Sweep the dirty stairs, the ones I waited on...

So I've decided to put to pasture those two blogs that never got any use. To say that my initial project of maintaining four blogs, with varying subjects and interests, was ambitious would be quite the understatement. Now that's not to say that I have no opinion or interest in the matters of music or political/philosophical rambling (those who know me well are aware that it's quite the contrary but simply, I sometimes lack motivation to put all my thoughts to paper, or some form of binary/hexadecimal code, as the case may be. Against all odds, the monstrosity known as Francis Bacon Stole my Shoes has emerged from the wreck that is my blogging career and has trampled through the countryside, swatting down helicopters, toppling buildings and terrifying hapless bespectacled asian businessmen. Oh, the wrath, the inhumanity, the shitty low-res pictures. Whatever. I've discovered a fondness for photography, and I'll keep nurturing it as long as I feel that I'm passionate about it.

So what's new in Camp Cynical Jerk, you ask? Nothing much to be honest. My second semester of journalism school is underway, and while I'm still fascinated with the subject matter, a few of the classes I'm currently taking are leaving an acrimonious taste in my mouth. My radio class is of little interest to me, my interest in broadcast journalism having sunk long ago alongside the Empress, the Laconia, the Innesfallen and other similarly doomed vessels. Also, quite a few of the assignments that I have to turn in for my Writing and Reporting 1 class are focused on community going-ons, a subject that I have a fairly limited fascination with. But aside from these minor blemishes, my school semester is fruitful enough.

I've also been going through frequent bouts of introspective contemplation and mild depression. Something about this place bothers me. I have no clue what 'something' represents, nor am I certain which 'place' I'm referring to. This apartment? This town? The state of 'me' at this moment. It could be any one of those things, but I lack comfort, I lack warmth. On certain days it feels like these walls are miles-thick. On certain days it feels like these four and a half rooms are the furthest place from any source of light. Consequently, it often feels like I'm navigating a series of dimly lit hallways with blinders on. Every step uncertain. The end cloudy and obscured, the means terrifying and fragile. If only someone could come and show me where that light-switch is. I'd be forever grateful.

In band news, we're still rehearsing and writing, with no shows planned for now. We've created a blog specifically for band announcements, so I'd suggest for anyone with an interest in overwrought instrumental music to direct themselves over to http//cityofahundredspires.blogspot.com . We'll be updating it fairly often with nonsensical ramblings from all four of the band members.

Finally, I'm going to end this rare update with a little something special:

A bit over a month late, here it is, JM's top 20 records of 2005!

(keep in mind this list is limited to full records, i've left out eps, splits, singles and the like)

20 -- Jamie Lidell - Multiply

An amazing throwback album, perfect 70s soul mixed with cutting edge electronic flourishes. An absolutely fun listen from start to finish. Great to get your groove on to.

19 -- Sam Prekop - Who's Your New Professor?

Great laidback record. Everytime I listen to it I can't help but be taken back to summer days and good times. Sam's breathy voice is just enchanting on this. He sounds better than on any Sea and Cake record on here.

18 -- A Silver Mount Zion - Horses in the Sky

Beautiful, emotional, epic and moving. It's all about the vocals; fantastic melodies and harmonies. If the triple-canon at the end of 'God Bless our Dead Marines' doesn't put a lump in your throat, nothing will.

17 -- Sufjan Stevens - Illinois

Amazingly eclectic record filled with a variety of instruments and moods. Some of the most inventive arrangements to be found on an indie rock record. Sufjan proves that his being prolific does not come at the cost of quality song-writing.

16 -- The Clientele - Strange Geometry

Lovely dreamy indie pop. Think Paul Simon backed by sweet delay and reverb drenched guitars. An absolutely splendid listen.

15 -- Prefuse 73 - Surrounded by Silence

Fantastic glitchy hip-hop record. Features more vocal appearances than his previous work, but still enthralling. Appearances of note: The Books (gorgeous track with chopped up banjo), El-P, Ghostface, the GZA and Aesop Rock!

14 -- Sigur Ros - Takk

Ridiculously pretty. Most definitely their most accessible material, characterized by warm, heartbreaking melodies and the occasional deafening crescendo. Loverly indeed.

13 -- Kepler - Attic Salt

Ottawa's indie veterans released a real gem this year. Beautiful, perfectly written indie rock. Samir's voice sounds fantastic on this release and his melodies and lyrics follow suit. Check this out.

12 -- Mogwai - Government Commissions

Live set of songs from Scotland's post-rock tyrants. This is worth the price of admission simply for the earth-shattering 18 minute rendition of Like Herod, and for it's chill-inducing version of New Paths to Helicon 1. Oh, and the rest is great too.

11 -- Jaga Jazzist - What We Must

Lush instrumental compositions incorporating a huge variety of instruments and sounds. Really evocative music, it instantly summons up colorful images in the heads of anyone smart enough to listen. Just amazing.

10 -- The American Analog Set - Set Free

Slow, dreamy, lovely and, dare I say it, sexy. Really gorgeous minimal indie rock, complete with vibraphone. 'She's Half' is one of the most beautiful tracks I've ever heard. Check it out. Similar in mood to My Bloody Valentine, if anyone cares.

9 -- Explosions in the Sky - Travel In Constants: The Rescue

Okay, I'm cheating just abit on this one. This is not quite an ep and not quite an lp, more of a miny album. However, it's just too good to leave off this list. At this point, it seems this band can do no wrong. They expanded the instrumentation on this release, but cut back on song lengths. The result is mesmerizing. Stuff to listen to loud and with the lights off, while doing nothing else.

8 -- Kanye West - Late Registration

Ridiculous production, genuinely fun songs and a great cast of guest appearances (Common, Lupe Fiasco, Jay-Z, Adam Levine(!?), Gil Scott-Heron). The first half of this record is near flawless, while the second lags abit. Still an amazing mainstream hip-hop record. Word.

7 -- Pelican - The Fire in our Throats will Beckon the Thaw

Jaw-dropping instrumental rock-outs. More atmospheric than their first record and considerably more accomplished. Loud, rocking music for just about anyone.

6 -- Maritime - We, the Vehicles

Another semi-cheat, this isn't released here yet, but it was released in Japan and in the UK back in the fall. This is Davey from the Promise Ring's new band. Honestly, this record pretty much achieves the perfect balance between that dark indie sound and gorgeous pop. Great lyrics, melodies, instrumentation and song-writing. 'Tearing Up the Oxygen' is a ridiculous song.

5 -- Four Tet - Everything Ecstatic

Less accessible and pretty than his earlier stuff, this record is still a must own. These electro-acoustic compositions are much more expansive, dense and complex. Lots of jazzy beats and interesting melodies. Stuff to shake 'yo ass to. 'Smile Around the Face' is the ultimate cheer-up song.

4 -- Thrice - Vheissu

Say what you will about this band, they've released one of the best records this year, and one of the best rock records of the past five years. Amazing songwriting, production, playing and innovation, this is one of the most remarkable cases of a band maturing and honing their craft. The songs come off sounding as a mix of Quicksand, meets Cave-In, meets Radiohead, with a small dash of Isis. Seriously, great. Oh, and I can't move on without mentionning the quality of the lyrics and writing: really inspired, eloquent and inventive.

3 -- Propagandhi - Potemkin City Limits

Simply a jaw-dropping record. Intense, perfectly-written and played, uncompromising and most importantly just plain rockin'. The boys have released the best record of their career and a watershed record for rock n' roll, period. Once again, all of this is without mentionning the lyrics. Amazingly complex, insightful, witty and pertinent. Seriously, this gets my highest recommendation.

2 -- Minus the Bear - Menos El Oso

Easily toppling Highly Refined Pirates, this record has absolutely amazing compositions. Every song has its own distinct mood and everyone of them is a joy to listen to. Just fun, complex, dancy indie rock. Definitely, the record that's received the most spins in my cd player this year.

1 -- Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane - Live at Carnegie Hall

What can be said about this? Two of the most influential players ever (and coincidentally my two favorite) caught at the pinnacle of their collaboration, Coltrane viciously feeding off of Monk's compositions, the results are just electric and ridiculously exciting. The sound quality is top notch too. It's a miracle that this was unearthed. Too cool.

Wow, that was exhaustive. Okay I'm out for tonight, I need the rest. Cheers and take care all.