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So for my birthday I got tickets to see STRFKR, because they're coming to Reno in June! I'm excited. And playing with them is a duo called Wampire.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wd9W91FEyA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oMqEZSYnGw

I like 'em! I preordered their album (on vinyl, naturally) and it ended up being quite good. They have kind of a STRFKR-ish vibe to them, though with less emphasis on the electronic aspect. Kind of an 80s feel, too. Cool stuff.

I also bought the limited-edition 45 they put out, which has a Kraftwerk cover on the B-side, and since I'd been curious about Kraftwerk for some time anyway I decided to check them out too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfcOIExrp2E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Sbvylpwah8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhBG1ilB3ao

I'm completely addicted now. They were way ahead of their time, and having listened to their entire catalog I truly think they're brilliant. Part of what's so magical about them is they make a kind of music that hasn't become truly prevalent until now, but back in the 1970s and 1980s, so listening to this computerized, synthesized material and knowing it's been around for so long, it's almost like a trip through time. Now I'm trying to acquire original issues of all their records. I've managed to get three so far: Electric Cafe, Trans-Europe Express, and Autobahn. Still waiting on the last two to arrive in the mail, but Electric Cafe sounds utterly amazing on vinyl. Hoping all goes well with eBay auctions for Computer World and Radio-Activity.

Thanks, guys :3

I actually have a job interview next week with the company I got my training from! If I get the job I'll be working as a Special Events medic, which means I'll be getting paid to attend all the fun stuff Reno and some of the surrounding areas have going on. I could even go to Burning Man. And even better, on top of a paycheck, being employed by them means I get free education from them, so I can get my next-level EMT certification at no charge. After that my job opportunities expand even further. It's exciting!

So I've kinda been absent for the past few months... reason being this. I crossposted this in the Picture Sharing thread, but hey.



Been busy working to get that.

This is why I've been kinda missing the past few months.

Meh, kids have always been messed up. *was bullied growing up*

And why is that? Bad parenting. But now parents have an easy scapegoat -- they don't have to accept any responsibility for their own shoddy work, and because it's taboo to tell anyone how to raise their children, the unintended surrogate parent of child-oriented TV has to walk a fine line and cover all the bases the parents neglect due to their own incompetence or be blamed for how children turn out.

Terrible.

The legend will never die.

A significant number of vinyl records you buy nowadays actually include a code that'll give you an MP3 copy of the album. This one did, as has every record I've purchased from this label, on top of the instant download they give you upon checking out. It's kind of the happy medium between having a copy for home listening and a digital version for use on-the-go or on your computer. Plus you get a 12" x 12" (or larger, in the case of this album) piece of artwork you can look at. I still like buying CDs, however, since they're more convenient to play on the road and the audio quality is higher than any MP3 version, but buying vinyl that offers an MP3 copy is perfectly acceptable. I still plan to pick up Miracle Mile on CD at some point in the future, but I don't need to currently.

As for why vinyl is making a comeback... I really can't say. I honestly think it's largely a fad on the consumer end, since records are "cool" and "retro" so they're the "in" thing right now, but they do have unique audio properties that make them a whole different experience to listen to, which is what the artists like. CDs are pure data, so they never degrade over time, but a vinyl record is a literal physical representation of recorded sound waves, so the way the sound is interpreted gives vinyl a quality to it I can't really describe that CDs lack. The best I've been able to liken it to is vinyl being like a solid oak table in a library, whereas a CD is like a stainless steel counter in a laboratory. Both perform the same function, but they have different feels.

Either way, while I love my CDs, I love my records too, and I wouldn't get rid of one of the other for either. But there just ain't nothin' like unwrapping a brand new record. Even if it's not technically due out for another week or so, it's like traveling back in time and taking part in a tradition that's been around for half a century and almost died, but was revived.

Vinyl's becoming more and more popular as time goes on, believe it or not. Lots of artists are putting out vinyl editions of the albums they release.

I got my copy of the aforementioned STRFKR album today, actually! More than a week before its street date :3 Here's a high-res picture of the discs:

Man, that ain't right D: That sucks.

On a related note, I picked up the Hot Topic-exclusive clear vinyl edition of KNY a few weeks ago.



Also, one of my favorite bands ever that nobody's heard of, STRFKR (I would be breaking the forum rules if I posted their full name), had their upcoming album "Miracle Mile" leaked last week. They ended up just releasing the digital version early on Monday for those who preordered it. I was one of those (I preordered the vinyl edition) so I was able to download it legitimately.

AND HOLY GOD IT'S GOOD. Best album of theirs yet. My favorite tracks are "Leave It All Behind," "Last Words," "Golden Light," and "Night Rite," but they're all winners, I think. Highly recommended; y'all should give 'em a listen because they're not quite like anyone else out there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90P6t2VaVG8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ii0GDDIYK7M

Also, look at this vinyl, it's beautiful! 2xLP set too.

's what happens when parents expect the TV to raise their children for them.

And people wonder why kids are so messed up today.

I didn't even watch the halftime show. I did enjoy the game, though.

Also, I thought everyone knew the real reason the power went out?

yeah maaaan

he's not a mind reader maaaaan

Hey maaaan, you have no way of knowing that.

Unless... wait.  UNLESS YOU'RE A MIND READER TOO!

I lol'd.

Seriously, what would I do without you guys?

Two words.

Star.

Farmer.

So Brave.

yeah maaaan

he's not a mind reader maaaaan

I got some sweet new headphones and I bought myself a bunch of new records :3 I also had to get some glasses, but now I can see properly again! Good holiday.

KNY is still my favorite Deftones album. Every time I listen to it I just... hehdnbakpqoemfnbdhsi it's SO GOOD

A while back I bought "Good News For People Who Love Bad News" by Modest Mouse. Pretty great album. Blame Rock Band for that one -- it had me play "Float On" like 50 times. :v

I also bought Fatboy Slim's "You've Come A Long Way, Baby." And dammit, it is a fun album to listen to. Recommended.

For Christmas I got Seether's "Karma And Effect." Love it love it love it. That's 3/3 albums of theirs I own that were awesome, so I think this means I need the rest of their stuff too now.