i may be a bird in a cage but at least it's your cage

People emailed, so if you feel that you absolutely have to gift me with something this holiday season, here's some stuff that would make me super happy:

( the list )

Last night triskellita and I went to one of the most awesome shows I've seen all year -- American Aquarium, the Prayers & Tears of Arthur Digby Sellers, Nathan Asher & the Infantry -- and made friends with the bands. I really love the Triangle scene sometimes.

Goals already accomplished today: got out of bed before 9AM despite having gone to bed at 3:45; phone meetings with two potential software contractors. Goals still to accomplish: finish this damn story about Pete Wentz and college athletes; shower the product out of my indie hipster bed head; medium-hot buffalo chicken sandwich.

Here, in the spirit of giving, have two albums:

[Okkervil River -- Don't Fall In Love With Everyone You See] 53MB, .zip file. I uploaded this for Thea yesterday, so I'm sharing. Okkervil opened for the Decemberists on the Picaresque tour two years ago; they play roots-and-Americana-influenced indie rock, and Will writes smart, literate songs. They don't sound like the Decemberists in terms of straight-up sound, but they write similar wordy songs that tell stories. Their newest album, The Stage Names, is an entire album about being a rock musician. This one is a little sadder and a little slower, but it's my favorite of their stuff.

[David Deboy -- Crabs for Christmas] 44MB, .zip file. The default holiday album of my soul. This is a truly remarkably ridiculous piece of recording. It is a Baltimore, Maryland themed Christmas album. It sounds like my childhood, you guys. It's very much a novelty disc, but if you appreciate ridiculous novelty music or you've lived in or currently live in Baltimore and understand what I mean when I say that the city has left fingerprints on my soul, this album is for you and your lolz.

SHOWER, SERIOUSLY. I smell like rock show and my hair is appalling.