Something a little different

So the past two weeks or so have been pretty solid. The last few days were rough on a few fronts, but nothing that was too awful. But here's the deal. I have a few things I am going to launch into, but then going to go over the top 5 new artists I have discovered since I have been in Alaska. Sound like a plan? Great.

Last weekend we went camping as a house. One of our friends, T, gave us a ride to Pirate's Cove, a pretty cool little place that was about a 15 minute boat ride from downtown. Kind of a training trip for Denali, if you will. We explored the little island a little, climbing on, over, and around rocks. We set up a few tents and sat under the stars by the fire drinking wine, roasting marshmallows, and just sitting around talking. We got to watch the tide come in, and it was all in sight of Mt. Edgecumbe. Awesome. Oh yeah, and there was this giant fishing net set up as a hammock that was incredibly comfortable; Nick, Katie and I all slept on it. It was a pretty fantastic night.

Cruise ships are back. Town is significantly more crowded. And annoying. The amount of conversations I have had with locals about how annoying it is to deal with them on a consistent basis...I avoid town and stuff. But at the same time, there is a new energy in town, and it is pretty cool to look outside and see a giant cruise ship anchored right in front of my window. Good with the bad, I suppose.

Alright, the top music I have discovered since coming to Alaska:

1.) Monsters of Folk

This band is a collaboration of people I have been listening to for some time now. Consisting of Jim James (lead singer of My Morning Jacket), Conor Oberst (lead singer of Bright Eyes), M. Ward (She & Him), and Mike Mogis (drummer for Bright Eyes/producer), each of them takes time to write pretty incredible music for this band. In some songs, the signature of each singer is evident. But at the same time, they all find a way to work together and integrate their musical style into each song, and it all blends together for a pretty great collaboration. Unfortunately they only stayed together for one album and tour. Thanks to Trevor in Anchorage for this find.

Dear God (sincerely, M.O.F.) -


2.) Eric Hutchinson

Think Jason Mraz, just not as talented vocally or musically and a little more stripped down, but that in no way is a slight towards Eric. His debut album, "Sounds Like This," is a lot of fun and yet deep at the same time. I guess he had a pretty big hit last year, called, "Rock and Roll," but I hadn't heard it until this year. Not sure how much more I could say here other than that. Probably the most 'mainstream' music on this list.

Outside Villanova -


3.) Portugal. The Man.

Thanks again to Trevor for this bad boy. Portugal is a band from Wasilla, which is a town north of Anchorage. Their album, "The Satanic Satanist," is a solid record from start to finish. The closest band that I can think of is My Morning Jacket, but I could be wrong in that. This record is one that I have listened to a few times, but have a hard time getting a feel for. I more than like it, but still cannot pinpoint why. Musically, it's a great album. Lyrically, it's a great album. But again, cannot tell you why.

In the Sun -


4.) Pete Yorn

Ok, so I suppose this one is a little questionable on the 'new music' front, because I had been hearing about Mr. Yorn for a few years now, just never went out of my way to listen to him. But then I stumbled on his 'musicforthemorningafter' and was hooked. His voice is, for lack of a better term, haunting. I don't find it particularly good, but it really fits for the music he writes. 'Nightcrawler' is a good album. His collaboration with Scarlett Johannson was a pretty solid effort. But 'musicforthemorningafter' is still his favorite album of mine by far.

Strange Condition


5.) The Raconteurs

Jack White can do no wrong. 'Consolers of the Lonely' is a phenomenal album. While I have always enjoyed his work with the White Stripes over the years I had yet to pick up anything by the project. Whoops. Jeff, one of my coworkers, highly recommended this album to me, and thankfully I listened to him. I don't want to see too effusive with my praise for this album, I can really find no fault with it. Probably my favorite album on this list (although MOF is right up there as well), I have yet to find a mood in which I cannot listen to 'Consolers.' Good work Jack.

Salute Your Solution -


So there it is. The Top 5 Artists that I have discovered since being in Alaska. Pretty solid music in all. Joshua Radin was close to making this list, but just got beat out. He is worth checking out if you get the chance though.

Big week coming up. Paddy and Nicole get in from Juneau Thursday. Kristin gets in on Friday. Top Gun party Saturday. Cannot wait.