Entries tagged as ‘finland’
WILLIAM ELLIOTT WHITMORE
“Animals in the Dark”-Anti-CD
I was turned on to William Elliott Whitmore fairly recently, back when he was on tour with Murder by Death this last time and I was planning on going to the show so I started listening to him a lot and really got into it. I ended up missing the show, but “Song of the Blackbird” has become one of the heaviest played albums in my car and house. Animals in the Dark was an album
William Elliott Whitmore- "Animals in the Dark"
I planned to pick up on vinyl, but I happened to have a good chunk of an iTunes giftcard left over and I really wanted it for my trip to Finland to have on my iPod, so I went ahead and downloaded it, and it’s been playing all day. I listened to the album first when Whitmore had it up streaming on his MySpace page the few days leading up to the official release and it was the first time I really listened to music on MySpace other than stuff I’ve put up there. Animals in the Dark is a pretty amazing album in that it keeps the same classic blues/bluegrass sound of Whitmore’s past albums but he takes a definite turn towards waxing politick on a number of tracks. This album also has already received my nominations for best opening track on 2009 for the song “Mutiny”. When I first heard that song (during the aforementioned MySpace streaming) I was instantly in love with this album. It’s incredibly powerful from a music standpoint and equally clever in term of lyrics and it’s all done in a very simple manner. “Mutiny” is a great example of how powerful Whitmore’s voice is, that, among his banjo slinging and slide guitar skills, his voice is undoubtedly his greatest tool.
There’s no song on Animals in the Dark that sounds like any song off of Song of the Blackbird making this a great example of how versatile Whitmore really is and that he has no formula except to do something a little different each time–and it works.
Unfortunately, he’s touring through this area in the middle of my trip.
Categories: R-A-B-L-O-G Posts · Reviews
Tagged: animals in the dark, bluegrass, blues, finland, folk, song of the blackbird, William Elliott Whitmore
So after a couple of snow days (one by the university’s decree and one by my own) I am two days away from leaving for Finland and I think I’m all set. That doesn’t mean I’m ready, but I am prepared. I have bought everything I need, I just need to do launrdy and pack which will happen tomorrow. I’m going to see Watchmen at midnight (Thursday night/Friday morning, I had to ask the girl at the ticket counter for calrification because everything says 12:01 a.m. Thurs. but really mean the first minute of Friday morning). Then I have to open at work in the morning, then drive to Fredericksburg, Brittany has to pack up, then my dad drives us to Dulles, then our flight leaves just before 6 p.m.
My plan is to be as exhausted as possible so that I can hopefully sleep on the flight. I usually struggle with sleeping on planes (or trains) because there are so many people around, but it’s just suppsoed to be Brittany and I in a two seat row so that should help.
I’ll be updating with some pictures every now and then while I’m over there, but I’m going to concentrate mostly on having a good time and will do a full updte when I get home.
Categories: Masc. 491 Posts
Tagged: finland, watchmen
Is going to be interesting. I’m sitting in my house right now waiting for my brother to drop some things off for our dad before I drive to Fredericksburg for a joint birthday between my dad and his dad (my grandpa) with the knowledge that I’m probably going to get snowed in. But I have to get a suitcase because…I WILL BE IN FINLAND THIS TIME NEXT WEEK and that requires a moderate amount of packing (mostly big jackets and thermal underwear and books and toys for my nephew).
Tampere is HERE
We (Brittany and I) are going to be in Tampere, best known as the home of the first McDonald’s in Finland and the Finnish Film Festival and that city where the sun never shines. Though we’re flying into Helsinki, which is known for having four H&M stores within walking distance of each other. But everything is walking distance in that city.
Estonian style wife carrying
My brother and I found that out last year when we had no idea where anything was and walked the perimeter of the city. Fun fact: Finland hasn’t been independent for 100 years yet. They also cannot beat an Estonian at ANYTHING.
I’m looking forward to actually having money to spend while I’m there this year (I’ve been saving a bit) and also checking out this Finnish comic shop that my brother has found in the city. I’m also going to catch up on Dynamo 5 and finally get some pleasure reading done for the first time in months.
Categories: R-A-B-L-O-G Posts
Tagged: dynamo 5, estonian style, europe, finland, helsinki, tampere, wife carrying
