What to Wear During an Orange Alert?: December 2007

Monday, December 31, 2007

Monday Morning Mix

And we're back! Happy New Year's Eve, there are so many built up thoughts and e-mails floating around from taking a week off I think my head might explode. Hence this explosive mix featuring The Mountain Goats, Mikrofisch, Black Kids, Diverse, Elliot Smith, and more... "My Head Exploded... I Woke" (Zip and Tracks)

Artwork: My Head Exploded... and I Woke by Winston Chmielinski

Monday, December 24, 2007

Merry Christmas

I just wanted to thank everyone for a wonderful year full of quality interviews and hopefully a few new discoveries. I have made a lot of new friends this past year, who without them Orange Alert would not be the same. Thank you to every one who contributed this year and to everyone who stopped by to read. I will return in one week with new interviews and new many things to share.

Merry Christmas,
Jason

Orange Alert's Top 10 Song's of 2007

Sunday, December 23, 2007

Top Albums of 2007 (pt. 5)

10. Throw Me The Statue - Moonbeams (6/07) Listen to: About To Walk (mp3) I know that Secrectly Canadian is rereleasing this album in February '08, but it was available for several months on Baskerville Hill. Scott Reitherman creates hybrid pop by combining electronic, lo-fi recording, and straight-up brilliant melodies and lyrics. His music is so pure and familiar yet unique and irresistable.

9. Dinosaur Jr. - Beyond (4/07) Listen to: Pick Me Up (mp3) Return to form, or did J never lose his true form?

8. Sexton Blake - Plays The Hits! (7/07) Listen to: Bette Davis Eyes (mp3) A cover album in the 10 top! Yes, it is that good.

7. Black Before Red - Belgrave to Kings Circle (8/07) Listen to: Goddess in Trauma (mp3) I could listen to their harmonies all day long.

6. Yea Big & Kid Static - Yea Big & Kid Static (10/07) Listen to: The Life Here (mp3) Honestly, the most complete hip-hop album in the last few years.

5. Page France - ... And The Telephone (5/07) Listen to: Mr. Violin and The Dancing Bear (mp3) Michael Nau does it again, spinning riddles into puzzles, struggling and trusting at every turn, but keeping the listening memorized with his complex stories.

4. Jens Lekman - Night Falls Over Kortedala (10/07) Listen to: Postcards to Nina (mp3) Some have said this is not his best work, but I tend to disagree. Pop tunes with a magical crooner, what could be better?

3. Papercuts - Can't Go Back (2/07) Listen to: Dear Employee (mp3)

2. Canon Blue - Colonies (10/07) Listen to: Pilguin Pop (mp3) Daniel James has released an honest album filled with electronic pop/folk music.

1. Bowerbirds - Hymns for the Dark Horse (8/07) Listen to: Bur Oak (mp3) An adventure into the deep woods and back.

Saturday, December 22, 2007

Top 10 Ep's of 2007

This year seemed to be a great year for the Ep, whether it was a new band testing the waters or the more experienced tiding us over the Ep's were plentiful.

10. Loose Lips Sink Ships - EP 1 Listen to: No. 1 (mp3)

9. Grizzly Bear - Friend Listen to: Knife (Covered by CSS) (mp3)

8. Wild Sweet Orange - The Whale Listen to: Wrestle With God (mp3)

7. Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele - A Brush With Velvet (free download) Listen to: Meet Me in the Garden (mp3)

6. LoveLikeFire - An Ocean in the Air Listen to: Unlighted Shadow (mp3)

5. Canon Blue - Halcyon (free download) Listen to: Halcyon (mp3)

4. Venna - Venna Listen to: Eulogy (mp3)

3. Illinois - What the hell do I know? Listen to: Screendoor (mp3)

2. The Vandelles - The Vandelles Listen to: Lovely Weather (mp3)

1. (me)shach Jackson - Expirements in Drowning Listen to: Smile (mp3)

Favorite Discoveries of 2007

10. October Road: If the Office was to suddenly go off the air this would be my favorite show. A young Boston writer finds success, but struggle with challenge of writing a follow-up. He returns home (the setting of his debut novel) to find inspiration. Well done!

9. CiCi's Macaroni Pizza: By far my favorite restaurant this year was CiCi's Pizza. This is an all-you-can-eat pizza buffet, with quality, diverse pizzas and plentiful deserts. They always have a few vegetarian pizzas out, and among them my favorite is the Macaroni pizza.

8. Redbox: This year I found Redbox, and it has consumed my weekends ever since. You can order on-line and pickup your movie at the closest box to your house. It is fast, cheap and very convenient.

7. Snapple Water: 2007 saw a complete redesign of the Snapple product line. My obsession (and label collection) goes back to middle school, and I have tried to have at least one of every type of Snapple ever produced. This year they released (among other items) a line of antioxidant water, and I could not have been more pleased.

6. pdf-mags.com/New Music Tipsheet/Box Office Mojo: It is all about resources and connections, and this year I found three very reliable resources to help with the site. Pdf-Mags.com, updates frequently and contains links and updates on some of the best Mags on the internet. The New Music Tipsheet is a great resource when looking for what new music is coming out. I use it every Tuesday. Box office mojo works the same way, but with DVD's and movies.

5. Guerilla Poetics Project: What a noble mission! A group of writers charged with the goal of promoting the small press. Producing several broadsides (2 month to be exact) this year, GPP operatives take the material and hide them inside soon-to-be purchased books around the world.

4. Matt & Kim's encore performance: A late addition to the 2007 Lollapalooza line-up, Matt & Kim were schedule early on Day 2. Way too early for the suburban folks (especially those who are forced to work Saturday morning) to make it in time to catch the performance. Disappointed but anticipating the Cold War Kids performance, an announcement is made that CSS will not be able to make it due to flight issues. However, Matt & Kim have offered to play another set instead. After Cold War the crowd thins, I grab a spot right in front and Matt & Kim bring forth the most energetic show of the weekend. I appreciated their music before that day, but walked away a life long fan!

3. Lucky Man: Ok maybe the book itself did not change my life (not yet at least), but it has allowed me to get to know the author a little better. Working on the site this past year, I have started many novels and chapbooks. Aside from the chapbooks, "Lucky Man" is the only one I have read cover to cover. It is a fast paced journey following four friends through young adulthood with twists and laughs all the way. Ben's promotional video's have also been one of my favorite things to watch this year.

2. Literary Journals Galore: A list within a list? Why not!

1. THE2NDHAND - Hometown feel with obscenely good material.
2. Ragad - Nick you are my hero!
3. Thieves Jargon - Proud member of the crew. Art Editor has such a nice ring to it.
4. decomP - Awaiting the return and unveiling of the all new decomP in February. You never know who might be involved.
5. Please Don't - New to the world of on-line lit this year, but I anticipate big things in 2008. I mean Sommerville and Messinger in the inaugural issue, oh my!

1. Kendra Steiner Editions: If anyone ever asks you what it means to be dedicated to the craft, please point them in the direction of Bill Shute. I am simply blown away by his ability to evaluate quality and generate a product it such a short period of time. His chapbooks should be treasured as the limited editions they are, but the incredible things is that you can buy them for 3/$10. Bill just released the latest chapbook from Luis Berriozabal, KEEPERS OF SILENCE (KSE #82). I have heard it is a great, but only 64 were made, so grab a copy today.