New Music Worth Your Time

There appears to be a resurgence in music lately.  Not a resurgence in the sense that there are a lot of good 'new' bands coming out with albums, but familiar bands coming out with great albums.  2010 was the worst.  Excitement about getting a new album felt forced and cds wore out there welcome after 1 or 2 full listens.  Recently the Decemberists have come out with a great record called The King is Dead.  Gillian Welch sings on it and the songs have a country feel that didn't exist on their other previous records.  Iron and Wine (Kiss Each Other Clean) still has great songwriting, but now adds some electronic stuff that I have to say I have always enjoyed.  It doesn't seem out of place and the listening experience is enjoyable.  Bright Eyes (The Peoples Key) comes out in a couple weeks.  If you order it from Saddle Creek right now they will send you a digital copy to download right now.  Or you can go to NPR and listen to the album in its entirety without spending a penny.  I am doing that right now because the download thing doesn't work and so far it seems pretty great.

Here are some other things The Sun Sets On Indiana is enjoying:

Television: (Here are some recommendations for the people who 'don't watch too much television' because their lives are too important)

1.  Portlandia-  Carrie Brownstein (Slater Kinney, NPR All Songs Considered) and Fred Armisen

This is on IFC and they put on little short skits about Portland.  Two episodes in and its nothing less than hilarious.

2.  Breaking Bad- (Bryan Cranston) Chemistry teacher/cancer patient selling meth.  Always a recipe for success.  Didn't catch it when it first came out.  Heard about the hype but never watched it.  We have purchased the first two seasons and its amazing.  

3.  Parks and Recreation-  Rob Lowe is a highlight, but so is each character on there.  Aziz Ansari, Amy Pohler just two more funny funny people.  Its hard to overshadow 30 Rock, but Parks and Rec is coming close.  Good thursday night of tv there.  

Beer:  We did thing we had a beer guy willing to do a weekly, monthly column on beer recs, but I think he forgot about us.

1.  Bells Hopslam- 10.0% a/v IPA.  A six pack costs around $15 but if you think about it there are about 12 beers worth of alcohol in each six pack of beer.  If you can find it, buy it and enjoy it.  Its not around often and its delicious.

2.  3 Floyds Gumballhead- A wheat IPA.  If you aren't in Chicago you are not going to find this.  It's my favorite beer I have ever had.  I think its hard to get even if you live in Chicago.

This is ice not snow.  If I tap a tree right now I think it might crumble.