Well, another year has come, and just about gone as I write this. I haven't done anything with the site in a long time. And I apologize about that. I don't know if anyone even comes to visit anymore? Anyone out there!? 

It's been a crazy couple of years for me. I found a job in Madison, WI, moved there and found out just under a year later that my job was moving to Indianapolis. Well, I decided that I did not want to move with the job. But I got very lucky and found another one just before the one moved. So, exactly a year after I moved to Madison, I found myself moving to Oshkosh, WI. I have found an incredible, (and stable) company to work for and am finally getting my bearings... Which is why you find me back on my site here.

So anyway, I found this year to be an INCREDIBLE year in rock music. Some incredible albums, so that you have likely heard of... Others that you may have not.  

First, I'll start with a band I just discovered this summer w/ their song "Sail."  The band is AWOLNATION. I was lucky enough to see them in a small, intimate venue in November, and they ABSOLUTELY BLEW ME AWAY. I came away stating that they were the best live band that I've ever seen. I don't know if it was that I love every single song of theirs, or that they just owned the crowd in the small venue or what. But it was just amazing. If you're interested in checking them out, you can purchase their album "Megalithic Symphony" by clicking on the album cover below:

AWOLNATION - Megalithic Symphony

 The next album is one that is not so much rock, but still absolutely amazing. Her album is mainly about the breakup w/ her boyfriend when she was 20-21 years old. But, she's got the writing skills of someone three times her age. There's two albums I recommend, her studio album - 21. And then her live album / dvd called Adele - "Live at Royal Albert Hall". The CD is good, but the DVD gave me chills. She's an incredible talent.

                       Adele - 21          Adele - Live at The Royal Albert Hall 

Staying w/ the Brit Pop invasion... Florence + The Machine's first major album - "Lungs" was captivating. Florence has just an angelic presence... Her new album Ceremonials absolutely turns that knob to 11. It's soooooooooo good.

Florence + the Machine - Ceremonials

The Black Keys - El Camino. The cd case is covered in minivans. Kind of funny after having the name "El Camino." But, once again an incredible album. There's a hint of Led Zepplin. There's some straight up blues and just some all around goodness.

The Black Keys - El Camino

The next band, some people will love... some people may be uncomfortable about the subject matter.  No matter who you talk to, if they've heard it, they'll tell you that it's an INCREDIBLY personal album. It's Blue October's - Any Man in America. Justin, the lead singer and songwriter of Blue October, has always been incredibly personal in his lyrics. He wrote this album about his pending divorce and the toll that it was taking on him and his family. Especially his daughter, Blue. It gives a great insight on the subject on there being father's out there that do want to be a dad. Not all father's are the dead beats that you hear about, and sometimes the blame can be placed on the mom's. Blue October puts on an incredible show. If you ever get the chance to see them live, definitely take it.

Blue October - Any Man in America

 The last thing I have for you (for now) - is an incredible BOOK. It's written by Butch Walker and is basically a loose biography. It's pretty interesting learning about how he started in music and eventually ended up where he is now. It's also very funny. For those of you that know Butch, he's got a very dry sense of humor. Very fun though.  Check it: 

Butch Walker - Drinking with Strangers - Music Lessons from a Teenage Bullet Belt