It's coming. Even though today is dreary and damp, the signs are there. Slowly but surely after the longest, mind-and-soul-numbingly-shitty winter in recent memory, it's coming. Warm sun, fresh air, green grass, baseball, fuzzy bunnies and all that goes with it will be here soon.

These are thawing my brain and getting me in the mood to venture outdoors once again:

Verbal Assault :: Trial
The other day I was sitting in a long, slow traffic line, but I didn't mind. Sun was pouring through the windshield, fresh air through the slightly cracked window. The iPod fliped to the intro to “Our Illusions” which definitely makes the all-time favorites list and I was all, “Man... I'm so ready for more of this”. •

Samiam :: Soar
These guys were emo before there was a word for it. This record reminds me of something I read in Cometbus (I think) a million years ago about how sad songs can make one happy and happy songs can make one sad. •

Throwing Muses :: The Real Ramona
This was their best effort and some of Kristen Hirsch's best songwriting. As sugary sweet as it is dark and brooding. It will haunt you and make you want to smile. •

Idlewild :: The Remote Part
This is perfect for clearing away the cobwebs. High energy Scottish pop-rock with noisy, driving guitars. Set to play, increase volume, press pedal to floor, repeat as necessary. It is good. •

Quicksand :: Manic Compression
I loved Quicksand. They were friggin' great. Absolutely one of my all-time favorites. This one is a little more contrived than Slip because of a probable effort to make their sound more "marketable". Thankfully that effort failed just enough that it still rocks. •

Lyrics of the day:

“Did not expect this shit at all
to go through this again...”

Quicksand - “Landmine Spring”