Jazz and sunroofs

Wilco – “Far, Far Away”

Tweedy first thing for second day in a row. Early-morning life is good.

Elvis Costello – “Cheap Reward”

Travis – “Last Train”

Guided By Voices – “Her Psychology Today”

RAWK SAWNG OF THE DAY: Killswitch Engage – “World Ablaze”

Didn’t make The Sword show at Conservatory tonight, but the after-the-fact realization that I got to rock Killswitch at the office while writing a story about a military base made me feel a little better.

Clearlake – “Far Away”

The Beatles – “Getting Better”

At the office today, we were in the middle of one of our daily doom and gloom e-mail chains about the future of journalism and our paper when “Getting Better” started playing through my headphones. I thought it was curious timing, so I told my colleagues about it. Posted these lyrics in the e-mail for what I thought would be a thought-provoking dose of irony:

It’s getting better all the time
I used to get mad at my school
The teacher’s that taught me weren’t cool
You’re holding me down
Filling me up with your rules
I’ve got to admit it’s getting better
A little better all the time
I have to admit it’s getting better
It’s getting better since you’ve been mine
Me used to be angry young man
Me hiding me head in the sand
You gave me the word
I finally heard
I’m doing the best that I can
I’ve got to admit it’s getting better
I used to be cruel to my woman
I beat her and kept apart from the things that she loved
Man I was mean but I’m changing my scene
And I’m doing the best that I can
I admit it’s getting better
A little better all the time
Yes I admit it’s getting better
It’s getting better since you’ve been mine…

Instead, within seconds I was accused of being a woman-beater. While on deadline. Right – because when I think about The Beatles, I think about domestic abuse.

My co-workers because are quite possibly bigger smartasses than I am. This is why I enjoy them.

Creeper Lagoon – “Dead Man Saloon”

Golden Smog – “Another Fine Day”

TRB – “Part II (Radio Edit)”

Ryan Adams & The Cardinals – “Blossom”

Cold War Kids – “Red Wine, Success!”

I’m dying to see what these guys come up with for their next record. And I’m dying to see them live. Here’s why:

Creedence Clearwater Revival - ”Long As I Can See The Light”

Creeper Lagoon – “Black Hole”

Jesse Malin – “Scars of Love”

The Soundtrack of Our Lives – “Believe I’ve Found”

Radiohead – “Planet Telex”

Doves – “Words”

BEST BAND YOU’VE PROBABLY NEVER HEARD: Varnaline – “Still Dream”

Spaced out alt-country. For fans of Wilco. Of course. From up north some place.

Everclear – “Heartspark Dollar Sign”

Red House Painters – “Smokey”

The Magpies – “Pick Up I’m Calling”

Wore my Magpies shirt for the first time today. To Wal-Mart. Classy.

Blue October – “Schizophrenia”

The Stills – “Fevered”

John Coltrane – “Equinox”

I was headed north on Classen a few minutes ago with the sunroof down and the sax came in. Coltrane, a breeze, and a bright moon is harmony. I pulled up in my driveway and kept the sunroof open for the rest of the song. Felt too good to stop without seeing it the whole way through, you know?

Breakdown: 24 songs, three locations

Tags: Blue October, Clearlake, Cold War Kids, Conservatory, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Creeper Lagoon, Doves, Elvis Costello, Everclear, Golden Smog, Guided By Voices, Jesse Malin, John Coltrane, Killswitch Engage, metal, Radiohead, Red House Painters, Ryan Adams, The Beatles, The Magpies, The Soundtrack of Our Lives, The Stills, The Sword, Travis, TRB, Varnaline, Wilco