Hey e-lovers,

Here is the most recent playlist for Things that Are Square on KUCI. I didn't do a show last week due to being in NYC for Thanksgiving, and this week I'm gone because I'm going to be dancing with Jonathan Richman at DiPiazza's in Long Beach. But, if you like this playlist, make sure to tune in on 12/11 for my triumphant return to the airwaves.

The playlist:

Things that Are Square 11-20-08

(*) = New release

Animal Collective - Water Curses - Water Curses

(*) Tobacco - Hairy Candy - Fucked Up Friends
(*) Kieran Hebden and Steve Reid - Arrival - NYC
(*) High Places - From Stardust to Sentience - High Places

(*) Deerhunter - Nothing Ever Happened - Microcastle
The Brian Jonestown Massacre - Open Heart Surgery - Tepid Peppermint Wonderland: A Retrospective
A Silver Mt. Zion - The Triumph of Our Tired Eyes - Born Into Trouble as the Sparks Fly Upward
(*) Benoît Pioulard - Ahn - Temper

(*) The Decemberists - Raincoat Song - Always the Bridesmaid: A Singles Series Vol. III
Mark Kozelek - Rock 'N' Roll Singer - What's Next to the Moon
Peter and the Wolf - Scarlet and Grey - The Ivori Palms
Akron/Family - I'll Be on the Water - Akron/Family

(*) Mount Eerie with Julie Doiron & Fred Squire - Voice in Headphones - Lost Wisdom
Joanna Newsom - Clam, Crab, Cockle, Cowrie - Joanna Newsom & The Ys Street Band
The Angels of Light - Evangeline - How I Loved You
(*) Antony and the Johnsons - Another World - Another World

(*) The Lucksmiths - A Sobering Thought (Just When One Was Needed) - First Frost
Kimya Dawson - Everything's Alright (W/ Danielle Ferguson) - My Cute Friend Sweet Princess
Belle and Sebastian - I Don't Love Anyone - Tigermilk
The Hidden Cameras - Ban Marriage - The Smell of Our Own

(*) Danielson - Jersey Loverboy - Trying Hartz
Why? - Ape in Cage with Wire Cutters - Almost Live from Anna's Cabin
Okkervil River - Happy Hearts (Featuring Daniel Johnston) - Don't Fall in Love with Everyone You See

The Weakerthans - My Favourite Chords - Left and Leaving

Feel free to tune in on Thursdays, 6-8pm PST on KUCI 88.9FM in Irvine, CA, and worldwide live on the internet at KUCI.ORG, the public radio presets of iTunes, and the flash player at myspace.com/kuci889fm. Your listenership will not be forgotten.

<3,
Kyle

Leanne and I used to make fun of Joanna Newsom years ago, before she was very well known. We just thought her singing (if you could call it that, we said) was the most ridiculous thing. Funny how things turn out! Her voice takes a bit of getting used to, sure, but I'm really rather enjoying her now. I really adore her lyrics especially, it's all the sort of thing I love. It makes me ever happy x

So, I finally have time to get into this earthy Seattle stoner-folk group.

White Winter Hymnal is amazing, as are Mykonos and English House off of the Sun Giant EP.

This is obvious but there are tons of Brian Wilson / The Beach Boys vibes bouncing off this. At the same time it is weirdly wonderful like some more modern acts (Joanna Newsom, Devendra Banhart).

There are only a few times a year that I listen to music like this... Mainly when I need relaxing tunes, there are no upcoming live shows to get hyped for, and I am staying in a lot and reading inside. So basically now, since I'm reasonably stressed, it's winter, and there are no fests to go to anymore.

20. Kwoon - Tales and Dreams


19. Joanna Newsom - Ys


18. Jeff Buckley - Grace


17. Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band - Trout Mask Replica


16. Talk Talk - Spirit of Eden


15. Kayo Dot - Dowsing Anemone With Copper Tongue


14. Ampere - All Our Tomorrows End Today


13. Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven


12. Boards of Canada - Music Has the Right to Children


11. Miles Davis - Bitches Brew


10. Unexpect - In A Flesh Aquarium


9. John Coltrane - A Love Supreme


8. maudlin of the Well - Bath


7. Jesu - Jesu


6. Converge - Jane Doe


5. Animal Collective - Strawberry Jam


4. Nick Drake - Pink Moon


3. My Bloody Valentine - Loveless


2. Talk Talk - Laughing Stock


1. Kayo Dot - Choirs of the Eye

OK, here is my wanted list. If you have any of these albums, please send me private message. Thanks!

Albums\Singles:
- Aphex Twin - Cock 10/54 Cymru Beats
- Caustic Window - Joyrex J4 EP
- Caustic Window - Joyrex J5 EP
- Caustic Window - Joyrex J9i
- Caustic Window - Joyrex J9ii
- Cloud 9 - Chilled + Distilled vol. 6 [set from chillosophy.org]
- Gus Gus - This Is Normal
- Mestre Acordeon - Joga Capoeira E
- Rya - Starship

Bootlegs:
- Joanna Newsom The First Unitarian Church Sanctuary - Philadelphia, PA November 16th, 2006 [good quality]

Soundtacks:
- Only The Strong

Various Artists:
- VA - Jazz w Polsce - Antologia / Jazz in Poland - Anthology
- VA - Muzyczny relaks z klasyką [good quality]
- VA - The Best of Polish Etno Jazz Folk Smooth

Updated 2008-11-30

I stumble upon with "WellMedicated" a weblog focusing on graphic and web design. One of the post has a selection of gig posters. There are a bunch of great images, every poster has a link of the designer. Just take a look:

More than just my favorite artists and songs. I like these albums because I can enjoy usually 100% of it.

1. Illinois - Sufjan Stevens

I am in awe of him every time I hear any of his music. But this album in particular is amazing. I love the state concept albums he's done, and this did so much more to improve on the already awesome Michigan concept album. From the soft, beautiful "Concerning the UFO Sighting Near Highland, Illinois," the aching "John Wayne Gacy Jr.," the flawless "Come on Feel the Illinoise," bouncy "The Tallest Man, the Broadest Shoulders," and the most popular (for a reason) "Chicago," it's nothing but perfection. Even the lyricless tracks offer catchy melodies and beats. It's really a perfect album, in my opinion.

2. Y's - Joanna Newsom

I was introduced to Joanna Newsom about a year ago. I mostly listened to Milk-Eyed Mender first, but I've grown to enjoy this album even more. I have to hand it to any artist who can write songs of this length, and have every one of them be completely listenable and enjoyable. "Only Skin" is over 16 minutes, but it never drags on. Y's is the best kind of sophomore album; Joanna Newsom developed her sound and took a great risk, but even in spite of the ambitiousness of the album, she still "sounded like Joanna Newsom."

3. OK Computer - Radiohead

It's probably a cliche to have them on here, but there's a reason for that. I had been hesitant to check out Radiohead (for stupid reasons), but I finally see what all the fuss is about. This album is amazing! "Paranoid Android" never gets old, but then again, neither does any of this album. Even "Fitter Happier" is brilliant, albeit a little chilling and creepy. The whole album kind of feels that way, but it resonates, and the themes of alienation have really spoken to me. I read that Radiohead said they'd never be able to top this album, and they're probably right. But they haven't really tried to "top" it; they've continued to develop and explore. That a band can remain so consistently inventive and enjoyable after a success like this gives me hope for other artists I enjoy, that they can also continue to progress.

4. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes

I was soooo surprised when I first got this album. Pitchfork had given it a really convincingly good review, so I thought I'd check it out. I listened to "White Winter Hymnal" about thirty times, but was so taken aback that the rest of the songs were just as beautiful. Things have felt a little dry this year music wise; most of the new releases from this year haven't been nearly as satisfying as last year. I've mostly been listening to older releases. Although there have been several surprises amidst the boringness of 2008 music, this is definitely the best.

5. The Shepherd's Dog - Iron & Wine

I was going to put Fever to Tell as my 5th favorite, but I had nearly forgotten about this one. I was first turned off to Iron & Wine, because I didn't like their Postal Service cover on the Garden State soundtrack. So I never bothered to check out any of his other music. But I broke down and decided to give The Shepherd's Dog a try, and I was not sorry in the least. The album is nearly flawless, and even "Carousel," my least favorite track, is superb. "Innocent Bones" is probably my favorite song ever. Since falling in love with Iron & Wine, I've downloaded his previous works and can appreciate even more the growth of Sam Beam as an artist, but none of them top this one. I could go on to describe more of the individual songs, but honestly every single song is worthy of praise. It is my belief that this album could curtail even the harshest critics of Iron & Wine. It's worth anybody's time to check out, believe me.

6. Fever to Tell - Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Rich
Black Tongue
Date With the Night
Maps
Y Control

7. Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destoyer? - of Montreal

We Were Born the Mutants Again With Leafling
A Sentence of Sorts in Kongsvinger
Gronlandic Edit
The Past is a Grotesque Animal
Suffer for Fashion

8. Milk-eyed Mender - Joanna Newsom

Sprout And The Bean
Swansea
Peach, Plum, Pear
En Gallop
Bridges and Balloons

9. In an Aeroplane over the Sea - Neutral Milk Hotel

King Of Carrot Flowers Pt. 1
King Of Carrot Flowers Pts. 2 And 3
Two Headed Boy
Ghost
Two Headed Boy Pt. 2

10. Everything All the Time - Band of Horses

Our Swords
Monsters
The Great Salt Lake
Wicked Gil
The First Song

11. In Case We Die - Architecture in Helsinki

Maybe You Can Owe Me
Do the Whirlwind
Frenchy, I'm Faking
In Case We Die (Parts 1-4)
Neverevereverdid

12. Turn on the Bright Lights - Interpol

Stella Was a Diver and She Was Always Down
PDA
NYC
Say Hello to the Angels
Obstacle 1

13. Emotionalism - The Avett Brothers

Will You Return?
Paranoia In Bb Major
Die Die Die
I Would Be Sad
Pretty Girl from Chile

14. Ganging Up on the Sun - Guster

Satellite
Ruby Falls
The Captain
Lightning Rod
Empire State

15. Be Your Own Pet - Be Your Own Pet

Adventure
October, First Account
Thresher's Flail
Ouch
Bog

16. Either/Or - Elliott Smith

Between the Bars
Speed Trials
Ballad of Big Nothing
Alameda
Rose Parade

17. Doolittle - Pixies

No. 13 Baby
Debaser
Wave of Mutilation
Monkey Gone to Heaven
Mr. Grieves

18. Summer in Abaddon - Pinback

3x0
non-photo blue
The Yellow Ones
Syracuse
Soaked

19. Feed The Animals - Girl Talk

all of 'em

20. Carnavas - Silversun Pickups

Lazy Eye
Dream at Tempo 119
Checkered Floor
Future Foe Scenarios
Melatonin

21. Chutes Too Narrow - The Shins

Fighting in a Sack
Kissing the Lipless
Saint Simon
Pink Bullets
Gone for Good

22. Dear Catastrophe Waitress - Belle and Sebastian

Step Into My Office, Baby
Piazza, New York Catcher
Asleep on a Sunbeam
Dear Catastrophe Waitress
If You Find Yourself Caught In Love

23. Anniemal - Annie

Heartbeat
Me Plus One
Always Too Late
Helpless Fool For Love
Chewing Gum

24. Greatest Hits: My Prerogative - Britney Spears (that's right)

I'm a Slave 4 U
... Baby One More Time
Toxic
Stronger
Everytime

25. I Am The Fun Blame Monster - Menomena

E. Is Stable
The Late Great Libido
Cough Coughing
20 Cell Revolt
Oahu

26. Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend

Mansard Roof
Oxford Comma
A-Punk
Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa
Boston

27. Knives Don't Have Your Back - Emily Haines & the Soft Skeleton

Our Hell
Doctor Blind
Crowd Surf Off A Cliff
The Lottery
Reading In Bed

28. Whatever and Ever Amen - Ben Folds Five

Fair
Selfless, Cold and Composed
Brick
Song for the Dumped
Battle of Who Could Care Less

29. The Life Pursuit - Belle and Sebastian

Act of the Apostle
White Collar Boy
We Are the Sleepyheads
Funny Little Frog
Act of the Apostle II

30. Sound of Silver - LCD Soundsystem

Time to Get Away
Get Innocuous
All My Friends
New York I Love You
North American Scum

Honorable Mentions:

Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not - Arctic Monkeys
Nevermind - Nirvana
The Flying Club Cup - Beirut
Funeral - The Arcade Fire
Slanted & Enchanted - Pavement
Transatlanticim - Death Cab for Cutie
Awesomer - Blood on the Wall
Night Ripper - Girl Talk
Michigan - Sufjan Stevens
Back to Black - Amy Winehouse
Echoes - The Rapture
In Ghost Colours - Cut Copy
Room on Fire- The Strokes
The Woods - Sleater-Kinney

Primer Concierto/First Concert:
Bon Jovi, 1993!

Autor Favorito/Favourite Songwriter:
Hoy diré que/Today i say:
Sandy Denny

Disquera Favorita/Favourite Record Label:
Kiddieriot!!! Jajajajaja, no, neta no me late venerar a disqueras.
Hahahahahaha, seriously, i don't worship labels.

Revista favorita/Favourite Magazine:
El Libro Vaquero.

Bajista Favorito/Favourite Bassist:
Either Lemmy or Brian Gibson.

Guitarrista Favorito/Favourite Guitarist:
Yo creo que/I think today i'll pick 灰野敬二.

Baterista Favorito/Favourite Drummer:
O Weasel Walter o Chris Corsano.

Portada Favorita/Favourite Album Cover:
Una de las favoritas/One of my faves is:
Slayer - Reign in Blood.

Artista Que Rompió Tu Corazón/Artist Who Broke Your Heart:
-Por sus decisiones artisticas/Because of artistic decisions:
Ian MacKaye.

-Emocionalmente/Emotionally:
Cat Power.

Artista En El Que Simpre Creeras/Artist You Will Always Believe In:
Sonic Youth (incluyendo a/including Jim O'Rourke).

Cantante Que Te Hace Chinita La Piel/Singer Who Makes Your Skin Crawl:
Tal vez/Maybe Joanna Newsom (de buena manera/in a good way)

Sonido Favorito/Favourite Sound:
Está dificil/Tough but:
Ruido de fondo de cassette/Tape hiss

Album Que Siempre Defenderas/Album You Will Always Defend:
Cave In - Antenna.

Álbum Que Tienes Que Nadie Más/Album You Own That No One Else Does:
Yo creo que es imposible que esto exista/I think this is imposible to happen.

Álbum Que Tienes Pero No Te Gusta/Album You Own but Don't Like:
Tengo algunos pero destaca/A few but a highlight is Kid Rock - Devil Without a Cause.

Artista Que Te Debería de Gustar Pero No Te Gusta/Artist You're Supposed to Like but Don't:
Un chingo/A lot: Built to Spill, Cornelius, Sebadoh, Live Skull...

Canción Que No Soportas De Un Artista Que Te gusta/Song You Can't Stand by an Artist You Like:
Judas Priest - You've Got Another Thing Comin'.

Banda Que Debe Separarse/Band That Should Break Up:
99% de las bandas reunidas/99% of reunited bands.

Banda Que Necesita Reunirse/Band That Should Re-form:
Boredoms con/with Seiichi Yamamoto

DVD de Música Favorito/Favourite Music DVD:
Wayne's World!!! o/or Converge - The Long Road Home.

Colaboración De Ensueño/Dream Collaboration:
I/C/O/C con/with Keiji Haino!!! Monosodic con/with Lydia Lunch!!!