California's oldest state park Big Basin Redwoods State Park is located in Boulder Creek, CA, about an hour and a half drive south of San Francisco. A beautiful park and the clouds that day looked like a snow covered blanket!
Pop Quiz: Does this shot remind you of any album cover?
Hint: My favorite song from the album is "Alter Ego"
I remember when you were walking away
the trains labored to keep time
The tracks were frozen
and my heart kept pace.
12:30
as you walked underneath
the clock overhead
pointing away.
Your strides always fell behind mine
I’d slow down as you held me back in line
and whispered to leave the rush and keep the time.
We got here
because of your hatred of fear.
That child who broke your heart
who cheated and smeared the entrails
in front of you to hear:
Her name was Jane.
She remained
above our surface
No matter the dive
deep inside, below whatever kept that alive
we always came back for air.
Whatever I shaped
you pushed and pushed away
the feelings of her name, his name.
Your worry lines narrated times
of your past present in the future,
never trusting a being again.
My hope, over many months as colors changed,
was pictured in frames of different days
if you had never met him, a separate physical plane,
where we grew to walk in time.
I think you trusted him
with every speck and freckle,
dime and nickel,
tangible, intangible.
Trust is a gesture that leaves us
and empowers the others hold, thus
we become one, vulnerable
to be crushed, faithful
to be forever loved.
I held but felt
the former had its say
for no more gestures would be made.
There’s only so much blood the heart will bleed
till its worn and withered away.
Years later,
I wrote you a letter
that remains unanswered,
and I still wonder if you feel the same.
I dream sometimes we’re still entwined
after getting through what we had to
and you became
you,
whole and true,
knowing how much I loved you.
Months before we met,
I saw you
in that floral print
to your knees it went
as your little Converse kicks
scuffed up the dance floor.
Guy after guy approached,
you smiled,
shook your head no,
and danced alone.
"Like Nas – a one-time messiah himself – Lamar, a scrawny 25-year-old from Compton, was a visual poet. You can see Compton — the burger stands, the lights of the police cruisers, the 405 freeway — in every track of “good kid, m.A.A.d. city,” just as you can see the dice games, project hallways and parks of Queensbridge in Nas’s “Illmatic.”
- Jay Caspian Kang, Notes on the Hip-Hop Messiah, NY Times, March 24, 2015
Kang just wrote a great article on Kendrick Lamar, his last two albums, the classic good kid, m.A.A.d. city, and his recent album, To Pimp a Butterfly, and the meaning of "hip-hop messiah," which Kang defines as:
Read MoreThese songs really remind me of both Vampire Weekend (specifically "Little Grace" with the vocal deliveries and accelerated paced tracks a la VW's first two albums) and Local Natives (especially "Souls" with the group choruses, drums hitting the side of the kit, and their overall sound), but these kids from Minnesota also bring their own poppy vibe to bop your head to.
Read MoreI find this really hard to say, but I think this is the best track Tame Impala has written. The intertwining of parts as each fades in and out seamlessly, the use of subtle loops (around the 3:25 mark) which leads into one prolonged loop which then leads into a powerful orchestrated string section, the song keeps swimming into other rhythms. I just can't get over the intricacy and depth of this song. This track HAS to be heard with headphones on.
If this is the best track on Tame Impala's new album (release date this year but unknown!), I'll still be a happy camper, but I have this great feeling that the album is going to be a real classic, Tame Impala's best. Fingers crossed!
Read MoreLaugh all you want, I really think the Canadian Tuxedo is making its way back into style. I've seen it recently in a couple magazines as well as in person. I think the denim on denim is a bold idea but can look somewhat understated if you do it monochromatically (as evidenced here and in Part 3 which is almost identical but with a blue button-up) or pair it with a white T shirt (Parts 2 and 4).
My pair of Rogue boots gives the look some ruggedness which also goes to show the beauty of leather when taken care of while being used frequently. And the jean jacket, which has no clear branding, was $20 from Old Navy!
Old Navy Jean Jacket, Gap T-Shirt, PacSun Jeans, Rogue Boots
Old Navy Jean Jacket, Gap T-Shirt, PacSun Jeans, Rogue Boots
Sleeves rolled up
Photos by Kramer Sharp
Drug Cabin's debut full-length album, Yard Work, is a walk down memory lane for me. The Los Angeles band's vibe and sound reminds me of Wilco's Sky Blue Sky, a laid back and retro sound that's paced well with a full listen only costing you 26 minutes. This is the type of album I picture putting on as I sit on a deck somewhere overlooking the beach (or at least that's my favorite way to listen to Sky Blue Sky).
Sapphire is my favorite track on this album. So if you like this track, give the rest of the album a good listen!
Read MoreCutting Patrick Watson down to five tracks is a difficult task. Listening to him is like listening to the symphony. It's lush, atmospheric, and rains on you from all directions. Watson is one of my favorite singer/songwriters of the past few years, and he seems to have Andrew Bird's cerebral talents yet with a more distinct and at times Jeff Buckley-esque (for proof - see his wailing on "Luscious Life") voice. He has an ability to make his songs speak and gravitate more and more towards your soul. He's a special one.
Read MoreBeautiful slow jam from the silky-smooth voiced Lapsley. There's not a ton of info out there on her, but her EP Understudy was released in January 2015 and includes this gem.
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