Monthly Archives: December 2013

Formulate Infinity’s Favorite Albums of 2013!

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One of my favorite ways of discovering new music occurs in December.  Every music site in the business this week is posting lists for the Best Albums of 2013.  While these lists are arbitrary and often cause a great deal of internet consternation, they are a great way to preview new music.

So far the most eclectic list I have previewed has come from NPR Music’s 50 Favorite Albums Of 2013.   The music programming at NPR is the best in the business.  I  cannot wait to listen to the Sound Opinion’s 2013 Best Albums Podcast on my way to work.  Other lists that caught my attention include Mojo’s Top 50 albums and PopMatter’s Top 75.  These are all great sites because they give music previews for the listener.  I am still awaiting Pitchfork’s official list.  Until then here are their highest rated albums of the year from the fantastic site AlbumoftheYear.org.

No list commentary would be complete without my own lists.  Today I will post my favorite albums of the year.  Later this week I will post albums from this past year I want to hear and I will also post a list of favorite Christmas albums in the near future.  Enjoy!

Dylan Another Self PortraitDylan Another Self PortraitDylan Another Self PortraitAlbum of the Year Goes to Another Self Portrait By Bob Dylan

Besides being a huge Dylan fan, I put this album atop the list because it was the biggest music surprise of the year.  Once considered a throw-away album, this reissue blows the listener away with its stripped down and intimate feel. The most prolific artist of modern times continues to provide revelations!  This is true on his past music and his new music, including the concert I attend this year in Charlotte.  Bob Dylan is music. Bob Dylan is America.

Bonus: Checkout Dylan’s Interactive Like A Rolling Stone video and be amazed!

Honorable Mentions:

I picked up the Sarah Jarosz’s Build Me Up From Bones and the Tedeschi Trucks Band’s Made Up Mind in Blowing Rock, NC on a family tailgating trip to see the Appalachian State Mountaineers.  Both records are exquisite.  This is Jarosz’s third album and she continues to refine her bluegrass femme fatale sound.  I’ve been a fan since her first record release and the wisdom and heartache in her voice resonates throughout her work.  While only 22, Jarosz presence is as timeless as the bluegrass tradition itself.

The Tedeschi Trucks Band’s Made Up Mind record is also stellar. I saw Derek Trucks when he was thirteen at a local spot in Greensboro, NC.  To this day his solo guitar performance of “America the Beautiful” is the best rendition I have ever heard. Derek has now transformed his solo project into a family band that feature his fiery soul singing wife, Susan Tedeschi, on lead vocals.  The record will blow you away. It is by far one of the bluesiest, grooviest, earth quaking recordings to break through this year.

Last but not least is the 20th Anniversary release of Nirvana’s In Utero.  The super deluxe edition comes with 3 CDs and 1 DVD, a remastered version of the album plus 31 bonus tracks, 17 live tracks from their Live and Loud performance at Pier 48 in Seattle (12/13/93) and 11 bonus videos.  The packaging does not disappoint either.  This is all window dressing, however, for one of the greatest albums ever recorded.  Putting it back in the rotation taps you into the loud purity that made Nirvana the tour de force of 90s rock.

Other 2013 Highlights include:

Queens of the Stone Age’s …Like Clockwork was a heavy thrill.  The album played perfectly in October even though it was released earlier.  Jimi Hendrix’s People, Hell and Angels, like the Dylan reissue, was a fantastic release because it was surprising in its completeness despite being recorded so long ago.  Arcade Fire’s Reflektor was a big departure from the band’s more organic sound.  The album, however, is a genius masterpiece for its daring mashing of genres. The National’s Trouble Will Find Me did not break a lot of new ground but it was still a great listen.

Jim James’s Regions of Light and Sound of God was a quiet delight and I have enjoyed it even more after seeing him perform on Austin City Limits. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs’s Mosquito (Deluxe Version) was awesome for its banshee screams and experimental sound rage. Atoms for Peace’s AMOK was by far the best supergroup release. Thom Yorke’s cry with Flea’s bass is a perfect match.  Last, but not least is Pearl Jam’s Lightning Bolt.  The band is back with music that rocks.  The album, and concert I attended, has put them back on the map.  I must also tip my hat to the recording itself.  No album has sounded better in my car than this one.

I hope you enjoyed this list of my favorite albums.  I will post a list of the 2013 albums I wish I heard later this week. Christmas ideas for all!

Until then enjoy this Another Self Portrait recording of the traditional English ballad “Pretty Saro.” Watch this video illustrated with photos from the Farm Security Administration archive at the Library of Congress.

Best Lines:  Sound Opinion’s 2013 Best Albums Podcast

Baby's First Christmas Ornament 2013

The Greatest Vacation of My Life and I Never Left the House

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Today marks the last day of the greatest vacation I have ever known. I did not travel to a tropical island or ride roller coasters at the world’ s greatest theme park. I did not gamble the night away or meet celebrities in sunny Hollywood. What I did do was stay at home for three weeks with my wife and our beautiful new son. While we only left the house for a few doctor visits and a crazy trip to our local Christmas tree lot, it has truly been the greatest three weeks I have spent on this Earth. No future vacation will ever top it.

Meals served. Hugs exchanged. Laughs had. Joy all around! Needless to say, this vacation had it all.

Activity Gym 2013The holidays came early to our household and we are truly blessed. In the middle of it all was baby boy. He was the rock star of the affair. Every person who held him did not get to hold him long enough. Every person who fed him wished they could do it one more time. From Face-timing with Great Grandparents and Uncles far away to sharing our sweet baby boy with family and friends, the entire experience left us transfixed with joy.  As this vacation’s last week draws to a close, new attractions include little boy now lifting his head during tummy time, looking up in wonder at hanging sea animals and resting comfortably in new holiday themed outfits.

In truth, a once in a lifetime life has begun. Baby boy is happening 24-7. Front row tickets to this ongoing event are free. All you have to do is visit our house and little Sweet Cheeks. If you stopped by over the last three weeks then you helped get this event off to an extraordinary start. You all were a part of a truly special extended holiday.

As I look back on that holiday, the wildest ride of the last three weeks occurred aboard the changing table. This roller coaster included sprays to the face and scrambles for un-stuffed cloth diapers. The most hilarious moment came when a baby boy blowout shot not once, but twice across the table bow mid-change. Fortunately, my wife and I survived and got on the ride again 3 hours later.  We even invited others to take part in the ride if they were game! While the changing table no longer offers the thrills and spills of the first couple of go-rounds, it can still get dicey when we least expect it.

As we prepare to put the finishing touches on our Christmas tree, my heart is heavy because tomorrow marks my return to work. Before my son was born I worried about deadlines, pleasing higher-ups and being left out of the loop once I went on paternity leave. Those life concerns are now taking a back seat. As I head back to work my sole focus is on the well-being of my wife and baby boy. I will soak up these last hours of joy knowing we will share many more moments together. We have plenty more books to read, rattles to rattle and night-time lullabies to sing. I look forward to those moments but nothing will be quite like the uninterrupted bliss of these first three weeks.

I’ve got iTunes radio set to the Rockin’ Holiday station. I’ve got baby boy in my arms. We are reaching for our first ornament to hang together and I’m looking back at my wife in awe. Here’s to family, friends and the best vacation of my life!

Nelson Mandela (1918-2013)

Mourning Mandela

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“We would like to create a world familiar with the smiles of children rather than their tears” – Nelson Mandela

Last night my wife tasked me with filling out the current events section of my son’s baby book. Adding hit TV shows and songs was a breeze. Popular entertainers were no problem. It was only when I got to adding the top 2013 news headlines that I became stuck. I desperately wanted to add a positive story. Instead, my mind circled around tragedies like the Syrian Civil War, the Boston Bombing and the flooding in the Philippines. Then, just when I thought my heart could hang no lower, my AP Mobile app notified me of the passing of Nelson Mandela. Needless to say, I went to bed last night worrying about the world my son is inheriting.

Luckily, this morning I came across this blog post by Roberto A. Ferdman and Ritchie King:

IN MEMORIAM: The wisdom of Nelson Mandela: quotes from the most inspiring leader of the 20th century 

Nelson Mandela’s life was an inspiration! I still feel an overwhelming sense of loss, but it is no small consolation to be reminded of his many great deeds, his resiliency and, above all else, his words. While the Nelson Mandela’s of the world are in short supply, I know my life, and my son’s life, will continue to populate with positive leaders that shine light on the dark corners of the world. The efforts of these people, and those that follow their light, consistently renew my faith in humanity.

I believe strongly that we can all have a positive impact on the world. Small acts of kindness do not go unnoticed. Tolerance and understanding are teachable traits. Love is in far greater supply than hate. For every conflict or tragedy, there are a thousand helping hands reaching out to those in need. For all of these reasons we are far better off today than we were a half-century ago.

On behalf of my son and a mourning world, thank you Mandela. Rest in peace.

Best Block:  Nelson Mandela, 1918–2013: Remembering an Icon of Freedom (Richard Stengel)

Duke Redhawks

Devilish Redhawks Will Play for ACC Championship

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The Duke Blue Devil’s secured a spot in the ACC Championship game with their thrilling 27-25 win over North Carolina.  The football game was one for the ages and culminated in Duke’s first-ever 10 win season.  While Tarheel fans are dismayed by this development, I have reason to cheer.

Two of my former U.S. History students, Jamison Crowder and Issac Blakeney, played prominent roles in the Duke victory.  These two gifted student-athletes have the entire Monroe High community beaming with Redhawk pride.   It has been a thrill watching them compete all season.  While Jamison and Issac’s names are relatively new to those that follow college football, many who know them from their high school days are not surprised by their success.  Their athletic abilities on the football field and basketball court has never been in doubt.  What makes the two men even bigger stars is that at Monroe High they always put student before athlete when it came to academic achievement.  They were two of my best history students.  In my classroom, they never once let their athletic development get in the way of their educational goals.  This is why I believe they were exceptional role models at Monroe High.

Their success is in large part due to the support of their parents and their high school coach, Johnny Sowell.  I have learned a lot over the years from Coach Sowell about building relationships and inspiring student athletes.  It is no surprise that the Monroe High football team finds itself again competing for a chance to win an elusive state football title.  A victory against Parkwood High this week will get them into the title game on December 13th in Chapel Hill.  It is my hope that Monroe High, and Coach Sowell, will add a football state championship to the basketball state title Jamison and Issac helped the school win in 2010.

Duke ACC Champs
Monroe Redhawk Champs

Until then, there will be plenty of Redhawks in attendance as Duke takes on Florida State for the ACC title in Charlotte.  This is as close to a homecoming as one can get.  The excitement in the stands will be electric come December 7th.   While I cannot wait to see how Jamison, Issac and the Blue Devils perform, they are already legitimate heroes to the Monroe High community.  Go Redhawks!

Best Score:  Finally, a Duke-Carolina football game for the ages (Luke DeCock)