best rock album in the past 12 months?

Could it be The Slip? I believe it is... their album called Eisenhower. So, if you haven't heard this album and digested it, please go buy it.

Also, by best I am already ruling out bands that sound like Coldplay or Franz Ferdinand. This is best ORIGINAL sounding rock album.

Here are a couple reasons to buy this album:

1. It's the first creative rock album I've heard in a while... really fresh.
2. They write catchy well-crafted songs that range from modern influences to classic rock.
3. They meld Jazz and Rock. Jazz Rock Fusion, if you will.
4. They once were a jam band, now they are considered an indie band. Does it get any better? That means great songs and musicians that can really play. Speaking of that genre...
5. Jim James, from My Morning Jacket, thinks they are incredible. Even asked them on tour.

So, get off your uninspired arse and go buy this album. If you don't like it after 5 listens, I'll send you some of my latest homebrew... some hennajenna steam beer.

You can buy the album here.

Peace.
-jBR v

spring is nice

if it weren't for such a disastrous winter, spring wouldn't be so appreciated. here in boulder we now have had a taste of what is to come: sunny beautiful days in the 60's and 70's. i must say that i am completely stoked for the spring and summer in boulder. to be honest, i don't think you can beat colorado at this time of year anywhere else in america.

first off, the temp is usually perfect... almost always in the 70's and low 80's in the summer. it's perfect. sure, it might warm up to the nineties for a couple weeks in august, but you still have those cool evenings and nights.

second, there is no humidity to be found. this is no ohio or tennessee summertime. no days of 90% humidity where you can slice the air, forget about it!

thirdly, we get as many sunny days as southern california. however, we have no traffic problems, no overcrowding here on 9th street, and our roads and sidewalks aren't flooded with trash.

so there you go, spring and summer do not get better than when in boulder. this wonderful weather calls for some outdoor activities, so here is what i have going on right now:

i'm still training for the boulder bolder 10k run. running has been a good experience for me. i'm up to running 2 1/2 miles or so, and not feeling like death is imminent. I've also found that everytime jay-z's "show me what you got" comes on, i develop a running swagger and feel like i can go another mile... sometimes i swing my fists or move my head back and forth like muhammed ali... or at least i run with gusto until the song finishes. but then lupe fiasco, kanye, or keane comes on and i kick it in gear once again.

the other current activity is gardening at the community garden plot. i've already spent several evenings enjoying the sunset and working hard unloading compost, digging beds, and preparing to have one kick-ass organic garden. peppers, tomatoes, and other assorted veggies will once again be in abundance for summer '07. i could go on about the importance of peat moss, organic soil, compost, and sheep shit... but i will spare you.

there it is... going to call it a night early and rest up for the next couple days. tommorrow, dinner with jenna at frasca for her birthday, then to see raq at the fox theater with friends. on friday, jenna's birthday party at d'napoli's bar. should be an epic night. wait, definitely will be an epic night. no question.

peace
-rusty

southern cali trip

Until I write more about my trip to California,
here are a few pictures from the voyage.
-rusty

"a deceptive hue"
this was taken in manhattan beach as the sun set over the pacific ocean. the glow was magnificent, but notice the golden brownish color over the water. that's what you call smog, blown in from los angeles by the santa ana winds. how delicious.

"the dream"

a vw bus, parked at swami's self realization center (a center for eastern monks), and looking over the ocean. i can guarantee this is someone's dream and they are living it. notice the seahorse on the door. rad.

"the end is near"

as if you needed to know that the road ends here. but it's more than the road, it feels like the end of the world. it kind of is though, in a way. it's the end of america. that's what i loved about living on the coast, that feeling of being on the edge, perched west with nothing in sight except for the mighty ocean.

"encinitas 101"

southern cali has it's high points and low points, and i think encinitas is one of the best things around. it's like lemonade on a hot day. encintas embodies the socal beach town. yes, it's busy these days. but man is it chill. and the fish tacos at filibertos... don't get me started.

"the learner"
after all the scenery pix, i figured it would be best to show you one of our nights around 2 am. so, you say "learner" is not a word? well, the definition is above. i have a feeling this is going to be an album cover. just imagine "the learner" hand written in the top left hand corner. "the learner" might learn the hard way, but he learns in the process. sometimes the process is several pitchers of stella for two, sometimes it means scheduling a 7 am hike after a night on the town. both things "the learner" does and kicks ass doing them... even if it hurts. "the learner", don't forget it.