursday

This is the outro to Thursday's Full Collapse, the record that got me into the band.  This was one of my discoveries from file sharing - and one that I may not have found otherwise - or would have found later.  Illegal file sharing was bad, but on the flip side I think some bands may have risen out of obscurity as a result.  Trouble was that they weren't making any $$$ even though people knew who they were.  Vicious circle file sharing was, wasn't it?

Morning Shuffle: Shell of a Man by The Juliana Theory

I really thought The Juliana Theory would take off more than they did.  I love all of their records and saw them live several times, each time coming away impressed at how similar the live performance was to the recorded sound.  I'm not sure what their undoing was, but I heard rumors of lots of tension within the group.  I've heard Brett Detar's solo work and can't really get into it, but would love to have J. Theory come back together again one day.  This is one of the stronger songs from their next to last record, Love.

Morning Shuffle: Two Glass Eyes by Project 86

Project 86 is one of the first bands I dealt with as a booking agent.  They've changed a ton since their early days (stylistically and personnel).  The main thing I think about when I hear their name is how driven Andrew Schwab is.  This band is his baby and he worked very hard to grow it.  I think I probably liked the records Drawing Black Lines and Truthless Heroes best, although neither one is in regular rotation for me today.

Morning Shuffle: The Melody Book by Joy Electric

Joy Electric – The Melody Book
I guess this one is obscure because I can't find ANY videos for it.  Joy Electric is a bit of an oddity, but I've always had an affinity for them - I guess him more accurately.  This is Ronnie Martin (brother of Starflyer 59's Jason Martin) and any various supporting cast around at the time.  This song is from his first record, which is still probably my favorite.

Book Review: The Creatures That Time Forgot by Ray Bradbury

Ray Bradbury passed away a few weeks ago, and I noticed that his passing got a lot of attention from the Disney fan community.  It turns out that Bradbury was very involved in the vision and development of what became Epcot.  Walt Disney's original vision as part of his east coast "Project Future" was to have an Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow (EPCOT).  It wasn't intended to be a theme park, but an actual city - a living experiment of a different way of living.  Walt Disney died in 1966, five years before Walt Disney World opened its doors, and 16 years before the opening of Epcot Center.  Epcot's final product is far removed from Walt's original vision, which may have been too grand to become reality - at least at that time.  What Epcot was at opening, and what it is today is largely due to Ray Bradbury's involvement and his influence on it as a futurist.


That aside, prior to his passing I didn't know much about Bradbury.  I had heard of him, and had heard of his best known work, Fahrenheit 451, although I didn't know anything about it or who its author was.  I remember reading some sci-fi novels and really enjoying them when I was in elementary school, but haven't picked up a sci-fi novel since.  I searched for Bradbury's works and found Fahrenheit 451 along with many short stories and novellas.  I told myself I'd try one of them and if I like it continue with Fahrenheit 451.  Conclusion: I'm reading Fahrenheit 451 now.


****If you intend to read this novella, don't read any further.
Back to the topic at hand, The Creatures That Time Forgot.  The premise of the story is unbelievable...guess that makes for good sci-fi.  The characters are human and it begins with the main character, Sim, being born at night and immediately having "racial" knowledge of things and feeling his blood coursing at 1,000 pulses per minute.  The planet he lives on is very close to the Sun (or a star) and the days are hot and fiery and the nights are cold and frozen.  Its inhabitants live in caves and can ONLY venture out for an hour at dawn and an hour at dusk in the transition from cold to heat and vice versa.


In Sim's world a person's lifespan is 8 days, and therefore everything in that life is greatly accelerated.  After two days of living a fourth of your life is gone.  The story goes on to explain more about his knowledge of things before having been taught anything, witnessing his parents' rapid aging and death, and the crux of the story - his refusal to accept the situation for what it is.  


In their community they have "scientists" (who also have 8 day lifespans) who try to find ways to extend life, but ultimately carry a defeatist attitude and treat their work as pointless.  They also have warriors, who are the young men in their 3rd and 4th days of life.  When the warrior part of life was first introduced I thought the "moral of the story" would be fruitlessness of war in such conditions.  If you're only going to live for 8 days what is there worth fighting for?  It turns out there is a neighboring community of cave dwellers and something about their caves allows them to live for 11 days instead of just 8.  Sim's community fights with them to try to gain their ground, but loses because the 11 day community is on higher ground.


Included with Sim's "racial" knowledge is knowledge of a spaceship that is nearby, but too far away to reach in the hour that can sustain life.  No one has ever made it to the ship and they have quit attempting to get to the ship, more evidence of the defeatist mentality that plagues the entire population.  Sim is unique in that he will try anything to get to the ship and see if it allows him to live longer.  He gets himself into a one on one battle with an 11 day lifer and outsmarts him.  This allows Sim and his life partner "Lyte" to take refuge in the defeated's cave.  They boldly decide the next day to make a run for the ship and barely make it, but when they get in it shields them from the effects of the Sun and their planet, slowing their growth and pulses to normal rates, throwing them into a lethargy that lasts several days.  

As Sim explores the ship his racial knowledge informs him that they can control the ship, but that he needs more people to do so.  He devises a way to get back to his caves without dying (it takes longer than an hour).  Upon his return his sister and a childhood nemesis (from just a few days ago) are near death, and no one in the community knows him.  They nearly kill him as being an intruder from the other community but he convinces some of the population to return to the ship with him (again, he devises a way) and help him make it work.  The end of the story is a rush.  Lyte tells Sim she had a bad dream where people lived in caves, and only lived for 8 days.  He tells her the dream is over and they take off in the ship for parts unknown.  


I've been thinking and trying to find a lesson in the story - something about life revealed in seeing it greatly accelerated, or conversely if slowed down.  It is mind numbing to think of a life only lasting 8 days, and that one would go through all the things that happen in life in that time: growth, learning, love, procreation, aging, and death - and all of that while knowing it will cycle in just over a week.  Some insects have a lifespan this short.  They're not thinking, cognizant creatures like us (I think), but they have to do all the things they need to do in a lifetime in that short span.


Is it a lesson to not accept rules of life as they seem if you sense that there's another way out?  I really don't know.  I'd be curious to hear what others think.  Maybe it's just a good story written on a crazy premise.

Morning Shuffle: Lasso by Phoenix

This is a deep cut on a record that didn't have much to stand out to me.  Phoenix did have the one big single, Lisztomania, but other than that I didn't get into their stuff.  Maybe I should check it out again.  I've been digging into Bad Veins lately and they're also kind of an electro-pop group.

Morning Shuffle: Snoop Dogg (What's My Name Pt. 2) by Snoop Dogg

This is from the "No Limit" era for Snoop, which is probably the weakest music he's put out.  I really don't have much to say about this.

Morning Shuffle: In A Lose, Lose Situation by Emery

I used to really like Emery's sound but have kind of soured on them now.  Can't really explain why.  I can say this - Emery has girl problems.

Best Musical Finds of 2012 (So Far)

Thanks to social media and simple blogging forums I've begun to contribute my own entries to the end of year "Best of" lists that we see every year.  My list for 2011 included not only some truly "new" music from 2011, but also music or artists that were new to me that I felt were discoveries worth sharing.  

I use both Zune Marketplace and Spotify to find music and I've been finding a lot and sharing a lot lately, so the time feels right to compile and post.  In no particular order: 

Bad Veins - The Mess We've Made

I first found Bad Veins when they opened for Thrice on a tour I didn't get to see.  I make it a habit to "study" opening bands on shows I'm seeing, both so I can enjoy the openers and possibly find some good new music.  The trend with touring lately isn't so much little bands paying to tour with bigger ones, but the headliners picking their openers based on what they like or an artist they want to promote.  I've found LOTS of good music lately in studying openers.  That said, Bad Veins is a duo who had been doing a kind of avant garde electro-pop thing but now have matured into a more accessible (if it makes sense to even call it that) sound with GREAT songwriting.  Accessible's probably not a good word because I still don't see them becoming a "commercial" success anytime soon.  In fact, they're about to do a show here in Nashville at the broom closet downtown known as The End.

City and Colour - Little Hell

I JUST started listening to City and Colour based on hearing about them from virtually everyone I respect musically (artists and friends).  This is the solo project of Dallas Green of Alexisonfire, another band I haven't checked out yet.  It took a minute for me to "feel it" but after a few times through I'm really into the instrumentation and melodies.  If anyone happens to read this I'm sure some of you already know of and like City and Colour.

Hot Water Music - Exister

I can't explain why but I've been resistant to try Hot Water Music for a long time.  They're a favorite among the guys in Thrice, which usually prompts me to check it out, but I just hadn't done it until now.  So far this is the only record of theirs I've checked out and I'm digging it.  Solid rock music with gritty guitar tones & vocals, but also with good melodies and a punk backbone.  As I write this I'm adding the rest of their catalog to my "New Rock" playlist in Spotify...more on that later.

Fun. - Some Nights

I'm hearing some people are already getting tired of them, but they're new to me.  Perhaps they are going to suffer overexposure, but these cats know their way around a verse and a hook - and I'm a sucker for catchy songs.  If they didn't curse so much I'd listen to them more with my kids around - I think they'd dig it too.

Lamb of God - Resolution

I've never liked Lamb of God - until now.  Word of warning - this band is FAR from being a Christian band.  I have a taste for heavy music and have sampled their records over the years and just not liked them.  I even saw them open for Metallica and didn't pay much attention to it.  I'd love to see them again because this record is near metal perfection.  I may not have a chance to see them anytime soon.  The singer Randall Blythe is currently being held on manslaughter charges from a show a few years ago in Europe where a fan was killed in an on-stage confrontation that involved Blythe but also venue security.  Blythe is getting lots of support from the music community, including from Norma Jean, a band with Christian leanings, so I'm going with innocent until proven guilty for now.  This record is a burner and if you like heavy music it's worth checking out.  

I'm a full on audiophile and sample new music all the time.  Lately I'm compiling it in a frequently changing playlist on Spotify called New Rock.  I've shared it with a lot of friends, and dig into their playlists to find new stuff as well.  

Anticipation Building For Our WDW Trip

As I mentioned in my last post about this trip, we have all of our dining reservations arranged and there's really no more planning to do.  I was probably extra neurotic before making ADRs because of the size of our group, and wanting to get it all arranged so there'd be no worries.  I've never made them 180 days out, and as a result have never had a situation like now where things are mostly planned out this far in advance.  I enjoy all that WDW has to offer and enjoy planning the trips, so it's been kind of weird to not have much to do with it after the rush leading up to the ADR date.  Now we're 88 days out and I'm thinking about some of the things I'm looking forward to in this trip.

The big difference this time around is that we are a large group.  It will be my family's 3rd time going together, and our last trip inlcuded my Father-in-law.  This time will also include my Bro and Sis-in-law and their two kids who will be 5 and 2.  Danny (BIL) hasn't been since he was a kid and Kylee (SIL) went once in college I believe.  A LOT has changed since then and I'm looking forward to showing it to them.  And of course showing it to their kids, Jack and James, and trying to find things to make the trip a bit more "magical" for them.

Part of the fun of WDW is that it has established its own history and legacy.  While it is a theme park, and one of many, the scope of the entire resort project is on a level unmatched by anything we've ever seen.  Part of its grandeur is that it has its own myths, legends, hidden history and rabid, cultish fan-base.  WDW fans are opinionated and passionate.  The current feeling among the fan-base is that WDW has not been kept-up and updated as much as it should be (and to some extent I agree), but to the casual fan and first timer it's still a wonder to behold.  For me, it's an escape.  And that's why I keep going back for more.

We have 7 day Park Hopper passes, so we should be able to tour the parks at a reasonable pace.  I can admit I stressed myself out the last trip trying to move our group from point A to B too quickly and REALLY want to avoid making the same mistake on this trip.  We're going during Fall Break, and while this is normally a low crowd time of year this year is a bit different due to several events.  Our dates are right at the beginning of the Food & Wine festival, so the weekends will be busy.  We'll be there for Epcot's 30th anniversary (which I'm excited about since I LOVE Epcot) and my wife and FIL Mike are running in the first ever Tower of Terror Ten-Miler, a race that is run through Disney's Hollywood Studios.  Knowing there could be some busy days I'm basing our plan on Crowd Calendars from TouringPlans.com, who are also the authors of the Unofficial Guides to WDW.

Hopefully by having a plan and trying to avoid some crowds we can keep a non-frenetic pace and I can show them some of the hidden "easter eggs" that are ALL OVER WDW.  The imagineers are a sharp bunch and the detail that goes into nearly every aspect of the resort is astounding.  

As always I'm looking forward to the food at WDW.  Because we have a large group I planned our meals to be group friendly and we're mainly going to buffets so everyone can get something they want.  We're going to Chef Mickey's (which I think is WAY underrated as far as the food goes), Hollywood & Vine (expectations are low for this one), O'hana for breakfast (not buffet, but family style), and Hoop Dee Doo Review (AYCE ribs/chicken/beer/wine - yeah, it's awesome).  Le Cellier will be our one table restaurant where we order from a menu.  I've always wanted to go there and was surprised we were able to get a reservation.

The remainder will be counter service meals and snacks.  I'm kind of a foodie, and when I'm on vacation I like for every meal to have a special something (if possible) - so part of my strategy here is to try to AVOID the bad counter service spots.  If we're naming names - Pizzafari - ugh!! Also, as a veteran WDW visitor I'm sad to say I've NEVER had a Dole Whip, and I plan to rectify that on this trip.

All said, I'm looking forward to a fun filled trip, and sharing the things I love about WDW with some folks in my family who haven't been there in a long time or are about to see the Castle, Space Ship Earth, etc. for the first time ever.

Patty and I honeymooned at WDW in 1998 and stayed at the same resort we're staying at this year, Port Orleans French Quarter.  No offense to the kids, but sometime I think I would like to return there with Patty and have a different kind of trip.  I'd want to stay at the Beach Club and have walking access to the International Gateway to World Showcase at Epcot and Hollywood Studios.  And plan some more unique table meals - we've barely experienced the tip of the iceberg with regard to what if offered food-wise at WDW.

Morning Shuffle: Juliet Or At Least What's Left Of Her by Once Nothing

This is a band that flew WAY under the radar and I REALLY wish they'd stayed together to make more records.  All we got was an EP and one full length record from Once Nothing.  I loved their sound - very heavy, but very groove oriented.  This record came out in early 2008 ans is still in pretty regular rotation for me.

Morning Shuffle: I Drive A Lot by Starflyer 59

SF59 could be the best band Tooth and Nail has had.  They're definitely the longest tenured.  I've liked EVERY release from SF59, which is really Jason Martin and anyone else who happens to be backing him up.  Still hoping for one more "The Martin Brothers" record by Jason and his brother Ronnie, better known as Joy Electric.  Both are gifted songwriters and when they work together they've made some great songs.

Morning Shuffle: The Devil Went Down to Georgia by The Zac Brown Band

This is a good little wake up jam.  And seeing this is one of the things that got me interested in the Zac Brown Band - to see that they were all good players, and write good songs also.  This is one of the few bands my whole family agrees on.  Fun fact - I don't know how the connection was made, but Dirk Lemmenes from Stavesacre/Focused is now Zac Brown's personal assistant.

Morning Shuffle: Mr. Tambourine Man by The Byrds

The Shuffle is taking it even further back now.  I think I have this as a result of downloading a "classic oldies" playlist.  Fun Fact: In elementary school I went through a phase of listening to NOTHING but oldies.  I'd call in requests to the radio station and my first concert ever was The Beach Boys with Three Dog Night.  Frankly, I'd LOVE to see The Beach Boys again - they rule. I like the nonchalant coolness of these bands that were hot in the 60s, as seen in this video.

Morning Shuffle: Eye of the Tiger by Survivor

Two 80s classics in a row here at Morning Shuffle.  I don't think I have this one on my phone but it's easily made the cut to stay in my collection.  Has a band ever done a parody of this video?  

Morning Shuffle: Everybody Wants To Rule The World by Tears For Fears

Wake up to a classic.  This is one of my favorite songs from the 80s and one of the few that's still made the cut to be on my phone among all the other excellent music I listen to.

Morning Shuffle: D*** in a Box by The Lonely Island

Not much to say here, except this became in instant classic on SNL.  This skit and Lazy Sunday put their digital shorts on the map.

Morning Shuffle: The Negotiation Limerick File by Beastie Boys

I can't find a video file for this one, so I'll just have to use a Spotify link.  I didn't recognize the song when it came up.  It was never a hit, but is probably one of the better tracks on Hello Nasty.  To me, this record was the apex for Beastie Boys.

Morning Shuffle: Black Derby Jacket by Rancid

Rancid's making several appearances here lately - but I've got their whole catalog so it makes sense.  I always thought this was Lars Frederiksen singing but turns out it's the bass player, Matt Freeman.  This is basically a song about a relationship and life on the road.

Morning Shuffle: Advent of a Miracle by Strongarm

Funny - I was just talking to some friends about Strongarm yesterday.  This is the only video I can find for this song.  Totally wish this band could have made a few more records simply out of curiosity to see how their sound would have developed.  They had a major evolution from the first to second record (this is the title track of the 2nd record) and this record has been in regular rotation with me for a LONG time.

Morning Shuffle: Knockin' on Heaven's Door by Guns N' Roses

I can probably only really enjoy hearing this song about once a year.  Otherwise I'm kind of over it with GNR.

Morning Shuffle: The Struggle Within by Metallica

Metal perfection.  All there is to say.


Oh yeah, Thrice played their last show last night (for now).  Gonna miss Thrice.

Morning Shuffle: Dominoes Fall by Rancid

I appreciate that Rancid is a unique entity in the music world.  I've heard bands try to imitate them, but they created this gritty punk sound with a reggae feel in a lot of their songs.  Tim Armstrong is a great songwriter and on top of his work with Rancid, Operation Ivy, Transplants and solo records has worked with Pink and Gwen Stefani...stuff people may not expect for a punk rock musician.

Morning Shuffle: Supplication by Deliverance

This is one of my favorite metal bands from back in the day.  This song is kind of an interlude, and the end of it is very much like something Metallica would do.  This was probably the closest thing to Metallica in the Christian metal scene, although I think they were also trying to be their own band...not just a band that sounds like someone else.

Morning Shuffle: The Ocean by The Choir

This is one of my favorite songs by The Choir.  The melody and chorus always caught me.  I have a hard time understanding lyrics so it's usually not until I read through them that I figure out what a song is about.  Turns out...this one is beautiful musically and an encouraging song of redemption.

Morning Shuffle: 505 by Arctic Monkeys

I guess I forgot to delete Arctic Monkeys, so I'm kind of bummed this came up.  Oh well, I'll do it now.  Just never got into this band.

Morning Shuffle: Drop The Hate by Fatboy Slim

The Shuffle actually brought up the "H. Libdo & The Progressive Choir of Stockholm Remix", which I can't find a video for.  It's a Chicago-house remix which actually sounded decent.  That said, I don't really want Fatboy Slim to ever pop up in Morning Shuffle again.  I'm pretty done with the electronic music/DJ time in my life and think I'll be deleting this now.

Morning Start: If Only by Goldfinger

I used to really dig Goldfinger.  They were a fun band that came out of the pop-punk/ska rage of the late 90s.  They're actually doing another tour with Reel Big Fish, another band from that same era.  I saw these guys at the old 328 Performance Hall and it was a memorable show.

Morning Shuffle: The Fear by Travis

Travis was one of my favorite European bands for a few years.  I thought they were English but turns out they're Scots (thanks Wikipedia).  I'm a sucker for a good song with a strong melody and a hook, regardless of the style, and their first few records really reeled me in.  When this popped up I didn't recognize the name, but once it started I remembered this one.  I'm guessing they're a much bigger band overseas than they are here...never quite caught on like some of their counterparts.