goodness

Jose Gonzales + La Blogotheque = Yes, please.

New Music (to me)

1. The Futureheads – I heard one song from these Brits about two years ago and could not stop listening to it on a compilation. I recommend The Beginning of the Twist from their latest album This is Not the World.

2. Samamidon – Pour a glass of wine, dim the lights, grab a blanket and the love of your life and listen to Saro.

3. Dels – Lazy from the album….Lazy.

4. The Clientele – I can’t Seem to Make You Mine

5. Nada Surf – ‘Ol naughty surf has a new album coming out next week. Here’s a sneak peak. If you haven’t seen these guys live, you need to in ‘08.

6. Del the Funky Homosapien – No relation to #3 Dels, give a listen to Bubble Pop.

7. The Grand Archives – The Setting Sun

8. Fleet Foxes – White Winter Hymnal is a must listen.

9. Cut Copy – Lights and Music

10. This Holiday Life – Yes, I played in this band a decade ago. Yes, they are much better without me. Yes, I can’t stop listening to the track Mission Control to My Heart.

11. The Sea and Cake – Crossing Lines

12. Ghosty – new album is out from Lawrence, KS based band.

13. Why have I not seen these guys live yet?

3 Reasons to Move to California

1. The weather report reads, “Outside temp 19, feels like 9″.

2. The weather report reads, “Outside temp 19, feels like 9″.

3. This.

3 US Cities I Would Like to Visit in ‘08

:: Portland

:: Boston

:: NYC

Things You Might Not Have Known About (ME:) (24)

:: Going to swim laps for the first time tonight. (Can you say Speedo?)
:: I am currently planning the groundbreaking ceremony for ManShed 2008. Get ready!

:: I gave two separate toasts this weekend for my brother’s wedding and managed not to cry during either! I’m usually a wuss when it comes to weddings.

:: Addicted to the Sartorialist.

Wintry Mix Update

Sooooooo, I’m just now getting around to mailing out the Wintry Mixes I put together for your listening pleasure. If you live out of town and have not given me your mailing address, please send it to john.mcclain[at]gmail.com. If you live in town, your disc awaits you at Habitat. Sorry for the delay, but the listening pleasure will be worth it.

The Rare, Good Story

Everyone needs a story like this in their life. Here’s to a new year!

Don’t Do This To Me

The only magazine I have ever read cover to cover (and had a letter to the editor published) decided it was getting bored with itself. But it’s readers were perfectly content with having the best design, and best designed, magazine in their hands. The gigantic logo on the front completely takes away from the cover. Font choices throughout seemed to have been picked from a hat. And the white space. Oh the glorious white space, where have you gone? I do like the fact that it is a bit smaller (saving 935 trees per issue) and that other environmental concerns were addressed, but please Lord Jesus, gimme back my old Dwell.

My coffee table misses you.