Mystik Spiral

They're playing a small club here in a couple of months... I must remember to get tickets in advance.

Wow, Mart, that is awesome! Have a great time... I wish I could be in Ireland, but the most I can do is send you virtual pints, for whatever that's worth.

The Ascent Of Everest - How Lonely Sits The City

Great, great album. Such a shame they broke up...

damn but i love this band...

eh, nevermind, I answered my own question by tackling laziness and heading over to their myspace. I like the new song. A lot. can't wait for october.

Do they have a new album out soon, T? That would be awesome...

I think you hit the nail on the head there. They really have never liked this band... We All Belong got a 5.5 as well, and Easy Beat a 4.4. It's like Dr. Dog is the band they take out all their frustrations on. Fuck 'em.

Any of you Austinites familiar with Full Service? I kinda like 'em.

That would be In The Aeroplane Over The Sea by Neutral Milk Hotel. And it is, indeed, beautiful.

Yes, yes, yes - go, go go!!! Especially in a small club. Of all the bands I've ever seen play, there are two that have a near transcendental feel to the live show - Cloud Cult & Okkervil River. You will not be disappointed, they are absolutely mesmerizing.

Yeah, I remember their last late night performance (Letterman, maybe?) they were kind of out of tune... maybe that's why I still get to see them in small clubs. Yes I'm selfish that way.

And that you don't deny the sublime cleverness of the lyrics of "Plus Ones"...

I know there's lots of you who weren't completely sold on The Stage Names, but at least tell me you can't restrain yourselves from dancing around like madmen/women during "Unless It's Kicks"...

Just gettin' ready fer Conan. This album is so sick. Next, 'cause I'll probably have time before Conan: Just 'cause I've been playin' the hell out of The Stand-Ins and it seems appropriate...

Yeah, listening again. The more I hear Lost Coastlines the more I can't believe I didn't recognize Meiburg's voice right off the bat, he's so goddamn intense... my first coupla listens I did think it was Sheff on the low down.

This band is such a class act. Looking forward to Conan tonite, and get well soon, Toby! Luckily the next Denver date is in September, I believe, and won't be affected by that blasted throat punch. Can't wait - been too long since I've seen the boys...

The Stage Names was my #3 album of last year, behind only The National & Andrew Bird. And thus far The Stand-Ins just cements the fact that Okkervil River can seemingly do nothing that I don't just love... TSN was just a 9 song record... keeping in mind that it was originally conceived to be a double album, and that The Stand-Ins are basically TSN leftovers... not too much to complain about, eh?

Correcto - s/t Haven't heard as much about this as I'd have expected to... or maybe I've just not been paying attention.