I’ve been pretty slack with this here blog lately. Quite honestly, I don’t expect that to change much, as I’m busier than ever. I’ve also been doing some serious thinking about eskimo bliss, and while it’s served as a great outlet for me, I’ve decided to put it on a “hiatus” of sorts. Originally I started this blog to talk about my adventures as the head of an independent record label; it’s still an adventure and it’s still something I enjoy talking about, but more and more I’m becoming less involved in the music “scene” and more into things like my family and career. So with that in mind, I’ll probably be launching a new website and/or blog to chronicle my creative endeavors as well as, well, that remains to be seen!

In the meantime, you can visit my sporatic ramblings over on Tumblr, which I really think is the future of blogging anyway. Thanks for reading, and have a great 2010!

With that said, speaking from an indierock perspective, I was really surprised by the diversity and quality of  new music that came out in 2009. I think it’s interesting to note that out of all the releases listed below (including honorable mentions), the majority of them are from bands I had never heard of prior to this year. Considering that I tend to show more interest in a band that’s tried and true vs. a brand new name, that’s saying something. 2010, you’ve got your work cut out for you!

And without further adieu …

10. Monsters of Folk – S/T
Is the sum better than the parts? No. And really the only one I’m a big fan of is Jim James. But I think the fact that there’s just enough of each member (ok, perhaps there’s just a touch too much Oberst for my liking) keeps it perfectly diverse and interesting.

9. Megafaun – Gather, Form & Fly
One of the more interesting releases of the year. This NC (reprasent!) outfit plays with acapella, bluegrass, Americana, psych-folk … ultimately defying classification.

8. The Swell Season – Strict Joy
I would have liked more Marketa—her “I Have Loved You Wrong” is one of the best tracks on the album. But a beautiful collection, even if it’s a little over produced at times.

7. Port O’Brien – Threadbare
What a great surprise. I dug their last one, but “All We Could Do Was Sing” was the only song that really stuck with me. Had I not heard this so late in the year, I probably would have ranked it a little higher. It’s still growing on me, and along with the Real Estate record, will probably be my most listened-to release this winter.

6. Neko Case – Middle Cyclone
I’d put Neko up against any current vocalist doing the alt. country thing. Pure perfection. And she pulls it off 100% live.

5. Dirty Projectors – Bitte Orca
I’m so not a fan of this sort of music—read: pretentious, overly complex, weird, even prog-inspired at times. But next to Megafaun, this was the most interesting stuff I heard all year, and their live show really blew me away. Interested to see how they’ll top this one. I’m betting they probably won’t.

4. Real Estate - S/T
2009′s biggest surprise honors, and my favorite album cover of the year, no doubt goes to Real Estate. My first thought was Beach House meets Grizzly Bear. But I love Real Estate more than both those bands. “Snow Days” is my winter 2009 anthem.

3. Girls – Album
It’s garagey, it’s retro … but i love it anyway! It’s just too catchy and Elvis Costello-esque not to. Not since Peter Bjorn & John’s Writer’s Block has an album grabbed me so quickly. Can’t wait to see them live here in February!

2. Hello Saferide – More Modern Stories From Hello Saferide

I think I came across Hello Saferide over the summer, thanks to someone’s emusic list. It’s technically an ’08 release, but we got it this year as an import. Instantly catchy, quirky and endearing, and absolutely AMAZING lyrics. It even won two “Grammis”, Sweden’s equivalent to the Grammys.

1. Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
I know, this was the most blogged about record of the year, alongside Grizzly Bear. Which would typically mean I would hate it, or at the very least ignore it. But it really is THAT good. And they really bring it live. I don’t think I’ll ever tire of this album. It makes me dance. And I don’t dance.

Other releases that almost made the cut: Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest; Wild Beasts – Two Dancers; Wilco – Wilco; Regina Spektor – Far; Andrew Bird – Nobel Beast; The Dutchess and the Duke – Sunset/Sunrise; Thao with the Get Down Stay Down – Know Better Learn Faster; Bon Iver – Blood Bank; Volcano Choir – Unmap; The Decemberists – The Hazards of Love; Various Artists – Dark Was The Night; Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson – Summer of Fear

One thing to note: as always, I excluded any eskimo kiss releases, because it goes without saying that those will always be my faves.

Comment and tell me your faves! And happy holidays!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Whether the duo dabbled in hippie folk, prog-rock, new wave or adult contemporary, however, the core of their sound always remained the soul music of their Philly roots, a trait that can be traced throughout the thread of this career-spanning four-CD box set.

Read the entire review here.

photo swiped from yelp.com

Dynamic Dish. Yesterday I finally ate at the small spot on Edgewood that has Atlanta vegetarians raving. And OMG, what I’ve been missing. Everything was so fresh and absolutely delicious. And I just love the clean, minimalist design of the space. I had their tofu “snack wrap,” followed by a pumpkin cupcake (so very yum), and thought about my meal for the rest of the day. I think they change their menu daily; you can get previews of what they’re serving over at their website (which is worthy of a visit even if you don’t live in Atlanta, as their food photos are really great). Can’t wait to go back.

See Through Souls is a wonderful event that combines beautiful window art with live music, all to benefit the Women’s Resource Center. Tomorrow marks the third annual event, and The Good Graces will once again be part of it, for the third straight year (in fact, the first ever See Through Souls was also my first ever show as tGG!). We go on at 4:30 PM; the event takes place at Picaflor Studio (at the Arizona Lofts) starting at 3 PM.

Finally becoming the Mayor of FLiP on Foursquare! It’s the little things …

Happy Friday everyone!!!

According to several recent articles around the Interwebs, the dynamic duo will appear on ‘The Cleveland Show,’ Fox’s ‘Family Guy’ spinoff, on November 22. They’ll serve as the angel and devil on Cleveland’s shoulder, which sounds like a very funny premise.

Check the details here and here.

This lovely weather. I hate the winter. HATE. So sometimes I have a hard time really enjoying fall because I’m too bummed about shorter days and the impending cold. But so far, I’m ok with the days getting darker earlier because it’s been so danged nice in the morning.

Having very few plans this weekend. I have a few creative projects up my sleeve, but plan on also enjoying lots of the above. And perhaps even washing my dirty car, if the weather holds up. Me time = bliss.

Recovering my temporarily-missing cat yesterday. He’s an escape artist, and he gave me quite a scare. But just as I was about to scour the neighborhood, there he was at the front door. Whew.

Death Cab for Cutie Pandora Radio. There are some bands I just can’t seem to get enough of, regardless of them losing their indie cred and becoming mainstream or whatever. Death Cab is definitely one of those bands. Currently making my work day much more enjoyable.

Women viewers no doubt remember this hottie, Sam Talbot, who was a finalist from season two. By anyone’s standards, he’s been one of (if not the) best looking cheftestants. Yet I NEVER see a word about him as it relates to the show, which seems really strange when you consider some of the other, less talented, alumni who still appear on the Top Chef site every now and then, providing commentary on the current season, or those participating in special events. So what gives, Bravo? Are you shunning Sam, or (more likely) is he, for some reason, shunning the show and distancing himself from it?

On to the show. And this is going to all sound completely hypocritical, I admit it. But I was both bothered by the producers’ need to focus on previous dramas (and totally felt the same way as Casey, I’m over it) yet also bothered by the LACK of drama. Where was Hosea and Leah? Or at least a mention of their fling? I mean if you’re going to dwell on the dumb things that people said and did in the past, why not at least go there, rather than looking for ways to revisit the childish bickering? I also missed Stephanie. I can only assume that the three of them weren’t there because they had prior, more important commitments, not because they weren’t invited. With all that said, here’s my obligatory best ofs/most likelies from the show. And finally, a prediction for next week!

Best case of forgetting how to cook: Dale, who said he had planned on retiring (huh?) had he not been cast on TC season 3, seemed to downright struggle in the kitchen. Dale, get to prepping in the retirement home, cause dang if you didn’t look out of your league as compared to the rest of the alums.

Most improved: Gawd, how I hated Ilan during his season. But whatdya know, he’s mellowed out and he’s actually a cutie! He seemed genuinely happy to see everyone, although slightly uncomfortable. He was downing that wine fast (and also seemed more interested in purchasing wine at the grocery store than food)! But out of all the previous cheftestants who were present, he did seem more down to earth than most. And I love his cute smile and glasses. Note to Bravo – more Ilan, less Marcel in future specials!

Best and worst choice of a host: I could hardly understand a word he said during his season. And had a bit of trouble at times during the reunion. But Fabio does have that Italian charm and he seemed really comfortable in the host position. I felt bad for him though, when he asked the questions that the producers wanted him to ask but just got lip for it. Which brings me to …

Best case of nothing changing: The old Marcel had stupid hair and was a douche. And whatdya know, the Marcel of today also has stupid hair and is a douche. I think he’s a victim of one too many sand kicks to the face when he was a kid. But I’d bet he had every single one coming.

Best display of mad skillz: Ilan and Marcel, aka Douche and Drunker, did bring their A-game. Sure, this wasn’t a competition. But rather than go into retirement mode like Dale, the boys from season two sure did impress. That Thai Snapper preparation was bad ass.

Best dressed: OK, some of these guys and girls really needed a stylist! I guess the point was to be comfortable, but jeez, this was on TV for chrissakes. The exception was Hung. The boy looked GOOD.

Best quote: Harold – “I’m really looking foward to dinner and hanging out with everybody. We can sit here and drink some wine and be very civilized.” Yeah, because that’s exactly what the producers were going for. A meal where everyone can show how civilized they are. Riiiiight.

Next week … a new episode, yay! Who will be ELIminated? hmmmmm …

Here‘s a blurb about H&O’s recently released box set, “Do What You Want, Be What You Are,” from Creative Loafing’s Crib Notes blog. I’m pretty much a Hall & Oates completist, so while I have most of the songs included on the new box set (save for some live cuts and previously unreleased tunes), you can be sure that I’m adding it to my wishlist. It spans four decades (yes, four DECADES — and that alone is pretty impressive, regardless of what you might think of the duo’s music) of material, and from what other reviews are reporting, includes some very comprehensive liner notes which are just an added bonus to the great tunes.