Album Review 5/104 : The Beatles : With The Beatles

The Beatles listening continues with their second album, recorded in the latter half of 1963. This album was recorded and released after their extremely successful first album. It's about 50/50 between original songs and covers of other songs which seems like it was a bigger thing back in the early 60s.

As far as their sound goes it still has that late 50s early 60s sound I don't love. We're still early on in their existence and I know that a lot of their later music gets crazy (and pretty good). So I'm looking forward to it.

Really I'm just hoping that I can hear the transition from this style into their later music. Interesting to hear how artists evolve over their careers.

Fitness Report #2

Weekly Net Weight Loss : -1.5 pounds
Total Weight Loss : -3.7 pounds

I've been a little all over the map this last week or so. I've been so busy with work and getting things done around the house that it's been a challenge to get exercise in or even keep track of calories each day. Down a little by the end of the week.

I'm attempting to shift fitness reports to Sundays. I don't know why. Just seems easier.

Album review 4/104 : The Beatles : Please Please Me

I'm officially announcing a sub project of the 104 album project (resist the urge to make a projectception joke): Listen to the core catalogue of albums released by the Beatles. Why? It's one of those things that I can't keep continuing to feign basic knowledge of this group. They're widely considered to be the greatest performing group of the 20th century and I'm not sure I've ever listened to a single album of theirs all the way through. I know some of the bigger songs if only vaguely. I didn't really grow up in a household where the Beatles were played and have had relatively little experience with their sound (I have no regrets about this by the way). Seeing as how we've already passed the 50th anniversary of their first album it seems like the perfect time to start.

Fitness report: Week 1

Weekly Net Weight Loss : -2.2 pounds
Total Weight Loss : -2.2 pounds

The first week started off with the end of break (which, naturally, resulted in a slight weight gain). I fortunately managed to work it back off. The Mrs. and I have been on the mediterranean diet the last several days. Lots of vegetarian meals and lean meat. It's extremely nice to have a meal plan through emeals that tells us what to make each day. Saves a lot of time and energy.

Started doing some exercising at home as well. We'll see if I get ripped! Probably not. Not really the goal. A successful first week. 22.7 pounds left n my first goal.

Book Review 1/26 : Freakonomics : Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner

First book of the new year, Freakonomics is a book about framing the world slightly differently. It is essentially a collection of essays covering questions as different as crack dealers wages and good parenting. It's an interesting read for sure, though really feels eclectic. It certainly makes you think about things in a different light. They received a lot of controversy over most of the subjects in the book. Did abortion legalization after Roe v Wade impact the drop in crime rate in the 90s? Do realtors scam their clients out thousands of dollars on every home sale? How does racism influence players on "The Weakest Link?"

Check it out. It's a pretty quick read. The added sections after the main book is complete don't really add much in my opinion.

Album Review 3/104: Zomboy : Entire Creative Output

I like a pretty wide variety of music. The things that I find extremely satisfying often have students and friends scratching their heads. You mean you like Rimsky-Korsokov AND Jay-Z? Is that even possible?

Yes. Yes it is.

And I really love electronic music in almost all of its forms. Dubstep, House, Ambient, Chip Tunes, etc all makes its way through my skull and fills me with joy.

So my brother Caleb threw a recommendation that I listen to Zomboy stating "It's so much better than Skrillex" and my initial reaction was "WHO SENT YOU, THE DEVIL?! I BANISH THEE!"

My brother was right, though.

Album Review 2/104: Five Iron Frenzy : Engine of a Million Plots

Second album review of the year. Really eager to listen to a few of these albums. I'm also incredibly excited to break in my new headphones which were my Christmas and birthday present from my wife. (Audio Technica ATH-M50's. Seriously good sounding headphones)

This album has been a long time coming. It's Five Iron's first new album in a decade. I still remember going to see these guys live on their farewell tour when I was 14. Seriously cool concert. Then they left and I was super bummed out. I had all of their albums and loved them to death (Even Cheeses of Nazareth...County Wisconsin).

Enter kickstarter. Five Iron crowd sources the full cost of their new album and then some. Pretty awesome. This album has had me really excited for a long time. Well... not excited enough to actually listen to it until over a month after it came out but you know I WAS BUSY, OKAY?!