Yeasayer

I just discovered that The National is coming to Manhattan in August. For a cheapo like me, tickets are slightly expensive. However, this band is fantastic. As I was looking over the details, I decided to check out their opening act: Yeasayer.

All I have to say is, "Wow". I'm halfway through the first track on their myspace page now, and I'm in aural heaven.

Unfortunately, since The National is not exactly radio friendly**, none of my friends like them. So I have to convince the missus to go. Hopefully she'll come along.

**A good time for a rant. How can one of the world's biggest, most cosmopolitan cities have such terrible commercial radio? We have 3 "rock" radio stations, 2 of which play all classic rock (e.g. Beatles, Led Zep, The Who, the Stones, etc). The third markets itself as the "rock of New York", but I call it the all black sabbath/ozzy osbourne station. This self proclaimed rock of New York plays the occasional Foo Fighters song to appear modern but 90% of their catalogue was recorded before 2000. Beyond frustrating. And don't even get me started about the local Christian station.

I feel better now. Carry on.

Weezer and the internet superstars

I love Weezer's music. this song is no exception, but the video is phenomenal.

Philosophical Question: Who owns the moon?

Link

The moon has been in plain view for all of human history, but it's only within the past few decades that it's been possible to travel there. And for just about as long as the moon has been within reach, people have been arguing about lunar property rights: Can astronauts claim the moon for king and country, as in the Age of Discovery? Are corporations allowed to expropriate its natural resources, and individuals to own its real estate?

So, who does the moon? Obviously, say my coworkers, it's the USA since "we" (I use the collective "we" here, since I am now a resident), landed there first. But is that enough? Do we give it over the UN for governance?

The internet was invented in the U.S., and the control of the most popular names (the .com's .net's and .org's) remains in the U.S. There was quite a clamor from the international community to turn that over to the U.N. Why? That's an invented product where, (at least to me), it's quite clear the control should be with the inventors, or whomever they delegate its authority.

But this is a whole different animal. The moon was not discovered--mankind has known of it since the beginning. One country just got there first. So, is it first come first served? Whoever gets there first can exploit it? If not, who gets to enforce the moon's neutrality? How does the "police" get this authority? Who bestows it upon them? Might makes right here?

I have no idea what the correct answer is. I suppose that we'll find out shortly.

The Music Edition

This is my music recommendation list. I haven't posted any thoughts in a while, and thought I'd devote an entire post to what I've been listening to over the last month:

1. The National -- Boxer: Widely claimed by critics and fans alike to be the best album of 2007. If not the best, it's up there. Incredible, laid back, mellow sound that I can listen to over and over again.




2. Just discovered this new [to me] band: Robert Randolph & the Family Band. A band that fuses together rock, funk, soul and gospel. And, to top it off--they're a bunch of Christians in a band (as opposed to a Christian band--big difference). Phenomenal stuff. I've heard the song below before, but didn'know who it was and their background.



3. Andrew Bird: Armchair Apocrypha -- Another laid back mellow singer with a great voice. Great album--every song is excellent.